Letters

Overcoming Fear and Remaining Vigilant

Fiery Trials Test Our Obedience to the Commandments

Rohnel, and my beloved husband, Peter, servants of God and Christ, unto the twelve tribes scattered in the world beloved of God, called to be saints, to the little children and to the faithful: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.

1Co 8:6 But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him. 

Psa 22:22  I will declare thy name unto my brethren: in the midst of the congregation will I praise thee.

Keep My Commandments  

Joh 14:15 If ye love me, keep my commandments. 

1Jn 2:4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 

Overcoming Fear, remaining Vigilant

In the letter below, we look and learn of Christ’s ways in creating us anew. Please refer to the multiple studies on the truthinscripture.com website for insight and to get the Sum of God’s Word, which is Truth.

Christ, the First and the Last, the Alpha and Omega, has a plan with His creation from before the foundation of the world.

Col 1:16  For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: 

Col 1:17  And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. 


Rev 22:13  I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. 

Christ is the Wisdom of God, the Father, and His plan for us is to overcome the fear of death by giving us His mind, that is to say, Christ in us, the Hope of Glory. The mind of Christ is His Commandments.

Luk 11:49  Therefore also said the wisdom of God, I will send them prophets and apostles, and some of them they shall slay and persecute: 


Col 1:26  Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: 

Col 1:27  To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: 

Christ makes us vigilant by giving us His Spirit of Grace, which is to say, the trials necessary to purify and perfect us, teaching us to be obedient to His Commandments. Christ is the Word of Grace, and He is the gift of righteousness to all who believe now and in time to come.

Zec 12:10  And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn. 

Act 14:3  Long time therefore abode they speaking boldly in the Lord, which gave testimony unto the word of his grace [Christ], and granted signs and wonders to be done by their hands. 

Rom 5:17  For if by one man’s offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.

All this is accomplished through the two Baptisms, namely the Baptism of John and the Baptism of Fire. Christ kicks Satan out of our heavens, which is called the Baptism of John. The Baptism of John is the Baptism of water unto repentance. It is hearing the Commandments of Christ with spiritual senses.

Luk 10:17  And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name. 

Luk 10:18  And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven. 


Luk 7:22  Then Jesus answering said unto them, Go your way, and tell John what things ye have seen and heard; how that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, to the poor the Gospel is preached. 

Christ destroys spiritual Babylon, the mother of harlots, within each of us, chosen by God, which is the Baptism of Fire. Do not think outward, but think within you. The Baptism of Fire is when Christ comes to us a second time. It is the fiery trials that perfect us in our Day of the Lord. The sons of God endure many tribulations, as did the Thessalonians. Please refer to the studies on the website to learn and understand these two Baptisms:  The Two Baptisms

Heb 9:27  And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: 

Heb 9:28  So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation. 


2Th 1:3  We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth; 

2Th 1:4  So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure: 

We are being created anew and need these two Baptisms to be born again. We are clay in the Hand of the Potter and being made over, created anew.

Joh 3:5  Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. 

Joh 3:6  That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 

Joh 3:7  Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. 


Jer 18:6  O house of Israel, cannot I do with you as this potter? saith the LORD. Behold, as the clay is in the potter’s hand, so are ye in mine hand, O house of Israel. 

Let us now ask how Christ Jesus accomplishes His plan and purpose in the lives of those He has chosen to receive this blessing in vessels of clay in this age and in every generation. Keep in mind that all of humanity will receive this blessing in their appointed times because there is an order and a time and place for everything under the sun.

1Co 15:22  For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. 

1Co 15:23  But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming. 

1Co 15:24  Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power. 


Ecc 3:1  To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: 

The Fear of Death

We are created with the fear of death. What is the fear of death? The fear of death is the carnal mindset of the natural man, which is called the law of the Gentiles. Being carnally minded is being under the law for the lawless. We are in bondage to this spirit until Christ sets us free and deals with Satan accordingly. Satan is the power of the prince of the air.

Heb 2:14  Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; 

Heb 2:15  And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. 


Rom 6:18  Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness. 

The fear of death is an accusing and excusing mindset within ourselves, whereby we gain worldly or spiritual knowledge, making many lies and idols of the heart, the work of our own hands. When Christ comes with His Commandments, He destroys all of our idols and all of our carnality with the brightness of His coming. Think spiritually, think within.

Rom 2:14  For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves: 

Rom 2:15  Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another


Eze 6:6  In all your dwellingplaces the cities shall be laid waste, and the high places shall be desolate; that your altars may be laid waste and made desolate, and your idols may be broken and cease, and your images may be cut down, and your works may be abolished. 

1Jn 5:21  Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen. 

Being carnal, which is the state of all humanity, brings us knowledge. This knowledge does not save our souls; it is the law of unrighteousness. It has its place, but it is not the law of a godly man. Such knowledge is the power of spiritual wickedness in high places. It is not the knowledge of Christ’s Law which are His Commandments. The Lord destroys these high places within our hearts and minds in His Day of wrath, when He makes us anew.

Hos 4:6  My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children. 

Jer 12:12  The spoilers are come upon all high places through the wilderness: for the sword of the LORD shall devour from the one end of the land even to the other end of the land: no flesh shall have peace. 


1Ti 1:8  But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully; 

1Ti 1:9  Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, 

1Ti 1:10  For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine; 

1Ti 1:11  According to the glorious Gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust. 

It is these inward enemies that are the carnal thoughts and lies that ensnare us into unbelief, keeping us in bondage and fear of death until the Day of Christ, and it causes the little sins within that so easily beset us.

Son 2:14  O my dove, that art in the clefts of the rock, in the secret places of the stairs, let me see thy countenance, let me hear thy voice; for sweet is thy voice, and thy countenance is comely. 

Son 2:15  Take us the foxes, the little foxes, that spoil the vines: for our vines have tender grapes. 


Heb 12:1  Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, 

Heb 12:2  Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. 

To those whom Christ is working with in every age, there comes a day when we hear the true Gospel preached to us. Thus begins the acceptable year of the Lord.

Luk 4:18  The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the Gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, 

Luk 4:19  To preach the acceptable year of the Lord. 


Heb 3:7  Wherefore (as the Holy Ghost saith, To day if ye will hear his voice, 

Heb 3:8  Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness: 


Act 28:28  Be it known therefore unto you, that the salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles, and that they will hear it. 

The true Gospel of Christ is His words of Spirit and life, and most importantly, His Commandments, which Christ received from God, the Father, to give to us. We take heed of how and what we hear.

Joh 14:23  Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. 

Joh 14:24  He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father’s which sent me. 


Luk 8:17  For nothing is secret, that shall not be made manifest; neither any thing hid, that shall not be known and come abroad. 

Luk 8:18  Take heed therefore how ye hear: for whosoever hath, to him shall be given; and whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he seemeth to have. 

Having the true Gospel of Christ, is the blessing uttermost, it is the dew that drops down from heaven on us, the little children, the tender herbs. Only the little children hear the Lord’s speech, His doctrine, His Commandments.

Deu 32:1  Give ear, O ye heavens, and I will speak; and hear, O earth, the words of my mouth. 

Deu 32:2  My doctrine shall drop as the rain, my speech shall distil as the dew, as the small rain upon the tender herb, and as the showers upon the grass: 

Deu 32:3  Because I will publish the name of the LORD: ascribe ye greatness unto our God. 

Deu 32:4  He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he. 


Joh 8:43  Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word. 

Believing in our hearts and confessing with our lips that only His Commandments save us from our state of spiritual death is acknowledging that Christ is the Son of God. The unclean in us worship Christ as the Son of God when Christ cast these spirits out to give us His mind. Christ IS conquered death on our behalf. Remember, spiritual death is being carnally minded.

Rom 6:8  Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him: 

Rom 6:9  Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him. 

Rom 6:10  For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God. 

Rom 6:11  Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. 


Mar 3:10  For he had healed many; insomuch that they pressed upon him for to touch him, as many as had plagues. 

Mar 3:11  And unclean spirits, when they saw him, fell down before him, and cried, saying, Thou art the Son of God. 

Having the Baptism of John is a great blessing that shatters our enemies within, giving us the mind of Christ and His Commandments. It is a sober mind that replaces the fear of death, that is to say, that accusing and excusing mindset within ourselves.

2Ti 1:7  For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. 

Tit 2:1  But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine: 

It is the simplicity of Christ’s doctrine that wins the war. The Commandments are the least esteemed in the religious worlds of lies and idols of the heart. This is a parable to be read with spiritual understanding.

1Co 6:4  If then ye have judgments of things pertaining to this life, set them to judge who are least esteemed in the church. 

It is the smallest remnant that carries away the mighty. Think spiritually.

Jer 50:45  Therefore hear ye the counsel of the LORD, that he hath taken against Babylon; and his purposes, that he hath purposed against the land of the Chaldeans: Surely the least of the flock shall draw them out: surely he shall make their habitation desolate with them. 

Jer 50:46  At the noise of the taking of Babylon the earth is moved, and the cry is heard among the nations. 


Mat 22:14  “For many are called, but few are chosen.”

Luk 12:32  Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

The spiritual battle against the nations within is a type and shadow of this end-time battle, as Christ is revealed and formed in us.

Rev 19:11  And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.

Rev 19:13  And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.

Rev 19:14  And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.

It is Christ’s Commandments within God’s people in earnest that judge and rule with Christ in the holy and blessed resurrection within. Christ is the Saviour and Deliverer and works through His people, who are the instruments of mercy through which He works His greater works.

Oba 1:21  And saviours shall come up on mount Zion to judge the mount of Esau; and the kingdom shall be the LORD’S. 

Joh 14:12  Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. 

1Co 1:29  That no flesh should glory in his presence.

The Baptism of John, hearing and believing and understanding the Commandments of Christ, is what gives us His mind. When we hear the true Gospel preached to us, that is to say, when we hear His Commandments, it is only the faithful that remain. The fearful, that which is not love, the excusing and accusing mindset within has to go. It is the big event spoken about in Peter. It is the Faith of Christ given to us; it is the mind of Christ.

2Pe 3:8  But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 

2Pe 3:9  The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. 

2Pe 3:10  But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. 

Those not given the gift of Faith in a vessel of clay continue to have the fear of death and are not in God’s presence, as they cannot be used of the Lord. They are still married to Satan, the spirit that drives the carnal mind.

Rev 22:15  For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.

Rom 7:2  For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband. 

Having the mind of Christ is how we overcome all our inner enemies. We now walk by the Faith of Christ, seeing that the Spirit of God is within us and the Father and Christ live in us.

Act 17:28  For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring.


2Co 10:3  For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: 

2Co 10:4  (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) 

2Co 10:5  Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

2Co 10:6  And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled. 

Remaining Vigilant

The Scriptures teach us to understand the Lord’s plan, keeping us vigilant in His Commandments. All forsake the Lord first, so for us to remain vigilant to the Commandments of Christ, He comes a second time to purge His threshing floor, and this is our Baptism of Fire. John tells us the axe is laid unto the root of the trees.

Mat 3:10  And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. 

Mat 3:11  I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire: 

Mat 3:12  Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire. 

All Faith is tried or proven; thus, we need the Baptism of Fire to perfect us in our latter end. This inheritance is obtained through pain and suffering. The Baptism of Fire is the Lake of Fire where we dwell every day. Obeying the Commandments of Christ brings trials and tribulations.

Rom 5:1  Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: 

Rom 5:2  By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 

Rom 5:3  And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;

It is an inheritance slowly obtained in our latter end.

Pro 20:21  An inheritance may be gotten hastily at the beginning; but the end thereof shall not be blessed.

Heb 5:14  But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

We need the process of perfection that tests our faith in the fire of the Commandments.

2Co 5:7  For we walk by faith, not by sight [our physical eyes or senses]:

1Pe 1:7  That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: 

Before the Lord comes a second time, we are first shown how weak and sinful we remain in these marred vessels of clay. The abomination of desolation, the man of sin, driven by Satan, is sitting in God’s stead in the holy place within that is to say within our hearts and minds.

2Th 2:1  Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, 

2Th 2:2  That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. 

2Th 2:3  Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; 

2Th 2:4  Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God. 

The Lord shows us the man of sin, and, judging ourselves against the Commandments, we do not measure up. It is only when we have no hope in ourselves that we give up our spirit; so, the Lord’s Spirit takes over, giving us the trials needed to stay vigilant to His fiery Commandments. We have the mind of Christ, and the Lord now fights for us.

Exo 14:14  The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.


Psa 56:2  My enemies would hound me all day, For there are many who fight against me, O Most High.

Psa 56:3  Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You.

Psa 56:4  In God (I will praise His word), In God I have put my trust; I will not fear. What can flesh do to me?


Php 3:3  For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.

Our mourning knowing the Truth, that is to say, having the mind of Christ, but unable to obey, is turned into joy when His glory is revealed in us through His fiery Grace. We need the Spirit of Grace, which is Christ’s Commandments and the trials that accompany them. It takes the Words of Spirit and Life, the Truth of Christ, [God’s rain] falling from the clouds and the heavens to bring judgment. The Lord’s chosen are His clouds and heavenly things within and without. The Commandments of Christ are what curse the natural man and bring the blessing to the new man by way of judgment.

Joe 2:23  Be glad then, ye children of Zion, and rejoice in the LORD your God: for he hath given you the former rain moderately, and he will cause to come down for you the rain, the former rain, and the latter rain in the first month.

Heb 6:7  For the earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing from God:

The Grace or fiery discipline that the Commandments bring is what saves us. The valleys within are now being filled with spiritual blessings, which is the judgment of the old carnal mindset, the fear of death. We are being saved through the Spirit of Grace, that is to say, the Commandments that we walk out every day, dwelling in the fire.

Luk 3:5  Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be brought low; and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways shall be made smooth;

Luk 3:6  And all flesh shall see the salvation of God.


Rev 20:15  And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. 

In our immaturity, without trials, we, at times, are still afraid of the fight ahead, only knowing the Baptism of John. Christ becomes unattractive quickly when we realize there is more to it than knowing doctrine; we are to become a doer of His doctrine.

Luk 14:33  So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.


Joh 6:66  From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him. 

Joh 6:67  Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away? 

We are commanded to faint not when the trials come and be willing to lose everything to be used of the Lord in judgment of the nations within and without.

Luk 17:32  Remember Lot’s wife.

Luk 17:33  Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it.


Rev 17:14  These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.

Knowing the purpose of trials is how we are to be thankful for all things. Without the trials, we are not saved. We need both Faith and works, our deeds tried by the commandments. Read the Epistles of James.

1Th 5:18  In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. 


1Co 3:21  Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are yours; 

1Co 3:22  Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are yours; 

1Co 3:23  And ye are Christ’s; and Christ is God’s. 

The lapping of water, like a dog or a leopard, in Gideon’s story in the Book of Judges, is a metaphor for what the Lord wants His army to do: always keep guard and watch, so as not to be overcome by carnal reasoning. There are many warnings by Christ Himself to watch and pray.

1Pe 5:8  Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

Mat 26:41  Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

Luk 12:35  “Let your waist be girded and your lamps burning;

Vigilance differs from a similar word, “diligence,” primarily in its emphasis on constant attention and observation. Both denote the act of being careful and being conscientious. The vigilant keep watch so they are not overcome and snared by their inward enemies. We are commanded to be sober in the Day of the Lord. The Day of the Lord is our latter end and time of salvation.

Rev 3:3  Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.


1Th 5:6  Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.

1Th 5:7  For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night.

1Th 5:8  But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.

Our failures at first to be vigilant require a repeat of the fiery grace that IS COME to us in the Day of the Lord. These trials are needed to keep us alive and to save our souls.

Rom 5:20  Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: 

Rom 5:21  That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord. 


Eph 2:8  For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 

Eph 2:9  Not of works, lest any man should boast. 

Eph 2:10  For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. 

We are not appointed to wrath, but we are appointed to salvation.

1Th 5:9  For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, 

1Th 5:10  Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him. 

1Th 5:11  Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do. 

Sharing our testimony is what the Lord’s faithful royal priests do in the breaking of Bread and in reminding ourselves and others that the victory is already won. The works are finished from the foundation of the world. It is a done deal; the Lord loses none of His. He sets us free on the true Sabbath Day, which is the Day of the Lord and leads us to the Living Waters of His Commandments, which cleanse and perfect us. The following parable describes this.

Luk 13:14  And the ruler of the synagogue answered with indignation, because that Jesus had healed on the sabbath day, and said unto the people, There are six days in which men ought to work: in them therefore come and be healed, and not on the sabbath day. 

Luk 13:15  The Lord then answered him, and said, Thou hypocrite, doth not each one of you on the sabbath loose his ox or his ass from the stall, and lead him away to watering? 

Luk 13:16  And ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan hath bound, lo, these eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the sabbath day? 

Luk 13:17  And when he had said these things, all his adversaries were ashamed: and all the people rejoiced for all the glorious things that were done by him. 

Christ’s true sons within and without are mighty men of valor that are the instruments of judgment and salvation to all of spiritual Israel.

Pro 24:5  A wise man is strong; yea, a man of knowledge increaseth strength.

Pro 24:6  For by wise counsel thou shalt make thy war: and in multitude of counsellors there is safety.


1Ti 4:10  For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe.

1Ti 4:11  These things command and teach.

Angels of the Lord are there to lead and guide the young and tender through the tough times with comfort, encouragement, and exhortation, which is the Spirit of prophecy. Even our Lord needed strengthening when He was in a body of weak flesh.

Luk 22:42  Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.

Luk 22:43  And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him. 


Psa 34:7  The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them. 

We are friends of the Lord and true friends of one another when we obey God, which is how we love God and one another. In times of need, we rely on one another to make it through the night.

1Jn 5:3  For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous. 

1Jn 5:4  For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. 

1Jn 5:5  Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?


Joh 15:14  Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. 

Christ’s Word fitly spoken by His angels, strengthens those who are obtaining salvation through the many trials of life.

Rev 19:10  And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.

2Ch 20:15  And he said, Hearken ye, all Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem, and thou king Jehoshaphat, Thus saith the LORD unto you, Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God’s.

Eph 6:10  Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 

Through the laying down of our lives as a living sacrifice is how we overcome the inward enemies and make it through the Lord’s fiery discipline of Grace. We learn to walk by the Faith of Christ, not by sight. More and more, as we first see through a glass darkly, we come to see Christ as He is. We eat His flesh and drink His Blood, a parable to humanity, but for those with eyes to see and ears to hear, we live and keep Christ’s Commandments. It is the New Testament in His Blood.

1Co 11:24  And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.

1Co 11:25  After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.

1Co 11:26  For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come.

We conclude this letter with a reminder of who we are battling as God’s people and how we are to be prepared to fight and stand firm in the Faith of Christ, that is, in His Commandments, wearing all the armor of God.

Eph 6:12  For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

Eph 6:13  Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

Everything comes back to the Lord’s Commandments. The Lord is His Commandments. We are the Commandments of the Lord in earnest. Embracing the trials and counting them as joy is how we persevere through the trials. They are a blessing and a sign we are marked for salvation. Through these trials, we receive Christ’s mind to overcome the fear of death and to remain vigilant for the rest of our lives in these vessels of clay. The Commandments purify and prepare us to stand before the Lord when He comes to those waiting for Him, is, was, and will be. Let us be glad and rejoice because we have made ourselves ready for the Bridegroom.

Heb 9:27  And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: 

Heb 9:28  So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation. 


Rev 19:7  Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. 

Rev 19:8  And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. 

Receive ye the Gospel. Receive ye the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Letters

Learning to Esteem and Love the Lord

Seeking the Commandments to Live

Peter and Rohnel, to the scattered pilgrims of Christ in the world, to the little children, and to the faithful: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.

We are reminded by the Scriptures to diligently pursue God’s commandments that our flesh does not esteem, even after we receive the Gospel. A willing Spirit has to contend with weak flesh that is set at enmity with the holy things of the Lord.  We are being transformed, a new heaven and earth are being made as the old is destroyed. Let’s therefore patiently hearken unto the Lord and seek to hasten the completion of His good work in us.

Deu 4:1  Now therefore hearken, O Israel, unto the statutes and unto the judgments, which I teach you, for to do them, that ye may live, and go in and possess the land which the LORD God of your fathers giveth you. 

Deu 4:2  Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you. 

The carnal mind of mankind does not esteem Jesus Christ. I speak of the true Jesus Christ, the Living Word of God, who is also the Spirit of God’s Commandments, and not the Jesus Christ whom much of the world knows and esteems. The Words of the Father are His Holy Commandments and are sent in the appointed time to save us from our sins. The Father sent Christ, the Word of God, into the world to speak the commandments and save the world from their sins. This Christ is the Saviour.

Joh 12:49  For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak.

The first man, Adam, in every man is a marred vessel that is at enmity with the Spirit of God, which is the Commandments.  Thus, a new vessel needs to be made in the hands of the Potter.

Jer 18:4  And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter: so he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it. 


1Co 15:47  The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven. 

1Co 15:49  And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly. 

A blessed few, the Elect, see this transformation now in this age and never taste of death, which is the sleep Paul cites in explaining the mystery of the coming of the Lord for salvation.

1Co 15:50  Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. 

1Co 15:51  Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 

1Co 15:52  In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 

1Co 15:53  For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 

All things are being made new and are being changed when the Lord comes to dwell within us. Our understanding of Christ has also changed. When our appointed time of salvation arrives, the Lord comes to us in Spirit and in Truth.  We now have a new Jesus, the Truth, the Living Word of God, whom we worship in Spirit. When the Promise of our Baptism in Christ comes, the Christ we knew in the flesh we no longer know, as all things are becoming new.

2Co 5:16 Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more. 

2Co 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 

Understanding Christ as the Commandments that come to dwell in us is receiving the Gospel and how we prepare for His coming. The hidden mystery, concealed from all generations, is being revealed to the saints.

Col 1:26  Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: 

Col 1:27  To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: 

We only see and receive this Gospel by the mercy of God, who draws us near and opens our eyes and ears to see the Son as the Living Commandments. No man comes to Christ on their own or chooses to follow Him. Our eyes are opened to see the Son as the Commandments, and we are given faith to believe in them, and thus we are being raised into eternal life.

Joh 6:37  All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. 

Joh 6:40  And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day. 

Joh 6:44  No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me drag [draw] him: and I will raise him up at the last day.

It is a battle to learn to esteem Jesus Christ, the living Word.  All flesh esteems Him not, meaning we esteem not the Commandments. All mankind, even those who claim His name and profess faith [us in our former ignorance], show little respect, actually disdain for the Commandments. There is nothing about them that we innately desire, as all flesh is set naturally at enmity with the things of the Spirit. Many give lip service to Christ, but our hearts remain far from seeking to love God by obeying the Commandments. We cannot believe the report of the Gospel and await a time when we are drawn to Christ and given the gift of His faith.

Isa 53:1  Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD  revealed? 

Isa 53:2  For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him. 

Isa 53:3  He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. 

Esteeming the Other Jesus

When our spiritual journey begins, we first come to know the other Jesus. The flesh Jesus, unlike the living Word, is esteemed and admired by many millions worldwide and is often spoken of, praised, and sung about. We wander in the wilderness for many years, believing this Christ is the true light from heaven, making little progress towards salvation.  We abide in a light that is actually darkness, which is also referred to as strong delusion.

Mat 6:23  But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness! 

The deadly wound our beast receives when first coming to know Christ is quickly healed, and we remain a beast being deceived and deceiving.

Rev 13:11  And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon. 

Rev 13:12  And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed. 

When this is our Jesus, judgment is always out there in the future, and our emphasis is on outward rather than on the inward, as we naturally seek the esteem of men above the Lord.

Mat 23:5  But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments

In the journey to salvation, we go astray from the Commandments being taught by false prophets and deceivers who teach us everything but the true Gospel. We esteem not the holy things of the Lord, His Commandments, and show disdain for them by wallowing in our many lusts and calling ourselves delivered. In our appointed deception, we trust in lying words that do not profit us in Spirit and follow after the gods of our carnal mind.

Jer 7:8  Behold, ye trust in lying words, that cannot profit. 

Jer 7:9  Will ye steal, murder, and commit adultery, and swear falsely, and burn incense unto Baal, and walk after other gods whom ye know not; 

Jer 7:10  And come and stand before me in this house, which is called by my name, and say, We are delivered to do all these abominations? 

The events in the Scriptures are spoken and done in parables.  Thus, we as spiritual Pharisees do not understand that the Lord was speaking about the Holy Commandments of the Father, which we do not esteem and follow after. Our flesh seeks the honour of men, and we reject the Lord and all His ministers that preach the Gospel.

Joh 5:39  you Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. 

Joh 5:40  And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life. 

Joh 5:41  I receive not honour from men. 

Joh 5:42  But I know you, that ye have not the love of God in you. 

Joh 5:43  I am come in my Father’s name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive. 

Before the Lord opens our eyes to see our sin, we are unaware in our delusion that we despise the Lord’s name. We have mixed up the bread of life, the Commandments, with the idols and lust of the flesh. This is adding to and taking away from the Word, and thus spiritual sickness is the consequence.

Mal 1:6  A son honoureth his father, and a servant his master: if then I be a father, where is mine honour? and if I be a master, where is my fear? saith the LORD of hosts unto you, O priests, that despise my name. And ye say, Wherein have we despised thy name? 

Mal 1:7  Ye offer polluted bread upon mine altar; and ye say, Wherein have we polluted thee? In that ye say, The table of the LORD is contemptible. 

We trust in our knowledge that deceives us, and we are blinded to see the death that still rules in our inward parts.

Mat 23:27  Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness. 

Mat 23:28  Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity. 

Our time in deception focused on the outward righteousness and gaining the praise of men is Spiritual Babylon, where we await the Lord sending His angel to preach the Gospel to ears the Lord opens. We honour the Lord with our lips, but our hearts are far from obeying His Commandments.

Luk 16:15  And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God. 

Mat 15:8  This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. 

Lightly esteeming the Commandments, we forget about them, and the result is that we are unfaithful to our Husband and Lord. We take no heed of the many Commandments and warnings, and drift away, forgetting the Commandments and not entering into our place of rest, that is, the Lord’s Commandments.

Deu 32:15  But Jeshurun waxed fat, and kicked: thou art waxen fat, thou art grown thick, thou art covered with fatness; then he forsook God which made him, and lightly esteemed the Rock of his salvation. 

Jer 50:6  My people hath been lost sheep: their shepherds have caused them to go astray, they have turned them away on the mountains: they have gone from mountain to hill, they have forgotten their restingplace. 


Heb 3:11  So I sware in my wrath, They shall not enter into my rest.

Heb 3:12  Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.

The true sheep of God, a precious few, do hear the voice of Christ, and come out of their deceptions and begin to follow the Lord, and we are prepared for His coming in power.

Joh 10:27  My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: 

Following Christ is esteeming the commandments, taking up our cross, and laying down the desires of our flesh. It takes the power of the Living God to come to us and enable this massive change in our hearts.

Luk 9:23  And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. 

Luk 9:24  For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it. 

When the living Christ comes, we truly know the grace of God and begin to bear the fruits of righteousness.

Col 1:6  Which is come unto you, as it is in all the world; and bringeth forth fruit, as it doth also in you, since the day ye heard of it, and knew the grace of God in truth: 

It is the Lord’s purpose to turn us first into destruction, being dead in our sins, and then turning our hearts back to Him, the living Commandments.

Psa 90:3  Thou turnest man to destruction; and sayest, Return, ye children of men. 

We are turned back to the Lord, the Commandments, when the eternal Judge comes to dwell in the temple of God. Now we are learning Christ’s righteousness being taught of God, and every knee shall bow to the Lord.

Isa 60:14  The sons also of them that afflicted thee shall come bending unto thee; and all they that despised thee shall bow themselves down at the soles of thy feet; and they shall call thee, The city of the LORD, The Zion of the Holy One of Israel

It takes many trials of our faith in the Commandments to learn that we cannot serve two masters. We either esteem the Lord and honor Him, striving to obey His Commandments, or else we serve our flesh and show we still lightly esteem the Commandments. The natural enmity between flesh and Spirit is only overcome when the Lord brings the power of the Gospel to teach us the right ways of God.

Mat 6:24  No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

Joh 6:45  It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me. 

The cost of being a disciple, a follower of the Lord, who is the fiery commandments of God, is very high. We are told to count these costs before we start to follow Him. There is no profit for the flesh and only suffering and loss. We remind ourselves of these costs so when the time comes, we can pay the cost and obey the Lord. The road is narrow, and the price of what needs to be given up is high.

Php 1:29  For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake

Luk 14:33  So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple

A spiritual man judges all things and is made Spiritual by the coming of the Lord to their inward parts. The measuring stick or the plumbline by which we examine ourselves and judge all matters is the Commandments.  These are what is “least esteemed” in the church and why Paul rebuked the carnal Corinthians for going to man’s law and logic to make judgments. The saints shall judge the world in righteousness as we are made into sons of God and become Jesus Christ through whom the greater works are done. We are being raised and trained to be saviours.

1Co 6:4  If then ye have judgments of things pertaining to this life, set them to judge [The Commandments] who are least esteemed in the church. 

The living commandments that abide in our hearts and minds expose our sins, revealing the darkness within that needs to be cast out and overcome. Before faith comes, we do not come to the light, as no flesh wants its nakedness and darkest sins revealed. When the Lord comes, we are drawn to them, the throne of grace, and that is how our deeds begin to be wrought in God and no longer originate from our carnal impulses.

Joh 3:19  And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 

Joh 3:20  For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. 

Joh 3:21  But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.

We are all clay in the Lord’s hands, having no free will and relying on the Lord for our very being. Whether we esteem His Commandments or not is all His work in us. The Lord does not leave us to our own devices to figure it out. God, through Christ, makes known His Commandments, which are the power that brings salvation, that also reveals His wrath or judgment against our sin. We know the Lord by knowing the Commandments, which manifest Christ’s glory, that is, our obedience.

Rom 9:21  Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour? 

Rom 9:22  What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction: 

Rom 9:23  And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory, 

Those marked by God are those who receive the Gospel that is preached unto them. Our disdain for the Commandments is turned into esteem when a cherub, a messenger of the Lord, is sent to preach the Gospel to us. When that Gospel is received, we begin to come towards or seek the Commandments and strive to be obedient. Those who cry and sigh over their sins are those who acknowledge needing a Saviour, a spiritual physician, and the Lord answers the prayer and comes.

Eze 9:3  And the glory of the God of Israel was gone up from the cherub, whereupon he was, to the threshold of the house. And he called to the man clothed with linen, which had the writer’s inkhorn by his side; 

Eze 9:4  And the LORD said unto him, Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof. 

We are saved by truth and grace. Mercy/truth opens our eyes to see the Lord in truth, and the grace that follows is how we are quickened out of our sins. The desire to love God, meaning to obey the Lord, is put into our hearts and grows by the Spirit of Grace that is the Father’s Commandments.

Rom 5:5  And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. 

There is no boasting of anyone as the Lord orchestrates every aspect of our transformation from not esteeming the Commandments to loving them and seeking them earnestly.

Eph 2:1  And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; 

Eph 2:2  Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: 

Receiving the Spirit of the Living Commandments is receiving the grace of God into our hearts and minds. This grace is what saves us from our sins and teaches us to choose obedience to the God we love and seek with our whole heart.

Job 5:17  Behold, happy is the man whom God correcteth: therefore despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty: 

Rom 8:11  But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you. 

Heb 12:6  For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. 

Eze 36:27  And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them. 

With open spiritual eyes, one quickly learns to revere and highly esteem the Holy One of Israel. The shame of our sin, our nakedness, starts to fade as the trials and judgment by the commandments bring correction and teach us His righteousness. We learn to look to the Commandments and seek life.

Psa 119:15  I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways.

Isa 17:7  At that day shall a man look to his Maker, and his eyes shall have respect to the Holy One of Israel. 

 Seek the Lord to Live

When the Living Christ, that is, the Gospel and the Living Commandments, comes to us, judgment has come upon the house of God. The weapons of His warfare accomplish these wondrous works of God. The Commandments are the weapons of His indignation that bring about vengeance for His Temple. We escape out of Spiritual Babylon in no other way.

Jer 50:25  The LORD hath opened his armoury, and hath brought forth the weapons of his indignation: for this is the work of the Lord GOD of hosts in the land of the Chaldeans. 

Jer 50:26  Come against her from the utmost border, open her storehouses: cast her up as heaps, and destroy her utterly: let nothing of her be left. 

Jer 50:27  Slay all her bullocks; let them go down to the slaughter: woe unto them! for their day is come, the time of their visitation.

Jer 50:28  The voice of them that flee and escape out of the land of Babylon, to declare in Zion the vengeance of the LORD our God, the vengeance of his temple. 

When the Gospel is preached to us and we hear it, our Day of Vengeance has come, and what a blessing it is.

Isa 61:1  The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; 

Isa 61:2  To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn; 

May this study help us remember the Commandments that are the Living Christ and our Savior. We are caused to seek the Lord and His power unto salvation to overcome spiritual death and enter into newness of life. His mighty power is the Commandments that are His strength.

1Ch 16:11  Seek the LORD and his strength, seek his face continually. 

Amo 5:6  Seek the LORD, and ye shall live; lest he break out like fire in the house of Joseph, and devour it, and there be none to quench it in Bethel. 


Rom 1:16  For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. 
Rom 1:17  For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

When Christ lives in us, the throne of mercy and grace is established in us, and that is where we go in our time of need.  We are promised to find the commandments and bring them to mind when we seek them. These are the strange works of God to the children of men and the way of salvation.

Jer 29:11  For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. 

Jer 29:12  Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. 

Jer 29:13  And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. 

We are delivered out of our abominations, the plagues of serpents, when we lift up the Commandments and submit ourselves to them, dying daily on the cross.

Joh 3:14  And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man [the Commandments] be lifted up: 

Joh 3:15  That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. 

Those in whom Christ dwells have the same experience as the Lord, as they are Christ in the world. Many trials of faith come to grow us unto perfection as we are given choices to obey the Commandments or not. This is the way unto maturity and how the gold of our precious faith is bought in the fire of the Lord. We stay on our cross, being dead to the law of the carnal mind and willingly suffering persecution and the reproach of man to be obedient.

Gal 2:19  For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God. 

Gal 2:20  I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. 

Remember the cost to be paid. Do not be surprised and expect reproach and persecution from the world that esteems not the holy things of God. We no longer run after the activities the world esteems. These become fiery trials to test our faith and see if we obey our Father in heaven or follow the whims of men.

1Pe 4:4  Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you: 

1Pe 4:14  If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified. 

The Lord’s prophets are given great honor from the Lord, but not from their own house and kin. As Christ’s family did not receive Him at first, so it is with the sons of God in every age.

Mar 6:4 But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, but in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house.

Mat 10:36 And a man’s foes shall be they of his own household.

As our faith grows, our ministry grows, and we have great boldness to preach Christ, knowing it brings much affliction. The ministers of Christ have the Lord with them and follow the commandments in seeking to please their heavenly Father and not men. As the Lord was in the world, so are we.

Joh 8:29  And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I always do those things that please him

Losing many things is a big part of the loss and suffering that are key trials of our faith. The Lord is separating a people unto Himself, and the blessing of eternal life far exceeds the pain and cost of the things being taken away.

Mat 19:29  And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My name’s sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life. 

There is no turning back once we have received the Gospel. We remain at work in the Lord’s field. We do not go back to bury the dead; we keep our hand on the Gospel in everything we do.

Luk 9:62  And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God. 

Some encouragement to end this study and look past our past failures to obey the Lord. Spiritual publicans and harlots who recognize their need for a Savior enter into the Kingdom of God and receive the Living Spirit, before those who do not need a physician and trust in their own righteousness. Today is the day of salvation, and forget what is past and follow Him today. Those who know they are the chief of sinners are the first to enter into the Kingdom.

Mat 21:28  But what think ye? A certain man had two sons; and he came to the first, and said, Son, go work to day in my vineyard. 

Mat 21:29  He answered and said, I will not: but afterward he repented, and went. 

Mat 21:30  And he came to the second, and said likewise. And he answered and said, I go, sir: and went not.

Mat 21:31  Whether of them twain did the will of his father? They say unto him, The first. Jesus saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you.

Repent and hearken unto the Lord is what we, the sons of God, strive to do. Seek the Commandments and bear the suffering and reproach that is only for a little while. Our suffering is nothing compared to the hope of the glory yet to be revealed in us.

Isa 51:7  Hearken unto me, ye that know righteousness, the people in whose heart is my law; fear ye not the reproach of men, neither be ye afraid of their revilings. 

1Pe 4:1  Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin

Letters

A Zeal for the House of the Lord

Working and Embracing the Fire

Blessed be the Lord and the Father who kindled the light of truth within us and drew us near for salvation. May these words awaken those chosen to a greater focus and zeal for the holy things of the Lord and His House.

This admonition is written to encourage the young in the faith to press into the Kingdom of God with greater zeal, standing with Christ through obedience, and willingly suffering persecution and rejection from a carnal world. Christ is at the door; He is near, and in these latter times, we are warned about falling away and being led astray by a slothful spirit. It is time to press into the Lord, His commandments, and not shrink back. Be alert, watch, and keep doing His business until the Lord comes.

The Zeal for the Lord’s House Consumes Us

Knowing the Lord means becoming intimate with the Commandments that sanctify us and lead us into salvation. The Lord is our Maker, and as clay in His hands, He is the One who gives or takes away the zeal [drive] needed to work in the Kingdom. Nonetheless, that zeal must be present to lead us deeper into the things of God and separate us from our many worldly idols and pursuits. We are the Temple and house of the Lord. As Christ was in this world, so are we to be likewise. Christ had great zeal, a fiery jealousy, and inner drive for His Father’s house and Temple. Like Christ, we take the necessary steps to clear out the Temple within us of everything that defiles it.

Joh 2:14  And Jesus found in the Temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting: 

Joh 2:15  And when he had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them all out of the Temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers’ money, and overthrew the tables; 

Joh 2:16  And said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not my Father’s house a house of merchandise. 

Joh 2:17  And his disciples remembered that it was written, The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up. 

We are the Father’s house, the Holy Temple where God has chosen to dwell. We are a house of constant prayer, meaning a house of obedience, no longer engaged with spiritual merchandising, which is the accusing and excusing mindset representing the carnal mind. We obey the commandments, and we do not rebel against them. Doing good is the work and the sacrifices that are pleasing to the Lord.

Heb 13:16  But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased. 

Preparing ourselves for Christ’s coming means being washed by the commandments, which clear and sanctify the Temple, preparing us for the Lord to dwell within us. The commandment to wait and tarry for the Lord to come does not nullify the other commandments that require us to always be about the work of God and making ourselves ready. Waiting for the Lord is our time of preparation, when we fill our lamps with the commandments, the oil that makes us ready for the Spirit to come. We no longer trust in our knowledge, the mountain of Samaria, and be at ease in Zion.

Amo 6:1  Woe to them that are at ease in Zion, and trust in the mountain of Samaria, which are named chief of the nations, to whom the house of Israel came! 

The Gospel has been preached and continues to be taught. We are past the Prophets; it is time to press forward and seek first the kingdom of God, which is the living Christ, the commandments coming to dwell within us.

Luk 16:16  The law and the prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it. 

We all need chastening to spark us to work and cease being idle about the Father’s business. When Christ, who is the living commandments, comes, the hearing phase of our walk gives way to the doing. Our apathy towards the Lord’s work is also called lukewarmness. The church of Laodicea is us when we are haphazard in our work and preparations for the Lord’s coming. The Lord loves us and therefore rebukes and chastens us to become zealous.

Rev 3:15  I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. 

Rev 3:16  So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. 

Rev 3:19  As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. 

The daily opportunity to get in the fight and start working for the Lord is to begin standing up for the commandments when the trials of faith come. We embrace the costs and are willing to take the heat, enduring persecution without concern or fear of the opinions of the world in our stance for the Lord. The Lord’s gold is purchased, and the Temple of God we are becoming is only built by suffering many things, including the loss of the old life. One cannot be friends with the world and friends with God. We cannot serve two masters; when we try to have it both ways, we are lukewarm, and the Lord is not pleased.

Jas 4:4  Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God. 

If we lack the zeal, hunger, and thirst for righteousness in our inward parts, we need to be fervently asking the Lord for it. It is the Father’s good will to give us gifts and all things we need to accomplish salvation from sin in our lives. When we put the Lord first, giving Him the first fruits of our day, He promises to provide us with everything we need. Eliminating the world that clutters our minds and takes up our time, we invest this time into the Lord’s treasury.

Luk 12:30  For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things. 

Luk 12:31  But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you. 

Luk 12:32  Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. 

Luk 12:33  Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth. 

Luk 12:34  For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. 

All members of the Body of Christ have a role and a part to fulfill in the Body, no matter how big or small it may be. Everyone should desire to be zealous for spiritual gifts that enable them to become more active participants in our gatherings and assemblies. A little effort in this regard will go a long way toward keeping our focus on the Lord and giving us reasons to study and think of Him beforehand. Everything we do should be for the church’s edification when we come together.

1Co 14:12  Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church. 

It is more blessed to give than to receive, and the Lord rewards those who give with even more of His precious treasures and anointing. Come prepared to our fellowships and gatherings with a little something.

1Co 14:26  How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying. 

Bringing gifts that edify the church is essential to our spiritual growth, and performing it adds to our faith and boldness for the Lord. Everyone has something to offer, and our offerings can be questions about the faith, a commandment, or the Scriptures being studied. Such questions provoke all present to think, and the answers bring greater understanding to the whole church. We have seen this in recent studies where Q&A exchanges took place, and all those present were blessed. We need more of this engagement, and we encourage the young in the faith, or those naturally shy, to step out in faith and engage actively rather than just listening. Offering a gift may take some effort and homework ahead of time.  Take some time to read the studies beforehand, read the Scriptures, and meditate upon them. The Lord blesses those who desire to give good gifts to others. All gifts to the Lord are sacred, and nothing offered to the Lord in sincerity is rejected; instead, it is always blessed.

1Pe 4:10  As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. 

Scripture witnesses to how the entire congregation contributes to building the tabernacle, which is the house of God. Building the tabernacle of God requires many different contributions, which are symbolically enumerated in Exodus when the first tabernacle of the congregation was to be constructed. Everyone in the flock is to bring an offering.

Exo 35:4  And Moses spake unto all the congregation of the children of Israel, saying, This is the thing which the LORD commanded, saying, 

Exo 35:5  Take ye from among you an offering unto the LORD: whosoever is of a willing heart, let him bring it, an offering of the LORD; gold, and silver, and brass, 

Exo 35:6  And blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine linen, and goats’ hair, 

Exo 35:7  And rams’ skins dyed red, and badgers’ skins, and shittim wood, 

It takes the entire flock to provide for these broad needs and work together to make them as commanded. Most of Exodus 35 is omitted here for brevity, but read it to see the complete list of physical items that are parables of the spiritual things the spiritual house of God contains. The Lord stirs up the hearts of the Israel of God to bring offerings and work together in building the house of God. Every part and every labourer is needed in the Kingdom. If one lacks the zeal to work, seek it and keep asking for it. The Lord hears us and stirs up our hearts to zealously serve Him.

Exo 35:21  And they came, every one whose heart stirred him up, and every one whom his spirit made willing, and they brought the LORD’S offering to the work of the tabernacle of the congregation, and for all his service, and for the holy garments. 

Exo 35:22  And they came, both men and women, as many as were willing hearted, and brought bracelets, and earrings, and rings, and tablets, all jewels of gold: and every man that offered offered an offering of gold unto the LORD

Our carnal-mindedness, that is the devil, seeks to dissuade us from bringing offerings by diminishing them and/or telling us we are not worthy of such a calling. Do not heed these lies.

We have many stories, miracles, and parables showing the Lord multiplying the gifts and offerings of His saints for the benefit of many. One example is the parables of Christ feeding the thousands [Mat 14, Joh 6] from a few loaves of bread and fish. An Old Testament example is the parable of the widow of Zarephath [See 1Ki 17:11-15], to whom Elijah was sent. She only had a morsel of meal to offer, yet it fed them for many days as the Lord continually increased it. Think spiritually. The morsel of meal is the widow’s gift, and it is your gift to offer as you tarry for the Lord. Offerings can be questions that expand or clarify the study. It can be a comment, a Scripture, or a personal experience to support or confirm the message.  Your offering can be anything the Lord puts on your heart to share. Bring your morsel and share it with the assembly, which is Christ, when we come together to eat the Lord’s supper. Nothing is wasted, all good gifts are multiplied by the Lord, and the flock is fed.

Also consider the parable of the widow who cast into the treasury, meaning that she gave the church of God the only two mites she had. She gave more in the Lord’s eyes than those the Lord made rich who cast in out of their abundance [See Mark 12:41-44]. Do not be afraid to give; be zealous to cast in your two mites, whatever they may be.  Give all the Lord has given you, be it little or much.

Christ says, “Give and it will be given unto you.” We reap what we sow, and the more we sow, meaning the more we give, the more we reap in the appointed times. Thus, it is more blessed to give than receive. Please be encouraged to sow into the flock of God with input, questions, Scripture, or anything that edifies.

2Co 9:6  But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. 

When we come together before the Lord in the place where He has chosen, we are commanded not to appear empty but to bring our gifts, which the Lord uses to bless, admonish, wash, and edify the church.

Deu 16:16  Three times in a year shall all thy males appear before the LORD thy God in the place which he shall choose; in the feast of unleavened bread, and in the feast of weeks, and in the feast of tabernacles: and they shall not appear before the LORD empty: 

Deu 16:17  Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the LORD thy God which he hath given thee. 

Follow the example of our Lord and even wise natural parents who know enough to teach their children a strong work ethic from an early age. Christ was always at work in the Father’s Kingdom, years before His earthly ministry of preaching the Gospel began. The adolescent [12-year-old] Christ was always about doing His Father’s business. Likewise, we are zealous for the Father’s business, even in our youth, as we wait on our future appointment to the ministry of the Gospel.

Luk 2:49  And Christ said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business? 

There is always the work of the Father to be done in the house and Temple of God. The work is not always about ourselves and the inward Temple, as we are the Lord’s witnesses on the earth, the light unto the world. The work of God is bringing His light and His love to all that the Lord prepares and puts into our path.

Mat 5:14  Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. 

Mat 5:15  Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.

Mat 5:16  Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. 

Standing For Christ and Entering the Fire

All faith is proven by works, and when we prove faithful in a little, He gives us more faith and even greater trials to test the increase. Growing in the grace and knowledge of the Lord is the process of our salvation. Progress is our obedience, which are the good works being seen in our walk. We begin to stand for the commandments and do them rather than only hear them.

1Pe 1:7  That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: 

In the same way, those first precious steps of a toddler bolster their confidence to walk, so does our beginning to stand on the Lord’s commandments. Once we demonstrate that we do not fear men, or the rejection of the carnal-minded world that includes those of our own household, the Lord begins to increase us and gives us greater confidence and zeal for His Kingdom. The Lord’s principle is to reward the faithful with even more, and this is how we grow in faith and in the zeal for His house.

Luk 16:10  He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much. 

Fear, which is not of faith, keeps us back. Following Christ costs us everything; we are willing to forsake all. The cost of being a disciple is high, and we count the cost and embrace it to keep walking with the Lord. We do not look back and hold onto the old way of life. Remember Lot’s wife, who looked back and turned into a pillar of salt, signifying that progress towards the kingdom was halted as she ceased following the Lord’s angels sent to rescue her and Lot from Sodom. All things are yours to fulfill.

Luk 9:62  And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God. 

The Parable of the Talents also teaches us what happens to those who fear men and squander the little they are initially given. Take heed and press into Christ, get to work in His Kingdom within yourself, and make yourself ready. We start with the servant who hid the talent given him in the earth, meaning the works of the flesh. If we squander the Lord’s talents, it is unfaithfulness to what He has given. The Lord’s way is to take away what little we may have rather than give us more.

Mat 25:25  And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine. 

Mat 25:26  His Lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed: 

Mat 25:27  Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury. 

Mat 25:28  Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents. 

Mat 25:29  For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath. 

Waiting for the Promise absolutely does not mean we are not to be at work earning interest, an increase on what the Lord has already given you. We have been blessed to see and receive the Gospel, hidden from the world and only revealed to a precious few. The Work of the Lord is always to be done, so when the Lord returns, He finds us faithful, watching, and sober. Then we are rewarded handsomely with much more of Him. We do His business every day until He returns to us with the Promise or appears more in our walk as we mature in the grace of God.

Luk 19:13  So he called ten of his servants, delivered to them ten minas, and said to them, ‘Do business till I come.’ 

The Parable of the Minas imparts the same lesson as the parable of the talents. To those who have been given much and put it to work for the Kingdom, even more is given. Conversely, those who do not increase their faith and show good works while waiting for Christ to return, even what they do have, shall be taken from them. Do not lose your minas.

Luk 19:26  For I say unto you, That unto every one which hath shall be given; and from him that hath not, even that he hath shall be taken away from him. 

When the Gospel that is the Living Commandments comes to us, it does not come to bring peace but a sword. Our following Christ is our following the Commandments, and when we do this, division and separation from all carnal interests, people, and pursuits is the result. The baptism of Christ, the coming of the Promise to us for salvation, requires this division.

Luk 12:49  I am come to send fire on the earth; and what will I, if it be already kindled? 

Luk 12:50  But I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how am I straitened till it be accomplished! 

Luk 12:51  Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division: 

Following the commandments [Christ], the old life is lost, and we lose relationships with the world we once valued. But the glory is far greater to know Christ and become one with Him in our obedience and stance for the commandments. It is a blessing to be set apart and divided from the carnal world around us. Do not miss the Lord’s coming.

Luk 9:25  For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away? 

Luk 9:26  For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father’s, and of the holy angels. 

The Book of Daniel has an excellent story of obedience and faith. The story of the three Jews who stood for Christ’s commandments and against the commandments of Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, is an excellent affirmation of how faith in action works. When we obey, the Lord is glorified in us; we are not harmed but are blessed. These three refused to obey the command to bow before the image of the man-made false god. They were made ready and willing to take the fire and persecution and being killed [hated] by the carnal inhabitants of Babylon. They stood their ground with the Lord, and the Lord used their obedience to bless them and promote them. [See Daniel 3 for the whole story].

Those of God do not bow to the flesh, and the image of gods and men set up in their carnality. We only worship the Lord, meaning the commandments, by obeying them. Shadrach and the others’ answer is the faithful one: choosing to obey God rather than please men. Obeying God quickly brings fire and persecution into our lives. These trials are the furnace of affliction by which the Lord saves us from sin. Standing and obeying the commandments and being tried and tempted to disobey is the lake of fire experience that saves all men in the appointed time.

Dan 3:16  Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter. 

Dan 3:17  If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. 

Dan 3:18  But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up. 

We only fear God and not men or what men can do to us. These Jews were faithful to the Lord and forsook all to follow the Lord. The resulting fire kills the mighty men, representing the strength of the flesh.

Dan 3:20  And he commanded the most mighty men that were in his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, and to cast them into the burning fiery furnace. 

Dan 3:21  Then these men were bound in their coats, their hosen, and their hats, and their other garments, and were cast into the midst of the burning fiery furnace. 

Dan 3:23  And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, fell down bound into the midst of the burning fiery furnace. 

Dan 3:24  Then Nebuchadnezzar the king was astonished, and rose up in haste, and spake, and said unto his counsellors, Did not we cast three men bound into the midst of the fire? They answered and said unto the king, True, O king. 

Dan 3:25  He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God. 

The fire did not harm the three, and their witness for the Lord was powerful in convincing Nebuchadnezzar of the Lord’s might. The Lord is with us in the fire when we obey Him, and some see Christ appearing more and more in our lives. While the flesh around us dies, the new man in us is not harmed by this fire and is strengthened and promoted as we obey.

We live by every Word, so we all first agree to work for the Lord, but then decide not to go. The good news is that we have another opportunity, as the Lord is long-suffering and patient with us, to work in His Kingdom.

Mat 21:28  But what think ye? A certain man had two sons; and he came to the first, and said, Son, go work to day in my vineyard. 

Mat 21:29  He answered and said, I will not: but afterward he repented, and went. 

Mat 21:30  And he came to the second, and said likewise. And he answered and said, I go, sir: and went not. 

Mat 21:31  Whether of them twain did the will of his father? They say unto him, The first. Jesus saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you. 

The fire of obedience is much hotter when we are in the midst of those without the faith who are naturally at enmity with Christ [the commandments] and His Christ. The story of Peter and all the disciples’ denials is our story as we are overconfident, untested, and at first merely warming ourselves by the fire.

Luk 22:31  And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: 

Luk 22:32  But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren. 

Luk 22:33  And he said unto him, Lord, I am ready to go with thee, both into prison, and to death. 

Luk 22:34  And he said, I tell thee, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, before that thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me. 

Despite all his knowledge and time spent with the Lord, Peter remained weak and unable to stand in the fire. When his faith was tested three times, he failed and did not stand. Instead, he denied the Lord. Warming ourselves by the fire makes us lukewarm and unprepared to stand for Christ when the inevitable accusations and criticism from unbelievers come.

Luk 22:54  Then took they him, and led him, and brought him into the high priest’s house. And Peter followed afar off. 

Luk 22:55  And when they had kindled a fire in the midst of the hall, and were set down together, Peter sat down among them. 

Luk 22:56  But a certain maid beheld him as he sat by the fire, and earnestly looked upon him, and said, This man was also with him. 

Luk 22:57  And he denied him, saying, Woman, I know him not. 

Saying “we do not know the man” separates us from Christ, so we do not bear the enmity and persecution the world has regarding the Lord’s ways and commandments. While pursuing peace with all men is a commandment, we do not seek peace with the world by denying the Lord. We seek the Lord’s peace, which is standing in the commandments, knowing and expecting fiery trials and rejection of the world is guaranteed.

All deny Christ way more than three times on the road to maturity as God uses these trials of faith, the many failures, and the successes to teach and perfect us in the appointed times. The unconverted Peter, absent from the flock, could not stand in the fire when the trial came.

Luk 22:58  And after a little while another saw him, and said, Thou art also of them. And Peter said, Man, I am not. 

Luk 22:59  And about the space of one hour after another confidently affirmed, saying, Of a truth this fellow also was with him: for he is a Galilaean. 

Luk 22:60  And Peter said, Man, I know not what thou sayest. And immediately, while he yet spake, the cock crew. 

Luk 22:61  And the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. 

Standing for Christ and exercising our spiritual senses requires practice. What sets those marked of God for salvation apart is that when we fail, we confess our sins, get right back up, and move forward, Lord willing, learning the lesson and being ready for the next time.

Pro 24:16  For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief. 

We grow into the grace of the Lord and, in time, can eat the strong meat, meaning we have enough maturity to take the persecution and rejection of those the Lord has blinded to the Gospel. The world’s rejection of our stance for Christ becomes our food, making us even stronger. We have to start somewhere by standing for Christ.

Heb 5:14  But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. 

What seem like giants in the land at first, we overcome in Christ as we stand for the commandments. Those giants and the people we once feared rejecting or criticizing us become bread that now grows our faith. Fear not, says the Lord, I am with you.

Num 14:9  Only rebel not ye against the LORD, neither fear ye the people of the land; for they are bread for us: their defence is departed from them, and the LORD is with us: fear them not. 

We encourage everyone, ourselves included, to be strong in the Lord. Put to work every talent and gift He has given you.   Engage, fight for the Lord, and embrace the costs and rejection of the carnal world. The sooner one is given to do this, the sooner the Lord shall come with the Promise.

The diligent work in the kingdom and rule over their sin. The slothful remain under tribute, meaning bondage to them.

Pro 12:24  The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the slothful shall be under tribute. 

Final Exhortations

Strive to actively participate in our weekly gatherings and bring gifts when and where you are able. Read and think about the studies ahead of time, looking for potential additions, questions, or contributions. Despise not the day of small beginnings. Everyone has to start somewhere, but starting is key. If one lacks zeal, we are asking the Lord to bring it. If we struggle with sin, know you are in very good company, as Christ came to save sinners of whom we are all chief.  Christ eats with sinners, not with the self-righteous, who need no physician. Take captive contrary carnal thoughts.

The light of Christ is shining on all of us who have heard this Gospel.  Our sins are now being revealed, and fiery trials are coming to teach us how to overcome them. Do not be ashamed of this Gospel and seek to actively dwell with your brethren who are the fire and those who have the Gospel.

Seek to become zealous for the Lord and His House. Our zeal is infectious and is used by the Lord to provoke others to become zealous for love and good works.

Heb 10:24  And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: 


Rom 12:10  Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another; 

Rom 12:11  Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; 

The Gospel has been preached, the Lord is near, standing at the door. Open unto Him and work diligently to build and grow His Kingdom.

With Love and encouragement to the scattered saints.

Letters

The Promises of Jesus Christ

The Many Blessings of the Lord

Rohnel, and my beloved husband, Peter, servants of Jesus Christ, separated unto the Gospel of God, to the strangers throughout the world, Grace unto you, and Peace, be multiplied. Speaking to the Church of God to comfort, edify, and exhort you and ourselves in these latter days, the Day of the Lord.

1Th 4:13  But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. 

1Th 4:14  For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. 

1Th 4:15  For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. 

1Th 4:16  For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 

1Th 4:17  Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 

1Th 4:18  Wherefore comfort one another with these words. 

Keep My Commandments

Before we read this letter, let us be reminded to know, remember, and do the Commandments of Christ Jesus, the Power of God.

Deu 5:29  O that there were such an heart in them, that they would fear me, and keep all my commandments always, that it might be well with them, and with their children for ever! 

Mat 19:17  And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments. 

The Faith of Christ, that is to say, the true Gospel of Christ, is what we are standing upon in these latter days. Little by little, every earthly and heavenly thing we have trusted in is being taken away. Chastening Grace, in proportion to our Faith, is how salvation comes to us and how every man is being made anew in the likeness of Christ. The purpose of our many tribulations in the Lord’s plan is to ensure that the only thing we trust in is the unshakable Faith of Christ, laying our lives down, keeping His Commandments. The Commandments of Christ is His Spirit, which gives Life [John 6:63]. Therefore, we strive to keep and obey them.

Eph 2:8  For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 

Eph 2:9  Not of works, lest any man should boast. 

Eph 2:10  For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. 


Heb 12:27  And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain. 

Heb 12:28  Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:

Heb 12:29  For our God is a consuming fire. 

The Promises of God

This road less travelled and journey in the Lord’s hand is difficult, and much suffering and affliction is part of this process, as the Lord is making us over. Taking heed of Christ’s many promises strengthens and helps us endure our trials, keeping our eyes focused on the hope to come to all who believe in Him, now and in the ages to come. Abide in Hope that Christ will come to make His abode in us, and to those already obtaining the Comforter, hope that He will appear more and more to us as we walk out our journeys in clay vessels.

Php 3:13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead

Php 3:14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.


Rom 5:1  Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: 

Rom 5:2  By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 

Rom 5:3  And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; 

Rom 5:4  And patience, experience; and experience, hope:

Rom 5:5  And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. 

All the Promises of God are yeah and yeah in God, and come to pass in the times appointed beforehand for every man, as we live out every Word that proceeds out of the mouth of God. The character of God is unchangeable, and our faithful Creator cannot lie. As the true Israel of God, those who are receiving the true circumcision of their hearts, we are being strengthened, knowing the One who began a good work in us will complete it on His declared schedule. We now have a better Covenant with better Promises. Judah and Jerusalem are symbolic of the true Israel of God.

Tit 1:2  In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began; 

Deu 10:16  Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart, and be no more stiffnecked. 

Jer 4:4  Circumcise yourselves to the LORD, and take away the foreskins of your heart, ye men of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem: lest my fury come forth like fire, and burn that none can quench it, because of the evil of your doings. 

Psa 89:34 My covenant will I not break, nor alter the thing that is gone out of my lips.

Heb 8:6  But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises. 

Our faith in all of Christ’s Promises gives us the necessary Hope that is saving us in our latter days, which are now on the House of God because the Gospel has been preached, and the end IS COME for our natural, carnal man [Matt 24:14]. This is the acceptable year of the Lord, hearing and keeping His Commandments.

Rom 8:24 For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?

Rom 8:25 But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.


2Co 7:1  Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. 


Luk 4:18  The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,

Luk 4:19  To preach the acceptable year of the Lord. 

Promise of God, our Sins are Forgiven

In our Day of the Lord, “everything else” but the Faith of Christ is being removed and is being burned up in the Lord’s fire, a fiery process to the end. In the Day of the Lord, the Faith of Christ heals us, and our sins are forgiven. We can see clearly now, and our Faith in the Gospel, which is the Commandments of Christ, saves us. This is a precious Promise few can receive. The carnal man cannot receive the things of the Spirit. Below are examples of our sins being forgiven because we believe in Christ, that is to say, we receive our sight.

Mar 2:4  And when they could not come nigh unto him for the press, they uncovered the roof where he was: and when they had broken it up, they let down the bed wherein the sick of the palsy lay. 

Mar 2:5  When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee. 


Luk 18:41  Saying, What wilt thou that I shall do unto thee? And he said, Lord, that I may receive my sight. 

Luk 18:42  And Jesus said unto him, Receive thy sight: thy faith hath saved thee. 

Luk 18:43  And immediately he received his sight, and followed him, glorifying God: and all the people, when they saw it, gave praise unto God. 


Rom 3:21  But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; 

Rom 3:22  Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: 

Rom 3:23  For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; 

Rom 3:24  Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: 

Rom 3:25  Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; 

Rom 3:26  To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. 

We keep on moving towards the prize of being completed in Christ. The rewards are certain when and if we endure. Sin has no dominion over us anymore in this Day of the Lord. The Lord is redeeming us from our carnal mindsets, which are the lies and the idols of our hearts, the work of our hands, within.

2Co 4:18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.


Rom 6:7  For he that is dead is freed from sin. 

Rom 6:8  Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him: 

Rom 6:9  Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him. 

Rom 6:10  For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God. 

Rom 6:11  Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. 

We are promised freedom or liberty in Christ. We are being freed from the law of carnal reasoning, the law of the Gentiles, but also being freed from the power sin has over us. To sin means to have carnal thoughts, but the Commandments of Christ make us free from the law of sin and death [carnal reasoning]. Sin is the man of lawlessness, sitting on God’s throne in our hearts and in our minds.

Joh 8:36 Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.


Rom 2:14  For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves: 

Rom 2:15  Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;) 

Rom 2:16  In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel. 


2Co 3:17 Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.

Gal 5:13 For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.

The Lord works all things, even our sins, for His purposes [Isa 63:17, Isa 64:8, Jer 2:19, Jer 10:23, Eph 1:11, Rom 9:19-20, Phi 2:13]. We do not turn this truth into a license to sin, but remembering the Lord does it all, we work out our salvation with fear and trembling. We believe the Gospel, doing all we can to stand in this Day of Judgment.

Php 2:12  Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. 

Php 2:13  For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. 


1Jn 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Heb 8:12 For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.

We are promised strength to overcome sin and the world [within and without]. The world within are our carnal minds. The Power unto salvation is not our own power; it is the Power of God given to us by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. If we belong to Him and have Christ’s Spirit, we are His sons and have this Power dwelling within us to overcome and be His witnesses to the ends of the earth.

Act 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

Isa 13:3  I have commanded my sanctified ones, I have also called my mighty ones for mine anger, even them that rejoice in my highness. 

Gal 5:16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.


Gal 4:6  And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. 

Gal 4:7  Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.

Promise of God, Eternal Life

We are promised aionios [eternal] life now in down payment in these vessels of clay. This is attaining a spirit-filled and godly life now in this age, if the Lord has ordained it to be so. Not many are saved in every age, but all of humanity will be saved in the coming age because many are called, few are chosen, and even fewer still are faithful to the end, in this age. Eternal life is to know the Father and the Son [John 17:3].

1Jn 2:25 And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life.

Joh 10:10 I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.

Joh 4:14 But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.

Numerous other Promises of God, our Father, through Christ, are derived from the pivotal promise of eternal life. Our Faith in the Lord and these Promises are essential to stand firm in the Day of the Lord and to endure the many afflictions and temptations that befall us in this Day.

Eph 6:14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth [Thy Word, Thy Promises are Truth], and having on the breastplate of righteousness;


Heb 3:5  And Moses verily was faithful in all his house, as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken after; 

Heb 3:6  But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end. 

The Promise of aionios life is our guaranteed inheritance that is incorruptible, waiting in the heavens for us. It is our reward when the Comforter comes to us. The Lord comes little by little, appearing to us more and more in this Day of the Lord. We are glorified in Him and see Him face to face. Eternal life, inheritance, and reward are intertwined; that is to say, these words mean the same thing.

Col 3:23  And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; 

Col 3:24  Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. 


Eph 1:12  That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. 

Eph 1:13  In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, 

Eph 1:14  Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory. 


Rom 8:18  For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. 

Rom 8:19  For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. 

For some of us, Christ and the Father IS COME and is now dwelling in our hearts and minds. For now, we have a down payment, an earnest deposit, of the Spirit of God. Yet in due time, as His work is being completed and we shed these earthen vessels, we will receive a full reward, having the mind of Christ, in fullness, Lord willing. It is a pivotal Promise that helps us endure to the end of our lives. Having Them live in us is eternal life. We are being established in the Promised Land. David is a symbol for God’s elect.

Eze 37:25  And they shall dwell in the land that I have given unto Jacob my servant, wherein your fathers have dwelt; and they shall dwell therein, even they, and their children, and their children’s children for ever: and my servant David shall be their prince for ever. 

Psa 65:4  Blessed is the man whom thou choosest, and causest to approach unto thee, that he may dwell in thy courts: we shall be satisfied with the goodness of thy house, even of thy holy temple. 

Rev 21:3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle 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.

Promise of God, Salvation

We are promised salvation. In the Day of the Lord, we are walking by Faith, the substance of what our carnally minded senses cannot see, and which is also foolishness to the world and its way of thinking. God has chosen the foolish things to confound the things that are mighty. Salvation [The Father and Christ] IS come to us, and now we are learning and continuing to progress by taking all contrary thoughts captive to the obedience of Christ, by keeping His Commandments.

1Co 1:27  But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; 


2Ti 2:25  In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; 

2Ti 2:26  And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will. 


Eph 6:12  For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 

Suffering and tribulations are for our benefit, and we rejoice and give thanks to the Lord. With these sacrifices, the Lord is well pleased. The Lord Himself comforts us, and our tears make place for gladness, joy forever more because of the many blessings of His Presence.

2Co 4:15 For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God.

2Co 4:17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;


Isa 51:3  For the LORD shall comfort Zion: he will comfort all her waste places; and he will make her wilderness like Eden, and her desert like the garden of the LORD; joy and gladness shall be found therein, thanksgiving, and the voice of melody. 

Psa 51:11  Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me. 

Promise of God, Peace

We are promised peace, this is not the same peace the world defines, as Christ coming to us turns everything upside down. When the Prince of Peace comes to live in us, we have a peace that surpasses all understanding. Peace, because we have been delivered from our enemies within. The Lord makes a full and swift end with His enemies within. Please refer to the study “The Wonderful and Dreadful Day of the Lord” on the truthinscripture.com website. This study describes in great detail how the Lord deals with His enemies through the fire of His jealousy for Zion, His people.

Isa 26:3 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.

Joh 14:27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

Joh 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

Php 4:7  And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. 

Isa 66:14  And when ye see this, your heart shall rejoice, and your bones shall flourish like an herb: and the hand of the LORD shall be known toward his servants, and his indignation toward his enemies. 

Promise of God, Rest

We are promised to enter into His rest, which is closely linked to abiding in peace. With the living commandments now growing in us, the fowls of heaven, all of our carnal thoughts, and the father of sin come to rest in the branches of the Tree of Life that is Christ in us, the hope of glory. We are finally able to quit kicking against the pricks and contending with what the Lord is working in our lives. Christ is the Head of His Church, and we are mere clay in His awesome hands. Settling on these truths brings a rest [a cessation] of our carnal works to save ourselves. Keeping His Commandments is how we enter into His rest. This is the true Sabbath of the Lord. The Lord causes us to enter into His rest; boasting is excluded.

Mat 11:28 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.


Heb 4:10 For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his.

Heb 4:11 Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.


Eph 2:8  For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 

Eph 2:9  Not of works, lest any man should boast. 

Eph 2:10  For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. 

Promise of God, Fruit

Having patience and suffering long is part of the lessons we are learning, which produces the fruit of the Spirit. The Lord’s delays are not His denials and are a test of faith. Christ cannot and will not be unfaithful to His or His Father’s promises. Christ is the One comforting us, His Spirit is called the Comforter, which the Father sends us in our Day of Visitation.

Joh 15:26  But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me: 

Joh 15:27  And ye also shall bear witness, because ye have been with me from the beginning. 


2Ti 2:13 If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself.


Jas 1:2  My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; 

Jas 1:3  Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. 

Mercy of the Lord triumphs over judgment, and in due time, peaceable fruit of righteousness shoots forth. In due time, we become the Tree of Life.

Isa 27:6  He shall cause them that come of Jacob to take root: Israel shall blossom and bud, and fill the face of the world with fruit. 

Jer 17:8  For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit. 

Mat 13:23  But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. 

Promise of God, Comfort

Our sins are forgiven, our enemies are being defeated. The Lord’s anger is turned away, and we are in peace and rest. Knowing this comforts us greatly when the trials and temptations come. We are comforted by the Lord’s great mercy towards us.

Isa 40:1  Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God. 

Isa 40:2  Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned: for she hath received of the LORD’S hand double for all her sins. 


Isa 51:12  I, even I, am he that comforteth you: who art thou, that thou shouldest be afraid of a man that shall die, and of the son of man which shall be made as grass; 

Mic 7:18  Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in mercy. 

When we seek Christ, He promises to help. He is always there in times of trouble and provides what we need to endure and to be strengthened. He is always with us, and when we turn our faces to the Lord, He is there to minister and comfort us. God, our Father, is the God of all comfort. Father and Son live in us. They make known to us the way of Life, which is to keep Their Commandments. We are not in want; we know the Way to go.

Mat 7:7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:

Psa 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble.

Pro 15:24  The way of life is above to the wise, that he may depart from hell beneath. 


2Co 1:3  Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; 

2Co 1:4  Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. 

Promise of God, Ask and Receive

Having the Faith of Christ, laying our lives down for our brethren, keeping Christ’s Commandments, we have boldness to enter unto His throne of Grace. If we ask, and we do not ask amiss, consistent with the Lord’s will [our sanctification], we are promised it is done. We ask for the Holy Spirit to come, and we ask more of His Grace as we proceed in this Day of the Lord. We believe and receive.

Mar 11:23 For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.

1Jn 4:17  Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world. 


Heb 10:19  Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, 

Heb 10:20  By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; 


Rev 22:20  He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. 

We are in this world and have many needs to survive and live in the flesh, but more important we trust our faithful Creator to save us from such a great spiritual death. We ask for spiritual riches in Him and are learning to be content in all circumstances by trusting in Him.

Php 4:19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

Mat 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

2Pe 1:3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:


Mat 6:25  Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? 

Mat 6:26  Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? 

Mat 6:27  Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature? 

Mat 6:28  And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: 

Mat 6:29  And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 

We pray as Christ taught us, whilst He was on earth, and do not pray for vain things. We believe and do not doubt, asking for wisdom from above. This is a precious Promise of God when we know that we are heard. The Lord does not hide from us anymore.

Joh 14:14 If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.

Mat 21:22 And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.


Jas 1:5  If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. 

Jas 1:6  But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. 

Jas 1:7  For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. 


1Pe 5:7  Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. 

Promise of God, He will not Forsake Us

Christ promises never to leave or forsake us. In spite of our struggles in this world and our fleshly weaknesses and doubts, we know that His anointing stays in us. We have been sealed with the Comforter, and nothing can separate us from the love of God and Christ. The Lord causes us to keep His Commandments.

Deu 31:6 Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the LORD your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.”

Psa 37:25 I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.


Rom 8:38  For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 

Rom 8:39  Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. 


Heb 13:5  Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. 

Promise of God, when He forsakes us a little while, it will not be Forever

When the Lord forsakes us for a little while because of our unfaithfulness, forgetting Him and His Commandments, feasting as we go, He comes back after an appointed spiritual seventy years. We are now being raised up to be spiritually minded and mind the things of the Lord. To be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life. We do not trust in the man of sin [lies within] ourselves in this Day of the Lord.

Psa 94:14 For the LORD will not cast off his people, neither will he forsake his inheritance.


Isa 54:7 For a small moment have I forsaken thee; but with great mercies will I gather thee.

Isa 54:8 In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment; but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee, saith the LORD thy Redeemer.


Joh 16:16  A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me, because I go to the Father. 

Christ never changes,  and does not fail for His Name’s sake. Being our faithful High Priest, He comes to us. It pleases the Lord to make us His people. He is coming and IS COME back for us. We see Him once again.

Deu 7:9 Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations

Heb 10:23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; for he is faithful that promised;

2Ti 2:13 If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.

1Sa 12:22 For the LORD will not forsake his people for his great name’s sake: because it hath pleased the LORD to make you his people.

Holding dear to Christ’s character, who changes not, sees us through the tough times necessary for salvation.

Psa 91:4 He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.

Mal 3:6  For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed. 

Isa 45:7  I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things. 

After a while, we live, and Christ turns our hearts back to Him. He is not angry forever. We are promised to find Him and live if we seek Him. We know His Name and that is His Commandments, which raise us up in our latter days. His faithfulness to His people remains steadfast.

Eze 37:5  Thus saith the Lord GOD unto these bones; Behold, I will cause breath to enter into you, and ye shall live: 

Mat 7:8 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

Psa 9:10 And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, LORD,


Psa 89:30 If his children forsake my law, and walk not in my judgments;

Psa 89:31 If they break my statutes, and keep not my commandments;

Psa 89:32 Then will I visit their transgression with the rod, and their iniquity with stripes.

Psa 89:33 Nevertheless my lovingkindness will I not utterly take from him, nor suffer my faithfulness to fail.

His mercy endures forever. Mercy means to open our eyes to see and our ears to hear Him. He is the God of great mercies.

Lam 3:31 For the Lord will not cast off for ever:

Lam 3:32 But though he cause grief, yet will he have compassion according to the multitude of his mercies.


Mat 11:4  Jesus answered and said unto them, Go and shew John again those things which ye do hear and see: 

Mat 11:5  The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them. 

Mat 11:6  And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me. 

Promise of God, not to lose Anybody

All given to aionios [eternal life], which is every man in his or her predetermined order, will be saved and is being saved. One is either saved in this age [the called, chosen, and faithful], or one will be saved in the age to come. Our progress or lack thereof at times should not have us doubting the Promises of God. The Lord finishes what He has started in us, and nobody or nothing is going to take us out of His hands. He does it all.

Deut 32:39  See now that I, even I, am he, and there is no god with me: I kill, and I make alive; I wound, and I heal: neither is there any that can deliver out of my hand. 

Joh 10:28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.

Joh 6:39  And this is the Father’s will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. 

We make our calling and election sure, as we are commanded to do, as if it depends on us. There is no free will; we are clay in the Potter’s hand. We work while it is Day after Christ’s example. This is a parable, that is to say, we obey and deal our Bread to the hungry, whilst we have Christ, who is the Light. We know that we are His people; nevertheless, we do all we can to stand in this Day of the Lord.

2Pe 1:3  According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: 

2Pe 1:4  Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. 

2Pe 1:5  And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; 

2Pe 1:6  And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; 

2Pe 1:7  And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. 

2Pe 1:8  For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.


Joh 5:17  But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work. 

Promise of God, our Teacher of Righteousness

Christ promises to teach us the way of righteousness. Learning righteousness is the same process as being saved from our sins [it is the salvation of our souls]. To do right, we are caused by the Lord to err [Isa 63:17], and by the subsequent chastening of His judgment, we are being taught the right way.

Psa 32:8 I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.

Heb 12:6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth [teaches], and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.

Isa 42:16 And I will bring the blind by a way that they knew not; I will lead them in paths that they have not known: I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight. These things will I do unto them, and not forsake them.


Isa 30:20  And though the Lord give you the bread of adversity, and the water of affliction, yet shall not thy teachers be removed into a corner any more, but thine eyes shall see thy teachers: 

Isa 30:21  And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left. 

Promise of God, that no harm will come to Us

We overcome day by day and are not being harmed by abiding in the Lake of Fire. Standing on the Promises of God and trusting them fully is how we endure in the Lake of Fire, that is to say, we endure in age-abiding judgment. We do not fear man or what they can do to us. Spiritually speaking, man is a lie. We do not fear lies; we have the Truth, which is the knowledge of Christ.

Isa 43:2 When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.


Luk 21:16  And ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends; and some of you shall they cause to be put to death. 

Luk 21:17  And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake. 

Luk 21:18  But there shall not an hair of your head perish. 

Luk 21:19  In your patience possess ye your souls.

Walking by the Faith of Christ requires us to be despised and hated by a carnal world [with and without] that has no faith. The resulting spiritual fires this brings in our lives bring forth gold tried in the fire. Christ appears in the fire with us; we see Him more and more as He appears in the fire.

Dan 3:25 He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.

Zec 13:9  And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people: and they shall say, The LORD is my God. 

Rev 3:18  I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. 

Our time in the “Lake of Fire” is the ordained process that brings about the death of our carnality; hence, it is also known as the second death [our first death being found dead in our sins and trespasses]. Experiencing the second death is the other side of the same coin as the blessed and holy First Resurrection. This is how we are being saved from ourselves and our enemies. Trusting in the promise of no harm shall come to us gives us much-needed encouragement when we stand on the Faith of Christ, which is His glorious Gospel.

Hos 13:14  I will ransom them from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death: O death, I will be thy plagues; O grave, I will be thy destruction: repentance shall be hid from mine eyes. 


Php 3:9  And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: 

Php 3:10  That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; 


Rev 2:11 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death.”

Promise of God, a Crown of Glory

The Hope of getting our crown of righteousness is to be a partaker of His Divine nature, which we obtainby  having the mind of Christ. Faith and overcoming is a gift of God.

Isa 28:5  In that day shall the LORD of hosts be for a crown of glory, and for a diadem of beauty, unto the residue of his people, 

Isa 28:6  And for a spirit of judgment to him that sitteth in judgment, and for strength to them that turn the battle to the gate. 


2Ti 4:7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

2Ti 4:8 Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.


2Pe 1:4  Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. 

Pe 5:4  And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away. 

A Crown and glory go hand in hand. Glory is when we overcome and are obedient in keeping His Commandments. Christ promised the anointing we have received will always be there. The anointing is the Commandments. We are sealed with the Holy Spirit of Promise.

Psa 139:7 Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?

Psa 139:8 If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.


1Jn 2:27  But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.

Christ promised us grace and glory. To obey God is the glory that all will see. The carnal mind [sin] is not ruling us anymore in this great Day of the Lord. The Commandments are the Glory of the Lord. Everything good befalls us in this great Day.

Psa 84:11 For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.

Isa 40:5  And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it. 

Rom 5:21  That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord. 

Rom 6:14  For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. 

Promise of God, partakers of the First Resurrection

We are promised to be children of the First and Blessed Resurrection, the biggest event and honour in any man’s life. Those so blessed have lost their old life and now have gained a new life in Christ. This takes place on the third day, which is the same as a thousand symbolic years [2Pe 3:8].

Rev 20:4  And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. 

Rev 20:6  Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years. 

As children of the resurrection, we reign and rule with Christ on twelve thrones. We are being made quickening spirits, ministering to those who obtain salvation. We are the seven angels of the seven churches in the Book of Revelation, and we sound the trumpets. These are spiritual words.

Mar 12:24  And Jesus answering said unto them, Do ye not therefore err, because ye know not the scriptures, neither the power of God? 

Mar 12:25  For when they shall rise from the dead, they neither marry, nor are given in marriage; but are as the angels which are in heaven. 


Mat 19:28  And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 

Rev 8:2  And I saw the seven angels which stood before God; and to them were given seven trumpets. 

Promise of God, we will Hunger and Thirst no More

The Lord promises we will never hunger or thirst again. He has given us a resting place and is also providing us with food and clothing. Our righteousness is our clothing, and the Commandments are the food our souls desire. Christ leads us to streams of Living Waters.

Psa 107:9  For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness. 

Luk 6:21  Blessed are ye that hunger now: for ye shall be filled. Blessed are ye that weep now: for ye shall laugh. 

Deu 6:25  And it shall be our righteousness, if we observe to do all these commandments before the LORD our God, as he hath commanded us. 


Isa 33:21  But there the glorious LORD will be unto us a place of broad rivers and streams; wherein shall go no galley with oars, neither shall gallant ship pass thereby. 

Isa 33:22  For the LORD is our judge, the LORD is our lawgiver, the LORD is our king; he will save us. 


Rev 22:17  And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely. 

Promise of God, He is making everything New

We wait for a new heaven and a new earth, that is to say, we are having a new mindset, and we are overcoming and have a new life. The scene of this world is passing away.

2Pe 3:13  Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. 


Isa 43:18  Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old. 

Isa 43:19  Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert. 


Rom 12:2  And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Conclusion

We have these many precious Promises of God in earthen vessels. Our merciful God knows that we need these. We believe these Promises of God; nothing in the world can compare to it. Blessed are we if we know them.

Deu 4:30 When thou art in tribulation, and all these things are come upon thee, even in the latter days, if thou turn to the LORD thy God, and shalt be obedient unto his voice;

Deu 4:31 (For the LORD thy God is a merciful God;) he will not forsake thee, neither destroy thee, nor forget the covenant of thy fathers which he sware unto them.


Deu 29:29  The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law. 

Mar 5:36  As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, he saith unto the ruler of the synagogue, Be not afraid, only believe. 

The admonition is not to forsake the Lord as long as we live. Keep My Commandments and live, says the Lord.

2Ch 15:2 The LORD is with you, while ye be with him; and if ye seek him, he will be found of you; but if ye forsake him, he will forsake you.

Jos 24:20 If ye forsake the LORD, and serve strange gods, then he will turn and do you hurt, and consume you, after that he hath done you good.


2Ti 2:12  If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us: 

2Ti 2:13  If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself. 

For those children waiting for the Promise of God, trust in Him and be assured that He has not and will not forget His own children and creation. Hold fast to Christ’s Promises. For those who received the Promise of the Holy Spirit, we wait for the Lord as He appears more and more and stand fast in this Grace.

Isa 49:15 Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee.

Isa 49:16 Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me.


Act 2:38  Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. 

Act 2:39  For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. 

The Lord will come, IS come, and will not tarry. Trust in the Lord and know the Lord is faithful to His children.

Act 2:27 Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.


Psa 16:9  Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope. 

Psa 16:10  For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. 

Psa 16:11  Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore. 

We are being saved by our Hope in the Promises of the Faithful One. We treasure this Hope in our hearts.

Act 26:6  And now I stand and am judged for the hope of the promise made of God unto our fathers: 

Act 26:7  Unto which promise our twelve tribes, instantly serving God day and night, hope to come. For which hope’s sake, king Agrippa, I am accused of the Jews. 

Act 26:8  Why should it be thought a thing incredible with you, that God should raise the dead? 


2Co 4:8 We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;

2Co 4:9 Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;

2Co 4:10 Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.

Keep the Lord’s Commandments and do not covet spiritual riches without Him. He is the fullness that fills all in all. Christ is the end of our faith and the fulfilment of the Law. We have everything we need to be saved in this present wicked age.

Heb 13:5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.


Eph 1:20  Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, 

Eph 1:21  Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: 

Eph 1:22  And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, 

Eph 1:23  Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all. 


Rom 10:4  For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth. 

Rom 15:13  Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost. 

Receive ye the Gospel, receive ye the Holy Spirit. Grace and Peace be unto you.