Think About It – Page 6 – Light from the Word

The Call

There are many types of calls for diverse tasks. However, the most important call, which carries a weight for eternity, is the call to be saint; a call to be holy. God, in His great love toward us, has demonstrated His desire for a relationship with us from the beginning of time, demonstrated in the fact of His coming down to talk to Adam and Eve in the cool of the day before they sinned against Him. Adam and Eve became unholy before the holiness of God. And that passed to all generations, as the Bible says, We all have sinned and fell short of the glory of God (Rom. 3:23). Who could save mankind from the claws of the destiny of death? Who would stand in the gap to do so? No one was worthy to do, for all was tainted by sin. Only the Son of God-YAHSHUA, the only and one Son of God, the Lamb of God, would be worthy in His sinless condition. Revelation 5:9 says, And they sing a new song saying, You are worthy to take the scroll ad to break the seals that are on it, for You were saying, and with Your blood You purchased men unto God from every tribe and language and people and nation, and You have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign.

God, then fulfilled His promise to men of Genesis 3:15 which says, And I will put enmity between you (the serpent) and the woman and between your offspring and her Offspring; He will bruise and tread your head underfoot and you will lie in wait and bruise His heel. Thousands of years had passed since the promise was given; But when the proper time had fully come, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born subject to the Law, to purchase the freedom of those who were subject to the Law, that we might be adopted and have sonship conferred upon us (Gal. 4:4). At the end of His ordeal, YAHSHUA said, IT IS FINISHED! The purchase of men’s redemption was successfully accomplished. His work pleased the Father and through His Son’s death, reconciliation united God and men, and forgiveness filled the world with peace. There is however a call sounding through eternity to men to reconcile themselves to God; a call that resonates into the soul of men; a call to repentance. This call is given to all; Men’s responsibility before God is to answer to His call, so that they will also be chosen. They will be chosen to be justified before God and to be molded into the image of God’s Son. It is by sanctification that we will regain God’s Son image. The image we lost in the Garden of Eden when sin entered the lives of Adam and Eve.

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Is God’s Mouth Muzzled Not to Speak to Us Today?

“My people perish for lack of knowledge.” These are words of profound and consequential meaning, as we read in Job 36: 12: But if they do not listen, they perish by the sword and die without knowledge. The rejection of knowledge is a dangerous attitude to have. For it is hearing, but not listening, hearing but not perceiving; hearing but not understanding; seeing but not discerning. It is being deaf and blind spiritually. For God speaks not only once, but more than once, even though men do not regard it (Job 33:14). The spirit of unbelief is very predominant in the world today in spite of all the information being available in every avenue of life. Words found in the book of Job 33:15 seals the matter that men hear God’s voice in a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falls on men while slumbering upon the bed. Then He opens the ears of men and seals their instruction. The Prophet Daniel experienced dreams and visions and interpretations by angels. The entire chapter seven of the book of Daniel reveals the three visions he had and the interpretations of them. Those visions served to warn the world of yesterday and of today’s what were and what is going to happen in the future because our God desired and desires that none of us should perish.

In the days of Noah, when evil had taken over the world of yesterday, God chose Noah the only just man found among all who lived then, to save him from the coming earth destruction. As it is consistent with God, He confined in Noah, His servant, the news. At the same time, Noah was to warn the people, so they would repent to be saved. For 120 years Noah faithfully warned the people. Unfortunately, they did not listen to take the message to heart and repent of their way of life. They continued living their lives as usual, until the flood took them by surprise. The message heard in those days, if mingled with faith, salvation would have come to more than just a few. As it was, all died, except Noah and his family, eight in all. The days of Noah are days in which constitutes signs of the coming of YAHSHUA. He said, As were in the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and given in marriage, until the day when Noah went into the ark. And they did not know or understand until the flood came and swept them all away – so will be the coming of the Son of Man (Matt. 24:37-39). The ark, Noah was building, constituted a testimony, and a sign confirming what God had spoken to him to warn the people of God’s coming judgement upon the earth. The message, however, was not received with faith, and they perished in their sins. God gave the people a time line of 120 years to be warned about His judgment. A long time so it seems; so, they were without excuse.

God has been speaking to men since the beginning of time; His message has been carried on one way or other, through His prophets of old and new. He spoke to Noah, He spoke to Abraham, He spoke to Moses, to Joshua, He spoke to all the prophets and gave them warning messages to give the people, for not desiring that people should perish, but have a chance to repent.

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Will You Also Leave Me?

(John 6)

A question that leads to a crossroad one must face. Life is filled with crossroads; sometimes undecided we choose the wrong one; the difference does not appear visible in times of decisions. What will be on the other side, waiting in the waves of circumstances that will either help or destroy our future? Sometimes, the seemly to be is not that which we are looking for. As it is said, “Don’t judge the book by its cover,” So it is with life’s crossroads. YAHSHUA, after a long day of ministering to the multitude, including the feeding of thousands, for which act the people wanted to crown Him King, withdrew to the hillside to be alone, once again, as it was His habit to do. Meanwhile, when evening came, the disciples took their boat and headed to Capernaum. It was dark and YAHSHUA had not yet joined them, when suddenly a storm of great violence came their way. After having rowed three to four miles YAHSHUA came to them walking on water. Not recognizing Him, they became afraid. But YAHSHUA assured them by saying, It is I; be not afraid! (vs. 19-21). A beautiful prophetic event related to the Jewish nation at the end time. The storm symbolizing the nations coming against Israel in the end time, YAHSHUA’S deliverance of the nation and their repentance and acceptance of Him as their Messiah.

The crowd remained waiting for YAHSHUA, but He was found on the other side of the Lake. When they found Him, they anxiously asked Him, “Rabbi! When did You come here?” Innocent enough was their question, but YAHSHUA knew the hearts of men. Not answering their question, He went straight to the matter of their hearts. I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, YAHSHUA said, you have been searching for Me, not because you saw the miracles and signs but because you were fed with the loaves and were filled and satisfied. Stop toiling and doing and producing for the food that perishes and decomposes, but strive and work and produce rather for the food which endure unto life eternal… (vs.24-27). The dialog continued between YAHSHUA and the multitude, when they asked, What are we to do, that we may be working the works of God? YAHSHUA replied, that you believe in the One Whom He has sent. They then replied, What sign will You perform them, so that we may see it and believe on You? (vs.26-30).

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The Danger of Unbelief

Many things in life constitute their ways and means of survival; from the time of birth to adulthood, life is always on the move. The physical part of it, guided by the soul, determines and accomplishes success, or goals. Life is a beautiful thing, when lived in agreement with its destiny. A successful person has the stamina and perseverance of belief to persevere to the end and so he accomplishes what he determined to do in his life time. Belief in something is necessary in life to achieve success. Here I am not referring to religious beliefs, but beliefs in the natural ways of life itself. We wonder why success has not reached everyone in the term of riches. We can go only as high as our belief leads us to go. Some reaches for the stars, and gets high enough to accomplish many things life offers. Others’ goals and beliefs go as high as they determine to go in their course of studies. Content with what life offers in that dimension, they seek their success. Knowledge however, has a way to take life higher, when one belief in it. To be distinguished in life, requires belief and efforts. Believing in yourself, in your abilities and solidifying your belief by your success, will be your reward on earth.

A man of unbelief is as Solomon described in Proverbs 24:30-34, when he said, I went by the field of the lazy man and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding; and behold, I was all grown over with thorns and nettles were covering its face, and its stone wall was broken down. Then I beheld and considered it well; I looked and received instruction. Yet, a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep – so shall your poverty come as a robber and your want as an armed man. Man without belief in self has no reason to get up in the morning, so he continues in his slumber and the result is seen in his life style. Weeds outside his garden, and cobwebs inside his house declare who he is. There are many answers given to the question, What do you want be when you grow up? I want be a fireman, a postman, a trash collector, a doctor, a lawyer. All these careers have merit in the belief of the person, if for sure it is achieved. Life in general then is believing in the future of all kinds, creating a society that generates colorful and promising future for all who believe in it by doing the best to achieve its success.

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Where We Are in the Prophetic Pages of Time

(Luke 21:34-36)

The world is screaming confusion. Where is truth, does anyone know? We ask ourselves. Whom to believe in these days? As the Prophet Isaiah said, Truth has fallen on the streets, and I add to it and it had been stepped on over and over to hide it under the foot of those who are hiding it. In the confusion of the minds, truth is lie, and lie is truth. Do you perceive it? The Bible says that in the latter days we will see and experience perilous times of great stress. The increased iniquity and lawlessness will cause many to lose love for God; their love will grow cold. Many have asked, Why does God allow evil to prosper? A question that is heard often in our days in view of what’s happening; a question, if we are not careful, will drag us out of faith to doubt our God in our disappointment and lack of understanding. Our hearts have been asking this question, until God showed us the reason behind of what is happening. We must ask God if we want to understand the final end of these things.

YAHSHUA warned us of such times, in which we are living right now. The present lawlessness and iniquities seen as normal, are trends with the purpose to bring about the evil intent of those few who are planning the destruction of life and normality. What they are doing are creating chaos in order to bring in their messiah- the man of lawlessness mentioned by Paul in his second letter to the Thessalonians. However, judgment will rise against those who practice lawlessness in God’s due time. Paul described the extent of their lawlessness as violence, lovers of self, boasters, abusive, ungrateful, unholy and profane, uncontrolled and fierce haters of good and the list goes on. Don’t these sound like today to you? When we read Genesis six in reference to the accounts before the flood, we see in some degree the extent of lawlessness and iniquities seen today. As YAHSHUA said, “As were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.” So, this means that He is at the door, for the days of Noah are here.

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God’s Timing and Our Reasoning of Space in Time

Time is a space given us to live here on earth, until eternity takes over that space and time is no more: No clock, no days of week, no night. No more division between light and darkness (day and night). Time is a well-organized concept to accomplish what we need to do, so that life will be worthy living. It does not wait for us to get ready; it constant moves forwardly. Tomorrow never gets here, for when it comes, it is no more tomorrow, but is today. The things we must do in the today’s space of time, we’d better finish it, if we want to see results today. Sometimes, we get ahead of time in its purpose, not realizing the confusion and despair that will follow in circumstances we did not expect. So, it is that we, not knowing the future in its short or long term, battle to get ahead of time disregarding the results in our life and in the lives of others. Time then, becomes a blame game in the words, “There was no time or I did not have time.” Why, under the sun, don’t we consider the relationship between our space of time and God’s sovereignty over our time?

Time is registered in a calendar where we mark our future plans. It is also registered on clocks, on our watches, indicating when we should proceed with our plans. However, God’s timing for everything must be considered. Reasoning our space in time outside of His timing, is very wrong. Leaving Him outside of when the fulfillment of our plans should take place, is with certainty, a failed plan. Solomon said, The plans of the mind and orderly thinking belong to man, but from the Lord comes the answer of the tongue (Prov. 16:10). Getting ahead of His timing to accomplish our plans when we want, and not when He wants, is foolish. The word WAIT is an important word in this scenario. What does it mean to you and to me? The twiddling of the thumb, which is the visible expression of what is going on inside of us, expressing frustration? It shouldn’t be so, for the word wait renders submission, it renders peacefulness of heart, in the stillness of the soul before God, as we wait for Him to perform His perfect plan in us and through us. In this fast computer age, fast airplanes, fast cars, fast everything, molding us to fast pace, it does us great harm in the spiritual side of life when it comes to waiting. Nevertheless, our space in time means to wait, we liking it or not! Life is waiting, waiting for time to come, waiting for the bus, waiting for food to cook, etc. etc. James puts God’s timing in perspective: He said, Co me now, you who say, Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such city and spend a year there and carry on our business and make money. Yet, you do not know about what may happen tomorrow. What is the nature of your life? You are but a wisp of vapor that is visible for a little while and then disappears; you ought instead to say, If the Lord is willing, we shall live and we shall do this or that (James 4:13-14).

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Things That Matter Most

(Colossians 3)

The walk of life leads us to many directions in its distractions, accomplishing a lot, sometimes, but again, not a lot of great significance. At the end of the day, we ask ourselves, What did I accomplish today? Priorities get misplaced in the order of which we favor most. The things that demand more from us are those which we dearly care about. But what do we make of Paul’s words to the Colossians? If then you have been raised with Christ…How can we have been raised with our Messiah, if we are still in this body of decay? That’s a question we must consider in our spiritual walk. For many of us Christians, there is the thought that our salvation was free and that there is nothing else we have to do. I do pity the idea, for first of all, salvation was not free for our Lord, Who paid it with His life; and it is not free for us, who must deny ourselves, carry our cross and follow Him. We are not exempt from our duty before God to do our part, if we are to be saved.

Read the words from Paul: And if we are [His] children, then we are [His] heirs also; heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ; only we must share His suffering if we are to share His glory (Rom. 8: 17). To be raised with Christ, it is to have died for oneself; raised with Him is He controlling our inner being; it is losing all that has to do with one’s desires; it is, “not I, but Christ lives in me.” The mind, the control center of the body, Paul says to keep focusing on what matters most- on the things above, where YAHSHUA is seated at the right hand of God (Col. 1:1). Dead to the world, we are of no concern to it, neither should it be to us. We, believers in YAHSHUA, are seeds which went through the process of death in order to be alive. The seed that does not die, will never become a tree. In YAHSHUA’S death, he planted in us the seed of life eternal; however, it does not finish there. In dying unto self, the believer gains sanctification, which is a process to attain glorification. Without it one cannot see God. When we go through the new birth, the Holy Spirit seals us with Himself. I call this a ring that unites us with YAHSHUA, confirming our engagement with Him. And that is the most important thing we must pay attention to while in this world. Although, the human heart tends to lean more toward the things of the world than heaven’s. We must make an effort to switch the priority’s direction to heaven. Our citizenship is not of this world; the longing of every Christian should be heaven, because Paul said, Our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord YAHSHUA Messiah, Who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself (Phil. 3:20-21)

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Moses and Elijah on Mount Sinai and Mount Herman

(Exodus 19; 33; I Kings 19:8-14; Luke 9: 28-33)

Moses, as Israel’s leader to the Promised Land, was a remarkable man. No one that has ever lived, has ever experienced God the way he did. He was not only a leader for the nation Israel, but a prophet, who spoke with God face to face, although he did not see His face. From the signs and wonders seen in Egypt, the parting of the Red Sea, water coming from the rocks, mana coming from heaven as food for the people while in their journey of forty years through the wilderness, and much more, Moses’ life shines over all others.

As a baby, Moses was taken from the water when his mother tried to hide him in the time of the king’s command to kill all the Jews’ babies to control their population. He was rescued by Pharaoh’s daughter, who later adopted him. She named him Moses because she said, “I drew him out of the water.” For forty years he lived in the royal palace, however, he preferred to suffer with his brothers, as Hebrews 11:24-25 confirms: By faith Moses, when he had grown to maturity and become great, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter because he preferred to share the oppression and bear the shame of the people of God rather than to have the fleeting enjoyment of a sinful life.

One day, while checking out the slavery condition of his people, he saw an Egyptian beating one of his brothers. He then killed the Egyptian and buried him (Ex. 2). His zeal for the wellbeing of his people was a sign of what he was to become in the future. From that time on, he become a refugee in the land of Median, where he married and worked as a shepherd for his father- in-law. Moses had his first encounter with God at Mount Horeb, or Sinai, the mount of God, forty years after his ordeal that caused him to flee for his life. The Lord God appeared to him in a fire out of the midst of a bush. Curious about what was happening, he turned aside to see why the bush would not burn, when he heard the Lord’s voice saying, do not come near; put your shoes off your feet, for the place on which you stand is holy ground (Ex. 3:2-5). In that encounter, God revealed Himself to Moses as the God of his fathers- Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Moses then hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God (Ex. 3:6). God spoke to him from the fire saying, come now therefore, and I will send you to Pharaoh, that you may bring forth My people…out of Egypt. Moses’ conscious burned with guilt and fear of his past in the presence of that fire that symbolized the unapproachable holiness of God. Mount Sinai, the pivot point of Moses’ life, stood before him with a divine call to redeem his people from bondage.

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We Do Not Know What to Do

Have you ever been in a situation when you have said, I do not know what to do? Crossroads ahead causing a moment of confusion in the midst of fear in the situation, as if your world shrunk to only you in it? You are not alone. Learning how to get our problems off our shoulders at the beginning of things, is a good thing, so not to suffer the consequences that will follow the worries. There is a path however, a narrow path, not visible at first, but nonetheless, a path we must look for to alleviate the mind from the control of fear; hear the Lord speaking, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.” This is the only path to victory; the path that God has directed us to go through. “Though I walk through the valley of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me.” The confidence of faith elevates us above circumstances and opens our eyes to its spiritual reality, giving us the certainty that God is ever so present with us. So, never fear, God is near.

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A Macedonia Call

(Acts 16: 9-12; 16-34)

A vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man from Macedonia stood pleading with him and saying, Come over to Macedonia and help us (vs. 9)! On the way to answer the “Macedonia call” Paul and Silas had to go through the “fire” being struck with many blows to the point of bleeding; they were thrown into prison (dungeon) with their feet fastened in the stocks (vs. 10). They faced many stumbling blocks, but none of them kept them from losing the focus of the call to Macedonia. Yes, they were bleeding and hurting physically, and their feet were fastened in the stocks, but they were strong spiritually to face the enemy’s weapons with praises to God, proclaiming His love to all who were listening to them in jail; and their spirits were free in Christ to proclaim the goodness of God.

That was the beginning of the fulfillment of the call. That stumbling block in front of them didn’t indicate a stop sign or a change of calling, but a yield sign in the calendar of God; an introduction to what God had in store for them. Their submission to God followed by praises to Him caused heaven’s door to be opened for God’s Power to be expressed through a powerful earthquake, where human powers could do nothing to stop it.

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