Speak to the Rock

 

                 In Numbers 13:1, God spoke to Moses and told him to send out spies from each tribe to survey the land. The spies scouted out the new land for 40 days and found grapes, pomegranates and figs. The land flowed with milk and honey like God had foretold. Verse 28, the spies report, nevertheless the people who dwell in the land are strong; the cities are fortified and very large. All but two of the spies, Joshua and Caleb had faith in God to conquer the land he promised. The others gave Israel a bad report of the land, that there were giants (descendants from Anak) and they were like grasshoppers in the sights of the inhabitants. Israel refused to enter into the land. Joshua and Caleb in Number 14:9, Only do not rebel against the Lord, nor fear the people of the land, for they are our bread, their protection has departed from them and the Lord is with us. Do not fear them. Moses attempted to assure the people as well, and to believe God will fight for them just as He did in Egypt. Fear leads to disobedience and they face the wrath of God’s anger. God was so angry with Israel for not having faith and disobeying him he prevented them from entering into the promise land. God waited for that entire generation to die out before allowing the next generation to enter into God’s promise land. Deuteronomy 1:34-39 , And the Lord heard the sound of your words, and was angry, and took an oath, saying, Surely not one of these men of this evil generation shall see that good land of which I swore to give your fathers, except Caleb….because he wholly followed the Lord. Joshua the son of Nun, who stands before you, he shall go in there. Encourage him, for he shall cause Israel to inherit it. Moreover your little ones and your children, who you say will be victims, who today have no knowledge of good and evil, they shall go in there; to them I will give it, and they shall possess it. 

                God spoke to Moses in Numbers 20, while the people of Israel were complaining to him at the area of Kadesh. God told Moses in Verse 8, Take the rod; you and your brother Aaron gather the congregation together. Speak to the rock before their eyes, and it will yield its water; this you shall bring water for them out of the rock, and give drink to the congregation and their animals. If we continue to read, Moses gets the people together. “Hear now, you rebels! Must we bring water for you out of this rock? Then Moses lifted his hand and struck the rock twice with his rod; and water came our abundantly, and the congregation and their animals drank.” Because of Moses disobedience, God did not allow him to enter into the land of milk and honey (Canaan).  Numbers 20:12, Because you did not believe Me, to hallow Me in the eyes of the children of Israel, therefore you shall not bring this assembly into the land which I have given them. Moses and the older generation of Israel were both punished for their lack of faith and disobedience. 

                Moses and the generation that escaped Egypt’s bondage did not get to enter into the promise land. The reason I use these passages is because the same thing is happening now. A wicked generation who does not fear or obey God is rising and they will not see the promise land, heaven. There are a few reasons for this rising in wickedness. The church is a building where we congregate and meet together to worship. Many of the young generations that left the church are due to traditions and rules that have nothing to do with the Bible. Matthew 15:3, He answered and said to them, Why do you also transgress the commandment of God because of your tradition (Christian Standard Bible – Why do you break God’s commandment because of your tradition). The rigidity of churches have caused many young members to flee to large churches. They become just a person in the crowd and don’t feel judged or threatened. Many go to church on Sunday, go through the routine/motion and on Monday back to their addiction/adultery/pornography/sexual immorality/stealing/lying. They don’t have a relationship with God, but more with the church where they feel accepted and no one knows of their hidden sins. The issue is that these large churches may not follow God’s Word/Doctrine and the soul becomes lost. Matthew 15:14, They are blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind leads the blind, both will fall into a ditch. The wrong churches preach about False Doctrine which puts the focus on Me, Health and Wealth, It is Ok to Sin, Better World or Go to Church Gospel as a routine. There is no repentance and no sorrow in the sins we have committed. There is no transformation in the mind, body and spirit. There is no baptism in the Holy Spirit. They do not learn the True Word of God and become confused and are taught false teachings. Matthew 15: 8-9, These people draw near to Me with their mouth, And honor Me with their lips, But their heart is far from Me, And in vain they worship me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men. If the church you are going to lacks the Holy Spirit, the truth will be hidden from your heart. Every day is a battle with sin and if anyone tells you differently they are lying. Jesus said “Give us this day our daily bread,” not just Sunday bread.

We must know how to differentiate between God’s Doctrine and False Doctrines. Isaiah 14: 12-14, How you are fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How you are cut down to the ground, You who weakened the nations! For you have said in your heart: ‘I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will also sit on the mount of the congregation, On the farthest sides of the north; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High.’ If the focus of a church is about Self/Me then it is not the correct Doctrine. God’s Will is for us to focus on others, to be servants and pass His message to save souls. This is by no means any easy task and life will not all be fame and fortune as many false churches preach. Matthew 24:4-5, Take heed that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name, saying, I am the Christ and will deceive many. Yes we should reflect also on ourselves in the beginning to understand, commit, repent and get baptized before we can focus on others also. But once we have pushed the world aside and see the Glory/Grace/Mercy of God, now we should be focusing on others. Our Savior cleaned the feet of His disciples, He who commands legions of angels, He who does miracles, He who gave his life for our sins, He who is King, humbled himself and came from the Right Hand of God to save us! His disciples went out to the world as servants. Beware of packed churches but are empty in spirit! John 14:26, But the Helper, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. John 16:13, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth. (Previous post about FILLED)

                We have also lost a generation due to us not spreading the word to all Gentiles. Many churches only minister to their own nationality/race. Jesus is for everyone and if it wasn’t for Him, we as Gentiles would never have received Salvation. I learned about a church who has all the technology and ability to spread the Gospel of Christ to the world. Yet they have a rule to not allow outsiders to listen to their messages. How can any church say they are following the Word of God, if they do not want to spread the Gospel to all nations. The internet has tons of traps and takes our time away from God. It makes us engage into Lucifer’s world. But it can also be used to spread the message of God’s Mercy/Salvation/Grace and His 2^nd Coming. Mark 16:15, Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. Matthew 24:14, And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations and then the end will come. Romans 10:15, And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things! We must preach the message in any way or form God has given a talent for us to do!  Ephesians 3:7, of which I became a minister according to the gift of the grace of God given to me by the effective working of His power. The gospel of God is not for just one specific race or nationality, Salvation is for all. It is our duty to spread the message to everyone and include everyone in our churches.  

                Churches are also quick to condemn and judge. Religion is an institution with rules, hierarchy and is quick to condemn and expel you from their religion. Jesus was hated by the Jewish religion and many other religions deny He is the Messiah. Jesus did not come for the righteous but for the sinner! Matthew 9:12-13, Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I desire mercy and not sacrifice. Luke 6:37, Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven (Also see in Matthew 7:1-2). I know many false preachers and people who want to sin use this verse. Churches also kick out a lot of people in their congregation who sin but that person is not given a chance to repent and be forgiven. Many churches argue and fight and because of it have broken up and split. Lack of forgiveness is rampant in our world. In John 8, we see the scribes and Pharisees bring a woman to Jesus who was caught in the very act of adultery. They were testing him, because the Law of Moses commands that this woman be stoned. All Jesus does is stoop down and writes something on the ground with his finger, pretending to ignore them. He says, “He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.” Due to their conscience they all left and Jesus was alone with the woman. Jesus forgives the woman and tells her to sin no more. What a powerful message from Jesus himself. Instead of condemning and judging like the world and many churches, Jesus forgives. Jesus wants us to bring the sinners into church and forgive those who sin and who are in the church. We are not to condemn or judge but to rebuke with love. It is kind/caring/loving corrections when we become lost or sin. It is very painful to do but necessary many times in our lives. We need a steady diet of loving correction, because we are all sinners, even with a new heart in Christ. We are not perfect, only Jesus Christ was perfect. 2 Timothy 4:2, Paul is telling Timothy to convince, rebuke, exhort, will all longsuffering and teaching. We as followers of Christ have to love people enough to rebuke them even if they don’t want to hear it. What the person does after is their decision, but we are trying to prevent a soul from being lost. Imagine Peter who literally saw Jesus do all these miracles and Jesus said he will be his stone foundation, denied Jesus 3 times before the rooster crowed. No one is perfect and Jesus many of times had to correct his disciples with love. If we are rebuking for selfish reasons, traditions and not from the Word of God then we are sinning ourselves. We have lost so many followers in Christ due to selfish, false rebuking in the name of tradition. Rebuking is a part of a true follower’s life. I Timothy 5:20, Those who are sinning rebuke in the presence of all, that the rest also may fear. When we rebuke one another, we expose sin and a get to repent. It brings the followers of Christ closer and makes the relationship with God even stronger. (Imitate Christ message previously posted) John 3:17, For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. 

                We have a generation growing up hating religion and in doing so missed the love that Christ is offering. Everyone will have a bad experience one time or another with a person or a church. I don’t think anyone could truly say they have ever had a bad experience with Christ. No Church is perfect, but we can see why we have lost many people to Lucifer’s church! We have disobeyed God and allowed rigidity and selfish traditions take over the church. I Corinthians 3:16-17, Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? In anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are. Acts 17:24-25, God, who made the world and everything in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands. Nor is He worshipped with men’s hands, as though He needed anything, since He gives to all life, breath and all things. Jesus will not ask you at Judgement if you call yourself Pentecostal, Orthodox, Nondenominational, Methodist, etc! He will ask did you listen and obey my teachings? Did you imitate me? Did you love and forgive? Imagine escaping Egypt and wandering the desert and when you finally reach the promised land, you doubt God and disobey Him. That generation and Moses lost paradise that was promised. Instead of hitting the rock like Moses did, we need to speak to the world about the Love of Christ. We cannot afford to lose a generation and must obey God’s Will! How many more souls can we save if we Speak to the Rock and Obey God instead of striking the rock in disobedience.

 

My Father’s Will

             Jesus as a young boy lingered in Jerusalem after the Feast of the Passover and his parents found Him after three days in the temple. Jesus says in Luke 2:49, Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business? “For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own Will, but the Will of Him who sent Me. This is the Will of the Father who sent Me, that of all He has given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day. And this is the Will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day (John 6:38-40).” It sound so simple right? God wants us to believe in His Son and if you do, you will have everlasting life. The Will of God can be seen through out the Bible. It is not being hidden at all and the one’s who really believe will obey and see his truth. John 7:17, If anyone wills to do His Will, he shall know concerning the doctrine, whether it is from God or whether I speak on My own authority. When we search earnestly for God, we can tell when someone is speaking the True Will and Doctrine of Christ. The Spirit will guide us and show us the truth. 

As Christians we must know the Will of our Heavenly Father! God’s Will is His Will. “Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name, Your kingdom come. Your Will be done (Matthew 6:9-10).” Even in the Lord’s Prayer Jesus mentions the Will of his Father to be done. “If the Lord Wills we shall live and do this or that (Jame 4:15).” God only wills good things in our lives. Jeremiah 29:11, For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. I don’t care if you are the richest man in the world, the only one that can give you spiritual peace and eternal life is God! Satan’s peace is an illusion and your soul will suffer for it in the Lake of Fire. “Heaven and Earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away (Matthew 24:35).” 

            What is a major Will of God? Romans 12:2, And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect Will of God. I have mentioned it before, when you accept Jesus Christ as your personal Savior and partake in water baptism, you become a new being. Your old self is transformed and you start your relationship with God. “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is Spirit (Matthew 3:5-6).” We can not serve Lucifer/World and God. 

Many false teachings allow sin to continue and do not preach about repentance. Some believe they will be forgiven for their repeated sins because they believe in God now. The love of God is not a free pass to live a life of sin. Rather it is a new life, building a relationship with your Heavenly Father. Yes we are all sinners, but when you know the truth and continue to do the same sin, God will not forgive you! Hebrews 10:26-27, For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful expectation of judgement and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries. 

We are going to concentrate on the Book of Ephesians Chapter 5, starting at verse 17 and focus on the Will of the lord. Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the Will of the Lord is. And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit. It is telling us to not squander our life or waste your time with alcohol addiction. Liquor stores are deemed essential and now more than ever we see a rise in Alcoholism as the virus forces many people to stay home. In 2018, 14.4 million adults ages 18 and older had Alcohol Use Disorder. Less than 10% of them receive treatment. The government had to deem Liquor stores essential or the hospital would be overwhelmed by people coming in with alcohol withdrawal. It would have burdened an already suffering system. Alcoholism can cause problems at work or school. People engage in dangerous activities like, driving while drunk, blacking out, legal problems, health issues, it breaks up families and is an expensive addiction. People have lost everything because they can not help themselves because of this addiction. Their body craves the alcohol and Lucifer does not give them a way out. But our God is the answer and can break the chains of sin and bondage. Where humans fail, God will prevail. 

Verse 20, give thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another in Fear of God. The fear of God is lacking in the world today and we can see it all around us. Sin has flourished because the world does not fear God. Churches and Preachers are not speaking up against sin. Proverbs 9:10, The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. Proverbs 8:13, The fear of the Lord is to hate evil. Psalms 97:10, You who love the LORD, hate evil! He preserves the souls of his saints. Exodus 20:20, and that His fear may be before you, so that you may not sin. Are you living in fear of God? Your heart should tremble at even the thought of sin. Now a days many accept and tolerate sin and this is why the world is in turmoil. I Peter 1:17, conduct yourselves throughout the time of your stay here in fear. 2 Corinthians 7:1, Let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. Fear causes us to not sin and build a loving relationship with our Heavenly Father. Lucifer and the world has no power over us when we fear the Lord and put our trust in him. “The Lord is like a father to His children, tender and compassionate to those who fear him (Psalms 103:13).”

Verse 22-33, Wives, submit to your ow husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body….Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her…husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself…Nevertheless let each one of you in particular so love his own wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband. The roles of husband and wives have changed dramatically. Most households don’t even have both spouses. Genders are even a topic of discussion and perversion is spreading like wildfire. Relationships do not last because God is not part of their foundation. Marriage is being delayed while the world encourages dating apps that promote sexual immorality. Adultery is running rampant and loveless marriages destroy families and relationship with God. As followers of Jesus, both husbands and wives should be building unity, nurture, love and respect in their marriages. Everyone thinks money can bring a happy marriage. Yet the richest man in the world who owns Amazon could not prevent his marriage from failing. If we can not even get our marriage in order how do we expect to do the Will of God. 

I Thessalonians 4:3-5, For this is the Will of God, your sanctification: that you should abstain from sexual immorality; that each of you should know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor, not in passion of lust, like the Gentiles who do not know God. This is as simple as it can get, yet millions fall into the trap of pornography and sexual immorality. The allegations of priests molesting children, sexual harassment, the me too movement, child prostitution and even the boy scouts now having allegations. The world is surrounded by sex, filth and hidden sin. Large number of couples live together and are not married. Some even having children first then getting married after, which majority of the time may not end well. The world may accept this new custom but the Bible calls it a sin. The Will of God does not change, even though the times may. We must have self control and our body is the temple of the living God. We can not allow sexual immorality and lust ruin our relationship with God. Verse 7, For God did not call us to uncleanness, but in holiness. If our bodies and mind are filthy in the sight of God, His Will can not be in us. 

The Will of God is not hidden! It is clearly visible in the Bible and we must only read and mediate on it to understand His Will. John 7:16-18, Jesus answered them and said, “My doctrine is not Mine, but His who sent Me. If anyone wills to do His Will, he shall know concerning the doctrine, whether it is from God or whether I speak on My own authority. He who’s speaks from himself seeks his own glory; but He who seeks the glory of the one who sent Him is true, and no unrighteousness is in Him.” This is so apparent in the world now and the ministries that speak only concerning their doctrine and NOT Gods. Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves(Matthew 7:15). Lucifer will use churches more than ever to send the message of the Antichrist. “And every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have hear was coming, and is now already in the world (I John 4:3).” If we are around during the Tribulation, the Antichrist will sit in the temple of Jerusalem and declare himself God (2 Thessalonians 2:3-4). Life by no means will be easy, especially during the end times. Believers will be persecuted and those who do not take the mark of the Beast will be tortured and killed. We already hear about Christians being persecuted in China and other places in the world. But when we do the Will of God we have nothing to fear. We must continue to do His Will! Luke 6:22-23, Blessed are you when men hate you, And when they exclude you, And revile you, and case out your name as evil, For the Son of Man’s sake. Rejoice in that day and leap for joy! For indeed your reward is great in heaven.  

Mark 3:35, For whoever does the will of God is My brother and My sister and mother. We are the Children of the Living God. Our Father’s Will is our Will! John 4:34 Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the Will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work.” Our life is to focus on God’s Will and as previously mentioned to Imitate Jesus, who did the Will of His Father. This is the warning Jesus gives, “Not everyone who says to Me, Lord, Lord shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the Will of My Father in heaven (Matthew 7:21).” Do not lose Heaven for mere mortal pleasures and break the bonds of sin. God has a paradise prepared for us and to spend eternity with Him. Hebrews 13:20-21, Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting conversant, make you complete in every good work to do His Will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Doing the Will of God will transform your life and you will see the wonderful love of Jesus in all aspects of your daily life. 

 

 

 

Imitate Me

          “I want to be like Mike,” is probably one of the most famous slogans during my youth. Michael Jordan was the gold standard when it came to basketball. Even now after 30 years people continue to try to be like him and imitate him. From his sneakers to his brand name clothes. ESPN even did an entire season, following him when he returned from retirement. Sports stars like Tom Brady, Joe Montana, Usain Bolt, Wayne Gretzky, Tiger Woods, Roger Federer, Lawrence Taylor, Serena Williams, all great athletes that many call one of the best in their perspective sport. They talk about the “GOAT,” which means the Greatest of All Time. Kids who play sports aspire to be like one of these athletes. 

Ephesians 5:1-2, Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma. 

How do we imitate Jesus? We should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind, having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart… put off concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness… Ephesians 4:17-24 

We shouldn’t be a product of our environment but should be a product of Jesus Christ our Creator. No matter where we are or what situation we are in we can always imitate Christ. Many of us adapt our lives to the American culture yet we are not American. As true believers the Bible tells us where our real citizenship is, which is in heaven. Rich, poor, black, white, educated, not educated, in America, Canada or anywhere else Jesus is for everyone. His message now reaches to all the 4 corners of the Earth. He does not leave anyone out, who wants to receive Grace and Salvation. We are in a foreign world that is ruled by Satan. We cannot allow our environment and surroundings take away our focus away from Christ. We need to continue to imitate Him so that the world can see Jesus through us and in our lives. Others who are not of the faith will notice how you live your life and your environment cannot be an excuse. Jesus used anyone and everyone, from a young Boy in David who committed adultery, Moses who had difficulty speaking and disobeyed God, Rahab a harlot who helped receive the spies, fisherman to spread his Word to the globe. There is nothing our God cannot do if we imitate him. 

Look at society and you will notice how evil, violent and sinful it is becoming. They have not listened to the Word of God and rather imitate Satan. Society and even religion now seems to be becoming more tolerable and accepting of things that are against the Word of God. It is not surprising what we see in the world now as the result. Everyone wants to be “Politically Correct,” but there is ONLY one way to Jesus and Heaven. The Word of God and God will not change and will not bend for the desires of the world. Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever.

The people of this world rather be accepted and approved for their selfish desires, even if it is against the Word of God. People are afraid to speak, in fear to lose their status, other church members, their job, friends and family about the truth and Jesus predicted this. We will suffer for His name sake. Imitating Jesus is not easy and they world will not make it easy. 

Religions are starting to place more importance on acceptance than on the truth and allowing sin to enter into the House of God. They are beginning to Compromise on Spiritually False teachings that will only lead to Death/Hell. When we Compromise to Sin and Accept it, Satan has already won. False imitators will stand on the pulpit and preach Compromise and Acceptance when it is against the Word of God. Turn to the Word of God and you will know in your heart the truth. We CAN NOT COMPROMISE in our FAITH. 

“We must draw a line in the Sand, and separate Right from Wrong and not Compromise or worry about Acceptance. If we are True Believers, Jesus himself said we will not be Accepted. We are the Opposite of Mainstream Culture in this World. Remember Jesus travelled with 12 close friends/disciples, and they all were learning to imitate the Messiah. They were also persecuted and hated for His name sake. Yet with the power of the Holy Spirit, they were able to spread the Gospel. They had no financial backing, no great system like we have, no social media or following, but they believed and imitated Jesus Christ to the world and these 12 men turned the world upside down!

2 Corinthians 6:14-18, For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? And what accord has Christ with Belial (referring to Satan)? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said: 

“I will dwell with them

And walk among them.

I will be their God

And they shall be My people.

Therefore

Come out from among them

And be separate, says the Lord

Do not touch what is unclean,

And I will receive you.

I will be a Father to you,

And you shall be My sons and daughters,

Says the Lord Almighty.”

God has placed a Line in the Sand and we cannot cross it or we will lose our reward in Heaven. We must be separate! Regardless of the Compromise and Acceptance we see in the world we must not allow ourselves to fall into Satan’s trap. 

    It says in the previous verse to be separate. Romans 12:1-2, Present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. In 1 John 3:1, Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. There is a relationship God is looking to have with us. He calls us to be His sons and daughters. Separate, not conformed to this world but to be transformed. God is leading us to have a relationship with him. Jesus is the Son of God and he showed us how to be a Child of God. John 5:19-20, Then Jesus answered and said to them, “Most assuredly I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner. For the Father loves the Son, and shows Him all things that He Himself does; and He will show Him greater works than these, that you may marvel.

    Jesus Imitates his Father and he says in John 6:38-40: “For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. This is the will of the Father who sent Me, that of all He has given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day. And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day.” When we transform and become separate we begin to do the Will of the Father and become His sons and daughters. The result is that the world will not know us. Galatians 4:4-7, But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!” Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ. We are Children of God and we must Obedient to the Father, Speak to the Father, Love the Father, Worship the Father, Pray to the Father, Listen to the Father …etc 

When the disciples asked Jesus, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of Heaven?” Jesus says in Matthew 18:3-5, Assuredly I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. “Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me.” Why did Jesus say to be like children? Currently many children do not grow up in a Christian or even loving household. Many are raised by single parents and there is no relationship between the Father/Mother and child. There is no relationship between the parents or God, so we are not surprised there is no relationship between God and the child. They are broken homes and lost children who imitate Lucifer. 

We can see our children imitating us in our lives. They may want to be the same profession as their parent and go to the same schools as their parents did. They want to follow in their footstep. God wants us to be little children imitating Him. He wants to see Himself inside and outside of all of us. Children have no worries, no fears, they fall asleep anywhere when they want knowing their Father is their to protect them. Never worrying when their next meal is or lack of anything. They have the life, no work, no bills, no taxes, just loving life and a Father who gifts them everything. I laugh whenever I hear kids say they want to grow up and be older, when in fact adults say they want to be kids again! Kids are full of life and joy and God’s wants us to worship with that energy and happiness. Proverbs 6:22, Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it. When we set up a foundation of God at an early age this will guide them and prepare them to face the world. 

Ephesians 4:31-32, Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you. Children do not hold grudges, they do not hate, they don’t remember what happened yesterday, no bitterness but are filled with joy, love and kindness. They rely solely on their parents, in our Christian lives we solely only need to rely on Jesus Christ.

This is how we Imitate Jesus to the world. We must be kind and tenderhearted. The hardest one of course is forgiveness. Kids really do forgive and forget unlike adults. So many churches break up due to arguments and there is no forgiveness in their hearts. Trust me I fell into the trap when I was not forgiving of Trump’s speeches and actions. We need to show love to our enemies and I was not imitating Jesus. Now I pray for him, for the world and let God deal and decide with this countries fate. God’s plan will unfold no matter what and there is nothing man can do. Put your focus/faith more on Him and trying to imitate His life and love. When we trust in the world and humans we will always fail. Our trust can only be in Jesus. 

Both God and Jesus demonstrated a Love for humanity and opportunity for forgiveness. John 3:16-17, For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. 1 John 4:9-11, In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. Imagine this, being full of faith and spirit preaching the word of God to the world. Only to be hated and then killed by those who do not accept or see the truth. With your very last breath, asking God to forgive them of this sin! Stephen did this and so did Jesus. In Luke 23:34 “Father forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” Even on the Cross while he was tortured, beaten, nailed through his hands and feet Jesus imitated his Father and saved the soul of the criminal crucified next to him. He forgave even till his last dying breath. If we condemn others or do not forgive them of their trespasses, Jesus will not forgive us of our sins. We are all sinners and fall short the glory of God. 

This world is lacking even kindness let alone forgiveness. But as followers of Jesus we must not conform to this world and continue to Imitate Christ. I John 3:17-18, But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him? Let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth. 

Romans 12: 9-21, describes how to behave like a Christian! Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; Not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; Distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality. Bless those who persecute you, bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay, says the Lord. Therefore, “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. 

Many people go to Churches for the huge concerts, the flashing lights the theatrical productions they throw every Sunday. Or the famous Preacher that speaks about only  prosperity, wealth, health and focuses on the message of one’s self rather than God. Paul says in I Corinthians 11:1 Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ. No matter the awesome music/show or messages focusing only on one’s self, if they are not imitating the message of Jesus they are not speaking the truth. The message that one preaches and spreads is important. If they do not imitate the teachings of Christ then they are not worshipping Christ. Many church believers and even the world get upset when Pastor’s/Believers call homosexuality, pre marital sex, drug addiction, adultery and many other things sin. They leave the Church or kick out the Preacher. The Word of God is the Word of God! If the Bible calls it a sin, it is a sin. The world can not alter it or bend it to their selfish desires. 

 

We are to imitate Christ not the Preacher or the Church. God wants us to have a deep love for Him. Your relationship with God has to be more deeper than your relationship with your Church or Pastor. We must Imitate Jesus Christ to this evil world controlled by Satan. This is not easy to do, but this behavior is what separates us from the World and Jesus commands us to be this way. Jude speaks of exactly how this world is acting now, its condemnation of those in the past not imitating Christ and how the world is imitating Satan. In verse 10, But these speak evil of whatever they do not know. In verse 16, These are grumblers, complainers, walking according to their own lusts, and they mouth great swelling words, flattering people to gain advantage. In verse 18-19, There would be mockers in the last time who walk accordingly to their own godly lusts. These are sensual persons, who cause divisions, not having the Spirit. Remember as it says in 3 John Verse 11 Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. He who does good is of God, but he who does evil has not seen God. 

 

God as our Father also will discipline us because we are his children. Hebrews 12:5-8, My son, do not despise the chastening of the the Lord’s, Nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him; For whom the Lord loves He chastens, And scourges every son whom He receives. If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten? But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakes, then you are all illegitimate and not sons. 

Do not think discipline is not part of a Christian’s life and God does it because He loves us as sons and daughters. Discipline is lacking in this world and our own selfish desires are driving our sinful decisions. 

We must Imitate Christ in Love, Kindness, Tenderheartedness and the hardest but yet the most important Forgiveness. 2 John Verse 5-6, And now I plead with you, not as though I wrote a new commandment to you, but that which we have had from the beginning: that we love one another. This is love, that we walk according to His commandments. This is the commandment, that as you have heard from the beginning you should walk in it. Love allows us to forgive, because without God’s love He did not have to forgive us of our sins. 

God gives us an open invitation to His love. “Come to me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest (Matthew 11:28).” The Love of God is not a Free Pass to live a life of sin. But it should encourage you to live a life that glorifies the Lord God Almighty. Each day we should strive more and more to be like Christ. What did Jesus do when he was ever in trouble? Pray, and I can’t emphasis this enough. James 5:13, Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Time and time again Jesus went out into the wilderness to be alone to pray to his Heavenly Father. Prayer is the most un-utilized weapon against the Devil. What did Jesus do at all times through out his ministry? Time and time again you see in the Bible he left them to pray. He goes for hours and hours, praying, seeking his Heavenly Father. Jesus is Love, Obedient, Kind, Tenderhearted, Forgiving, Holy, Patient.

The objective of Christianity the principal goal of being a Child of God is to be more and more like Jesus Christ! “Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery,” which means we admire the one we imitate, and who is more worthy than the Lamb of God! Jesus is the standard we must aim for. What he said we aught to say. What he did we aught to do. How he lived we aught to live. How he prayed we aught to pray. The world should see the reflection of Jesus in us! Our relationship with God is our number one focus. I know that if we take care of that, God will take care of everything else.