December 31, 2011

“Angels Desire to Look…”

Blessings Folk!

We have seen the past couple of times together how the Lord has transformed us into Living Hopes that have a sure salvation - now and yet to come, reserved in heaven. The epistle of 1 Peter tells us much. We continue…

1 Peter
10 Concerning this salvation, the prophets who prophesied about the grace that would come to you searched and carefully investigated.
11 They inquired into what time or what circumstances the Spirit of Christ within them was indicating when He testified in advance to the messianic sufferings and the glories that would follow.
12 It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you. These things have now been announced to you through those who preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Angels desire to look into these things.

We learn some interesting things about the salvation that we have.

There are two groups that desire to know more about salvation…
Prophets of old.
Angels.

The prophets, the ones who actually prophesied of salvation and grace to come, searched and carefully investigated what they had seen.

They searched the heart of God.
They searched and investigated the Word of God.

They wanted to know the timing of the salvation.
When was it to come?

They wanted to know how the salvation would come.
What would be the circumstance?
What was meant by the revelation of suffering of Messiah?
What was meant by the glory of Messiah?
Could there be both suffering and glory? (Yes.)

We also see that it was the Spirit of Christ that was bringing revelation to the prophets.

We see that the prophets were as we are.

They did not have complete knowledge and revelation.
They did have what God had revealed.

God revealed that they were serving those to come - us - and not themselves

These things have now been revealed to us by those who preached the gospel to us by the Holy Spirit.

A wonderful, marvelous mystery.

Such so that the angels desire to look into these things.

What things?

Salvation.

Angels - we are speaking of the ones who remained with the Lord and refused the rebellion of Lucifer - can not experience salvation in the way man does.

They know what God has done for mankind.
They know why.
They know the history.
They have literally seen it over time.
Yet, they desire to look deeper.

Such is the depth of the salvation that has been granted unto us.

We would do well to rejoice and walk deeply in these truths.

One last thing.

Both prophets and angels share some things…

Both inquire.
Both are curious.
Both have less than total revelation and understanding.
Both desire to know more than what God has revealed - yet, without sin.

At the end of this year, rejoice in what has been revealed…

Deu 29
29 The hidden things belong to the LORD our God, but the revealed things belong to us and our children forever, so that we may follow all the words of this law.

Rejoice in the year past.
Rest in that which is yet to come.

Let us serve others and not ourselves.

Wait ‘til you see the Word for tomorrow!!

Blessings!

December 30, 2011

“A Protected, Living Hope”

Blessings Folk!

Yesterday we saw that we as True Believers are…

• temporary residents
• chosen
• set apart
• sprinkled with the blood of Jesus
• vessels of obedience.

Now, read the following and give close attention to all it tells us about Believers…

1 Peter 1
 3 Praise the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. According to His great mercy, He has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead
4 and into an inheritance that is imperishable, uncorrupted, and unfading, kept in heaven for you.
5 You are being protected by God’s power through faith for a salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.
6 You rejoice in this, though now for a short time you have had to struggle in various trials
7 so that the genuineness of your faith—more valuable than gold, which perishes though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
8 You love Him, though you have not seen Him. And though not seeing Him now, you believe in Him and rejoice with inexpressible and glorious joy,
9 because you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

According to God’s great mercy He has…

• given us a new birth into a living hope…
• think on that…
• new birth…
• living hope...not a “dead” hope...not hope yet to come, though there is such...but, hope here and now
• how?
• through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.

Never forget the resurrection.
So often when discussing faith with others folk forget the foundation of the resurrection.

There is more…

• we have an inheritance
• imperishable...will not die
• uncorrupted
• unfading
• kept in heaven for you

We have an inheritance awaiting.

We are being protected.

• by God’s power
• through faith
• for a salvation ready to be revealed...in the last time!

Therefore…
Praise the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Rejoice in this...resurrection, inheritance awaiting, salvation yet to come.

Though…!

For a short time there may be struggles, various trials.
To what purpose are they allowed?

To manifest the genuineness of your faith.
Do you ever think of trials and tribulations in the way?
As conduits of genuine faith?

Faith if more valuable than gold.

Faith will result in praise, glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

We are Living Hopes with a goal.
Salvation.

We love Him, though we have not seen Him.
Though not seeing, we believe in Him.

We rejoice because we are receiving and will receive the goal of our faith - the salvation of our souls.

In this we should rejoice at the end of a calendar year.
In this we should rejoice at the beginning of a year.
In this we should rejoice with every breath.

Conclusion:

We have…

• new birth
• a living hope
• an inheritance - imperishable, uncorrupted, unfading, kept in heaven for us
• protection through God’s power
• faith for salvation - now and yet to be revealed in the last time

Now, do you see how God has provided?
Why then should we doubt?
Why then should we ever fear?

The last days in which we live will increase in darkness and fear.
But, those who are Believers will shine!

Blessings!!

December 29, 2011

“Never Forget…”

Blessings Folk!

In the annual transition from one yearly calendar-of-man to another we do well to reflect and anticipate.

Remember this.

Never forget who you are.

You are fearfully and wonderfully made.
God knows/sees all in your life...before He made you.
God has precious, marvelous, great thoughts of you.

Psalm 139
14 I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.
 15 My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.
 16 Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.
 17 How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!

You are not alone.
You are not abandoned.

Hear this Word.
So often we breeze past portions of the Word...things such as genealogies, introductions...missing some profound truths.
Here is an example…

1 Peter
1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ:
   To the temporary residents dispersed in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, chosen
2 according to the foreknowledge of God the Father and set apart by the Spirit for obedience and for sprinkling with the blood of Jesus Christ.
   May grace and peace be multiplied to you.

We see so much about the Believer here…

We are but temporary residents.
Our true residence is somewhere/someone else.
We are dispersed...upon the land in the foreign lands of Florida, North Carolina, Kentucky, Alabama, Tennessee, Georgia, Colorado, New Zealand, Mongolia, Alaska, California...and beyond.

We are chosen.
This is a great truth and great mystery which we continue to explore in the Word.
This “chosen” is “according to the foreknowledge of God the Father”, therefore it is perfect, good.

We are set apart.
By Whom? The Holy Spirit.
To what purpose? Obedience and for sprinkling with the blood of Jesus Christ.

Conclusion:
You are a temporary resident. Set your mind upon the things above. Stumble not at the cares and concerns of this world.
You are chosen. God’s ways are perfect.
You are set apart.
You are sprinkled...cleansed, covered...with the blood of Jesus.
You are a vessel of obedience.

For all this we give thanks for the past year and the year to come.

Grace.
Peace.
Through the Most High God alone.

Blessings!

December 21, 2011

“Will You Be the Light…?”

Blessings Folk!

As we continue to celebrate the birth of the Lord Jesus...the first parousia of the Lord… we do well to keep our eyes on the days to come when He returns...His second parousia.

The simple question is this.

Are you ready?

If you are “spiritually” ready, wonderful.

Now...

Are you ready for days between now and when the Lord returns?

Remember what the Lord said when questioned about such…

Matthew 24
...“See to it that no one misleads you.
5 For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will mislead many.
6 You will be hearing of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not frightened, for those things must take place, but that is not yet the end.
7 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and in various places there will be famines and earthquakes.
8 But all these things are merely the beginning of birth pangs.

Folk, we are headed into dark days...yet,

We will be the Light of the world…

Daniel 12
3 Those who have insight will shine brightly like the brightness of the expanse of heaven, and those who lead the many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever.

We will be source of insight, revelation, wisdom, understanding…

Daniel 11
33 Those who have insight among the people will give understanding to the many;

Daniel 12
10 Many will be purged, purified and refined, but the wicked will act wickedly; and none of the wicked will understand, but those who have insight will understand.

The nation where most of us live, the united States of America, is undergoing a tremendous metamorphosis.

It is purposeful.
It is agenda-driven.
It is evil.
It has been occurring for decades.
It is now coming to full fruit.

Wars and rumors of wars abound.
Ethnic groups are being pitted against one another.

What is commonly called “races” (Scripturally, there is no such thing as “race&rdquo are being “played” for political purposes - particularly at the national level.

“Law enforcement” continues to be rapidly militarized.

Fargo
Hanceville

There is a reason.
There is a purpose.

Soon it will be costly to be a True Believer.

Terrorists

There will be continued, exponential economic turmoil in 2012.
There will be societal upheaval and violence - “nations against nations”...ethnic vs. ethnic.
There will be riots the summer of 2012.

It is planned.
It is purposeful.

There is Hope.
Not in things “getting better”.
Things will not “get better”.
The Word is clear about this.
We are in the last moments of the last days (as understood in Scripture).

The Hope is the Most High God.

Now, what will you allow the Lord to do through you today and in those days yet to come?

Many within the “professing church” will experience purging, purifying and refining.

Determine today to be prepared.
Do not await the Lord’s purging, purifying and refining.

Celebrate in His coming.
Rejoice in His return.

Fear not!

Maranatha!

Videos of the latest local Bible study, Matthew - Part 1, are being posted.

Matthew - Part 1
Lesson 1, Video 1

Matthew - Part 2 will begin in January, 2012
Come.

You can find me in these places...join me in all...each has it’s purpose… (Click… Facebook folk, go to my website for a hyper-link version - http://www.dalemoore.tv)

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Matthew - Part 1
Lesson 1, Video 1
http://blip.tv/alabamaprecept/matthew-1-lesson-1-video-1-5833720

December 13, 2011

“Nothing!”

Blessings Folk!

The more I read the Word of the birth of the Lord Jesus the more amazed I am.

The Lord reveals detail after detail.

We miss much due to a “spirit of familiarity” in relation to the story.

Take some time this week and read the first few chapters of Matthew and Luke.
Listen to what the Lord says to you.

For our time today, think on this...Mary’s reaction to the Word of the Lord through the angel…the angel’s proclamation...Mary’s response…

Luke 1

26 And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth,
 27 To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary.
 28 And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.
 29 And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be.
 30 And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.
 31 And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.
 32 He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:
 33 And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.
 34 Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?
 35 And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.
 36 And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren.
 37 For with God nothing shall be impossible.
 38 And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.

Mary was troubled at what was said in the salutation.
Mary wondered how this thing could be.

The angel explained what would happen to her.
The angel explained what had happened to Elizabeth.

Then the angel proclaimed…

“For with God nothing is impossible.”

We need to remember this Word. Nothing is impossible.

Regardless of situation, circumstance and that which can be seen in the visible, we are in God’s hands.

Nothing is impossible.

Do you believe?
If not, why?

Remember,

Mark 10

27 And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.

Nothing impossible.
All things possible.
With God…

May we respond as Mary…be it unto me according to your word…

Fear not!
Rejoice!
The Lord has come.
He is soon to come again.

Blessings!

December 1, 2011

“Poor, Wise Man”

Blessings Folk!!

I am struck today by the following passage. Read carefully. Of course the context is important. Check out the fuller passage if you have time Ecclesiastes 9.

Ecclesiastes 9

11 I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all.
 12 For man also knoweth not his time: as the fishes that are taken in an evil net, and as the birds that are caught in the snare; so are the sons of men snared in an evil time, when it falleth suddenly upon them.
 13 This wisdom have I seen also under the sun, and it seemed great unto me:
 14 There was a little city, and few men within it; and there came a great king against it, and besieged it, and built great bulwarks against it:
 15 Now there was found in it a poor wise man, and he by his wisdom delivered the city; yet no man remembered that same poor man.
 16 Then said I, Wisdom is better than strength: nevertheless the poor man's wisdom is despised, and his words are not heard.
 17 The words of wise men are heard in quiet more than the cry of him that ruleth among fools.
 18 Wisdom is better than weapons of war: but one sinner destroyeth much good.

The author had observed in his life that…

• the race is not to the swift
• the battle to the strong
• neither yet bread to the wise
• nor yet riches to men of understanding
• nor favor to men of skill
• but, time and chance happen to all

A couple of “big picture” thoughts are envisioned here.

Things happen to all people.

We are to press on.
We are to not trust in that which the world thinks as important.

An example is given.
A small city was besieged by a powerful king.

The city was delivered by a poor, wise man.

We know nothing of the balance of the situation, circumstance nor story.

But the truth is proclaimed.

Wisdom is better than strength.
Wisdom is better than weapons of war.

Yet, the poor man’s wisdom is despised.

The world considers not the poor.
The world looks for wisdom in the flash and credentials of man.

I believe that the Lord is raising a might army of the poor that are wise for such a time as this...an evil time as it says in verse 12.

What are you pursuing?
Are you seeking the stuff of the world, or are you seeking the wisdom of God?
Stuff will not save.
Wisdom will do amazing things.
Wisdom is required today...even more so in the days to come.

The world will flounder and fail in their wisdom.

But...

Daniel 11

32 And such as do wickedly against the covenant shall he corrupt by flatteries: but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits.

Daniel 12

3 And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.

We are in a season of preparation.
Are you preparing?

Preparation for living and manifesting the wisdom of the Lord will not be found in the strategies and plans of man - especially within the “organization of the church”.

Preparation lies within…

• the organism of the true Body of Christ
• the Word of God
• the Spirit of God

True Believers will not be “snared in an evil time”.
We will shine as the stars…
We will lead many to righteousness…

Prepare.

Remember…

17 The words of wise men are heard in quiet more than the cry of him that ruleth among fools.

Quietly speak forth the wisdom of the Lord…
Amid the clamoring cry of rulers among the fools…

Blessings!