DIFFERENT CHAPTER 7 SAVED BY HOPE (Part 1) A SHADOW OF THINGS TO COME
DIFFERENT
CHAPTER 7
SAVED BY HOPE (Part 1)
A SHADOW OF THINGS TO COME
When, Jesus returns for His Bride, what will we do? We will celebrate the wedding! The bridegroom will be with us! We who have stood ready, with lighted lamps, until the end, will be invited to the feast. We must look at ourselves and see if we are standing in our VICTORY in CHRIST or kneeling to defeat by Satan. Are we living based on the past, or, are we living in the newness of our abundant and eternal life! Are we letting the past control our present and future? Are we letting past darkness control our present and future? WE ARE SURROUNDED BY LIGHT! GOD DID NOT CREATE US TO LIVE IN FEAR OR IN THE PAST! GOD CREATED US TO CHANGE THE PRESENT AND CREATE A NEW FUTURE WHICH LIES IN THE REALM OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD! TO DO THAT, WE MUST FUNCTION WITH A NEW MIND, THE MIND OF CHRIST! -MISHAEL T
Winter Solstice
From BBC: RELIGIONS
http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/paganism/holydays/wintersolstice.shtml,
Last updated 2006-06-07
The Pagan celebration of Winter Solstice (also known as Yule) is one of the oldest winter celebrations in the world.
Ancient people were hunters and spent most of their time outdoors. The seasons and weather played a very important part in their lives. Because of this many ancient people had a great reverence for, and even worshipped the sun. The Norsemen of Northern Europe saw the sun as a wheel that changed the seasons. It was from the word for this wheel, houl, that the word yule is thought to have come. At mid-winter the Norsemen lit bonfires, told stories and drank sweet ale.
The ancient Romans also held a festival to celebrate the rebirth of the year. Saturnalia ran for seven days from the 17th of December. It was a time when the ordinary rules were turned upside down. Men dressed as women and masters dressed as servants. The festival also involved decorating houses with greenery, lighting candles, holding processions and giving presents.
The Winter Solstice falls on the shortest day of the year (21st December) and was celebrated in Britain long before the arrival of Christianity. The Druids (Celtic priests) would cut the mistletoe that grew on the oak tree and give it as a blessing. Oaks were seen as sacred and the winter fruit of the mistletoe was a symbol of life in the dark winter months.
It was also the Druids who began the tradition of the yule log. The Celts thought that the sun stood still for twelve days in the middle of winter and during this time a log was lit to conquer the darkness, banish evil spirits and bring luck for the coming year.
Many of these customs are still followed today. They have been incorporated into the Christian and secular celebrations of Christmas.
Dearest Brethren, Followers, Soldiers, Spiritual Walkers, and Children of the Light,
History is there to remind us and teach us to better ourselves, not to keep us in bondage. Knowing the history of the enemy empowers us to defeat him. It is part of equipping the Saints. However, we cannot prepare the way of the Lord by standing in fear of the past or yielding to darkness. We must remember that darkness mimics Light. Therefore, it looks to light for examples, stealing that which first belonged to God.
Jesus rebuked the traditions of man and religion by reclaiming that which belonged to His Father. We, who follow in His Footsteps, must do the same, remembering that, only what you do for Christ will last.
We cannot give ANYTHING to darkness or give way to FEAR, allowing it to continue to have reign and control. As Jesus did, we take back that which rightfully belongs to us as children of God. Yes, we celebrate Jesus as we know to celebrate in our hearts filled with holiness and righteousness, knowing our faith is stronger than the bondage of darkness.
There are many dark shadows in our past, but, we cannot let them hover over us. When will the righteous stop yielding to Satan? He has no authority over us, neither do the yokes he once placed upon our necks in the past making us bow down to him.
We shall not lie down and allow darkness to trample upon us. We are a new breed of soldier not afraid to tread upon the ground once held by Satan. For we reclaim it and consecrate it for the purpose of the LIVING and not the dead. The enemy wants us to look at the errors of our past and believe that we cannot move forward. We CAN celebrate Christmas in the name of JESUS if we SERVE and KNOW Him.
To fear is not to know and abide in Jesus, or understand why He was sent. There will ALWAYS be the counterfeit and GOD ALMIGHTY ALLOWS IT! But, those whose eyes are open and understand the past can move on to a new day conquering darkness and reclaiming the territory of the Kingdom, giving it new meaning. Are we to stand upon the past and live it allowing the enemy to claim victory? Where does defeat end and Faith begin? How do we live in Victory? Tell me how do we let the enemy know he is no longer in control?
Yes, we have been given substantial proof that Jesus was born in the Spring, probably in March. No doubt, the enemy has defiled that actual day also. Why wouldn't he? Many have embraced celebrating in the Spring, while most people continue celebrating Christmas on December 25th a day which was used to celebrate by our pagan ancestors. We know that Spring in the Middle East does not coincide with Spring in other regions of the world. So, how do we decide what is right? Should we celebrate the birth of Jesus at all? God has never commanded us to do so. We just read in His Word that Heaven celebrated His birth as did many on earth at that time. So, we do likewise, because this is what God did and allowed in Heaven. We remember, as part of the Lord's Prayer, On earth, as it is in Heaven. Therefore, we mimic God.
Colossians 2:16-23 King James Version (KJV)
16 Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days:
17 Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.
18 Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind,
19 And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God.
20 Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances,
21 (Touch not; taste not; handle not;
22 Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men?
23 Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body: not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh.
QUESTIONING THE REASONING AND POWER OF GOD:
WHAT DOES CHRISTMAS REPRESENT?
If you have truly been Born Again, Jesus words do not fall on deaf ears. In Mark 7:8-9, we must take His words in context with the rest of the chapter. What makes traditions inherently human is that it is connected to the flesh and there is the absence of worship in spirit and truth. If we take Mark 7:8-9 into context as it was intended, then, we see that the problem of human tradition is soluble. God sent us His Son to rid us of this bondage, if we believe on Him and abide in Him, following His example. Jesus was united, one, with His Father. Jesus asked His Father to give us the gift of His Holy Spirit so that we, too, could become One with God and live in the spirit, walking by faith and not by sight. To dwell upon the enemy's accomplishments in the past gives them credence, showing we are walking by sight, in the flesh.
Mark 7:8-9 King James Version (KJV)
8 For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do.
9 And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition.
Through God's Holy Spirit we are guided as Jesus was and come to worship in spirit and in truth. Do you believe? If you believe, then, why does Christmas still trouble you so? Our ministry is to make Disciples who also follow Christ, worshiping in spirit and in truth. If your argument is that one cannot celebrate Jesus and still worship in spirit and in truth, then, we must question the reasoning and power of God.
We must question God's ability to work through us to spread the Good News that THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN IS AT HAND! This is what Christmas Represents, the coming of the Kingdom to man, and man's reconciliation with God through Christ! This is the great and wondrous gift from God to us, His Word, God Incarnate, once again among us to commune with us. If we believe, there is no power on earth that can separate us from Christ. Everyday should be a celebration of God's gift to us! But, wait, should we check the calendar and make sure it's not Satan's day and his turn to celebrate evil? Uh-uh, no, I shall not give God's glory to another!
Those who dwell upon the filthy and defiling errors of man's past cannot see that THEY are still caught up in tradition and fear! They lack unconditional love and hope for their brother. They laud one tradition over another because it is connected to religion as they have come to accept it. Their faith is still burdened with religion and their religion is still burdened down with human traditions.
In Mark 7, Jesus was referring to the traditions within Judaism, which still are kept! Yet, Jews still see them as being righteous and holy. Jesus knew them to be no longer necessary. He had come to fulfill ALL the law and the prophecy. He had been sent to release us from ALL traditions man-made and made for man and instead to guide us into TRUE WORSHIP in SPIRIT and in TRUTH!
We cannot be religious terrorists inciting fear into one another and doing the work of darkness to keep people in bondage and defeat, believing they must do or not do in order to be holy. That is the DISTRACTION in itself, intending to blind us. We must focus upon the TRUE path to the Truth, The Way, and The Light and the FRUIT that is produced as we live within God's Grace and Mercy, which is a heart which follows Jesus.
We were created to REJOICE and to be joyful! Jesus did not exclude Himself from celebration and rejoicing, for such comes from the Fruit of Gods Holy Spirit and is done in Heaven as it should be on Earth, to the Glory of God, Almighty!
As we look on the Christmas trees and lights, let us see them with God's eyes instead of being consumed by judging and condemning those we see as being in darkness. We are no longer carnally minded, are eyes are opened to see the flowering trees of nature sparkling in the sunlight, or the snow covered branches draped with snowflakes as if they were covered in lace. Icicles hang from their branches catching the light from the sun, illuminating the trees and the horizon with color. Beneath the trees lay the bountiful blessings of God, gifts to mankind from his Heavenly Father. Darkness did not create this idea, for darkness cannot create. It can only mimic. These are the original Christmas trees, which were created by God and give Glory to God everyday.
Luke 2: 8-20 King James Version (KJV)
8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, 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, good will toward men.
15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.
16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.
18 And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
19 But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.
20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.
Where is your heart and mind if you are no longer OF the world! Where is your FAITH! Where is your HOPE for mankind which God gave us through Christ Jesus? We cannot claim HOLINESS and RIGHTEOUSNESS without claiming POWER and VICTORY over darkness! We cannot worship in SPIRIT and in TRUTH without seeing with God's eyes. We cannot REJOICE for the Lord without having a CHANGED HEART!
YES, we know the heart of the World, but, it is up to us to change hearts in the world FOR TODAY, not keep them in the past! This is why there are more devils being made than Saints! We must not judge the hearts of ALL men. To judge, is not to have been changed and reborn and to claim the right which belongs to Jesus, alone. How do we judge? -By not having hope. -By giving up on others. -By living in our own self-righteous world and pointing the finger at others.
Just because men do not live like we do does not give us the right to judge them. To offer information with scorn without guidance and hope is not the Mind of Christ. THIS is why the enemy gains ground and darkness has increased! We see the mind of darkness at the root of division within our nation and around the world. The enemy has taught Believers to ALIENATE and DISCRIMINATE instead of wearing God's Armour and producing the Fruit of God's Holy Spirit!
Under the Mind of Christ, we see how the adversary plans to use us and others to divide and raise ourselves above others. The adversary can blind us so that what we believe is freedom from tradition is only on the surface, for our heart can still be in bondage to human traditions because our heart is still attached to our flesh, our heritage, and our pride.
Many who call themselves Followers of Christ have taken on the role of dividing and weakening Believers! It is time to change and Follow the Mind of Christ, THE LION OF JUDAH, THE BRIGHT AND MORNING STAR, and shine the way to His Truth. We cannot let the adversary steal the joy that was given to us through Christ Jesus, and neither can we give our joy to he who is unworthy.
IT ALL BOILS DOWN TO---ARE YOU OR ARE YOU NOT AN OVER-COMER?
CANCELLED
This Christmas, having knowledge of our pagan past and religions filled with human traditions, let us walk into the Light together, knowing that "ONLY WHAT YOU DO FOR CHRIST WILL LAST!"
Yes, we can celebrate Jesus on December 25th. Satan has tried to paint everyday of the year with historical darkness to keep us from REJOICING and giving glory to God! He has tried to claim that which was created by God for the purpose of darkness. We cannot live within his control and ignorance forever, sworn to live in false piety, restrained from rejoicing and living in JOY!
The difference is that we who are born again live within God's Kingdom! There is no darkness there. There is no evil there. There is no want there. No, we are not all wrapped up in gift giving, greed, commercialism, self, and the world. We know the reason for the season, and, that reason is JESUS! Because of Jesus we can express our joy and REJOICE! NOTHING can separate us from Him and His Love, or our love for Him. Because of Jesus we are more than conquerors and we are free indeed living in TRUTH.
Knowing the Truth empowers us. We are no longer resigned to accepting that which masquerades as truth. Had that been the case God would have never given us His only begotten Son and sacrificed His life for us. Instead Jesus birth and death sends us another message. We are able to defeat that which comes against us in His name. Through Jesus we have been given a NEW LIFE NOT ATTACHED TO THE THINGS OF THE WORLD.
Therefore, if we celebrate Christmas on October, November, December 25th or everyday, we choose to REJOICE and serve others with songs, gifts, trimmings, and joy; not to do as the World does, but, to do what is in our hearts to honor our King, He, whom we know is worthy.
Many completely miss the message in Mark 7 because they are blinded by condemnation and darkness. However, before we dwell upon Mark 8-9, we must understand Mark 1-7 which gives us the context of Jesus' remarks. Satan has worked a spell within religions and religious people to make them believe that because he has tainted and defiled certain days with evil that we must condemn those days and those who celebrate on those days.
Where does it end? Are we never to rejoice because some religious cult has defiled a day? Or does everyday belong to God, because EVERYDAY IS GIVEN BY GOD ALONE, WHO ALONE MAKES THE SUN SHINE UP IN THE SKY?
We must come out of the mind of bondage, which is within itself idolatry! In Mark 1-7 Jesus is giving us information to explain why we must look at the hearts of men and not at what they DO. He tells us that it is that which comes from the heart and proceeds FROM the mouth that defiles a man, not that which goes in the mouth. This is a new and contradictory idea to the teachings of the Pharisee which have been handed down to them through Moses. Yet, Jews, having not accepted the Word of God, still cling to their old thinking and ways today. How can we help to bring them out of fear and bondage if we ourselves are in fear and bondage?
In Mark 7:8-9, Jesus and His disciples were being criticized for not keeping with man-made traditions of religion. This let's us know that God sees any human tradition that does not serve to glorify His Kingdom as problematic leading to sin, because it reflects sin in the heart of man. However, elsewhere in the written Word of God, we find God directing His people to keep traditions to remind them of what He has done for them. This gives God Glory, so their celebration is directed toward God and not man. Why is this necessary? Because pride corrupts as it did in the Garden of Eden. God seeks to keep us from idolatry and protect us from darkness.
NOW, we have JESUS! Which is why we are FREE TO CELEBRATE IF, OUR HEARTS HAVE TRULY BEEN CHANGED BY THE SACRIFICE OF HIS BLOOD! -IF GOD'S HOLY SPIRIT TRULY DWELLS WITHIN US! IF, WE ARE FREE FROM THE BONDAGE OF SIN! -IF, WE TRULY KNOW WHAT WE ARE CELEBRATING! -IF, WE ARE NOT LIVING IN FEAR! -IF, THERE IS NO CONDEMNATION IN OUR HEARTS FOR OUR BROTHER! -IF, WE TRULY LOVE HIM AS HE LOVES US!
However, let no man make you give preferences to any holy day or man-made traditions. We must also, take heed to Mark 5-6. Will we continue to honor God only with our lips, while our heart is far from God? -Or, does our heart follow the Mind of Christ in honoring God?
5 Then the Pharisees and scribes asked him, Why walk not thy disciples according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashen hands?
6 He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me.
When, Jesus returns for His Bride, what will we do? We will celebrate the wedding! The bridegroom will be with us! We who have stood ready, with lighted lamps, until the end, will be invited to the feast. We must look at ourselves and see if we are standing in our VICTORY in CHRIST or kneeling to defeat by Satan. Are we living based on the past, or, are we living in the newness of our abundant and eternal life! Are we letting the past control our present and future? Are we letting past darkness control our present and future? WE ARE SURROUNDED BY LIGHT! GOD DID NOT CREATE US TO LIVE IN FEAR OR IN THE PAST! GOD CREATED US TO CHANGE THE PRESENT AND CREATE A NEW FUTURE! TO DO THAT, WE MUST FUNCTION WITH A NEW MIND, THE MIND OF CHRIST!
Yes, I am equipped with the knowledge of man's dark past and his indulgence with idolatry. However, better yet, I am equipped as a saint of God with the knowledge of CHRIST, to conquer the world! I challenge you my brethren to break free of worldly thinking, being carnally minded and still in bondage, unable to see past crimson stains. Jesus washed them, white as snow. Yes, I know the TRUTH. He was given to us on what we call Christmas Day.
Equipped with the Truth, I know what I can and will do with Him. but, do you know Him? Are you free and free indeed? Will you let the lies of Satan keep you from the Truth? Has your heart been cleansed to worship in spirit and in truth, knowing all that you know about the weakness and errs of man? Do you live in HOPE for all mankind? That's what Christmas is all about, God's HOPE for all mankind through JESUS.
Jesus CANCELLED Satan's plans when He arose from the grave and defeated him and death. ALL OF SATAN'S WORK IS AND HAS BEEN IN VAIN! THAT IS THE TRUTH THAT WE NEED TO KNOW, MY FRIENDS! Now, let us be obedient to God and Rejoice, Again, I say Rejoice!
Philippians 4 King James Version (KJV)
4 Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved.2 I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord.
3 And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellowlabourers, whose names are in the book of life.
4 Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.
5 Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.
6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.
10 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity.
11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.
12 I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.
13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
Merry Christmas, Happy New Year to All!
your servant and soldier, equipped and united with the One
mishael
************************************************************************
SELF REFLECTION: A Look in the Mirror
Once again, when we look at Jesus' parables, He is challenging us to examine where our heart lies. Closely examining your heart, answer the questions below.
DISCUSS your answers with a mature Believer who can guide you in your spiritual relationship with Jesus and our Father, and/or have group discussions to learn from those who have different experiences and perspectives.
QUESTIONS: Write down your questions and discuss them with a mature Believer or submit them to this blog.
Ask yourself these questions and answer them as pertaining to you alone.
- Do you plan to celebrate Christmas? Why or why not?
- Have you researched the history of Christmas? Why or why not?
- Do you feel that you are right in celebrating Christmas? Why or why not?
- Do you celebrate Christmas because you are a Christian?
- Do you celebrate Christmas because your family or everyone else you know does?
- Do you celebrate Christmas to give or receive gifts?
- Do you celebrate Christmas to prosper financially?
- Do you celebrate Christmas to honor Jesus' birth, because He is the Son of God, given to save us?
- Do you see Christmas as a Holy Day? Why or why not?
- Does it bother you that the holiday season also has a pagan history attached to it? Why or why not?
- Do you feel that you are following the ways of the world?
- Are you a Born Again Believer? Why or why not?
- Are you living life abundantly, believing in your eternal life?
- Do you see Christmas differently now that you are born again?
- Does the world still influence how or if you celebrate Christmas?
- How has being born again and living abundantly affected the way that you celebrate Christmas?
- Do you think the worldly history of Christmas interferes with the Kingdom history of Jesus' birth? Why or why not?
- Is your faith divided between the world and God?
- Do you prefer to celebrate Christmas in the Spring closer to Jesus' actual birth date?
- Do you believe that Satan still has authority over our beliefs and the way that we worship God?
- Does Satan have authority over your beliefs and worship?
- When you celebrate Christmas are you worshiping in Spirit and in Truth? Is Jesus and the Glorification of God the focus of your worship?
- Do you pass on your knowledge of Christmas to others so that they can worship in Spirit and in Truth?
- Do you take time on Christmas to honor Jesus and God?
- Is prayer, thankfulness, and worship part of your Christmas celebration?
- If so, how do you plan to pass Christmas down to your children?
- What is the most important thing you can give Jesus this Christmas?
************************************************************************
REFERENCED SCRIPTURE
Colossians 2 King James Version (KJV)
1 For I would that ye knew what great conflict I have for you, and for them at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh;
2 That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ;
3 In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
4 And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words.
5 For though I be absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, joying and beholding your order, and the stedfastness of your faith in Christ.
6 As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him:
7 Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.
8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.
9 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.
10 And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:
11 In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ:
12 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.
13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;
14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;
15 And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.
16 Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days:
17 Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.
18 Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind,
19 And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God.
20 Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances,
21 (Touch not; taste not; handle not;
22 Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men?
23 Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body: not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh.
Mark 7 King James Version (KJV)
7 Then came together unto him the Pharisees, and certain of the scribes, which came from Jerusalem.
2 And when they saw some of his disciples eat bread with defiled, that is to say, with unwashen, hands, they found fault.
3 For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, except they wash their hands oft, eat not, holding the tradition of the elders.
4 And when they come from the market, except they wash, they eat not. And many other things there be, which they have received to hold, as the washing of cups, and pots, brasen vessels, and of tables.
5 Then the Pharisees and scribes asked him, Why walk not thy disciples according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashen hands?
6 He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me.
7 Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.
8 For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do.
9 And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition.
10 For Moses said, Honour thy father and thy mother; and, Whoso curseth father or mother, let him die the death:
11 But ye say, If a man shall say to his father or mother, It is Corban, that is to say, a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; he shall be free.
12 And ye suffer him no more to do ought for his father or his mother;
13 Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye.
14 And when he had called all the people unto him, he said unto them, Hearken unto me every one of you, and understand:
15 There is nothing from without a man, that entering into him can defile him: but the things which come out of him, those are they that defile the man.
16 If any man have ears to hear, let him hear.
17 And when he was entered into the house from the people, his disciples asked him concerning the parable.
18 And he saith unto them, Are ye so without understanding also? Do ye not perceive, that whatsoever thing from without entereth into the man, it cannot defile him;
19 Because it entereth not into his heart, but into the belly, and goeth out into the draught, purging all meats?
20 And he said, That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man.
21 For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders,
22 Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness:
23 All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.
24 And from thence he arose, and went into the borders of Tyre and Sidon, and entered into an house, and would have no man know it: but he could not be hid.
25 For a certain woman, whose young daughter had an unclean spirit, heard of him, and came and fell at his feet:
26 The woman was a Greek, a Syrophenician by nation; and she besought him that he would cast forth the devil out of her daughter.
27 But Jesus said unto her, Let the children first be filled: for it is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast it unto the dogs.
28 And she answered and said unto him, Yes, Lord: yet the dogs under the table eat of the children's crumbs.
29 And he said unto her, For this saying go thy way; the devil is gone out of thy daughter.
30 And when she was come to her house, she found the devil gone out, and her daughter laid upon the bed.
31 And again, departing from the coasts of Tyre and Sidon, he came unto the sea of Galilee, through the midst of the coasts of Decapolis.
32 And they bring unto him one that was deaf, and had an impediment in his speech; and they beseech him to put his hand upon him.
33 And he took him aside from the multitude, and put his fingers into his ears, and he spit, and touched his tongue;
34 And looking up to heaven, he sighed, and saith unto him, Ephphatha, that is, Be opened.
35 And straightway his ears were opened, and the string of his tongue was loosed, and he spake plain.
36 And he charged them that they should tell no man: but the more he charged them, so much the more a great deal they published it;
37 And were beyond measure astonished, saying, He hath done all things well: he maketh both the deaf to hear, and the dumb to speak.
************************************************************************
Philippians 4 King James Version (KJV)
4 Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved.
2 I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord.
3 And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellowlabourers, whose names are in the book of life.
4 Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.
5 Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.
6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.
10 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity.
11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.
12 I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.
13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
14 Notwithstanding ye have well done, that ye did communicate with my affliction.
15 Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only.
16 For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity.
17 Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account.
18 But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God.
19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
20 Now unto God and our Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
21 Salute every saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren which are with me greet you.
22 All the saints salute you, chiefly they that are of Caesar's household.
23 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
Comments
Post a Comment