The Minister

Who is this Minister who claims to be the Messiah of God?

The Minister

Let me tell you. This minister is unique, my friend; he taught us many wonderful things. Love God with all your being, with all your heart, mind, soul, and body. And love each other, as one's self.

He taught us to live and obey the ten commandments as God gave Moses on the mountain.

He said to repent of our sins and to believe in him as the radiance of the Father's Glory and his exact representation. He gave us eternal life and God's eternal favor as a free gift.

He gave us a new command, even to love each other as he loved us. We felt from him constant, overwhelming love. He also said to love one another as we want others to love us.

He proved his love as he died for us. No greater Love has anyone than he lay down his life for his friends. We are bought, paid for, ransomed, and redeemed by his Love as a free gift.

The minister wanted us to completely trust and obey the Father as he did. He always asked the Father's Will before he did anything. He was like the ancient Hebrews who consulted God before they acted or went into battle.

The minister taught us to pray. He said we must forgive others, or we will not enter the Kingdom of Heaven.

The minister said we should be ready to help others in need, even our enemies. To feed them, to give them drink, to house strangers, to help others with proper clothing. He wanted us to visit the sick and those in prison. He said when we helped others, it would be the same as helping him.

He also gave us the Holy Spirit and sent us to preach and to witness, and to forgive sins. To heal the sick, to raise the dead, to cleanse the leper, to cast out demons. And he told us to do it all for Free, that he would always provide for us and be with us.

He explained how he is the way, the truth, and the life. He is the only way to the Father. He taught us many other things as well.

No man ever taught or lived as this man. Come follow him.

– Bill Hunt

World in Christ

God Defeats Armies

God defeats armies. The True God acts on behalf of his True Servants. God's true servants can not be defeated because God can not be defeated.

Elijah Calls Fire from Heaven (Woodcut, Nuremberg, 1702).

  

God's true servants can not be defeated because God cannot be defeated. The Scriptures contain many instances where even enemy armies of overwhelming size and strength are defeated by God's power.

“The battle is not mine, but the Lord's.”

First, we must admit the servants God so blesses are marked with lives dedicated to God through obedience. Yes, they sometimes feel reluctance facing confrontation, but they chose obedience when God directs them. Frequently, they consult God before battle.

“Fear not, for those who are with us

are more than those with them.”

One of my favorite stories is when King Ahaziah fell through the upper lattice of his palace in Samaria and injured himself. He sent palace messengers to the town of Ekron to consult the idol, Baal-Zebub, (Sound familiar?) regarding the King's health. God told the Prophet Elijah because the King consulted the idol, the King would not recover, but die.

Even today, servants forget to consult the True God of the Universe. Undoubtedly, many do not really believe in Him, except as a last resort.

The King asked the royal messenger who had spoken to them. They described Elijah the Tishbite as a man wearing a hair garment and a leather belt, very prophet-like. King Ahaziah sent a company of fifty soldiers to bring Elijah to the King. Bad mistake.

“Man of God” ordered the curt commander, “Come down!”

“If I am a man of God,” answered Elijah, “may fire come down from heaven and consume you and your fifty men.” And it did. In fact, the King sent another fifty men and the same result occurred again. They were burnt toast.

When the King sent a third company, this unit's commander was a little wiser and a little more humble. He fell on his knees. (Another lesson for today.)

“Man of God,” he said. “Please respect my life and the lives of my men.”

God told Elijah to go with him. In the outcome, Elijah again told the King that because he consulted the idol, he would most certainly die. And the King died. Even today, men make idols, substitute concepts in their hearts, or use idols that are not the True God. And they wonder why their prayers are not answered.

You can read about miraculous battles as a matter of scriptural record, Moses, Joshua, Gideon, Hezekiah, Deborah and Barak, Jonathan, David, and many more. And there are many reports from modern wars.

The True God acts on behalf of his True Servants.

“He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world” (1 John 4:4 NKJV).

(Story Ref. 2 Kings 1 NKJV)

– Bill Hunt

World in Christ/Messiah