Tag: job

“WHY FUSION”

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Technically speaking, the definition of FUSION is the process where two atomic nuclei combine to form a single, heavier nucleus, releasing enormous amounts of energy, which is nuclear fusion. However, the term FUSION has taken on some other meanings, generally referring to a merging or blending of different elements, like in “fusion cuisine” that combines different ethnic foods, or the union or uniting of political concepts, interest groups, or parties.

We named our West Oaks Fellowship monthly newsletter “FUSION” many years ago from the concepts of a merger or blending, because that concept applies to so many areas of our church and a believer’s spiritual life. While the word “FUSION” doesn’t appear in the biblical text, the word fuse is used in a few English translations, referring to things being joined together or united as used by Darby in Job 41:23. Nonetheless, the concept of spiritual union or unions, unity, and oneness, is a central and important biblical concept / theme that’s often emphasized in numerous contexts throughout the scriptures. 

  1. Oneness with our Lord and Father God is a supernatural “FUSION” that Christ Himself prayed for in John 17:20-21 in His High Priestly prayer, as well as for all of us as His followers. Perhaps our oneness should somehow mirror the perfect harmony and unification of the Trinity (God the Father, God the Son, and God, the Holy Spirit). Needless to say, in this process we become more and more like Him!
  2. We “abide” in Christ Jesus according to John 15:1-6. This “FUSION” is essential if one becomes, or hopes to become, a fruit-bearing believer. According to our Lord’s teaching, this intimate connection / joining / uniting of the “TRUE VINE” and branches is the only possible process by which Christians can bear fruit!
  3. The Body of Christ, His CHURCH, according to 1 Corinthians 12:12–13, is a very unique  “FUSION!” All true believers, regardless of their background, ethnicity, or language, are all spiritually baptized by God’s one Holy Spirit into one universal church body. This merging  of diverse members into one spiritually-joined church body illustrates the unity, as well as the interdependence of believers in Christ.
  4. The prophecy of Jeremiah 31:33 presents a beautiful futuristic “FUSION!” “But this is the covenant which I will make with the house of Israel after those days,” declares the Lord, “I will put My law within them and on their heart I will write it; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. “They will not teach again, each man his neighbor and each man his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for they will all know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them,” declares the Lord, “for I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more.”

In the realm of our bible-based Christian faith, genuine “FUSION” must be absolutely confined to the things / elements of TRUTH! There are many efforts to fuse pagan concepts with the things of the ONE TRUE GOD AND HIS WORD! However, spiritual “FUSION“ emphasizes a profound, transformative, experience of divine nature and character that highlights the powerful interconnecting of believers with the Lord God. This relationship is enjoined by His gracious salvation and then with one another in His Church Body through our shared experiences, ultimately seeking the same purposes in our lives of bringing glory and honor in this life to JESUS CHRIST!

So that’s why we have “FUSION!”

His & Yours, because of G.R.A.C.E. (God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense),

PF

THE HAMAS (RELIGIOUS/POLITICAL) CULT

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How is it that Hamas protesters (hiding under the concept of being pro-Palestine), some now rioters, can openly / publicly chant, “From the river to the sea,” “death to Israel / death to America,” “we are Hamas” and / or “intifada” and at the same time, in the same breath, accuse the IDF (Israeli Defense Force) of genocide? Those very mantras promote, and are undoubtedly, inexplicably, declaring the complete elimination / annihilation of an entire people group from the face of the earth! That, in essence, ties in perfectly with the ideology of Hitler and his Third Reich (within its first 6 years issued 400 legal restrictions against Jews with them ultimately becoming “Enemies of the State” – nationalizing their businesses, confiscating their assets / property, encampment, and promoting their total elimination) which exalts the value of one people group (Aryans) as superior to all others (instigating Aryanization and the “popular anger” movement within Germany), while discounting and eradicating the value of one group to being useless (Jews), therefore not even worthy of life itself (The Holocaust)!

As believers in Christ Jesus, we recognize the value of human life, holding, that according to the scriptures, all humans are created in the image and likeness of the Creator (see Genesis 1:27) and that life is viewed as precious (see Psalm 139:13-16)! Job 12:10 asks, “In whose hand is the life of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind?”

Humanity is not some cosmic accident, as many who desire to live unaccountable lives promote and encourage others to believe, but instead is the product of a carefully executed creation by a perfect, holy, sovereign, and eternal superior being … God. Human dignity is therefore derived directly from God Himself, with individuals being finite, dependent creatures who have been assigned a high value / worth by their own Creator (enough value for Christ Jesus to suffer in accordance with the consequences of humanity’s sin and offer then full and complete restoration – see John 3:16-17).

The current pro-Hamas / anti-Israel students and professional demonstrators / students and non-student imported protestors are now using the phrase “Free Gaza / Free Palestine.” (I guess they all must have skipped out on their modern-day history classes.)  In the January 2006 Palestinian legislative election, Hamas defeated the ruling Fatah (political party) by winning 74 of 132 seats. Since that time, there have been no (yes, “zero”) free elections in the Hamas-controlled Gaza. Then in 2007, a presidential decree was issued abolishing all legislative seats that were not in agreement with Hamas’ leadership / ideology. While the western media reports that 70-72% of the Palestinians currently support the Hamas regime, there is no credible evidence to document that figure and no consideration of any potential/possible persecution “fear factor” incorporated within that questionable statistic.

Do the current American pro-Hamas protestors even understand the core values of Hamas? If they did, their public outcries would most likely be drawn back in deep silence.  Is anyone even asking, “What’s the role of women within the framework of the Hamas religious / political cult society?”

Women make up approximately 50% of the population in Gaza, but have very limited influence, and their basic individual rights are systematically denied. The women’s importance is that they, “manufacture men (Hamas warriors), and play a great role educating and guiding the (new) generation.” There remains widespread discrimination, contrary to Hamas’s public statements, along with extremely limited employment opportunities, and virtually no pathways to financial independence. Female abuse is rampant, adultery laws are codified according to gender, divorcees must pay their husbands to get out of a marriage, but the men can divorce their wife cost-free for any reason, and in Hamas controlled Gaza, a woman’s testimony is only worth half (½) of a male’s.  In addition, Hamas engages a “Modesty Police,” which is empowered to enforce a “Code Of Modesty” upon the women of Gaza, severely restricting basic freedoms of movement and expression. Hijah (Islamic head coverings) should be worn while in schools, at courthouses, and on beaches. This code also prohibits the riding of motorcycles, learning to drive without the presence of a man, using a male hairdresser, submitting an incest complaint, and / or even engaging in some sporting / athletic events. In 2013 a UNRWA (United Nations Relief And Works Agency For Palestine) Marathon was cancelled due to the Hamas “Code Of Modesty.”

Hamas’ ideology combines nationalism and the political Islamism of the Muslim Brotherhood. In terms of the religion, they are Salafist, which means they adhere to Islamic Sharia law and believe that a Palestinian state should be governed in that manner.  However, within the framework of that religious system, Hamas attempts to achieve its political ambitions by combining social mobilization, political organization / negotiation, and the use of severe violence. Therefore, they should be considered a jihadist group given that it does not rule out violence as a political strategy to further or obtain its objective. It’s a religious cult whose “modus operandi” merits the use of extreme violence, in numerous /various forms, as means to accompany political bargaining. Therefore, it can and does, spiritually, morally, and ethically, justify carrying out grotesque terrorist actions against civilians (even slaughtering babies and raping children) and even a country’s military, such as the massacre launched on October 7, 2023 during the Re’im Music Festival in Israel.

It’s not difficult to see how genuine believers, true followers of Christ and the doctrines / theology of the New Testament find great conflict with any support for Hamas, its activities, and its ideology.  While certainly a person can be / should be concerned with the loss of life of life caused by war … Hamas’ ongoing war with Israel, is no different. Don’t forget, war is all about destroying things and killing / disabling an enemy. However, current social media and some regular media sources are referring to Israel’s retaliatory actions as a disproportionate response and genocide. Undocumented sources claim 30,000+ have died in Gaza — about 18,000 is actually more accurate, and yes that’s a lot of individuals! However, Hamas doesn’t value human life as committed Christians do and even other cultures / societies — that’s why they are willing to use brain-washed children and women as human shields for their soldiers and military stronghold if that action achieves their objectives!  Therefore, it is impossible to attack Hamas’ military without inflicting civilian casualties (as is the case in most armed conflicts). The real victims in Gaza are the civilians who are being used / sacrificed in a ludicrous / preposterous manner by their own “elected” government! 

Remember, Cain of Genesis? He was a violent human being. Humanity is still violent… while at times historically, we see the decrease and increase of wars and violence … currently our world is in a season of escalated violence and war. Jesus Christ, while visiting earth, warned us concerning these days … “For nation (people group) will rise against nation (people group), and kingdom against kingdom, and in various places there will be famines and earthquakes. But all these things are merely the beginning of birth pangs.” (See Matthew 24:7-8, Mark 13:8, Luke 21:10-11) “Nation against nation, kingdom against kingdom” is simply an idiom for war in and around the world or perhaps even world war … a global conflict that is signaling the approaching end of this current age. The “birth pangs” will continue and, of course grow more frequent. Deception and division in both society and the church will increase, which we clearly see and are encountering, but our Lord Jesus spoke this to His disciples / followers as well, “See to it that no one misleads you. For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will mislead many.  You will be hearing of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not frightened, for those things must take place, but that is not yet the end. (See Matthew 24:4-6)

What we are currently witnessing / experiencing on our college campuses, in the Middle East, with Ukraine and Russia, and even on our own borders, should not be unexpected, but anticipated. The consummation of the ages is coming and these type of issues and conflicts will certainly arise!

What then shall we do? How then should we live?

Encourage one another, don’t grow weary in doing good, stay connected to your church (too many are disconnected), and remember to pray for the peace of Jerusalem which will only be ratified when our Lord, Jesus Christ sits upon His throne, ruling and reigning in righteousness! (see 1 Thessalonians 5:11, 2 Thessalonians 3:13, Ephesians 2:10, Hebrews 10:24-25, Psalm 122:6, 1 Corinthians 15:24-25, Revelation 11:15)

His and Yours, Because of GRACE (God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense)

–PF

APPEARANCE

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The appearance of stars marks the end of the day . . . In Nehemiah 4:21, those rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem had to split their efforts between half standing guard and half diligently laying stones, both working long hours … “from the break of dawn till the stars came out.”  One may recall that one of the reasons our Lord placed lights (including the stars) in the heavens was “to separate the day from the night, and let them be for signs and for seasons and for days and years.”  However, God uses the “star” and our “stars” throughout the scriptures for many distinctive purposes.     

The OT shows awareness of the stars’ immense number, which many explain why so many humans looked to them for spiritual direction, or even worshiped individual stars and constellations as gods.  Of course, consulting their alignment for spiritual guidance (astrology, not astronomy or geography) or worshiping them in any manner was strictly forbidden because it completely disregarded and rebelliously denied God’s purpose in their creation.  (Perhaps one should take a moment right now just to consider how many other things in God’s creation have crumpled into this same type of demise.) 

Stars were created by God … their task is only that which is established by God.  They are totally subordinate to God, under His absolute authority and control, and intended for His glory/ purpose(s). (See Psalm 19:1-6) This status is tenaciously reinforced in Psalm 147:4:

He counts the number of the stars; He gives names to all of them. 

Thus, their existence and destiny are completely according to His will, even including whether they shine or not! (See Job 9:7-10).  Actually, they respond as creatures, in the same manner we as Christ’s followers, God’s children, should.  While the language in Judges 5:20 is certainly poetic, stars fighting against Israel’s enemies clearly demonstrates that the Lord can deliberately and unreservedly use any and all the forces of the universe to accomplish His purpose(s). After all, whose universe is it? 

Accordingly, throughout the universe, all stars are to “praise Him.” (See Psalm 148:3)  

Is there any different calling for humanity? 

Interestingly, in the Bible, perhaps because of their brilliance and glory, the word “star” is used symbolically of creatures, both enemies and servants of God, as well as individuals.  In an unique play on words, according to Isaiah 14:12, the symbolic king of Babylon, Lucifer, imagining himself to be the “Day Star,” “son of Dawn,” or the “Star of the Morning,” was not satisfied with his dominant position, but sought to ascend above the stars (a place reserved for God alone).  His desire to take the place of God presented a direct challenge to God’s authority and power. 

As a result, the king was cast down in defeat (14:12-15). By the way, astronomically speaking, Venus is the morning star because it’s seen first from the earth’s perspective.  Jesus Christ is not the “Star of the Morning” (that’s Lucifer/Satan), as presented by some biblically illiterate or confused Christian musicians, but He is undeniably the Bright Morning Star described in II Peter 1:19 and Revelation 22:16. 

Jude 13 audaciously and fearlessly declares the opponents of God as:

wandering stars, for whom the black darkness has been reserved forever. 

Conversely, the OT compares the coming Messiah to a rising star and scepter in Numbers 24:17, and in one case, stars symbolize the glory of the resurrected life for true believers … Those who turn many to righteousness will rise in the resurrection, and will shine “like the stars for ever and ever.” (See Daniel 12:1-3). In addition, Paul compares the glory of a Christian’s exclusive resurrected body to the glory and distinction of the stars in I Corinthians 15:40-49. 

Agnostic pantheist Carl Sagan, American astrophysicist, cosmologist, exobiologist, author (“Contact”) and TV host (“Cosmos”), stated, “we are star stuff.”  However, the God who created the stars and their shine — the One who declared:

Light shall shine out of darkness, is the One who has shone in our (every true believer’s) hearts to give the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. (See II Corinthians 4:6) 

Simply “star stuff” — or partakers and bearers of the True Light?  God’s call, not ours or Sagan’s.  See, knowing Him is knowing Truth … that’s GOD’S star stuff!                                                                            

— Pastor Frank 

PROSPERITY

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The Apostle Paul affirmed, “I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need.” (See Philippians 4:12)  While many believers are familiar with Philippians 4:13 … which is awesome and very appealing, often verses 12 and 14 are overlooked, unnoticed, or simply ignored.  The same man that professed, “I can do all things through Him (Christ) who strengthens me,” was clearly making reference to the supernatural vigor Christ assures, makes available, and imparts on behalf of His children for all of life’s situations/circumstances. 

Apparently, Paul needed Christ’s strength/power all the time … in lean times as well as in times of prosperity!  Go figure, not just when he is down and out, hurting, despised, abused, and distraught!  No!  In every blessing, condition, incident, accident, event, gain, success, test or trial, whether rich or poor, suffering and struggling, or totally fit, Paul knew (experientially) both “the secret of being filled and going hungry.”  When want or affliction comes, how often do complaints grow loud and more frequent?  How soon does the end of one’s patience brusquely prevail?

The Greek word “prosperity” employed in this text, “perisseuo” actually means to excel or super-abound (in quantity and/or quality).  A careful study of this text reveals that for Paul himself, who thankfully acknowledges that he is extremely blessed (in and through Christ), material blessings have become matters of indifference, the riches (prosperity) which he has gained through God’s grace are absolutely incomparable to the improvement in his current circumstances through the gifts of this congregation. Nonetheless, he is obviously grateful for the blessing and excess.

Question:  Does it require as much grace and strength to keep the heart right in prosperity, as it does in adversity?  Perhaps at times, even more?  Consider these words from King Solomon, the riches and wisest of all:

In the day of prosperity be happy, but in the day of adversity consider — God has made the one as well as the other so that man will not discover anything that will be after him. — Ecclesiastes 7:14

True and faithful believers must learn this mystery.  God has made prosperity and adversity to be placed along side each other.  The New King James version says, “Surely God has appointed the one as well as the other.”  King James states, “God also hath set the one over against the other.”  American Standard expresses, “God hath made the one side by side with the other.” The proper Hebrew Old Testament understanding would declare that the two walk hand in hand along the same path or journey.  Undeniably and indisputably, Paul fully learned this ambiguity, recognizing the only way to make sense of it was to completely embrace the Maker and Sustainer of the universe (See Colossians 1:15-17) Who gives and takes away. (See Job 1:21)  After all, “Consider the work of God, for who is able to straighten what He has bent?”  (Ecclesiastes 7:13)

Does our Lord test His people — not by a steady course of prosperity, or by long-continued adversity, but by transition from the one to the other?   Does the grace and/or strength, which would have been sufficient for either continued prosperity or adversity, fail or fall short in the transition from the one to the other?  I think not!  Strength and grace are imparted for every new form or style of test/trial, prosperity and/or adversity. 

Through both, new traits of character are developed and arise through these transitions in life.  Some of God’s people have experienced great prosperity, others, tremendous, almost unbearable adversity.  In my life, I’ve seen plenty of both, even simultaneously.  Emphatically, I wish I would have known and understood this secret long ago — rejoice in prosperity, always consider what Christ is doing through adversity (because these two walk hand in hand), remember the Lord desires to provide strength for both conditions and actually in every situation … not just when I think/feel I may need it!   Therefore, I’m praying that the reality of our Lord’s prosperity/provision becomes vivaciously alive and unalterably true for you and yours!           

— Pastor Frank                               

OCCUPATION

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Biblically, the record of agricultural pursuits begins with our Lord’s mandate to humanity in Genesis 2:15:

Then the Lord God took the man and put him into the garden of Eden to cultivate it and keep it.

Adam was charged initially with two responsibilities … 1) cultivating the garden and 2) keeping the garden. In addition, we know that the immediate post-Edenic situation featured both the agricultural and the herdsman way of life as represented by Cain and Abel in Genesis 4:2:

And Abel was a keeper of flocks, but Cain was a tiller of the ground.

Before long came Enoch who built a city in Genesis 4:17, musicians in Genesis 4:21, and Tubal-Cain, a forger of all implements in bronze and iron in Genesis 4:22.

E.K.V. Pearce, in his work, “Who Was Adam?”  suggests that this period represents that era known to anthropologists as the “New Stone Age Revolution,” introducing farming and horticulture into human society with archaeological evidence of early farming being found in the lower Jordan River Valley around Jericho. However, there is no biblical evidence demanding a separation of the age of hunter-gatherers and the age of farmers-herdsmen.  Apparently, God established the latter at the outset of His creation even though modern day anthropologists, not unsurprisingly, take a contrarian view in opposition to the divine revelation of scripture, holding that the hunter-gatherers had to come first.

It’s also interesting to note that rudimentary agricultural tools, flint sickle and hoe blade, were discovered in the Carmel caves (located on Mt. Carmel of the biblical text in Israel some 20 kilometers from the City of Haifa), which obviously depicts the on-going responsibilities of cultivating and/or keeping/maintaining crops/gardens.  Nonetheless, the biblical account indicates that farming was not the prominent profession of Seth and the chosen bloodline . . . Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, all being herdsmen.  However, Lot seems to have preferred the settled life of a Jordan Valley farmer according to Genesis 13:10-13:

Lot lifted up his eyes and saw all the Valley of the Jordan, that it was well watered everywhere … like the garden of the Lord, like the land of Egypt as you go to Zoar. So Lot chose for himself all the Valley of the Jordan, … Thus they separated from each other. Abram settled in the land of Canaan, while Lot settled in the cities of the valley, and moved his tents as far as Sodom.   

It’s too often said of Adam and Eve that in their pre-sin/pre-fallen state they didn’t or weren’t required to work.  While it is absolutely true that they didn’t have to eat bread by the sweat  of their face as described in Genesis 4:19, work itself was originally ordained by God Himself for all humanity with God being the initial, leading, ultimate, perfect, and prime example!  Accordingly:

Thus the heavens and the earth were completed, and all their hosts.  By the seventh day God completed His work which He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done. Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because in it He rested from all His work which God had created and made. (see Genesis 2:1-3)  

Sounds like God was busy at work, establishing the opportunity to work/labor as a God-ordained task and vehicle of blessing for all human beings. Perhaps that’s why Paul’s address to the Thessalonians is so blunt:

If anyone is not willing to work, then he/she is not to eat, either. For we hear that some among you are leading an undisciplined life, doing no work at all, but acting like busybodies. Now such persons we command and exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ to work in quiet fashion and eat their own bread.  But as for you, brethren, do not grow weary of doing good. (See II Thessalonians 3:10-13)

Now Labor Day, when Americans pay tribute to the those in the work force, has come and gone, but that shouldn’t stifle gratitude for our Lord’s marvelous design … work! Let’s be thankful for the opportunities afforded us of gainful employment, always remembering the admonition found in Colossians 3:23-24:

Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve.

Therefore, here’s my somewhat difficult challenge for those desiring to be imitators of Christ.  Today, will you take a moment and thank God for your job, even if it’s not so perfect and even if you’re totally disgruntled and unfulfilled?  You are fulfilling His design and purposes, accomplishing that which can glorify Him and bring blessings to your life.  He has placed you right there, right now, so even if you hate it, seek to know Him deeper and more completely in and through your current situation/opportunity!   

Think about it, Pastor Frank aka PF             

RESURRECTION

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Being raised from the dead has three primary meanings in our Old and New Testament Scriptures.

1. Miraculous Healings In this usage, resurrection refers to individuals who have been brought back to life from death (resuscitated). Such raisings are recorded in: I Kings 17:20-24 (a widow’s son), II Kings 4:32-37 (the Shunammite’s son), and when a dead man’s body touches Elisha’s bones in II Kings 13:21. Mark 5:41-43 records Christ raising Jairus’ daughter, and in John 11:43-44 Lazarus comes alive after already being entombed. Peter is used by the Lord to raise Dorcas in Acts 9:40-41, and Paul ministers resurrection to Eutychus in Acts 20:9-12.  It is important to note that in each of these biblically recorded (as witnessed by many) resurrection cases, there is no suggestion or evidence that these individuals would not again experience physical death.

2. Our Lord’s Resurrection His resurrection is undeniably linked in the New Testament with victory over all the powers of both sin and death. For Paul, and us, Christ’s resurrection (as witnessed by many) is the basis for the doctrine of resurrection.

(See I Corinthians 15:12-19)

3. Human Resurrection  Many of the Greek philosophers, such as Plato, believed that an immortal soul inhabited a body, and that at death the soul left its bodily prison and soared upward to the divine spirit. In the Old Testament, we learn that “Sheol” is actually the place of the dead, a form of weakened existence.  However, it was a faithful Hebrew’s firm belief that the righteous dead would yet again see God. (See Job 19:26) Upon this expectation was laid the foundation concerning the resurrection of righteous individuals to life!

The Hebrew peoples’ concepts of the resurrection were born out of her relationship to God throughout their tumultuous history.  The prophet Isaiah seems to express a view that the wicked would face eternal separation from God, while the faithful will come to experience a bodily resurrection.  (See Isaiah 26:14 & 19)

In addition, God’s prophet Daniel announced:

Many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, some to shame and everlasting contempt. (See Daniel 12:2)

Our New Testament scriptures consistently teach a hope (confident expectation) in a physical resurrection unto life for every genuine believer, based upon the resurrection of Jesus Christ as the “firstborn from the dead.” (See I Corinthians 15:12-58; Colossians 1:18; I Thessalonians 4:14-18; I Peter 1:3-5) This concept  of a physical, bodily resurrection is also expressed in terms such as a transformed body (See Philippians 3:21) and new clothing. (See II Corinthians 5:4; Revelation 6:11) The scriptures also contrast the resurrection unto life with a resurrection unto judgment. (See John 5:29; Acts 24:15)  A similar contrast also lies behind the statements in Revelation 20 about the first resurrection (which is that unto life) (See verse 5), and those who are part of the resurrection unto judgment, who ultimately face the lake of fire and the second death. (See verses 12-14)

Sadly, not all who attempted to be identified with Christ’s Church proclaimed the truth of a future resurrection.  In fact, some preached a spiritual awakening, or resurrection, that had already taken place. This view point was adopted by Hymenaeus and Philetus and later promoted by Gnostic heretics.  Needless to say they were sternly rebuked and condemned by the Apostle Paul.  (See II Timothy 2:17-19)

Do you believe in resurrection?  If so, let’s gather as genuine believers for a earnest, heartfelt, jubilant celebration on Sunday, April 16!  It’s victory over sin and death … a time for rejoicing in the precious gift of life, life abundant and everlasting, which has been bestowed upon us through faith in our Saviour and Lord, Jesus Christ!   Let’s do it! 

His & Yours, because of GRACE (God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense)

— PF  

HARVEST

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For most of us in urban or suburban America, harvest time is of little concern because in the complexity of our lives we are far removed from the actual production of our food supply.  However, for the Hebrew people of the Bible, the “harvest” was a most important season, just like those that reside in agricultural areas today. In Genesis 8:22, the Lord insures the significance of this season for humanity; “While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease.”

The three principal feasts of the Jews corresponded to their three harvest seasons (Ex 23:16; 34:21-22). 

1.   The feast of the Passover in April is at the time of the barley harvest (Ruth 1:22)

2.   The feast of Pentecost is 7 weeks after Passover, which is the wheat harvest (Ex 34:22).

3.   The feast of Tabernacles is in the fall at the end of the Hebrew yearly calendar (October), which is the fruit harvest.

The first-fruits of these harvests were to be presented to Yahweh and used as a wave offering (Lev 23:9-14).

Figuratively speaking from the Old Testament, a destroyed harvest typified devastation or aspects of affliction (Job 5:5; Isa 16:9; 17:11; Jer 5:17; 50:16). The “time of harvest” frequently referenced a day of destruction (Jer 51:33; Hos 6:11; Joel 3:13); however, “Joy in harvest” typified great joy (Isa 9:3). A “harvest of the Nile” spoke of an abundant harvest (Isa 23:3), while “The harvest is past” meant that an appointed time or opportunity was gone (Jer 8:20).

In the New Testament Gospels, Jesus uses the Greek word “therismos” in a new context, referring to the harvest of souls. In Matthew 9:37-38, Christ speaks to His disciples, which is inclusive of us, concerning the need for laborers/workers who are available to gather His harvest — Then He said to His disciples:

The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Therefore, beseech the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest.

John 4:23 also speaks to our Lord’s harvest when He challenges all believers:

Do you not say, ‘There are yet four months, and then comes the harvest’? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look on the fields, that they are white (ready) for harvest.

According to Christ’s statement, the Gospel would be effective … very effective! Therefore, there would be a harvest of individuals that would need to be gathered!  This need would be evident very soon and continue throughout the ages until our Lord comes and establishes His Kingdom on earth.     

Christ explains the parable of the wheat and tares (Matthew 13:24-30) in Matthew 13:36-43 in which He uses the word “harvest” in an extremely sad and dreadful context:

Then He left the crowds and went into the house. And His disciples came to Him and said, “Explain to us the parable of the tares of the field.” And He said, “The one who sows the good seed is the Son of Man, and the field is the world; and as for the good seed, these are the sons of the kingdom; and the tares are the sons of the evil one; and the enemy who sowed them is the devil, and the harvest is the end of the age; and the reapers are angels. “So just as the tares are gathered up and burned with fire, so shall it be at the end of the age. “The Son of Man will send forth His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all stumbling blocks, and those who commit lawlessness, and will throw them into the furnace of fire; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. “Then THE RIGHTEOUS WILL SHINE FORTH AS THE SUN in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears, let him hear.

May we have ears to hear! Which harvest will you be part of?            –PF

PLAGUE

Posted on by West Oaks Fellowship

As believers in Christ Jesus, we shouldn’t presume God’s intention in the current pandemic.  However, the Lord God certainly has reason to judge humanity. Prior to all the shutdowns in America alone, 3,000+ babies were being murdered every day through abortion (far more than fatality numbers of COVID-19). Sexual immorality is running rampant in the LGBT movement as well as Christ’s church. As a culture and society, we have largely abandoned God’s Word as a standard for right and wrong, and replaced it with human perspective, reason, or speculative scientific hypothesis that’s accepted as fact. Therefore, it’s relatively easy to see why God might choose to judge our nation, and the entire world.

So perhaps the next valid question to ask might be, “Is COVID-19 a plague?” Easton’s Bible Dictionary defines a plague as “a stroke of affliction, or disease — sent as a divine chastisement.” The biblical word translated plague in the Old testament, actually comes from several words in original biblical languages. One Hebrew word for plague is daber (דָּ֑בֶר). It is often translated as plague or pestilence. Another word for plague is makkah (מַכָּה) which may also denote other concepts besides what is understood as a plague. In the Old Testament, a plague may appear to have occurred by natural causes as in Amos 4:10. At other times, plagues appear to be a more direct assault from God as in the Hebrew word, nega (נֶגַע), in Exodus 11:1 … Now the Lord said to Moses, “One more plague I will bring on Pharaoh and on Egypt.”

The New Testament terms for plague all function in a similar manner, with several words being translated as plague in different versions of the scripture. Nevertheless, plege’ is the most common word used for plague in our New Testaments. While not always to be understood or translated as God’s judgment upon a group of people, the term might undoubtedly describe such an event. For example, Jesus uses the Greek word, loimos, when he declared of Jerusalem, “There will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and pestilences” in Luke 21:11. Revelation 15:1 uses plege’,

Then I saw another sign in heaven, great and amazing, seven angels with seven plagues, which are the last, for with them the wrath of God is finished.

As one considers (weighs) how/what to think during this challenging and difficult time, it’s always appropriate and even expedient to remember the words of Job,

The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.

Job 1:21

Even when it seems as if our world is breaking into pieces and falling apart, our God is, and always will be, in control. The Lord definitely knows what’s going on, and is intimately involved in this crisis (whether natural or man-made, lie or true), as well as in every situation! That includes your life and mine. Therefore, in whatever manner you’ve been affected by this virus-crisis, God sees/fully knows every detail and is merciful according to Psalm 145:9. Continue to trust Him despite the chaos that may surround you and others … undoubtedly, He has proven Himself worthy of our confidence, as well as our worship — over and over, again and again!

God’s prophet, Samuel, spoke openly with the Lord’s people in I Samuel 12:24 – Only fear the Lord and serve Him in truth with all your heart; for consider what great things He has done for you.

Due to the fact that the consequences of COVID-19 are so severe, it easily qualifies as a plague of biblical proportion. Nonetheless, that doesn’t mean that all of a sudden our pagan, self-centered world comes running to Christ Jesus in repentance, or that it even stops to pray to the Lord, God Almighty, asking Him to bring wisdom and/or destroy the virus. No, instead, too many look to and trust human effort and resources to resolve the issue. Perhaps a much greater power and a little humility is needed! Don’t get me wrong, I love the idea that our society has an attitude of let’s pull up our boot straps, dig in, work hard, and beat this thing! But to believe victory is possible without the Lord’s help, Who dearly prizes the creation that’s made in His own image, is absolutely heretical lunacy.     

Lord, let us be of sound mind, believing/knowing that our help comes from You, that Your ways are higher than ours, and that only the fool functions in a mindset that chooses to deny Your existence, omniscience, and omnipotence!  Please think on things above, not the things of this world and pray for healing, coupled with genuine repentance.

–PF