Nov 19, 2023·edited Nov 19, 2023Liked by Night Owl Christian
GOD bless you, Jenise, and your family. Be encouraged, for the LORD is coming soon!
A few thoughts.
WALKING WITH JESUS
"They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world." John 17:16 ESV
We are no longer of this world, and its attraction starts to wear out as we draw closer to JESUS. Walking with Him is a journey of discovery, first about how we are less than good, sinners, deprived and hopeless without Him, and then the better because He saved us, reborn to live with Him for all eternity. We are now complete, not lacking or in need of anything.
NO LONGER OF THIS WORLD
"If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you." John 15:19 ESV
Suddenly, it doesn't matter what the world thinks of you. If you are hated by all for believing in JESUS and following Him, it's of no consequence. You only live for Him now, not a religious act of does and don'ts but a relationship amongst friends of gratitude and trust.
FRIENDS OF JESUS, THE KING OF KINGS
"No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing, but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you." John 15:15 ESV
Could we ever have imagined that we could be the friends of the King of Kings, the LORD OF LORD's, the One who created the universe and all there within? Could it ever have been imagined that we would forever live in His Kingdom as His family?
"But, as it is written, "What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him" 1 Corinthians 2:9 ESV
LIGHT VS DARKNESS
"Again, Jesus spoke to them, saying, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." John 8:12 ESV
No longer walking in darkness but in His light. So let us shine as lights on every mountain top for everyone to see, saying repent of your sins and be saved, for the King is coming soon. Our King is coming. Yes, He is!
WALKING WITH JESUS
Walking with JESUS transforms our worldview, our perspective about life, and everything happening around us. Everything takes on a new meaning. We no longer think in the temporal but now in the eternal, seeing the bigger picture. At the present, there is real hope for a better future that will last forever.
"For we are strangers before you and sojourners, as all our fathers were. Our days on the earth are like a shadow, and there is no abiding." 1 Chronicles 29:15 ESV
"But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ." Philippians 3:20 ESV
I think I’m following what you’re saying and will respond here. If I’m wandering away from your train of thought, let me know.
In a nutshell, the land of Israel belongs to Yahweh alone. His people are the nation He brought to inhabit His land.
All other nations and lands the God of Abraham, Issac, and Jacob relegated to the “bene elohim” (sons of God), members of His divine council, as mentioned in Deut. 32:7-9.
The rest of us have had to live under these principalities, rulers, and authorities who through their own free will rebelled against the LORD God, the Almighty. He declares their judgment in Psalm 82.
The good news is Jesus won the victory over these rebellious unseen spirits through His death on the cross and God the Father raising Jesus from the dead. He now reigns over all nations, and He’s called us via His Great Commission to gather fellow humans back under God’s authority by sharing the gospel. We are to beckon our fellow image bearers to come back home to Almighty God, and live under His rule of love and grace.
Dr. Michael S. Heiser’s books “Supernatural” and “Unseen Realm” have helped me to examine God’s word more deeply, and with the viewpoint of the ancient Israelites. Lots of good biblical scholarship out there on these topics.
And we look forward to His second coming when He’ll establish His reign on the new earth.
So, yea, I believe wholeheartedly that there are strong (and anti-God) spiritual dynamics that can affect governmental organizations.
The spiritual dynamics are the rebellious spiritual beings I mention in my first reply who rule over the other nations (lands and people).
And God's word mentions so many different types of rebellions that the spiritual dynamics are not limited to the Jezebel-King Ahab event and the murderous shedding of innocent blood. It's any rebellion against Yahweh, which began in Eden and went to great heights with the Tower of Babel.
Your beloved pastor friend experienced just one aspect of this worldwide rebellion..
I'm glad we've "met" on the 'stack. I'm grateful for your walk with the Lord and how your writing encourages me to think more deeply about my own walk!
Next week's post I'll write more about confession and repentance in our discipleship walk. :-)
GOD bless you, Jenise, and your family. Be encouraged, for the LORD is coming soon!
A few thoughts.
WALKING WITH JESUS
"They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world." John 17:16 ESV
We are no longer of this world, and its attraction starts to wear out as we draw closer to JESUS. Walking with Him is a journey of discovery, first about how we are less than good, sinners, deprived and hopeless without Him, and then the better because He saved us, reborn to live with Him for all eternity. We are now complete, not lacking or in need of anything.
NO LONGER OF THIS WORLD
"If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you." John 15:19 ESV
Suddenly, it doesn't matter what the world thinks of you. If you are hated by all for believing in JESUS and following Him, it's of no consequence. You only live for Him now, not a religious act of does and don'ts but a relationship amongst friends of gratitude and trust.
FRIENDS OF JESUS, THE KING OF KINGS
"No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing, but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you." John 15:15 ESV
Could we ever have imagined that we could be the friends of the King of Kings, the LORD OF LORD's, the One who created the universe and all there within? Could it ever have been imagined that we would forever live in His Kingdom as His family?
"But, as it is written, "What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him" 1 Corinthians 2:9 ESV
LIGHT VS DARKNESS
"Again, Jesus spoke to them, saying, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." John 8:12 ESV
No longer walking in darkness but in His light. So let us shine as lights on every mountain top for everyone to see, saying repent of your sins and be saved, for the King is coming soon. Our King is coming. Yes, He is!
WALKING WITH JESUS
Walking with JESUS transforms our worldview, our perspective about life, and everything happening around us. Everything takes on a new meaning. We no longer think in the temporal but now in the eternal, seeing the bigger picture. At the present, there is real hope for a better future that will last forever.
"For we are strangers before you and sojourners, as all our fathers were. Our days on the earth are like a shadow, and there is no abiding." 1 Chronicles 29:15 ESV
"But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ." Philippians 3:20 ESV
EVEN SO COME https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NuTb0LsRRTQ
HERE'S MY HEART https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zv5kXYn1Gc4
FOREVER https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VsP9ZT6t5Ss
"By this we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit." 1 John 4:13 ESV.
Be encouraged, for the LORD is coming soon!
GOD bless you all!
Beautifully said and well written, brother James!
Thank you for your comment. It's rich with God's word and spiritual truth.
May Yahweh, the Almighty LORD bless you and your loved ones!
Hi, Garry, and thank you for leaving a comment.
I think I’m following what you’re saying and will respond here. If I’m wandering away from your train of thought, let me know.
In a nutshell, the land of Israel belongs to Yahweh alone. His people are the nation He brought to inhabit His land.
All other nations and lands the God of Abraham, Issac, and Jacob relegated to the “bene elohim” (sons of God), members of His divine council, as mentioned in Deut. 32:7-9.
The rest of us have had to live under these principalities, rulers, and authorities who through their own free will rebelled against the LORD God, the Almighty. He declares their judgment in Psalm 82.
The good news is Jesus won the victory over these rebellious unseen spirits through His death on the cross and God the Father raising Jesus from the dead. He now reigns over all nations, and He’s called us via His Great Commission to gather fellow humans back under God’s authority by sharing the gospel. We are to beckon our fellow image bearers to come back home to Almighty God, and live under His rule of love and grace.
Dr. Michael S. Heiser’s books “Supernatural” and “Unseen Realm” have helped me to examine God’s word more deeply, and with the viewpoint of the ancient Israelites. Lots of good biblical scholarship out there on these topics.
And we look forward to His second coming when He’ll establish His reign on the new earth.
So, yea, I believe wholeheartedly that there are strong (and anti-God) spiritual dynamics that can affect governmental organizations.
The spiritual dynamics are the rebellious spiritual beings I mention in my first reply who rule over the other nations (lands and people).
And God's word mentions so many different types of rebellions that the spiritual dynamics are not limited to the Jezebel-King Ahab event and the murderous shedding of innocent blood. It's any rebellion against Yahweh, which began in Eden and went to great heights with the Tower of Babel.
Your beloved pastor friend experienced just one aspect of this worldwide rebellion..
Beautifully written, Ericka, thank you for commenting!
How gracious is our loving Lord! 🥰
I'm glad we've "met" on the 'stack. I'm grateful for your walk with the Lord and how your writing encourages me to think more deeply about my own walk!
Next week's post I'll write more about confession and repentance in our discipleship walk. :-)