End times witnessing: "Macedonia"

The word today is "Macedonia".

Can you hear the Lord Holy Spirit calling and sending? Arise, prophets and teachers of the Bible, fast and pray and ask the Lord for directions, just as the five men did in the Church of Antioch in Acts 13:1-4.

1. Acts 16:6
   [ The Macedonian Call ] And they went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia.
   Acts 16:5-7 (in Context) Acts 16 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
2. Acts 16:9
   And a vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of Macedonia was standing there, urging him and saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.”
   Acts 16:8-10 (in Context) Acts 16 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
3. Acts 16:10
   And when Paul had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go on into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.
   Acts 16:9-11 (in Context) Acts 16 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
4. Acts 16:12
   and from there to Philippi, which is a leading city of the district of Macedonia and a Roman colony. We remained in this city some days.
   Acts 16:11-13 (in Context) Acts 16 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
5. Acts 18:5
   When Silas and Timothy arrived from Macedonia, Paul was occupied with the word, testifying to the Jews that the Christ was Jesus.
   Acts 18:4-6 (in Context) Acts 18 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
6. Acts 19:21
   [ A Riot at Ephesus ] Now after these events Paul resolved in the Spirit to pass through Macedonia and Achaia and go to Jerusalem, saying, “After I have been there, I must also see Rome.”
   Acts 19:20-22 (in Context) Acts 19 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
7. Acts 19:22
   And having sent into Macedonia two of his helpers, Timothy and Erastus, he himself stayed in Asia for a while.
   Acts 19:21-23 (in Context) Acts 19 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
8. Acts 19:29
   So the city was filled with the confusion, and they rushed together into the theater, dragging with them Gaius and Aristarchus, Macedonians who were Paul's companions in travel.
   Acts 19:28-30 (in Context) Acts 19 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
9. Acts 20:1
   [ Paul in Macedonia and Greece ] After the uproar ceased, Paul sent for the disciples, and after encouraging them, he said farewell and departed for Macedonia.
   Acts 20:1-3 (in Context) Acts 20 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
10. Acts 20:3
    There he spent three months, and when a plot was made against him by the Jews as he was about to set sail for Syria, he decided to return through Macedonia.
    Acts 20:2-4 (in Context) Acts 20 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
11. Acts 27:2
    And embarking in a ship of Adramyttium, which was about to sail to the ports along the coast of Asia, we put to sea, accompanied by Aristarchus, a Macedonian from Thessalonica.
    Acts 27:1-3 (in Context) Acts 27 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
12. Romans 15:26
    For Macedonia and Achaia have been pleased to make some contribution for the poor among the saints at Jerusalem.
    Romans 15:25-27 (in Context) Romans 15 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
13. 1 Corinthians 16:5
    [ Plans for Travel ] I will visit you after passing through Macedonia, for I intend to pass through Macedonia,
    1 Corinthians 16:4-6 (in Context) 1 Corinthians 16 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
14. 2 Corinthians 1:16
    I wanted to visit you on my way to Macedonia, and to come back to you from Macedonia and have you send me on my way to Judea.
    2 Corinthians 1:15-17 (in Context) 2 Corinthians 1 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
15. 2 Corinthians 2:13
    my spirit was not at rest because I did not find my brother Titus there. So I took leave of them and went on to Macedonia.
    2 Corinthians 2:12-14 (in Context) 2 Corinthians 2 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
16. 2 Corinthians 7:5
    For even when we came into Macedonia, our bodies had no rest, but we were afflicted at every turn—fighting without and fear within.
    2 Corinthians 7:4-6 (in Context) 2 Corinthians 7 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
17. 2 Corinthians 8:1
    [ Encouragement to Give Generously ] We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia,
    2 Corinthians 8:1-3 (in Context) 2 Corinthians 8 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
18. 2 Corinthians 9:2
    for I know your readiness, of which I boast about you to the people of Macedonia, saying that Achaia has been ready since last year. And your zeal has stirred up most of them.
    2 Corinthians 9:1-3 (in Context) 2 Corinthians 9 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
19. 2 Corinthians 9:4
    Otherwise, if some Macedonians come with me and find that you are not ready, we would be humiliated—to say nothing of you—for being so confident.
    2 Corinthians 9:3-5 (in Context) 2 Corinthians 9 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
20. 2 Corinthians 11:9
    And when I was with you and was in need, I did not burden anyone, for the brothers who came from Macedonia supplied my need. So I refrained and will refrain from burdening you in any way.
    2 Corinthians 11:8-10 (in Context) 2 Corinthians 11 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
21. Philippians 4:15
    And you Philippians yourselves know that in the beginning of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only.
    Philippians 4:14-16 (in Context) Philippians 4 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
22. 1 Thessalonians 1:7
    so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia.
    1 Thessalonians 1:6-8 (in Context) 1 Thessalonians 1 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
23. 1 Thessalonians 1:8
    For not only has the word of the Lord sounded forth from you in Macedonia and Achaia, but your faith in God has gone forth everywhere, so that we need not say anything.
    1 Thessalonians 1:7-9 (in Context) 1 Thessalonians 1 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
24. 1 Thessalonians 4:10
    for that indeed is what you are doing to all the brothers throughout Macedonia. But we urge you, brothers, to do this more and more,
    1 Thessalonians 4:9-11 (in Context) 1 Thessalonians 4 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations 


English Standard Version (ESV)
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.

End Times Church Countdown: LIFT UP the Sword of the Spirit now

The end times message since last August was: "LIFT up the Sword of the Spirit". Indeed this has proved the final piece of the armor of God for all Spirit-filled Christians. No church can afford to hide behind the facade of any excuses of activities any longer. There is no enough time if you have not already come back to this first love, the word of God.
Small groups of individuals, most of whom are watchmen and intercessors who obey the Lord Jesus' command to 'watch and pray', have already received this call and started to group together and read the word of God regardless what other programs in which their respective churches are still preoccupied.

How else do churches expect to live the Son of God’s life despite the ravages of the four horsemen in Revelation 6?

Here is the Bible passage if you cannot recall the Revelation 6.

Revelation 6

New King James Version (NKJV)

First Seal: The Conqueror

6 Now I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals; and I heard one of the four living creatures saying with a voice like thunder, “Come and see.” ² And I looked, and behold, a white horse. He who sat on it had a bow; and a crown was given to him, and he went out conquering and to conquer.

Second Seal: Conflict on Earth

³ When He opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature saying, “Come and see.” ⁴ Another horse, fiery red, went out. And it was granted to the one who sat on it to take peace from the earth, and that people should kill one another; and there was given to him a great sword.

Third Seal: Scarcity on Earth

⁵ When He opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say, “Come and see.” So I looked, and behold, a black horse, and he who sat on it had a pair of scales in his hand. ⁶ And I heard a voice in the midst of the four living creatures saying, “A quart of wheat for a denarius, and three quarts of barley for a denarius; and do not harm the oil and the wine.”

Fourth Seal: Widespread Death on Earth

⁷ When He opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature saying, “Come and see.” ⁸ So I looked, and behold, a pale horse. And the name of him who sat on it was Death, and Hades followed with him. And power was given to them over a fourth of the earth, to kill with sword, with hunger, with death, and by the beasts of the earth.

Fifth Seal: The Cry of the Martyrs

⁹ When He opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the testimony which they held. ¹⁰ And they cried with a loud voice, saying, “How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?” ¹¹ Then a white robe was given to each of them; and it was said to them that they should rest a little while longer, until both the number of their fellow servants and their brethren, who would be killed as they were, was completed.

Sixth Seal: Cosmic Disturbances

¹² I looked when He opened the sixth seal, and behold, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became like blood. ¹³ And the stars of heaven fell to the earth, as a fig tree drops its late figs when it is shaken by a mighty wind. ¹⁴ Then the sky receded as a scroll when it is rolled up, and every mountain and island was moved out of its place. ¹⁵ And the kings of the earth, the great men, the rich men, the commanders, the mighty men, every slave and every free man, hid themselves in the caves and in the rocks of the mountains, ¹⁶ and said to the mountains and rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! ¹⁷ For the great day of His wrath has come, and who is able to stand?”

Watchman's letters: Oppression under fake Christianity

Dear Uncle Jack,


Now that my head has cleared a bit more, I am beginning to remember some of the sermons.

Ps. Susan preached on the sins of Jeroboam.

She said that the sins of Jeroboam truly grieved the heart of our Lord because the Lord kept mentioning this sin throughout the book.

Jeroboam's sins can be summarised into 3 Cs:

a) Convenience

b) Compromise

c) Counterfeit

It is linked to today's modern Christianity.

Jeroboam's led the entire nation of Israel astray because of his own deep-rooted insecurity

He did not want the Israelites to go to Jerusalem to worship the true and living God for the fear that they will defect to Judah.

1 Kings 12:28

So he invented a religion of Convenience by setting up two golden calfs for the Israelites to worship. And the Israelites easily fell back into idolatry as were the habit of their ancestors.

Many Christians also opt for the religion of Convenience today, only to end up feeding on the wrong sermons that will eventually lead their children astray.

1 Kings 12:31

Jeroboam made priests from every class of people, (or low class people as per some bible translations), who were not of the sons of Levi.

This is a clear compromise on the ordinances of the Lord.

The Levites were specially chosen by the Lord to serve as priests because they could put the Lord above their own brothers and people. When Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the first set of the Ten Commandments, the Israelites have already reverted to idol worship and it was only the clan of Levites that stood up for the Lord.

1 Kings 12:33

Jeroboam changed the Feast of the Tabernacle by keeping the same month but changing the date. It gave rise to COUNTERFEIT religion.

Due to Jeroboam's sins, the successive fifteen generations of kings after him went back into idol worship and eventually, God allowed the whole nation of Israel to be destroyed.

The irony was that although Jeroboam created this 3Cs but when his own son fell sick in 1 Kings 14, he sent his wife to look for the prophet of the true and living God to inquire for his son.

He knew what he did was all fake and yet, he instituted a fake religion that eventually destroyed the nation of Israel.

That's all for now.

Love

Kt

And they will bite you,” says the Lord.

An oracle for this time. Those who are spiritually discerned, be alert and watch and pray for those who are not. Do not celebrate as the unbelievers do!

__________________________

Jeremiah 8

New Life Version (NLV)

8 “At that time,” says the Lord, “they will bring out the bones of the kings and leaders of Judah, the bones of the religious leaders, the bones of the men of God, and the bones of the people of Jerusalem from their graves. ² And they will spread them out to the sun, the moon, and to all the stars of heaven. For these they have loved, and served, and followed, and looked for, and worshiped. The bones will not be gathered or buried. They will be as animal waste on top of the ground. ³ And death will be chosen instead of life by all those who are left of this sinful family in all the places where I have driven them,” says the Lord of All.

Sin and Its Punishment

⁴ “You will say to them, ‘This is what the Lord says: “Do men fall and not get up again? Does one turn away and not return? ⁵ Why then have the people of Jerusalem always turned away from Me? They hold on to what is false, and will not return. ⁶ I have listened and heard, but they have not said what is right. No man turned from his sinful way, saying, ‘What have I done?’ Every one turns to his own way like a horse running into battle.⁷ Even the stork in the sky knows her times. And the turtle-dove, crane, and swallow keep the time of their coming. But My people do not know the Law of the Lord.
⁸ “How can you say, ‘We are wise, and the Law of the Lord is with us’? See, the lying hand of the writers has made it into a lie. ⁹ The wise men are put to shame. They are troubled and taken. See, they have turned away from the Word of the Lord, and what kind of wisdom do they have? ¹⁰ So I will give their wives to others, and their fields to new owners. Because from the least to the greatest, every one is always wanting much. From the man of God to the religious leader, no one can be trusted in what he does. ¹¹ They have healed the hurt of My people very little, saying, ‘Peace, peace,’ when there is no peace. ¹² Were they ashamed because of the hated sin they had done? They were not ashamed at all. They did not even know how to turn red. So they will fall among those who fall. When I punish them, they will be put down,” says the Lord.
¹³ “For sure I will take them away,” says the Lord. “There will be no grapes on the vine, and no figs on the fig tree, and the leaves will dry up. What I have given them will pass away.” ¹⁴ Why are we sitting here? Gather together, and let us go into the strong cities and die there. For the Lord our God has given us up to die. He has given us poison in our water to drink, for we have sinned against Him. ¹⁵ We waited for peace, but no good came. We waited for a time of healing, but see, there is much trouble. ¹⁶ The noise of his horses is heard from Dan. The whole land shakes at the sound of his war horses. For they come and destroy the land and everything that is in it, the city and those who live in it. ¹⁷ “For see, I am sending the worst of snakes against you, poison snakes which cannot be stopped. And they will bite you,” says the Lord.
¹⁸ My sorrow is too much to heal. My heart is weak within me. ¹⁹ Listen! It is the cry of my people from a far away land: “Is the Lord not in Zion? Is her King not in her?” “Why have they made Me angry with their objects of worship, and with strange gods?” ²⁰ “Gathering time is past, summer is ended, and we are not saved.” ²¹ I am hurt because my people are hurt. I am filled with sorrow, and fear has taken hold of me. ²² Is there no healing oil in Gilead? Is there no doctor there? Why then have my people not been healed?

Journey to see God: Bible reading - Holy Spirit way

The 5 am Bible reading meeting came about when a newly Spirit-filled Christian wanted to know more about God Who is Spirit. So another Christian agreed to meet with him daily Monday to Friday initially. Three others decided to join them and soon it was extended to daily Monday-Saturday. 

The small group meet and read Bible as the Lord leads them. Each day a new group of passages from the Bible came forth as the Holy Spirit lead them. Often they start reading chapters from one book in the Bible and are led to read chapters in other books as well. As they read, the words speak and their spiritual eyes and ears are opened. The words of God become life and spirit to them. Deep meanings and significance which were hitherto hidden are now revealed clearly. 

The only hindrance is they do encounter the common spirit of stupor. One Holy Spirit Christian admits that whenever he reads the Bible (even at home) he just feels sleepy after a short while. Another two also face the same problem in the small group. Often it becomes difficult and tiring to get up in time to gather together to read the words of God. Soon other hindrances like suffering from lack of adequate sleep sets in as well.

The watchman observes that when a person decides to give in to the flesh and miss one session, the act of absence soon becomes a habit without any effort. How does the watchman keeps the session going even when alone? The key to success is the Holy Spirit.

For example, one day he will get up real early and start sweep and mopping the floor, or the courtyard, enjoying the fresh morning air and cool breeze. Another day he will pray in the spirit and sing in the spirit. Today he got up around 2.30 am and walked about, did a bit of house cleaning, getting the place ready, taking a cold shower, reading the Bible, praying for awhile, and soon it was time for the meeting. He does not follow a fixed pattern. He just does what his spirit receives at the moment from the Lord. How does he know what book and chapters in the Bible to read for the day? He prays and asks the Lord. When the others arrive and start asking questions or sharing, they will then know what passage to read. The issues at hand are always met by the Lord Holy Spirit’s choice of the passages.

Today they met after most participants went outstation for a short break attending reunion gatherings with their siblings and parents. During the sharing a common issue came up. They wished their spouses were more spiritually alert when important decisions needed to be made over family matters. The difference is explained in 1 Corinthians 2. The Holy Spirit has declared that the unspiritual man tries to make sense of everything. Otherwise he just cannot comprehend. The answer is therefore to pray and intercede for your spouse to become a spiritual man or woman.

1 Corinthians 2 (J.B. Phillips New Testament (PHILLIPS))

I came to you in God’s strength not my own

2 1-5 In the same way, my brothers, when I came to proclaim to you God’s secret purpose, I did not come equipped with any brilliance of speech or intellect. You may as well know now that it was my secret determination to concentrate entirely on Jesus Christ and the fact of his death upon the cross. As a matter of fact, in myself I was feeling far from strong; I was nervous and rather shaky. What I said and preached had none of the attractiveness of the clever mind, but it was a demonstration of the power of the Spirit! Plainly God’s purpose was that your faith should not rest upon man’s cleverness but upon the power of God.

There is, of course, a real wisdom, which God allows us to share with him

6-8 We do, of course, speak “wisdom” among those who are spiritually mature, but it is not what is called wisdom by this world, nor by the powers-that-be, who soon will be only the powers that have been. The wisdom we speak of is that mysterious secret wisdom of God which he planned before the creation for our glory today. None of the powers of this world have known this wisdom—if they had they would never have crucified the Lord of glory!

9-10a But as it is written: ‘Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love him’. But God has, through the Spirit, let us share his secret.

10b-12 For nothing is hidden from the Spirit, not even the deep wisdom of God. For who could really understand a man’s inmost thoughts except the spirit of the man himself? How much less could anyone understand the thoughts of God except the very Spirit of God? And the marvellous thing is this, that we now receive not the spirit of the world but the Spirit of God himself, so that we can actually understand something of God’s generosity towards us.

This wisdom is only understood by the spiritual

13 It is these things that we talk about, not using the expressions of the human intellect but those which the Holy Spirit teaches us, explaining things to those who are spiritual.

14-16 But the unspiritual man simply cannot accept the matters which the Spirit deals with—they just don’t make sense to him, for, after all, you must be spiritual to see spiritual things. The spiritual man, on the other hand, has an insight into the meaning of everything, though his insight may baffle the man of the world. This is because the former is sharing in God’s wisdom, and ‘Who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct him?’ Incredible as it may sound, we who are spiritual have the very thoughts of Christ!

____________________________________

How did this small group become spiritual? By earnestly and diligently seeking the Lord, reading the Bible and praying, asking according to the will of God, just as Jesus has commanded His disciples. There is no shortcut for them. Of course they do things that do not make sense to the natural minds!

Journey to see God: See as Mary sees

In this message today, the Spirit of the Lord showed us three disciples of Jesus and how they differed in seeing God -Jesus. The disciples are: Mary, Lazarus, and Judas Iscariot. ____________________________Here are the Bible verses. The watchman’s notes are after the Bible verses.

John 12:1-11 (ESV) Six days before the Passover, Jesus therefore came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. 2 So they gave a dinner for Him there. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those reclining with him at table. 3 Mary therefore took a pound[a] of expensive ointment made from pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. 4 But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (he who was about to betray him), said, 5 “Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii[b] and given to the poor?” 6 He said this, not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief, and having charge of the moneybag he used to help himself to what was put into it. 7 Jesus said, “Leave her alone, so that she may keep it[c] for the day of my burial. 8 For the poor you always have with you, but you do not always have me.”

9 When the large crowd of the Jews learned that Jesus[d] was there, they came, not only on account of him but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. 10 So the chief priests made plans to put Lazarus to death as well, 11 because on account of him many of the Jews were going away and believing in Jesus.

Footnotes:

1.John 12:3 Greek litra; a litra (or Roman pound) was equal to about 11 1/2 ounces or 327 grams

2.John 12:5 A denarius was a day’s wage for a laborer

3.John 12:7 Or Leave her alone; she intended to keep it

4.John 12:9 Greek he

_____________Watchman’s notes

 Jesus was the main character. He came to a home where they prepared a dinner for Him. A number of His disciples and even large crowd were there. The hostess, Martha served them. There were three other main characters: Lazarus, Mary and Judas Iscariot, all disciples of Jesus.

 Lazarus, a disciple who was raised to life from dead: There was no record of his spoken words. He merely testified Jesus, the Son of God, and the mighty work of God, the power of the Holy Spirit that Jesus operated in, by being himself. He was alive and well. He sat close to Jesus. He was not afraid of death (or the threat of death from the chief priests) anymore. He became an overcomer just by being with Jesus.

 Mary, a disciple who sat at Jesus’ feet and listened to His teaching, believed Him, and was the only disciple who acted according to what she received from HIs Spirit-filled message (which all other disciples had failed to hear or understood as they continued to be hindered by their flesh). She was the first and only disciple who discerned spiritual things which Jesus spoke about prior His crucifixion and death on the cross. The rest of the disciples had to wait till after the Lord's resurrection and after the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost Day. How did Mary make it ahead of the pouring out of the Holy Spirit?

 The key is in what Jesus said in Luke 11:34-36. 34 Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eye is healthy, your whole body is full of light, but when it is bad, your body is full of darkness. 35 Therefore be careful lest the light in you be darkness. 36 If then your whole body is full of light, having no part dark, it will be wholly bright, as when a lamp with its rays gives you light.” Mary had spent her life soaking in Jesus' presence and His words. Her eyes were filled with His light. Jesus knew and spoke of her eternal reward.

 Today, disciples of Jesus can receive the same from the Holy Spirit. The following verses explain this: 2 Corinthians 3:16-18 (ESV) 16 But when one[a] turns to the Lord, the veil is removed. 17 Now the Lord[b] is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18 And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord,[c]are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.

Judas Iscariot: the disciple who was a thief. He later betrayed His master Jesus for the same price that Mary had given up for the same Lord Jesus. Jesus knew what he did and what he would do. Yet Jesus spoke to him and commented on his statement about the poor. Why? Jesus gave him another chance, “But you do not always have Me.” Judas still could not comprehend. He was filled with the world and was led by his flesh. He could not even wait a bit longer as he heard of Jesus’ forthcoming death. He did not want to lose the one last way of making some earthly fortune from Jesus. what good would Jesus be to him as a dead person? He figured.

Alas, this is the usual way an unspiritual man thinks. The signs and wonders are all supernatural but he just could not comprehend. His eyes are veiled when he reads the Bible. Only when oney turns to the Holy Spirit, the veil will be removed.

God’s Way is spiritual. Spiritual way is narrow and hard but it is the only way to life. Only the Spirit of life can show us this way.

Matthew 7:13-14 (ESV) 13 “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy[a] that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. 14 For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.

Footnotes:

 1.Matthew 7:13 Some manuscripts For the way is wide and easy

Journey to see God: no eye has seen, no ear has heard

For those who want to know the mysterious things of God, you just need the Holy Spirit and His power. God does not reveal His truth to anyone except those who have the Spirit of the Lord. The power of the Holy Spirit is the power of God. The power of God is the wisdom of God.
The mystery of God speaks of His plan for us.
God tells those who love Him His deep secrets, His thoughts, His plan which only His Spirit knows.
Those who have received God's Spirit, can know too. So we can know the wonderful things that God has freely given us. Isn't life in Christ (Spirit of Christ), being led by God's Spirit (as sons of God are led by the Spirit of God) wonderful?


Paul’s Message of Wisdom (（1 Corinthians 2 New Living Translation (NLT)

2 When I first came to you, dear brothers and sisters,[a] I didn’t use lofty words and impressive wisdom to tell you God’s secret plan.[b] 2 For I decided that while I was with you I would forget everything except Jesus Christ, the one who was crucified. 3 I came to you in weakness—timid and trembling. 4 And my message and my preaching were very plain. Rather than using clever and persuasive speeches, I relied only on the power of the Holy Spirit. 5 I did this so you would trust not in human wisdom but in the power of God.

6 Yet when I am among mature believers, I do speak with words of wisdom, but not the kind of wisdom that belongs to this world or to the rulers of this world, who are soon forgotten. 7 No, the wisdom we speak of is the mystery of God[c]—his plan that was previously hidden, even though he made it for our ultimate glory before the world began. 8 But the rulers of this world have not understood it; if they had, they would not have crucified our glorious Lord. 9 That is what the Scriptures mean when they say,

“No eye has seen, no ear has heard,

and no mind has imagined

what God has prepared

for those who love him.”[d]

10 But[e] it was to us that God revealed these things by his Spirit. For his Spirit searches out everything and shows us God’s deep secrets.
11 No one can know a person’s thoughts except that person’s own spirit, and no one can know God’s thoughts except God’s own Spirit.
12 And we have received God’s Spirit (not the world’s spirit), so we can know the wonderful things God has freely given us.

13 When we tell you these things, we do not use words that come from human wisdom. Instead, we speak words given to us by the Spirit, using the Spirit’s words to explain spiritual truths.[f]
14 But people who aren’t spiritual[g] can’t receive these truths from God’s Spirit. It all sounds foolish to them and they can’t understand it,

for “Who can know the Lord’s thoughts?
only those who are spiritual can understand what the Spirit means. 15 Those who are spiritual can evaluate all things, but they themselves cannot be evaluated by others.
16 For, Who knows enough to teach him?”[h]

But we understand these things, for we have the mind of Christ.

Footnotes:

a.1 Corinthians 2:1 Greek brothers.

b.1 Corinthians 2:1 Greek God’s mystery; other manuscripts read God’s testimony.

c.1 Corinthians 2:7 Greek But we speak God’s wisdom in a mystery.

d.1 Corinthians 2:9 Isa 64:4.

e.1 Corinthians 2:10 Some manuscripts read For.

f.1 Corinthians 2:13 Or explaining spiritual truths in spiritual language, or explaining spiritual truths to spiritual people.

g.1 Corinthians 2:14 Or who don’t have the Spirit; or who have only physical life.

h.1 Corinthians 2:16 Isa 40:13 (Greek version).

___________________________

Romans 8:14 New King James Version (NKJV)

14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.

Journey to see God: God is the One Who both saves and heals you

After a person is divinely healed he can enter either of two situations. He continued to keep his healing or he becomes worse. The Holy Spirit has illustrated these two situations of persons having been healed.

In John chapters 5 and 9 two persons received miraculous healing from Jesus. Jesus visited both men divinely personally. One saw God and one continued to see man.

Case number one: in chapter 5, there was a man paralyzed for 38 years who waited in vain at at the place( Bethesda pool) where he hoped that someone would carry him and place him into the supernatural healing process (pool water being stirred by an angel at a certain time) at the right time when the miracle took place. Jesus came and healed him. The consequences of this healing are summarized as follows:

1. The formerly paralyzed man was not grateful for the physical healing.
2. He missed his divine encounter with God (Jesus).
3. The man was warned by the religious leaders as he broke the Sabbath law.
   
4. He immediately put the blame on Jesus conveniently.
   
5. Jesus knew of this sin and duly warned him not to sin further.
   
6. The man did more sinning by reporting Jesus to the religious leaders.
   
7. The religious leaders were more adamant to kill Jesus as they had a further piece of evidence that Jesus healed on Sabbath day.
   
8. There was no transformation in the man's life as he continued sinning, filled with unbelief and self.
9. A worse thing would come upon this man just as Jesus had warned him. He would be judged by Jesus.

______________Case One verses: John 5:1-18 (New King James Version)
A Man Healed at the Pool of Bethesda
5 After this there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 2 Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool, which is called in Hebrew, Bethesda,[a] having five porches. 3 In these lay a great multitude of sick people, blind, lame, paralyzed, waiting for the moving of the water. 4 For an angel went down at a certain time into the pool and stirred up the water; then whoever stepped in first, after the stirring of the water, was made well of whatever disease he had.[b] 5 Now a certain man was there who had an infirmity thirty-eight years. 6 When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he already had been in that condition a long time, He said to him, “Do you want to be made well?”
7 The sick man answered Him, “Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up; but while I am coming, another steps down before me.”
8 Jesus said to him, “Rise, take up your bed and walk.” 9 And immediately the man was made well, took up his bed, and walked.
And that day was the Sabbath. 10 The Jews therefore said to him who was cured, “It is the Sabbath; it is not lawful for you to carry your bed.”
11 He answered them, “He who made me well said to me, ‘Take up your bed and walk.’”
12 Then they asked him, “Who is the Man who said to you, ‘Take up your bed and walk’?” 13 But the one who was healed did not know who it was, for Jesus had withdrawn, a multitude being in that place. 14 Afterward Jesus found him in the temple, and said to him, “See, you have been made well. Sin no more, lest a worse thing come upon you.”
15 The man departed and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had made him well.
Honor the Father and the Son
16 For this reason the Jews persecuted Jesus, and sought to kill Him,[c] because He had done these things on the Sabbath. 17 But Jesus answered them, “My Father has been working until now, and I have been working.”
18 Therefore the Jews sought all the more to kill Him, because He not only broke the Sabbath, but also said that God was His Father, making Himself equal with God.
Footnotes:

1. John 5:2 NU-Text reads Bethzatha.
2. John 5:4 NU-Text omits waiting for the moving of the water at the end of verse 3, and all of verse 4.
3. John 5:16 NU-Text omits and sought to kill Him.

New King James Version (NKJV) The Holy Bible, New King James Version Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.

Case number two: Another healing was a man who was born blind and was healed by Jesus. He was born blind and was a grown up. Jesus came to Jerusalem, saw him and healed him. The consequences of the healing are summarized as follows:

1. The formerly blind man was very grateful for his healing.
   
2. He started thinking of God. He saw God through his encounter with Jesus.
3. His life was being transformed as he allowed his mind to be renewed. He looked away from himself and saw God.
   
4. He no longer thought like a beggar.
5. He was not afraid to declare he was the man who was healed.
6. He was not afraid to give testimony.
7. He was not afraid of being cast out from the Jewish religious system. (Even his parents were afraid of the outcast punishment).
8. He became a true believer and disciple of Jesus.
9. Those who persecuted him were judged by Jesus.

_____________________________Case two verses: John 9:1-41 (New King James Version)
A Man Born Blind Receives Sight
9 Now as Jesus passed by, He saw a man who was blind from birth. 2 And His disciples asked Him, saying, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?”
3 Jesus answered, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but that the works of God should be revealed in him. 4 I[a] must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work. 5 As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”
6 When He had said these things, He spat on the ground and made clay with the saliva; and He anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay. 7 And He said to him, “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam” (which is translated, Sent). So he went and washed, and came back seeing.
8 Therefore the neighbors and those who previously had seen that he was blind[b] said, “Is not this he who sat and begged?”
9 Some said, “This is he.” Others said, “He is like him.”[c]
He said, “I am he.”
10 Therefore they said to him, “How were your eyes opened?”
11 He answered and said, “A Man called Jesus made clay and anointed my eyes and said to me, ‘Go to the pool of[d] Siloam and wash.’ So I went and washed, and I received sight.”
12 Then they said to him, “Where is He?”
He said, “I do not know.”
The Pharisees Excommunicate the Healed Man
13 They brought him who formerly was blind to the Pharisees. 14 Now it was a Sabbath when Jesus made the clay and opened his eyes. 15 Then the Pharisees also asked him again how he had received his sight. He said to them, “He put clay on my eyes, and I washed, and I see.”
16 Therefore some of the Pharisees said, “This Man is not from God, because He does not keep the Sabbath.”
Others said, “How can a man who is a sinner do such signs?” And there was a division among them.
17 They said to the blind man again, “What do you say about Him because He opened your eyes?”
He said, “He is a prophet.”
18 But the Jews did not believe concerning him, that he had been blind and received his sight, until they called the parents of him who had received his sight. 19 And they asked them, saying, “Is this your son, who you say was born blind? How then does he now see?”
20 His parents answered them and said, “We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind; 21 but by what means he now sees we do not know, or who opened his eyes we do not know. He is of age; ask him. He will speak for himself.” 22 His parents said these things because they feared the Jews, for the Jews had agreed already that if anyone confessed that He was Christ, he would be put out of the synagogue. 23 Therefore his parents said, “He is of age; ask him.”
24 So they again called the man who was blind, and said to him, “Give God the glory! We know that this Man is a sinner.”
25 He answered and said, “Whether He is a sinner or not I do not know. One thing I know: that though I was blind, now I see.”
26 Then they said to him again, “What did He do to you? How did He open your eyes?”
27 He answered them, “I told you already, and you did not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you also want to become His disciples?”
28 Then they reviled him and said, “You are His disciple, but we are Moses’ disciples. 29 We know that God spoke to Moses; as for this fellow, we do not know where He is from.”
30 The man answered and said to them, “Why, this is a marvelous thing, that you do not know where He is from; yet He has opened my eyes! 31 Now we know that God does not hear sinners; but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does His will, He hears him. 32 Since the world began it has been unheard of that anyone opened the eyes of one who was born blind. 33 If this Man were not from God, He could do nothing.”
34 They answered and said to him, “You were completely born in sins, and are you teaching us?” And they cast him out.
True Vision and True Blindness
35 Jesus heard that they had cast him out; and when He had found him, He said to him, “Do you believe in the Son of God?”[e]
36 He answered and said, “Who is He, Lord, that I may believe in Him?”
37 And Jesus said to him, “You have both seen Him and it is He who is talking with you.”
38 Then he said, “Lord, I believe!” And he worshiped Him.
39 And Jesus said, “For judgment I have come into this world, that those who do not see may see, and that those who see may be made blind.”
40 Then some of the Pharisees who were with Him heard these words, and said to Him, “Are we blind also?”
41 Jesus said to them, “If you were blind, you would have no sin; but now you say, ‘We see.’ Therefore your sin remains.
Footnotes:

1. John 9:4 NU-Text reads We.
2. John 9:8 NU-Text reads a beggar.
3. John 9:9 NU-Text reads “No, but he is like him.”
4. John 9:11 NU-Text omits the pool of.
5. John 9:35 NU-Text reads Son of Man.

New King James Version (NKJV) The Holy Bible, New King James Version Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.

The word today is 'draw near'!

DRAW NEAR! THE LORD SAYS.

1. Psalm 73:28
   But it is good for me to draw near to God; I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, That I may declare all Your works.
   Psalm 73:27-28 (in Context) Psalm 73 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
2. Ecclesiastes 5:1
   [ Fear God, Keep Your Vows ] Walk prudently when you go to the house of God; and draw near to hear rather than to give the sacrifice of fools, for they do not know that they do evil.
   Ecclesiastes 5:1-3 (in Context) Ecclesiastes 5 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
3. Isaiah 45:20
   “Assemble yourselves and come; Draw near together, You who have escaped from the nations. They have no knowledge, Who carry the wood of their carved image, And pray to a god that cannot save.
   Isaiah 45:19-21 (in Context) Isaiah 45 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
4. Zephaniah 3:2
   She has not obeyed His voice, She has not received correction; She has not trusted in the Lord, She has not drawn near to her God.
   Zephaniah 3:1-3 (in Context) Zephaniah 3 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
5. Luke 19:37
   Then, as He was now drawing near the descent of the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works they had seen,
   Luke 19:36-38 (in Context) Luke 19 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
6. Hebrews 7:19
   for the law made nothing perfect; on the other hand, there is the bringing in of a better hope, through which we draw near to God.
   Hebrews 7:18-20 (in Context) Hebrews 7 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
7. James 4:8
   Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
   James 4:7-9 (in Context) James 4 (Whole Chapter) Other TranslationsDR

Journey to see God: a servant's journey of faith

Not many would notice the record of an unnamed servant who worked for Abraham. However, the record spanned practically the whole chapter 24 ( in Genesis, the first book of the Bible, all 67 verses except for the first and last verse of the chapter, the longest in the book). Why did the Holy Spirit find it important to keep such detailed record of this episode of a humble servant? The watchman asked.
Then he opened the Bible and was led to read the account of Jesus in John 13, in which Jesus washed the feet of His disciples. Jesus was fully aware of Who He was, the Son of God, and yet He chose to obey His Father in heaven to take a most humble position. 

 “Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come from God and was going to God, rose from supper and laid aside His garments, took a towel and girded Himself. After that He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded.” (John 13:3-5)

Jesus knew His superior position as their Teacher and Lord (13:13). He also made sure they knew that they were His servants ( Matt.10:24-25; 18:23; 25:14) and He their Master and that they were not greater than Him (13:16; 15:20). Yet He washed the disciples' feet. He set them an example that they should do as He had done to them (13:15). “If you know theses things blessed are you if you do them” (13:17), He promised. Jesus specifically declared to the twelve disciples that “if anyone desires to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all.” (Mark 9:35)

And He said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and those who exercise authority over them are called benefactors. But not so among you; on the contrary, he who is greatest among you, let him be as the younger, and he who governs as he who serves. For who is greater, he who sits at the table or he who serves? Is he not he who sits at the table? Yet I am among you as the One who serves.” (Luke 22:25-27)
“Let your waist be girded and your lamps burning;” “and you yourselves be like men who wait for their master...” “Blessed are those servants whom the master, when he comes, will find watching.” (Luke 12:35, 36, 37)
“Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.” (Luke 12:40)
In summary, Jesus expects His disciples to wait for His return, taking the faithful position of a servant, vigilant, waiting and ready at all hours, serving.
Where in the Bible is an example of a faithful selfless servant? In Abraham's time there was a record of one such person.
______Genesis 24 (the longest chapter in the book of Genesis)
This chapter recorded one main character, the servant whom Abraham entrusted to go to get a wife for Abraham's son, Isaac. The facts are summarized below:

1. This servant is not named here but it is believed that he is the same as mentioned in Gen.15:2, Eliezer of Damascus, whom Abraham thought would be his heir as he was childless then.
   
2. He is described as the oldest servant of Abraham's house, who ruled over all that he had. (v2) “All his master's goods were in his hands.” (v 10)
   
3. Abraham's instruction and mission for this servant was: go to Abraham's former country and his father's family to take a wife for his son. (v4,7)
   

What the Scripture revealed the servant's characteristics:

1. He believed and obeyed every word of his master, Abraham.
   
2. He was totally focused on his mission. He did not waste one minute like taking his dinner before first telling Abraham's cousin his mission (v33), and he did not even want to stay one day longer than necessary despite the long journey of 800km using camels to travel. (v 56)
   
3. He knew his master very well. He repeated his master's instructions accurately. He knew Abraham's words would come to pass. He believed when Abraham told him that God would send His angels to lead him and prosper his way.
   
4. He even knew of the qualities of the daughter-in-law to be for his master. (There was no record of what Abraham had told him on this subject, but his action showed that he knew what the master required.)
   
5. He shared his master's belief in God and his godly values in the kind of wife suitable and just right for his master's son. (Note his prayer that specified the conditions/attributes of the right person to be confirmed)
   
6. He feared, honored, and trusted God. He prayed, worshiped and testified for God at anytime the Spirit led him. He gave glory to God.
   
7. He spoke of himself as a servant of Abraham. His action confirmed his word.
   
8. He spoke only of Abraham's instruction, God's promises to Abraham, and how God had led him, answered his prayers, given success to the whole mission just as God has promised Abraham. (Not the number of times he spoke of the 'Lord God', 'the Lord', 'my master Abraham', 'my master'.)
   
9. He acknowledged and testified openly the success of his mission depended entirely on God, who would show His kindness to Abraham.
   
10. He was not even concerned with his own possible personal needs, feeling, rights or comforts. He did not simply get someone for Isaac. He could have been the heir if not for Isaac. Not only he was not jealous he even made sure Isaac got the best woman as a wife, exactly the one appointed by God for his wife! (Note he spoke twice of the word 'appointed' v14 and v 44).
    
11. He knew God and feared God. Note his prayers. How he prayed. The words he used. Here is a brief summary of the most 'unusual' way to get the right girl for his master's son:
    

• He went and stood by the well of water (instead of going straight to Abraham's brother's house) where the daughters of the men of the city were coming out to draw water. (v 13)
  
• He believed and expected that God would bring the appointed girl to him. (v 14)
  
• He set the conditions of the right girl's character, knowing his master's requirements and values. (v 14)
  
• His faith in God was so steadfast that he did not realize that he was setting very difficult terms to meet all at once: 1. the girl must come out at the right time, as he was waiting there with all his men and precious loads of gifts; 2. the right girl must come out (Abraham's close relative); 3. the right girl must also fit all the other characteristics of his master's requirements, hardworking, hospitable, well-mannered, kindhearted even to animals, obedient, humble, young, a virgin, and very beautiful to behold; 4. the right girl must be willing to go back to his master's house with the servant (who is a total stranger) even though she has never met the bride-groom to be or even been to the place where she will live for the rest of her life!
  In all these what did he gain for himself, this faithful servant?
  

Note the way the servant described what he considered as his fulfillment:

“And he said, 'Blessed be the Lord God of my master Abraham, who has not forsaken His mercy and His truth toward my master. As for me, being on the way, the Lord led me to the house of my master's brethren.” (v 27)

“and I bowed my head and worshiped the Lord, and blessed the Lord God of my master Abraham, who had led me in the way of truth to take my master brother's daughter for his son.” (v 48)

“And he said to them, 'Do not hinder me, since the Lord God has prospered my way; send me away so that I may go to my master.” (v 56)

 This servant was indeed greatly rewarded. He saw the hand of God in his faith journey!