HEEDING THE CALL
(December 12, 2020)
"Here I am , Lord
It Is I , Lord
I have heard You / calling in the night.
I will go , Lord
If You lead me
I will hold _ Your people in_my heart."
Matt Maher sings these words as a refrain to "Your Grace Is Enough" live version.
It has taken me a few years to finally hear them all, but, now that I have, I recall a very young Samu-el , who kept waking Eli, the Cohen Gadol which Hannah, his mother, turned him over to , as promised, to serve Y-H-V-H .
Again, as Yesha-Yahu ( Isaiah )
stood trembling in his vision, he declared had was a man who had 'rough' language; but YAH sent an angel with a glowing coal to purify his lips. He (Isaiah) then proclaimed a statement so very near this.
Again and Again, throughout the Word, we can find those in HEAVEN and on Earth proclaim this sentiment.
Sadly, there are so many "Christians" making the same statement , as far back as these examples, that have no true inclination to fulfill the words.
They may mean it at the time; the intentions may be there, sincerity may be present, but, when it comes down to fully committing, they develop feet of clay.
Or, the call may be 'hijacked' by self, and used for personal glorification, forgetting where the call originated from.
We, who have heard a call from KINGDOM, MUST TURN OUR EYES TO THE HILLS, FROM WHERE OUR HELP COMES FROM !
Only by Leaps of Faith; Diving In, Stepping Out Of The Boat and KEEPING OUR GAZE SQUARELY FOCUSED ON YESHUA'S OUT-STREACHED ARMS, OUR OUTREACHS WILL NOT BEAR GOOD FRUIT !
Harsh reality, but , reality, nontheless.
Many are called, but Few are chosen.
That's WORD.
I pray daily for the Strength, Wisdom and Guidance from RUACH Ha'KODESH (HOLY SPIRIT), the Strengthener, and Comforter sent by YESHUA Ha'MASSIACH, the Lion of Judah.
I am an Imperfect Human, in an Imperfect World, that Needs a SAVIOR Every Moment of Every Day !
Let us agree together to Strive for Our Best Efforts to be KINGDOM People, seeking First to Please YAH, being HIS CHILDREN.
Blessings .....
BE BACK TO WORK ! .....
Well, HELLO !!!
For at Least 2 years , We have been unable to connect with our site, due to a 'Series of Unfortunate Events', concerning the Accessibility to Site Builder and, more importantly, to Our .com address.
You see, Prodigal Ministries House of Refuge, and Kenya Mission have Re-Located to Sunny Florida, U.S.A. !
.... As ' Glamorous ' as that may sound, I'm feeling a mist from a torrential, Tropical Rainstorm as I sit on our Lanai (... screened porch to our Northern Friends ...), which we're definitely in need of, (the Rain AND Lanai) as we have been in a tough drought during this usual rainy season, and the grass is a bit brown.
YET, FATHER Y-H-V-H has Truly Blessed us ; Myself, Pastor Charlotte , and my 90 year old Mother , with being in a climate more suitable for Her (... and OUR ... ) physical needs.
We have been Blessed with Good Health , Good Friends, and Good Word since HE told us to Pack Up and Head South.
.....And , NOW ... the Ability to Get Back To Work for the KINGDOM'S PURPOSE !!!
We've been asked so many times over the past couple of years why We would even think of moving to a state that is more expensive to live in, compared to Ohio.
Well , There's a simple answer ; HOLY SPIRIT TOLD US TO : { although , at times , We still ask "Why" Ourselves. }
Amazingly enough , We were asked the Exact Same Thing when we First went to Our Home in Kisiiland.
Why, O' , Why would You do something like Uproot Yourself and just Go So Far Away from EVERYTHING YOU KNOW ?
WELL, BECAUSE WE WERE TOLD TO BY THE ONE WE TRUST !!!
Now , to many people , that may seem like a KrAzY answer , but, I can think of a few others who had the same Sh'eilah [ question ] to them.
...Mattityahu {Matthew}, 21:23-27 ;
23] " He went into the Temple area; and as he was teaching, the head cohanim and the elders of the people approached him and demanded, “What s’mikhah [ authority ] do you have that authorizes you to do these things? And who gave you this s’mikhah? [ ordination ]” [24] Yeshua answered, “I too will ask you a question. If you answer it, then I will tell you by what s’mikhah I do these things.
25] ... The immersion of Yochanan — where did it come from? From Heaven or from a human source?” They discussed it among themselves: “If we say, ‘From Heaven,’ he will say, ‘Then why didn’t you believe him?’ [26] But if we say, ‘From a human source,’ we are afraid of the people, for they all regard Yochanan as a prophet.” [27] So they answered Yeshua, “We don’t know.” And he replied, “Then I won’t tell you by what s’mikhah I do these things." "
Why would there be such a "problem" with answering the question directly, without fear of getting stoned by the masses ?
Great Question for Us to ask !!
Here are a few possibilities to look over about the Early life of Yochanan the Immerser , of which I'll leave it to You to decide about validity. { .. I might add that, since we are Not 'Adding' to , or 'Removing' from the Biblical Canonized Text, or the Talmud or Torah , this is acceptable , and We are NOT proclaiming Any of the following as GOD's Word, only an accounted history, gathered by Men. We Encourage You to Seek Out Your Own Answers ... }
.....from Encyclopedia Britannica ; John's Life And Work :
"After allowances are made for the tendencies of each of these sources, the following items about John appear relatively trustworthy. He was born somewhere in Judaea (localized at ʿEn Kerem from at least 530 CE) to Zechariah, a priest of the order of Abijah, and his wife, Elizabeth, perhaps a relative of Mary, the mother of Jesus. His formative years were spent in the Judaean desert, where monastic communities, such as the Essenes (a strict Jewish sect that existed from about the 2nd century BCE to the end of the 1st century CE), and individual hermits often educated the young in their own ideals."
... from Amazing Bible Timeline with World History ; Background of John the Baptist :
"Once John was born, he was raised under the teachings of his father Zechariah. He learned about the Torah, Talmud and other important Jewish Holy Books and scripture. John was probably being groomed for the priesthood like his father, but the Spirit of God had led John out into the wilderness to live as a wild man who learned how to eat off of the land. The Bible claims that he had eaten locust and wild honey as a part of his daily diet and that his clothing was manufactured from camel hair. John’s life is characterized as a life of a rugged individual who lived in the wilderness preaching the word of God."
.... from truthbook.com ; John the Baptists Birth and Childhood :
"After their return from Nazareth John's parents began the systematic education of the lad. There was no synagogue school in this little village; however, as he was a priest, Zacharias was fairly well educated, and Elizabeth was far better educated than the average Judean woman; she was also of the priesthood, being a descendant of the "daughters of Aaron." Since John was an only child, they spent a great deal of time on his mental and spiritual training. Zacharias had only short periods of service at the temple in Jerusalem so that he devoted much of his time to teaching his son. Zacharias and Elizabeth had a small farm on which they raised sheep. They hardly made a living on this land, but Zacharias received a regular allowance from the temple funds dedicated to the priesthood. ~ The Urantia Book, (135:0.1)
John the Baptist Becomes a Nazarite
John had no school from which to graduate at the age of fourteen, but his parents had selected this as the appropriate year for him to take the formal Nazarite vow. Accordingly, Zacharias and Elizabeth took their son to Engedi, down by the Dead Sea. This was the southern headquarters of the Nazarite brotherhood, and there the lad was duly and solemnly inducted into this order for life. After these ceremonies and the making of the vows to abstain from all intoxicating drinks, to let the hair grow, and to refrain from touching the dead, the family proceeded to Jerusalem, where, before the temple, John completed the making of the offerings which were required of those taking Nazarite vows.
John took the same life vows that had been administered to his illustrious predecessors, Samson and the prophet Samuel. A life Nazarite was looked upon as a sanctified and holy personality. The Jews regarded a Nazarite with almost the respect and veneration accorded the high priest, and this was not strange since Nazarites of lifelong consecration were the only persons, except high priests, who were ever permitted to enter the holy of holies in the temple.
John returned home from Jerusalem to tend his father's sheep and grew up to be a strong man with a noble character.
When sixteen years old, John, as a result of reading about Elijah, became greatly impressed with the prophet of Mount Carmel and decided to adopt his style of dress. From that day on John always wore a hairy garment with a leather girdle. At sixteen he was more than six feet tall and almost full grown. With his flowing hair and peculiar mode of dress he was indeed a picturesque youth. And his parents expected great things of this their only son, a child of promise and a Nazarite for life. ~ The Urantia Book, (135:1.1)"
This account goes on about the death of John's Father, and then ;
"John and Elizabeth returned to their home and began to lay plans for the future. Since John refused to accept the priest's allowance due him from the temple funds, by the end of two years they had all but lost their home; so they decided to go south with the sheep herd. Accordingly, the summer that John was twenty years of age witnessed their removal to Hebron. In the so-called "wilderness of Judea" John tended his sheep along a brook that was tributary to a larger stream which entered the Dead Sea at Engedi. The Engedi colony included not only Nazarites of lifelong and time-period consecration but numerous other ascetic herdsmen who congregated in this region with their herds and fraternized with the Nazarite brotherhood. They supported themselves by sheep raising and from gifts which wealthy Jews made to the order. As time passed, John returned less often to Hebron, while he made more frequent visits to Engedi. He was so entirely different from the majority of the Nazarites that he found it very difficult fully to fraternize with the brotherhood. But he was very fond of Abner, the acknowledged leader and head of the Engedi colony. ~ The Urantia Book, (135:2.1) Along the valley of this little brook John built no less than a dozen stone shelters and night corrals, consisting of piled-up stones, wherein he could watch over and safeguard his herds of sheep and goats. John's life as a shepherd afforded him a great deal of time for thought. He talked much with Ezda, an orphan lad of Beth-zur, whom he had in a way adopted, and who cared for the herds when he made trips to Hebron to see his mother and to sell sheep, as well as when he went down to Engedi for Sabbath services. John and the lad lived very simply, subsisting on mutton, goat's milk, wild honey, and the edible locusts of that region. This, their regular diet, was supplemented by provisions brought from Hebron and Engedi from time to time."
..... And with this statement, we may have our answer : ,"The Jews regarded a Nazarite with almost the respect and veneration accorded the high priest, and this was not strange since Nazarites of lifelong consecration were the only persons, except high priests, who were ever permitted to enter the holy of holies in the temple."
Kinda hard to denounce someone who had More Temple Authority than Most of the ones questioning YESHUA !
{ ... as I've said, take it as you will ; being careful to weigh the historical and Hebrew Temple Traditional evidence. But, by all means, Seek the SPIRIT, and make up Your Own Mind. As for Myself; I find it interestingly compelling.}
Indeed, by Who's Authority did Elisha break up His families yokes and plows, and sacrifice the Oxen ?
Who gave Amos the Authority to go to the king with a dire warning ?
Who gave the Authority to the 2 men in the camp of the Hebrews to Prophesy, when They were NOT called by Moshe to do so ? .... for That Matter ; WHO CALLED MOSHE ?
There are Far Too Many People walking around with a Great Gift of Some Kind from RUACH H'aKODESH ; afraid to Speak Out and Use It because Someone has convinced them that , " If You didn't get a Certificate from a College , Seminary, or Organization, that, well, You're Not Qualified to Profess and Proclaim ; You can't pronounce Healing to the Sick, Sight to the Blind, Hearing, Restoration of Bodies, Minds, Spirits; As a Matter of Fact, Without Some kind of Teaching and Certificate or Diploma from Some Class, Somewhere, why , YOU Can Not Be Called !!!
Let's go back to Eisha.
Eliyahu said ," Come with Me ' Now. !"
Yet, as the 'Chosen" at the Prophet's School stood behind and watched , the little Plow-boy received a Double Helping of the INCREDIBLE ANOINTING that was on His Master.
All these Men Simply Followed the Breath of GOD ; HOLY SPIRIT, and found Their Calling made Sure.
YESHUA , HIMSELF, was a "Mere Carpenter's Son", and, therefore, Un-Qualified to Teach as he was doing. Yet, because one of the Chosen Teachers dared ask One Stupid Question ... Y-H-V-H was REVEALED to the WORLD as Ha' ELYON , the MOST HIGH GOD, and No Respecter of PERSONAGE or LINEAGE !!!
Our GOD is Not Looking for Man's Credentials; On the Contrary ! YESHUA told HIS Talmidim [ students ] Not to be Thrilled of the fact that demon's would flee and People were Healed of All Manner of Infirmities through Their Ministering , but ,"THAT YOUR NAME IS WRITTEN IN THE BOOK OF LIFE !"
How do We accomplish that ? Well, on a Hill Far Away, Stood an Old, Rugged Cross : and HE , who said these final { ... Not, by ANY Means Last ... } words made it possible for us to know ," It Is Accomplished !"
By TRUSTING in HIS Teaching , HIS Testimony of the KINGDOM and OUR FATHER, and the Testimony of All Who Trust Those who Testify of GRACE after ( that would be Faith-Filled Believers ) We can , with the Infilling of HOLY SPIRIT, KNOW that Our Name is Written There, Thus giving GOD'S SUPREME AUTHORITY to WAKE THE NEIGHBORS, AND GET THE WORD OUT !!!! { ... thanks, S.C.C., for that line ! ... }
Now, Before You do a Johnny Jump-Up and hit he streets, You Better Make AWFULLY SURE You're hearing SPIRIT MOST HOLY, not just Your Momma, or Yourself.
To do that, the Best way is to find a SPIRIT-filled, Full Bible Teaching, Complete Gift Bearing Congregation House (Church), and Hang In for a while. Be there for the PRAISE, Get Into the WORSHIP; and LISTEN for RUACH H'aKODESH {Breath of the Most High God}. If You Feel HIS presence, just Follow SPIRIT from there.... You'll Know Where You Stand with the KINGDOM !
__________ We Hope this has Educated, Informed Encouraged, and Enlightened Someone. If You have Any Questions about Establishing a Relationship with YESHUA ( JESUS ) , Let Us Know, and We'll get back with You after Praying and Seeking the SPIRIT for Your Particular Question or Need. You'll find our E-mail at the bottom of the About Us page.
Feel Free to visit the Music Page, and the House of Refuge page for a few messages . [ they're from a few years back, but Still Great for These Times]
Keep Our Orphanage in Kisii, Kenya in mind when You Pray: They Need Everything from Clothes to Food and Medicine, to School Fees. They are presently on a "Lock-down" that is stricter than ours, but they have room and caring Caregivers in Our Head Pastor and His Wife there.
Pray for Us as We Pray for You;
.... and , As Always, With the Love of JESUS;
We Love You !!
Pastors Joel and Charlotte Martin
Prodigal Ministries House of Refuge and Kenya Mission
GOOD SHABBAT, AND MUCH SHALOM TO YOU;
.... just a little scripture clarity for today, and Everyday for Ministers of the WORD, revealed this morning:
___ 1 Timothy 1:1-7 [Complete Jewish Bible (CJB)]
"From: Sha’ul, an emissary of the Messiah Yeshua by command of God our deliverer and the Messiah Yeshua our hope,
To: Timothy, a true son because of your trust:
"Grace, mercy and shalom from God the Father and the Messiah Yeshua our Lord.
As I counseled you when I was leaving for Macedonia, stay on in Ephesus, so that you may order certain people who are teaching a different doctrine to stop.
{Have them stop devoting their attention to myths and never-ending genealogies; these divert people to speculating instead of doing God’s work, which requires trust.}
The purpose of this order is to promote love from a clean heart, from a good conscience and from sincere trust. Some, by aiming amiss, have wandered off into fruitless discussion. They want to be teachers of Torah, but they understand neither their own words nor the matters about which they make such emphatic pronouncements. ""
... see what Sha'ul [Paul] says there; "Myths and Never Ending Genealogies"...
___ now, watch this:
[Luke 3:23-38]
" Yeshua was about thirty years old when he began his public ministry. It was supposed that he was a son of Yosef who was of Eli,
of Mattat, of Levi, of Malki, of Yannai, of Yosef,
of Mattityahu, of Amotz, of Nachum, of Hesli, of Naggai,
of Machat, of Mattityahu, of Shim‘i, of Yosef, of Yodah,
of Yochanan, of Reisha, of Z’rubavel, of Sh’altiel, of Neri,
of Malki, of Addi, of Kosam, of Elmadan, of Er,
of Yeshua, of Eli‘ezer, of Yoram, of Mattat, of Levi,
of Shim‘on, of Y’hudah, of Yosef, of Yonam, of Elyakim,
of Mal’ah, of Manah, of Mattatah, of Natan, of David,
of Yishai, of ‘Oved, of Bo‘az, of Salmon, of Nachshon,
of Amminadav, of Admin, of Arni, of Hetzron, of Peretz, of Y’hudah,
of Ya‘akov, of Yitz’chak, of Avraham, of Terach, of Nachor,
of S’rug, of Re‘u, of Peleg, of ‘Ever, of Shelah,
of Keinan, of Arpakhshad, of Shem, of Noach, of Lemekh,
of Metushelach, of Hanokh, of Yered, of Mahalal’el, of Keinan,
of Enosh, of Shet, of Adam, of God."
Now, just because this is clearly a Genealogy, it has a BEGINNING AND AN END.
What Sha'ul was telling Timothy was about this kind of 'genealogy' and 'a popular belief or tradition that has grown up around something or someone; especially : one embodying the ideals and institutions of a society or segment of society'
( Merriam - Webster's definition of myth); the kind YESHUA was talking about here;
[Mark 7:10-13]
"For Moshe said, ‘Honor your father and your mother,' and ‘Anyone who curses his father or mother must be put to death.’
But you say, ‘If someone says to his father or mother, “I have promised as a korban” ’ ” (that is, as a gift to God) “ ‘ “what I might have used to help you,” ’ then you no longer let him do anything for his father or mother.
Thus, with your tradition which you had handed down to you, you nullify the Word of God! And you do other things like this.”
The Elders of the Judean faith went by, then,(...and still do, to some extent...) the Talmud; which, by the word and admission of Messianic Rabbis, is the Written Traditions of the Elders and Their Interpretation of the Mosaic Laws handed down by ..... ( wait for it ) .....
Y-H-V-H, HIMSELF !!!
(.... get why they wanted HIM dead, now? Same reason the Cathe wanted to silence Martin Luther; They Threatened the Authority of Men in the Church...)
These 'Traditions' from the 'Genealogy' of the Elders is Not Exclusive to the Judeans or Catholics;
... the Protestant Sects ALL have Traditions handed down since Paul wrote those words to Timothy 2 centuries ago.
As Congregation Leaders, We must make MIGHTY SURE that what comes out of Our Mouth is Scripture, NOT TRADITION, for, as It Is Written, the Blood of those We may teach Wrong IS ON OUR HANDS, and will be REQUIRED of US at the Great White Throne Judgement!
.... And, as for those in the Congregation; As It Is Written;
[2 Timothy 2:15 Amplified Bible (AMP)]
"Study and do your best to present yourself to God approved, a workman [tested by trial] who has no reason to be ashamed, accurately handling and skillfully teaching the word of truth."
[...from the CJB, with verse 14... " Keep reminding people of this, and charge them solemnly before the Lord not to engage in word-battles. They accomplish nothing useful and are a catastrophe for the hearers! 15 Do all you can to present yourself to God as someone worthy of his approval, as a worker with no need to be ashamed, because he deals straightforwardly with the Word of the Truth."
.... Because.... [2 Thessalonians 2:10-12]
"He will enable him to deceive, in all kinds of wicked ways, those who are headed for destruction because they would not receive the love of the truth that could have saved them. This is why God is causing them to go astray, so that they will believe the Lie.
The result will be that all who have not believed the truth, but have taken their pleasure in wickedness, will be condemned."
Finally, I'll leave You with This from Paul;
[1 Thessalonians 5:20-22]
" Don’t quench (...put out, extinguish; to put out the light or fire of...) the Spirit, don’t despise inspired messages.
...But DO TEST EVERYTHING — hold onto what is good, but keep away from every form of evil"
As I like to quote from Benny Hinn, "...Don't just take My, or Man's Word for it... LOOK IT UP FOR YOURSELF!!!"
Hope this has Helped someone.
I should point out that I have NOTHING AGAINST the Judean or Catholic Faiths, as I, personally, can site issues with ALL Sects which are Not Following the Complete WORD AS IT IS WRITTEN, Leaving Man's Traditions Out Of The BODY.
PLEASE REMEMBER OUR ORPHANS IN KISII, KENYA.
They are TOTALLY OUT of FOOD as of This Posting.
Please visit for Donations to this Need, or , You can contact Us by Messenger for other gifting options.
With BLESSINGS and the Love of the MESSIAH;
Evangelists and Pastors Joel and Charlotte Martin
..
..YES, VIRGINIA, I used the word EASTER.
It's so strange that the 'Religious Community' will find something to pick at, and continue until it Bleeds, whenever it want's to assert it's "Holier Than Thou" attitude upon the Rest of the Christian society, but, come the day, STILL hold Egg Hunts and Games "For the Kids", and it's O.K. .
.... Hmmmm; Hypocrite Much?
This is how I've been Led to Teach for Years, and I have found that MANY 'Veterans' of the Call of the GOSPEL teach The Same Thing. In the course of research, this is just ONE of the many sites that answers as the SPIRIT has taught those who seek Truth and Knowledge to teach. As I've Said So Many Times; the TRUE MEANING Sometimes Gets LOST IN TRANSLATION!!
........... Take the following Example......
[Taken from 'Got Questions.org']
" "Question: "Who was Ishtar, and is there any connection between Ishtar and Easter?"
Answer: Ishtar was an ancient Mesopotamian goddess of war, fertility, and sex. She is featured in the Epic of Gilgamesh, and the “Ishtar Gate” was part of Nebuchadnezzar’s Babylon. Her worship involved animal sacrifices; objects made of her sacred stone, lapis lazuli; and temple prostitution."
Some people claim there exists a connection between Ishtar and Easter. A popular meme has been circulating the internet making that very claim. Superimposed over an image of Ishtar are these words: “This is Ishtar: pronounced ‘Easter.’ Easter was originally the celebration of Ishtar, the Assyrian and Babylonian goddess of fertility and sex. Her symbols (like the egg and the bunny) were and still are fertility and sex symbols (or did you actually think eggs and bunnies had anything to do with resurrection?). After Constantine decided to Christianize the Empire, Easter was changed to represent Jesus. But at its roots, Easter (which is how you pronounce Ishtar) is all about celebrating fertility and sex.”
However, there is absolutely no conclusive connection between the pagan goddess Ishtar and the Christian celebration of Easter. Any theory that Easter is named after Ishtar is pure speculation. There is also no proof that Ishtar was ever associated with eggs or rabbits as symbols. In fact, Ishtar’s sacred animal seems to have been the lion. There are several theories concerning the origin of the word Easter that are more credible than the Ishtar theory. One is that Easter got its name from Eostre, an eighth-century Germanic goddess who (it is assumed) was celebrated around the time of Passover every year. But even this theory has major problems, since there is no real evidence that anyone ever worshiped a goddess named Eostre—we have no shrines dedicated to Eostre, no altars of hers, and no ancient documents mentioning her.
Others contend that the word Easter ultimately derives from the Latin phrase in albis, related to alba (“dawn” or “daybreak” in Spanish and Italian). In Old High German, in albis became eostarum, which eventually became Ostern in modern German and Easter in English.
The French word for “Easter” is Pâcques, based on the Latin and Greek Pascha, meaning “Passover.”
Even if it could be proved that the word Easter is etymologically related to the name of a pagan goddess such as Ishtar or Eostre, it would not change what the holiday Easter means to us. (The word Wednesday comes from Woden’s Day in honor of the Norse god Woden or Odin—but we don’t usually fret about the word’s pagan origin.)
Regardless of where the name Easter came from, Easter itself is the celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The resurrection of Jesus is a critical doctrine of the Christian faith stating definitively that Jesus conquered death and the grave and proved to be the world’s Savior from sin and death.
“Whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life” (John 3:16). [Recommended Resource: The Case for the Resurrection of Jesus by Gary Habermas]"
" Latin and Greek, the Greek of the Age, BOTH have the word 'Easter' translated as "Pâcques" and "Pascha", which are the respective spellings for the Hebrew word "Pesach", or "Passover"! Does the Text, in ANY translation, Not Tell Us that the Crucifixion, Burial, and subsequent Resurrection of YESHUA MESSIAH AT THIS VERY TIME ?
Rabbits bear their Young, and Chickens are Most Productive, Re-productively, at This Very Time of the Year, Therefore, They become the Symbolic Meaning of Re-Birth, as does the TOMB, which is, after all, what the "1st Day" of the account is All About.
Yes, there has been a "Twisting" of the symbolism with the whole "Easter Bunny laying Eggs of Chocolate", as well as those of a Chicken, but That could be Remedied by TEACHING THE CHILDREN THE TRUTH of the MEANING; and that the Search for these Symbols of New Life are Much Like the SEEKING of JESUS for Our Own Spiritual "New Life"!!
Stop messing with the WORD; Teach things As It Is Before Casting Shadow on the TRUST/ FAITH of Others! .... Try sitting under Your Own 'Shade' for Awhile.... See if You can bear the Weight of it, and Then TRUST Y-H-V-H GOD!!! ... So, on That Bombshell {...or Eggshell, as it were...}; HAPPY RESURRECTION 'EASTER' SUNDAY!!!!
HAPPY NEW YEAR !!!!
.... That's what folks are saying to each other today, January 1st, 2017, by the Gregorian Calendar; but, What has Really Changed in Our lives by the Rising of the Sun this morning?
Here in America, People are either rejoicing or lamenting that in approximately 20 days there will be a different man on the seat of service to the people of the U.S.A., and, Prayerfully, He will restore the GOD of Avraham, Yitzack, and Yakov to a place of Respect and Honor; while striving not to "ALIENATE" those of other beliefs; giving the Freedom to be a part of AMERICAN CULTURE in a UNITED STATES of AMERICA.
...Praise YAH if He Does, Praise YAH if He does not. [...I'll clarify that in a moment... don't get silly and run off just yet...]
_ _ _ but, back to the Question_ _ _
WHAT HAS REALLY CHANGED SINCE YESTERDAY MORNING?
Let's look at the Gregorian Calendar; which is, by Historical record, is off.
( History.com) " In 1582, when Pope Gregory XIII introduced his Gregorian calendar, Europe adhered to the Julian calendar, first implemented by Julius Caesar in 46 B.C. Since the Roman emperor's system miscalculated the length of the solar year by 11 minutes, the calendar had since fallen out of sync with the seasons.". "Jesus was born under the reign of king Herod the Great, who died in 4 B.C.E.."...(webexhibits.org).
So, essentially, it's a Roman-Catholic Calendar.
The Hebrew calendar, However, is based on three astronomical phenomena: the rotation of the Earth about its axis (a day); the revolution of the moon about the Earth (a month); and the revolution of the Earth about the sun (a year). These three phenomena are independent of each other, so there is no direct correlation between them. On average, the moon revolves around the Earth in about 29½ days. The Earth revolves around the sun in about 365¼ days, that is, about 12.4 lunar months.
The civil calendar used by most of the world has abandoned any correlation between the moon cycles and the month, arbitrarily setting the length of months to 28, 30 or 31 days.
The Jewish calendar, however, coordinates all three of these astronomical phenomena. Months are either 29 or 30 days, corresponding to the 29½-day lunar cycle. Years are either 12 or 13 months, corresponding to the 12.4 month solar cycle.
(...for a complete run-down on the problems with this way of day-setting, go to Judaism 101: Jewish Calendar :<www.jewfaq.org/calendar.htm>:)
LOTS 'O' INFO... Maybe too much, but I saw no way to cut it down to show the failings in it, as well.
(There was Also the Julian Calendar, which pre-dates the Gregorian, but it was in worse shape and was replaced by Rome.}
BORED YET? GETTIN' EYE STRAIN? T.M.I.?
WELL, FRIENDS, all that had to be said for UNDERSTANDING the Answer to THIS QUESTION.... WHO"S RIGHT?
Well, while the Hebrew is arguably the most concise, (accuracy in Earth Cycles, which are 5777, for all of the Numerologists out there...), Here's the pitch; hope You catch it;
NONE OF THESE ARE PRECISE OR FULLY ACCURATE MEASUREMENTS OF WHAT IS IMPORTANT !!!
....WOW.... Betcha' didn't see THAT comin'!!
Look at the Scientifically Most Reliable Text's known to Man so far; [2 Peter 3:8-10 (CJB)]
" Moreover, dear friends, do not ignore this: with the Lord, one day is like a thousand years and a thousand years like one day; The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some people think of slowness; on the contrary, he is patient with you; for it is not his purpose that anyone should be destroyed, but that everyone should turn from his sins. However, the Day of the Lord will come “like a thief.” On that Day the heavens will disappear with a roar, the elements will melt and disintegrate, and the earth and everything in it will be burned up."
The ONLY 'Accurate' measurement is GOD's, and, watch this...
“But when that day and hour will come, no one knows — not the angels in heaven, not the Son, only the Father." [Matthew 24:36]
As for the "Will He or Won't He" clarification, well, listen to John; [1 John 2:17-19]
" And the world is passing away, along with its desires. But whoever does God’s will remains forever.
Children, this is the Last Hour. You have heard that an Anti-Messiah is coming; and in fact, many anti-Messiahs have arisen now — which is how we know that this is the Last Hour. They went out from us, but they weren’t part of us; for had they been part of us, they would have remained with us."
John infers that some, or Many, of the "Anti- Christ's" were those in Discipleship, or, at least, had been following and listening for 3 years; agreeing with the Testimony and Teaching that YESHUA was giving but, when the Rubber met the Road, Turned Away and Against HIM.
...Our Prayer is that Our 'New' Man is a "NEW MAN", Indeed!
That, My Friends, brings the message Full Circle to the QUESTION:
WHAT IS REALLY DIFFERENT FOR US, ON THIS NEW DAY?
The Choice is that of the Individual; Not by Force, but by Self Conviction, or being Confidently Convinced, (as Sha'ul [Paul] put it to the Hebrews in Rome [Hebrews 11:1, "Trusting is being confident of what we hope for, convinced about things we do not see."), that THERE IS A WAY of PEACE and PROSPERITY in ALL THINGS through YESHUA H'aMASSIACH {JESUS CHRIST}!!!
Matthew 11:28-30
“Come to me, all of you who are struggling and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, because I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
... If You are Not Sure How to do as JESUS asks, Please contact Us, and Charlotte and I can give You Direction to Finding HIM and HIS FATHER in the KINGDOM that is the Inheritance of ALL WHO WILL REMAIN WITH HIM!
______BLESSINGS AND SHALOM!!!__________
{.... for additional Insight, I Encourage All to read the 24th chapter of Matthew, as well as Daniel, 11th chapter.....}
...RIGHT JUDGEMENT is OURS.
October 15, 2016
...While going through My Social Media today, I came across this in My feed:
XXXXXXX XXXXXXXX- posted;
[I failed to get the memo stating that God had assigned His judgment duties to His children.]
... here are the comments, up to the one that I was led to post;
XXXXX XXXX- Amen
XXXXXX XXXXX- Ezekiel 3:18 When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand.
FACEBOOK DONT DELETE MY COMMENT THIS TIME!!
XXXXXXX XXXXXXXX - i did noy get that one either
XXXXXXX XXXXXXXXX - What are you calling judgement? Judgement comes with assigning a sentence. Speaking truth as a warning of coming judgement if there is no repentance is not the same as judging someone's heart and declaring their sentence.
{... and now, My response...}
Joel Martin
Ezekiel 3:18 (CJB)
"If I say to a wicked person, ‘You will certainly die’; and you fail to warn him, to speak and warn the wicked person to leave his wicked way and save his life; then that wicked person will die guilty; and I will hold you responsible for his death." ___ We are to Judge a 'Righteous', or Right Judgement; being aware of the degree in which We do it.
Matthew 7:1-3;
“Don’t judge, so that you won’t be judged. For the way you judge others is how you will be judged — the measure with which you measure out will be used to measure to you. Why do you see the splinter in your brother’s eye but not notice the log in your own eye?".... and,
[Matthew 18:15-16]
“Moreover, if your brother commits a sin against you, go and show him his fault — but privately, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won back your brother. If he doesn’t listen, take one or two others with you so that every accusation can be supported by the testimony of two or three witnesses."
... Not to Publicly shame, Not to pronounce an inferior or better than attitude, but to help them see Their fault; while being Prepared to have OURS also revealed; so We may Pray for Each Other, that We can be More "Christ-like", Forgiving and sharing the Compassionate Love of YESHUA among and to ALL PEOPLE.
Luke 17:3;
"Watch yourselves! If your brother sins, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him." ;
and, Finally, consider this;
" Brothers, suppose someone is caught doing something wrong. You who have the Spirit should set him right, but in a spirit of humility, keeping an eye on yourselves so that you won’t be tempted too. Bear one another’s burdens — in this way you will be fulfilling the Torah’s true meaning, which the Messiah upholds. For if anyone thinks he is something when he is really nothing, he is fooling himself." [Galatians 6:1-3]
Yes; We are to "Judge " one another , but the Judgement of Condemnation belongs to Y-H-V-H ALONE!!! Our "judgments" are to Restore, NOT Belittle and Destroy; so that the Words of YESHUA, "On Earth as in Heaven", can be Fulfilled, Made to Pass and Exist HERE as Well as in the KINGDOM. ....
_____ Hope this helps Your Understanding...
____________ Shalom._____________
February 1, 2016
...2 Peter 3:9 [CJB]
"The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some people think of slowness; on the contrary, he is patient with you; for it is not his purpose that anyone should be destroyed, but that everyone should turn from his sins."
Every so often, We'll get a strong conviction, vision, or even premonition, of where Our lives are appointed to go.
Yes, Appointed; for that's what Y-H-V-H has said; We ALL have an Appointment; or Calling, if You will, on the Life We're given here while We Occupy this Earth; Teaching and Disciplining Our Mortal Bodies Desires to Obey Our Minds Commands, being Given by Our Spirit, which is Lead by the RUACH Ha'KODESH, the HOLY SPIRIT of YAH.
Sometimes, We, who are following YESHUA, get Our Appointments through Others, by Word of Knowledge or Prophetic Utterance, other time by Revelation in Dreams and/or Visions; while sometimes it's by a Voice... small and still, as it was with Elijah, or totally saying "HEY, I'M TALKING TO YOU!!!" as it was with Moshe & the Hebrew Children.
Either way, It ALWAYS Come with a PROMISE and a Calling, or Appointment for Us.
Here's a Great Example; [Acts 26:12-18] {Sha'ul (Paul) to King Agrippa)
“On one such occasion, I was traveling to Dammesek with the full authority and power of the head cohanim. I was on the road, and it was noon, your Majesty, when I saw a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, shining around me and my traveling companions. We all fell to the ground; and then I heard a voice saying to me, in Hebrew, ‘Sha’ul! Sha’ul! Why do you keep persecuting me? It’s hard on you to be kicking against the ox-goads!’ I said, ‘Who are you, sir?’ and the Lord answered, ‘I am Yeshua, and you are persecuting me! But get up, and stand on your feet! I have appeared to you to appoint you to serve and bear witness to what you have already seen of me, and to what you will see when I appear to you in the future. I will deliver you from the People and from the Goyim. I am sending you to open their eyes; so that they will turn from darkness to light, from the power of the Adversary to God, and thus receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who have been separated for holiness by putting their trust in me.’"
Sha'ul/ Paul had other Visions, such as this one; [Acts 16:9-11]
"There a vision appeared to Sha’ul at night. A man from Macedonia was standing and begging him, “Come over to Macedonia and help us!” As soon as he had seen the vision, we lost no time getting ready to leave for Macedonia; for we concluded that God had called us to proclaim the Good News to them."
....And, Let's not leave out Kefa/Peter's 'Sheet from Heaven' vision, Stephen's vision of the Throne as He was being stoned to death for Obeying the SPIRIT; OR the ENTIRE Book called
"The Revelation of YESHUA the MESSIAH to Yochanan (John). ...and Those are just from the New Promise,or Testament!
Here's what We must Realize... when GOD says to Do Something; or that HE is going to Do Something with You, We
have the task of Keeping Ourselves in a state of Anticipation, for lack of a better term, for those things that HE has Told Us will Come to Pass, and be Aware that, more often than not, right when the Appointed Promise is being Manifested, for whatever reason, something will change the situation that We may have thought was in Understanding.
This is where Our Trust, Our Faith in the WORD of the FATHER is put to the Ultimate Test. These are the Situation that cause Many to begin to Doubt the 'Calling', the Appointment YAH has placed on them.
... and when it happens time and again, Faith is Shaken, and Many just Give Up and Give In...., "Well, I s'pose that Gawd just doesn't want Me to Do that, anymore... I'll just sit down and follow someone else..."
.....Here's a News Flash.....
“God is not a human who lies or a mortal who changes his mind. When he says something, he will do it; when he makes a promise, he will fulfill it." [Numbers 23:19]
Men will Lead Us On, Tell Us that We just need to, "Forget that Unfulfilled Vision... It probably wasn't from GOD if You haven't seen it, yet", and just Go with the 'Status Quo' [: the current situation : the way things are now : the existing state of affairs..]
Here's an Example of that from Acts;
[4:16-18] “What can we do with these men?” they asked each other. “Why, anyone in Yerushalayim can see that a remarkable miracle has come about through them — we can’t possibly deny that. But to prevent it from spreading any further among the people, let’s warn them not to speak any more to anyone in this name.”
So they called them in again and ordered them under no circumstances to speak or teach in the name of Yeshua.
.... Here's the Answer from FAITHFUL MEN....
[4:19]; "But Kefa and Yochanan answered, “You must judge whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than God."
.... and, Again;
[5:27-28]; "They conducted them to the Sanhedrin, where the cohen hagadol demanded of them, “We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name! Look here! you have filled Yerushalayim with your teaching; moreover, you are determined to make us responsible for this man’s death!”
______Again, the Response; _____ [5:29]; "Kefa and the other emissaries answered, “We must obey God, not men."
Here's the Short of it, As It Is Written by Kohelet, the son of David, king in Yerushalayim:
[Ecclesiastes 12;13-14]; "Here is the final conclusion, now that you have heard everything: fear God, and keep his mitzvot; this is what being human is all about. For God will bring to judgment everything we do, including every secret, whether good or bad.'
{...He also said this, ..., [10:1]; "Just as dead flies make perfumed oil stink, so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor." ... just a little something for Us to keep in mind....}
So, Dear Friends; If You're Still waiting on a Promise to be Fulfilled, DON'T LOSE HEART; KEEP YOUR TRUST...
GOD WILL DELIVER WHAT HE HAS PROMISED on This Earth for the KINGDOMS SAKE!!
Listen for HIS Voice; Pray about Your vision, because, As It Is Written, "Dear friends, don’t trust every spirit. On the contrary, test the spirits to see whether they are from God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world." [1 John 4:1]
We Hope this Message has Encouraged, Uplifted & Enlightened someone...(I know it does those things for Us on a Daily Basis!}.
Pray for Us, as We are Praying for You.
And, As Always;
....With the Love of MESSIAH;
Pastors Joel & Charlotte Martin
Prodigal Ministries House of Refuge
Prodigal Ministries Kenya Mission [David Matoke, Chief Pastor Naryenda Church & Orphanage, Kissi, Kenya]
_______Blessings_______
HOSEA; CAN YOU SEE?
January 7, 2016
Hosea 4:1-9 Complete Jewish Bible
"Hear the word of Adonai,
people of Isra’el!
For Adonai has a grievance against the inhabitants of the land:
there is no truth, no faithful love or knowledge of God in the land;
only swearing and lying, killing and stealing and committing adultery!
They break all bounds, with one blood crime following another.
Therefore the land mourns, and everyone living there languishes,
wild animals too, and the birds in the air; even the fish in the sea are removed.
But no one should quarrel or rebuke, because your people are having to quarrel with the cohen [preists, preachers].
Therefore you will stumble by day, and the prophet will stumble with you at night.
“I will destroy your mother. My people are destroyed for want of knowledge.
Because you rejected knowledge, I will also reject you as cohen for me.
Because you forgot the Torah of your God, I will also forget your children.
The more they increased in number, the more they sinned against me.
I will change their glory into shame.
They feed on the sin of my people and are greedy for their crimes.
But the cohen will fare no better than the people; I will punish him for his ways and pay him back for his deeds.""
.... YAH goes on to say, "“Hear this, cohanim! Pay attention, house of Isra’el!
Listen, house of the king!
For judgment is coming to you. You have become a snare for Mitzpah
and a net spread on Tavor. The rebels have deepened their slaughter,
and I am rejected by all of them." [5:1-2]
If We read the verses between those listed here, We can see that the Once "GOD-Fearing" People of the Land have taken HIM out of Everything ... Moral Teaching, the Family Unit, even the Church, which has HIS Name on it !!
....Does Any of this Ring a Bell, or, more to the point, an ALARM ?
Look Around You, Wherever You may be in the "world" [society] on this Planet: Y-H-V-H's Own CREATION!!!
We are in the Same Condition as Those People were over 2,700 Years Ago; and Speeding to Chaos like a 5 year old after the Ice Cream Truck... hurrying to Catch Up, but finding that It Will Require More From Us than We Have to Give to Get the Most Extravagant Treat on the Truck, when All We Really Needed was a Good Old Vanilla Swirly Cone !!!
... a strange analogy, maybe, but We are Putting GOD aside to gain what this world society {...ran by [satan], by the way} say's We NEED to Attain Our Goals!
Everything from Our Health & Fitness, to What We Wear & Drive, to Where and How We Live!!
To the "Want [or Lack] of Knowledge" that YAH speaks of, those who think they are in the Clear with Worldly Wealth & Greed, tend to gravitate to this verse from David's 37th Psalm;
" Then you will delight yourself in Adonai {the LORD},
and he will give you your heart’s desire."
...These would be the same "out of context" verse blabbers; those who tend to use and twist scripture to justify their own actions, that will say "I'm a Christian... and You Aren't Supposed to Judge Me!" (... a message already given in detail; read any of the "Judgement" Messages previously posted on :<prodigalministrieshouseofrefuge.com>: for those scriptures... Thank You.)
... Let's get the WHOLE Scripture IN CONTEXT, Shall We?,
"Psalm 37
By David:
"Don’t be upset by evildoers or envious of those who do wrong,
for soon they will wither like grass and fade like the green in the fields.
Trust in Adonai, and do good; settle in the land, and feed on faithfulness,"
...." Then you will delight yourself in Adonai {the LORD},
and he will give you your heart’s desire."
Kinda' sets the Tone a Bit Differently, Don't 'cha' Think?
"Trust in Adonai, and do good; settle in the land, and feed on faithfulness"
The "Trust" is waning, the Signs are getting More Intense (...Just as the WORD says they shall near the Finish of This Age...); and the 'Faith' of those who say they know HIM is Growing Colder by the Minute... more and more reliance on Man than TRUSTING in HIS WORD and PROMISE!!
Here in America, Our National Anthem, goes like this...
[Complete version of "The Star-Spangled Banner" showing spelling and punctuation from Francis Scott Key's manuscript in the Maryland Historical Society collection.]
"O say can you see, by the dawn's early light,
What so proudly we hail'd at the twilight's last gleaming,
Whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight
O'er the ramparts we watch'd were so gallantly streaming?
And the rocket's red glare, the bomb bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there,
O say does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?
On the shore dimly seen through the mists of the deep
Where the foe's haughty host in dread silence reposes,
What is that which the breeze, o'er the towering steep,
As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses?
Now it catches the gleam of the morning's first beam,
In full glory reflected now shines in the stream,
'Tis the star-spangled banner - O long may it wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!
And where is that band who so vauntingly swore,
That the havoc of war and the battle's confusion
A home and a Country should leave us no more?
Their blood has wash'd out their foul footstep's pollution.
No refuge could save the hireling and slave
From the terror of flight or the gloom of the grave,
And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.
O thus be it ever when freemen shall stand
Between their lov'd home and the war's desolation!
Blest with vict'ry and peace may the heav'n rescued land
Praise the power that hath made and preserv'd us a nation!
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto - "In God is our trust,"
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave."
.... Did You Catch the Last Verse?
"Blest with vict'ry and peace may the heav'n rescued land
Praise the power that hath made and preserv'd us a nation!
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto - "In God is our trust,"
Oh, Say, CAN YOU SEE?
The Time for the KNOWLEDGE of the WORD is NOW, More than ANYTIME in HISTORY... and I'm talking about the REAL History, NOT the one that the "Powers" of the world society, You know, those that claim that the Holocaust, the Murder of over 6 million Jews at the hands of the Nazi's, NEVER HAPPENED, and say that This Country was NEVER a 'Christian Nation'!
Time to Get Some BIBLICAL KNOWLEDGE... I'm not speaking of Just Listening to a Sermon from Your Favorite Pastor on Sunday Morning, either... I'm talking about LOOKING IT UP FOR YOURSELF to Find the TRUTH; Because, after all, the WORD says,
"So Yeshua said to the Judeans who had trusted him, “If you obey what I say, then you are really my talmidim, you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” {John 8:31-32}
... TRUST the Testimony of YESHUA {JESUS} of HIS FATHER and the Kingdom; OBEY the Laws {Moral Code of Conduct} that HE Taught, Follow HIS Lead, and YOU WILL KNOW THE TRUTH... and with Truth comes Knowledge, and with Knowledge; Wisdom.
We hope this Timely Word has Encouraged, Enlightened, and Strengthened Someone; and that You will Seek The KINGDOM of GOD with All That Is In You, and NOT Rely on Men to Gain the Goal of Your Heart's Desires; Allowing the Society of the 'World' to Dictate and Manipulate You into Turning Blind to It's 'Sinful' Ways.
Please Remember to Pray for the Orphans Around the World, Remembering those We Minister to in Kisii, Kenya; and Our Brothers & Sisters who are Fighting the Good Fight of Faith in Suryapet, India.
Pray for Us, as We are in Prayer for You.
As Always; With the Love of YESHUA MESSIAH;
Pastors Joel & Charlotte Martin
Prodigal Ministries House of Refuge International Ministries and
Kenya Mission [David Matoke; Chief Pastor]
..."AGAIN I SAY; REJOICE!"
January 1, 2016
..from the Emissary Sha'ul (Paul), to the Philippians
[verses 3:17-4:9; Complete Jewish Bible (CJB)]
"Brothers, join in imitating me, and pay attention to those who live according to the pattern we have set for you. For many — I have told you about them often before, and even now I say it with tears — live as enemies of the Messiah’s execution-stake. They are headed for destruction! Their god is the belly; they are proud of what they ought to be ashamed of, since they are concerned about the things of the world. But we are citizens of heaven, and it is from there that we expect a Deliverer, the Lord Yeshua the Messiah. He will change the bodies we have in this humble state and make them like his glorious body, using the power which enables him to bring everything under his control.
{...chapter 4....}
So, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and my crown, my dear friends, keep standing firm in union with the Lord.
I beg Evodia and I beg Syntyche to agree with each other in union with the Lord. I also request you, loyal Syzygus, to help these women; for they have worked hard proclaiming the Good News with me, along with Clement and the rest of my fellow-workers whose names are in the Book of Life.
Rejoice in union with the Lord always! I will say it again: rejoice! Let everyone see how reasonable and gentle you are. The Lord is near! Don’t worry about anything; on the contrary, make your requests known to God by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving. Then God’s shalom, passing all understanding, will keep your hearts and minds safe in union with the Messiah Yeshua.
In conclusion, brothers, focus your thoughts on what is true, noble, righteous, pure, lovable or admirable, on some virtue or on something praiseworthy. Keep doing what you have learned and received from me, what you have heard and seen me doing; then the God who gives shalom will be with you."
I don't often begin with such a generous amount of text; but this is how it was given to proceed with this word.
Today is the First Day of a New Year for the Secular World, { the Jewish New Year & calendar, as well as the Chinese, are very different from the Gregorian that most of the world follows...}, and Around the Globe, People are making "New Years Resolutions"; Self-Promises, many of which are hollow, and destined to be broken. ("Definition of resolute: firmly determined." [Merriam-Webster])
A Place to Set Our Focus.... Fully Determined to Succeed.... Immovably Diligent in Our Resolve to Accomplish The Task, as Promised; NO TURNING BACK!
...Reminds Me of a little song, sung by Thousands in Congregations throughout the planet,
"From Now On, I'll Follow JESUS, No Turning Back, No Turning Back."
That's a Statement of Resolve, a 'Resolution' for How We will Live Out the Rest of Our Lives!
I've heard many, both well "Educated" in the WORD, and those which have been taught by such, that They're going to get to the Kingdom by, "working out 'their' deliverance with fear and trembling", "...just like Paul said to do. Also, professing that YAH's Grace makes All Sin, Past, Present & Future, 'Null & Void'; Instantly Forgiven. Because, of course, they're, "working out 'their' deliverance with fear and trembling".
Let's not get Delusional, there is No Such Thing as 'Perpetual Grace'. If there was, Adam & Eve would have Never been Ejected from the Perfect Dwelling on Earth into the Badlands, full of Toil & Strife; the Hebrew Children would Not have walked in Circles for 40 years, until All of the Original Evacuees were no more; YESHUA would not have needed to be Born as a Human, just to Suffer a Cruel & In-Humane Death, and, the Very Emissary being Mis-quoted would Not have said, " Therefore, what conclusion should we reach? “Let’s go on sinning, because we’re not under legalism but under grace”? Heaven forbid!" [Romans 6:15]
Sha'ul, knowing what the 'legalisms' of the 'laws of Moses' [Torah] would allow, went into Great Detail to the Congregation in Rome about this.
It all comes back to Resolve, Being Resolute, Sticking to Our Resolutions... not for the New Year, But for The NEW LIFE OFFERED!
Get This Straight...
..I'm not saying, that; Should We Commit a Sin after Professing & Proclaiming both Publicly and In Our Hearts that YESHUA Is the SON of the ONE TRUE and LIVING GOD, Y-H-V-H; We have Given Away Our Deliverance.
On The Contrary; I'm saying Exactly what Paul said... that by DAILY REPENTANCE and PRAYER, That by BECOMING and RENEWING Our RESOLVE EVERYDAY, By Striving NOT to Return to the Sin that Held Us like a Chain; Binding Our Minds & Bodies to the Destruction that the World will Receive as It's Reward; We Can & Shall be Redeemed Through the Sacrifice & Resurrection of the MESSIAH YESHUA; and by letting OUR Testimony be as HIS; Professing the ONE GOD of CREATION and HIS Kingdom, Reserved for the Faithful for an EVERLASTING HOME; Striving to be Right {or, as the Big word says, RIGHTEOUS} in HIS Sight, We Can and Shall Be Delivered to the Kingdom Home!
THAT, Dear Friends, is the RESOLUTION of YAH, ADONAI, JEHOVAH, YAHWEH, FATHER GOD!!!
How can WE, as Mere Humans, Imperfect and Born Into Sin, possibly Achieve Success in this Great Task, You May Be Asking?
Well, Let's go back to the Best Congregation that Paul helped to Establish...
[Philippians, 2:1-16]
"Therefore, if you have any encouragement for me from your being in union with the Messiah, any comfort flowing from love, any fellowship with me in the Spirit, or any compassion and sympathy, then complete my joy by having a common purpose and a common love, by being one in heart and mind. Do nothing out of rivalry or vanity; but, in humility, regard each other as better than yourselves — look out for each other’s interests and not just for your own.
Let your attitude toward one another be governed by your being in union with the Messiah Yeshua:
Though HE was in the form of GOD, HE did not regard equality with GOD something to be possessed by force.
On the contrary, HE emptied HIMSELF, in that HE took the form of a slave by becoming like human beings are.
And when HE appeared as a human being, HE humbled HIMSELF still more by becoming obedient even to death — death on a stake as a criminal!
Therefore GOD raised HIM to the highest place and gave HIM the name above every name;
that in honor of the name given YESHUA, every knee will bow — in heaven, on earth and under the earth — and every tongue will acknowledge that YESHUA the MESSIAH is Adonai [Lord]— to the glory of GOD the Father."
"So, my dear friends, just as you have always obeyed when I was with you, it is even more important that you obey now when I am away from you: keep working out your deliverance with fear [ to have a reverential awe of] and trembling [: to shake slightly because you are afraid, nervous, excited, etc.], for GOD is the one working among you both the willing and the working for what pleases him. Do everything without kvetching or arguing, so that you may be blameless and pure children of GOD, without defect in the midst of a twisted and perverted generation, among whom you shine like stars in the sky, as you hold on to the Word of Life. If you do this, I will be able to boast, when the Day of the Messiah comes, that I did not run or toil for nothing. "
You see, by Doing these Actions Sha'ul has pointed out; We, the Reader; have the Opportunity to Salvage Our Broken Resolutions, Our Transgressions, that We may Regain Our Commitment to the Kingdom; by Confessing Our Sins to the FATHER, in the NAME of the SON, and the Testimony of the SPIRIT, to Re-New Our Resolution to Not Turn Back Again!
Paul didn't wan't the Outside 'world' to be able to say, "See, all of that talk of a High God was nothing... these people are living no better than we are... why bother with their silly rules? Let's keep doing as we always have; look out for ourselves and take and do whatever we like!"
......[ does that sound familiar? If not, Maybe You should pay a little more attention to the things going on in the World around Us, Now....]
I Encourage You, Dear Friends, to Read what Sha'ul [Paul] said to the Philippian Congregation about Resolve, and what He wrote to the Roman Congregation on 'Grace'. Not just the 'Pick & Choose' scriptures that so many are teaching just to tickle the Ears of their Congregations to keep the 'Numbers' up, but the WHOLE TRUTH, or, as the Late, Great Paul Harvey would say, "The Rest of the Story!"
I Pray this wasn't too long, or Mind-numbing.... It is, after all, only what I was Instructed to write.
Remember This; None of Us are Righteous, as it is written; and We All have Sinned, and, therefore, fall Short of the Goal, the Glory of GOD;, But We Have an Advocate.... One who Stands at the Right Hand of the THRONE, and when Our Time Comes, If We have Done All We Can Do to be as Paul has Instructed, HE will say, "For-go Judgement; for This One Is MINE! I Have Paid the Price & Provided Redemption, by MY Resolve!"
HALLEL-U-YAH!!!!!!
Let Us be More Resolute, in Our Resolve.... Let Us be More Diligent in Our Resolutions for a
NEW LIFE, Not Just for a New Year!!
We pray that this Message has Encouraged, Uplifted and Enlightened someone; and Given New Hope to those who have felt Distanced from the FATHER. All that the KINGDOM Requires is Your Love & Trust, a Firm Resolve to Continue to Strive.... and If You Should Fall, Simply GET BACK UP and TURN AROUND!!!! the FATHER is Right Where HE's Always Been, AND HIS SON is Waiting with a Strong, Out-Stretched Hand to Help You Back onto the Path!!
Give Y-H-V-H GOD a Chance.... HE's Given Much for Us, Already....
Pray for Us, Our Orphans & Kenyan Congregations needs, Our India Friends in CHRIST and Our International Ministry, as We Press On into a New Year, with Great RESOLVE for the KINGDOM; as We Pray for You All...
___And, as Always, With the Love of YESHUA;
Pastors Joel & Charlotte Martin
Prodigal Ministries House of Refuge/ Kenya Mission [Pastor David Matoke; Chief Pastor]
LETS READ A LITTLE STORY;
SEPTEMBER 7, 2015
________{stick with it 'til the ending... it's worth it_____
John, Chapter 11 {Complete Jewish Bible (CJB)}
1] "There was a man who had fallen sick. His name was El‘azar, and he came from Beit-Anyah, the village where Miryam and her sister Marta lived. [2] (This Miryam, whose brother El‘azar had become sick, is the one who poured perfume on the Lord and wiped his feet with her hair.) [3] So the sisters sent a message to Yeshua, “Lord, the man you love is sick.” [4] On hearing it, he said, “This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God’s glory, so that the Son of God may receive glory through it.”
5] Yeshua loved Marta and her sister and El‘azar; [6] so when he heard he was sick, first he stayed where he was two more days; [7] then, after this, he said to the talmidim, “Let’s go back to Y’hudah.” [8] The talmidim replied, “Rabbi! Just a short while ago the Judeans were out to stone you — and you want to go back there?” [9] Yeshua answered, “Aren’t there twelve hours of daylight? If a person walks during daylight, he doesn’t stumble; because he sees the light of this world. [10] But if a person walks at night, he does stumble; because he has no light with him.”
11] Yeshua said these things, and afterwards he said to the talmidim, “Our friend El‘azar has gone to sleep; but I am going in order to wake him up.” [12] The talmidim said to him, “Lord, if he has gone to sleep, he will get better.” [13] Now Yeshua had used the phrase to speak about El‘azar’s death, but they thought he had been talking literally about sleep. [14] So Yeshua told them in plain language, “El‘azar has died. [15] And for your sakes, I am glad that I wasn’t there, so that you may come to trust. But let’s go to him.” [16] Then T’oma (the name means “twin”) said to his fellow talmidim, “Yes, we should go, so that we can die with him!”
17] On arrival, Yeshua found that El‘azar had already been in the tomb for four days. [18] Now Beit-Anyah was about two miles from Yerushalayim, [19] and many of the Judeans had come to Marta and Miryam in order to comfort them at the loss of their brother. 20] So when Marta heard that Yeshua was coming, she went out to meet him; but Miryam continued sitting shiv‘ah in the house.
21] Marta said to Yeshua, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. [22] Even now I know that whatever you ask of God, God will give you.” [23] Yeshua said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” [24] Marta said, “I know that he will rise again at the Resurrection on the Last Day.” [25] Yeshua said to her, “I AM the Resurrection and the Life! Whoever puts his trust in me will live, even if he dies; [26] and everyone living and trusting in me will never die. Do you believe this?” [27] She said to him, “Yes, Lord, I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, the one coming into the world.”
28] After saying this, she went off and secretly called Miryam, her sister: “The Rabbi is here and is calling for you.” [29] When she heard this, she jumped up and went to him. [30] Yeshua had not yet come into the village but was still where Marta had met him; 31] so when the Judeans who had been with Miryam in the house comforting her saw her get up quickly and go out, they followed her, thinking she was going to the tomb to mourn there.
32] When Miryam came to where Yeshua was and saw him, she fell at his feet and said to him, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” [33] When Yeshua saw her crying, and also the Judeans who came with her crying, he was deeply moved and also troubled. [34] He said, “Where have you buried him?” They said, “Lord, come and see.” ___[35] Yeshua cried;___ [36] so the Judeans there said, “See how he loved him!” [37] But some of them said, “He opened the blind man’s eyes. Couldn’t he have kept this one from dying?”
38] Yeshua, again deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone was lying in front of the entrance. [39] Yeshua said, “Take the stone away!” Marta, the sister of the dead man, said to Yeshua, “By now his body must smell, for it has been four days since he died!” [40] Yeshua said to her, “Didn’t I tell you that if you keep trusting, you will see the glory of God?” [41] So they removed the stone. Yeshua looked upward and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. [42] I myself know that you always hear me, but I say this because of the crowd standing around, so that they may believe that you have sent me.” [43] Having said this, he shouted, “El‘azar! Come out!” [44] The man who had been dead came out, his hands and feet wrapped in strips of linen and his face covered with a cloth. Yeshua said to them, “Unwrap him, and let him go!” [45] At this, many of the Judeans who had come to visit Miryam, and had seen what Yeshua had done, trusted in him."
... Let's see what John 12, says about verse 2;
..."Six days before Pesach, Yeshua came to Beit-Anyah, where El‘azar lived, the man Yeshua had raised from the dead; so they gave a dinner there in his honor. Marta served the meal, and El‘azar was among those at the table with him. Miryam took a whole pint of pure oil of spikenard, which is very expensive, poured it on Yeshua’s feet and wiped his feet with her hair, so that the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. But one of the talmidim, Y’hudah from K’riot, the one who was about to betray him, said, “This perfume is worth a year’s wages! Why wasn’t it sold and the money given to the poor?”
... this tells us that the Family wasn't paupers. They had the Wealth of Men....
...Now, verse 3 tells us that They KNEW HE could heal disease, so they wanted HIM to come to do a miracle...
....Verse 4: Yeshua never said Lazarus WOULDN'T die; but that His death wouldn't be from This... that after This sickness, he would Yet Live! ...{OUR Ultimate fate; IF WE'LL ONLY TRUST COMPLETELY!}...
...verses 7- 16; We see that the 12 we not LISTENING to the man they had been 3 years with, but having worry about what Men would do to them, if caught. They We're Not Trusting COMPLETELY...
...17- 27; Martha shows same 'incomplete' Trust, but then professes understanding, after YESHUA declares & reminds Her Who & What She says She Believes HE is. .....
... 28-32...now Mary shows the Same 'incomplete' trust. This 'Incomplete Trust' is Knowing in Our Hearts that JESUS IS the SON of GOD man Man, but Only looking for the Works, and Not the Authority given by Y-H-V-H To HIM, and Ultimately, THROUGH HIM to US! {___I like to say the Ole Mr. Ya'Butz gets in the way___}...
... 33 tells Us He was 'Moved AND Troubled'... Moved by the Compassion that everyone had for this man, Troubled because HE was here, and yet they wept for a seemingly dead man...
...39... Again, Martha looks to the 'Natural' state of things, and Not what or Who She is Speaking with, EVEN THOUGH She Professes Knowledge in Who HE Is...
... Now, Here's the Question; HOW MANY OF US, EVEN THOUGH WE PROFESS & CONFESS JESUS AS THE ONLY TRUE & UNIQUE SON OF THE CREATOR, ADONAI- JEHOVAH- HaSHEM- Y-H-V-H- FATHER GOD; yet Still get caught up in the "If Only' section of the Body of HE who has GIVEN HIS LIFE FOR OUR SALVATION?
...Let Me answer that for You: ALL OF US!!!
Every last Person who now resides on this Earth has Forgotten that it's Not by Bread, but EVERY WORD THAT PROCEEDS FROM THE MOUTH OF GOD that KEEPS US ALIVE, Not only Here, but for the LIFE AFTER THIS BODY FADES to the GRAVE!
There was a little song that used to be taught in Sunday School, "Ask, and Ye shall Receive; Seek and Ye shall Find; Knock, and the Door will be Opened, I Know; for FAITH & PRAYER put GOD to Work for You!"
Paul instructs' " Pray continually." JESUS said to "Have the FAITH of the Grain of the Mustard seed, and Obstructions will be Moved for YOU." John said, [1 John 5:3-5]
"For loving God means obeying his commands. Moreover, his commands are not burdensome, because everything which has God as its Father overcomes the world. And this is what victoriously overcomes the world: our trust. Who does overcome the world if not the person who believes that Yeshua is the Son of God?"......
.... OUR TRUST!! [...from M/W dictionary:..Faith: b (1) : firm belief in something for which there is no proof (2) : complete trust...]
... We find Ourselves Incomplete in our Trust, JUST LIKE the 12: JUST LIKE the Family of EL'AZAR; JUST LIKE Those attending the wake... that is, Until We 'See' a Physical Manifestation of the POWER that is IN US!! [ John 17:22-23; "The glory which you have given to me, I have given to them; so that they may be one, just as we are one — I united with them and you with me, so that they may be completely one, and the world thus realize that you sent me, and that you have loved them just as you have loved me."]
Continual Conversation along with Total Trust is All that is Required to Beat the [adversary] at [his] own game; the FAITH that YESHUA gave through HIS sacrifice gives the Follower of HIS Trust Complete Access to the MERCY SEAT--- the THRONE of the FATHER ABBA; so WE may be AS HE IS on EARTH as in HEAVEN!!
No-one EVERY said it was Easy, but It Is TRUE & FAITHFUL; and , in the End, It WILL see US HOME!
We Pray that this Word has Helped Encourage, Lift, and Enlighten. Someone needed this message; and I, for One, was Humbled and Reminded of Our Purpose and Place in the World... to be the LIGHTS that verses 9 & 10 speak of.
As We Pray for You; Pray for Us, for Our Journey to India to Minister; and Don't forget the Congregation & Orphanage in Kisii, Kenya... they are in Need of Support.
____As Always; With the Love of JESUS;____
Joel & Charlotte Martin; Pastors
______Prodigal Ministries House of Refuge/ Kenya Mission____
Blessings .....
Which "Bold" are You?
___August 31, 2015___
{the First "Mending Our Nets" Installment}
Oh, How I DO Love the English Language! It's simply AMAZING how the use or translations of certain, seemingly 'Self Explanatory' words can effect an Outcome or Action; even an Attitude.
Here's one that the SPIRIT brought to My attention again, recently;...
bold \ adjective \ˈbōld\ : not afraid of danger or difficult situations
: showing or needing confidence or lack of fear
: very confident in a way that may seem rude or foolish : impudent, presumptuous.
{ from the Merriam - Webster Unabridged Dictionary}
We, at least those of us who have attended Services in a Congregation, have heard the following verses given as a dispensation of "How to Speak With GOD For Effect"...
[Hebrews 4:15-16 - King James Version (KJV)]
15] "For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
16] Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need."
So, by the Definition given above, this seems kind of , well rude or foolish : impudent, presumptuous. It REALLY doesn't seem very Wise to approach a King, Much Less the KING of ALL, in such a fashion! I mean, really, Who finds that worthy of a Favorable Response?... ,"Well, Judge, I'm gonna tell You how This is gonna go down, because I don't have ANY Fear or Respect for what YOU have to say!" ( ...sounds kinda like the attitude of the people, today, doesn't it?...)
Yet, in the Same Dictionary, under the Same Definition, at position 3, in Bold print, we can find THIS ...
3) obsolete : "assured, confident"
Why, oh, Why, would the defining words " assured, confident" be deemed 'Obsolete' ; [a : no longer in use or no longer useful <an obsolete word> ; b : of a kind or style no longer current : old-fashioned <an obsolete technology>?]
If We go to the Oldest and most closely translated from the Original Texts, We'll read the SAME Verses like This...
Yehudim in Moshiach 4:15-16 - Orthodox Jewish Bible (OJB)
15] "For we do not have a Kohen Gadol who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has been tempted in every way as we are, yet without chet (sin).
16] Therefore, let us approach with bitachon [trusting in HASHEM, or GOD...] the Kisse of Chesed (Throne of Grace), that we may receive rachamim (compassion/ mercy) and may find chesed for timely ezrah (aid)." {...translation from the Hebrew- English Dictonary...}
Hebraeos 4:15-16 - Biblia Sacra Vulgata (LATIN VULGATE)
16] "adeamus ergo cum fiducia ad thronum gratiae ut misericordiam consequamur et gratiam inveniamus in auxilio oportuno"
[fīdūcia f (genitive fīdūciae); trust, confidence, assurance, reliance\ boldness, courage]
Hebraeer 4:15-16 - Luther Bibel 1545 (LUTH1545)
16] "Darum laßt uns hinzutreten mit Freudigkeit zu dem Gnadenstuhl, auf daß wir Barmherzigkeit empfangen und Gnade finden auf die Zeit, wenn uns Hilfe not sein wird.
...{German-English translation for " Freudigkeit" ; happiness, joyfulness; (Begeisterung)enthusiasm...; base word 'freudig' ; A) adj (froh)happy; (heiter)cheerful; (begeistert)enthusiastic, keen; (freudvoll)joyful__B) adv (froh)happily; (heiter)cheerfully; (begeistert)enthusiastically; (freudvoll)joyfully}
Hebrews 4:15-16 - Douay-Rheims 1899 American Edition (DRA)
15] "For we have not a high priest, who can not have compassion on our infirmities: but one tempted in all things like as we are, without sin.
16] Let us go therefore with confidence to the throne of grace: that we may obtain mercy, and find grace in seasonable aid."
Hebrews 4:15-16 - Complete Jewish Bible (CJB)
15] "For we do not have a cohen gadol unable to empathize with our weaknesses; since in every respect he was tempted just as we are, the only difference being that he did not sin. [16] Therefore, let us confidently approach the throne from which God gives grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace in our time of need."
Funny Thing; the 'Obsolete' definition of the Hebrew/Ancient Greek word in Verse 16 seems to come up as How We Should Be... as it is Written...,"On Earth as it is In HEAVEN"!
Respectful Confidence, with the BLESSED ASSURANCE that, If WE TRUST YAH, OUR FATHER CREATOR in ALL THINGS, that HE will See to Our Every Need & Situation ON EARTH & IN HEAVEN!
Think about it...( I'm speaking to the older of readers, now... '60's kids...); If YOU wanted a Favor from Dad, did YOU go in and say, " Give ME All I say, Old Man, or I'll get Crazy on You!"? NO!! More like, "Say, Dad, Some of the Guy's (Girls) are going to the Mall, then to the Movies, & then for Pizza... could I go? Could I get an Advance on My Allowance?"
The Biblical Reference would be the parable of the 'Prodigal Son' [Luke 15:11-32].
The wasteful son didn't use force to get His share, He ASKED with Respect!
You know, I'm considered fairly Obsolete, Myself, because I still hold onto Morals, Respect for Elders, Believing that We, as One Race... HUMAN... can Overcome past wrongs & become what Our MUTUAL FATHER Intends Us to Be , HIS Children; Doing what is Right by my Neighbor- Friend or Foe, and My GOD YUD-HEH-VAV-HEH.
So, Which 'BOLD' would YOU rather Be?
...as for Me & My House; We will STRIVE to be the Obsolete Definition; trusting, confident, assured, reliant, happy & cheerful in YESHUA Ha'MASSIACH's Testimony of the KINGDOM, and Trusting in the FATHER, ALONE, to Bring Us Home!
Understanding is the First Key to "Mending Our Nets" , if WE are to be as JESUS said, "FISHERS OF MEN"
The Separations MUST CEASE between 'Sects', so those Who are Outside will find Good Reason to "Come & Dine" at the Supper of the Lamb!
As Kefa (Peter) wrote, [1 Peter 4:17- (CJB)] " For the time has come for the judgment to begin. It begins with the household of God; and if it starts with us, what will the outcome be for those who are disobeying God’s Good News?"
Any Fisherman can tell you, if there's to much negative activity, the Fish won't come near your boat; but if the Water is Filled with What They Need & Crave, even if it just makes them Curious, They Will DRAW NEAR!!
.... This is the First, or Introduction to, the Topic of "Mending Our Nets" that is to come.
The topic may seem different from Message to Message, but it will ALWAYS come back to Repairing the Damage of Centuries of 'Separation' WITHIN those who have called themselves "The Body of CHRIST", to the ends of Increasing the 'Catch' in YAH's SPIRITUAL NET!
... We Hope this message has Helped someone in some way, and given Hope to those who are low in Faith.
Always Remember; There is a TRUE & FAITHFUL FATHER, who sent HIS ONLY & UNIQUE SON to Teach Us this Trust, who in turn sent THE RUACH Ha'KODESH to Guide & Strengthen Our Spirits, and, NEVER FORGET, Angels to Protect & Assist Us WHENEVER WE CALL!
Blessings from Us here at Prodigal Ministries, as We ask You to Pray for The Kenyan Orphanage in Kisii, for the Supply of Food & Other Materials need to Keep the Congregation there Spiritually Fed, and, Also, for the Journey We are taking to Suryapet, India, to minister in a Great Revival/ Crusade with Trinity Evangelical Group Of Ministries india in October of 2015.
We're Praying for You, and, as Always;
With the Love of JESUS;
Pastors Joel & Charlotte Martin_______Prodigal Ministries House of Refuge/ Kenya Mission
."THE WORD; UNBOUND"
July 18, 2015
As with many others, I was raised up in the Congregations (... I pluralize for a reason that will become clear in a moment...), and was taught the Word by many a fine Sister in the Church-House.
As I reached the "Age of Accountability, both in Biblical terms & those of the 'World's' assessment of coming to Maturity, I began to let the 'World' in, yet always, though far in the background,remembering the Teaching & Fulfillment of the SPIRIT from my Youth.
When it seemed like "All Was Lost" in my adult life, I KNEW where My One Hope Came From... and, as David wrote, I Raised My Eyes to the Hills.... Because I Still Knew that My Help came from the LORD [paraphrased].
Yet, I look around & see that so many, even though Proclaiming CHRIST, are still Bound to Religious Traditions that, in effect, Bind the WORD.
It didn't start here, in these Modern times; or Even with Our Fathers & Grandfathers, either. No, it Began on that fateful morning just under 2000 years ago.
...Hear the Account from the one who was Present, & Witnessed it all...
John 18:12-13; " So the detachment of Roman soldiers and their captain, together with the Temple Guard of the Judeans, arrested Yeshua, tied him up, and took him first to ‘Anan, the father-in-law of Kayafa, who was cohen gadol that fateful year."
This took place in the Garden of Gethsemane, where YESHUA (JESUS) went with HIS followers often to pray.
...Let's read further down...
[18:19- 24] "The Cohen ha'Gadol questioned Yeshua about his talmidim and about what he taught. Yeshua answered, “I have spoken quite openly to everyone; I have always taught in a synagogue or in the Temple where all Jews meet together, and I have said nothing in secret; so why are you questioning me? Question the ones who heard what I said to them; look, they know what I said.”
[.... My, what Anger when being put on the spot by the "Accused"...]
"At these words, one of the guards standing by slapped Yeshua in the face and said, “This is how you talk to the cohen hagadol?” Yeshua answered him, “If I said something wrong, state publicly what was wrong; but if I was right, why are you hitting me?”" [... hadn't said ANYTHING Untrue...] "So ‘Anan sent him, still tied up, to Kayafa the cohen hagadol."
...From there to the Cohen Gadol (Head Priest), Kayafa (Caiaphas);
...STILL BOUND....
....After Kayafa discovered that there was no easy way to trip HIM up,
...STILL BOUND....
28] "They led Yeshua from Kayafa to the governor’s headquarters. By now it was early morning. They did not enter the headquarters building because they didn’t want to become ritually defiled and thus unable to eat the Pesach meal."
From here, we can read that Pilate could find no fault in HIM, even from a Pagan/ Roman standpoint, so, STILL BOUND, & Now Beaten & Abused, He turned YESHUA over to the Jews, HIS Own People; Those who Taught the Very things that YESHUA taught in the Temple, to be BOUND to an EXECUTION STAKE, an "Old Rugged Cross"; to Die for Speaking the TRUTH PLAINLY!
Friends; HIS lifeless Human Body was taken down from that Cross these 2,000 years ago.... WHEN ARE WE GOING TO LET HIM OFF OF THE CROSS, & UN-BIND HIM, AS HE WAS WHEN HE EMERGED FROM THAT BORROWED TOMB??
Sha'ul (Paul} had something to say about this to His Protege, Timothy;
[2 Timothy 3:2-5; (CJB)];
"People will be self-loving, money-loving, proud, arrogant, insulting, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, uncontrolled, brutal, hateful of good, traitorous, headstrong, swollen with conceit, loving pleasure rather than God, as they retain the outer form of religion but deny its power.
Stay away from these people!"
... This is what We become when We 'Practice 'Religion", Confessing YAH through YESHUA, but only by following 'Religious Traditions' rather that the WHOLE TRUTH of JESUS' TESTIMONY of the KINGDOM & GOD's THRONE.
We are, in effect, Keeping the WORD bound by remaining Divided by Sects/ denominations, and, now, by Turning Away from the Teachings of the WORD as far as Morals & GOD's Right are concerned!
We, or Many, have decided that GOD was wrong about a few things; that those Moral Compasses are Flawed, as far as today's 'Society' are concerned, so We must 'Re-Examine' what GOD Meant by the scripture... that HE made 'Mistakes' in HIS 'Genetics', putting Men in Women's bodies, and Visa Versa.
....Listen; [Galatians 6:7;
"Don’t delude yourselves: no one makes a fool of God! A person reaps what he sows."
...So, You want to distance Yourselves from the WORD, Bind it up by Picking & Choosing the scriptures that suit You Lifestyle...
...Very Well; GOD leaves you the Right to do so.
...But Know This;
When You Mock GOD by Twisting & Changing the WORD's Righteousness, and Force that agenda on those who are Faithful to GOD, You may want to skip THIS message to those, who would cause HIS Children to falter, as well...
[Luke 17:1-2;
"Yeshua said to his talmidim, “It is impossible that snares will not be set. But woe to the person who sets them! It would be to his advantage that he have a millstone hung around his neck and he be thrown into the sea, rather than that he ensnare one of these little ones."
... the "Little Ones" being a True Follower of the ENTIRE WORD; a CHILD of GOD....
Luckily. for You who would do such a thing, GOD, being a FATHER of MERCY, gives You a Way to Escape the Dread Judgement IN THIS LIFE & the NEXT for Committing such a travesty.
...To the Faithful, JESUS said,
"Watch yourselves! If your brother sins, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him."
The Faithful are being labeled as 'Haters' & 'Bigots' & so-on for speaking out against all of the Un=Righteousness in the World, As It Is Written; and, though there are Many Professing CHRIST with a 'Non-CHRIST-like' Attitude, We Are Right to Expose the Wrong in the World. This is what Paul said of the Torah, that It EXPOSED Our Sin, so We could Deal with it.
JESUS Became Torah; We are to be LIKE HIM (CHRIST-IANS); so WE are to Reflect the Law of GOD to those in Inequity; living with a twisted, BINDING version of GOD's TRUTH!!
... Don't You Think that it's HIGH TIME to UN-BIND the WORD.... to Let JESUS Off of the Cross that Society has RE-Nailed HIM to? HE was Tied with Rope, Fetter in Chains, Nailed to a Cross, & Wrapped Tightly in Burial Cloth ALL DAY LONG... but...
....HE CAME OUT OF THE TOMB FREE OF THE BODY THAT BECAME AS ALL WORLDLY SIN, SO WE COULD BE FREE FROM THAT WORLDLY SIN WITHOUT ANOTHER SACRIFICE!!!
_______SET YESHUA FREE!!!!________
I certainly hope that This Message strikes the Hearts of Both those Within & Those With Out. It's the Last Chance for True Salvation We have... Let's Make the Effort to Please GOD and Not Bend to the Pleasures of the Flesh that This World's Society would have us put Our Trust in...
Please pray for Our journey to deliver This Good News to those who are Calling from India; And, Please; Remember the Orphans in Kisii, Kenya that are still under Our Care; Pray Without Ceasing for Each Other, and Pray for Us, as We Pray for You.
...And; As Always;
With the Love of JESUS;
Pastors, Joel & Charlotte Martin Prodigal Ministries House of Refuge/ Prodigal Ministries Kenya Mission
"TAKE THE TEST"
July 7, 2015
1 John 4:1-3; "Dear friends, don’t trust every spirit. On the contrary, test the spirits to see whether they are from God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world. Here is how you recognize the Spirit of God: every spirit which acknowledges that Yeshua the Messiah came as a human being is from God, and every spirit which does not acknowledge Yeshua is not from God — in fact, this is the spirit of the Anti-Messiah. You have heard that he is coming. Well, he’s here now, in the world already!"
1 Timothy 1: 1] From: Sha’ul (Paul), an emissary of the Messiah Yeshua by command of God our deliverer and the Messiah Yeshua our hope, 2] To: Timothy, a true son because of your trust: Grace, mercy and shalom from God the Father and the Messiah Yeshua our Lord. 3] As I counseled you when I was leaving for Macedonia, stay on in Ephesus, so that you may order certain people who are teaching a different doctrine to stop. [4] Have them stop devoting their attention to myths and never-ending genealogies; these divert people to speculating instead of doing God’s work, which requires trust. [5] The purpose of this order is to promote love from a clean heart, from a good conscience and from sincere trust. [6] Some, by aiming amiss, have wandered off into fruitless discussion. [7] They want to be teachers of Torah, ..."
(Torah:..commandment; law... Merriam- Websters definition of COMMANDMENT: /kəˈmændmənt/ noun--plural commandments : an important rule given by GOD that tells people how to behave: a commandment from GOD; the Ten Commandments in the Bible; Also: Law / noun; a : the whole system or set of rules made by the government of a town, state, country, etc. a religious rule,i.e.; "according to Jewish law" ) ...
"... but they understand neither their own words nor the matters about which they make such emphatic pronouncements. [8] We know that the Torah is good, provided one uses it in the way the Torah itself intends. [9] We are aware that Torah is not for a person who is righteous, but for those who are heedless of Torah and rebellious, ungodly and sinful, wicked and worldly, for people who kill their fathers and mothers, for murderers, [10] the sexually immoral — both heterosexual and homosexual — slave dealers, liars, perjurers, and anyone who acts contrary to the sound teaching [11] that accords with the Good News of the glorious and blessed God."
Romans 3:19; " Moreover, we know that whatever the Torah says, it says to those living within the framework of the Torah, in order that every mouth may be stopped and the whole world be shown to deserve God’s adverse judgment. [20] For in his sight no one alive will be considered righteous on the ground of legalistic observance of Torah commands, because what Torah really does is show people how sinful they are." 21] But now, quite apart from Torah, God’s way of making people righteous in his sight has been made clear — although the Torah and the Prophets give their witness to it as well — [22] and it is a righteousness that comes from God, through the faithfulness of Yeshua the Messiah, to all who continue trusting."
......... JESUS didn't come to Abolish Torah... (Why would HE teach something that HE would do away with?...), HE BECAME the Example of Torah, precisely, the 10 Commandments.
Understand this; Paul is teaching those in Rome that merely by following 'Religiously',...
('a' : very careful to do something whenever it can or should be done — usually + about; "She's religious about using her seatbelt [=she always uses her seatbelt] when she drives"; or 'b': very interested in or involved with something; "The people here are religious about college football.")
....that the Goal cannot be reached. ONLY by TRUSTING, Having FAITH, in All that YESHUA Taught & Testified of the FATHER & Heaven can We be Redeemed; ONLY through HIS Testimony can WE be SAVED, ONLY by Following HIM, as HE followed the FATHER, can WE be DELIVERED.
Moreover; Only by Appointment from YESHUA & the RUACH H'aKODESH (Holy SPIRIT) can WE be placed in the position to Receive YAH's Plan for How WE get this Message across to the World.
Listen & Understand this, as well;The Commandments are For the 'Faithful', so the 'Faithful' might be an Example, as was JESUS, of the ANOINTING that Comes from following the Rules FREELY, & Willingly... Not by Order from Men who desire a position for Themselves.
This is where the 'Organized Religions' are beginning to Fail the Body... Giving way to their Own Desires & caving to the pressures of the 'World' to be Popular; to be 'Politically Correct'.
... Guess What.... YESHUA WAS NOT A POPULAR GUY!!
Neither was HIS teaching of Rightful Commission of Torah! This is why the heads of the Temple arranged for HIM to be killed! Until WE Realize & Understand that what Paul was telling Timothy about being a Teacher; Until WE realize & Understand what Paul was teaching those in Rome, We Will Fall to Our Own Desires!
2 Timothy 3:1-9 says; "Moreover, understand this: in the acharit-hayamim (Last Days) will come trying times. People will be self-loving, money-loving, proud, arrogant, insulting, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, uncontrolled, brutal, hateful of good, traitorous, headstrong, swollen with conceit, loving pleasure rather than God, as they retain the outer form of religion but deny its power."
"Stay away from these people! For some of them worm their way into homes and get control of weak-willed women who are heaped with sins and swayed by various impulses, who are always learning but never able to come to full knowledge of the truth. In the same way as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moshe, so also these people oppose the truth. They are people with corrupted minds, whose trust cannot pass the test. However, they won’t get very far; because everyone will see how stupid they are, just as happened with those two.",... ...and those shall be as JESUS said here, [Luke 6:39;] "He also told them a parable: “Can one blind man lead another blind man? Won’t they both fall into a pit?" What You Don't Know can Harm Many!
These ARE those Perilous 'Last Days'; All the things that are happening At Once with Intensity are the Very Things that the Bible Warns of from the Beginning of the Book, as far as the Prophesy's are concerned.
It Is Written that We should 'Test the spirit, to see if it's from YAH'; and to 'Study, Seek Out the WORD to be Shown in Accordance with the Right of YAH.'{...paraphrased...}
As I've heard Brother Hinn say many times, "..Don't just take My word for what I'm saying: Look It Up and See for Yourself!"
We Encourage You to Do The Same... LOOK IT UP, STUDY the Word, Don't just Read it like a Steven King Novel...
Watch Out for False Teaching in these Last Days, for "Even the Elect will be Fooled, if Possible!"
...We hope this Lengthy Teaching has helped someone gain a Better Understanding in Some Way. Please Study the WORD, Listen for the HOLY SPIRIT, & Be a Proper Light to this Dying World!
Pray for Us as We Pray for You. And; As Always,
Blessings to You with the Love of JESUS;
Pastors Joel & Charlotte Martin
Prodigal Ministries & Prodigal Ministries Kenya Mission
WAKE UP & DIE....
June 29, 2015
Yes, Homosexuality is a Great Sin against Y-H-V-H, but so is Heterosexual Immorality, Drunkenness, Drug Abuse, Murder, Perjury, Lying, Slave Trading {"Pimps"} and ANYONE who acts contrary to Sound Teaching! JESUS said, "He who has done the Least of These, has Done It To ME"...As a Friend has just stated to Remind Us who would Profess 'Christianity', We need to do as Paul said he did, Crucify the Flesh; the desires & Ires; those things which "so easily beset us" causing Us to seem more of a Cudgel than a Light to the Un-Knowing & those living in the Dark.
Except, WE, due to the Times & Our Own Conditioning over the past millennium, should do it Much More Often; Hourly, in some cases. We tend to "Fly off the Rails" and be Less than the Anointing that We claim to Have in Word & Deed, being No Better than the World.
Yes, Be Angry, but Do It Righteously, with Compassion for the Lost, and DO NOT SIN in Your anger. We are to Rightly Divide the Sin from the Light, but NOT at the Expense of a Soul; That is the 'Sin' that will come of Un-Just Anger at the Sinner.... Love the Sinner; Abhor the Sin {...and WE are Every One Guilty of an Abhorrent Sin from time to time: hence the 'Crucifixion of Flesh' continually}. It is written that He who has chosen to teach has chosen an Honorable Path, but it is Difficult to do In Love & Compassion, & Still Keep to the WORD. Some will be Offended... but Let them be Offended by the Truth, & NOT the one Bringing it!
YESHUA, HIMSELF, made a Total Wreck of the Temple Courtyard, even made a Whip & 'whuped up' on a few folks, and many times verbally 'dressed down' groups of men in an angry fashion; Paul cut loose with His anger more than once; Jude was a very angry speaker... but they Did Not Let the Sun Go Down on Their Wrath. Her's how Paul put it; [Ephesians 4:26-27]; "Be angry, but don’t sin — don’t let the sun go down before you have dealt with the cause of your anger; otherwise you leave room for the Adversary."
As a little placard on our Chest 'o' Drawers says, "Before You go to Bed, give All Your Troubles to GOD: HE'll be Up All Night, Anyway."
Yes, I,m Very Angry, and feeling Very Betrayed by those in office who Swore that They would STAND for GOD's Word... but YAH has a Plan; And, It has been Written Down for Us who TRUST HIM!!
.......TRUST HIM!!!
So, for those of Us who Profess CHRIST as their Lord, .....REPENT!!!
For those Who Don't Yet KNOW HIM.... REPENT!!!
As My Friend Reminded; We Must Crucify This Worldly Nature & BE LIKE THE ANOINTED ONE if WE are to Be Any Earthly Good!!!
I hope this does some Good... I know it stands to remind ME that I'm Far from 'Perfect', and need REDEMPTION DAILY!
{Thank's, M.B., for the Wake Up Call....}
Pray for Us as We Pray for You;
As Always; With the Love of JESUS;
Pastors Joel & Charlotte Martin;
Prodigal Ministries/House of Refuge
...WITHOUT THE LIGHT...
June 25, 2015
Everyone, at one time or another, has heard the old saying, "Don't hide Your Light", which originated from the Words of YESHUA MESSIAH speaking to HIS Disciples;[Luke 8:16 (CJB)] “No one who has lit a lamp covers it with a bowl or puts it under a bed; no, he puts it on a stand; so that those coming in may see the light."
The short of the statement is simply this; Once We've Received JESUS, accepted that HE Was Is and Always Will be Who HE Said He Was, and YAH, the FATHER Verified by Signs & Miracles, Then WE have the Light in US, so that It may Shine as a Beacon for a Society in the Dark.
...And Many have been such a Lighthouse or Searchlight; giving others Hope by & through Examples of what can be achieved when Total Trust or Faith is placed in GOD by Trusting the SON {Mark 9:23; "Yeshua said to him, “What do you mean, ‘if you can’? Everything is possible to someone who has trust!”....Mark 10:27; "Yeshua looked at them and said, “Humanly, it is impossible, but not with God; with God, everything is possible.”}.
So, Yes; everyone has a Job to do... and it's the Same Job; only carried out in different ways. We, as those who Trust & Follow YESHUA while We are still in these 'Clay Pots', are to be an Example, or Guiding Light to the TRUE LIGHT, which is MASSIACH; MESSIAH; the CHRIST.
Yet, We can have a difficult time performing the task at times, even if We control Our 'Natural Desires' with Great Success, sinning very little & being a Joy & Light all day long. It may seem impossible, but I refer You back to the quotes from Mark's Account...
I've seen this happen many times in the Congregations.
There will be a Faith-Filled Follower who, for whatever reason, is being 'overshadowed' by others.
While this may or may not be intentional,(I've seen it Both Ways), it can be Devastating to the individuals Spirit-Man, causing doubt; [satan's] Greatest Tool in [his] arsenal of lies, is the one who may be being dismissed as "too timid", or "Unskilled", "Backward", or any other number of excuses to keep an individuals Power in CHRIST contained.
I recall Paul asking the Galatians Who had Bewitched them... put a spell on them, HINDERED Their Growth in the TRUE LIGHT, that they should Fall Away so Easily. The same would be to say, "Who has Cast a Shadow Over You, to Cause You to Lose Faith in what GOD has Placed in YOU through JESUS?"
I was helping out a Good Friends Elderly Mother, who was worried that a Beautiful Red Maple growing next to her house was dying. She guided me around to where the tree lived, and showed me the dying branches.
..." If it can't be saved, then do what you have to..." was Her heavy-hearted request.
Now, I'm not an Arborist with a Degree and a License from a College, but Here's what was REVEALED to Me, just a lowly servant to this Sweet Lady who Loved the Tree So Much.....
... I placed My Hands on the Lovely little tree and felt the cool of the moisture under its skin, felt the Strength in It's bole, and saw how it had great Life within.... but it was lacking one thing, a Most Important Need for It's Growth....the SUN'S LIGHT!!!
You see, another, equally lovely, flowering tree had Overshadowed this smaller, less aggressive tree and diminished it's Light-source, causing It to Wither, Although It Truly Wanted to Grow Tall.
.... How Many of US are Overshadowing, or Being Overshadowed in the Church-Houses Around the World because We did or Didn't go to a Bible College, Seminary, sit 'Under' a man for so many years, pass some sort of "Spiritual" test, or have only just became a Follower?
Look at this...[1 Kings 19:15; "Adonai said to him {Eliyahu..'Elijah'}, “Go back by way of the Dammesek Desert. When you get there, anoint Haza’el to be king over Aram. [16] Also anoint Yehu the son of Nimshi to be king over Isra’el, and anoint Elisha the son of Shafat of Avel-M’cholah to be prophet after you."
.... see verse 16?.... now Look and Understand the WORD of GOD...
19] "So he left and found Elisha the son of Shafat. He was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen; he himself was behind the twelfth. Eliyahu went over to him and threw his cloak on him. [20] He left the oxen, ran after Eliyahu and said, “Please let me kiss my father and mother good-bye; then I will follow you.” He answered, “Go; but return, because of what I did to you.” [21] Elisha stopped following him. Then he took the yoke of oxen, slaughtered them, cooked their meat over the wooden yokes of the oxen and gave it to the people to eat. Then he got up, went after Eliyahu and became his servant."
Elisha was Nothing but a Simple Farmer, yet YAH chose Him to be the Prophet to Fill the Shoes of Elijah with a DOUBLE HELPING!
We can read in 2 Kings how He had to teach those attending 'Prophets School' how to Operate in the SPIRIT!!
Amos, from the writing of the same name, even stated to those prophets in the palace,[Amos 7:14-16]; " ‘Amos gave this answer to Amatzyah: “I am not trained as a prophet, and I’m not one of the guild prophets — I own sheep and grow figs. But Adonai took me away from following the flock, and Adonai said to me, ‘Go, prophesy to my people Isra’el.’ So now, hear what Adonai says: ‘You say, “Don’t prophesy against Isra’el, don’t lecture the people of Yitz’chak.”’
We MUST be careful how We treat the "Shy" one, the New Receiver, the Little Lady who sits quietly on Her pew, service after service, seeming to be content to timidly say Her hushed 'amen's'. We must ask Ourselves, "Are We Overshadowing a Great Gift from GOD bottled up in This Clay Vessel in the Corner?", or "Am I holding down a Mighty Blessing because of what Someone Else says or does?"
There could be a SPIRITUAL DYNAMO ready to Burst Out of the New Follower at the Altar shedding Alligator Tears for the Blessing of the Cross & The Tomb from a FATHER who Truly Loves Him!!
No matter which side of the coin You may be on, Step Out, Step Up; but Mind Who's Trying to GROW NEXT TO YOU... They are an Integral Part of the BEAUTIFUL LIGHT that is to SAVE ALL WOULD COME!!! HALLEL-U-YAH!!!
I hope this message has help or impacted your understanding in some way, whether a 'shadower' or an 'overshadowed'... {I have been both, so I can relate to either.}
Please Pray for Us as We Pray for You;
....and As Always, With the LOVE of JESUS;
Pastors Joel & Charlotte Martin
Prodigal Ministries House of Refuge
"THE SIGNS OF THE TIME"
(June 14, 2015)
With all of the things happening throughout the Earth today, there are still many, professing to be "Believers" in CHRIST, that are either refusing to see that these events are 'Prophetic' in nature, or that We can somehow, by rebuking them, stop these things from taking place, all together. Many others, who have grown Complacent in their Pews; made Hard-Hearted & Overly Judgmental, (...We Are to Judge, but a Righteous Judgement; look it up, JESUS said it...) have, without realizing, started the Snowball of people who are Leaving the Congregations, looking for 'Another Gospel' one that Better suites the Lifestyle They prefer, into an Avalanche of an Exodus from the Body. The fact is, It Is Written that All These Things MUST Occur BEFORE the KINGDOM'S PRINCE can Mount HIS White Horse to Bring the Reign of [satan] over the world to an END!
............WE CANNOT RELENT IN BEING LIKE YESHUA !!!!!!!
....and Cursing those who have fallen away, or just living by the World Societies Standards IS NOT HOW TO EMULATE THE MESSIAH'S Teaching of the FATHERS LOVE !!! The Great Apostasy; the Falling away of those whom YAH has favored is a MAJOR SIGN EVENT! Contrary to what many would like to believe, there is little WE can do to prevent these clear Violations of the Morality of Y-H-V-H from occurring. We are told, so It Is Written, that Only a Remnant will make it through this period, and those only because the Time Will Be Shortened! The adversary has gotten quite good at twisting Scripture (...tried it with JESUS..." Angels will save you"...), and even convinced many that the BIBLE is "Outdated" and 'For a Different Time" and should be Changed to Allow the Very Sins YAH has Ruled Against; thinking that they Know what GOD thinks (mostly due to out of context & twisted scripture teaching... i.e., " Don't Judge", JESUS loves the Sinner" "We're covered by Grace when we say we believe in HIM")... HEY WAKE UP... [satan] believes HE (JESUS) is who HE says HE is..., and in manipulation of the WORD, is leading many down the wide road of destruction. "So, Let's just Yell, Scream, and Slap these folks with our Good Ol' King Jimmy, Then they'll see Right!!!"
..........WRONG!!!!!.........
These may be in sin, may be on the wrong path, may be leaving the congregations, may even be refusing to listen to the Good News, and Demanding that It's Their Right to do as they Please:... and It's true; even though it's not right in the Eyes of GOD, As It Is Written.
Yet, what we MUST do is pray for those who have 'bought into' this lie from the adversary.... that they will RETURN to GOD, reject the ways of the world, and be prepared for the Trumpet Of GOD to sound. Sadly, this is where we are falling short.
Centuries of 'Conditioning' have left us lacking & somewhat Complacently in Worry, or even Angry at those who are falling. Though it is Their Decision, How are they to Know of a Better Way if They Have Not Seen & Heard about it from Those who Profess to Know It? Love the Sinner, Reject the Sin, in a way that Shows HIS MAGNIFICENCE, JOY, and PEACE, professing the WORD as a Warning.... GOD want's All to come to HIM, yet No Sin Shall Enter the Gates of HEAVEN.
This task is Difficult for us, if we attempt it by our own understanding; but if WE allow GOD to Use Us; Trust HIM to Guide US, Without the 'Worldly Nature' that We have been Conditioned to Interfering, then HEAVEN Will Rejoice at Those who will RECEIVE the TRUE LIGHT!! Remember: James 5:19& 20," My brothers, if one of you wanders from the truth, and someone causes him to return, you should know that whoever turns a sinner from his wandering path will save him from death and cover many sins." Let US strive to Be More like JESUS, and Get the Job DONE!!
I hope this has Helped someone, Blessed Someone, Gave Someone Clarity in the Word. As Humans, We All Fall, We All Stumble, We are NONE RIGHTEOUS, NO NOT ONE, except by the Gift from YAH, HIS SON, the Cross, and the Tomb of Resurrection in which Our Hope & Trust Lies. Continued TRUST, FAITH in HIM is Our Hand Up, and as "Christians", Our EXAMPLE of How WE Ought to Be to the Dying World Around Us.
... As Always, Pray for Us as We're Praying for You.
...With the Love of YESHUA; Blessings;
Pastors Joel & Charlotte Martin,
Prodigal Ministries House of Refuge
"NOT SO SIMPLE... YET NOT THAT HARD"
May 6, 2015
I've just read a post on social media from a Music Group that I Genuinely feel a Great Anointing from in their Worship Music, that stated that the Cross makes Us Flawless.
Now, as Wonderfully Uplifting as that may be to say, it, in itself, is not entirely true.
....Don't get in an Uproar and stop reading just yet; I said Entirely.
Let's step back to the Life & Ministry of YESHUA, and think about what HE endured before and on that fateful day. {I call it a Fateful Day, because it was Just That... HIS Fate, pronounced by the FATHER through Many Prophets from old...}
Every day that JESUS went out to those who either would not, or could not Trust that HE was Indeed the ONE spoke about in Text, and by YAH HIMSELF to Moshe, HE Knew that, ultimately, it was HIS destiny to suffer, and bear Great Physical Pain & Emotional Anguish for the KINGDOM's sake; which was and yet is the Sake of All Humanity.
But, it's Not as simple as just HIS act, which, incidentally, HE didn't Want to do, {Matthew 26 tells us that HE prayed 3 times that, if possible, the FATHER to "take this cup" from HIM; but that it was the FATHERS Will that HE would do, Whatever the outcome...}
And There We Have It... ...Whatever The Outcome...
The Sacrifice on the Cross coupled with the Empty Tomb alone do Not make us Holy, Complete, Flawless in a corrupted World, but the CONFESSION and PROFESSING PROCLAMATION that YESHUA Was, Is and Shall FOREVER BE EXACTLY WHO HE WAS SHOWN TO BE, the ONE TRUE & UNIQUE SON OF THE LIVING GOD, YUD-HEH-VAV-HEH; Creator and Ultimate Redeemer of ALL THINGS!
....But Wait... It Doesn't End There...
JESUS said that Whoever would Trust HIM, and...let me say that again... AND .. Would Do HIS FATHERS WILL: FOLLOW HIS FATHERS COMMANDS;...Again; WHATEVER THE OUTCOME...; that They, TOO, shall be Called CHILDREN of the MOST HIGH GOD!
See, this is why James tells Us that Without Action, Our Faith is not only Meaningless, but like a filthy Rags!! (I would've used the direct translation here, but it's a bit gross...)
What's the Action? Well, it's Not 'Working our way' into Heaven... it's Doing the Work of the KINGDOM; which is to Follow the Teachings of the Rabboni, the Master Rabbi, YESHUA [JESUS], Trust in FATHER GOD through HIS Words & Actions, & Thereby MAKE DISCIPLES OF ALL PEOPLE AND NATIONS; FILLING THE DWELLING PLACES IN THE ETERNAL KINGDOM WITH FAITHFUL SERVANTS OF THE MOST HIGH: WHO SHALL BE CALLED HIS CHILDREN!!!
So, while the Cross & Tomb make it Possible (...All things are Possible Through CHRIST JESUS...), WE Must Take the Initiative to Strive to be Like CHRIST, or Christians... Followers of MESSIAH; Living as Best We Can, with All We Have, to Be KINGDOM MINDED....: Examples & Shining Lights to the Dark & Un-Knowing World Society that sees Itself as lords of there Own Destiny, believing the Father of All Lies & Liars that They are in control.
Friends, GOD has been in Control since Before 'In the Beginning'; and Will Remain so Forever, throughout eternity, Serving HIS Children as They Serve HIM.
John said it more than once, as did MESSIAH... Don't Be Deceived... There is ONLY ONE MESSIAH, who has been here Before, & Shall Come Again to find a Congregation, a People; a 'Church',... Without Spot or Blemish
I sign off now with the words of an old Hymn... "From Now On, I'll Follow JESUS: NO TURNING BACK... .....NO TURNING BACK!"
FATHER, WE RAISE OUR VOICES AND OUR HANDS TO YOU, PRAYING THAT THIS WORD YOU HAVE GIVEN HAS MET WITH UNDERSTANDING: HELPING THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN STRIVING TO FOLLOW IN TRUTH, AS WELL AS THOSE WHO MAY NOT YET HAVE TO COME TO HAVE A FELLOWSHIP; A RELATIONSHIP, A MUTUAL LOVE WITH YOU THAT YOU DESIRE WITH ALL OF CREATION. WE PRAY FOR THOSE, NOW FATHER, THAT THEY ACCEPT YOU AS GOD AND KING, RULERS OF OUR DESTINY AND MASTER OF THE WIND. YOU HOLD OUR WORLD IN YOUR HANDS, AND FOR THIS WE GIVE YOU PRAISE... KNOWING THAT ALL WILL BE AS YOU HAVE DESIGNED FOR ALL WHO TRUST YOU THROUGH YOUR SON, YESHUA HaMASSIACH, OUR DELIVERER.
IT IS IN HIS NAME, AND BY YOUR HOLY SPIRIT WE PRAY; AMEN... AMEN... AMEN.
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Likewise, if this Word has given You Hope, Made You Think, Our Encouraged You to Seek a Deeper 'Walk' with GOD, Leave a message there, or feel free to contact us on Our Facebook page; :<prodigalministrieshouseofrefuge>:, or Email us at the address you can find on the About Us page.
Continue to Pray for Our Kenyan Ministry, as We Continue to Pray fr You!
As Always, With the Love of JESUS;
Pastors Joel & Charlotte Martin
Prodigal ministries House of Refuge / Kenya Mission
" THE AUTHOR OF 'SECOND cHANCES' "
MAY 13, 2014
Pesach Sheni (Hebrew: פסח שני, trans. Second Passover), occurs every year on 14 Iyar. This is exactly one month after 14 Nisan, the day before Passover, which was the day prescribed for bringing the Korban Pesach ("Paschal lamb") in anticipation of that holiday. As described in the source text for this mitzvah (Numbers 9:1-14), the Israelites were about to celebrate Passover one year after leaving Egypt. The offering of the Korban Pesach was at the core of that celebration. However "certain men" were ritually impure from contact with a human body, and were therefore ineligible to participate in the Korban Pesach. Faced with the conflict of the requirement to participate in the Korban Pesach and their ineligibility due to impurity, they approached Moses and Aaron for instructions, which resulted in the communication of the law of Pesach Sheni. Pesach Sheni is relatively prominent in Chabad and other Hasidic thought. One theme commonly expressed for this holiday is 'Second Chances'. In several Hasidic groups, the rebbe conducts a tish on Pesach Sheni.
(taken from Wikipedia Online Encyclopedia)
Numbers , chapter 9 (Complete Jewish Bible (CJB)) 1] "ADONAI spoke to Moshe in the Sinai Desert in the first month of the second year after they had left the land of Egypt; HE said, [2] “Let the people of Isra’el observe Pesach at its designated time. [3] On the fourteenth day of this month, at dusk, you are to observe it — at its designated time. You are to observe it according to all its regulations and rules.”
[4] Moshe told the people of Isra’el to observe Pesach. [5] So they observed Pesach at dusk on the fourteenth day of the month in the Sinai Desert; the people of Isra’el acted in accordance with all that ADONAI had ordered Moshe.
[6] But there were certain people who had become unclean because of someone’s corpse, so that they could not observe Pesach on that day. So they came before Moshe and Aharon that day [7] and said to him, “We are unclean because of someone’s corpse; but why must we be kept from bringing the offering for ADONAI at the time designated for the people of Isra’el?” [8] Moshe answered them, “Wait, so that I can hear what ADONAI will order concerning you.”
[9] ADONAI said to Moshe, [10] “Tell the people of Isra’el, ‘If any of you now or in future generations is unclean because of a corpse, or if he is on a trip abroad, nevertheless he is to observe Pesach. [11] But he will observe it in the Second month on the fourteenth day at dusk. They are to eat it with matzah and maror, [12] they are to leave none of it until morning, and they are not to break any of its bones — they are to observe it according to all the regulations of Pesach.
[13] But the person who is clean and not on a trip who fails to observe Pesach will be cut off from his people; because he did not bring the offering for ADONAI at its designated time, that person will bear the consequences of his sin.
[14] If a foreigner is staying with you and wants to observe Pesach for ADONAI, he is to do it according to the regulations and rules of Pesach — you are to have the same law for the foreigner as for the citizen of the land.’”
You have heard it 'preached', no doubt, that OUR GOD is a GOD of "Second Chances.
Well, here is one instance (after many previous times that can be discovered, if we only seek out the Scriptures) that the CREATOR means for ALL OF HUMANITY to have the Opportunity to be 'Gathered Home', as Kefa (Peter) wrote:
{2 Peter 3:8&9; [8] "Moreover, dear friends, do not ignore this: with the Lord, one day is like a thousand years and a thousand years like one day [9] The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some people think of slowness; on the contrary, he is patient with you; for it is not his purpose that anyone should be destroyed, but that everyone should turn from his sins."}
You see, it's Not based on a 'Whim", or Not Limited to just one certain group, but IT IS A LAW of YUD-HEH-VAV-HEH, GOD ALMIGHTY, concerning a SALVATION, a DELIVERANCE from Being Bound & Controlled by that which Means You Harm!!
Now, there are many who seem to believe that anything in the 'Old Book' is done away with, the 'LAW' is over; JESUS saw to that with a New Covenant that allows us to live freely as we see fit.
This comes from a mis-understanding of what Paul wrote to the Philipians (2:12; "Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling."), and to the Romans (6:14; "For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.")
We seem to be missing One VERY Important TRUTH...
YESHUA MESSIAH said, "(Matt.5:17; "Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill." [18] For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled."
(... If We care to notice what is in Red in the KJV, We'll SEE that JESUS Taught the 10 Commandments!)
I have intentionally used the King James version for these passages, because this is the way We've all heard it, as a rule, for 400 years.
Let's look now, if you'll indulge Me, at the Complete Jewish Translation of the Original Greek of the Era, in which these texts were written. {...this is not about which translation or 'version' you prefer, it's about UNDERSTANDING "Second Chances" from GOD's Perspective...}
Philippians 2:12; "So, my dear friends, just as you have always obeyed when I was with you, it is even more important that you obey now when I am away from you: keep working out your deliverance with fear and trembling, [13] for God is the one working among you both the willing and the working for what pleases him." ...KEEP OBEYING the Commands of YAH; KEEP WORKING TOWARD YOUR DELIVERANCE INTO THE KINGDOM!
Romans 6:12-15; 12] "Therefore, do not let sin rule in your mortal bodies, so that it makes you obey its desires; [13] and do not offer any part of yourselves to sin as an instrument for wickedness. On the contrary, offer yourselves to God as people alive from the dead, and your various parts to God as instruments for righteousness. [14] For sin will not have authority over you; because you are not under legalism but under grace. [15] Therefore, what conclusion should we reach? “Let’s go on sinning, because we’re not under legalism but under grace”? Heaven forbid!"
We're not Answering to Priests, to Man, but TO GOD; Refraining and Striving to Keep All Commands of GOD!
...and Now, the SAVIOR, Himself:
Matthew 5:17-20; “Don’t think that I have come to abolish the Torah or the Prophets. I have come not to abolish but to complete. [18] Yes indeed! I tell you that until heaven and earth pass away, not so much as a yud or a stroke will pass from the Torah — not until everything that must happen has happened. [19] So whoever disobeys the least of these mitzvot and teaches others to do so will be called the least in the Kingdom of Heaven. But whoever obeys them and so teaches will be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven. [20] For I tell you that unless your righteousness is far greater than that of the Torah-teachers and P’rushim, you will certainly not enter the Kingdom of Heaven!"
We Are To Follow the Laws that The FATHER Has Made Until the EARTH PASSES AWAY! Not Until the Ressurection of HIS Body, But UNTIL EVERYTHING HAS COME TO PASS!!!
These passages are to Emphasize that GOD's LAW, TORAH, Has NEVER been 'Rescinded', Ended, OR REPLACED with Anything Else!! This is what makes Numbers 9 such an OUTSTANDING Example of FATHER ABBA's Mercy and (dare I use the word without being Mis-interpreted), Grace... Favor and Forgiveness that We All Need from Heaven, From Men, and FROM OURSELVES!!
OUR LORD CREATOR has Made It a LAW that We All should have a "Second Chance" to be Obedient Children and Therefore Eligible to Receive HIS KINGDOM as Our Eternal Home through the Sacrifice & Resurrection of HIS ONLY & UNIQUE SON, YESHUA, JESUS MESSIAH!!
So, If You were Unable to give Honor to the ONE who Makes All Things New (...Second Chance...), By All Means, Take THIS SECOND CHANCE to Do Just That... Thank YAH, YESHUA, and RUACH Ha' KODESH (HOLY SPIRIT) for the SALVATION that gives a "SECOND CHANCE"!! We sincerely hope this message helps someone move closer to a True Relationship with GOD through JESUS the CHRIST.
If You would like Us to Pray with You, feel free to call the telephone number listed here on our contact page. We, by GOD's Calling, are Here for You!
Please Pray for Us as We ALWAYS are Praying for You; And, As Always,
With the LOVE of JESUS, We Love You;
Pastors Joel & Charlotte Martin
Prodigal Ministries House of Refuge and Prodigal Ministries Kenya Mission
(April 20, 2014)
GOOD SUNDAY, FRIENDS & NEIGHBORS!
If you recall my Post for Yesterday, then You'll Know what Happened TODAY, approximately 1,981 years ago, just outside of the City of Yerushalayim (Jerusalem), in the Roman Occupied land of Isra'el.
It would have been This Very Morning that 3 women who Had Not been afraid of the Repercussions from the leaders of the Jewish Church, went out to where Yosef of Ramatayim (a Secret disciple) & Nakdimon, (the High Priest who had also secretly followed YESHUA's Teachings), had buried the Earthen Vessel of YESHUA on what We know as Friday, around 5:pm or so.
[Remember, the Hebrew day starts the Evening Before and ends at dark the following, so Sunday Morning would have been the Morning of the Third Day, and the 1st day of the Week]
The 3 women; Miryam of Magdala, Miryam, mother of YESHUA, and Yochana; had come to do a 'proper' burial ritual,(not realizing that the 'Secret Disciples' had been careful to do at least most of it at the time of interment) came upon an Empty Tomb!!
That would have been Heart-Rending, had they not been met by Heavenly Servants, which told them the GOOD NEWS ....
"Why are you looking for the Living among the Dead?... HE's NOT HERE; HE IS RISEN!!!!"
Here's the Point that YAH has impressed on Me Today that I would like You All to Keep in Mind:
On the Cross, there was Only a place for ONE.....
But HALLELU'YAH, THERE'S ROOM AT THE TOMB FOR ALL OF US!!!
The Cross being Full of Our,that is Humanity's, Sins and Transgressions could Only Support the ONE who would Carry it Away on the behalf of All,
But, ON THAT 3RD DAY, There was at least 2 Angels, and 2 Men,(Kefa (Peter) and Yochanan (John)) IN THE EMPTY TOMB, to See Firsthand that ALL THAT WAS ON THAT CROWDED CROSS OF FRIDAY HAD BEEN SET FREE ON SUNDAY!!!!
Think about it like this; the Cross was a 'Laundry Room' that CLEARED A DANCE HALL {the TOMB} of OUR STAINED RAGS to GIVE US ALL a REASON and THE ROOM TO PARTY in the FREEDOM of FOLLOWING GOD's ONLY & UNIQUE SON BACK HOME to the KINGDOM!!!
These Three days were Important because JESUS was Our PASSOVER LAMB, Sacrificed Outside the Gates, Offered up for Our Sins, Passed through the Fire of Trial, and MADE BRAND NEW as an EXAMPLE of What We have been Offered if We will Follow HIM as HE Follows the Word of the FATHER CREATOR!!
TODAY IS THE DAY TO ACCEPT THIS GREAT OPPORTUNITY OF A BRAND NEW SQUEAKY CLEAN ROBE OF RIGHT FOR THAT DIRTY RAG THAT HAS ALREADY BEEN TAGGED FOR A CLEANSING BY THE ONE WHO WASHES EVEN THE FEET OF THE FAITHFUL!!
A BRAND NEW TOMB LEFT US A BRAND NEW ROOM! LET'S BE WASHED BY THE CROSS AND COME ALIVE AT THE TOMB TODAY!!
HALLELU'YAH!!
We pray that You are as Excited about the Events that took place on Pesach, or Passover, 1,981 years ago, in a land far away; because of the Great & Significant Blessing it is to ALL PEOPLE, EVERYWHERE on EARTH!!
What could POSSIBLY COMPARE to the EXPRESSION of LOVE Given by FATHER & SON to a Clearly Undeserving People? I can think of None. BLESS YOU, YAH!!
As We Pray for You and the Needs of Your House-hold, Please keep Us in Prayer for Support to carry the Good News back, once Again, to Kenya, to the Orphanage that This Ministry Supports & Sponsors in Kisii-land. $5,000.00 is required, and We are Confident that Our GOD, YUD-HEH-VAV-HEH will Again, through the Giving of His People, Supply the funds.
You can Donate ANY AMOUNT by going to the :<gofundme.com>: link here on our site, or on our Facebook page, :<prodigalministrieshouseofrefuge>:; or by contacting Us directly by Email or Telephone for other options and mo details.
As Always..... With the Love of JESUS;
Pastors Joel & Charlotte Martin
Prodigal Ministries House of Refuge (Ohio, U.S.A.),
& Prodigal Ministries Kenya Mission (Nairobi & Kisii, Kenya, Africa)
(April 19, 2014)
SHABBAT SHALOM ALEICHEM!! Sabbath Peace be Upon You All!!
Yes, contrary to most Organized Christianity teaching, starting Last Night (Friday) at the point where 3 stars could be seen, until the Same Moment this Evening (Saturday), We are in the Day of God's Rest, or the 7th Day.
This DOES NOT MEAN that We, as Followers of YESHUA HA'MASSIACH don't have More that Enough Reason to CELEBRATE on Sundays, the Actual First Day of the Week.
You see, If We read the in the 12th chapter of Sh'mot (Exodus), We can see how YAH set up the Pesach (Passover); and Then, coming to the Gospels, We can read at what time YESHUA (JESUS) was Crucified, When & Why HE was Taken Down & Buried in a Hurry, & the Day in Which HE LEFT AN EMPTY TOMB as a WITNESS to the TRUTH and MAJESTY of the FATHER YUD-HEH-VAV-HEH, Creator of ALL THINGS!
You See, as Followers of the ONLY WAY, GATE & DOOR, We Should Celebrate on Sunday, the 1st Day of the Week, for ON THAT DAY, OUR FAITH & TRUST IN YAH through YESHUA WAS MADE SURE!! The Third Day After the Death of HIS Natural Body as that of a Criminal of 'Worldly Ways'; HE LEFT AN EMPTY TOMB in a Body that was Just as 'Real' to the 'Natural' Senses as the One that was Closed Into the Tomb 3 Days Prior!!
So, Today, Sabbath Day, is a day to Reflect the Human Life of the One We Deem 'SAVIOR', .....
BUT TOMORROW...... HALLELU'YAH.... HE HAS RISEN!!!....THE TOMB IS EMPTY, AND OUR FAITH MADE SURE!!!
LET US CELEBRATE EVERY WEEKEND AS THOUGH IT'S PESACH WEEKEND!!!
JESUS CHRIST, YESHUA MESSIAH.......OUR PASSOVER LAMB!!!!
We Pray that this short message helps Understanding the WORD and Deeds of Our Redeemer, YESHUA HA'MASSIACH towards Our Everlasting Salvation and Deliverance.
Please continue to pray for us, as We are Always Praying for You.
Remember Our planned 2nd Journey to the Orphanage in Kisii, Kenya this fall, and see the :< gofundme.com>: site link on Our Home Page.
As Always...With the Love of JESUS ;
Pastors Joel & Charlotte Martin
Prodigal Ministries House of Refuge (Ohio, U.S.A.), & Prodigal Ministries Kenya Mission (Nairobi & Kisii,Kenya, Africa)
MARCH 21, 2014
ACTS 19:8-16 [COMPLETE JEWISH BIBLE (CJB)]
“Sha’ul went into the synagogue; and for three months he spoke out boldly, engaging in dialogue and trying to persuade people about the Kingdom of God. 9 But some began hardening themselves and refusing to listen; and when these started defaming the Way before the whole synagogue, Sha’ul withdrew, took the talmidim with him, and commenced holding daily dialogues in Tyrannus’s yeshivah. 10 This went on for two years; so that everyone, both Jews and Greeks, living in the province of Asia heard the message about the Lord.
11 God did extraordinary miracles through Sha’ul. 12 For instance, handkerchiefs and aprons that had touched him were brought to sick people; they would recover from their ailments; and the evil spirits would leave them.
13 Then some of the Jewish exorcists who traveled from place to place tried to make use of the name of the Lord Yeshua in connection with people who had evil spirits. They would say, “I exorcise you by the Yeshua that Sha’ul is proclaiming!” 14 One time, seven sons of a Jewish cohen gadol named Skeva were doing this; 15 and the evil spirit answered them. It said, “Yeshua I know. And Sha’ul I recognize. But you? Who are you?” 16 Then the man with the evil spirit fell upon them, overpowered them and gave them such a beating that they ran from the house, naked and bleeding.”
Where did these boys go wrong?
Well, they heard the teaching that Sha’ul (Paul) gave, which was what YESHUA (JESUS) had taught Him through 40 days of Revelation, but they didn’t Follow Through with the Most Important Part… they Didn’t KNOW JESUS on a Personal Level. They proclaimed “ …the YESHUA that Sha’ul is Proclaiming”, Not the JESUS that They Knew!
........LISTENING TO MOZART DOESN'T MAKE YOU A PIANIST!!!!
Just the other day, I heard a moving Testimony from a Man I’ve known as a Good Friend for ¾’ths of My life. I had never heard this kind of thing come from this “Man of the World” before, but it shone a New Light, although one I have Professed & Witnessed Myself many times, on the Favor of YAH and HIS Relationship to Each of Us on a Personal Level.
At a moment when Life was ebbing away, and men had conceded death as eminent, this man spoke to GOD simply; “I’m Ready, Lord.”
Confessing in His Last Breaths that He was leaving All His Children & His Loves over to the care of the ONE TRUE KING, He was surrendering to the JUDGE of Creation, throwing Himself on the Mercy of the Court, as it were.
He “…felt warm and pain free”, then like He was being “Held gently in Loving Arms”, and then ‘Felt’ more than ‘Heard’, “Not Yet: I’ve got more for You to Do.”
There’s a Personal Relationship afforded a Man who doesn’t attend ‘Chu’ch’ houses, or live a ‘Religious’ life, but He was raised in His youth in the 'Presby' church to believe in GOD the Father through JESUS the Son. As the Scripture says, if WE Raise a child up in the Right Ways, then in their Adulthood they will Recall them. (That’s a paraphrase, but generally what the writer is alluding to.)
You see, these 7 sons heard the Good News of the Kingdom and went out to do the things that Paul was doing, yet, like the title says, no matter how many piano’s you own, you may NEVER write a Great Concerto or Symphony. I know many who own a saw and a measure, but they’re no Carpenters, by Any stretch of the term!
Unless We get VERY PERSONAL with GOD through HIS SON, by HIS SPIRIT, and get OUR PERSONAL WORLDLINESS and WANTS Out of the Way, We can BY NO MEANS be able to Work in the Power of the KINGDOM’s Strength to Break Bonds and Afflictions out of the Lives of Others!
As YESHUA so aptly put it, We have to “take the Log out of Our Own Eye before attempting to Remove a Splinter from Someone Else’s.”
We can Heard and Read this Gospel All Day/ Every Day, but UNLESS WE FOLLOW THROUGH with Relationship, all we have is a Mind that’s full of what would be Useless Information, because, much like those (I’m one) who own a Piano, but don’t have a Conviction to be “Intimate” in the Learning of How to Operate It, We can be No Different than those 7… they Read the Book and Bought the T-Shirt, but didn’t ‘KNOW’ how it all worked. As I’ve quoted many times, “Don’t try to Describe the Ocean if You’ve Never Seen It.”
I can only Urge each of Us to, as Sha’ul said that He did, “Die Daily” to the World for 10 minutes, to start, each day, thinking on HEAVENLY things (focus your thoughts on what is true, noble, righteous, pure, lovable or admirable, on some virtue or on something praiseworthy.) and then increase that time a little each day. Speak to GOD, as though We were sitting in HIS presence, and HE in Ours, not pleading and begging, but as We sit in a restaurant with a god friend; just talking over the events in Our lives, and listening, as My Friend ‘heard’, for that ‘Feeling’ of response from the Other Side of the Table. This is how We can and WILL become in an Intimate Relationship like that of a Best Friend and Companion, with FATHER YUD-HEH-VAV-HEH, and Never be Embarrassed by the Adversary when We WALK IN THE POWER of the KINGDOM of GOD as HIS Children!!
We sincerely hope this Word has Helped You in some way, to understand more of what it means to be a Follower of YESHUA Ha’MASSIACH, JESUS MESSIAH, the RISEN LORD, and help you to Strive to be in a Closer Relationship with HIM through the RUACH HA'KODESH, HOLY SPIRIT.
You may Contact Us through Facebook, or e-mail. (Those links are found on Our ‘Links’ page & other places on this website… please Browse!!)
Pray for Us, as We’re Praying for You; and, as Always;
With the Love of JESUS; until the Next time..
Pastors Joel & Charlotte Martin
Prodigal Ministries House of Refuge & Prodigal MinistriesKenyaMission.
Understanding the Written Word
Re-Posted by Joel Martin on Wednesday, April 17, 2013
"Und Jesu gingen die Uugen iiber."
I'd be sure that most average, "American" speaking people don't have a clue what that opening line says, as it is written. Sadly, many are just as confused with the Word of Our CREATOR, YUD-HEH-VAV-HEH; or JEHOVAH. Many have trouble with the Translation or version they've been brought up with, the King James Version of our Bible, which was brought to us through diligent hours and years of study and translating from the Greek Septuagint and the Latin Vulgate Versions of the Scriptures, which were Originally in Hebrew/ Aramaic/ Kasdim and Base (every-man) Greek.
Now, before any one gets worked up, I've used "good ol' Jimmy "myself, and still do to check references and such. It was the best text we had to gauge all other translations by for Centuries, (unless, naturally, you could read Chaldea, Hebrew, and Greek), to gain the UNDERSTANDING (remember that word) of the Word of GOD. I, personally, now use the Complete Jewish Bible; a more direct translation from the original text version.
But the translation You personally use is not the issue in this message. The TRUE WORD OF GOD will Always come Through No Matter Which Version You Use!
UNDERSTANDING is the issue here.
You see, We tend to confuse the words Knowing and Understanding.
In Exodus, 33:13., Moshe is having a conversation with YAH...{Did you get that?.. A CONVERSATION WITH GOD WHOM HE HAS BEEN IN AN INTIMATE RELATIONSHIP WITH; BEEN "KNOWING" FOR QUITE A WHILE,} about these Dis-Obedient Whiners and Complainers He has, by Command, Rescued from Bondage....
"Now, please, if it is really the case that I have found favor in your sight, show me your ways; so that I will understand you and continue finding favor in your sight. Moreover, keep on seeing this nation as your people.”
...In an Intimate Relationship, yet STILL SEEKING UNDERSTANDING!
In Deuteronomy 32:28-30, the "Song of Moshe", we see YAH speaking through the Servant, saying about the people of Yeshurun,
“‘They are a nation without common sense, utterly lacking in discernment. If they were wise they could figure it out and Understand their destiny. After all, how can one chase a thousand and two put ten thousand to rout, unless their Rock sells them to their enemies, unless Adonai hands them over? For our enemies have no rock like Our ROCK __ even They can see that!"
No UNDERSTANDING means No Power from On HIGH... No JESUS -- No STRENGTH!
In 1 Kings 3:11 & 12, we see GOD's answer to Young Shlomo when He prayed for 'Understanding" so that He could lead GOD's People Rightly;
"God said to him, “Because you have made this request instead of asking long life or riches for yourself, or your enemies’ death, but rather asked for yourself Understanding to discern justice; I am doing what you requested. I am giving you a wise and Understanding heart, so that there has never been anyone like you, nor will there ever again be anyone like you."
You see, when we UNDERSTAND, we gain Knowledge, which, when applied properly, produces Wisdom, or Discernment, in All Things when we're Obedient to the Kingdom!! ....And I Think That's a Good Spot for a Praise!!
Now listen to what YAH said in Isaiah 6:8-10
"Then I heard the voice of Adonai saying, “Whom should I send? Who will go for us?”
I answered, “I’m here, send me!”
He said, “Go and tell this people: ‘Yes, you hear, but you Don’t Understand.
You certainly See, but you Don’t get the Point!’ “Make the heart of this people [sluggish with] fat, stop up their ears, and shut their eyes. Otherwise, seeing with their eyes, and hearing with their ears, then UNDERSTANDING with their Hearts, they might Repent and Be Healed!”
Without UNDERSTANDING with Our Hearts; Our Spirits; We Will Not get the Point of Turning from Sin, and Won't have the Knowledge of the Ways of GOD for Our Healings!
Through Yirmeyahu the Prophet, GOD said this, [Jeremiah 3:14-16]
“Return, backsliding children,” says Adonai; “for I am your master. I will take you, one from a city, two from a family, and bring you to Tziyon. I will give you shepherds after my own heart, and they will feed you with Knowledge and Understanding."
YAH is speaking of Pro-claimers, Professing the TRUTH of the WORD! Can you Understand that the word 'Proclaim' means to Preach and 'Profess' means to Teach? Oh, and Shepherd is defined as Pastor. {Those Two GODLY Men Merriam & Webster can Help your Understanding a Lot!}
In Hosea, 4:6, GOD, speaking through the prophet, says that "My people are DESTROYED for lack of knowledge,.." . 4:14 says," Yes, a people without understanding will come to ruin.”
Psalm 14:2 & 3," From heaven Adonai observes humankind to see if anyone has understanding, if anyone seeks God. But all turn aside, all alike are corrupt; no one does what is right, not a single one."
"For there is NONE Righteous, Not One who UNDERSTANDS! There is NONE WHO SEEK GOD, No Not ONE!"
Proverbs 1:1-4;" The proverbs of Shlomo the son of David, king of Isra’el, are for learning about wisdom and discipline; for understanding words expressing deep insight; for gaining an intelligently disciplined life, doing what is right, just and fair; for endowing with Caution those who don't think and the Young person with Knowledge and Discretion."
Jeremiah 23:19-21," Look! The storm of Adonai, bursting out in fury, a whirling storm, whirling down upon the heads of the wicked! Adonai’s anger will not abate till he fully accomplishes the purpose in his heart. In the acharit-hayamim (Last Days), you will understand everything."
These are those Last Days; the time when YAH has made it possible by HIS SPIRIT for us to Have this Understanding for the Knowledge and Wisdom to make it Home!
Numerous passages in both the Old & New Testaments make a clear point that we MUST have UNDERSTANDING to gain the wisdom and the knowledge to perform the pre-formed Will of GOD in each of our individual and unique earthly existences. It's not as hard as many of us have been led to believe.
JESUS put it simply; believe that HE is who HE says HE is, trust HIS teaching,(also, not as complicated as it has been made to seem),have and love no other gods over the FATHER GOD , and love (respect) each other like you do yourself.
In the King James version; the word - understand - appears 91 times , the word - understandest - appears 4 times , the word - understandeth - appears 11 times , the word - understanding - appears 160 times , and the word - understood - appears 37 times....
So, in one form or another, 303 references to Understanding are found in the KJV Alone.
Without UNDERSTANDING there can be No Knowledge to gain the Wisdom that the WORD tells us We Need to do YAH's Will for Us and the KINGDOM.
By the way,"JESUS WEPT"(line one). Understanding means everything when We're Seeking The Way Home.
If This Word has Helped with Your Understanding, Please let us Know by Leaving a Comment on our Guestbook Page or Contacting Us ;
Email; :<prodigalministries@zoomtown.com>: or :<prodigalministries@yahoo.com>: , on Facebook at our page Prodigal Ministries / House of Refuge;
or by 'snail mail' at Prodigal Ministries, 215 Starr Ave, Hamilton, Ohio. U.S.A. 45013 . You can Telephone us at 1-513-893-3541 between the hours of 11:a.m. & 6:p.m. E.S.T.
And, Now, ..... FATHER YUD-HEH-VAV-HEH; WE ASK FOR YOUR STRENGTH AND GUIDANCE IN THE UNDERSTANDING OF YOUR WORD AND KINGDOM. WE THANK YOU FOR SENDING YOUR COMPLETE SPIRIT TO AID US IN THIS QUEST, AND TO SAFELY LEAD US TO OUR HOME IN YOUR KINGDOM. WE BLESS YOU THROUGH YOUR SON YESHUA AND BY THE RUACH HAKODESH WHICH IS WITH US ALWAYS,
AMEN; AMEN; AMEN...
As Always, We're Praying for YOU, Not because we are Commanded, but because it is a JOY to do so, and We plan to Meet You All in Our Heavenly Home.
...With the Love of JESUS...
Pastors Joel and Charlotte Martin Prodigal Ministries House of Refuge; Prodigal Ministries Kenya Mission
OUR PRECIOUS VALENTINE
February 9, 2012
Since about 500 a.d., February 14th has come to be synonymous with the Expression of Love. This is when the Roman Catholic Church (pretty much the only recognized ‘Christian’ church at the time) began celebrating the Martyrdom of Bishop Valentinus of Terni, in the Roman Province of Italia (also a Priest of Rome), who was put to death by Emperor Claudius II (or Gothicus) on that date around 269 a.d., right about the time of the birth of another Saint who was all about the Love, St. Nicholas.
At this time, helping or aiding a Christian, or promoting the Faith in YESHUA by any means was considered a crime, punishable by imprisonment, or even death; much depending on how full the jail was and the mood of the Emperor that day. Bishop Valentinus had been found aiding followers, and performing Outlawed Marriages of Faithful, and, so, was locked away.
While he was imprisoned in Rome, Claudius took a liking to this man, who lived the Good News of the Love and Favor of this ‘JESUS’ that he trusted, and whose Light was ever present with him; that is until Valentinus attempted to Convert Claudius Gothicus to His Christian belief. The enraged Emperor condemned the Bishop to a gruesome death. First he was beaten with clubs; that didn’t do it. Then they stoned him: again, he survived. Finally, they took him, listen, Outside the Flaminian Gate, the gate that lead out onto the North, or Flaminian Road. This road was the Main Artery out of the city, land-wise. Outside the Main Gate of the City, they beheaded him; this time he would not survive. An example, if you will, for any others who would go against Claudius’ twisted rule. Remember…OUTSIDE the GATE…Just as YESHUA was, as a scapegoat for His Faith in Love.
After the rule of Claudius Gothicus, Emperor Constantine came to power, which, as we’ve discussed before, made Christianity the State Religion of Rome. Subsequintly, in 486 a.d., Pope Gelasius I said that Bishop Valentinus was, "... Among those whose names are justly reverenced among men, but whose acts are known only to GOD." The name 'Valentine' its self is derived from the word 'Valens; meaning worthy; strong; or powerful. How fitting for the Saint who is connected with Love!
Now, we tend to think of Hearts with Arrows through them, shot by tiny little Cherubs with tiny little bows, flying about on tiny little wings when we think of Valentine’s Day. While so many things done and said in the Tradition of the Feast Day are good, much myth has found its way into the true purpose we need to emphasize.
Firstly, Cherub, or the Kruv’im, are described in the Bible as being very tall Angels, Guardians of the Ark of the Covenant, keepers of the Most Holy Place in the temple, and the very beings which stand around the Throne of the MOST HIGH YUD-HEH-VAV-HEH. If These Guys shoot an arrow into you, chances are, it’s Not gonna make you feel all Gooshy inside!! (However, we’ll get to that arrow through the Heart bit in a minute.)
Like most of the things associated with Christmas, the Poetic writers over the years have contributed a LOT to how we tend to celebrate Christian Holy-days. Many Valentine’s Day traditions are accredited to the 14th century English poet and writer of ‘The Canterbury Tales’, Geoffrey Chaucer. Yet, this day on which we celebrate Love has MUCH to do with the Biblical Principles of the Will of GOD for Us in YESHUA Ha’MASSIACH, the LORD DELIVERER and REDEEMER!
Leviticus 19:17-19 says this,” Do not hate your brother in your heart, but rebuke (reprimand; or check) your neighbor frankly, so that you won’t carry sin because of him. Don’t take vengeance on or bear a grudge against any of your people; rather, LOVE YOUR NEIHBOR AS YOURSELF; I am YUD-HEH-VAV-HEH. Observe MY regulations.”
Clearly, this is not just a Suggestion. However, YAHWEH is also clear on WHY we should do this Commandment; so that we won’t carry any sin, which CANNOT ENTER HEAVENS GATE!!
When asked what the Most Important Commandment was, YESHUA replied,” You are to ‘LOVE YAHWEH your GOD with all your Heart, with all your Soul, and with all your Strength.’ This is the Most Important Mitzvot. And a Second, similar to it, ‘You are to LOVE your Neighbor as Yourself.’” Why? What makes this ‘Love‘thing so important? What HE says next tells us,” All of the Torah and the Prophets are DEPENDENT on These Two Mitzvot.” [Matt. 22:37-40]
All of the Laws of GOD, All of the Prophesies, warnings and blessings, need LOVE to be Accomplished. Without GOD’s rules for our conduct, only chaos and anarchy would prevail. Nothing good and pure could survive.
YAHWEH showed Compassionate Love and Mercy on Us, the Human Race, so many times; it would take the Whole of the Bible in this message to explain it all. Yet, without fail, HE is Always There to pick us up when we’re fallen, bruised and alone; eager to give that kind of love to us over and over again, even though we tend not to return it with the same Spirit of LOVE that HE affords to us. Oh, we may be grateful; we may say ‘Thank You, JESUS’ when a prayer is answered or a blessing comes our way; but we seldom give a true,” I LOVE YOU” to the one who gives us all HE has time and time again.
Spiritually, WE are the Arrow that pierces HIS Heart, yet not with the Compassionate Love that HE seeks, but with indifference to HIS need for Love, unless we are in need, ourselves. We are Continually that spear that caused the Blood and Water to flow from the Heart of YESHUA as HE took All of OUR Sin on HIMSELF, causing the FATHER to Look Away from HIS OWN SON in sorrow. Not Shot or Thrust by a Holy Angel, a Kruv'im, but by the thing HE LOVES MOST, HIS VERY CHILDREN!!!
We can try to reason that ‘We’re Not Perfect’, using the excuse that ‘We’re Only Human’, but in that, we are denying what we Truly Are; Sons and Daughters, Created in HIS OWN IMAGE, made from perfect Earth, (HE saw it and said,” It Is Good”) to rule and reign over that same Earth with HIS Will, which is Grounded in HIS LOVE. True, we can’t have the Mind of YUD-HEH-VAV-HEH, but we CAN have the mind of MESSIAH. Simply put, although we’re not capable in this form to fathom ALL the wonders of Creation in a detailed sense, we CAN Nurture and exhibit the LOVE for the Kingdom, which is precisely what JESUS taught and lived. We were Made Perfectly and Wonderfully. We’ve had to Work at becoming the self-serving, self-centered, self-oriented, self-gratifying imperfect beings we are!
Sadly, we were warned that we were in danger of turning out this way. Paul wrote these words in His 2nd letter to Timothy,
” Moreover, understand this: in the acharit-hayamim (Last Days) will come trying times. People will be self-loving, money-loving, proud, arrogant, insulting, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, un appeasable, slanderous, uncontrolled, brutal, hateful of good, traitorous, headstrong, swollen with conceit, loving pleasure MORE THAN LOVING GOD, as they RETAIN THE OUTER FORM OF RELIGION, BUT DENY ITS POWER.”
Back to the SPIRITUAL significance of Prayer with Thanksgiving. Showing DADDY a Little Lovin’. HE has NEVER said, ” If you just give a little bit of your time and love to ME, I’ll take care of you completely.” HE Illustrated what HE requires through our REDEEMER; WHO GAVE ALL FOR LOVE!!! HE WANTS US TO GIVE OUR ALL; OUR EVERYTHING; OUR ABSOLUTE BEST-BEYOND GREAT!!!
What does HE give in return...LOVE! That may not sound like a lot, just a little 4-letter word; but, as with All things of the SPIRIT of GOD, there’s more to it than meets the eye. Understand what Love is by these words from Paul in his 1st letter to the Corinthians, Chapter 13:
“I may speak in the tongues of men, even Angels; but if I lack Love, I have become merely blaring brass or a cymbal clanging.
I may have the gift of Prophesy, I may fathom all mysteries, know all things, have all faith—enough to move mountains; but if I lack Love, I am nothing.
I may give away everything I own, I may even hand over my body to be burned; but if I lack Love, I gain nothing.
Love is Patient and Kind, not jealous, not boastful, not proud, rude or selfish, not easily angered, and it keeps no record of wrongs.
Love does not gloat over other peoples sins but takes delight in the truth.
Love Always Bears Up, Always Trusts, Always Hopes, Always Endures. Love Never Ends; but prophesies will pass, tongues will cease, knowledge will pass.
For our knowledge is partial, and our prophesy partial; but when the PERFECT comes, the partial will pass.
When I was a child, I spoke as a child, thought like a child, argued like a child; now that I have become a man, I have finished with childish ways.
For now we see obscurely in a mirror, but then it will be face to face. Now I know partly, then I will know fully, just as GOD has fully known me.
But for now, three things last--- Trust, Hope, Love; and the Greatest of these is Love.
PURSUE LOVE!!”
PURSUE IT; DOG IT; RUN IT DOWN; OVERTAKE IT; MAKE IT YOURS, A PART OF YOUR VERY BEING!!!
Above all, don’t get LOVE confused with Lust or Worldly Desires! Love is PURE and WHOLESOME… COMPLETE IN ALL RESPECTS…NOTHING MISSING…NOTHING LACKING!!!
Just as Bishop Valentinus, St. Valentine, promoted and continued in expressing GOD’s Perfect Will for Us, LOVE, so, too, let us strive to make the WHOLE WORLD OUR VALENTINE, saving the BIGGEST KISS for OUR LOVING CARING WONDERFUL FATHER, who Loves Us in Spite of Ourselves.
We sincerely pray that this Message has helped someone; knowing that HIS word does not go out without performing what it was intended to do. If you don't know this Love we've just spoken of, or if you have been missing it, will you take a moment to meet a friend of ours. His Hebrew name is YESHUA, in English we call HIM JESUS. HE already knows where you're living, but that means nothing as far as HIS Compassionate Love HE has for you. He just wants you to speak with HIM, to tell HIM what's on your mind; to hear you ask precisely for your need from your Heart, to tell HIM personally that you would like to be in a relationship with HIM, so when HE is in HIS FATHERS House, You can be there also, as one of the Family. If this is your desire, say this now...
JESUS, I KNOW IN MY HEART AND SAY FROM MY OWN LIPS WITH THE CONVICTION OF TRUTH, THAT YOU ARE THE SON OF THE ONE TRUE AND LIVING GOD. I HUMBLY ASK YOU NOW TO FAVOR ME WITH THE GIFT OF THE CROSS, THAT ALL MY PAST SINS, NO MATTER HOW LARGE OR SMALL, MAY BE LEFT THERE, AND THE TRUSTING FAITH OF THE EMPTY TOMB BE MY BANNER AND STRENGTH, TO HELP ME AND GUIDE ME THROUGH THIS SINFUL WORLD, HELPING MY FEET TO STAY ON THE SOLID ROCK THAT YOU ARE. I ACCEPT YOU AS MY KING, MY ADVOCATE, AND MY FRIEND, AND GIVE ALL GLORY AND HONOR TO THE FATHER THROUGH YOU AND THE HOLY SPIRIT OF GOD. THANK YOU ; AMEN
If you have just prayed this prayer, please let us know by leaving a note on the Guestbook page. It's not for our personal glory, but that we may rejoice with the Angels for you! All messages and correspondence are kept personal, unless otherwise requested. You may contact us through one of the various links on this site. We would LOVE to hear from You! Pray for us, 'Cause We're Praying For You!! And Now, As Always...
With the Love of JESUS Pastors Joel and Charlotte Martin
Prodigal Ministries House of Refuge "'Til All The Prodigals Come Home"
SETTING THE SPIRIT FREE
January 12, 2012
{All Verse was given in relationship to this event only within days of this writing.}
Proverbs (Mishlei) 19:2; “To act without knowing how you function is not good; and if you rush ahead, you will miss your goal.”
I am going to relate a ‘Dream-Vision’ that I was given one morning about 3½ years ago . I know it was from YUD-HEH-VAV-HEH, because I was told to ‘Write It Down’, just as Yochanan Ben-Zavdai was told to write down the Revelations by YESHUA Ha’MASSIACH for all generations to come.
Now, I’m no different than the next fellow; it just happens that when this occurred, we were in a time of deep prayer and focus on YESHUA for one who was in an accident, and Charlotte was at the Hospital with the victim, her eldest son. GOD only had me relate it to Her at that time, but now seems to be the time HE wants us to share it with those who will listen.
Joel 3:1 [2:28 KJV] reads,” After this, I will pour MY SPIRIT out on All Humanity. Your Sons and Daughters will Prophesy, your Old men will Dream Dreams, your Young men will see Visions;”
I must have been on the ‘Cusp’ between Young and Old, because it was kind’a both for me; a ‘Dream’ and a ‘Vision’.
Job 33:15-18 reads,” In a Dream, in a vision at night, when slumber falls upon people, as they sleep in their beds, HE opens peoples ears and seals the matter with a warning, to turn a person away from his action and protect a man from pride, so that he will keep himself away from the pit and from perishing by the sword.” (This is, in fact, how I perceived this at the time, also as a great Revealing of HIS Mysteries to man, just as HE did with Einstein when Albert asked about the Atom.)
The Dream-Vision began like this …
I knew I stood in a calm, peaceful emptiness all around, what I knew to be Eternity. It was an absolute Void --- a Nothing; a Blank Slate that was in All Directions and All Dimensions; EVERYWHERE throughout NOWHERE. Yet, as I Heard HIS voice, I knew Light, though not perceivably present, was All Around Me! HIS voice said,” Here is how the Universe and all the Elements are formed; how All that Is has Come to Be.”
I then watched in silence, not just within me, but around me, as what I thought to be planets and stars passed by around me on every side, in every direction … Quietly whirling and swirling about.
I heard,” Don’t just Look, but SEE!”, and I immediately KNEW that what I was witnessing were Particles being formed in the Void, FROM the Void, and they were smaller than Any Measurement Imagined or perceivable by the Human Mind! As I perceived 'like' particles coming together to form Suns, Moons and Planets, and Their Light grew, I could feel a Gentle, Comforting Breeze, and see it’s effect on the Universe as it took shape. The best way to describe it would be as if you were looking at freshly stirred up House Dust in the filtered beams of Sunlight shining through a window, and softly blowing into it, watching your breath swirl it and move it in all directions; how it still all moves together, but each individual group seems to act independently of all the others.
As I marveled at the pinwheels and clusters, all moving separately but staying somehow joined, and was being amazed by the flashes and flecks of light that were like multi-colored glitter tossed lightly into the air, I REALIZED that the Breeze that set it all in motion was EXACTLY what I had Imagined it to be … BREATH! But this was not just Any Breath, Any stirring of Air, this was HIS BREATH; THE BREATH OF LIFE!!! Fire, Wind, Rain, Lightening, Thunder; ALL These were being produced by ONE GENTLE PUFF of HIS BREATH from HIS Gentle Lips! So Soft, yet So Powerful!! Even as I stand in Awe, observing all around me taking on its ‘Heavenly’ glow, I again hear HIS voice saying,” This is how Creation came to be; This is Truly the First Book, or Book One.” As I grew increasingly in awe, massive amounts of technical equations and information stream into my mind at a rate and level too high for me to comprehend, yet I Knew that I Understood it all Perfectly. I Knew how HE made the tiniest of every unseen speck, and what it’s function was in conjunction with all other things; for All Things are connected and working together in some fashion after HIS Design!!
I’ve scarcely grasped the significance of this when HE says,” This is ‘Book Two’; This is how All Creatures, Man in particular, is Fashioned and Functions.”
Now I watch as ‘Dust’ of this Earth is gathered together, not in a pile or a lump, as we have often seen depicted as the ‘First Forming of Man’, but as each individual Organ and Vessel, down to each Hair and Freckle in their own color and shape. Again I experienced a ‘Super-Speed Download’ of Technical and Physical Properties; all showing and explaining how it all works independently, yet in conjunction with the Whole, to operate as One Being! This included HIS Breath, which, as before, Ignited Sparks and set it all in Motion and Harmony together.
I hear a soft voice asking,” Do you Understand?”
Even though I should be totally boggled and awestruck, I hear myself saying,” Yes, I Understand how it all works and how YOU brought it into being.”
Now I perceive many formed 'Human' bodies all around, but their not ‘Closed Up’ yet. They are complete, but their Spirit is still able to operate Outside of the Flesh, able to Totally Control outside influence and still retain and use All of the Knowledge given at Creation about All Creation, so that, ‘in the flesh’, these ‘Humans’ could still operate and perform in the ‘Supernatural’ as well as the ‘Natural’ with Fantastic ease and using the information of the ‘First Two Books’ with Authority and Power!
I felt a joy and pride coming from the Great CREATOR and TEACHER, yet I also felt a sadness of Loss and Separation. At the next sound of HIS voice, I knew why.
HE wasn’t speaking to me, but to those around me. The language was different, but I understood HIM to be asking a Question; offering a choice; “Will you stay with ME, or will you go out on your own?”
A Few immediately ‘Closed Up’ their bodies and went off to try and be Independent; free of the Main Body or Unit. But as they soon discovered, once the Spirit is ‘Shut Up’ in the Flesh, the Knowledge of All Things begins to fade. Many remained ‘Open’ and went to live among the ‘Shut-Ins’, but over time the seam closed and they, too, were without the Knowledge and the Power. The number of those who didn’t leave was small, yet they asked Ha’SHEM if they could go and dwell among the rest and stay open to their Spiritual side, so that in some way they might try to remind them of the Knowledge and Power that was Theirs. This they asked not from arrogance or pity, but compassion.
I could feel how much HE was moved by this Love, for it filled all HE had Created. Again, I heard HIM speak in the ‘Different’ language, but I understood HIS answer. Some were given leave to be HIS ‘Emissaries’ to Men, yet some were to stay and become ‘Intercessors’. This HE did for HE knew that from here on there would be many difficult challenges for those who had shut themselves up, and those who had been ‘Reconditioned’ and ‘Dulled’ to their Spirits of Knowledge and Power in Unity with the rest of Creation. The degree to which they had became Reliant on themselves and the little knowledge they retained had given them a False sense of Power, which made them a Danger to themselves AND to the Emissaries.
HE would need the RESERVES…..
At this point, HE said to me in a clear (English?) language,” Here would be where the ‘Third Book’, what you call the BIBLE would start as a Guideline and Manual for the things that have been and are to come. Use it with this in mind: If the Spirit is not set free from the Flesh, then it’s Knowledge, it’s Light, dies.
If the Fleshly Body perishes while the Light is out, or even dim, All of Creation, Everything will Suffer the Loss.
From the Moment you are born into this Human Body and the Spirit is ‘Shut In’, you begin the process of Losing the Knowledge that I set within you when I Formed you in the KINGDOM, Before the Womb! You must do All Possible , in Love and Compassion, to Awaken the Spirit in ALL of Human Kind, so that the Spirit can Once Again Rule the Flesh Body in All of the Power and Knowledge that I Intended from the Creation of the Universe; so You, MY Children, WILL have Dominion and Rule Over It ( The Entirety of HIS Universe) in Joy and Light with ME Again, FOREVER!! Bring the Spirit back to Life; Release it from the False Power of the Flesh; Set ALL CREATION Back in it’s Proper Place…
MY KINGDOM—MY CHILDREN—My LOVE—MY PLAN!!!”
[This was the end of the ‘Dream-Vision]
I know by the HOLY SPIRIT, the RUACH Ha’KODESH, that all the Knowledge that I perceived flowing into my being is Truly in Each of Us. And, as We REFORM Ourselves to the Original Design of YUD-HEH-VAV-HEH, it is there, ever present, (just as the HOLY SPIRIT and YESHUA are) to use in Service for Our KING. The Greatest obstacle is our Own Doubts, for we have been conditioned by an Arrogant, Head Strong Society that has bought into its Own Hype. The False Sense of Superiority and Power that Humanity has birthed is NEITHER Powerful OR Superior to the GOD of CREATION, OR the Spirit locked inside of us. It is Weak and Scared; Frail and Vulnerable, and, by and large, All Alone without the SPRIT of GOD and the Spirit inside of each of us Ruling over it.
Our ABBA YAHWEH sits on HIS Throne with a Heavy Heart. HIS Children are, as a young Friend of mine so aptly said of us,” …on a Road to Self Destruction”. Sadly, we have become complacent, and just accept this as the ‘Rule’. I have heard over and again people explain the verse ‘JESUS Wept’ as being because of the sadness of the sisters of El’azar (Lazarus). If we read the story from before HE left to go there ‘til the time HE called ‘COME OUT OF THAT TOMB’, we realize HE cried because of their Unbelief, which came from the ‘Shutting In’ of the Spirit, not letting it rule the body, instead of letting the Knowledge that HE was displaying in HIS ministry, which comes from The SPIRIT to OUR Spirits, give Guidance through that Knowledge we were given before our Human Birth.
This WORD just seems to Keep coming around, lately, through many Followers and Obedient Servants of the KING and the KINGDOM. It’s time to Awake the Sleeping Giant once again, this time to Stay Awake to Defeat the adversary and his minions. Only through the Working of Our Spirits in Unity through Faith with Each Other and in unity with the RUACH Ha’KODESH, the HOLY SPIRIT, being sent by YESHUA MESSIAH, the HOLY ONE of ISRA’EL by OUR ABBA FATHER, YUD_HEH_VAV_HEH, LORD of ALL CREATION, can this be accomplished!! Time to WAKE UP and set our Focus on GOD, NOT on the things of This Earth and this Worlds Society!! Only Then will we be set Firmly on the Road of Redemption, not Wavering, Moving Straight Forward to the Goal: Our HEAVENLY INHERITENCE in OUR FATHERS HOUSE!!
Job 12:13; “With GOD are Wisdom and Power; HE has Good Counsel and Understanding.
If you don't know JESUS and your personal Friend and Redeemer, Please choose to make that decision now, and ask HIM to come into your life and be your ROCK. Just like this...JESUS, I come to you now asking you to be my Guide and Friend, Helping me through the Trials of this Life, and Leading me on the Road that will bring me Home. I renounce all the World tells me to rely on, and place my Trust Fully on YOU. Salvage my Soul and Make me Yours...Amen.
If you've prayer that prayer, please go to our Guestbook page and leave a message....we just want to Rejoice with the Angels for you! Find a Full Bible, Faith Based Church and set your focus on HIS WORD. If you would like to contact us, you can Email us at :prodigalministries@zoomtown.com: or :prodigalministries@yahoo.com:. Our Telephone # and USPS address can be found on the 'Our 'Ministry" page. Pray for Us, as We're Praying for You! As Always,
With the Love of JESUS, Pastors Joel and Charlotte Martin
Prodigal Ministries House of Refuge '"Til All The Prodigals Come Home"
ANOTHER YEAR OLDER, AND DEEPER IN DEBT...
December 27, 2011
... 'Saint Peter don't cha' call me, 'cause I can't go; I owe my Soul to the Company Store!'.
I took a little 'Poetic License' with the words to that old Tennessee Ernie Ford miners anthem "16 Tons", swapping Year for Day, but the jist is the same. And I Know that many of us feel that way after the Christmas Festivities, or even the Hanukkah Celebration of Light, and the Eight Days of giving gifts. Even if you've celebrated with no focus on GOD at all, only to participate in the merriment of the time, you'll still be feeling a Crunch.
Financial Debt has become the 'Norm' of the Winter season, whether to the Department Stores for those affore-mentioned Gifts, or, as it is for an increasingly large number of Families, not only in the U.S., but around the World, making the choice between feeding our children, or keeping the heat on. Either way, we become in-debted to someone who is not in a position of overwelming Financial Straits themselves. Not Quite What the Season is About, but that's not entirely where our focus will be in this message.
Nechemyah ( Nehemiah ) 5:1-11 tells us of an event that bears great weight on this message. After putting up with a multitude of grief from Sanvalat ( Sanbalat ) his servant and the Arabs, Nechemyah found he had an 'In House' problem to deal with. Let's go 1-5 first; " Then there arose a great outcry from the Common People and their wives against their brothers the [ wealthier ] Judeans. Some of them said,' Counting our sons and daughters, there are a lot of us! Allow us to get grain for them, so that we can eat and stay alive.' There were also some who said,' We are mortgaging our fields, vineyards and homes in order to by grain, because of the famine.' Yet others said,' We have borrowed money for the kings taxes against our fields and vineyards. Now our flesh is no different from our kinsmen, and our children are the same as their children; yet we are bringing our sons and daughters into bondage as slaves. Some of our daughters have gone into slavery already, and it's beyond our power to do anything about it, because other men have our feilds and vineyards.'"
See, the Greedy Rich were getting Richer off the backs of their OWN PEOPLE !! Firstly, there was a grain allotment set aside for the workers that was to be dispenced as necessary. Secondly, they ( the poorer farmers ) had been bought out of slavery from the Pagans (Sanvalat, Toviah, ect...ect...) to be able to share in the work on the city and the Temple. Thirdly, the king, Artach-Shasta (Ester and Her Husband King Achashverosh's son...{remember Them?}...) wasn't collecting taxes as of yet. In fact, He was footing the bill for the Restoration and all that it entailed for the love of the Jews, especialy his Wife, Her uncle Mordachi, and , no less, His cupbearer and Preist of YUD-HEH-VAV-HEH, Nechemyah. He was also continuing what His Great Grand-Father, Koresh, had begun with Z'rubavel years before, in the same fashion. So these 'nobles' had been there a while, and decided that they would do things their way, since Z'rubavel was not in charge. Watch how GOD's man, sent by the King of the Land to be Governor, handles the situation...
[6-11] " When I heard their outcry and the reasons for it, I became very angry! I thought the matter over and then took issue with the nobles and rulers. I charged them,' You are lending against pledges {the grain allotment}, every one to his brother!' ; and I summoned a great assembly to deal with them. I said to them,' WE, to the limit of our ability, have REDEEMED our brothers the Judeans who sold themselves to the pagans. Now you are selling your own brothers, and we will have to buy them back!' They stayed silent; couldn't think of anything to say. I also said,' What you are doing is Not Good! You should be living in fear of our GOD, so that our pagan enemies won't have grounds for deriding us!' {They should be sharing all the things that YAHWEH has provided as equals in the labor, not acting like those outside the gates, so they could 'rag' on 'em all the more!} Moreover, my brothers and my servants, I too have loaned them money and grain! {He'd been giving them coin and bread to keep them going, even though He wasn't taking any of the Preists allotment for Himself.} Please, let's stop making it so burdensome to go into debt. PLEASE! TODAY! Give them back their fields, vineyards, olive groves and homes; also the Hundred peices of Silver and grain, wine and olive oil you demand from them as intrest.'"
You see, it wasn't the borrowing or lending that was wrong; it was the excessive intrest and the charging for services and provision that was Rightfully theirs by design. Also, charging for things that were not an issue at the time, i.e. Kings Taxes. And in placing so much stress on them over the debt, those nobles and rulers were causing the working class to focus more on their debt than on the work of GOD, and even from GOD, HIMSELF. When you focus on Anything more than GOD, giving it a higher priority than HIS Glory and Calling, you are making it into a god of its own without realizing it. Shaky Ground, Indeed....
The Emmissary Sha'ul (Paul) Tells us that we should owe no man anything but Love, the Love of YESHUA that has been afforded us by way of Debt in Itself. He goes on to point out that by doing so, we will be fulfilling, or doing what YUD-HEH-VAV-HEH intended for us to do from the Begining, and as the 10 Commandments all culminate in; Loving Your Neighbors as Yourself ( Romans 13:8 & Leviticus 19:18 ), because Love does No Harm to a Neighbor, therefore it is the Fullness, or Completeness of Torah {GOD's Perfect Will for ALL Mankind towards ALL CREATION!} When I went to Grammer, or Grade School, "The Golden Rule" was on the wall of at least two of my classrooms in any given year. As I progressed to Jr. High, that 'sidebar' lesson began to be Phased Out from the Classroom, bending to those who opposed any kind of reference to Holy Scripture in Public Scool, contending that it was a 'Bad Thing to Force Upon Americas Free Willed and Diverse Youth".
Now, Allow Me to Pose this Question to You; In Exactly WHOSE World would showing Kindness to your Fellow Human be a Bad Thing? I, personally,can't think of One Friend, or even Aquaintance, that would Prefer to be Beaten, Starved, Stripped of Clothes and Dignity, Thrown Out into the Elements to Freeze or Roast while being Worked harder than even the Basest of Slaves or, for that matter, Convicted Criminals should ever be, and then be told to,"Be Thankful for the OPPORTUNITY to Have a Position of Substance. After All, Living on Love won't give you that feeling of Accomplishment that Hard Manual Labor for a Slaves Wage will!"
You know, the World Society, led down the 'Primrose Path' by satan since the Expultion from GOD's Garden, has been one anti-social LIE after another, all structured to con the Human Mind into thinking that we can do this life on our own, with out the 'Moral Support' of the one who not only Made Us, but gave us the Free Will to Choose the paths we take on our Pilgrims Journey of Revelation called Life on Earth. That way of Mis-Direction has lead to the loss of jobs to overseas concerns and loss of our Constitutional Right to Worship Openly and Freely, WITHOUT PERSECUTION from the Government; which, by the way, is SUPPOSED to be Subject to US, NOT the Other Way Around, as we see it these days; and replaced the Conviction of Morality and Right with Complacency and Conformitive Assimilation. And then, if we speak out about the Deception of this way, the very Fabric of the Ancient Moral Value System goes from "Live and Let Live" to "Prove What You Teach About 'Love' by Doing EVERYTHING OUR WAY without retribution; for doesn't your scripture say,"Love One Another", and," Be at Peace in as much as it depends on YOU"? So, if YOU TRULY wish for Peace, Bend to OUR WILL and You Shall Have It."
Here's where We, not only as Followers of YESHUA, but as Free Willed Americans, are falling short of our Goals and of our very Destiny; Matthew 4:3-11 teaches a very Great Lesson in Free Will and being Firm in Our Convictions to what is Right, and how to NOT BE INDEBTED TO NO ONE, but to SHOW THEM LOVE by whatever means we are able, or as Paul said,"If possible, and to the extent that it depends on you, live in peace with all people. Never seek Revenge, my friends; instead, leave that to GOD's anger; for in the Tanakh it is written,"YAHWEH says,'Vengeance is MY responsibility; I will repay." On the contrary,"If your Enemy is Hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. For by doing this, you will heap fiery coals [of shame] upon his head."DO NOT be Conquered by evil, but Conquer evil with Good!"
Now is where JESUS' Example in Matthew will bring some enlightenment to us,"The tempter came and said to HIM,'If YOU are the SON of GOD, order these stones to become bread.' But HE answered,' Man does not live by bread alone, but on Every Word that comes from the mouth of YAHWEH.' Then the adversary took HIM to the Holy City and set HIM up on the Highest point of the Temple. "If YOU are the SON of GOD,' he said,' Jump! For the Tanakh says,' HE will order HIS angels to be responsible for you.... They will support you with their hands, so that you will not hurt your feet on the stones.' YESHUA replied to him,' But it Also says,'DO NOT PUT YUD-HEH-VAV-HEH your GOD to the test.' Once more, the adversary took HIM up to the summit of a very high mountain, showed HIM all the kingdoms of the world in all their glory, and said to HIM,' All This I Will Give You If You'll Bow Down And Worship Me.' 'AWAY WITH YOU, satan!' YESHUA told him,'For the Tanakh says,' Worship YUD-HEH-VAV-HEH your GOD, and Serve ONLY HIM!' Then the adversary LET HIM ALONE, and The ANGELS TOOK CARE OF HIM!"
You see, satan wanted YESHUA to be IN DEBT to him, to WORSHIP him in a very Sub-Serviant way, be Lower than he who was Thrown Out Like a Bolt of Lightening from the very HOME that is Promised US, that Place where We are Bound for, and Indeed, CREATED FOR !! See, he wanted JESUS, and in these times, Us, to believe that he can give us what DOESN'T EVEN BELONG TO him, which is, in fact, OUR INHERITANCE as Children of GOD, and to have him constantly saying 'You Owe me what isn't Yours, but in fact GOD's', when in reality, he can give us nothing but a false peace, a false love, a false hope, as cheap imitations to the TRUE PEACE, TRUE LOVE, and TRUE HOPE we ALREADY HAVE restored to us through YESHUA Ha'MASSIACH, Our Redeemer Deliverer, the FIRSTFRUIT of the TRUE TREE OF LIFE, HIMSELF, EL SHADD'AI, who Paid the Price for us, by CLEARING that Debt I spoke of at the begining of this Word, with HIS VERY OWN SON, so that WE would owe NOTHING but to LOVE HIM !! GLORY TO GOD !!
1Timothy 2:5&6; " For GOD is ONE, and there is but one Mediator between GOD and humanity, YESHUA the MESSIAH, HIMSELF human, who gave HIMSELF as a Ransom on behalf of all, thus providing testimony to GOD's purpose at just the right time."
Just as those lowly Judeans were Redeemed by Paying the Ransom by their kinsmen, so, too, have WE, if we call ourselves by HIS Name, saying WE are Followers of YESHUA Ha'MASSIACH, had OUR Ransom Paid by a DEAR PRICE, A Price that We owe.... but Our payment in in LOVE !! Not just for the ONE who, by giving of HIS own life freed us, but by giving that gift ot Others, those being ones who haven't seen or felt HIS Peace, HIS compassion, HIS healing, HIS JOY, HIS LOVE !! There's a Debt that is a WONDERFUL one to owe !!!
If We've got to be 'Another Year Older and Deeper in Debt, then LET US BE INDEBTED TO YAHWEH- JEHOVA- GOD ALMIGHTY, Our CREATOR and ETERNAL FATHER with the Debt of LOVE, the LOVE that HE HAS BEEN GIVING throughout ALL OF TIME to those who would Use their Free Will to Further LOVE in Their Fellow Man by the Accomplishment of HIS GOOD WILL TOWARD and FOR US, HIS PASSION IN GIVING AND CARING for WHAT BEST Will Serve Our ETERNAL Needs, rather than those things that will only place Our Bodies, Minds, and Spirits Captive to a Life of Never-Ending Bondage to Misery and Anguish.
... As the Songwriter wrote: It don't have a job, it don't pay all your bills; Won't by you a home in Beverly Hills. Won't fix your life in five easy steps; Ain't the Law of the Land, or the Government,.... but it's ALL YOU NEED.... And Love Will Hold Us Together; Make Us A Shelter to Weather the Storm. And I'll Be My Brothers Keeper, So the WHOLE WORLD WILL KNOW that WE'RE NOT ALONE !!!
If You are Already a Follower of The WAY, who is JESUS the Christ, YESHUA Ha'Massiach, then We ask that you Join Us in Renewing Our Resolve to Endever to Persevere through Sharing the Love of Christ, not only in Word, but in Actions to ALL of the People on the Planet, no matter What their Ethnicity or 'Religious' background may be, not by becoming 'Doormats' to the ways of the World, but by Standing Firm for the Rights of All People to have the Right to Choose; not to 'Force' YAHWEH upon anyone, but to Introduce HIM to others by way of HIS SON, YESHUA, Giving them the TRUE LIGHT to See the Way by.
If You are not a follower as of yet and would like to be, then allow us to Introduce you to the Holy One of Yis-ra-'el; It's quite simple, and you don't have to go anywhere... HE'll meet You Wherever You Are.
YESHUA, MY SAVIOR KING, WE WOULD LIKE YOU TO MEET OUR FRIEND. WE KNOW THAT YOU HAVE ALWAYS KNOWN THEM, EVEN SINCE BEFORE THEY WERE CONCIEVED IN THEIR MOTHERS WOMB, YET THEY HAVE NOT BEEN CLOSE TO YOU. THEY'RE COMING TO YOU AT THIS MOMENT TO REMEDY THAT, AND BEGIN A WONDERFUL RELATIONSHIP WITH YOU. THEY WAN'T TO ADMIT TO YOU THE THINGS THAT THEY HAVE DONE THAT WERE NOT RIGHT BY THE STANDARDS OF THE LOVE THAT YOUR FATHER, OUR FATHER, GAVE FOR US TO FOLLOW FOR PEACE IN THIS, OUR TIME ON EARTH. WE KNOW THAT AS THEY KNOCK , YOU WILL ANSWER, AND INVITE THEM TO YOU, AND, AS YOU KNOCK, IF THEY WILL INVITE YOU IN, YOU WILL BRING A FEAST FOR THEIR SPIRIT THAT WILL SOOTHE THEIR SOULS.
Now, it's all up to You. HE's Knocking at the Door of Your Heart. If You will Open Up, HE WILL come in and give You rest. All You have to do is Speak with HIM; Be Honest, 'cause HE already knows, HE just needs to hear you say it for Your sake. You can call HIM JESUS, YESHUA, CHRIST, LORD, or SON of GOD, but be Sure that HE will call You Friend. Take the time now, if You choose, to have this Conversation , and make a Resolution for not only the New Year, but a New Life in YESHUA, being Resolved to carry on in bringing HIS GOOD NEWS to Others, if They Choose to Listen and Trust in the HOPE Beyond HOPE that is through JESUS the SAVIOR. You can Give It All to HIM, because HE Already Gave It All For YOU.
If You have just had that talk with JESUS, then please leave us a message on our Guestbook page. It's not necessary, but We'd sure like to Praise with You! We would also like to encourage you to seek out a Faith Filled, Full Bible teaching Church to attend with the type of Worship Music you feel comfortable with; for 'GOD Inhabits the Praise of HIS People!' If You live in or around the Hamilton, Ohio area, there are many to choose from;{See, It's All About the Choices!!},[ including Ours; House of Refuge], and we would be more than happy to direct you to one that you may enjoy. While here, Visit our Music page and check out our About Us page. If you have any Questions, you can contact us via E-Mail at:prodigalministries@yahoo.com: or :prodigalministries@zoomtown.com: . We are also on Facebook. You can type ProdigalMinistriesHouseofRefuge into the search bar to find our page there. No Matter Where on this Planet You may be, We would like to hear from You, and know that GOD's Word is Reaching HIS People!!
Please Pray for Us, as We are ALWAYS Praying for You. Now, As Always...
With the Love of JESUS Pastors Joel and Charlotte Martin
Prodigal Ministries House of Refuge "'Til All The Prodigals Come Home"
GETTIN' THERE
September 22, 2011
It’s been said, “Let me die in Butler County, Ohio; ‘Cause EVERYONE there goes to Heaven!” And, if you’ve been to very many funerals here, you may have noticed that this is what the Officiator says about the Deceased to the Mourners and on-lookers. Sadly, it just Ain’t so……
There have ALWAYS been requirements from the beginning, and, YES, EVEN after the Cross and the Tomb, which each Human must meet to get into the Gate of Pearl. First, we’re going to look at the conditions that Prohibit our entry to Heaven. Paul simply called it our ‘Old Nature’, but JESUS used the term ‘This World’. We can safely say that; it is our Conditioning to the Sociological Environment that surrounds us; it is that conduct and tradition we form our thought patterns around. That may be Long-winded, but it’s Politically Correct (which in itself is a condition invoked by this World!).
Here’s one of Paul’s ‘Short Lists’…
[Galatians 5:19-21] “And it is perfectly evident (clear) what the old nature does. It expresses itself in sexual immorality, impurity and indecency (dirty talk, actions, thoughts), involvement with the occult and with drugs (spells, horoscopes, potions), feuding, fighting, becoming jealous and getting angry (bad temper and attitude; being greedy), in selfish ambition, factionalism (being in a self serving group), intrigue (sneaky schemes and affairs; shady dealings) and envy; in drunkenness, orgies and things like these.”
Man, don’t that cut right to the bone of the ‘Traditional’ lives that most of the Planet follows? I can hear it now…”we just can’t have ANY fun by those standards!” or, “what are we supposed to do when we get together?” and, “I guess we’re all supposed to live like monks!” These are just a few of the thoughts that the adversary will pop into our little pea brains to get us off to a Blazing start on the WRONG PATH to our Very Own condemnation. Yes, I DID say ‘Very Own Condemnation’. YAHWEH does NOT put us in Sheol, Hades, Tartarus, Hell, or anything else you may call it. WE DO THAT TO OURSELVES!!!
From the Creation, we (Mankind) were given FREE WILL and Free Reign over EVERYTHING ON, OVER, IN AND UNDER THIS EARTH, up to and including OURSELVES! It was through that first suggestive idea to Havah (Eve) that we started losing control of our sovereignty, and began down this 7,000 year journey back to where we shall be Re-made into what we were in the Garden that GOD made us from.
There was just the Two ‘Greatest’ Commandments from Creation ‘til Moshe (Moses); those being to Love YUD-HEH-VAV-HEH , your Creator and GOD with all of your Body, Mind and Spirit, and Love Every One else as good as you love you. It was by Eve’s decision to believe the lie told her through satan’s twisted truth that She and Adam were removed from Grace!! Yes, REMOVED!!! And it didn’t stop with her bad choice.
Let’s have a look at Yirmeyahu (Jeremiah) 8:4-7;
YAHWEH is saying this to the prophet, “You are to tell them that YAHWEH says: If a person falls down, doesn’t he get up again? If someone goes astray, doesn’t he turn back? Why do these people keep backsliding? Why is their backsliding so persistent? They cling to deceit and refuse to return! I listened attentively, but they spoke nothing right. No one REPENTS of his wickedness saying, ‘What have I done!’ Each runs off in his own direction, like a horse plunging headlong into battle. Storks in the sky know their seasons; doves, swallows and cranes their migration times; But My People Do Not Know The Rulings Of YAHWEH!!”
Now, many will say that those days are Over, YESHUA done away with that stuff on the cross. As YESHUA told the Pharisees, they are in error because they do not know their own scriptures. JESUS said, more than once, that HE had not come to put and END to the LAW of GOD, but to MAKE IT HAPPEN, to SHOW HOW IT WAS DONE, “How to live a KINGDOM Life, and STILL be a HUMAN”. It was strictly the ‘Legalistic Perversion’ or twisting of the Written Laws of Moses that HE came to straighten out, or as was said in YESHAYAHU (Isaiah), to make the ‘way straight’. (Although that text was speaking of John the Immerser, it still describes what JESUS was here to do very well.) I mean, why would HE bother to Teach a set of rules and values that HE KNEW would shortly be Obsolete? (Another Twisted Truth from the ‘Dirty Tricks’ department of satan.) Think about it; HE didn’t come to save us from HIMSELF, HE came to save us from US!!
Ephesians 2:8-10; “For you have been delivered through Grace BY TRUSTING, and EVEN THIS is NOT YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENT but GOD’s GIFT. (Watch this now) You were not delivered by your OWN ACTIONS;” …{Not by ANYTHING WE COULD THINK OF TO DO, NOT THE WAY WE WANT TO DO IT, NOT WHAT PLEASES US;} …
“Therefore NO ONE SHOULD BOAST.”
NOTHING WE COULD EVER DO BY OUR OWN NOTIONS COULD BRING US TO THE POINT OF GRACE; MUCH LESS GIVE US AN ‘UMBRELLA’ TYPE COVER THAT WOULD ALLOW US TO DO EXACTLY WHAT DOESN’T GET US THERE!!! One of Shakespeare’s characters put it best, “Oh, What FOOLS these Mortals Be!!” We are made in HIS image, NOT HIM in OURS!! If that Were the case, THIS would be Heaven, and THIS would be the Eternity we would have to look forward to.
Let that sink in for a moment.
Verse 10; “For we are of GOD’s making, created in union with the MESSIAH YESHUA for a life of Good Actions ALREADY PREPARED BY GOD FOR US TO DO.”
HE has prepared from the beginning the things we MUST DO to follow the path of Right into a Land of Plenty, or, more rightly said, TOO MUCH!
Let’s talk about the aspects of these things. Paul sums them up in Philippians 4:8; “ In conclusion, Brothers, focus your thoughts on what is True, noble, righteous, pure, lovable or admirable, on some virtue (commendable moral quality or trait) or on something praiseworthy (something that Glorifies GOD enough to Shout About it).
The GREAT thing about that list is that nowhere in it does it say you can’t tell a clean joke; catch a big fish or a well thrown pass, run a race or write a novel. Our FATHER wants us to be Happy, but HE ALSO wants us to be with HIM, WHERE HE IS!!!
HEAVEN!!!!!
Now to the part that ALWAYS gets grumbles and complaints from the ‘Frozen Few’, those who feel that they NEVER have to go to an Alter and ask forgiveness, because they’re ‘Saved and Under Grace’ and are therefore immune to making mistakes worthy of Repentance.
NEWSFLASH……
The Jewish Church Leaders were all under the impression that they were right in all they did, and also believed that they had nothing to repent of, even BEFORE John baptized JESUS. They also thought that as long as they did the sin offering for the people, they were clean and Holy. AAAAANNNNNNTTTT….WRONG ANSWER!!! What they did was a Remittance Sacrifice for the people with a ‘Scapegoat’, which had to be repeated once a year. YESHUA was a Remittance AND Atonement Sacrifice which had to be done only Once for all time!
Here’s the difference:
Atonement--- reconciliation: reparation for an offense or injury
Remittance--- to lay aside or desist from.
While BOTH are good on their own, the Combination done Once and for All gives us, as the Bible tells us, an Advocate at the Throne of the Most High to grant us {or GRACE us with} the Favor of Forgiveness by our Repentance from our Sins. This is why JESUS came as a man, to show us Back to the Path.
Romans 8:3; “For what the TORAH could not do by itself, because it lacked the power to make the ‘Old Nature’ co-operate, GOD did by sending HIS own SON as a Human being with a nature like our own sinful one[but without sin].”
Look, now... “GOD did this in order to deal with sin, and in so doing, HE {listen} EXECUTED THE PUNISHMENT AGAINGST SIN IN HUMAN NATURE,”…
{HE EXECUTED (stressed the enforcing of the specific provisions of a law, will, commission or command; Webster’s Ninth Collegiate Dictionary) the Punishment for Sins of the Flesh.}
Verse 4; “…so that the Just REQUIREMENT of the TORAH might be Fulfilled in US who DO NOT run our lives ACCORDING to what the OLD NATURE wants, but what the SPIRIT wants.
YESHUA was the “Set-Up” for the RUACH Ha’KODESH, in as much as HE said, “When HE comes, HE will show you that the World is WRONG about Sin, about Righteousness, and about Judgment…”[John 16:8]
The notion that the Law is ‘No More’ due to the Sacrifice of YESHUA’S Flesh Body falls under the first thing the SPIRIT is here to show us. We are Born into a sinful nature. Even a Lie, no matter the size or motive, will keep us from entering into the Gate of Heaven, and leave us with but one other destination for the rest of eternity! That’s some Lake-front property to pass on!!
Romans 8:6, 7&8 say, “Having ones mind controlled by the Old Nature is Death, for the mind controlled by the old nature is Hostile to GOD, because it does not submit itself to GOD’s Torah—Indeed, it Cannot.(8) Thus, those who Identify {to conceive (imagine or be of the opinion)} as united {(being one with) [as in spirit, outlook, or principle]} with the Old Nature CANNOT PLEASE GOD.”
Paul said that “...what one earns from Sin is DEATH;” [Romans 6:23a}
He also said, “For it makes no difference whether one is Jew or Gentile, since ALL have sinned and come short of earning GOD’s praise.”
So, whether we realize it or not, we can commit a sin of some degree that, if left Un-Repentant, shall keep us out of the House. Kind’a like stepping in something without knowing it and tracking onto Mom’s clean floor, except we’ll not get any farther than the Kingdom's threshold with mess on our feet.
Paul let us know that even He had to ‘die every day’
[1Corinthians 15:31] “Brothers, by the right to be proud which the MESSIAH YEASHUA our LORD gives me, I solemnly tell you that I die every day.”
Revelation 2:12-16, “To the Angel of the MESSIANIC community at Pergamum, write: ‘Here is the message from the ONE who has the Sharp Double-Edge Sword: “I know where you are living, there where the adversary’s throne is. Yet you are holding onto MY name. You did not deny trusting ME even at the time when MY faithful witness Antipas was put to death in your town, there where the Adversary lives. [14] NEVERTHELESS, I have a FEW things against you: you have some people who {listen} HOLD ON TO THE TEACHING of Bil’am who taught Balak to set a trap for the people of Isra’el, so that they would eat food that had been sacrificed to idols and commit sexual sin. Likewise, you too have people who [again] HOLD ON TO THE TEACHING of the Nicolaitans. [16] Therefore, TURN FROM THESE SINS. {the KJV says REPENT} Now listen to what YESHUA, yes I said JESUS has to say next… “Otherwise, I WILL COME TO YOU VERY SOON AND MAKE WAR WITH THEM WITH THE SWORD OF MY MOUTH.”
Revelation 1:16, “In HIS right hand HE held seven stars, out of HIS MOUTH went a Sharp Double-edged Sword, and HIS face was like the sun shining in full strength.”
Hebrews 4:12,” See, the Word of GOD is Alive, it is at Work, and is Sharper than any Double-edged Sword—it cuts right through to where soul meets spirit and joints meet marrow, and it is Quick to Judge the Inner Reflections and Attitudes of the Heart.”
Just don’t sound like a whole lotta love and sunshine, now does it? HE HIMSELF is Judging the Un-repentant Heart; that which follows after the ‘Bad’ teaching the Worldly Outlook has provided; yet, as with those in Pergamum, wants to hold onto Righteousness, as well.
WE JUST CAN’T HAVE IT BOTH WAYS!!!
JESUS taught that we could not be slaves to two natures; we would love one and despise the other, and never be at Peace within our own selves.
GOD’s way, through Repentance, Obedience, and Faithfulness, is the ONLY way for the Body, Mind, and Spirit to live and work together for the common good of not just the individual, but the Body of MESSIAH as a whole. When we ‘conceive’ to be as we were Created to be, Harmonious with All of Creation, and strive for our TRUE HOME in the KINGDOM of HEAVEN, then and ONLY then, we shall find the Peace and Complete Joy of our LORD that we are entitled to. By being Honestly, Humbly Repentant when we fall; whether it’s a little stumble or a major tumble, and getting back on HIS HIGHWAY called HOLINESS, where ‘the unclean can’t pass over, the fool wont stray along, the lion or beast of prey won’t be found on; only those who are Redeemed and Ransomed, those whom HE guides, and they will receive Gladness and Joy while sorrow and sighing flee.’ [Isaiah 35:8-10 paraphrased]
We must do as Paul did and repent every day, like King David, who asked that GOD would ‘Search Him’ to find and forgive even those sins that He was not aware of and replace a Stony Heart with a clean Heart in Him, so He would be found Ready to enter in to GOD’s Presence. A ‘Twinkling of an Eye’ isn’t very much time to get all that in, so why don’t we make it a practice to do as the song says… ‘All Ya’ Gotta Do Is Turn Around’? Before we step up to the door, check our shoes to make darned sure we’re not about to carry something nasty onto even the porch of Our FATHERS HOUSE. Repent, Forgive, Trust and Obey… That’s how WE Get There.
We hope this message helps someone get a little more understanding of the WORD as it is written, and get a LOT closer to our CREATOR, YUD-HEH-VAV-HEH, JEHHOVA GOD, HIS SON, YESHUA MESSIAH, JESUS CHRIST, and THE RUACH Ha'KODESH, HOLY SPIRIT. Repentence is NOT for the Lost alone, but for every soul who TRUSTS in YESHUA's teaching of HIS FATHERs Will for us. We need to be 'Checking our Spiritual Shoes' for anything that is the least bit unclean. These are the 'Little Foxes' of our own design that will separate us from HIS Glory for us.
FATHER GOD, BY THE PROMISES OF YOUR WORD, WE COME TO YOU NOW, AS YOUR SERVANT DAVID ONCE DID, ASKING THAT YOU SEARCH US, REMOVE ANY SIN, AND PLACE A RIGHT HEART IN US, SO THAT WE MAY BE FOUND WITH OUT SPOT OR BLEMISH AND BE WELCOME IN YOUR HOUSE IN HEAVEN; TO BE WITH YOU FOR AN ETERNITY OF PEACE JOY AND LOVE OF WHICH ONLY YOU CAN GIVE. IN THE NAME OF YOUR SON, JESUS, AND BY THE SPIRIT WE PRAY... AMEN
If you would like to contact usfor special prayer or to engage our services to speak, perform a wedding, or officiate a Home-going, you canleave a message on our Guestbook page, E-Mail us at either :prodigalministries@zoomtown.com: or :prodigalministries@yahoo.com: .You can also 'Snail Mail' us at Prodigal Ministries House of Refuge, 215 Starr ave., Hamilton, Ohio, USA, 45013. Our telephone is 1-[513]-893-3541 between the hours of 11:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. EST. We Love you, and appreciate your prayers, because We Are Praying For You!!
As Always,With the Love of JESUS Pastors Joel and Charlotte Martin
Prodigal Ministries House of Refuge "Til All The Prodigals Come Home"
Being Complacent is not pleasing to GOD
July 25th, 2011
This was being circulated on Facebook:
“Don’t like gay marriages? Don't get one...Don't like cigarettes? Don't smoke them... Don't like abortions? Don't get one...Don't like sex? Don't have it...Don't like drugs? Don't do them...Don't like porn? Don't watch it...Don't like alcohol? Don't drink it... Don't like guns? Don't buy one...Don't like your rights taken away??? Don't take away someone else's!!! {re-post if you agree}"
This was MY reply:
"It's not what I like, but what GOD likes... If I were to agree, then I'd be saying that all these things are cool, so long as I don't do them. That's against what GOD says in it'self. HE says that if we don't "sound the Alarm" on these things then we are NOT following HIM, but in Direct Contention of HIS Will. Not my words; Look 'em up..... They’re in the Book from Cover to Cover. If I've offended anyone, READ THE BOOK! I'm not hating the person, but I MUST HATE THE SIN!”
That post, and many others like it, are vague and meant to deceive people, good bible reading, church attending people, into speaking, in a sense, that they are willing to just set back and let the World go by, without letting it know that it's about to run right off a cliff. This is TOTALLY AGAINST what YAHWEH has instructed us to do. On the contrary; HE has told US that we are to be 'Watchmen on the Wall", sounding a horn of Alarm when Danger is near and Evil is present.
Ezekiel 3:17-21;
"Human being, I have appointed you to be a Watchman for the house of Isra'el. When you hear a Word from MY mouth, you are to WARN THEM for ME. [18] If I say to a wicked person,' You will certainly die'; and you fail to warn him, to speak and warn the wicked person to leave his wicked way and save his life; then that wicked person will die guilty; and I will hold YOU responsible for his death. [19] On the other hand, if you warn the wicked person and he Doesn't turn from his wickedness or his wicked way, then he will STILL die guilty; but you will have saved your Own life. [20] Similarly, when a Righteous person turns from his righteousness and commits Wickedness, I will place a stumbling block before him-- he will die; because you failed to warn him, he will die in his sin; his righteous acts which he did will NOT be remembered; and I will hold YOU responsible for his death. [21] But if you Warn the Righteous person that a Righteous person should not sin, and he doesn't sin; then he will certainly live, because he took the warning; and you too will have saved YOUR life."
Chapter 33 also says the same thing; we are to sound the alarm when we see danger on the way.
You see, GOD's not saying," As long as you don't do it, it's O.K. for others to do it...You'll still be Fine with ME".
NO! What HE says is EXACTLY what we've just read!! If you see someone, ANYONE, doing ANYTHING that GOD doesn't approve of and don't say anything to them; just let it go with an,' Oh well, if they're not bothering me, then live and let live', then you're not only responsible for Their Death (which is eternity in the Lake of Fire) , but YOU are gonna be JOINING THEM in THEIR Torment for EVER, and EVER, and EVER, and......(Get the Point?)
Now there are many who will argue that the Old Testament Rules don't apply anymore, because we are 'Under Grace' through YESHUA Ha'MASSIACH since the Cross and Tomb. That it's 'All About the Love' and 'GOD would NEVER do Anything to harm "Christians"'.
Really? Well, the guy most quoted for that way of thinking, Saul of Tarsus, (or Paul to this "Last Age Church"), teaches this....
[Romans 6:12-19] "Therefore, do not let sin rule in your mortal bodies, so that it makes you obey it's desires; and do not offer any part of yourselves to sin as an instrument for wickedness. On the contrary, offer yourselves to GOD as people alive from the dead, and your various parts to GOD as instruments of Righteousness. For sin will not have authority over you; because you are not under Legalism but Under Grace." (Don’t go all silly, 'cause Paul's not finished, although that's where the Grace teachers like to stop!)
[15] " Therefore, what conclusion shall we reach?’ Let's go on sinning, because we are not under Legalism but under Grace? HEAVEN FORBID! Don't you know that if you present yourself to someone as obedient slaves, then, of the one whom you are obeying, YOU ARE SLAVES--- whether of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience which leads to being made Righteous? By GOD's Grace, you, who were once slaves to sin, obeyed from your heart the pattern of teaching to which you were exposed; and after you became set free from sin, you became enslaved to righteousness. (I am using popular language because your Human Nature is so weak). For just as you used to offer your various parts to impurity and lawlessness, which led to more lawlessness; so Now offer your various parts as slaves to Righteousness, which leads to being made Holy, set Apart for GOD."
Romans 8:7&8 say," For the mind controlled by the old nature is Hostile to GOD, because it doesn't submit itself to GOD's Torah -- Indeed, it cannot. Thus, those who identify with their old nature CANNOT PLEASE GOD!!"
And 'What is Sin?', you may ask? Well, Paul tells the Galatians in Galatians 5:19-21 this;
“And it is perfectly evident what the old nature does. it expresses itself in sexual immorality, impurity and indecency, involvement with the occult and with drugs, in feuding, fighting, becoming jealous and getting angry; in selfish ambition, factionalism (division), intrigue (underhanded secret-ism) and envy; in drunkenness, orgies and things like these. I WARN YOU NOW as I've warned you before: those who do such things will have NO SHARE in the Kingdom of GOD!”
You see, Paul was being the Watchman, Calling out; sounding the alarm, pointing to the snares and pitfalls that are sure to keep you from GOD's presence and out of HIS favor or Grace. There are only Two destinations after this Human existence....the Kingdom of GOD or the Lake of Fire's eternal flame.
James, the brother of JESUS said this, concerning speaking out, or telling others the dangers of their transgressions, “My Brothers, if one of you wanders from the truth, and someone causes him to return, you should know that whoever turns a sinner from his wandering path will save him from death and cover many sins." [James 5:19&20]
1John1:6 says," If we claim to have fellowship with HIM while we are walking in darkness, we are lying and not living out the truth."
Now, listen to what he says next," But if we are walking in the Light, as HE is in the Light, then we have Fellowship with each other, and the Blood of HIS Son YESHUA purifies us from ALL Sin."
THERE'S THE GOOD NEWS!! This is what there is to look forward to when we walk in HIS Light, and do what HE did when HE walked as a man; Proclaim the Kingdom, and Teach Repentance for the Remission of Sin; that is the Turning from the Worldly Ways that lead to Death, and following the Rules of GOD, which Lead to LIFE ! This, in no small terms, means to do a Righteous Judgment, not to condemn, but to warn and Lift Up, to lead back to the Right way, and being able to admit your own faults when confronted by the wicked and lost, so the Grace and Mercy of GOD's Favor can be made Manifest through Righteous Prayer; for indeed," All have Sinned and come short of earning GOD's Praise!"
So, are we to just set and watch as the World does whatever makes it feel good, and Not speak out about it, to give a word of Caution and Warning to the Masses being deceived by the Few? Not if we want to get into the Kingdom!! Our hands must be clean of the blood of those in transgression, as well as Upright in proclaiming GOD's Word, without fear or shame, to a Society that is on it's way down a wide and treacherous path that leads to death.
Remember, if we warn them, we are clean; If we cause or help them to turn to YAHWEH and HIS Righteousness, we have not only saved THEM, But OURSELVES !
“My Brothers, if one of you wanders from the truth, and someone causes him to return, you should know that whoever turns a sinner from his wandering path will save him from death and cover many sins." [James 5:19&20]
"When you hear a Word from MY mouth, you are to WARN THEM for ME."
When GOD says it, That's HIS Will. To be in it, we Must Do IT!
Finally, 1 John 2:15-17;" Do not love the World or the things of the World. If someone loves the World, then love for the FATHER is not in him; because all the things of the World -- the desires of the Old Nature, the desires of the eyes, and the pretensions of life -- are Not from the FATHER but from the World. And the World is passing away, along with its desires. But whosoever does GOD's will remains FOREVER."
You see, once we have confessed publicly that we are Trusting in the Knowledge that YESHUA MESSIAH (or JESUS CHRIST if you like) Is the Son of the One True Living GOD of ALL CREATION, YUD-HEH-VAV-HEH ( YAHWEH; or JEHOVA, if you prefer), The HE 'Saves' us with HIS Favor and starts us on the Road to Redemption. And once we have accepted that way by learning what JESUS taught, obedience to the Rules of GOD, (the Big 10), we are to Abor the ways of our Past life and those things which are pleasing to our Old Human (flesh) Nature, and Sound an ALARM of CAUTION to ALL we may find in those Un-right to GOD Ways, or stand at risk of being found Guilty of Their Sins for our Complacency!! Not, mind you, condemingly, but in Love and Concern for them as GOD's Most Loved Creation. It is YAHWEH, HIMSELF, ALONE, who holds that Final Judgement. Yet it is OUR Choice. As the Crusader said to Indiana Jones in that famous movie scene," Choose Wisely", with the mind of MESSIAH, Not of Mortal Man. That Decision will determine whether you will be condemned by GOD or Redeemed by GOD. Your Choice.....Choose Wisely......
We sincerely pray that this Word has opened some 'clouded' eyes, cleared the smoke that the World puts out there for the benefit of a few over the welfare of the many. It is too often that the 'Believer' is drawn into going against GOD's Will without realizing it through seemingly harmless little things. We Must Remember that YESHUA taught that it is the "Little Foxes" that will Destroy the vines. Those cute little things are Very Deceptive. A 'Little Lie' is STILL a Lie, as a 'Little Sin' is Still Sin, and WILL FIND NO PLACE IN THE KINGDOM!! None of us have perfected this, but, if we stumble, we have an Advocate with the FATHER, if we Confess and Profess JESUS as LORD in OUR Lives, and REPENT as SOON as We Realize that we have taken that bad step, who will Forgive us that error and set us back on track with Compassion.
FATHER YAHWEH; WE COME BEFORE YOU NOW IN AGREEMENT FOR SOULS THAT ARE TURNING TO YOU THROUGH THE MANIFESTATION OF YOUR SPIRIT AND THE REALITY OF THE KINGDOM AND YOUR SON, YESHUA Ha'MASHIACH, THAT THEY SHALL BE CLEANSED AND MADE WHOLE BY THE REDEMPTION THAT HE TAUGHT US AS A MAN HERE ON EARTH, SO THAT WE MAY ALL BE WITH YOU IN THE KINGDOM OF THE HIGHEST HEAVEN FOR ETERNITY. WE ASK THAT IF THERE IS ANY TRANSGRESSION IN US THAT WE ARE NOT AWARE OF, POINT IT OUT AND FORGIVE US, THAT WE WILL HAVE KNOWLEDGE OF IT AND BE FOREWARNED OF THE 'LITTLE FOXES', THOSE THINGS THAT PUT US IN PERIL, BEING WATCHMEN TO OURSELVES AS WELL AS OTHERS. IN THE NAME OF YESHUA MESSIAH AND BY THE RUACH HaKODESH; AMEN-AMEN-AMEN
If you wish to contact us, you can : leave a message on our Guestbook page; Email :prodigalministries@zoomtown.com: or :prodigalministries@yahoo.com: , look us up on Facebook at our page Prodigal Ministries/ House of Refuge; Write us at Prodigal Ministries House of Refuge, 215 Starr Ave, Hamilton, Ohio 45013; or call 1-[513]-893-3541 between 11:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. EST Any Day of the Week. Keep us in your prayers, as we keep you in ours, because We ARE Praying for YOU !!
As Always, With the Love of JESUS, Pastors Joel and Charlotte Martin
Prodigal Ministries House of Refuge " 'Till All The Prodigals Come Home"
BLESSED AND HIGHLY FAVORED?
May 28th, 2011
How many times have you asked a ‘Church Goer’ “How Ya’ Been?” only to get the good ole, “I’m Blessed and Highly Favored”? We’re going to take a look at where that notion comes from, and how it is achieved.
First, let’s go to the ONLY place in the BOOK that plainly puts those two states together.
Luke 1:28, in the King Jimmy translates the Angel Gabriel as saying,” Hail, thou that art Highly Favored, the LORD is with thee: Blessed art thou among women. “; And again in verse 30,” Fear not, Mary, for thou hast found Favor with GOD.” Later, when she visits her cousin Elizabeth, Mary’s blessing is confirmed through her.
Now, let’s look at the more direct translation, (as much as many don’t like to think that there’s Anything better than Shakespeare’s 17th Century High English).
Although the KJV puts Miryam as the first to be ‘Favored’ by YAHWEH at the beginning of the ‘First Millennium”, let’s just take a look at Luke 1:24 & 25, which read,” Following this, Elisheva his wife conceived, and she remained five months in seclusion, saying,’ YAHWEH has done this for me, HE has shown me FAVOR at this time, so as to remove my public disgrace.’” Blessed and Favored by the MOST HIGH. Now to 28 and 30,” Approaching her, the Angel said,’ Shalom, Favored Lady! YAHWEH is with you!’” and,” The Angel said to her,‘ Don’t be afraid, Miryam, for you have found Favor with GOD.’”
The fact that the two conditions were only put together in the King James concerning Miryam’s Miraculous Conception does have some bearing. She was bearing within her own body, the MESSIAH. In Elisheva’s case, she carried in her womb one who was filled with the HOLY SPIRIT, destined to’ Make the deserted ways Straight ‘ for the ‘RIGHTEOUS BRANCH’. Blessed and Favored.
Right now, let’s go to the first mention of Anybody finding Blessing AND Favor with GOD.
B’resheet (or Genesis), chapter 18, verse 1 starts like this,” YAHWEH appeared to Avraham by the oaks of Mamre as he sat at the entrance to the tent during the heat of the day. He raised his eyes and looked and there in front of him stood three men. On seeing them, he ran from the tent door to meet them, prostrated himself on the ground, and said,’ My LORD, if I have found Favor in YOUR sight, please don’t leave YOUR servant. Please let me send for some water, so that YOU can wash your feet; then rest under the tree, and I will bring a piece of bread. Now that YOU have come to YOUR servant, refresh YOURSELVES before going on.’ ‘ Very well,’ THEY replied,’ do what you have said.’
Now, while we’re here, let’s get this straight: GOD ALMIGHTY HIMSELF, in the form of the TRINITY, came PERSONALLY to Avraham, ‘Gracing’ him with HIS combined presence! Avraham recognizes HIS one-ness, individuality, and Sovereignty in his communication to THEM/HIM, and by doing so not only is Favored, BUT gets Blessed on top of it by not only the Promise of Yitz’chak, but by the conformation of the Covenant Promise HE gave to him in an earlier Personal visit, when HE changed their names from Avram (Exalted Father) and Sarai (Mockery) to Avraham (Father of Many) and Sarah (Princess).
So, without it being flatly stated, Avraham was Indeed ‘Blessed and Highly Favored’. Before these two personal visits, GOD had even sent Malki’Tzedek, the king of Shalem, (Peace) to Avram to test and bless him. And then, Chapter 15 starts with,” Some time later the Word of YAHWEH came to Avram in a vision,’ Don’t be afraid, Avram. I am your Protector; your reward will be very great.’” The WORD came to him. Blessed and in Favor!
You see, Grace DID NOT START AT THE CROSS, though it WAS Confirmed there by the Ultimate Blood Atonement Sacrifice provided by the Second ‘Ram in the Bush’, by the Second ‘ADAM’, the Firstfruits, the ‘LAMB’ of EL’ELYON, Maker of Heaven and Earth!! No, truly, the WORD tells us in no uncertain terms that the state of GRACE from EL’SHADDAI has been a gift to humans since the Earth began!!! And not Only to the ‘Giants’ of Faith, but to mere servants of GOD’s Voices here on the Earth.
Yirmeyahu (Jeremiah) 45 tells this story,” Here is what Yirmeyahu said to Barukh the son of Neriyah when he wrote these words in a book at Yirmeyahu’s dictation, in the fourth year of Y’Hoyakim the son of Yoshiyahu, king of Y’udah: ‘ This is what the LORD the GOD of Isra’el says concerning you, Barukh. You said,’ Woe to me now! YAHWEH has compounded my pain with sorrow, I am weary for groaning, and I can find no relief!’ Tell him YAHWEH says:’ I will tear down what I built up; I will uproot what I planted, and this, throughout the land. Are you seeking great things for yourself? DON’T! For I am bringing disaster on everything living,’ says YAHWEH. ‘ But wherever you go, you will escape with your life.’” The book referred to is the Word given to Jeremiah that the princes read to the king, and sliced up, tossing it into the fire. GOD had them do it over, adding in more things about what was going to happen to the people if they didn’t subject themselves to the Kasdim rule. You see, little Barukh had been accused of those princes and rich men to had been ‘Inciting the people against them’. So, chapter 45 was the Blessing and the Grace, or Favor, in a Promise, which GOD had demonstrated when he and the Prophet were ‘hidden’ in their own room from those who meant them harm.
Listen to what David said in the Psalms:
[86:1-3],” Listen, YAHWEH, and answer me, for I am poor and needy. Preserve my life, for I am Faithful; save YOUR servant, who puts his trust in YOU because YOU are my GOD. Take pity on me, LORD, for I cry to you all day.”
[86:11&12],” YAHWEH, teach me YOUR way, so that I can live by YOUR truth; make me single hearted, so that I can fear YOUR name. I will thank YOU, LORD my GOD, with my whole heart; and I will Glorify YOUR name forever.”
Even though David stumbled, a LOT, he was still considered by YAHWEH to be, quote,” A man after MY OWN heart.” Did Grace, Favor, always cover him, even though the LORD saw him in this light,? Well, let’s see…. His Firstborn son with Bat-Sheva died an infant; Thousands died when the Angel of Death stretched his hand over the city because David went against GOD’s orders in numbering Isra’el, He had to hide in caves from his Father in Law, go to war against his eldest son, the list goes on and on. And David wasn’t alone. Many of those whom HE had shone Favor and Blessing on fell from Grace at one time or another. Avraham had to pay the price a time or two, Moshe’ s temper got the best of him more than once, Jeremiah clammed up on GOD and Shlomo (Solomon) got one HUGE whoopin’!
Still, we read that all of these men were Blessed in the end.
WHY???
A good part of the answer is back in the 85th Psalm, verse 9,(8 in the KJV),where he said,” I am Listening. What will GOD, YAHWEH, say? For HE will speak peace to HIS people, to HIS Holy Ones—but Only if they Don’t Relapse into FOLLY.” Folly== Foolishness.
Now, what did he say? That everybody is covered by the Grace, or Favor of GOD, Showered with blessings as soon as they confess HIM? (Keep in mind that these songs and mini operas were for the Judeans who followed Temple Worship) NO!!!!
He said, for those who are GOD’s Holy Ones,( complete, single-hearted, Faithful, trusting servants who whole-heartedly cry out, or more precisely, call on GOD ALL DAY LONG, listening for the answers to their prayers, trusting through all Earthly troubles that HE will Keep HIS Promises and HIS Word to those who are, here we go, REPENTENT when they slip, trip, stumble or fall, that,” HIS Salvation is near for those who Fear HIM, so that Glory will be in our land.” [Verse 10 (9,KJV)]
As Shaul (Paul) said, referring to the 14th and 53rd Psalms,” There is No One Righteous, Not Even One! Not One Understands, No One Seeks GOD!” [Romans 3:10&11] and, again, in verse 23,” …all have sinned and come short of earning GOD’s Praise.” 1st Yochanan 1:10 says, “If we claim we have not been sinning, we are making HIM out to be a liar, and HIS Word is not in us.” Now, these two Men Hand Picked by JESUS weren’t talking about everybody else when they wrote these things, they clearly said ‘we’ and ‘no-one’. So, here’s the thing; There has only ever been ONE Human Person born into a Natural Dirt Body that Did Not Sin. HE never set HIMSELF up to be any better or greater than anyone else ever born, before or since. By HIS actions alone, HE proved that HE was Who HE said HE was, and that we were made to be JUST LIKE HIM!!!
So, how did YESHUA keep from sinning? Here’s one thing He was able to do that we seem to have a problem with: Stay Humbly in the Presence of the FATHER, and thus staying Grounded in a Kingdom state of mind. It truly is not a simple task, as Paul and John point out in their teachings. The Whole Matter Rests On One Thing… Leaving the ways of the Worldly Society behind, fully, not just those parts that we’re comfortable doing without, but as David said, with a Whole, Single Heart. We can’t trust ourselves to do any good on our own! Even JESUS went into the ‘deserted place’ to be alone with the RUACH Ha’KODESH to get HIS Criteria worked out, Kingdom-wise. That didn’t begin or end there, either. Cousin John was raised in the ‘wilderness’, and taught all things by the SPIRIT.
He came, as the Angel said he would, in the Spirit of Eliyahu, proclaiming the Kingdom and Professing Repentance; baptizing in water as an outward profession of Trust, or Faith, in the One True GOD, Ha’ELYON, the LORD GOD MOST HIGH. This was the same thing YESHUA taught. And, Again, this was not the First or Last time Repentance of Sin was professed to be the way to the Kingdom.
Moshe was telling the Hebrew Children constantly to leave the ways of Egypt behind, Jonah took the message of Repentance to Nineveh, Isaiah, Zechariah, Haggai, all of the prophets proclaimed that the ONLY way to heal the Nation and the land was through the turning from Human Nature back to the ways of GOD!
Psalm 84:12&13 (11&12-KJV) “For YAHWEH, GOD, is a sun and a shield; YAHWEH bestows Favor and Honor; HE will not with-hold Anything good from those whose lives are Pure. YAHWEH, LORD OF HOSTS, how happy is anyone who Trusts in YOU!”
Jeremiah 15: 19-21; “ This is YAHWEH’s answer:
‘If you RETURN—if I bring you back—You will stand before ME. If you separate the precious from the base, you will be MY spokesman. It will then be they who turn to you, not you who turn to them. Toward this people I will make you a fortified wall of bronze—they will fight against you but not prevail against you; for I am with you to save you and rescue you,’ says YAHWEH. ‘I will free you from the grasp of the wicked and redeem you from the clutches of the ruthless.’” This was the answer to Jeremiah’s question,” How Long”. He tells GOD of how he has ‘Devoured HIS Words’ which gave him the joy of knowing that he was Loved and given the Honor of ‘Bearing’ HIS name!
Luke 12: 8&9; JESUS says,“ Moreover, I tell you, whoever acknowledges ME in the presence of others, the Son of Man will also acknowledge him in the presence of Angels. But whoever Disowns ME before others will be disowned before GOD’s Angels.” Let me point out that right there, JESUS just told those disciples listening that it was E-A-S-Y to take a Suicide Dive out of Grace.
But, Here’s the Good News! The next verse;” Also, everyone who says something against the Son of Man will have it Forgiven him;’
Still, here’s the thing to watch out for ,‘but whoever has Blasphemed (insulted) the RUACH Ha’KODESH will NOT be forgiven.”
JESUS and the FATHER will give you forgiveness… the HOLY SPIRIT WILL NOT! We Must Be Mindful of our Conversations, our deeds and actions in this flesh body, or we may just, without knowing, say or do something that will offend the SPIRIT against us! It is Truly a Narrow Path to Salvation.
So, this message has just been a reminder to all of us, who are in a sinful body, in a sinful World, struggling to keep Pure and Holy Complete, spreading the Word, that we must do as Shaul Paul said and ‘Pray Continually’ and JESUS told those in the Garden, ‘Stay Awake and Pray that you will not be Put to the Test…’. Let us be like Yosef of Ramatayim (Joseph of Aremethea) and keep looking forward to the Kingdom of GOD.
Even Shimon Cephas (Simon Peter) had to repent, along with all of the rest of the Disciples who fled.
And there we have it; to remain ‘Blessed and Highly Favored, we must do what each of these men taught by example: If you fall, be quick to admit that the blame falls squarely on yourself, no matter what the circumstances may have been, and ask forgiveness of the MESIAH, the REDEEMER, the HOLY ONE OF ISRA’EL, that you may be found without blame or shame when that Day of HIS Call comes. Be in CONSTANT Prayer for ALL of HUMANITY; that they might find the Way, and Follow the Commands of JESUS, which are the Commands of GOD that HE taught and lived by HIMSELF. HE said that we would have some hard testing, but those which endured to the end WOULD BE SAVED!! Be like Miryam, and Bear the Body of the MESSIAH within you, letting it grow inside you, and its presence be felt and seen from you! And finally, have TRUST in GOD; for without TRUSTING in FAITH, it is Impossible to please HIM.
This is how we become and remain ‘Blessed and Highly Favored’!
{Keep this in mind: ‘If Daddy Ain’t Happy,
NOBODY GETS CAKE AND ICE CREAM!!’}
We hope that you have enjoyed this teaching, and that it has help in your understanding of Blessing and Grace, or Favor, given by GOD, who receives it, and how it is obtained and kept.
You see, having your life operating in a Blessed and Highly Favored State, being covered by the Grace of GOD is Easy to get to, but can be a Trial to Maintain in this Society based on Self Importance, Lust, Covetness and Greed. We must be ever vigilant to be Reformed into what the FATHER created us to be. To put it in the words of the older generation, (of which we are rapidly becoming the 'New' version of), " Stay away from the 'slippery slopes' and 'keep on the Straight and Narrow'! Our Prayer for you at the end of this message is simply this; that you may Seek the FATHER's Right Ways, Finding the Understanding to PleaseHIM, and that in so doing you will find the Peace of SPIRIT, Soul, and Body in this life to carry on in a Pure and Complete Fasion, Joined with HIM through YESHUA HA'MASSIACH, the LORD JESUS, and HIS HOLY SPIRIT, the RUACH Ha'KODESH. As Always, we're Praying for You !!
With the Love of JESUS Pastors Joel and Charlotte Martin
Prodigal Ministries House of Refuge ' 'Till All The Prodigals Come Home'
:prodigalministries@zoomtown.com: or :prodigalministries@yahoo.com: or call at 1-513-893-3541 10:a-10:p EST
to speak to us personally. GOD Bless...
THE RING OF AUTHORITY
April 23, 2011
Luke 4:32; “They were amazed at the way HE taught, because HIS Word carried the Ring of Authority.”
The story teller and author J.R.R. Tolkien once wrote a tale concerning
‘9 Rings of Authority’, with another ‘Ring to Rule them All’. Isn’t it Wonderful how the human imagination can subtly and ever so cunningly conceal things about the KINGDOM, Word, Power, and Will of GOD in a fictional fantasy, that will keep the interest of a person longer than a sermon or lecture will?! You may not have the Revelation just yet, but you will.
In Jewish Tradition, there is a ceremony done, according to their
Interpretation of a text in Genesis, at Manhood, or ‘The Age of Reasoning’. This is when Girls and Boys are considered old enough to be Religiously Mature, and know right from wrong. From that point on, the males go on in their learning to things of a ‘Responsibility’ nature. Generally, between the ages of 20 and 30, the father takes his son into the market place and does two things in the presence of all of the community. He states in a loud voice, ’This is my son, who has become a man; and I give him the Authority to act in my name in all things concerning my household, livestock, and business.’ Then he places a Signet Ring with the personal Seal, or ‘Family Crest’ on the boy’s finger. With this ring, he can put his fathers Stamp on anything, and it will be as though his father did it himself. At age 13, Traditional Judaism believes that you have reached your ‘Religious Maturity’, man or woman. But between 20 and 30, the Son is given the ‘Privilege’ to act on the Families Behalf.
Let’s look at Luke 2:41, & 46-50; “Every year YESHUA’s parents went up to Yerushalayim for the festival of Pesach (Passover). [42] When HE was 12 years old, they went up for the festival, as custom required. [43] But after the festival was over, when HIS parents returned, YESHUA remained in Yerushalayim. They didn’t realize this; [46] On the THIRD DAY they found HIM --- HE was sitting in the temple court among the rabbis, not only listening to them but questioning what they said; [47] and everyone who heard HIM was astonished at HIS insight and responses. [48] When HIS parents saw HIM, they were SHOCKED {remember that}; and HIS mother said to HIM,’ Son, why have you done this to us? {goes with being shocked at what they heard and saw HIM doing} Your father and I have been terribly worried looking for you!’ HE said to them,’ Why did you have to look for ME? Didn’t you know that I had to be ‘Concerning MYSELF with MY FATHERS Affairs?’’ But they didn’t understand what HE meant.”
Now go on down to Luke 3:22. Here we find a 30-year-old YESHUA coming to HIS cousin Yochanan to be Immersed in Water. We see that, as HE was PRAYING, “ the RUACH Ha’KODESH came down on HIM in a physical form, like a dove, and a voice came from Heaven,’ YOU are MY SON, Whom I Love; I am Well Pleased with YOU.’”
Can you understand what it was that Joseph and Mary didn’t get. You see, at the age of 12, Young JESUS had yet to be given the ‘rite of passage’, the Bar Mitzvah, in where HE would be considered old enough to reason the Scriptures and the Law with the Elders. So they were Not pleased, and a bit embarrassed and afraid at what was going on, and what could happen because of it.. On top of that, HIS statement back to them was like a slap in the face…. How dare HE speak as one who had been given AUTHORITY when HE is Still a Child! How could HE have the AUTHORITY to be Concerned with ANYONES Affairs when HE is NOT EVEN at SPIRITUAL Maturity! They did not understand that Man’s Law of reckoning does not apply to the things of GOD, which JESUS was and is, Entirely!
Do you see that? They were thinking along the Jewish Religious lines and not on what they should have known, just by the fact that JESUS was BORN in the First Place!! That Alone should’ve been a clue that the boy had an INHERITED Birthright of knowledge and understanding beyond anything that they were used to from the “Learned Men of Temple Service”.
O.K., we saw that at 30, HE was given the VERY Public ’THAT’S MY BOY’ speech from the Throne, but HE was STILL taken out into a deserted place for 40 days to be ‘Tested’. A lesson for us here is not to ever think you got this GOD thing all figured out, ‘cause there Will be a TEST, and YAHWEH don’t grade on a CURVE!! The Good News is, HE will give a ‘Make Up Exam’ if you ask for it as soon as you know ‘The Score’. Be careful on this Journey not to fall into the traps and tricks of the Worldly. {After all, it’s easier to pull a person down than to pull them up.}
Another very important point is this; GOD JEHOVA can, will, and has used even the newest of those who have come to Trust in YESHUA MESSIAH to perform Mighty things for the Kingdom’s sake. Lets consider the 70 that HE sent out. These were just some ‘Good ol’ Boys and Girls’ that had been listening and watching what JESUS was doing and teaching. They hadn’t been to ‘Prophets School’ or Seminary, or Bible College; they had no Degrees or certificates; yet they came back overjoyed and amazed about the things that were accomplished through them. To keep all that Power from going to their Heads, JESUS had to remind them where it came from {Luke 10:19 & 20}; “ Remember, I have given you AUTHORITY; so you can trample down snakes and scorpion, indeed, ALL the Enemies Forces; and you will remain completely unharmed. [20] Nevertheless, don’t be glad that the spirits submit to YOU, be glad that your Names have been recorded in Heaven.” HE goes on in a prayer of Thanksgiving while they are still listening, so they can get some of HIS Insight [21],” At that moment He was filled with joy by the RUACH Ha’KODESH and said,’ FATHER, LORD of Heaven and Earth, I thank YOU because YOU concealed these things from the Sophisticated and Educated, yet Revealed them to Ordinary People. Yes, FATHER, I thank YOU that it pleased YOU to do this.’”
See, HE had to ‘Bring ‘em Back Down to Earth’; keep them from getting above themselves and thinking they had this ability on their own. HE had to remind them that ONLY after HE had given them THE AUTHORITY to act on HIS behalf; and even that not being on HIS own, but by the AUTHORITY of YAHWEH FATHER GOD ALMIGHTY, that they weren’t, as Paul put it,’ … merely blaring brass or a cymbal clanging.’ They would have ended up like the sons of Skeva, who a spirit beat and stripped when they tried to use their OWN authority to expel it. No One from On High had given Them ‘The Ring’.
I mentioned Tolkien earlier, and this seems like the time to get to the parallel of his most famous tale.
9 Rings; and One to Rule them All.
1Corinthians 12:4-11; [4] “ Now there are different kinds of gifts, but the same SPIRIT gives them. [5] Also, there are different ways of serving, but it is the same LORD being served. [6] And there are different modes of working, but it is the same GOD working them ALL in everyone. [7] Moreover, to each person is given the particular manifestation of the SPIRIT that will be for the common good. [8] To one, through the SPIRIT, is given a Word of Wisdom; to another, a Word of Knowledge, in accordance with the same SPIRIT; [9] to another, Faith, by the same SPIRIT; and to another, gifts of Healing, by the ONE SPIRIT; [10] to another, the Working of Miracles; to another, Prophesy; to another, the Ability to Judge Between Spirits (Discernment); to another, the Ability to Speak in Different Kinds of Tongues; and yet to another, the Ability to Interpret Tongues. [11] ONE and THE SAME SPIRIT is at work IN ALL THESE THINGS, distributing to each person AS HE CHOOSES.”
Here are OUR ‘Rings of Authority’;
1) Word of Wisdom
2) Word of Knowledge
3) Faith
4) Healing
5) Working of Miracles
6) Prophesy
7) Judging Spirits (Discernment)
8) Different Tongues
9) Interpretation of Tongues
The ‘Ring which Rules Them All’ is none other than the HOLY SPIRIT, and, again, even as with the CHRIST, Without the Ultimate Approval of
HA SHEM, HA’ELYON, ADONAI, JEHOVA, YUD-HEH-VAV-HEH, GOD ALMIGHTY; NO POWER OF AUTHORITY COULD BE EXERCISED AT ALL BY ANYONE OR ANYTHING IN ALL OF CREATION!!!!!
“How do we get ‘Qualified’?”
Paul called it a ‘constant renewing of the mind’ that begins when we do this {Romans 10:9 & 10};” … that if you Acknowledge Publicly with your mouth that YESHUA is LORD and Trust in your Heart that GOD Raised HIM from the Dead, YOU WILL BE DELIVERED. [10] For with the Heart one goes on Trusting and thus Continues toward Righteousness, while with the Mouth one Keeps On Making Public Acknowledgement and thus Continues toward Deliverance.”
JESUS put it like this to Nakdimon {John 3:3},” ‘Yes, Indeed,’ YESHUA answered him,’ I tell you that unless a person is Born Again from above, he cannot see the Kingdom of GOD.’”
We must be born not only from Water, as is Natural Birth, but by a Renewing of our Spirit to align in Harmony with HIS SPIRIT, the HOLY SPIRIT, the RUACH Ha’KODESH!! You MUST be Born by The SPIRIT into the KINGDOM! Just as Mary had the SPIRIT come over her to birth JESUS into this Natural realm, HE will come over US to birth us into the Realm of the Highest Heaven; into the KINGDOM of the MOST HIGH!!
Paul said that he ‘Died Daily to Sin’, forever ‘Crucifying the Fleshly Nature’ to keep with those things which are Right and Good.
You see that it’s an On Going thing, one that we must be vigilant at. This is how we become the ‘Sons and Daughters of GOD’, gaining the Right to use HIS NAME toward the Pulling Down of the Strong Holds of the Adversary, satan, and in doing so, shining the Light of Hope to those still in Darkness, helping them to Break the Shackles of Shame clamped firmly on them through an Ignorance of what is sin, what is ‘Right and Wrong’; helping them get to the place of their Spiritual Maturity so they, too can obtain The Signet Ring of Authority over the World and ALL THAT IS EVIL IN IT!
The message of the KINGDOM, to be Repentant; Turning away from the constant evil and falseness of the World, must not only Continue to be Proclaimed and Professed, but LIVED OUT CONSTANTLY by those who have been Trusting for a few Hours or for a LIFETIME!! JESUS told the story of the Strong Man and the Thief; how if the Strong Man would’ve known when the Thief was going to break in, he could’ve stopped him. It’s the SAME with us in this World… Unless we’re determined and ever watchful, that thief can sneak in and do some real Spiritual Damage. But if we ‘Keep our Spiritual Eyes and Hearts Focused on the True ‘LORD OF THE RINGS’’, Giver of the ‘TRUE RINGS of AUTHORITY’, WE CAN IN NO WAY BE HARMED!!
JESUS SAID IT, SO I AM CONFIDENT THAT IT’S SO!!!
Keep Saying it, Keep Asking for it, Keep Seeking it, Keep Knocking on the Door to it, And HE, That Door, YESHUA Ha’MASHIACH, will Surely open up, and prepare you a Feast in Full Sight of your Enemies!!
FATHER GOD; WE COME BEFORE YOU NOW, ASKING THAT YOU SEARCH THE HEARTS OF THOSE WHO ARE LOOKING FOR YOUR GRACE ON THEIR LIVES, THAT YOU MAY FIND THEM TRULY REPENTANT; TURNING AWAY FROM THE WRONG WAYS OF THE WORLD, AND TO THE TRUTH OF YOUR WORD AND GOOD NEWS OF THE KINGDOM MADE UNDERSTOOD THROUGH YOUR SON, YESHUA MESSIAH (JESUS CHRIST) AND YOUR HOLY SPIRIT, RUACH Ha'KODESH, THAT WE MAY BE CONSIDERED YOUR CHILDREN AND HEIRS, AND FOUND WORTHY TO BEAR YOUR SEAL ON OUR LIVES, THAT OTHERS MAY COME TO TRUST THROUGH OUR TESTAMONY OF LIFE IN YOU. IN THE NAME OF THE SON AND BY HIS BLOOD PRICE FOR US WE PRAY; AMEN-AMEN-AMEN.
If you have prayed with us this Prayer of Faith, and want to know more about the Saving Grace of GOD thruogh JESUS CHRIST, please leave a note on the Guestbook Page, send us an e-mail to prodigalministries@zoomtown.com or prodigalministries@yahoo.com . You can also write us at Prodigal Ministries / House of Refuge __ 215 Starr Ave., Hamilton, Ohio, U.S.A. 45013. You can call us by phone from 10:00am till 5:00pm EST at 1-513-893-3541 ( Emergency Prayers taken ANY TIME!!)
We hope that this message has helped someone gain some understanding, or, more importantly, come to a full knowledge of Our LORD JESUS. Pray for this Ministry, for, as always, We're Praying For You.
With the Love of JESUS Pastors Joel and Charlotte Martin
Prodigal Ministries House of Refuge ' 'Till All the Prodigals Come Home'
WHERE DO WE FIT IN?
April 16, 2011
Psalms 8:4-7(3-6; K.J.V.)
“When I look at YOUR Heavens, the work of YOUR fingers, the moon and the stars that YOU set in place---, what are mere mortals, that YOU concern YOURSELF with them; humans , that YOU watch over them with such care? You made him but little lower than the angels, you crowned him with Glory and Honor, YOU had him rule what YOUR hands had made, YOU put everything under his feet---“
Who are WE that the ONE who Created All Things should think more of us than HE does ANYTHING and EVERYTHING ELSE that HE has made? What makes US so ‘Special’; what’s our place in the puzzle? The answer has been from the Beginning, and is recorded in that very Book, B’resheet, or Genesis, where it is written,
” Then GOD said,’ Let US make humankind in OUR image, in the likeness of OURSELVES; and let him rule over the fish in the sea, the birds in the air, the animals, and over all the earth, and over every crawling creature that crawls on the earth., “ (Gen.1:26-27)
We still don’t get it; still don’t understand, even though it is said so plainly. And just as King David did in his song, we’ll ask ‘Who Are We that YOU would Care what happens to us?’ Nothing else in all of creation has been made like we are. Oh, it’s true some things come close, some have the same characteristics; but NONE of the OTHER Creations are JUST LIKE US. We are,’ …awesomely made, wonderfully ;…’( Psalms 139:14) The King James translates it as,’ fearfully and wonderfully made;..’, but, in my opinion, the direct from Hebrew text more completely captures the emotion and amazement David was experiencing in this revelation. AWESOMELY; causing AWE to well up inside; just One Big “WOW, It takes my Breath to Try to Even Imagine the IMMENCNESS of YOUR Wisdom and Knowledge!! Why have YOU put Sooo much thought and time into US?”
In the Creation narrative, or ‘story’, we read that HE ‘Spoke’ everything into existence, and when HE saw that it was all good, HE said,” LET’s US MAKE MAN, and LET’s MAKE him JUST LIKE US, Without flaw or defect, perfect in nature and Spirit, and give all of this to him, so HE CAN BE ON THE EARTH AS WE ARE OVER ALL OF CREATION!” Now, do you see that HE didn’t just ‘Speak” us into being, but he said’ LET’s MAKE”? ‘LET’s don’t do this the easy way, like we did everything else, FELLA’s, LET’s actually get down in the dirt and put this together, like WE want it to be; how WE imagine it should be, just like WE like it, JUST LIKE US!” HE Formed Us from the Earth! Everything else came from nothin’ but right away, we were Somethin’ cause we were Made from Somethin’!
Let’s get a little ‘Mental Concept’ of the importance of that idea. Let’s say you’re camping. It’s getting dark, and you want to see. There are two things you can do; flip on the Battery or Generated Electricity Lamps, OR you can… Gather up some kindling, cause a little Spark and set a Fire off. The First way is nice, safe, and sanitary. The Fire, on the other hand, involves pickin’, packin’, and stackin’, dealin’ with dirt, bugs and just maybe a serpent or two. On top of that, you’ll have to maintain it as long as you want its light, feeding and caring for it all through the darkness. Definitely a more intimate way to go, ‘cause you’ll get to know your flame quite well.
Now it’s not like we were an ‘afterthought’ or anything like that. HE Knew that HE would be making a Man as soon as Lucifer got all Heady and High-minded. See, Adam was the replacement Praise and Worship Leader for the Throne. Being made in GOD’s perfect image, out of the influence of the angels, GOD’s hope for Adam was to keep him safe in the Garden. And, being in HIS image made the very angels that he was made ‘lower than’ subject to service to him. You see, whereas the angels were created for service to the Throne and the Kingdom that’s pretty much all they are; the help. But when Man was made, he was made to be much more. He was made to Love, and Be loved, to be Ruled, and yet to Rule in his own right, to have a Relationship as a Child to it’s Parents, and not just a worker to his boss. (And, indeed, more businesses would succeed if they were run like a family, as GOD rules HIS Kingdom.) The angels we never meant to rule, yet Lucifer convinced 1/3rd of ‘em that he could do a better job than the ONE who created them. Adam, and therefore US, were created just for that purpose,’ ..; and let him RULE over the fish in the sea, the birds in the air, the animals, and over all the Earth; and over every crawling creature that crawls on the Earth.’ It just doesn’t get much plainer than that!
Now, did you notice something about what GOD prophesy over Man before HE even took up the first handful of clay? “…, and over EVERY CRAWLING CREATURE ON THE EARTH!” In the book of Luke, after the seventy had returned in amazement from doing the things that JESUS had sent them to do, HE said this (10:18),” I saw satan fall like lightening from Heaven.”; and in Genesis 1:14 we’re told,” YAHWEH, GOD, said to the serpent,’ Because you have done this, you are cursed more than all livestock and wild animals. You will CRAWL on your belly and eat dust as long as you live.’”
Can you see it NOW? Do you see that FROM THE BEGINNING, GOD had a plan to put satan UNDER OUR RULE, NOT to have US Under his? If WE are to Subdue and Take Dominion over the Entire Earth and ALL the contents thereof, INCLUDING and SPECIFICALLY ‘EVERY CRAWLING CREATURE ON THE EARTH’, and satan was CAST DOWN, like a bolt of Lightening to the Earth, and made to CRAWL on the Earth and eat dust for as long as he shall live, which is ETERNITY, ARE YOU SEEING OUR PLACE, YET?
Now, I’m sure that many Philosophical Theologians would argue that Adam gave up that right when he took that bite from the fruit of the Tree of Knowledge. I would challenge them to show me where that is written. Here is what the WORD of GOD does say.
Genesis 3:16-24; “To the woman HE said,’ I will greatly increase you pain in childbirth. (Notice HE said ‘Increase’ your pain?) You will bring forth your children in pain. Your desire will be toward your Husband and He will rule over you.” To Adam HE said,
’ Because you listened to what your wife said and ate from the tree about which I gave you the order,’ You are not to eat from it,’ the ground is cursed on your account; you will work hard to eat from it as long as you live. It will produce thorns and thistles for you and you will eat field plants. You will eat bread from the sweat of your forehead till you return to the ground—for you were taken out of it; you are dust, and you will return to dust.’ The man called his wife Havah (Life), because she was the mother of all living. YAHWEH, GOD, made garments of skin for Adam and his wife and clothed them. YAHWEH, GOD, said,” See, the man has become like one of us, knowing good and evil (do you hear that?). Now, to prevent him putting out his hand and taking ALSO from the Tree of Life, eating, and living forever – therefore, YAHWEH, GOD, sent him out of the Garden of ‘Eden, to cultivate the ground from which he was taken. So, HE drove the man out, and HE placed at the east of the Garden of ‘Eden the k’ruvim (cherubim) and a flaming sword which turned in every direction to guard the way to the Tree of Life.’”
Although some changes were made in the way Adam and Eve (Havah) would be goin’ ‘bout their bid’ness, no-where does GOD say,’ and you don’t have rule here anymore’! HE sho’ nuff got madder than a bear with a beehive on its head, but HE NEVER TOOK AWAY THE RULE! If we go back and look at verse 15, HE said to satan,
”I will put animosity between you and the woman, and between your descendant and her descendant; he will bruise your head and you will bruise his heel.” WE RULE OVER satan !!
We’re still talking about our ‘Place’, and why GOD should care so much for us, who we are to HIM.
O.K., let’s get all the ‘eye rollin’’ out of the way for where we’re about to go; I’m even gonna stick to the ‘High-lites’ to make it to the point. Exodus 20:1-14(17-KJV);
1] I AM YAHWEH YOUR GOD
2] YOU ARE TO HAVE NO OTHER gods BEFORE ME
3] YOU ARE NOT TO USE LIGHTLY THE NAME OF YAHWEH YOUR GOD
4] REMEMBER THE DAY, SHABBAT, TO SET IT APART FOR GOD
5] HONOR YOUR FATHER AND MOTHER
6] DO NOT MURDER
7] DO NOT COMMIT ADULTRY
8] DO NOT STEAL
9] DO NOT GIVE FALSE EVIDENCE AGAINST YOUR NEIGHBOR (lie)
10] DO NOT COVET (lust after) ANYTHING THAT IS NOT YOURS
You may be asking yourself what the 10 Commandments have to do with our place. Well, Matthew 5:17-20 records YESHUA saying this,
” Don’t think I have come to abolish Torah (law) or the Prophets. I have come not to abolish but to complete. Yes, indeed! I tell you that until Heaven and Earth pass away, not so much as a yud or a stroke will pas away from Torah – not until everything that must happened has happened. So whoever disobeys the least of these mitzvoth (rules) and teaches others to do so will be called the least in the Kingdom of Heaven. But whoever obeys them and so teaches will be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven. For I tell you that unless your righteousness is far greater than that of the Torah-teachers (scribes) and P’rushim (Pharisees), YOU WILL CERTAINLY NOT ENTER THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN!”
Still talkin’ ‘bout our Place. Paul tells us that we are Foreigners and Aliens here, that this is not our true home. We exist here only temporarily in these now flawed bodies, with our ‘Stinkin’ Thinkin’’ , being more concerned with what the latest fashion is and the price of fuel than with the things of GOD; which are, simply put, this…
HE is YAHWEH JEHOVA GOD, so don’t put ANYTHING before or above HIM. Don’t curse HIM or use HIS name as a curse word. On HIS Day, kick back with HIM and REST; you’ve been at work all week, and so has HE. If YOU don’t rest, then HE Can’t rest! Listen to and care for your elders, and don’t be mean and hateful to anyone, even if they act that way towards you. And don’t chase after what anyone else’ has; HE’ll give you all you need, and most of what you want, if you just keep HIM first and show the Light of Love to all people
Our place is to be seated on thrones with JESUS, ruling the Earth for 1,000 years, and then to be ever with the FATHER CREATOR in the Kingdom of Heaven, Proper, for all eternity.
YESHUA set the example for us on how to be good rulers, by first being good Servants and Stewards. HE showed that throughout HIS 3 ½ year Evangelistic Ministry. The very word Ministry, itself, means to care for others, and even as HE lead, HE cared for all who followed. Kayin (Cain) asked GOD the question most of us find as a stumbling block to this day…’Am I My Brothers Keeper?’ The answer was and still is, YES! James echoed the words of GOD when he stated that the Only True Religion was to ,’…care for orphans and widows in their distress, and TO KEEP ONES SELF FROM BEING CONTAMINATED BY THE WORLD.’
We must realize that even though we no longer are born naturally pure and perfect, without sin and a sinful nature, we have the Laws of GOD placed in us, and we can be Born Again, to the Holiness of GOD. A SPIRITUAL REBIRTH that can only take place when we take OUR place, as Subject / Rulers of this Earth, with it’s World Society being under OUR Sovereign Dominion as Emissaries of JESUS, who Restored our Right to Rule status in HIS Death on the Stake and Re-Birth from the Tomb! Just as these ‘Natural Bodies’ must die, so must our ‘Spirit Man’ die out and allow the RUACH Ha’KODESH (HOLY SPIRIT) to restore and teach our Spirits to live for the KINGDOM, and NOT this World. We must REFUSE the natural man and trust in the SPIRIT man, for the Spirit rules the Mind, and the Mind rules the Body, NOT the other way ‘round! We take our place as DOMINATORS when we take on our roles as SERVANTS to YAHWEH GOD and EACH OTHER, putting satan and the ‘Natural World’ under our feet, making them our SAVIOR KING, JESUS’ footstool! WE SHALL RUN AND NOT GROW WEARY, WALK AND NOT FAINT! There’s only ONE WAY, ONE GATE, ONE DOOR ONE NAME GIVEN IN HEAVEN AND EARTH BY WHICH MAN CAN BE SAVED, and THAT NAME is the one that will SET YOU IN YOUR PLACE, just as HE did the Moon and the Stars! And Then, Only Then, can HIS LIGHT Shine from us as a Beacon to those still searching for their ‘Place’ in this world. Let the Neighbors know that you have found your place as a Kingdom minded Servant and Ruler, A Praise and Worship Leader who can call down a legion of Heavens Host to your aid, and walk right up to satan and tell him EXACTLY WHERE TO CLIMB BACK DOWN INTO!
The Three Steps to Being in Your Rightful Place…
1] Confess and Proclaim, without ceasing, that you KNOW in your Heart, JESUS MESSIAH is JUST THAT; SAVIOR and REDEEMER of the World, KING of KINGS, the TRUE and LIVING SON of the ONLY LIVING GOD.
2] Strive to do the Commandments that HE taught; the 10 Laws of YAHWEH GOD.
3] Live in the LIGHT of HIS WORD EVERY DAY, Always showing and teaching others what HE is Continually teaching and showing You, UNTIL THE WHOLE WORLD HEARS!!
In these things are the ability to perform all the Wonders recorded that YESHUA accomplished, and , as HE HIMSELF said, MORE, with guidance and Power from the HOLY SPIRIT, the RUACH Ha’KODESH! We won’t be perfect at it, but we will be Made Perfect when we’re found doing these things, for it’s the will of the FATHER.
When All have Heard, and Who-so-ever Will come has come, then HE, JESUS Shall Come with HIS Rewards and WE SHALL RULE AND REIGN WITH HIM, IN HIS GLORY FROM THE FATHER !!!!
When we do this for the least, we do it for HIM. It IS Our Reasonable Service!!
FATHER GOD JEHOVA, WE COME NOW IN AGREEMENT FOR ANY 'WHO-SO-EVER WILLS' THAT ARE SEARCHING FOR THEIR PLACE, COME TO FIND IT IN YESHUA MESSIAH, JESUS OF NAZARETH, YOUR SON AND THE ONLY NAME THAT IS GIVEN TO APPROACH THE THRONE OF GRACE BY. WE ASK HUMBLY FOR THEIR WAY TO BE MADE SURE IN JESUS, AND THEIR PATH TO BE MADE STRAIGHT BY THE HOLY SPIRIT. WE CALL NOW FOR HEALINGS ON YOUR PEOPLE, FATHER GOD, THAT THEY WILL KNOW AND TESTEFY THAT THERE IS STILL A BALM IN GILIAD, STILL A GOD IN ISRAEL, AND HE IS STILL MIGHTY TO SAVE! HIS EAR IS NOT SO HEAVY OR HIS ARM TOO SHORT TO HEAR AND HEAL HIS FAITHFUL CHILDREN WHEN THEY CALL ON THE NAME OF JESUS FOR GRACE FROM THE THRONE OF GOD! PRAISE, HONOR, AND GLORY FOREVER TO YOU, OUR KING...AMEN-AMEN-AMEN.
We sincerely pray that this Word has been a Help and a Blessing to you. If you have any questions or comments, please go to the Guestbook page. If you would like a more immediateand personal response, e-mail us at prodigalministries@zoomtown.com or prodigalministries@yahoo.com . You can also write to us at Prodigal Ministries / House of Refuge, 215 Starr Ave., Hamilton, Ohio,USA 45013, or call us at [513] 893-3541 between 10:00am and 6:00pm EST 7 days a week. Please continue to pray for this ministry,for we are praying for you.
As Always, With the Love of JESUS Pastors Joel and Charlotte Martin
Prodigal Ministries House of Refuge ' 'Till All The Prodigals Come Home'
HOLD ON TO YOUR FAITH; YOUR BLESSINGS
ARE STORED UP FOR YOU !
(House of Refuge Message from March 12, 2011)
How many people do we know who always are saying things like ‘I know my blessings are on the way, it won’t be long, now’, and have been saying it forever, although there is No Sign of it coming anywhere? And how often do we just ‘humor’ them, saying ‘amen’, but thinking ‘keep that dream, if it makes you feel better’? We may not realize it, but that is Faithless thinking, which not only hinders Their Receiving, but puts big ‘Doubt Holes’ in Our Spiritual Armor, that the enemy can turn into wide-open doors against our Spiritual Strength!
Hebrews 11:1 says,” Trusting is being Confident of what we hope for, Convinced about things we do not see.”[CJB] The King James puts it this way,” Now Faith is the Substance of things hoped for, the Evidence of things unseen.” Notice this; in NEITHER translation is that two separate things; Confidently Convinced in the Unseen Evidence of the things we Hope for!!
We’re gonna hear a story of Enduring Faith and Stored up Blessings from places these folks never thought about.
This story comes from what is known as the Apocrypha, (Greek for “To hide away”), which, until 1827, were books contained in every Bible, Used to teach, but not considered necessarily ‘Divinely Inspired’. More like Testimonies to encourage and show how GOD will ALWAYS make a WAY where there doesn’t seem to be one! Even though the meaning of the word Apocrypha has been changed to mean evil, bad, even Heretical by the ‘Religious Community’ over the past 170 years, you’ll Still find these writings in some of the larger Family Bibles, usually in the front, or between the Old and New Testaments, and in the Canonized Roman Catholic Vulgate. For Whatever reason man decided to set them apart, GOD has been using them for near 3,000 years, and wants Us to use it now, so, who am I to argue?; HE’s the one who’s leading! If it makes you feel better, think of it as a Sheriff Andy Griffith ‘Jack Tale’, with a good moral message, OK?
Now, this is the story of a man from the tribe of Napthali named Tobit, who, even after being taken captive by the pagan Assyrians, kept with GOD’s Commandments and Temple Praise and Worship, even though all the others had went to worshiping that ‘ol cow, Ba’al along with the pagans they were slaves to. Tobit still set aside his Tithe, did his sacrifices and all, just like he was still at home in Isra’el. See, his father had died, and his mother raised him at his Grandfathers house, and Grand dad taught him to always do these things, no matter where he was. He was even taught to go farther, selling another tenth to spend in Jerusalem, and giving a third to the needy. He was truly a Righteous man, always looking to please GOD.
Now, when they were taken captive, he refused to eat or drink any of the pagan foods, because for him, being a Jew, it was ‘Unclean’. When King Enemessar heard about all of this, how Tobit kept faithful to his GOD and careful in managing his money, God caused him to show favor to Tobit, and made him Quartermaster, or Head Steward, over his whole kingdom. Even a pagan knows the value of an Honest, Faithful, Hard-working man! (When Daniel and his three pals went to Babylon, they did the same thing, with the same result!)
As he made more money by the Grace of GOD, he made a friend over in Media, named Gabael, who lived in the town of Rages. Tobit gave him 10 talents of silver to use as investment capital, knowing he could trust him to repay it at any time. (Kind’a like a Savings Account!)
Now, while Enemessar was king, Tobit went on giving alms to his fellow Judeans, food to the hungry, clothes to the naked, and if he saw any dead of his people, he buried them. (Does that sound familiar? In Matthew 25:35-40, JESUS says that, when we do these things for one of the least important of HIS brothers, we do it to HIM!) But, Enemessar died, and his son Sennacherib took over in his place.
He was a bad man, killing anyone he wanted to, and the Judeans, in particular. He killed many of them, and left them where they fell. Just a very mean man. But Tobit kept on burying them, although now he had to do it in secret. Ol’ Sennacherib got mad when he couldn’t find any of the bodies, and after a Ninevite told that it was Tobit who was taking them, Sennacherib gave the order to have him killed. Tobit went into hiding, but Sennacherib had everything but his wife, Anna, and son, Tobias, confiscated. And since there was so much trouble among the kings own family, Tobit couldn’t even go get his money from Gabael! Well, when the goin’ gets tough, the tough go to GOD…
Now, because he was so rotten, fifty five days after Sennacherib took the throne, two of his own sons murdered him, and a third took his place as king. GOD being GOD, Tobit’s nephew was appointed Chief Steward, and Second in Charge of Kingdom Affairs. So, he talked the new king into lifting the death sentence put on Tobit by Sennacherib, and Tobit went home, just in time for the Feast of Weeks, or, as we call it, Pentecost.
Oh, Anna had a beautiful meal all set out, so Tobit being the generous, GOD fearing and pleasing man he was, told Tobias to go out and get one of the less fortunate to come in and share this blessed feast with the family. Tobias came back with a sad report. There was a strangled man’s body in the marketplace. Tobit got straight up and took the body off the street and hid it. He went back home, washed up, and ate what should have been a joyous feast with his family. He was heavy-hearted when he remembered what the Prophet Amos had said (Amos 8:10;’ I will turn your festivals into mourning, and your songs into wailings…’), so he cried. After sundown, he made a grave and buried the man as his neighbors mocked him, saying,’ Even at the threat of death, he still buries the dead!’ He just would not stop doing what he knew was right.
After he was done, he sat back against his courtyard wall and went to sleep. When, at last, he opened his eyes, a sparrow’s droppings landed in them, and an immediate white-ness came over them, and he was blinded. He went to all the doctors, but they couldn’t do anything for him. His nephew did what he could to help out for a while, and then Anna had to take in laundry and such. After returning some work to its owners, they gave her the wages for the job, and because it was an extra good job, they gave her a Kid as a bonus! When Tobit heard it bleat, he accused her of stealing it and told her to take it back. A clear case of Blind Assumption! Well, Anna got so mad over Tobit’s not thinking her work could be worthy of such a gift, she fired back with,’ Well, All YOUR good deeds are so well known, so, where are those who you’ve helped out when You need Them?” That really hurt him, so he went out and gave up a long “Elijah by the Brook” type of prayer;’ Oh, GOD strike me dead cause there’s nothing for me here, I can’t stand the pain’. (I do that a lot myself, lately.)
Now, right at that same moment, over in a town called Ecbatane in Media, was a young lady named Sara, who was a devout and Faithful young Lady, always giving alms, keeping the Commandments, and so on. But, she was being ridiculed by her father, Raguel’s, maids. See, she had been married seven times, and before any union could be made, an evil spirit called asmodius would kill her husband. These maids had evidently got tired of hearing about it, and were saying things like, ’Don’t you know, you have strangled your husbands? Why, you’ve had seven, but don’t carry the name or seed of one! If they’re all dead, then why don’t you just join them, and quit punishing us with aggravation on account of them, and we’ll never see a son or daughter from you?!’ This got her so depressed that she just wanted to kill herself, because, she assumed, there were no more kinsmen that she could marry. But, because she was her father’s only child, she didn’t want to bring that grief and shame on him. So, She sent up one of those ‘Elijah by the Brook’ prayers, at the same instant that Tobit’s was going up, so both of their prayers were brought up before GOD together.
Now, in the order of Angels, there are those who carry prayers from us to the Throne, to be presented to GOD, and then, if required, return with the answer. Jacob saw these Angels in his ‘Dream-Vision’, going up and down from Heaven, like on a ladder. GOD sends one of them, by the name of Raphael, down with the job of delivering a healing to both Tobit and Sara, alike.
Now, since Tobit was counting on dying, he decided to send Tobias over to Media with a note for Gabael, saying that his son should have the ten talents. (Remember, in the parable of the talents told by JESUS in Matthew 25:14, five talents were equal to a Hundred Years Wages, so TEN are worth TWO HUNDRED YEARS WAGES!!) So, he called his son in, told him to always honor GOD, doing HIS commandments (1st thru 4th Commandments), take care to honor his mother and how to properly bury him (5th Commandment), be honest, kind and considerate of others ( 6th thru 10th Commandments), don’t be drunk, always ask counsel from the wise and the Elders, don’t be prideful, lewd, na-es-tee (everything that Paul tells Timothy and Titus concerning Bishops and Deacons), Marry a maid of his Kin, and in keeping to these things, he may find favor in GOD. Then he hits him with the note and says how years ago, he had left this money with his friend in Rages, Media, and to not give another thought about being poor, ‘cause,” You have plenty of wealth, if you Fear GOD, don’t sin, and do things that please HIM.” (Deuteronomy 8:18,’No, you are to remember YAHWEH your GOD, because it is HE who is giving you the power to get wealth, in order to confirm HIS covenant, which HE swore to your ancestors, as is happening even today.”, and Jesus in Matthew 6:33;’ But seek first HIS Kingdom and HIS righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”) Tobias agrees, Tobit has the note written out, gives it to his son, and sends him out to find a guide, because he’s never been to Media. Within a few minutes, he finds Raphael (or maybe the other way?), the Angel in Disguise. Taking him back for Tobit’s OK, he sends the two, with the family dog (remember the dog…), off with a prayer that the ‘Angel of GOD’ would keep them safe. (Ya’ think this made Raphael giggle a little?) Talk about GOD knowing your needs before you pray! Anna cried, saying to forget the money and call back their only son. But Tobit told her not to worry, she would see his safe return, because ‘the Angel of the LORD was with them.’ If he Only Knew!!
As night fell, they came to the Tigris River, and made camp. As Tobias was washing up, a BIG fish jumped out of the water and near took him out! Raphael shouted, ’Grab that FISH’, so Tobias latched on and drug it to the camp. The Angel then told him to gut it, taking care with the heart, liver and gall, and to put them in a safe place. They then ate the fish, and after resting, went on their way. As they walked, Tobias asked what good the fish parts in his pouch were, and Raphael explained that if someone was vexed by an evil spirit, to make a smoke in front of that person with some of the heart and liver, and the evil spirit would smell it and run, leaving the person alone forever. (Well, wouldn’t you?) And, if you squeezed the gall into ‘white-ed eyes’, it would restore the sight.
Now, Ecbatane was on the way to Rages, so as they got close, Raphael said that they were going to stay with Tobit’s cousin, Raguel, who’s daughter, a beautiful, smart girl, he would arrange as a bride for Tobias, because by the law of Moses, he was the only one that was left to marry her. Tobias had heard of the evil spirit that has already killed seven, and he didn’t care to be number Eight, leaving his mom and dad with no one to take care of them. The Angel reminded him of all his father told him before they left, and how one of those things was to marry a woman of his Kin. Since this was the only one left, take her and not give a thought about that spirit. He reminded him of the Smoke, and told him that before they join together, for them to pray to YAHWEH, together, that HE would show pity, have mercy and save them. “Don’t be Afraid,” he said,” She has been yours from the beginning; you will protect her and she will have your children!” At that knowledge, he was in total love and his heart was fixed. (There’s an opening for a ‘fixed heart’ and ‘bearing fruit’, if I ever heard one!)
So, when they got to Raguel’s place, he, and his wife, Edna, noticed a resemblance to cousin Tobit, whom they hadn’t heard from in years, and assumed long dead. (A lot of ‘assumptin’ goin’ on!) When they found out that Tobit was alive, and Tobias was his only son, they jumped for joy, kissed, and blessed him. He told them that Tobit had been blinded, and they, with Sara, wept. Then they entertained their guests and laid out a fine meal, but Tobias had his mind made up. (Heart is fixed, mind made up?) He told the Angel to get to the business at hand, and Raphael spoke for him about a contract of marriage to Sara. Tobias refused to eat until a deal had been struck. Raguel, then came to an agreement and told the young man to take her with his blessing, and a contract was written.
After the fine meal, Tobias took his bride to her chamber, and did all that the Angel had told him to do. As the smoke filled the room from the heart and liver, that ol’ spirit fled to the far side of Egypt, where the Angel caught him and bound him, never to bother anyone again! (What we BIND on Earth…) The couple said the prayer exactly as Tobias was told. When the housemaid, fearful of what she would find (more assumptin’), went in and found them both peacefully asleep, she ran, overjoyed, through the house telling everybody the good news. Raguel couldn’t Praise GOD enough, and insisted that Tobias stay the customary 14 days, and fulfill the Rites of the contract. In turn, he would give to his New Son-in-law half of all his goods and a complete inheritance whenever they died.
Tobias knew, however, that his father, Tobit, knew how long the trip from Nineveh to Rages took, and was counting the days. So, to save some time, he wrote another note, gave both notes to Raphael, and told him to take three servants and two camels, and go to collect the money from Gabael.
Meanwhile, back in Nineveh, Tobit was doing just that, counting the days and wondering what was keeping the boy. Anna feared the worst, crying from dawn ‘til dusk, not eating for days.
But as soon as the 14 days were up, Tobias gathered up his Wife, and Raguel reluctantly bid them goodbye. The Angel had the camels loaded down with the silver, and more with goods from the marriage! All the way home, Tobias gave Glory and Praise to GOD for such a prosperous trip, and for his new Wife and In-Laws, whom he blessed even more!
As they neared Nineveh, Raphael reminded the young man of the conditions he left his home under, distraught mother, and a blind, depressed dad and all, and thought it good if they went ahead and prepared everything for his new wife’s introduction. So they ran ahead of the ‘caravan’ that they had become, the family dog running right along. (Glad to be home, I’d think. We’ll mention him again in a minute) Anna saw them first, and called to Tobit that his son was coming home. She grabbed him and kissed his neck, tears of joy instead of the ones that were there just moments before. As Tobit made his way toward the door, Raphael reminded Tobias of the gall. Tobit stumbled, but Tobias was there to catch him. As he held him, he squeezed the gall into his eyes. I started to sting, and Tobit rubbed at them hard. As he rubbed, the whiteness ran out the corners of his eyes, and his sight came back entirely!! And just in time to see his Lovely new Daughter in-law, and all the beasts loaded with so much wealth!! He’s so happy, that it takes him 2 whole chapters to Praise GOD YAHWEH for such GREAT Blessings!!
See, Tobit was 58 when he went blind, and he spent Eight Years in affliction, letting his situation and depression wear on his Faith, before sending his only son on a trip that required Pure Faith, Faith that would change their whole world. Healing and bringing together a family that was divided, delivering from the darkness and the demons that would caused them to fall into despair and want to just give up.
GOD did that for us…sent his Only SON on a journey to heal the nations, to say to a people who were outcast, ‘Follow ME’, ‘I’ll carry your load, I’ll be your Husband, and you’ll be MY Beautiful Bride, surrounded by all of MY riches and Glory. MY reward is for YOU!’
Now, that family dog.. JESUS uses the word ‘Dogs” more than once when talking of Gentiles, (US), and in this story, though only mentioned twice, we see that the Dog made the trip and shared in it ALL THE WAY, right beside the SON. Do you see that? All the Way, There and Back, RIGHT BESIDE the SON, Sharing in the Joy and Bounty of All HE Has to Give.
Like Tobit; Who got 50 more years to watch his Grandchildren grow..;
By Holding On To Our Faith; We’ll Find Our Blessings Are Stored Up For Us!!
FATHER YAHWEH; WE COME IN AGREEMENT AT THIS MOMENT FOR THE MANEFESTATION OF YOUR STORED BLESSINGS TO YOUR FAITHFUL CHILDREN HERE ON THIS EARTH. WE KNOW YOUR PROMISES TO BE 'YES' AND 'AMEN' , AND YOUR THOUGHTS TOWARD US ARE OF YOUR SHALOM AND PROSPERITY, AS ONLY YOU CAN PROVIDE. LORD, WE HUMBLY CONFESS THAT WE CAN DO NOTHING WITHOUT YOU, AND THAT YOU LEAD US BY THE RUACH HA'KODESH (HOLY SPIRIT) SENT BY YOUR SON, YESHUA HA'MESSIACH TO GUIDE AND TEACH US IN YOUR WAYS, AND THAT HE CONVICTS IN OUR HUMAN SPIRIT OF ANY WRONG. HELP US TO LISTEN, SEE AND FOLLOW YOU THROUGH HIS LEAD AND THE BLOOD OF JESUS MESSIAH TO THE FULLNESS OF YOUR WILL FOR US. LET US EXPERIENCE YOUR BLESSINGS IN EVERY ASPECT OF THIS EXISTENCE IN THE NAME OF YESHUA HA'MESSIACH (JESUS THE CHRIST); AMEN AMEN AMEN.
We hope that this WORD from Above has been of a help to you, and you have been lifted in some way closer to the KINGDOM of GOD. If you have any questions or prayer requests; or if you would just like to contact us; you can send an e-mail to prodigalministries@zoomtown.com or prodigalministries@yahoo.com . You can write us at Prodigal Ministries House of Refuge, 215 Starr Ave., Hamilton, Ohio USA 45013, or call by phone @[513] 893-3541 between the hours of 11:am and 5:pm (EST) 7 days a week. We also have a Guestbook page here, or you can look us up on our Facebook page; Prodigal Ministries/ House of Refuge. As Always, We're Praying for You!
With the Love of Jesus ; Pastors Joel and Charlotte Martin
Prodigal Ministries House of Refuge "'Till All The Prodigals Come Home"
SEPARATED BY A WALL
March 25, 2011
I know that this is not a popular subject, and it has been ‘Flipped, Whipped, and Turned Around’ so many times that it has actually CAUSED the very thing it was meant to protect ALL people from…’Religious Persecution’ due to the ‘Separation of Church and State’. Before you panic and get defensively ‘Politically Correct’, bear with me, ‘cause we’re not going in so much that direction. This is about WALLS, not POLITICS!
A little History, and then what GOD has to say about it from the BOOK. It becomes extremely simple, as all things do, when we seek GOD’s word on it. First, a little ‘Local‘ History ….
The First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States….,” Congress shall make No Law respecting an Establishment of Religion, or Prohibiting the Free Exercise Thereof.”
“The American Separation of Church and State rests upon Respect for the Church; the European Anti-clerical separation rests on Indifference and Hatred of the Church, and of Religion itself…. The Constitution did NOT create a Nation, nor its Religious Institutions. It found them Already Existing, and was framed for the purpose of Protecting them under a Republican form of Government, in a rule Of the People, By the People, and For the People.”— [Philip Schaff; Union Theological Seminary Historian.]
An August 15, 1789 entry in President James Madison’s papers indicates he intended for the Establishment Clause of the 1st Amendment to prevent the Government imposition of religious beliefs on individuals, saying he,”..apprehended the meaning of the words to be that Congress should not Establish a Religion and enforce the Legal Observation of it by Law, nor compel men to worship GOD in any manner contrary to their conscience.”
On October 7th, 1801, three men who were members of a ‘Religious Minority’ in Connecticut, called The Danbury Baptist Association, wrote a letter to the newly elected President Thomas Jefferson, regarding their Freedom to Worship as they felt proper. Their complaint was that in their state, their way of Worship was not seen as a Right, but as a Favor given by the State Government. Now they realized that the New Government couldn’t interfere too much on a State level, but it seemed to these folks that their Magistrates were over stepping their Human bounds, and trying to execute GOD’s judgment on those who didn’t worship the same as they did. Their feeling was that the State of Connecticut was setting itself up as a Heirarchy, much like the one the Colonies had just revolted against, and won. They were asking for him to set down a more ‘Specific’ guideline for the individual states to follow, making clear the role of the states worship-wise so ALL sects could worship in their own way.
In the Presidents reply, he said this,
” Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between Man and his GOD, that he owes account to None Other for his Faith or his Worship, that the legitimate powers of Government reach actions Only, and NOT OPINIONS, I contemplate, with sovereign reverence, that act of the Whole American People, which Declared that their legislature should “ Make No Law Respecting an Establishment of Religion, or Prohibiting the Free Exercise Thereof, thus BUILDING A WALL of SEPARATION Between Church and State. “
This next sentence is in the original draft by Jefferson, but was omitted from the final reply as not to make it uniquely personal, but to address the problem, should it come up again, everywhere else.
[“Congress, thus inhibited from acts respecting Religion, and the Executive, authorized only to execute Their acts {their Own ways of worship}, I have refrained from prescribing even those Occasional performances of Devotion {Masses, Christmas, Thanksgiving, ect..}, practiced, indeed, by the Executive of another nation as head of its Church;{England}, but subject HERE as Religious Exercises only to the Voluntary Regulations and Discipline of each Respective Sect.]“
In short; it’s not up to the Government to tell you how to worship, but to the Individual to practice their ‘Rites’ as they see Proper!
That now ‘Infamous’ and misunderstood on BOTH sides phrase,” Wall of Separation between Church and State”, was first written by an English Protestant Theologian named Roger Williams in the mid 1600’s, when so many de-nominated sects were appearing across the globe. He had tried many of them, which led him to some pretty off the wall thinking at times, and eventually got him known as a ‘Seeker”, one who is just waiting for the Great Prophet to come and restore order to the church.
It seemed that no matter where he went, the government was telling him how to worship and what to believe, and he simply got tired of it. In 1631 he criticized the Massachusetts Bay system for ‘Mixing Church and State’, to the degree that the Danbury people were concerned about. He stated that the government had no business trying to enforce anything before the 5th Commandment, because they all pertained to GOD ALONE, and NOT for Mans Judgment. Any effort by a government to dictate or promote any particular idea or practice was Forced Worship, and “...stinks in the nostrils of GOD”! Starting with Emperor Constantine, He made his case, with valid points, on “Religion of the State”, showing how much blood was shed in the name of Religion, and how corrupt the ‘Christian’ church had become through such a ‘Heirarchy’. The Morals of the Scriptures should inform the rulers, but a government run church was not prosperous for the common man or Justice, itself. There needed to be a ‘Wall” to keep one out of the others way. For all the Spiritual Turmoil this guy went through trying to find where GOD wanted him, well, even a Blind Squirrel finds a Nut, every now and then; sometimes it just ain’t easy knowin’ which is which; Squirrel or Nut!
Now, across the center of the Isle of Great Britain are the remains of a 73 mile structure built by the Roman Empire between 120 and 123 A.D. Known as ‘Hadrian’s Wall’, it was ordered built by the Emperor Hadrian, who ruled the Roman Empire from 117 to 138 A.D., to “divide the barbarians from the Romans”. For 200 years, the massive structure did more than that; it separated people of the same genealogies from each other, causing one related culture to become two separate ones, still having ties, but loosely knit together; the Britons and the Scots. The Northern tribes were no longer allowed to trade with their cousins in the South, unless they conformed to the ways of Rome. Done properly, with right intentions, this might have been achieved without an imposing fortification, but it was done out of Greed. Rome only wanted the Gold, Silver and Tin of the land, and didn’t care much about the people, other than for slave labor and drafted soldiers. This was made evident by the Roman Abandonment around 500 A.D. By this time, the Englanders had been introduced to the State Religion of Rome, ‘Christianity’, while, because of the Wall, few of the Northern tribes were made ‘converts’. Everything became a point of division, as the South took on the languages of Rome, Roman Law, customs and dress. They adopted the architecture, road systems, city planning and currency, and even the way Nobility behaved. Where the Tribal Leader would be in the lead in battle, the new nobility would stay safe, being the ‘Educated’ rulers, leading from the rear. Although a form of Peace was seen through the Roman Occupation, after they left, the scars were all too evident: In the South, the people had apparently increased in wealth and education beyond their Northern Cousins, but the land was destroyed and their ties were broken, even as it is today, to some extent.
A Wall of Separation. China has one that was used to do what Hadrian’s did; Post WWII Germany had one, built by the Communists with the same intent. These were all Walls meant to divide, yet there have been, and are some still, that are here for Unity; The Vietnam. Vets Wall, The Western or Wailing Wall, and for Defense; the Wall of Water and the Walls of Fire and Smoke from the Exodus, and The Wall around the City of Jerusalem. Yet, even these Walls meant for Defense and Hope still face persecution and ridicule.
THE CHURCH HAS BEEN MAINTAINING ONE FOR OVER 2,000 YEARS!!!
Did I lose you, or are you still hangin’ with me? Stick around a few more minutes and we’ll Scripture this out.
Our Founding Fathers, ALL of which were Followers of CHRIST, although from Different sects, or de-nominations, NEVER intended for the First Amendment to be a Battlement, but a Refuge, a place of Rest for the Weary Traveler, the Foreigner, the Stranger in the Land; That ‘Land’ is the ‘Land that is Fairer than Day’, ‘That Lovely Land of the Unclouded Day’, ‘Beulah Land’, the EVERLASTING KINGDOM of GOD!! But, HELL-OOO; many will NEVER SEEK IT because WE as the CHURCH have built an Imposing Wall of Stigma an Criteria around what we feign to call ‘Religious Piety’, or ‘Biblical Correctness’! We are turning that which was meant to Uplift, Encourage and Give Hope to the Lost and Wandering…the ‘Never Founds’… into a White-Washed ‘Hadrian’s Wall’, dividing GOD’s Creation into Us and Them. We have, in essence, REPAIRED AND REHUNG THE VEIL-WALL THAT SEPARATED THE PEOPLE FROM THE PRESENCE OF THE FATHER!!
THE WORD OF GOD IS A WEAPON TO BE USED AGAINST THE ACCUSER, NOT AN ACCUSATION TO BE USED AGAINST THE SINNER!! AMEN?
“Well, how are WE doing THAT, Brother? We just say what the Scripture says? Are you saying that we’re supposed to ignore the sin and let them into our House of Praise and Worship? What fellowship has Light with Darkness is what the Word says! Why, with such a one we can’t even eat!”
That’s EXACTLY the kind of Pompous Religiosity I’m talking about! JESUS told his very own disciples that people needed to come to HIM as a little child. A Little Child isn’t aware of the Rules; they don’t know ANYTHING unless an Adult Tells them! How can they know that the way they’re dressing a little too provocatively if someone doesn’t give them an EXAMPLE? How can they know that their speech is offensive, or their Habits are not beneficial if they don’t hear it in a way that they can RECEIVE IT, With LOVING KINDNESS AS TO A CHILD, NOT A ‘HOLIER THAN THOU’, CONDEMNATION LECTURE?
Truly, the HOLY BIBLE is a Guidebook for us, THE BELIEVER, to operate by. IT WAS NOT WRITTEN FOR THE NON-BELIEVING SINNER TO RECEIVE THEIR SALVATION BY!! That is OUR JOBS; to quote,” Therefore, go and make people from ALL NATIONS into Talmidim (disciples), immersing them into the REALITY of the FATHER, the SON, and the RUACH Ha’KODESH (HOLY SPIRIT), and TEACHING THEM EVERYTHING I HAVE COMMANDED YOU.” and,” I pray not only for these, but also for those who will Trust in ME because of Their Word, that they may all be one.”[Matt.28:19-20& John17:20-21] Yet, here we’re closer to Temple Jews, to whom He said,” Woe to you Torah experts! For you have taken away the key of knowledge! Not only did you yourselves not go in, you also have stopped those who were trying to enter!” [Luke11:52] We know the way, but unless those who don’t know follow OUR PERSONAL WAYS, they can’t serve in OUR State of HOLINESS! Sad, but TRUE.
As I’ve told this story before, in my sophomore year of High School, I got, for a text book, a Teachers Edition. While it might have been cool for a while, eventually it would have been catastrophic, academically, to keep it and use it for my own gain. However, the Great TEACHER and MASTER made sure that WE were able to have the Student Teachers Manual to know how to Reach and Teach those who have never heard or read what we have come to know as TRUTH. The ‘World at Large” is like a room full of Pre-Schoolers, eyes wide open, waiting to here a story that will Fill their tiny Hearts with Joy. Instead, we tend to get all ‘Chosen’ on ‘em and start tellin’ them how ‘ Cigarettes’ll send ya’ straight ta’ HELL’; ‘Sex out of Marriage—HELL’, ‘Cussin’—HELL’ , ‘Long Hair on a guy, short dress on a girl, short dress on a Guy, Drinkin’, Druggin’—HELL, HELL, HELL!!’ They need to hear “Princess Bride” but we’re givin’ ‘em “SAW 3” in 3D Technicolor with Surround Sound!! And then we wonder why they wanna’ say stuff like, “Well, I’m just goin’ ta’ Hell, then, Ain’t I?!! A least I’ll have lots of Company! ‘Cause NO-BODY can be PERFECT ENOUGH to meet YOUR REQUIREMENTS!!” A Solid. Steadfast Rock-Hard WALL separating a Single Race…the HUMAN RACE…from itself. Causing Division and Conflict, not Unity and Shelter, Safety and Comfort, providing a Defense against the Storms of Life.
Paul said,” But we have gifts that differ and which are meant to be used according to the grace given to us.” Different gifts according to the grace given to US...not THEM...but US! “If your gift is prophecy, use it to the extent of your TRUST;” To the extent of YOUR TRUST, not “Crack-head Kenny’s”, or “Al K. Holic’s” trust, or FAITH, BUT YOURS!! “..If it is Serving, use it to Serve, if you are a TEACHER, use your gift in TEACHING; if you are a counselor, use your gift to Comfort and Exhort; if you are someone who Gives, do it simply and generously; if you are in a position of Leadership, lead with Diligence and Zeal; if you are one who does acts of Mercy, do them Cheerfully.” [Romans 12:6-8]
I did not see ONE TIME where he says” if you’re a Judge, Condemn and be a Self Serving, Self Righteous Destroyer of Souls”! Not Once does Paul tell us to “Build up walls and dig pits with sharpened sticks in them to keep away the ‘unwashed masses’. What Paul DOES say, however, is this,” Bless those who persecute you—bless them, don’t curse them! Rejoice with them who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. Be sensitive to each others needs—don’t think yourself better than others, but make humble people your friends. Don’t be conceited. Repay no one evil for evil, but try to do what everyone regards as good. If Possible, and to the extent that it depends on YOU, live in peace with ALL PEOPLE.” [Romans 12:14-18]
To the extent that it depends on YOU, live at peace with ALL People!! ALL PEOPLE!!! Romans 13:10 says,” Love does not do harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the FULLNESS of TORAH (GOD’s Law).” JESUS stated that HE did not come to Abolish the law, but that in HIM it was FULFILLED! HE also told the story to tell us who our NEIGHBOR is… EVERYMAN! NOT just those who Believe, but EVERYMAN!
You see, much like Hadrian’s Wall and the Berlin Wall, this whitewashed Monstrosity we have named the ‘Religious Church’ has become a ‘Wall of Separation’, and an Offence. Not only does it turn those in True Need away, it has become so high that we sometimes can’t see over it; that it blocks out the LIGHT; and we grow content in its Judgmental shadow, cold and dim. And far too often, the LIGHT is kept away from those on the other side, as well. At the risk of sounding like a former President from the 80’s;
Body of CHRIST; TEAR DOWN THIS WALL!! Let the LOVE and LIGHT of YESHUA HA’MASSIACH SHINE OVER EVERY INCH OF WAR-TORN EARTH, AND LET HIS RENEWING GLORY AND PRESENCE RESTORE WHAT HAS BEEN BROKEN, RE-UNITE WHAT HAS BEEN SHUT OUT, CAST AWAY, SEPARATED FROM THE REALITY OF THE KINGDOM BY A STRUCTURE LEFT STANDING TOO LONG!!! OUR RACE IS NOT ONE OF COLOR, BUT SPECIES!! WE ARE THE HUMAN RACE, CREATED IN THE IMAGE OF THE ONE WHO PRIZES US ABOVE ALL THINGS, OUR LORD GOD YAHWEH JEHOVA EL!! GLORY TO THE KING AND ALL WHO OBEY HIS WORD BY THE SPIRIT!!!
Well, I told you at the beginning that this was NOT gonna’ be one of those ‘Politicky’ messages arguing who’s right or wrong.
Not by the Opinion of Men, but by the very WORD of YAHWEH, EL SHADDAI, HA’ELYON, is every word true. Amen.
We hope this word has helped someone in some way, as GOD intended. We pray that Understanding and Truth have blessed you through this Word, and that you will share it along your paths.
FATHER GOD, WE COME NOW ASKING THAT THE BROKEN BE MENDED, THAT THE WALLS OF SEPARATION BE REMOVED, AND THAT ALL OF YOUR PEOPLE BE MADE WHOLE AND COMPLETE IN YOUR LOVE, AND BY YOUR LIGHT, WHICH IS IN YOUR SON, YESHUA, AND THE RUACH HA'KODESH, THAT GRACIOUS SPIRIT. IN THE NAME AND BY THE BLOOD OF JESUS THE CHRIST, WE PRAY...AMEN.
If you would like to contact us, please e-mail us at prodigalministries@zoomtown.com or prodigalministries@yahoo.com You can leave a note here on our Guestbook page, or you can call us at [513] 893-3541 U.S.A. ; between the hours of 11:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. [EST] We'll pray for you right away, for to us, 'A Prayer Deferred is a Prayer Unheard' !
As Always, we're Praying for you !
With the Love of YESHUA MESSIAH, Pastors Joel and Charlotte Martin
Prodigal Ministries House of Refuge "'Till All the Prodigals Come Home"
GIVE US THE TOOLS...
March 19, 2011
Brother Rienhard Bonnke had this to say today,” CHRIST’s rising from the dead started something. It wasn’t just an odd event. It didn’t just start a new Faith, but brought a New Power. That’s what ‘Christianity is, a New Resource.”
After his 2nd re-election, Pres. Franklin Delano Roosevelt sent his opponent of that race to Sir Winston Churchill, Prime Minister of England, carrying a note simply addressed ,’ to a certain naval person’. During F.D.R.’s 1st term, Washington got used to such notes meant to encourage or just say ‘Thanks’, but this introduction out did them all, and got a quicker reply than any before. In the now famous speech, Churchill said this about that note----
” The other day, President Roosevelt gave his opponent in the late Presidential election a letter of introduction to me, and in it he wrote out this verse in his own handwriting from Longfellow, which he said,’ applies to you people as it does to us’. Here’s the verse: ‘…Sail on, O’ Ship of State! Sail on, O’ Union Strong and Great! Humanity with all its fears, with all its Hopes for Future Years, is Hanging Breathless on thy Fate!’”
“What is the Answer that I shall give in your name (speaking of Britain) to this great man, the thrice chosen head of a nation of 130,000,000? Here is the answer which I shall give to President Roosevelt,
“Put Your Confidence in Us! Give us Your Faith and Your Blessing, and under Providence, All Will Be Well! We Shall Not Fail or Falter! We Shall Not Weaken or Tire! Neither the Sudden Shock of Battle nor the Long-Drawn Trials of Vigilance and Exertion will Wear Us Down! GIVE US THE TOOLS AND WE WILL FINISH THE JOB!”
Isn’t this what we’re asking of GOD? Yet somehow we can’t see that the ‘Tools’ for the ‘Completion’ of the work were given to us long ago, and though they’re simple tools, we lack the Understanding to use them. Let’s look at some of those tools…
Ephesians 6:11 calls these things our ‘Armor and Weaponry’ that GOD has provided…; [verses 14-17] a Belt of Truth, Righteousness for a Breastplate, on our feet the Readiness that comes from the GOOD NEWS of SHALOM, the Shield of Trust, the Helmet of Deliverance, and the Sword given by the SPIRIT of GOD.”
Paul goes on to tell the Philippians about a few more, less Warlike tools, being found in chapter 4, verse 8;” In conclusion, Brothers, focus your thoughts on what is True, Noble, Righteous, Pure, Loveable, or Admirable, on some Virtue or on something Praiseworthy.”
Romans 13:12 says to ‘arm ourselves with the weapons of Light’.
2 Corinthians 6:6-9 says,” We commend ourselves by our purity, Knowledge, Patience, and Kindness; by the RUACH Ha`KODESH,; by Genuiness of Love and Truthfulness of speech; and by GOD’s Power. We commend ourselves through our use of Righteous Weapons, whether for Pressing our cause or Defending it; through being Honored and Dishonored, Praised and Blamed, considered Deceptive and Sincere, Unknown and Famous. …”
Ephesians 2:8 says;’ For you have been Delivered by Grace through trusting, and even this is not your accomplishment, but GOD’s gift. [9] You were not delivered by you own actions, therefore no one should boast.’
The Grace of God is also a Weapon, or ‘Tool’ to get the Job done, as well as being armed with the SPIRIT and Faith, for , in many ways, like Ol’ ‘Winny’, our battle is not against the Flesh, but is ‘Spiritual Warfare’. WWII England was facing as big a fight there as they were an ‘Armed Conflict’. How were they to overcome an adversary whose numbers and strengths seemed greater, when they were so small and worn? Faith in someone even greater in might and compassion for Righteousness, which in the Natural was the U.S. of A. .
Now, let’s go back to Winston’s Reply and change the Receiver and Recipient, placing US in the Speakers part, speaking in the name of YESHUA HA’MASSIACH, to an ALMIGHTY CREATOR and DELIVERER, YUD-HE-VAV-HEH, JEHOVA GOD!!
‘Put YOUR Confident Trust in US. Give Us a FAITH that is Not our Own, but a Gift of Favor from YOU, and by that Grace and YOUR Plan, YOUR Will be Accomplished. WE WILL Run and Not Grow Weary, Walk and NOT Faint, We SHALL Follow YOU and NO Weapon Formed Against Us SHALL Wear Us Down!! By YOU; Strength, Knowledge, Wisdom, Mercy Grace, and Deliverance, will be OURS to Defeat our Foe, and OVERCOME the Wiles and Snares of the devil, to the GLORY and HONOR of YOUR KINGDOM , FOREVER, AMEN !!! YOU Are With US, and in YOUR Righteousness, With All YOU Have Provided Us for Our Battle, WE SHALL PREVAIL AGAINST OUR ENEMY AND YOURS!! HALLELUJAH!!
Now let’s look at what fired Sir Winston up enough to write such a statement:
O Ship of State
THOU, too, sail on, O Ship of State!
Sail on, O Union, strong and great!
Humanity with all its fears,
With all the hopes of future years,
Is hanging breathless on thy fate!
We know what Master laid thy keel,
What Workmen wrought thy ribs of steel,
Who made each mast, and sail, and rope,
What anvils rang, what hammers beat,
In what a forge and what a heat
Were shaped the anchors of thy hope!
Fear not each sudden sound and shock,
'Tis of the wave and not the rock;
'Tis but the flapping of the sail,
And not a rent made by the gale!
In spite of rock and tempest's roar,
In spite of false lights on the shore,
Sail on, nor fear to breast the sea!
Our hearts, our hopes, are all with thee.
Our hearts, our hopes, our prayers, our tears,
Our faith triumphant o'er our fears,
Are all with thee, -are all with thee!
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
That small note of Encouragement given by a mild mannered leader to a struggling Prime Minister in one of the most troubled times in history, gave Churchill the ‘Spiritual Awakening’ to STAND in the face of adversity, when he’d done all he could to WITHSTAND, then he knew that there was nothing left to do but STAND, and there was a GREATER POWER STANDING WITH THEM, so when the evil day came, England would be ABLE to RESIST; and WHEN THE BATTLE WAS WON, THEY WOULD STILL BE STANDING !!! All of that comes directly from Paul to the Ephesians in chapter 6.
‘Sail on, o’ Union Strong and Great’…A Union with GOD through CHRIST JESUS IS that kind of Union; Unbending, Unshakable, Unstoppable.
‘Humanity with all its fears’…The ONLY thing that will make US over comers of ALL FEAR is the PERFECT LOVE of JESUS in US.
The MASTER who ‘Laid our Keel” is none other than the CREATOR, and the Workmen who set the rest thereon are the SON and HOLY SPIRIT! THESE VESSELS WERE MADE TO ENDURE ANY STORM OR ROCKY SHALLOWS THAT WOULD THREATEN THEIR WAY, BY THE GRACE OF THE FOUNDER AND BUILDERS OF OUR INTEGRITY!!
Our hearts, our hopes, are all with thee.
Our hearts, our hopes, our prayers, our tears,
Our faith triumphant o'er our fears,
Are all with thee, -are all with thee!
With EVERY PART of Our Being, we MUST use the ‘Tools’ we have been given to Outwit, Outlast, Out Maneuver, Adapt and Overcome the Wiles and Lies of the devil that would keep us in a state of defeat. We CANNOT be Over-taken by ANYTHING but our BLESSINGS, if we just USE THE TOOLS we’re given, and stay FAITHFUL to HIM who GAVE THEM AS A FAVOR (grace) TO THOSE ASK, AND HE GIVES THEM ABUNDANTLY!! All must be in YESHUA MESSIAH, All must be for the Kingdom, ALL MUST BE FOR THE GLORY OF GOD YAHWEH!!
WE HAVE THE TOOLS, LET’S WIN THIS THING THROUGH THE POWER , GRACE AND WILL OF GOD, BY BRINGING ALL WHO WILL HEAR AND UNDERSTAND HOME !!!
We Sincerely hope this word has had the same impact with some of you that it had when it was delivered to the House of Refuge Congregation. We pray that it has given Hope, Joy, Comfort and Rest to someone out there, and the Power of the SPIRIT in your lives!!
LORD FATHER, WE PRAY IN THE NAME OF YOUR ONLY AND UNIQUE SON, YESHUA HA'MASSIACH, THAT THIS WORD BRINGS STRENGTH TO YOUR PEOPLE AT THIS VERY MOMENT, FOR THE GLORY OF YOUR KINGDOM AND THE HONOR OF YOUR MAJESTY. LET YOUR LIGHT OF UNDERSTANDING BATHE US IN YOUR WARMTH AND LOVE, FOREVER; BY THE BLOOD OF JESUS THE CHRIST...AMEN; AMEN; AMEN
We thank you for stopping by , and we would like you to sign the Guestbook page, or send an e-mail to us at prodigalministries@zoomtown.com or prodigalministries@yahoo.com for a more personal reply. And, say, check out the Music page while you're here; you won't be dissappointed!!
As Always, We're Praying for You; Pastors Joel and Charlotte Martin
Prodigal Ministries/ House of Refuge 'Till All the Prodigals Come Home'
"IT'S ALL ABOUT THE LOVE"
February 19, 2011
John 1:14," The WORD became a human being and lived with us, and we saw HIS Sh'khinah (Glory), the Sh'khinah (Glory) of the FATHER's Only SON, full of Grace and Truth. [C.J.B.]...
What would cause a Deity that was above reproach and limitations want to give up HIS Absolute Supremecy to become a guilt and pain ridden being of a perishable form and flawed nature? Mere curiosity? A lust for the perverted things of the weaker being ? Maybe guilt on HIS part for the way things were going ? No. The only gage we have to get an answer to this question is simply this....a deep LOVE and affection for the very beings, HIS Creations, that have rebelled against HIS FATHERLY Authority and teaching since one disgruntled, prideful being of light placed his self-importance higher than the Majesty of the MASTERS Throne.
GOD became a flesh covered man to prove to all of humanity that, yes, what HE had said from the Beginning was, indeed, totally possible to accomplish in the form of the Creation, namely, US. Yet, for ages gone, we STILL find it in ourselves to whine and cry that," It's just too hard for us to follow those rules and do right in a world that has Sooo much stuff goin' on".And we use an un-imaginable amount of excusesto try to justify our point;"Well, everybody's doin' it", and there's no law against it", or If GOD didn't want us to do it, why did HE put it here, how's come HE made it soo good ?"
Well, if we would just take a good long look at some of our excuses, and try to,for the lack of a better term, analyze them, reason them out, we may just find out how hard-headed-ly rebellious in nature we truly are, without even realizing it. For instance; why do some things seem so good, whether in taste, emotion,or whatever ? Take just a moment in the Way Back Machine ( kudos to Mr. Peabody and his 'Pet Boy' Sherman) ' to our own youth. We may just remember something like this... ,"Eat your peas, dear. they're really good, and so good for you!" Think about the first taste you bit into something sour, like a Lemon, Lime, Grapefruit, or, my personal favorite, Green Apples. So sour and bitter it almost hurt, the way your jaw clinched up, it felt like it would stay that way. Yet, because others were forcing a smile through a face that looked like it was in sheer agony, you said from your mouth," Boy , this is good !", just so you wouldn't look like a light weight, and say what you really thought... ," Man, why would anyone wan't to put themselves in this distress! Yuk ! Pa-twoo-wee !" You might look pretty cool right then, but an hour later, a whale of a tummy-ache, cramps and all.You see, we can convince ourselves that something is good, knowing it's a lie, knowing that we'll have to pay the price of our bravado later on. WE'll just keep trying to make ourselves beleive that ol' lie,"It's All Good" until it's too late to do anything about it.
Again, we may well ask," Whydid GOD put these things here if they're bad for us?" King Solomon gave that answer in Ecclesiastes 3," To everything there is a time, a season, and a purpose under Heaven." That means exactly what it says, no more, no less. A little Arsenic can heal, but too much will hurt, or even kill. But we know that sometimes the remedy can be as bad or worse than the disease, especially if we haven't gone about the procedures properly. An Architect will always look at a blueprint before he lays the ground work for a foundation, a Doctor takes images and runs tests before operating , and even a good Mechanic will consult the Repair Manual to verify his diagnosis.
That being said, isn't that how we should go about living in this world of 'If it feels good, do it' ? We have an Owners Manual, and a 'Hot Line' directly to the Manufacturer, through JESUS MESSIAH.
Now , some might say," Where or how does that so-called Manual have the answer to MY problems? They didn't even have the things we do back in those days !" Again, Solomon has that covered," There is nothing new under the Sun", which means just that. 200 years ago they didn't have inflated tires on their wagons, yet, whenever there was a problem with a wheel, a 'Jack" of some fashion had to be used. May be a different circumstance, but still the same old problems.
There is, indeed, a list of the basics of what it takes to be a real "Choo-Choo Charlie" (thanks, Good and Plenty), and make this engine run correctly, gaining the most possible out of it in both perfomance and longevity..... the 10 Laws of GOD, the Commandments. ( thought we got away from those, didn't 'cha ?) These are the Laws for ALL Creation. Just as all the Greatest people of True Sceince have discovered, GOD made Laws and provisions for everything in the entire Universe, and in following these, we are capable of many great and wonderful things.There are laws attributed to physics, gravity, liquids, solids, gasses; and, as those who have their names attached to them(Newton, Einstien, Keplar, so on) found, if they did as the Bible said, they could ask of GOD for the knowledge and wisdom, and HE would give it Liberally. Just as they did for their answers, we must do for ours, and asking a question is the only way to get an answer. The Word tells us that to all those who SEEK HIM, He will give ABUNDANTLY. So, How do we seek HIM ?
Let's go back to the top of this message. The question was," Why would HE send HIS SON to live like the help; a common slave, if you will, in comparison to HIS KINGLY, Estate, to go through the hardships mere mortals deal with every day ?" John 3:16," For GOD so LOVED the world that HE gave HIS Only and Unique SON,....". Have you ever been to a counceling session and noticed that the instructor was in their late teens, and hadn't even been out of This State, much less been in the 'State' that got you in the class to begin with ? Well, as I said earlier, GOD got a little tired of the, "You just can't know what it's like here" crowd, so HE sent Yeshua down to be FULLY HUMAN, to remove any doubt that the CREATOR knew the 'Human Condition', and to prove HIS point. It Is Fully Possible to Live a Godly Life While in These Bodies; BY LOVE, which is the basis for the 10 Laws. Jesus said that in Two Things,LOVE the FATHER, LOVE your neighbor, both of which are about LOVE, that ALL the Law was contained.It was by HIS example that we are to understand the LOVE that the FATHER, SON, and SPIRIT have for us; the most precious to HIM of all that HE Created.It was LOVE that gave JESUS the perseverance to resist the temptations of the adversary in the wilderness for 40 days. It was LOVE that bore the ridicule and persecution about the Good News. It was LOVE that gave HIM compassion to pray in the garden. It was LOVE that took a beating worse than any we could ever imagine. It was LOVE that gave HIM the strength to hold on as HE hung on the execution stake with spikes through HIS wrists and feet. It was LOVE that carried HIM through the heartbreak of HIS FATHER not being able to look at the thing that HE had to become, because of the LOVE. It was LOVE that brought HIM out of the tomb to gather HIS faithful, and teach them all things of the KINGDOM. LOVE that carried HIM back to HIS FATHERS House to prepare for us a Home, LOVE that sent the RUACH Ha'KODESH (HOLY SPIRIT) to place the basis for the Commandments deep inside of us, all of which are simply this...LOVE.
As HE LOVES us , we must show LOVE back. How ? In Honor, Praise, Worship, Thanksgiving,and most importantly, Obedience to HIS WORD. Just as a child does these things for it's Earthly Father, so, too, must we show the same Respectful Reverence (fear) for the one who is the FATHER of All Things. By showing LOVE through the Commandments of LOVE, we have access to the Throne, from which Grace is given to all who are in need. JESUS said that anything we ask of the FATHER in HIS name, we would recieve. He prayed to the FATHER for all of those who would trust in HIS Teachings and do His Commandments (LOVE), that they would be know by them, and they (WE) would become the Sons and Daughters of GOD. It is written that Obedience is better than Sacrifice; so instead of being "Giver-uppers", let's become "Do-ers and Dream-come-a-Truers" ( Props to Daniel Boone), giving back the ONE THING that we possess worthy of OUR MASTER and CREATOR, our LOVE.
Through asking in LOVE, HE will supply and see to our every need and want, every sickness and setback, each and everything that would be a stumbling block on our road Home. " Keep asking, and you'll recieve; Keep seeking, and you will find; Keep knocking and it shall be opened to you." Jesus told a story of an 'Un-GODLY Judge, who, only after a woman had grieved him for so long, ruled in her favor, just to be rid of her. How much faster, then, would a LOVING FATHER meet the needs of HIS Most LOVED Children? Remember the Son who took his share and left home, only to wind up lower than the pigs? His Father welcomed him back home with open arms and full restoration , nothing lacking, but, most of all, with LOVE.
Four young men in the '60's made the statement," All You Need Is LOVE; LOVE Is ALL You Need." As we listen, learn and obey the teaching of YESHUA Ha'MASSIACH (JESUS MESSIAH), we will find that this is Truth, when it is the Unfailing LOVE of GOD through HIS SON and SPIRIT that we hold fast to. If you don't know this LOVE, or you are having difficulty in giving and recieving this love, we urge you to call, write, e-mail,or come by House of Refuge, and we will assit you in whatever capacity you require. You can also reach us on our Facebook page Prodigal Ministries/House of Refuge. There is also a Guestbook on this site to leave a message on. We are here for You.
As Always, We're Praying for You. Pastors Joel and Charlotte Martin
Prodigal Ministries House of Refuge "' Til All The Prodigals Come Home"
BEING PREPARED
December 31, 2010
Well, Friends, it's once again time to "Ring out the old, and Ring in the New" here on ol' Planet Earth. This day we gather up everything we think we need to 'prepare' ourselves to greet our companions and have the year end 'Blowout Party to End All Parties'. This year, however, there's something to ponder as you decide who's Bash you're going to attend. This Last Day of 2010 is falling on a very significant day by the Ancient calendar; it is the Hebrew Day of Preparation. This is the day that JESUS was beaten and nailed to the Cross. It is the 6th day of the week, and for you bible readers out there, the day that holds the honor of being the day that GOD YAHWEH created Man. It is also the day that YAHWEH GOD instructed the people to "Gather in enough Manna to last one more day, for tomorrow is Shabbat (Sabbath) MY day of rest in which no man shall work." Now that got expanded upon by men later, but that's not our message here. PREPARATION is our 'word of the day'.
Let's go to the WORD, and get some foundation. ( I use the Complete Jewish Bible, but your favorite translation will do fine. Whatever you choose to use is good, as long as you get Understanding from it..) John 19:31 says," It was Preparation day , and the Judeans did not want the bodies to remain on the stake on Shabbat, since it was an especially important Shabbat." Now this Sabbath was important to the Temple Rulers, and indeed all of the Religious Jews, because it fell on the day of the first Preparation Day, as I noted in the first paragraph.They wanted to have a "Big BASH" to celebrate in front of the Roman Governing Body. So dead or dying men wouldn't fit in to the Festive Atmosphere with the effect that they were after. So they sent out to have the legs of the three broken, thus making the weight of their bodies cause them to suffocate. This was done to the two on either side of YESHUA (JESUS), but HE was found to have expired already. However Luke's account tells how one of the two Criminals asked for HIM to remember him, to which YESHUA said," Yes ! I promise that you will be with ME today in Gan-Eden (Eden)." [Luke 23:43] This man just PREPARED a place to be with YESHUA in PARADISE !
Let's go on to verse 50;"There was a man named Yosef, a member of the Sanhedrin( the Jewish religious court ). He was a good man, a tzaddik( Righteous man); and had not been in agreement with either the Sanhedrin's motivation or their action. John's account says in 19:38," After this, Yosef of Ramatayim, who was a talmid ( disciple,or follower) of YESHUA, but a secret one out of fear of the Judeans, asked Pilate if he could have HIS body. Pilate gave his consent, so Yosef came and took the BODY away.{39} Also, Nakdimon ( Nicodemas ) came with some seventy pounds of spices--a mixture of myrrh and aloes. {40} They took YESHUAS BODY and wrapped it up in linen sheets with the spices, in keeping with Judean burial practice. Skip on to verse 42;" So, because it was PREPARATION Day For the Judeans, and because the tomb was 'Close By', that is where they buried YESHUA."
John, Luke and Mark all give witness to the anointing of YESHUA with oil, and some of the 12 complaining about the apparent waste of such an expensive perfume. Mark 14:6 records,"But YESHUA siad,"Let her be. Why are you bothering her? She has done a beautiful thing for ME." Go on to verse 8," What she could do, she did do --in advance she poured perfume on MY body to PREPARE it for burial."
A little story...There were two men; Farmers and devout followers of the MESSIAH, who lived near by one another. The land where they lived was in the middle of a terrible, long, hot drought. One day, they both heard a word from GOD, telling them to look to the Heavens, because the long awaited rains were on the way. Both were filled with joy. However, one of them went out immediately to plow and sew his field. The other saw all the dust that his neighbor was kicking up, and went over to see what was happening. When his friend got off of his tractor, the one said to the other," Why are you out here in this heat trying to plow dust ? Don't you realize that once the ground is a little moist, it will hold together and turn better ? I'm waiting until then so my furrows will be deeper !" But, just then the rain started to come down. By the time the other farmer had his plow hooked up and got out into his field, the soil was turning into mud, and the tractor bogged down and ended up stuck up to the axles, with no way to get it out of the unfinished field until the rain stopped and the ground dried out. As the dis-heartened man climbed down from his machine, soaked to the bone and weary from sloughing through the mud back to the road, he looked up and saw his neighbor sitting on his front porch swing, watching the rain moisten his soon to be crop. Only then did the tired, worn, wet man understand that his friend had been the wise one, after all. He had PREPARED his field for the BLESSING of the Rain from Heaven.
Our YESHUA told the Disciples that in HIS FATHERS House there were many dwelling places, and that HE was going to PREPARE on for them, and consequentially, US, who BELIEVE and OBEY the things HE taught us from the FATHER ; to do HIS statutes, mitzvot ( commandments ), and rulings. YESHUA told us that HEAVEN and EARTH would pass away before ONE DOT or DASH of YAHWEH's Commandments would !
If you are an avid Bible reader, and listen and ask GOD for the understanding of the words of the Book, then you see that ,as was prophesy from the beginning, when certain things happen at the same time, We are to LOOK UP, because the REDEEMER is NEAR !! Just like the Tomb, JESUS is 'Close By"!! Have you Prepared YOUR field ? Are you ready to receive the RAIN that's coming down from HEAVEN ? Don't let your-self be stuck in the mud, bogged down by the idea that you have "Lots of Time", because, truly, our time here in this Dry Land is coming to an End, and like 2010, will soon be just a faded Memory . A NEW DAY is Dawning on Mankind, and if you PREPARE, you will enjoy the peace of a "Nice dry porch swing, sitting right next to our KING ! HALLELUJAH !! Unlike other deities, GOD YAHWEH has proclaimed that HE doesn't want ANY to DIE, but Come to Life through Turning Away from the sinful ways of the World Society, and Trusting in HIS WAYS !! If there is ANY Doubt in you that you may not be Prepared at this Very Moment, then say this prayer with us from you Heart ...
JESUS, I'M NOT SURE IF I'M PREPARED TO RECEIVE YOUR WILL FOR MY LIFE, BUT I KNOW I WANT TO BE WHERE YOU ARE IN HEAVEN; I KNOW THAT I CAN'T BE PERFECT AS LONG AS I'M IN THIS BODY OF CLAY, BUT I COME TO YOU NOW, TRUSTING THAT YOUR WORD IS THE ONLY TRUTH THAT WILL SALVAGE MY ETERNAL SOUL. I BELIEVE THAT YOU ARE THE LIVING SON OF THE LIVING AND ONLY TRUE GOD, AND THAT I WAS MADE IN YOUR IMAGE TO BE YOUR CHILD. FORGIVE ME OF ALL OF THE WRONGS I'VE DONE, AND HELP ME FOLLOW YOUR PATH WITH CONFIDENCE AND STRENGTH, AND FILL ME WITH YOUR HOLY SPIRIT, SO I MAY FIND DELIVERANCE IN YOU FROM ALL THE ADDICTIONS AND TRIALS OF THIS WORLD. I KNOW THAT I'LL STILL HAVE TROUBLES, BUT YOU WILL BE AN EVER PRESENT HELP IN MY TIMES OF TURMOIL. TO FATHER GOD YAHWEH, I GIVE MY HEART, SOUL, AND STRENGTH ABOVE ALL OTHER THINGS. I LEAVE THE PAST IN THE PAST, AND PUSH FORWARD TO A BRIGHT FUTURE IN ETERNITY. BY AND THROUGH THE BLOOD, CROSS, AND TOMB OF YESHUA Ha'MASSIACH , JESUS CHRIST, I SUBMIT MYSELF TO YOU IN PRAYER; AMEN
Glory to God ! If you've prayed that prayer and are new to meeting JESUS on a personal level; or just want to talk about HIM and HIS love, Feel free to call us at [513] 893-3541, writing to Pstrs. Joel & Charlotte Martin, Prodigal Ministries House of Refuge, 215 Starr ave., Hamilton, Ohio 45013, or go to one of our e-mail links found through-out this website. We pray that this message has help to encourage and uplift you as you go into 2011. and...as Always, We're Praying for YOU !!
Pastors Joel & Charlotte Martin Prodigal Ministries House of Refuge
" Til All the Prodigals Come Home "
THE BRIDE
June 19, 2010
"Always the Bridesmaid and never the Bride". Many of you have heard this said about lots of different things and situations. It's usually said when someone close to us has a really wonderful thing happen that we would like to have happen to or for ourselves. And often we wonder why they "got the good stuff" and we ended up with less, even though it still may be very nice. Now, here in this life we can attain those much desired things through physical labor and determination, and have all the "great stuff" our peers have. And if we're not just getting them for spite or in envy, we can be happy in all the finer things and ways of Human Existence. I'm going to tell you in this message about the Spiritual side of "Having the Best" in all things of the KINGDOM. Now, this is in no way meant to say we still won't get Great Blessings poured onto us , but follow me here, and perhaps we'll start a New Fire in ourselves to strive Spiritually as hard as we do in the 'Natural'. (I'll again be using the Complete Jewish Bible translation, but you may use whichever translation or Version that you can understand or feel comfortable with.) Let's turn to the Book of Mark, ch.2, verses 15-22 for our main text. "As YESHUA (JESUS) was in Levi's house eating, many Tax Collectors and sinners were sitting with YESHUA and HIS talmidim (disciples), for there were many of them among HIS followers." Here we see that 'Many' of those who followed JESUS were not considered to be "Righteous, Holy, or Pious to the leaders of the Temple, or even Baptized as of yet in the Baptisim that John was performing in the Jordan to Repentance. These were the "Less Desirable", at least in the eyes of the Organized Religious Community. These were the ones who, perhaps, were unable by circumstance, or just found it too difficult to follow all the Traditions that Men had placed on and in the Laws that GOD had written on those two tablets of stone on the Mountain so long before. Let's continue on with verses 16- 20.... "When the Torah Teachers (scribes) and the P'rushim (Pharisees) saw that HE was eating with sinners and Tax Collectors, they said to HIS tadmidim," Why does HE eat with Tax collectors and sinners?" But, hearing the question, YESHUA answered them," The ones who need a doctor aren't the healthy, but the sick. I didn't come to call the Righteous, but Sinners" Also, Yochanan's talmidim (John the Baptists disciples) and the P'rushim were fasting, and they(Both Groups) came and asked YESHUA," Why is it that Yochanan's talmidim and the talmidim of the P'rushim fast, but your talmidim don't fast?" YESHUA answered them ," Can the wedding GUESTS (key word) fast while the BRIDEGROOM is still with them? As long as they have the BRIDEGROOM with them, fasting is out of the question. But the time will come when the BRIDEGROOM is taken away from them; and when that day comes, they will fast." Can you see the significance of what JESUS said ? HE called them Wedding 'Guests' , NOT the Bride. Stick with me here, because the RUACH Ha'KODESH (HOLY SPIRIT) has revealed this for a VERY SIGNIFICANT REASON! Many of those whom traditional Bible teachers have schooled have been taught that once we receive JESUS, we are the bride of CHRIST, and as such, we shall rise on the Resurrection Day. Not placing any fault on those teachers,(I was taught this idea in Sunday School, Myself..) but this passage tells a different story. What we see here is simply this; some of us aren't going to make the cut when it comes down to being the Bride. You see, even though these people were sitting in HIS presence, listening to HIS words, and dining at HIS table, they only rate a 'Guest' status at this point. Why ? There could be any number of reasons; a few perhaps being that , even though they had met the BRIDEGROOM, they hadn't fully committed to HIM, had doubts about their own worth, were still holding to a burden ,or even , on the other side of the coin, believed they were better than their fellows for one reason or the other, were prideful, scornful, jealous, I think you get the picture. In Marriage, the Bride, as well as the Groom, must give themselves to each other in TOTAL DEVOTION, as the vows that I still administer say,"Forsaking ALL OTHERS"!! Those that believe on HIM and give HIM HIS honor as the HEAD of the Table shall indeed be invited to the Wedding, but as guests only. Those destined to be the Bride, to receive the FULL HONOR and EVERYTHING that the BRIDEGROOM possesses, will be those who have given their very life for the KING, keeping HIM at the Head of Every aspect of their earthly lives. These will be the ones are adorned with the greatest Majesty; who get that sweet Kiss of oath, the first dance, the first piece of cake, the greatest jewels, carried over the threshold to the MASTERS OWN Chamber, and shall receive the Warmest embrace for all of Eternity!! PRAISE GOD !!! WHO WOULD NOT WANT TO BE THE BRIDE ? Don't mis-understand what is being said here....those of us who are in that 'Guest' category are by no means or in any fashion going to be un-welcomed, un-loved, or un-cherished by our LORD and KING; for the Bible tells us many times in many places that there will be different rewards for different people, and therefore, all will NOT receive the same. Still, ALL WILL get the gift of unending Love. The next two passages, verses 21 and 22, take us into the "How do we become the Bride" area of this message. Please read on with us........ (YESHUA speaking..) " No one sews a piece of un-shrunken cloth onto an old coat; if he does, the new patch tears away from the old cloth and leaves a worse hole. And no one puts new wine into an old wineskin; if he does, the wine will burst the skins, and both wine and skins will be ruined. Rather, new wine is for freshly prepared skins." YESHUA is trying to put simply to the "Legalistic" Jews that though these following HIM are subject to obey the Ten Commandments, they could not be assimilated into the "Traditionalized Congregation", lest they caused a 'split' due to their belief that YESHUA was indeed the MESSIAH, and therefore the laws of Moses were fulfilled. The overall faith would be strained, and both the Legalists and the Messianic would become 'wasted' in the process. The "New Covenant" believers needed a 'new skin' to be able to hold the 'new wine'. Thus, as Paul said, we must renew our minds daily by putting off the 'Old Coat', which is what JESUS refered to in the analogy of the cloth. We MUST put off the 'Old Traditions of 'Legalism' to be able to wear the 'New Cloth' , or renewed Adamic Covenant with the FATHER through JESUS. As HE illustrated, the new will NOT conform to the old without tearing away, unless it is 'worn in' first, making it of no greater quality than the old, tattered coat that it is meant to repair. In doing so, we make the new no longer fit with any other New cloth (Restored to full power Church), thus making it of little use, being conformed to the old way; old things pass away, behold, all things become new. JESUS is saying that the time to put away the Traditions of Men, for all the Laws are made complete in HIM.The promises to Moshe (Moses) are completed and the promises to Adam are RESTORED. That we have been given not only the ability, but the RIGHT to take possession and subdue ALL that is in Creation, and that INCLUDES that Arrogant, Prideful, Greedy satan and all who followed him in his folly, GLORY TO GOD, HALLELUJAH !!!!!!! CHRIST IS KING AND HE GAVE US THE KEYS TO EVERYTHING UNDER THIS AND ALL SUNS TO TAKE DOMINION OVER !!!! PRAISE THE LION OF JUDAH !!!! YESHUA, over and over, tells those who are TRULY following HIS Way and Teaching that WE have the POTENTIAL to become as HE is, and moreover, HIS BRIDE !! "In MY FATHERS house there are many places to live, if there weren't, I would have told you, because I am going there to prepare a place for YOU......" (John 14:2) In the Hebrew marriage process, once the contract is agreed upon, the Groom goes to 'prepare a dwelling' for his new wife, which was most often a room built on to his Fathers house. "For many are invited, but few are chosen." (Matt. 22:14) The Bride is and will be the "Gave Their Alls", leaving those of us who only committed to "Reasonable Service" as 'Guests'. Yet ALL who speak the confession that JESUS is the SON of the Living GOD, YAHWEH, know it in their heart that HIS Word is TRUTH, and turn away from their Sinful, Worldly nature and ways, SHALL have their Invitation written in THE BOOK of LIFE, and have the opportunity to wear the Golden Gown. The question is this, and there is no shame or blame in whatever answer you choose, for YESHUA MESSIAH will STILL don the apron of the Waiter and serve us all; WILL YOU BE THE QUEEN IN GOLD OR BE SATISFIED TO BE A GUEST AT THE TABLE? It all comes down to your level of devotion. Will you stand by the BRIDEGROOM as a devoted BRIDE, or be a casual observer and participant in the festivities, alone? As I have said, the more dedication , the grander the reward. It was given us before we were formed in the womb; it's up to us to use and exercise it as our Blood Bought Right. Yahweh want's us to have HIS Best. We're Already HIS most loved and Favorite Creations, so why not strive to give that much back....BE THE BRIDE !!! [I encourage you to Google 'Bride of CHRIST' and have a look at these sites;< watchmanbiblestudy.com--July 10, 2007--"Bride of Christ" posted by Kory {link} >; <ucg.org--"bible Study, the Bride of Christ> What is the Church" >;< " Queen of Gold! The Bride of Christ" by David Wilkerson @tscpulpitseries.org>:. They may help to further your understanding of this subject.] We sincerely pray that this Word has done what GOD had intended for it to do, and that it has been a help into understanding GOD's Word. We can only give what HE gives, No More, No Less. At this time we want to give you the opportunity to take your heart to the LORD GOD in HEAVEN, for what ever your need may be. From Salvation to Healing to Financial stability, GOD'S ear is not so heavy HE cannot hear, or arm too short for HIM to reach. Let's Pray.. FATHER GOD, KING JESUS, COMFORTING SPIRIT, WE COME NOW AS YOUR SERVANTS TO AGREE WITH ALL WHO WOULD CALL ON THE NAME, THAT THEIR SOULS BE SAVED AND SALVAGED, THEIR BODIES, MINDS AND SPIRITS BE MADE WHOLE, AND THAT EVERY ASPECT OF THEIR LIVES ON EARTH BE FULFILLED TO THE COMPLETENESS OF YOUR LOVING KINDNESS. WE PRAY THAT WE ALL MAY PURSUE ,WITH ALL THAT IS WITHIN US , THE DESIRE TO BE YOUR BRIDE, AND TO STAND BESIDE YOU FOR ALL ETERNITY IN YOUR FIELDS OF GRACE WHERE YOUR GLORY ABOUNDS. PLACE IN US RIGHT AND STRONG HEARTS AND MINDS THAT FOLLOW YOU WITHOUT FLINCHING, WITHOUT STAGGERING, WITHOUT DOUBT OR FEAR. HELP US TO BE AS YOU ARE; IN THE NAME AND BY THE BLOOD OF THE ONE WHO RESTORED OUR BIRTH-RIGHT TO US, YESHUA HA'MESSIACH , JESUS THE RISEN SAVIOR...... AMEN-AMEN-AMEN If you have just prayed with us for salvation, we encourage you to say a prayer of your own from your heart to GOD through JESUS, confessing all your past sins and wrongs to HIM, and HE will leave them EXACTLY there; in the PAST. Seek out a Faith-Based, Full BIBLE church in your area and proclaim that,"I AM SAVED, BY THE BLOOD OF JESUS". GOD asks this for your strengthening. If you would like help locating a church, or if you want to speak with someone personally, you can contact us at :prodigalministries@zoomtown.com: or :prodigalministries@yahoo.com: or the Guessbook at this site. Please keep in prayer for the deliverance of our promised building, and this Ministries finances as we do the same for you. And, as always, With the Love of JESUS, Pastors Joel and Charlotte Martin Prodigal Ministries House of Refuge " Till All The Prodigals Come Home "
SOULED OUT
May 16, 2010
No, that's no 'Typo'. It means just what it implies...."Souled Out"! "Soooo," you might well be pondering," What exactly are you trying to say? What does this mean, to be 'Souled Out' ?" Let's get into the WORD and see if we can fully answer that question, and maybe a few others, while we're in the Book. I'll be using the Complete Jewish Bible for my text, but whichever version you wish to use will follow along, 'cause, after all, GOD's Word is GOD's Word no matter who's language you read it in. So use whatever you're comfortable with. Before we dive into the Word, let's look at some Praise and Worship lyrics penned by a fella named Hezekiah Walker;..."Who can separate us / from the Love of JESUS / Not death / Nor life / JESUS paid the price / Now I'm free from sin---I am Souled Out / My Mind is Made Up..."..... Praise GOD YAHWEH !! As we get into this message, I pray you'll get as excited as I do when I hear this song ! For our first text, let's go to Luke 2:49. Now, the boy JESUS is right at 12 years old, and, after the family and many others from Nazareth start home from Jerusalem after attending the yearly Passover festival, Mary and Joseph start looking for their SON after the caravan had gone about a day's journey. When they discover that HE is not with any of the other people's children, they hurry back to the city, frantic about the dis-appearance of JESUS. When they finally find HIM three days later in the Temple, HE was not only listening to the Rabbi, but questioning them about what they had to say, as well. Everyone who had heard HIM speaking, questioning, and answering the Rabbi were amazed at HIS understanding and knowledge of the Torah and the Tanakh( the Law and Scriptures). When Mary asked HIM how HE could do such a thing as not tell them what HE was up to, he said, "Why did you have to look for ME? Didn't you know that I had to be about MY FATHERS affairs?" The Jewish Encyclopedia, which cites numerous passages in the Old Testament to support the mostly post-apostle tradition of Bar-Mitzvah, (the "Coming of Age ceremony held on a boy's 13th birthday) understands the 'True Significance' of this passage as this; [quote] "The child JESUS when only 12 years of age, having not yet attained the religious maturity, joined, of HIS own accord, the teachers of the Law, and astonished all by HIS Understanding and HIS Answers, being, as HE said, concerned only about the things of HIS FATHER in Heaven." The song says," My Heart is Fixed / My Mind's Made Up.." The Miriam Webster's Unabridged Dictionary defines Soul as;"...{Theologically}-the immortal substance of a man which distinguishes him from the beasts.." Another definition under the word states," The vital, mental principle without which consciousness either totally or partially ceases.." This, Dear Ones, is none other than our Human Minds. If we don't have control over our "Little Grey Cells", we cease to function in a proper, right, morally sound manner, it's just that simple. The word 'Souled' (Yes, Virginia, it's REALLY a proper word) is defined as,"Having a soul of a specified kind,..". We can see by the answer that young JESUS gave, though still not wholly acceptable to Mom, shows that HIS Mind was Made Up, and HIS Heart, or Spirit, as it is described by Scripture, was Fixed on the task at hand. HE WAS "SOULED OUT" to the work of YAHWEH ADONAI ABBA !! Let's turn now to the Book of Acts, 21:10-13, where we find Luke writing down the events that happened concerning Sha'ul (Paul) at one Philip's house in Caesarea,..." While we were staying there, a prophet named Agav came down from Y'hudah to visit us. He took Sha'ul's belt, tied up his own hands and feet and said,"Here is what the Ruach HaKodesh (Holy Spirit) says: the man who owns this belt-- the Judeans in Yerushalayim (Jerusalem) will tie him up just like this and hand him over to the Goyim (Gentiles)" When we heard this, both we and the people there begged him not to go up to Yerushalayim; but Sha'ul answered," What are you doing, crying and trying to weaken my resolve? I am prepared not only to be tied up, but even to die in Yerushalayim for the name of the LORD YESHUA (JESUS)!" "Souled Out" ! The song says,"I've come through the Fire / I've come through the Rain / But GOD--HE never left my side / HE's my Comfort / through all the Hurt and Pain....I Am Souled Out......" Let's go to 1 John 2:24," Let what you have heard from the beginning remain in you. If what you've heard from the beginning remains in you, you will also remain in Union with both the SON and the FATHER." The song goes on to say," No room, No Vacancies / I'm All Filled Up..." We have some very good examples of three who were "Souled Out", and there are many more...Job; Elijah; Elisha; David; Jeremiah; Moses; Joshua just to name a handful....Now let's get a look at how to get "Souled Out", ourselves ! The last verse we looked at will apply here, as well. John the Revelator was telling us to keep the WORD inside of us, to make up our minds and fix our Hearts on HIM, and in turn, HE will fix HIS Heart and Mind on US !!! Paul said we should always endeavor to think like JESUS, or to "have the mind of CHRIST in us", which is about caring for the things of GOD, then the welfare of others before we have a worry about ourselves. He also states, in 2 Corinthians 4:7-10, "But we have this treasure (the light of the Knowledge of GOD's Glory, which is YESHUA) in clay jars (our bodies), so that it will be evident that such overwhelming power comes from GOD and not from us. We have all kinds of troubles, but we are not crushed; we are perplexed, yet not in despair; persecuted, yet not abandonded; knocked down, yet not destroyed. We always carry in our bodies the dying of YESHUA, so that the life of YESHUA may be manifested in our bodies, too." "HIS SPIRIT Lives in ME / and THAT'S the REASON I'M SOULED OUT !!!" Now we have being "Souled Out" spelled out fairly well. There are many more examples, but these should do for us now. You can read the letters of the Apostles and find a lot more instruction on how to get in this way, but the major things are to Trust, have Faith, that JESUS is who HE says HE is in your Heart (Spirit), and Know in your Human Mind (Soul) that JESUS can do what HE says HE can do, Speak out (Confess) that HE is MESSIAH (SAVIOR) of your life, and you too can have the peace that only comes from a relationship with JESUS; a peace that you get from knowing that HIS SPIRIT lives in you, so that when this time, this life of pain and trouble is done, that you will have run your course with "Integrity" ( Thanks, JESUS, for that word through L.B.II) and Compassion for your fellow man. Not the sin that may beset them, but the masterpiece that GOD made, that they really are. We can know that this is there for us from the testimony of Paul to Timothy, when he said,"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the Faith. All that awaits me now is the Crown of Righteousness which the LORD, "the RIGHTEOUS JUDGE", will award me on that Day---and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for HIM to appear." Do You have any idea how you'll finish this race? Don't be a "Sell-out" and just go with the flow of the World's way of thinking and doing things. Although it may seem good, when you "Conform" yourself to the ways of the "Main-Stream" Society, you stand to lose the most important thing you'll ever possess; your very life. You see, the way society operates, you may seem to have what it calls a decent "Living", but as Josie Wales so perfectly put it," Dyin' Ain't Much of a Livin'!" We speak of the True Life; the Life after this temporary stop. Why, even Modern Science calls this a "Temporal Existence", so isn't it time to start planning for your REAL Future? The first, best step in that direction is to get..."SOULED OUT"!!! We're giving the invitation to any who would like to begin their life anew, to become a new person in JESUS, that HIS SPIRIT may reside in you, so that where HE is, when these bodies fail, or HE sends down here for us, whichever comes first, YOU SHALL BE ALSO !!! HALLELUJAH......GLORY TO THE KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF ALL !!! If this is your desire, pray this, or something like it, now........ FATHER GOD IN HEAVEN, I ASK YOU TO FORGIVE ME OF ALL THE WRONG I'VE DONE, NO MATTER HOW GREAT OR SMALL, AND OF THOSE THINGS THAT I AM UNAWARE OF THAT I HAVE DONE. I KNOW IN MY HEART AND SPEAK BOLDLY FROM MY MOUTH THAT JESUS IS LORD AND SAVIOR, THE RISEN KING AND YOUR SON, SENT TO REDEEM ME OF MY SINS, A SACRIFICE FOR ME, THAT I CAN BE FORGIVEN AND MADE BLAMELESS BEFORE YOUR THRONE. I GIVE MYSELF OVER TO YOUR MERCIES, AND PRAY THAT YOUR SPIRIT TEACH ME AND COMFORT ME IN THE TRYING TIMES AHEAD; THAT IT WILL GUIDE ME IN THE WAYS THAT ARE TRUE AND RIGHT, AND HELP ME TO OVERCOME THE TEMPTATIONS OF THE WORLD; THAT EVERY ADDICTION AND CURSE ON MY LIFE AND FAMILY SHALL HAVE NO MORE HOLD ON MY LIFE, THE LIFE I GIVE BACK TO YOU WHO GAVE IT TO ME. BY THE BLOOD OF MY SAVIOR, JESUS, SON OF THE TRUE AND LIVING GOD I PRAY... AMEN AMEN AMEN. If you've just prayed this prayer and would like to speak with us, or if you'd like a more personal touch, you can leave a message on the Guestbook page, or send us an email at :prodigalministries@zoomtown.com: leave us your contact information (it will be kept confidential) and we will get right to you wherever you are. If you have need of prayer for anything, our annointed staff is ready to agree with you for your need, whatever it may be. If you would just like to talk, we are Blessed to speak with you and help in any capacity that we are able. Please feel free to browse the site... Check out the Music page for Excellent Praise and Worship, from Third Day and David Crowder, to Hezekiah Walker and Denver and the Mile High Orchestra. And, as always, we're praying for you. With the love of JESUS, Pastors Joel and Charlotte Martin Prodigal Ministries House of Refuge " 'Till All The Prodigals Come Home "
A ROSE BY ANY OTHER NAME...
April 30, 2010
"Would a Rose by any other name not smell as sweet ?" On May 9th, we remember our Mothers here in the U.S.. There will be many different ways we go about it; from the Family gathering to Honor the Elder women of the clan, to a solemn "Miss you, Mom" at a Grave side, and even, sad to say and GOD help us, those that will shout a big "Thanks for Nuttin'!!" to the Heavens, hoping that the Mother who, for whatever reason, wasn't quite what her child expected Her to be in reference to their own personal life, will hear and feel shame and remorse. On this occasion, I would like to talk about a few mothers from long ago, who gave themselves over fully to what would be the best thing for their children, even though it may not seem so to some. I will be using the Complete Jewish Bible as my text, but you can follow along in whichever Translation you prefer. GOD's Word will line up with its-self. In the Book of Genesis, (in Hebrew, B'Resheet), the first Mother we come to know is, by the Word of YAHWEH ADONAI, the mother of All People, Eve. Yes, not only is she the First Woman, but Also the First Wife, AND the First Mother. Now, here is a Mom who Truly had it rough! She was joined to a Man who had to figure out how to be a Husband and Father without the benefit of anyone elses mistakes to learn what NOT to do. (Even though he had the Ultimate FATHER to tell him what was right, he didn't always ask. That's evident from the whole "Snake in the Grass" episode, but that's another story.) This First Mom had to learn by example of nature how to rear and raise her Human children, (She didn't listen very well to THE FATHER, either, again..the serpent...), and seemingly was doing a fairly good job of it by the fact that her first two became a good Farmer and a good keeper of sheep. We all, believer and doubter alike, know or are at least familiar with the Kayin (Cane) and Hevel (Abel) story, and from that point, as far as the Bible goes, shows us from Kayin's point of veiw how that event panned out. What we've not done, and maybe we should, is to take into account the toll this took on Mother Eve. If you know, or perhaps are a Mother who has lost a child, you may just understand where this is leading. On the birth of Kayin, it is recorded in Genesis 4:1 & 2,"The man had sexual relations with Havah (Eve) his wife; she concieved, gave birth to Kayin ["acquisition"] and said,"I have acquired a man from ADONAI." In addition she gave birth to his brother Hevel." As men, it is truly difficult for us to understand the Joy that a Woman feels in having birthed a child that she has carried and nurtured within her own body for 9 long months, and then, through pain unimaginable, to bring that child crying into the light of day, breathing it's first breath of air, and feeling the touch of it's tender, soft little body wiggling in her hands. Only One love can compare.... Sadly, now, we read from the BOOK that as they grew, an incident occurred that took a toll on Eve. Tragicaly, she lost not only One child, but BOTH her sons. One through death, and one through shame and exile. A heartbreak only comparable to One ..... There was another born to her to carry on a genealogy that will take us to the end of this message, but let's move on for the sake of keeping this timely. I KNOW that will make some of you return visitors feel more at ease. Many more mothers are mentioned in the BIBLE, and you can study on them yourselves. Some of note are; the mother of Noah's sons and Abrams (Abrahams) mother, who, although not mentioned in the BOOK, can both be read about in the Book of Enoch, (which is made mention of in the Holy Bible, and can be "Googled"); Sarai, (who became Sarah), the mother of Isaac, Hagar, servant of Sarah and mother of Abrahams "Son of Bondage", Ismael, (You may have a dim view of her, but I still encourage you to carefully read her paticular part in GOD's plan; after all, YAHWEH saw fit to list the line of Yishma'el in the Book); Rivkah(Rebekah), Yitz'chak's (Isaac's) wife,mother of Esav (Esau) and Ya'akov (Jacob), Jacob's wives, Rachel and Le'ah, and their maids; Bilhah and Zilpah, which bore Jacob sons of mention, The mother of Moshe (Moses), who had to send her three month old son down the river in a boat made of weeds to be raised by her persecuting masters; Rachav, the prostitute from Jericho, who whould be added to the genealogy I metioned from Eve; D'vorah (Deborah), the Prophetess and Judge who "...arose a Mother in Isra'el"; Hannah, like Sarah, who had been barren and prayed to YAHWEH for a son, only to give him back to GOD immediately, as she promised, who was Sh'mu'el (Samuel), the mighty Prophet of GOD and annointer of Kings, Bat'sheva, (Bath-sheba), the wise King Shlomo's (Solomon's) Mother; Who had to pay a high price for her sin with King David.There are others, to be sure. Not one Mother, or individual that has a mention in the Holy BIBLE is "Insignificant" by any means. If they were, GOD would not have brought them up at all. Let's jump forward to about 4 B.C. . In the hill country of Judah, there was an old woman said to be barren, who had concieved, and stayed secluded for five months. Her name was Elisheva (Elisabeth), the cousin of a young virgin named Miryam (Mary) of Natzeret (Nazareth), who was also now with child....but the one whom she carried was not from the seed of Man, but from that of the Woman, as to fulfill the scriptures. Elisheva was overjoyed in being with child at her time of life, and even more so when her husband was able to speak and tell her of what their son was born and bound to do and be. He would be named John, and he would be the one of prophesy coming in the spirit of Eliyahu (Elijah) to be,"The voice of someone crying out:'In the desert prepare the way for ADONAI! Make straight paths for HIM!" Even though he had led a precarious and somewhat "wild man's" life, here is a mother who was proud of the son that she thanked GOD for honoring her with. yet, within the next three years, her family as a whole would suffer greatly for their blessings from above, in ways the most of us can only imagine, and still never fully understand. We are now at about 30 A.D., by our flawed measure of time, and we find Yochanan the Immerser (John the Baptist) proclaiming the message" Turn from your sins to GOD, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near!" (Matt.3:2) It is soon after that this John fulfills his destiny and scripture by announcing ," Look! GOD's Lamb! The one who is taking away the sin of the world! ..." (John 1:29) Even though Yochanan had no idea that he was humanly related to this man, the spirit of GOD told him," This one on whom you see the SPIRIT decending and remaining, this is the one who immerses in the Ruach HaKodesh (Holy SPIRIT) ." This one, this HOLY LAMB OF GOD, was none other than his Mother Elisabeth's cousin Mary's son, YESHUA (JESUS) , concieved in the woman by the HOLY SPIRIT !!! Within the next year and a half, John would be Be-Headed by the order of a spiteful, prideful, sinful woman. There may not be a Biblical record of this, but we should know in the Hearts of Love that are in us that Elisabeth suffered a pain that we can't fathom, a Heart-Break only comparable to one... And then, about a year and a half later, his cousin, the one born of a Virgin, the SON of the ONE TRUE and LIVING GOD, would meet with HIS destiny, to die in a cursed manner to be the final offering for sin, or , to put it in other terms, the last Sin Eater. By HIS Human disgrace, HIS SPIRIT and GLORY towards the FATHER grew stronger and shines brighter than at any other time in history. Yet there is still HIS Mother, the one who heard not only the voices of Angels but, through her SON, the very voice of YAHWEH, HIMSELF, as revealed by HIS SON, in whom she was found worthy to bear and raise, to teach the Human side of HIS being, to hold when HE hurt, to wipe the tears when HE cried, to kiss goodnight, to sing asleep, to MOTHER. She bore with HIM through-out all the hardship and trouble that the World put to them, even to the Cross....and a Heart-Break only comparable to ONE....That Heart-Break is the one that YAHWEH ADONAI felt as HE had to turn HIS eyes away from the sin that HIS Beautiful, Loving, Compassionate SON YESHUA Ha'MASSIACH TOOK UPON HIMSELF for US !!! Just as Eve suffered seeing her son, the First good Shepherd given by GOD, die, Mary watched as her SON, the TRUE GOOD SHEPHERD, THE LAST ADAM, THE LAMB OF GOD YAHWEH, die, and YAHWEH GOD watched as HIS ONLY SON had commpassion on us mortal humans, and though HE could've called a Legion of Angels, and Michael would've wiped out all of the inhabitants of the Earth, HE LOVED US, for a good portion, because of the LOVE HIS Mother taught HIM that only re-enforced the love of our FATHER GOD in HEAVEN for US, HIS Masterful Creation!!! WE ask of you this Mothers Day, and every day, for that matter, Keep your Mother lifted up; and hold GOD even HIGHER...for there is NO GREATER LOVE than these... The Love a Mother has for her Children, and the LOVE YAHWEH ADONAI GOD ALMIGHTY has for HIS children; which is every single one on this planet. LORD FATHER GOD, AS WE, YOUR CHILDREN CLOSE ON ANOTHER DAY OF HONOR FOR A PARENT, KEEPING WITH YOUR COMMANDMENT TO HONOR THEM, WE BLESS YOU, FATHER, FOR BEING BOTH A MOTHER AND FATHER TO US, YOUR REBELLIOUS CREATIONS; FOR JUST AS OUR EARTHLY PARENTS COME TO OUR SIDE WHEN WE GET INTO TROUBLE DUE TO DISOBEDIENCE, SO ARE YOU EVER PRESENT WITH US IN ALL OUR WOES, WAITING ON OUR CALL FOR YOUR HELP. FATHER, WE PRAY YOUR FORGIVENESS FOR OUR SINS AND OUR DISOBEDIENCE; WE ASK HUMBLY FOR YOUR SPIRIT TO WASH OVER US, TO BLANKET US IN YOUR PROTECTION AND TO GIVE US YOUR STRENGTH THROUGH YESHUA, YOUR SON, AND THE BLOOD HE SPILLED FROM HIS HUMAN FORM SO WE COULD BE COMPLETE WITH THE SPIRIT, HIMSELF, AND YOU. WE ASK TO BE SALVAGED AND REDEEMED BY YOUR GRACE AND THE FAITH OF JESUS. FATHER, IT'S IN HIS NAME THAT WE COME TO YOU IN PRAYER....AMEN-AMEN-AMEN We sincerely hope that this message has helped and touched someone. It is , after all, by and through the love of our Mothers, and that of CHRIST that we are able to come to you with the GOOD NEWS of the WORD of GOD. If you have issues or problems that you need to talk about, or if you have questions about your Salvation, or would like to have us pray with you for anything that may be troubling you, we are here to help you as best we can. We're not the ones who heal, but we do know HIM that makes ALL THINGS POSSIBLE !!! Contact us by leaving a message in our Guestbook, or Email us at :prodigalministries@zoomtown.com: Pray for us, and , as always, We're praying for you! With the Love of JESUS, Pastors Joel andCharlotte Martin Prodigal Ministries House of Refuge " 'Till All The Prodigals Come Home"
OUR PASSOVER
March 30, 2010
{ All text used here is taken from the Complete Jewish Bible, a translation from the original Ancient Hebrew/Chaldea and Greek language texts into our "American" language. Nothing has been added or removed from the original WORD of GOD, although some Hebrew names and terms have been restored.(After all, the WHOLE BOOK is a JEWISH book!) The King James Version, and all Versions of it can by all means be used to follow these Messages. We are using this Translation for it's Clarity and ease of Understanding. We hope this will help in gaining Knowledge in the WORD.}
Here we are again, Gentile "Easter" and Jewish Seder/Pesach. To both, it's known as Passover, honoring the Exodus of the Jews out of the bondage of Egypt, and for the Goyim (Gentiles), the theme is JESUS' sacrifice on the cross, to be the last sacrifice for all of Mankind. Now, I have been accused of having a lack of Wisdom of late, but I can say with all confidence that in these teachings, GOD is the Provider and Verifier of everything that is applied to these pages, all Glory and Honor to YAHWEH ADONAI Forever, AMEN. It has been with some difficulty that this message is getting published, both in the "Natural" and the "Virtual"(computer) scopes. Yet My GOD has commanded it, so here it is. 1,750 years before the birth of YESHUA (JESUS), Moshe(Moses) was commanded by YUD-HEH-VAV-HEH (YAHWEH; JEHOVA) to return to the land of Egypt and tell this young Pharaoh to "LET MY PEOPLE GO!" After a list of unpleasant plagues and pestilences, and Pharaoh's constant obstinance and trickery, GOD ADONAI had had enough. HE told Moshe to go one last time, and this time to tell Pharaoh that the lives of every First-born male would be required unless he set the Hebrews free. Stiff-Necked Unbelief can be a real Ego Killer. GOD told Moshe what to do, so the death would "Pass Over" the homes of the Hebrews; Pick out a Lamb or kid that would be just enough for those in your friends and family; make sure it was not marred in any way, it must be roasted, take a Branch of Hyssop and APPLY THE BLOOD on either side and over the door, and STAY BURIED in your HOME until the Angel of Death passes by. Through the act of obedience to GODS word, they were not only released, but were given not only Livestock, but Jewlery, Gold and Silver!! Talk about a Comin' Out Party ! They Had Recieved A Brand New Life !!! Let's come forward 1,780 & 1/2 years; J'town, Feast Week, 33 a.d.. YESHUA (JESUS) is having HIS "Last" meal with HIS 12 disciples, and lets them in on a little of the Mysteries of the FATHER. HE tells them,"DON'T LET YOURSELVES BE DISTURBED. TRUST IN GOD AND TRUST IN ME. IN MY FATHERS HOUSE THERE ARE MANY PLACES TO LIVE. IF THERE WEREN'T, I WOULD HAVE TOLD YOU; BECAUSE I AM GOING TO PREPARE A PLACE FOR YOU. SINCE I'M GOING TO PREPSRE A PLACE FOR YOU, I WILL RETURN AND TAKE YOU WITH ME; SO THAT WHERE I AM, YOU CAN BE ALSO. FUTHERMORE, YOU KNOW WHERE I'M GOING, AND YOU KNOW THE WAY THERE."(Yochanan{John} 14:1-4) From here, there's the Betrayal, the Accusation, and then to Pilate's house we go. You see, Pilate didn't want any part of this persecution perpetrated by the "Religious Heirarchy" of leadership. Not only had his Wife had a dream, Pilate wasn't with out a little judgemental power of observation himself! He could see that these Vengeful men were out for this young teacher, and they were gonna' try to get Rome to do their Dirty Work. Finding NOTHING WRONG with what JESUS was saying, he sent HIM over to Herod's palace, to let the Jews keep the fate of this Guiltless Man to themselves. But Herod, thinking it was some kind of a trick by Pilate to make him look a fool to his own people, also finding nothing wrong with JESUS, sent 'em all packin' it back over to Pontius' place. After trying to find fault through questioning, of which by now JESUS was done with and answered no more(fulfilling Isa.53:3),Pilate thought that he might spare the life of this innocent man if they saw HIM after a scourging. When that failed, he offered to set HIM free as a "Gift", only to hear them calling for the life of a Zealot and demanding JESUS Crucified, a form of death that was a curse for any Hebrew to suffer. Now Pontius Pilate lets the Jewish Rulers know, that since he nor Herod found cause for the death of this Faultless man, that if they wanted HIM to die, he would not take part in it. He washed his hands of the whole matter, and sent them to do their evil pleasure. This brings us to the Cross, to the last words,"IT IS ACCOMPLISHED", to the piercing of HIS side instead of breaking the legs(more prophesy fulfilled)to the Veil tearing from the top to bottom, the sky becoming dark as night, and the Earth shaking violently.The pagen Roman Centurion who had witnessed all this began to praise GOD and said,"Surely, this man was innocent."(Luke 23:47) Now,the Sadducees and Pharisees wanted the bodies taken down from the stakes, it being Preperation Day and the next day being Shabbat (Sabbath), rather than leave them for the beasts and fowl to do away with , as was the custom. Two men, one a P'rushim (Pharisee), Nakdimon (Nicodemas) who believed JESUS, the other a member of the Sanhedrin,(the Ruling class and "Last Word" over all things in the temple), Yosef Ben-Ramatayim (Joseph of Arimathea), who didn't agree with the act of motives for what his fellow Sanhedrin members had done, came to Pilate to plead with him for the body that once held JESUS. I can picture Pilate's relief; He wouldn't have to deal with the mess of taking down the body of this innocent man, and Rome would be free of any rebuke...These men were from the Temple Elite! If a problem arose, they were the ones responsible, They had to deal with it ! So, they took down the shell of the human side of CHRIST, cleaned and spiced it according to tradition, wrapped the body in it's linen, covered the head in it's "Napkin", And took HIM to a New tomb that Yosef had purchased for himself. They gently lay the body inside, and then the two rolled the heavy stone in front of the "Cave", Safely securing the body of JESUS in it's new "Dwelling Place". It's now Day 3 after the Crucifixion, and during this time we know that YESHUA, in SPIRIT, has gone down to hell, kicked open those rusted, busted, and disgusted gates, Stomped down the hall, snatched satan (as I've said before; the FATHER, SON, HOLY SPIRIT, KINGDOM, and Angels get the respect of Caps.; satan and his DO NOT!!!) by his scrawny throat, Yanked the keys of hell and death from his bony fingers, strolled over to Abraham's Bossom (Paradise), Proclaimed the Good News, gathered up all who would believe HIM on that Beautiful, Enormous Train of HIS Robe, and with a SHOUT OF VICTORY, MOVED PARADISE RIGHT UP NEXT TO THAT GREAT PEARL GATE !! HALLELUJAH !!! That may not be scripture, but it sure paints a lovely picture, don't it ? So, back up in the "Natural" realm, Miryam Magdala (Mary Magdalene), Miryam, mother of Ya'akov (Mary, mother of James), Yochanah (Joanna), and the others in their circle (Luke 24:10) had gone to the tomb with spices and herbs to do a "Follow-up" ritual for the burial of JESUS. As they get close, they can see that the guards are gone, the stone is rolled back, and the tomb it's self is EMPTY !! As the women stand awestruck, Two Men in dazzling white clothing appear next to them ! They fall to their faces in reverance, as the Men ask them,"Why are you looking for the living among the dead ? HE is NOT HERE; HE HAS BEEN RAISED. Remember how HE told you while HE was still in Galil (Galilee),"THE SON OF MAN MUST BE DELIVERED INTO THE HANDS OF SINFUL MEN AND BE EXECUTED ON A STAKE AS A CRIMINAL, BUT ON THE THIRD DAY BE RAISED AGAIN ?" (Luke 24:5-7) GLORY TO GOD ADONAI !!! PRAISE THE LION OF JUDAH, GLORY AND HONOR TO THE RU'ACH HA'KO'DESH (HOLY SPIRIT) !!!!! My, how a little "Drama" can cause us to forget some of the most important things!! YESHUA had also told them,"YES,INDEED!! I TELL YOU UNLESS A GRAIN OF WHEAT THAT FALLS TO THE GROUND DIES, IT STAYS JUST GRAIN; BUT IF IT DIES, IT PRODUCES A BIG HARVEST." [ Yochanan (John) 12:24] Sha'ul (Paul) had this to say to the Corinthians,"But the fact is that the MESSIAH HAS been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have died. For since death came through a man, also the ressurection of the dead has come through a man. For just as in connection with Adam all die, so in connection with the MESSIAH all will be made alive. But each in his own order: the MESSIAH is the Firstfruits; then those who belong to the MESSIAH, at the time of HIS coming; then the culmination, when HE hands over the KINGDOM to GOD the FATHER, after having put an end to every rulership, yes, to every authority and power. For HE has to rule until HE puts all HIS enemies under HIS feet. The last enemy to be done away with will be death." (1 Corinthians 15:20-26) PRAISE GOD !!!! ... And again," Brothers, by the right to be proud which the MESSIAH YESHUA our LORD gives me, I solemnly tell you that I die every day."(15:31) And yet again," Don't you know that those of us who have been immersed into the MESSIAH YESHUA have been immersed into HIS death ? Through immersion into HIS death we were buried with HIM; so that just as, through the Glory of the FATHER, the MESSIAH was raised from the dead , likewise we too might live a new life. For if we have been united with HIM in a death like HIS, we will also be united with HIM in a ressurection like HIS." (Romans 6:3-5) The WORD says that we should be immitaters of CHRIST, to follow HIS every example, every deed, every word. We should be like HIM in ALL THINGS. From that first passover, an example was being made. If you would, step into any doorway, stand on the thresh-hold, hold out your arms where Moses would have taken "The Branch" and Applied the Blood. Now look above to the lintel, where Blood would have been brushed on, and imagine a Crown of Thorns, meant to mock, yet bringing GLORY to our KING, and then look behind you to see the room that you were in, but now find empty, seeing all of Creation in front of you, and all the while, remembering the Hebrew children and the CHRIST, knowing that' like the Hebrews from their shut-up houses and our SAVIOR from the tomb, once you emerge from that "Cave" to a Brand New Start, a BRIGHT NEW LIFE, that the old "Self" must die like a grain of wheat so it can be buried and be raised up to produce a GREAT HARVEST of Wonderful Fruit, and that HE has prepared a place for you in HIS FATHERS House!!! My, what blessings we take for granted, and never think to say "Thank You, FATHER" for. Let's not forget, this Passover season, the Gift of GOD's unfailing love in delivering us from every plague that comes nigh our dwelling, for the last sacrifice for our sins, for the promise of New Life, if only we release the "Old Self" to die so we can be Born Again!! Pray with us, won't you ? ....... SWEET AND WONDERFUL FATHER,CARING AND GENTLE KING, COMFORTING SPIRIT; WE COME IN AGREEMENT FOR THE DELIVERANCE FOR HOPE TO THE LOST AND WANDERING; TO THE UNSURE; TO THE ONE WHO FEELS UNWORTHY, TO ALL WHO THINK THEY'VE GONE TOO FAR TO EVER BE LOVED BY A KING. WE ASK YOU, HOLY SPIRIT, TO TOUCH THEIR HEARTS, TO DRAW THEM NEAR TO THE FATHER YAHWEH, SO THAT THEY MAY SEE HIS GLORY AND FEEL THE PRESENCE OF HIS LAMB, JESUS YESHUA MESSIAH, THE HOPE FOR ALL PEOPLE. PLACE THEM ON YOUR ROAD OF SALVATION, SO THAT THEY MAY BE WHERE YOU ARE. LET THEM KNOW THAT A PLACE HAS BEEN PREPARED FOR THEM, ALL THEY HAVE TO DO IS JUST COME HOME.JESUS, GIVE THEM YOUR LIGHT, SO THEY CAN FIND THEIR WAY THRUOGH THIS DARK, UNCARING WORLD, AND HELP OTHERS TO THE REVEALATION OF YOUR LOVE. LET THEM KNOW THAT YOU HAVE NEVER AND SHALL NEVER GIVE UP ON THEM. FATHER, WE ALSO WOULD PRAY, BY THE AUTHORITY RESTORED US BY THE CROSS AND THE TOMB, THAT THOSE IN NEED OF YOUR HEALING TOUCH FIND YOUR MERCY CLOSE AT HAND, MEND THE BROKEN, HEAL THE SICK, RESTORE WHAT WAS LOST. BY THE BLOOD OF THE CROSS, THE PROMISE FROM THE TOMB, AND IN THE HOLY NAME OF YESHUA MESSIAH, AMEN-AMEN-AMEN If you've prayed this Prayer of Faith with us, and you have any questions or would like to speak with us, please leave your name and a number where you can be reached in the Guestbook, or at our e-mail link on one of the pages on this site. In case you don't want to search, it's:prodigalministries@zoomtown.com: Just click here, and you'll reach us. We check both places many times each day, so we will get back to you pretty quick. We're still waiting on the MASTER to open our building up to us, but we can recommend a good faith-based church in most areas around the Tri-State (Oh-Ky-In) area. While we are having "Virtual"church through this site, it is not a substitute for gathering with others in a house of GOD. As Always, We're Praying for You. May the LORD smile on you with Blessings !! With the Love of JESUS; Pastors Joel & Charlotte Martin Prodigal Ministries House of Refuge "'Till All The Prodigals Come Home"
"THE LIGHT"
March 2, 2010
Picture this...Two young "Christian" girls are walking through the local Mall one Saturday afternoon. Since they met at their Baptisism, they have been near inseperable, always texting, or chatting on-line when they weren't physically together. They sit with each other at every service, and participate in every young peoples event or function that their moderately sized Church holds, striving to be everything that they have been told JESUS wants them to be, and acting how HE would want them to act.(Oooooo,ACT; Now THERE'S a word to think about!) As they stand admiring an attractive outfit combo in a storefront, they hear the voice of a girl very much thier own age agreeing with them on the appeal of the clothes on display. Without turning, they begin to elaborate on how many different accessories and "Bling" things would go with it, giggling as young girls do, with the voice thats just out of sight. Then the voice says," It is very nice, but I'm not sure how it would look on me." As the one standing closest turns toward the voice, she sees a dyed haired, tattooed, multiply pierced girl with dark eye shadow and nail polish gazing into the widow beside her.
With a hushed gasp, she takes her friends hand and hurries away, seeking out a place where they can pray against the Evil that so nearly overtook them through "Fellowshiping" with them in conversation, and how close they stood to "it". What's wrong with this picture that happens far too often, not just with the young convert, but with us "Seasoned" believers ? Like it or not, elders of the faith, it happens because of what we teach by example. True enough, Paul the Emissary told the followers in Corinth,"Do not yoke your selves together in a team with unbelievers. For how can righteousness and lawlessness be partners ? What fellowship does light have with darkness ?"[2 Corinthians6:14,CJB] Did you "HEAR", Understanding what Sha'ul said ? By NO MEANS did he say not to talk to them. He said not to tie your self to them in their sin and darkness! How can they obtain the Grace and Mercy of our GOD YAHWEH, through Christ YESHUA, IF WE NEVER SPEAK TO THEM ??? And in that, not judgementally, but with a LOVE LIGHT !!( See message "The Two Judgements" from July,'09) In the book of John, chapter 12, verses 35 and 36 say this,"YESHUA said to them,"The light will be with you only a little while longer.Walk while you have the light, or the dark will overtake you; he who walks in the dark doesn't know where he's going. While you have the light, put your trust in the light, so that you may become people of light." YESHUA said these things, then went off and kept HIMSELF hidden from them. " [CJB] We see in Matthew 5:14-16, JESUS telling the crowd gathered on the hill in Galillee this.."You are light for the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Likewise,when people light a lamp, they don't cover it with a bowl but put it on a lampstand, so that it shines for everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before people, so that they may see the good things you do and praise your FATHER in Heaven."[CJB] Were the two young believers doing the will of the FATHER as taught by JESUS from the Mount, or were they putting a bowl over their light, that shines for each other and in the congregation house, but not on a World that is perishing in the Darkness inhabited by the Adversary, satan.(GOD,JESUS, and the SPIRIT get the respect of capital letters, lucifer does not!!) Lets read what Peter had to say in his second letter...3:8-16[CLB]..."Moreover, dear friends, do not ignore this: with the LORD, one day is like a thousand years and a thousand years like one day. The LORD is not slow in keeping HIS promise, as some people think of slowness; on the contrary, HE is patient with you; for it is not HIS purpose THAT ANYONE SHOULD BE DESTROYED, BUT EVERYONE SHOULD TURN FROM THIER SINS. However, the Day of the LORD will come"like a thief." On that Day the heavens will dissapear with a roar, the elements will melt and disintegrate, and the earth and everything in it will be burned up. Since everything is going to be destroyed like this, WHAT KIND OF PEOPLE SHOULD YOU BE ? You should lead HOLY and GODLY lives, as you wait for the Day of GOD and work to HASTEN HIS COMING. That Day will bring on the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt from the heat; but WE, FOLLOWING ALONG WITH HIS PROMISE, wait for a new heavens and a new earth, in which RIGHTEOUSNESS WILL BE AT HOME. Therefore, dear freinds, as you look for these things, DO EVERYTHING YOU CAN to be found by HIM without spot or defect and at peace. And think of our LORD's patience as deliverance, just as our dear brother Sha'ul also wrote you, following the wisdom GOD gave him. Indeed, he speaks about these things in ALL his letters. They contain some things that are hard to understand, things which the Uninstructed and Unstable Distort, to THEIR OWN DESTRUCTION, AS THEY DO OTHER SCRIPTURES." Simon Peter sure said an awful lot in two paragraphs. Firstly, we shouldn't fool Ourselves.....the time is NOW ! HIS Day is nearer than we think. We don't have the luxury of "Picking and Choosing" who gets to come. HE want's ALL to find Favor and Grace in the Love Light of the MESSIAH YESHUA. How ? Like JESUS told those on the Mount...."YOU ARE the LIGHT FOR the World". The light FOR the World....FOR the World....Not just to, Not just of, but FOR the World !!! And , as we read from Paul, Light and Darkness cannot abide together, yet we know from scripture that LIGHT OVERCOMES DARKNESS !!!..WHOOO !!!...GLORY HALLELUJAH !!!.....ALL HAIL THE KING OF KINGS !!!!! HE IS THAT LIGHT !!!! AND HIS GLORY SHOULD BE SHINING FROM US, IF WE ARE IN HIM AND HE IN US, FOR... AGAIN; FOR... A WORLD SHROUDED IN DARKNESS AND DESPAIR !! Secondly...This is how we "Hasten" the Day and do all to be found with out defect...Profess and Proclaim the LORD JESUS CHRIST, YESHUA MESSIAH, THE RISEN KING, THE LION OF JUDAH, THE LAMB OF GOD YAHWEH ADONAI , EL'SHADDAI'S ONLY SON, to THE ENTIRE WORLD...no matter how "weird" or different they may appear to you. THEY ARE ALSO GODS BELOVED CREATION, LIKE IT OR NOT, and we BETTER get to LIKIN' it, and help them overcome the darkness around them by showing our LOVE LIGHT !! JESUS repeatedly said that until the WHOLE WORLD heard the Good News, that HE could not come. Which brings up the Third thing....As the KJV puts it "Study to show yourself approved of GOD..". The CJB shows Paul instructing Timothy to,"Keep reminding people of this, and charge them solemnly before the LORD not to engage in word-battles. They accomplish nothing useful and are a catastrophy for the hearers! Do all you can to present yourself to GOD as someone worthy of HIS approval, as a worker with no need to be ashamed, because he deals straightforwadly with the Word of Truth. But keep away from GODless babbling, for those who engage in it will only become more unGODly, and their teaching will eat away at people like gangrene. Hymenaeus and Philetus are among these, they have missed the mark, as far as truth is concerned, by saying that our ressurrection has already taken place; and they are overturning some peoples faith. Nevertheless, GOD's firm foundation stands, stamped with these words:"THE LORD KNOWS HIS OWN" and,"LET EVERYONE WHO CLAIMS HE BELONGS TO THE LORD STAND APART FROM WRONGDOING." {2 Timothy 2:14-19} As the tale at the begining illustrated, these two young believers had been given a scripture out of context, and were using it as Doctrine (life lessons). They mistakenly were shunning the person, not overtaking the darkness that surrounded them with the LIGHT of JESUS' Love! This can be nothing but counter-effective to the "Hastening" of the Coming of GOD ! Look it up, if you're not sure, and don't be afraid to use a few different "versions" and "translations" to check against each other to complete your full understanding of the Word. We Pastors, Ministers, and Teachers also need to be very careful of what we Preach and Teach. The blood of those who are led astray by erred word shall be required of US at the GREAT WHITE THRONE JUDGEMENT, where YAHWEH shall judge HIS judgement !! If the words we profess are not the true Word of GOD, then we are not Shining the LIGHT so Graciously bestowed on us by our GOD, and are thereby holding up HIS return. UNDERSTAND IT BEFORE YOU TEACH IT! Finally, friends, remember the words of JESUS from John 15," I am the vine and you are the branches. Those who stay united with ME, and I with them, are the ones who bear much fruit; because apart from ME you can't do a thing. Unless a person remains united with ME, he is thrown away like a branch and dries up. Such branches are gathered and thrown into the fire, where they are burned up. If you remain united with ME, and MY WORDS with you, then ask whatever you want, and it will happen for you. This is how MY FATHER is Glorified--in your bearing much fruit; this is how you will prove to be MY talmidim(disciples)." I may not have the best apple tree on the block...but I know that if I build a roof over it, shutting out the light, it will NOT PRODUCE any apples; rather, it will wither and die, and only be good for the fire. And so it is with the Lost and Wandering of this World, as well as the Prodigals, and FAR TOO MANY of the people who sit in the Pews, service after service, thinking they've got it made, yet there is no light shining from them to the dark and distressed that are all around them. Let's Awaken the flame in each one of us who Proclaim JESUS the Risen SAVIOR, and Illuminate the WORLD for the Glory of the KINGDOM of GOD, and the GLORY of the KING, HIS FATHER, and the RAUCH HAKODESH (the HOLY SPIRIT). LET YOUR LIGHT SO SHINE !!! BE A BEACON IN THE DARKEST NIGHT, GUIDING THOSE TOSSED ON LIFES SEA SAFELY HOME !!! PRAISE GOD !!! We sincerely pray that this message has been a help to some of you, and an enLIGHTenment to all of you! We would like to pray with you now, for whatever your needs may be. I feel an annointing for understanding for us all through this Word, and the Bible teaches that through understanding comes knowledge, and wisdom, and that GOD will give it Liberally to any and all who ask from a Humble Heart. Understanding is something that is needed to recieve JESUS as LORD and SAVIOR, and to trust HIM as our Best Friend. Understanding is also the Key to the Healing of all the things of this temporary existence. So, if you will now Know in your Hearts, and Speak it with your mouth, having Confidence that the Word of GOD is TRUE with us, let's pray together for our needs to the ONLY ONE who can Fulfill and Provide us our Help... FATHER GOD YAHWEH, YESHUA MESSIAH, RUACH HAKODESH, WE PRAISE AND GLORIFY YOUR HOLY KINGDOM , AND WE COME IN AGREEMENT RIGHT NOW FOR THE SALVATION OF THE LOST AND BACKSLIDDEN, THOSE WHO ARE WANDERING WITHOUT DIRECTION, THAT THEY COME INTO YOUR REST, YOUR PEACE, AND YOUR PRESENCE. WE ASK THAT YOUR SPIRIT TAKE UP RESIDENCE IN THEIR TEMPLES OF CLAY, THAT IS THEIR EARTHLY BODIES, AND FILL THEM WITH THE JOY AND UNDERSTANDING THAT ONLY YOU CAN GIVE. FATHER, WE ALSO PETTITION YOU FOR THE HEALING OF THE BROKEN, SPIRITUALLY, PHYSICALLY, MENTALLY, AND FINANCIALLY, THAT THEIR HOUSES MAY BE FILLED WITH JOY AND PLENTY, AN ABUNDANCE THAT WILL POUR OUT TO OTHERS, FOR YOUR GLORY AND HONOR, PRECIOUS FATHER. WE, AT THIS MINISTRY, THANK YOU FOR THE BUILDING YOU HAVE PROMISED, AND WAIT PATIENTLY FOR THE MANIFESTATION OF IT'S DELIVERY TO OUR HANDS TO THE GLORY OF YOUR HANDS, FOR YOUR WORK IN GIVING MORE "OUTLOOK" AND LESS"IN-SIGHT" TO YOUR CHILDREN. IN AND FOR ALL THESE THINGS, YOU ALONE RECIEVE THE GLORY, HONOR, PRAISE, AND THANKS......AMEN-AMEN-AMEN If you've just prayed for healing, of mind, body, spirit, or finances, claim it, and go to your home church and testify to the glory of GOD for it's manifestation. If you've prayed, or would like to pray, for your salvation, asking JESUS CHRIST to be your personal REDEEMER and FRIEND, you can contact us at :prodigalministries@zoomtown.com: through the links located on this sites various pages, or by leaving a message on our Guestbook page. All correspondence will be kept confidential. We encourage you to seek out a Meeting House or Church in your area that follows the full teaching of the Holy Bible, fullfilled by the teachings of JESUS. Speak with a Pastor or Minister and trust in GOD through JESUS and the SPIRIT. While we are, at this present time, a "Virtual Church", we know from the Word and personal experience, that gathering together in a House of GOD is a VERY important practice to persue, as it will increase faith and strength for the benefit of the KINGDOM, as well as your own life situations. In this time of waiting on our building, we are attending other Church's of Faith.There are many wonderfull places of worship, large and small, that will be able to supply the attention you need. Please continue to visit us here, and go to the Music page for some GREAT Praise and Worship video.
With all that being said, remember us in your prayers, as we remember you in ours.
With the Love of JESUS Pastors Joel and Charlotte Martin
Prodigal Ministries House of Refuge "'Till All the Prodigals Come Home"
IF WE ARE THE BODY...
February 7, 2010
A look back into the history of the Judean belief system gives an interesting outlook on modern Christianity, if we'll only take an intrest in discovering our roots as followers of the MESSIAH Yeshua, SON of the LIVING GOD, YAHWEH. Should we decide to only take a few precious moments out of our otherwise hectic day to see just exactly how our 'Belief' system started, we may just find a better understanding of where the 'Church' is standing in these last and fate-filled times. You see, whether we like to realize it or not, we have allowed ourselves to be stuck in a mire that, in many ways, is more dangerous than that oozing mess that Jeremiah was repeatedly dropped in. And, just as it would have surely taken his mortal life, we may very well be in danger of letting our very souls be sucked under the quicksand of Religious Tradition and Philosophy. I am speaking of what, in the King James Version, Paul in 1 Corinthians 12:25 calls "SCHISM". Webster's Dictionary defines this as,"...a division or dessention, cleavage, in an organized body or society, especially in the Christian Church; deliberate separation of themselves by a group of Christians from communion with the rest of the Church; or, the offense of separating oneself from the main body of the Church." During the few hundred years prior to the birth of the ANNOINTED ONE, although, indeed, from the time of the Exodus there were differences of opinion to deal with, the defining lines of the Religious Leaders became clearer. ( I refer you here to the book of 2nd Macabees, which, even though considered by most in "Authority" to have no Spiritual bearing on the WORD, Paul pointed out that,"All Scripture is GOD- breathed and is valuable for the teaching the truth, convicting of sin, correcting faults, and training in right living."(2 Tim.3:16 C.J.B.) After all, Until the 3rd century, many of the books deemed 'Apocrypha' (meaning simply 'left out') were still used in study and worship. In fact, We personally have Three Family Bibles, one from the turn of the last century, one from my Aunt, and one given to my Dad in the 1980's, that ALL contain the 'left out' scriptures. So, lets not hear any of that "Heresy" talk..It's for our education.) At the time of JESUS, the Jews themselves were divided into three groups....The Sadducees; The Pharisees; and the Essenes. Each group having thier own way of looking at the way the Church should believe. The first group were wealthy elite-ists, who believed that you had to be born into the priesthood, or prophet-hood to preach, teach, and prophesy in the synagogues and at temple. These were the ones who would "make peaceful concessions" to whomever the conquering leaders were at any given time, as long as they got to stay wealthy and in control of the Jews. Then we have the poorer or lower class, who believed that anybody, with the proper education and schooling, under their supervision, of course, could be deemed a teacher, or "Rabbi", and therefore hold office in the halls and courts of worship. These had no desire to talk with, or compromise their religion for, any ruling faction that was not Jewish. Now the third set was totally different than the others in that they believed that the end that the Prophets had been talking about was coming in their time, and, at all costs, they would have to see to it that their culture, way of life, and Holy word was preserved. Now comes a man who is recognized by the 'Big Three' as being a great teacher, Prophet, Healer, and Leader of the people, who must be sent of ADONAI, even though they seldom, if ever let the general public know what they thought. The Sadducees and Pharisees were at constant odds over what JESUS said, and how HE went about "HIS FATHERS BUSINESS", as HE put it so long before. They each wanted to be the ones that were RIGHTEOUS, or just plain right. HE spoke of how every one should work together, as HIS FATHER had intended from the begining, for the welfare of every man, to the ends of re-uniting as one people on the Earth, with one mind, set on the KINGDOM, which is an inheritence for ALL! Yet, even after Three and a half years of hearing, seeing, and doing, wonders, and even HIS miraculous ressurection and ascent, HIS own followers divided into factions. James, who was taught by JESUS in both the flesh and spirit, led the main body of believers in Jerusalem, and had it in his mind that to follow JESUS and obtain a path to salvation, you must become a Jew, follow ALL of the Traditional Hebrew laws, and be circumcised by a Rabbi. After all, was not the Master a Jew himself, who followed the Traditions while HE was flesh and bone? Then there's Paul, who was a Pharisee which, like the rest of that sect (remember that word), was afraid of the power that, even dead and gone (in his mind), JESUS had over the people through HIS disciples. Yet, though he imprisoned and murdered his own for following the MESSIAH, JESUS took him and taught him by HIS SPIRIT the things that HE wanted HIS people to know and do. Many of them being Goyim,(Gentiles), Paul instructed them that salvation only came by grace and faith that is not our own.(Eph.2:8). Then there's good ole' Peter, who always seemed to ride the fence between the two others. One minute eating non-kosher food with gusto, the next denying that it should ever touch his lips. (It's all in the book of Galations 2:11-14) If the scriptures are all profitable for teaching, why haven't we learned anything about dividing the church? I was made aware of a startling event that happened recently, concerning a lost soul, two men in a Bus Ministry, and a young Pastor. Evidently, the bus ministers recognized the lost one as someone they knew before they came to the realization of JESUS' love, and stopped to give the WORD to thier old friend. Now comes the young Pastor, 'cause this is taking place close to the congregation house that he shepherds. He sees the name of the Non- Denominational Church on the bus, and gets upset with the two, who, incidently attended this mans "Pentecostal" Church on the odd night. Words were passed, things got heated, and the Pastor punched one of the two, knocking him to the ground, which in turn caused the other to react without thinking first, and he did in kind to the Pastor, in defense of his friend. The cause and effect of this "Division Dispute" not only caused Three men, who are, by the way, working for the same end, to stumble and fall, but now here's a soul in need of the love of JESUS , who is now thinking "Why would I wanna' get mixed up in all that? These guy's are supposed to be "Christians", but they act just like a common street gang! Who needs that, I'll just take my chances! GOD must not be so great if HE can't even handle a little 'tude from these clowns!" Not to mention any on-lookers, or passers- bye that not only saw the name of the ruputable Church on the bus, but also knew who the local Pastor was! What kind of testamony are we for our Glorious KING, when we can't even agree that there is ONLY ONE GATE, ONE PATH, ONE DOOR, ONE NAME ABOVE ALL NAMES that can get us HOME, and, Paul made it a point to spell this out, ONLY ONE CHURCH, "For in union with the MESSIAH, you are ALL children of GOD through this trusting faithfulness; because as many of you as were immersed into the MESSIAH, in whom THERE IS NEITHER JEW NOR GENTILE, NEITHER SLAVE NOR FREEMAN, NEITHER MALE NOR FEMALE, FOR IN UNION WITH THE MESSIAH YESHUA, YOU ARE ALL ONE!!!" One Church that belongs to GOD through faith in HIS SON, YESHUA MESSIAH! (JESUS CHRIST). [Gal 3:26-28] Didn't JESUS HIMSELF tell us to "Be Holy as I am Holy"? And I've gotta' tell ya', that don't mean hair above the collar and dress past the knees! That, Dear Ones, is a Tradition of Man, which the MESSIAH also pointed out, that by following them (Man's Traditions) for life lessons, or 'Doctrines' we make the WORD of GOD non-effectual!!! As of 1987, there were approxemately 54 (Fifty Four) different "Denominations" of the Baptist "Sect" alone! Has anyone bothered to look at how many Houses that have GOD's name on 'em that proclaim that they follow "Holiness", and turn the hurting, sick, lost, addicted, poor and hungry away for the simple reason that they don't dress or do their hair right, or because they're an un-wed drug addicted, mother of two, who needs to know the sweet carress of the CHRIST in her life? By the same token, how many Houses are there who gather these who have been way-laid by the World up, just to show numbers in thier congregations, having them say a "Repeat After Me" prayer, and NEVER addressing the demons that are DESTROYING these peoples lives?? Romans 13:11-14 {C.J.B.} .... "Besides all this, you know at what point of history we stand; so it's high time for you to rouse yourselves from sleep; for the final deliverance is nearer than when we first came to trust. The night is over, the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and arm ourselves with weapons of light. Let us live properly, as people do in the daytime-not partying and getting drunk, not engaging in sexual immorality and other excesses, not quarrelling and being jealous. Instead, clothe yourselves with the LORD YESHUA MESSIAH; and don't waist your time thinking about how to provide for the sinful desires of your old nature." STOP THINKING OF OURSELVES AND START CONSIDERING THE NEEDS OF OTHERS!!!! STOP COVETING A BIGGER CONGREGATION THAN THE METHODISTS DOWN THE BLOCK! STOP SLICING THE BODY OF CHRIST UP INTO TINY LITTLE PIECES THAT DO NO-ONE, ABSOLUTELY NO-ONE ANY GOOD AT ALL!!! Face it, you're not pleasing GOD YAHWEH if you're doing everything that the Church that demanded HIS DEATH was doing! Do you see what Paul told THEM?? WAKE UP.....THE TIME IS NOW!!! HE STANDS AT THE DOOR AND KNOCKS!!!! YOU WILL NOT HAVE TIME TO WASH YOUR BLOOD-STAINED HANDS WHEN HE CALLS "SUPPER-TIME!!!" Make no mistake; every thing you've done, or haven't done for the KINGDOM's sake WILL be taken into account! And the blood of every last person you've turned away, led astray, or failed to nurture through the hardest times and tests of faith and Spiritual Strength, WILL BE ON YOUR HANDS!! As we divide the Body by De-nominating ourselves, we also make the power of GOD useless and mute. We honor with our lips, yet our hearts are far, far from HIS.
There was so much more the SPIRIT had given me for this message to the CHURCH, New and Old Testaments, but HE has spoken HIS piece. I pray that, if I've offended anybody, you'll search yourself for the reason why, and find it in your heart to forgive me. As I've said before, I can't and won't appologize for GOD's WORD. I do hope that you'll join me in a simple prayer......... FATHER, FORGIVE US OUR TRANSGRESSIONS AGAINST YOU AND EACH OTHER. PLEASE REMOVE OUR STONY HEARTS, AND REPLACE THEM WITH WARM HEARTS OF LOVE. HELP US TO COME TOGETHER IN YOU, AND NOT FIND OURSELVES CONTINUEING TO DIVIDE YOUR HOLY CONGREGATION, SEPERATING YOUR BODY. HELP US TO BECOME THE ONE CHURCH, WITHOUT SPOT OR BLEMISH ,THAT YOU ARE RETURNING TO GATHER TO YOURSELF. WE HUMBLE OURSELVES AT YOUR MERCIFUL FEET....IN YOUR NAME YESHUA.....AMEN-AMEN-AMEN Please correspond with us, either by the Guestbook page,or by e-mail :prodigalministries@zoomtown.com: Even if you disagree with the Word, let us know. Please don't be rude or vulgar....you can disagree without cussin' us out!! As Always, We're Praying For You Pastors Joel & Charlotte Martin " 'Till All The Prodigals Come Home"A NEW START
January 1, 2010
"Once more into the breech" states the King in one of Shakespeare's better known plays, and, even so, we go into yet another year in service to Our KING. There are many who would use this turning of the calenders pages one more time as yet another reason to repute and dispute what has been stated from the turn of the last millenium; that the return of JESUS to set to right the evil and sin in the world, redeem the Faithful, punish the wicked, and rule here on this earth for a Thousand years is a Myth, and a False Belief. These are ones who either don't know the words of JESUS, or have lost thier Faith, thier Heart, thier Hope Beyond Hope in the ever present GOD, through the Spirit ON them and JESUS IN them. When asked by HIS disciples when, or how people would know when HE would be back to take HIS throne as KING, HE gave them quite a list of things that not only had to happen, but needed to happen AT THE SAME TIME!! This is where a lot of sceptics and doubters get thier "Wet Powder" for thier attack on Faith in JESUS as LORD, KING, and the SON OF THE LIVING GOD. I'll leave you to read that list for your selves, as it is quite long, and would take us a bit to the side of this message. You can find it in the Gospels in the 24th chapter of Matthew; Mark 13:4-33 ; Luke 21:8-28; and there are so many more references, from Genesis to Revelations, to list them all would wear out this keyboard. And even though the text would bear out the heading, this message has been given to me from another location, and is not so much an "End Time Prophesy" word. Yet, without a doubt, we need to be aware of the signs of the Day Of The LORD's Return. It IS sooner than we may think!!! As Pastor Charlotte was finishing her preparations for our New years Eve duties and praise-time in the House of GOD, She said," Ya' know , if we were in possesion of our building now, we would've been there already, and had a house full of people praisin' and eatin' and havin' a wonderful time in the LORD, gettin' ready to hear whatever word HE would bring for the New Year." As soon as those words left her lips, the SPIRIT said to my Spirit, New Starts, that's the message, New Starts! I told Sis.Charlotte this, and she smiled and agreed, imediately pointing out many places, such as the tomb, the cross, the Second Coming, Lazarus, which are all good references. I had to agree, knowing that the SPIRIT had revealed these to her, and then I told her of the place I was told to use to show many cases of New Starts and Second, even Third chances.....the short book of Jonah. Let's start at verse one in the N.L.T. ....... "The Lord gave this message to Jonah son of Amittai "Get up and go to the great city of Nineveh! Announce MY judgement against it because I have seen how wicked it's people are." Now we read that Jonah, for whatever reason,( it is speculated that due to the fierce reputation of this huge city, which had been the capital of the Assyrian Empire, that he feared for his very life if he gave them a message of retribution, but only Jonah and the HOLY TRINITY know for sure), tried to run from GOD's will, kinda' like a goldfish tryin' to hide in a clear glass bowl. We read that he buys passage on the first ship he can find that's going as far away from Nineveh as he can get. So, sailing from Joppa on a ship bound for Tarshish, Jonah relaxes down in the hold, thinking he's got outt'a that mess. Have you ever noticed that just when you think you've got it made.... The account doesn't say, but we have to surmize that they were over a day or two out to sea, when GOD judged the rope just long enough to hang HIS disobedient little prophet, and sent a "powerful wind" and a "violent storm that threatened to send them to the bottom". Verse 5; "Fearing for thier lives, the desperate sailors shouted to thier gods for help and threw the cargo overboard to lighten the ship. And all this time Jonah was sound asleep down in the hold. So the Captain went down after him. "How can you sleep at a time like this?" he shouted,"Get up and pray to YOUR god! Maybe he will have mercy on us and spare our lives!" Then the crew cast lots to see who had offended the gods and caused the terrible storm. When they did this, Jonah lost the toss. "What have you done to bring this awful storm down upon us?" they demanded,"Who are you? What is your line of work? What country are you from? What is your Nationality?" ...Ya' know, maybe it's just me, but the time to play "A Thousand Questions" should'a been BEFORE they took this worried strangers money and let him on thier ship...ya' think? So now, here they are, middle of the Great Sea, just about to head for the nearest land,( which unfortunately, is the bottom!), and they decide to find out a little bit about thier newest contestant..."Tell 'em what they've won,Jonah!!" Verse 9; And Jonah answered," I am a Hebrew, and I worship the LORD, the GOD of Heaven, who made the sea and the land." Then he told them that he was running away from the LORD. The sailors were terrified when they heard this. "OH,WHY DID YOU DO IT?" they groaned. And since the storm was getting worse all the time, they asked him,"What should we do to you to stop this storm?" "Throw me into the sea," Jonah said,"and it will become calm again. For I know that this terrible storm is all my fault." Now we see that they weren't ruthless, cut-throats, but compassionate men. We read that before they did as Jonah said, they tried to row the boat to some safe harbor. When they knew they could not, they prayed to "Jonah's God" that they not die for his sins, or be held accountable for his death at the mercy of the sea, and acknowledged that HE had sent the storm for HIS own good reason, whatever it may have been. And they chucked Jonah overboard. The storm stopped immediately! All right, here's New Start # 1....(v.16)" The sailors were AWESTRUCK by the LORDS great power, and they OFFERED HIM A SACRIFICE AND VOWED TO SERVE HIM!!" Oh, I can just picture the Captain and crew tossing all 'o' those old, carved from stone and wood, molded from all sorts of metal, dumb, life-less idols overboard in favor of a TRUE GOD who, even though they couldn't touch, they were all too sure of by HIS POWER and PRESENCE and the sheer Magnitude of all they had just been allowed to participate in!!! Hallelujah!!! Now we read that Jonah is swallowed by a special fish that GOD has made for just this occasion, and Jonah is inside for three days and nights.( All you New Testament readers get the signifigance of this)......New Start # 2 .....(2:1) " Then Jonah PRAYED to the LORD his GOD from inside the fish.".....For the next nine verses, Jonah does some mighty heavy repentance prayin', and GOD has the fish "spit him up on the beach." Now, when God Almighty has given you a Wuppin' like that, and yer not talkin' di-rectly to Ol' Gabriel himself, you do what he wants, no "but's" about it!! Sooo, off he goes to Nineveh to tell 'em that the GOD of Abraham, Issac, and Jacob is NOT pleased, and to tighten up and hang on, cause it's all over but the cryin'! Now, we gather from the Biblical text, and secular records, as well, that Nineveh was a very large city that would take three days to get through, with a huge population, here recorded as at least One Hundred and Twenty Thousand. Now this text tells us that the day Jonah made it into the city, (which is more than likely reffering to the center, or seat of government), "...he shouted to the crowds: "Forty days from now Nineveh will be destroyed!" Short and to the point. the King James text reads the same...no elaboration, just the "Officer Friday" facts! .....Here comes New Start # 3..... The next five verses tell how All the people believed the message from GOD, and when it got to the King, he sent out a decree that even the animals and livestock should be covered in sack cloth and ashes, and EVERYONE must pray forgiveness and turn from thier ways, and maybe, just maybe, GOD would show mercy on them and spare them alive! GOD of Mercy, GOD of Grace!!! Praise Almighty ADONAI !!! 120,000 sinners redeemed in one meeting with one of the Shortest messages recorded in the Bible!!! Verse 3:10 says "When GOD saw that they had put a stop to thier evil ways, HE had MERCY on them and didn't carry out the destruction HE had threatened." From here on , Chapter 4 is all about Jonah's "Foot-stompin', Rock-kickin', Cry-baby-in'"," I just knew you would feel sorry for 'em and not wipe 'em all out,"-in' whinin', and GOD havin' to give him and example by way of a goard vine to set him straight......But that's another message. So, as we go into this New Year, having been given these examples of GOD's Mercy, Grace, and Willingness in giving out New Starts to a ships crew of Pagans; a city full of Non-Believers; and even one stubborned ol', hard -headed, spoiled brat of a backslidden Preacher, we should have no doubts that HE would do the same for the WORST of us, if WE were only sincere enough to want to be free from the guilt, shame, paranoia, depression and just flat weight of a life of conforming to the World Society's ways of living. If WE would acknowledge JESUS as our KING, Heaven as our TRUE HOME, and the FATHER GOD as the Creator Posesser, and Loving Father that HE CONTINUALLY PROVES HIMSELF TO BE; the trials and hardships of this earthly existence would remain, but COULD NOT PERSIST, or have any TRUE POWER OVER US !!! Will you make that decision to receive your rightful place as a Prince or Princess, a Child of the KING, Who just happens to be the LORD CREATOR and Ruler of ALL THE UNIVERSE? If you're ready to take that step, would you pray with us now?..... FATHER GOD, LORD JESUS,HOLY SPIRIT...NOW IS THE TIME OF OUR SALVATION. WE COME IN AGREEMENT NOW TO ASK YOUR FORGIVENESS OF ALL THINGS WE MAY HAVE DONE, KNOWN AND UNAWARE, SO THAT WE MAY BE AS JESUS PRAYED, ONE WITH YOU, AS HE IS ONE WITH YOU, SO WE MAY BE AS HE IS IN YOUR THRONE. PLEASE LET US BE FORGIVEN BY ALL WE MAY HAVE WRONGED IN THIS LIFE, SO WE CAN WALK THE PATH THAT JESUS SET FOR US TO FOLLOW HOME. FATHER, WE PRAY THIS NOT ONLY FOR OUR SAKES, BUT FOR THE SAKE OF THE KINGDOM, THAT BY YOUR GRACE WE SHALL BE MADE COMPLETE IN IT'S GLORY, WHICH IS YOURS ALONE. WE ALSO PRAY, FATHER, THAT YOU BIND UP THE BROKEN IN BODY, SOUL, AND SPIRIT, IN EMOTIONAL AND FINANCIAL DISTRESS... SO ALL MAY ENJOY AND LIVE IN THE BENEFITS AND GLORY OF THE KINGDOM WHILE WE ARE YET ON THIS EARTH. THIS WE ASK IN THE NAME AND BY THE BLOOD PROMISE OF THE MESSIAH, YOUR SON, JESUS ---AMEN--AMEN--AMEN If you have sincerely asked JESUS to be the KING and redeemer of your life, with these words or those of your own, We encourage you to get a Bible that is a translation you can understand and seek out a Meeting House that will help you to learn, that will "feed" you with GOD's word, the way it's written, NOT by Man's Interpretation or Tradition. Until our promised building has come into it's time, this is where we do the majority of our teaching. and although we appreciate and encourage you to stop in often to enjoy the WORD of GOD, and the Praise and Worship on the Music and Links pages, and signing the GuestBook, "Do not forsake the gathering of yourselves together", as Paul said. The more people of faith that are gathered, the more Faith Shall PREVAIL !! As always, we're praying for you!! With the Love Of JESUS ..... Pastors Joel & Charlotte Martin & staff Prodigal Ministries "Till All The Prodigals Come Home" (email us at :prodigalministries@zoomtown.com: for a personal correspondence)
ACT NOW TO RECIEVE FREE GIFT !
December 30, 2009
Well, here we are, winding down one more year of existence on good ol' Planet Earth. The tinsel and garland, all the pretty lights and ornaments are on thier way back to the basements, attics, and garages, along with some of the items lovingly wrapped and delivered by friends and loved ones, hoping to give a little pleasure and show love towards thier fellow man, to let them know that they were "Thinking of You This Holiday Season". Some even had the forsight to get a "gift receipt", so that if the item was the wrong fit, or just wasn't quite what we wanted, we could exchange it for something more to our liking. Dec. 26 has become recognized as "National Return Day", and is almost filled with as much anguish and carnage as Dec. 24. "I don't know What they were thinking...I'd NEVER be seen in THAT AWFUL THING!!", or "We'll NEVER USE that for anything, so let's get something else instead...something I'm sure we'll be more apt to get some use out of." Sadly, the gifts that had the most thought, love, and care put into them are the ones we tend to take too lightly.
I can remember growing up in the '60's, and waiting in near giddy anticipation for Christmas Eve at Gramma's house, and then Mam-aw's house, to eat fresh baked, made from scratch cookies, pies, and other treats, while we waited for the distributing of the gifts, carefully wedged beneath the Aluminum tree that glittered from the color wheel concealed somewhere behind it. We just couldn't wait to see what Aunty Mae, or even Santa (who amazingly looked like Uncle Stan with a couch pillow tied 'round his waist) had seen in Wilmer's toy dept. which made them think of us; that would show how much they truly loved us, even if it didn't always seem like it. After all, sometimes a whippin', or at least a strong scolding came just moments before "The Big Event"! It was always a Highlight of the evening to see which elder would get a beautifully wrapped box, in a box, in a box, of old silverware, and who would recieve the "Oldest Fruitcake Known to Man" that year, knowing that your family may just be the lucky ones to be presented with that coveted prize !! As much as I remember all those things, I recall something that is lacking in these times of turmoil and strife, something that always brought the Whole Family, young and old alike, into the living room in Joyful, yet Humble Reverence and Adoration. With only the colored tree and draped light strand glowing, someone would begin to sing softly..."O' Little Town of Bethlehem, How Still We See Thee Lie..."; and even if you didn't know all the words, you hummed or "LA-LA"ed your way through, because you all understood that the GREATEST GIFT had already been given, it was "One Size Fits All", and it would never be equalled, no matter how hard you tried. Yet, by showing through a simple song that you treasured it above all the shiny bells and whistles, all the Ties and Watches, and even all the financial gifts given out on the porch, away from the crowd, where true love and concern could be shown in a heart felt way, JESUS wept...not like at Lazarus' tomb, but for the joy of knowing that HIS children, HIS Lambs, remembered enough to just sing a song of praise and thanksgiving to thier Once, Now, and FOREVER KING, who had truly given the GREATEST GIFT that can be opened all year long. It's a gift that can be shared with everybody, all at once, or with one, in quiet solitude. It's a gift that will never collect rust or dust, never go out of style, never lose it's purpose, never become "Obsolete"or outdated. It's the only gift that will bring joy as long as you operate in it's power, that will bring peace of mind in times of hardship, that can lift any load, that can bridge the widest chasm. It wasn't chosen quickly; a lot of thought went into the preparation and presentation of it, and it's need was even brought into question three times, yet it was found to be the ONLY GIFT that was GOOD ENOUGH for the Creation by the CREATOR. Do we still remember the child born to die for our salvation on the day we've set aside to celebrate HIM, or has THE GIFT become one of those things we run across every now and then when we're rummaging through our closet for our bowling ball or golf shoes, and we take note of it, yet shove it to the side, thinking, "I'll get that out one of these days and give it a good dusting off ", or "Humm, so THAT'S where I put that! I wonder if it still works?". Let's be Honest... How often, in these hectic times do we break into even a chorus of "This Little Light of Mine" during our way too busy day? Do we go out to lunch and just wolf it down without so much as a "Thanks" goin' up to the ONE who made it possible? Are we looking at our finances at the end of the month and whining about not having enough after bills to go out to "Party", or are we being thankful that we still have a dry roof, a warm bed, food to eat, AND a JOB that may not be Donald Trump money, but it's more than what WAY too many families don't even have HALF of ? We, not only as a people, or Nation, but as a World have pushed THE GIFT aside, made it's importance insignificant, and some have even reasoned it away, making the act of the Sacrifice an exercise of futility on both JESUS' and GOD's parts. We have too easily forgotten the rule of "THE GIFT"..."Don't delude yourselves, my dear brothers--every good act of giving and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the FATHER who made the heavenly lights; with HIM there is neither variation nor darkness caused by turning. Having made HIS decision, HE gave birth to us through a WORD that can be relied upon, in order that we should be a kind of firstfruits of all that HE created." (James 1:16-18, Jewish New Testament) And in the book of John, JESUS told the Twelve this.."No one has Greater Love than a person who lays down his life for his friends. You are MY friends, if you do what I command you. I no longer call you slaves, because a slave dosen't know what his Master is about; but I have called you friends, because everything I have heard from MY FATHER I have made known to you. You did not choose ME, I chose you; and I have commissioned you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last; so that whatever you ask from the FATHER in MY name HE may give you."(John15:-16,JNT) This is the ORIGINAL, ONE AND ONLY, TRIED AND TRUE, DYED IN THE WOOL (by BLOOD, no less), JIN-U-INE ARTICLE; The ONLY GIFT that TRULY KEEPS ON GIVING !!! ..."But GOD is so rich in mercy and loves us with such INTENSE LOVE that even when we were dead because of our acts of disobedience, HE brought us to life along with the MESSIAH---it is by GRACE that you have been delivered. That is, GOD raised us up with the MESSIAH YESHUA and seated us with HIM in heaven, in order to exhibit in the ages to come how infinitely rich is HIS grace, how great is HIS kindness towards us who are United with the MESSIAH YESHUA. For you have been delivered by Grace through trusting (faith), and even this is not your own accomplishment but GOD's GIFT."( Paul's letter to the Ephesians,2:4-8,JNT) Isaiah 9:6 in the NLT tells us this..."For a child is born to us, a SON is GIVEN to US, and the government shall rest on HIS shoulders. These will be HIS Royal titles; WONDERFUL COUNSELOR, MIGHTY GOD, EVERLASTING FATHER, PRINCE OF PEACE."... Isn't that a gift worthy of Honor and Reverance every moment of our time here on Earth? As one woship leader puts it: " I'll bring YOU more than a song, for a song in it's self, is not what YOU have required..YOU search much deeper within, through the way things appear, YOU'RE looking into my heart.." In the 1980's, there was a high-pitched, secular group who asked the question,"How Deep Is Your Love?" The love of GOD in JESUS was and is deep enough that HE went into Hell it's- self to redeem all who would believe, and HE still goes into the pits of our own personal Hells to redeem us TODAY!! Whether you are a believer who has, like so many old Christmas gifts, placed the BEST GIFT on a shelf where it's only thought about on Sundays, or one who has yet to receive and open this Wonderful Gift meant for ALL PEOPLE to share, I'm asking if you'll take just a few moments of your time here on Earth to think on THE GREATEST GIFT, and to make a decision to turn your life around, or join me in just being more diligent in keeping this Precious GIFT at the fore-front of everything we do,to show our gratitude for the LOVE taken in giving the Perfect GIFT, just what was needed to bring us past Our crosses to the Victory of our Birthright through JESUS , SON of the LIVING GOD. Let's not allow it to be forgotten in storage, or traded off for something that will ultimately be worthless, just because someone else thinks that's what will pull you through. Would you pray with us now? You know what you require GOD to do for you, and HE certainly knows what you truly need, so just ask HIM. JESUS is ready, willing, and able to take care of you. HE's just been waiting for you to ask. Heaven has Angels ready to minister to your every need standing by, so put them to work. Pray this with us if you wish, or pray your own words. GOD will hear you either way, as long as you're sincere, and it's from your heart..... FATHER GOD ADONAI, LORD JESUS MESSIAH, SPIRIT OF GOD, THANK YOU FOR YOUR GIFT OF LIFE, A GIFT GIVEN SO THAT WE MIGHT RECIEVE, THE GREATEST GIFT THAT COULD EVER BE GIVEN . WE ASK THAT YOU FORGIVE US ALL SIN, KNOWN AND UNAWARE, THAT WE HAVE DONE. WE PRAY, FATHER, THAT BY THE GIFT OF JESUS, WE BE MADE WHOLE, BY THE BLOOD PROMISE MADE IN EARNEST BY OUR FRIEND WHO BECAME A CURSE FOR US. RESTORE THE LOST OF YOUR CHILDREN, BRING HOME THE PRODIGALS, SHINE LIGHT ON THOSE IN THE DARK, UNKNOWING OF YOUR LOVE. RENEW AND RESTORE, IN THE NAME OF JESUS....AMEN-AMEN-AMEN We Urge You to seek out a faith-filled house of Worship to build your Strength in Spirit, and to get a Bible translation that you easely understand, and learn from the Word of GOD. We certainly appreciate you visiting our site, but untill we are in our building, don't let this be the only JESUS you get!!! As always, We're Praying for You, With The Love Of JESUS ... Pastors Joel and Charlotte Martin and staff Prodigal Ministries "'Till All The Prodigals Come Home" Please sign the Guestbook and visit the Music page!!BE NOT DECEIVED !
November 19,2009"Yeshua replied : "Watch out! Don't let anyone fool you! For many will come in my name, saying,"I am the MESSIAH!", and they will lead many astray." "At that time many will be trapped into betraying and hating each other, many false prophets will appear and fool many people;.." ( Matthew 24:4-5,10-11 Jewish New Testament) 2 Corinthians 11:1-31 , (J.N.T) ; "I would like you to bear with me in a little foolishness--please do bear with me! For I am jealous for you with GOD's kind of jealousy; since I promised to present you as a pure virgin in marriage to your one husband, the Messiah, and I fear that somehow your minds may be seduced away from simple and pure devotion to the Messiah, just as Chavah (Eve) was deceived by the serpent and his craftiness. For if someone comes and tells you about some other Yeshua than the one we told you about, or if you receive a spirit different from the one you received or accept some so called "good news" different from the Good News you already accepted, you bear with him well enough! For I don't consider myself in any way inferior to these "super emissaries". I may not be a skilled speaker, but I do have the knowledge; anyhow, we have made this clear to you in every way in every circumstance. Or did I sin in humbling myself so you could be exalted, in proclaiming GOD's Good News to you free of charge? I robbed other congregations by accepting support from them in order to serve you. And when I was with you and had needs, I did not burden anyone: my needs were met by the brothers who came from Macedonia. In nothing have I been a burden to you, nor will I be. The truthfulness of the Messiah is in me, so that this boast concerning me is not going to be silenced anywhere in Achaia. Why won't I ever accept your support? Is it that I don't love you? GOD knows I do! No, I do it --and will go on doing it --in order to cut the ground from under those who want an excuse to boast that they work the same way we do. The fact is that such men are pseudo-emissaries: they tell lies about their work and masquerade as emissaries of the Messiah. There is nothing surprising in that, for the Adversary himself masquerades as an angel of light; so it's no great thing if his workers masquerade as servants of righteousness. They will meet the end their deeds deserve. I repeat: don't let anyone think I am a fool. But even if you do, at least receive me as a fool; so that I too may do a little boasting! What I am saying is NOT in accordance with the Lord; rather, this conceited boasting is spoken as a fool would speak. Since many people boast in a worldly way, I too will boast this way. For since you yourselves are so wise, you gladly put up with fools! You put up with it if someone makes slaves of you, exploits you, takes you in, puffs himself up, slaps you in the face. To my shame, I must admit that we have been too weak to do such things. But if anyone dares to boast about something---I'm talking like a fool---I am just as daring. Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they decendants of Avraham (Abraham)? So am I. Are they servants of the Messiah? (I'm talking like a madman!) I'm a better one! I've worked much harder, been imprisoned more often, suffered more beatings, been near death over and over. Five times I received "forty lashes less one" from the Jews. Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times i was shipwrecked. I spent a night and a day in the open sea. In my many travels I have been exposed to danger from rivers, danger from robbers, danger from my own people, danger from gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the desert, danger at sea, danger from false brothers. I have toiled and endured hardship, often not had enough sleep, been hungry and thirsty, frequently gone without food, been cold and naked. And beside these external matters, there is the daily pressure of my anxious concern for all the congregations. Who is weak without my sharing his weakness? Who falls into sin without my burning inside?
If I must boast, I will boast about the things that show how weak I am. GOD the father of the Lord Yeshua --- blessed be forever --- knows that I am not lying!" WHEW!! Take just a minute to rest those eyes. A nice prayer of thanksgiving would be good here. Praise GOD, Thank You JESUS, Welcome HOLY SPIRIT, Thank You, Ministering Angels. The Spirit had me type out that whole chapter,( less two verses,) of Pauls second letter to the Corinthians just to show the sarcastic tone that he took with them regarding their eagerness to say Amen to every "prophet" that came down the pike spittin' out "so says the Lord" like so many old pair of shoes. It just irritated Paul to no end that, after so much care and compassion poured out in teaching these people, they would believe an untold number of these charlatains out for their own glory and honor. In the last of the 10th chapter, Paul tells them (my words) that if they wanna brag, brag about ADONAI GOD, 'cause the one blowin' his own horn ain't worthy of approval, but the one who GOD recomends is the person to take heed to!! "How do we know who GOD puts approval on?", you may well ask. Well, it's time for one of "Uncle Joels stories from Yesteryear": I recall the first day of my Sophomore year of High School mustering in to my Algebra class.(Hey, when I was in 10th grade, this was a big deal!!) The teacher had already put the textbooks (yeah, I said BOOKS) on our assigned desks to save herself some time, and get right to work on, 'er, with us. I noticed that the cover to mine wasn't like the rest, so I took a look inside,and saw what was different. Now here is where, depending on your moral standards, you might think me foolish. I took my 18 in. bells and my 3 in. wooden heeled Dingo's to the teachers desk, book in hand, with a "cat what ate the canary" grin, and said softly, "This is not the book for me." Now, she'd been dealin' with other peoples kids for about 5hrs already, sooo, one more wise-guy was the last thing she wanted to deal with. "If you plan to pass MY class, you WILL take that book!!" Still holding back the laugh that wanted to bust out, I gently opened it to the back pages and said," O.K., but we may have to change seats!" As "Mrs.I.Knowbest" dropped her gaze to the answers to every test she would give that term, my grin turned absolutely "Joker-esque" I HAD BEEN GIVEN THE TEACHERS MANUAL, WITH ALL THE ANSWERS IN IT!!! She was Quite red with embarrassment, and felt a little ashamed for her indignation. Well, WE have been given the TEACHERS TEXTBOOK for this life, to make it transition into Eternal Life, and the one who gave it to us with a PERSONAL GUIDE must be feeling some shame, embarrassment, frustration, and loss, just like my dear Math teacher, and for that matter, Sha'ul Paul. This is how WE know if GOD is in approval, or like we like to put it, "in it". 1 John 4:1--"Dear friends, don't trust every spirit. On the contrary, test the spirits to see whether they are from GOD; because many false prophets have gone out into the world." Paul teaches in another place to let it be verified by three, Jeremiah gave this word from GOD," Jeremiah responded to Hananiah as they stood in front of all the priests and people at the Temple. He said,"Amen! May your prophesies come true! I hope the Lord does everything you say. I hope he does bring back from Babylon the treasures of this Temple and all our loved ones. But listen now to the solemn words I speak to you in the presence of all these people. The ancient prophets who proceded you and me spoke against many nations, always warning of war, famine, and disease. So a prophet who predicts peace must carry the burden of proof. Only when his predictions come true can it be known that he is really from the Lord." (N.L.T.)_____Did you get that? If someone comes in on a breeze talkin' all sunshine and light to the congregation, sayin' all the pretty things that are nothin' but joy, without any effort on our part, before we go jumpin' on the "Good Ol' YEE-HAW Wagon", we need to wait for a verification, preferably from folks who didn't hear it the first time around, and then STILL seriously question it. A fella tried to give David a threshing floor to build a sacrificial alter, but David INSISTED to pay, citing that he would offer NOTHING to GOD that didn't cost him something. James said that Faith without works is Dead Faith, goes nowhere, accomplishes nothing. JESUS said that the havest was truly great, but those who would work to bring it in were few. In 2 Thessalonians 3, Paul makes it plain that if someone is not busy working, just a busybody, than that person shouldn't get to eat! IF IT AIN'T COSTIN' YOU NUTTIN', CHANCES ARE IT AIN'T FROM GOD!!! Peter, James, John, and Paul ALL make the point, along with the MESSIAH, that doing labor for the kingdom is the ONLY way the good of this land will come to US!! As I heard from the Holy Dias recently, Too many people are confusing Talent for Annointing. Both are Gifts from GOD, yet one is from the "Earthy" side of our being, and the other is ALL Spiritual. Talent can be annointed, but it is subject, as we in these bodies are, to a sinful, prideful nature. YOU HAFTA' WORK FOR IT!!! Before the Master Teacher took HIS last breath in the flesh, HE LITERALLY PUT HIS BACK INTO IT!!! If it's all "Blessings are gonna fall like rain" and no "If you will do what GOD COMMANDS You to do", then, chances are, IT AIN'T GOD DOIN' THE TALKIN', just some individual workin' on personal fame and gain! I know I can speak for Sister Charlotte as well as myself when I state, for the record (whoever's keepin' one 'sides Adonai Father), before we give a prophetic word, we make REAL SURE it's not coming from ourselves or to just make others "Feel Good" about themselves. How? By asking, of course!! Sometimes for a day or two, but the Spirit on you, and CHRIST in you WILL make Their Will clear to you, if you only ASK. Remember, You gotta Stand For Something, Or Your Gonna Fall For Anything! Stand on the Word of GOD. Try, Test or Just ASK to make SURE that it is GOD, and not the Adversary, working his false wonders through Humankind. We're long toward the end of this road, so the way is more treacherous now than ever. Satan's workin' all the O.T. he can put in, and SO MUST WE as HEIRS to the KINGDOM WHICH HE FORSOOK FOR PRIDEFUL GAIN. AMEN ? Well, It Sho' Was One LLLOOONNNGGG Message, But, as ever, I can't and won't apologize for the WORD, the SPIRIT, and most of all, the HOLY FATHER YAHWEH . We Pray that this was helpful, encouraging, and uplifting to you, and we thank GOD for allowing us to serve HIM in a capacity in which we are able. Now, as always, we would like to agree with you for your needs, and yes, your desires! HE Will grant you the desires of your heart, IF (here it is) YOU DO THE WILL OF THE FATHER, KEEPING HIS COMMANDMENTS AND STATUTES! (You gotta work for it !!) FATHER, IN THE NAME AND BY THE BLOOD OF JESUS, WE AGREE THAT HERE AND NOW, AS WE TAKE THE AUTHORITY RESTORED TO US BY THE SACRIFICE OF YOUR SON, SON OF THE LIVING GOD, JESUS, AND GUIDED BY YOUR HOLY SPIRIT THAT ALL THINGS MEANT FOR THE HINDERANCE OF THE WORK FOR YOUR KINGDOM, OUR INHERITANCE, BY THE MINIONS OF THE DECEIVER BE LAID WASTE, AND YOUR RIGHTEOUSNESS EXPLODES THROUGH THE MIRE, TURNING IT TO PURE GOLD FOR YOUR PURPOSE AND WILL FOR US. FATHER, WE PRAY WITH THOSE NOW WHO DON'T HAVE A RELATIONSHIP WITH YOU, THAT DON'T KNOW YOUR LOVING TRUTH, THAT YOU MAY HAVE YOUR SPIRIT FALL ON THEM AND YOUR PRESENCE ENTER INTO THEIR BODIES, SOULS, AND SPIRITS TO FEEL YOUR PEACE. FOR HEALING-- IT IS DONE!! FOR SPIRITUAL STRENGTH-- IT'S DONE!! FOR EMOTIONAL STABILITY--IT'S DONE!! FOR FINANCIAL BOON-- IT'S DONE!! WE KNOW THIS IS SO, FOR YOU SAID IT WAS SO, AND YOU WILL NOT ALLOW YOUR WORD TO GO OUT WITHOUT MEANING AND PURPOSE!!! WE PRAISE AND GLORIFY YOUR HOLY NAME ----HALLELUJAH___HALLELUJAH____HALLELUJAH -OUR KING!!! The Building our God has in store for us has passed one of the stages HE told us to wait and watch for, Praise GOD!! We still wait in patient humility for HIS instruction on the next step. Until then, and even well after, we'll still be right here on this WALL, SOUNDING THE CALL, COME HOME---COME HOME!!! By all means, find a faith-based House of Praise and Worship in your area that will Teach you Relationship, and not just Scream at you Religion!!! Oh, if you haven't already, enjoy some of the new videos on the Music page, new links on the Links page, and please sign the Guestbook on that page. We praise GOD for the blessing of my older brother, who spent nearly a month in total, repairing, rebuilding, and updating our computer equipment, and to Charlottes boys for their sacrifice, GOD Gives The Increase!! Thanks to them all. And now, as always, With the Love of JESUS, Pastors Joel &CharlotteMartin & staff Prodigal Ministries "'Till the Kindom is Preached to the WORLD"
send e-mail to: prodigalministries@zoomtown.com for a more personal,private, in-depth correspondence with us
LIFT UP YOUR HEART
October 22, 2009Luke records a teaching that Jesus delivered to Pharisees and legalist Law Experts at a dinner given by one of the chief Pharisees one Sabbath Day. Let's start with Luke 14:1-6 to illustrate a valid point, one that in our haste, we may very well overlook, ourselves ; and then we'll continue on to vv 11. The New Living Translation(the widely accepted version, NOT to be confused with the Living Bible) begins Chapter 14 like this; "On the Sabbath day Jesus was in the home of a leader of the Pharisees. The people were watching Him closely, because there was a man there whose arms and legs were swollen. Jesus asked the Pharisees and Experts in Religious Law,"Well, is it permitted in the Law to heal people on the Sabbath Day, or not?" When they refused to answer, Jesus touched the sick man and healed him and sent him away. Then He turned to them and asked,"Which of YOU doesn't work on the Sabbath? If your son or your cow falls into a pit, don't you proceed at once to get him out?" Again they had NO ANSWER." The Jewish New Testament, vv4-6, read this way; " But they said nothing. So, taking hold of him, He healed him and sent him away. To them He said,"which of you, if a son or an ox falls into a well, will hesitate to haul him out on Shabbat?" And to these things they could give NO ANSWER." To be a Pharisee, or an Expert in the Religious Laws, was much different then than it is for the Messianic (Christian) people of today. Today, no matter what our up-bringing, or for that matter, our beliefs are, we can go to a "College", or even online, pay the proper fee, answer the proper questions, complete the prescribed course, and POW, We're Preachers, Teachers, and Theologians!!! If you feel I'm exaggerating, Google up anything having to do with marriage, ministers, or preachers and see what all you come up with. Do not misunderstand me! There are MANY Bible Colleges and On-line courses that follow through, and follow up on their students,(i.e. Regent Univ., O.R.U., to name only two)to ensure that by thier degrees and decrees, GOD WILL NOT BE MOCKED. (Some even hold that College Degrees are necessary ,but thats for another teaching!) Yet in the days before Jesus and the indwelling Holy Spirit, you pretty much had to be born into it, or at least, as in Samuel's case, be raised for the specific purpose of office. So, with that little tidbit of history in mind, WHY DIDN'T THEY HAVE THE ANSWERS FROM THE LAW THAT THEY WERE THE STEWARDS OF ? In the "Church" of today, if the son of a plumber or, yes, a CARPENTER, questioned your local "Traditionalist" Pastor and his Lay Ministers with something that, even if their Tradition supported it, but they couldn't back up with the Word of GOD in context, Why, You'd be hearin' 'em yellin' "Blasphemy" all the way ta' Idaho, and commandin' demons to be cast out of the Guy.( Well, in fact, this happened to our KING on more than one occasion!) Yet, these were "dumbfounded", as it were. Don't WE, much too often, do EXACTLY what these men did, and Prov.3:5 tells us NOT to do?,"Trust in the LORD with all your heart; and LEAN NOT TO YOUR OWN UNDERSTANDING." Don't that make us more than a bit like this group? (OUCH!!!) There was no such law that covered these eventualities. It made 'em mad, enough that, when this party let out, they talked about how they could shut this guy up! They were made to look like a bunch o' "Unlearned, stupid, fer all yer fancy, store bought, education, you don't know nuttin's!" Let's face it; WE get JUST LIKE THAT at times! Praise GOD, let's get on with it, and get to the rest of this lesson; Amen? Chapter 14, verse 7;(Jewish New Testament),"When Yeshua noticed how the guests were chosing for themselves the best seats at the table, He told them this parable:"When you are invited by someone to a wedding feast, don't sit down in the best seat; because if there is someone more important than you who has been invited, the person who invited both of you might come and say to you,"Give this man your place." Then you will be humiliated as you go to take the least important place. Instead, when you are invited, go and sit in the least important place; so that WHEN THE ONE WHO INVITED YOU COMES, He will say to you,"Go on up to a BETTER seat." Then you will be honored in front of everyone sitting with you. Because everyone who EXALTS himself will BE HUMBLED, but everyone who HUMBLES himself WILL BE EXALTED." Recently, I overheard a boy, of whom the neighbors had just reported to the Police for a certain matter, Boldly announce, in front of the Officers, that ,"They're Number One out there, but I'M Number One around here!" Now, as big and important as one may feel after such a remark, without sounding better than , smarter than, or closer to GOD than anyone else, I can safely say that this kinda' talk will talk you right out of any good thing that may be slated for your behalf . I mean, we just read what our KING had to say, and we don't have to be Rhodes Scholars to see that "there just ain't no humility in a soul what would spit into the wind, and dare it to come back!" "Love your neighbor more than your self" flies right out the window with that attitude. But, ya' know, when we see a thing like that, we, yes, WE, need to, First; < Repent for the thoughts WE just harbored toward the individual, and ask forgiveness to GOD for assuming HIS judgment for our own, and, Second, (and most importantantly); PRAY FOR THIER SOUL OF FLESH, that they recieve a heart of love to replace the one of stone, and a restoring of their entire being through the Grace given only by the Messiah, JESUS of NAZARETH! Glory to GOD!! I sho' don't wanna' hear no "Harumphs" from anyone out there about those two things, 'cause if we're HONEST with OURSELVES , THEN, and ONLY Then, can WE totally recieve the PEACE , not as the World gives, but that ONLY is given through CHRIST JESUS!!! PRAISE AND GLORY TO THE LION OF JUDAH!!!
Jesus can't get much clearer than this. The Proverb says; "Pride goes before destuction, and a High minded spirit before a fall". James tells us that Proverb 3:34 says this,"GOD opposes the arrogant, but to the HUMBLE HE GIVES GRACE!!" Glory to GOD, I can't speak for you, but that alone gives me cause to shoUT-shOUT-SHOUT !!! Hallelelujah, Praise and Glory: Bless the Almighty Trinity!!!!!!!!! So, you see, no matter if you've been knowin' Jesus for a long time, or if you are just now considering, (And we pray you'll make the full commitment) to begin a Relationship, not a religious ordeal, with the KING of KINGS, then know this, He Likes Humble. We're not talkin' 'bout no "Grovlin' Fool" here, but a graceful honor and reverance to the one who loves you soooo much, that He once became like us, just so He could let His body be broken for US, so we would have a way to overcome the pain and suffering of this sinful society we call the World. Will you pray with us,now? LORD JESUS,THE ONCE AND FOREVER KING AND LORD OF ALL,WE PRAY THROUGH THE SPIRIT PLACED IN US BY THE FATHER TO COMFORT AND TEACH US , THAT WE ALL BE FORGIVEN OF ANY WRONG, ANYTHING THAT IS CONTRARY TO YOUR WORD AND WILL, THAT OUR HARDENED HEARTS BE REPLACED BY YOUR GRACE WITH HEARTS OF LOVE AND PEACE TOWARD EACH OTHER, SO THAT WE MAY GROW AND PROSPER IN YOUR LIVING WATERS AND GLORIOUS LIGHT. WE PRAY THAT THE LOST BE FOUND, THAT THE WANDERING RECIEVE GUIDANCE,AND THOSE ALREADY WITHIN THE FOLD BEAR WONDEROUS AND PLENTIFUL FRUIT FOR THE KINDOMS SAKE, SO NONE SHOULD PERISH, BUT ALL COME TO REPENTANCE, SO WE MAY ALL BE WHERE YOU ARE AND AS YOU ARE FOREVER AND ETERNITY; AMEN-AMEN-AMEN!!! Charlotte, our meager staff, and I sincerely hope that this Word has helped all whose eyes have fell upon it, and SEEN the many lessons that it contains, for as many different people that receive it as GOD's Word. We encourage you, especially if you are just coming to Christ, to seek out and attend a church that teaches the Bible as GOD instructed it to be, not as a loose set of guidelines to be adjusted for our own purposes. He says what He means, and means what He says! END OF STORY!!! Please leave a note or suggestion on the Guestbook page, and , by all means, check out Charlotte's Musc and Video page. There are also some wonderful links to other Faith based ministries on the Links page. We're trusting and believing GOD for our building soon, and we're also trusting His Word, that JESUS IS RETURNING SOON, as well !!! Glory to GOD!! For a personal question or request, please feel free to e-mail us at prodigalministrie@zoomtown.com With the love of JESUS; Pastors Joel & Charlotte Martin, And Staff at Prodigal Ministries " ' Till All The Prodigals Come Home"SALVAGED, OR JUST SAVED ?
OCTOBER 9, 2009I may very well be placed in the category "Pack Rat", although I see myself, at the moment of tossing an object that seemingly has no Earthly use anymore, into a bucket, or onto a shelf, where it may never see light again. When Charlotte, (rightly,more times than not), asks me "What's that for?",I give her that "good ol' " answer that covers everything, but says NOTHING; "I'm SAVING that!". Our basement and garage are both full of all the "SAVED" radios, toaster ovens, power tools, ect-ect- ect..,that have been Broken, Damaged, or Missing VITAL Parts since, and often before, their induction to my "Still Useful for Something" collection. Now, every now and then, I'll come across the part, wire,or component that will allow and enable me to SALVAGE something I've SAVED, and RESTORE it to functioning IN THE CAPACITY IT WAS CREATED FOR, producing the effect needed and required from it. It has begun to be USEFUL again! Anyone who sees it operating now will see it's FRUITFULNESS, it's abilty to perform in it's REBORN state. All it needed was to be BROUGHT BACK (turned) from it's seemingly inevitable trip to the Scrap Heap,(which would have ended in total destruction), to a place where,with a little loving kindness and care, it could be a NEW CREATION, Fully functioning and of BENEFIT to one who really Needs and Wants it!!! This is the point where the item recieves it's SALVATION. You see, I may have had it tucked away for quit a while in a SAVED state, but until I was ENABLED to RESTORE it , it couldn't obtain SALVATION!!!
Do you see the difference? Saved and Salvation are TWO SEPERATE THINGS! Yes, I can feel the dissention now, but it's not the first time, and it won't be the last, that the traditional mindset of the "Christian" ideology will be confronted by the WORD, as it is written. If you'll bear with me here, I'll relate to you how the Scriptures speak of this very point. Truthfully, it was something that took a spell for me to wrap my mind of flesh and Earthly logic around, but the Spirit that teaches us all things shows the passages that teach this fact. As always, the truth is in plain view, right in front of us, and it will set you free. O.K., Let's get to the meat, and quit puffin' on the fur. For those of us who were brought up in homes that taught the Bible, as they were given understanding, we have heard about the "Plan of Salvation", and been instructed to say a simple "Repeat After Me" oath-type statement to the effect of asking Jesus to save our soul. Rightly so,for the Scriptures tell us ,"..that if you acknowledge YESHUA is Lord and trust in your heart that GOD raised HIM from the dead, you will be delivered"(Romans 10:9;Jewish New Tst.).When, as my neice has just done, a woman is ready to give birth, they take her to the ....."DELIVERY ROOM"!!! So, Hold on ,now; if you will be DELIVERED you will be BORN; and if you have already been BORN from your mother's womb, then you MUST be being BORN AGAIN!!! In the book of John,( 3:3 ), Jesus tells the Jewish ruler Nicodemus that, of a truth, unless a person is born again from above, by water and Spirit, he CANNOT see the Kingdom of Heaven! Let's go back to the letter to the Romans. The servant of GOD, Paul ,writes ,"We know that until now, the whole creation has been groaning as with the pains of childbirth; and not only it, but we ourselves, who have the first-fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we continue waiting eagerly to be made sons--that is, to have our whole bodies REDEEMED and SET FREE. It was in this hope that WE WERE SAVED..."(Romans 8:22-23-24,Jewish New Testament) Just for a comparison for the K.J.V. readers,"For we know that the whole creation groaneth and trevaileth in pain together until now. And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the first-fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the REDEMPTION of our body. For we are saved by hope:..." (For the rest of this message I'll be using the Jewish translation for the ease of understanding to those who may not be King James Bible learned.) Notice the translation into English by Jewish believers states that "we WERE saved"! Praise GOD, thats right up there with "...and with his stripes WE ARE HEALED"! (Isaiah 53:5;That translates the same from any version!) Remember what John reported to be the last thing Jesus stated from the cross, that has constantly produced a bone of contention among Theologians and Bible Scholars ? "After Yeshua had taken the wine, He said,"It is ACCOMPLISHED!" And, letting His head droop, He DELIVERED up His spirit."(John 19:30) Can you see the simplicity of this statement ? Let's get a bit clearer. Go back to John 3:17. Jesus explains it to Nicodemas, those years before the time had arrived, like crystal;"For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but rather so that THROUGH Him,the world might be SAVED!" Do you see that by His becoming a curse for ALL of the world, that the words"It is ACCOMPLISHED"mean what He said on that night in the Garden to the Jewish leader, and now have been DELIVERED; That through His "Killing of the Flesh", or the sinful nature of mankind, He had SAVED US ALL!! GLORY TO GOD!! BLESS THE SPIRIT, PRAISE THE LION OF JUDAH!!!!! Alrighty,then. Here's where I'm sure a few "drawers" are gonna get twisted up. By these words from the Bible,We were SAVED at the cross! Before you shut down your computer, there are STILL requirements to be met by each individual, so don't go shoutin' "Blasphemy", or chug some Jack, smoke some crack , and holler "HALLELEUJAH, I'M GOIN' TA' HEAVEN!" just yet. Remember, were talking about the difference between SAVED, and SALVATION. Let's take a look in Paul's letter to the Jews at Ephesus, Chapter 2, starting at verse 1; "You used to be dead because of your sins and acts of disobedience." Do you see that Paul uses the words "used to" to tell the Ephesians of their condition God-ward? Because they have believed Jesus, and accepted Him as the Son of the One True GOD, they are no longer "on the trash heap", but have been plucked out and SAVED! Now, move on down to verses 8 thru10; "For you have been DELIVERED by grace through trusting, and even this is not your accoplishment but GOD'S gift. You were not DELIVERED by your own actions; therefore no one should boast. For we are of GOD'S making, created in union with the MESSIAH YESHUA for a life of good actions already prepared by GOD for us to do" Let's go to Romans, again.This time to 10:8,9 &10 ; "What, then, does it say?-"The Word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart "(Deut.30:14)-that is, the word about trust which we proclaim, namely, THAT IF YOU ACKNOWLEDGE PUBLICLY WITH YOUR MOUTH THAT YESHUA IS LORD (admit Jesus is who He says He is with your mind;- SAVED) AND TRUST IN YOUR HEART THAT GOD RAISED HIM FROM THE DEAD, YOU WILL BE DELIVERED.(born again, from the heart) FOR WITH THE HEART ONE GOES ON TRUSTING AND THUS CONTINUES TOWARD RIGHTEOUSNESS , WHILE WITH THE MOUTH ONE KEEPS ON MAKING PUBLIC ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND THUS CONTINUES TOWARD DELIVERANCE." Jesus said in the book of Matthew ,"...For the mouth speaks what overflows from the heart. (Matt.12:34b)" It MUST come from the heart, out of the SPIRIT, from the mouth, along with a total COMMITMENT to the will of GOD ,"For loving GOD means obeying HIS commands. Moreover, His commands are not burdensome, because everything which has GOD as it's Father overcomes the world. And this is what VICTORIOUSLY overcomes the world: our trust" (1John5:3-4) How can you trust something you can't see? I dunno, but we do it all the time! How do we know for sure that the bakery actually used fudge in the pre-packaged brownies we buy at the store, Hmm? Well, we just take it on FAITH, and TRUST, we try it, and See If It's Good! So, here we have it; Through the sacrifice of JESUS, we WERE and ARE SAVED, SET FREE, MADE WHOLE, AND HEALED, providing we do these few simple things. I caution you, they're only simple if you truly want to leave an old, oppressive, self-destructive lifestyle, which ends up in the trash bin, AND be plucked out, cleaned up, restored, refreshed, and reborn into life everlasting, in which all things are possible, and nothing is held back from those who seek HIS face and right ways of living and loving each other. First, Tell HIM that you believe and trust that HE is telling the truth about who He is. Next, Ask HIM to Forgive and Take Away the guilt, remorse, and shame of all the things you have done contrary to the Ten Rules for a Blessed Life (the Ten Commandments), naming as many as you can remember (If you are half as ruined as I was, it gets hard to recount them all!) Thirdly, Forgive YOURSELF, and anyone who caused you pain of any sort (Spiritually, Physically, Mentally, OR Financially), because, unless you forgive, you cannot be forgiven. I also know this from experience, that this is an ongoing thing. It takes a real "want to, need to" determination to achieve, yet it does get easier as you work at it. With Jesus, ALL things are possible!!! Thank You Lord !!! Now, No less important than the things before, and maybe the most difficult to get in the groove with, Tell EVERYBODY, not just folks you know, but EVERYBODY, that you have talked with the CHRIST, and HE is puttin' you back in Pristine Spiritual Condition, so you can do the work HE created you to do, for the Benefit and lifting up of ALL GOD'S children (which is EVERYONE ON THE PLANET), out of the rut they're stuck in, to a Higher Ground where Life is Found!!! HALLELUJAH!! You're "Continuing toward your DELIVERANCE", Your SALVATION grows with each time you shout! From this point on, the challenge is in Holding on to your Faith, not falling back to your "Old Self", and not falling prey to bad teaching (what the King James calls "false doctrine"). Stuff like "One drink, toke, snort, or hit won't hurt. Who's gonna know?" You, and more importantly, the one who's wanting to heal you, save you, make you whole. Always remember; It's your choice; you can always refuse the loving kindness offered to you. The price was paid 2000 yrs. ago. It's all up to you, now. Will you spend eternity in darkness and agony; or will you choose light and joy? I pray you choose wisely. And now, as ever, We here at Prodigal Ministries would like to agree with any who would in prayer, whether it be for a relationship with Jesus, or your prosperity in any and all situations, From Health to Wealth. FATHER GOD, BLESSED SAVIOR JESUS, HOLY SPIRIT OF GOD; WE COME TO YOU IN AGREEMENT NOW, WITH ALL WHO ARE IN NEED OF YOUR MIGHT, RIGHT, AND GUIDING HAND, FOR THE RENEWING AND RESTORING OF THIER HEARTS, MINDS, AND SPIRITS THROUGH THE BLOOD OF YOUR SACRIFICE, THAT WE MAY BE WHERE YOU ARE FOR EVERMORE, REDEEMED FROM THE CURSE OF THESE BODIES AND MINDS BORNE OF SIN. WE AGREE WITH THOSE SEEKING YOU,LORD; THAT THEY FIND YOUR PEACE AND STRENGTH TO CARRY ON IN CHRIST; WE AGREE WITH THE HURTING IN SPIRIT, THAT THEY SHALL BE COMFORTED; WE AGREE WITH THE INFIRMED IN BODY, THAT ALL THINGS BE RESTORED TO HOW YOU MADE THEM, IN YOUR IMAGE . MOSTLY ,FATHER, WE PRAY IN AGREEMENT FOR THOSE WHO ARE LOST, THAT HAVE NEVER HEARD THE WORDS OF JESUS THE MESSIAH, TO KNOW THE TENDER WAY OF PEACE HE GIVES TO WHOSOEVER WILL, THAT THEY FIND THIER WAY TO A REVELATION OF TRUTH IN YOU,O' LORD. THESE THINGS WE PRAY, FOR YOUR GLORY, AND THE GLORY OF YOUR KINGDOM, AMEN-AMEN-AMEN We truly hope that this message has helped to gain a little better understanding into the aspect of Salvation. The only gate, door, or path is now, and ever will be Jesus, the Risen Lord and Forever King, and we give HIM All Glory, Always! Please leave a message in our Guestbook to let us know how were doing, if you have any questions, or any suggestions. A personal correspondance can be left at our e-mail from one of the links on this site. As Always, with the Love of JESUS; Bro. Joel & Sis. Charlotte Martin , and staff - Prodigal MinistriesWHAT DO YOU SEE ? August 18, 2009
When we get up each mornin', one of the first things we tend to do is to take a look in a mirror. We lean close, so we don't miss the size of the bags under our eyes, the added freckles,and new creases and lines, that we're so sure just sprang up over night, and all of the other things that we're sure EVERYONE will notice, and some insensitive jerks will even comment about. A splash of cold water, and then to the "Creams, Gells, and Lotions" that,( so they say ),will "Tighten, Firm, and Diminish" all of the effects and ravages of time on our once "youthful" faces. A touch of color over the grey, and "WAH-LAH", TEN YEARS gone in just under and hour!!!
Before you folks of the "FAIRER GENDER" start gettin' the wrong notion here, let's get down in the dirt, you "HE-MEN" out there, who just hit the ol' Double Nikel, and think that you can relive your youth thru "The Miracles Of Modern Cosmetics". Now before we start to stray from the message that the MASTER has for me to get across to us, if doin' all that helps you be happy in your skin, do it for the GLORY of the KINGDOM, and not for the acceptance of people, Amen? GOD does truly want us to look our best to represent HIM as HIS children, BUT, all honor and Glory(credit) needs to be given to HIM for the ability to "adjust" our OUTWARD APPEARANCE.
NOW, we're gettin' to the meat of this lesson. You see, as one of the old Doo Wop groups used to sing," Beauty's only skin deep, But UGLY is to the bone!". You can toss Roses over a busted rotten Egg, but we'll still know " sumthin' sho' do be stankin' up in here"! How often do we find ourselves so involved with the outside, that we don't even consider lookin' in? Are we, maybe, afraid of what we'll see? Bless GOD, as I wrote that last line, I could feel the conviction of the Spirit come over my very own self. What Evil Lurks In The Hearts Of Men; Not The Shadow, But ONLY The SPIRIT OF THE LIVING GOD IN JESUS The MESSIAH Knows, and only HE can purge and cleanse us of our SELVES, that we may obtain HIS Peace!!! HALLELUJAH!!!
My " Morning Scripture" this particular A.M. ,was about how Andrew, after he and John spent the day with Jesus, ran home and got his brother, Simon. As Andrew brought him up the path, Jesus said to him,"You are Simon, the son of John,but you WILL be called Cephas." As I thought on this, my eyes fell to the passage notes that go with the scripture, and I read the meaning of the two names, I had a better understanding of Jesus' words. Then, as I checked the messages and comments on our other sites, I came upon a "Revelation", I 'spose would be a good way to put it, that a good friend and Brother Disciple of the CHRIST JESUS had been given by the Spirit, and then I recieved a Revelation on what HE had shown me. As I replied, I could feel the annointing pour out over these keys,( had to be the LORD, 'cus I can't type that fast, or good!), and after I had posted that comment, I could Hear HIM telling me to share it here, on HIS website, to HIS children, whether saved or still in wreckage, that, perhaps, others may gain a more perfect understanding of the extent HE goes for us, even AFTER HE has made the GREATEST sacrifice that could be made for our sorry hides.
Here's my response:< "My Brother, Jesus looked at Simon ( which means hot Tempered & Violent ) and said," You WILL be called Cephas ( Aramaic for "Stable as a Rock" ). HE took Isaiah and seared his lips to change his ways of thinking, HE told Jeremiah to stop whinnin'; young or not ,"I'll give you all the knowledge you'll need."; Amos was a farmer; Moses was a murderer; Paul was hot tempered, AND a murderer; Jacob was a liar; the list is Endless! Once we take away the vail of THIS lifes Illusions, ( DAILY ), see OURSELVES for what we are, Accept the truth of it, and FORGIVE OURSELVES AS OFTEN AS NEED BE, Then HE is QUICK to FORGIVE US in kind, and move us to the next level of HIS understanding! Ours is truly the hard part of the equation,'cause, as rebellious children,WE DON'T TAKE INSTRUCTION WELL!! THANK GOD for the MERCY of JESUS!!! Here's the long and short of it; the FATHER told Samuel not to look at the out side, 'cause only WE judge by what we see on the outside, without PERCIEVING what is below the surface. Recent case in point; A heavy-built, bushy-browed, plain as the white on snow Lady ( and She is! ) from Great Britain, got "sneers & jeers" as she stepped up to the microphone, only to silence the audience in awe, as the MOST BEAUTIFUL VOICE began to sing from Her HEART!! At that point, She KNEW EXACTLY what was in Her, and didn't concern Herself with what others saw. She knew that what was in Her was a Gift from Heaven, and She sought it out.
As I said earlier, I have felt the truth of the Word of GOD in this message on my very own SELF, so I'm DEFINITELY talkin' to some poeple out there; As my Brother said so well, WE MUST SEARCH OURSELVES to find " ...every weight, and the SIN which doth so easily beset us..."( Heb.12:1 ), and turn it over to the ONE, the ONLY ONE, Who can take an unstable human being, ( which WE ALL ARE ), and make a MIGHTY INSTRUMENT and WARRIOR for the KINGDOM, which THEY SHALL INHERIT in the FULLNESS of TIME!! PRAISE THE KING; GLORY TO THE LION OF JUDAH!!
It's bad enough when we judge each other by the outside, but when we go no farther than that to judge OURSELVES, GOD's hands are truly tied. So, let's ALL take the extra time to search deep within, seek out those personal traits, "demons", if you will, grab 'em by the throat, and hand them over to our REDEEMER, JESUS, the SON OF THE GOD WHO EVER WAS, EVER IS, AND EVER SHALL BE; being quick to give up the things that weigh us down, and ever Quicker to receive of HIM Life Everlasting, and Free of Burdens that MAKE US FALL!!! AMEN AND AMEN!!
We pray that this message has helped some one, and, remember, the date it was published is only man's time; 'cause the WORD is FOREVER, no matter what it says on our calendar. This earth and world are temporary, But the KINGDOM of GOD is ETERNAL!!! Please fell free to sign in on our Guestbook page, and leave any requests, comments, or praise reports you may have. If you would prefer a more personal contact, please look for the link to our e-mail at : prodigalministries@zoomtown.com: Let us know what you think of the changes Charlotte has made to the site, as She is constantly seeking ways to make it more "Viewer Friendly".
Now,Friends, as ever, we would like to come into agreement with you for your needs, Remembering that there is NOTHING too trivial for GODs attention. If you feel the call to Salvation, we will agree with you that JESUS, the Salvager of ALL, here your plea, and come quickly to your side. Just call HIM by HIS name, tell HIM all you've ever done, ( He already knows, but needs you to tell HIM from your Heart ), and ask HIM to come into your Heart, and fill the emptiness that this world leaves us with. HE's been waiting a long time to hear you say you want to come Home. Those who are looking for a touch of HIS hand, Let us agree with you now for not just a mere touch, but a full embrace in the Mighty Arms of GOD. Place your hand on the ailment, spiritual, physical, that stack of bills, a picture of a loved one, or two, or just call out the need. As we've said, HE NEEDS TO HEAR YOU SAY IT FROM YOUR HEART! We have the Faith that HE WILL PERFORM any righteous request, YOUR FAITH will secure it done, in the name of JESUS.
OUR LORD FATHER GOD, BLESSED JESUS, HOLY SPIRIT, WE COME TO YOU NOW IN AGREEMENT WITH YOUR PEOPLE FOR ALL THIER NEEDS, KNOWIN THAT IF TWO WILL AGREE IN YOUR NAME, JESUS, LIKE THEY'RE TOUCHING ANYTHING, THAT YOU WILL TAKE IT TO THE FATHER, AND HE SHALL GIVE IT TO THEM. WE ALSO KNOW THAT IF THREE ARE GATHERED TOGETHER IN YOUR NAME, THEN YOU ARE RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF THEM. WE AGREE WITH THE LOST,JESUS , THAT THEY FIND THE PEACE OF YOUR FORGIVENESS, AND REST FOR THIER SOULS, IN YOUR WARM ARMS, LIKE A HUG FROM A FATHER TO A CHILD. WE AGREE WITH THOSE WHO ARE IN PAIN, BOTH IN THE NATURAL AND THE SPIRITUAL, THAT IT BE LOOSED FROM THEM, AND STRENGTH, UNDERSTANDING AND COMPASSION BE BOUND TO THIER BODIES, SPIRITS, AND SOULS. WE AGREE , JESUS, FOR THOSE LOST AND WANDERING LOVED ONES, KNOWING THAT YOU INTEND TO LEAVE NONE BEHIND, BUT PRAY THAT ALL WILL TURN TO YOU FOR EVERLASTING LIFE, AND PULL THEMSELVES CLEAR OF THE AGONY OF ETERNAL DAMNATION. WE AGREE THAT JOBS WILL BE DELIVERED, FINANCES WILL BE RESTORED, BILLS WILL BE PAID, BY THE SUPERNATURAL HAND OF GOD, WHO IS THE TRUE POSESSER OF ALL WEALTH, IN THE NAME OF THE KING, JESUS THE CHRIST, RISEN SON OF THE LIVING GOD, GLORY AND PRAISE TO THE HOLY THREE FOR ALL ETERNITY, AMEN- AMEN- AND SAY AMEN!!
Well, as always, keep praying for us, as we keep praying for you.
With the Love of JESUS ,
Bro Joel and Sis. Charlotte Martin and the staff at Prodigal Ministries
THOSE WHO WAIT
August 15, 2009"But they that WAIT upon the LORD shall renew their strength;they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; they shall walk, and not faint" (Isaiah 40:31)
"WAIT on the LORD: be of good courage, and HE shall strengthen thine heart: WAIT, I say, on the LORD" (Psalm 27:14)
Are you a Waiter, or a wait-er? One serves others, though difficult at times, the other pretty much does ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to better their situation, OR anyone else's,for that matter!
Now, let's not get a Waiter confused with a person who does the "fast food" drive up window. Although that is, at times, "handier than a shirt pocket", it's more like working on the docks. A vessel pulls up, you check it's lading order, you load it up, you ship it out; See Ya, 'BYE. Convenient, maybe; a service, definitely; doing a Waiter's job,not even close! Let's take a look, shall we?, and maybe, just maybe, we will understand a bit better why GOD had so many people tell us to WAIT UPON THE LORD . WAITER (waitress) ;n.> one who SERVES guests at meals in public restaurants and hotels.
WAITING ; n.> ACT or OCCUPATION of one who Waits( in attendance to Royalty or Dignitary, a SERVANT )
So, to WAIT upon the LORD would be just to SERVE HIM; is that it ? Not entirely, but HANG ON and we'll get this Dodge to Delaware !!
The word ' Wait ' alone means," to watch; to be awake; to remain in expectation of something happening, a particular time, or until an event has taken place" (all definitions taken from The Little & Ives Complete and Unabridged Webster Dictionary and Home Reference Library[including Biblical references] , 1963 Edition. {a REALLY thick book , just so ya know I ain't makin' this stuff up !!})
Jesus told a couple of stories to try to get the folks in HIS day to get the concept of the whole KINGDOM principle.
In Matthew 25:14-30, Jesus tells a story about three men who worked for a man of great wealth,who, when leaving on a long trip, entrusted these three fellas with his cash, each one,the Bible says, with as much as their Master figured they could deal with. So, to one, he gave a Five; to another he gave Two; and, to the last, One Single Coin. Now, on the Bosses return, he gathered up his Three Trustees, and asked them to give an account of what they had been doing with the funds that he had given them charge over. "Well, sire," said the first," I saw an opportunity to invest the Five you had left with me, and ,sure enough, it doubled, so I now can return Ten to you, to the prospering of your house!" The second had a similar story, so his Master was pleased to receive from him Four from his TWO! Now we get to the guy that the Master gave the least to, thinking as not to "put on him any more than he could bear"( does that sound familiar to you Bible readers?), and he asks," So, how have you done with the One that I left for you ?" [Boy ,I could sure take off on another trail to the same place there!] "Well, my Master, I know that you're a great man who can harvest where you have not so much as broken ground, and gather in all that you have not scattered,so, I was afraid of losing what you had trusted me with. I,therefore, kept it to myself, and buried it, so I knew I would have at least that to give you on your return." Boy, O Boy; was that ever the wrong answer!!! Can't you just see the look on the other two fella's faces, as they were lookin' at the Master's anger buildin' up? You just know they were wishin' they were ANYWHERE else but there!!
"Why, you unrighteous, shiftless, un-enterprising, lazy as Ludlams dog servant { I just love a good thesaurus,don't chew? }, If you KNEW that's how I was, why didn't you stick that Buck in the Bank, so I would have at LEAST made a PENNY in interest on the thing !! Instead, you hid it from the Whole World, where its shine couldn't even draw attention to it!" { are you gettin' the paralells here? }
So, He took it from the un-prosperous one, and gave it to the one who had the most.
Now, the two guys who had done well were told that, since they had done so good with a few, they would get to take charge over a lot. But the one who chose NOT to do any "SERVICE" while "WATCHING" for the return of his Master, was thrown "Into outer darkness: There shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth."
... Can you see the lesson that Jesus was trying to convey to all of us? That takes care of one side of the question posed earlier, and the KING JESUS took care of the other in this story;
In the days of Jesus, the Jewish wedding party consisted of many different people, with many different duties, among these were Ten Virgins, who, as I understand, were to accompany the Bridegroom to the ceremony. There were Ten in particular that were to go out to meet one Bridegroom,who ended up with a little problem.
Well, at least Five of them did.... See, all Ten Virgins were ready to go out to meet the Bridegroom, thus doin' their duty as "Ladies in WAITING", as it were.
But Five of those girls, for whatever reason, figured if they just showed up, then that should be enough to get by. Now, all of the girls were told to bring lamps, 'cause the WAIT for the Bridegroom might take 'till after dark.But , here these Five were, with their lamps, but, again, for whatever reason, they didn't fill 'em up, or trim the wicks, so, if needed, they would light easy and burn bright. As the ten WAITED, it got later and later, and they all fell asleep. Right about the midnight hour, { ain't that always the way! }, someone yelled,"Here comes the Bridegroom, go out to meet Him!" Well, here it is, 00:Dark30, and guess what; half of the "Bridesmaids" are totally unprepared to go the rest of the way to meet the Man of the Hour. Oh, they tried to beg some oil out of the others, but they said,"No, No; 'cause then there might not be enough for any of us at all. Your'e gonna' hafta' go get your own,so we don't run short!" So, away they went, but while they were yet away, the Bridegroom came, and those that were ready went in with Him, and the door was shut tight behind them.
After a while, here came the Five, runnin' up to the door. They fired up their lamps, and knocked at the door, saying," Here we are, we've made it back; Please let us in!!!" So, the Bridegroom, Himself, comes to see what all the ruckus is at the door. He hears the plea of those outside and replies," Truly, I don't know you." You see, when He came, He found Five who had not only been lingering, but also had busied themselves with the work that was expected of them. The others were willing to linger, but reluctant to work at the preparation.They missed out.
Can you see how these Five relate to the One in the other tale? Can you see how it relates to this "Last Minute" congregation that is getting too comfy in our sanctuaries, chapels, tabernacles, cathedrals, and, yes, synagogues? Have we, indeed, become the One, who would hide the shining gift given us by our Master, for fear of losing it? Are we, in fact, those Five, who would seek the favor of the Bridegroom, without doing the labor required for the preparation of the feast? "Life is but to labor for the Master dear / Help to banish evil, and to spread good cheer / Great you'll be rewarded for your SERVICE HERE / So, Keep On The Firing Line!!!" GLORY TO GOD; HALLELUJAH; PRAISE THE NAME OF JESUS; AND HONOR AND GLORY TO THE SPIRIT OF GOD!!!!!
WE CANNOT JUST BE WAITING FOR; OR JUST BE WAITING ON JESUS ANY LONGER ! WE MUST FIGHT WITH ALL THE MAJESTY THAT HEAVEN HOLDS TO GET EVERY SINGLE CREATURE ON THIS EARTH REPENTANT AND SET ASIDE FOR THEIR INHERITANCE IN THE KINGDOM THAT GOD HAS PREPARED FOR US, BY THE SACRIFICE AND RAISING OF HIS SON JESUS, BY HIS SPIRIT,FROM THE TOMB OF THE DEAD, FOR US!!! Thank You, JESUS!!!
Recently, someone made a comment to the effect that I shouldn't instill fear in people by making statements like "It's either a totally dark, inconceivably tortuous, hell, or a beautiful land of eternal Son-shine ['cause that's what we're told], with all the things that are of great value here being building materials, and stuff to walk on!" It was suggested that I only tell of the beauty of " the kingdom we all get to live in". Well, friends and neighbors; I am bound by my calling from GOD, a calling , by the way, which is to EVERYBODY WHO CALLS THEMSELVES 'CHRISTIAN' , to speak the truth of the WORD of the ALMIGHTY, no matter who it upsets!! And here's some plain truth; IF you've not received JESUS as YOUR PERSONAL KING, LORD, SAVIOR, AND FRIEND, then you SHALL BY NO MEANS ENTER THE GATES OF HEAVEN! Luke 13:5 ; Jesus say's,"I tell you NAY:But, except ye REPENT (turn your life totally around),YE SHALL ALL LIKEWISE PERISH." It is written, that the liar has his place in the lake of fire with the murder and the thief, and if you hold hatred for another, you're a murderer in your heart, therefore guilty by GOD's standards, for, again, it is written that no, I say, NO sin can enter the gates of heaven, and here's some more bad news, if you're not in the gates, YOU ARE IN HELL!!! If any body has been offended, please feel free to get a Bible,and LOOK IT UP! { I primarily use the King James, but if you have problems understanding the text of the KJV, I suggest the New King James, which removes a lot of the "th"'s and such, or the New Living Translation( NOT the Living Bible), which puts the Word into American, not High English}. You can also leave a comment on our Guestbook page, or go to our e-mail link on the OUR MISSION page, or the LINKS page. Hey, sometimes I read something in the Word of GOD the kinda' puts me off, but then, I realize, I need to examine ME, search MYSELF, SEEK HIS FACE and HIS PRESENCE,and pray I'm forgiven for WHATEVER the matter was, large or small, so I may more fully SERVE and WAIT on HIM. Well, we hope that this hasn't been too much at once,But , again, I cannot and will not apologize for the SPIRIT of GOD, or what it has to say. You can stone the Messenger, But the Message will still be delivered, Bless the LION OF JUDAH!! As Always, my wife and I and our meager staff would like to agree with you in prayer, for whatever the need,GREAT OR SMALL, HE HEARS THEM ALL. If you need personal prayer, again, leave a note either in the Guestbook, or at our e-mail, If you want to receive and accept JESUS as your Savior, King, and Best Friend, we won't tell you what to say, but we will tell you how; Talk to Him like He's right beside you, 'Cause He is, Call His name , JESUS, confess to Him, JUST HIM, all you have ever done {Although He already knows, He still needs to hear you say it}, and ask for Him to forgive you, and change your Heart, and He Will, If You Only BELIEVE On HIM . If you're in need of a healing, Spiritual, Physical, Family, Home, Friends, or Finances, then just agree with us now. We have the faith that He WILL DO IT, but it's YOUR FAITH in HIM that WILL OPEN DOORS IN THE SPIRITUAL AND NATURAL REALMS FOR YOU !! PRAISE GOD!!!
FATHER GOD; LORD JESUS; HOLY SPIRIT,----THANK YOU JESUS, YES LORD,---LOVING FATHER, WE STAND IN AGREEMENT WITH THESE, YOUR CHILDREN, IN THESE DARK TIMES OF THE FINAL CALL, TO SHINE THE LIGHT OF YOUR GLORY; WHICH IS FREEDOM!!! FREEDOM FROM PAIN; FREEDOM FROM DESPAIR, FREEDOM FROM THE OPPRESSION OF THESE PERILOUS DAYS; WE COMMAND BY THE BLOOD OF THE RISEN LORD AND KING, JESUS THE MESSIAH,THAT PAIN, POVERTY, AND DEPRESSION BE LOOSED FROM YOUR CHILDREN, GLORY TO GOD, AND JOY, WEALTH AND PROSPERITY IN EVERY ASPECT,HEALING AND WELLNESS IN BODY, MIND, SPIRIT,AND HOME BE BOUND TO THEM WITH THE THREE BANDED CORD THAT IS THE HOLY TRINITY, THANK YOU JESUS, PRAISE THE NAME ABOVE ALL NAMES, HALLELUJAH!!!!!!! Do now what was not possible before, for "With men this is impossible; BUT WITH GOD ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE"(Matt.19:26) Receive HIM, and give HIM Praise, For HE Is Worthy!! We Love You, Pastors Joel & Charlotte Martin & Staff- Prodigal Ministries
ORIGINAL SIN
JULY 30, 2009" How art thou fallen from Heaven ,O Lucifer,son of the morning ! How art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations ! For thou hast said in thine heart," I WILL ascend into Heaven, I WILL exalt MY throne above the stars of GOD: I WILL set also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I WILL ascend above the heights of the clouds: I WILL BE LIKE THE MOST HIGH !!" Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit "(Isaiah 14:12-15)
Looks like SOMEBODY got one too many atta-boys at one time ! Let's face it , you'd hafta' get pretty psyched about yourself to be thinkin' that you can set in rule over the Creator , Himself !! Yet here we see, that even though he was one of the top angelic princes of GOD in the Heavens , he aspired to a greatness he could NEVER acquire. Thats not to say that , if asked with a right heart, that we should not set our sights on the stars. On the contrary, our hope lies beyond even that; but the hammer will never be able to tell the Blacksmith which forged it how He should be using it. The Creation will ALWAYS be subject to the will of the CREATOR, no matter how great a job it performs . FACT !!Now , let's get honest with ourselves, shall we? How often do we say or think," I could do that way better than that guy, or "Mine is sooo much better than everyone else's( kids, house ,car ,you fill in the blank), or even gone as far as the ol' ," Just gimme' that , and get out of MY way; you can't do anything as good as I can , anyhow!!" Come on, now; there's no one in front of the monitor but you, and only GOD (who already knows anyway)can see your thoughts, so be real. I will confess here and now that I fight that SELFISH PRIDE more than once every day ! When the bible tells us that we're "born into sin" and "born with a sinfull nature" , GOD is just trying to keep us aware of it , so when it rises up in us,we can recognize it ,and put it down! That's why Paul had to "crucify the flesh daily", and so should we.
"Well, why did GOD do that ?" you may ask, and the answer is this. HE DIDN'T--WE DID !!! You see , after Lucifers Big Show of Self- Righteousness, GOD tossed him, and the third of the angels and host of Heaven , that were most likely the ones who ,without knowing it, gave him one too many " You Da' Man's", that made him start believing his own hype, out of Heaven, down to the newly formed Earth , for a big "Time Out"(cause , let's face it , Father GOD could've just wiped the whole rebellious bunch out, and been done with 'em. Who knows,if the lot of 'em would've repented, GOD may just have let them come back home.[prodigals?]) Now, God places a perfect garden "eastward in Eden" (Gen.2:8),and put the man He just created in it. I'm sure that even those of you who are just getting curious about GOD, and His Son JESUS, have heard the story, so let's try not to get too long winded. Here's this brand spankin' new being, made just the way GOD imagined and liked it to be, with not only rule and dominion over everything on this entire rock, but the gift of having free thought ,to make decisions on his own. Outside of this perfect garden is one highly "put-out" former praise and worship leader, who has discovered that his job has just been given to these upstart Humans, and THEY get to run this new planet ,lock, stock, and candy store !!!
"Well, now," he says to his minnions ,"We'll have to put a stop to this. I'll use their own blessing against 'em! I'll slide in like a snake and just slip a little prideful thinkin' on 'em! We know GOD don't like that ! Surely, He'll take all their authority away, like He took mine, they'll hate Him and follow ME, and then I will have rule over His New Creation , and then He'll see how Magnificent I am!!" Now, he snuck in ,all right , and he caused Pride to enter their minds, and, sure enough, GOD got mighty angry; Adam blamed Eve, Eve blamed the serpent, (who she may have just figured was supposed to be there,who knows?), and then GOD, who knew ABSOLUTELY who was at the rotten end of the whole mess ,took a deep breath, and gave out the woopin's. For Adam, no more face to face walks in the garden, and,from now on, he'd have to fend for himself and his wife on his own. For Eve, she would bear pain in childbirth , and be under the rule of her husband (don't get mad at me, ladies, it's in chapter 3!). Now for Ol' Lucifer. The kids got a pretty rough "come-upins", but this guy was about to find out two things; what continuing in a selfish, hateful, PRIDEFUL NATURE will get you , and never, I mean NEVER, mess with the creators Creations, ESPECIALLY his favorites!!!!
True enough, the kids were gonna have it hard, but the guy formally known as "The Angel of Light" was fixin' to get SLAMMED !! Genesis 3:14; "And the Lord GOD said unto the serpent,"Becuase thou hast done this, THOU ART CURSED above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go, and the dust shall you eat all the days of your life!" There's a lot of messages in the second and third chapters of the First Book of the Pentetuch (books of Moses) , But we're talkin ' 'bout doing things out of self, or selfish pride.
Do you see that continuing to be High-Minded and Self-Glorifying will ,I say again, WILL , lead to total destruction? Can you see that by counting our selves superior to and above the rules of GOD and HIS Nature that we can go nowhere, but into a pit, where nothing exists but unbearable, unimaginable pain, torment, and darkness? Those of us who are trying their best to live as GOD commands can still be caused to err in our walk by MANY who are "dressed as sheep, but inwardly are like ravening wolves". The Lord and KING JESUS cautions His Apostles to warn all who would follow, that in the last of the age, which is NOW, "For there SHALL ARISE FALSE CHRISTS and FALSE PROPHETS, and SHALL show GREAT SIGNS AND WONDERS; insomuch that, if it were possible,THEY SHALL DECEIVE the VERY ELECT."
All that glitters IS NOT GOLD !! Likewise, All that appears MIRACULOUS IS NOT FROM GOD!!! This is why we are told to "try the Spirits",or to discern (judge) carefully if they are, indeed, divine from GOD, or devised in Hell, or out of self, to subtly (which is why Lucifer used a snake, it can slither right up to us, unaware) give us mis-direction and false positives, that will ultimately lead to our being distanced from GOD, who, even after the fall in the Garden, has NEVER STOPPED caring for us and keeping us as close as we will allow Him to get, even to the extent of sending His SON, in a human body, to set the example for us ,in a quite litteral sense, that if we just crucify (kill, resist, hold down,put under the submission of the spirit ) our "Natural Thinking Minds", and follow the commandments( NOT suggestions) of GOD, WHICH ARE ALL GROUNDED IN LOVE, then we are resisting PRIDE, AND its instigator,SATAN, and the power of GOD through JESUS MESSIAH WILL CAUSE him TO RUUNNN FROM US!!!! PRIASE GOD , GLORY TO KING JESUS ,and ALL HONOR to the SPIRIT OF THE ALMIGHTY ONE----HALLELUJAH!!!!!
Pray always for the leaders of this country, and of the world, and for the Pastors and Priests, who lead us spiritually, that they will not forget where they have come from, and who they will have to answer to at the GREAT JUDGEMENT SEAT, where JESUS SHALL judge the "quick (lively) and the dead (cold-hearted) " And, for us, that we judge what is from GOD from what is "smoke and mirrors" from Satan and his hell. SELF SERVING PRIDE MUST DIE IN THE NAME OF, BY THE BLOOD OF, AND IN THE AUTHORITY OF OUR KING JESUS!!!!!
As always, My wife and I, and the Sons of this ministry would like to come into agreement in prayer for whatever your need ; from the salvation of your very soul, to physical or financial, better than Yellow Book; ONE GOD DOES IT ALL! We won't tell you what you need to say, that's for you and HE ; But we will tell you this; If you come to JESUS as a friend who has lost their way, and truly needs a loving hand, then all that HE requires is that you believe on HIS Son JESUS,and HIS ressurection from the grave,and know in your heart that HE is KING and Savior of ALL (and all means ALL) , confess (say) it from your very own mouth , trust HIM , and it SHALL be done for you by the Father!!!
LORD JESUS, WE COME HUMBLY TO YOU IN LOVE, TO AGREE WITH ALL WHO SEEK YOUR MERCY AND GRACE FOR THE HEALING OF THEIR SITUATION, WHATEVER IT MAY BE; FOR YOU ARE THE GOD OVER ALL THE "WHATEVER MAY BE'S" OF OUR HUMAN EXISTENCE . FATHER GOD ,WE PRAY YOU HEAR OUR CALL FOR HELP AND UNDERSTANDING IN THIS TIME OF TROUBLE AND DESPAIR. Someone needs to know that "a job is on the way ; don't sell off those things that are dear to you " ----Someone else has to know to " take heart, don't let it get you down; they were'nt really your friends if they can't support you in your life-changing decision. Remain strong in your resolve." The LORD also wants many to know to "listen for HIM, and HE will let you know what to remove from your life, so HIS annointing can fully cover you, and you may not want to lose those obstacles right away; but if you will do it when he asks, you will be dumbfounded by the results! Trust HIM, even if it seems odd to you . THANK YOU ,JESUS FOR YOUR WORD,AND FOR THE HEALINGS TOO NUMEROUS TO LIST,AND WE SHALL ALWAYS GIVE YOU THE GLORY, HONOR, AND PRAISE FOR WATCHING OVER US, IN GOOD TIMES AND BAD. WE LOVE YOU ABOVE ALL THINGS , JESUS; AMEN- AMEN- AMEN .
We sincerely pray that this message has reached you with love, and given hope and understanding to you in this troubling time. And like the Word that came on this occasion cautions; Try the spirits, pray about it, and make sure you know it's from GOD. The Lord will ALWAYS verify HIS word through others, who will have no knowledge of what was said before!
With the Love of JESUS ,
Bro. Joel & Sis. Charlotte Martin & staff-- Prodigal Ministries
If you're an avid Bible reader,you will know this, but to those who are just starting to follow Jesus, a short history lesson; Most of what is called the New Testament is a collection of letters, written to the "new convert" groups from Southern Europe to Western Asia by one Paul of Tarsus, a Jewish scholar and teacher brought to the knowledge that Jesus is the Christ (or anointed one of GOD) by the spirit of Jesus Himself (Acts-ch.9). He, with a few good men and women, spread the Gospel like a wildfire throughout the known World. This message will focus on one in particular, that , from the letter, made Paul's spirit soar. Feel free to read the whole letter, although here we'll look at just a few.
Philippians 2:12-13 ,"Wherefore,my beloved,as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only,but now MUCH MORE in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is GOD which worketh in you both to will and to do of HIS good pleasure." So, lets put that in 'good ol' 'merican,'Kay?
"My dear friends, since you are following the Way even more vigilantly now than when I was there, you just keep pressing on, because it is obvious that GOD Himself is guiding your every step, and you're following without fail !"
The fourth letter recorded of Paul's is the harshest of all the rest, so we'll use it for our "basis of comparison" ;
Galatians 3:1 , " O FOOLISH GALATIANS, WHO HAS BEWITCHED YOU, that you should not obey the truth,before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you ?" ( I encourage you to read verses 2-5 as well.)
"Why are you so easily swayed into doing those things that you know are NOT RIGHT ,after the teaching of Jesus and His spirit has been so obviously lain out in your very sight ?"
I pose this question to you ; Are we growing stronger in FAITH, or being "BEWITCHED" into thinking that we're on the Road to Glory, Saved and Sanctified, Rapture Ready and Mansion Bound, when in reality, WE'RE JUST BOUND ?
Are we living by the Law (tradition), or by the GRACE given us by the SAVIOR ?
Paul states many times that, although a good "schoolmaster", the Laws of the Jewish tradition are "to death" , while the Grace of GOD through the Sacrifice and Ressurection of the Messiah JESUS, is to "Life Eternal ".
Although, as followers of Christ, and therefore not under Jewish law, over the past 2000 years , we've "morphed" our relationship into traditions that are every letter as binding to the Spirit of GOD as were the Laws and traditions that Paul had to put aside, to become the Gospel Spreading force that caused even kings to doubt themselves.
The Galatians ,so soon after receiving the understanding and knowledge of Jesus, were convinced ,by those who wanted to turn them back to the Law , that they needed ritual worship tradition to fully serve GOD. This got ol' Paul pretty steamed, enough so that he sent this harsh (to put it kindly) letter to them. "You FOOLS !! Did the Spirit of GOD reveal these things to you ? Didn't you learn to trust GOD and not corruptible MEN ?" These folks started out doing right, but for whatever reason,started to drift off course into dangerous waters,"WHERE THERE BE MONSTERS !!!"
It took a little time and a bit of effort, but Paul and his fellow disciples of and in Christ re-lit the lighthouse for the Galatian church to home in on, and brought them back on a true course. These people are only one example of how easy it is to be led away from the proper path, the one that is safe, strait, and and straight.
Is it ,then, impossible to stay true to GOD ,and follow Jesus in right conduct ? Absolutely Not!! Jesus Himself told us that even though by our "worldly" minds somethings were not possible, that with GOD ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE !!!
Which brings us back to our opening text and the people at Philippi, who were evidently GETTIN' IT RIGHT !!!
How ? What secret formula were they using ? That's the kind of questions we may ask, if we are in the shape that most other groups were in ,in those times. The answer is so simple, yet , like almost everything else,we'll try to come up with some complex equation to make it fit our flawed , human understanding. Put ALL of our trust and hope in JESUS, let OUR measure of FAITH connect with HIS through the HOLY SPIRIT, and keep our ideas out of the way!! If we really need a formula , Paul reminds the Philippians what it is in ch. 4, verses 8 -9 ; "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true,whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. THOSE things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me , do : AND THE GOD OF PEACE SHALL BE WITH YOU." In doing this, we are doing the GREAT COMMANDMENT, and so, pleasing GOD. So, you see, it might not be simple for us, but it's not complicated at all. If we think on the Light when darkness is all around us, then THE GOD OF PEACE SHALL BE WITH US---AMEN !!!
We truly hope this has helped someone in their life with JESUS, and ,as always , we would like to agree with you in prayer, for whatever may be on your heart. We won't tell you what to say, yet we do want you to know that GOD needs you to be specific in you requests, that HE may fill your need rightly and justly .
LORD JESUS, WE COME IN AGREEMENT WITH THESE, YOUR CHILDREN , THAT WHATEVER THE NEED OF EACH SOUL MAY BE , FROM SALVATION TO FINANCIAL TO PHYSICAL TO FAMILY, THAT IT BE MET BY THE GRACE OF YOUR WISDOM AND LOVE , WITH YOUR UNDERSTANDING AND POWER--- ALL GLORY GIVEN BACK TO YOU IN PRAISE---AMEN, AMEN, AMEN
With our Love to you;
Brother Joel and Sister Charlotte Martin
THE TWO JUDGMENTS
July 6, 2009Leviticus 19:15 ; " Ye shall do no unrighteousness in JUDGMENT : Thou shalt not respect the person of the poor, nor honor the person of the mighty : BUT IN RIGHTEOUSNESS SHALT THOU JUDGE THY NEIGHBOR . "
June 4, 2009
In Luke's 15th chapter, Jesus tells a story of a wealthy young man, who, thinking he could be a great success on his own, asked his father for all of the inheritance that he had coming to him. With a heavy heart, his father grants this request, and bids his young son farewell. The young man went far away,to a city that was always busy with things of fleshly, lustful, pointless things of a riotous society. For quite some time, He had quite the time, drinking, gambling, women, and such, that is, until his funds ran out. Suddenly, all his new 'friends' didn't seem to know him, anymore. To make his situation even more hopeless, a great drought came, so, even the things that grew wild, dried up and blew away.
With nothing left to do, he found a farmer, who allowed him to feed his pigs, so, at least, he could put some kind of sustenance in his starving body.
Then it came to him," My father has many servants, which have more than enough food, yet here I am starving! I'll go back home, and confess to my father, that I have committed a sin,not only to Heaven, but to him, as well, and I am not worthy of being his son, but I beg to be a servant, that I may live. Now, as the young man came over the last rise on his fathers lane, still a long way off, His father squinted his eyes, and felt his heart leap in his chest ! Joy, love, and compassion overtook him! He ran just as hard and fast as he could, wrapped his arms so tight around his boy and smothered him with a fathers love! The young man told all to his father that he had rehearsed, but his father only smiled,and called out to the servants," Get my best robe, bring a signet ring for his finger, and get the best, fattest, calf we've got, 'cause the son I feared was lost and dead, has returned to me alive !!"
The story goes on a little farther, but this is the point the Lord wants us to grasp, at the moment. Being a prodigal is not a good thing!!! I've been one, so I know something about it.
I knew the Word of God, I knew the promises, I knew Jesus, Yet I still walked away, to "be my own man", to show the world how well I could do on my own!My, My, what a lie! And the sad part is, I started telling it to myself! Satan just grabbed that idea and ran with it! (It's really quite remarkable how often we give that ol' devil credit for something we've done to ourselves,But that's another message).
Prodigal is NOT good to be, by anyone's definition.
I did pretty good for myself for thirty years, or so it seemed. Once I had achieved "The American Dream" (lovely wife, two cars, big house), Satan came to rob me of all I had gathered.
Do you realize, he doesn't stop with material things, he wants to crush your spirit, and imprison your mind, just so God can't have it?
Do you really want to be Prodigal? Do you really want to have NO Peace, NO Rest, NO True Love, or, as Jesus asked," a stone for bread, a serpent for a fish?"
JESUS Wants us to know this one thing for sure; No Matter How FAR, No Matter How LONG, No Matter How BROKEN, HE'LL come running just as hard, and just as fast as HE can, to wrap HIS loving, Fathers arms around us, and restore us to our rightful place as HIS CHILDREN, KINGS and PRIESTS IN A ROYAL NATION!!!
But First, the prodigal has to want,and need, to come home. If you are in the "lost son's" position at this moment,PLEASE don't wait until the Angel blows his horn to come home,'cause then, you may be too late.
JESUS is waiting for you to come over the last rise, with everything you left behind, NOTHING LACKING, to carry you lovingly home.
Will you pray to Him now, that you,too,can be restored and made complete, like a child? Just talk to Him like a friend, 'cause that's what He is. Open your heart, and HE'LL open HIS arms, to whatever your need is. Give ALL to HIM, HE'S already given ALL FOR YOU !!!
FATHER IN HEAVEN, AND WITH US, WE AGREE WITH THESE WHO CALL ON YOUR NAME ,NOW, THAT YOU RECEIVE THEM , WHETHER FOR SALVATION, HEALING,OR PEACE OF MIND. WE KNOW YOU HAVE SAID, MANY TIMES, THAT YOUR EAR IS NOT TOO HEAVY, OR YOUR ARM TOO SHORT,AND WE KNOW, JESUS, THAT THERE IS NO GREATER LOVE THAN THAT WHICH YOU HAVE GIVEN US. WE THANK YOU , ALWAYS, BLESSED LORD, FOR BEING MINDFUL OF US, AND SHALL GIVE YOU ALL GLORY AND PRAISE, FOREVER; IN YOUR MIGHTY AND HOLY NAME, JESUS; AMEN AMEN AMEN
Posted by Joel Martin on Wednesday, April 15, 2009
"Und Jesu gingen die Uugen iiber." I'd be sure that most average, "American" speaking people don't have a clue what that opening line says, as it is written. Sadly, many are just as confused with the King James Version of our Bible. Now, before any one gets worked up, I use "good ol' Jimmy "myself. It is the best text we have to gauge all other translations by,(unless, naturally, you read Chaldea, Hebrew, and Greek), to gain the UNDERSTANDING (remember that word) of the Word of GOD. In Hosea, 4:6, GOD, speaking through the prophet, says that "My people are DESTROYED for lack of knowledge,.." . Numerous passages in both the Old & New Testaments make a clear point that we MUST have understanding to gain the wisdom and the knowledge to perform the pre-formed Will of GOD in each of our individual and unique earthly existence. It's not as hard as many of us have been led to believe. JESUS put it simply; believe that HE is who HE says HE is, trust HIS teaching,(also, not as complicated as it has been made to seem),have and love no other gods over the FATHER GOD , and love (respect) each other like you do yourself. By the way,"JESUS WEPT"(line one). Understanding means everything! HIS Word is made for children to understand, so let's not over-think it. Lets learn together HIS Way Home.
Blessings to all;
Bro. Joel & Sis. Charlotte Martin
Posted by Joel & Charlotte Martin on Thursday, May 7, 2009 Under: Message of the week
The Bible tells an account of ten men, who had the flesh-rotting disease known as leprosy, who called out for Jesus to have mercy on them,in their distress. When He looked towards them, He simply said," Go show yourselves to the priests." The account goes on to say, that as they went, they were cleansed. (Note that word.)
Now, when one of them began to see that his skin had stopped flaking, and a more "fleshly" tone was beginning to appear, he turned back (remember that), and loudly gave GOD all credit and glory for his personal cleansing. The next verse tells how he fell on his face at the feet of Jesus, and gave Him thanks for His intersession to the Father.
The writer then points out the fact, that these men, at least this one in particular, are from Samaria. (They didn't worship GOD like the Jews of Jerusalem, or regard Sion as the Holy mt., so, by tradition, Jesus shouldn't have even acknowledged them).
Jesus, looking down at the one ,asks , what can only be a rhetorical question; "Weren't there ten of you? Where's the other nine? They never returned (re-turned,turned back again, turned from the way they were heading,are you catching this?) to give GOD the glory !!! Only this one stranger." Then, Our Savior, Our LORD, Our KING, went an extra step. He told this man, who had given GOD the honor and glory for REDEEMING him from the curse of living death, to "Go your way, your FAITH has made you WHOLE !!!"
Webster's dictionary defines the word "whole"as ;"healthy, unhurt, entire, restored, intact, complete, unbroken...". Cleansed is defined;"to rid of impurities by or as if buy WASHING." So, you see, although ten men were cleansed by Jesus, only the one who turned from the path he was on to glorify GOD was made complete, without anything missing, or lacking; restored, renewed, refreshed, UNBROKEN !!!
Often times, ALL OF US wonder why an answer to a plea only lasts for a fleeting moment. Many of us forget where that answer came from, or, after we get our "Band-Aid", we go right back to the way we were going about our lives,not grasping the fact that, most likely, that's how we got to the point that needed the Spirit to move for us in the first place!!!
The title verse reads,"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) The word repent literally means to turn around-;- do a "180"; change direction away from where you're going. WE, as GOD's creation, AND as a Nation, MUST REPENT and TURN OFF THE PATHS WE ARE FOLLOWING, before we reach a point of " Cleansed, but not Made Whole !!" The ONLY WAY to secure our " Wholeness" is by ALWAYS seeking GOD,and HIS KINGDOM, through OUR REDEEMER JESUS CHRIST, giving HIM thanks for ALL things, no matter what the situation looks like to us, and to re-position ourselves on the road that JESUS paved for us to follow. It's not an easy way, to be sure, but it IS the only path that will take us all the way HOME !!! Trust Jesus, for he walks with you every step of your journey, to assist whenever we will allow Him to work ,without our rebellious nature getting in His way. Deuteronomy 8:18-19 says,"But you shalt remember the Lord thy GOD: for it is HE that giveth thee power to get wealth, that HE may establish HIS covenant which HE sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day. And it shall be, if thou do at all forget the Lord thy GOD, and walk after other gods, and serve them, and worship them, I testify against you this day that ye shall surely perish."
"Other gods", (ie... drugs, alcohol, sex, money, coffee, soda-pop, candy, gluttenous eating, shopping, more attention to our own bodies, than to the body of CHRIST, ad-infinitum...) are in all of our lives, and for the most part, they're so common-place,we don't realize they exist. Like JESUS pointed out ,"These things I have spoken unto you, that in Me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation; but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world."( John 16:33) So, if the struggle is in us, and HE is in us, doesn't it make good logic to let HIM fight the battle in the spiritual, since HE's right there, and knows how to defeat our adversary, which, in many cases,is our own nature, corrupted by a society that has respect for personage, but not GOD ??!!!
Again, I submit to you, We must ALL turn from the paths we're on, and travel the road of JESUS !!! We'll NEVER be entirely whole in these bodies of clay, but if we do as the one of ten did, JESUS WILL go the extra for us ,as well!
We encourage everyone to pray, but believe that your prayer must truly be from your own heart. Just talk to JESUS as you would talk to your best friend, openly, honestly, and I can guarantee that He will hear you. Trust Him, and He SHALL bring your answer. Tell Him what you want, and He'll send you what you need. And always remember,"Turn Around, and Give GOD the Glory !!!"
And as always; we're praying for you.
"'Till all the Prodigals come home;"
Bro. Joel & Sis. Charlotte Martin
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