Tuesday, July 19, 2016

Rhinos and Schtuff

“Rhinos” (establishment republicans) are distancing themselves from Donald Trump. Why? Could it be they really are that envious of this populist choice of the people? Humble people do not concern themselves with getting credit for success. It is enough that success is accomplished. If our nation turns away from evil and lawless behavior with Donald Trump as president or with Hillary Clinton I will rejoice. It is really God in the Highest who grants success.
What is success? Success in this world is when people do the right things. When enough people do the right things peace begins to flourish. Success is getting through this life with as little damage and loss as possible and as much good as possible. Success is not only personal, it is family, it is village, town, city and nation, and one day will overtake the whole world.
What are the right things? Here mankind suffers a great difficulty. Most have a pretty good idea of what is right but most want to get the credit for being right. We are right when we do right, but we are wrong when we do right to be “righter than thou.” To really be right we will not be right with arrogance. We will not brag of our being or doing right for we are so often only right because we have learned from God what is right and done what God says is right for us to do. We are not purely and wholly right when we do what is right, we have not yet become the flawless eternal souls we are destined to be. AND even when we do reach out destiny we will forever humbly give God ALL the glory, honor, praise and credit for being right! When I want the credit, I put my self forward as the supreme authority who decides what is right. God alone gets the credit. We insult God by anything more than humble surrender and submission to His righteousness.
Thus says the Lord: Let not the wise and skillful person glory and boast in his wisdom and skill; let not the mighty and powerful person glory and boast in his strength and power; let not the person who is rich [in physical gratification and earthly wealth] glory and boast in his [temporal satisfactions and earthly] riches; But let him who glories glory in this: that he understands and knows Me [personally and practically, directly discerning and recognizing My character], that I am the Lord, Who practices loving-kindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth, for in these things I delight, says the Lord. [I Cor. 1:31; II Cor. 10:17.] (Jeremiah 9:23-24 AMP)
Whatever establishment group you or I identify with, we should keep in mind this: Our leaders who we wish to serve us will be greatly assisted when we do the right things. If we will only humble ourselves admitting that the one human race we belong to needs again and always to learn and do what is right. We are not born into this world knowing what is right. Who will teach us what IS right? If we will not learn this from God, what man or woman will teach us? Who CAN we trust?
READ the Bible. Why remain ignorant of it? Or do you prefer your own righteousness? How’s that working for you?

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The whole community of the people of Isra'el left the Seen Desert, traveling in stages, as Adonai had ordered, and camped at Refidim; but there was no water for the people to drink. The people quarreled with Moshe, demanding, "Give us water to drink!" But Moshe replied, "Why pick a fight with me? Why are you testing Adonai?" However, the people were thirsty for water there and grumbled against Moshe, "For what did you bring us up from Egypt? To kill us, our children and our livestock with thirst?" Moshe cried out to Adonai, "What am I to do with these people? They're ready to stone me!"
(Exodus 17:1-4 CJB)

>>>>>>>>>>> 

So when He had finished washing their feet and had put on His garments and had sat down again, He said to them, Do you understand what I have done to you? You call Me the Teacher (Master) and the Lord, and you are right in doing so, for that is what I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher (Master), have washed your feet, you ought [it is your duty, you are under obligation, you owe it] to wash one another's feet. For I have given you this as an example, so that you should do [in your turn] what I have done to you. I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, A servant is not greater than his master, and no one who is sent is superior to the one who sent him. If you know these things, blessed and happy and to be envied are you if you practice them [if you act accordingly and really do them]. (John 13:12-17 AMP)

Jesus fulfilled the law and the prophets. Why did He do that?

And God saw everything that He had made, and behold, it was very good (suitable, pleasant) and He approved it completely. And there was evening and there was morning, a sixth day.
(Genesis 1:31 AMP)

What happened to the things God made?

The Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination and intention of all human thinking was only evil continually. And the Lord regretted that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved at heart.
(Genesis 6:5-6 AMP)

Would we wish to live in continual regret and grief? What we make belongs to us, and when it is displeasing to us, what do we do? We fix it, or we throw it on the trash heap.

What did God do with the things He made which had become evil entirely and continually?

The earth was depraved and putrid in God's sight, and the land was filled with violence (desecration, infringement, outrage, assault, and lust for power). And God looked upon the world and saw how degenerate, debased, and vicious it was, for all humanity had corrupted their way upon the earth and lost their true direction. God said to Noah, I intend to make an end of all flesh, for through men the land is filled with violence; and behold, I will destroy them and the land.
(Genesis 6:11-13 AMP)

Would God’s creation be a failure? Would He throw it and mankind made in Hid image and likeness away?

But Noah found grace (favor) in the eyes of the Lord. This is the history of the generations of Noah. Noah was a just and righteous man, blameless in his [evil] generation; Noah walked [in habitual fellowship] with God.
(Genesis 6:8-9 AMP)

What happened to Noah when God favored him? God put him to work. He built a big ship.

After the flood Noah got drunk and his son Ham saw him naked. Why did this happen? Did not God destroy all the wicked? Was Noah not “a just and righteous man, blameless in his [evil] generation;” ???

God promised Noah that never again would He drown the whole world. And yet we know that evil was not eradicated from the earth or from the hearts of men by the flood. Why? What IS God doing? Be assured it is something good!!!

"You are worthy, Adonai Eloheinu, to have glory, honor and power, because you created all things — yes, because of your will they were created and came into being!"
(Revelation 4:11 CJB)

Many others have been given favor from God. Can we name some? Can we readily give a dozen examples of those whom God favored along with the lesson their story teaches us? I fear I would be unable to meet that challenge well without a concordance.

Paul wrote of God’s giving him:

“…this grace (favor, privilege) was granted and graciously entrusted” (Eph 3:8b AMP)

Like Noah, after God showed Paul favor He put him to work!

to proclaim to the Gentiles the unending (boundless, fathomless, incalculable, and exhaustless) riches of Christ [wealth which no human being could have searched out], Also to enlighten all men and make plain to them what is the plan [regarding the Gentiles and providing for the salvation of all men] of the mystery kept hidden through the ages and concealed until now in [the mind of] God Who created all things by Christ Jesus. [The purpose is] that through the church the complicated, many-sided wisdom of God in all its infinite variety and innumerable aspects might now be made known to the angelic rulers and authorities (principalities and powers) in the heavenly sphere. This is in accordance with the terms of the eternal and timeless purpose which He has realized and carried into effect in [the person of] Christ Jesus our Lord,”
(Eph 3:8c-11 AMP)

It is awesome that God’s plan, His will and purposes are somewhat now revealed here in Ephesians 3.  

[The purpose is] that through the church the complicated, many-sided wisdom of God in all its infinite variety and innumerable aspects might now be made known to the angelic rulers and authorities (principalities and powers) in the heavenly sphere. (Eph 3:10 AMP)

Are you church? Are you called of God? Have you received The Messiah Jesus? Are you highly and lowly favored by God? Is His grace your inheritance? Is Jesus your Lord, Savior and first Love? Watch out if you say yes, for He will surely put you to work!

What will your “job” be? Will it not be to participate with all those favored and called of God to:

make known to the angelic rulers and authorities in heavenly places the complicated, many-sided wisdom of God in all its infinite variety and innumerable aspects?

Is this not a great part of God’s plan and purpose in sending Jesus to fulfill the law and the prophets? Was Jesus not a major worker in and of:

“the complicated, many-sided wisdom of God in all its infinite variety and innumerable aspects?”

Are you invited by God not only to go to heaven when you die, but even NOW invited to:

“make known to the angelic rulers and authorities in heavenly places the complicated, many-sided wisdom of God in all its infinite variety and innumerable aspects?”

How do we do this? Surely this is something beyond what I, a mere man or woman, am able to do. Surely this is a job for pastors and prophets.

And the Lord came down in the cloud and spoke to him [Moses], and took of the Spirit that was upon him and put It upon the seventy elders; and when the Spirit rested upon them, they prophesied [sounding forth the praises of God and declaring His will]. Then they did so no more. [Num. 11:29.] But there remained two men in the camp named Eldad and Medad. The Spirit rested upon them, and they were of those who were selected and listed, yet they did not go out to the Tent [as told to do], but they prophesied in the camp. And a young man ran to Moses and said, Eldad and Medad are prophesying [sounding forth the praises of God and declaring His will] in the camp. Joshua son of Nun, the minister of Moses, one of his chosen men, said, My lord Moses, forbid them! But Moses said to him, Are you envious or jealous for my sake? Would that all the Lord's people were prophets and that the Lord would put His Spirit upon them! [Luke 9:49, 50.] (Num 11:25-29 AMP) But Moshe replied, "Are you so zealous to protect me? I wish all of Adonai's people were prophets! I wish Adonai would put his Spirit on all of them!" (Num 11:29 CJB)

Have you surrendered your will to Father? Have you prayed: “God save me a sinner from sin?” Have you admitted that YOUR SINS are killing YOU, and is that not a grief to your soul. But moreover is YOUR sin not a grief to God who owns your soul? And now having believed God sent Jesus to save you from God’s judgment for your sins, can you not also believe that He will give you an assignment among your brothers and sisters, even to co-labor with them as we all: make known to the angelic rulers and authorities in heavenly places the complicated, many-sided wisdom of God in all its infinite variety and innumerable aspects?

God’s wisdom is complicated, many-sided, infinite in variety and innumerable in its aspects. Be an aspect of God’s wisdom. Be even a complicated aspect! But BELONG to God and allow Him to make you one of His chosen and peculiar people. God takes man who will die of his own weight and breathes His Life Giving Spirit into Him, BLESSED BE THE NAME OF YAHWEH! Your work may not be flashy, well known or often seen or even acknowledged by man. But when you do it, I believe God will commend you for it and reward you. You will have laid up a treasure in heaven. There is no need to display it now to anyone. If God wants that wisdom known to your friends He will show it. But will the work you do and the reward reserved for you in heaven not be a real demonstration of  the complicated, many-sided wisdom of God in all its infinite variety and innumerable aspects and be  made known to the angelic rulers and authorities in heavenly places?

WOO HOO!!! Hallelu Yah!!! Thank You Jesus, Thank You Abba, Thank You HOLY SPIRIT GOD!

I APPEAL to you therefore, brethren, and beg of you in view of [all] the mercies of God, to make a decisive dedication of your bodies [presenting all your members and faculties] as a living sacrifice, holy (devoted, consecrated) and well pleasing to God, which is your reasonable (rational, intelligent) service and spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs], but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His sight for you]. For by the grace (unmerited favor of God) given to me I warn everyone among you not to estimate and think of himself more highly than he ought [not to have an exaggerated opinion of his own importance], but to rate his ability with sober judgment, each according to the degree of faith apportioned by God to him. (Rom 12:1-3 AMP)


Let each of you esteem and look upon and be concerned for not [merely] his own interests, but also each for the interests of others. Let this same attitude and purpose and [humble] mind be in you which was in Christ Jesus: [Let Him be your example in humility:] Who, although being essentially one with God and in the form of God [possessing the fullness of the attributes which make God God], did not think this equality with God was a thing to be eagerly grasped or retained, But stripped Himself [of all privileges and rightful dignity], so as to assume the guise of a servant (slave), in that He became like men and was born a human being. And after He had appeared in human form, He abased and humbled Himself [still further] and carried His obedience to the extreme of death, even the death of the cross! Therefore [because He stooped so low] God has highly exalted Him and has freely bestowed on Him the name that is above every name, That in (at) the name of Jesus every knee should (must) bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, And every tongue [frankly and openly] confess and acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Therefore, my dear ones, as you have always obeyed [my suggestions], so now, not only [with the enthusiasm you would show] in my presence but much more because I am absent, work out (cultivate, carry out to the goal, and fully complete) your own salvation with reverence and awe and trembling (self-distrust, with serious caution, tenderness of conscience, watchfulness against temptation, timidly shrinking from whatever might offend God and discredit the name of Christ). [Not in your own strength] for it is God Who is all the while effectually at work in you [energizing and creating in you the power and desire], both to will and to work for His good pleasure and satisfaction and delight. Do all things without grumbling and faultfinding and complaining [against God] and questioning and doubting [among yourselves], That you may show yourselves to be blameless and guileless, innocent and uncontaminated, children of God without blemish (faultless, unrebukable) in the midst of a crooked and wicked generation [spiritually perverted and perverse], among whom you are seen as bright lights (stars or beacons shining out clearly) in the [dark] world, Holding out [to it] and offering [to all men] the Word of Life, so that in the day of Christ I may have something of which exultantly to rejoice and glory in that I did not run my race in vain or spend my labor to no purpose.
(Php 2:4-16 AMP)

Remind of mirror talk.

(2Co 5:9 AMP)
Therefore, whether we are at home [on earth away from Him] or away from home [and with Him], we are constantly ambitious and strive earnestly to be pleasing to Him.


(2Co 5:10 AMP)
For we must all appear and be revealed as we are before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive [his pay] according to what he has done in the body, whether good or evil [considering what his purpose and motive have been, and what he has achieved, been busy with, and given himself and his attention to accomplishing].

(2Co 5:11 AMP)
Therefore, being conscious of fearing the Lord with respect and reverence, we seek to win people over [to persuade them]. But what sort of persons we are is plainly recognized and thoroughly understood by God, and I hope that it is plainly recognized and thoroughly understood also by your consciences (your inborn discernment).

(2Co 5:12 AMP)
We are not commending ourselves to you again, but we are providing you with an occasion and incentive to be [rightfully] proud of us, so that you may have a reply for those who pride themselves on surface appearances [on the virtues they only appear to have], although their heart is devoid of them.

(2Co 5:13 AMP)
For if we are beside ourselves [mad, as some say], it is for God and concerns Him; if we are in our right mind, it is for your benefit,

(2Co 5:14 AMP)
For the love of Christ controls and urges and impels us, because we are of the opinion and conviction that [if] One died for all, then all died;

(2Co 5:15 AMP)
And He died for all, so that all those who live might live no longer to and for themselves, but to and for Him Who died and was raised again for their sake.

(2Co 5:16 AMP)
Consequently, from now on we estimate and regard no one from a [purely] human point of view [in terms of natural standards of value]. [No] even though we once did estimate Christ from a human viewpoint and as a man, yet now [we have such knowledge of Him that] we know Him no longer [in terms of the flesh].

(2Co 5:17 AMP)
Therefore if any person is [ingrafted] in Christ (the Messiah) he is a new creation (a new creature altogether); the old [previous moral and spiritual condition] has passed away. Behold, the fresh and new has come!

(2Co 5:18 AMP)
But all things are from God, Who through Jesus Christ reconciled us to Himself [received us into favor, brought us into harmony with Himself] and gave to us the ministry of reconciliation [that by word and deed we might aim to bring others into harmony with Him].

(2Co 5:19 AMP)
It was God [personally present] in Christ, reconciling and restoring the world to favor with Himself, not counting up and holding against [men] their trespasses [but cancelling them], and committing to us the message of reconciliation (of the restoration to favor).

(2Co 5:20 AMP)
So we are Christ's ambassadors, God making His appeal as it were through us. We [as Christ's personal representatives] beg you for His sake to lay hold of the divine favor [now offered you] and be reconciled to God.

(2Co 5:21 AMP)
For our sake He made Christ [virtually] to be sin Who knew no sin, so that in and through Him we might become [endued with, viewed as being in, and examples of] the righteousness of God [what we ought to be, approved and acceptable and in right relationship with Him, by His goodness].