What is an Apostle?

  In this teaching you will discover the biblical doctrine teaching of an apostle and a disciple. Many believers have interpreted that the apostle and a pastor or the preacher are the same in our modern society. The most common text use to demonstrate their doctrine view of an apostle is founded in 1Corinthian 12:28 where the apostle Paul wrote to the church of Corinthian this way: And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, administrating, and various kinds of tongues.

  The text has a lot to bring clarification because it appear to say apostles as an order in the church of Christ, however we are to understand that when the apostle Paul wrote this letter to the church, he was still alive as an apostle. An apostle is some one who walk with Christ during the time the Lord has his ministry on earth, and bear witness to his death and resurrection, and was chosen by Christ himself. In Mathew 10:1-2 we can see the Lord choosing his twelve disciples who also became his apostle, [And he called to him his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out and to heal every disease and every affliction. The name of the twelve apostles are these: first Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother, Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Mathew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus, Simon the cananaean, and Judas Iscariot who betrayed him].

    The Lord choose his main twelve disciples because the number twelve always simbolyze the twelve tribes of Israel, but later on we can see the Lord choosing more so it would be more easier to spread the gospel of his kingdom and to have more than twelve to bear witness of his death and his resurrection. Remember what the apostle Paul wrote that Jesus was seen by 500 people and then He reveled himself to him. In the gospel of Luke 10:1 it is been recorded like this: [After this the Lord appointed seventy two into every town and place where he himself was about to go].

    The second point is that the apostle mission was never to make apostles but to make disciples according to Mathew 28:16-20 it is been recorded: [Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of age].

     The apostle Peter insisted to replace the absence of Judas Iscariot into some one who has bear witness of Christ dead and resurrection. In Act 1:21-22 [So one of the men who have accompanied us during all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, beginning from the baptism of John until the day he was taken up from us- one of these men must become with us a witness to his resurrection].

     When we read a little more in verse 26 after they cast lots on them, Matthias was numbered with the eleven apostle. Then the apostle Paul was the last chosen by God himself according to 1 Corinthians 9:1. The pastor who is call to teach and preach the gospel are not apostle because they did not walk with Jesus Christ while he was ministering here on earth, neither they seen him. In the church of Christ, there is so many people that are calling themself  an apostle, and many people are deceived by their teaching. It is very important to always study any text in the context that was written, and more important to always have at least two to three text that can support the teaching in order to form a healthy doctrine.

    Many churches in the last days will have false teachings and false prophets who will arise up and deceive many. They will use text that they have interpreted in their own understanding to prove that, because [the apostle Paul said that] it is written to support their doctrine. Many of them will come to bring a [massages] of peace, prosperity, blessing, impartation, and they will be more focus to rebuke the devil, rather then preaching the gospel the way that the apostle preached supporting the cross of Jesus, his suffering, his death and the resurrection for those who has not heard it yet. Many will come like a sheep and many will come giving a satisfying [massages] of blessings and sowing seeds in order to bring a telemarketing gospel in the church of Christ.

  Dear Friend:

  The time we are living are very critical in the last days, the only three way to know if some one is teaching a false doctrine is by be born again, that is very important because the Spirit of God is the divine person who can lead you and teach you. The second way is by been fill with the Holy Spirit, and the third way is by spending time study the bible. If you are not a believer I invite you to receive the gift of eternal life, where ever you are pray this prayer of faith in a loud voice.

  Dear Lord Jesus:

  Thank you for taking my place on the cross, forgive me for all of my sins, come into my heart and be my Lord and Savior for ever, write my name in the book of life and show me how to live for your glory. In your holy name, Amen.

The Chosen Vessel

 

 The Apostle Paul made an excellence statement of the vessels that God want to use in order to bring and carry His glory in the world. There is only one type of vessel God want to use in order to accomplish His plan and purpose here on earth. In (2 Corinthian 4:7-10) said: But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. There are many vessels, but only one type of vessel will be use in order for God to accomplished a very important task in the divine assignments. Listen to what many vessels are saying in the church of Christ:

 1) The Tall Vessel said: Because I am the tallest one, I have a beautiful shape, looking like a model. I am the chosen vessel to bring the beauty of the glory of Christ, until I can reach the heaven. The people will value me in how much I grow in the grace of His knowledge. My flowers in my vessel are the greenest and prettiest to fulfill God's plan, because of my beauty ways of speaking and capacity to win souls for Jesuschrist.

2) The Biggest Vessel said: The size of my vessel is the biggest! I have a better potential than any other vessel to impact the world, because God does not discriminate anyone for their physical shape. The only thing God want from me is my willingness to impact the world. My talents and gifts may lead a great multitude to Christ, because I have all the provisions that I needed to build places, and to show mercy to those that are in need. The people will value me in how much I grow in the grace of His knowledge. My flowers in my vessel are green and pretty, because I care for the poor and the needed one, with my experience I will be the chosen vessel to carry and bring glory to Christ.

3) The Medium Vessel said: I am the simplest vessel! The only thing I am interested is to hear the word of God. Who care to be the chosen one? All of you are crazy to waste time to make division among you, If we all come into agreement follow Jesus teaching, cast out demons, help the poor, proclaim the gospel you will be full filling part of His plan. The people will see me and adore me as the simplest vessel,because I don't complicate anything.

The Small Vessel said: Because I am the smallest vessel! I am the most productive one. I am always diligent serving, by organize all the special events, and making sure that everything is in order, mean time everyone of you has gone to enjoy your love one. A little while ago, I was rewarded by my church and people who saw all my hard efforts. I received two honorable beautiful flowers stick into my vessel. The people will value me in how much I grow in the grace of His knowledge, because I am the most organize person who can bring quality presentation of the gospel of Jesuschrist. I will be the chosen vessel for this particular mission.

5) The Rejected Vessel said: Hi, I am the most rejected vessel, but my mission is to glorify Jesuschrist at any cost. I don't want any temporary rewards, or to be popular for what I can do, but what God can do through me. I only desire His power, and His strenght in order to accomplish His dream and purpose. I may not have any education, or talents that can impress anyone, but I am willing to be obedient and carry His glory according to (2 Corinthian 4:7-10). The power of the Holy Spirit is my eternal gift and it is sufficient to impact the world. I will be chosen by God, and not by men to carry the death of the cross in order for me to receive His reward and His applause when I get to heaven.

 The chosen vessels is the one that God choose to carry and bring His glory. Many Churches has made a terrible mistake, by choosing people by their own, and not seeking God directions in order to be lead by the Spirit to chose the minister in the church. Many people value their characters by some of their deeds that shows that they can be trust wordy. However when persecutions and trials come for the word of God, they panic in fear. Instead of continuing in perseverance in their faith, they run away and they are not willing to give their life as a living sacrifice for Jesuschrist.

 They will put some excused to avoid persecutions by asking the Lord to bless them, prosper them, restore them, and healing them. They don't consider the cost of been His disciples. They wanted to go in the front line because they think that they are ready to accomplish God's plan. Notice that vessel #1,2,4, they all have in common to glorify God and concern to be the chosen vessels, but they are not ready to go to the front line battle because they are not fill with the Holy Spirit, and they are not willing to surrend their life daily to Jesus and to suffer persecutions. They want to minister in their comfort zone were they don't have to pay the price by not been able to loose their jobs, home, and been able to have some of those mockers to make fun of their faith. The vessel #3 is not a believer, and the vessel #5 is the only one that can demonstrate the glory of Christ by his genuine willingness to face persecutions and to depend in His power, and persevere in the faith no matter what struggle or trouble may be facing.

 Dear Friend:

  The Lord Jesus is coming sooner than what anyone can think. The body of Christ should be seeking for His power daily, and be willing to follow Him at any cost, because this time left will be gone and is only temporary. The worst thing anyone can do, because of lawlessness is to kill this temporary body, but we have a better reward in heaven. If anyone kill this temporary body, they are doing a good favor because no worries, sickness, you and I will not to worry to find a job to pay your bills. The wisest thing to do is to surrender completely to Christ and let Him accomplish His will in the chapter of your life. Remember that when the wicked come to see face to face the Almighty God, two books will be open, the book of life, and the book of their deeds and they will be judge according to their deeds. If their names are not written in the book of life, they will suffer eternal separation for rejecting the Son of God, Jesuschrist.



The Biblical Teaching Of A Successful Fishermen

 As a followers of Jesus we are commanded to make disciples. The Lord commanded (Mt 28:19-20) "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and Son and the Holy Spirit, (V20) [teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and, I am with you always, even to the end of age". Amen]

 Many believers has interpreted that a real victory and success has to do with the amount of work and people they can either witness or win and baptize. The bible teaches that a real victory and success by God standards has anything to do with the amount but by the quality of the presentation of the gospel, and the command to obey all of His command. In (V20) we can see that Jesus did not just commanded to believe in him and be baptize, but to obey all of His command. Why it is so important to comprehend this true? because in Jesus time, the exact problem existed, in (John 3:25-27) Then there arose a dispute between some of John's disciples and Jesus about purification. And they came to John and said to him, "Rabbi, He who was with you beyond the Jordan, to whom you have testified behold, He is baptizing, and all are coming to Him!" (V27) John answered and said, "A man can receive nothing unless it has been given to him from heaven.

 There was a dispute among them because the Jews was concern that the Lord Jesus was baptizing and getting followers. Their jealousy was not base into agreement to get people to follow Him, but the competition or a concern that the people began to follow Jesus teaching instead of the Jews teaching. It is obvious that their concern was to make numbers of people and become successful by the amount of people they can witness and baptize. The biblical successful fishermen are clear, that not always it is easy to make disciples. The command of making disciples in (Mt 28: 19-20) it is not only to make believers and baptize them, but to  teach them to observe, obey, keep all of His commandment. In (V20) Did Jesus said some or all of His commandment? It is clear that He said all of His commandment.

  During the time I was able to witness to people, with the group in my previous church I was fellowship, I was able to see contentment in their faces when they were getting results of souls they  won for the Lord. Other time, there was some experience ,were people was not sure of their salvation. Other time was experience were people, were not ready to make any decision to accepted Jesus as their Lord and savior. When there was no results of people not coming to Christ, I was watching their faces without not many joy, hopeless and not much contentment. I can guaranteed that there was frustrations, and hopeless feelings, because they have interpreted or define that victories or success has to do with the amount of people they can witness or win for the kingdom of heaven.

 The Scriptures never guaranteed that as followers of Jesuschrist, we are going to be successful or victorious by the amount of souls we can gain. The true successful biblical fishermen understand that there is four type of ground recorded in (Mt 13: 1-23), and that there is no guaranteed that everyone will hear the voice of the Lord for salvation. We are to understand that every soul has a freedom of will, when presenting the plan of salvation, we must do it with a humble heart and fill with the Holy Spirit. Sometimes, when there is no results to win souls, it could be an opportunity to plant the seed, and not necessarily to reap in the harvest.

The most important part of this teaching is that the biblical victory and success has not  anything to do with the amount of people you and I can gain, but the quality of the presentation of the gospel by obeying and keeping Jesus teaching. The Lord said in (Mt 7: 21-23) "Not every one who says to Me, 'Lord,'Lord', shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. "Many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord', have we not prophesied in your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name? (V23) "And then I will declare to them, "I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness! In this particular text, it is indicating that there was an amount of group of people who will claim, their attendance, proclaiming the gospel, casting out God's enemies spirits, doing good deeds of healings and wonders, However these group of people their names are not written in the book of life, and has not follow and obey Jesus command by receiving Him as their Lord and savior.

 The biblical successful fishermen understand that no one come to Christ unless it is been draw by the Holy Spirit to Christ for salvation. In (John 6:44-45,65) No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day. (V45) "It is written in the prophets, And they shall all be taught by God". Therefore everyone who has heard and learned from the Fathers comes to Me. Again Jesus repeated Himself in His teaching, (V65) And He said, "Therefore I have said to you that no one can come to Me unless it has been granted to him by My Father. This is one of the reason why as a followers of Jesus, we are commanded to be fill with the Holy Spirit.

The biblical successful fishermen understand that the work of convicting the world of sin, and righteousness, and judgment according to (John 16:8) it is not ours, but the Holy Spirit job. Our work is not to convict, but to plant the seed of the gospel. Weather we have results of people getting save or not, it is not our responsibility, but to obey the Lord command. Many believers have define victories and success by the amount of work they do, however we can do a lot work and still not give the proper interpretation of the quality of the presentation of a true followers of Jesuschrist. The Lord Jesuschrist was not able to make more disciples in the amount of attendance after all the energy, time, and sacrificial efforts He maded to teach the path of salvation and His command. 

  After Jesuschrist die and rose from the dead, only a total of hundred and twenty persevere in His teaching. In (Acts 1:14-15) Listen to what it is written in the word of God: These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers. (V15) And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples altogether the number of names was about a hundred and twenty,and said. A very important question should be arise out, Where are all the large crowd, or great multitudes that followed Him at? Jesus  was preaching the gospel of the kingdom, healing all kinds of sickness, (Mt 4:23-25). Where are all the people that came to hear His teaching at, that He also fed? In the first one there was 5,000 people (Mt 14:21) this is not including women and children's. The second multitude Jesus fed was 4,000 people recorded in (Mt 15:38) not counting women and children's. Where are they? and I can continue to mention more, but this should be enough to demonstrate that the command to make multitude, it is not necessarily the biblical success and victories of the church of Christ, but of those who truly want to keep His command just like the rest of the a hundred of twenty people did in the past.

  The biblical successful fishermen understand that if they are able to reap during the harvest time, is because it cost someone else persecution, suffering, mistreated. In (John 4:37-38) "For in this the saying is true: "One sows and another reaps", (V38) " I sent you to reap that for which you have not labored; Others have labored, and you have entered into their labors". This is the biblical victory and success by obeying and keeping His commandment. Before Jesuschrist die on the cross, He mentioned many time that even then He was going to die on the cross, He also mentioned His victory because He did what His Father commanded to do. The biblical successful fishermen understand, that neither the one who labor, or the one who reap is anything, but the Lord.

   Dear Friend:

  The Lord Jesuschrist is coming soon! Are you ready to be with Him forever? He is knocking at the door of your heart, and He is giving you an invitation. The first step for salvation is to invite Him to come into your life, to save you, and forgive you from all of your sins and be your Lord for ever. Then the second step is to find a church, be baptize and follow Jesus instructions in the bible.

Christ Singular Second Coming

 This is the time than ever before, were false Christs, prophets, false doctrines, and wonders will arise up in order to destroy the solid foundation of Jesus Christ teaching. In this teaching I will demonstrate other words that are employed to Christ singular second coming, but before I begin the teaching, I wanted to go back to the book of Daniel (9:24) when God said to Daniel [Seventy weeks"] is determine upon thy people.

 This part of the prophecy of [ "Seventy weeks" ] were the seventy periods of exactly seven years, of 490 years that became literal. There would be 69 sevens (483 years) from the command to [ rebuild Jerusalem] until [ the coming of Messiah ]. Daniel (9:25) Afterwards the city of Jerusalem and the sanctuary [ the temple ] would be destroyed. Dan (9:26)

  The key in this part of the prophecy to observe is the command [ to rebuild Jerusalem ] until the [ coming of Messiah ]. Notice that in this text is talking about [ rebuilt, or restoration ]. The first temple was built by king Solomon, not rebuilt or restore. The temple that Daniel is referring is the second temple in this part of the prophecy and the first coming of the Messiah. Now why it is so important to go on detail in this part of the prophecy? because this is one of the false doctrine that has been arise up in the church of Christ, were many believers has been teaching that the first Seven years of Daniel the church will be Rapture, and Christ will return Seven years later to get those left behind in the third coming. Another reason why it is so important to comprehend this true, is because there will be a false Christ that will arise up to do false signs and wonders. He will declare to the world that he is the Messiah.

 In the bible God said that my people perish because of the lack of knowledge. The Lord Jesus before He was crucify, He was in Jerusalem. In (Mt 24:2) the Lord said to His disciple: "Assuredly, I say to you, not one stone shall be left here upon another, that shall not be thrown down. The question in this text, which city and temple Jesus prophecy the destruction? The destruction is in agreement with Daniel prophecy. This part of the prophecy was fulfilled when the Romans destroyed the city of Jerusalem and the second temple in 70 A.D.

 The other part of the prophecy of Daniel's final Seven year period ( or 70th week) is recorded in (9:27) of the book of Daniel. What are the event involve of Daniel final Seven years? The first is a covenant with Israel, of peace and security agreement. The second is the great falling, or the apostasy. In the land of Israel there is a organization that is working to train priest to make sacrifices and the preparation of the furniture (the pieces) for the altar. There is no need for that because Jesus made the ultimate sacrifice on the cross. The church of Christ out of 6 to 7 worship songs, maybe one time the name of Jesus and the work of the cross is mentioned. The name of Jesus Christ in most churches has been excluded and less exalted. The work of the Holy Spirit has been avoided in most churches. Could that be the exact great falling away the apostle Paul wrote in (2 Tess. 2:3)? The answer is yes.

 The church of Christ are to remember that God said that at the name of Jesus every tongue and knees will bow down and confess that Jesus is the Lord. The issue is not the name of God, Lord, Immanuel, Jehovah Shalom, and any other name the scripture will refer to the sovereign Lord of the universe, but if Jesus Christ will be exalted, worship,and accepted as the Lord and savior. The third event is the reconstruction of the third temple. The third temple is the preparation for the fourth event, which is the arise of the world ruler call the Anti Christ. The bible does not give us name who he is, and how he look like, but the bible teach us where and when the Anti Christ will be reveled.

  The Lord Jesus reveled to His disciples of the Abomination of Desolation recorded in (Mt 24:15). Notice that this important event are also parallel to Daniel (9:27). The Anti Christ will show up right in the middle of the last Seven years of Daniel. He will be in Jerusalem at the temple causing the great tribulation, which is the persecution to the faithful remnant Jews. The fifth event is tied together is the two witness in the land of Israel. They will be proclaiming the word of God, and their duration of their ministry is the exact 1,260. (Rev. 11:3)

  The singular Christ second coming is very important to be comprehend, because there will be a false coming of Messiah, who will perform signs and wonders as well. The word coming is the Greek word [ Paraousia ]. However there is other three word that are employed to Christ second coming, and it is very important to comprehend this true. The first word is the Greek word [ erchomai ] translated coming. The Lord Jesus said in (Mt 16:28) " Assuredly, I say to you, there are some standing here who shall not taste death till they see the Son of Man coming [ erchomai ] in His kingdom.

  The second word employed is [ apokalypsis] translated coming or revelation. Its basic meaning is to disclose or bring to light. There is a disclosure bringing light of the Lord Jesus by men who were under the controlling influence of Holy Spirit. When the Apostle John wrote the rest of the end time prophecy in (Rev 1:10) he was in the [Spirit ] on the Lord's Day. The apostle John was the scribe, but the Author of the book of Revelation  is the Lord Jesus. (Rev 1: 1).  The Apostle Paul wrote in (1 Cor. 1:7) so that you come short in no gift eagerly waiting for the revelation [ apokalypsis, coming] of our Lord Jesus Christ.

 The final word is [epiphaneia] is indicating a visible manifestation of a hidden deity. It could be either in person or by some great act through which his presence is reveled. The bible indicates that Christ will come with great glory and power in the old and new testament it is written. The Apostle Paul wrote in (2 Tim. 4:1) this way: I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing [ epiphaneia] and His kingdom.

 These three different words that are employed in connection with Christ singular second coming, many believers has interpreted as to prove two separate comings. The Greek word echomai [coming], apokalypsis [coming or revelation], and epiphaneia [ appearing] are not describing two comings, they are words employed to describe different aspects of Christ's singular coming. The word [ Paraosia] coming use by the disciple in (Mt 24:3) is evident that they clearly understood that there is only one second coming. The Greek word Paraousia is translated [Para] mean with, and [ousia] mean being. It is an arrival of the consequent presence with.

 There is two different comings and a very careful observation must be done. The bible recorded an arrival, coming or [Paraousia] of the world ruler who will declare to the world that he is the Messiah. (2 Thess 2:9) he will performed miracles and signs, that even the elect will deceive if possible. He will make fire come down from heaven according to (Rev 13:13). The second arrive is recorded in (Lk 21:25-28) the stars will fall down compare to (Rev 6:12-13) the sun and the moon meaning that Jesus will not touch the earth, there is the preparation set up with the cosmic for His coming.The apostle Paul also wrote that Christ will come as thief in the night, meaning that no one will not know the exact day and hour.

 A thief never tell  the victim when  is the time he will perform his duty to steal. Also, anyone who has been robbed knows that a thief goal is to steal as quit as possible and then disappear. That is the idea of the Rapture, it is true that the word Rapture has never appear in the bible, because this word come from the Latin [ Raptus ] meaning " a dragging or taking away, a violent rending. The new testament was translated into the Greek language. The two [ Paraousia ] are different and one is to perform Satan works or duties, and the other one is to accomplished two purpose to Rapture the church, and to judge the wicked.

 Dear Friend:

  The time is getting near of the second coming of the false Messiah, and the truth Messiah. The bible has been written over 2,000 years and has been carefully preserve until this generation. The Lord could not be in error, when He declare specific events that must happen before He come. It is important for the church of God to be faithful to Christ, and to continue the proclamation of the gospel until the end.  If you are reading this massage and are not save, this true will not make any different until you personally asked the Lord Jesus Christ to save you, cleanse you from all of your sin, and to come into your life and be your Lord and savior.



A Clear Understanding Of God Grace

 The meaning of God grace has been miss interpreted  in most of the churches. The idea behind the scene has brought to our modern christian culture an error of the gospel. Is the idea that a child of God can constantly walk in disobedience toward God,because we live under His grace, and not under the law. This is a very dangerous believe system that can destroy relationships with God,and others, and ultimately will affect the calling of the ministry. The truth is yes we live under God grace, yes is true we are not living under the law, but we are still missing the Lord's point.

  The church of Christ are to be set apart, in another word sanctify by God. The Lord Jesus before He accomplished His ministry to die for the sins of the world, He pray this important prayer in (John 17:14-19). "Sanctify them by your truth. Your word is truth. "As you sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. "And for their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they also may be sanctified by the truth. The most important part of this massage is to be able to understand, that part of God grace for the church of Christ, is for Him to be able to set us apart, or sanctify us if you prefer so we can walk in His truth. The (V19) when is saying [They also may be sanctified by the truth], mean to be set apart, or separated from anything that is not true, false or counterfeit from God's direction.

   The church of Christ has a calling to walk in holiness. We have the responsibility to guard our conduct to those that are watching us. Weather or not the world accept our testimony, we still have the calling to proclaim the gospel. Our conduct say more than words, will a child of God be perfect? The answer is no. One thing the Lord expected is that when He point out a sin, He want our willingness to confess it and to turn away from it. This is the gap that most modern christian culture churches are preaching, they confess their sins but on and on continue to walk in disobedience toward God. This is the most critical part of the grace of God, that is been preach in most churches.

  The grace of God become in their meaning to get a  license to sin every time they want to, because God will forgive them from all of their sins, that they do on purpose. The bible call that kind of walking prideness and arrogancy. In the book of Samuel there is an important view between this two men. In (1 Sam 13: 13-14) King Saul was chosen by God to reign because the people asked for a king. However God answered their petition, lets make a close observation what this men of God did. In chapter (13:13-14) And Samuel said to Saul, "You have done foolishly. You have not kept the commandment of the Lord your God, which He commanded you. For now the Lord would have established your kingdom over Israel forever. But now your kingdom shall not continue. The Lord has sought for himself a man after His own heart, and the Lord has commanded him to be commander over His people, because you have not kept what the Lord commanded you".

  What causes God to decided not to even answer to Saul request prayer? The answer is his arrogancy and disobedience toward God. He clearly knew what God asked him to do, and still choose to walk in rebellion toward God. Even he was living under the law, God still show Saul His grace and gave him the opportunity to continue to do his task. Saul decision still was to walk in disobedience toward God, into a point that the Lord decided not to use him any longer to do other important assignment. In chapter 14:35 we can see how he was walking spiritually in the sight of God. Remember that he was anointing and his spiritual walk was not pleasing the Lord. (V35) Then Saul built an altar to the Lord. This was the first altar that he built to the Lord. In chapter 15 if we read the hole chapter we can see that he choose to disobey God. In (V 10,11) Now the word of the Lord came to Samuel saying "I greatly regret that I have set up Saul as king, for he has turned back from following Me, and has not performed My commandments". And it grieved Samuel and he cried out to the Lord all night.

  The arrogancy caused Saul not to be used by God, because he decided to sin against God knowing exactly what God asked him to do. His disobedience bring a lot of consequences he was rejected by God to serve Him, his son did not became king, and his daughter became unfruitful to race descendant. The Lord choose David because even then God knew that he was going to sin against Him, the Lord saw a humble heart and willingness to turn away from the sin. The king David was willing to obey God at any cost. The king David understood that God grace was not meant to continue to walk in his transgressions. This is a men after God heart, he understood his sinful nature. In (Roman 3:23) For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. He clearly understood that because he confess in Psalm 51:5 that he was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin his mother conceived him.

   It is so interested that David clearly understood that the Lord will not accept any burnt offering and sacrifice until he truly repent from his sin. The Psalm 51:16-17 said: For you do not desire sacrifice, or else I would give it; you do not delight in burnt offering. (V17) The sacrifices of God are a broken Spirit, a broken and contrite heart - These, O God, you will not despise. He understood that he would not prosper in his life until he made the commitment not to just confess the sin, but to turn away from it. In (V 12,13) Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me by your generous Spirit. Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, And sinners shall be converted to you.

Dear Friend:

 The grace of God is not meant to be that I can sin against God knowing that He is pointing out a specific sin that most need to be confess it and to turn away from it. The grace of God is not meant to be to justify my sinful conduct, but an opportunity to use His grace to asked the Lord Jesus Christ to forgive me for all of my sins and plead him not to allow me to fall into temptation.

The Glorious Hope

  In the same way people in the old testament, for the first coming of the Messiah, the church of Christ should be waiting for that future Hope. The prophecy of His first coming were full filled. He came as a Lamb, and die for the sins of the world on the cross. In His second coming which is in the new testament, the church should be looking forward for that glorious hope.

  This should not be a time for distress, but a time for celebration of that future hope. The Apostle Paul wrote in (Rom 5:2-5) through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance: and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope those not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

  The power of rejoicing during time of trouble will be strenght to our hope. It will help us to look forward to that future hope of His coming. The Apostle Paul wrote (Philiphian 4:4) to rejoice always in the Lord. The time of trouble will always bring an opportunity to trust the Lord. The (V2) the text demonstrate that the believer has access by faith into His grace. The time of trouble help us to persevere during difficulties in life. In (V3) the text demonstrate to help the believers, to maintain our non negotiated conviction and to stand firm no matter what. The time of trouble give you a living hope, that something good will come out and that is our intervention from God.

  The glorious hope always speak about the deliverance of the believer in trouble time. The more is our affliction, the greater is our deliverance. If we remember, when Israel was in Egypt, they were in slavery, mistreated, and afflicted. As soon as they cry out to God, the Lord descended to respond their prayer and to deliver them. The bible teach that our glorious hope is the Lord Jesus. That is exactly what He will do in His second coming. He will descend from heaven, and He will deliver His people.

The Nature Of The Curse

 The decision of obeying God will always bring blessing. In chapter 28 of  Deuteronomy, the Lord communicate to Moses the blessing or the cursing for those who choose to obey or disobey the Lord. The two primary reason of divine judgment Curse, is for the abandonment and disobedience towards God's command.

  In Malachi chapter 3:7-9 Yet from the days of yours fathers you have gone away from My ordinances and have not kept them. Return to Me, and I will return to you, says the Lord of hosts. "But you said, In what way shall we return? (V8) "Will a man rob God? Yet you have robbed Me! But you say, "In what way have we robbed you? In the tithes and offerings. [ You are Cursed with a Curse, for you have robbed Me, Even this whole nation]. The Lord communicate in (V7) two things: They have gone away, [meaning abandonment] and did not kept them. [meaning disobedience].

  The Curse never come by obeying God command, but by man disobedience toward God. The book of Malachi has a very important spiritual principle and application for God's chosen people. The church of Christ is God's chosen people in the same way as the people of Israel. There are two different type of Curses for believer and none believer. Every child of God has been promised eternal salvation, in (Rom 8:1) There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. The believer that is not walking in obedient, cannot be Curse to experience eternal separation. However the believer that is not walking in obedience cannot experience the blessing of His  Joy, His peace, His supernatural intervention in trouble time, and will experience spiritual and physical poverty. Notice that God mentioned this type of Curse, to His chosen people who knew Moses law and the command. In (V7) God said to them to return to Him and He will return to them. It is clear that He was speaking to those who knew His truth.

  The other type of Curse is the one that the wicked people will experience for rejecting the salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. In (Mt 25:41) Then He will also say to those on the left hand, Depart from Me, [You Curse] into everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels. This type of Curse is eternal separation for not obeying the gospel.

  The Curse it is a divine judgment and only God is assign to send His judgment. The believer in Christ are not commanded to Curse anyone, but to bless those who do wrong to us. In (Mt 5:44) "But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who Curse you, do good to those who hate you and persecute you. We are to reflect God's glory no matter were we are. The book of Jame speak of our wrong behavior and use of the tongue. The Apostle Jame speak of the tongue in (3:9-10) saying: With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we Curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God. (V10) Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so.  

  Every time a believer choose to walk in disobedience toward God, that is a powerful weapon for Satan to steal their blessing. He knows that he cannot take away your salvation, but he knows how can he destroy your testimony into a point were God cannot use you into a specific task that God want to get done through you. He not only can destroy your testimony, but he is always looking reason to accuse you in the presence of God. It is better not to give him any reason.

 The wicked people practice this type of blasphemy that Jame speak of the wrong use of their tongue, because they are in darkness, and dead in their transgressions. In (Rom 3:13-14) "Their throat is an open tomb, with their tongues they have practiced deceit; "The poison of asps is under their lips, (V14) "Whose mouth is full of Cursing and bitterness. The Apostle Peter speak of their nature (2 Pet 2:14) having eyes full of adultery and that cannot cease from sin, enticing unstable souls. They have a heart trained in covetous practices, and are accursed children.  

 When a child of God choose to obey Him, they will experience His supernatural intervention because God is always faithful to those who walk in obedient. I like to share my testimony with His provision. The Lord allow me to experience His supernatural intervention in my rent. I am unemploy since July, I did not know if I will have the rent money ready for the beginning of the month in this year. The unemployment check cover my rent, but does not cover the rest of my expenses. The Lord intervene in a supernatural intervention, He provide for my rent and to pay the rest of my expenses. He even gave me more than what I was expecting. This is the result of my obedient to bring my tithe and offering to the altar, and because I am walking by faith and not by sight, the Lord made that intervention and this miracle it can be prove that came from God.

Dear Friend:

 If you are a believer the only thing I can witness to you is that God is faithful, but there are requirement and that is our obedient to Him. If you are not a believer this massage will not do any good until you ask the Lord Jesus to come to your life save you, and be your Lord for ever.