I Refuse (Part 2)

 

Let's be radical and open the Bible and read (Isaiah 34:16, Isaiah 33:6).  If you haven't engaged the Bible yet, don't begin to say you can't understand it.  The human mind is amazing, so don't sell yourself short.  You can read the Bible, don't be afraid to try.  However, to truly understand it, you must begin with prayer asking God to open the hidden messages to you so that you can grow spiritually (Matt. 7:7-8, James 1:5-6).   This takes time and diligence and continuous pray ( Proverbs 3:1-4).  Approaching God and His Word in this manner is a sign of humility.  It shows that you understand that man, on his own, is incomplete and only in God does he reach his full potential (Colossians 2:8-10).  In essence, you are acknowledging that there is something greater than this world and what it has to offer and you desire to learn, listen, and to grow according to it:  the Word of God (John 15:5, 2 Cor. 3:4-6).  Instead of filling your mind with the media's version of "truth", let the Word of God enter your mind and change your soul and alter your very core, producing a life of righteousness and true holiness in Christ Jesus (Hebrews 4:12, John 7:37-38, Ps. 119:104).
The word of God blasts through the darkness of this world and fills our hearts with good things such as caring for others, loving our wives, husbands and children, honoring God and loving our Savior Christ the Lord, seeking to do good works, striving to lift up our fellow man as we climb upwards towards God ( Ps.119:105, 2 Timothy 3:16-17).  It changes our hearts from a childish state that is easily influenced and tricked by cunning men under the direction of Satan (Eph. 4:14).  The Word of God illuminates our minds to true knowledge, sincere love and power found in faith (Psalm 19:7-11,  2 Cor. 10:3-5, 2 Timothy 1:7).  It moves us to positive action to create informative news that enlightens the listener to analyze situations by God's standard; to hold our leaders, politicians and pastors accountable, to tell a community that holds onto prejudices that we will not stand for that anymore (Romans 12:21).  It causes us to make spiritual music and songs that will edify the people and rekindle the faith of many (Col. 3:16). Truly being radical is to use God's truth to expose evil.  Don't get caught up in this world's deception.  Seek God's truth and shine like a city on a hill that cannot be hid (Matt. 5:14-16, Eph. 5:13-17 ).
( Philippians 4:8 )
 I pray, as you meditate on this letter and the meaning of this song that you would draw closer to God, knowing that He will draw closer to you; giving you the strength to do what is right.

 

Shalam,

May God bless and keep you till we meet again,

Zarach

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I Refuse (Part 1)

Greetings, beloved brother and sisters, I pray that the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the peace of God our father continues to be with you always.
In light of recent events over the past weeks and months we cannot allow ourselves to become cynical, fearful, angry, or even hopeless.  Reports of wars, austerity measures, sequesters, bombings, disasters, and violent rampages have led many to follow this path.  However, we the believers in Jesus Christ, should not become panic stricken or given to despair.  Christ taught us to not let our minds be troubled, neither let it be afraid (John 14:27).
We should be aware of world events and things occurring in our communities as they relate to the Holy Scriptures.  This is an example set forth by the early believers. They searched the Scriptures diligently to understand the times and seasons they lived in, understanding that God was orchestrating all things according to his divine plan (1 Peter 1:10-11). They also sought out what God desired them to do according to his Word just as we should (1 Peter 1:12-15, 2 Tim. 2:1-6).  We have to press into the Word of God and live by wisdom and faith not by the circumstances we see around us. (Eph. 5:15-17). 
In our day, we must come to realize that we are in the midst of a spiritual war. Satan can enter into the hearts of men and tempt them to do evil, and some have openly welcomed him in as Cain did.    Some have fallen victim to his deceptive devices through the manipulation of  our technology and media.  His purpose is to overthrow their faith or to keep them in darkness (2 Cor. 4:3-4, Matt. 13:24-30, 36-43). We are being deceived and this deception is being carried out for a reason.  There is a battle going on for the minds and souls of men (Revelation 12:7-12).
One of the most powerful devices of the wicked is the use of mass media to disseminate doctrines and ideas that lead men away from God and unto sin and death by causing them to engage in many works of the flesh (Galatians 5:19-21). Our televisions, radios and Internet are full of some of the most outrageous images, programs and sin-promoting messages.  It is a shame to list or even speak of some of these websites and broadcasts readily available to anyone willing to engage them
(Ephesians 5:11-12).  These technological tools can be abused to condition us and to move us further and further away from the things of God leading us into darkness, fear, confusion, shame, and eventually spiritual/physical death. 

Brothers and Sisters, it's time we wake up out of this deceptive stupor we've been caught in and do something radical (Romans 13:11-14) -  Let's turn off our televisions, shut down our laptops, turn off our gadgets and stop the invasion of our minds by the wicked.  We must remember our minds work by images, messages, and vibrations or spirits that affect our thoughts and actions (Mark 7:20-23, Luke 6:45). Therefore, if you allow the devices of the wicked to overpower you by constantly engaging them, you will come to accept and believe their messages (1Cor. 15:33). The result of which is sin leading to death of the mind and soul.  Therefore, be careful what you put before your eyes.

Shalam

May God Bless and Keep you till we meet again,

Zarach

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Spiritual Warfare

Greetings, brothers and sisters, I pray that the light of God is shinning on you today and the grace of our Lord Jesus is a comfort to you each and every day.

In the mist of all the events of this past week in America and the weeks ahead I pray you would not be shaken in spirit but call to mind the holy scriptures, which says as world events begin to unfold according to the word of God know that His kingdom is drawing near ( Luke 21:28-31). Jesus prophesied two thousand years ago of these days and what would happen as this civilization begins to fade away. He mentioned escalating wars, nations invading each others, unrest and anarchy within nations, earthquakes around the world, Tsunamis, and destructive hurricanes (Read Matt. 24:6-7, Luke 21:25-26). The complexity and rapid successions of these events will terrify men and leave them in a daze with no solutions-they will attempt to find solace in their politicians(sorcerer and wizards), their religions( those with familiar spirits and charmers) but will find none (Read Isaiah 19:2-3). He will do this to punish this world for their evil and disobedience (Read Romans 1:18, Romans 2:8-10).

As I have mentioned in the past, God is first a God of love and patience. He cries out to the world through his word and the teachers and prophets he has sent telling them to repent , save your souls, turn from your sins so that you may experience my blessings. But men are more interested in gain than righteousness. Therefore, what is decreed upon the disobedient will come to pass ( John 3:19-20, Proverbs 1:20-33).

However, this is also a very delicate time for the believers because it is a time of testing of our faith both spiritually and physically. We must understand that this world operates first by the spiritual. What this means is that before something can occur here on earth or in the physical realm it must be conceived in the heavenly realm first. This is why we can say that God controls history. He determines the times and the seasons. He does this by influencing the minds of men to carry out his purpose. The prophet Daniel explained this process to king Nebuchadnezzar, when he expounded the meaning of the dreams he had ( Daniel 2:27-29, Job 33:14-17 ). God was revealing to Nebuchadnezzar the events in world history that were unfolding starting with him so that he may testify that it is God that rules in the kingdom of men ( Daniel 4:17). The way God brings these events to past is by putting thoughts and instructions in our minds so that we may carry them out. This process occurs with all humanity. Thus creating the environment to fulfill his words(Nehemiah 2:12). This understanding can and should be applied to our journey with Christ. Because once we realize that it is with the mind that we serve God then we will be free from the hold of the things of this world that draws us away from God (John 6:63, Romans 7:25). One's eyes become open to the fact that there is something greater going on than this physical world-the spiritual. We also become aware that the constant reading and discussion of the word of God allows us to gain understanding of things spiritual. We begin to see what God is doing and what He expects of us to do (Acts 26:14-18). In addition, our faith in Him becomes stronger as we see the manifestation of His word here on earth (Luke 1:67-75). This kind of Faith will allow us to stand in the midst of wars and battles, storms and hurricanes, death and disasters, and persecutions because we will know the outcome and who is truly determining the times and season (1 Corin. 2:6-16).

Be strong, Brethren, and build yourself up in our most Holy Faith by His word (Jude 1: 20-25).

Call to mind the words of Christ: Matt. 7:24-27. Be wise and not foolish in these dark days.

Shalam,

Zarach

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The Boston Marathon Bombing 4/15/13

This is not a time for patriotism. It is a time for us to open our eyes and come to the realization that the gospel is right when it says, "we should treat others the way we want to be treated (Matt. 7:12)." If a country invades another country under the pretence of fighting against the axis of evil or declares war based on the ideology of "attacking them before they attack us"- I ask, what kind of world or home environment does this produce? One for evil oppression and one in which it's an eye for an eye and a life for a life. And America- she has followed this path. Ask the people of Panama, ask the children of Iraq, ask the people of Rwanda, ask the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, ask the homeless and starving Indians on the Reservations, ask the millions on young black and Latino men locked away in prisons and they will tell you a tail that will make your ears tingle and your bones to shake with horror (Isaiah 14:16-17).

However, Jesus taught us the opposite (Matt. 5:38-48, Romans 12:17-21). He encouraged us to take the higher ground, to strive towards perfection. He counseled us to love our enemies, to bless and not curse, to do good to them that hate you, pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you. These are hard words in our modern age of self-indulgence, self-centeredness, self-preservation, self-interest, and self-gratification.

Unfortunately, friends, the Bible doesn't speak of this time as getting better, but worse and worse ( 2 Tim. 3:13, 1). Why? because, as stated in 2 Timothy chapter three, men shall become lovers of themselves- lovers of their own objectives, their civilization, their wealth and money, their things and their power vs. God's power and the things of God ( 2 Tim. 3:1-7). But, what of you, beloved, who believe the gospel? God warns us to depart or flee from such things and form men that indulge in such things ( 2 Tim. 3:5, 2 Thes. 3:6-7 ). This can also be applied to those outside the faith as a call to depart form an evil lifestyle and to those who say they are in the faith yet live in a disorderly and Godless manner. But, now is the time for us to open our eyes and wake-up to what God is whispering in our ears ( Luke 13:1-8). The tragedy of yesterday's bombing didn't happen to those people because they were the greatest sinners in America; no, they were not-but the message God is sending is that unless we, brothers and sisters, friends, and enemies, repent-we are all destine in like manner to perish (Luke 13:2-3). God is giving America and all men time to repent and acknowledge the Truth and to do the Truth ( John 17:17). We must understand that God controls events in history, even the history of now, in order to bring about his purpose ( Amos 3:6, Job 2:10, Isaiah 14:24-26).

I'm not saying this evil happened so you and I could repent- that would be a self-centered attitude. But, it is an opportunity to learn that tragedy can strike at any time. Therefore, one should get him or herself right with God by believing in Him and doing His commandments, that no matter what comes your soul and life and the soul and life of them that follow your example in Christ may be safe with Him ( 1 Thes. 5:1-10).



Hear the Words of our Lord: Mark 1:15



I pray for the victims, their families and love ones who are suffering today and for all victims around the world- may God grant us all true peace and comfort and not as this world gives it.


Shalam,

God Bless You and Keep you till we meet again,

Zarach

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Promises

Shalam, Beloved, brothers and sisters. I pray all is well with you as you continue to go from glory to glory in our Lord Jesus Christ.
What a blessed season we have recently completed, as many of us stopped to remember God's undying love and faithfulness in our Passover and Resurrection Sunday celebrations. However, we must never forget that Passover is meant not only to show God's power and rulership on this earth, but also His faithfulness in keeping His promises. He told Abraham, "I will make a great nation of you, and I will bless you and make your name great; and you shall be a blessing ( Genesis12:2 )." And God multiplied Abraham's children through Isaac, Jacob and the twelve sons of Jacob into a numerous nation in the land Egypt: the nation of Israel. But before all this He showed Abraham the future concerning Israel and the Egyptian captivity, their deliverance and conquest of the land of Canaan (Genesis 15:12-21). He continued to fulfill His promises on that faithful night when Moses and the children of Israel sat and broke bread together as the angel of the Lord Passed Over them and brought judgment to the Egyptians for their sins ( Read Exodus 12:25-27 ). God repaid the Egyptians for their murders of the Hebrew male infants, which was a wicked attempt at genocide against the people. But He shows kindness to the innocent and oppressed by breaking the chains of the oppressor and setting the captives free. We should always remember the goodness, love and mercy of God, which is the essence of the Passover service and this time of worship; for it demonstrates the faithfulness of God.
The love and faithfulness of God did not stop in Egypt, nor upon the conquest of Canaan, but hidden in the blessings of Abraham was an even greater promise. The promise of the Messiah; the hope of all nations. He is the promise child that would be birth from the nation of Israel, in whom all the nations of the earth would be blessed ( Read Genesis 22:18, Galatians 3:8, 13-14 ). Thousands of years after that Passover night the angel of God appeared unto Mary and announced the birth of our Lord Jesus, whom she would carry in her womb and bring forth into the world (Luke 1:28-33). God reminded the people of this promise not only through Abraham but through his prophets also, that they and we may believe when it came to pass (Deuteronomy 18:15-19, Isaiah 7:14, Psalm 14:7, Isaiah 49:5-6 ). And it is this Jesus, who came into the world by divine intervention that has become a light and a path that leads men from the bondage of sin unto the Father of all creation and unto the promise land of the kingdom of God. God sealed this promise by revealing his power and infinite love for humanity (his creation) by raising Jesus back to life forever more on that faithful Sunday morning, when Satan thought he had won after crucifying him on the cross. God also ordained witnesses, the Apostles and disciples of Christ, to tell the world what they had seen and know: that Jesus is not dead;he is alive, sitting on the right hand of the Father till that faithful day when he returns. And, need I go on more about the love of God, for He not only gave us a living savior, but He also gave us His very own Spirit ( the Holy Spirit) to be our guide and comforter throughout the ages till he sends Jesus Christ to gather up His faithful children for to carry them home to Zion.
I pray that this holiday season was not just another event and ceremony for any of you, but that you saw it as an opportunity to continue or to begin again to draw closer to God by reading His word, by believing the Truth, and by the Love of the Brotherhood of the faithful. I pray for the day that God would make us all one in our Lord Jesus Christ, as he has promised.

Shalam,
May the light of Christ forever shine before you and may you have the faith to Abide

Zarach
Matt 26:26-30

 

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Wisdom Of Heaven

Greetings, once again, brothers and sisters. I wanted to continue our conversation from the past post about the two type of wisdom-the one from the earth and the other from heaven.

We mentioned that the first has the potential and has demonstrated it's results right here in America through the violence and culture of death it has produced by the ideology of white supremacy. This wisdom is the work of the flesh or man without God-sin.

The second is the true path of wisdom and instruction that leads to a Kingdom not built by human hands. The source of this wisdom is from God and is given as a gift to them that seek after him ( Read Wisdom of Solomon 7:15-16, 7). This scripture, also, reveals to us that the beginning of wisdom and understanding start with us acknowledging God as God-the source of all life, that is to be worship and reverence. Once we recognize this we then go to him in prayer and ask for wisdom (Read James 1:5). And God has stated and shown throughout all generations that he will not forsake any that seek him and put their trust in him. He will give wisdom if you ask for it. This type of wisdom is eternal and glorious. And if you sincerely and faithfully seek it you will find it.

But, let me ask you this-since we now know who gives true wisdom and how we start our journey to wisdom, where on this earth can we find God's wisdom? This is a question I once asked my teacher as I stood in the School after a Sabbath service. I was standing with my brother and the teacher when I ask him this question. He paused and looked at me for a second-as if to say, "good question, but don't you know?" Then he opened the bible to Psalm 111: 10, " The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever." "This, brother," he said, holding the Bible in his hand, "is how you get wisdom." I then realized that the Bible, the word of God, would be my key to learning and obtaining the wisdom that brings a peace that the human mind can not understand on it's own. The Bible would become my most beloved teacher and guide in life and no book would compare to it. This feeling regarding God's word is not unique to me but is expressed most poetically by that beloved King and sweet psalmist of Israel: King David. He stated in Psalm 119:104, and again in Psalm 119: 97-102 that through obedience to and constant study of the word of God he gained wisdom and understanding more than his teachers and the ancients of the people. And not only this, but he was able to overcome sin-that evil path, through the precepts of God. This is the type of wisdom, brothers and sisters, I hope we would all yearn for and desire to possess.

I would like to leave you with this encouragement, though I have much more I want to share with you on this topic: our labors in the Lord are not without rewards(Read 1 Corinthians 15:58). The diligent and sincere study of the Bible is a labor in the Lord. The apostle Paul instructed Timothy, and in a sense us today also, to give attendance to reading and meditating on the scriptures..(Read 1 Timothy 4:11-16 ). He told the Roman church to learn the holy scriptures that they may have hope and comfort in their times of need (Read Romans 15:4). Why, even the Messiah challenged us to aspire to become a scholar or scribe of the Kingdom of heaven-you only become a scholar of the kingdom by studying the records God left about it in his word: both old and new testaments ( Read Matthew 13:52 ). Jesus describes those that seek him this way as a rich man living in a mansion full of treasures that he is willing to share.



HOPE: John 14:2

Shalam,

May God's glorious light shine on you,

Zarach

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The two Wisdoms

Greetings, brothers and sisters. I pray God has been with you on your journey and that the hope of our Lord Jesus continues to be a source of joy for you always.

http://quod.lib.umich.edu/k/kjv/browse.html
link to Apocrypha

I wanted to share a jewel I found today while meditating on God's word. It is found in the Apocrypha in the book Ecclesiaticus 6:18, "My son, gather instruction from thy youth up: so shalt thou find wisdom till thine old age." This may seem like common sense in our age of Wi-fi and droids- in the information age, where instruction and knowledge is readily available at our figure tips. But all knowledge and instruction are not equal (Read James 3:13-17 ).

James speak of two types of wisdom; one that is not from haven and one that is from heaven. The first is earthy and devilish . This wisdom produces wars, hatred, and lies. It darkens a man's or a people's heart. Think about the evil works that have taken place here in America because of corrupt wisdom and instruction. Martin Luther King stated the origins of  white supremacy thus, "but the social obstetricians who presided at the birth of racist views in our country were from the aristocracy: rich merchants, influential clergymen, men of medical science, historians and political scientist from leading universities of the nation..." Where do we go from here: Chaos or community pg 74-75. This type of devilish wisdom has lead to the genocide of millions of Native American Indians, the enslavement and continue oppression of African Americans, and the present era of preemptive military attacks against poor peopled of color by America and her European sisters that they feel are a threat to their interest. Obviously, this type of wisdom produces only death and should not be a chosen path for any seeking Christ and the Kingdom of God.

Think about these things and come back again and I will speak about the other type of wisdom we should be chasing after from our youth up and that can be found till our old age, when I post again.

Here is a sample of what mis-education and misinformation can result in:

Shalam,

May God Bless you and keep you till we meet again.

Zarach
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