19/08/10

Where is the Lord's Israel?

Hosea 8:8-9
8 Israel is swallowed up: now shall they be among the Gentiles as a vessel wherein is no pleasure.
9 For they are gone up to Assyria, a wild ass alone by himself: Ephraim hath hired lovers.


Today's message is a very sad story of the people of God which is happening today. The word Israel is made of two words 'Isra' which means prince and 'El' which refers to God. Thus the name means Princes of God - Sons of God who have authority in Name of the Lord. Jesus came make us Sons of God and to take our faith to the next level of authority by giving us the true understanding of his Name. He is the only one in the whole Bible who showed us the complete way to become true Israel.

In today's message the Lord is crying out for His Israel for He does not find them. Where are they?

The scriptures say they are lost among the unbelievers and thus the Lord cannot see them or take pleasure in them. The reasons why they are lost are also given. The Lord says they have gone up to Assyria and have become prostitutes to Ephraim.

Assyria and Ephraim is not referring to a place or a tribe but what they symbolize in spiritual rim.

The Hebrew word 'Assyria' means 'step' which symbolizes progress and the word 'Ephraim' means 'double ash-heap: I shall be doubly fruitful' which symbolizes greed to be blessed more than what is given.

The main reason Christians come to the Lord not because they love Him but because they want to see progress and prosperity in their worldly living. They want the riches of this world and because of that they are growing wild fruits not the fruit(s) of the Holy Spirit (the words translated as 'wild ass' comes from the root word 'wild fruit').

Understand being rich or having riches is not a sin or wrong, but it is like drinking alcohol. Can our flesh (carnal nature) and spirit handle it? It is for this reason Jesus warned about the difficulty of the rich entering Heaven. Also we should do not think that God desires us to be a poor beggars always in need. The Bible in no scripture, promise riches of this world, nor does it say we will lack in any area of our life. The Bible always maintains that we will be satisfied in all our earthly needs and we will have more. This more is not for ourselves but to give unto others in need around us. At one church service a person having a calling of a Prophet prophesied during the service that this church is going to be filled with prostitutes. They were happy and started clapping thinking people of the flesh trade would be accepting the Lord and coming into this church, little did they know that Lord was warning them of them becoming spiritual prostitutes. He also told them that they need to fast and pray and they are doing that but for the wrong reasons not knowing it is for them. People of God have been acting like prostitutes just to fulfill their carnal desires. They have been selling (compromising) the Truth in them, tying blindfolds, fooling themselves before fooling others so that they can gratify their flesh.

Unless we overcome this world and the desires of this world we are not going to be like Christ and true Christians in whom the Lord takes pleasure. Let us wake up before it is late and let the Lord take pleasure in us.


[ Prayer Starter ]
Lord Jesus, You came to this world as man to be a living example for us to live our life. You showed us the way and gave us your Spirit to help us on this way. Lord we pray for your Body which is your Church that they may see the Truth and not be disillusioned by the desires of this world. Let your glory be seen in it. Let not we be Christians by words but by example...

This prayer we make in the Name of Jesus, Amen.


[ Reference Scripture ]
Matthew 19:23-26
23 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven.
24 And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.
25 When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved?
26 But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.

Luke 1:46-55
46 And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord,
47 And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.
48 For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.
49 For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name.
50 And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation.
51 He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
52 He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree.
53 He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away.
54 He hath holpen his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy;
55 As he spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for ever.

Luke 6:22-26
22 Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man's sake.
23 Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets.
24 But woe unto you that are rich! for ye have received your consolation.
25 Woe unto you that are full! for ye shall hunger. Woe unto you that laugh now! for ye shall mourn and weep.
26 Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets.

The Word of God was given free to us, therefore we should also share it freely with others. (All rights are with God)