Blessed Be The Name

Posted on September 20, 2022 by AntiochCMI

“And Job said, naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither; the Lord has given, and the Lord has taken away, blessed be the name of the Lord” (Job 1:21).

Blessed (Heb): Barak: To kneel to bless God as an act of adoration

Blessed (Gr): Eulogeo: The Divine expression of speaking, invoking as a benediction for good, and prosperity; To speak of well

In all the world there is no higher Name before whom we can kneel in honor and adoration, before whom we can speak of well than the Name of the Lord. This is a constant, eternal truism. Regardless of circumstance, situation, event; whether ecstatic or catastrophic, always in all things the Name of the Lord is to be praised and the Divine expression of that praise is as Job declared, “Blessed be the Name of the Lord”.

If ever there was a man of honor, it was Job. In all that he endured, in all that he suffered, “in all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly” (Job 1:22). How many have fallen away, how many have forsaken God, how many have blasphemed and cursed our Maker due to overwhelming misfortune, calamity, and loss? It is of the quality of sainthood to “endure hardness as a good soldier of Jesus Christ” (II Timothy 2:3), and to always in all things bless the Name of the Lord.

Blessed Are:

“Blessed are the poor in spirit; for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven. Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are they which hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God. Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven. Blessed are you when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad for great is your reward in heaven; for so persecuted they the prophets who were before you” (Matthew 5:3-12).

Blessed Be:

“The Lord lives and blessed be my Rock; and exalted be the God of the Rock of my Salvation” (II Samuel 22:47). “The Lord lives and blessed be My Rock and let the God of my Salvation be exalted” (Psalm 18:46). “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel from everlasting to everlasting. Amen and Amen” (Psalm 41:13). “Blessed be the Lord God, the God of Israel, who only does wondrous things. Blessed be His glorious Name forever, and let the whole earth be filled with His glory. Amen and Amen” (Psalm 72-18-19).

Yes, blessed be the Name of the Lord. Let us, as the Psalmist emplores: “Come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord our Maker” (Psalm 95:6). Let it be as David declared: “I will bless the Lord at all times, His praise shall continually be in my mouth” (Psalm 34:1). Let us kneel before His Presence to bless His Holy Name to show our adoration and our praise.

Blessed Be the Name of the Lord

Many there be, however, who will not come to Christ. Many there be who will not bow before Him. Many there be who will not worship and adore Him to whom the Lord declares:

“I say unto you, ‘You shall not see Me henceforth, ’till you shall say, ‘Blessed is He who comes in the Name of the Lord'” (Matthew 23:39). Yes, Blessed be the Name.

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Higher Ground

Posted on September 12, 2022 by AntiochCMI

“Lord, lift me up and let me stand by faith on Heaven’s tableland. A higher plane than I have found, Lord, plant my feet on higher ground” (Hymn: J Oatman, Jr. 1898 (1856-1922).

It is always so edifying when the Spirit imparts an inspired thought; or gives a song in the heart to speak a word of faith into the spirit. Such impartations come to us suddenly in our times of meditation, prayer, or simply waiting in the Presence of the Lord.

These inspirations are given, not just for the moment, but for encouragement for a new vision or passion for our future. This hymn was given to my spirit for just such purpose. It serves as a cry of the heart to go higher in the pursuit of God and not to settle for the current status quo.

The high ground is always the place of advantage in war for clear observation, and for safety from the attacks of the enemy. It gives a tactical advantage over the adversary and provides a natural defense for the occupiers thereof.

Moses describes the call of Jacob in Deuteronomy 32:9-14 stating, “He made him ride on the high places of the earth, that he might eat the increase of the fields; and He made him to suck honey out of the rock, and oil out of the flinty rock” (Deut.32:13). The Higher Ground is the place of increase, blessing and prosperity for those who pursue the Lord with all the heart.

The Lord is calling us to “a higher plane then we have found”, a higher realm then we have heretofore obtained, a higher place than we have previously known. The song writer begins the hymn with the fervent declaration:

I’m pressing on the upward way, new heights I’m gaining every day; Still praying as I’m upward bound, ‘Lord, plant my feet on higher ground’.

In order to move forward and upward there must be a willingness to abandon our present position and leave our current place. The writer captures this thought in verse two:

My heart has no desire to stay where doubts arise and fears dismay; Though some may dwell where these abound, my prayer, my aim, is higher ground.

Moving higher means living in a place in the Spirit that is above the worldly, fleshly, and even natural setting.

I want to live above the world, though Satan’s darts at me are hurled; for faith has caught the joyful sound, the song of saints on higher ground.

The pursuit of higher ground is a pursuit not just to escape the worldly, but to obtain the heavenly.

I want to scale the utmost height and catch a gleam of glory bright; but still I’ll pray till heaven I’ve found, ‘Lord, lead me on to higher ground’.

It is the Lord, Himself, Who first ascended and bids us all “Come up hither” (Revelation 11:12). It is now for us to heed the call to follow and ascend.

My Lord I’ll follow, till I stand erect upon that lofty land; and blest forever, sing His grace, Who led and set me in this place.

Higher ground is the invitation of the Spirit. Do you hear it? Does it stir you? Does it challenge you to leave your current level of living and to go higher?

There was a Christian movement in the late 1800’s known as the Higher Life Movement. It was popularized through the Keswick Conventions, the first of which was a tent revival in 1875 at St John’s Church, Keswick in Cumbria, UK. From it sprang many streams of living water that are still flowing today. The Spirit is moving in our time and calling in our day for the saints to move to the Higher Life, to Higher Ground.

Christ is seated at the right hand of the Most High, and He is calling us to take the path of life to where He is. David saw this and wrote: “You have shown me the path of Life; in Your Presence is fulness of joy; at Your Right Hand there are pleasures forevermore” (Psalm 16:11). It is time for us to capture the heart of David and to move to Higher Ground.

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The Word Is Not Bound

Posted on September 8, 2022 by AntiochCMI

“Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead, according to my Gospel, wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, even unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound” (II Timothy 2:8-9).

Bound: (Gr): (Deo): To bind literally or figuratively, Bonds

There is a perception in our time that the curtailments on the Word of God are unprecedented; but as bad as it may be getting with the attacks on the Word; we can take heart in knowing that the Word of God will never be bound by mere mortals for the Word of God is eternal.

It is helpful to always remember that the birthing of the Church did not occur in an idyllic time of great peace and prosperity; rather it was birthed under the heavy boot of the Roman Empire and Caesars who did not take kindly to the worship of other gods. So, we see, for example, the Apostle finding himself bound in a prison cell in Rome “suffering trouble as an evil doer” from whence it is commonly understood he wrote his Epistles to his son in the faith, Timothy, as Paul awaited martyrdom. Yet, as bound as he personally was, he boldly declares, “but the word of God is not bound”.

There was a reason for Paul’s enthusiasm and that reason was the word of God was being proclaimed right from the prison where he was confined. Writing to the Philippians he declares: “All the saints salute you, chiefly they that are of Caesar’s household” (Philippians 4:22). The Gospel was believed upon after hearing it from Paul even by Nero’s servants and attendants (cf. Philippians 1:12-13). Oh, what glorious liberty there is in proclaiming and receiving the word of God regardless of the circumstances.

The Word is Not Bound, because the word is not limited to a book that can be banned or burned, rather the word is in the heart of all who believe. What do the Scriptures say? “The word is nigh you, even in your mouth, and in your heart; that is the word of faith which we preach” (Romans 10:8, cf. Deuteronomy 30:14). There are millions today who live in countries where Bibles are banned; nevertheless, there are churches and Pastors over these bodies where Jesus is worshipped, glorified and the Gospel is heard every day. So, wherever we may find ourselves in life, we can always share our faith with whoever is open to receive the precious words of life. This is our heritage, this is the stuff of martyrs, this is the faith we preach passed down to us from the Apostles.

The Word is Not Bound, because as the Apostle clearly states in our text: “Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead, according to my Gospel”. Jesus is the Word of God (cf. John 1:1; I John 1:1) and Jesus is alive, risen from the dead and Lord of all. Jesus is speaking to many hearts in the most restricted areas of the world today, and they are receiving Him into their hearts by faith and surrendering their lives to His will. The Kingdom of God is an ever-expanding, ever-advancing Kingdom that cannot be stopped by governments of men, political parties, or enemies of God (cf. Isaiah 9:7). The Word overcame the world, and He is alive today and will be forevermore.

It is interesting to study the nation of Israel and their experience with the Babylonian captivity. The whole nation was taken into captivity, but the word of the Lord was not bound with them. The Scriptures tells us “The word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord after Nebuzaradan, the Captain of the Guard, had let Jeremiah go from Ramah, when Nebuzaradan had taken him bound in chains among all that were carried away captive of Jerusalem and Judah which were carried away captive to Babylon” (Jeremiah 40:1). Here we see the Prophet bound in chains and taken to Ramah from Jerusalem; yet the word of the Lord came to him there. We can also look to Ezekiel and Daniel in Babylon proclaiming the word of the Lord in the midst of their captivity in a foreign land.

The Word is Not Bound must be received and believed among us. For of a truth as it is written, “The word is nigh you, even in your mouth and in your heart; that is the word of faith which we preach. That if you shall confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and shall believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved” (Romans 10:8-10). And they cannot take that away. Your testimony, your confession of faith, your mouth speaking the word of the Lord.

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The Treasures of Snow

Posted on September 4, 2022 by AntiochCMI

“Have you entered into the treasures of the snow? Have you seen the treasures of the hail? (Job 38:22).

In the great discourse of God to Job “out of the whirlwind” (Job 38:1), we hear things that astound, amaze and befuddle us in the majesty, splendor and utter greatness of our God. These are treasures of untold value and among these are “the treasures of snow”.

The splendor of snow-capped mountains which provide the water of life to the earth and every living thing therein is a creation of Elohim. The wisdom, ingenuity, and creative genius of God, our Creator, is beyond the human capacity and is reserved to the Majesty on High.

Treasures (Heb): Owtsar: To store, Depository as an armory, cellar, garner, storehouse

As the snow-packed mountains are a continuous depository and provide a continuous supply of fresh water to the earth, so the goodness of God is a storehouse and depository of blessing, refreshing, sustenance, and provision from the life-giving Spirit.

The Treasures of Snow provide us with symbolic language in the Scriptures representing cleanliness (cf. Job 9:30); purity (cf. Psalm 51:7); refreshing (cf. Proverbs 25:13); forgiveness and cleansing (cf. Isaiah 1:18); faithfulness (cf. Jeremiah 18:14); and holiness (cf. Daniel 7:9). What treasures of precious things are represented in these passages and speak to us of the salvation given in the Gospel of Christ.

“The Prophet Isaiah gives us a wonderful description of the cycle of life of seedtime and harvest and the provision for our daily bread: “For as rain comes down, and the snow from heaven, and returns not thither, but waters the earth, and makes it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower and bread to the eater” (Isaiah 55:10). The treasures of snow produce and provide at the hand of our Maker the staff of life.

The treasure of faithfulness the snow brings to mankind that never fails to provide its life-giving streams, and the unchangeable nature of snow in its season is a reminder and clear representation of the faithful and unchangeable nature of our God (cf. Malachi 3:6). As the Prophet Jeremiah so eloquently stated, “His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness” (Lamentations 3:22b-23).

And as the Apostle also said, “For the invisible things of Him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse” (Romans 1:20).

As for holiness, this treasure shows forth in Daniel’s description of the Ancient of Days: “I beheld until the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of Days did sit, whose garment was white as snow and the hair of His head like the pure wool; His throne was like the fiery flame, and His wheels as burning fire” (Daniel 7:9). We behold Him again on the Mount of Transfiguration recorded in the Gospel of Mark: “And His raiment became shining, exceeding white as snow, so as no fuller on earth can whiten them” (Mark 9:3).

Finally, in the Revelation of Christ, the Apostle John tells of his vision: “And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle. His head and hairs were white like wool, as white as snow, and HIs eyes were as a flame of fire” (Revelation 1:13-14).

Oh, what a depository we have been given by the Spirit of God and have entered the treasures of snow. But, alas, we have only glimpsed dimly the inexhaustible and eternal treasures known only to God that await us in the age to come.

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Profundities

Posted on September 1, 2022 by AntiochCMI

“We do not cease to pray for you and to desire that you might be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding” (Colossians 1:9b).

Profound (Heb): Amaq: Literally or figuratively to be or make deep. To seek deeply. Depth.

When one begins to examine the deep things of God, we become hopelessly lost in our quest if we do not seek first the aid of the Holy Spirit.

“As it is written, eye has not seen, nor ear heard, neither has it entered the heart of man the things that God has prepared for them that love Him. But God has revealed them unto us by His Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things; yes, the deep things of God” (I Corinthians 2:9-10).

Deep Things (Gr): Bathos: Profundity, mystery, extent, depth.

In our world today we have modern technology, including artificial intelligence (AI) to aid scientists, biologists, astronomers, anthropologists, and all the other specialties of higher education and research institutes to uncover the mysteries of the universe and the origins of all things. There is one place most of these secular institutions of higher learning will not look and that is to the invisible Creator of all things, so, it is left for the simple man of faith to know and understand that all profundities are revealed and understood in Christ.

Yes, Christ, “the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature; by Whom were all things created that are in heaven and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities or powers; all things were created by Him and for Him; and He is before all things, and by Him all things consist” (Colossians 1:15-17).

The Psalmist declared: O, Lord, how great are Your works. and Your thoughts are very deep (Amaq) (Psalm 92:5). The thoughts of the Lord are deep thoughts, indeed; full of eternal wisdom, full of mystery, very profound; yet, completely understandable to our spirit whereby with the aid of the Holy Spirit we grasp, understand and confess by revelation knowledge the deep things of God.

The Apostle wrote to the Corinthians: “Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God; which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teaches, but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual” (I Corinthians 2:12-13).

Profundities: Life is full of profundities. Do you desire to know, to understand the mysteries of the universe? Do you want to know the mysteries of eternity? Do you want to know God, our Creator? Do you want to know why you exist, why you are here, what is your purpose? Do you want to know from whence you came and where you are going? Do you want to know the nature of things? Yes? Wonderful! The good news is you can know, and you will know if you look in the right place and pursue on the right path and call on the right One who is the fulness and fulfillment of all profundities, all deep things and dark sayings, all mysteries and all knowledge.

The fact is God is speaking to you right now. He has been speaking for a very long time as the writer to the Hebrews begins his Epistle:

“God, who at sundry times and in diverse manners spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, by whom also He made the worlds, who is the brightness of His glory, and the express image of His person, and upholds all things by the word of His power” (Hebrews 1:1-3a).

Will you stop running from God and start listening for His voice? Will you open your heart and surrender your will to your Father? Continuing in rebellion will not lead you to anything that is good. Surrender and you will begin to understand the mysteries of Life, the deep things of God. Eternity is waiting for you.

“Deep calls to deep” (Psalm 42:7). Go deeper in God. As Jesus said to Simon Peter: “Launch out into the deep (bathos); and let down your nets for a catch” (Luke 5:4). In the world of profundities, you may be amazed what you will find.

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The Shadow of Your Wings

Posted on August 29, 2022 by AntiochCMI

“Because You have been my help, therefore in the shadow of Your wings will I rejoice” (Psalm 63:7).

There is in the intensities and rigors of life the need for a place of refuge. David found his place of refuge in the Lord:

“Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me; for my soul trusts in Thee; yea, in the shadow of Your wings will I make my refuge, until these calamities be overpast” (Psalm 57:1).

There is in the words of David a determined focus to make his refuge in his God. When the intensities and rigors of life become calamities and we find as David did, we are in a cave to find some relief and quietness, some protection from the storms, some place where we can stop and get our bearings, to make the determined focus on God and rejoice within our soul under the shadow of His wings.

In the wings of the Lord there is an overspreading, a covering for protection, a safe space from harm; we find shade from the burning sun, and a place of comfort and peace. This expresses the heart of God toward us, as well, just as Jesus wept for Jerusalem and cried, “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets, and stone them who are sent to you, how often would I have gathered your children together, even as a hen gathers her chickens under her wings, and you would not” (Matthew 23:37). In these passionate words, one cannot help but sense the intense fervor in the heart of the Savior toward His people, to gather them under His wings and shelter them from the coming desolations.

We see also a depiction of the overspreading and covering of the Lord in the mighty wings of the Cherubim as they cover the Mercy Seat of the Ark of the Covenant in the Most Holy Place of the Sanctuary. Moses tells us, “And the Cherubim shall stretch forth their wings on high covering the Mercy Seat with their wings, and their faces shall look one to another toward the Mercy Seat shall the faces of the Cherubim be” (Exodus 25:20).

In the heart of the Lord there is a looking for mercy, there is a deep yearning to be merciful, to cover, to protect, to comfort, to bring peace to our souls. David knew this right well and so could make his cry, “Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me, for my soul trusts in Thee”. If we know God, as David did, we know we can put our trust in Him and find the mercy we long for and know we can find rest under the shadow of His wings.

David found his abiding place in the Most High. The Psalmist declares: “He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High, shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress; my God, in Him will I trust (Psalm 91:1-2).

Under the Shadow of His Wings we can find mercy, we can find protection, we can find peace; and as the Prophet Malachi declares, we can find healing for our souls:

“Unto you who fear My Name shall the Sun of Righteousness arise with healing in His wings. . .” (Malachi 4:2a).

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The Day of the Uncle

Posted on August 25, 2022 by AntiochCMI

“And Jeremiah said, ‘The word of the Lord came unto me saying: Behold, Hanameel the son of Shallum your uncle shall come unto you, saying, buy my field that is in Anathoth, for the right of redemption is yours to buy it'” (Jeremiah 32:6-7).

There is in the ancient Hebrew and rabbinical tradition a custom that one called a goel, a kinsman-redeemer, had a solemn duty to restore the rights of another in matters of persons and property. There is in this custom the objective of preservation of all that belongs to the Lord, that nothing is lost, stolen or abused, whether of persons or the Land.

The Day of the Uncle conceptualizes the ideals embodied in the custom of the goel, the kinsman-redeemer. The Lord has an eternal vested interest in all that is of His Creation, old and new; and He has set forth in the Scriptures, beginning with Moses His will made known regarding the goel.

Faith in the goel, the kinsman-redeemer, was expressed by Job, in his deep distress and affliction when he cried: “For I know that my Redeemer lives, and He shall stand at the latter day upon the earth” (Job 19:25).

The Psalmists, too, expressed their faith in the goel, saying: “Let the words of my mouth, and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in Thy sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer” (Psalm 19:14). “They remembered that God was their Rock, and the High God, their Redeemer” (Psalm 78-35).

The Prophet, Isaiah declared: “Fear not, you worm, Jacob, and you men of Israel, I will help you, says the Lord, and your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel” (Isaiah 41:14). And again, “Thus says the Lord, the King of Israel, and his Redeemer, the Lord of Hosts, I am the First, and I am the Last; and beside Me there is no God” (Isaiah 44:6; cf. Revelation 22:13).

The beloved songwriters, Keith and Melody Green, gave us a full expression of the goel, the kinsman-redeemer in the well-known song: There is a Redeemer:

There is a Redeemer,
Jesus, God’s own Son.
Precious Lamb of God, Messiah
Holy one.

Jesus my Redeemer,
Name above all names
Precious Lamb of God, Messiah
Oh, for sinners slain.

Thank You oh, my Father
For giving us Your Son,
And leaving Your Spirit
‘Til the work on earth is done.

When I stand in glory
I will see His face
And there I’ll serve my King forever
In that holy place.

Jesus, Himself gave the promise to the Redeemed of the earth in the hour of their trial, saying, “And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads, for your Redemption draws near” (Luke 21:28).

Finally, the Apostle spoke concerning these things writing, “But of Him are you in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us, wisdom, righteousness, sanctification and redemption” (I Corinthians 1:30).

The Day of the Uncle, the goel, our nearest relative, our kinsman-redeemer, is here. Our Redeemer lives! Therefore, look up, rejoice! The Good News is nothing of that which belongs to the Lord shall be lost, stolen or abused. Everything shall be preserved for it has been redeemed. (cf. John 17:12).

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Always Two

Posted on August 21, 2022 by AntiochCMI

“After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also and sent them two and two before His face into every city and place where He Himself would come” (Luke 10:1).

There is something very special when we examine the Scriptures that shows a pattern in the way the Lord makes appointments and sends forth His disciples to labor in the Kingdom. What we discover in our examination is these special assignments and sendings are always by twos.

Of note is the calling out of the Apostle Paul with Barnabas and later Silas: “As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, ‘Separate Me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them'” (Acts 13:2). Then after the split between Paul and Barnabas “Paul chose Silas and departed, being recommended by the brethren unto the grace of God” (Acts 15:40).

There is a peculiarity in the economy of God and the always two motif:

Joshua sent “two men to spy secretly, saying ‘Go view the land, even Jericho'” (Joshua 2:1a). John the Baptist “calling unto him two of his disciples sent them to Jesus, saying ‘Are you He that should come? Or look we for another?'”(Luke 7:19). Jesus sent “two of His disciples, saying, ‘Go into the village over against you. . .and you shall find a colt tied, whereon yet never man sat; loose him and bring him here'” (Luke 19:29b-30). Paul “sent into Macedonia two of them that ministered unto him, Timothy and Erastus, but he himself stayed in Asia for a season” (Acts 19:22). These are just a few of the many more examples in the Scriptures of the sending by twos employed by the leading of the Lord.

The wisdom of Solomon says, “Two are better than one because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow; but woe to him that is alone when he falls; for he has not another to help him up. Again, if two lie together, then they have heat, but how can one be warm alone? And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken” (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12).

The Scriptures tell us of “two olive trees and two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth” (Revelation 11:4; Zecharia 4:11). “Two witnesses prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days clothed in sackcloth” (Revelation 11:3). “Two cherubim are upon the Ark of the Testimony” (Exodus 25:22). “Two of every sort shall you bring into the ark to keep them alive; they shall be male and female” (Genesis 6:19). “And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night; He made the stars also” (Genesis 1:16). “And God gave unto Moses when He had made an end of communing with him upon Mount Sinai, two Tables of Testimony, tables of stone written with the finger of God” (Exodus 31:18).

There are two great commandments: “Thou shalt love the Lord, thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets” (Matthew 22:37-40).

Jesus said “Again I say unto you, if two of you shall agree on earth as touching anything that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of My Father which is in heaven. For where two, or three are gathered together in My Name, there am I in the midst of them” (Matthew 18:19-20).

Jesus was crucified between “two thieves, one on the right hand, and another on the left” (Matthew 27:38).

“And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing” (Mark 12:42).

“Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God” (Luke 12:6).

In the Kingdom of God, the coin of the realm is two. No one should go it alone. It is wisdom to always be joined to another in fellowship, brotherhood, ministry, service, prayer, worship, doctrine, and calling. It is the way of the Lord, the way of being in the Body of Christ, the Bride, and it is the way of the Spirit. Always two, a good rule to follow that will always serve you well.

“And the Spirit and the Bride say, ‘Come’. And let him that hears say, ‘Come’. And let him that is thirsty come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely” (Revelation 22:17).

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My Delight!

Posted on August 18, 2022 by AntiochCMI

“Delight yourself in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart” (Psalms 37:4).

Delight (Heb.): Chephets (Khay-fets): Pleasure, desire, a valuable matter of the mind

There are valuable matters of our minds upon which we set our hearts, that occupy our thoughts continually, upon which we meditate day and night, and inevitably upon which we act.

The Psalmist exhorts us to “delight yourself in the Lord”! In another Psalm it is written:

“Blessed is the man that walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; but his delight is in the Law of the Lord, and in His Law he meditates day and night” (Psalm 1:1-2).

Examining our delights is a very good exercise to determine what is foremost in our hearts and minds. What occupies first place? What is uppermost in our meditations? Where do our affections lean? It is convicting sometimes when we become aware that the time and space in our lives that we are giving to the Lord is in serious competition with other things and suffers from other preoccupations.

Delighting in the Lord is a discipline to which we can all give more heed. Perhaps there are things of which we must let go altogether as they are a hindrance to our calling and purpose in our lives before the Lord.

It is good to remember that the exhortation of the Psalmist to “delight yourself in the Lord” comes with a promise “and He shall give you the desires of your heart”. God is ever the faithful One to keep the promises made in His Word and to reward those who “delight to do His will” (cf. Psalm 40:8).

Delight is also spoken of in the Scriptures as something that is in the heart of God toward the Son and toward the Saints.

“Let him that glories, glory in this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the Lord who exercises lovingkindness, judgment and righteousness in the earth; for in these things I delight, says the Lord” (Jeremiah 9:24).

The Lord delights in us as we commune with Him and begin to understand His ways, as we grow in our knowledge of Him and delight to do His will and fulfill His purpose for us; that to which we have been called.

The Lord certainly also has great delight in the Son as written in the Gospel of Matthew: “And lo a voice came from heaven, saying, ‘This is My Beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased'” (Matthew 3:17).

Whether from the Lord or from the Saints, my delight is a wondrous thought, so full of pleasure, desire and of great value. May we, as saints continuously find our delight in Him, the “desire of all nations” (cf. Haggai 2:7); and may we all exclaim with pure joy and pleasure as we meditate upon Him and behold His Face: “My delight”!

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Holy Brethren

Posted on August 14, 2022 by AntiochCMI

“Wherefore, Holy Brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus” (Hebrews 3:1).

Holy: (Gr) Hagios from Hagos: Sacred, Physically Pure, Morally Blameless, Consecrated, Saint

Brethren: (Gr) Adelphos: One from the womb

There is a holiness to our bond as Brethren and that holy bond is our common origin from the same womb. This womb is not of flesh and blood, not of woman, but is heavenly in nature and is of the Spirit of God. The Psalmist declared:

“Thy people shall be willing in the day of Thy power, in the beauties of holiness from the womb of the morning; Thou has the dew of Thy youth” (Psalms 110:3).

In the Day of Messiah’s power His Holy Brethren were born “from the womb of the morning” yes, the dawning of the New Creation, from the Matrix of the Spirit in the Beauty of Holiness. In the Day of His Power consider Him, our Apostle and High Priest, Christ Jesus.

“The Lord has sworn, and will not repent, ‘Thou art a Priest forever after the Order of Melchizedek'” (Psalms 110:4).

Holy Brethren, do you know of whence you are? Brethren of Christ Jesus, after the Order of Melchizedek, “a royal priesthood, a holy nation” (cf. I Peter 2:9) after the Order of the King of Peace and King of Righteousness (cf. Hebrews 7:2), a priesthood of royalty, indeed. A sacred, pure, morally blameless priesthood continuing ever in the power of an endless life (cf. Hebrews 7:16).

Holy Brethren, born again of incorruptible seed (cf. I Peter 1:22), by the Word of God, our common origin from the womb from which we were birthed, from which we came forth to live and abide forever in Him.

Holy Brethren, “partakers of the heavenly calling,” a celestial calling from the Spirit to live and abide as Brethren, separated unto God to holiness by His grace to a confession of faith in our “Apostle and High Priest, Christ Jesus”.

Holy Brethren, “who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, not of the will of man, but of God” (John 1:13). Our common origin as Brethren is God. A common origin of faith as we have received the Son (cf. John 1:12) and have been given in the day of His power the right to be called His Brethren.

Holy Brethren, sanctified in Christ Jesus for “both He that sanctifies, and they who are sanctified are all of One; and for this cause, He is not ashamed to call them Brethren” (Hebrews 2:11). Brethren in Christ, birthed in the womb of the Spirit, set apart unto Holiness. Sanctified unto good works.

Holy Brethren, foreknown of God and called with a heavenly calling “to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the Firstborn among many Brethren” (Romans 8:29). Oh, Holy Brethren we are of the Firstborn, even in Christ Jesus, our great Apostle and Hight Priest, and have become One in the Beloved for our common origin has forever been in Him.

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