Showing posts with label children. Show all posts
Showing posts with label children. Show all posts
Tuesday, June 8, 2021
The Word and Your Purpose*
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Isaiah 55:11 says the following: "So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it." We will see how this promise of God brings change.
A very disturbing story in the news this week concerned two children, ages twelve and fourteen, who ran away from their group home, broke into another home, assembled weapons, and shot at police who came to the site of the breakin. The older child said that the shooting was like a video game to her, "like Grand Theft Auto". One policeman was overheard on his bodycam praying or begging the children under his breath to please not make him hurt them. In another news story this week, a Texas high school graduate used her valedictorian speech to criticize her state's new restrictions to their abortion law. The teen viewed this restriction against abortion as an impediment of a woman's life plans, and a threat to her future destiny. She viewed her purpose in life as dependent upon the unlimited availability to abortion. Hillary Clinton commented with praise and congrtulations for her "brave" speech. However, God does not connect our purpose with the ability to have an abortion. Scripture makes plain that God's view of the sacrificing of our own children to the idol Molech, and the shedding of innocent blood, as an abomination in His sight. This young woman beginning her adult life, evidently has no knowledge of God's purpose in an individual's life. Do you understand God's Word and His gifts in His purpose for your life? God also prophesied in His Word that we would see this tragic corruption of our children that we are seeing now. He said that He would take away those whom He had been placed among His people to spiritually and civilly guide them, and instead: "...I will give children to be their princes, and babes shall rule over them. And the people shall be oppressed, every one by another, and every one by his neighbour: the child shall behave himself proudly against the ancient, and the base against the honourable...For Jerusalem is ruined, and Judah is fallen: because their tongue and their doings are against the LORD, to provoke the eyes of his glory. The shew of their countenance doth witness against them; and they declare their sin as Sodom, they hide it not. Woe unto their soul! for they have rewarded evil unto themselves...As for my people, children are their oppressors, and women rule over them. O my people, they which lead thee cause thee to err, and destroy the way of thy paths." (Isa. 3:1-15, excerpt). Isaiah also described the captivity that comes upon God's people because of their lack of knowledge, including the lack of knowledge of His purpose for them. Instead of standing for justice, they gather up even the poor's portion for themselves. They party and drink up and corrupt the noble vineyard that the LORD entrusted to them. Their ways have caused Hell to open and widen itself to receive them in their corruption. That corruption has caused God's people to pull sin around behind them wherever they go. Instead of keeping their purpose in God's light, His sweetness, and His goodness, they have substituted darkness, evil, and bitterness instead, and called them "good". Destruction comes upon the people of God who know their holy purpose in God, but embrace an evil purpose: "...they have cast away the law of the LORD of hosts, and despised the word of the Holy One of Israel." (see Isa. 5:1-24).
Let's examine the Word regarding God's purpose in your life, and my life. The Word says of those who bring the good news: "How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth! (Isa. 52:7). Each one of us has been given spiritual gifts. The purpose of those gifts is to bring forth, individually and as part of the Body of Christ, the good news of salvation, and the news that God reigns. As Isaiah 53 describes the suffering and sacrificial purpose of the Messiah, Jesus Christ, from within that sacrifice is a satisfaction. Even as His body and soul were being made an offering for sin, it was with this knowledge: "He shall see the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servnt justify many: for he shall bear their iniquities." (Isa. 53:10-11). Within the purpose of the Messiah, we also find our purpose: the salvation and justification of many. The good news that we bring is that you don't have to be a slave of sin. You don't have to be burdened. You don't have to die without hope. As part of His purpose, Jesus promised that as the Bread of Life doing His Father's will, not even one whom the Father gives Him will be lost, but raised up on the last day in everlasting life (Jn. 6:35-51).
As the prophet Isaiah described the fruit of God that will be produced as His people come back into their relationship with Him and walk in their purpose in Him: "...neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the LORD that hath mercy on thee. O thou afflicted, tossed with tempest, and not comforted, behold, I will lay thy stones with fair colours, and lay thy foundations with saphires...And all thy children shall be taught of the LORD; and great shall be the peace of thy children." (Isa. 54:10-13). This is a far different prophetic picture than we saw in the beginning of this message. Even our children are miraculously delivered and blessed, as the people of God return to their purpose. Seeing what has been taking place, there is no time to waste. We have good news to bring. One way to do that is to support ministries that are publishing the salvation of the Messiah, Jesus, as this ministry has faithfully done for so many years. Join us, and by doing so, fulfill your purpose in God as you help us to bring forth the Gospel. We look forward to hearing from you.
*Based on Dr. Kenneth E. Stevenson's 6/6/21 message to the Church.
To contact: P.O. Box 154221, Waco, TX 76705 OR Everlastingcovenant@ymail.com
You can also find us on Facebook, Twitter, and endtimeschool.com
Friday, November 29, 2019
For The Children*
We are seeing our children come under attack like never before. There are shootings in schools, sexual agendas towards children, books and other influential media dealing with witchcraft and demonology directed towards children, as well as the call for abortion on demand. However, through it all, politicians from both sides of the aisle use these dire events as political fodder, rather than as issues to be seriously and sincerely addressed.
Jesus taught regarding the preciousness of children in the Father's eyes:
"At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them. And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted (to turn one's self), and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me. But whoso shall offend (to put a stumbling block in the way upon which another may trip and fall, to entice to sin, to cause a person to begin to distrust and desert one whom he ought to trust and obey, to cause to fall away) one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea." Mt. 18:1-6
Our society is doing all it can to cause children to distrust and desert what they should trust and obey. We are teaching children falsehoods to lead them to things that are destruction for them. Jesus said it would be better to die than to be one who has this agenda towards children. In later verses, He said that it would be better to lose body parts like a hand, foot, or eye, rather than use it to cause spiritual or physical harm to a child, or to a believer who has come to God in the same manner as a humble, vulnerable child.
To the prophet Hosea, the LORD says to His people Israel that He has:
"...a controversy with the inhabitants of the land, because there is no truth, nor mercy, nor knowledge of God in the land." Hos. 4:1
The LORD goes on to describe a spiritually bankrupt condition of lying, swearing, killing, stealing, sexual sin and violence in His people in the land (v. 2). Aren't we witnessing these same sad conditions in our nation? The LORD said that as His people had forgotten His law, and rejected knowledge of Him, and His ways, He also would forget their children. The children, being the most vulnerable and trusting, are the first to be affected when God's people turn away from His Word, and ways. One such spiritual attack in our nation resulted in deeply affecting the children as Madalyn Murray O'Hair, an atheist, sued to remove prayer from public schools. God's people remained silent as, one after another, references to God, and to His Word, and to His Son, Jesus, were systematically removed from the public realm. Our children have paid the price.
It is the intention of God that the children should know Him, and His life-giving truth. As the LORD talked about restoring the estranged relationship between Himself, and one whom He considers His wife, Israel, He prophesied to Isaiah the effect this would have on the children:
"And all thy children shalt be taught of the LORD; and great shall be the peace of thy children. In righteousness thou shalt be established: thou shalt be far from oppression; for thou shalt not fear: and from terror; for it shall not come near thee." Isa. 54:13-14
To the prophet Hosea, the LORD said that He would wait for His people to turn back to Him. Unfortunately, He did not see that happening until the spiritual affliction that had resulted from their rejection of His knowledge, had become unbearable:
I will go and return to my place, till they acknowledge their offence, and seek my face: in their affliction they will seek me early." Hos. 5:13
After receiving this word, the prophet cries out to God's people:
"Come, and let us return unto the LORD: for he hath torn, and he will heal us; he hath smitten, and he will bind us up." Hos. 6:1
Even the promise of resurrection comes with our return to the LORD (v. 2). The physical revival is directly connected to the spiritual revival. With our repentance, God's rewards for us become even greater than we knew before.
In another place Hosea wrote:
"O Israel return unto the LORD thy God; for thou hast fallen by thine iniquity. Take with you words, and turn to the LORD: say unto him, Take away all iniquity, and receive us graciously: so we will render the calves of our lips." Hos. 14:1-2
To the above cry of His prophet, the LORD replied and promised:
"I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely: for mine anger is turned away from him...They that dwell under his shadow shall return; they shall revive as the corn, and grow as the vine: the scent thereof shall be as the wine of Lebanon...Who is wise and he shall understand these things?...For the ways of the LORD are right, and the just shall walk in them: but the transgressors shall fall therein." v. 4-9 (excerpt)
Today, seeing the spiritual condition among the people of God, and in our land, including the victimizing of our children in every way, it is time to heed the call of Hosea, and return to the LORD humbly, as a little child. Again the LORD promises:
"If I shut up heaven that there be no rain, or if I command locusts to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among my people; If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land." 2 Chron. 7:13-14
*The above is based upon the 11/24/19 message to the Church from Dr. Kenneth Stevenson.
To Contact/Submit prayer requests/Support the ministry/Order the book, "NAZAH-White Linen and the Blood of Sprinkling", and to help us get out the message:
To the prophet Hosea, the LORD says to His people Israel that He has:
"...a controversy with the inhabitants of the land, because there is no truth, nor mercy, nor knowledge of God in the land." Hos. 4:1
The LORD goes on to describe a spiritually bankrupt condition of lying, swearing, killing, stealing, sexual sin and violence in His people in the land (v. 2). Aren't we witnessing these same sad conditions in our nation? The LORD said that as His people had forgotten His law, and rejected knowledge of Him, and His ways, He also would forget their children. The children, being the most vulnerable and trusting, are the first to be affected when God's people turn away from His Word, and ways. One such spiritual attack in our nation resulted in deeply affecting the children as Madalyn Murray O'Hair, an atheist, sued to remove prayer from public schools. God's people remained silent as, one after another, references to God, and to His Word, and to His Son, Jesus, were systematically removed from the public realm. Our children have paid the price.
It is the intention of God that the children should know Him, and His life-giving truth. As the LORD talked about restoring the estranged relationship between Himself, and one whom He considers His wife, Israel, He prophesied to Isaiah the effect this would have on the children:
"And all thy children shalt be taught of the LORD; and great shall be the peace of thy children. In righteousness thou shalt be established: thou shalt be far from oppression; for thou shalt not fear: and from terror; for it shall not come near thee." Isa. 54:13-14
To the prophet Hosea, the LORD said that He would wait for His people to turn back to Him. Unfortunately, He did not see that happening until the spiritual affliction that had resulted from their rejection of His knowledge, had become unbearable:
I will go and return to my place, till they acknowledge their offence, and seek my face: in their affliction they will seek me early." Hos. 5:13
After receiving this word, the prophet cries out to God's people:
"Come, and let us return unto the LORD: for he hath torn, and he will heal us; he hath smitten, and he will bind us up." Hos. 6:1
Even the promise of resurrection comes with our return to the LORD (v. 2). The physical revival is directly connected to the spiritual revival. With our repentance, God's rewards for us become even greater than we knew before.
In another place Hosea wrote:
"O Israel return unto the LORD thy God; for thou hast fallen by thine iniquity. Take with you words, and turn to the LORD: say unto him, Take away all iniquity, and receive us graciously: so we will render the calves of our lips." Hos. 14:1-2
To the above cry of His prophet, the LORD replied and promised:
"I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely: for mine anger is turned away from him...They that dwell under his shadow shall return; they shall revive as the corn, and grow as the vine: the scent thereof shall be as the wine of Lebanon...Who is wise and he shall understand these things?...For the ways of the LORD are right, and the just shall walk in them: but the transgressors shall fall therein." v. 4-9 (excerpt)
Today, seeing the spiritual condition among the people of God, and in our land, including the victimizing of our children in every way, it is time to heed the call of Hosea, and return to the LORD humbly, as a little child. Again the LORD promises:
"If I shut up heaven that there be no rain, or if I command locusts to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among my people; If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land." 2 Chron. 7:13-14
*The above is based upon the 11/24/19 message to the Church from Dr. Kenneth Stevenson.
To Contact/Submit prayer requests/Support the ministry/Order the book, "NAZAH-White Linen and the Blood of Sprinkling", and to help us get out the message:
Dr. Kenneth Stevenson
P.O. Box 154221
Waco, TX 76705
https://twitter.com/everlastingcov8
http://endtimeschool.com/
P.O. Box 154221
Waco, TX 76705
https://twitter.com/everlastingcov8
http://endtimeschool.com/
To watch/hear Dr. Stevenson's complete message:
https://twitter.com/everlastingcov8
Prayer of Salvation for all who desire to receive Jesus as their Savior: Lord Jesus, I desire to know You, and to know Your salvation. I believe that You died for me, and that You were resurrected for me. Forgive me of my sins. Come into my heart, change me, fill me with Your righteousness. Inscribe my name in the Lamb's book of life. Baptize me in Your Holy Spirit, so that I can learn the truth of Your Word and ways, and be strengthened in my walk all the days of my life. You are the hope of my life, and You are my eternal life. I place my trust in You, Lord, for myself, and my whole household. Use me to do the will of the heavenly Father, Who sent You, in Whose name You came. In Your name, and in thanks and praise I pray, Amen.
https://twitter.com/everlastingcov8
Prayer of Salvation for all who desire to receive Jesus as their Savior: Lord Jesus, I desire to know You, and to know Your salvation. I believe that You died for me, and that You were resurrected for me. Forgive me of my sins. Come into my heart, change me, fill me with Your righteousness. Inscribe my name in the Lamb's book of life. Baptize me in Your Holy Spirit, so that I can learn the truth of Your Word and ways, and be strengthened in my walk all the days of my life. You are the hope of my life, and You are my eternal life. I place my trust in You, Lord, for myself, and my whole household. Use me to do the will of the heavenly Father, Who sent You, in Whose name You came. In Your name, and in thanks and praise I pray, Amen.
To order "NAZAH": https://twitter.com/everlastingcov8 http://endtimeschool.com/
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