Jakie Robinson

Walking in the Spirit

 

Bishop O.W. Prince Bible Commentary: Walking In the Spirit.

Question:
“For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out…So I find it to be a la...w that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand…waging war…and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?” (Rm. 7:18-25)

Scriptural Answer:
God through Jesus Christ our Lord!

There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. (For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. –Gal 3:27) For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do – Sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in [for] us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit (Holy Spirit).

…For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.

If in deed we’ve been BORN AGAIN, put on the mind of Christ…

Since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind, for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God. For we have spent enough of our past lifetime in lewdness, lusts, drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties, and abominable idolatries. Live according to God in the spirit. Glorify God in Your flesh.

Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you...therefore, glorify God in your body. Amen!

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Can you identify the scriptures used in this post? See how many that you can identify and list them in your comment.  The person with the most accurate list will be awarded a digital certificate of Award.

 

God's Sovereignty

by John W. Ritenbaugh
Edited for Re-post by Bishop O.W. Prince

Romans 13:1-7

(1) Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. (2) Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves. (3) For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same. (4) For he is God's minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God's minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil. (5) Therefore you must be subject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience' sake. (6) For because of this you also pay taxes, for they are God's ministers attending continually to this very thing. (7) Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor.

Once we understand God's sovereignty over the nations, it is not difficult to understand where Paul bases his instructions in these verses. Thus we can understand why Moses so quickly and surely considers the actions of Korah and his group as rebellion against God rather than merely against himself (Numbers 16). When Israel rejects Samuel as judge over them because they want a king, God reveals to the prophet that the people are really rejecting the rule of God Himself (I Samuel 8:7). It does not matter whether a Christian considers his nation's government to be unlawful. What matters is whether God permits it. If He permits it, this One, who is aware of even sparrows falling, has allowed it or has directly brought it to pass because of the purpose He is working out. That is all that matters. God is ruling His creation, and this is what we are here to learn and trust.

Jesus lived His entire life under an unlawful civil government. The Roman government ruled over Judea as a result of military conquest. Moreover, at times even the ecclesiastical government was not in the proper hands because corrupt Roman officials discovered that just-as-corrupt Jews were willing to pay bribes to "buy" the high priesthood. But the Scriptures repeatedly show Jesus subject to them, though He called both, especially the ecclesiastical one, into account. Matthew 17:24-27 is a clear example:

When they had come to Capernaum, those who received the temple tax came to Peter and said, "Does your Teacher not pay the temple tax?" He said, "Yes." And when he had come into the house, Jesus anticipated him, saying, "What do you think, Simon? From whom do the kings of the earth take customs or taxes, from their sons or from strangers?" Peter said to Him, "From strangers." Jesus said to him, "Then the sons are free. Nevertheless, lest we offend them, go to the sea, cast in a hook, and take the fish that comes up first. And when you have opened its mouth, you will find a piece of money; take that and give it to them for Me and you."

The Temple tax was one-half shekel per year for every Jew over 20. Since Jesus Christ was Lord and Owner of the Temple, He and His "children" should have been free of taxation. Jesus orders Peter to pay it anyway for both of them to avoid a bitter and offensive debate on the merits of His claim. By doing this, Jesus sets the right example looking by faith beyond a legal technicality to the True Ruler, the Father. God likely brought this episode to pass for our instruction.

Perhaps a brief statement of Solomonic wisdom will summarize Christian understanding of God's sovereignty over the governments of men: "There is no wisdom or understanding or counsel against the LORD. The horse is prepared for the day of battle, but deliverance is of the LORD " (Proverbs 21:30-31). His meaning becomes clearer in other translations. The Living Bible renders it, "No one, regardless of how shrewd or well-advised he is, can stand against the Lord. Go ahead and prepare for the conflict, but victory comes from God." The Revised English Bible translates it as, "Face to face with the Lord, wisdom, understanding, counsel avail nothing. A horse may be made ready for the day of battle, but victory rests with the Lord."

It may seem a remote possibility, even strange, that we would fight against the Lord, yet because human nature remains in us, we do. The apostle Paul complains in Romans 7:14-23 that what he did not want to do he did anyway because a law of enmity against God worked within him. Proverbs 21:30-31 tells us that human wisdom, insight, and counsel must be in conformity with God's will to be successful. God's children must understand His sovereignty over everything and conduct their lives knowing that nothing avails against God and nothing without Him.

The Most High is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth and gives them to anyone he wishes. (Daniel 4:25)

To rebel against leadership and power is to rebellion against the sovereignty of God. For it is The Most High God who assigns position and power to whomever He desires to accomplish His will. ~ owp

The Sign of Jesus' Return

In Matthew 24:7-8, Jesus Christ foretold signs that would mark the time leading up to His return: "For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places …"

We have certainly seen devastating earthquakes in recent years. The December 2004 earthquake off Indonesia was the most powerful in decades, unleashing a massive tsunami that took some 300,000 lives. Less than a year later, an earthquake in southern Asia killed another 30,000.

 

In Matthew 24:7, the Greek word translated "earthquakes" is seismos, from which we derive such English words as "seismology," referring to the study of earthquakes. Strong's Lexicon defines it as "a commotion, i.e. (of the air) a gale, (of the ground) an earthquake—earthquake, tempest" (Strong's No. 4578).

 

So seismos has a broader meaning than just the earth shaking. Matthew 8 records how a violent storm overtook Jesus and His disciples on the Sea of Galilee, threatening to capsize their boat and drown them—until Jesus miraculously calmed the winds and waves.

 

The word used in verse 24 for this powerful storm is seismos, here translated "tempest." So we see that seismos can also refer to violent storms and isn't limited strictly to earthquakes. When Jesus foretold "famines, pestilences and earthquakes in various places," His words encompass natural disasters that include earthquakes, but can also apply to hurricanes, tornadoes and other such deadly storms.

As we saw with Hurricane Katrina, these storms can be enormously destructive. Katrina took more than 1,200 lives and caused an estimated $200 billion in damage, not counting the economic hit from losses to shipping, oil and gas production, fishing and agriculture. New Orleans, devastated by the storm, will not fully recover for decades— if ever.

A hurricane like Katrina, which reached category 5 strength before weakening, can produce winds greater than 155 miles an hour and push ahead of it a wall of water 18 feet or higher, doing major damage to virtually anything in its path.

Are such natural disasters increasing as Jesus foretold? I would say “YES!”

Scientists at the Georgia Institute of Technology and the National Center for Atmospheric Research have concluded that there has been "a sharp increase during the past 35 years in the number of category 4 and 5 tropical cyclones.” These are the category of storms that cause most damage on landfall. Research shows that those rated category 4 and 5 have increased by 80 percent from the 1970s to the present decade.

 

Now we are being threatened by hurricane Sandy. Forecasters warn that this hurricane will likely collide with a cold front from the West – creating a never before seen phenomenon called a hybrid "superstorm." This is not a typical storm. It could very well be historic in nature and in scope and in magnitude because of the widespread anticipated power outages, flooding and potential major wind damage," It has the power and potential to reach up to 800 miles inland and is expected to impact the east coast of the United States as early as Monday, October 29, 2012.

This should certainly make us sit up and take notice. Later in Jesus Christ's same prophecy, as recorded in Luke 21:25-28, He says: "And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring; men's hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth …”

"Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near."

This hopeful Word is directed at those of us who are truly saved and who have been persecuted for the sake of Christ (Matthew 24:9).

The sad truth is that many souls are blind as to what is directly in front of them. They refuse to see the signs or accept God’s Word of warning regarding His return.

 

Matthew 24:12 expressly tells us that “Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold.” And 1 Timothy 4:1 confirms this prophecy for “The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons.”

There are demonic forces in the earth leading men away from God’s truth and teaching doctrines that are contrary God’s ordained plan of salvation through Christ Jesus. And those who have been deceived have also been blinded to the truth whereas they cannot see the need for repentance, water baptism in the Name of Jesus Christ and being filled with the Holy Ghost. They are under a strong delusion whereby they believe that they are saved without obeying God’s instruction on how to be saved - they are following the doctrines of Demons.

 

I implore you my brothers and Sisters, with all of my hearts, to “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”

 

Repent before it is too late.

I say again, REPENT!!!

“Jim Crow Ain't Dead”

“Jim Crow Ain't Dead”

The Truth Has A Way of Coming Out Sooner or Later. 

I think most informed folks know the Truth.  There is over 200 years of evidence to substantiate the fears of the disenfranchised.  We are justifiably fearful and distrusting of the clandestine motives of those who are opposed to contributing their fair share to alleviate poverty and the deficit while blaming us for our own disenfranchisement and impoverished condition.

They have made their motives very clear.  Check the record.  They stated at the onset that their number one objective was to get President Obama out of office - not to end the war in Iraq and Afghanistan or pass a new national health care plan or raise minimum wages or create good paying jobs for middle class families or punish those responsible for 911. 

No!  Their objective is clear and precise.  And we have over 200 years of horrific social injustice, judicial disparity and unresolved racially motivated deaths and acts of terrorism to show that they are serious. And to insure that their plans work, they have enacted a series of obviously racially motivated voting polices to prohibit what they believe to have been an anomaly - the election of a Black Man to the Presidency of the United States of America. 

It is unspoken but has long been believed by a significant number of Americans that the office of the President of the United States of America was reserved for white males only.

I am only saying what everyone knows is true but don’t have the guts to say.

We cannot be unified as a nation until we are first unified as human beings with inalienable human rights, social, financial and educational equality and a mutual respect for each other. 

I have always said that before we can move forward, we need to address the ills of the past, expose the evils of racism and bigotry to the light of truth, make restitution and apologies, restore what was taken or destroyed i.e. Repent!  Without genuine repentance there can never be genuine unity.

History shows that America has sought to make reparations to every nation and people that it ever bombed or invaded.  It has rebuilt cities and nations but it has failed to make adequate reparations to those of its own soil, whose, forefathers, were denied humanity, justice, equality and dignity along with being denied the right to provide, protect, guide direct, nurture, care, educate and shelter their families. These crimes against nature and humanity have generational ramifications and consequences that are just now being realized in our society. 

They preach about taking responsibility and being accountable but when the spotlight is on them, they want to forget the past and cloud the issues with menial concerns instead of looking at the true cause of the problem and taking responsibility of the criminal and inhuman treatment of some of its citizens.

I could say more about this but what is the use?  I suspect that one of their pawns will eventually twist this into something inappropriate and ugly.  And that is their right.  Why should they change now?  Many have never been able to face or hear the truth about themselves and/or some of their foreparents or how some of their wealth was built upon the backs and lives of slaves or what they counted as three fifth of a human being.  I know that this assessment doesn't apply to everyone.  However, since the elements of racism have doubled their efforts to maintain its strangle hold on American culture and political power, it is only fitting that we quadruple our efforts at awareness. 

Every since President Obama was elected to the Office of Presidency, more degrading racial epithets have been used advertised, publicized, posted, broadcasted and promoted by racial terrorists since the Civil Rights movement of the 60’s.

History has a way of repeating itself and we are seeing it repeat right now.  Jim Crow isn't dead it just changed its name to “Voter I.D.   The Grand Wizard isn’t dead.  He just exchanged his robe for a tailored suit.

Beware!

You can still tell a tree by the fruit it bears.

"Remember The Past As We Move Toward The Future"

The Presidential Debate

During the presidential debate, a lie has been put forth as a truth which stated that gas prices rose from under $2 per gallon to above 4 dollars per gallon under the Obama Administration.

This is actually a flat out lie.

Gas prices originally rose to beyond $4.00 per gallon (four Dollars) under President Bush’s administration. Check your facts and your history. When Bush took office the average gas price in America was $1:46 per gallon. By President Bush’s second term in office gas prices were nearing $5.00 per gallon in some places in America.

 

Let there be no mistake. There is a significant segment of Americans who are still in shock over the election of an African American as President of the United States.  From the beginning of his administration, they have voiced that their number one objective is to remove President Obama from office.  This has been and still is their main focus irrespective of all other national and social concerns and even at the expense of the truth.  

This clandestine community of covert terrorists only considers themselves Americans and when they speak of American citizens they are not speaking about people of African origin or Hispanics or Asians or any race outside of the Caucasian persuasion.

When they say “Our Children” they are not speaking about all children in America but only about those of specific Caucasoid persuasion.

Learn the racist code of communication and deception or be destined to repeat the horrors of former discriminatory policies and selective clandestine oppression.

They don’t wear hoods anymore nor do they call themselves the KKK.  Some are now governors of States, Multimillionaire CEOs of industries and they go by many different names such as the Tea Party, Sons of the Confederacy and the Council of Conservative Citizens. 

They are not concerned about what is best for all Americans.  That are only concerned about what is best for their America.  God forbid that we ever return to their America.

Pray for the peace of America.  Pray for the righteousness of God to prevail. 

Last but not least, consider this…

“… The Most High is sovereign over the kingdoms of men and gives them to anyone he wishes.” ~ Daniel 4:25