Note for 2024/07/01

‭Colossians 2:1-23 KJV‬

[1] For I would that ye knew what great conflict I have for you, and for them at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh; [2] that their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ; [3] in whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. [4] And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words. [5] For though I be absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, joying and beholding your order, and the stedfastness of your faith in Christ. [6] As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: [7] rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. [8] Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. [9] For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. [10] And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power: [11] in whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: [12] buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. [13] And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; [14] blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; [15] and having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it. [16] Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: [17] which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ. [18] Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, [19] and not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God. [20] Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances, [21] (touch not; taste not; handle not; [22] which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men? [23] Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh.

https://bible.com/bible/1/col.2.1-23.KJV

Friends, why do we continue to judge one another by the fleshly? All those things that belong to the material and fleshly order of things and they see not the things of the Spirit? What are we intrigued by? What captures our attention, and dare I say, adoration; especially in a time that is filled with entertainment on every side? What do we pay attention to, what captures our time? In other words, what are you busy with; what is it that you do to pass the time? What are your interests? What gives joy to your soul?

Is it of the flesh?

It is easy to justify something if you receive reward for it, especially if you are somehow convinced you stand in service of another. Yes, even doing what appears to be good for another can be justified as if you are doing it for them and not for some reward that will enrich you in some way. What of the gift of giving without any reward at all?

If a man plants the seed, waters it and cares for it while it springs up, but sells the field before it is harvested? Shall he taste of that harvest? And when the one who bought the field then harvests, does he pride himself in the labour of it? So, many have gone and preached the Word of GOD, but moved on before seeing the outcome of their efforts. A man may hear 9 preachers, and only receive the 10th. Was the efforts of the first 9 then without effect? If then preached by the Holy Spirit, did not all 10 perform their duty, obeying the movement by the Spirit, and is it not GOD that did it? But man will boast about fruit he has not labored for, thinking himself worthy to eat the fruit thereof, when the fruit belongs to God who sent the Spirit.

Our love should be for GOD, and when we labor, it should be for GOD, even Christ who paid the price to free us from our sin. The increase of the harvest is our King's. All who come to faith in Christ belong to Him, not us. So too, all the fruit that comes from it. Yes, even the tithing that is collected from the members of the Body of Jesus Christ our Lord. How then is the spoil considered income? How do you look at the balance sheets and think of your reward for all your efforts? How do you spend it, without consultation with the Owner thereof? Shall I put it plainly? How do you buy a jet plane, while those GOD loves are starving? Oh! There is a great need of repentance to return back to The First Love. Did Christ die so you can reap financial gain, in greed for the things of Mammon, from the members of His Body. Then you have not been healed by his wounds, but may stand in the place of swinging the whip that bruised Him. Shall we then continue in sin, or neglect the body for the sake of the soul which Christ died for? Where is the fruit then of the Spirit if it is the flesh that is pleasured for it? Man stands at war with one another, not seeing the soul at all. Is the corrupted not corrupted by the same enemies of GOD?

Where is our compassion, friends? Have we forgotten what we were like before we found The Lord? And were we saved by any war? Or, were we saved by compassion, mercy and grace? Who extended you the hand of Salvation? All of Creation belongs to the Creator. And since GOD is the Creator, if we move outside His order, have we then not become trespassers? But we buy a field as if we have created the earth beneath it? We water the field as if we own the water. Dare I ask, who sells the water? Shall we charge people to breathe next? Is it not the Most High GOD that established life? Can GOD redeem what He gave? Can He redeem what is His to begin with?

Just a little perspective; let's call it, an awakening to the True state of all things. We, and all that exists, belongs to GOD. He did not sell us off. So, how do we treat that which belongs to GOD? Do we criticize what GOD made, do we waste and corrupt it from the way that He made it? No! In all we do, should we not consider the will of Him that owns it all? If we go against that which GOD made, then we go against the Owner of it. Or is it okay for me to enter your house and make a mess of things?

For GOD so loved the world that He gave His only Begotten Son... Dare we go against Him? When Christ returns, He will set things back in order according to GOD'S will. As He purposed it from Creation. Who will be found in trespass?

I know, I have spoken harshly; but friends, look at the state of the world. Is this what we want to present to Christ at His Coming? Sure, alone we cannot change it all, but what of that which GOD entrusted to us? If every man sweeps the street in front of his property, will the city not be in a better state?

I repent, even if it is I alone. Though, I know, I will not be alone. But still, the Words, "and they repented not," in the Book of Revelations rings inside me. Oh! How many will be lost.

Shalom

Verse of the Day

‭Habakkuk 2:14 KJV‬

[14] For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.

https://bible.com/bible/1/hab.2.14.KJV

Let’s Expand it

‭Habakkuk 2:1-20 KJV‬

[1] I will stand upon my watch, and set me upon the tower, and will watch to see what he will say unto me, and what I shall answer when I am reproved. [2] And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it. [3] For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry. [4] Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith. [5] Yea also, because he transgresseth by wine, he is a proud man, neither keepeth at home, who enlargeth his desire as hell, and is as death, and cannot be satisfied, but gathereth unto him all nations, and heapeth unto him all people: [6] shall not all these take up a parable against him, and a taunting proverb against him, and say, Woe to him that increaseth that which is not his! how long? and to him that ladeth himself with thick clay! [7] Shall they not rise up suddenly that shall bite thee, and awake that shall vex thee, and thou shalt be for booties unto them? [8] Because thou hast spoiled many nations, all the remnant of the people shall spoil thee; because of men's blood, and for the violence of the land, of the city, and of all that dwell therein. [9] Woe to him that coveteth an evil covetousness to his house, that he may set his nest on high, that he may be delivered from the power of evil! [10] Thou hast consulted shame to thy house by cutting off many people, and hast sinned against thy soul. [11] For the stone shall cry out of the wall, and the beam out of the timber shall answer it. [12] Woe to him that buildeth a town with blood, and stablisheth a city by iniquity! [13] Behold, is it not of the LORD of hosts that the people shall labour in the very fire, and the people shall weary themselves for very vanity? [14] For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea. [15] Woe unto him that giveth his neighbour drink, that puttest thy bottle to him, and makest him drunken also, that thou mayest look on their nakedness! [16] Thou art filled with shame for glory: drink thou also, and let thy foreskin be uncovered: the cup of the LORD's right hand shall be turned unto thee, and shameful spewing shall be on thy glory. [17] For the violence of Lebanon shall cover thee, and the spoil of beasts, which made them afraid, because of men's blood, and for the violence of the land, of the city, and of all that dwell therein. [18] What profiteth the graven image that the maker thereof hath graven it; the molten image, and a teacher of lies, that the maker of his work trusteth therein, to make dumb idols? [19] Woe unto him that saith to the wood, Awake; to the dumb stone, Arise, it shall teach! Behold, it is laid over with gold and silver, and there is no breath at all in the midst of it. [20] But the LORD is in his holy temple: let all the earth keep silence before him.

https://bible.com/bible/1/hab.2.1-20.KJV

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