To Shine Forth

"Who being the shining splendor of His glory, and the express image of His essence, and upholding all things by the word of His power, through Himself cleansing of our sins, He sat down on the right of the Majesty on high." Heb 1:3

I have been thinking on this scripture as of late. It says so much in just a few sentences. For example:

"Who being the shining splendor of His glory". The words here 'shining splendor' mean to shine forth from, or to shine out of. So in our mind we can picture Jesus shining forth from God's glory, being taken out of it and sent forth just as light shines out of the creation of the light, and goes forth into the darkness. This is stated in John:

Joh 1:2 He was in the beginning with God. :3 All things came into being through Him, and without Him not even one thing came into being that has come into being. :4 In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. :5 And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overtake it.

This helps us understand the next statement:

"and the express image of His essence". He is taken out of his glory and his essence, and so he is the exact copy or in this illustration, image or representation. Another reference called express image, the figure stamped. So we see God's Glory through a 'sample' of that glory or image of him, Jesus. Jesus explains this to Phillip when he says:

"Jesus said to him, Have I been with you such a long time and yet you have not known Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father. And how do you say, Show us the Father? Joh 14:9

The next statement reveals to us even more the substance of Jesus.

"and upholding all things by the word of His power". Jesus is the image of God, and he is the word of God. These two things are synonymous, for both are a reflection of the source, provisions that helps us understand the creator of the image and source of the words. This is further explained in Hebrews:

"By faith we understand that the ages were framed by a word of God, so that the things being seen not to have come into being out of the things that appear." Heb 11:3

Jesus is our frame of reference, or word by which to understand and see our God. We are able to view Jesus by belief and faith in him. To those who believe he is a source of power and gives life, just as light is a source of power and life.

"In Him was life, and the life was the light of men." Joh 1:4

"He who believes on the Son has everlasting life, and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides upon him." Joh 3:36

And how does this light shine on us?

through Himself cleansing of our sins, He sat down on the right of the Majesty on high." He came and took away our darkness, our sin, leaving with us the word, and returned to the Father's right hand, having accomplished what he was sent to do. He was sent, to bring light into the world, our world. And not only bring light, but to make us a light.

"and persuading yourselves to be a guide of the blind, a light to those in darkness;" Rom 2:19

"For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake. :6 For it is God who said, "Out of darkness Light shall shine;" who shone in our hearts to give the brightness of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. :7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us;" 2Co 4:5

May we shine forth, and be his glory.

Jesus the Vine

In chapter 15 of John, Jesus gives us a beautiful illustration explaining the Body of Christ, how it is rooted, grows, and produces fruitage. How it fulfils its purpose.

In reading Jesus illustration we can see he once again used something that his audience was very familiar with, a grapevine. Jesus choice of symbols is fascinating when we parallel it to the body of Christ. For example, The grapevine, is all one plant, connected to the rootstock, it's lifeline. It self-pollinates, producing fruitage within itself, and the nature of the vine is that twines together it branches to strengthen them.

He begins:

"I am the True Vine, and My Father is the Vinedresser." Joh 15:1

Jesus is showing us that he is not only the rootstock of the vine(Rev.22:16), but the vine itself. As we join the body by accepting his word in our hearts, we become Jesus and part of the vine. "But those on the good ground are the ones who, in an honest and good heart, having heard the Word, keep it and bring forth fruit with patience." Luk 8:15

God is the vinedresser. The vinedresser is the one who prunes and cares for the vine, training and causing fruitage.

"Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away. And every one that bears fruit, He prunes it so that it may bring forth more fruit. Now you are clean through the Word which I have spoken to you. Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it remains in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me." Joh 15:2-4

John 17:6 Explains that it is The Father who gives us to Jesus, for those whom he loves he gives to the Son. We abide in Jesus. As we abide in Christ, we are nourished and pruned by the discipline of God to produce more fruitage.(Hebr 12:7-11) In fact if we are not pruned, than we are not sons of God. It is an attentive and caring vinedresser that prunes. He know that in it's early two years of growth, a new branch is not yet strong enough to produces good fruit. Through pruning the branch is strengthen for it's task, and by the third year it can produce to it's full potential. It is also in the benefit of the entire vine(body) that training and pruning occurs, as without it, the whole plant becomes a tangled unproductive mess.

Verse three also explains how we become part of the vine. "you are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you." The word cleanses us, remaking our hearts as a reflection of Christ,(2Cor 4:10) and giving us life within ourselves(John 11:25, John 6:53).

"I am the Vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, the same brings forth much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered. And they gather and cast them into the fire, and they are burned" Joh 15:5,6

Unlike a plant, which can only grow to a certain size, a vine can continue to grow without bounds. But the branches must stay with the rootstock and the vine itself. It cannot exits on it's own. A plant will produce seeds and then die. The seeds will each form their own plants and the cycle continues. But the vine is fed and nourished, by itself. Jesus is our vine, and the body it's branches. To have life, we have to be part of his body. Without him, we dry up, and are cast away. Jesus explains, there is no other way. "Jesus said to him, I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life; no one comes to the Father but by Me. " Joh 14:6

By staying with the vine and bearing fruit, the body of Christ brings Glory to God.

If you abide in Me, and My Words abide in you, you shall ask what you will, and it shall be done to you. In this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit, so you shall be My disciples. Joh 15:7,8

The next few verses explain how the body is fed and grows.

"As the Father has loved Me, so I have loved you; continue in My love. If you keep My commandments, you shall abide in My love, even as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love. I have spoken these things to you so that My joy might remain in you and your joy might be full. This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you." Joh 15:9-12

God is love.

1Jo 4:8 The one who does not love has not known God. For God is love.

Jesus is the expression of God's love, his Word.

"In this the love of God was revealed in us, because God sent His only begotten Son into the world that we might live through Him." 1Jo 4:9

For us to be part of Jesus, to live with him. We must love.

"Jesus answered and said to him, If a man loves Me, he will keep My Word. And My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our abode with him." Joh 14:23

Not only must we love God and Jesus, but we must produce fruitage. Our Fruitage, and Christ commandment, is to love one another by expressing the love that Jesus has placed in us.

"This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you." Joh 15:12

Unproductive branches are cut off, and tossed away. If the branch stops getting it's nutrients from the vine it withers up and dies.(1Jon 3:10-12) The vine, Jesus, is expressed love. We must also express love to others creating fruitage for the vine body. The vine pollinates itself through expressed love, causing new growth and fruit. So if we do not love our Brother, we cannot love God, we cannot abide with Jesus.

"We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brothers. He who does not love his brother abides in death." 1Jo 3:14

It is a simple, beautiful command, for Jesus explains, all is fulfilled by it being kept, including the purpose of the body of Christ.

"Master, which is the great commandment in the Law? Jesus said to him, You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it, You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets." Mat 22:36-40

In God's Image

During some personal reading about a week ago, a friend of mine raised the question "Are angels created in the image of God?" Having never really researched the question myself I took a guess and said "yes" for a few reasons. Since leaving organized religion, I had come to understand more fully the role of angels in the ministry of the Testimony of Christ.

"And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said to me, See, do not do it! I am your fellow servant, and of your brothers who have the testimony of Jesus. Worship God, for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy." Rev 19:10

Being our fellow servants, they worship, serve and testify to God's glory and to the Lamb. To me this seemed to show a similarity to our own purpose and nature of our worship. Also into my consideration fell the fact that they are also held accountable, just as humans, for pure worship of God. In the old testament it also seems they were in fact used to represent God's face. Gen. 32:25-30. And although all these facts seem to be worthy of consideration. It still does not answer the purposed question. Are angels created in God's image?

The First questions has to be, What is the image of God?

And God said, Let Us make man in Our image, after Our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the heavens, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over all the creepers creeping on the earth.
And God created man in His image; in the image of God He created him. He created them male and female. Gen. 1:26,27

Adam was clearly stated to be created in the image of God. What I found interesting was that God seems to be discussing this creation with someone else. "Let us make man in our image." So by this context we see it is no longer just God's image, but OUR image. To whom is God addressing this comment?

We can find this answer in a couple of scriptures.

Who is the image of the invisible God, the First-born of all creation. For all things were created in Him, the things in the heavens, and the things on the earth, the visible and the invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers, all things were created through Him and for Him.
Col 1:14-16

We can see here, that Jesus is called the image of God. He being the first-born of all creation, also was used to create all things. So when our Father was speaking in Genesis he was speaking to Jesus, his Son, whom he used to create all things. The words "let us", was a direction from God to Jesus to create man in their image. It would be "their" image because Jesus is the expressed image of God.

Has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, by whom also He made the worlds, who being the shining splendor of His glory, and the express image of His essence, and upholding all things by the word of His power, through Himself cleansing of our sins, He sat down on the right of the Majesty on high,
Heb 1:2-3

In whom the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving ones, so that the light of the glorious gospel of Christ (who is the image of God) should not dawn on them. 2Co 4:4

With this understanding we can see that Adam was created in the Image of God, The image of God, being Jesus. After Adam and Eve's transgression against God, they no longer reflected his image. Therefore when they had children, they were in the image of Adam, not in the Image of God.

Gen 5:3 And Adam lived one hundred and thirty years and fathered a son in his own likeness, after his own image. And he called his name Seth.

Man continued to multiply according to his own image, and this led to all being enslaved to death. With Jesus coming as the second Adam, death is no longer king over Man. Jesus is now King, and with him all enemies will cease, including death.

For since death is through man, the resurrection of the dead also is through a Man.
For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all will be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ the first-fruit, and afterward they who are Christ's at His coming; then is the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God, even the Father; when He makes to cease all rule and all authority and power. for it is right for Him to reign until He has put all the enemies under His feet. The last enemy made to cease is death. 1Co 15:21-26

Man can now reflect God's image again.

And so it is written, "The first man, Adam, became a living soul," the last Adam was a life-giving Spirit. But not the spiritual first, but the natural; afterward the spiritual. The first man was out of earth, earthy; the second Man was the Lord from Heaven. Such the earthy man, such also the earthy ones. And such the heavenly Man, such also the heavenly ones. And according as we bore the image of the earthy man, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly Man. 1Co 15:45-49

Through Jesus, we can now reflect the image of the heavenly man, in the image of God.

But we all, with our face having been unveiled, having beheld the glory of the Lord as in a mirror, are being changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Lord Spirit. 2Co 3:18

And you should put on the new man, who according to God was created in righteousness and true holiness. Eph 4:24

What a beautiful thing. We as Christians become the body of Christ, his image, in the image of our Heavenly Father. Jesus truly restored to us what was lost and gave to us light and life.

If you have noticed, I still have not addressed the original question "are Angels created in the image of God?" I will be honest, I do not know. The Bible does not tell us. To me it seems that if they share with us, being a reflection of God's image and of Jesus, they would also be included in the body of Christ, or being part of his bride. There is no biblical support for this view. I think the scripture below seems to explain to us the difference in creation.

There are also heavenly bodies and earthly bodies. But the glory of the heavenly is truly different, and that of the earthly different; one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for one star differs from another star in glory. 1Co 15:40,41

Since the Bible does not explain to us the specifics of the creation of angels we cannot assume any other creation was made in the image of God other than the first human pair and Jesus.

Simply Faith

Having read many comments on discussion boards recently concerning Faith and knowledge, I have observed that people seem to unwittingly tie faith to knowledge. Almost a stipulation of having faith is that I have to understand and have deep knowledge of what I am to believe in, before being able to demonstrate faith. Yet, Faith is not tied to understanding, but belief.

1Co 8:1 But concerning the sacrifices to idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies.
1Co 8:2 And if any man thinks that he knows anything, he knows nothing yet as he ought to know.
1Co 8:3 But if any one loves God, he has been known of him.

Oh what knowledge do we really need? Knowledge of Jesus, of Our Father, knowledge of love. Through this knowledge we can have a firm foundation for our Faith.

Heb 6:18 so that by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us,
Heb 6:19 which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters into that within the veil,


One of the people who have come into my life recently who has given me much insight on the love of God, and the pure demonstration of faith, is "Ruthanne". What is interesting, is that she has very little knowledge and not a lot of capacity to understand. Let me explain.

My "Ruthanne"...

It was several months ago that I met Ms. Ruthanne. She was seated outside a convenient store in my path to work. I entered into a conversation with her while she sat next to a pay phone. She was having a stressful day and was crying. She asked if I would pray with her, so I knelt down and prayed with her for God to help her, and for His Son to grant her peace, and the removal of the darkness that was pressing in upon her.

Now Ruthanne, is what I would call a transient. She is not homeless, but lives in a rather destitute state. She is afraid to bathe, for fear of being attacked. She carries all her valuables with her, for fear of them being stolen. And many nights, sleep eludes her because voices tell her they will kill her in her sleep. she is learning disabled and a ward of the state. Although being married, her husband is not active in trying to comfort her and lift her from these fears. She had no one else in the this world.

Being especially vulnerable because of her mental disabilities. Ruthanne has a past like you would be unable to believe. Being abused and taken advantage of by not only members of her immediate family, but also demonically controlled people who found her to be easy prey. There are no less than three people in prison for what they did to my precious friend. Society as a whole has discarded her, because they either did not care for the odd mannered women, or felt powerless to aid her in any way.

Yet my friends, whom needs to know the love of Jesus, more than her? Was not Jesus in search of such ones to heal? You see, despite her illnesses and odd behavior, and even though told to be valueless to society, she is as precious as Gold. For Ruthanne has pure faith.

She does not understand the seven congregations of Revelation. She could not explain the image of Daniel. And more than likely, could not tell you too much about the accounts in the Gospels. But she does not need this knowledge to show her faith. For she understands the simplicity of Truth. God's gave us his son to show us love. Those who love God, have belief in Jesus. And if we believe and trust in Jesus and his promises and words, our Faith will keep us safe and heal our wounds. She understands the Kingdom of God. She is pure in heart, and therefore God has shown himself to her.

Mat 5:8 Blessed are the pure in heart! For they shall see God.

She showers love on all those around her, and prays every chance she gets. She understands that it is Jesus spirit that brings her peace, and it is his Holy Spirit that is giving her physical healing. She explained to me the other day that her Faith will make her well. Ruthanne doesn't know that Jesus said that, and when I explained to her, that those were the words of our Lord, she smiled in delight. How refreshing is her faith, for it is children like her, that shall inherit the kingdom.

She has taught me so much. More than the meaning of a Greek word, or the explanation of a deep prophecy could ever reveal. But teaches by her displays of faith. Showing how simply wonderful is the gospel of our Lord. Knowledge, like many other things shall cease. It is fleeting and perishes. But Love endures forever. Faith in God, Faith in his Son, therefore Faith in Love, shall never cease. And these things stem from the heart, not the head. And how very powerful is that faith.

1Co 13:2 And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.

1Co 13:8 Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away.
1Co 13:9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part,
1Co 13:13 So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

Our Fellow Servants

"And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said to me, See, do not do it! I am your fellow servant, and of your brothers who have the testimony of Jesus. Worship God, for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy." Rev 19:10

This scripture brings up two questions for me. One, how are angels my fellow servant, and what is this testimony of Jesus that we share. In trying to answer these questions I came across many interesting Bible verses. For example:


"Then He said to His disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray to the Lord of the harvest that He will send out laborers into His harvest." Mat 9:37,38

We are laborers in the Father's fields. This is further discussed in 1Co 3:4-9 " I have planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. So then neither is he who plants anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase. So he planting, and he watering, are one, and each one shall receive his own reward according to his own labor. For of God we are fellow-workers, a field of God, and you are a building of God."

We work with one another, within the body of Christ, in the field to build up the body, and make it a beautiful temple for our Lord to dwell in. Each member of the body contributes to it's growth and harvest, not matter what roll, small or large, that may become.

So the question remains how are Angels our Fellow-servants?

In Jesus illustration of the field of the Kingdom of God. Angels are entrusted as reapers.

"The enemy who sowed them is the Devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels." Mat 13:39 This is further shown in Revelation.

"And another angel came out of the temple in Heaven, also having a sharp sickle. And another angel came out from the altar, who had authority over fire. And he spoke with a great cry to him who had the sharp sickle, saying, Thrust in your sharp sickle, and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth, for her grapes are fully ripe. And the angel thrust in his sickle into the earth and gathered the vine of the earth, and cast it into the great winepress of the anger of God." Rev 14:17-19

Not only though are Angels appointed to reaping. They also are entrusted with the care of "Who will inherit salvation." Heb. 1:14 Does that not mean us as God's Children? Peter was spoken of as having a personal angel in Acts 12:15, who aided him in his escape from the Romans and in fufilling his ministry. This also happened in the Old testement. Angel were sent to aid God's servant to fufill thier duties before the Father. "And the angel of Jehovah came to him the second time and touched him, and said, Arise, eat, because the journey is too great for you." 1Ki 19:7

Many times Angels are given messages and information to be delivered to a prophet, or servant of God. (2 Kings 19:45)(Rev. 22:16) It may be a condemnation that is to be proclaimed to the erroring nation, or just comfort for the hearers heart only, as in Zec 1:13 "And Jehovah answered the angel who talked with me with good words, comfortable words." When Jesus was distressed or in need of strengthening The Father would send an angel to comfort and encourage him. "And an angel appeared to Him from Heaven, strengthening Him." Luk 22:43

How comforting to know that we are so loved that our Father uses Angels to help us down our road to Salvation.

And this brings us to how Angels and ourselves give the Testimony of Jesus.

1Jo 5:10 Whoever believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself. Whoever does not believe God has made him a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God has borne concerning his Son.

Through belief in Jesus the Word of God we give testimony to Jesus and therefore declare that God is true and holy. Jesus is also called the Spirit of Prophecy because in him are the fufillment of the promises given to those who obey him. So when we give the Testimony of Jesus we also prophecy and declare the Glory of God. As children of God we have this honor to spend our lives bringing the testimony of Jesus to the ears of believers. Angels through their work also testify to Jesus, and soon will aid in bringing to fruitation the Kingdom of our Lord.

In researching the Testimony of Jesus I discovered beautiful parallels to the restoration of the Ark of the Covenant or Ark of Testimony, to it's heavenly home. But that is a subject for another time.

Faith in Love

Studying about the word love the other day I notice how intertwined faith and love are. Many times in the scriptures they are mentioned together, as if dependant upon each other.(Eph. 6:23) Pondering on this I wondered, why must faith and love be demonstrated together? My answer came in 1John chapter 4 and 5. These chapters show the essence of love. What is it? How do we recieve it? And then of course, how do we display it? Really without fruits love is dead. Just as faith. How so?

The source of love is God, for he IS love.

Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God, and everyone who loves has been born of God, and knows God. The one who does not love has not known God. For God is love. 1Jo 4:7,8

In this the love of God was revealed in us, because God 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 be the propitiation concerning our sins. 1Jo 4:9,10

No man has ever seen God. So how are we as humans suppose to know love? The Father gave us Jesus, He is the demonstration of God's love for us. The manisfestation of love that is undeserved. The essence of love.

Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwells in us, and His love is perfected in us. By this we know that we dwell in Him, and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit. 1Jo 4:11-13

God loved us first, he sent his son to show us that love. And Jesus exibited the ultimate love. The sacrifice of himself. What more does a human have to show self sacrificing love? Except to offer everything they have, their life.

By having faith in God's love for us, faith in our Lord Jesus, we are able to have his spirit dwell within us. This spirit perfects our love, makes it pure and beautiful. His spirit within us brings forth fruitage, fruitages of the spirit. They are Love, Joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faith, mildness and self- control. What is interesting about these fruitages of God's spirit is that none can be displayed without love. That is why it is referred to as the greatest fruitage. Truely though, we cannot recieve this spirit without displaying faith in Jesus. For how can we produce true love without understanding what it is?

Love is described in 1Coritians Chapter 13

And if I am having [the gift of] prophecy and know all secrets and all knowledge, and if I am having all faith so as to be removing mountains, and have not love, I am nothing. 1Co 13:2


Faith and love must exist together.


And if I dole out all my possessions, and if I hand over my body so that I am burned, but am not having love, I am not at all benefited.1Co 13:3

Displays of self sacrifice without love as the reason is usless. For it is not a true reflection of our Lord without it being unselfish.

Love waits patiently; it acts kindly. Love does not envy [or, is not jealous]; love does not boast; it does not become haughty. It does not behave disgracefully; it does not seek its own [things]; it is not provoked [or, irritated]; it does not keep a record of evil. It does not rejoice over unrighteousness, but it rejoices with the truth. It puts up with all [things], believes all, hopes [or, confidently expects] all, endures all. Love never fails. But if [there be] prophecies, they will become useless; if tongues, they will cease by themselves; if knowledge, it will become useless. 1Co 13:4-8

Love believes all things. It has faith. To be able to show true love we must keep it unselfish, just as our Fathers' was, just as Jesus demonstrated his to be. We cannot show love on the basis that it must be returned. That we must see the results of our love to be able to give it to others. Jesus tried to teach us this in many illustrations. For example:

You have heard that it was said, "You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy." But I say to you, Love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who despitefully use you and persecute you, so that you may become sons of your Father in Heaven. For He makes His sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax-collectors do the same? And if you greet your brothers only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax-collectors do so? Therefore be perfect, even as your Father in Heaven is perfect. Mat 5:43-48

Perfect love. If we want to be perfect we MUST show love. By doing this we show we are his children. We reflect the qualities of Jesus, therefore having the father within us, and exibiting his love through ourselves. Our faith in God's love is now alive, because we provide that love to others.

Whoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwells in him and he in God. And we have known and believed the love that God has in us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him. In this is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment, that as He is, so also we are in this world. There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear, because fear has torment. He who fears has not been perfected in love. We love Him because He first loved us. If anyone says, I love God, and hates his brother, he is a liar. For if he does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen? And we have this commandment from Him, that he who loves God should love his brother also. 1John 4:15-21

We have boldness on the day of Judgement because we have Faith in God's love, we have faith in Jesus. Perfect love is without fear. Fear is a lack of faith, and shows a weakening of love. Sometimes I feel people hold back their love, out of fear they may be hurt, or that it will not be returned. This is not perfect love. Perfect love is not dependant on it being returned, on seeing, because perfect love is based on the unseen, Faith. It must be given without condition. If we have love returned, it is a gift from God.

Faith in love, is based on what we cannot see, but know to exist. God is love. We cannot see him, but have faith in his son, whom he gave to us to show us his love. Through our faith in Jesus we also are able to have that love within us, and give it to others just as our Lord poured it out for us.

Harvesting one at a time

"But seeing the crowds, He was moved with compassion on them, because they were tired and scattered like sheep having no shepherd. Then He said to His disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray to the Lord of the harvest that He will send out laborers into His harvest." Matt 9:36-38

I was reading about how fields were harvested in Bible times the other day, and realized how thorough the fields were reaped. First the harvest was accomplished by means of a hand sickle. A meticulous means of insuring that scarcely a stalk of grain is missed. The reaper cuts the grain and gently lays it down and moves forward. Then others would gather and bind the handful into larger bundles. Behind them were the gleaners,usually women. It was their job to pick up any stems or heads of the precious grain that may have eluded the workers before them who needed to work rapidly to complete the harvest. In this way, not a head of grain would be missed. It reminds me of the following scripture. "The doorkeeper opens to him, and the sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out." Joh 10:3

Chirst said he will not loose even one of his sheep. "While I was with them in the world, I kept them in Your name. "Those that You have given Me I have kept, and none of them is lost",.. Joh 17:12 As workers in his field we can understand how important it is to be a gleaner. How so? Because as we see in John 10:3, Jesus calls his sheep by name. Or we could look at it as, one at a time. Though there are those who would be given the "gift of evangelism" experiencing events similar to the book of Acts. I feel we are given a more individual Gospel. If Jesus allows, for us to help harvest one soul at a time. Taking care in our Lords harvest, to not miss even one.

Many people feel that their work in the Lord, has to be done on a large scale. Reaching as many lives as possible, affecting large groups at once. They base the sucess of their work by numbers, and sadly some even by financial gain. Is this how Jesus feels? "What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them strays, does he not leave the ninety and nine and go into the mountains and seek the straying one?" Mat 18:12

How happy would my Lord be, if even I found just one, head of grain that was missed, one sheep that was lost. For the angels rejoice at just one sinner that repents. Yes one, just one, and we can bring joy to Jesus heart.

"By this we have known the love of God, because He laid down His life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers." (1Jo 3:16)

Matt. 21:44

Mat 21:44 And he who falls on this Stone shall be broken, but on whomever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.

Meditating on this scripture the other day, I found myself seeing this verse in a whole new light. I just love it when that happens. When you have been reading an account over and over your whole life and then just like the scales being lifted off our eyes so we can see, the Spirit teaches us even more about our Lord.

The first part of the verse.. "He who falls on this Stone shall be broken, is in contrast to "Whomever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder."

We want to fall upon the stone and be broken. For it shows our willingness to be comformed into Jesus. Our fleshly hearts are broken, and we are recreated into a reflection of the stone we have fallen upon.

Psa 51:17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise.

Our spirit must confess Jesus. By falling upon that stone, we subject ourselves to him, "Here I am send me".. and also echo the words of our Lord. "Not my will, but yours."

Pro 3:12 for whom Jehovah loves He corrects, even as a father corrects the son in whom he delights.

1Pe 5:10 But the God of all grace, He calling us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a little, He will perfect, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.

We we fall upon Jesus, we are broken and made pliable, soft and workable, so that we can by trial be make perfect.

But notice what happens to those who do not fall upon the stone. The stone falls on them, and they are crushed and pulverised. Having the stone fall upon us, is a judgment.

Dan 2:44 And in the days of these kings, the God of Heaven shall set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed. And the kingdom shall not be left to other peoples, but it shall crush and destroy all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever.

Do we show a lack of subjection, or appreciation. If we do not build ourselves up upon the cornerstone, conforming to his foundation, than we will be rejected and fall into judgment for lack of faith.

Heb 10:30 For we know Him who has said, "Vengeance belongs to Me, I will repay, says the Lord." And again, "The Lord shall judge His people."
Heb 10:31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

Mat 21:42 Jesus said to them, Did you never read in the Scriptures, "The stone which the builders rejected, this One has become the head of the corner; this is the Lord's doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes?"

Do we reject the stone, and want to build upon our own fleshly foundation? Or do we throw ourselves on the chief cornerstone to become part of his wall.

All of you who were baptized into Christ

See, here is water, what hinders me from being baptized?

Philip said, If you believe with all your heart, it is lawful. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. - Acts 8:37

This past Sunday, Aug. 26th 2007, is now one of the happiest memories of my life. Let me explain why. Sunday, I got baptized in the Name of Jesus Christ. As I went under the water, the following scripture came to mind.:

Or do YOU not know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? Therefore we were buried with him through our baptism into his death, in order that, just as Christ was raised up from the dead through the glory of the Father, we also should likewise walk in a newness of life. - Romans 6:3,4

It was the above scripture that prodded me to want to be rebaptized. You see, I had been baptized before. I grew up as one of Jehovah's Witnesses. And at the age of 13 I wanted to be baptized. I understood at that time, that is was a dedication to God, and that I promised to serve him the rest of my life. That I was repentant of sins, and promised to try and sin no more. Now at 13 I was told that I was too young to be baptized, and there was a process of steps I had to take to "qualify" to be baptized. So I waited. Then at 16 I finally had "passed" their tests of knowledge, and was allowed to be baptized. I really did not fully understand the symbolism of being baptized, and I definately did not understand what being Baptized into Christ meant. At that time Jesus was not someone I understood or appreciated fully.

So I got baptized in front of friends and Family and a crowd of about 600. It was in a cold metal horse trough that I had to sit down in first and then be submerged by lying down. The man who baptized me was very cold, old and distant in the way he baptized me, assembly line like. I am glad it meant alot to me at the time, because it surely did not affect him, even though he had known me since I was a child, not even a smile passed his lips.

So WHY get baptized again? Well alot has happened since then. First I am no longer a part of the Jehovah's Witness organization. They "expelled" me for taking my stand with Jesus instead of them. And although in my heart I knew I loved God when I was orginally baptized in that religion, That is what it was, being baptized into a religion. Still I didn't necessarily feel compelled to be rebaptized. Mainly because I had been baptized once and had since recieved a spirit baptism, that completely changed my life. I felt that since I had recieve my spirit baptism that was all I needed.

Still though in my heart I wanted to do it right. And what was right you may ask? Romans 6. Understanding that I was being baptized into his death. And being raised up into life. A newness, a promise to my Lord that I want to be baptized into death, just as he was.

But Jesus said to them: "YOU do not know what YOU are asking for. Are YOU able to drink the cup which I am drinking, or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am being baptized?" - Mark 10:38

I wanted to be baptized, fully understanding what it meant to be baptized in the name of Jesus. I wanted it to be all about my love and belief in him. I got my wish. This past weekend, my husband and I and friends, whom are now dearest family to me, went and found a secluded spot in a creek. It was in the middle of beautiful woods and the afternoon sun shined through the trees. The water was cold and invigorating, as minnows brushed against my legs. And I couldn't help thinking. "Now this is more like it!" No horse tank this time! I could almost see Jesus standing on the banks, smiling and saying, 'This time it will be right, for you are with me now, and here in the midst of my Father's creation." And so it was, perfect. We were all so happy, so at peace, and full of love. And this time, it wasn't a cold, uninterested man baptizing me, but the best of friend. After we had all been baptized, I walked back on the bank. I glanced down to see a white pebble. I had to smile for I love the following scripture:

He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it. - Rev 2:17

Bending down to pick up my white pebble I noticed there were others right near it, actually one for each of us whom had undergone baptism that day. Gathering up the pebbles, I prayed thanks to the Father and my Lord, for such blessings... and my heart filled with song.





Read my about my Friend's and Husband's Baptisms

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http://propmin.blogspot.com

Coals of Fire

Looking a Romans chapter twelve I found the following verses of interest.

Before I looked closer at this scripture, I always felt that it was saying that by doing nice things to your enemies, that it would heap coals on their head. As in the sense of it bothering (torturing) them by our good treatment of them, in essence, getting back at them through being nice.

But of course it has a deeper meaning I have missed all along. That our purpose in heaping coals on their heads is in hope of saving them, not condemning them, through fire.


Rom 12:17 Repay no one evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.
Rom 12:18 If it is possible, as far as is in you, being in peace with all men.
Rom 12:19 not avenging yourselves, beloved, but giving place to wrath; for it is written, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay, says the Lord."

Rom 12:20 Therefore if your enemy hungers, feed him. If he thirsts, give him drink. For in so doing you shall heap coals of fire on his head.
Rom 12:21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

We feed and give water to our enemies. That food and water is Jesus, and the good works of the fruitage of the Holy Spirit. By doing this we preach the gospel of Jesus. Jesus not only baptizes in Spirit, but also with fire. By heaping coals upon their heads we are in hope of them being cleansed by fire.


1Co 3:15 If anyone's work shall be burned up, he shall suffer loss. But he shall be saved, yet so as by fire.

So our hopes is that they will be saved by fire. And the more we reflect Jesus in how we treat them, not returning evil for evil, and being peacable, the more coals we heap upon their heads in hopes of the good overcoming the evil.