A Valley of Tears or a Spring

A Valley of Tears or a Spring

How lovely are Your dwelling places, O LORD of hosts! My soul longs, yes, even faints For the courts of the LORD; My heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.

                                      PikiWiki: Valley of Tears in Golan Heights

Why is it that some people always seem to be on top of their troubles, while other seem to succumb to theirs?

Within Psalm 84 resides an answer that many forfeit.

God does not remove all heartache from our lives. Many endure great pain and great loss; some even death. But can we even in this be the victor?

Consider the psalmist’s streams flowing with Psalm 84. The psalmist’s heart and flesh cried out for the living God—His beauty; His courts; His Presence.  How long has it been for you?

Pause.

Reflect.

The Holy Spirit.

His Presence.

You know Him. 

Can you sense Him? 

Is He strumming the strings of your heart today? 

Right now?

Listen to Psalmist as he writes to those whose heart’s dwelling is God Himself.

How blessed are those who dwell in Your house! They are ever praising You. Selah.

How blessed is the man whose strength is in You, In whose heart are the highways to Zion!

Passing through the valley of Baca they make it a spring; The early rain also covers it with blessings.

They go from strength to strength, Every one of them appears before God in Zion.

We will, as everyone does from time to time, find ourselves in the Valley of Baca—Weeping. But these people in whose heart is the highway to Zion, who have made their dwelling and heart’s desire God Himself, they, when they pass through the same valley as others do, they instead make it a place of springs and pools of blessings.

                                                 odysseyonline.com

Unique strength in found in these worshipers of God. Instead of Baca Valley taking its toll on them, they instead change the valley. Baca Valley becomes subservient to them. In fact, they go from strength to strength as they pass through. They make it a spring!

It’s a choice we get to make. We are all just passing through. But what will the valley’s effects be on you? That’s the choice. Some sadly never see the choice. They blindly walk through. Their eyes only on their circumstances, dull to the God Who walks near, seeing only the natural. Their journey is their dwelling place.

The others, these pilgrims, who have within their heart the highway to Zion… they too pass through. They still weep, but their tears, they become water for their Valley. They see God in their Valley of Weeping. They have learned to see God in everything: everywhere. And for that they water the land. What would have been is instead transformed into springs. Springs that water their Valley and pools of blessings they leave behind, as they go from strength to strength. Each one appears before God in Zion.

The Valley of Baca is of unknown location. It may or may not be a real place. What we know for sure is that the psalmist passes through this valley on their way to Zion. 

We all must pass through weeping on our way to Zion too. It is how we pass, rather where we dwell as we pass through, which makes all the difference.

Complimentary Copies of "Soaring in the Prophetic"

Merry Christmas everyone. I have some copies of my book, 

“Soaring in the Prophetic” that I would like to give away. 

I have about 30 copies.

If you are a leader in a Christian church

—in any country—

—in any ministry—

and would like one of my books free of charge (no strings 

attached), please email your address to:

soaring.in.the.prophetic@gmail.com

Please also provide the church's name and the ministry you 

are involved in and I will happily send a complimentary copy, 

free of charge, until my supply is gone.

You may view Soaring in the Prophetic at:

https://www.amazon.com/Soaring-Prophetic-Bible-Berta-Robison/dp/061579856X

Blessings to all and a Very Merry Christmas!

Berta

This is on a first come basis. However, I reserve the right not to 

send my books where, in my opinion, it is unacceptable for me

to do so. 

Don't End Like Hezekiah

Don't End Like Hezekiah

King Hezekiah is heralded as one of the greatest kings of Judah.

This is what 2 Kings 18 says about Hezekiah:

“And he [Hezekiah] did what was right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his father David had done. He removed the high places and broke the sacred pillars, cut down the wooden image and broke in pieces the bronze serpent that Moses had made; for until those days the children of Israel burned incense to it, and called it Nehushtan. He trusted in the LORD God of Israel, so that after him was none like him among all the kings of Judah, nor who were before him. For he held fast to the LORD; he did not depart from following Him, but kept His commandments, which the LORD had commanded Moses. The LORD was with him”

Hezekiah consulted the prophet Isaiah when he was in trouble. He acted in integrity and with trust in the Lord. But Hezekiah’s story does not end there.

From 2 Kings 20:

“Then Isaiah said to Hezekiah, “Hear the word of the LORD: ‘Behold, the days are coming when all that is in your house, and what your fathers have accumulated until this day, shall be carried to Babylon; nothing shall be left,’ says the LORD. ‘And they shall take away some of your sons who will descend from you, whom you will beget; and they shall be eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon.’ ” So Hezekiah said to Isaiah, “The word of the LORD which you have spoken is good!” For he said, “Will there not be peace and truth at least in my days?”

Did you catch that? Hezekiah had fought all his life to restore Judah to the Lord. Now at the end of his life when he gets a prophecy of destruction his attitude is “Will there not be peace and truth at least in my days?” Let us not be like Hezekiah at the end of our days.

Instead let us be like Nehemiah:

“Do not be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, great and awesome, and fight for your brethren, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your houses.”

Let us fight to the end for the next generation.

Let us pursue truth.

Let us pursue the Lord unwaveringly.

Let us pray for our children and their children.

The Lord delights in mercy.

It is possible He will relent from the destruction in store.

Who is She Really? Characteristics of Jezebel

Who is She Really?

Characteristics of Jezebel

I have often wondered about Revelation 2’s description of Jezebel. Revelation 2 states that Jezebel taught and seduced God’s people to commit sexual immorality and to eat things sacrificed to idols. I cannot find any references in the OT where Jezebel actually led people into sexual immorality or committed adultery herself. Today however, after receiving a reply about how Hillary could not possibly be like Jezebel—because she doesn’t lead people into sexual immorality, I decided study what the Bible actually says regarding Jezebel. 

It seems obviously clear.

Starting with the only scripture about her in the New Testament:

Revelation 2:20 [To Thyatira] “Nevertheless I have a few things against you, because you allow that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and seduce My servants to commit sexual immorality* and eat things sacrificed to idols. 21 And I gave her time to repent of her sexual immorality*, and she did not repent. 22 Indeed I will cast her into a sickbed, and those who commit adultery* with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of their deeds.”

Throughout the Old Testament God called Israel an adulteress nation when she lusted after the idols (gods) of other nations and followed their ways. These nations sacrificed their children to their gods by “passing them through the fire,” (burning their children in sacrifice to their idols) among other vile and wicked practices.

Ezekiel 23:36 sums up quite precisely these actions and God’s thoughts about them:

The LORD also said to me: “Son of man, will you judge Oholah [Samaria as an adulteress] and Oholibah [Jerusalem as an adulteress]? Then declare to them their abominations. 37 For they have committed adultery, and blood is on their hands. They have committed adultery with their idols, and even sacrificed their sons whom they bore to Me, passing them through the fire, to devour them.”

As you read on remember God states in Colossians 3:5 that greed is idoltry.

Anyone who promotes abortion is in alignment with those who “pass their children through the fire.” We may not think of it in terms as child sacrifice to idols, but God does. Abortion is furiously lucrative. In 2015 all but 3 democrat senators voted for late term abortion; 2 republicans voted with them. That is not just abortion, but late term abortion!   (http://www.lifenews.com/2015/09/22/democrats-defeat-pro-life-senate-bill-banning-late-term-abortions-after-20-weeks/)

Planned Parenthood had $1.4 billion in assets and alone performed 323,999 abortions and received $553.7 million from U.S. taxpayers during the 2014-2015 fiscal year. (https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/planned-parenthood-performed-323999-abortions-and-received-553.7-million-fr and http://www.breitbart.com/texas/2015/01/01/planned-parenthood-annual-report-all-about-abortions-and-profits/)

Hillary Clinton is a proponent of abortion, including late-term abortion and partial birth abortion. Hideously demonic.

What drives the abortion industry? Money. Cash. Power. That’s the part we see, but what is behind the killing of babies really?

Satan.

Abortion is sacrificing children, which is—sounds so pathetic—idolatry. And if you are a proponent of abortion or in alignment with one who is through voting, then you are walking in the ways of Jezebel!

Just stop and think about that. People kill babies who are made in the image of God for financial benefit. Furthermore, to be more graphic about abortion, some forms of abortion do burn the babies in their mother’s womb. Then piece by piece they are ripped apart alive or dead.

If you are a Christian and you support abortion or vote for those who support abortion, when you have a choice not to, then you are guilty of the sins of Jezebel. You are committing sexual immorality (spiritual idoltry) with her. You are in danger of God casting you into a sick bed unless you repent. And that is New Testament.

Further considerations about Jezebel.

As you read on consider who in the political arena, moreover, which presidential candidate, resembles Jezebel?

Jezebel fabricated lies and then murdered to get what she wanted, as 1 Kings 21 states. She used her power and influence to get what she wanted. Jezebel had cronies who would come out of the shadows granting her menacing requests. 

1 Kings 21:9-10 She [Jezebel] wrote in the letters, saying, “Proclaim a fast, and seat Naboth with high honor among the people; 10 and seat two men, scoundrels, before him to bear witness against him, saying, “You have blasphemed God and the king.” Then take him out, and stone him, that he may die.”

Jezebel also attacked God’s prophets, murdering many. Elijah thought she had killed them all except himself. Prophets were messengers of God’s voice, those who carried His rhema word to the people. However, Jezebel hosted 850 false prophets instead of the prophets of the Lord. They ate at her table. These would have been her religious advisors and advocates. They would likely, for fear of having their heads cut off, tell her what she wanted to hear and she in turn granted them benefits.

Consider Hillary’s top aids “smear Catholics and their beliefs as being “backwards” and showing contempt for American Catholics and Conservative Catholics.” They intend to infiltrate the Catholics to bring them more into alignment with liberal progressive views. Hillary’s top aids will have the same values as Hillary. Note that Podesta has been with the Clintons since 1993. What do you do if you can’t kill those who carry God’s voice? You get them to change their voice. You get them to say what you want them to say and in return you give them benefits.   http://www.thepoliticalinsider.com/hillary-emails-wikileaks-exposes-hatred-christians/#ixzz4NXeWtmyZ

1 Kings 18:4 For so it was, while Jezebel massacred the prophets of the LORD, that Obadiah had taken one hundred prophets and hidden them, fifty to a cave, and had fed them with bread and water.)

18:19 “Now therefore, send and gather all Israel to me on Mount Carmel, the four hundred and fifty prophets of Baal, and the four hundred prophets of Asherah, who eat at Jezebel’s table.”

19: 2 Then Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah, saying, "So let the gods do to me, and more also, if I do not make your life as the life of one of them by tomorrow about this time."

Now consider the many sins of Bill Clinton. What a couple!

1 Kings 21:25 But there was no one like Ahab [Bill] who sold himself to do wickedness in the sight of the LORD, because Jezebel [Hillary] his wife stirred him up.

Hillary calls herself a Methodist. Claiming to be a Christian makes her more accountable for her sin. This is the principle Jesus referred to when He talked to the Pharisees in John 9:41 Jesus said to them, “If you were blind, you would have no sin; but now you say, ‘We see.’ Therefore your sin remains.” Is Hillary guilty of the harlotries of Jezebel? Once again, harlotry from God’s perspective is engaging with gods other the YHWH. God hates abortion. She is a stanch fighter for abortion on demand even into the third trimester.

Furthermore, consider Hillary’s foundation “donations” from Middle Eastern nations and people like George Soros. She does her deeds in darkness’ deception and shadows. She is a chameleon, changing colors with every audience.

2 Kings 9: 22 Now it happened, when Joram saw Jehu, that he said, “Is it peace, Jehu?” So he answered, “What peace, as long as the harlotries of your mother Jezebel and her witchcraft are so many?”

Hillary, like Jezebel was, is in rebellion against God.

Hillary is guilty.

Careful how you vote.

Do You Live Among Thorns?

Do You Live Among Thorns?

Matthew 13:22 “Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful.”

Note the wording, “he becomes unfruitful.”

I wonder how many of us had vision from the Lord when we were younger, but now it is just a vague dream from a distant past.

Where are you now? 

Not how many stories do you have from the past, but how about now? 

Where are you? 

Are you overcome from the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches?

Are you still hot for the Lord? Are you still passionate about His Kingdom? 

Or are you passionate about things—like the deceitfulness of riches? 

Or how about promotions, entertainment, vacations, and weekends? Is this what you are living for?

Don’t let vision die. 

Don’t stop short of your call. 

Don’t live for this life alone. 

It will pass. 

You will pass.

Eternity—His Kingdom—is forever.

Discourse on the Preterist' Mindset—An Exegesis on Hebrews 8:13

Discourse on the Preterist' Mindset

An Exegesis on Hebrews 8:13

The New Covenant is in His Blood

There are times when I am astonished. This is one of those times. 

Having read some explanations of how some Preterists¹ interpret Hebrews 8:13, I felt another exegesis was due. Hebrews 8:13,

“In that He says, “A new covenant,” He has made the first obsolete. Now what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away.”

The Preterists referred to interpret Hebrews 8:13 as though the context for “Now what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away” is written in present tense²—current events at the time of the writing. Hence, they understand that the author of Hebrews is writing, standing in present tense, saying at that point (post Cross and Resurrection) the first Covenant is—at that point—becoming obsolete and growing old, and at that present time, ready to vanish away.

I know that is a mouthful. Let’s break it down. Here is the context for verse 8:13 starting at the beginning of the paragraph in verse 6,

6 But now [at this very moment] He [Jesus] has obtained³ a more excellent ministry, inasmuch as He is² also Mediator of a better covenant, which was³ established on better promises.

7 For if that first covenant had been faultless, then no place would have been sought for a second.

8 Because finding fault with them, He says: “Behold, the days are coming, says the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah — 

9 “not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they did not continue in My covenant, and I disregarded them, says the LORD.

10 “For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the LORD: I will put My laws in their mind and write them on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.

11 “None of them shall teach his neighbor, and none his brother, saying, ‘Know the LORD,’ for all shall know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them.

12 “For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more.”

13 In that He says, “A new covenant,” He has made the first obsolete. Now what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away.”

Hebrews 8:8b-12 is a restated prophecy from Jeremiah 31:31-34; in Hebrews it is preceded by and followed by the author’s explanation. Beginning in 8:6-8a, the author leads into Jeremiah’s prophecy of the New Covenant, then wraps it up by concluding the explanation in 8:13. Hebrews 9 goes on to bring revelation to types and shadows—how they speak of and point to Christ.

Often in Biblical literature tenses are confusing to our English mindsets. Tenses do not always translate directly from Greek to English. In Hebrews 8:13 the author uses “He says,” “has made,” “is becoming,” and “is ready” all in relation to the Old Covenant. Let’s look again at Hebrews 8:13 as the author quotes from Jeremiah 31:

“13 In that He says, “A new covenant,” He has made the first obsolete. Now what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away.”

Hebrews 8:13 spans from the time when Jeremiah wrote the prophecy to the death of Jesus. The author of Hebrews is quoting Jeremiah’s prophecy as if standing in 600 BC with Jeremiah, viewing the prophecy as they look forward to the New Covenant. They are watching the timeline. As the New Covenant approaches the Old Covenant is becoming obsolete and growing old. At the same time they acknowledge, as they view the New Covenant from 600 BC, God giving a New Covenant means the Old vanished. That was what happened on the Cross!

The pinnacle of how to understand Hebrews 8:13 is within itself: “In that He says, “A new covenant,” He has made the first obsolete.” Meaning, when the New comes, the Old is obsolete. And from the time of Jeremiah’s prophecy, the Old was becoming obsolete, growing old, and ready to vanish. The word “obsolete” is perfect tense. Perfect tense “describes an action which is viewed as having been completed in the past, once and for all, not needing to be repeated.” (Greek Online Lexicon) The Preterists’ view I conflict with believe the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem, in 70 AD by Titus, is what made the Old obsolete and completely vanished. However, as the writer of Hebrews is plainly stating, the Old was already obsolete at the time of the writing of Hebrews—predating 70AD; note the wording, “In that He says, “A new covenant,” He has made the first obsolete.” The Old is automatically obsolete when the New comes. Again, the tense is “perfect” meaning, it “describes an action which is viewed as having been completed in the past, once and for all, not needing to be repeated.” (Greek Online Lexicon)

How do we know the Old was already obsolete at the time of Hebrew’s writing?

The Bible is clear the New Covenant was in Jesus’ Blood. Luke 22:20 states, “Likewise He [Jesus] also took the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you.” This is what Communion is all about. 1 Corinthians 11:25-26, “In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me. For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes.”

Also Hebrews 9:16-17, “For where there is a testament, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. For a testament is in force after men are dead, since it has no power at all while the testator lives.” Therefore, on the Cross when Jesus said, “It is finished” and breathed His last, the New Covenant began—before the resurrection, before Pentecost, before the destruction of the Temple in 70 AD—on the Cross, at the last beat of Jesus’ heart, as He breathed His last saying “It is finished.”

Furthermore, Hebrews 10:8-10, “Previously saying, “Sacrifice and offering, burnt offerings, and offerings for sin You did not desire, nor had pleasure in them” (which are offered according to the law), 9 then He said, “Behold, I have come to do Your will, O God.” He takes away the first [most commentators agree this refers to the old way entirely—covenant, law, priesthood, dispensation: the old order] that He may establish the second [covenant, law, priesthood, dispensation]. 10 By that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.” Note again, it is the body—the blood sacrifice—of Jesus Christ on the Cross. Again demolishing any argument that it was Titus in 70 AD who completely obliterated the Old Covenant! To say otherwise would be to give Titus the power to accomplish what Jesus could not.

It was Christ Jesus—His blood, His sacrifice!

I encourage everyone to read through Hebrews over and over.

Footnotes:

1.  Preterism: See http://www.theopedia.com/preterism for more on Preterism.

2.  Present Tense: “The present tense represents a simple statement of fact or reality viewed as occurring in actual time.  In most cases this corresponds directly with the English present tense.”

“Some phrases which might be rendered as past tense in English will often occur in the present tense in Greek.  These are termed "historical presents," and such occurrences dramatize the event described as if the reader were there watching the event occur.  Some English translations render such historical presents in the English past tense, while others permit the tense to remain in the present.” (Online Greek Lexicon)

Examples of present tense in Hebrews 8:13 are “He says”, “what is becoming obsolete”, and “growing old.”

3.  Perfect Tense: “The perfect tense in Greek corresponds to the perfect tense in English, and describes an action which is viewed as having been completed in the past, once and for all, not needing to be repeated.”

 “Jesus’ last cry from the cross, TETELESTAI (“It is finished!”), is a good example of the perfect tense used in this sense, namely “It [the atonement] has been accomplished, completely, once and for all time.””

 “Certain antiquated verb forms in Greek, such as those related to seeing (eidw) or knowing (oida) will use the perfect tense in a manner equivalent to the normal past tense.  These few cases are exception to the normal rule and do not alter the normal connotation of the perfect tense stated above.”

Knowledge Puffs Up

Knowledge Puffs up But Love Edifies

What does, “Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies” really mean? I have wondered about this scripture for a long time. I know knowledge is good—the Bible even says in 2 Peter 3:18, “but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” So why does the Bible say “knowledge puffs up, but love edifies”? What does this actually mean? This question lingered in my thoughts behind the veil of reason for a long time.

I have heard people knock knowledge with a “you just have to love” philosophy—even heard this flow from pulpits. People have explain this scripture to mean that love is what matters and knowledge is a deterrent—a deviation—from love. Basically, “knowledge divides, love edifies.”

We all have a reservoir of knowledge stored in our brains—knowledge from academics and experience. This knowledge is accessible at will. I can draw from this reservoir anytime I choose. You ask me a question, I draw from its waters. You are going through some tough times or need help, I can give advice at will. However, my response to you may or may not be good. It may seem good, but is it from the Holy Spirit? Is it wisdom? Or is it just knowledge puffing up?

Knowledge is not bad; knowledge is good! But, what we do with our knowledge or which knowledge reservoir we draw from determines whether or not the knowledge is helpful or from God.

The goal is knowledge drawn from the reservoir of love. Let’s look at this scripture in its context.

Paul is answering a question from the Corinthian church.

1 Corinthians 8 “Now concerning things offered to idols: We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies. And if anyone thinks that he knows anything, he knows nothing yet as he ought to know. But if anyone loves God, this one is known by Him. Therefore concerning the eating of things offered to idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is no other God but one.”

This is the issue: An idol is nothing. But there are those whose consciences are defiled when we (who have knowledge) eat things offered to idols. Our knowledge is accurate, but we are living out that knowledge in a way that is harmful to another—our knowledge leads us into a liberty that another has not found. Our actions, therefore, leads them into a place of confusion where they may eat without understanding. And so their conscience is defiled. This is exactly the thought behind Romans 14:23 “But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because he does not eat from faith; for whatever is not from faith is sin.”

Romans 14 is an explanation of our freedom in Christ. Freedom from law, but not freedom from conscience or love.

How does this look today? (I doubt anyone reading this has an issue with eating food sacrificed to idols.) The other day while I was in a Bible study, the leader was discussing why it is so very important to start the day with Bible study and prayer. I live in the culture of the Holy Spirit. He is my every waking thought—I live in incredible freedom in my relationship with Him. I tried to explain this to those around me. I don’t usually start off my day with Bible study. Or with a devoted time of bending the knees. I sit with the Lord and drink coffee. I study when I want to—because I want to. I talk to the Lord because it is not only what I want to do, but it is habit. I talk to Him all day. This is the fruit of my walking with the Lord for 36 years! Not all have this knowledge; not all understand what I’m talking about or even know this lifestyle is available.

I can injure others who have not developed this “habit” by exposing my freedom. My freedom has come through much interaction with the Holy Spirit and discipline. Those who are just beginning in their walk or who haven’t lived in a deep personal relationship with the Lord need to develop discipline. My knowledge puffed up without my consideration of others. I wanted them all to experience my freedom. Forcing yourself to say “Good Morning” to the Holy Spirit first thing just seemed distasteful to me, like forcing yourself to say “I love you” to your spouse when it should come naturally.

My knowledge puffed up. It was my intention to promote freedom, but I doubt that I did. I want everyone to live in freedom and a love relationship with the Lord, but some are not there yet. I don’t not want my freedom to be used in a way that will hurt others. If there was time for me to explain in depth the process I went through, how there were (and still are) times when I must discipline myself, then maybe it could have turned out better. But, that probably was not the case.

People who want to talk and express themselves (a lot) and promote their ideas probably also puff up (or out) their knowledge quite a bit. 

Take a seat. 

Let the Lord prompt you when to speak and how to speak it. 

Consider if your knowledge is really what others need to hear or just what you want to say. 

Is it helpful? 

Is it right? 

Is it flowing out of the reservoir of love with the intent of edification? 

That is the intent of “Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies.”

Concerning Spiritual Gifts

Spiritual gifts and their value are clearly seen in Scripture. They ignite faith leading to demonstration of the Holy Spirit's power. Why then is there such resistance to them, even among some Charismatic circles? We are supposed to burn with zeal for spiritual gifts. Let us not be found as one who puts out the Holy Spirit's Fire, while claiming to be wise and careful.