REMEMBRANCE

1. REMEMBRANCE is intrinsic nature of God; the All-Knowing God, watching over His PROMISES to accomplish His PURPOSE, “So shall my WORD be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it SHALL NOT RETURN UNTO ME VOID, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it” [Isaiah 55:11] When the deluge ravaged the earth and it seemed there was no end to destruction of lives and property, God REMEMBERED Noah, “And God REMEMBERED Noah, and every living thing, and all the cattle that was with him in the ark: and God made a wind to pass over the earth, and the waters asswaged” [Genesis 8:1] God’s faculty of REMEMBRANCE is not limited by TIME; in the 430th year of Israel’s sojourn in Egypt, God REMEMBERED His COVENANT with Abraham and moved to JUDGE Egypt and DELIVER His people, “And God heard their groaning, and God REMEMBERED his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob” [Exodus 2:24] God “REMEMBERS” and every time He does, it is to REWARD the FAITHFUL and JUDGE the REBELLIOUS, and now looms the last time when every man's WORK shall be brought to REMEMBRANCE, “And, behold, I COME QUICKLY; and MY REWARD IS WITH ME, to give EVERY MAN ACCORDING AS HIS WORK shall be” [Revelation 22:12] ARE YOU READY? 

2. I call you to REMEMBRANCE in good conscience; recall how we were once without HOPE and enslaved to overbearing LUSTS of the flesh, “Wherefore REMEMBER, that ye being in time past Gentiles, … WITHOUT CHRIST, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world” [Ephesians 2:11-12] Recollect the JOY of SALVATION you received when you came to Jesus, the exhortation to forsake SIN and nurture your FAITH in PRESENT TRUTH, “And beside this, giving all diligence, ADD to your FAITH VIRTUE; and to virtue KNOWLEDGE; And to knowledge TEMPERANCE; and to temperance PATIENCE; and to patience GODLINESS; And to godliness BROTHERLY KINDNESS; and to brotherly kindness CHARITY” [2 Peter 1:5-7] If you’ve forgotten any or all of the above, I stir up your memory; recall also how there was no mention of earthly riches or the RAT RACE into which some have fallen and entangled themselves in “PERVERSE DISPUTINGS of men of CORRUPT MINDS, and DESTITUTE OF THE TRUTH, SUPPOSING THAT GAIN IS GODLINESS: from such withdraw thyself” [1 Timothy 6:5] How I wish we all REMEMBER and return to the foundation of the Apostles and Jesus Christ, our CORNER STONE. Putting aside all vanity, “… CALL TO REMEMBRANCE the FORMER DAYS, in which, after ye were ILLUMINATED, ye ENDURED a great fight of AFFLICTIONS” [Hebrews 10:32]

3. I call every Steward of the New Testament to REMEMBRANCE of PRESENT TRUTH in discharge of our onerous responsibilities, “Wherefore I will NOT BE NEGLIGIENT to put you always in REMEMBRANCE of these things, though ye know them, and be established in the PRESENT TRUTH” [2 Peter 1:12] Let us look back to former times when we burned with zeal for TRUTH and of conscientious labour of love and make amends, renouncing all works of dishonesty, “… NOT WALKING IN CRAFTINESS, nor HANDLING THE WORD OF GOD DECEITFULLY; but by MANIFESTATION OF THE TRUTH commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God” [2 Corinthians 4:2] REMEMBER among others, our conduct as Ministers of the GOSPEL is as important as how we handle the WORD of God; why tell the flocks our God is rich, yet place unending burdens on them to maintain a lifestyle contrary to Christ, “For they BIND HEAVY BURDENS and grievous to be borne, and LAY THEM ON MEN’S SHOULDERS; but they THEMSELVES WILL NOT MOVE THEM WITH THEIR FINGER” [Matthew 23:4] REMEMBER, the kingdom of God which we preach is neither a commercial enterprise nor family business but God’s Vineyard for which Jesus died on the Cross, “For the KINGDOM OF GOD IS NOT MEAT and DRINK; but RIGHTEOUSNESS, and PEACE, and JOY in the HOLY GHOST” [Romans 14:17] Bear in mind, we shall all give account of our Stewardship, not to man but to the Lord, “And that SERVANT, WHICH KNEW HIS LORD’S WILL, and PREPARED NO HIMSELF, neither did according to his will, shall be BEATEN WITH MANY STRIPES” [Luke 12:47]

4. I have an unction to call men to REMEMBRANCE what Jesus said concerning the season of His appearance; a time of great instabilities and DECEPTION “For there shall arise FALSE CHRISTS, and FALSE PROPHETS, and shall shew great SIGNS and WONDERS; insomuch that, IF IT WERE POSSIBLE, they DECEIVE the very ELECT” [Matthew 24:24] When those words were spoken some 2,000 years, it was hard to think of global conspiracy theories but with internet and social media, universal disinformation is staple diet. I call the Church to REMEBRANCE of these things; the ELECT will REMEMBER, turn to the Bible for rigorous STUDY and shall not be led astray, as it is written: “Of these things PUT THEM IN REMEMBRANCE, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers. STUDY TO SHEW THYSELF APPROVED unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” [2 Timothy2:14-15] The DAY and HOUR of His Coming we do not know and likewise do not know if we shall be alive or dead at His appearance. Whatever the case, I call you to REMEMBRANCE that we may not be found naked and ashamed at His appearance, “Yea, I think it meet, AS LONG AS I AM IN THIS TABERNACLE, to STIR YOU UP by putting you in REMEBRANCE” [2 Peter 2: 13] if you have not done so, accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour today, Amen

LEAN ON ME

1. Bill Withers’s song, LEAN ON ME made a huge impression on me growing up in the 1970s; I loved the melody but gave scant regard to the lyrics. I recently came across the lyrics and saw things differently, “When I was a child, I spake as a child, I UNDERSTOOD as a child, I THOUGHT AS A CHILD: but when I became a man, I PUT AWAY CHILDISH THINGS” [1 Corinthians 13:11] I saw in the lyrics of Bill Withers song the universal nature of PAIN and SORROW; you and I need SOMEBODY TO LEAN ON in this dting world and that person is Jesus Christ. I am aware MISERY came into the world through SIN and nature subverted with a CURSE, “And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: CURSED IS THE GROUND for thy sake; IN SORROW shalt thou eat of it ALL THE DAYS OF THY LIFE” [Genesis 3:17] PAIN and SORROW are without boundaries in this world, the RICH are not exempt or the mighty delivered by reason of strength. I don’t know what Bill Withers was passing through when he wrote his famous song, the situation is worse today as the world passes through unprecedented instabilities with PAIN a fixture on every face, “Ask ye now, and see whether a man doth travail with child? wherefore do I SEE EVERY MAN WITH HIS HANDS ON HIS LOINS, as a woman in travail, and ALL FACES ARE TURNED TO PALENESS?” [Jeremiah 30:6]

2. When Bill Withers wrote LEAN ON ME, I am sure he was not under illusion he could eliminate global burden of PAIN; it is beyond the effort of any man to do so. Those who run to men for succour from vicissitudes of this world are not wise; the one you ran to is part of the problem and cannot be the solution, “Thus saith the LORD; CURSED be the man that TRUSTETH IN MAN, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD” [Jeremiah 17:5] When afflictions become unbearable and it seems God is so far away, not a few turn to their possessions for DEFENCE.  More often than not, the Bible is cited erroneously in favour of MONEY, “For WISDOM IS A DEFENCE, and MONEY IS A DEFENCE: but the EXCELLENCY of knowledge is, that WISDOM GIVETH LIFE to them that have it” [Ecclesiastics 7:12] MONEY surely is useful but not as a pillar to LEAN ON, it lacks the EXCELLENCY of WISDOM of God. After many decades of welfare payments as well as best practices in social and health engineering, the richest and most powerful nations failed to eradicate poverty, sickness, crime, war and social disorder. Notwithstanding, multitudes place their hope in election cycles, trusting in the electoral process to throw up a messiah. Take note, man’s rebellion against God is the root of MISERY, it is impossible for governments of men, by men and for men to eradicate it, therefore “TRUST IN THE LORD with all thine heart; and LEAN NOT UNTO THINE OWN UNDERSTANDING. In all thy ways ACKNOWLEDGE HIM, and he shall direct thy paths” [Proverbs 3:5-6]

3. Bill Withers was right, WE ALL NEED SOMEBODY TO LEAN ON but that SOMEBODY has to be free of SIN and a man like you and I to SHARE our LOAD. Angels of God satisfied the first condition, having no SIN but ousted by the second for not being flesh and blood. The only way put was for God to present Himself frame of man, “Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of FLESH and BLOOD, HE ALSO HIMSELF likewise TOOK PART OF THE SAME; that THROUGH DEATH he might DESTROY HIM THAT HAD THE POWER OF DEATH, that is, the DEVIL” [Hebrews 2:14] Diverse PAINS and SORROWS are symptoms of DEATH, the one who works them is the DEVIL. Whereas man is enslaved to the DEVIL through SIN, aging, sickness, terror, wars, poverty, etc., are workings of DEATH in this body. At the appointed time, God was manifest in Jesus Christ to give His LIFE in ransom for ours, “… For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the GRACE OF GOD, and the GIFT BY GRACE, which is by ONE MAN, JESUS CHRIST, hath abounded unto many” [Romans 5:15] GRACE is God’s outstretched arm to reconcile us to Himself, that we should no longer be slaves to SIN and the POWER of DEATH, “To wit, that GOD WAS IN CHRIST, RECONCILING the WORLD UNTO HIMSELF, not imputing their trespasses unto them; …” [2 Corinthians 5:19] Jesus DIED for you, irrespective of race, gender or status and the worst offender is not exempted. LEAN ON ME, says the Lord, as many as are weary and overtaken by PAINS of living in a dying world, “COME UNTO ME, all ye that LABOUR and are HEAVY LADEN, and I WILL GIVE YOU REST” [Matthew 11:28]

4. Bill Withers found the ONE to LEAN ON under a streetlight in 1982 and LEANED on the Lord till he passed to glory in March 2020; I have his testimony, “When I decided under that streetlight to stop wrestling with Christ and all the questions, I stopped questioning how life just kind of sometimes happens” [A Night Under a Streetlight @ www.boundblessings.com] Friend, how I wish you  DECIDE for Jesus today. It does not mean the storms and trials will not come but you will face them with confidence, not with pitiable questions. He will hold your hands in the midst of swirling tempests and His PEACE shall be your confidence, as it is written: “These things I have spoken unto you, that IN ME YE MIGHT HAVE PEACE. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I HAVE OVERCOME THE WORLD” [John 16:33] LEAN ON ME, says the Lord, you have no reason to fear what the world may throw at you. Jesus overcame the world on the Cross and ascended to heaven to prepare us an inheritance in glory, “LET NOT YOUR HEART BE TROUBLED: ye believe in God, BELIEVE ALSO IN ME. … And if I go and PREPARE A PLACE FOR YOU, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that WHERE I AM, THERE YE MAY BE ALSO” [John 14:1-4]

LEAVEN OF UNBELIEF

1. UNBELIEF is a SNARE and a stumbling block to those who BELIEVE. The father of the oppressed child in Mark 9:24, BELIEVED yet begged to be delivered from UNBELIEF, “And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I BELIEVE; HELP THOU MINE UNBELIEF” [Mark 9:24] In contrast, an UNBELIEVER knows not God and cannot ask His help until He acknowledges Him, “The SACRIFICE of the WICKED IS AN ABOMINATION to the LORD: but the prayer of the upright is his delight” [Proverbs 15:8] LEAVEN OF UNBELIEF is corruption of TRUTH in those who focus on the MESSENGER but have little or no respect for the MESSAGE. There is no doubt the Apostles loved Jesus as MESSENGER of GLAD TIDINGS but gave scant regard to His MESSAGE until after Pentecost, “Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and UPBRAIDED THEM WITH THEIR UNBELIEF and HARDNESS OF HEART, because they BELIEVED NOT them which had seen him after he was risen” [Mark 16:14] If Jesus so REBUKED the Apostles, how much so the thousands who shouted HOSSANAH at His entry to Jerusalem but missed the day of Israel’s VISITATION, “Let us LABOUR therefore TO ENTER INTO THAT REST, lest any man fall after the same EXAMPLE OF UNBELIEF” [Hebrews 4:11]

2. LEAVEN OF UNBELIEF is as OLD WINE forced into NEW BOTTLES, “And no man putteth NEW WINE into OLD BOTTLES; else the new wine will burst the bottles, and be spilled, and the BOTTLES SHALL PERISH” [Luke 5;37] Israel, over the years, had oracles of God but by the time of Jesus’s earthly ministry had strayed to doctrines formulated from TRADITION, “This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their HEART IS FAR FROM ME. But in vain they do worship me, teaching for DOCTRINES the COMMANDMENTS OF MEN” [Matthew 15:8-9] Their teachers spoke glowingly of God and taught the people His Promises but when He stood in their midst, they denied Him and sought every opportunity to denounce His DIVINITY, “I AM COME IN MY FATHER’S NAME, and YE RECEIVE ME NOT: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive” [John 5:43] By denying who Jesus said He is, Israel rejected the LIVING BREAD from heaven and were stuck with SOUR DOUGH of UNBELIEF, ‘And Jesus said unto them, I am the BREAD OF LIFE: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.  But I said unto you, That YE ALSO HAVE SEEN ME, AND BELIEVE NOT” [ John 6:35-36, 51] Consequently, if any parades himself as a Christian or Minister of the GOSPEL and deny Jesus as God manifest in flesh, he is guilty of UNBELIEF, “For IN HIM DWELLETH all the FULNESS OF THE GODHEAD bodily” [Colossians 2:9]

3. LEAVEN OF UNBELIEF is a constant peril by reason of FALSE TEACHERS, “… even as there shall be FALSE TEACHERS among you, who privily shall bring in DAMNABLE HERESIES, even DENYING THE LORD that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction” [2 Peter 2:1] The manner of “DENIAL” is peculiar to the age but the purpose is the same; FALSE TEACHERS draw men away from Christ to a “GOSPEL” patterned after their own likeness, “Having a FORM OF GODLINESS, but DENYING THE POWER thereof: FROM SUCH TURN AWAY” [2 Timothy 3:5] Todays as in the days of Jesus, the POWER of the GOSPEL to change a woeful SINNER to a SAINT remains the MYSTERY OF GODLINESS “And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: GOD WAS MANIFEST IN THE FLESH, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory” [1 Timothy 3:16] This is the ROCK on which the Church is built and if by wilful silence or denial teach otherwise he kneads SOUR DOUGH into FRESH MEAL, as it is written: “… Thou art the CHRIST, the Son of the living God. … and UPON THIS ROCK I WILL BUILD MY CHURCH; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it” [Matthew 16:16-18] UNBELIEF is the reason we have Shepherds who are not weaned from LUST and Shepherds who have no resemblance to Jesus Christ, “… HYPOCRITES! for ye compass sea and land to MAKE ONE PROSELYTE, and when he is made, ye make him TWOFOLD MORE THE CHILD OF HELL than yourselves” [Matthew 23:15] 

4. LEAVEN OF UNBELIEF is STALE BREAD of new age brands of Christianity; silent on God in Christ, loud on “Perverse disputings of MEN OF CORRUPT MINDS, and DESTITUTE OF THE TRUTH, SUPPOSING THAT GAIN IS GODLINESS: from such WITHDRAW THYSELF” [1Timothy 6:5] Though they bestride the land as Colossus, they shall fade with the twilight as Pharisees and Sadducees. Remember how Jesus diligently taught His disciples and transfigured before Peter, James and John, yet they succumbed to UNBELIEF of the day, “And he began to teach them, that the SON OF MAN MUST SUFFER many things, and be rejected of the elders, and of the chief priests, and scribes, and be KILLED, and AFTER THREE DAYS RISE AGAIN. And he spake that saying openly. And PETER TOOK HIM, and began to REBUKE HIM” [Mark 8:31-32] It got so bad, Peter took Jesus aside to REBUKE Him; we can only imagine what would do to the Church in days ahead, “For there shall arise FALSE CHRISTS, and FALSE PROPHETS, and shall SHEW GREAT SIGNS and WONDERS; insomuch that, IF IT WERE POSSIBLE, they shall DECEIVE THE VERY ELECT” [Matthew 24:24] As we look forward to Christ’s appearance, let every man ascertain his foundation that we should not run in vain; purging ourselves of LEAVEN OF UNBELIEF  that we are not caught unawares, “… Take ye heed, WATCH and PRAY: FOR YE KNOW NOT WHEN THE TIME IS” [Mark 13:32-33]

ABIDING CONFIDENCE

1. ABIDING CONFIDENCE is certainty of TRUST in God’s PROMISE, “And this is the PROMISE that he hath PROMISED us, even ETERNAL LIFE” [1 John 2:25] CONFIDENCE is evidence of FAITH, in HOPE of REWARD of God’s PROMISE, “But WITHOUT FAITH IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO PLEASE HIM for he that COMETH to God must BELIEVE THAT HE IS, and that HE IS A REWARDER of them that DILIGENTLY SEEK HIM” [Hebrews 11:6] God is not “PLEASED” with those who profess FAITH for a season only to waver and lose CONFIDENCE in Him when things go awry, as it is today, “… DISTRESS OF NATIONS, with PERPELIXITY; the sea and the waves roaring; MEN’S HEARTS FAILING THEM FOR FEAR, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the POWERS OF HEAVEN SHALL BE SHAKEN” [Luke 21:25-26] As foretold, worse instabilities are ahead and every man’s CONFIDENCE shall be tested by unprecedented DECEPTION, “For there shall arise FALSE CHRISTS, and FALSE PROPHETS, and shall shew great SIGNS and WONDERS; insomuch that, IF IT WERE POSSIBLE, they shall DECEIVE the VERY ELECT” [Matthew 24:24] Jesus did not say Christians would not be DECEIVED but the ELECT, fully persuaded in ABIDING CONFIDENCE, “… STRONG IN FAITH, giving glory to God; And being FULLY PERSUADED, what he had PROMISED, HE WAS ABLE ALSO TO PERFORM” [Romans 4:20-21]

2. ABIDING CONFIDENCE is secured on GOD’S PERSONAL IDENTITY [God’s Personal Identity @ www.voiceoflasttrumpets.com] When God called Moses to lead Israel out of Egypt, he wisely requested for God’s PERSONAL IDENTITY, “… and they shall say to me, WHAT IS HIS NAME? what shall I say unto them?   And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM HATH SENT ME unto you” [Exodus 3:13-14] I AM THAT I AM is not a proper name and the NAME of God is not God, as revealed to Paul, “And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I AM JESUS whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks” [Acts 9:5] Paul and the Apostles built their CONFIDENCE on GOD’S PERSONAL IDENTITY, so should you and “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. For IN HIM DWELLETH all the FULNESS of the GODHEAD bodily” [Colossians 2:8-9] The revelation of GOD’S IDENTITY is the ROCK of ABIDING CONFIDENCE, a MYSTERY; no man can have it by cogitation, God unveils Himself to those who seek Him, “… for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. … and UPON THIS ROCK I WILL BUILD MY CHURCH; and the GATES OF HELL SHALL NOT PREVAIL against it’ [Matthew 16:17-18] Accept Jesus Christ as God and Saviour and be established in ABIDING CONFIDENCE

3. ABIDING CONFIDENCE is as gold that has been tried in fire; our profession of FAITH is the gold  to be TRIED, “That the TRIAL OF YOUR FAITH, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be TRIED WITH FIRE, might be found unto PRAISE and HONOUR and GLORY at the APPEARING OF JESUS CHRIST” [1 Peter 1:7] As the world lurches from climate change to pandemic and the economy spins out of control, it is increasingly expedient of SAINTS to turn to WISDOM of God for ABIDING CONFIDENCE, “For WISDOM IS A DEFENCE, and MONEY IS A DEFENCE: but the excellency of KNOWLEDGE is, that WISDOM GIVETH LIFE to them that have it” [Ecclesiastics 7:12] MONEY summarizes the strength of man and WISDOM, the EXCELLENCY of God to establish and give EVERLASTING LIFE to those who faint not in CONFIDENCE in days of adversity. WISDOM of God is as a threefold cord that is not quickly broken [Ecclesiastes 4:1] One, STUDY to know the WILL of God from Scriptures, when afflictions arise you will be approved, “STUDY TO SHEW THYSELF APPROVED unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” [2 Timothy 2:15] Be diligent in pursuit of UNDERSTANDING, lining up events with PROPHECY to be established in PRESENT TRUTH, “Through thy precepts I get UNDERSTANDING: therefore I HATE EVERY FALSE WAY. Thy WORD IS A LAMP UNTO MY FEET, and a light unto my path” [Psalms 119:104-105] Our defense of WISDOM is in walking in God’s revealed WILL, fully persuaded “… that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose” [Romans 8:28]

4. ABIDING CONFIDENCE is settled in PAT3IENCE, “For ye have need of PATIENCE, that, after ye have done the WILL OF GOD, ye might RECEIVE THE PROMISE” [Hebrews 10:36] PATIENCE is impeccable proof of ABIDING CONFIDENCE in God; having done what is required of us, we wait for His appearance to receive the PROMISE, “But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only” [Matthew 24:36] While we WAIT not knowing the DAY or HOUR, our CONFIDENCE in Him is strengthened in PATIENCE, But let PATIENCE HAVE HER PERFECT WORK, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing” [James 1:4] Likewise our, PATIENCE is nourished by HOPE in the FEAST of ETERNAL LIFE awaiting us at His appearance, “… EYE HATH NOT SEEN, nor EAR HEARD, neither have entered into the HEART OF MAN, the things which God HATH PREPARED for them that love him” [1 Corinthians 2:9] Beloved, as the days go by, let nothing take away your CONFIDENCE in Him; if any has suffered loss of CONFIDENCE, let him return to the LORD, “For thus saith the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel; In RETURNING and REST shall ye be SAVED; in QUITENESS and in CONFIDENCE SHALL BE YOUR STRENGTH: and ye would not” [Isaiah 30:15] We are SAVED by FAITH in Jesus Christ, we shall TRANSLATED to be with Him from plateau of ABIDING CONFIDENCE, “… Nevertheless when the SON OF MAN COMETH, SHALL HE FIND FAITH on the earth?” [Luke 18:8]


Watch “THE CHOSEN GENERATION (CITC, 1 Peter 2:9-12)” on YouTube

We are the PEOPLE of God, THE CHOSEN GENERATION, not by GENEALOGY but by His MERCY,  "Which in time past were not a people, but are now the PEOPLE OF GOD: which had not obtained mercy, but NOW HAVE OBTAINED MERCY" (1 Peter 2:10)

TRY THE SPIRITS

1. SPIRITS are in two broad classes. One, ANGELS and sundry SPIRITS known by NAME and PERSONAL IDENTITY, “And the ANGEL ANSWERING SAID unto him, I AM GABRIEL, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to shew thee these glad tidings” [Luke1:19] Two, SPIRITS having no FORM or PERSONAL IDENTITY, known by mode of OPERATION, as the LYING SPIRIT in I Kings 22:21-22, “And there came forth A SPIRIT, and stood before the LORD, and said, I will persuade him. ... And he said, I will go forth, and I will be a LYING SPIRIT in the mouth of all his prophets …” [1 Kings 22:21-22] When Satan fell, so did some ANGELS and sundry SPIRITS and were exiled to our world, ‘And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and SATAN, which DECEIVETH the whole WORLD: he was cast out into the earth, and HIS ANGELS WERE CAST OUT WITH HIM” [Revelation 12:9] Satan and his cohorts are here, scouting for troops to regain what they lost; the first shot was fired in Eden in preparation for ARMAGEDDON, “And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the DRAGON, and out of the mouth of the BEAST, and out of the mouth of the FALSE PROPHET. For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to GATHER THEM TO the BATTLE of that great day of God Almighty” [Revelation 16:13-14]  

2. TRY THE SPIRITS and know your true identity, “But ye are NOT IN THE FLESH, but IN THE SPIRIT, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the SPIRIT OF CHRIST, HE IS NONE OF HIS” [Romans 8:9] Listen carefully, what we HEAR is determined by the SPIRIT in the preacher and by HEARING of the WORD of TRUTH delivered of FAITH from darkness into everlasting GLORY, “Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest BELIEVE, thou shouldest SEE THE GLORY OF GOD?” [John 11:40] If you will enter into GLORY, it is your duty to TRY THE SPIRITS  and be sure not to have been sold a dummy, “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but TRY THE SPIRITS whether they are of God: because many FALSE PROPHETS ARE GONE OUT INTO THE WORLD” [1 John 4:1] The term FALSE PROPHETS is used here to describe those who handle the WORD of God as bait to fish for SOULS in return for GAIN, “But there were FALSE PROPHETS also among the people, even as there shall be FALSE TEACHERS among you, … And through COVETOUSNESS shall they with feigned WORDS MAKE MERCHANDISE of YOU: …” [2 Peter 2:1-3] Measure your PASTOR and his words on the scale of COVETOUSNESS; if he is always goading you to acquire more of this world than of the world to come, he is a MERCHANT of SOULS, “… and DESTITUTE of the TRUTH, SUPPOSING that GAIN IS GODLINESS: from such WITHDRAW THYSELF” [1 Timothy 6:5]

3. TRY THE SPIRITS, “Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that ANTICHRIST shall come, EVEN NOW ARE THERE MANY ANTICHRISTS; whereby we know that IT IS THE LAST TIME” [1 John 2:18] ANTICHRISTS must not be confused with the ANTICHRIST; the former is here and the latter on his way. ANTICHRISTS are as TARES among WHEAT; they are in the Church but were neither in Christ or He in them, “The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels’ [Matthew 13:39] The one who sowed TARES also watered them to bring forth fruits of BLASPHEMY. Their work is to dispute the PERSONAL IDENTITY of God in Jesus Christ with diverse LIES in every age, until the WICKED ONE should come, “And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that SPIRIT OF ANTICHRIST, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world” [1 John 4:3] ANTICHRISTS hold the line against the TRUTH in their generations, causing divisions and sowing lukewarmness with heretical doctrines of the GODHEAD [Acts 17:29] They foster divisions and denominations in the Church with demonic philosophies of DIVINITY and the FAITH of many are waxed cold by reason vain DECEIT and TRADITIONS contrary to Christ, “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. For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily” [Colossians 2:8-9]

4. TRY THE SPIRITS, “For WE WRESTLE NOT AGAINST FLESH and BLOOD, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places” [Ephesians 6:12] We are at war against an army of SPIRITS whose modus operandi is DECEIT with ANTICHRIST at the head for final onslaught, “Even HIM, WHOSE COMING is after the WORKING OF SATAN with all power and signs and lying wonders, And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them STRONG DELUSION, that they should BELIEVE A LIE” [2 Thessalonians 2:9-11] He is in the wings, waiting to be revealed; when it seem present global instabilities will drown the world, he shall take the stage to restore a semblance of PEACE and draw many to himself including many Christians, “For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect” [Matthew 24:24] The ELECT will not be deceived because they TRY THE SPIRITS and shall not be moved or deluded by great SIGNS, WONDERS or the PEACE from hell, “For when they shall say, PEACE and SAFETY; then SUDDEN DESTRUCTION COMETH UPON THEM, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape” [1 Thessalonians 5:3] Accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour today, amen

TAKE A WALK WITH GOD

1. It’s new year and many hands are up in prayer for better days ahead. Whatever your new year resolution, God is more interested in your HEART than your desire; He dwells in ETERNITY where there  are no calendars, “For thus saith the high and lofty ONE THAT INHABITETHE ETERNITY, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a CONTRITE and HUMBLE SPIRIT, to REVIVE the SPIRIT of the HUMBLE, and to REVIVE the HEART of the CONTRITE ONES” [Isaiah 57:15] As far as God is concerned today is the same as yesterday what makes the difference is your readiness to WALK with Him. Your age, gender or race does not matter either; Abraham was ninety-nine years old when he received the offer to WALK with God, “And when ABRAM WAS NINETY YEARS OLD and NINE, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; WALK BEFORE ME, and BE THOU PERFECT. And I WILL MAKE MY COVENANT BETWEEN ME and THEE, and will MULTIPLY THEE exceedingly” [Genesis 17:1-2] God has all twists and corners of 2023 and years ahead in the palm of His hand. TAKE A WALK WITH GOD, He will BLESS and see you through days and years ahead, “BLESSED is the MAN that WALKETH not in the counsel of the UNGODLY, nor STANDETH in the WAY of SINNERS, nor SITTETH in the seat of the SCORNFUL” [Psalms 1:1-3]

2. Before you may WALK with God and partake of His BLESSING, take a hard look at your life, your HEART in particular, “I the LORD SEARCH THE HEART, I try the reins, even to GIVE EVERY MAN ACCORDING TO HIS WAYS, and according to the fruit of his doings” [Jeremiah 17:10] God is PERFECT, those who WALK with Him do so in HEARTS purged of SIN and made PERFECT in Jesus Christ, who is God revealed in frame of man, “… the EXPRESS IMAGE OF HIS PERSON, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by HIMSELF PURGED OUR SINS, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high” [Hebrews 1:3] We are made PERFECT not by WORKS of piety but by receiving Jesus Christ as the “EXPRESS IMAGE” of God, who by His DEATH on the Cross paid our debt of SIN. We are PERFECT because He lives in us and we in Him, “I IN THEM, and THOU IN ME, that they may be MADE PERFECT IN ONE; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me” [John 17:23] These are hard sayings which many wrestle and SCORN to their own damnation or how shall a man DENY God’s terms of agreement and expect to WALK with Him, “Can two walk together, except they be agreed?” [Amos 3:3] Whosoever deny God was manifest in Jesus Christ SCOFFS at the integrity of God and can neither PLEASE nor benefit from His FAVOURS, “… for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a REWARDER of them that DILIGENTLY SEEK HIM” [Hebrews 11:6]

3.  When a man accepts Jesus Christ as God manifest in man, our KINSMAN REDEEMER, he is on his feet, but cannot yet WALK with God until he is established in the NARROW WAY, “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and BROAD IS THE WAY, that LEADETH TO DESTRUCTION, and many there be which go in thereat:  Because strait is the gate, and NARROW IS THE WAY, which LEADETH UNTO LIFE, and few there be that find it” [Matthew 7:13-14] BROAD WAY is a form of godliness mingled with INIQUITY, making the gospel ineffective in transforming SINNERS to SAINTS [2 Timothy 3:5] NARROW WAY is total SEPARATION to God, allowing the same POWER that raised Jesus from the DEAD to LIFE to translate us to NEWNESS of LIFE, [Romans 8:11] It is the path of SANCTIFICATION, God in the driving seat of our HEARTS both to DESIRE and DO His WILL, “For it is GOD which worketh IN YOU both to WILL and to DO of his GOOD PLEASURE” [Philippians 2:13] With God in us and zero tolerance for SIN, we are positioned to get the best out of the new year and years ahead. God knows there shall be TEMPTATIONS and TRIALS on the WAY and provided escape routes, “And we know that ALL THINGS WORK TOGETHER FOR GOOD to them that love God, to them who are the called ACCORDING TO HIS PURPOSE” [Roans 8:28] You may experience a fall here or there as common to toddlers, be not deterred, get on your feet and, “… be ye TRANSFORMED by the RENEWING OF YOUR MIND, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God” [Romans 12:1-2]

4. Whether it’s new year, new month or new day God’s BLESSING is reserved for those who WALK before Him, “BLESSED is the MAN that WALKETH not in the counsel of the UNGODLY, nor STANDETH in the WAY of SINNERS, nor SITTETH in the seat of the SCORNFUL. … and WHATSOEVER HE DOETH SHALL PROSPER” [Psalms 1:1-3] This new year, I encourage you to WALK WITH GOD in PRAYER and in daily study of His WORD both to be approved and Do them, “…MEDITATE therein day and night, that thou mayest OBSERVE TO DO according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make THY WAY PROSPEROUS, and then thou shalt have GOOD SUCCESS” [Joshua 1:8] Though this year and years ahead are marred with natural disasters, economic downturn and social disorder, be not unduly disturbed or distracted from WALKING WITH GOD; all these and more are signs of imminent appearance of the Lord Jesus Christ to receive His BRIDE, “And when these things begin to come to pass, then LOOK UP, and lift up your heads; for YOUR REDEMPTION DRAWETH NIGH [Luke 21:29] Are you WALKING with God? Now is time to get off your butt, take your place in the NARROW WAY and TAKE A WALK WITH GOD. Remember Enoch, “And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him” [Genesis 5:24]

OUR KINSMAN REDEEMER

1. REDEEM means “BUY BACK”, the one who “RESTORES” is the REDEEMER. God told Adam, “But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, THOU SHALT NOT EAT OF IT: for in the day that thou eatest thereof THOU SHALT SURELY DIE” [Genesis 2:17] Though they did not cease to breathe, the decree took effect same day they ate the forbidden thing; through SIN man DIED in cruel BONDAGE to him who wields the power of DEATH, “WAGES OF SIN IS DEATH; but the GIFT OF GOD IS ETERNAL LIFE through Jesus Christ our Lord” [Romans 6:23] Expectedly, conditions of our REDEMPTION were very stringent; God made the statute and only He could REDEEM us. He did, becoming as us in Jesus Christ that through DEATH He might pay off the WAGES of our SIN, “Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, HE ALSO HIMSELF LIKEWISE TOOK PART of the same; that THROUGH DEATH HE MIGHT DESTROY HIM THAT HAD POWER OF DEATH, that is, the DEVIL; And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to BONDAGE” [Hebrews 2:14-15] No man by reason of SIN or angel on grounds of incompatibility qualified to be OUR KINSMAN REDEEMER, so God became MAN in Jesus Christ, “For as by ONE MAN’S DISOBEDIENCE many were made SINNERS, so by the OBEDIENCE OF ONE MAN shall many be made RIGHTEOUS” [Romans 5:19]

2. Through SIN we were SOLD to him whose boast is in cruel oppression, “And Satan answered the LORD, and said, Skin for skin, yea, all that a man hath will he give for his life” [Job 2:4] We were as Naomi, miserable and without HOPE in persuading Ruth and Orpah to return home, “… IF I SHOULD SAY, I HAVE HOPE, if I should have an husband also to night, and should also bear sons; Would ye tarry for them till they were grown? would ye stay for them from having husbands? nay, my daughters; …” [Ruth 1:12-13] Orpah went back, but Ruth found HOPE in God who “VISITS” His people to set them at LIBERTY, “… for she had HEARD in the country of Moab how that the LORD HAD VISITED HIS PEOPLE in giving them bread” [Ruth 1:6] Ruth cemented her HOPE in FAITH, leaving everything behind in Moab to abide under the shadow of God, “…  I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and THY GOD MY GOD” [Ruth 1:16] God could not resist Ruth’s FAITH; He raised Boaz as KINSMAN REDEEMER to “BUY BACK” her HONOUR, “Moreover RUTH the Moabitess, the wife of Mahlon, HAVE I PURCHASED TO BE MY WIFE, to raise up the name of the dead upon his inheritance, …” [Ruth 4:10] In like manner, Jesus Christ, as KINSMAN REDEEMER “PURCHASED” us with His BLOOD on the Cross,  that we should no longer be DISHONOURED by SIN but live in NEWNESS of LIFE, “For ye are BOUGHT WITH A PRICE: therefore GLORIFY GOD IN YOUR BODY, and in your spirit, which are God's” [1 Corinthians 6:20]

3. We are no longer SLAVES to SIN and DEATH but newly created in the LIBERTY of the SON of God, “Now the Lord is that Spirit: and WHERE THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD, THERE IS LIBERTY” [2 Corinthians 3:17] His SPIRIT dwells in us and His VOICE like THUNDER reverberates across the globe with the GOSPEL of LIBERTY to those oppressed by SIN and DEATH, irrespective of age, gender, race, or weight of iniquity, saying: “COME UNTO ME, ALL ye that LABOUR and are HEAVY LADEN, and I will GIVE YOU REST” [Matthew 11:28] His REST is in CONFORMITY with His IMAGE, that we should be like Him in all things; He being the FIRSTBORN and we His BRETHREN, “For whom he did FOREKNOW, he also did PREDESTINATE to be CONFORMED to the IMAGE OF HIS SON, that he might be the FIRSTBORN AMONG MANY BRETHREN” [Romans 8:29] FOREKNOWLEDGE of God  is not “DESTINY” but God knowing ahead who will accept the offer of KINSMAN REDEEMER. And concerning “PREDESTINATION”, God PROMISED us ETERNAL LIFE that we should be SONS to Him in CONFORMITY with Jesus Christ, “And this is the PROMISE that he hath PROMISED, EVEN ETERNAL LIFE. These things have I WRITTEN unto YOU concerning them that SEDUCE YOU” [1John 2:25-26] I must, however, warn you of other VOICES who SEDUCE you with earthly things, promising LIBERTY of things of which themselves are polluted and in bondage “While they PROMISE THEM LIBERTY, they themselves are the SERVANTS OF CORRUPTION: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage” [2 Peter 2:19] 

4. Here is the TRUTH, God became our KINSMAN REDEEMER in Jesus Christ that we may become as Him, “Beloved, now are we the SONS OF GOD, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, WHEN HE SHALL APPEAR, WE SHALL BE LIKE HIM; for we shall see him as he is” [1 John 3:2] His “APPEARANCE” as stated in the above verse is imminent when we shall be ushered into the inheritance prepared for those who CONFORM to His IMAGE, “… Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which GOD HATH PREPARED FOR THEM THAT LOVE HIM” [1 Corinthians 2:9] Are we BORN AGAIN, let us be steadfast in FAITH; WATCHING and PRAYING to remain spotless until that glorious DAY, “LOOKING DILIGENTLY LEST ANY MAN FAIL OF THE GRACE of God; lest any ROOT OF BITTERNESS springing up trouble you, and thereby MANY BE DEFILED” [Hebrews 12:15] Friend, If you have not received Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour, the VOICE of your KINSMAN REDEEMER is calling you, “MY SHEEP HEAR MY VOICE, and I know them, and they follow me: And I GIVE UNTO THEM ETERNAL LIFE; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand” [Joh 10:27-28]





Watch “CHURCH OF LIVING STONES [CITC, 1 Peter 2:4-8]” on YouTube

Jesus Christ is the FIRSTBORN not your PASTOR, we are all BRETHREN and as LIVING STONES fitted, "To the general assembly and CHURCH OF THE FIRSTBORN, which are WRITTEN IN HEAVEN, and to God the Judge of all, and to the SPIRITS OF JUST MEN made PERFECT" [Hebrews 12:23]