Archive for Jesus Christ

« Older Entries

Shavuot/Pentecost/Feast of Weeks, 5783/2023

Posted in #PaulthePoke, Pentecost/Shavuot/Feast of Weeks, Prophecy with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on May 23, 2023 by paulthepoke

Leviticus 23:15-16 ‘You shall also count for yourselves from the day after the Sabbath, from the day when you brought in the sheaf of the wave offering; there shall be seven complete Sabbaths. You shall count fifty days to the day after the seventh Sabbath; then you shall present a new grain offering to the Lord.

On a Gregorian calendar, we are in the year of 2023, the holiday of Shavuot/Feast of Weeks/Pentecost begins at sunset on Thursday, May 25th. The God Appointed holiday ends at sunset Saturday, May 27th. The Feast takes place in the month of Sivan on the 6th and 7th of a Hebrew calendar. This is the Hebrew year 5783.

Provisions for the holiday include two loaves of bread, sacrificial lambs, a bull, two rams, a goat, and a drink offering of wine. The holiday is also a day of rest with no work (Leviticus 23:17-21).

In the Old Testament and in the Hebrew, this holiday is referred to as Shavuot. The word means: weeks.

Shavuot is one of the three holidays where Jewish men are required to come to Jerusalem (Exodus 23:14-17). The men were to make their presentation and sacrifice before God at the Temple.

As stated in the Leviticus passage, it is seven weeks after Passover. It is a celebration of the completed grain harvest. The holiday is also a celebration of God giving the Torah (instruction or law) to nation Israel. Because of this, Shavuot is considered as the beginning or birth of Judaism.

~

The Law was given on Mount Sinai roughly 1,500 years before Christ. Nation Israel honored this holiday every year. Eating and drinking dairy products are part of the celebration of Shavuot. Many think the custom of dairy products is in reference to Bible verses referring to a promised land flowing with milk and honey.

Exodus 3:8a “So I have come down to deliver them from the power of the Egyptians, and to bring them up from that land to a good and spacious land, to a land flowing with milk and honey…

http://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/why-dairy-on-shavuot/

~

Fast forward to 33 AD. Nation Israel is celebrating and living the holiday. 

Acts 2:1 When the day of Pentecost had come, they (apostles) were all together in one place. 

In the Greek New Testament, Shavuot (Hebrew) is translated as Pentekoste (Greek). Per Strong’s Concordance, it means: the fiftieth day; the second of the three great Jewish feasts, celebrated at Jerusalem yearly, the seventh week after the Passover, in grateful recognition of the completed wheat harvest. We have transliterated the word to Pentecost (English).

~

Pentecost or Shavuot is the day promised by Jesus of the giving of the Holy Spirit. 

John 14:26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.

~

Acts 2:4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit was giving them utterance. 

It is seven weeks after the death of the sacrificial lamb, Jesus. Shavuot or Pentecost is also the day God the Father gave the Holy Spirit. Because of this, Pentecost is considered the beginning or the birth of the church (believers in Jesus Christ).

http://www.hebrew4christians.com/Holidays/Spring_Holidays/Shavuot/shavuot.html

Acts 2:38 Peter said to them, “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit…”

https://www.amazon.com/Paul-Lehr/e/B09W8FB77N

Leave a comment »

Mother’s Day, 2023

Posted in #PaulthePoke, Culture, Trend Update with tags , , , , , , , , , , on May 14, 2023 by paulthepoke

Ephesians 6:2-3: Honor your father and mother (this is the first commandment with a promise), that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.

Mother: μήτηρ, métér. Simply translated “Mother“. She is a biological female. There is no debate or defense of the term in regards to gender or pronoun.

Words have consistent meaning. There is an unstated social contract and understanding we all agree to when we communicate. If words did not have consistent meaning, the end result would be confusion. To fundamentally change the meaning of basic terminology and semantics results in confusion and break down in social order. We are watching this happen in today’s American society and culture. And who is the author of confusion?

It is a “Mother“, a woman, who has the biological anatomy of a womb. The woman is associated with the womb, not the man. There are countless verses that state this fact over and over.

We are made by God. He created each one of us for a purpose. All of us are here for reason and meaning. We arrived because a “Mother” was our vehicle into this world. This is God’s way and order.

Ecclesiastes 11:5 As you do not know the path of the wind, or how the bones are formed in a mother’s womb, so you cannot understand the work of God, the Maker of all things.

Psalm 139:13 For You created my innermost parts; You wove me in my mother’s womb.

~

Jesus, the Creator of the universe, recognizes his Mother, Mary, a woman. Both sexes, woman and men, are recognized in the verse below by Christ.

Matthew 12:49 And extending His hand toward His disciples, He said, “Behold: My mother and My brothers!

~

Locals recognized that Mary, a woman, was Jesus’ mother. And there are brothers or men mentioned in the verse.

Matthew 13:55 Is this not the carpenter’s son? Is not His mother called Mary? And His brothers James, Joses, Simon, and Judas?

~

I understand the verse below will likely severely trigger popular culture. The verse will differentiate a biological woman, a biological man, and invoke the Spirit of God. Plus, marriage between a woman and a man is defined. Notice, it is also the woman, a mother, that carries and ultimately brings the Child to birth and into the world.

Matthew 1:18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit.

~

And for those of you who are openly hostile and frankly nasty towards your parents… After all, they took care of you when you were a mere infant, a helpless baby. They sheltered you. They clothed you. They fed you. And they wiped your butt and cleaned you after you defecated all over your bad little self.

You may disagree with your parents and that is fine. It is okay to disagree. Learn to disagree with civility. Drop the angry, destructive attitude. But, take some time to reflect and show some respect.

Whether you believe in God or not does not change the fact He (note the pronoun) is real and He (pronoun) means what He (pronoun) says. He (pronoun) is merciful and gracious towards those who change their attitude and heart. But stay on the path of a dishonorable mindset…

Proverbs 20:20 If one curses his father or his mother, his lamp will be put out in utter darkness.

Leviticus 20:9 For anyone who curses his father or his mother shall surely be put to death; he has cursed his father or his mother; his blood is upon him.

~

To all the Mothers, women, we salute you and thank you. Happy Mother’s Day!

https://www.amazon.com/Paul-Lehr/e/B09W8FB77N

Leave a comment »

Noah’s Faith in Action

Posted in #PaulthePoke with tags , , , , , , on May 7, 2023 by paulthepoke

Doctrinal Emphasis: Faith, Believing and Doing God’s Word

Scripture: Hebrews Chapters 11-13

Key Theme: The focus of these three chapters is how one responds to God’s word once they believe it.

What is faith? Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen (Hebrews 11:1).

Scripture clearly defines the concept of faith. Without faith, it is impossible to please Him (Hebrews 11:6a). Faith is how we obtain our salvation. For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from the works of the Law (Romans 3:28). We can not work or earn our way to Heaven.

A historical review of persons with faith and their actions is discussed in Hebrews chapter 11. Faith begins with creation. God spoke creation into existence (Hebrews 11:3, Genesis 1). There are many examples of men and women with faith (Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Sarah, and Rahab to name a few). Short term results are noted because of the faith of these men and women. All these, having gained approval through their faith, did not receive what was promised (Hebrews 11:13, 39). The promise is an eternal, heavenly city.

Specifically, take Noah and his faith. We should be thankful for Noah’s belief in God’s warning and Noah’s subsequent actions. If Noah had not acted on what God told him, we would not be here. The result of Noah’s action has allowed us the opportunity of life. Could Noah have believed and not built an ark? Yes. Can people believe that Jesus died for sins of the world and not respond? Yes. In Noah’s case as well as others, faith, if it has no works, is dead (James 2:17).

Jesus is our object of faith (Hebrews 12:2).

He died for us, sinners (Romans 5:8).

The text of Hebrews Chapters 11-13 does offer description, location, and characteristics of Christ. He is the author and perfecter of faith. He endured the cross. He is at the right hand of the throne of God the Father (Hebrews 12:2). Jesus endured the hostility of sinners for us (Hebrews 12:3). Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. He does not change (Hebrews 13:8).

The text offers practical advice and application to our response to faith in Jesus. Reasons for conduct are given immediately after a command. We are called to endure discipline (Hebrews 12:7). It is for our own good. Discipline allows us to share God’s holiness (Hebrews 12:10) and it ultimately yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness (Hebrews 12:11).

Strengthen weak hands and feeble knees. We are to make the paths of our feet straight. This leads to healing (Hebrews 12:12-13).

Pursue peace with all men, otherwise no one will see the Lord. Avoid bitterness, it can cause trouble and leads to defilement, or contamination. Do not be an immoral or a godless person like Esau. He initially sold his birthright for a single meal. Later he wanted his inheritance. He was rejected. It was too late and Isaac was not going to be changing his mind. Even crying did not help (Hebrews 12:14-17, see also Genesis 27:36-39).

Let the love of the brothers continue. Show hospitality to others because some have entertained angels without knowing it (Hebrews 13:1-2).

Remember fellow believers who are in prison because they are part of the body, the church (Hebrews 13:3).

Honor marriage by God’s Law. God will judge people who are unfaithful in their marriage (Hebrews 13:4).

We are to be free from the love of money and we are to be content with what we have. The Lord will never desert you, nor will He ever forsake you (Hebrews 13:5).

Remember those who spoke and led you to the word of God. Consider what they did and imitate their faith (Hebrews 13:7).

Do not be carried away by varied and strange teachings. It is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace (Hebrews 13:9).

We are to continually offer up sacrifices of praise and give thanks to His name. Do good and share with others, this is pleasing to God (Hebrews 13:15-16).

Obey and submit to leaders because they keep watch over your souls (Hebrews 13:17).

~

https://www.amazon.com/Paul-Lehr/e/B09W8FB77N

Leave a comment »

The Lamb, Predestined… Rodna Epley

Posted in #PaulthePoke, Rodna Epley with tags , , , , , on April 13, 2023 by paulthepoke

Everything God did in regards to creation was already done before He created the heavens and the earth in Genesis 1:1. The Lamb was slain before the foundation of the world. If the Lamb had already been slain before Jesus ever had a chance to be born through the womb of a woman, then so too was He also already raised from the dead, and so too was He also already glorified. All of that happened in eternity, outside of time and space. Same goes for us. It’s all already done.

Romans 8:29,30 For those whom He foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that He might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom He predestined He also called, and those whom He called he also justified, and those whom He justified He also glorified.

We are just playing out the movie. We can edit the film too and chop out the parts we don’t like and retake scenes that aren’t good. This is exactly what Jesus did on earth. He went about doing good and healed all who were oppressed by the devil.

Acts 10:38 …how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.

Jesus also walked on water and changed weather patterns.

Mark 4:39 Then He (Jesus) arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, ‘Peace, be still!’ And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. See also Matthew 8:26, Luke 8:24.

He operated in the glory of the Father, took authority over threatening situations and showed us how to do it. He wasn’t just showing off. He was teaching us how to operate in the glory He gave us from John 17:5,22,23 the same glory the Father gave Him, for the purpose of making us all one and so that we can know the Father loves us in the same way He loved Jesus.

John 17:5,22,23 And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed. The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me.

Without Christ we can do nothing.

John 5:5 One man was there who had been an invalid for thirty-eight years.

With Christ nothing is impossible.

Matthew 19:26 But Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

2 Comments »

The Watchmen: Passover & Easter Edition, 9th Hour, Marburg Virus, 5783/2023

Posted in #PaulthePoke, Czekmate, Prophecy, Trend Update with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on April 8, 2023 by paulthepoke

Welcome to The Watchmen, just a couple of dudes sitting on the wall watching the world go by. Before we get started, we apologize beforehand. We experienced more difficulties than necessary to put this edition together. There may be a little bit of digital scramble and brief periods of challenges. Sorry in a advance.

That said, this broadcast is loaded with breaking news in real time on happenings in Israel, on the Temple Mount, and near the Golan Heights.

Exodus 29:38-42 Now this is what you shall offer on the altar: two one year old lambs each day, continuously. The one lamb you shall offer in the morning and the other lamb you shall offer at twilight…

Rockets and missiles were launched from southern Lebanon into Israel on Passover at approximately the ninth hour. Hamas appears to have taken responsibility.

For significance of the ninth hour and timing of the attack on Passover, click on the link below. Spoiler alert. This is the time of the evening sacrifice. This is the time Jesus would have given His last breath on the cross and died.

Passover, Nisan 14, 9 AM – 3 PM, 33 AD

https://www.israelhayom.com/2023/04/06/isarelis-injured-as-massive-rocket-attack-launched-on-northern-communities/

~

The United States Navy has sent a nuclear submarine, USS Florida, in the Mediterranean Sea through the Suez Canal.

“It is capable of carrying up to 154 Tomahawk land-attack cruise missiles and is deployed to US 5th Fleet to help ensure regional maritime security and stability,” Commander Timothy Hawkins.

Questions are circulating around Israel. Will the United States support Israel? Can Israel trust the Biden Administration?

https://www.arabnews.com/node/2283296/middle-east

~

Isaiah 17:1 The oracle concerning Damascus. “Behold, Damascus is about to be removed from being a city and will become a fallen ruin.

Breaking news out of Israel… 3 rockets have been fired into Israel from Syria.

Ramadan, Easter, and Passover are on the same weekend. What could possibly go wrong on the Temple Mount? Muslims have locked themselves in the Al Aqsa Mosque.

“We call on Jordan, through the Waqf guards, to immediately remove from the Al-Aqsa Mosque these extremists who are planning to riot tomorrow during Muslim prayers on the Temple Mount and the Priestly Blessing at the Western Wall.”

Shootings have taken place in Jerusalem.

Easter Sunday has begun in the city of peace…

https://www.timesofisrael.com/

Psalm 122:6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem! May they be secure who love you!

~

Keep your eyes on Africa and the possible emergence of Marburg Disease. This is a deadly hemorrhagic fever with a mortality rate of up to 90%.

Marburg virus (MVD) is initially transmitted to people from fruit bats and spreads among humans through direct contact with the bodily fluids of infected people, surfaces and materials. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-11949375/CDC-says-doctors-lookout-Ebola-like-symptoms.html

~

https://www.amazon.com/Paul-Lehr/e/B09W8FB77N

2 Comments »

Preview: God’s Spring Appointed Holidays 5783/2023

Posted in #PaulthePoke, Prophecy, Spring Feasts, Trend Update with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on April 2, 2023 by paulthepoke

There are seven God appointed holidays communicated through the Old Testament Law. The first three spring holidays were fulfilled on the appointed holiday by Jesus Himself. The names of the feasts are: Passover, Unleavened Bread, and First Fruits.

In the Hebrew year 5783 or the Gregorian calendar year of 2023, the holidays occur as follows. Passover essentially begins at sunset on Wednesday, Nisan 14th (Hebrew calendar) or April 5th on a western calendar. The first day of Unleavened Bread is the next day at sunset on Thursday, Nisan 15th or April 6th. Lastly, the feast of First Fruits starts at sunset on Friday, Nisan 16th or April 7th. The holidays culminate and end at sunset on Thursday, April 13th. These are the mathematically calculated dates 21st century calendars.

As usual, there is not consensus on these dates within various studies of Judaism and Jewish Messianic believers in Yeshua or Jesus Christ. Granted, all of these folks are making good faith efforts to be accurate. Each group has good reason(s) for the dates selected. They are not all idiots. When in doubt, search for the new moon and full moon. Humanity struggles to keep time as God has directed. No one knows the day or the hour…

Creation of Time: The Calendar

The first of God’s holidays is Passover or Pesach in the Hebrew. The holiday begins on the 14th day of the Hebrew month Nisan (March or April on a Gregorian calendar). There is a play on words in the original Hebrew. A “pesach” is an unblemished lamb which was required for the sacrifice. After the “pesach” was sacrificed, the blood was to be smeared on the wooden posts of the house. When God saw the blood on the door posts, He passed over or “pasach” and the house was spared judgment.

The original directions for the Passover were given to Moses and Aaron in Egypt. The statute and happenings are noted in Exodus 12. God defines the purpose of the holiday to Israel. 

Exodus 12:26-27a “And when your children say to you, ‘What does this rite mean to you?’ you shall say, ‘It is a Passover sacrifice to the LORD who passed over the houses of the sons of Israel in Egypt when He smote the Egyptians, but spared our homes.’”

The second of God’s holidays is Unleavened Bread or Chag haMatazt in the Hebrew. The holiday begins on the 15th of Nisan and runs for seven days.

The directions of Unleavened Bread are noted in Exodus 12:15-20. The focus of the week is to live a life without leaven, the symbol for sin. Leaven is not to be in the house. Leaven products are not to be consumed. Bread without yeast, matzah, is to be eaten.

~

The third of God’s holidays is First Fruits or Reshit Katzir in the Hebrew. The one day holiday begins on the day after the Sabbath or Sunday on our calendar.

The directions for First Fruits are noted in Leviticus 23:9-14. The priest is to make a barley offering of the first portion of the harvest to the Lord. The priest intervenes on behalf of the people. The reality of the holiday for the people of Israel is this. The people bring their grain sheaf to the priest. They are to sacrifice a lamb without blemish. The offering is also to be presented with bread and wine.

Jesus was resurrected on First Fruits. He is the First Fruits or barley offering before God the Father. He is the High Priest who intervenes on our behalf for sin. He is the perfect offering.

In memory of Him, we participate in communion with the elements of bread and wine.

At some point in the future, as a pattern of history, will believers in Christ be resurrected on First Fruits?

Jesus Christ died. He was buried. And He was raised.

This is the gospel message of Jesus Christ, really “good news”.

https://www.amazon.com/Paul-Lehr/e/B09W8FB77N

2 Comments »

This Week in Prophecy: Pope Denies Hell; Russia; China; Banking Woes

Posted in #PaulthePoke, China, Ezekiel 38-39, Hell, Prophecy, Trend Update with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on March 18, 2023 by paulthepoke

Matthew 10:28 “And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” -Jesus

See also Luke 12:5, Revelation 20:14, 15, 21:8 (Lake of Fire)

Pope Francis denies the physical existence of Hell.

“Hell is not a place. If one goes to attend the Last Judgment, and sees the faces of those who go to Hell, one gets scared. If you read Dante, you get scared. But these are media representations.”

“Hell is a state, there are people who live in Hell continuously.” -Pope Francis

With these comments, along with others, the Vatican went into spin mode.

“All official, final texts of the Holy Father are found on the Vatican website,” and since they were never published by the Holy See Press Office they “should not be considered official texts.” -Holy See Press Office

https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/pope-francis-denies-that-hell-is-a-place-says-it-is-a-posture-towards-life/

Ezekiel 38: Sons of Magog and Rosh, modern day Russia. For more details on ancient Magog, click on the link below.

Trend Update: Russia (Magog)/Israel, Ezekiel 38-39, January 2015

Tension is on the rise with Russia attempting to spray a U.S. drone with jet fuel over the Black Sea in international waters. The Russian pilot got a little too close for comfort and appears to graze the drone.

The International Criminal Court has issued a warrant for the arrest of Russian President Vladimir Putin as a war criminal for illegally exporting Ukrainian children.

https://www.icc-cpi.int/news/situation-ukraine-icc-judges-issue-arrest-warrants-against-vladimir-vladimirovich-putin-and

~

Revelation 9:16 And the number of mounted troops was two hundred million; I heard their number.

Tension increases in the Pacific. The United States and the United Kingdom have agreed to sell nuclear submarines to Australia.

The United States has sold 220 Tomahawk cruise missiles to Australia. Japan may be interested in buying cruise missiles as well.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/debate/article-11851407/MARK-ALMOND-China-puts-economy-war-footing-submarine-deal-just-start.html

https://www.cnn.com/2023/03/16/australia/australia-tomahawk-missiles-aukus-intl-hnk/index.html

China’s President Xi is headed to Moscow early next week. The focus is peace between Russia and Ukraine. Some think China is on the verge of a weapon’s deal with the Russians.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-64986486

~

Leviticus 19:36 You shall have honest scales, honest weights, an honest ephah, and an honest hin: I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt.

God wants honesty when it comes to economic matters.

The last couple of weeks in financial markets and global economics has been rocky. In the last two business weeks 5 banks have crashed. The United States has witnessed two of its largest bank failures in history.

Moody’s Investor Service has downgraded the entire United States banking system to negative.

“We have changed to negative from stable our outlook on the US banking system to reflect the rapid deterioration in the operating environment following deposit runs at Silicon Valley Bank (SVB), Silvergate Bank, and Signature Bank (SNY) and the failures of SVB and SNY.” -Moody’s

The banks in the United States includes: Silvergate Bank, Silicon Valley Bank, Signature Bank, and First Republic Bank. The mess has made its way across the Atlantic to Europe. Switzerland’s Credit Suisse required a bailout from the Swiss government.

The US Department of Treasury decided to insure all depositors in banks that expose a “systemic risk exception”, even those above the insured threshold of $250,000. The two banks who meet this “exception” include Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank. All depositors were “made whole”.

https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/jy1337

This “exception” appears to be on a case by case basis as decided by the boards of the FDIC, the Federal Reserve, President Biden, Secretary of the Treasury Janet L. Yellen.

During hearings with the Senate, Oklahoma Senator James Lankford (R) pressed Secretary Yellen. This exchange was extraordinary.

“Banks only get the treatment if the failure to protected uninsured depositors would create systemic risk.” -Secretary of the Treasury Janet L. Yellen

PLEASE WATCH!

If a bank does not meet the threshold of “exception” and one has deposits over the FDIC insured amount of $250,000 in said bank, tough! No bailout for you!

Plan Accordingly!!!

Money is flying out of smaller banks and being deposited into Tier 1 Wall Street banks. These Tier 1 banks include JP Morgan, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, and Citigroup. And the rich get richer.

Will Federal Reserve Board Chair Jerome Powell raise interest rates next week?

The Debt Limit deadline looms some time around April 2023. The United States has wracked up $31.4 trillion in debt (31,400,000,000,000). Secretary Yellen has already warned Congress that if the Debt Limit is not increased, it would be crushing to the banking system.

Buckle up! This is going to get rough!

Is all of this dishonesty in the banking industry reaching a tipping point? God says judgment is ultimately coming.

Micah 6:11-13 Can I excuse dishonest scales or bags of false weights? For the wealthy of the city are full of violence, and its residents speak lies; their tongues are deceitful in their mouths. Therefore I am striking you severely, to ruin you because of your sins. -The LORD God

https://www.amazon.com/Paul-Lehr/e/B09W8FB77N

Leave a comment »

This Week in Prophecy: Israel Exports Oil; Another Turkey Quake; Marburg Virus; UFO?; Russia; Revival

Posted in #PaulthePoke, Earthquakes/Volcanoes, Ezekiel 38-39, Prophecy, Trend Update with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on February 24, 2023 by paulthepoke

On This Week in Prophecy… Israel has become a member of “the club of international oil exporters,” Mathios Rigas, CEO, Energean.

The oil is from the Karish Field in the Mediterranean Sea.

https://oilprice.com/Latest-Energy-News/World-News/Israel-Set-To-Export-Its-First-Ever-Crude-Oil-Cargo.html

Here’s the bait Gog of Magog, prince of Rosh…

Ezekiel 38:13b “…have you come to take plunder? Have you gathered your army to take booty, to carry away silver and gold, to take away livestock and goods, to take great plunder?”

Luke 21:11 There will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and pestilences. And there will be terrors and great signs from heaven.

February 20, 2023: Another 6.4 significant earthquake has struck Turkey. This time the location was Antakya, Turkey which is close to the border with Lebanon and west of Aleppo, Syria. The city is located north of Latakia, Syria which is home to a Russian Naval Base and troops.

Tsunami warnings were issued in the Mediterranean. Tidal wave damage was not reported.

According to multiple news outlets, over 47,000 people in Turkey and Syria have died from the series of earthquakes in the region.

~

The World Health Organization (WHO) quietly called an emergency meeting regarding an outbreak of Marburg Virus in Equatorial Guinea. Concern is the virus has spread to Ghana.

Marburg is a hemorrhagic virus that is similar to Ebola. Approximately 90% of people who contract Marburg die within 8 days of illness onset.

https://www.gavi.org/vaccineswork/five-things-know-about-marburg

~

The search for alleged UFO debris has been called off. Here is the official tweet. And yes, it appears Northern Command had not saved and/or edited their official document. Nothing but the best from our government…

~

Zechariah 11:1 Open your doors, O Lebanon, that the fire may devour your cedars!

Despite government intervention to strengthen the Lebanese currency, the Lira continues to crash. The Lira continued to decline against the dollar. One dollar is worth roughly 80,000 Lira. Hyperinflation continues to climb.

A new law was passed and banks have been closed until further notice. People are unable to get their money and they are setting banks on fire.

https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2023/02/banks-burn-lebanon-exchange-rate-falls-historic-low

~

Ezekiel 38:1-2 Now the word of the Lord came to me, saying, “Son of man, set your face against Gog, of the land of Magog, the prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal, and prophesy against him…

Russian President Vladimir Putin gave a big speech this week marking the one year anniversary of the invasion of Ukraine.

Problem… Hackers disrupted the televised event and the public had blank TV screens across Russia’s 11 time zones.

We will not be providing a recap of the speech. This event was an eternity close to 2 hours. For those who are interested in reading the details, click on the link below.

http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/70565

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11775491/Putins-speech-blacked-major-hack-state-union-address.html

Of note, Putin indicated Russia will no longer participate in the START Nuclear Treaty.

“They want to inflict a strategic defeat on us and claim our nuclear facilities. In this regard, I am forced to state that Russia is suspending its participation in the strategic offensive arms treaty,” Vladimir Putin.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/feb/21/putin-russia-halt-participation-new-start-nuclear-arms-treaty

CNN is reporting Russia had a failed missile test while U.S. President Joe Biden was in Ukraine. The SARMAT or Satan II missile has the ability to deliver multiple nuclear weapons. The missile has a range of 6,835 miles with a 100 ton weapon(s).

Test results have offered mixed reviews, allegedly. Sometimes it works and sometimes it does not.

https://www.cnn.com/2023/02/21/politics/russia-intercontinental-ballistic-missile-test/index.html

~

Mark 16:15 And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation…”

Lots of talk about a “Revival” taking place in pockets of the United States. Is it real? Time will tell. God knows this world needs it!

What started in a Methodist Church in Wilmore, Kentucky is spreading around to Cedarville University in Ohio, Lee University in Tennessee, Samford University in Alabama, Baylor University, Texas A&M…

The movement appears to be spreading across university campi in the United States. There were even people carrying signs for Jesus on Santa Monica Beach, California.

https://www.foxnews.com/us/asbury-university-ends-24-7-revival-meeting-50k-flock-kentucky-town-13-days

Check out Twitter. #asburyrevival or #revivalgeneration

Last call, last call for Jesus???

https://www.amazon.com/Paul-Lehr/e/B09W8FB77N

Leave a comment »

God Protects

Posted in #PaulthePoke with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on February 18, 2023 by paulthepoke

How many hairs do you think are on your head? Well, if you have red hair, you have about 90,000. If you have black hair, there are about 103,000. On the other hand, if you have brown hair, there are more than 109,000 hairs on your head. If you are a blond, you probably have 140,000 hairs.

Each of you has many, many hairs on your head, and I am sure that if you started to count them you would tire very quickly. But do you know that God knows how many hairs are on your head? Listen to this verse:

Matthew 10:30 “But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.”

This verse shows us the loving care of God, who numbered all the hairs of our heads. If God knows how many hairs are on your head, don’t you think He also knows every detail in your life? There’s no problem in your life that He cannot solve, and there’s no need that He cannot meet. He certainly knows when you need strength to overcome temptation, or when you need help in telling someone else about the Lord Jesus.

Remember this little lesson, boys and girls. Every time you comb your hair, for instance, remember just how much your heavenly Father cares for you. But also remember that this is true only if you have believed in the Lord Jesus.

Object Lesson provided by Charles Ryrie, Easy Object Lessons, p.64.

Key Theme: God protects His people.

God’s provision and protection are indicated from the outset of time. God chose the family line of Abram to demonstrate His protection. These are the people of promise.

Genesis 12:2-3 “And I will make you a great nation, And I will bless you, And make your name great, And so you shall be a blessing; And I will bless those who bless you, And the one who curses you I will curse you. And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”

God states that Israel is “the apple of His eye.” The “apple” of the eye is the pupil. It is the part of the eye that regulates light and the part we instinctively protect. God protects His people like we instinctively protect our eyes. God means business when He states that He will protect Israel.

Zechariah 2:8 For thus says the Lord of hosts, “After glory He has sent me against the nations which plunder you, for he who touches you, touches the apple of His eye.”

There are multiple occasions throughout history where God protects His people. The two stories being studied are examples. Paul is protected in his travels on the sea.

Judgment was brought against Egypt with the plague of hail. Israel was in exile in Egypt during this hail storm yet they were spared.

Exodus 9:26 “Only in the land of Goshen, where the sons of Israel were, there was no hail.”

Although God is never directly mentioned in the Book of Esther, His hand of protection is noted throughout the book. The Jewish people are protected from the plots of Haman’s evil intentions. It was Haman’s intent to exterminate the Jews. As the story goes, Persian King Ahasuerus chooses a Jewish girl, Esther, to be his queen. Mordecai, Esther’s uncle, works behind the scenes to protect his people. In the final analysis, Haman’s plot is foiled and he ends up dead. The Jewish people are spared from extinction.

In the future, Jesus will “snatch” His bride the church from a troubled world. That event is the rapture of the church.                   

1 Thessalonians 5:9 “For God has not destined us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

The church will be spared from the coming judgment against the world in the seven year tribulation. Again, God will protect His people.

https://www.amazon.com/Paul-Lehr/e/B09W8FB77N

Leave a comment »

Four Men Tear Up a Roof… Forgiveness

Posted in #PaulthePoke, Gospel with tags , , , , , , , , , , on February 5, 2023 by paulthepoke

Memory Verse: Mark 2:10-11 But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins,” He said to the paralytic, “I say to you, rise, pick up your bed, and go home.”

Scripture: Matthew 9:2-8, Mark 2:1-12; Luke 5:18-26

Object Lesson: Imagine a world where if you break any traffic law that you have to pay a ten million dollar ($10,000,000) fine. If you are unable to pay the fine, you are sentenced to death. Regardless of the infraction, this is the just punishment.

Even if you run a stop sign, drive under the influence, or go two miles per hour over the speed limit, enforcement and punishment are consistent and there are no exceptions. The system is absolutely just.

If this were really the case, the roads would be empty. So you run a stop sign and the camera takes a picture of your infraction. The police come and haul you away to jail. You are waiting for trial and pending sentence. You know you did it. As you are cuffed and transferred to the judge in the court, a complete stranger comes in on your behalf and pays your fine. He plops down $10,000,000 on your behalf. Your debt has been paid.

Justice has been served in that the fine has been paid. You could not afford the fine, but the judge accepts the payment of the fine by this gentleman on your behalf. You are spared death and your life has been pardoned.

Doctrinal Emphasis: Forgiveness

Key Theme: Sin is forgiven once and for all.

The primary word for forgiveness in the New Testament is aphiemi/ἀφίημι. It means to remit or forgive debts or sins. It involves the complete removal of the cause or offence. This remission is based upon the vicarious and propitiatory sacrifice of Christ. Jesus took our place. Definition provided by Vine’s Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words.

Only God can forgive sins. The Pharisees and scribes of the day knew this all too well in Mark 2:1-12, Luke 5:18-26, Matthew 9:2-8. This is the reason they took such offence when Jesus forgave the sins of the paralytic. As far as they were concerned, this was a blasphemous act and speech by Jesus. In their eyes, He was an ordinary man and not God. He was not even a member of the religious structures of the day. No mere man can forgive sins.

Jesus is not just an ordinary man. Jesus is God and He has the ability to forgive sins.

On an individual level, the forgiveness of sins is complete and distant. Psalm 103:12 states “As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.”

Nations and individuals are forgiven of their sins. Israel’s sins corporately are forgiven in Psalm 85:2, “Thou didst forgive the iniquity of Thy people; thou didst cover all their sin.” This is also stated in Jeremiah 36:3b in reference to the house of Judah, “…then I will forgive their iniquity and their sin.”

Personally, we have to be forgiven because we are all born sinners. Ephesians 2:1 tells us that we are all spiritually dead. This is part of our family tree passed down by Adam.

Fortunately, we have redemption through the blood of Christ, the forgiveness of trespasses and sins, for His name’s sake (Ephesians 1:7, Colossians 1:14, 1 John 2:12).

The same concept is articulated in the Old Testament on personal level in…

Isaiah 43:25, “I, even I, am the One who wipes out your transgressions for My own sake; and I will not remember your sins.”

The forgiveness of sins does not mean that we are free to do whatever we want without consequence.  We should not choose to abuse the work of the cross. Paul shuts down this argument in Romans 6:1b-2. “…Are we to continue in sin that grace might increase? May it never be! How shall we who died to sin still live in it?”

Jesus’ work on the cross is clearly an act of grace and mercy towards sinful man. Honestly, is this any way to respond to a Man who suffered and died a horrible death on our behalf because of all of our sins?

What if the roles were reversed in the sense that you had bailed someone out of deep trouble? What if that person (the one you bailed out of trouble) chose to continue the behavior that landed them in trouble? What would you think if the person you spared continued to live in a sinful manner? After all, you were willing to pay the fine with your life for the sinner.

Have some empathy, put yourself in Jesus’ sandals. Try to look at this issue from His view…

There are consequences for our bodily actions. Physically, we die. The wage of sin is death. If God did not punish sin, He would fail to be just.

Give the Man His due respect…

https://www.amazon.com/Paul-Lehr/e/B09W8FB77N

Leave a comment »

« Older Entries
%d bloggers like this: