Ringing In The New Year!

Depart! Depart! Go out from there,

touch no unclean thing; go out

from the midst of her, be clean,

you who bear the vessels of the LORD.

For you shall not go out with haste,

nor go by flight; for the LORD will go

before you, and the God of Israel will be

your rear guard.

Isaiah 52:11–12

            Yesterday’s blog was designed not to just impart some Greek language to anyone, rather it was to demonstrate that if one speaks and teaches other than what the Scriptures actually say; then they are not speaking or teaching truthfully. We must allow ourselves become so enamored by the beautiful oratory, or fancy teaching, rather we are to be prudent in all that is said to us. Many have succumbed to teachings that on the surface seem good only found bad and non–Scriptural. The goal as always is to teach us that we must ourselves change from the Inside/Out and this by the word of God rightly imparted. Isaiah’s words to “Depart!”
”Depart!” are words not only said to the nation of Israel, but to us, those of us who believe in the Bible as the inspired words of God. We are not to “touch the unclean thing,” and to “go out from the midst of her, be clean.” And this due to this fact; we are bearing the vessels of the LORD, His Gospel, and as His ambassadors we leave such things behind. Now it is this one thing that so entraps us and this is to be in a hurry to do things that we have come to believe must be done by us, but we are not in haste turn to those things that we have been instructed to leave behind. God will be with you and me and will be our “rear guard.” The Hebrew word ‘ףםא’ acaph, is translated in the New King James as ‘rear guard” and this is true. The word has a greater meaning and this is: to gather for any purpose, to bring objects, in this case you to a common point, and this refers to the end product and it is God who does the gathering. The word can also mean or represent a bringing to oneself as God brings His children to Himself and the word can mean that God bringing you to Himself and is withdrawing you or removing you of something. God who gathers and it is God who takes away, and God who destroys.

            We have come once again to the last day of the year, the year 2013, and are looking forward to the year 2014. You may be looking back on all that occurred in 2013 and we see things we wish we didn’t see, those things that we did that was not of God, and then, there are things we see whereby we see all that God has done for you. This may bring to you, those God things, and anxiety for the future and if not checked we may not allow those things of God, those memories of things we wish we did not do override God’s grace. God is God and is present in every age we live and while He allows those memories; He does so to turn the past into a ministry of spiritual culture for the future. This remembrance of the past and allowance by God is so as not to allow us, to fall into a shallow security in the present. God is going before you, He is not only your “rear guard,’ He is the One gathering you, and destroying those things that would destroy us if we do not turn to Him and allow Him to be our guide. God can and will, if we allow Him to do so, clear the past from our conscience, for it God Who is “going before you.” As we think upon the year 2014, do not become impetuous and forgetting those things, God did for you in the past. Do no allow the past and become thoughtless; rather go forward in patient power knowing that God of Israel is going ahead of you and those things of the past are irreparable, at least to us, they are what they are, but God can transform the past into a beautiful present and future. Let the past sleep, and let it sleep on the bosom of Jesus Christ. Once again: leave the irreparable past in His hands and then step out into the Irresistible future with Him.

            As you enter into this night and celebrate the New Year Day, do so with God, His Son Jesus Christ who you are an image of to lead you into that which is good. Take care, watch out for yourselves, there are those who care little about anything except there own pleasure and use this night as an excuse for excess. If, at all possible, join with others in your congregations, those brothers and sisters who would enjoy you company and are willing to celebrate this special day set aside as a memorial. There is a future and while God holds the future in His hands, we are the ones who are to demonstrate and exercise what the future will be for ourselves, our families, our friends, our nation, God goes before setting the stage, we are the actors setting forth for the world what God has set forth in us. Our yesterdays are yesterdays, past, not forgotten, but past, and they can by the help of God be that which impels us to live for God as we have never done so before. Not because we receive any reward for doing so, no, rather because God has saved you and deserves from us all worship. We have a mission, and that mission is to bring to our world the Gospel. What a pleasure that is and what a privilege it is, that God would give us this responsibility and go before us to aid us in our spreading of the Good news.

            Enjoy the night. HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Now beautiful upon the mountains

            Are the fee of him who

Brings good news, who proclaims

            Peace, who brings glad tidings

Of good things. Who proclaims salvation,

            Who says to Zion, “Your God reigns!”

                                                Isaiah 52:7

Break forth in Joy: Our God reigns

Richard L. Crumb

Changing From The Inside/Out

And he said unto them, it is not for you

to know the times or the seasons,

which the Father hath put in his own power.

But ye shall receive power, after that the

Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall

be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem,

and in all Judæa, and in Samaria, and

unto the uttermost part of the earth.

Acts 1:7–9

(Stephanus text; 1550 A.D.)

           

            The Church began as a separate religion apart from Judaism when Jesus came and spoke to those men who were waiting as instructed by Jesus: “Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high” (Luke 24:40). This power came upon those assembled in ways that are simply miraculous and hard to understand. In fact, there has and is much debate and misunderstanding about this event. I hope and pray that I can bring some enlightenment to those debates.

Here is the Greek words in Acts 2:1-12: 1 Καὶ and ἐν This word often translated “in” has a greater meaning and can and does mean as well, “during.” τῷ συμπληροῦσθαι when times have fully come or are completed τῆς the ἡμέραν  day τῆς the πεντηκοστῆς pentecost ἦσαν they were άπάντες a strengthen form of the word πάς and means, all, the whole ὁμοῦθυμαδόν together with one mind or one accord ἐπὶ in τὸ the αὐτό same (place), 2 καὶ and ἐγένετο came ἄφνω suddenly, or unexpectantly ἐκ out τοῦ of οὐρανοῦ heaven ἦχος a sound, and the Greek word so often used for sound, θωνή, is not used rather this word. ἦχος , references that this sound was a roaring or loud sound iὥσπερ so as too, or simply, “as” φερομένης to be under a moving influence, rushing πνοῆς breathe βιαίας  violent καὶ and ἐπλήρωσεν filled up ὅλον whole τὸν the οἶκον house οὗ where ἦσαν they καθήμενοι sitting, 3 καὶ and  ὤφθησαν appeared, that is that they could behold αὐτοῖς to them διαμεριζόμεναι divided into parts γλῶσσαι tongues or languages ὡσεὶ as of πυρός fire, this then admits that the tongues spoken of are not just languages, rather an appearance that came upon those in the room, καὶ and ἐκάθισεν and sat ἐφ' upon ἕνα one ἕκαστον each αὐτῶν of them, 4 καὶ and ἐπλήσθησαν they were filled up πάντες the whole, or all, πνεύματος spirit ἁγίου holy, καὶ and ἤρξαντο began λαλεῖν to speak άποφθέγγεσαι  to speak out γλώσσαις tongues or languages as will be shown in the following verses that it was a language that could be understood by those from foreign lands that spoke another language  καθὼς as τὸ the πνεῦμα spirit ἐδίδου gave ἀποφθέγγεσθαι to speak forth, or utter αὐτοῖς. them

^5 And there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, ^fdevout men, from every nation under heaven. ^6 And when this sound occurred, the ^gmultitude came together, and were confused, because everyone heard them speak in his own language διαλέκτω (dialect). ^7 Then they were all amazed and marveled, saying to one another, “Look, are not all these who speak ^hGalileans? ^8 And how is it that we hear, each in our own ³language διαλέκτω (dialect). in which we were born? ^9 Parthians and Medes and Elamites, those dwelling in Mesopotamia, Judea and ⁱCappadocia, Pontus and Asia, ^10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya adjoining Cyrene, visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, ^11 Cretans and ⁴Arabs—we hear them speaking in our own tongues the wonderful works of God.” ^12 So they were all amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “Whatever could this mean?”

How does this play out, this special event whereby miraculous things occurred? First, it must be admitted that this was a work of God to impress upon those gathered together that God was imparting to them a new thing. They were to carry out the mission, and so are we, that is, to take the Gospel, which is, the life, death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ who came to pay the debt owed to God, sin. This is the work of the Church, and you are the ekklesia, or called out ones, the Church and you are to be ambassadors for Jesus Christ, His Gospel. Our desire is to be what God has called us to be, a mission oriented people, a Church that has its eyes upon taking the Gospel into the remotest parts of the earth. No, it does not mean that we are all called to be missionaries that go to foreign lands, but, we are called to missionaries wherever we are, at work, play, in our homes, to our neighbors, and in all we do. The debate, that has sidetracked this mission or has given rise to such theologies that are not present in the narrative given above. The “tongues,” a misleading term if not correctly understood, and Scripture is very clear. Two things happened on that first day of the Church. One, tongues as of fire stood above the head of those attendance as a representative of this new work. This new mission, and this new covenant, set forth by God towards His children. Two, they spoke in languages that others could understand, and if we are to understand this correctly then this is the only possible explanation and is not some “gibberish” spiritual sounds that some make as though God need to hear from them in this unexpressive manner, that which is unnecessary. This debate that separates brothers and sisters in Jesus Christ is so harmful and so misleading that it must stop and the Church must then begin to be what was set forth on the day of Pentecost. How will this stop for it is engrained in some theologies and people have claimed it to be the way, to have some “angelic” sound, or “tongue” and the Bible never speaks this way. It stops with taking time to read the Greek and this I attempted to do above, and to apply what Scripture states for the people of God.

As the New Year approaches take time to take inventory of your life, your beliefs, your theology and make the changes that are Scriptural so that as you Consider Your Faith, you will make the necessary changes from the Inside Out.

           

The Church or God must by one

            The Church finds it s unity

In One Shepherd: Jesus Christ

Behold, how good and how

            Pleasant it is for

Brethren to dwell together

            In unity

                        Psalm 133:1

Praise Him you servants of the LORD

Richard L. Crumb

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Taking Inventory And Planning Ahead

For thus says the LORD to the men

Of Judah and Jerusalem:

“Break up your fallow ground,

and do not sow among thorns.

Circumcise yourselves to the LORD,

and take away the foreskins of your hearts.

You men of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem,

lest My fury come forth like fire, and burn

so that no one can quench it. Because of the evil

of your doings.”

Jeremiah 4:3–4

            It is true that Jeremiah was writing to the Hebrews and that the first application of what he said was to them.  We must not forget that what ever was written in the Bible had it first application often in the immediate circumstances of the Hebrews life.  We must not forget that all written, inspired by God, has application to every Christian.  Therefore, we must examine what was written so that we can discover how to apply what was written in our lives.  Jeremiah makes it very plain and clear that what he was about to write where the very words of the LORD.  Take a moment and look back in all that occurred in your life, especially this last year, and you may find that your life included much that was stone upon rocky ground.  That there were many circumstances in your life that cause you trouble and seemed at times impossible to traverse due to the many thorns and pistols, and the many harsh tones, that seemed to make you stumble.  But the LORD gives this command, “Break up your fallow ground,” and it is to be further noticed that God will not break up that harsh ground that you have been traversing.  God said, you are to be the one to break up that fallow ground.  Furthermore, God said; “do not sow among thorns.” You, and I, have this responsibility, we are to be watchful in all that we do and say so as to not too so our life amongst the thorns, that is, evil and unrighteous things.  How often is it that we expect God to do for us what we are to do for ourselves?  God will not do for us what we can do for ourselves and to think otherwise is to not think in godly terms.  For instance, one may be out of work and in need of work, and yet does not do anything: i.e., resumes sent to companies so that you may be hired.  God is like going to write those resumes, and God is not going to take you to the interview, you must do things for yourself.  We are to break up the fallow ground and not have apathy in our life.  Where do we start?  God once again gives us the answer: “Circumcise yourselves to the LORD.” What does this mean to be, circumcised?  Yes, Israel had the command that all boys by the age of eight days were to be circumcised.  In this physical act pointed to something greater than just the removal of the male prepuce.  God often uses physical action to point to something spiritual and in this case circumcision did just that.  It was more than saying that that boy was a Hebrew.  How would one know whether or not that boy was circumcised or not?  Was not that boy by birth already a Hebrew?  Yes!  Therefore, that physical act of circumcision pointed to something greater than the very act itself and that which it pointed to was for cleansing of a person’ heart.  We are to cleanse ourselves and not sow among thorns breaking up that foul ground that it has in the past caused us to do things that were against the will of God or to say things that were harmful, hurtful, and unrighteous.  What are those things that are hurtful towards God that would rouse his fury, it is that the foreskin, which has the meaning of evil thoughts and practices in our lives that needs to be removed are the very hurtful things that will cause God's fury to come upon a person like fire upon dry straw.  This fire is so hot, and reminds us of the words in Revelation where it is said that evil people will be thrown into the lake of fire a fire that cannot quench and this is done because of the evil that is in a person.  Do not allow yourself to become apathetic and tacitly approve of that which is evil whether it be in your life or in the life of others and stay away from those who would attempt in every way to turn you assign from the life from which you were saved by the birth, life, death, resurrection, and the ascension into heaven by Jesus Christ.  Yes it is true, we elect of God are already seated in heaven with God and no one can snatch us away from that but we can decide to either live for him or to suffer what God has planned for those who will not, even though he lacked, live for him: "If anyone's work is a burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire" (1 Corinthians 3: 15).  Yes, as we farm our land, that is, our lives, and Powell that fallow ground removing the thorns and pistols so that we can slow godliness amongst all that we do we then will build our lives on the very foundation which is Jesus Christ.  Paul writes: "For no other foundation can anyone lay band that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.  Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each one is work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one is work, of what sort it is.  If anyone's work which he has built on it in yours, he will receive a reward" (1 Corinthians 11 -- 14).  Here is the crux of the matter, and we must not forget that this is at the very heart of what is being said in this blog: "Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you" (1 Corinthians 3: 16)?

            You may be taking time, and taking inventory of your life, to plan for the new year 2014, and this is a good thing.  Let me leave this blog with this good news: Jesus Christ came as a babe in arms, wrapped in swaddling cloths and laid in a manger, God himself came, not some angel, not some other person, but God himself to live as a man, to die as a man, a perfect man, to pay that debt that was all to himself, a debt he paid himself, and has now applied that propitiation for all of his children.  Praise God!

But we have renounced the hidden things of shame,

            not walking in craftiness nor handling

the Word of God deceitfully,  but by manifestations

of the truth commending ourselves to

every man's conscience in the sight of God.

                                                2 Corinthians 4: 2

Do not lose heart

Richard L. Crumb