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+ | ====== Introductory Post ====== | ||
+ | ==== Christian Community Devotional ==== | ||
+ | |||
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+ | < | ||
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+ | === A Daily Devotional for the Evangelical Congregational Church Fellowship Style === | ||
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+ | < | ||
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+ | Presenting equality in the individual Christian believers (royal) priesthood. The individual righteousness and holiness maturity in the current Kingdom Church Age of Jesus Christ and in His Millennial Age reign to come and of the present Age of individual Christian responsibilities. | ||
+ | |||
+ | **Note:** Evangelical is a reference to the loving, goodness and kindness of God and in mankind’s friendship relationship with God as opposed to an i.e. Calvinism that references an unkind god and an antagonist relationship with a supposedly reprobate mankind. | ||
+ | |||
+ | God bless everyone,\\ | ||
+ | David Anson Brown | ||
+ | |||
+ | Located at [[http:// | ||
+ | |||
+ | Downloads [[http:// | ||
+ | [[http:// | ||
+ | |||
+ | The Devotional was originally posted at [[http:// | ||
+ | |||
+ | < | ||
+ | |||
+ | ~ Most of the Bible verses are from the ÜKJV 2014 Bible [[http:// | ||
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+ | ====== January - Beginnings ====== | ||
+ | ===== January 1 ===== | ||
+ | ==== The Kingdom of God ==== | ||
+ | === The Kingdom of God vs The Kingdom of Heaven === | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | When first reading and studying the Bible especially the New Testament one of the first topics that is going to be encountered is the topic of the Kingdom of God. In The Gospel of Matthew it is referenced as both the Kingdom of God and the Kingdom of Heaven. When I first started studying the New Testament I mistakenly concluded that Matthew was using both Heaven and God interchangeably and later realizing that there is a slight difference that The Gospel of Matthew is conveying in relating to The Kingdom of Heaven and also The Kingdom of God. | ||
+ | |||
+ | The Apostle Matthew in writing his Gospel of Matthew is conveying to us as disciples that apart from the kingdoms of this world there is also the more important eternal Kingdom of God, but that the Kingdom of God is temporarily separated into the two segments of The Kingdom of Heaven and The Kingdom of God. | ||
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+ | **Kingdom of Heaven is the presence of God**\\ | ||
+ | When Jesus was on earth the Kingdom of Heaven was among us as people. | ||
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+ | **Kingdom of God is the domain of God**\\ | ||
+ | Even though Jesus is not physically, visibly present among us as people His eternal Kingdom remains something we can enter into [via the Holy Spirit] even at this very moment. | ||
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+ | < | ||
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+ | **Both Kingdom Segments Reconciled**\\ | ||
+ | Eventually the two segments of Kingdom of Heaven and Kingdom of God on earth will be reconciled into the one eternal Kingdom of God in Heaven. | ||
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+ | whether they be things in earth [Kingdom of God], or things in Heaven [Kingdom of Heaven]. ~ Colossians 1: | ||
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+ | ===== January 2 ===== | ||
+ | ==== You shall call His Name Jesus ==== | ||
+ | === The Current Church Age and The Millennial Age to Come === | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | **Jesus: Je=Jehovah God is sus=Salvation** | ||
+ | During the present Christian Church Age [redemption-salvation as Children of God] we as Christians [Children of God] call upon God and our Father in the Name of the Savior Jesus Christ (lit. God of our Salvation and Savior). | ||
+ | |||
+ | < | ||
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+ | During the 1st Coming and present Church Age the emphasis for individuals is our Redemption-Salvation through our faith and the forgiveness of our sins, resulting in our becoming a Child of God. | ||
+ | |||
+ | It is important to point out and understand the difference between our current relationship in God as being only Children of God and not confusing [as the word of faith heresy often does - in making claims that are not currently available to us] our future status [i.e. responsibilities and rewards] as Sons and Daughters in the future visible presence of Jesus. | ||
+ | |||
+ | **Jehovah-Tsidkenu: | ||
+ | In the future Millennial Reign [Kingdom Age - our individual maturity as Sons and Daughters of God] on earth Jesus Christ will primarily be referred to by His new title of Jehovah-Tsidkenu [The LORD our Righteousness]. | ||
+ | |||
+ | < | ||
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+ | < | ||
+ | |||
+ | During the 2nd Coming Millennial Kingdom Age the emphasis for us individuals will no longer be redemption from sin and our uncertain life of faith as Children of God but instead in the presence of Jesus we will have become Sons of God and as Sons and Daughters of God, we will no longer be as uncertain children but as knowing, growing, maturing Sons and Daughters of God. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Conclusion: we as Christians currently live by our faith in the unseen [but not unexperienced] God. Living as Children of God by faith means just that in that for the most part we are helpless infant children in a biblical sense and therefore we shouldn' | ||
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+ | ===== January 3 ===== | ||
+ | ==== Our Responsibility as Christians ==== | ||
+ | === It is our individual responsibility to be in fellowship with God === | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | Despite the current misleading teachings of the day it is and always will be for our part that our responsibility is to respond to God and to have a personal relationship with God in Jesus Christ. Just as Abraham in his day pressed in and had fellowship with God it is our individual Christian responsibility to likewise press in and have our own individual fellowship with God our Father. | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | **The Common Christian Community Devotional**\\ | ||
+ | Accentuating the Congregational Church model of Christian fellowship equality in being Children of God, the individual believers (royal) priesthood, individual righteousness and holiness maturity in the current Kingdom of Jesus Christ while still focusing on and seeking His future Millennial Kingdom Reign to come on earth. | ||
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+ | Conclusion: The Common Christian Community Year Devotional is going to maintain its entire year long devotional study focus in the pursuit of the biblical concepts of fellowship that have been previously presented. | ||
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+ | ===== January 4 ===== | ||
+ | ==== The Church Predicted in the Old Testament ==== | ||
+ | === The New Testament Congregation of Called Out Ones === | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | Church lit. Ekklesia (G-1577) ' | ||
+ | |||
+ | In the Old Testament the redeemed Children of God were called out of Egypt [the world] and led by Moses [a type of Jesus] they were to fellowship with God on their journey all the way, through the desert and into the Promise Land [Heaven]. | ||
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+ | The New Testament Church (Ekklesia) the redeemed and saved (salvation) Children of God as Christians we are still gathered outside of the present world system and into the Heavenly Congregation led by the Alpha (Beginning) and Omega (Ending) of Jesus Christ [Revelation 1:8]. | ||
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+ | ===== January 5 ===== | ||
+ | ==== The Start of the New Testament Christian Church ==== | ||
+ | === Resurrection [Passover-Easter] Sunday - The Start of the Christian Church === | ||
+ | |||
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+ | |||
+ | The Christian Church meets every Sunday in Commemoration of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ and the Start of His Christian Church. | ||
+ | |||
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+ | < | ||
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+ | < | ||
+ | do all of you. Upon the first day [Sunday] of the week let everyone of you lay by him in store, as God has prospered him, that there be no [financial collection] gatherings when I come. ~ 1 Corinthians 16: | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | The Christian Church began with Jesus, the leader and founder, giving (breathing) His Spirit life into each of His disciples on the day of His Resurrection Sunday and continues as Jesus continues to breath His Spirit into His followers. The Church will continue until Jesus Himself returns and Receives His Christian Church up into Heaven where He is currently seated in Glory, Majesty, Power and Authority. | ||
+ | |||
+ | < | ||
+ | from on high. ~ Luke 24: | ||
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+ | ===== January 6 ===== | ||
+ | ==== The Beginning of Creation ==== | ||
+ | === These are the Generations [realms-dimensions] of the Heavens (sky) and of the Earth === | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | **The First Creation** | ||
+ | The first creation of the earth by God was spanned out over a 7 day period [six days of work and then the seventh a day of rest] as information and instruction for us. | ||
+ | |||
+ | < | ||
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+ | |||
+ | < | ||
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+ | The 8 Realms of all Existence - Encompassing all Physical and Spiritual Life | ||
+ | |||
+ | < | ||
+ | 1. Length [Day one creation - light separated [Judgment] (length) from darkness]< | ||
+ | 2. Height [Day two creation - divided the waters above from the waters below]< | ||
+ | 3. Width [Day three creation - dry land and plants]< | ||
+ | 4. Time [Day four creation - sun, moon, stars for times and seasons]< | ||
+ | 5. Demonic [Nephilm spirits] -- | ||
+ | demons [Day five creation - fish from the waters below, birds from the waters above]< | ||
+ | 6. Angelic - Holy Angels and also Satan with all of his fallen angels | ||
+ | [Day six creation - land animals and humans (pre-fall) | ||
+ | humans the highest part of creation created separate and above the animals and equal to the angels but | ||
+ | with sin mankind fell from the 6th dimension to the 4th dimension, in fact with the sin of mankind all of | ||
+ | creation also fell from its original creation status]< | ||
+ | 7. Human Salvation redeemed by the blood, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ [Day seven creation - Rest]<br /> | ||
+ | 8. Unrestricted [outside of creation] - The only Unrestricted, | ||
+ | consisting of God the Father, the Son Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. | ||
+ | </ | ||
+ | |||
+ | < | ||
+ | |||
+ | **The Second Creation** | ||
+ | The second creation of the new heaven (sky) and new earth will probably be accomplished instantaneously as God miraculously brings forth in an extraordinary way His new creation. | ||
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+ | ===== January 7 ===== | ||
+ | ==== The 1st and 2nd Coming ==== | ||
+ | === The Lamb of God - The Lion of God === | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | **The Lamb of God** | ||
+ | |||
+ | The 1st Coming Jesus came to mankind as an example for us in how to live our lives peaceably among one another and with God. | ||
+ | Mankind rejected Jesus and crucified Him on a wooden cross. | ||
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+ | < | ||
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+ | **The Lion of God** | ||
+ | The 2nd Coming of Jesus will be His Triumphal return - reigning and ruling as King. | ||
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+ | ===== January 8 ===== | ||
+ | ==== The Beatitudes (Blessings) of Jesus Christ ==== | ||
+ | === Jesus Christ Welcoming Mankind into Fellowship and Heaven === | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | Blessings from God to mankind are found throughout the entire Bible. | ||
+ | |||
+ | The Blessings are God's message and His way of welcoming mankind into fellowship with Him and into Heaven. | ||
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+ | < | ||
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+ | Him: And He opened His mouth, and taught them, saying,\\ | ||
+ | Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.\\ | ||
+ | Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.\\ | ||
+ | Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.\\ | ||
+ | Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: | ||
+ | Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.\\ | ||
+ | Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.\\ | ||
+ | Blessed are the peacemakers: | ||
+ | Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' | ||
+ | Blessed are all of you, when men shall censure you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for My sake.\\ | ||
+ | Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in Heaven: for so persecuted they the Prophets which were before you. ~ Matthew 5: | ||
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+ | ===== January 9 ===== | ||
+ | ==== The New Testament Dispensations ==== | ||
+ | === The Four Dispensations of The Bible' | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | **The Four Dispensations of The Bible' | ||
+ | |||
+ | In the Apostle Paul's trip to Rome [recorded in the Bible' | ||
+ | some of the most codded and cryptic passages of the Bible' | ||
+ | |||
+ | **Summary**: | ||
+ | 1. The Apostles Dispensation (Acts 27:1-5)\\ | ||
+ | 2. The Common Christian Church Age (Acts 27:6-44)\\ | ||
+ | 3. The Martyred Saints of Revelation Tribulation (Acts 28:1-15)\\ | ||
+ | 4. The 1,000 year Millennial Kingdom Reign of Jesus Christ on earth (Acts 28:16-31)\\ | ||
+ | |||
+ | 1. **The Apostles Dispensation (Acts 27: | ||
+ | |||
+ | Paul and the other Apostles [eyewitnesses] of Jesus Christ go into the world preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom of God in Jesus Christ. "Acts 27:3-5 And [representing the Apostolic Missionary Journey | ||
+ | Age] the next day we touched at Sidon. And Julius courteously entreated Paul, and gave *him liberty to go unto his friends to refresh himself. And when we had launched from thence, we sailed under Cyprus, | ||
+ | because the *winds were contrary. And when we had sailed over the sea of Cilicia and Pamphylia, we came to Myra, a city of Lycia." | ||
+ | 1. Looking back on all of Paul's Missionary Journeys that Paul felt that they had gone well and that on the whole the Gospel was being well received "him liberty to go unto his friends to refresh himself" | ||
+ | that Paul had made a lot of friends on his Missionary Trips and was refreshed by the fellowship he had with the Gentile Christians. 2. Also noting that "the [spiritual] winds were contrary" | ||
+ | that there was a great deal of spiritual (demonic) opposition to the Gospel Message going forward.} | ||
+ | |||
+ | < | ||
+ | among the people; and they [Church - Apostles and common Christians] were all with one accord in Solomon' | ||
+ | himself to them [Apostles]: but the people magnified them [the Christians of the Church separated themselves from the Apostles]. ~ Acts 5: | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | 2. **The Common Christian Church Age (Acts 27:6-44):** | ||
+ | |||
+ | "Acts 27:6 And there the centurion found a ship of Alexandria sailing into Italy; and he put us therein." | ||
+ | has launched - carrying the nourishing wheat (Bible) and the four anchors (4 Gospels). The [Christian] ship spends a great deal of time in the port of "Fair Havens" | ||
+ | extent that the storms of life strand and tear the ship apart. Noteworthy, the Church [ship] has the four anchors [4 Gospels] and correctly uses them to stabilize the ship in dangerous waters however also | ||
+ | note how the cargo of wheat [Bible] is considered too big of a burden and is cast overboard (Acts 27:38) away from the Church. | ||
+ | |||
+ | < | ||
+ | you should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. ~ Jude 1: | ||
+ | |||
+ | 3. **The Martyred Saints of Revelation Tribulation (Acts 28:1-15):** | ||
+ | |||
+ | After the Christian Church Age has come to an end the Revelation Tribulation Age begins. {Note: The Saints of Revelation are washed ashore into a strange society and economy where they are refuges; | ||
+ | destitute and in peril. Though working hard and trying to get along they are Bitten by the Beast and transported to fellowship with their fellow Martyrs. | ||
+ | |||
+ | < | ||
+ | 5: | ||
+ | |||
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+ | 4. **The 1,000 year Millennial Kingdom Reign of Jesus Christ on earth (Acts 28: | ||
+ | |||
+ | Having finally arrived in Rome the Throne of the King the Millennial Reign of Jesus Christ is now being depicted. {Note: As a type of a citizen of the Millennial Reign of Jesus Christ, Paul is sent not | ||
+ | to jail but to his own house to live [for two years]. Once in his Millennial House the Apostle Paul immediately begins to fellowship with the Jews of the Millennial Age.} - Paul's Journey to Rome and the | ||
+ | book of Acts concludes "Acts 28:30-31 And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came in unto him, *Preaching the Kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern | ||
+ | the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him." | ||
+ | |||
+ | < | ||
+ | Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast [Antichrist], | ||
+ | reigned with Christ a thousand years [Millennial Reign]. ~ Revelation 20: | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | **Note**: the 5th Dispensation would be the Eternal State. | ||
+ | |||
+ | < | ||
+ | coming down from God out of Heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of Heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle [dwelling] of God is with men, and He will dwell with | ||
+ | them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, | ||
+ | neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. And He that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And He said unto me, Write: for these words are True and | ||
+ | Faithful. And He said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. ~ Revelation 21: | ||
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+ | ===== January 10 ===== | ||
+ | ==== Realms of Heaven and Earth ==== | ||
+ | === The Realms - Heaven of God and Earth of Man === | ||
+ | |||
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+ | Heaven the realm of the One; Holy, True, Eternal, Self-Sustaining God. | ||
+ | |||
+ | **The Realm of Heaven** | ||
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+ | Earth the realm of the needy; fragile, perishable mankind. | ||
+ | |||
+ | **The Realm of Earth** | ||
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+ | ===== January 11 ===== | ||
+ | ==== Realms of Angels and Humans ==== | ||
+ | === The Realms - Spiritual Angels and Physical Mankind === | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | **Spiritual the Realm of Angels** | ||
+ | |||
+ | < | ||
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+ | < | ||
+ | the Testimony of Jesus [Matthew 16:15-19]: [instead] worship God: for the Testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy. ~ Revelation 19: | ||
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+ | **Physical the Realm of Humans** | ||
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+ | **Note:** the Apostles somewhat knowingly interacted with Angels [i.e. Acts 12:7-12] but it is not given for Common Christians to directly (knowingly) interact with any Holy Angels. | ||
+ | |||
+ | **Also Note:** Apparently the only Angels seeking to directly interact with humans, during this present Christian Church Age Dispensation, | ||
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+ | ===== January 12 ===== | ||
+ | ==== Realms of the Human Living and Dead ==== | ||
+ | === The Realms of the Human Living and the Human Deceased === | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | **Death - Separation** | ||
+ | |||
+ | The realms between living humans and deceased humans are permanently separated. | ||
+ | |||
+ | < | ||
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+ | < | ||
+ | which would pass from [hell] behind to you [into heaven] cannot; neither can they [deceased] pass to us [on earth], that would come from thence [the afterworld]. ~ Luke 16: | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | **Note:** Biblically the deceased are still alive and in fact are probably very much more aware than we currently are as they would no longer be hindered with the previous physical form. | ||
+ | |||
+ | **Also Note:** Though the deceased are more alive (aware) now than before they are also very much more separated from us than ever before – at least until we depart and join them. The will of God and | ||
+ | the implemented spiritual divide (chasm) is making it impossible for the two realms of living and deceased to interact with each other. Meaning that any present interaction (necromancy – interacting with the | ||
+ | deceased) is of a completely suspect (sorcery) nature and being Biblically forbidden [Luke 16:26, Acts 8:9, Galatians 5:19-21] it would have to be considered to be spiritually fraudulent in any existing | ||
+ | occurrence or form. | ||
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+ | ===== January 13 ===== | ||
+ | ==== Realms of Death and Hell ==== | ||
+ | === The Realms of Death and Hell === | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | **Death - Hell** | ||
+ | |||
+ | Hell in the form of the abyss has existed since before the original creation. The existing lake of fire was later created though not intended for mankind but as a destination for the unholy Angels. | ||
+ | |||
+ | < | ||
+ | (Revelation 9:1) - Greek Septuagint]. Genesis 1: | ||
+ | |||
+ | < | ||
+ | 25: | ||
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+ | Hell is not a place where humans are intended to go, and there is no reason to go there, so don't go there. | ||
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+ | ===== January 14 ===== | ||
+ | ==== The Eternal Realm of Heaven ==== | ||
+ | === The Eternal Realm of Heaven - God's Realm === | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | The realm of Heaven is outside the realm of mankind. Yet, the Redemption Plan of God calls for mankind to vanquish our earthly realm and to be eternally united by Jesus Christ with God in His eternal realm of Heaven. | ||
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+ | ===== January 15 ===== | ||
+ | ==== The Holy Spirit ==== | ||
+ | === Our Interaction with God the Holy Spirit === | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | **The Holy Spirit is our personal Spiritual contact** | ||
+ | |||
+ | Our only legitimate personal interaction within the Spiritual realm for us is our personal interaction with the Holy Spirit. | ||
+ | |||
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+ | of God with boldness. ~ Acts 4: | ||
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+ | purchased with His own blood. ~ Acts 20: | ||
+ | |||
+ | **Note:** as was previously noted we as Christians do not knowingly interact with the Angelic realm nor do we at any time attempt [besides its being impossible] to interact with the realm of the deceased. Our unique and conventional interaction [i.e. as modeled in Genesis 24:2-67] with the Spiritual realm at this time, in the present Dispensation, | ||
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+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | ===== January 16 ===== | ||
+ | ==== Spiritual Warfare ==== | ||
+ | === Spiritual Warfare - The Battle Belongs to God === | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | Spiritual warfare is the warfare of the Spirit, Soul, Mind and Body. The victory in the warfare is in overcoming the fallen nature of the world and ourselves, setting aside our setbacks and disappointments and entering into that restful, peaceful fellowship with God, with ourselves and with one another. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Due to the nature of Spiritual warfare it is something that we really don't engage in ourselves but defer [through prayer and supplication] in every opportunity to God who is our Strong defender and our ever present Comforter. | ||
+ | |||
+ | < | ||
+ | < | ||
+ | < | ||
+ | |||
+ | **Also Note:** The nature of Spiritual warfare is that it is primarily an annoyance to our desired Christian Walk and any time that we are able to divert from the norm of Spiritual warfare and into the Biblical rest, fellowship and good works then we have achieved the great victory that we so often seek to obtain. | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | < | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | ===== January 17 ===== | ||
+ | ==== Judgment - Great White Throne ==== | ||
+ | === The Great White Throne Judgment - Unbelievers Banishment === | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | The Great White Throne Judgment is the final judgment of God where the unbelievers are eternally removed from the presence of God. | ||
+ | |||
+ | < | ||
+ | |||
+ | < | ||
+ | And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and hell were cast | ||
+ | into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. ~ Revelation 20: | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | < | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | ===== January 18 ===== | ||
+ | ==== Judgment - Bema Seat Rewards ==== | ||
+ | === Judgment - Bema Seat the Believers Rewards === | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | The bema seat (rewards platform) judgment of God is the judgment of God where the believers are acknowledged and rewarded for their good and acceptable works. | ||
+ | |||
+ | < | ||
+ | |||
+ | < | ||
+ | for all of you serve the Lord Christ. But he that does wrong shall receive for the wrong which he has done: and [with God] there is no respect of persons. ~ Colossians 3: | ||
+ | |||
+ | < | ||
+ | |||
+ | < | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | < | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | ===== January 19 ===== | ||
+ | ==== Our Eternal Inheritance ==== | ||
+ | === The Eternal Life Inheritance as Sons and Daughters in Heaven === | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | **Our Inheritance as Sons and Daughters** | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | Inheritance is a part of the birthright. First a person is born into a family and then as a family member | ||
+ | that person is eligible to receive an inheritance. | ||
+ | |||
+ | In the family of God, a person is spiritually Born Again into the sinless likeness of God the Father and into the family of God. When a person is "Born Again" Spiritually into the family of God, that person becomes a Child of God. A child is a member of the family bearing the resemblance of the father and if the child is promised an inheritance that child becomes a Son and in the future will receive Sonship/ | ||
+ | |||
+ | < | ||
+ | Him not, yet believing, all of you rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls. ~ 1 Peter 1: | ||
+ | |||
+ | < | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | **Note:** If a person is not a family member they would be receiving a gift and not an inheritance. | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | < | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | ===== January 20 ===== | ||
+ | ==== Living Physical Sacrifice ==== | ||
+ | === Our Living Physical Sacrifice === | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | Our continual day to day living sacrifice to God is a routine part of our daily Christian Walk with God. | ||
+ | |||
+ | < | ||
+ | conformed to this world: but be all of you transformed by the renewing of your mind, that all of you may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God has dealt to every man the measure of faith. For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and everyone members one of another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: | ||
+ | |||
+ | < | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | < | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | ===== January 21 ===== | ||
+ | ==== Living Blood Sacrifice ==== | ||
+ | === The Living Blood Sacrifice === | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | Jesus willingly shed and sacrificed His sinless blood for our atonement and though like Stephen we might be called upon by God to give our life as an acceptable blood martyr offering to God it is not the same atonement sacrifice that Jesus has already completed for us. | ||
+ | |||
+ | < | ||
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+ | < | ||
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+ | < | ||
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+ | < | ||
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+ | < | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | ===== January 22 ===== | ||
+ | ==== Living Soul Sacrifice ==== | ||
+ | === A Living Soul Sacrifice === | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | The presenting of our bodies as a living sacrifice and the martyrs sacrifice are both well known and understood by the Christian Church while the Christian sacrifice of offering our soul to God on a continual basis is less understood though it is still an important and valuable sacrifice. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Where the presenting of our bodies as a living sacrifice and the martyrs sacrifice can be in the realm of our just going through the motions the sacrifice of the soul is the occurrence of our awareness and understanding, | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | < | ||
+ | |||
+ | < | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | |||
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+ | |||
+ | < | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | ===== January 23 ===== | ||
+ | ==== Levitical Priesthood ==== | ||
+ | === The Levitical Instructional Priesthood === | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | The Apostle Paul explains that the important purpose of the Levitical Law was to provide information, | ||
+ | |||
+ | < | ||
+ | |||
+ | < | ||
+ | |||
+ | < | ||
+ | whom [us] the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels [messengers - prophets] in the hand of a mediator. ... But before faith [Messiah/ | ||
+ | law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed [in Jesus Christ]. Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster [instruction] to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after that faith has come, we are no longer under a [Levitical Law] schoolmaster. ~ Galatians 3: | ||
+ | |||
+ | **Note:** with the arrival of the Christ (Jesus Christ) the Levitical Priesthood has gloriously completed its assigned task and is no longer a viable Priesthood. | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | < | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | ===== January 24 ===== | ||
+ | ==== Vagabond Priesthood ==== | ||
+ | === The Vagabond Bogus Priesthood === | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | The Vagabond priesthood is a rouge, usually financially motivated scheme enacted by some people in an often very successful attempt to gain prominence and wealth from among other people. | ||
+ | |||
+ | < | ||
+ | |||
+ | **Note:** The Vagabond priesthood itself is done in a way that only mimics True Christianity and is actually without God and is outside of God's eternal Kingdom. | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | < | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | ===== January 25 ===== | ||
+ | ==== Royal Priesthood ==== | ||
+ | === The Royal Christian Priesthood === | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | With the [Aaronic] Levitical Priesthood having been completed and removed and the [self-serving] Vagabond priesthood not being a legitimate Priesthood the only and desired Priesthood for the Christian community is the Royal eternal [Melchizedek] Priesthood of the Messiah Jesus Christ. | ||
+ | |||
+ | < | ||
+ | |||
+ | < | ||
+ | obtained mercy. ~ 1 Peter 2: | ||
+ | |||
+ | < | ||
+ | |||
+ | < | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | < | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | ===== January 26 ===== | ||
+ | ==== Individual Prayer ==== | ||
+ | === Individual Christian Prayer === | ||
+ | |||
+ | **Prayer is our personal way of communicating with God** | ||
+ | |||
+ | With any personal relationship communication is critical. Prayer isn't the only thing that Christians have; but it is the best thing we have and while God desires to do many things for us He will not do some of them unless we specifically ask Him in prayer. | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | < | ||
+ | |||
+ | < | ||
+ | |||
+ | < | ||
+ | before me [in a vision] in bright clothing, And said, Cornelius, your prayer is heard, and your alms are had in remembrance in the sight of God. ~ Acts 10: | ||
+ | |||
+ | < | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | < | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | ===== January 27 ===== | ||
+ | ==== Individual Bible Study ==== | ||
+ | === Individual Christian Bible Study === | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | The Holy Bible is our only recorded message [word - logos] from God, having been delivered through the Prophets and Apostles of old it is our primary means to actually determine what God has intended for our lives. | ||
+ | |||
+ | < | ||
+ | |||
+ | < | ||
+ | |||
+ | < | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
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+ | |||
+ | < | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | ===== January 28 ===== | ||
+ | ==== Fellowship of Individuals - Koinonia ==== | ||
+ | === The Fellowship of Christian Individuals === | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | Fellowship involves a somewhat selfless gathering where people are gathered together to encourage, support and in some ways assist one another all with the intended results of furthering Christian morale. | ||
+ | |||
+ | < | ||
+ | |||
+ | < | ||
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+ | |||
+ | < | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | ===== January 29 ===== | ||
+ | ==== Individual Acts of Service ==== | ||
+ | === Our Christian Individual Acts of Service === | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | Our Christian service is ultimately directed towards God and it is God that ultimately acknowledges and rewards our faithful efforts. | ||
+ | |||
+ | < | ||
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+ | < | ||
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+ | < | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | ===== January 30 ===== | ||
+ | ==== Christian Baptism ==== | ||
+ | === Christian Baptism - New Testament === | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | The Christian Baptism consists of three elements: Spirit (Jesus Christ - Holy Spirit), Water, and Refining Fire. | ||
+ | |||
+ | **Christian Baptism - Jesus Christ, Holy Spirit** | ||
+ | |||
+ | < | ||
+ | |||
+ | < | ||
+ | |||
+ | < | ||
+ | other tongues, as the [Holy] Spirit gave them utterance. ~ Acts 2: | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | **Christian Baptism - Water** | ||
+ | |||
+ | Criteria for Christian Water Baptism | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | * The person being baptized confesses a personal individual faith in Jesus Christ [the Apostles' | ||
+ | |||
+ | * The person administering the baptism is to baptize in the Name of God the Father, the Son Jesus and the Holy Spirit [not in the name of any individual, group or denomination] i.e. (Matthew 28:18-20) "I baptize you in the Name of God the Father, the beloved Son Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit." | ||
+ | |||
+ | * The water baptism event [submerging into water] signifies our (dying) death and burial to this world (sin and death) while then [emerging from the water] signifies our own personal resurrection with eternal life in Jesus Christ entering into a new life in the eternal Kingdom of God. | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | < | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | **Note:** The water baptism [and accompanying confession of faith] is the Biblical public confession of faith for each individual Christian and is not to be confused with an alter call that although being a public stand it is not in its entirety the Biblical confession of faith. | ||
+ | |||
+ | **Christian Baptism - Fire** | ||
+ | |||
+ | < | ||
+ | |||
+ | < | ||
+ | |||
+ | < | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
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+ | < | ||
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+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | ===== January 31 ===== | ||
+ | ==== Christian Communion ==== | ||
+ | === Christian Communion - The New Testament === | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | The Communion Bread (body) represents both the physical and the resurrection body of Jesus Christ and the Cup of Wine (Blood) represents both the physical blood and the Spiritual eternal life blood of Jesus Christ. | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | **Criteria for Christian Communion** | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | * First the ' | ||
+ | |||
+ | * Second the ' | ||
+ | |||
+ | * Reading a Bible verse or passage provides the 3rd element of Communion the element of the Word of God being the Spirit of God. | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | **Note:** When the Communion bread is lifted up blessed, exalted and broken it represents the physical body of Jesus Christ on the cross then when the bread is eaten (consumed, eternalized) it represents the Spiritual [resurrection] body of Jesus Christ. Likewise when the Communion blood is mingled [grape, water] it represents the physical blood and water of Jesus Christ that was shed on the cross [after His death - by the spear wound (John 19:34-35)] for the remission of our sins and then when the blood is drink (consumed, eternalized) it represents the resurrection eternal life Spiritual blood of Jesus Christ. Both [the one body] the physical (earthly) body of Jesus Christ and His eternal Spiritual Resurrection [bodily resurrection] of Jesus Christ [along with our new everlasting spiritual body in Jesus Christ] are represented in the one Communion of bread and wine (grape). | ||
+ | |||
+ | **Note:** The ' | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | < | ||
+ | |||
+ | < | ||
+ | |||
+ | < | ||
+ | |||
+ | **Note:** The Communion represents and is a part of the Levitical Feats of "The Lord's Passover" | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | < | ||
+ | |||