My Walk Through The Valley Of The Shadow Of Death

 

Trials

In a period of brokeness, I went through a personal devastation and God in my humbling, showed me things in my heart I needed to work out with Him..

We easily forget He is the owner of all, but by faith, we confess with thanksgiving and make confession to Him, whether we feel it or not.

HE wants from the confession of our mouth the faith we that we preach.

11 years ago I experienced another time of testing after a wreck and serious injury, no medical insurance, a helicopter ride and 9 days in Stanford Hospital (the best hospital in the Bay Are they say).

While laying in the bed with a shattered hip, broken ribs, broken arm, internal injury, stitches in my face, plenty of pain, and not doing well at all, on the hospital bed I confessed:

"I TRUST YOU" to the Lord..

... and ya know, He did come through for me, I was healed. -even my huge bill was paid for me.. miracles are still from Him.

Written Wednesday, 23 July 2008

Through The Valley of the Shadow of Death

No one enjoys physical suffering whether it be a small cut or serious injury.

But as children of The King, afflictions, chastisements, and pain may happen. Of Jesus Himself it is written in Hebrews 5:8 Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;

and of us in 2 Corinthians 1:7 ... that as ye are partakers of the sufferings, so shall ye be also of the consolation

In early June, the Lord spoke the same verse to me several times: "And Satan answered YHWH, and said, Skin for skin, yea, all that a man has will he give for his life.

5 But put forth thy hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will renounce thee to thy face.

6 And YHWH said unto Satan, Behold, he is in thy hand;

=>> only spare his life."

In all my life, I had never been even once hospitalized or had a broken bone. When I heard those words in my mind, immediately my response was "NO", I don't want anything to do with that kind of trial!"

My mind was made up on that point, and after a few times of hearing that verse, the reminders ceased and life went on.

Then came Father's Day 2008, and the fateful weekend.

On Father's Day, June 15th we had had a pleasant family gathering and late in the afternoon I decided to go do some work on a house we were trying to sell that needed repairs.

I thought that if I could just get a couple of small things done it would make the week easier as far as my workload was concerned. Up on the roof I did some minor repairs, it was about 5:30pm.

While attempting to climb down from the roof, the "A" frame ladder I was using shot out from under me and I fell 7' landing on my side parallel to the ground, breaking both bones in my left wrist and breaking some ribs.

I painfully got up and realizing I was hurt (I did not know yet how bad) got in the truck to drive the 5 minute trip home.

But as I drove home, I came to a traffic light stop, waiting, it turned green and I accelerated through. But then I went into shock and suddenly passed out at the wheel. I came to consciousness in a bad wreck, the truck was on its' side and I was injured a second time, this time to my right leg, dislocating it, breaking the top of it and breaking the pelvis, and in great pain.

The emergency people and ambulance extracted me from the wreck (I had hit and broken off a telephone pole, a tree, and some other things.

Thank God I did not hit a child or another person!) In our small town at the hospital Emergency Room they x-rayed and scanned the injuries, and a special lady, Dr. Martin, was able to reset my dislocated right leg by laying me out on the floor. Although the leg socket was shattered and they realized it would not hold my leg in place, so they taped my leg to the gurney with package wrapping tape!

Phone calls were made to neighboring hospitals for emergency surgery but all were unavailable.

Dr. Martin had determined emergency orthopedic surgery was needed and the only hospital that could work on me was in Palo Alto, a 100 miles away. Later that night-early morning, I was Medi-vac 'ed by helicopter at 4:30am to Stanford Hospital in Palo Alto. The top medical facility in Northern California.

Standing at the back of the hospital near the helipad, My wife and daughter who had been with me at the hospital, stood watching in shock and tears as they the copter left the pad and flew us off into the pre-dawn sky.

Early Monday morning, at Stanford Hospital, in a semi-conscious state and in a lot of pain, I was taken into an operating room.

But before I got into the op room, a couple of the attendants moved me from gurney to gurney and once again dislocated my leg again. More pain.

Next after signing some paper, in a fog of mental confusion, I remember going into a cold operating room and being put under. During a long operation, my broken left arm was put in a cast, 5 stitches each above my eye and more above my mouth where my teeth nearly broke through the upper area above the lip. A plate and pins were installed into the broken parts of the leg and pelvis during a 4-5 hour operation. Later when I awoke, I looked into the loving faces of my wife, daughter, two sons. and tears came to my eyes. I was also extremely thirsty not having any fluids for nearly as full day.

For the next 9 days I was in the hands of the folks at Stanford. On day 5, they wanted to release me but a new problem had manifested itself, -I would get very faint just trying to sit on the edge of the bed and when I tried to stand, as a physical therapist attempted to get me to use a special walker, I passed out stone cold again.

When I came to, there was a room full of nurses, yelling, and hands lifting me up and back on the bed. My blood pressure kept falling very low.

This was repeated the following day (Sat), and now, in addition to broken bones and pain, I was blacking out and no one knew why. Off to the cardiac ward I went..

At this point, they could not release me because of danger of me suddenly passing out and compounding my injuries. This brought me to the attention of another round of physicians and a cardiac specialist. More tests, scans, heart sonogram, and a lot of blood tests to me, a man who absolutely detests needles!

Dr. Hsia at one point was thinking a pacemaker, which I would have refused, as my heart is just fine.

Soon I realized they were playing a guessing game as they could not figure out the cause of me blacking out, and I had become a personal challenge to a number of physicians.

I really wanted to go home and been praying, my faith was weakened by the pain. I wanted to believe the words of scripture.

The injuries were bad enough but now there was this black-out obstacle, and I was calling on the Lord and confessing His promises over my body, as it says "fight the good fight of faith". -and I was fighting as lay there in the hospital bed.

In addition to that, we do not have medical insurance and we live by faith for God to supply, and this too was cause for prayer.

Sunday: Into the Valley of the Shadow of Death

On Sunday morning, Day 7 at Stanford, a Heart Specialist MD came to see me and he was determined to solve the fainting spell mystery. His approach began with heart and blood pressure tests while lying down, sitting up, then standing.

While lying down it was 135/72, then sitting up it dropped a bit to 126/68. So far, so good, although I felt lightheaded while sitting. I knew something was not right.

He had also hooked me up to a gaggle of electrode things on my chest and there were a couple of monitors for the heart, vital signs, and what ever else they had .

As I tried to stand, the light headedness gave way to dizziness and a cold sweat, I began to sway, and just as I passed out, the doc sat me down on the edge of the bed.

The fainting quickly passed and the next thing I saw was a couple of more doctors come into my room. We all discussed what I was feeling and they noted the various monitors.

After a few more minutes they got me to my feet again and in a minute or so of standing with the aid of a walker, WHAM! -I went out cold.

But this time was completely different.

When I blacked out, I left my body. It was actually a pleasant sensation as I left behind all physical senses, discomfort, and pain as I found myself in another dimension.

There was no sense of fear as I observed a sort of foggy looking place with numerous pulsating lights way off in the distance, and I heard voices speaking, although I saw no one.

The lights I saw seemed to be spirits and the voices may have come from them but I am not sure.

As I tried to hear the words from the voices, two lights appeared near to me, and suddenly, clearly, I heard these words:

"PATIENCE, UNDERSTANDING" .

Then suddenly I was back in my body and heard serious-toned voices speaking.

People were tensely speaking and I felt myself being put back on the bed, possibly someone pressing my chest, and I was soaked with sweat.

Later, after things calmed down, the doc said my blood pressure dropped “to 86/67 and here is where you heart stopped”.

It was stunning to hear that. I then knew it was exactly when my heart had stopped, it was the moment I left my physical body.

After stabilizing, even with the low blood pressure (which stayed that way all day), I was left alone except for the nurses and all the stuff hooked up to me.

I thought about my own mortality and the stopping of my heart, dark thoughts began to flood my mind: "What will Linda and the kids without me?"

The possibility my heart could stop again anytime, and those blackouts!"

I was not ready for leaving them.

It was deeply crushing, depressing, and my emotions were surfacing as I wept over my situation there in in the hospital bed.

Later that afternoon a friend from Pennsylvania called, and prayed for me rebuking the cause and symptoms of the blackouts.

I thanked him with agreement but was sure he could sense my spirits were low. I felt physically weak and still wondered if and how I would make it.

About 4 pm I began to pray and parts of the 23rd Psalm came to mind:

1 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside still waters.

3 He restores my soul: He guides me in the paths of righteousness for his name`s sake.

4 Yes, if I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You art with me; Thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me.

I began to confess verse 4 out loud to the Lord, and prayed for some kind of help, "God, can you send me a messenger?".

A Messenger Arrives

About 6pm a Food Attendant came into my room.

She looked at me with kind of a strange look as she prepped the food I was not interested in.

Then she asked me "Do I know you, have we met somewhere?, you look so familiar". (I looked like a mess!, arm in cast, face stitches, pale, in pain..)

I noticed she was wearing a small gold cross, but that may or not mean much these days.

She told me "you look so familiar" but we found nothing common and our paths had not crossed before. I live in Los Banos 105 miles away.

She said she lived in San Jose, and worked at Stanford only on the weekend, part time, yet in this large medical facility with multiple floors and wings, she was there in my room in my dark hour.

I read her name tag, it said "Evangeline".

Evangeline asked me how I was doing, and I responded "not too well". She asked "How's that?"

I told her I was struggling with my faith. I went on to say God gave His Word in 1Peter 2:24 that "by His stripes we were healed, and in Mark 11:

23 Verily I say to you, Whosoever shall say to this mountain, Be thou taken up and cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that what he says comes to pass; he shall have it.

24 Therefore I say to you, All things whatsoever you pray and ask for, believe that you receive them, and you shall have them.

And Hebrews 11:1 where it says "Now FAITH is the ASSURANCE of things HOPED FOR, the EVIDENCE of things not seen."

Although I was struggling to "hold fast the confession of your faith that it waver not", because of what had happened to me that morning, the pain of my injuries, and the low blood pressure, my faith in God's Word for myself was being severely tested.

However Evangeline spoke very comforting words to me and assured me of God's care, saying "you are going to be fine God will take care of you". She repeated those words several times before she left and continued her rounds.

After Evangeline left the room, as I pondered these things, I noticed it was the time of our online Bible Study. I found out they were also praying for me at that same hour while Evangeline was with me.

Then the Lord began to speak to me. He told me He had sent her, that He had made me appear as someone she knew in order for her to take the time needed for me to confess to her my struggle and the scriptures above.

The Lord told me she was a vessel who would receive the testimony of The Word (the scriptures written above) that The Lord wanted me to confess with my mouth, according to Romans 10:9

That if you shall confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and shall believe in your heart that God has raised him from the dead, you shall be saved. (the word saved also means healed.)

To my surprise, later Evangeline returned and I told her what God had spoken to me about her. She was amazed and she said how she had prayed while on the way to work asking the Lord to use her to be a blessing to someone. Yet we were both so astonished at the reality of God's hand directing multiple circumstances.

That evening I sensed the change within my body. The weakness, faintness, fragileness was gone. Isn't it interesting that from that night forward not once have I blacked out or fainted? praise be to God! (even to 15 years later).

Two days later, June 24th, I went home and healing was evident with each passing day. 3 weeks from the time of the wreck, my faith had strengthened and I removed the arm cast. That became another trial because the arm hurt and I was tempted to call the doctor. But by God's grace, I held fast to my trust in Him and the pain left after 5 days, the arm has been fine ever since.

5 weeks later I was walking (with a limp), unassisted. God is my Healer and our Provider. It was so wonderful to be home and I have a new perspective and fresh compassion for people who have been injured and suffering.

I also have a new found respect and admiration for those kind nurses and staff who attend their patients.

So many of them showed real care and concern as they served in their job, I say this about both hospitals who treated my injuries and even the very professional flight crew on the helicopter.

For my family, especially my wife and daughter, we thank everyone who prays for us and ministered to us as we go through tribulations. The calls and prayers received while in Stanford made a difference in encouraging and comforting us, thank you again.

"Make me to hear joy and gladness, That the bones which you have broken may rejoice Hide thy face from my sins, And blot out all mine iniquities."

Pic:

After shearing off a power pole, then hitting a small tree, the truck ended up on the passengers side and with great difficulty, the EMP personnel extracted me thru the back window. I remembered seeing the face of one of them looking in through the rear window. Years later I met him by chance doing some work at a rental house and as we chatted, I asked him where he worked. Short story is he was still an EMP and he was the man I had seen who rescued me out of the wrecked truck.

-My face had hit the windshield and the steering wheel (10 stitches). My right leg was broken at the top and the pelvis socket shattered into 5 parts. And the broken wrist (Colles fracture/ both bones) and several broken ribs.

I never went back for follow up and not returned to the doctor since leaving Stanford 6-24-08, thank God for His healing promises.

Soon after, I returned to work that September, even climbing a ladder again, about 3 months later.

Today I have no limp, but there is a 20” scar on my thigh and hip where they operated.

Did I mention that messenger, Evangeline? While in Stanford I had prayed for a messenger.

A few months later after I felt so much better, I thought of her and looked up her name.

It means "Messenger of good news". http://www.babynames.com/name/EVANGELINE

I contacted the hospital to find out when she worked so I could speak to her and tell her the good news of my healing.

Calling Stanford, the connected me to he Food Service Kitchen and I got the manager.

I asked when Evangeline was working again so I could thank her. The Manager said "I have been here 6 years and there is nobody named "Evangeline" working here.

But I argued, "YES there is, she attended me 4 months ago".

The manager said "I am sorry sir, we have no one by that name working here, not now and not prior."

I wanted to argue but realized it was pointless.

God had sent me a messenger.

39Kimberly Hervé, Mark Angelo Williams and 37 others

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WHO said Paul's Gospel is FALSE?

 

Who witnesses for or against the apostle Paul in scripture?
by rory moore

The Apostle Paul examined:

Other than Jesus Himself,  I don't think any other man has been more maligned to both Jews and gentiles than the man named Paul.

Although he wrote the majority of the New Testament and was responsible for countless numbers of Christian converts for the last 2,000 years, I have heard him referred to as a "male chauvinist" , anti-female, a liar, and a false apostle.
One "prophet" was saying "ya gotta watch that Paul" alluding Paul was in error and that the Catholic Church was somehow "mistakenly responsible for including Paul's writings as scripture"!

Many of these "experts" ignore or explain away Paul's epistles as mere "commentary".
In reality, the vast majority of Christian ministers and pastors  bear no resemblance to the ministry, faith, and walk of Paul who labored for the gospel at his own expense without tithes, no salary, no special privileges or asking for "ministry support" until he was totally dependent on help as a prisoner of Rome...
 

Were Paul's writings scripture and believable?

Paul's ministry and name are mentioned 129 times in the Book of Acts alone, written by Luke, who was eyewitness and who also wrote the gospel of Luke. Therefore we should examine Luke's words, just as we accept Luke's gospel.

If we can establish, apart from Paul's letters,  the truth about his ministry, his calling, and the truth of the gospel Paul preached,  then the accusations by Paul's detractors are laid to rest.  

Was Paul a "chosen vessel"?  If so, we ought to give heed to what he wrote.

If not, then we should take scissors to the New Testament.

Was it "Christ speaking" in him or was it just a mans "commentary" as some charge?

Here I have compiled what others that actually knew him said.  So without relying on Paul's words, we present a multitude of witnesses to the validity of Paul's ministry:

1. Luke:  A witness who wrote the Gospel of Luke and the book of Acts.

To reject Paul, you must also reject Luke's gospel and Acts because witness Luke wrote concerning Paul. 

If Luke did not write the truth,  then what of James and Peter's words recorded in Acts?
Will we discredit what James and Peter were quoted as saying, PLUS many other of the elders and churches, PLUS what Luke reported as to what Jesus said in Acts....???

That creates a dilemma for folks because in Acts we read of those that affirmed Paul:

2.  Jesus is a witness in Acts 9:15

    "But the Lord said to him (Ananias), Go thy way: for he (Paul) is a chosen vessel to me, to bear my name before the Gentiles and kings, and the children of Israel: "

3. Anannias a witness in Acts 9:17 :

    Ananias ...... entered into the house; and laying his hands on him said, Brother Saul,  the  Lord,  even Jesus, who appeared unto thee in the way which you came, has sent me, that you may receive sight, and be filled with the Holy Spirit.

4. Barnabbas in Acts 12:

    for he was a good man, and full of the Holy Spirit and of faith: and much people was added unto  the Lord.  (25  And he went forth to Tarsus to seek for Saul;

5. The Church at Antioch, the Holy Spirit, prophets, and teachers:

    Acts 13:1 Now there were at Antioch, in the church that was there, prophets and teachers,

    Barnabas, and Symeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen the foster-brother of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. 2 And as they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work that I have called them to.

6. The WHOLE church at Jerusalem,

    Acts 15: 4 And when they were come to Jerusalem, they (Paul and Barnabbas)  were received of the church and the apostles and the elders, and they rehearsed all things that God had done with them.

       22 Then it seemed good to the apostles  and the elders, with the whole church, to choose men out of their company, and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas

         The whole church at Jerusalem  approved of Paul, re-read the above verse.

7. Churches that Paul confirmed:

    Acts 15:41 And he went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches.  MANY other churches were confirmed: Derbe and to Lystra, Phrygia and Galatia,  Philippi, Thyatira, Corinth, 

The Church at Ephesus that believed Paul:

     Acts 19-2-6, and the Holy Spirit who confirmed what Paul said to them.

8. God Himself in Acts 19: 11

    And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul:

9. An evil spirit in the unbelieving Jews of Ephesus:

    Acts  14  And there were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jew, a chief priest, who did this.

    15 And the evil spirit answered and said unto them, Jesus I know, and Paul I know, but who are ye?

10. The pagans of Ephesus who desired to kill him in Acts 19: 34      But when they perceived that he was a Jew, all with one voice about the space of two hours cried  out, Great is Diana of the Ephesians.

11. The elders of Ephesus and the Holy Spirit  in  Acts 20:

                     17 and from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called to him the elders of the church.  21 testifying both to Jews and to Greeks repentance toward God, and faith toward our  Lord Jesus Christ.     22  And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there:

  23 save that the Holy Spirit testifies to me in every city afflictions await me. (the Spirit testified through other brethren)

12.  James and the church at Jerusalem upon Paul's return from his missionary work:

       Acts 21:17 And when we were come to Jerusalem, the brethren received us (Luke was an eyewitness) gladly.  18  And the day following Paul went in with us unto James; and all the elders were present.   19 And when he had saluted them, he rehearsed one by one the things which God had wrought among the Gentiles through his ministry.     20 And they, when they heard it, glorified God

 13. The Lord Himself in Acts 22: 21

      And he <an angel> said to me, Depart: for I will send you forth far away to the Gentiles.       24 saying, Fear not, Paul; you must stand before Caesar: and lo, God has granted thee all them that sail with thee

      

14. An angel sent from the Lord: Acts 27: 23

      For there stood by me this night an angel of the God whose I am, whom also I serve... (Luke wrote this as a witness in Acts)

15. The apostle Peter  in his second letter, acknowledging what Paul wrote is holy scripture:

2Peter 3: 15 And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also, according to the wisdom given to him, wrote to you; 16 as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; wherein are some things hard to be understood, which the ignorant and unstedfast wrest,  as they do also the other scriptures, to their own destruction.

16. In Acts, Agabus, a prophet, Luke, a scribe and apostle,  and the HOLY SPIRIT bear witness of Paul:

... a certain prophet, named Agabus.  11 And coming to us, and taking Paul`s girdle, he bound his own feet and hands, and said,  THUS SAYS THE HOLY SPIRIT, So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man (PAUL) that owns this girdle, and shall  deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.

17. The apostle John DID name some folks to beware of:   

     3Jn:9 I wrote some to the church: but Diotrephes, who loves to have the preeminence among them, receives us not.
(10 Therefore, if I come, I will bring to remembrance his works which he does, prating against us with wicked words: and not content therewith,  neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and them that would he forbids and casts them out of the church.

 And John mentioned those who were sent to the gentile churches:

3 John 1:7  Because that for his name's sake they went forth, taking nothing of the Gentiles. (the "they" were Paul, Silavnus, Timothy, Luke)

But if Paul was such as rascal to be avoided, why is there no direct witness warning of him like there is of other "wolves" such as "Diatrophes", "Demas", "Simon the Sorcerer" and others by the other scripture writers Peter, James, Luke, or John?

We note from the above witnesses numbering in at least the hundreds in favorable reports of Paul, the believing Jews including Luke, John, Barnabbas, Anannias, James, the elders and other apostles including Peter, and the entire Jewish church in Jerusalem,  and if that were not enough human witness, we still have Jesus Christ Himself and the Holy Spirit bearing witness.

There remains one more, all-important witness, namely the Bible itself! "The SUM of thy word is TRUTH", and a curse is pronounced upon those who would add to or take away from the Words of scripture. 

The anti-Paul Judaizers would love to tear his epistles and even the book of Acts out of the Bible because they don't want to believe what Paul wrote: "Christ IS the END of the law for righteousness to all that believe" -rom 10:4 

 Is there any proof available that what Luke wrote in Acts is God-breathed?

Who hated Paul?

His enemies bear consistent negative witness and a clear pattern emerges as to their identity:

The unconverted, unbelieving Jews of Corinth:

     Acts 13: 43 Now when the synagogue broke up, many of the Jews and of the devout proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas; who, speaking to them, urged them to continue in the grace of God

                 44  And the next sabbath almost the whole city was gathered together to hear the word of God

                  45  But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with jealousy, and contradicted the things which were spoken by Paul, and blasphemed.

                  46 And Paul and Barnabas spake out boldly, and said, It was necessary that  the word of God should first be spoken to you.  Seeing ye thrust it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles.

                   50 But the Jews urged on the devout women of honorable estate, and the chief me  of the city, and stirred up a persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and cast them out of their borders

The  unbelieving Jews and Gentiles of Iconium:  Acts 14:

     1. And it came to pass in Iconium that they entered together into the synagogue of the Jews,

   and so spake that a great multitude both of Jews and of Greeks believed.

     2 But the Jews that were disobedient stirred up the souls of the Gentiles,  and made them evil affected against the brethren.     5 And when there was made an onset both of the Gentiles and of the Jews with their rulers, to treat them shamefully and to stone them,

The unbelieving Jews at Thessalonica: Acts 17:

     5 But the Jews, being moved with jealousy, took unto them certain vile fellows of the rabble, and gathering a crowd, set the city on an uproar;

The unbelieving Jews of Corinth  Acts 17:

    18  But the Jews, being moved with jealousy, took certain vile fellows... and gathering a crowd, set the city on an uproar; and assaulting the house of Jason, they sought to bring them forth to the people.        the Jews with one accord rose up against Paul and   brought him before the judgment-seat,    13 saying, This man persuades men to worship God contrary to the law.

The unbelieving Jews at Jerusalem in Acts 20:

    30  And all the city was moved, and the people ran together; and they laid hold on Paul, and dragged him out of the temple: and straightway the doors were shut.

    31 And as they were seeking to kill him.

Acts 22: 30 But on the morrow, desiring to know the certainty wherefore he was accused of the Jews,

        ... and commanded the chief priests and all the council to come together, and brought Paul down and set him before them.

        14 And they came to the chief priests and the elders, and said, We have bound ourselves  under a great curse, to taste nothing until we have killed Paul.

The unbelieving Jews at Rome, Acts 28:

       17 And it came to pass, that after three days he called together those that were the chief of the Jews:    and when they were come together, he said unto them, I, brethren, though I had done nothing against the people, or the customs of our fathers, yet was delivered prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans:

       27 For this people`s heart is waxed gross, And their ears are dull of hearing, And their eyes they have closed; Lest, haply they should perceive with their eyes, And hear with their ears, And understand with their heart, And should turn again, And I should heal them.

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

The "wicked" and ignorant in 2Peter 3:

       15  And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also, according to the wisdom given to him, wrote unto you;

        16 as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; wherein are some things hard to be understood, which the ignorant and unstedfast wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.

        17 Ye therefore, beloved, knowing these things beforehand, beware lest, being carried away with the error of the wicked, ye fall from your own stedfastness.

The unbelieving Judaizers have one thing in common and they are consistent:  The same spirit in pharisaical law keepers who wanted to murder Jesus also manifested the same works of their father the devil in trying to murder Paul time after time. 

Clearly, this is why and Paul understood better than the modern Law-observant advocates:

2 Corinthians 3:14   But their minds were blinded: for until this day remains the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in Christ.

 2 Corinthians 3:15  But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the veil is upon their heart.

-Now we see why the hatred of Paul by those who would put you in bondage to Old Testament Law...., and in doing so, they are fulfilling exactly the very words that Paul wrote about them.

As I have continued to read the Bible making note of Paul and his selfless ministry to God's people, it became evident that Paul had died out to himself, and was manifesting the nature, character, and authority in "his mortal flesh" that we all should aspire to follow.

I look forward to meeting Bro. Paul in heaven.

The apostle Paul was a working minister as an example

 

Overlooked by aspiring ministers, was the example that Paul worked making tents as he ministered until he was older and imprisoned.

Some may be surprised to realize what he taught ministers to work and labor likewise.

God's word show us how the apostle Paul worked in Corinth, Ephesus, and Thessalonica and he told the Ephesian overseers “it is more blessed to give than receive” in regard to ministry.

Let's look at his teaching.
....................

Acts 18: 2 (Corinth Greece. And Paul found a certain Jew named Aquila, a man of Pontus by race, lately come from Italy, with his wife Priscilla, ..and he came to them 3 and because he (PAUL) was **of the same trade**, he stayed with them, **and they worked**,  for by their trade they were tentmakers.
..................

Acts 20: 29 Paul to the Ephesian pastors:
I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock;

30 and from among your own selves men will arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples <to follow> after them.

31 Therefore be on the alert, remembering that night and day for a period of three years I did not cease to admonish each one with tears. 32 And now I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified.

33 I have coveted no one’s silver or gold or clothes.

34 You yourselves know that these hands (PAUL'S HANDS)  ministered to my own needs and to the men who were with me.

35 In everything I showed you that **by working** in this manner you (bishops) must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He Himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” ***
..............
1 Cor 4:12 

NKJV

And we labor, working with our own hands. Being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we endure;

NLV

We work with our hands to make a living. We speak kind words to those who speak against us. When people hurt us, we say nothing.

NLT

We work wearily with our own hands to earn our living. We bless those who curse us. We are patient with those who abuse us.

2Corinthians 6:5 in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults,** in labors**, in sleepless nights, in fastings;

2Corinthians 11:27 in labor and travail, in sleepless nights often

..............

1thess. 2: 9
For ye remember, brethren, our labor and travail:
==> working night and day, that we might not burden any of you, <==
we preached to you the gospel of God.
...................

2thess 3: 7
For yourselves know how ye ought to **imitate us**: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you;
8 ==> neither did we eat bread for nothing at any man's hand
==> but in labor and travail, working night and day,
==> that we might not burden any of you:
9 not because we have not the right,
==> but to make ourselves an example to you,
that ye (ALL the men) should imitate us.
10 For even when we were with you,
==> this we commanded you,
==> If any will not work, neither let him eat.
...............

There you have it. Paul worked and instructed the bishops and men to work and be diligent.. 

He said to "imitate us" in this very thing.... And when you compare him to the glory-hounds and pulpit princes pulling for tithes and offerings... Well, you decide who to support...

The Enigma of THE BRANCH Zechariah 3:8

 

The Enigma of The Branch, 1God Series
-by rory moore
“behold,  I will bring forth  my servant the Branch." Zechariah 3:8

As I was searching scripture regarding the declarations concerning the phrase “Jesus of Nazareth” to see how many times it was used, I found a mystery in one of the twenty one quotations that used that phrase..

 Yes, Jesus was born in Bethlehem but that was not his hometown. He and his family lived in Nazareth.

Matthew 2:23 And he (Joseph with his family and child Jesus)
came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene.

 But in reading the prophets, the word "Nazarene" was not used by them in the Old Testament. The Lord led me to see what the name “Nazareth” means, and to my surprise, I found the meaning of  “NAZARETH” as follows:

Etymology: From the verb נצר (nasar), to protect or preserve, or the noun נצר (neser), branch or shoot.

From the verb נזר (nazar), to consecrate oneself.

From the verb זרע (zara'), to scatter to sow, or זרה (zara), to scatter to winnow. 
source: https://www.abarim-publications.com/Meaning/Nazareth.html

 The second level of that is the “eth” in Nazareth.

It means “appointed time, times, season…”
Together, we have the Branch at the appointed time and season.

Now we can understand the Branch enigma of the prophets!

 Zechariah 3:8  Hear now, O Joshua the high priest, you and your fellows that sit before you; for they are men that are a sign: for, behold,  I will bring forth   MY SERVANT THE BRANCH, -in other words MY SERVANT THE NAZARENE.

 Isaiah 4:2 In that day shall THE BRANCH of Jehovah be beautiful and glorious, -The NAZARENE OF YHVH SHALL BE BEAUTIFUL.

 Jeremiah 23:5 Behold, the days come, says YHVH, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as king

As I looked at these declarations about Jesus, I could easily imagine being back there and hearing what was said about Jesus. He was famous, all had heard of this “Jesus of Nazareth”.

 Matthew 21:11 And the multitudes said, This is the prophet, Jesus, from Nazareth of Galilee.

 Mark 1:9 And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in the Jordan.

 Luke 18:37 And they told him, that Jesus of Nazareth passes by.

 John 1:45 Philip found Nathanael, and said to him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.

 John 18:5 They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus said to them, I am he. 

 John 18:7 Again therefore he asked them, Whom seek ye? And they said, Jesus of Nazareth.

 John 19:19 And Pilate wrote a title also, and put it on the cross. And there was written, Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.

 Acts 2:22 After Jesus’ ascension to the Father, freshly anointed Peter declares to the crowd in Jerusalem:

Ye men of Israel, hear these words:
  Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God unto you by mighty works and wonders and signs which God did by him among you, even as you yourselves know;

 Acts 3:6 But Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but what I have, that give I thee,  In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.

 Acts 4:10 be it known to you all, and to all the people of Israel,  

 that in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even in him does this man stand here before you whole.

 Acts 6:14 for we have heard (Stephen) him say, that this Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this place, and shall change the customs which Moses delivered unto us.

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

 Acts 22:8 And I answered, WHO ARE YOU, Lord?

 And he said to me,  I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom thou persecute.

 Acts 26:9 I verily thought with myself that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth.

Summary:

What the words mean.

BRANCH: Hebrew H6780 צֶמַח  tsemach  tseh'-makh

From H6779; a sprout (usually concretely), literally or figuratively: - branch, bud, that which (where) grew (upon), spring (-ing).

 “NAZARETH”:  From the verb נצר (nasar), to protect or preserve,
  or the noun נצר (neser), branch or shoot.

source: https://www.abarim-publications.com/Meaning/Nazareth.html

 10-29-2021

Prophetic Dreams of CHAOS AND the Emerging Dragon and Martial Law

 

12-14-2020

There are elements of that in the *dream I was given about the rioting and chaos in the city, followed by a force and power that none could resist.

In order for that, there must be a large reaction from the satanically-driven Left to attempt a violent coup against President Trump.

-which is the next step of the "Purple <Soros-Chyna> Revolution".

The Emerging Dragon Dream: Linda Moore, 8-20-05

I was in a valley between two mountains with many other people.

The mountain on the left showed some vegetation on the side and some buildings on top.

The mountain on my right was barren, dry and empty.

As I observed the dry mountain on the right I noticed the outline of a huge dragon appearing in the side of it.

Then the picture-image-outline of the dragon began moving and emerging out of the dirt,

taking a 3 dimensional form before it began roaring and and going after the people.

Everyone started screaming in panic and running for their lives. Some ran to the other mountain and started climbing to get away from the beast...

This startling and unforgettable dream showed the conflict between the re and blue political factions and the exposure of the real source of conflict and division, i.e. Chyna on behalf of the NWO rulers who themselves are servants of satan. Chyna is emerging from its' veiled position over the politicians here in the US.

In 2017: CHAOS and Martial Law dream. -Rory

In the dream I was with some people in the downtown area, in a store owned by a friend.

His store was very secure and had a very strong steel door. We were inside chatting when we heard noises outside, so we looked out through the open door.

Off in the distance, the downtown area, was a cluster or large group of people. Something was very riotous, voices, shouting, smoke and dust.

I "heard" the word "CHAOS", very clearly. We were concerned they would attack us.

The sounds faded and all was quiet.

We were back inside and the secure door was shut and locked.

Then moments passed, and it seemed like there were armored (military) vehicles passing by, and strong soldiers patrolled, carrying weapons.

Then another "word of knowledge" came to me that even though we were in a secure location, that "nothing and nobody will be able to resist" the force of their power.

Perhaps we should all re-visit Revelation 12 and the prophetic vision of the dragon in the end-time scenario.

FEAR OF: Corona-phobia and the Planned Demics to Follow

Do you suffer from.... A PHOBIA ?

known as CV-CCV-COVID19-Novel Corona Virus was and is a fear-driven mind weapon developed by the Powers that Should Not Be..

-a mental affliction driven by daily news stats and the trigger words "NEW CASES".

Symptoms:

mass panic, mask-wearing orders despite all logical scientific facts proving they are not healthy or effective.

"Social distancing" fear of people, fear of touching, fear of objects, fear of breathing even outdoors at parks, beaches, and recreational areas.

Victims will often resort to using utterly worthless masking materials like bandannas, cloth materials, and commercial dust filters.

Serious victims of CORONAPHOBIA are often seen wearing a mask while driving alone in a vehicle with the windows closed or walking outdoors while masked. Fear of salons and restaurants.

CONTAGIOUS:

Others seek to infect rational people with nonsense arguments, their own fears, and conflicting government agency dictates.

Mainstream News is the 24/7 "hot spot".

DANGERS:

It is most dangerous when politicians advocate for it, use it for advantage and political opportunity, and worst of all, assume dictatorial powers by issuing unlawful edicts and violate your rights.

The Politics of it has killed tens of thousands of businesses.

Mass injections known as "vaxx's" with technology and assorted dangerous ingredients extreme danger..

Known Cures.

-Turn off TV and MSM news.

-Research actual facts and percentages that show a fraction of 1% either become infected or die.

-Know that recovery rates are very high.

Understand HCQ cures quickly and inexpensively.

-Do not listen to experts that contradict themself every 3 weeks.

-Eat healthy, take vitamin C, zinc, and get SUNSHINE AND FRESH AIR.

-Hug people and SMILE! - It breaks the "programming".

For Christians:

 repent of fear, repent of the world's report, turn to and believe God’s gospel promises to protect us, deliver us, heal us, as we walk the walk and talk FAITH.

Read Psalm 91 and confess faith that God said that to us to believe.

And FEAR NOT,

"God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of wisdom and power and a sound mind"

-Rory Moore June 30, 2020