Building the Perfect Church.

A little exercise you may wish to try…(or not)?

Stand in front of a mirror (one where you can see above your head), raise your arms over your head placing your palms together with all fingers touching the corresponding fingers of the other hand. Move your palms apart keeping the fingertips touching and roll your thumbs until they are pointing down (but still touching), then roll your index finger-tips (pointing fingers) down toward the tips of your thumbs and you should see a graphical depiction of the "First and Greatest Commandment" appear.

"The eye sees all, but the mind shows us what (it comprehends, identifies or knows) we want/expect to see".

Humm! Too vague and you only saw a heart. Okay maybe we need to take a lesson from my 4-year-old son (you see he is very observant).

We were driving home on Sunday from doing some shopping. Driving up a slight hill approaching a set of traffic lights that had changed to Red. While we where stopped at the lights he said excitedly "I see an Alligator". Being at a loss as to where it was I asked him where it was, to which he replied "Up there in the sky". And then we saw what he saw, a cloud formation that looked remarkably like an Alligator with it's head raised ready to strike. I was so focused on the traffic-lights, that I failed to see "the big picture".

Now I think it's time to go back to the mirror (drawing board)...Most people are so focused on watching their hands and what they were doing that that is all you recognised. We need to consider the entire picture and I give you some clues of what to look for.

Clue #1 Is not the front of the head also referred to as a "Temple" and we should have God sealed in our foreheads?

Clue #2 Do we not keep all that we treasure in a "Treasure Chest" and our Treasure where our Heart is?

Clue #3 Did not Jesus refer to his body as a "Church" that if distroyed would be raised again?

Clue #4 Do we not put a "Steeple" above our church to channel (focus) all our prayers, worship and praise toward heaven?

Clue #5 And finally, atop the Steeple we put "A SPIRE" nee aspire (transmitting our aspirations or Heart’s Desires).

Clue #6 Pretend if you will (in Spirit) that you cup your praying hands around your Heart's Deepest Desires and "don't forget to open it so God can see what is inside". Remember an open Heart is a Loving Heart.

I am not advocating that we must all stand like that when Praying, it is merely a metaphor to help focus our Mind, Body, Heart and Soul toward the Lord.

God’s Love be with you in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour.

Christopher John Petersen.

How to Identify the “Word Of God” and those who are of God.

Dominus illuminatio mea is the motto of the University of Oxford and the opening words of Psalm 27, meaning, “The Lord is my light”. The Word of God is “The Good Oil” [fuel] that keeps our Lamp lit.

Dearly Beloved of God and our Lord Jesus Christ or nay. Let they that hath an ear to hear, hear, read and understand the words that I render unto you this day.

The word “render” means to give and moreover to “Give Freely” (NO STRINGS ATTACHED or RECOMEPENCE [meaning remuneration/payment], for the Lord commanded us “of that which ye freely receive, freely give”).

Copyright © (as in; “owner of the words” or “Mark my words”). If used in reference to the a Bible means the following: ©ounterfeit, ©orrupt, ©oined, ©ontemptible, ©ollusion, ©onspiracy, ©hanged, ©onvert, ©onundrum, ©onfusion, ©onfound, ©ontraband, ©ommodity, ©ommercial,  ©ontradictory, ©ontrawise, ©ontravening, ©ontrived, ©ontroversial, ©ontentious,  ©arnal (meaning worldly or Earthly).

Registered ® (as in; Name, Trade Mark ™ or Logo/Seal). If used in reference to the Bible means the following: ®eprobate, ®ancid, ®efuse, ®ubbish, ®ank, ®etouched, ®evamped, ®eworded, ®eworked, ®efutable, ®ebadged, ®ewritten, ®emodelled, ®eproved, ®epugnant, ®epulsive, ®ecalcitrant, ®evokable, ®efutable, ®egurgitated, ®eturn.

Give not that which is Holy (The Holy Bible or The Word of God) unto dogs, neither cast ye your Pearls before swine (the unholy or those who mind only earthly things) lest they trample them under their feet (turn it into swill or TROUBLE IT) and turn again (return it corrupted) and rend you (do you harm or damage).

An owner “Stakes their Claim onto it” (fastens their Seal or Posts a Superscription).

An Inventor “Stakes their Claim for its workings and function” (fastens their name [Brand] or Patent on it).

An Artist “Stakes their Claim for the work” (leaves their Mark thereon).

An Author “Stakes their Claim to the words and sequence thereof” (assigning their name to it); Authorship for Commercial purposes (for money or control of their use) claim Copyright bearing to mark “©” and cannot be duplicated, published or Cited without the express permission of the Owner of the written material.

An Identity (Corporation, Organization or Group) “is everything that identifies it” (Logo/Symbol/Trademark which can be Registered bearing to mark “®” or “™” and can also be granted Copyright bearing to mark “©” to any of it’s intellectual or printed material).

An Identity (Individual) “is everything that identifies it” (DNA, Appearance, Finger-prints, Palm-prints, Toe-Prints, a Given Name/Names, Sir name [sometimes represented by heraldic blazon or banner or crest or house] or even the Number of Hairs on their Head).

An Avatar “is an assumed identity” (an identity taken on by oneself, an alias, “also known as” often abbreviated to “a.k.a.”, a façade, disguise, attempt to conceal one’s True Identity or a deception).

A Creator “Stakes NO CLAIM to anything or anyone of their Creations” (Ownership of their Creation “goes to them without saying, branding or Title Ship”).

A Holy Bible “Is The Word of God” (there are NO Publishing Rights “Domini Public” or “free for all to reiterate [speak] and cite [reference or quote]”, NO Copyrights “©” and NO Registered Logos/Titles/Acronyms “®” or “™”, indeed bears NO HALLMARKS OF BEING WORLDLY [of the world or any person or group]). The Holy Bible gives us assurances totally dependant upon “Quid Pro Quo” meaning “What for What”, Faithful through Faith, Loving through Love, Honourable by Word and Deed, Righteousness for Righteousness, a reciprocal bond of Poetry in motion when all is “Said [Word] and Done [Deed]”. Those that have a “Dim View” of the Scriptures, Prophecies, Gospels and Epistles in Holy Bible, see it as unrighteous because they read it from an unrighteous [worldly] perspective. Those that have an “Enlightened View” of all of the Holy Bible, see the Righteousness therein because they read it from a Righteous [Godly viewpoint] perspective. A picture tells a thousand words, however the picture and words it tells changes when you change your standpoint or point of view. Jesus forewarned all his Disciples prior to passing the sop that the one who betrays the Son of Man shall feel better if he had never been born [go crazy and seek death under their own hand, because of unbearable guilt of betraying the innocent Blood of Christ, his Beloved Friend, Lord and Master]. Jesus was troubled in the Spirit; because he was about to send a Beloved Friend to do something that Jesus knew for certain would cost Judas Iscariot his life. 

That which is sealed in our hands are all that we have written (sealed under the hand of) and that which is sealed in our foreheads are the words that proceed form our mouths (sealed by our tongues). What are our HALLMARKS? Are they of the world or are they of God? By the very words that proceed from us shall we be known (whether by hand or mouth), and by those very words shall we be judged, for each man hath but ONE ACCUSER (himself).

If therefore thou have been given or acquired a Bible? Check the HALLMARKS to see whom the words belong. If it be an Holy Bible (word for word translation) then it contains the Word of God, for the Lord does not “mince His Words” (jumble them). If it be not a (word for word translation) then it has been trampled under the feet of a deceiver (become corrupted and thereby unholy) and will bear the HALLMARKS thereof. Therefore ATRIBUTE that which is God’s to God and that which of the world render (return) it to it’s WRITEFUL OWNER.

“Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;” 2 Thessalonians 2:3

May God through Jesus Christ save us all. A-Men.

Christopher John Petersen. Ad finem fidelis

29-2-2012 Anno Domini

DO WE TRUST THE WORD OF GOD?

DO WE TRUST THE WORD OF GOD?

If the answer questions truth, then the answer is untrue. Remember “Hot or Cold”, “True or False”, “Yes or No”, anything else comes from unrighteousness and all unrighteousness is sin. The questions that are not answerable with “true or false”, or “yes or no” are included as food for thought.

If the best advocate against smoking is a reformed smoker, then wouldn’t a reformed thief be the best person to trust with “the money” (carry the bag)?

If Jesus was Glorified by the prophesy he Himself foretold and righteousness is the fulfilment of prophesy. Was not the betrayal of Jesus necessary to fulfil all righteousness?

If Judas Iscariot was with the enemy of Jesus when he came to betray Jesus, then why did Jesus greet Judas Iscariot and address him as “Friend”?

Did an enemy do God a favour (service) by “delivering” His Son to be Glorified; or did a Friend do God the Favour?

If those, whom those in the world consider to be first shall be last in the Kingdom of Heaven. Does it not then follow, that the last person those in the world give any consideration to and whose name has been dragged through the mud for centuries, be the most likely to be first after Jesus?

Did Jesus say He had chosen who “should betray him”?

Did Jesus warn the Disciples before passing the sop that the betrayer shall experience “woe” (nee deep regret and anguish)?

Did Judas Iscariot not hesitate (despite the warning) in taking the sop from Jesus?

Did Jesus say to Judas Iscariot “That Thou do, doest quickly” as Judas departed?

Did Jesus announce immediately Judas left to betray Him “Now is the Son of Man Glorified”?

Did Jesus say at a previous meeting “Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life. But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first.”?

If there were only 12 who followed Jesus (including into all closed meetings of Jesus and the Desciples only) from the beginning, has not Jesus foretold that all 12 (including Judas Iscariot) will sit on 12 Thrones and Jesus on His Throne of Glory?

Did Jesus say “For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled”?

Is the “whaling and gnashing of teeth” by the children of the Kingdom of God who will be cast out into outer darkness the sound of them having to “Eat their own words”?

Is not the one who lifted his heel against Jesus the one who drew his sword to stand in the way of Jesus being taken to His Glory?

Did Jesus ever rebuke Judas Iscariot?

If any of our answers requires any of the Word of God to be untrue to validate our answer, then our answer is invalid or unrighteous.

May God Bless you all in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour.

Christopher John Petersen

© by Christopher John Petersen.

Is there a contradiction or merely an absence of understanding?

Is there a contradiction or merely an absence of understanding?

1 Cor.14:20  “Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men.”

That is to say: how can we “behave unrighteously” [immature/unripe] yet claim to be fully mature [ripe] in righteousness?

To quote another: "We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit." (Aristotle)

Our former debt for ungodliness has been settled and reconciled in full by the blood of Jesus Christ and is now gone (remembered no more by the Lord) but not forgotten by the recipient of Grace, that we may testify [admit and acknowledge] to our good fortune bestowed on us through the Grace of God by our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

1 John 1:8 “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.”

This is a Christian’s admission of their PAST, remembered by themselves [but not by the Lord] for testimonial purposes of the Lord’s Grace bestowed on them.

1 John 3:9-11 “9) Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. (10) In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother. (11) For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.”

Let thy Light so shine that thou mayest be a beacon unto those that knoweth not the way to Life. If we are not “One with God”, then we are as the many who are not.

1 John 3:1-8 “(1) Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. (2) Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. (3) And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure. (4) Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law. (5) And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin. (6) Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him. (7) Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous. (8) He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.”

Heb 10:16-27 “(16) This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; (17) And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more. (18) Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin. (19) Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, (20) By a new and living way [New Way of Life], which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; (21) And having an high priest over the house of God; (22) Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. (23) Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) (24) And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: (25) Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. (26) For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, (27) But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.”

A Christian should pay diligent attention to verses 18 and 26 (WE MUST ABIDE), the consequences of not Abiding after receiving remission of our sins by the Blood of Jesus Christ and the knowledge of the TRUTH by the Holy Ghost in the verses that follow-on.

Heb 10:28-31 “(28) He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: (29) Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace? (30) For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people. (31) It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.”

Bear in Mind Body and Soul also the following verses:

Phil 2:15 “That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;”

Phil 3:13-17 “(13) Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, (14) I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. (15) Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you. (16) Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing. (17) Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.”

Lord, I knoweth not if I be perfect in thy sight in my sincere endeavour to follow thy Precepts and thy Ways, however granteth me this one prayer for myself: that ye extend my days and I shall give thee my all, to at the very least die trying “Ad finem fidelis”. This I Pray in the name of Jesus Christ. A-MEN.

May God Bless you all in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour!

Christopher John Petersen.

 

© by Christopher John Petersen.

Are we believing and preaching a different Christ?

Dear brothers and Sisters in Christ or no,

It is with much concern that I pen these words unto you this day. Though not given to have ought to say in normal circumstances, write you I feel I must lest I be guilty of allowing the deceptions of current times to go without challenge. Truly it is written and I do hereby quote: "All that is necessary for evil to succeed is for good people to do nothing."(Edmund Burke, 1729 - 1797).

As foretold in The Book of Revelation, there are many who are coming saying they are Jesus and moreover still more who pro-port to be Christian (coming in his name). The time is now, more than ever before, to be on your guard, ever vigilant of false Christs and other deceivers that say they are of The Lord Jesus (Christians).

There seems to be a lot of kerfuffle over which translation of the Word of God to believe in. However, if you are “one” (meaning the same, or united) with God’s understanding, knowledge and wisdom, telling which are the fakes, misleading, deceitful and “ungodly” is easy.  Similarly, it is just as easy for a person who is “one” with God’s Word to tell what is “false doctrine” or misleading advice/teaching that are manifoldly more prevalent in print and on the internet than the false translations/interpretations of God’s Word.  Although there are some who say they are Jesus Christ, by the Prophecy of Revelation we know them to be false.  However, anyone calling themselves a “Christian” cometh in his name (pro-porting to be a representative of Christ, or a branch of the True Vine), yet the words that proceed from their mouths are inconsistent or totally contrary to the Doctrines of Our Lord.

It is understandable that there has been difficulties translating God’s Word from its’ original language/languages into English. Some languages have masculine, feminine and neuter, whereas English does not and so English uses the masculine also as a “figure of speech” to mean either or both sexes.  Then there is also the problem with some English words not having a plural such as fish.

Let us take what Jesus said “come, and I will make you fishers of men”.

Firstly, the art of fishing (angling) is to take/catch fish using a baited hook, a trap or a net, taking/catching/gathering them against it’s or their will (natural inclination).  Does that sound like a tactics God needs to use (deception/entrapment) or the method a deceiver would use?

Secondly, is God and Jesus only interested is saving “men”?  Of course not!

Thirdly, did not Jesus refer to those He called to “follow Me” as His Disciples (meaning students)?  Did Jesus just want them to follow where He went, or “follow His Ensample”?

Fourthly, do not fish gather together in “schools” and follow after a leader?

Lastly, didn’t Jesus at a certain point in his ministry discontinue referring to his “followers” as Disciples, ordaining them with His Authority to go and Preach, Heal and cast out demons, then giving them new names and thereafter referring to them as His Apostles?

Okay, now let us make some “logical” alterations (due to the aforementioned limitations of the English Language) to the statement “come, and I will make you fishers of men”. Maybe what was actually meant was “come and I will make you fishes of people”? Meaning follow after Him (like a fish), learning from Him (student/Disciple or being schooled in the ways of the Lord).  Thereafter, sending them on His behalf to spread The Word of God (NOT OTHER WORDS), do His bidding and do the Will of He who sent Him.

For those that hath an ear to hear, Flock to hear the Word of God spake by a good Shepard, however take flight (spooked) at the sound of or the presence of a wolf.  There are they that gather the Flock of Christ and there are they that scatter abroad.  They that “Administer” the Word of God, deliver Salvation to weary or lost Souls, who gratefully receive and hang on every word spake unto them.  To any that hath an ear to hear, let them hear what the Holy Spirit sayeth and they that hath not an ear to hear are Spiritually deaf in both Mind and in their Hearts.  Can one open their Hearts and Minds by badgering and shouting at them and spewing The Word of God out of one’s mouth like one has eaten an untimely fruit.  One would do far better to speak five words with understanding to them, than to speak a thousand words that are beyond their comprehension.

May God Bless you in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour.
© by Christopher John Petersen.

AREN’T WE INADVERTENTLY CASTING DOUBT ON THE HOLY BIBLE BY REFERRING TO OR LABELING THEM “A VERSION”?

Why do ye all defile the integrity of “The Holy Bible” by referring to any or all translations of The Truth or The Word of God as a “Version” (which immediately casts doubt on its’ integrity and authenticity) and when (for the sake of brevity) it is abbreviated to “V”.  Is not this “V” the only mark a serpent or viper can make?  For ensample: King James Version or KJV, New International Version or NIV and the list goes on and on… We cannot edify (meaning build-up, hold aloft or set on high) The Word of God by labelling it as a “Version”, for in doing so it defiles (meaning casts doubt on its’ authenticity and undermines the integrity of) The Word of God.

It may be a revolutionary idea, but, what if we use words and abbreviations that exalt The Word of God. For ensample: King James translation or KJt, New International translation or NIt and so on and so forth… I deliberately use a lower case “century gothic” style “t” as it resembles the Cross of Christ and is also the first letter in “Truth”. Furthermore, I think it more befitting that The Holy Bible (whatever translation) bears the Mark of the tongue that delivered The Word of God unto man (The Sharp Sword With Two Edges) or “t” and that, it is unbefitting for The Holy Bible (whatever translation) to be defiled with the mark of the deceiver that speaketh with forked tongue and the mark thereof symbolised with its’ shape which is “V”.

Incidentally, in early Roman times the mark/symbol “V” was actually a number and also, those whose charger (banner or flag) is an inverted and broken Cross of Christ (symbolizing antichrist), openly and proudly bear the mark of the beast using their hands to make a “V” and supposedly represents “PEACE”.  They outwardly seem as harmless as sheep, however inwardly in their minds and hearts, bear malice against God, Christ and any form of religion generally.

We may be reading from different "translations" of "The Word of God", however the original message(s) is forever the same. "For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints." 1 Corinthians 14:33 KJt.  However, although satan cannot change "The Word of God", it is not surprising that he would use a subtle way of trying to discredit "The Word of God" by casting doubt on its' integrity in convincing the very elect (believers) to refer to it as a "Version".

May God Bless you in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour.
© by Christopher John Petersen.

For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, there a little: Isaiah 28:10

It is not for me to determine or decree that anyone should harken unto anything that I write this day, or indeed at any other time.  But if ye hath an ear to hear these words I write, then I am glad that they are neither in vain, nor spake merely unto the air.

It is an ever-increasing concern to me (and no doubt many others) that Christianity has become so fragmented because of differences of opinion (interpretations) that it is in danger of becoming irrelevant. Did Jesus not say, “A Kingdom that is divided against itself will not stand”?  1 Corinthians 14:33 “For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.” So logically the only culprit of the disheveled state of Christ’s Church is man himself. Christ’s Church has been divided and sent off on more tangents than there are points on a compass. Seriously if the Kingdom of God was in the same inharmonious state, who in their right mind would want to live there for a day, let alone for all eternity?

So which of the Churches of Christ is right if only one can be correct? The Church that was destroyed and raised up again three days later. When Jesus walked among us he didn’t need anyone adding to his words or interpreting them then, nor is it required for anyone to do so now. He did however warn that many shall come in his name and that many will be deceived. Christ’s ministry was delivered in full and word perfect. Ye can either say Yea Yea or Nay Nay to his doctrines, anything else comes from evil. Or in other words “take it or leave it”, Jesus Christ is giving us a chance to be a part of The Kingdom of God, not a democracy or any sort of unruly rabble!

Philippians 3:14-21 “I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you. Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing. Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample. (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.) For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.”

May God Bless you in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour.
© by Christopher John Petersen

I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars:
REVELATION 2:2 or in Roman numerals II:II