That Tower of Strength

 

Proverbs 18: 10 The character of God is a tower of strength, for the lovers of God delight to run into his heart and be exalted on high.

Here the Hebrew word Migdal is tower of strength, having a homonym that can be translated "bed of flowers".

Thinking of those men who in times past went to war. They were those who fought against Germans, those of Japan and Korea too. I know some of those stories for most of my family had gone when other nations decided to attack. I have seen many story lines providing those times of men against men. I have been in awe that of which comes upon men to stay and fight. Like Hacksaw Ridge, one man among how many who would want to take "one more down that rocky ridge? Under gunfire, not only of Japanese but also from the ships of American down below, still he kept going:"one more".

"Lord, do I have one more encouragement to write?"  Lord help me write Your heart on pages people will be able come out of shadows and see Your light to move forward to reach others hearts for Your glory!"  Lord I know this is my "assignment " on earth!"

Righteousness is central characteristic: is from the kingdom of God, Romans 14:17  for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit……….& then  Psalm 89:13-15     NKJV  13 You have a mighty arm; Strong is Your hand and high is Your right hand 14 Righteous and justice are the foundation of Your throne; Mercy and truth go before Your face. 15 Blessed are the people who know the joyful sound!

Acts 24:25 & Matt.6:33 But seek first the kingdom of God and  His righteousness and all these things shall be added to you.

The “fruit” of righteousness is continually being borne through the moment by moment commitment to Jesus and the Word…all that concerns Jesus & the Good News…as in Matthew 5:20 For I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. Romans 7:4 Therefore, my brethren, you also have become dead to the law through the body of Christ, that you may be married to another----to Him who was raised from the dead, that we should bear fruit to God.  We do not obey in our strength! See also: John 15:1-17; 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1; 1 Peter 1:13-16; 1 John 1:9

If we remember Proverbs 14:12 reveals this: there is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death. Anything outside of God’s way is reaping death. It can appear as mass murders, suicides and all kinds of life-taking, life-ending destructive paths.

We are told in 1 Corinthians 2:6 we are to speak wisdom among those who are mature, yet not the wisdom of this age, nor of the rulers of this who are coming to nothing….no, anything outside of God and His ways and truths is a casualty looking for a place to happen!

The Righteousness of God is the basis of His judgment upon the “unrighteous” as found in Romans 2:5 NKJV But in accordance with your hardness and your impenitent heart you are treasuring up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God.

 “Unrighteousness” of God stands eternally….And opposed to the  unrighteousness of man…see in Romans 1:32  who knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approved of those who practice them.

Comparing  with John 3:36  He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.” 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, not idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals nor sodomites.

Galatians 5:19-21    NKJV Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21 envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

2 Thessalonians 2:10-12; 2 Peter 2:9     The Greek: adikos: unrighteous, is unjust, dishonest, untrustworthy, ……see Romans 1:18; Romans 2:5;Romans 2:8; Romans 3:5; Romans 6:13; Romans 9:14

We can see today those who are unrighteous, dishonest, untrustworthy, and unjust. Was watching the end of a ladies basketball game. And the end only proved dishonest, the unjust done to another while playing. The last two minutes one decided to take the opportunity to hold the one with basketball. Fearing she would make the goal in the hoop. Only taking two more obvious "holding " onto lady with ball....stopped the ball. The other team said they won. Buzzer sounds, but in the last two minutes no one called holding against the other team. So readily seen and yet not one called "holding". I will no longer watch basketball. I stopped watching football decades ago. Again, cheating was seen on the field.

If one has to cheat in sports what do they do at home? What do they do towards the "family"? Will you care for a pet safely? Will you watch out for the safety of your children?  Will you see your children taught math, science, reading, so that they can do those subjects readily on graduation day?

In the true story of Pfc. Desmond T. Doss, he won the Congressional Medal of Honor despite refusing to bear arms during WWII on religious grounds. He was harassed because of his beliefs. But when the battle was before them, his bravery, selflessness and compassion shined through. He always spoke to the Lord that night asking the Lord if he might get one more down that ridge!

Will we be seen as the righteousness of God? Will we earn the respect of caring for the neighbor. Not by throwing money at him, but delivering him down to safety when danger appears!

Doss was allowed to read the word on that Saturday. Then all the men went up together to face the Japanese. Find that fellow believer.  Stand firm in faith and believe the Lord is with you. I know the Lord is with me and mine. I know for I have seen His glory in this house. I have the power of the tower of strength. It is a beautiful place of floral scents and peace. It is awesome to be up again, to walk and see the hand of God. Be blessed fellow believers, unjust people are close by, people firing real bullets, not blanks, people choosing to leave God out of America, out of their lives and live in selfishness.  Be set free in Jesus. Live for Him and see His glory now and forever. Amen

"For all those who have served to keep America free from tyranny.....Thank YOU!"

                                          Teaching at: Voice of Prayer 

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What about John 3:18?

Thinking of this time of year, one is drawn towards the night angels appeared to a few shepherds keeping watch over their flocks. There came this "Message from Heaven".........Luke 2:8-20......8 Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. 10 Then the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. 11 For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger." 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: 

14 "Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!"  

15 So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, "Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us." 16 And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. 17 Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. 18 And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. 19 But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them.  NKJV

Of all the passages, this one and John 3:16 always seems to come up .......that people can quote on the spot.............."For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes  in Him should not perish but have everlasting life."

But of late, I am seeing those "license plates" that have John 3:18 and every time I read one passing us on the Interstate, I wonder how many really know what that verse states. It is in the same passage of scripture and is just as important as the verses above it!

John 3:1-21

3:1 There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. 2 This man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, "Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him." 3 Jesus answered and said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." 4 Nicodemus said to Him, "How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?" 5 Jesus answered, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not marvel that I said to you, 'You must be born again.' 8 "The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit." 9 Nicodemus answered and said to Him, "How can these things be?" 10 Jesus answered and said to him, "Are you the teacher of Israel, and do not know these things? 11 Most assuredly, I say to you, We speak what We know and testify what We have seen, and you do not receive Our witness. 12 If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things? 13 No one has ascended to heaven but He who came down from heaven, that is, the Son of Man who is in heaven. 14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15 that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. 16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. 18 He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 19 And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. 21 But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God."  NKJV

As we make our way through this passage of scripture, we find a man of the Pharisees who is named Nicodemus. Now we know from scripture that the Pharisees had some beliefs and some were.......found........Acts 23:6-8

6 Then Paul, knowing that some of them were Sadducees and the others Pharisees, called out in the Sanhedrin, "My brothers, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee. I stand on trial because of my hope in the resurrection of the dead." 7 When he said this, a dispute broke out between the Pharisees and the Sadducees, and the assembly was divided. 8(The Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, and that there are neither angels nor spirits, but the Pharisees acknowledge them all.) NIV

Paul was a Pharisee and Jesus told them what was wrong with their stand of making their total devotion a rigid patriotism toward the history of Moses and that generation! The Pharisees had a faithfulness to the covenant given through Moses. Yet Jesus denounced their flaunting hypocrisy in regards to their being the "better class". He called attention to their love of preeminence and of their praying extremely long prayers in a manner of being on exhibit for others to see and to hear. Their fueled a hatred towards Jesus' teachings was evident, as was their opposing Him every opportunity they had, and the continually ill-will talk against Him.

Paul was consistently telling others of what a bondage he was held in as a rigid Pharisee. When Jesus showed up in his life, that bondage was broken, he was set free and was led under the Spirit of God being justified by faith and began his ministry to see others set free from religion!

So Nicodemus comes by night, so he is not seen by the others, and he makes his way to Jesus to ask some questions. 

"How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?"

 Jesus tells him that he is to be born again, not to the flesh a second time, but born into the spirit. The Holy Spirit moves as He is willed by the Father. We have no say in that! But like Jesus spoke, the spirit moves through like the wind moves and causes the leaves to move, to fall from trees, and to gather together on the ground. We hear the sound of the wind, but  the effects on the leaves is the falling from the tree, and gathering at their lowest point on the ground.

We are born again into the kingdom of God! It is one that is "supernatural" ruled by a "supernatural God"and has given to us the gift of life through His Son Jesus Christ! Jesus was telling of His being lifted up for sinners, a lifting up much like the serpent in the desert concerning Moses. Jesus was the answer to life eternal........and it came when the kingdom was set up!  His words are "spirit and life" to us who believe! Moses was the one who God sent to remind Israel of the Covenant keeping God He WAS AND IS! Ultimately when Israel was led out of  Egypt they had no law or priesthood. Through Moses, God presented them with the ten commandments, the priesthood, the Atonement, the sacrifices , the offerings and the laws that would govern the sacrifices. We understand that this Covenant did not belong to the 10 commandments. The Covenant was the reason for the law. But in all of this, this Covenant Israel could not keep. It is called the Old Covenant. Of all that had to be done to obey the Old Covenant, man failed miserably. So here we see the New Covenant come on the scene of history of Israel.

The Old Covenant was sealed with circumcision, and the New Covenant was sealed with the New Birth.

When Jesus arrived on the scene and was baptized by John the Baptist.......the kingdom was being introduced. It is the kingdom of God being set up on earth. It is God's wills and His ways being established on the earth. It was the Word of God, declaring God, truth, righteousness, justice and holiness! But all that is seen on the scene today,  makes it appear that we are very far from that way of righteousness.

All that Jesus spoke in the Gospels was for our benefit. It was given to show us what the kingdom of God looked like. There is no sickness in heaven, There is no death or tears, or lack. Heaven is peace, joy, health, strength and courage. And Jesus came to set up on earth what was in Heaven! Yes, there should be no sickness, lack, disease, tears, or pain.

God sent Jesus so the world through Jesus might be saved. Anyone who believes in Him is not condemned but he who does not believe in Jesus is condemned already. The God of Love, sent the Son of His love, into this world that we could be with Him for all eternity.

That LIGHT has come into the world. And when men love darkness rather than light, it is because their deeds are evil. 

In John 3: 20.... For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. 21 But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God."  NKJV

My prayer for all who read this and know truth, that Jesus is the LIGHT come into the world that according to John 1:1-18........that in the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God. Even as then, all things were made through Him and without Him nothing was made. He is the Light that shines in the darkness. Without Him, we have nothing! But with Him, we are the saved, the Redeemed, the Righteous, the forgiven!

As John the Baptist bore witness of that Light, we too, have seen that great "Light". He is that light that shines in our hearts......and declares God's plan to a broken and dying world.

Today I pray for eyes and ears to be open to see the Lord of glory. I pray for those who are to be saved, that they become children of God, to those who believe  in His name, not born of blood nor of the will of the flesh but of God! Even though He was sent to the nation of Israel first, but because of their refusal, this glorious Kingdom came to the gentile to any who believe in His name.

Father we pray in Jesus' name. and know You sent Your best for us. Thank You for sending Jesus and salvation. Thank YOU for love everlasting, love unconditional and never failing. Today, I stand with others knowing we will not perish but have everlasting life through Jesus, the Son of Your love. Your Love was demonstrated on the Cross, and may we be as extreme in giving You praise and much thanks for that demonstration. Today for our salvation may we give to Father, the Faithful God, the merciful God, the Living God, our love. Hallowed be Your name. May we leave yesterday behind and choose to prosper in the things of God and His kingdom. I pray that all our days be done in God in His truth, spirit and life. You are the Author of Hope and receive Your joy that is inexpressible and full or glory and peace in facing the future and adventures with YOU! Amen

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