The Lord Is -- April 2023

 

ATARAH TSBLY

(pronounced at-aw-raw' tseb-ee')

CROWN OF GLORY

Isaiah 28:5-6

On that day the LORD of Hosts will be a Crown of Glory, a Diadem of Splendor to the remnant of His people, a Spirit of Justice to Him who sits in judgment, and a strength to those who repel the onslaught at the gate.

Psalm 3:3

But You, O LORD, are a Shield around me, my Glory, and the One who lifts my head.

Isaiah 60:1

Arise, shine, for your Light has come, and the Glory of the LORD rises upon you.

ANI QADOSH

(pronounced an-nee' kaw-doshe')

I AM HOLY

Leviticus 11:44

 For I am the LORD your God: you shall therefore sanctify yourselves, and you shall be holy; for I Am Holy: neither shall ye defile yourselves with any manner of creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.

Psalm 99:9

Exalt the LORD our God, and worship at His holy hill; for the LORD our God is Holy.

Revelation 4:8

And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, "Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come."

ANI YHVH QADOSH

(pronounced an-ee' yeh-ho-vaw kaw-doshe')

I THE LORD AM HOLY

Leviticus 20:26

And you shall be holy unto Me: for I The LORD Am Holy, and have severed you from other people, that you should be Mine.

Severed means "divided, seperated, made a distinction between". 

Deuteronomy 14:2 

For you are a people holy to the LORD your God, and the LORD has chosen you to be a people for his treasured possession, out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth.

1 Thessalonians 4:7

For God has not called us to impurity, but into holiness.

Isaiah 35:8

And there will be a highway called the Way of Holiness. The unclean will not travel it--only those who walk in the Way--and fools will not stray onto it.

2 Corinthians 7:1

Therefore, beloved, since we have these promises, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that defiles body and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

YHVH QADASH QADOSH

(pronounced yeh-ho-vaw kaw-dash' kaw-doshe')

THE LORD MY SANCTIFIER IS HOLY

Leviticus 21:8

You shalt sanctify him therefore; for he offers the bread of your God: he shall be holy unto you: for I The LORD, which Sanctify you, Am Holy.

Leviticus 20:8

And you shall keep My statutes and practice them. I am the LORD who sanctifies you.

Ezekiel 36:23

I will show how holy My great Name is—the Name on which you brought shame among the nations. And when I reveal My holiness through you before their very eyes, says the Sovereign LORD, then the nations will know that I am the LORD.

THEOS KRITES PAS

(pronounced theh'-os kree-tace' pas)

GOD JUDGE OF ALL

Hebrews 12:23

To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect.

    Psalm 50:6

And the heavens proclaim His righteousness, for God Himself is Judge. Selah

    Psalm 94:2

Rise up, O Judge of the earth; render a reward to the proud.

    Revelation 20:11-15

Then I saw a great white throne and the One seated on it. Earth and heaven fled from His presence, and no place was found for them. And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne. And there were open books, and one of them was the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their deeds, as recorded in the books. 

The sea gave up its dead, and Death and Hades gave up their dead, and each one was judged according to his deeds. 

Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death—the lake of fire.

And if anyone was found whose name was not written in the Book of Life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.

A Crucified Life - - Afflictions Produce Increase

 

2 Corinthians 4:17

For our light and momentary affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory that is far beyond comparison. 

#Strong's Ex. Conc. No. 2716

Producing: to work out, to accomplish

From the Greek word ' katergazomai' (pronounced kat-er-gad'-zom-ahee): to an exact definite conclusion; bring to decisive finality.

LIGHT AND MOMENTARY AFFLICTIONS

    In other words, whatever affliction or trial or tribulation the Christian goes through is not as valuable as what we gain after we have gone through said affliction. 

    Paul went through many, many afflictions to deliver the gospel wherever the Lord brought him. 1 Corinthians 4:10-13; 2 Corinthians 11:19-29. Yet, Paul considers that everything that he has experienced in order that the gospel Truth may go forth was 'light and momentary'. That all his trials were necessary. And he's right. 

    For the seed which is planted into the ground cannot produce fruit unless it first goes through its own tribulations: being buried beneath the ground, bursting through its outer shell, pushing through the dirt to reach the sun. It is then transforming from a seed to a seedling (young plant); from a seedling to a shoot; from a shoot to a stalk which flowers briefly before small fruits begin to appear. It is the same in our spiritual growth. 

    The seed of the Word of God gets planted into the hearts of men by the actuation of their faith in Christ. This living faith in Christ is transformed through daily meditation on God's Word. We are transformed through the power of the Holy Spirit: the only thing we can do is believe. As the seed cannot be transformed by outward actions, neither can the believer be transformed by his or her own actions. God saves us; we cannot save ourselves. 

PRODUCING FOR US

    The believer in Christ is promised many rewards. Some rewards we receive in this life, some after this life has ended and our heavenly life in Christ begins. These rewards are earned by the believer who endures, perseveres, overcomes. By this we are made aware that being a believer is not going to be an easy road to travel. Jesus tells us in Matthew 10:22 that we will be hated by everyone because we bear His name. But with that promise of what we receive in this world: hate, we also are given a promise of what we receive when we believe: salvation. 

    Matthew 5:1-12; Matthew 10:22, 24:9, 13; Mark 13:13; Luke 6:22, 21:17; Isaiah 66:5; John 15:20-21. 

    Ephesians 6:12 tells us who we are fighting against when we struggle to live the holy life we have been called to live in Christ. But verses 13-20 tell us how to arm ourselves that we might be better prepared to not only fight against them (endure, persevere) but win (overcome) and defeat them. Our greatest weapon is Love: the Love of God.

     We do not hate people: we hate sin in people. We hate the very garments of unrighteousness in which they are clothed, but we pray daily for their salvation (Jude 1:23). 

    Sometimes we appear to hate ourselves, but it is not ourself we hate (being made in the image of God, how can we?), it is the sin we have committed whether consciously or unconsciously. But the Christian who stumbles and falls in the fight against spiritual darkness gets back up again and lives to fight another day.

     For this race we run is run in the valley of the shadow of darkness: things do always appear as they are, for they are in the shadows: watching, waiting for us to fall and despair. But we will not. For we are overcomers who have overcome by the blood of the Lamb and the Word of His Testimony. 

    Daniel 11:35 says we are "being refined, purified and made spotless". John 15:2 says we are being pruned that we may produce more fruit. We may be humiliated at times, but we are to remain humble and place ourselves under the blood of forgiveness and redemption in Christ when we repent of our sins. 

AN ETERNAL WEIGHT OF GLORY

    > Rewards: Revelations 2:7, 11, 17, 26-28; 3:5, 11-12, 21. 

    >Crowns: James 1:12, Revelation 2:10; 1 Corinthians 9:25; Psalm 103:4; Psalm 8:4, 5; Leviticus 21:12; Proverbs 14:18; 2 Timothy 4:8; Esther 2:17; Isaiah 28:5, 1 Peter 5:4; Philippians 4:1, Proverbs 11:30, Daniel 12:3; 1 Thessalonians 2:19.

AFFLIcTIONS PRODUcE INcREASE

Give Me Faith - Elevation Worship

Just As I Am (I Come Broken) - Travis Cottrell

Mercy Came Running - Phillips, Craig and Dean

Where You Go I Go - Jesus Culture

Nothing Compares - Third Day

    

    

    

Crown of Life

 

What is this Crown of Life? It refers to a crown received by a person(s) who has run a race and won, as we can see by reading the verses below.

1 Corinthians 9:24-25

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run [their very best to win], but only one receives the prize? Run [your race] in such a way that you may seize the prize and make it yours!

 Now every athlete who [goes into training and] competes in the games is disciplined and exercises self-control in all things. They do it to win a crown that withers, but we [do it to receive] an imperishable [crown that cannot wither].

2 Timothy 4:7-8

I have fought the good and worthy and noble fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith [firmly guarding the gospel against error].

In the future there is reserved for me the [victor’s] crown of righteousness [for being right with God and doing right], which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that [great] day—and not to me only, but also to all those who have loved and longed for and welcomed His appearing.

1 Peter 5:4

And when the Chief Shepherd (Christ) appears, you will receive the [conqueror’s] unfading crown of glory.

Revelation 2:10

Fear nothing that you are about to suffer. Be aware that the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested [in your faith], and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful to the point of death [if you must die for your faith], and I will give you the crown [consisting] of life.

Vibrant Faith-Dressed To Overcome

My FAITH in GOD is Vibrant and Alive and Active.
We know that "Faith Comes From Hearing and Hearing By The Word of GOD" (Romans 10:17) and we know that "Faith is the substance of things Hoped for, the Evidence of things not seen." (Hebrews 11:1).

When we apply The Word of God to ourselves, we are covering ourselves with The Word of God, Jesus Christ. We are clothed in Him from head to toe.

Ephesians 6:17 tells the believer to "take (up) the Helmet of Salvation"; in other words, put that helmet on our heads.
And several times we read that we have many crowns: Crown of Life, Crown of Righteousness, Crown of Glory, Crown. We are each other's Crown. We are the Crown of Splendor in The LORD's hand. He is our Crown.

Ephesians 6:13 says we wear Him like armor and goes on to describe what our armor is.
Ephesians 6:14 Belt or Sash of Truth & Breastplate of Righteousness
Ephesians 6:15 Shoes of Peace, not as the world knows peace, but The Preparation of The Gospel of Peace
Ephesians 6:16 The Shield of Faith, which quenches all the fiery darts of the wicked. This shield is actually not held in our hands, but in our hearts. As is
Ephesians 6:17 The Sword of The Spirit, which is The Word of God.

Since we know that The Word of God is Jesus Christ, we learn now that both the Shield and the Sword are articles of clothing. How cool is that?

1 Thessalonians 5:8 also tells us that our Breastplate is not just His Righteousness on us, but His Love, as well.

Are you fully clothed in your Faith before you begin your day? or your night? Or are you dressed like the emperor in his new clothes, who goes out in his birthday suit believing himself to be beautifully clothed, when in fact he is wearing nothing at all.

Crown Him with Many Crowns

CROWN HIM with MANY CROWNS

CROWN of LIFE

Revelation 2:10  Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer : behold , the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried ; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.

James 1:12  Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried , he shall receive the crown of life, which The Lord hath promised to them that love Him. 

2 Timothy 2;12  If we suffer , we shall also reign with Him: if we deny Him, He also will deny us:

CROWN of LOVING-KINDNESS

Psalm 103:4 Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with loving-kindness and tender mercies;

Psalm 63:3 Because thy loving kindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee.

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish , but have everlasting life.

Hosea 2:19 And I will betroth thee unto me for ever; yea, I will betroth thee unto me in righteousness, and in judgment, and in loving-kindness, and in mercies.

Jeremiah 32:17-19 Ah Lord GOD! behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee:Thou shewest loving-kindness unto thousands, and recompensest the iniquity of the fathers into the bosom of their children after them: the Great, the Mighty God, the LORD of hosts, is his name, Great in counsel, and mighty in work: for thine eyes are open upon all the ways of the sons of men: to give every one according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings:

CROWN of GLORY & HONOR

Psalm 8:4,5  What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?  For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honor.

CROWN of ANOINTING OIL

Leviticus 21:12  Neither shall he go out of the sanctuary, nor profane the sanctuary of his God; for the crown of the anointing oil of his God is upon him: I am the LORD. (regarding the high priest)

CROWN of KNOWLEDGE

Proverbs 14:18 The simple inherit folly: but the prudent are crowned with knowledge. (all of Proverbs is a discourse on wisdom, defining what is wise and what is foolish. Prudent means "mentally putting together". [love that], which is the definition of learning. Therefore, the prudent person is the one who learns wisdom and puts it into action)

CROWN of RIGHTEOUSNESS

2 Timothy 4:8  Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which The Lord, The Righteous Judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love His appearing.

CROWN of ROYALTY (Grace & Favor)

Esther 2:17  And the king loved Esther above all the women, and she obtained grace and favor in his sight more than all the virgins; so that he set the royal crown upon her head, and made her queen instead of Vashti. 

CROWN of GLORY (the LORD IS)

Isaiah 28:5  In that day shall The LORD of hosts be for a Crown of Glory, and for a Diadem of Beauty, unto the residue of his people. (The Lord is our Crown of Glory. How cool is that?)

CROWN of SOUL WINNER

Philippians 4:1 Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved.

Proverbs 11:30  The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.

("dearly" implies at great cost) Jude 3 says we are to 'earnestly contend' Ephesians 6:12 we 'wrestle against' 

We are not passive Christians. We are fighters. We fight for the salvation of  our families and friends. They are our crown, also. Our knees bow only to The Most High God and none other. We fight our battles on our knees with our hands clenched in prayer; our hearts are set on the deliverance of our moms and dads, sisters and brothers; strangers, friends and enemies. We are immovable in our desire to see the Salvation of the Lord reach those who are lost and wandering in the darkness of sin. And we encourage each other in this goal. 

At great cost. What is it worth to you to see someone saved? It cost Jesus His will and His life. He surrendered His will and His life, that we might have salvation. How much are you willing to give up? With Jesus it was 

                                                           ALL OR NOTHING