THE ASSYRIAN DANIEL 8: 23 - 27

THE ASSYRIAN    DANIEL 8: 23 - 27

23) "And in the latter time of their kingdom,

    When the transgressors have reached their fullness,

     A king shall arise,

     Having fierce features,

     Who understands sinister schemes.

24)  His power shall be mighty, but not by his own power;

     He shall destroy fearfully,

     And shall prosper and thrive;

     He shall destroy the mighty, and also the holy people.

25)  "Through his cunning

     He shall cause deceit to prosper under his rule;

     And he shall exalt himself in his heart.

     He shall destroy many in their prosperity

     He shall even rise against the Prince of princes;

     But he shall be broken without human means.

26)  "And the vision of the evenings and mornings

     Which was told is true;

     Therefore seal up the vision,

     For it refers to many days in the future."

27)  And I, Daniel, fainted and was sick for days; afterward I arose and went about the king's business.  I was astonished by the vision, but no one understood it.

H. A. IRONSIDE'S COMMENTARY

   Dr. Ironside writes that he believes in all likelihood that the "king of the North" will be the fierce leader of whatever power controls Turkey.  The Roman Little Horn will be an apostate Christian in league with the personal Antichrist who will take unbelieving Israel under his wing as long as it suits his purposes.  The Grecian Little Horn is likely an utter infidel, the successor to Mohammed.  The power that backs "The Assyrian" (the head of Turkey) is evidently Russia, the great dominion of the North, he writes.

   Stay with me if this seems as confusing to you as it does to me.  We will visit these powers again in Chapter 14.

You are encouraged to leave a comment with your thoughts.

You are also invited to visit Oma at http://omaslife.blogspot.com for a lighter subject.

HOW TO FAST TO PLEASE GOD ISAIAH 58

HOW TO FAST TO PLEASE GOD   ISAIAH 58

   First of all, let me begin with how we are to fast:   Matthew 6: 1:  Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them.  If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in Heaven.

   When I had become a nurse, I practiced nursing.  I did not perfect it, as the profession is fluid; it is ever changing.  When we receive salvation, we are made "right" in the eyes of God; we are righteous.  Being in His Family, we should be ever learning, ever seeking.  We will only perfect our status when we see Him; until then, we will "practice" our righteousness; always striving to be more like Jesus.

   The various types of fasting are listed on the "Definition of Fasting" post on this blog.

   The answer as to why we are to fast is found in Isaiah 58: 4d:  "to make your voice heard on high."  We do it so that when we call, "the Lord will answer; we shall cry, and He will say, 'Here I am.'"  Isaiah 58:9 (NKJV)

   God is not impressed with "...only a day to show off humility..To put on a pious long face and parade around solemnly in black..Isaiah 58:5  (MSG)  What God says here is that it may be good to fast for a day when we want God to hear us but putting on a show for a day does not impress Him.  In fact, He says that "kind of fasting ...won't get your prayers off the ground."  Isaiah 58:4 (MSG)

   God wants us to live our lives in a manner that is pleasing to Him.  He wants obedience over sacrifice.  I Samuel 15: 22.  The fasting, as I understand it, is a bonus for God.  When our hearts are heavy and we are earnestly seeking His help with an issue, we fast.  As long as our lives are pleasing to God, He will hear us.

 Here is the kind of fast day God says will please Him:

  To loose the bonds of wickedness,
  To undo the heavy burdens,
  To let the oppressed go free,
  And that you break every yoke



  ...to share your bread with the hungry,
   and that you bring to your house the poor who are cast out;
  when you see the naked, that you cover him,
  and not hide yourself from your own flesh  Isaiah 58: 6 - 8  (NKJV)

  "If you take away the yoke from your midst,
   the pointing of the finger, and speaking wickedness,
   If you extend your soul to the hungry
   and satisfy the afflicted soul        Isaiah 58: 9, 10  (NKJV)

    "If you turn away your foot from The Sabbath,
   from doing your pleasure on My Holy Day,
   And call the Sabbath a delight,
   and the Holy Day of The Lord honorable,
   And shall honor Him, not doing your own ways,
   nor finding your own pleasure,
   nor speaking your own words    Isaiah 58: 13  (NKJV)

   When Jesus came, He said He did not come to abolish The Law of Moses or the writings of the prophets, but to to accomplish their purpose.  Matthew 5: 17  (NLT)  Therefore, we are to obey *The Commandments (The Law of Moses), which includes "Keeping The Sabbath".

* The Old Covenant with the rituals, sacrifices, building of The Temple, etc. were void when Jesus' coming fulfilled them.  It is generally accepted that even though we no longer live under the law, we are still expected to live by the law.  i.e., we are forgiven and set free from sin but we chose to be a slave to Jesus and be obedient.  There can be no obedience if there are no rules, right?

COMMENTARY ON ISAIAH 58

referencing DR. H. A. Ironside Commentary

   God set aside certain times of the calendar for fasting.  Man decided to add to what God required and to make a big show of it to impress all those who saw them acting religious.  That is not at all what He wants from us.  He wants us to recognize the importance of self-judgment.  His fasts gives us opportunity to come before Him and to meditate upon His dealings with Israel and with us, personally.  He wants us to practice His compassion toward others, which includes forgiving quickly and not keeping an ledger of transgressions against ourselves. During this dispensation of Grace, we are to guide and help those who are seeking understanding with utmost patience, rather than judgment. 

   God is "Lord of the Sabbath", so we should remember the Sabbath and keep it holy:  worshiping Him, helping those in trouble, relieving the afflicted as much as we are able.  We are not to turn away our family members, especially if they are in need.  It seems the easiest to do since we know all of their warts.  They don't live like we want them to.  They did such and such to us years ago and we hold that against them.  Yes, family is the easiest to judge.  But God wants us to go and administer to them, whether physically, emotionally, or spiritually.  After all, He is the One Who gave them to us!  can I get an amen?   We should help those in need, even if it means taking all we have to do it.

You are encouraged to leave a comment with your thoughts.  I did not have my commentaries to refer to, so comments would be helpful for everybody.  update:  I bought Dr. Ironside's commentary.


You are also invited to visit Oma at http://omaspolitics.blogspot.com and http://omaslife.blogspot.com.

DEFINITION OF FASTING------MATTHEW 6:

DEFINITION OF FASTING-----MATTHEW 6:

   Our Pastor gave The Message from Matthew chapter 6 this Sunday:

¹⁶ “Moreover, when you fast, do not be like the hypocrites, with a sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces that they may appear to men to be fasting. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. ¹⁷ But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, ¹⁸ so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly."  (NKJV)

   Pastor pointed out that Jesus said, "when you fast" not "if you fast".  He said "when" you fast in the New Testament, so it is not just for the Old Covenant.  Fasting is expected from all of Jesus' followers.

   I confess that I am no "fast" scholar, so I had to do some research.  There are different kinds of fasts:



1)  Normal Fast:  no food.  water only

2)  Absolute Fast:  Absolutely no food or water.  This should not be undertaken over 3 days and     only then if you have a clear directive from The Lord and are in good health

3)  Partial Fast:  Abstinence from certain kinds of foods, such as meats or sweets, soup only, fruit and vegetables only, etc.  In Daniel 10: 3, Daniel ate no pleasant bread.

4)  Juice Fast:  fruit and vegetable juices only

5)  Corporate Fast:  a church or group of people who feel God has called them to fast together for a certain period of time.

6)  Chain Fast:  a church or group of people who commit to fasting for a long period of time and each individual commits to fast for a day or longer and signs up for so many days so that the entire period is covered for the designated fasting period.  

7)  Jewish Fasting Period:  The Jewish fast begins at 6pm one evening and ends at 6pm the following evening.

8)  Fasting Plus Prayer:  We are called to fast and pray.  Accounts in the Bible reveal that fasting was arranged during times when work was not expected, so the focus was on seeking God.  Some work and responsibilities cannot be avoided while fasting, but if you are seeking God, you want to set yourself up for success, not distraction.

9)  Fasting and Abstinence:  You can practice abstinence from other pleasures as well while fasting.  Abstinence is not fasting.  Fasting is abstaining from food.


You are encouraged to leave a comment with your thoughts.

Do you know Jesus?  He is The Way to an eternity in Heaven with God.  Click here to learn more:  https://omaswisdom.blogspot.com/p/path-to-salvation.html


You are also invited to visit Oma at http://omaslife.blogspot.com and http://omaspolitics.blogspot.com.

I WAS HUNGRY AND YOU GAVE ME SOMETHING TO EAT

I WAS HUNGRY AND YOU GAVE ME SOMETHING TO EAT
 

   I have had my family members offer financial assistance to me personally.  My facebook posts encouraging donations to this ministry have given the false impression that I am in dire need.  Rest assured, I am doing fine.  I have learned to be content no matter my circumstances.  In fact, all of my needs are more than met.  Thank you all who care about me so much.

   I have been soliciting for donations for this ministry, not for myself.  I have four Christians lined up right now who are in need of help.  When you go to our "One Year Anniversary" page, you will see that Christians have been helped financially and in other ways, by this ministry since the inception.  It is to the point, that I am planning to go out into the community to do my fund raising.  

   What good is it to be a part of the family if you are starving or loose your home?  I have posted about the responsibility of the family in this blog in the past.  We are children of The Most High God.  We are to help one another.  So, let us work while there is still daylight, because the night is coming!

   Anyway,  relax.  I am fine.  And I will use what ever resource is available to me to help my brothers and sisters in Christ.

 

   Matthew 25: 34 - 36 (NIV):   34) "Then the King will say to those on His right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.  35) For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36) I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.'

   What are you doing?  Are you spreading The Good News via a blog of your own?  Do you conduct fundraisers on your own for your church?  What actions do you take on your own to further The Kingdom.  Leave us a comment about what you are doing or would like to do.  We would love to hear from you.  Let us encourage one another.

You are also invited to visit Oma at http://omaspolitics.blogspot.com  and http://omaslife.blogspot.com.

HONORING MY FATHER AND MY MOTHER/2015

HONORING MY FATHER AND MY MOTHER/2015

   These little annoying greeting card declared holidays!  Mother's Day 2015.  I wrote extensively about the mail order flower shops, which was the best, which was such a headache.  I didn't publish that post because NONE were the best.  When all was said and done, it is about the same price to purchase your flowers at your local florist or grocer.  The mail order shops tack on so many fees.

   Needless to say, I ordered flowers more than a week in advance this year for my Mother for Mother's Day.  You say, "So?  Lots of folks send their Mom flowers."  I understand that.  But my Dad is dead.  

   I have been taking plastic flowers to his grave since he was buried.  I am still grieving my loss.  But I honor him by ordering flowers for both of his wives.  My Mother would receive them, of course.  My Dad's Widow also deserves them for the 42 years she was at his side.  She was a great wife to him.  So, to honor him, she also received flowers.

   The 10 Commandments are not the easiest thing to obey.  It is Matthew 19:  16 - 20 that is brought to mind.  Jesus had encouraged little children to be brought to Him, "for the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to such as these."  16) Just then a man came up to Jesus and asked, "Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?"  17) and He said to him, "Why are you asking Me about what is good?  There is only One who is good; but if you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments."

   O.K.  I understand the Commandments are "the law" and Christians don't live "under the law" but we live under grace.  I get that.  THEREFORE, since we live under grace, how much more important is it to be obedient?  We cannot earn our salvation.  However, we can put in an effort daily to be more like Jesus.  

   But wait, there's more:  18)  Then he said to Him, "Which ones?"  And Jesus said, "YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT MURDER; YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT ADULTERY; YOU SHALL NOT STEAL, YOU SHALL NOT BEAR FALSE WITNESS;  19) HONOR YOUR FATHER AND MOTHER; and YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF." 

  I really want you to hear the next verse:  20)  The young man said to Him, "All these things I have kept......(NIV)

   Wow!  Just wow!  I know the young man did not know with whom he spoke.  The young man was just that young and inexperienced.  

   Now, we all know that "love your neighbor as yourself" is not one of the "big 10".  "YOU SHALL NOT COVET" is.  These last six Commandments are dealing with our relationship to each other.  The first four deal with our relationship with God, Himself.

   I honor my Father in Heaven by keeping His Commandments in my heart and really putting an effort into obeying them.  This takes us back to 1 Samuel 15: 22:  "Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the LORD?  To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams.

   This is simply a word of encouragement to you all in your daily walk with The Lord.  I know there are those who's Mother has passed on.  I know there are those who have come from dis-functional families.  There were no disclaimers when God gave these Commandments.  You are invited to leave a comment with the struggles and/or the triumphs you have obeying this and other Commandments.

   Let me make two points with this post:
1)  Honoring your parents is not a one day event.
2)  Fathers, consider your actions.  Your children are commanded to honor you, live in a way that does not put stumbling blocks in their pathway.

   God bless you and keep you.

   If you have not accepted the priceless gift of eternal life, like the young man in these passages was looking for, I encourage you to go to https://omaswisdom.blogspot.com/p/path-to-salvation.html.    You will find information there that may be helpful.  

You are also invited to visit Oma at http://omaspolitics.blogspot.com  and http://omaslife.blogspot.com.

  

  

GOATS AND SHEEP MATTHEW 25: 31 - 33

GOATS AND SHEEP  MATTHEW 25: 31 - 33

   The message at church today came from the passage in Matthew 25: 31- 33. 

 

³¹ “When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, He will sit on His glorious throne. ³² All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. ³³ He will put the sheep on His right and the goats on His left.  (NIV)

   In examining the characteristics of goats, we find that goats are capricious.  They are impulsive, unpredictable, devious, and contrary.  They are always trying to reach those tender leaves just out of reach by sticking their heads through fences or standing on their hind legs and stretching.  They are never content with what they have.

    Goats are not very good followers.  They work tirelessly to free themselves from situations they deem inhibiting.  They are experts in opening gates and squeezing through small gaps.  Fences that will hold sheep, cattle, and horses will not hold goats.


   Goats are combative, selfish, don't mind, don't stay together or care about the flock.  They are quite content to satisfy themselves.  They symbolize immoral actions.

   Sheep, on the other hand, follow their shepherd, peacefully moving forward with the flock rather than purposefully going off on their own.  They have faith in their shepherd and is content to be led.  Sheep responds to the voice of the shepherd and goes where he directs.

   The more you study, the more you read your Bible, the clearer you hear His voice.  The Holy Spirit, whom you were given upon accepting the gift of salvation, moves you toward the desire of God's own heart, He directs your steps.

   Have you accepted the gift of salvation for yourself?  Dear friend, I encourage you to do this today.  He knocks at the door of your heart.  Won't you open your heart and invite Him in?

   Please see our page:  Pathway to Salvation and leave a comment when you have accepted Jesus as your personal Savior.

You are welcome to leave a comment with your thoughts.  Your comments will not appear until they have been reviewed.

You are also invited to visit Oma at http://omaspolitics.blogspot.com,  http://omaslife.blogspot.com,  http://omashealth.blogspot.com,  and http://tbcspeaks.blogspot.com.