GO YE THEREFORE AND...

TEACH , didaskO , all nations... ?

.

NO,

.

The LORD JESUS

.

did not say that;

.

the translators said that.

.

Our LORD said to

go to all nations

.

and MATHATEUO them.

.

That word means "to disciple".

.

<(((><

.

So, there IS a distinction, a difference in these two words which JESUS HIMSELF+ made during His+ last earthly words of instructions to His+ students... ???

.

NO...

but rather,

.

to His+ DISCIPLES.

.

<(((><

.

In those two last verses of the book of Matthew, the Greek (from Jay P.Green Sr.) accurately reads:

.

Go ye therefore

and DISCIPLE (mathateusate) all nations,

baptizing them

in the name of The FATHER,

and of The SON+,

and of the HOLY SPIRIT,

.

TEACHING (didaskontes) them

.

to observe all things

.

whatsoever I+ have commanded you;

.

and behold, I + am with you all the days,

.

unto the completion of the age.

.

Amen.

.
So, dear friends, how does one make or become a disciple of The LORD JESUS CHRIST versus a student ?
.

What is the distinctive difference

.

between

.

a disciple and a student ?

.

<(((><

.

Which are we ?

.

Which should we be, after our baptism

.

into CHRIST JESUS our LORD ?

+ + +

BLENDERS...

Blenders ... instead of CHRISTIANS ?

Are we blending into the world...

or are we a distinct people?

There are ways for us to measure ourselves.

.

<(((><

.

One of the first signs of a true disciple of CHRIST ~ one who applies discipleship to his own life ~ is the fruit that is growing quietly. The ripening and maturing of the fruit is visible to all who come near. Everbody notices it. The neighbors see it, the friends sense it, the children feel it, the husband or wife become slowly aware of it... everybody notices the fruit of discipleship.

.

<(((><

.

What is some of that fruit?

.

Fruit that is Holy makes a distinction between the disciple and the world, which can be seen at a glance. For instance, one fruit of discipleship is the thought-life. Thoughts are made evident to others through conversation, or more apply put, perhaps, through those things NOT said nor discussed. The early Christians were distinct because of how they conducted their conversations ~ and the topics that DID NOT INTEREST them. [Now, that's a thought!]

.

<(((><

.

Thoughts are apparent through attitudes. Are we defensive? Ready to argue? Grim when things are done NOT our way? These are some of the measuring sticks to see if we qualify as disciples or spiritual babies.

.

Discipleship will change all that. A disciple ~ a true disciple of CHRIST ~ will be so involved in CHRIST JESUS that earthly concerns will not matter too much anymore. PEACE will be one distinct fruit. Irritability will be gone with little effort, you see, when one's mind is on Spiritual things of The LORD. A disciple keeps his mind on things which The LORD deems important.

.

<(((><

.

Another measuring stick to see if we qualify as disciples of CHRIST is our visible, silent witness. Many people will not go into a church because they are afraid "they" will "GET" them ! [Who they is, is not quite clear... but to those who are afraid, they is real.] Supposedly, to be "gotten" by a church (?) means that some kind of discomfort is very real in the mind of that fearful person. So, how does one witness to such a person? How could one let him / her know that CHRIST is available to meet the needs of whosoever would come unto HIM+ ?

.

<(((><

.

Again, separation from the world is the rule to follow. How do we measure if we Christians are sufficiently separated? This one is simple: we use our eyes. While we are walking in the supermarket or across the parking lot, can someone SEE AT A GLANCE that we follow CHRIST? If not, then we must change our clothing so that a constant visible witness THAT MARKS US AS CHRISTIAN is evident, even without the spoken word.

.

<(((><

.

This is not radical: we all recognize policemen, firemen, soldiers, and ball team members AT A GLANCE, don't we? We recognize orthodox Jews and orange-clad disciples of an eastern religion at a glance. Even children in Britain and many other countries usually wear uniforms to school to set them apart.

.

The early Christians dressed oftentimes to blend in with the earth, not the crowd. In other words, their simplicity and modesty and lack of adornment marked them as belonging to CHRIST. And they lived in a most pagan era!

.

<(((><

.

When we look over the playground, do our little boys stand out as CHRISTIAN by the way we dress them... or do they blend in with the crowd? Are our girls separated from the world SO MUCH SO that you can identify "those girls are from a Christian family" on the playground or in the neighborhood? We know of two families ~ one in Kentucky, one in Alabama ~ who are NOT members of a "group" which tells them what to do. But their walk with CHRIST is such that they dress their children so noticably Christian that anyone looking will know they come from a Christian family. And that simple fact opens up the doors for witness.

.

<(((><

.

Why is it important for the children to be dressed differently? One important reason is the witness for CHRIST: others who see the Christian children will come looking for their parents if they are spiritually hungry.

.

<(((><

.

The other important reason is that we are training the children, no matter how young, to be different from the worldlings... instead of blending in with the non-disciples. We train them to be comfortable with a separate identity.

.

Yes, we can choose their clothes for them now, but we will not be able to choose the consequences for them later... if we train them up to enhance their "self" identity. Self expression instead of expressing CHRIST is the lesson the children learn, much to our regret in later years. Then we hear the parents' lament, "Oh, what have I done wrong?" And then, it is too late.

.

<(((><

.

Being conservative, decent, hard-working, and modest citizens of ANY country is not equivalent to being Christian. Many, many persons live and dress moderately. Many, many persons love their children deeply and work hard. They wouldn't even think of robbing a bank or committing murder.

.

But... they bear no witness for CHRIST JESUS the LORD. In their public talk, walk, thoughts, attitudes, and dress no-one would run to them for spiritual help. No stranger laden with sin and dispair would even imagine that CHRIST may dwell in the hearts of the blenders.

.

<(((><

.

Instead, a person troubled over his spiritual plight would slip next to a priest, a nun, or even an Old Order Mennonite / Amish to talk with them about their problems. Why? Because they can identify them at a glance!

.

The evangelical Christians who do know CHRIST JESUS simply are blending in with the majority of conservative society today. And the witness is greatly blunted, if not eradicated altogether.

.

<(((><

.

True, we may not be able to go to the far-out tribes in the Gobi Desert to witness for CHRIST, but we can do those little things at home and in the public ~ right where we live ~ to lift CHRIST JESUS up. The promise is certain because HE+ said it: If I + be lifted up from the earth, I + will draw all men unto ME+ .

.

What, dear friends, is keeping us from doing that?

.

Let us make a decided effort to discipline ourselves to separate from the world and its ways and learn to lift JESUS up as our LORD in everyday things, in everyday life... every day.

.

<(((><

.

Come out from among them;

and be ye separate,

saith the LORD,

and touch not the unclean thing;

and

I+

will receive

you.

.

(The Apostle, 2 Cor. 6:17,

quoting the Prophet Isaiah )

.

Shake loose the rocks; break up the fallow ground and the hard-packed soil. In our prayer closets, then, let us judge and measure ourselves lest we be judged... and found wanting in the balance.

.

<(((><

.

In the name of The FATHER,

Who created thee;

The SON+

Who+ saves thee;

and the blessed HOLY SPIRIT,

Who sanctifies thee.

.

Sister Judith Hannah + + +

A Return to Discipleship...

A Return to Discipleship...

...is not an option.

.

<(((><

.

Discipleship is what keeps the train on the track. It is what keeps us moving forward, on toward CHRIST.

.

.

Some Christian Believers have discovered discipleship through a submissive obedience to the leading of the HOLY SPIRIT. Others have stumbled across the necessity of discipleship purely by accident... when they have been frustrated with ~AND REJECTED~ their bone-dry "walk" with CHRIST. Still others have been pushed to it by sorrow, injury, illness, or handicap.

.

.

One thing is certain: there is no growth without a determined, purposeful discipleship.

.

.

WRONG.

.

In all truth, there really is growth... but not towards CHRIST. The growth will be towards the world in dress and thought, towards secret and open indulgences of the flesh, towards deadness and numbness and coldness towards CHRIST. In our daily busy-ness of mind, body, and duties... is our on-fire effort going toward something(s) other than CHRIST ?

.

.

Many of us have come so far from the old man. Is it worth losing what we have gained in CHRIST through so many tears and renderings of our flesh...

...to let it slip away

due to

spiritual laziness?

.

.

Are we content with this ?

.

.

Making the effort toward a determined discipleship is NOT SALVATION BY WORKS: it is simply staying on track towards The LORD JESUS our King.

.

Now, here's the scary part:

.

HE+ won't keep you on track...

.

...unless you make the effort.

.

<(((><

.

.

And HE+ said to them all,

If

any man

will come after ME+,

let him deny himself,

and take up his cross daily,

and

follow

ME+.

.

~ The Word of The LORD,

recorded in Luke 9:23

+ + +

.

In the name of The FATHER, Who created thee~

The SON+, Who+ saves thee~

And

The Blessed HOLY SPIRIT, Who sanctifies thee.

.

Sister Judith Hannah + + +

WHO-- or What--- are we LIFTING UP?

There is a way which seemeth right

unto a man,

but the end thereof are the ways of

DEATH.

Proverbs 14:12

My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.

But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

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

James 1:2-5

We are told by James to ask for wisdom. We are not told to ask for strength here, nor even patience. As one Brother shared on the LORD'S Day, "Love keeps us faithful to HIM+ ."

During the recent 9/11 remembrances, let us ask: who... or what... are we lifting up?

Are we lamenting the loss of lives? That is acceptable sorrow.

Are we lamenting the fact that likely most who lost their lives so abruptly did not follow the LORD JESUS CHRIST, as they went to their eternal abode ? Now that is only the sorrow that Christians can carry.

Are we vowing to fight terrorism? Regardless of who we think is to blame ... those of Ben Laden's camp or those of Hunt-the-Boeing camp...

IS FIGHTING TERRORISM THE ARENA for CHRISTIANS ?

.

Confused?

.

Then let us UN-confuse ourselves and check out the Word of Truth, as found in Romans 12:19-21...

.

Dearly Beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, VENGEANCE IS MINE; I WILL REPAY, saith The LORD.

.

Therefore,

if thine enemy hunger, feed him;

if he thirst, give him drink:

.

for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.

.

Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

.

Yes, this does sound familiar... the teachings of The LORD JESUS CHRIST and the living out of HIS+ Life, being our example... shows us that there is no conflict with the WORD of GOD... by leaving vengeance in HIS+ very, very capable Hands.

.

Fighting against terrorists (political or military) is NOT the realm nor calling of the Christian.

.

For, what does it profit to slay the un-regenerated ?

.

The world would never sorrow over the death of the unsaved... but we who follow CHRIST JESUS do. Therefore, we do NOT pick up the sword but rather we pick up our cross and die daily to our Selves.

.

In order to be ascetic? NO.

.

But rather, in order to share the GOOD NEWS that CHRIST JESUS came to save sinners from death, hell, and the power of the grave.

.

We practice denying our flesh in order to have the life of CHRIST living unhindered by our flesh... in order to share the GOOD NEWS that CHRIST JESUS came to save sinners... of whom I am chief!

.

So, if HE+ cleansed me from sin,

HE+ can cleanse anybody...

.

including those in the enemy camp.

.

Thus, instead of wasting our energies doing what the worldlings do on 9/11, let us Christians spend that time in our prayer closets, wearing out the skin on our knees.

.

Let us beseech the LORD GOD of the HEAVENLY ARMIES to smite the wicked spirits and put those wicked spirits to flight... those wicked creatures who stir up men to shed blood and produce hate.

.

In so doing, those wicked spirits accomplish 2 things:

.

One is they plummet hundreds of people prematurely into HELL, cutting off all chance of them coming to The LORD JESUS CHRIST.

.

Secondly, the wicked spirits stir up human hatred and revenge amongst the Christians and urge them to pick up the sword, avenging in righteous indignation, and drop the cross... and transgress against our SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST... Who+ desires that all men, everywhere, be saved.

.

Who... or what... are we Christians lifting up?

.

Yes, in these days of "national emergencies," let us learn to be more FAITHFUL to OUR KINGDOM, which is in Heaven than to the flag of whatever nation we sojourn in.

.

Let us learn to lift up The LORD JESUS CHRIST... not simply to comfort the victims but also to batter the Kingdom of darkness with prayers for Truth to be victorious and salvation for

.

the dreadfully unregenerated ones...

.

for a dreadful eternity in HELL awaits them.

.

There is a way that seemeth right unto a man,

but the end thereof are the ways of DEATH.

.

In the name of The FATHER, Who created thee,

And His SON+, The LORD JESUS CHRIST, Who+ saves thee,

And the Blessed HOLY SPIRIT, Who sanctifies thee.

Amen.

+ + +

TRUTH IS FALLEN IN THE STREET...

Truth is fallen in the street...

And judgment is turned away backward,

and justice standeth afar off;

for Truth is fallen

.

in the street,

.

and equity cannot enter.

Yea, truth faileth;

and he that departs from evil

makes himself a prey:

and the LORD saw it,

and it displeased HIM

that there was no judgment.
Isaiah 59:14, 15

The age of apostacy is dead-set upon us. The lies are waxing bolder and stronger. Even the pretense of right-thinking has become warped. This is what we've seen this last week:

• a health "reform" bill in Congress that would have mandatory counseling to the elderly on medical monies from the government about how to commit suicide...

• That same bill would diminish treatments (i.e., payment for) quality treatment for the chronically ill and handicapped... especially if their conditions were not hopeful.

• a blasphemous set of statements about The LORD JESUS CHRIST on YouTube
  
• a book written about a man meeting "GOD" in a shack... where the HOLY FATHER of Our LORD and SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST is portrayed as a woman ! WHAT "GOD" COULD THAT BE?

How can Christians know

what is Truth?

The only way to recognize Truth is by holding issues up to the Life+ in JESUS CHRIST, as found in the Gospels... not in the imagination of man. We hold these issues up to the Light+ and "see" them for what they are.

Like the sunflower, we turn always toward the Light+ in JESUS CHRIST and we follow HIM+. We do NOT swerve to the left or to the right.

That Life+ in JESUS CHRIST is gained by death.

THIS "DEATH" is Not the sick urge "for the good of society" toward suicide or eliminating the non-producers of society...

...but by the denial of our flesh for the sake of being His+ disciples and out of an obedient, love-faith relationship with CHRIST JESUS OUR LORD. (Thank you, Brother David Bercot!)

When we start denying our flesh, picking up our cross, and TRULY spend our time, energy, and thoughts following JESUS...

...then we will know Truth.

The real, unshackled

HOLY SPIRIT, HOLY FATHER, and HOLY SON+

will come to abide in us then

and we will recognize the phony,

the placating,

the apostate,

and the wicked spirits

that are pouring forth

from men

who will NEVER

deny themselves

for the sake of CHRIST JESUS.

That is how we discern the difference between good and evil.

<(((><

For they that are after the flesh

do mind the things of the flesh;

but

they that are after the SPIRIT

the things of the SPIRIT.

For to be carnally minded is death;

but to be spiritually minded is
life and peace.

Because the carnal mind is

enmity against GOD:

for it is not subject
to the law of GOD,

neither indeed can be.

So then they

that are in the flesh

cannot please GOD.

Romans 8:5-8

Whom Shall I FEAR ?

... FEAR HIM+ !!!

Hear the Word of the LORD from Proverbs 19:9...

A false witness will not go unpunished,

and he who speaks lies shall perish.

A false witness is one who KNOWS better... but deliberately speaks bad things that are NOT TRUE. A false witness defames the character of someone and slanders or slays his victim with his tongue.

Everybody knows what happens to those who tell lies against neighbors, family, and friends. Estrangement occurs. A wall goes up. Hurt lies in the heart of the one being slandered so viciously.

For Christians, this happens regularly. Family members who have received a witness come under conviction by the HOLY SPIRIT. If they repent, we have won some to CHRIST. But if they don't, the phone lines and emails will be hot with false witnessing against the Christian's character.

Yes, we know how to pray: to forgive, to bind, to bless. Oftentimes, that makes the flaming tongues of hostility hotter. The LORD tells us to count it all joy because not only is it a battle for someone's soul... is it our proving ground, our testing. It is in the FIRE that our souls are weaned from ease and exercised in GODLINESS. That is when GROWTH occurs, for the faithful. And, that growth is TOWARDS THE LORD.

Yes, there will be judgment from GOD for those who provide a false witness against their fellow man, whether the false witness be in the courtroom, in the workplace, or in the family circle.

But, let's look at that Proverb once again, in a new light.

A false witness will not go unpunished,

and he who speaks lies shall perish.

Christians, take heed to your tongue.

Take heed about speaking half-truths about ME+ to others to make others "feel good" about you ... and about ME+.

I am not running a popularity contest. I do not change my Word in order to have people "come to JESUS" the soft way. Do not give the Salvation message backwards: You don't "receive ME+ "... I RECEIVE YOU...

if you are found acceptable to ME+ by your repentance,

if you are humble in your own eyes,

if you are sorrowful over your sins....

if you seal your vow to ME+ under the waters of baptism.

Remember: a false witness will NOT go unpunished, So, be mindful to represent the TRUE CHARACTER of GOD and not some fantasy about Who HE is and Who His SON+ is that is not based in Scripture but in man's confused image.

Remember: he who speaks lies shall perish. so be certain to speak of My+ judgment and My+ INtolerance of ALL sinful ways, as well as My+ love and forgiveness.

+ + +

And fear not them

which kill the body,

but are not able

to kill the soul.

But rather fear HIM+

which is able to destroy

both soul and body,

in GEHENNA

(the Lake of Fire).

Mt. 10:28

Yes, JESUS does love every soul, no matter how deep the sin. But, HE+ will deal with those who choose to love their darkness more than Light.

Do not fail to include this in your Gospel Message of Salvation. Do not be a false witness for CHRIST.

+ + +

In the name of The FATHER, Who created us,

The SON+, Who+ saves us,

and The Blessed HOLY SPIRIT

Who sanctifies us into a meet vessel,

worthy of HIS+ use.

<(((><

Sister Judith Hannah+ + +

The HOLY SPIRIT and FIRE !

I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance.

but HE+ that cometh after me

is mightier than I,

Whose+ shoes I am not worthy to bear:

HE+ shall baptize you

with the HOLY SPIRIT,

and with

fire:

.

.

Whose+ fan is in His+ hand,

and HE+ will thoroughly purge His+ floor;

and gather His+ wheat into the garner;

but HE will burn up the chaff

with unquenchable fire.

Matthew 3: 11, 12

<(((><

.

.

If you want the blessings of The LORD to attend your way, then you must ask yourself: What have I done for JESUS CHRIST?

Paid your bills? ....Commendable, but millions of pagans and Buddhists and Moslems and Hindus pay their bills.... but they won't get into Heaven.

.

Didn't ever drink, smoke, or do drugs? ... lots of people haven't done these things. But that's not a ticket into Heaven either.

.

.

Fed, clothed, and raised your children to be decent, law-abiding, productive citizens? .....Now this is simply your un-abdicatable duty; you will be dreadfully accountable if you don't do this. Again, the above millions of peoples do this very same thing... yet they do not follow the Living Savior, Our LORD JESUS CHRIST,... so Heaven will be closed to them also.

.

.

Kept the 10 Commandments? (i.e., no stealing, no killing, no "cussin' using The LORD'S name, no adultery, doing ONLY Holy things on the sabbath, have not coveted after [lusted after] anything or person I've seen, etc.)... Aha, you say, I've kept all these things from my youth up because my parents made us live holy and righteous lives... but, that's not enough to get you into Heaven. If it was, the Bible could have stopped at Exodus.
.
Like JESUS Himself+ said, those commandments are right things to do and indeed, are simply the basic requirements of all.. Nothing beyond basic duty here... although you will reap better fruits if you do these right things than if you do not!
.
BUT, it still won't get you into Heaven.

.
Why?

.
Because you haven't been cleansed from your past sins...

and your present tendency

to hide your sinful nature from GOD.

.

However, HE+ sees you as you REALLY are.

HE+ loves you...

but an uncleansed sinner simply doesn't enter Heaven.
.

HE+ will not change the rules for anyone,

including me or you.

.

If you don't believe this now,

REALITY awaits you

when you open your eyes

in death.

.

So, what must I do to be saved from the punishment

certainly ordained for each person who dies in their sins?

JESUS says you MUST (no option here) ... yes, MUST be born again in order to see Heaven. You must be born from above, through water and by the HOLY SPIRIT.

.

And...

.

here is the scary part...

.

you can't control the HOLY SPIRIT...

.

HE+ does!
.

HE+ Who+ loves you MOST, knows you BEST.

.
You cannot hide anything in the secret place of your heart;
HE+ sees you in there.

.

So HE+ waits.

.
HE+ waits for you to come clean

and confess your sins...

all of them...

to HIM+.

.

If you confess and turn away from your sins

AND WANT TO LIVE ONLY FOR JESUS,

HE+ will know it!

[ HE+ will also know it if you

don't want to live only for HIM+ .]
.

HE+ will bring you that new birth from above [through water and the HOLY SPIRIT] and make you into a brand new creature...that new creature in CHRIST that The Word talks about. And you will be clean and have help to STAY clean until it is your time to leave this world for the Heavenly realm.

.

So, if you want the reality of blessings, then do it HIS+ WAY... repent, be cleansed, and come and follow JESUS... in spirit and in truth.

.

Then... and only then... you will be able to DO SOMETHING FOR JESUS... something that is acceptable unto a Holy LORD and not a pitiful humanistic endeavor.

.
Then --- and only then---

will The LORD JESUS CHRIST

send forth His+ blessings

for this year and all the years to come.

.

Believe me, you'll get nothing from participating in a superstitious chain letter ...except another sin to be accountable for on the day of judgment.


JESUS said,

"I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life;

no one

comes to the FATHER

except through ME+."
.

HE+ meant it.
.

This was written in response to a superstitious chain letter sent to me. It had a portion of the LORD'S PRAYER on it. It said to say it and then immediately send the chain letter to 20 people to receive [health, wealth, etc.] for an entire year... with no problems!

.

.

At the bottom, we were informed it was a Roman Catholic novena. Upon research, I discovered its content originated in 1952 out of Mother Teresa [see "novena Wikipedia"]. But, Mother Teresa refused to give the poor dying ones the simple GOSPEL message that JESUS saves repentant sinners.

.

I'd stick to the Word!

.

.

Sister Judith Hannah + + +

IS ONE NATION, "UNDER GOD" ?

~ OR ~

Is ANY nation "under GOD" ?

.

One nation under GOD+ does NOT exist...

.

as we have been led to believe.

.

The LORD JESUS CHRIST said plainly,

.

"My+ Kingdom is not of THIS world."

.

<(((><

.

So, who do we believe?

.

The deceiver and destroyer of mankind...

or...

The AUTHOR+ and FINISHER+ of our faith ?

There is a Kingdom of GOD+ that exists "out of every kindred, tongue, people and nation." There is a nation that is truly ONE and INDIVISIBLE. The other one is a fake, a phony, a supplant trying to get the people of GOD+, the called-out ones, to follow it.

.

But, JESUS said,

.

"Follow ME+ ."

.

There is a nation where there is liberty and justice for all ... but we do NOT fight for that liberty and justice with any carnal weapons.

For, the weapons of that peculiar nation's warfare are NOT CARNAL BUT MIGHTY through GOD+, to the pulling down of strongholds, casting down imaginations and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of GOD+.

<(((><

.

YES... there is a nation which is ONE NATION UNDER GOD+, INDIVISIBLE, with LIBERTY and JUSTICE FOR ALL.

.

BUT,

IT IS NOT ONE OF THE KINGDOMS

OF THIS EARTH ...

AND IT NEVER HAS BEEN.

<(((>< <(((>< <(((><

.

JESUS said, "Render therefore

.

unto Caeser

.

the things that are Caeser's ;

.

and unto GOD,

.

the things that are GOD'S.

.

+ + +