"We see, in many a land, the proudest dynasties and tyrannies still crushing, with their mountain weight, every free motion of the Consciences and hearts of men. We see, on the other hand, the truest heroism for the right and the greatest devotion to the Truth in hearts that God has touched. We have a work to do, as great as our forefathers and, perhaps, far greater. The enemies of Truth are more numerous and subtle than ever and the needs of the Church are greater than at any preceding time. If we are not debtors to the present, then men were never debtors to their age and their time. Brethren, we are debtors to the hour in which we live. Oh, that we might stamp it with Truth and that God might help us to impress upon its wings some proof that it has not flown by neglected and unheeded." -- C.H. Spurgeon . . . "If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." John 8:31, 32 . . . . .

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Friday, December 31, 2021

NUMBERS – From SINAI To The PROMISED LAND: Introduction and Chapters 1 & 2

Contributing commentaries by pastors Sonny Islas, Albert Lopez and James Fire

NUMBERS 1 & 2: “GOD Paints By Numbers” – by James Fire, Facebook video.

INTRODUCTION: We are now in the fourth book of the TORAH, as written by Moses, as inspired by the Holy Spirit.
In GENESIS we saw the beginning of all things, including the beginning of a relationship between ‘the father of the faithful’, Abraham and His GOD, the LORD GOD. This man and Sarah his wife grew into a family, and by the end of GENESIS, they grew into a nation.

In EXODUS that nation was redeemed from bondage in Egypt and was brought to Mount Sinai where the LORD GOD was revealed to them, as well as His Holy Law, the testimony of GOD confirmed regarding His plan for Israel and the plans for the Tabernacle that was then built.
In LEVITICUS we see that the nation that was redeemed, has been sanctified, and made a holy and special people to the LORD through priestly ministration and sacrifices. As a nation, as a priesthood Israel was consecrated unto the LORD to fulfill His glorious purposes: to be a beacon of truth and light to a world that didn’t know GOD (not much beyond the testimony of creation).

Now we are in the book of NUMBERS, and it’s called that because of the first four chapters, where Moses is busy about making a census of the twelve tribes of Israel.

Read more!

CROSSING The T’s STUDY in 1 TIMOTHY – Biblical Precepts and Principles for Pastoral ministry: CHAPTER TWO

INTRODUCTION
: Paul wrote a very affectionate, endearing, heart-felt epistle to the church at Philippi and we see very much the same heart here from Paul to his beloved son in the faith, Timothy.

I’ve had and have some spiritual sons in the faith myself; though they are not my blood, but rather by the blood of Jesus in redemption, as am I, this forms a bond that quite often supersedes familial bonds. And will outlast them.
The instructions we see here are not just from an apostle to a pastor, but a mentor to a disciple, and a father to a son: we see these relational views throughout this letter (as well as the second letter to Timothy) and evidences the true godly love that should be the trademark of all believers in Christ (JOHN 13:34-35).

So let’s continue into chapter two!
Read more!

Monday, December 27, 2021

LEVITICUS – A HOLY PEOPLE’s ACCESS to The HOLY GOD – Chapter TWENTYSEVEN

Contributing commentaries by pastors Sonny Islas, Albert Lopez and James Fire

Complete Study of Leviticus by pastor Chuck Smith 

LEVITICUS 27: “The LAW REVEALING The RIGHTEOUSNESS of GOD” – by James Fire, Facebook video not available.

INTRODUCTION: “The last verse of the foregoing chapter seemed to close up the statute book; yet this chapter is added as an appendix. Having given laws concerning instituted services, here he directs concerning vows and voluntary services, the freewill offerings of their mouth. Perhaps some devout serious people among them might be so affected with what Moses had delivered to them in the foregoing chapter as in a pang of zeal to consecrate themselves, or their children, or estates to him: this, because honestly meant, God would accept; but, because men are apt to repent of such vows, he leaves room for the redemption of what had been so consecrated, at a certain rate.” ~ Matthew Henry

Read more!

Wednesday, December 22, 2021

LEVITICUS – A HOLY PEOPLE’s ACCESS to The HOLY GOD – Chapter TWENTYSIX

Contributing commentaries by pastors Sonny Islas, Albert Lopez and James Fire

Complete Study of Leviticus by pastor Chuck Smith 

LEVITICUS 26: “The Way of Blessing and of Cursing” – by James Fire, Facebook video available here.

INTRODUCTION: GOD desires to bless people because He is a kind, gracious, generous LORD with a tender heart and limitless resources. Think of a billionaire Grampa who has lots of grand babies. That pales compared to GOD! Throughout the Old Testament, GOD held out His hand, graciously inviting His people to partake of His goodness and provisions, and all they had to do was obey Him. And therein lies the problem. They didn’t, so He couldn’t.

It came down to a matter of heart: the human heart is desperately wicked (JER 17:9), and even the Old Testament saints that were approved by GOD and seen as upright in heart, still had to offer up sacrifices for their sins. Someone had to pay the price for sin! And it was either GOD’s people or the animals they sacrificed!

The sin nature has to be dealt with! GOD would have to instill in people a new nature after His own godliness and that’s what Ezekiel prophesied in EZEK 36:26. It’s what our LORD spoke about in JOHN 3:3-5. A new nature, a spiritual rebirth. And even then, we New Testament saints have this wrestling match going on inside of us, the Spirit against our sinful flesh (GAL 5:17). We rejoice in knowing that one day, our sin nature will be extracted from out of our very being, and we will be completely holy without even the possibility of being corrupted by sin, or even tempted to sin.

Until that day, it’s a constant visitation to the cross, where we have to crucify flesh, die to self, and let Christ Who lives IN us, to live THROUGH us.

Read more!

Thursday, December 16, 2021

O HOLY NIGHT – A CHRISTMAS MESSAGE


~ by James Fire

The one thing that I love the most about the Christmas season are the traditional Christmas carols – and by these, I am NOT referring to Rudolf the Red Nose Reindeer or Frosty the Snowman or O Christmas tree.

I’m referring to those blessed ballads that speak of the new born King, the Messiah of Israel, the Savior of the world. He most likely wasn’t born on December the 25th – that was known throughout the ancient world as Saturnalia, a pagan festival of debauchery where Romans sated carnal lusts. He was in all probability born in the Spring or the Autumn season (and there are good arguments for both).

The idea of Christmas trees, mistletoe, holly, rituals and games as being non-Christian along with other pagan accoutrements and whether Christians should avoid any and all such associations would be the subject for another time.

Whenever it was that the birth of Christ took place, the blessed reality is that He was in fact born into this world: for all eternity, long before the creation of time, space and matter/energy, He sat at the right hand of the Father, and it was understood by the Three Members of the Godhead that man would fall from his right standing and would incur the judgment and subsequent wrath of GOD.

Unless GOD intervened, the entire race would be doomed.
It was agreed upon since before the foundation of the Earth that the Son would take up the mission of Atonement (REV 13:8), and it came to pass that He stood up from the right hand of the Father, He took a single step in the eternal halls of heaven and stepped out of eternity and into our time domain – and infused His Spirit with the procreative egg of a lowly peasant girl named Mary, of the house of David, from the tribe of Judah: the kingly line!

The rest is history as recorded in Holy Writ. And in the various Christmas Carols that everyone knows. It’s not surprising that these are rife with biblical doctrine as so many of them were penned by pastors and godly poets. Among them I have my favorites – and as you rightly surmise, O Holy Night is among them.
Would you accompany me for a while as I muse upon these lyrics and expound upon their Scriptural relevance?

Read more!

Tuesday, December 14, 2021

PONDERING THE PARABLES – Part Three

~ by James Fire

INTRODUCTION: The parables teach us many spiritually valuable lessons, but they all center around a central theme, that being “the kingdom of heaven”. Note that this isn’t just the realm of heaven, where GOD and His holy angels reside – along with the many departed saints, but the kingdom of heaven. The King of course is the LORD Jesus Christ, and there is an abundance of prophecies that talk about the coming kingdom (of GOD, or Heaven, or as its stated elsewhere (like ACTS 1:6) the kingdom of Israel.

What we covered last time in the primary parable that the LORD taught His disciples is the template by which all the other parables are interpreted (MARK 4:13). The idioms all stay the same: the seed is the Word of GOD; fowls or birds are agents of Satan (be they human or demonic). These idioms are also found in other Scripture, and consistently mean the same thing: leaven for example is always used in the negative sense (never the positive) of sin, or pride, or false doctrine.
Let’s get into the next parable then, which is very similar to the first.

Read more!

Thursday, December 9, 2021

LEVITICUS – A HOLY PEOPLE’s ACCESS to The HOLY GOD – Chapter TWENTYFIVE

Contributing commentaries by pastors Sonny Islas, Albert Lopez and James Fire

Complete Study of Leviticus by pastor Chuck Smith 

LEVITICUS 25: “The Lord of the Sabbath is our Jubilee” – by Albert Lopez, Facebook video not available

INTRODUCTION: The Lord spoke to Moses again and addressed the people on the Sanctity of the land that he had promised them. He also instructed them on the year of Jubilee. Sadly, in later years the nonobservance of this command led to Israel’s captivity, in which the land observed it’s Sabbaths without the presence of the people of the covenant. These laws ensured that God’s people set aside times to acknowledge that the bounty of the earth they share is a gift from the sovereign Creator!
Here we’ll be getting into the year of Jubilee, and what it represents. For Israel, it meant that all debts were cancelled, those in indentured servitude were let free, and it was a time for joy and celebration, every 50 years.
For us, it represents the freedom we have in Christ, for all of our debts were paid at the Cross, and we now have liberty in Christ, no longer under the Law that would condemn us, but granted the Spirit of GOD as dear children, so that by our liberty we are enabled to love and serve the LORD, rather than ourselves!

Read more!

Friday, December 3, 2021

LEVITICUS – A HOLY PEOPLE’s ACCESS to The HOLY GOD – Chapter TWENTYTHREE & TWENTYFOUR

Contributing commentaries by pastors Sonny Islas, Albert Lopez and James Fire

Complete Study of Leviticus by pastor Chuck Smith 

LEVITICUS 23 & 24: “Celebrating the Goodness of GOD” – by Sonny Islas, Watch the video on the SHINE BRIGHT Youtube page

INTRODUCTION: There are seven annual feasts that the LORD commanded Israel to keep; these were joyful festivals held in connection of celebrating GOD’s goodness towards them. It is a JOY to know GOD! We will recognize that these feasts all point to our LORD Jesus Christ.

Read more!

Thursday, December 2, 2021

CROSSING The T’s STUDY in 1 TIMOTHY – Biblical Precepts and Principles for Pastoral ministry: CHAPTER ONE – PART One & Two

By James Fire

INTRODUCTION: We are now venturing into what have been called the pastoral epistles (both Timothy and Titus were pastors, and Paul the apostle, their mentor). In the rank and file of the Christian hierarchy of leader/servants* that’s listed in Scripture there are apostles, then prophets, then pastors and, or teachers, and evangelists. Therefore Paul the apostle is entirely qualified to mentor these pastors.

* Regarding the position or relationship to the LORD as children of GOD we saints are all on equal footing, with none higher or lower than any other (MATT 23:8; GAL 3:26-29).

For those who are pastors today, we have The Apostle (the One sent from the Father), the LORD Jesus Christ Who mentors us; we also receive counsel from elder pastors who are senior – that is to say, those who’ve been pastoring longer than the less experienced ones.
There is a tendency for some to overlook these specific pastoral epistles because they say, “I’m not a pastor”. Yet let’s not forget that "all Scripture" is profitable (2 TIM 3:16), and that profitability is not exclusive to any single ministry. Where the specifics of pastoral duties are addressed in Scripture, certainly those are applicable to pastors.
Let’s keep this in mind as we begin these studies.
Read more!

Friday, November 19, 2021

PONDERING THE PARABLES – Part Two

~ by James Fire

INTRODUCTION: The parables teach us many spiritually valuable lessons, but they all center around a central theme, that being “the kingdom of heaven”. Note that this isn’t just the realm of heaven, where GOD and His holy angels reside – along with the many departed saints, but the kingdom of heaven. The King of course is the LORD Jesus Christ, and there is an abundance of prophecies that talk about the coming kingdom (of GOD, or Heaven, or as its stated elsewhere (like ACTS 1:6) the kingdom of Israel.
Collectively this is addressing the Millennial period, but also that time during the LORD’s earthly ministry. This is why the LORD Jesus stated,

MATTHEW 3:2
And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. (See also MATT 4:17) because the King Himself had arrived – and declared Himself as such during His triumphant entry into Jerusalem
:

MATTHEW 21:4-9
4 All this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying: 5 "Tell the daughter of Zion, 'Behold, your King is coming to you, Lowly, and sitting on a donkey, A colt, the foal of a donkey.'" 6 So the disciples went and did as Jesus commanded them. 7 They brought the donkey and the colt, laid their clothes on them, and set Him on them. 8 And a very great multitude spread their clothes on the road; others cut down branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9 Then the multitudes who went before and those who followed cried out, saying: "Hosanna to the Son of David
[a Messianic title]! 'Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD!' Hosanna in the highest!

Even in His sermon on the mount, the LORD spoke about “the kingdom of heaven” repletely! So these parables are applicable from the day that the King began His ministry, throughout the church age, as well as the Millennial Reign of the Messiah. You will also note that in the Gospel of Matthew – which portrays the LORD Jesus as the King of Israel (just as the other Gospel accounts portray their own aspects of our LORD), the term “kingdom of heaven” is used.

What’s interesting to note is the Greek word for “of” can also mean “from” which puts a different perspective on this phrase: the kingdom from heaven. I think of DANIEL 2:34 when that “stone” arrives to destroy the polymetallic statue, that stone being Christ, the King coming from heaven!

In these kingdom parables we read all sorts of things regarding the devil, the children of the devil, fowls of the air (representing agents of evil) and other things that one wouldn’t ever associate with heaven! Because these parables are dealing with the kingdom from heaven – come to earth, but with the evil influences of Satan (not bound until the Millennium) still active – even growing in power!

With all that said, let’s begin our examination of the foundational parable, the parable of the Sower of the seed!

Read more!

Tuesday, November 2, 2021

PONDERING THE PARABLES – Introduction and Part One

~ By James Fire

INTRODUCTION: What does it mean to ‘ponder’? Think of ponder as reflecting on weighty thoughts. It’s from the Latin word ponderare which literally meant ‘to weigh’.
We will be reflecting the various parables of the Bible – which, as we will see, are not only contained in the teachings of the LORD Jesus but are found elsewhere in Scripture.
Parables are methods of speech utilized in the conveying of information by use of illustrations; there are various figures of speech in the Bible and linguistic vehicles used to convey truth.

What is the purpose of figures of speech in the Bible? 

To give special emphasis, to call attention to the point, to add force or power to an expression. Which sentence is more memorable? “A burglar snuck into my house.” OR “A burglar slipped into my house like a cat stalking prey.”

Why are figures of speech in the Bible?
Figures of speech are universal to human communication. Every language, including the biblical languages, has them. God used figures of speech to call attention to a point in the scriptures. It’s important to understand figures of speech in the Bible in order to get the correct interpretation of Scripture.

Serious misinterpretations of Scripture come from:

Calling something figurative that is literal. For example, the 6 days of creation in GENESIS 1 are literal 24-hour periods. But many who want to believe creation couldn’t have happened that quickly say they are figurative.

Calling something literal that is figurative. For example, people ridicule the Bible because they think it states that GOD literally has wings:

PSALM 17:8
Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of thy wings
,

It is not honest biblical interpretation to call something figurative simply because you don’t understand it or don’t want to believe it.
The words in God’s Word are perfect. God has a reason for everything He says – where He says it; when He says it; to whom He says it; and how He says it. Figures of speech in the Bible are precise and exact, not haphazard.

How do we know when the words should be taken literally or figuratively?

Read more!

Monday, November 1, 2021

LEVITICUS – A HOLY PEOPLE’s ACCESS to The HOLY GOD – Chapter TWENTYONE & TWENTYTWO

Contributing commentaries by pastors Sonny Islas, Albert Lopez and James Fire

Complete Study of Leviticus by pastor Chuck Smith
 
LEVITICUS 21 & 22: “The Holiness of the High Priest and priests of Levi” – by James Fire

INTRODUCTION: The people of Israel were to be holy unto the LORD, set apart and distinct from the pagan nations around them that committed trespasses, pollutions, and abominations even before their Creator. Israel was to be a witness to the nations, revealing the holiness of GOD through their own lives. In as much as the people of Israel were to be holy and set apart from the nations around them, the priests were to be sanctified above and beyond the people of Israel, and among the priests, the high priest sanctified even more so.

Today the church has been compromised just as Israel was during the time of her own apostasy; sin is winked at, holiness is sneered at, obedience is considered legalistic, and few there are that desire to walk in the Spirit: but those that do, these are the faithful remnant who stand apart from the world, as well as from the compromised church and we are a witness before all, testifying that GOD has 
not changed; not only is He holy but He demands holiness from all souls that He has made.

But the only holiness that’s acceptable to our GOD is that of the holy high priest after the order of Melchizedek, the LORD Jesus Christ, and so we have the righteousness of Christ imputed to us (ROMANS 4), His church – and this righteousness works out into our daily lives as a witness to all.

Read more!

Saturday, October 30, 2021

PILGRIMS! By Lambert Dolphin

This article by Lambert Dolphin is really a composite of several different articles (written by Lambert and also Ray Stedman, excepting others I have inserted) accessible by links throughout. This is an exciting subject as it deals with our eternal Home and the glories that await us there! The greatest of these, being the immediate and direct presence of our LORD and Savior, Jesus Christ Himself! The embodiment of what heaven is: Himself!

To read this article in it's original form, go to Lambert's website here.
So with no further delay, let's dig in to what Lambert has for us!


The Bible speaks of two Jerusalems, not merely one. As Abraham was promised a heavenly family, as numerous as the stars of the heavens, and also an earthly family, a numerous as the grains of sand on the seas shore, so the coming time of redemption will feature a restored earthly Jerusalem, capital city of the Planet Earth, capital city of Israel. But there is also a great space city, a magnificent gateway city to the rest of the universe, Jerusalem Above, the mother of us all. 
Are the two Jerusalems connected? Probably yes. The Temple in Jerusalem on earth may well prove to be the "gateway" for "travel" to and from the orbiting space city New Jerusalem.

Read more!

Tuesday, October 26, 2021

LEVITICUS – A HOLY PEOPLE’s ACCESS to The HOLY GOD – Chapter NINETEEN & TWENTY

Contributing commentaries by pastors Sonny Islas, Albert Lopez and James Fire

Complete Study of Leviticus by pastor Chuck Smith 

LEVITICUS 19 & 20: “THE CHURCH AND THE WORLD DON’T MIX” – by Sonny Islas; listen to the Youtube audio here.  

INTRODUCTION: The Book of Leviticus deals with the duties and responsibilities of the Priest but it also focuses on HOW God deals, connects and interacts with all of the Nation of Israel. Hence the Moral Laws (10 Commandments – and their detailed explanations), the Dietary Laws (What foods to eat – for their wellbeing), the Ceremonial Laws (Animal Sacrifices, cleansings, and Feasts) and the Judicial Laws (Which points to how to deal with crimes and criminals).
The main purpose of these loving laws was to make Israel stand out in a pagan world as God’s chosen people.

LEVITICUS 20:26 makes this clear
And you shall be holy to Me, for I the LORD am holy, and have separated you from the peoples, that you should be Mine.”

In the New Testament, regarding the Church of Jesus, it’s no different.

In MATTHEW 5:48 Jesus the LORD says,
Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.”

1 PETER 1:15-16 says,
but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, “Be holy, for I Am holy.”

The Jews were set apart then by the Old Testament scriptures, and the Church is set apart now by the Old Testament and New Testament scriptures (the whole counsel of GOD). Mainly Jesus’ teachings and their commentary – that is, New Testament epistles.

The problem with much of the Church today is that they think that being like the world is the best way to win the world, but the opposite is true. Israel failed to represent God time and time again because they too caved into the world’s evil ways.

The reality is this, the world (aka the Harlot) belongs to Satan and his wicked ways, and the Church (aka the Bride) belongs to God and His righteous ways – and there is a world of difference.
Read more!

Wednesday, October 20, 2021

LEVITICUS – A HOLY PEOPLE’s ACCESS to The HOLY GOD – Chapter SEVENTEEN & EIGHTEEN

Contributing commentaries by pastors Sonny Islas, Albert Lopez and James Fire
Complete Study of Leviticus by pastor Chuck Smith 

LEVITICUS 17 & 18: “Regarding the World’s Two Religions” – by James Fire, Facebook video

INTRODUCTION: John MacArthur did a phenomenal job, teaching about how there really aren’t countless numbers of religions in the world. There are really only two religions. The true religion as established by GOD upon the righteous sacrifice of Christ by grace, shedding His blood on the cross for our sins; that’s one. The other is the religion of self, that by our own deeds, and being ‘a good boy’ and following the rules, ‘God will accept me’. This second religion glories in the works of the flesh; the first religion glories in the Cross of our LORD Jesus Christ (GAL 6:13-14). Every religion in the world demands that we perform for our salvation; not biblical Christianity. Biblical Christianity saves by grace and then by the Spirit, empowers us to perform – not for salvation, but because of salvation!

Read more!

Monday, October 18, 2021

CROSSING The ‘T’s TTUF STUDY 1st THESSALONIANS Ch. Five & Conclusion

~ by James Fire

1st THESSALONIANS Chapter Five & Conclusion

INTRODUCTION: What is a King without a kingdom? What is a Captain without a ship’s crew? Conversely what would that kingdom or ship be like without their king or Captain? Both are needful and necessary.
The pastorate is not a one man show. The church is only a one man show if by that Man, you are referring to the LORD Jesus Christ. He is the head of the body, the LORD of the church, the blessed Bridegroom of the bride.
Thus with these GOD-ordained ministers, who lead and guide the church in accordance with the will of GOD as expressed through the Scriptures and directed through prayer have an authority as overseers, to lead by example (2 THESS 3:9), and the saints are to follow the pastors as these leaders follow Christ (1 COR 11:1).

In a day and age in which we live, where authority is not just questioned, but challenged and even denied, anarchy can infest the church with this ‘fever’ of society. What is needed, both from pastor as well as congregation, is humility. Humbleness to lead the flock and humbleness from the flock to follow.

Paul gets into all of this and more in this last section in closing out this 1st of 2nd epistles to the church of the Thessalonians!

Read more!

Thursday, October 7, 2021

LEVITICUS – A HOLY PEOPLE’s ACCESS to The HOLY GOD – Chapter 15 & 16: “Cleansing By Blood and Water – A Distinctive of Calvary”

Contributing commentaries by pastors Sonny Islas, Albert Lopez and James Fire

Complete Study of Leviticus by pastor Chuck Smith 

LEVITICUS 15 & 16: “Cleansing By Blood and Water – A Distinctive of Calvary” – by James Fire, Facebook video

INTRODUCTION: Where we are now in our study of LEVITICUS deals with cleansing and sanitation, customs, morals, etc., and the all-encompassing purity of life as a condition for divine favor. (LEV 12-20). We in the New Testament, because of Christ and His Spirit of grace, we have GOD’s favor already (we don’t have to work to earn GOD’s approval as they did under the Law), but in response to this grace, this ‘unmerited favor’, we love and serve the LORD, willingly surrendering our all to Him, which as it says in ROM 12:1, is our “reasonable service”.

We have yet to see the specifics about the purity of priests and offerings (LEV 21 & 22). 

Then the Five Annual Feasts will be examined in: LEV 23.
The Feast of the Passover is addressed (April 14), commemorating the Exodus (LEV 23:5). The Feast of Pentecost (June 6) commemorates the giving of the Law (LEV 23:15). 
The Feast of Trumpets (Shofars), aka Rosh Hashanah (October 1), commemorating the end of harvest time, also preparation time for the Day of Atonement or Yom Kipur; (which we will touch on briefly here; LEV 23:23-25). 
The Day of Atonement (Oct 10), the High priest enters the Holy of Holies to make atonement for the sins of the people (LEV 16 & 23:27-32). 
The Feast of Tabernacles (Oct 15), commemorating life in the wilderness, and thanksgiving for the harvest (LEV 23:39-43).
Then there are General Enactments and Instructions, which will be examined in the last three chapters: (LEV 25-27).
Read more!

Wednesday, October 6, 2021

LEVITICUS – Chapter THIRTEEN & FOURTEEN: “LEPROSY: A SEVERE SKIN & SIN PROBLEM”

Contributing commentaries by pastors Sonny Islas, Albert Lopez and James Fire
Complete Study of Leviticus by pastor Chuck Smith 

LEVITICUS 13 & 14: “LEPROSY: A SEVERE SKIN & SIN PROBLEM” – by Sonny Islas, Facebook video

INTRODUCTION: In order for us to understand and appreciate the Old Testament, especially books like Leviticus, we need to understand that God, that is, Yahweh was the King over this people group: Israel. This type of government is known as a Theocracy. Here’s a basic definition of a Theocracy: A Theocracy is a form of government in which a deity of some type (in this case it’s the One true God) is recognized as the supreme ruling authority, giving divine guidance to human intermediaries (in this case, Moses and the priests of Israel) that manage the day-to-day affairs of the government. – Wikipedia’s Definition

Another thing to keep in mind is that Leviticus means: The Duties of the Levites or Priestly Duties. One of their main duties was to upkeep the Tabernacle (the tent of meeting/worship), to pray and to perform animal sacrifices. But here in Leviticus 13 and 14 we find that they had the responsibility of examining bodies that may be infected with Leprosy or other severe skin conditions. They were in a sense – public health officers, like our modern CDC: Center for Disease Control (Only they didn’t have to deal with Dr. Fauci! … if you know what I mean).

It was their job to prevent an outbreak of leprosy in the camp – very much like it is a pastor’s job to not allow flagrant sin to spread in the church. And the main way in which the pastor does that is to pray against it, to preach against it and to carefully counsel those who are infected by it (to the point of being overcome by it).
Read more!

Wednesday, September 22, 2021

LEVITICUS – A HOLY PEOPLE’s ACCESS to The HOLY GOD – Chapter THIRTEEN & FOURTEEN

Contributing commentaries by pastors Sonny Islas, Albert Lopez and James Fire

Complete Study of Leviticus by pastor Chuck Smith 

LEVITICUS 13 & 14: “LEPROSY: A SEVERE SKIN & SIN PROBLEM” – by Sonny Islas, Facebook video

INTRODUCTION: In order for us to understand and appreciate the Old Testament, especially books like Leviticus, we need to understand that God, that is, Yahweh was the King over this people group: Israel. This type of government is known as a Theocracy. Here’s a basic definition of a Theocracy: A Theocracy is a form of government in which a deity of some type (in this case it’s the One true God) is recognized as the supreme ruling authority, giving divine guidance to human intermediaries (in this case, Moses and the priests of Israel) that manage the day-to-day affairs of the government. – Wikipedia’s Definition

Another thing to keep in mind is that Leviticus means: The Duties of the Levites or Priestly Duties. One of their main duties was to upkeep the Tabernacle (the tent of meeting/worship), to pray and to perform animal sacrifices. But here in Leviticus 13 and 14 we find that they had the responsibility of examining bodies that may be infected with Leprosy or other severe skin conditions. They were in a sense – public health officers, like our modern CDC: Center for Disease Control (Only they didn’t have to deal with Dr. Fauci! … if you know what I mean).

It was their job to prevent an outbreak of leprosy in the camp – very much like it is a pastor’s job to not allow flagrant sin to spread in the church. And the main way in which the pastor does that is to pray against it, to preach against it and to carefully counsel those who are infected by it (to the point of being overcome by it).

Read more!

Monday, September 20, 2021

AT TWILIGHT’s LAST GLEAMING – The Former Then The Greater Beacon of Hope

~ By James Fire

LOOKING AT THE TOUGH TRUTH

Patrick Henry (whose famous quotes are well known by American patriots, “Give me liberty or give me death” and “I regret that I have but one life to give for my country”) when addressing the President of Colonial America said the following regarding the seriously grave situation concerning the British forces that assailed the barefoot American soldiers,

For my part, whatever anguish of spirit it may cost, I am willing to know the whole truth, to know the worst, and to provide for it.” (For an article FROM The MIND of FIRE, that speaks about Patrick Henry and liberty, go here.) 

In other words, he was willing to look the facts squarely in the eye, no matter how painful or unpleasant they were. It could be the most reprehensible, offensive list of facts that we really don’t want to hear but need to hear!
This is what we need to do in this late, dark hour in our American history.

I’ve been listening to the teachings of the late pastor Chuck Smith of Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa (these were recorded back in 1979); I’m currently in the book of Jeremiah, who was known as ‘the weeping prophet’ – because it was his lot to witness the demise of his beloved nation of Israel.

He witnessed the destruction of Jerusalem, the abject ruin of its streets and venues; I can well imagine he looked down the street where he once lived and saw nothing but ashes and wreckage. He had warned and warned the king, the government, the nobles and all the people, but to no avail. He told the king countless numbers of times:
This is the judgment of GOD! Babylon is coming because we have refused to repent of our sin and turn to the LORD! Don’t resist Nebuchadnezzar’s armies, don’t fight! Submit to this and at least you will survive. But if you rise up and wage war, you’ll be fighting against the LORD GOD Himself and you’ll be destroyed!
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Friday, September 17, 2021

CROSSING The ‘T’s TTUF STUDY 1st THESSALONIANS Ch. Four Cont’d & Five

~ by James Fire

For another great teaching in 1 Thessalonians, check out pastor Pat Lazovich from Calvary Chapel Sierra Vista! 

1st THESSALONIANS Chapter Four Cont’d & Five

INTRODUCTION: We don’t see miracles every day; they are by definition uncommon. That is their nature. If they happened all the time they would be considered mundane, not miraculous!
Yet the Bible is full of miracles and every time they happen, people react with utter astonishment.

Miracles are of two sorts: the first sort is the suspension of the laws of physics, and the direct intervention of GOD Who performs an act that would be considered by modern day science as ‘impossible’. Enoch’s translation from this planet and into the domain of GOD is such an example. The raising of Lazarus from the dead is another. The LORD Jesus walking on water.
And there’s the other sort where GOD will sovereignly use natural law to accomplish His purposes, such as the Flood with rain falling (an unprecedented event at that time) and tectonic-pressured geysers issuing millions upon millions of tons of water that covered the Earth.

Rain falling from the skies was rather a weird notion in Noah’s day.
The weird notion of today is the rapture of the church: the catching away of both the living and the dead “in Christ” who will be instantaneously transported from this world and “caught up” to meet the LORD “in the air” and from there, on to our Father’s house where JESUS has prepared for us mansions (JOHN 14:2; that He has conceivably been working on for perhaps the entire 2,000 years since He left the Mount of Olives at the ascension?)!

It's truly a bizarre idea that this world looks upon with incredulity, even mockery and derision, and yet even in the realm of today’s science, quantum physicists have been able to teleport electrons from one point to the other without traversing the distance between them. Granted, those are mere electrons, teleported only a few inches apart, a tiny brick wall separating those two points; but conceptually, that would represent a kind of ‘rapture in miniature’.

And if GENESIS 1:1 is taken literally – that GOD created all things from absolutely nothing [the Hebrew word barah means exactly that] other than His spoken Word – then transporting people from one dimensional reality to another isn’t so far-fetched at all!
With a little use of some imagination we can even accept such a thing as theoretically possible, every time Captain Kirk asked Scotty to “beam me up!”.

We’ll be getting into this controversial subject of the rapture and related issues in this study!

Read more!

Thursday, September 16, 2021

LEVITICUS – A HOLY PEOPLE’s ACCESS to The HOLY GOD – Chapter ELEVEN & TWELVE

Contributing commentaries by pastors Sonny Islas, Albert Lopez and James Fire

Complete Study of Leviticus by pastor Chuck Smith
 
LEVITICUS 11 & 12: “DO’S AND DON’T’S TO BE KEPT CLEAN” – Albert Lopez, Facebook video not available for this teaching.

INTRODUCTION: Last time we were in Leviticus, during Pastor Sonny’s teaching, we heard about the “Jaw-Dropping Pleasure” God displayed and also about a Jaw-Dropping DISpleasure God displayed. Both, I am sure were Jaw dropping if you were there to see it all and even if you weren’t there, just reading about them and imagining it is.

We read in: 

LEVITICUS 10:10-11:
And to make a distinction between the holy and the profane, and between the unclean and the clean, 11 and so as to teach the sons of Israel all the statutes which the LORD has spoken to them through Moses.

This summed up what the purpose of the Lord was: giving his people the statutes and any instruction that came with it. We found out after the jaw dropping display of displeasure (in keeping in the theme of ‘eating’) the surviving sons of Aaron who were supposed to eat, were not really hungry; but Moses said that the Lord had commanded this.

We need to remember that God’s presence was with his people but in order for God’s presence to remain with them, any sin, in any form of disobedience or rebellion against what God had already ordained in certain, specific ways, needed to be covered and paid for.
Fortunately for them (the Israelites) the animals paid the price, not themselves. Fortunately for you and me, Christ paid for the sin as he is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, not we ourselves. With this, we move on to Leviticus 11 and 12 where the Lord’s instructions continue in a very clear and specific way. As we read, may we observe that we serve a God of order and not a God of confusion.
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Tuesday, September 7, 2021

IS AFGHANISTAN FOUND IN BIBLE PROPHECY? From LAMB & LION ministries with Nathan Jones

To view this article in its original form, click here.

Watching the news has been horrific lately, hasn't it? Afghanistan has fallen to the ultra-fundamentalist Taliban. Iran's Ayatollahs remain hellbent on developing a nuclear weapon to annihilate Israel. Islam's might continues to rapidly spread and threatens the entire world!

The Biden Administration's hasty withdrawal from Afghanistan has caused a mass exodus of people trying to flee the country after the Taliban retook the government, meeting almost no resistance. For a long 20 years now, the United States has been waging a war against terror, and in the process losing many American and allied lives in order to bring the Afghani people freedom from the Taliban and to make the West safer. But, now the Taliban are back in force, killing Christians and American allies along their meteoric rise to national power.

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Sunday, August 29, 2021

LEVITICUS – A HOLY PEOPLE’s ACCESS to The HOLY GOD – Chapter Nine & TEN

Contributing commentaries by pastors Sonny Islas, Albert Lopez and James Fire
Complete Study of Leviticus by pastor Chuck Smith 

LEVITICUS 9 & 10: “JAW-DROPPING DISPLAYS OF GOD’S PLEASURE AND DISPLEASURE” – by Sonny Islas, Facebook video.

INTRODUCTION: At this point in the Book of Leviticus, Aaron and his sons begin their service unto the LORD and His people. Everything was made ready for them, even them and now it’s NOT show time, but serve time!

Every true servant of God gets to a place “where the rubber meets the road.” In other words, “it’s time to put this car or these tires to the test!” For us, like Aaron and His sons, it’s when we finally put into practice all that we’ve learned from God’s Word.
For example, I’ve been teaching my son Blue how to drive lately and soon he will have to take all that he’s learned into traffic - where the level of his driving skills will be tested (Blue’s doing a good job by the way – I’m very proud of him).

Every time you come to church to hear God’s Word then exit this building, it’s then “where the rubber meets the road.” All that you learn gets put to the test (Obviously Here first then out there). How well did you receive God’s instructions and how well will you obey those instructions is the question? The Christian’s goal should be to learn and to know all that God has said, in order to believe it, love it, obey it, and share it.
In chapter 9 we’ll read about a jaw-dropping display of God’s pleasure and in chapter 10, we’ll read about a jaw-dropping display of God’s displeasure.

Read more!

Wednesday, August 25, 2021

CROSSING The ‘T’s TTUF STUDY 1st THESSALONIANS Ch. Four

~ by James Fire

For another great teaching in 1st Thessalonians (and 2nd later on), check out pastor Pat Lazovich from Calvary Chapel Sierra Vista!

1st THESSALONIANS Chapter Four
INTRODUCTION
: Until we see the LORD face to Face, we will always, this side of eternity, be incomplete regarding the fullness with which GOD intends to see us in Christ. There will always be room for improvement. To grow in Christ is to grow in holiness and in love – and this is not at all a burden, but a blessing. We always think of love as a blessing, but holiness?

Too often we get notions that holiness is restrictive, a lifestyle of deprivation. Certainly true holiness does restrict us from sin and deprives us of wickedness, transgression, and rebellion – but these, rather than holiness are truly the burden. Ask the drug addict strung out on dope and laying in the street whether or not he considers drugs to be a joy ride or not. Ask religious people whose lives are filled with “do’s” and “don’ts” in order to strive to achieve right standing with GOD, apart from the grace of GOD – and fail miserably: these are certainly burdens as well as the ‘free thinker’ who is too sophisticated for ‘organized religion’ and instead delves into New Age spirituality (what we used to call the occult) and suddenly finds themselves under the binding influence of demons!

It’s as we partake of Christ and all of His blessed attributes, that we grow in the blessedness that is Christ Himself. In that place, there is peace, contentment, rest, security, love, and joy as found nowhere else in this fallen world! This is the place where GOD is our refuge, our high tower, and our strength – where the evil of this world can’t affect us; where hatred can’t influence us, where fear has no hold on us; where afflictions can’t discourage us.
Being Christ-like means that nothing of this world compels us: only the Spirit of GOD and those things that compel Him (JOHN 8:29).

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Sunday, August 22, 2021

CONFUSED BY AN ANGEL: THE ROMA DOWNEY DILEMMA - By Dr. Greg Reid

The following is an unedited, unabridged article by Greg Reid of Youthfire! ministries (I have provided some additional links for the readers consideration. Note: some of these websites are directly from New Age/Spirituality and New Thought teachers who are not at all biblical Christians)! To view this article as originally published on Greg's site, go here.

Roma Downey first came into our lives and hearts as “Monica,” the angel in training in the successful television series, “Touched by an Angel”. A feel-good, moral and new-age tinged show, many people’s memory of Roma was her angel character saying, in an angelic Irish brogue, “God luvs ya!

Years passed. Suddenly, Roma Downey and her husband Mark Burnett lit up the media sky with their successful television miniseries, The Bible. Christians – especially those with fond memories of Monica – were thrilled at the presentation of the Bible by what seemed to be the newly evangelical team of Mark Burnett and Roma Downey, founder of Lightworks media production company. The church embraced them – no questions asked. (Note: Even the name of their production company, Lightworkers, is very telling. In the New Age, a “lightworker is “any being dedicated to the cultivation of inner presence and the elevation of awareness in self and other selves. This being is called a lightworker and is an evolutionary step toward a state of “Light Being.”)
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Friday, August 20, 2021

LEVITICUS – A HOLY PEOPLE’s ACCESS to The HOLY GOD – Chapter SEVEN & EIGHT

Contributing commentaries by pastors Sonny Islas, Albert Lopez and James Fire

Complete Study of Leviticus by pastor Chuck Smith 

LEVITICUS 7 AND 8: “ORDAINED UNTO THE LORD” – by Albert Lopez, Facebook video.

INTRODUCTIONWe finished chapter 6 and pastor James showed us that all these sacrifices we read about and continue to read about shows us and points us to our Lord and Savior Jesus; who himself was the perfect sacrifice to pay for all sin and be able not just to cover but to take away the sin of the world through his loving sacrifice.
We also learned that we ought to love one another with the same quality of love. With a Godly love that comes from Jesus. That is how people will know we are his disciples.

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GETTING APOLOGETIC on RELIGION: PART 2 of 2 - A ONCE LOST/TTUF Presentation

The following two part series was presented live at SHINE BRIGHT Church  by Kyle Peart of ONCE LOST ministries and me, James Fire (The TRUTH Under FIRE):

All cults, and false religions are identified by their view of Jesus Christ Himself. They will either take away or add to the person of Jesus. Jehovah’s Witnesses and Islam take away His Deity. Mormonism and Roman Catholicism add works as necessary for salvation, etc.

Three major religions in the world today are Mormonism aka The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints; Jehovah’s Witnesses and Roman Catholicism. We will cover these in PART 1; Kyle Peart will take PART 2 and cover other religions and spiritual movements such as Hinduism, Buddhism, New Age/Spirituality., etc.

This article is unusually long, but I've subdivided it into sections, each section treating one religion.

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Tuesday, August 10, 2021

GETTING APOLOGETIC on RELIGION: PART 1 of 2 - A ONCE LOST/TTUF Presentation

The following two part series was presented live at SHINE BRIGHT Church  by Kyle Peart of ONCE LOST ministries and me, James Fire (The TRUTH Under FIRE):

~ by Kyle Peart

We’ve got a lot of information to cram into the next hour so we’re going to jump right into this, but the first thing I want to start off saying is this:

We are not hear today to just compete among other worldviews; our goal is not to just bash these other beliefs and then crown ourselves as victors. No, that’s not our purpose or our heart on the matter. Although that’s often the accusation and to be quite frank, the persona often perceived from ‘instavangelists’ on social media, that is not our goal.

Our sole and main purpose today is to share the truth, which is objective, and I’ll highlight that a little later, but it’s to share the truth, which in turn captivates and directs our minds to the One Who is the truth, the One Creator, the One Redeemer of men’s souls, named Jesus Christ.

So for those that may have past experience in these beliefs, or are currently wrestling with these ideologies, know that we love you. That’s why it was Sonny’s intention to bring us together and search the Scriptures on these things because there are so many lies out there that are deceiving and leading people to destruction

And although that sounds unloving the way the world has defined love today, know that it’s no different than you giving your child a consequence for grabbing a knife: it’s solely based in educating them in what’s wrong, that’s our heart on the matter today.

We love you, and we want you to know there is a Living Hope which has been tried and tested through thousands of generations, and you can believe it here today, because that Hope is patient, and compassionate, and available to all willing to come today.

Now for the Christians in here, let me give you a gentle exhortation on what Christ calls us to when concerning these things. Because there is a thin line between leading a person to the truth and just trying to win a conversation. And believe me, this is something I am learning on a daily basis so I’m preaching to myself as well.

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Saturday, August 7, 2021

LEVITICUS – A HOLY PEOPLE’s ACCESS to The HOLY GOD – Chapter FIVE & SIX

Contributing commentaries by pastors Sonny Islas, Albert Lopez and James Fire

Complete Study of Leviticus by pastor Chuck Smith 

LEVITICUS 5 & 6: “Hearts and Sacrifices on Fire” – by James Fire, Facebook video.

INTRODUCTION: In this section of LEVITICUS, we are going over the various sacrifices offered in the Temple – without which, there could be no access to GOD, one of the primary themes of this book; the other being a holy people, serving a holy GOD. The way of access to GOD - through sacrifices and offerings mentioned in chapters 1-7. Chapters 8-10 covers the sacrifices specifically for the sins of the priests.

The question may be asked, Why was the tribe of Levi appointed by GOD as the priesthood? Why not the tribe of Naphtali, or the tribe of Zebulon, or Benjamin?
Because they were zealously obedient to God after the infamous “golden calf” incident at the foot of Mt. Sinai (EXOD 32:26–29); they slew all of the idolaters (3,000 of them)! However according to God’s foreknowledge, He declared Levi’s tribe as priestly before that time (EXOD 28:1–4). 
Jacob’s prophecy that Levi’s descendants would be scattered throughout Israel (GEN 49:7) was fulfilled when God appointed them as the priestly tribe who, unlike the other tribes, would receive no land inheritance. However, in God’s sovereign and mysterious way, Jacob’s prophecy turned into a blessing because Levi’s inheritance was better than land—it was God Himself and He promised to provide for the Levites from the abundance of all of the other tribes (NUM 18:8–20).

Likewise as the priesthood of our Melchizedek, Jesus Christ, we also have no homeland here in this world, but just as Levi inherited cities, with GOD Himself as their heritage, we look for that heavenly city, New Jerusalem and to live with our Abba Father as His heirs!
HEBREWS 11:16
But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them
.
Also in all these sacrifices the constant element in them all is fire – which speaks of “purification, judgment on sin, and the presence of GOD” We see all of these perfectly fulfilled in the sacrificial redemption by the LAMB of GOD – by this means, He purifies and produces a holy and pure people:
TITUS 2:13-14
13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ; 14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works
.
Judgment against all of our sins is perfectly satisfied by our Holy GOD and Father:
ROMANS 3:24-26
24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: 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; 26 To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus
.
And we among all saints of all time, have access to the deepest and sweetest fellowship, basking in the very presence of our LORD Jesus Christ and the love He lavishes upon us His children.
EPHESIANS 3:17-19
17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; 19 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God
.
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JESUS Our GREAT HIGH PRIEST – by Lambert Dolphin

[Read the original article here]

~ by Lambert Dolphin (to read about our dear brother Lambert and his ministry, check out his page)

In our modern world there are many gateways into religion. Roman Catholic priests are well known to many of us, but we may have met a Buddhist priest or a Hindu guru. Psychologists and Psychiatrists are not usually religious, but they are often considered ‘gateways to wholeness’. Naturopathic doctors and faith healers are available to help us when conventions meds and foods fall short. Everyone is "religious" but what god are we really serving? The Great God SELF will fail you if you stay there in his territory.

The United States once claimed to be “one nation under God…” – but truth be told we have eased (or morphed) into serving many gods.

Followers of Jesus who have sought for ultimate realities today still line up with the Bible and 4000 years of Jewish tradition heralded in the Shema. But no one, hardly, anyone, reads the Bible anymore, especially the Old Testament. This leaves us way out of touch with ultimate and unseen realities.

For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as there are many gods and many lords), yet for us there is one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we for Him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and through whom we live. However, there is not in everyone that knowledge…” (1 Corinthians 8:5-7)

Surrendering all to Jesus is not easy and is a choice of the will we all ought to revisit often! That last one percent hold out on our part--resisting Jesus as lord--thwarts what Jesus really wants to do through us and for us.

A prequel to this article is Jesus is my Best Friend. Knowing Jesus as one friend among many is not quite all there is to wholeness and holiness! An old saying says, 
If Jesus is not Lord of all, He is not your Lord at all.” 
Many cultural Christians think they know Jesus; however He may end up saying to them, depart from me, you evildoers, I never knew you.” (Luke 13:27)
Jesus is our archegos; that is, a pioneer and trail-blazer of a new way through the wilderness of life. Jesus is our hiding place. He is not called Savior for no reason! He is not only a general, all-purpose Savior He a personal Savior! But for now, consider what the New Testament says about Jesus as our Great High Priest.

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Thursday, August 5, 2021

CROSSING The ‘T’s TTUF STUDY 1st THESSALONIANS Ch. Three

~ by James Fire

1st THESSALONIANS Chapter Three

For another great teaching in 1st Thessalonians (and 2nd later on), check out pastor Pat Lazovich from Calvary Chapel Sierra Vista!

INTRODUCTION: Few things grab our attention as quickly as tragedy and heartache and when these things strike, we call out the prayer warriors and ask them to intercede on our behalf as well as our loved ones burdened with such tribulations.

Though Paul had spent so little time (only a few weeks at best) with the saints of Thessalonica, one can’t help but witness the deep-rooted affection and care he and his entourage had for these saints, many of them newly born again (this idea is conveyed when he mentions how he cared for them with motherly care, among her babes).

Have you ever experienced such a thing? I’m sure you have. . . I have, myself: that upon meeting a fellow believer you find an instantly formed bond that grows intensely and fervently over days, and weeks. Looking back over time, you marvel at the genuine love and care that seemed to virtually blossom overnight, and you can’t begin to imagine what your life would have been like without them!

Then they are struck with a life-threatening illness or a severe accident that leaves them clinging to life by a thread. Upon learning this, you feel as though all the air has been sucked out of your lungs, and with tears as freely flowing as your prayers, you seek for their good.
This was the situation in Thessalonica.

Paul was ministering to a kind of ‘spiritual nursery ward’ with these new born babes in Christ in the midst of this church of relatively young believers. Situations arose that didn’t permit Paul to stay in that city; his host Jason was being harassed and quite possibly in danger of being killed (ACTS 17:5-9) and the apostle wouldn’t jeopardize his welfare – he had to go, but with the intention of returning as soon as possible.

There were all kinds of predators lurking about, and this apostle must have felt torn between staying to oversee and protect this flock and leaving to ensure he would survive long enough to see these precious saints again.

We pick up in our study in part three of chapter three:

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Friday, July 30, 2021

LEVITICUS – A HOLY PEOPLE’s ACCESS to The HOLY GOD – Chapter THREE & FOUR

Contributing commentaries by pastors Sonny Islas, Albert Lopez and James Fire

Complete Study of Leviticus by pastor Chuck Smith 

LEVITICUS 3 & 4: “ENJOYING A BBQ WITH GOD” – by Sonny Islas, Facebook video.

INTRODUCTION: Today’s bible study title will make sense in a moment.
As we study through Leviticus, let’s keep in mind that as God’s people approached the Tabernacle to eagerly bring and joyfully give their offerings, whether it was for the forgiveness of sin or the sake of sheer gratitude towards God, God is there in their midst. In a very tangible way, His voice can be heard and His glory can be seen.

His divine and powerful presence is there in the awesome form of a fiery pillar by night and a cloudy pillar by day (aka The Shekinah Glory of God). And because God is Holy, He sets all the rules and regulations in which His people must approach Him, lest they die. Not because He wants them dead but because they cannot handle His nearness without Him making it possible.

In PSALM 99:7a, 8a King David reflects on this time (Moses’ time) in Israel’s history, and says, “He spoke to them in the cloudy pillar…You were to them GOD-WHO-FORGIVES (In Hebrew: EL NAHSAH).” 
[What’s so fascinating about this Hebrew word is that it not only means, He Who forgives, but also He Who bears (or carries). This points to the One Who would bear the sins of His people (ISAIAH 53), Who would carry His cross to Calvary – the LORD Jesus Christ by Whom we have forgiveness of our sin!]

For thirty other powerful names of GOD in the Hebrew, check out this listing

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Saturday, July 24, 2021

LEVITICUS – A HOLY PEOPLE’s ACCESS to The HOLY GOD – Introduction, Chapter ONE & TWO

Contributing commentaries by pastors Sonny Islas, Albert Lopez and James Fire

Complete Study of Leviticus by pastor Chuck Smith 
LEVITICUS 1 & 2: “ ” – by James Fire, Facebook video

INTRODUCTION: We are witnessing the architectural genius of GOD in the building of His ‘cathedral of doctrine’ that we call the Bible. Laying the foundation that is GENESIS which begins the Bible with “beginnings”: the beginning of creation, of the fall of man and its consequences, the wiping clean the slate by way of the Flood and grace granted in a man of faith who obeyed GOD and built the ark; the beginning of institutionalized rebellion at the Tower of Babel, the beginning of languages and nations, the beginning of GOD’s relationship with one man He had chosen: Abraham, the model example of faith whereby the grace of GOD is demonstrated in the LORD’s heart: redemption. And demonstrated in a staged event between a father, a son, and a would-be sacrifice. A dress rehearsal for the Father of heaven and His Son’s performance of propitiation!

This is the beginning of a family of faith, with Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Joseph.
With the foundation laid in GENESIS and the account of this family established, we move on to EXODUS which means “departure” and the family story has grown into the saga of a nation – it continues with deliverance from Egypt in grand display of redemption once the Passover Lamb was slain – in anticipation of the LAMB of GOD Who takes away the sin of the world.

Then there is the revelation of the Holy Law of GOD in EXODUS, as well as the plans and purposes of the Tabernacle, its various sacrifices and feasts, the priesthood, and the construction of all these things. We see greater revelation of GOD and His truth in EXODUS, and what we learn here is confirmation of what we learned about GOD in GENESIS.

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