THE REAL JESUS CHRIST

From the 1950s to 1967 there was a game show on TV called, "What's My Line." The panel of celebrities would question a panel of three contestants to determine the occupation (the "line" or work) ultimately determining who the real person. Well sadly today it seems many people play this game when it comes to Jesus Christ. Most Christians do not know who Jesus Christ is yet they talk about Him as they recite Bible stories, pray in His name, and yes even use His name in vain. One of the biggest questions in the Bible is what Jesus asked His Disciples. In Matthew Jesus asked, "When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? 14 And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets. 15 He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?" ( Matthew 6:13-15) And of course Peter was always first to speak showing his leadership qualities replied, "And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God." (Matthew 13-16) Well Peter answered the question right (a true revelation of the real Jesus Christ) this time, but later in the Scriptures we see Peter's answer did not reflect this present revelation of Jesus Christ. Now I am not beating up on Brother Peter I too count myself lacking in revelation at times, but the answer to this question is telling to our revelation of who Jesus Christ is and at the end of the day if we know Him or not. Peter knew Jesus from an earthly, natural perspective and as Peter allowed Jesus to work on His carnal character transporting him from darkness into the light, Peter's perspective slowly changed to the point he did not want to be crucified like Jesus, but rather upside down. Remember the way up is down and for some of the harder cases (like Peter and I) upside down. This wondrous truth of the LORD has been captured in the first few verses of the Book of Revelations, "The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John: 2 Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw.' (Revelations 1:1-2) The Book of Revelation is not about the end times and setting up of God's kingdom as much as it is about the revelation of Jesus Christ. The entire Bible from Geneisis1:1 to Revelation 22:20 is all about who Jesus Christ is TO US. It does not matter if your family has pew in the church you attend. It does not matter if your name has been added to the Church role (even baptized) of the church you attend for the last 20 years. It does not matter what you do by way of service in the church you attend. It does not matter if you know all of the parables or all of the Bible stories all of this really does not matter, but what really matters is do you have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Have you allowed God to deal and judge in your heart and life? If not then you are on your way to hell and the last stop will be the Lake of Fire with Satan and his angels forever. We all start like Peter knowing Jesus after the flesh, but that is not God's intention for us. God intends for us to come to know Jesus after the Spirit. To do this we must be willing to endure God's work in our lives. How can we know what is light if we are still in darkness? How is darkness dispelled in us? By allowing God to remove (we cannot remove the darkness) the darkness in us while replacing it (adding while subtracting) with the light of the revelation and truth of Jesus Christ (the real Jesus Christ), by His Spirit. You know there are a bunch of antichrists out there. Jesus warned the disciples (that would be us) "Take heed that no man deceive you. 5 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many." (Matthew 24:4-5) Well we still need to "take heed" and not be deceived because the longer God tarries with His plan for mankind and eternity the more deceivers are in the world. "Take heed" my friend to yourself and your family and be not deceived by all of the phony people on TV begging for your time, talents, and money. God's children do not need to beg all they need to do is move with what God is doing in their lives and He will provide what is needed to do that which God has asked them to do. My big Brother John Stahl (a great Bible teacher) helped me here with some words. To be not of this world in heart is always a constant struggle, but thank God for His mercy and grace. Thank the LORD we have Christ in us and He has become unto us wisdom, righteousness, sanctification and redemption. Did you get that? It is not the LORD is going to give us these things, but it is Christ in us who IS all of these things. Paul told the Church at Corinth, "But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; 28 And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: 29 That no flesh should glory in his presence. 30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification ,and redemption: 31 That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord." (1 Corinthians 1:27-30). This can only happen in our lives as we allow the work of the cross of Christ to be applied to our heart and lives, allowing the life of Christ to become manifested in us and out from us, which is THE MESSAGE completely lacking in the Church today. Too many Christians think God gives us things like wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption, but instead He gives us Christ who is our wisdom, sanctification, righteousness, and redemption. Again do you get that? Most Christians are seeking things that God supposedly gives us, but they miss Christ in us who is those things. It is like why should we eat the fruit from the tree when we can eat the tree that produces the fruit? Therefore they do everything out of carnal, fleshly desires (out from the life of Adam) and fail miserably. But if we come into an inward knowledge of who the real Jesus Christ is in us and we desire to allow Him through us to give the life of God to those in a dead world then the Church could once again become effective. But, I’m not sure this can happen unless there is a terrible shaking that will shake all that fleshly thinking and selfishness out of us. Quite honestly that really scares me. All you have to do is read the prophets in the Old Testament and see how God dealt with Israel and Judah. God have mercy on us!!! It seems history repeats itself because the mystery of iniquity is always working in the heart of every man, woman, boy and girl. Even in the hearts of Believers, but thank God for Christ in us. Will the real Jesus please stand up as they would say on "What's My line" at the end of the show. There are plenty of imposters, not Jesus Christ in the person, but antichrist or another Jesus Christ (in representation), another idol to worship (just look at the Catholic Church and other main stream religions of the world) that substitutes the real Jesus Christ and the message of grace and salvation, another god to bow down to in religious doctrine and practice, a motivation of the heart that lends itself to "self-seeking," that gives rise to idolatry (something God hates), and the production of good works. Not saved by grace through the shed blood of the real Jesus on the cross, but saved by indulgences, penances, and good works: lighting candles, praying a rosary, (like the Muslims do), while honoring the writings of men, fables, and rejecting the written Word who is the real Jesus Christ. The Catholic Church, steeped in tradition and doctrinal writing of men, speak of the real Jesus Christ and even of the Holy Spirit, but in reality denies the power and authority of God while relegating down its power and authority to Mary (the mother of the real Jesus Christ), the Pope (the Victor Christ on earth), Cardinals (another man), Bishops (yet another man) , and the mere mortals who God used yet they worship and pray to them calling them Saints. Will the real Jesus Christ please stand up. Some would say I see the LORD high and lifted up while others would say I see nothing. What we see all depends on what is in our heart. It is the real Jesus Christ in us "the hope of glory" or an antichrist hope of the world and religion. Written by David Stahl

WTFMT 60 (FROM HGM ON 22 JAN 19)

WILDERNESS TRUTHS FOR MODERN TIMES-60

TEXT:   "And the LORD said unto me, Behold, I have begun to give Sihon and his land before thee: begin to possess, that thou mayest inherit his land."  (Deuteronomy 2:31)

 I.  BATTLES BRING BENEFITS

     A.  Battles bring spoil which enrich our lives. The territory of Sihon became part of the inheritance of Israel because this king made himself Israel's enemy.  The conquest of this portion of the land did not result from Moses' decision and strength.

     B.  Don't get the idea that we are going to jump on the enemy and beat him to the ground because he is there.  Moses moved under the commandment of God and we should do likewise.

     C.  "At that time" may be the most important elements in every victory God gives,

           "And we took all his cities at that time, and utterly destroyed the men, and the women, and the little ones, of every city, we left none to remain:"  (Deuteronomy 2:34)

There is a time for judgment (such as the flood); there is a time to kill and a time to heal (see Ecclesiastes 3:1-8).  Out of God's time will spell unfulfillment and defeat.  If we so focus upon the mighty works of God then we lose sight of important details and ramifications it may send us to defeat.

     D.  Let us look at the details in Deuteronomy 2 which led to the powerful actions of God.  We tend to overlook many things.  Why does Israel work such havoc and destruction?  Because they were angry?  No! They are moving under the commandment of God.  If we move on the basis of our anger, we sin.

          "Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:"  (Ephesians 4:26)

    E.  Do not allow anger to be our directive force and the basis of our actions.  Our direction should come from God.

   F.  Some confrontations are pleasant while some are unpleasant.  The character of the confrontation should not alter our sense of our needing our Shepherd.  He is with you in all your situations.  There He wants to help us.

   G.  It is very dangerous or at least useless to attempt to defeat an enemy which the Lord has not delivered into your hands. 

         "And the LORD our God delivered him before us; and we smote him, and his sons, and all his people."  (Deuteronomy 2:33)       

Receive that which the Lord gives us, but allow to go by that which the Lord is not giving us.

II. PARTING THOUGHTS

    A.  One victory may lead us into another victory.   

           "From Aroer, which is by the brink of the river of Arnon, and from the city that is by the river, even unto Gilead, there was not one city too strong for us: the LORD our God delivered all unto us:"       (Deuteronomy 2:36)

   B.  One victory may actually be a foundation for a future victory early.  This is our forward thrust in God.  We experience victory after victory taking city after city, in the will of God.  For there is no victory out of the will of God.  The fullness of victorious Christian living is found in a limitation bounded by the will of the Father.

   C.  It would be well if we learned the secrets of the battle and victory early in our Christian life.  As long as we live here in the flesh it seems that the enemy and the battle are ever present.  But, we may have the victory, always, if we learn the secrets.

KOSMOPOLITAN OR KINGDOM

Now I really like the Apostle John. Did you know the word "prayer" does not appear in the Gospel of John nor in 1st, 2nd., or 3rd John, and nor in the Book of Revelation. But those seemed to be a solemn prayer coming out of his heart. You know we make all of our wonderful prayers with mighty swelling words and a stirring meaning, but I am not sure how God looks at all of that. I think God is more concerned about if our words and meaning of our prayer are in our heart and I think our best prayers have no words at all. This is what I see in John's writing an open prayer to those lost in the world and to those Christians who are struggling to keep their head above water. In 1 John 2:15-17 John speaks to our hearts out from his in ways that we need to hear today. John writes, "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. 17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever." (1 John 2:15-17) Now John was not talking about the third planet from the sun, that big beautiful blue marble where God put man to dwell and to come to know Him. Here in these verses many people get confused to what John was talking about. The world is not the earth oh no the world is a system that is anti-Christ. It is political, governmental, global, religious (idol worship, etc.), media, and financial system. It is a consolidated collective system of anti-Christ entertainment and distractions (sports, social media, TV, the arts, musicals, acting, etc.) that would prevent us from coming to know God in a deep and meaningful way. The world is lost and can never be redeemed, only people are redeemed. Jesus came not to save the world, but so that the people in the world might be saved. The world is everything outside of Christ and His word. Some day the world will be defeated and destroyed, but not the earth. We read in Psalms, "The earth is the LORD'S, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein." (Psalms 24:1) So we see there are two things here one the earth and the other "the world." Please know God owns the earth, the world, and "they that dwell therein" (that would be us) make no mistake all souls are God's. John uses the Greek word "kosmos" (Strong's #2889) for the word "world" here and if you add a few letters and change the "k" (Greek spelling) to a "c" you get the word cosmopolitan or a person of the world. Why we even had a famous magazine named "Cosmopolitan" that tells of all of the wonderful things the world offers to people who identify with their thinking of the world. Christians must never identify with the world yet I hear and see Christians with a love and respect for the enjoyment and pleasure the world offers. Either we are a citizen of God's kingdom or we are a cosmopolitan a citizen of the world, and if the latter then "the love of the Father is not in him." To be able to tell if you are of the world all you have to do is turn on your TV or hand held device. What do you like? What do you enjoy? Do you look forward to the latest movies, yearly TV award shows that flaunt "self" over God. Do you support global warming? Globalism, Abortion? Homosexuality? Transgenders? Liberalism? Socialism? Do you support animal rights groups while caring nothing about the innocent execution of human life in the womb. Do you believe there is no God? Sadly the list goes on, but if these are what you support then you are a cosmopolitan a citizen of the world and "the love of the Father is not in him." Remember if it looks, acts, and sounds like the world (to include the church) then it is the world. I need not guess what type of tree I am looking at all I have to do is wait for the fruit to grow and then I will know for sure. And if you cannot tell if something is of the world then you yourself are of the world and need to have your heart and mind dealt with by God. It is God's dealings and judgments in our lives that gives us the ability to have Godly discernment. This is why the world's thinking and entertainment has overtaken most denominational churches that lack a real desire for the truth. Only God, by His Spirit, can give us the wherewithal to know what is of Him and what is not of Him. All you have to do is turn on your TV or hand held device and see the world on display. You know Howard Reckley was right. Back in the late 1960's we were going to an Assembly of God Church (he was the Pastor) in Wiley Ford, WV and Pastor Reckley refused to have a TV in his home and he said it was ungodly and would lead America to destruction, well he was right. His church said, oh no get with the times pastor we want a TV, well they got a TV (how did that work out?), but that did not change the fact Pastor Reckley was right. The truth is either we have a love for the world or we have a love for Christ. There is no middle ground here. Either we are drawing nigh towards God or we are moving away from God. If we claim to be a Christian (not sure what word means anymore I like the term Believer) we are not, according to the word of God, to be a cosmopolitan, but a citizen of the kingdom of God. Here again many Christians can get off track because many Christians apply a worldly thinking and believe the kingdom of God is some place with a wall and towers like a castle where the king resides to rule and reign, well some of that is true, but the physical features are dead wrong. Many Christians like this type of worldly thinking because they can get a good paying job in the kingdom of God, start a good career, build a big church or ministry, enjoy the good life, and even retire. When other Christians hear about the kingdom of God they think of the time after the millennial (1,000 years) reign of Christ after the tribulation and judgments at the Judgment Seat of Christ (for Saints) and the Great White Throne Judgment ( for sinners), but that is not the kingdom of God that the word of God talks about. Jesus was not talking about job opportunities or some palace in the sweet bye and bye, but a heart condition where we allow Him to be seated on the throne of our heart and lives and we allow Him to fulfill the word here of Paul, "For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. 18 For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men." (Romans 14:17-18) The kingdom of God is, "righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost" not some worldly or religious concept to lead man away from God, but it is the core of our inward strength in God that allows us to stand against with a steadfastness, virtue, and a valor of the world and all who think like the world. Now that is not denying the world. We are in this world, God put us there, but our relationship with the world must be real in Christ and we must never become a part of that worldly system in action and especially in thinking. When we do we lose the right to our citizenship in the kingdom of God. The writer of the Book of Hebrews got it right when he said, "These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth." (Hebrews 11:13) Sadly too many Christians have moved into the world and cannot see their promise of a home afar off. Their eyes have been dulled and blinded by the "the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life," and all the cosmopolitan world offers and no longer feel as if they are "strangers and pilgrims on the earth." They have taken up residence on 5th Avenue, New York, New York and look to enjoy all the world offers. And why? Well maybe they really do not believe what the word of God says and are hedging their bets trying to get all they can now just in case God's word is a lie. Well if this is you please enjoy your fleeting life it soon will be over and know this you will never be able to enter the kingdom of God now and forever. Our future home and life depends not on our abilities, skills, talents, wealth, intelligence, but our heart condition now and what is stamped on our passport either a cosmopolitan citizen or a citizen of the kingdom of God. Make no mistake my friend you are betting your eternal life on it. Lastly remember how John ends his thought, "And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever." Did you get that? Written by David Stahl