Luke 16:15 (NKJV) “You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is highly esteemed among men is an abomination in the sight of God. 16 “The law and the prophets were until John. Since that time the kingdom of God has been preached, and everyone is pressing into it. 17 And it is easier for heaven and earth to pass away than for one tittle of the law to fail. NKJV
Col 1:15(NLT) Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation, 16 for through Him God created everything
in the heavenly realms and on earth. He made the things we can see and the things we can’t see— such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities in the unseen world. Everything was created through Him and for Him. 17 He existed before anything else, and He holds all creation together. 18 Christ is also the Head of the church, which is His body.
John 1:1 (NIV) In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning.
The sons of Israel who went into Egypt with Jacob as recorded in Exodus 1:1 the tenth son mentioned, was Gad. In the Bible, the number 10 often symbolizes: Divine order and responsibility and is seen as a “Complete” or “Perfect” number, representing the divine order established by God.
This AI Overview explains: When the number 10 appears in the Bible, it’s typically in relation to something being completed because of God’s power. In Judaism, 10 is sometimes believed to mean “Union” or “Collection” as rabbis deemed it a holy number. The tenth number of the Hebrew alphabet is Yod, which means “Hand of God” and “Continuity.”
And, the meaning of the name Gad: Prophet, to crowd, to gash by pressing into, gather, and cut selves, Let’s take a look at how the number 10 and the name Gad witness to us about our Messiah, Christ Jesus.
Blessed are the undefiled – the upright, truly sincere, and blameless – in the way of the revealed will of God, who walk, who order their conduct and conversation according to the Word of God, for it is Jesus Who reveals the whole of God’s will (Psalm 119:1 AMP). For the earth is polluted by its very own people who have broken its laws, disrupted its order, violated the sacred and eternal covenant.
Therefore, a curse, like a cancer, ravages the earth. And its people pay the price (Isaiah 24:5 Message), for sin is a major disruption of God’s order, and everyone that indulges in a sinful life is dangerously lawless (1 John 3:4 Message). But Jesus, He appeared to take away our sins. In Him there is no sin. No one who lives in Him, in God’s Word, continues to sin (1 John 3:5-6.)
But fear is crippling, even pride! A fearful life – fear of death, fear of judgment – takes up so much room that trust in God is dislodged and the Way leading to Life, to a future in God unknown (1 Peter 1:21 Message). And the proud, their triumphing is short, the joy of the godless and defiled is but a moment. Though their proud height mounts up to the heavens and their head reaches to the clouds; yet they will perish forever. They will fly away like a dream and will not be found. They will be chased away as a vision of the night (Job 20:5-8 AMP).
This is the crisis they are in: God-light streamed into the world, but those who are not interested in pleasing God, who make a practice of doing evil, addicted to denial and illusion, fear painful exposure (John 3:19-21 Message) for their life choices.
But God All-Powerful, He is always fair (Job 34:12 ERV). He calls us to live right and well. And He will keep us safe, for He takes responsibility for us (Isaiah 42:6 Message). If only people everywhere would come and take refuge in the Lord. For there is only One alternative for them to escape being burned up together: Let them take hold of the Lord’s strength and make complete surrender to His protection, that they make peace with God. Yes, let them make peace with their heavenly Father (Isaiah 27:5 AMP).
No one chose God to be in charge of the earth. No one gave Him responsibility for the whole world. However, if God decided to take away His Spirit and the Breath of Life He gave us, then everything on earth would die. We would become dust again (Job 34:14-15 ERV). This is why God’s Word, Christ Jesus, tells us “You must be perfect – growing into complete maturity of godliness in mind and character, so you can reach the proper height of virtue and integrity – just as your heavenly Father is perfect (Matthew 5:48 AMP).
And though our knowledge is fragmentary – incomplete and imperfect – as is our prophecy, when the complete and perfect comes, the incomplete and imperfect will vanish away
(1 Corinthians 13:9). This is why it is so important for us to keep up our courage, our faith and complete confidence in God for it will be exactly as His Word of Truth tells us (Acts 27:25 AMP). When we obey God’s Word and live on in His love the Joy of the Lord and His delight will be in us, and our joy and gladness will become of full measure, complete and overflowing (John 15:10 AMP).
For in Christ Jesus we are all sons of God through faith. For as many of us who were baptized into Christ – into a spiritual union and communion with Jesus, the Anointed One, the Messiah – have put on, have clothed, (are clothing and continue to clothe) themselves with God’s Word (Galatians 3:26 AMP).
Yes, even though we were dead (slain) by (our own) shortcomings and trespasses, our heavenly Father made us alive together in fellowship and in union with Jesus. He gave us the very life of Christ Himself, the same new life with which He quickened the Lord, for it is by grace that we are saved – that we are delivered from judgment and made partakers of Christ’s salvation (Ephesians 2:5 AMP).
The high and lofty One Who inhabits eternity, the Holy One, says this: “I live in that high and holy place where those with contrite, humble spirits dwell; and I refresh the humble to revive and give new courage to those with repentant hearts,” Isaiah 57:15 TLB. For the wages which sin pays is death, but the bountiful free gift of God is eternal life through and in union with Jesus Christ our Lord (Romans 6:23 AMP).
Then there is your pride and glory – your righteousness, your good works – none of which will save you. Let’s see if the whole collection of your idols can help you when you cry to them to save you! (Isaiah 57:15). No one, even those as rich as kings, can ransom their own child from the penalty of sin! For God’s forgiveness does not come that way.
A soul is far too precious to be ransomed by mere earthly wealth. Anyway, there is not enough riches in all the earth to buy eternal life for just one soul, to keep it out of hell (Psalm 49:6-9 TLB). God’s Word says, “IF anyone would come after Me, they must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow Me. Yes, whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for Me and for My message of salvation will save their life (Mark 8:34-35).
The world’s entire collection of idols could save no one. Such futility, for the wind shall carry them off! A breath shall carry them away. But those who take refuge in the Lord shall possess the land and shall inherit His holy mountain. God sends His Word, the Holy One goes forth: Cast up, cast up, prepare the way! Take up the stumbling block out of the way of the spiritual return of My people (Isaiah 57:13-14 TLB). For those who become the slaves, the servants of God, have been set free from sin. They have their present reward in holiness, and its end is eternal life (Romans 6:22 AMP).
Therefore, humble yourself under the mighty hand of God, that in due time He may exalt you. Cast the whole of your cares – all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns and doubts and fears – on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully (1 Peter 5:6-7 AMP).
God will give Jerusalem a river of peace and prosperity. He will comfort His people there as a mother comforts her child. All the world will see the good hand of God upon His people and His wrath upon His enemies. Know and understand, the Lord will come with fire and with swift chariots of doom to pour out the fury of His anger and His hot rebuke with flames of fire. The Lord will punish the world by fire and by His sword, and the slain of the Lord shall be many! (Isaiah 66:12-15 TLB).
Yes, God’s Word, the sword of the Spirit cuts deep, to the place where the soul and the spirit are joined, to judge the thoughts and feelings in our heart (Ephesians 6:17 ERV), to help us to be self-controlled and alert, to help us stand firm in faith and resist our enemy, the devil, who prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour (1 Peter 5:8-9 NIV) who spawns fear and sin and vain glory.
The Old Testament speaks of the Bread of Continuity (Numbers 4:7 YLT). The bread that was set out before the Lord regularly, Sabbath after Sabbath, on behalf of God’s people, as a lasting covenant (Leviticus 24:8). Along each row pure frankincense was spread, marking the bread as a memorial; it is a gift to God (Leviticus 24:7 Message).
This AI Overview elaborates: God’s New Covenant reveals frankincense was set before the gift of Life God has given to the world, Christ Jesus, the Bread of Life, symbolizing His divinity and His future role as the ultimate High Priest Who would mediate between humanity and God.
Throughout their traditions the high priests entered the Holy of Holies, the heart of God’s temple, to make offerings, gifts to God, Who made the people upright, but they went in search of many schemes (Ecclesiastes 7:29). They let go of God’s Word to hold on to their traditions (Mark 7:8). Blinded to the Truth, the Living Stone, rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to Him (1 Peter 2:4).
How important the traditions of God’s people. How weak their traditions for they prove to be teachings taught by men, they are but rules. How vain the worship that honors God with lips while hearts remain far from Him (Mark 7:6-7). So, God tore the veil that covered the heart of God’s temple in two from top to bottom.
How obvious the strength of pride and the weakness of people, who couldn’t recognize the gift of God because they were blinded by the teachings of tradition. So, God, Who created man on the sixth day, set an offering on an altar before the chaos and darkness of the world. From the sixth to the ninth hour as Jesus hung on that cross the sun was obscured to reveal how bleak and desolate a world without God’s presence will be. How fear and chaos will once again make empty – void and dry and barren – when the world is left unattended by Love.
Let’s take a moment to examine the symbolism associated with the numbers 6 and 9. Six is representative of man, of imperfection, and of a falling short of divine perfection. While nine symbolizes divine completeness, finality, and spiritual maturity, also representing the end of a cycle, the completion of God’s work or judgment.
Romans 5:15 tells us the sin of one man, Adam, caused Death to reign over many. But God, He bestows the amazing and wonderful gift of grace and forgiveness so righteousness would reign in life through this one Man, Christ Jesus. Yes, judgment came from one offense resulting in condemnation and death. But by One Man’s obedience many will be made righteous and will live in triumph over sin and Death.
Jesus told the people, “For a brief time still, the Light is among you. Walk by the Light you have, so darkness doesn’t destroy you. Believe in the Light, then the Light will be within you shining through your lives. You’ll be children of Light,” John 12:35 Message. “For I have come from heaven not to do My own will but to do the will of Him Who sent Me”, John 6:38.
In all Jesus did, He revealed the One Who is Good. The One Who anointed Him with Holy Spirit and power so He could do good and heal all who were under the power of the devil, because God was always with Him (Acts 10:38). Until that ninth hour arrived, when Jesus cried out “It is finished,” bowed His head and gave up His spirit (John 19:30).
At that very moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two, the earth shook, the rocks split, tombs broke open and the bodies of many godly people were raised to life. When those guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, “Surely, He was the Son of God!” Matthew 27:50.
Looking away from all that will distract you, look to Jesus, Who is the Leader and the Source of our faith. He is also the Finisher of our faith, bringing it to maturity and perfection. For the joy set before Him (Hebrews 12:2 AMP). “I will save them from all their sins, and I will cleanse them. They will be My people, and I will be their God,” Ezekiel 37:23.
Yes, Jesus endured the cross, despising and ignoring the shame (Hebrews 12:2 AMP), so all the prophecies concerning His death would be fulfilled (Acts 13:29 TLB). But God, He brought Jesus back to life again (Acts 13:30 TLB) because the fulfillment of His promise, which we cannot break – depends entirely on trusting our heavenly Father and His Way, then simply embracing the Truth and what He does – bestows the gift of Life. Yes, God’s promise arrives as a pure gift (Romans 4:15 Message).
And God is not looking for those who cut their bodies in circumcision; instead, He is looking for those with changed hearts and minds. Whoever has that kind of change in their life will get their praise from God (Romans 2:29 TLB).
Children of Light, despise every trace of sin while being kind and gentle and merciful to everyone. And give all glory to Him Who alone is God, Who saves us through Christ Jesus our Lord; Yes, splendor and majesty, all power and authority are His from the beginning; His they are and His they evermore shall be. And He is able to keep you from slipping and falling away, and bring you, blameless and perfect, into His glorious presence with mighty shouts of everlasting joy! Jude 23-24 TLB.
Holy Spirit is always working to point us and fill us with God’s Word, Who says: “Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden light,” Matthew 11:28-30.
The following I have taken from the book “In The Beginning” from the website ForGodForeHisGlory.com:
The first man, Adam, became a living being (1 Cor. 15:45). God formed him from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of Life (Gen. 2:7). We have these human bodies just like Adam’s made of dust. Bodies that die and decay, that embarrass us because they are weak and become sick. So too did God’s Word share in the likeness of humanity. He became flesh and made His dwelling among us. The glory of the One and Only, Who came from the Father, full of grace and truth (John 1:14).
There are many who have said: Oh, that we might see some good (Ps. 4:6)! How difficult it can prove to be when contention (speculation, guessing, assumption, conjecture, strife, disagreement) all this and so much more is produced by the darkness of pride and insolence (Prov. 13:10a). If only there was a ray of willingness, for the Lord would lift up the light of His countenance upon them (Ps. 4:6b).
Know the Lord is willing! He is waiting to bring lives back from the pit of destruction, that they may be enlightened with the Light of the living (Job 33:30) who give heed, not only by listening but by honoring God’s Word!
For the Word of God is living and active (Heb. 4:12)! Therefore, God is able to make all grace and truth abound to you through His Word, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you too will abound in every good work (2 Cor. 9:8). This is why it is vital for our healing and deliverance and salvation, that we keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, on God’s Word (Heb. 12: 2a).
God made a promise to Abraham and gave to him His Word. There was no one greater for Him to swear by, so He swore by Himself:
“I will surely bless you and give you many descendants.”
God wanted to make the unchanging nature of His purpose very clear to all the heirs of what was promised, and He confirmed it with an oath. God did this so that by two unchangeable things, His Promise and His Oath – His Word, Christ Jesus – His Covenant of redemption and relationship with humanity – His Guarantee, Holy Spirit – in which it is impossible for God to lie. And those who take hold of the hope offered to us may be greatly encouraged.
Why? We have this hope, for surely God is our salvation, with joy we draw water from the wells of salvation. We will trust in Him and not be afraid. The Lord is our strength and our song. He has become our salvation (Isa. 12:2-3). Our Savior Who removes those burdens that weigh us and disrupt our peace of heart and mind – guilt, remorse, shame, bitterness, unforgiveness….and He lifts the countenance of our very soul with Joy and Hope, Honor and Kindness, Compassion and Love, Peace and Contentment…that we may prosper in all things and be in health, just as our soul prospers (3 John 2 NKJV). Or as The New Living Translation of 3 John 2 states: I hope all is well with you and that you are as healthy in body as you are strong in spirit!
God has been impressing upon me the importance of being spiritually strong especially if or when we are struggling with issues that affect our well-being. I have struggled with disability for more than 20 years and as a result I’m unable to keep up with the world. As a result, what I have experienced has been very humbling, but despite the upsets and failures and disappointments of trying to do what I once could, I have discovered the peace and joy and contentment of living vicariously. A lifestyle that has taught me the great value of Gratitude.
Yes, I can complain about the physical discomfort my disability causes, but how much joy it has given me to live vicariously celebrating the lives and accomplishments of those who are my sunshine, who fill my heart with what God bestows such Love and Goodness! I have definitely struggled reconciling myself to a life of physical disability. However, despite myself and that powerful foe of denial, being frustrated and embarrassed by failure time and time again because I was unable to make my want to do align with my can do.
Thankfully, all the going through hardship and upsets and disappointments my spirit was made strong because a life surrendered to living vicariously as defined by Webster’s Dictionary – experiencing or realizing through imaginative participation in the experience of another – has enabled me to live in God’s Word. And, with the revelation, insight and understanding Holy Spirit bestows, my heart now basks in the Sonshine of heaven’s glorious Light with confidence knowing by experience what God bestows: Inner Healing – Peace of heart and mind, Deliverance into the unconditional loving-kindness of our heavenly Father, and Salvation – as His child finding Rest yoked to what Christ places upon us what sanctifies the Truth.
Lord, stretch out Your hand to heal
And perform miraculous signs and wonders
Through the name of Your holy servant Jesus
