and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, even though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; though its waters roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with its swelling. Selah….
There is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacle of the Most High. God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved; God shall help her, just at the break of dawn.
The nations raged, the kingdoms were moved; He uttered His voice the earth melted. The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge.
Come, behold the works of the Lord, who has made desolations in the earth. He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two; He burns the chariot in the fire.
Be still, and know that I AM God; I will be exalted among the nations, will be exalted in the earth! The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah, ( Psalm 46).
If we believe His word, our expression and life is: Oh, clap your hands, all you peoples! Shout to God with the voice of triumph! For the Lord Most High is awesome; He is a great King over all the earth.
He will subdue the peoples under us, and the nations under our feet. He will choose our inheritance for us the excellence of Jacob whom He loves.
God has gone up with a shout, the Lord with the sound of a trumpet. Sing praises to God, sing praises! Sing praises to our King, sing praises! For God is King of all the earth; sing praises with understanding.
God reigns over the nations; God sits on His holy throne. The princes of the people have gathered together the people of the God of Abraham. For the shields of the earth belong to God; He is greatly exalted!, ( Psalm 47).
Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, in His holy mountain. Beautiful in elevation, the joy of the whole earth, is Mount Zion on the sides of the north, the city of the great King. God is in her palaces; He is known as her refuge.
For behold, the kings assembled, they passed by together. They saw it, and so they marveled; they were troubled, they hastened away. Fear took hold of them there, and pain, as of a woman in birth pangs, as when you break the ships of Tarshish with an east wind.
As we have heard, so we have seen in the city of our God: God will establish it forever. We have thought, O God, on Your lovingkindness, in the midst of Your temple. According to Your name, O God, so is Your praise to the ends of the earth; Your right hand is full of righteousness.
Let Mount Zion rejoice, let the daughters of Judah be glad, because of Your judgments. Walk about Zion, and go all around her. Count her towers; mark well her bulwarks; consider her palaces; that you may tell it to the generation following. For this is God, our God forever and ever; He will be our Guide even to death, ( Psalm 48).
Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people, ( Proverbs 14:34). As written in Genesis 11:4, the people wanted to build a building going up to the heavens and make a name for themselves……. The Lord called it- Shinar- Babylon. Man and his plans without God are all about building himself up and his kingdom….. Man’s fame, name and fortune…… The three things Jesus Christ triumphed over in His trial of temptation in the wilderness…… We are either found in the wilderness still fighting the same temptations of our Lord or we are found in the Holiest of All, as His presence is before us. We have either died to the world and the world died to us or we are alive in the world and the world is still very actively alive to us.
We will be judged at the End by the Beginning…..The measure leading to the fullness of Christ will be our scale or banner. So after all the shaking and baking and the fires, we will be found….. in Him….. our only righteousness- Jesus Christ…. This is the measure of grading- Christ in us the hope of glory.
The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life to turn away from the snares of death, ( Proverbs 14:27). The city of God is glad from the streams of His river, the holy place of the tabernacle of the Most High.
No grave trouble will overtake the righteous but the wicked shall be filled with evil, ( Proverbs 12:21). This is the other alternative……Selah!
I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to different gospel, which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we, or any angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed.
For do I now persuade men or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ. But I make known to you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man. For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through the revelation of Jesus Christ, ( Galatians 1:6-12).
As written in the Revelation of our Lord, our King, Jesus Christ is here walking among us, His bride, His city….. always. As written by John in the Gospel of John and the first letter of John…… In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him nothing was made that was made, ( John 1:1-3).
That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life- the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us- that which we have seen and heard and declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ, ( 1 John 1:1-3.)
As written by Paul in Colossians 3:11: where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free, but Christ is all and in all.
Therefore let that abide in you which you heard from the beginning. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, you also will abide in the Son and in the Father, ( 1 John 2:24).
We may acknowledge the Beginning is Christ Jesus, the Word of God and as He has spoken in Revelation chapter 1, He is the End. So can we conclude the middle is workmanship of the Holy Spirit in making Christ all and in all or they are not. As I mentioned our King is walking among us, what is He seeing with eyes of blazing fire? We are complete in Him, not in our flesh, nor our earthly desires and our selfish desires…… The fire of His Spirit burns away the chaff and brings forth His image within. Christ is our only hope of glory.
When Jesus Christ walked the earth, He announced His Person in the synogogue as written in Luke. The people did not receive His announcement then, are we receiving His Word today? As written judgment begins in the house of God……Heaven’s Food came to earth, but they were so set in their earthly desires. All their hope were set on the lower level, the natural life, that they missed Him walking in their midst.
Do we know what the judgment of God is for such a time as this as He is walking today through our buildings and services? The shakings will be against the false strongholds that try to stand against the Word and Will of God.
There were judges of God which helped Israel out of their oppressions from the enemy. They were in the bondage of the enemy due to their worshipping of idols, ( self), and allowing the ways of the world to enter into their lifestyle. After they cried out to Him, He would rise up a judge to lead them out of bondage through overcoming the enemy. First, the crying and repenting in the heart of the nation to their Almighty.
Most of us think of judgment as horrible, but in the Lord, we are His children and want to be shown what is wrong so we may get stronger in Christ and abide in the Lord….As written in the Psalms….. He desires truth in our inner parts…… Christ is our only hope of glory.
Earth has seeped into the church and her services—-blocking heaven. God has never approved or shared His glory with flesh. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is simple. The Holy Spirit keeps our focus on the Lord Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit keeps Christ as He is, the Beginning and the End. He is our only help. If God thought we needed some self help therapy He would have manifested as a Psychiatrist. We needed a Savior from ourselves and He died with all our sins and generations of iniquities upon Him. He made a way for us to live free in Him of sin and bondage to death and its ways.
If there is sin and bondage, then the enemy is in charge and not the Holy Spirit and the Word of God in and through our lives. Are we to argue with the Word? Whoever abides in Him does not sin. Whoever sins has neither seen Him nor know Him. Little children, let no one deceive you. He who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous, ( 1 John 3:6-7).
Can we go on a cruise if we are sick or tied to a weight in our home? Well, we have in our midst, some in the body of Christ, our members are in dire straights, in prison, hiding in refuge…… They count on our supplying their need same as the collection that was taken up by Paul in his day…… Did he say go ahead and go party on a cruise while the other members are starving and in need of our help and prayers…….. How can we go cruising and partying when we have a leg out of joint or a broken arm or neck….. It would be very hard for us to have a good time if we are hurting…. Well, there are members, a lot of them, suffering now……. Are we the body of Christ or not? Do we not share in the sufferings of Christ? Does not scripture state that if one member suffers we all do….. Do we? Are we alive to their cries, their needs. Are we willing to lay aside our self indulgences to feed and help refugees find shelter?
Are we willing to die to the world and live unto Christ and our brethren? We are rejoicing in the Lord, but we are also aware of the suffering and the endurance of our family that need our help. Can we ignore our family in other nations and keep on with our deafness without paying a price?
Deliver those who are drawn toward death, and hold back those stumbling to the slaughter. If you say, surely we did not know this. Does not He who weighs the hearts consider it? He who keeps your soul does He not know it? And will He not render to each man according to his deeds?
Indeed scripture has come to pass as the Lord spoke:
But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. For as in the days of Noah before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark….. and they did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will be the coming of the Son of Man be.
Then two women will be in the field; one will be taken and other left. Two women will be grinding at the mill: one will be taken and the other left.
Watch, therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming. But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched his house and not allowed his house to be broken into.
Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.
Who then is a faithful servant and wise servant, whom his master made ruler over his household, to give them food in due season?
Blessed is that servant whom his master, when he comes, will find so doing. Assuredly, I say to you that he will make him ruler over all his goods.
But if that evil servant says in his heart, My master is delaying his coming, and begins to beat his fellow servants, and to eat and drink with the drunkards, the master of the servant will come on a day when he is not looking for him and at an hour that he is not aware of, and will cut him in two and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, ( Matthew 24:37-51).
Is this the time to party and go cruising or is this the time as the Lord spoke of when His disciples would be fasting and praying? Is it life as usual or do we hear the Spirit speaking to us today….. to mend our ways back to the Lord at all costs to our weak flesh. Find our hearts desire in seeking His face and sitting with Him….. Our true purpose and joy- The Desire of the Nations!
Does not Wisdom cry out and understanding lift up her voice she takes her stand on the top of the high hill beside the way, where the paths meet, ——( crossroads)….. Let us again ask for our stony heart to be removed and replace our heart with a heart of flesh as written….. Lord, do it again in Your abundant mercy. Holy Spirit, may you find us pliable in Your hands to do our King’s good pleasure and will.
Now I do not believe the Lord meant for weddings to stop or that children should not be born…. at all! God would be going against His own Word. I believe He was telling us we, His children, are a peculiar bunch. We know the signs of the times. We see with the eyes of the King and know His heart. We walk in a different path and are wonders and signs in this world. We are the signs there is more to this life than is seen with the natural eye. We are the warning of God’s existence and coming wrath on the sons of disobedience…… We point to the hope of our peace and joy in a very corruptible world, our Savior and King, the Son of Man, Jesus Christ, the Only Begotten of the Father in heaven.
As this was written to Israel’s coming judgment, let it be not found in our King’s eyes reflecting what He is watching among us: An astonishing and horrible thing has been committed in the land: the prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests rule by their own power; and My people love to have it so, but what will you do in the end?, ( Jeremiah 5:31).
We have been given a great salvation and life in the Lord Jesus Christ. We can shout and praise Him forever because He is worthy…… The King loves His beloved……We are honored to be called by Him and to live for Him and His body, all the members. We lift up our voice and shout to the God we love and serve with a voice of triumph. Praise Him all the heavens and all who are on the earth.
Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ, as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, Be holy for I AM holy.
And if you call on the Father, who without partiality judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves throughout the time of your stay here in fear, knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver and gold from your aimless conduct received by the tradition of your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.
He indeed was forordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you who through Him believe in God who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.
Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart, having been born again, not with corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever, ( 1 Peter 1:13-23).
No matter what country we live in, God’s people are the city on the hill for each nation or tribe. We are the light of the world, so let us make sure we are the light from heaven with Christ living within and the cross written on our hearts and minds…. We have died to the world and the world has died to us…..and our boast is in the cross of Jesus Christ! Our home and hope is our God, the One True Great God, our Refuge.
Let our praises and services be full of the Revelation of Jesus Christ. Let us share the One who is our Beginning and End. Let us share the ways of the Christ in us and how He is ascending and we……. well, we cannot be found but in His righteousness……For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain, ( Philippians 1:21).…..
Behold, the Lamb of God…….. Behold, the Lion of the Tribe of Judah!……. Behold, His body and His temple and His bride, His city…….shining with the light of their King! Alleluia! Praise God! Praise the Son! Praise the Holy Spirit! Our God who is great among the nations!
Our God is our refuge and our hope and our life. Praise be to His glory and Name forever and ever!
Selah!
My Beloved,
Hear My Word and let it find rest in your soul today, yea, even today! I AM is not far off, nay, I AM is closer than your breath. I AM!
Take heed to My friend, Simon, the Cyrenian, who came to a crossroad and picked up My cross. He heeded well to the Word spoken: if anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me.
For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul ?
There is no greater love than for one to lay down their lives for another. Yea, you will find this bold quality in My friends. What is done in secret, will be rewarded and shouted from the heights. What is made known for man has received it’s reward. Those who do their deeds for My eyes and glory alone, their reward is with I AM. They grow in like measure.
The steps you take should be found on the trust of I AM and the Word spoken through the ages. Many streams come before you. Only One Stream makes you full of joy, the River flowing from My throne. The waters from My River cleanse and purify your desires to be as Mine. They heighten your resurrected life found in I AM. The increase your boundaries in I AM. Your fruit will increase in measure as is I AM within you increases……. by My Spirit says I AM.
Let your heart flow with I AM’s river, the living waters that bring the healing to all the nations.
Be found faithful in I AM.
SELAH!