Today’s verse’s come from Amos 8:14 and Romans 5:19
“Is it wrong to aspire for success?” “NO.” However, we should never place ourselves in a position of desiring wealth, notoriety, and fame.
What does being a part of the group desiring to achieve the same goal of success and wealth, provide to your spiritual journey as an individual through that lifestyle, encouraging you to learn how to succeed or to be the best or aspire to reach notoriety which abounds in all fields of worldly endeavour?
Spiros Zodhiates Th.D (1922 – 2009) brings forward an interesting point which I believe applies to this offering. “There is a category of people who would be confused with the true believers.
These are those who appear to have been saved and be a child of God but have reverted to the world and continue in its ways. For instance, the phrase…” which when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe…” denotes a different meaning for the word “believe.”
It should not be confused as the exercise of true faith in Yeshua (Jesus Christ) which transforms a person’s life. This “belief” is merely intellectual assent.
Not simply giving reference to a repentant heart, but to an obedient heart toward God which causes them to do righteousness and to hate sin (Rom. 5:19). Those who have no deep roots are the ones who profess faith but do not possess Yeshua.
He that by faith chooses God for his guardian, shall find all that in him which he needs or can desire. Note:
1. It is the character of a true believer that he dwells in the secret place of the, Most High, he is at home in God, returns to God, and reposes in him as his rest he acquaints himself with inward religion, and makes heart-work of the service of God, worships within the veil, and loves to be alone with God, to converse with him in solitude.
2. It is the privilege and comfort of those that do so that they abide under the shadow of the Almighty he shelters them and comes between them and everything that would annoy them, whether storm or sunshine.
They shall not only have an admittance but a residence, under God’s protection he will be their rest and refuge forever.
Do we recognize or completely understand the depth of Yeshua’s sacrifice? As I was musing over commentary by Adam Clarke in respect to forgiveness within our salvation.
It became clear how selfish and centred my observation about God’s forgiveness had become. I was focusing on just my sins, my prayer, for Yeshua’s advocacy before the Father’s throne on my behalf only.
When the words Mr. Clarke had shared hit home: Yeshua is the propitiation. The atoning sacrifice for our sins. This is the proper sense of the word as used in the Septuagint, where it often occurs; and is the translation of asham, “an obligation for sin,” Amos 8:14.
And not for ours only- it is not for us disciples that he died, nor exclusively for the Jewish people, but for the whole world, Gentiles as well as Jews, all the descendants of Adam.
The apostle does not say he died for any select part of the inhabitants of the earth, or for some out of every nation, tribe, or kindred. But for “All Mankind,” and the attempt to limit this is a violent outrage against God and his word.
We speak about heavenly gifts and the power of God I believe at times not knowing or considering the depth of what we are speaking.
What struck me in this is how as an individual our Lord knows my needs, my tribulations, and hears my pleas through prayer for His time to place them before the throne.
As he does for all in the world, God’s heart and love are beyond our comprehension of just how vast it is. Yet as we develop our relationship with His Son we have a piece of it always, while we continue our journey to join Both in Eternal life.
Thank you Father for your Son, who speaks for me now and for mankind throughout the ages, so they all might have the same opportunity to follow your path home. Thank you for using me as a beacon and fisher of men so others may know of your compassion, forgiveness and love.
Brothers and Sisters, shine your light brightly, cast your nets far and wide, be a bright beacon, knowing Yeshua is there for all, as he is for us when we stumble, or stray or sin.
I desire to conclude here to end the warning as a Watchman and pray you will recognize this method of discernment is our Lord showing you how to sharpen your Two-Edged Sword to an even keener sharpness as we are passing through the deep darkness shrouding the world today.
Remember discerning and understanding information brings about strength, courage, determination and the removal of fear. May our Father bestow His peace, discernment, understanding and wisdom upon all as you go forward in the name of Yeshua. AMEN AND AMEN.
Robert
