Most important weekend of the year 2016

Assembled together on the night before he died, Jeshua and his disciples and closest friends came together in an upper room to celebrate the Passover meal.  They recalled the great story of deliverance: how the people of Israel had been freed from bondage and slavery by God’s power through the prophet Moses.  They remembered how the blood of the lamb marked the lintel and doorposts so that the Angel of Death would pass by the people as it brought devastation to the land of Egypt.  They ate the unleavened bread, mindful that the Israelites were in such a hurry to depart Egypt that their own bread had not yet risen.

That night the 14th of Nisan is one Jesus wanted to be remembered for an other occasion as well. Not only had his followers to remember the deliverance of God’s Chosen People, the Israelites, but now their rabbi had opened they way for others than Jews.

By his own example the sent one from God showed how his followers had to become servants for God and for the People of God. Like Jesus had called for people to follow him, the apostles had to come to do so too. They too had to become as humble as Christ was. As a sign of humbleness Jesus washed the feet of his disciples. The work which is reserved for servants Jesus did and he also asked them to do the same for one another.  There is no ambiguity in this moment, no chance to say it is merely a symbol.  Christ shows them what to do and tells them to do it (John 13:1-15); the path that leads to freedom from sin and death is marked by our care for our brothers and sisters.  Simply put, our lives are meant to be offered for others – giving ourselves in service.

In the end, in life which passes so quickly and everything is vanity (like Solomon writes in today’s reading – Ecclesiastes 1) everything turns around “Giving and Receiving”.  We all have received the Grace of God by the sent one from God, who is the son of man and the son of God, who gave his life for our sins.

Like Jesus offered himself as a lamb of God to have his blood as a signpost to deliver us from the punishment of death, we too should offer our lives as we are strengthened by the Messiah and are giving life-spirit by the blood of Christ, being partakers in the Body of Christ.

Thanks to the ransom offer brought by Jesus God blesses us with the gift of life and faith so that we in turn might be a gift to those around us.

As God commanded to remember the night the firstborns of Israel where saved so also Jesus asked his followers to remember the day he gave his body and poured out his blood for the salvation of mankind.

Long before the Mosaic Law covenant was altered, Jehovah foretold through the prophet Jeremiah that He would make with the nation of Israel “a new covenant.”

32 It will not be like the covenant that I made with their forefathers on the day I took hold of their hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt,+ ‘my covenant that they broke,+ although I was their true master,’* declares Jehovah.”

33 “For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days,” declares Jehovah. “I will put my law within them,+ and in their heart I will write it.+ And I will become their God, and they will become my people.”+(Jeremiah 31:32, 33)

Stained glass image of the Lamb of God (Agnus Dei) with a Christian banner. photo by John Workman in St. Ignatius church in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Throughout history we have seen how God made Himself a people. For a very long time it was for the People of Israel that there was a covenant on which they could count. One of the regulations or demands was to remember how the exodus from Egypt was made possible. That putting of blood at the doorposts could also considered as a signature of choosing for God, which made it possible to be passed over for damnation or destruction. After that event there was still a need of offers to be brought to the temple or synagogue. But on the 14th of Nisan Jesus spoke about an other offer which would not have to be repeated any more and which would be sufficient for all times. though that offer would not take away the remembrance of the liberation marks.

Jesus came to institute and Evening Meal on Nisan 14, 33 C.E. Speaking of the cup of wine, he told his 11 faithful apostles:

“This cup means the new covenant by virtue of my blood, which is to be poured out in your behalf.” (Luke 22:20)

Matthew’s account quotes Jesus as saying regarding the wine:

“This means my ‘blood of the covenant,’ which is to be poured out in behalf of many for forgiveness of sins.” (Matt. 26:27, 28)

Jesus’ shed blood validates the new covenant. That blood also makes possible the forgiveness of sins once and for all time.

A few years later the apostle Paul would remind the new followers

14 Therefore, my beloved ones, flee from idolatry.+ 15 I speak as to men with discernment; judge for yourselves what I say. 16 The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a sharing in the blood of the Christ?+ The loaf that we break, is it not a sharing in the body of the Christ?+ 17 Because there is one loaf, we, although many, are one body,+ for we are all partaking of that one loaf. (1 Corinthians 10: 16-17)

On that special intimate night rabbi Jeshua had taken the bread and the wine.

26 As they continued eating, Jesus took a loaf, and after saying a blessing, he broke it,+ and giving it to the disciples, he said: “Take, eat. This means my body.”+(Matthew 26:26)

19 Also, he took a loaf,+ gave thanks, broke it, and gave it to them, saying: “This means my body,+ which is to be given in your behalf.+ Keep doing this in remembrance of me.”+(Luke 22:19)

Notice how Jesus says

Keep doing this in remembrance of me.

The blood+ of the covenant,+ which is to be poured out in behalf of many+ for forgiveness of sins + should, like the blood of the lambs for the liberation of the Jews from the Egyptian slavery, be contributed to the heathen or pagan people who are willing to come under the blood of Christ, whitewashed from sin. But they should remember it and come together, more than once in a year, because Jesus asks it to do it often and whenever we do it to do it in remembrance of him.

23 For I received from the Lord what I also handed on to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night+ on which he was going to be betrayed took a loaf, 24 and after giving thanks, he broke it and said: “This means my body,+ which is in your behalf. Keep doing this in remembrance of me.”+ 25 He did the same with the cup+ also, after they had the evening meal, saying: “This cup means the new covenant+ by virtue of my blood.+ Keep doing this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.”+  (1 Chorinthians 11: 23-26)

For that reason we should come together today and remember the Exodus out of Egypt, out of slavery of the worldly work, but also the exodus from the slavery of sin and death.

14 “‘This day will serve as a memorial for you, and you must celebrate it as a festival to Jehovah throughout your generations. As a lasting statute, you should celebrate it.(Exodus 12:14)

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Please read also the related articles concerning this special weekend, 14 Nisan and following days:

1. 1 -15 Nisan
2. Yom Hey, Eve of Passover and liberation of many people
3. This day shall be unto you for a memorial and you shall keep it a feast to the Most High God
4. 14-15 Nisan and Easter
5. Days of Nisan, Pesach, Pasach, Pascha and Easter
6. Getting out of the dark corners of this world
7. A Holy week in remembrance of the Blood of life
8. Around the feast of Unleavened Bread
9. The son of David and the first day of the feast of unleavened bread
10. Day of remembrance coming near
11. A new exodus and offering of a Lamb
12. Observance of a day to Remember
13. Jesus memorial
14. Holidays, holy days and traditions
15. Seven Bible Feasts of JHWH
16. White Privilege Conference (WPC) wanting to keep the press out for obvious reasons
17. First month of the year and predictions
18. Entrance of a king to question our position #2 Who do we want to see and to be
19. Death of Christ on the day of preparation
20. A Great Gift commemorated
21. Shabbat Pesach service reading 1/2
22. Passover and Liberation Theology
23. Seven days of Passover
24. Kingdom Visions of Rainbowed angel, Lamb in Mount Zion
25. Kingdom Visions of God’s judgements and Marriage of the Lamb
26. The Song of The Lamb #2 Sevens
27. The Song of The Lamb #7 Revelation 15
28. Why we do not keep to a Sabbath or a Sunday or Lord’s Day #3 Days to be kept holy or set apart
29. Easter holiday, fun and rejoicing
30. Like grasshoppers
31. Peter Cottontail and a Bunny laying Eastereggs
32. Who Would You Rather Listen To?
33. Focus on outward appearances
34. After darkness a moment of life renewal
35. Deliverance and establishment of a theocracy

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Related articles

• An Easter Encouragement
• BEHOLD the Lamb of God – prayer for all pagan nations – prayer for The Jewish Nation
• Editorial: Faith
• When’s Easter?
• The Last Supper was a Passover meal
• God will provide the Lamb.
• Good Friday 3 April AD 33 – Lunar and Solar Eclipses as Christ died on the Cross
• Good Friday
• We are called to a radical obedience
• Passover Tradition

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We wish you a nice memorial day and a holy Pesach

Johannes de Doper wijst Christus aan als het Lam Gods. Ca. 1500-1510 – Saint John the Baptist Pointing Out Christ as the Lamb of God Philadelphia Museum of Art – Master of the Saint John Altarpiece

Let us not fret or worry about next season

Map of Belgium showing the provinces (black lines) and regions (colours). Yellow = Flanders Dutch speaking, Red = Wallonia French speaking, Blue = German-speaking part, Orange = Brussels Capital Region (37 languages). (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Last season we like the Belgian Christadelphians perhaps had set our hopes to much on human beings, hoping they would not be as partial to prohibit brothers and sisters in Christ to join hands and have meetings together.

In the midst of our many activities our minds should have been on the eternal and the magical ways of the universe, trusting God He would be the One Who brings the Chosen ones unto Him. Perhaps we thought of hastening. We thought maybe the business to accelerate by trying to bring the different Christadelphian groups together and by showing our openness to all those who believe in the Only One God.

Marcus Ampe and his ecclesia could not convince Carelinks to share the love of Christ. Also other Christadelphian groups did not want to unite with the man from the North or with Australian Bible Students. We too are somewhat left in the cold, not seeing an opportunity to have many brethren and sisters meeting each other and finding more places in Belgium to Break Bread together.

We stay convinced that we should not show partiality and try to get the impartiality of God in our midst as well. If we take time for books of a spiritual nature, deep conversation, singing songs together, sharing helpful exhortations, watching uplifting movies, our meditations will be much more effective. Our subconscious will also act on what it has been programmed by all day.

We often hear :

Focus on miracles and beauty you get miracles and beautiful situations. Focus on problems and competition and you get more problems, competition and worries.

We, for sure, want to concentrate on the positive, and want to forget soon what happened this year in the Belgian community.

When we heard of the trials of Mr. Ampe we where afraid it could turn wrong. Our fear turned grounded. Certain people are too stubborn and on their own and to much looking for personal gain, so that they would not be ready for such unselfish openness Mr. Ampe presented to them and the different groups.

There’s nothing to be ashamed of when it comes to fail trying to do good or to fear. Fear can be part of a survival instinct, and the Scriptures tell us that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. Still, there is a fear that can overwhelm us at times. There’s a fear that can rob us of faith and trust. Faith and fear are opposites in some Biblical texts. We should not let the fear of being alone or being a small group take us. We are not with many, but this should not frighten us. In the present world it shall become even worse for God fearing people. They will find themselves even more isolated from the rest of the world. Because the world is not interested in God and does not like so much people who love God. We just have to accept that and have to live with it.

Panic can take over when we have our eyes on the worldly things. We had our hopes on a growing community. We did have our hopes on the possibility to offer people living in Oostende, Brugge, Gent and Antwerp to find more people willing to join them. It would have been lovely if we could have send the Bible Students living around the Belgian coast to a Carelinks meeting or to have other brothers and sisters in Christ finding each other so that they could make arrangements to meet each other in their own region.

The apostle Paul knew very well what it meant to be in isolation. He also got to see how important it was not to focus too much on the human beings, but to remember that the peace of God can guard our hearts and minds (Philippians 4:7) whilst we put all our hope to the Most High.

We like Paul wanted all the household churches and all the Christians to be harmonious so that they could stand firm against the opposition as one body. We can listen to him who said:

“4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:4-7 NIV)

Though it did not work out, we should not be sad. Though we still are with few (less than before) , we should be glad in the Lord at all times. We shall not get us depressed and shall show to others that we keep our doors opened to all who want to join us. Like the Belgian Christadelphian ecclesia shall keep her doors open and all the time showed their gentle behaviour, we too shall show our friendliness and love to others, working with them and not against them who show their love for the Only One True God. We do want to be clear to all men, we shall not give in to the doctrines of people and keep to the Word of God, having Christ Jesus as our cornerstone and not one specific human organisation.

We are convinced that Jehovah God is near and that we should not be afraid to stand in the cold, left behind. to our brothers and sisters we also would say:

Have no cares; but in everything with prayer and praise put your requests before God.

We shall keep asking to God that He will guide us and will provide us with the right people to make us grow as a good Christian Community, according to His wishes. We are convinced that in our hopes we shall not have to be saddened but can trust on the peace of God, which is deeper than all knowledge, which will keep our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

For next season we do ask our members not to fret or worry.

Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns.

The coming season we shall continue to show people how human beings made up a church which sought to further define what is meant by the foundational creedal statements she has, at various important moments in history, drawn up creeds, confessions, and catechisms, but how throughout the times several people seriously took the Word of God as the Book of books to follow. We shall continue to give preference to God’s Word as our guide instead of adhering human groups and specific personalities.

When Jesus said

 “You are the light of the world,”

he meant that you and I are to let our lights shine for Jesus.  In the original Greek, Jesus uses the plural meaning

“you all together are the world’s light.”

(We don’t see this in English because we make no distinction between plural and singular.)  Jesus meant Christians corporately are the light, not any one individual. How could any single light brighten this dark world?

As such we still shall try to unit as much people as possible and to show them who Jesus was and is, what role he plays in our sanctification and our possibility to find a better life.

We shall continue to show people that it is not just by faith we shall be saved.
We shall hope we can bring many more to the faith in Christ Jesus. But we shall also show them we do need to live according to that faith we choose. We shall also show them that we need to help each other to reach the goal, so that we when we come in front of the returned Jesus shall be found worthy to enter the Kingdom of God. We shall show the people that  Jesus will judge everyone according to what they have done. (Romans 2:5-6; Matthew 5:22; 7;2;25: 31-45; Revelation 20: 12.13).

Keeping that in mind we shall continuously try to bring more people together under the name of Christ, following his example, doing good, seeking after the glory honor and immortality God offers.

Those who  wanted to live for themselves, have power for them selves, we shall try to bring to a better attitude, showing that we all need together to work for the same good cause, giving ourselves in the Hands of God, obeying the truth and giving full ear to Jehovah God and not preferring human organisations above God His Wishes.

Prayer has comforted us in sorrow and we did find hope in the willingness of the few to continue preaching and going forward trying to unite people in the love of Christ.

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Preceding articles:

An academic year ending, again a new year standing ready for us

Our openness to being approachable

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Read also:

1. God is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him
2. Hope does not disappoint us
3. Focus on outward appearances
4. Walking alone?
5. God doesn’t call the qualified
6. Christadelphian people
7. Not many coming out with their community name
8. Certain people trying to stem freedom of speech
9. Censorship possible by a person and his organisation
10. Attackers silenced freedom of speech
11. A man from the North wanting to have control in Belgium
12. Iranian refugees in Belgium baptised by Carelinks
13. Antwerp Ecclesia
14. Delay in publications because attack from outside
15. Members of the ecclesia uniting and seeking God’s help in tribulation
16. No reconciliation possible between CBM and Duncan Heaster from Carelinks
17. Priority to form a loving brotherhood
18. Cleanliness and worrying or not about purity
19. Prayer, important aspect in our life
20. People who know how to pray to move God to take hold of our affairs in a mighty way
21. Give your worries to God
22. Prayer has comforted us in sorrow
23. Work with joy and pray with love

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Related articles

• Soul-searching questions, by Charles Box (fellowshiproom.org)
  Paul exhorted the Philippian Christians to diligence and seriousness in the Christian life. His teachings to these brethren provide us with some soul searching question.
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  We are required to work out our own salvation. We cannot be saved on the goodness of our parents or the faithfulness others. Salvation is a personal matter and each person must obey God himself.Our obedience begins with our belief in Christ as our Savior, repen­tance of our sinful ways and baptism for the forgiveness of our sins. Our obedience continues as we live according to His word as revealed to us in the New Testament.
• Philippians 2 (King James Version.) The Bible in government. (moralupbringing.com)
  If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, 2 Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be like minded , having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind . 3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. 4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. 5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus
• Fan or Follower? | Part 2 (comeawake.org)
  Don’t be too quick to choose one over the other. Don’t make the mistake of answering this question like all the other questions you’ve been asked by preachers, Sunday School teachers, and Small Group leaders. This isn’t a knowledge-based question. It’s a heart-based question. It’s a conviction-based question. It’s a commitment-based question.
• Find the good, hold fast to it, and be not moved. (madisonamydunne.wordpress.com)
  This week a lot of us had emergency changes because a lot of new missionaries came to our mission from other missions in Peru
  +
  We must read the Bible, realize that He formed it built upon prophets, apostles, and that His church has the authority of God.
• Faith Is Based On Knowledge By Andrew Wommack (zillasnetworks.wordpress.com)
  all things that pertain unto life and godliness are given unto us through the knowledge of God.
  Certainly, faith must be one of those things because without faith it is impossible to please God (Heb. 11:6). So faith must come through the knowledge of God.
• Needs (johnjohnsonsgranddaughter.wordpress.com)
  There are 21 verses from the bible on Needs
  +
  The only thing that I truly need, everyday, more than food and water, is Christ.  But you knew that, right?
• Book of Philippians (brakeman1.com)
  The Greek word for brothers and sisters (adelphoi) refers here to believers, both men and women, as part of God’s family; also in verse 14; and in 3:1, 13, 17; 4:1, 8, 21.
• earth moving principles (mobilisedbygod.wordpress.com)
  It is amazing that many of our opportunities to serve others comes through praying for those opportunities. Nehemiah understood the power of prayer, and so he prayed as soon as he received news of Jerusalem’s continued desolation.
• ‘Not Just a Blonde’: Worrying Steals… (cultureofawareness.com)
  Worrying doesn’t take away tomorrow’s troubles, it steals today’s peace! Worrying is just not a helpful thing to do! Worry keeps us stuck in our fears. It forces us to focus on the negative possibilities and blinds us.
• Fear: The Absence of Peace (inspirationalchristiansfortoday.com)
  When fear is present, peace is absent. Fear robs our peace of mind, weakens our resolve, disturbs our rest, and even causes us to question the presence of God. Fear is an emotion that will hinder our walks with Christ unless we learn to face it and overcome it with the grace of God.

Israel, Fitting the Plan when people allow it

From the start of the universe the awesome giving and protecting  God did have a Plan. But there was man who doubted the rightfulness of the Creator so God did five humanity the allowance to prove it had it to the better end. He had never to be intended to be a dictator, but wanted to be a loving Father. As such He would also liked to be recognised and spoken too. His most beloved son, Jeshua (Jesus) loved his Father and tried to show the world the love of Him and told us to pray to his Father as “Our Father, who is in heaven.”

More than ones God had to face the rebelling creations. Even when they liked to be called People of god, the Israelites more than ones also went against their owner. In history we have seen many times that people revolted against God, but every time He showed His patience. In history God’s peoplewere conquered, taken captive, killed, enslaved, and so forth and so on, but when you look carefully you shall notice that whatever happened God was always with them and when they themselves wanted He was willing to step in and help them.

First century Iudaea Province (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

When time was ripe God did not want to wait any more to send His son to give the world a better prospect. It could take it or leave it. Many did not want to take it. As was planned a peace offering was presented to the Most High God of all, the God of gods. He took on the offering and accepted Jesus as the most complete peace offering. Now He does not need any other offer any more. He only demands that people would turn to Him now and accept His son Jesus, the son of man Jeshua form Nazareth. He allowed Jeshua to be His only mediator, because in him He had found a man who really understood men, because he was one of them, a real son of men. Jesus was willing to come up for the poor, the ill and all those in need. Not only for his fellow Jews? No they had proven they were stubborn and still wanted to go their own way. As long as many of them did not want to repent and accept that Jesus was the Messiah, a saviour born for the whole world, he could not do much for them.

As Jew, Jesus, a man of special capacity and with an outstanding personality, is part of that group of people in the seed of Abraham. He too is part of the chosen, a star in the sky, which brightens up the world and shows everyone over there the way to go.  In him we shall be able to find the best manager and accomplisher of the Word of God

The world still went its own way. After two thousand years still there are lots of people who do not want to see. God is patient and keeps looking down at the world. After that His people were “cleansed” and the world tried to wipe them out, God let the ‘heathen’ people to take care that God’s People could come into their own land Israel. It was allowed to grow, but God’s People did not want to recognise the Hand of God, so they had to feel that they have to earn the land. The Holy Land may be theirs, but they shall have to learn to accept all of God His Creations. Believers, other believers and non-believers, they all make part of the Creation of God. He is it that allows everything to exist. People should not doubt why God allows so much. He has given the man to prove himself.

As Adam and Eve did not want to accept the authority of Jehovah God, today even in Israel there are many who do not want to accept that Higher Authority. They prefer as human beings to exclude other human beings from their world, though they have received their live from the Most High God themselves. They want to own the whole world and be the boss in all situations. They are not prepared to accept Jesus as their King. For the time being God allows them to try to do it on their own way. But He shall not wait for ever. There shall come a moment that God shall give His son the task to return to the world and to judge it. Men may fail, but Jesus nor his Father will. Jesus has proven to be righteous and God is the most righteous of all. And God loving people will be justified. Those who love God and His Word, receive the signs and they shall know the one to follow and everyone who shall believe in this son of God shall be justified, even when they could not be justified by the Mosaic Law.

“38 “Therefore, my brothers, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. 39 Through him everyone who believes is justified from everything you could not be justified from by the law of Moses.” (Acts 13:38-39 NIV)

“4  Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. 5 Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. 6 These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. 7 Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. 8 Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads.” (Deuteronomy 6:4-8 NIV)

Jehovah who appeared to Abram in the first of a series of visions, and bade him leave the country with his family, promising to make of him a great nation, is still going to provide that great nation.

“1 The LORD had said to Abram, “Leave your country, your people and your father’s household and go to the land I will show you. 2 “I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. 3 I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.”” (Genesis 12:1-3 NIV)

God renewed His promise on several occasions and showed His People how His promise would come to fulfilment. The sacredness of Palestine in the esteem of the Jews is partly accounted for by the fact that it was the cradle and sepulcher of their Patriarchs and their “Promised Land” or Ereẓ Yisrael.

“It is a land the LORD your God cares for; the eyes of the LORD your God are continually on it from the beginning of the year to its end.” (Deuteronomy 11:12 NIV)

“The LORD will inherit Judah as his portion in the holy land and will again choose Jerusalem.” (Zechariah 2:12 NIV)

“I will gather all nations and bring them down to the Valley of Jehoshaphat. There I will enter into judgment against them concerning my inheritance, my people Israel, for they scattered my people among the nations and divided up my land.” (Joel 3:2 NIV)

Having tied the Words of God in our heads we do not have to be afraid even when we see all the trouble going on in the Land of Israel. As we see how people are destroying this world, we can form an idea that God is not letting to have His creation to be destroyed, so time shall come near. Now it is up to us to be patient and to accept that stupid human beings want still to go their own way, which would be worthless. We can and should try to protect the environment and we should try to show them other ways to get to a world of peace worth living in. We also should show them that if they do not take care of this world, they shall not be able to destroy the world, but destroy their possibility to live nicely.

The world shall have to be careful and should be aware that it can fall apart. Not only children getting against their parents, also religions against religions, would be some of the signs which would show up when the time was near. We can notice them or we can ignore them. We can be aware of what is happening in the world and react accordingly. No matter how you turn it, people would have to know they shall have to  surrender to the one to whom God has given the right to rule the earth. And Yes, also the Jews, the Israelites, they shall have to be humble enough to give it all in god His hands and to face His son, admitting that he is the only right one to take in the throne of Jerusalem, God’s City.

It may look as if the world is going mad and that it is full of evil. Many people live in fear of terrorists. We have to face many global problems like global warming, financial insecurity and minority groups that rise to power at several places.As in the time of Zecharia the burden of the word of Jehovah shall always be on the land. When to Jehovah shall be the eye of man and of all the tribes of Israel. Jehovah will drive those out who do not belong there.

“1  The word of the LORD is against the land of Hadrach and will rest upon Damascus—for the eyes of men and all the tribes of Israel are on the LORD— 2 and upon Hamath too, which borders on it, and upon Tyre and Sidon, though they are very skilful. 3 Tyre has built herself a stronghold; she has heaped up silver like dust, and gold like the dirt of the streets. 4 But the Lord will take away her possessions and destroy her power on the sea, and she will be consumed by fire. 5 Ashkelon will see it and fear; Gaza will writhe in agony, and Ekron too, for her hope will wither. Gaza will lose her king and Ashkelon will be deserted.” (Zechariah 9:1-5 NIV)

Our futures seem so unpredictable, especially as violence and crime rise – even in our own neighbourhoods. Many people are feeling miserable today because they can not cope or think something bad could happen in the future. their head is so busy to wonder what would or could happen. Instead of trying to get to know God’s Word and to look for the solutions He has given the world in His Word.

Most people do think they own the world and they can regulate everything in it. They do not want to see that  it is up to the Most High Jehovah God to rule the world. We should grasp that both past and future are God’s business, not ours. God has given us today and for that we should be happy and thankful. We should appreciate every day we can get from the Lord most High. We should never let the past or future interfere with our present rejoicing. We can only do one thing at a time in the moment we are in. Whatever moment God has given us — whatever task God has given us — let us do it unto the Lord and savour it.

As God had promised to Abraham that his seed will multiply and that his descendants would receive a city of joy, we should rejoice in that thought and be sure that God will bring it to happen, because God is a God of His word and a God of Truth.  Knowing that Zechariah his a message may also bring our hearts at peace today.

For many the world may seen like it is out of control, but with God’s watchful eye overseeing everything that happens, He will not let it go too far but will intervene at just the right time to save us from destruction, like He has always done in the past. So let’s not let ourselves be worried to much about the things that are happening. God said they would. Instead let them strengthen our faith and make us look forward all the more eagerly to the return of Christ.

The world shall have to face it, all around us, should as us :”Surrender”. Yes surrender, not to the worldly organisations, but to God His government, His Kingdom. Jesus is waiting to embrace all who come to him. We do have to come to live in the right relation with each other, Jesus and his Father because we are Created to live in relation with God. God is the One  who gives sense to it all. We should “Trust the future to God” and devote ourselves to His son and to Him.

Believing that Jesus, the son of God,  is the promised Messiah who shall return to take up his seat in the city of Jerusalem must give you assurance that everything for Jerusalem shall come all right. For Jesus is the High Priest and spitting image of his Father, who has received the power by God to do good and accepting him as  “a rewarder” presupposes an understanding of those “exceeding great and precious promises by which we might become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. It is to this Jesus that a visible ruling position shall be given with a visible ruling government.

“Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.” (2 Peter 1:4 NIV)

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—” (Ephesians 2:8 NIV)

Observing the commandments and becoming doers of the Wordwe should people around us let us see the truth about Israel. All those living in Jerusalem and outside should trust Jehovah and look forward to the return of His son Jesus, knowing that they shall be saved by grace through their faith for, in the words of both Old and New Testaments, “the just shall live by faith” and when they lived according God’s Law they shall be able to enter the Kingdom of God of which Jerusalem shall be the capital.

An interpretation of the borders (in red) of the Promised Land, based on God’s promise to Abraham. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Let us make sure that we do find God before it is to late, and let us in the meantime show full respect for the Creation fo Jehovah. When we are Followers of Christ Jesus with deepening God will not tie our shoes without us. We have to keep our heart on the right path, wishing to do the will of God and when we see lots of things going wrong in Jerusalem and Israel we should try to see why those Israelis as many others do not seem to succeed in what they want.

Those who have the foundation to go the distance should go out into the world and let others know what they can do and what could bring a solution to Israel and worldpeace. Letting know others that there are no disappointments to those whose wills are buried in the Will of God.

In case also Israelites and people living over there would try to do more God’s work in God’s way they shall see that they will never lack God’s supplies. Those who want to be children of God should share their love with others. Those who make peace should plant peace like a seed.

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Please do read:

1. A promise given in the Garden of Eden A covenant of grace or the covenant of redemption.
2. I am that I am Ehyeh-Asher-Ehyeh אהיה אשר אהיה
3. Lord or Yahuwah, Yeshua or Yahushua Hashem, the name of the Creator revealed.
4. Acknowledge the majesty of the Lord’s reputation!
5. With God All Things Are Possible
6. Believing in God the rewarder
7. Cosmos creator and human destiny
8. Israel God’s people
9. Jerusalem Gods city
10. Waiting for God’s Salvation
11. The radiance of God’s glory and the counsellor
12. How is it that Christ pleased God so perfectly? Why was God so happy with His son?
13. Preexistence in the Divine purpose and Trinity
14. Impaled until death overtook him
15. Through Christ’s death you can be adopted as a child of God
16. The redemption of man by Christ Jesus
17. The truth is very plain to see and God can be clearly seen
18. Because men choose to go their own way
19. Religion, fundamentalism and murder
20. Bad things no punishment from God
21. God Watches
22. The World framed by the Word of God
23. A visible organisation on earth
24. God wants to be gracious to you
25. No good thing will he withhold
26. Belief of the things that God has promised
27. The Church, Body of Christ and remnant Israel synonymous
28. Not all will inherit the Kingdom
29. Seeing the world through the lens of his own experience
30. Power in the life of certain
31. Being prudent – zorgvuldig zijn
32. Only worship the Creator of all things
33. Commit your self to the trustworthy creator
34. Without God no purpose, no goal, no hope
35. Commit your self to the trustworthy creator
36. The first on the list of the concerns of the saint Love One Another
37. Give your worries to God
38. Life’s challenges may not paralyse you
39. Rejoicing in the day
40. Being one in Jesus, Jesus in us and God in Jesus
41. Doest thou well to be Angry?
42. The Conclusion of the System of Things

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Do also find:

1. God of Israel!When God returned the land to His chosen people, and gathered them back to their promised land back in 1948, they choose not to have God among them, and that was their biggest mistake!
2. Learning to Live in LibertyAfter 400 years of cruel bondage and enslavement, the Jews are walking out with God’s mighty hand on them, just as promised (Exodus 13).

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Related articles

• “Can anything good come from Nazareth?” (sharperthanatwoedgedsword.wordpress.com)
  the “home office” of Jesus’ earthly ministry, along the shores of the Sea of Galilee.
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  “truly an Israelite”, making a particular distinction in a diverse region equally populated by Hebrew and Greek Jews. In the language of the New Testament, being “an Israelite” was considered worthy  of honor, a claim of descent from Jacob, the first Israel and patriarch of the Twelve Tribes. The rest of the greeting is a tacit recognition that, before God changed his name and his nature, Jacob was not a very nice person…he is perhaps best known for cheating his brother Esau out of his birthright (trading a bowl of stew for it) and their father’s blessing (aided by his mother and some goatskin).
• Why Did the Jewish People Reject Jesus? (meanlittleboy2.wordpress.com)
  Why did the Jews fail to recognize Jesus as the Messiah, when the Old Testament Scriptures were filled with prediction, type, and prophecy regarding His advent into our world?
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  Gradually the Jewish schools came to confer degrees upon their graduates. There were the Rav, or rabbi, the Tana, the Gayon, the Sadi, and the Rabbon. It was thought necessary for the graduates of the rabbinical schools to display their rank by wearing different clothing. Little by little an educational aristocracy was formed, which was called the Sanhedrin. This term is of Greek origin, the Hebrew name being Beth din ha-go-dol, Great House of Judgment.
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  “As they departed from God, the Jews in a great degree lost sight of the teaching of the ritual service . . . The Jews lost the spiritual life from their ceremonies, and clung to the dead forms . . . In order to supply the place of that which they had lost, the priests and rabbis multiplied requirements of their own; and the more rigid they grew, the less of the love of God was manifested. They measured their holiness by the multitude of their ceremonies, while their hearts were filled with pride and hypocrisy.”– The Desire of Ages, 29.
• “Judgment Day Separation” by Rev Samuel Mametsa, Sunday Service, the 21st of October 2012. (kutamaphc.wordpress.com)
  Jesus Christ is giving us a glimpse of what will happen on Judgment Day. The bible says in verse 31, that when the Son of man come in glory, meaning He won’t come in the physical form; He will come carrying the annointing from heaven.
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  There is this song which says “The home that we so desire, we can see it from far”.I ask myself “Do the people understand this song when they sing the song, do they understand the home, or the house that they are talking about?” The song says “We can see this home, the hills also” My worry is that people sing it but they can’t see the home yet.
• Prayer for United Kingdom(themessengerj15.wordpress.com)In 2010 I felt the Holy Spirit nudge me to write out a prayer for United Kingdom.
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  I felt the Lord say we should give Him a reason why He should save Britain.
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  When the motion was passed in favour of establishing a homeland in Palestine for the Jewish people. Britain sided with the Arabs to destroy and destabilise the fledging State. Officers from the British Army stood by and watched while Arab militia men massacred and butchered innocent and defenceless Jewish women and children.
• He’s Here…And He’s Got This {Jehovah Shammah} (simplystriving.wordpress.com)
  I curl into my favorite resting place, a cup of hot nutella chocolate in hand, and open up my studies of this very Name. A reference in Psalm catches my eye and I scurry to read what it has to say.
• If Jehovah is your God! (sacollinsvogan.wordpress.com)
  So has Jehovah purposed, in reference to those whom He has eternally loved and chosen. All of our present and future blessedness, is wrapped up in this holy and gracious purpose.
• Today’s Scrip-Bit 30 October 2012 Deuteronomy 31:6(randyobrien50.wordpress.com)another chapter in our calamitous times is being written, thanks to ‘Frankenstorm’ Sandy. She’s had a hand in at least ten deaths in the U.S. and one so far in Canada, where in Toronto yesterday, a Staples sign blew down in the 60 kilometres per hour winds and struck her.

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  If we truly believe in the all-powerful, faithful God we profess to worship, then we should calmly accept such an awesome promise, and consequently there shouldn’t be any fear in our souls, for the Lord has proven His power and faithfulness time and time again. I guess the problem is that a majority of the population don’t believe in the Most High God Jehovah, and those who do, don’t have sufficient faith to stand the rigours of these troubled times.

Religion and spirituality

Today the church has become simply an unavoidable obligation for some and yet others stopped attending long ago. In a lot of families it is far to look for God. Some call themselves Christian but there is not much to see of. Their way of living does not represent anything in accordance to the teachings of Christ Jesus. Others proclaim that they love Jesus their God while we would say that they love the son of God more than the real and only One God. Because non-trinitarians do not want to accept Christ Jesus as God a lot of so called Christians say they are not Christians, though those non-trinitarian denominations do keep more to the teachings of Jesus than the others.

Moses with the tablets of the Ten Commandments of which the First one is Ubove all love Only One God

We do teach our children who God is and what a marvellous gift He gave us. We show them that they are God’s beloved creation and that their failures are real because there is a real reason for earthly failures and sin.  We get them to know the position of Jesus who really died, while the others who believe Jesus is God seem to forget that the Almighty can not die.

Centuries ago it was because the church leaders were more interested in their power in this world that they went astray of Jesus teachings. Also today those churches are still more interested in the things of the world and do not often bring real Bible studies into their services.

Some Christians say that today, we have the methods of science to take the place of faith and prayer. That we can rely on science now to cure many diseases, extend our lives, solve fertility issues, solve emotional problems and understand how the universe began. For them it is clear that we have begun to see we can rely on ourselves for answers instead of God. As our knowledge doubles every 20 years or so, soon, there will be little left for God to do.

Many new churches have changed to cater to our shifting attitudes and lifestyles. Some say that the church should remain in its traditional form while others embrace this change. Regardless of differing opinions, these contemporary churches are popping up everywhere and they offer everything from espressos and modern rock bands to podcasting and twittering to get your attention. ( http://www.examiner.com/spirituality-in-cincinnati/the-new-face-of-the-modern-day-church#ixzz1QXeezD8R)

Though the Christians have the same patriarch as the Jews and Muslims lots of them forgot the writings and teachings of the next of kin and prophets who followed this mans footsteps. The people of Israel, “The Chosen People,” were singled out by God in order for him to reveal himself to his people and the world and to reveal the path to righteousness.  Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Moses are probably the most important figures in the Jewish Bible (Torah).  God had given His blessing but also His Word to the next generations. All could get to know Him by reading the scrolls.

Through Moses a covenant was made between God and his chosen people that should they obey his commands and remain steadfast in their obedienceand love to him, he would remain their God and blessing would pour out upon them. But as can be expected, “The Chosen People” proved to be a rebellious people much like all of humankind.

( Spirituality and religion part 4 – Cincinnati Spirituality | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/spirituality-in-cincinnati/spirituality-and-religion-part-4#ixzz1QXgstKGn)

God has promised his people a messiah that they still wait for today. The Christian’s believe this messiah has already been revealed through Jesus Christ and that he will return again to reclaim his kingdom. But many of the Jewish faith wait patiently for their Messiah. There are several different sects of Judaism that have developed over the years, Hasidism, Orthodox, Reform Judaism and Zionists and some differ in their beliefs about the coming messiah and others differ about the adherence to the laws in this modern society. Whatever sect they choose to belong to, much is to be admired about the Jewish culture and their tenacity and dedication to their identity as God’s “Chosen People.” ( Spirituality and religion part 4 – Cincinnati Spirituality | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/spirituality-in-cincinnati/spirituality-and-religion-part-4#ixzz1QXhLcVg2)
In the first century of our common time table several Jews recognised in Jesus this promised Messiah. They kept considering themselves Jews, as Jesus also was a Jew. Today we find certain churches were they preach that the Jews killed the first Christian, though Jesus was never such a Christian they say a Christian is. The Jew Jesus was persecuted as later on many more Jews were being persecuted. For Jesus as for the Jews in general  God was and is a holy God worthy of all praise and worship. There are  other god’s then the Most High but there is Only One Almighty God of gods Yahweh or Jehovah.Some people think there are many names of that God, but they misinterpret the titles of that One and Only God, Elohim whose name is Jehovah.

Though there is a rich history in disagreement between the varying sects of Judaism, there is an equal amount of dedication shown to their faith. Judaism is also the only faith that does not seek to bring in new members. ( Spirituality and religion part 4 – Cincinnati Spirituality | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/spirituality-in-cincinnati/spirituality-and-religion-part-4#ixzz1QXjrGysY) But the Jew Jesus found it important that as much people as possible would be brought in front of the Lord of lords. The son of God, Jesus of Nazareth, had come into the world by the Power of God (the Holy Spirit) to save us and to become the mediator between God and men.

The Bahá’í believe that God’s nature cannot truly be known because of our finite knowledge and capacity for understanding God’s infinite nature. But they do believe we can at least see him through his attributes which can be found through his various creations. ( Spirituality and religion part 5 – Cincinnati Spirituality | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/spirituality-in-cincinnati/spirituality-and-religion-part-5#ixzz1QXku1zx0) It are those attributes of God we have to take at heart. They can give us the full picture of the Most High omnipotent. Getting to know the different features of a human being, man, woman, Jesus shall shed a light on the difference to God. Than they shall see that the Bahá’í claim that we all believe in the same one God, though different religions may call him by different names such as Jehovah, Yahweh, Allah and the like is not such a bad claim, and would take away the arguments going into fights between the different groups.

Bridget Niece of the Northern KY Spirituality Examinerw rites that The Christian faith is a label used to indicate an individual’s faith in Jesus Christ.  That faith can take many different forms. She therefore defines Christianity as faith in biblical teachings and belief in the atoning death of Jesus Christ the son of God.  The reason this definition is necessary is that there are some who claim to be Christians who do not believe that Jesus is the son of God or that he was much more than a prophet at all.  That does not define a Christian and would require a different title.  There are enough variations within the biblical faith of Christianity to fill ten articles, let alone one.

Continue reading on Examiner.com Religion and spirituality part 6 – Cincinnati Spirituality | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/spirituality-in-cincinnati/religion-and-spirituality-part-6#ixzz1QXn3l1dS