Month: January 2016

Today a sensible conversation about the economy, sound economic principles absent in our time and lacking these the predictable inevitable stagnation, decline and collapse we are experiencing. This will be a discussion of reality denied, the ensuing systematic self-destruction of our national economic underpinnings, and of the remaining vitality mischaracterized as signifying economic health by those implementing the destructive policy.

We often hear conservative politicians speak of reducing regulation as one the key aspects of reinvigorating the national economy. While it is true that overregulation’s restriction and expense stifle growth as they drain off resources, in our time their most detrimental effects are the uncertainty they produce. The regulatory environment has become a never-ending series of deflections away from the ideas of prophet and efficiency. (I have a friend who defines these types of self-serving self-gratifying systems as “self-licking ice cream cones.” They are regulation for the sake of regulation, and in the name of the “greater good” they do greater harm in unintended and ill-considered consequences. Their effect by intention or ignorance is to draw away the resources typically applies to growth and efficient production.)

Here is what Alexander Hamilton and James Madison said in Federalist 62 of this ever-changing regulatory environment: “Every new regulation concerning commerce or revenue, or in any way affecting the value of the different species of property, presents a new harvest to those who watch the change, and can trace its consequences; a harvest, reared not by themselves, but by the toils and cares of the great body of their fellow-citizens. This is a state of things in which it may be said with some truth that laws are made for the FEW, not for the MANY.”

Those seeking to put their fortune and futures at risk (the entrepreneur) in creating new businesses or expanding an existing one, understanding these basic truths of human nature, will be hesitant to the same proportion as is the uncertainty. None in their right mind will put their fortunes at risk when in the future, when they would expect to see a return on their investment, they are uncertain what rules and regulation will be in effect and therefore placing them in jeopardy. Again, here are Hamilton and Madison (Federalist 62) on this very matter: “In another point of view, great injury results from an unstable government. The want of confidence in the public councils damps every useful undertaking, the success and profit of which may depend on a continuance of existing arrangements. What prudent merchant will hazard his fortunes in any new branch of commerce when he knows not but that his plans may be rendered unlawful before they can be executed? What farmer or manufacturer will lay himself out for the encouragement given to any particular cultivation or establishment, when he can have no assurance that his preparatory labors and advances will not render him a victim to an inconstant government? In a word, no great improvement or laudable enterprise can go forward which requires the auspices of a steady system of national policy. ”

The paper ends in telling of government such as ours becoming without respect and not deserving of it. This is the result of the “change” we have been forced through by the lawless leadership we have and continue to endure. It destroys public confidence and disappoints “hope.” The closing paragraph where the effects of mutable (ever changing) policy are defined: “But the most deplorable effect of all is that diminution of attachment and reverence which steals into the hearts of the people, towards a political system which betrays so many marks of infirmity, and disappoints so many of their flattering hopes. No government, any more than an individual, will long be respected without being truly respectable; nor be truly respectable, without possessing a certain portion of order and stability.”

This takes us to the next aspect most often heard espoused by conservatives as necessary to increase and revive our economy – reducing taxes.

Our recent and current economic policy relies on economic principles called “Keynesian Economics.” This defines theories, developed by a man name Keynes, which say economic output is influenced (and now regulate) by the amount of cash available in the system. Our national policy has been to control (regulate) the amount of available cash in the US economy by controlling interest rates. (More money available by lower interest rates said to equal more growth – higher rates less money and less growth.) This is the reason why as interest reached and remain at zero the only means remaining to influence the amount of cash in the economy is to print more money to spur growth. (Realistically its result was to keep the dead appearing to have life. (Weekend at Bernie’s))

Rather than explaining this and its contribution to the longevity of the recession let’s rather look at the underlying premise of cash availability as it relates to growth. The contradiction is manifested when the “statists” reject it’s having the same effect when the cash is placed (left) in the hands of its rightful owner – those who produced it. The quickest way to stimulate an economy to is reduce the amount of cash the government takes from it. This is why tax cuts for those paying taxes are the purest form of economic stimulation.

The rejection of tax cuts is based on who has the cash. In the modern era the government decides who gets the increased cash and its motive is the power and control it gains by being the distributor (better defined as the gatherer by taxation and the redistributor).  In the form of tax cuts the cash is left in the hand of those who will create and expand economic growth [on Main Street]. In the hand of government it’s given into the hands of its cronies (the largest financial institutions and Mega Corporation). We see the effect as capital pouring into the “Wall Street” bubble as cash creating nothing except more cash (closed system). The creation lacks foundation and when the storm comes it can only be washed away – as with all “bubbles.”

These are the basics at work in our economy. Reversing them are the beginnings of economic recovery. They are the difference between free markets untainted by central engineering, and Socialism (communism) masked in crony capitalism.

There are other great external forces at play against our economy and therefore against “We the people.” In our time the difference is they are a coinciding of interests against us from central governments foreign and domestic. Please suffer with me for a few more sentences as I briefly outline several of them.

(Before continuing I must say while Ted Cruz is my choice for president Donald Trump has a much greater understanding of the economic war that is being waged against us. And I mean “war.” I have no problem with either one becoming president. I think they should be the ticket.)

The first and most import aspect is the trade inequality between the US and the world. Trump seems to be the only one who sees the imbalance with China as predatory on the part of the Chinese. It involves currency manipulation with the intention of keeping their products just under our minimum wage level. In other words they make sure the cost to import their products remain below the level those same produces can be produced domestically due to our minimum wage.

Here we see the manipulation of wages by central governments (ours higher and theirs lower) having a common negative effect on our economy.   Our government uses the fact that the products can only be cost effectively produced abroad as justification for allowing their (deregulated) imports, while in fact the reason is our own policy creating the elevated level of cost.

The next and most resent negative influence is the Saudi increased oil output designed to bankrupt US oil production. There is no response by our government because the Saudi and US Administrations have the common interest of destroying our domestic energy production. This also coincides with the Administration’s announcement in recent days that it was (by executive order) halting all new coal leases on federal lands. One can only wonder why at this time of economic decline we would be lessening and endangering our domestic energy capability and the economic activity it produces. We can speculate that the decrease in coal will drive up the need for oil while oil is in an artificially inexpensive abundance due to the Saudi increased output. This could simultaneously increase our dependence on oil while killing of domestic production (coal, gas and oil), and leave as its result an even greater dependence on foreign oil imports once these occur.

I will stop here and leave you with this one undeniable conclusion; we have a government that now acts in the interest of its friends, foreign and domestic, at the cost of who our Constitution demands it represent, We the people. “This is a state of things in which it may be said with some truth that laws are made for the FEW, not for the MANY.”

Paid for by TimD2016 – Tim D’Annunzio for Congress – www.timvote.com

 

 

 

The word that came from the LORD (Jehovah) saying, Hear the words of this covenant, and speak unto the men who rule in this land, and to the inhabitants of New Jerusalem that I founded in My teaching; And say unto them, Thus says the LORD God of This Nation that will rule as God, because I am among them; Cursed be the man that obeys not the words of this covenant, Which I commanded your fathers in the day that I brought them forth out of the lands from the four corners of the earth, from the iron furnace, saying, Obey My voice, and do them, according to all which I command you: so shall ye be My people, and I will be your God: That I may perform the oath which I have sworn unto your fathers, to give them a land flowing with milk and honey, as it is this day.

Then answered I, and said, So be it, O LORD.

Then the LORD said unto me, Proclaim all these words in the capitol cities of the land, and in the streets of New Jerusalem, saying, Hear the words of this covenant, and do them. For I earnestly protested unto your fathers in the day that I brought them up out of the land of Egypt, even unto this day, rising early and protesting, saying, Obey My voice. Yet they obeyed not, nor inclined their ear, but walked every one in the imagination of their evil heart: therefore I brought upon them all the words of this covenant, which I commanded them to do: but they did them not.

And the Lord said unto me, A conspiracy is found among the rules and leader of My land, and among the inhabitants of New Jerusalem. They are turned back to the iniquities of those stiff necked forefathers, which refused to hear my words; and they went after other gods to serve them: the whole house of those that I intended to shine my light into the world in My name and the whole house of those that rule over my people have broken My covenant which I made with their fathers.

Therefore thus says the LORD, Behold, I will bring evil upon THEM, which THEY shall not be able to escape; and though THEY shall cry unto me, I will not hearken unto THEM. Then shall the capitol cities and inhabitants (the ruling class in church and state) go, and cry unto the gods unto whom they offer incense: but they shall not save them at all in the time of their trouble. For according to the number of their cities were their gods, O rulers; and according to the number of the streets of New Jerusalem have ye set up altars to that shameful thing, even altars to burn incense unto the gods of this evil world. Therefore pray not thou for this people (the ruling class – the corrupted leaders), neither lift up a cry or prayer for THEM: for I will not hear THEM in the time that THEY cry unto me for THEIR trouble.

What hath my beloved (My church – My people) to do in My house, seeing she has wrought lewdness with many, and the holy flesh is passed from thee? when you defile yourself with evil, then you rejoice.

The LORD called you by name, A green olive tree, fair, and of good fruit: with the noise of a great tumult He hath kindled fire upon it, and the branches of it are broken. For the LORD of hosts (His heavenly armies), that planted you, hath pronounced evil against you, for the evil of corrupted church, and of the corrupted state, which they have done against themselves to provoke Me to anger in offering incense unto their false gods of this world.
And the LORD has given me knowledge of it, and I know it: then He showed me their doings. But I was like a Lamb or an ox that is brought to the slaughter; and I knew not that they had devised devices against me, saying, Let us destroy the tree with the fruit thereof, and let us cut him off from the land of the living, that his name may be no more remembered. But, O LORD of the Armies of Heaven, that judges righteously, that tries the reins and the heart, let me see thy vengeance on them: for unto thee have I revealed my cause.

Therefore thus says the LORD of the men who should heed His words, that seek to take my life, saying, Prophesy not in the name of the LORD, that you die not by our hand: Therefore says the LORD of the Armies of Heaven, Behold, I will punish Them: the young men shall die by the sword; their sons and their daughters shall die by famine: And there shall be no remnant of THEM: for I will release evil upon the men who should heed My words, even the year of their visitation.

Hebrews 12
1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
3 For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.
4 Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.
5 And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaks unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him:
6 For whom the Lord loves he chastens, and scourges every son whom he receives.
7 If ye endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chastens not?
8 But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye illegitimate, and not sons.
9 Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live?
10 For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness.
11 Now no chastening for the present seems to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.
12 Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees;
13 And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed.
14 Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:
15 Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;
16 Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright.
17 For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears.
18 For ye are not come unto the mount that might be touched, and that burned with fire, nor unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest,
19 And the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words; which voice they that heard demanded that the word should not be spoken to them any more:
20 (For they could not endure that which was commanded, And if so much as a beast touch the mountain, it shall be stoned, or thrust through with a dart:
21 And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, I exceedingly fear and quake:)
22 But ye are come unto mount Zion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels,
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,
24 And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaks better things than that of Abel.
25 See that ye refuse not him that speaks. For if they escaped not who refused him that spoke on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaks from heaven:
26 Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven.
27 And this word, Yet once more, signifies the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain.
28 Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:
29 For our God is a consuming fire.

Revelation 14
1 And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Zion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father’s name written in their foreheads.
2 And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder: and I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps:
3 And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth.
4 These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goes. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb.
5 And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God.
6 And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people,
7 Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.
8 And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.
9 And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand,
10 The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb:
11 And the smoke of their torment ascends up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receives the mark of his name (the mark of the slave doing their masters’ work).
12 Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.
13 And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, says the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.
14 And I looked, and behold a white cloud, and upon the cloud one sat like unto the Son of man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle.
15 And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to him that sat on the cloud, Thrust in thy sickle, and reap: for the time is come for thee to reap; for the harvest of the earth is ripe.
16 And he that sat on the cloud thrust in his sickle on the earth; and the earth was reaped.
17 And another angel came out of the temple which is in heaven, he also having a sharp sickle.
18 And another angel came out from the altar, which had power over fire; and cried with a loud cry to him that had the sharp sickle, saying, Thrust in thy sharp sickle, and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth; for her grapes are fully ripe.
19 And the angel thrust in his sickle into the earth, and gathered the vine of the earth, and cast it into the great winepress of the wrath of God.
20 And the winepress was trodden without the city, and blood came out of the winepress, even unto the horse bridles, by the space of a thousand and six hundred furlongs.

Continuing with the fulfillment and today beginning with a question each of us must ask ourselves. When we truthfully answer we will judge ourselves as to whether or not we have reached the point of fulfillment discussed in the previous post. The question follows the traits (beatitudes) in Matthew 5 defining what we are filled with. As we examined in the later verses (17 & 18) the Greek word used to define this fulfilling is pleroo, having the meaning of cramming full, and is what we realized is the LORD coming to resupply us with what we need to continue our journey. We see this context in the question He asked about the salt losing its saltiness and we are told that when this happens it as if the world loses its light.

Therefore, on to the question; have you been “persecuted for righteousness’ sake?” Have you experienced a point when men revile you, and persecute you, and say all manner of evil against you falsely, for the Lord’s sake?

Matthew 5
10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
13 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.
14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it gives light unto all that are in the house.
16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill.
18 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.
19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
20 For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.

These are the test mechanisms (judgments) that tell us if we have been so crammed full with the salty taste that it flows out of us as an uncontainable light. We aren’t talking about preaching to the choir (those singing the same song you are – but rather we are speaking of singing the new song). We must remind ourselves again, this is in the context of the beatitudes.

We must take a short moment here to understand the idea of what makes something “beautiful.” The Greek word used in this context is found in recording the Lord’s words in

Matthew 23:27 when telling of outward and inward beauty. There we see His addressing the religious leaders about their working on the outward and forgetting the law, judgment, mercy and faith, the inward beautifiers. The definition is of salt without any taste left in it, and their world [as ours] without light.

The Greek word translated “beautiful” is horaios. It is derived form of the word hora, meaning hour, and in this we see beauty intended to mean something that is belonging to the right hour.

Here is the Strong’s Greek Dictionary definition: Strong’s #5611: horaios (pronounced ho-rah’-yos) from 5610 (hora; hour); belonging to the right hour or season (timely), i.e. (by implication) flourishing (beauteous (figuratively)):–beautiful.

Matthew 23
23 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.
24 Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel.
25 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess.
26 Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also.
27 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness.
28 Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.
29 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because ye build the tombs of the prophets, and garnish the sepulchres of the righteous,
30 And say, If we had been in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets.
31 Wherefore ye be witnesses unto yourselves, that ye are the children of them which killed the prophets.
32 Fill ye up then the measure of your fathers.
33 Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell?
34 Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes: and some of them ye shall kill and crucify; and some of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues, and persecute them from city to city:
35 That upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias son of Barachias, whom ye slew between the temple and the altar.
36 Verily I say unto you, All these things shall come upon this generation.
37 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that kills the prophets, and stones them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathers her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!
38 Behold, your house is left unto you desolate.
39 For I say unto you, Ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.

The word horaios is only used four times and the final use in Romans 10:15 telling of all the above context when speaking of it being preaching the Gospel. There we also see it as first and indictment of God’s people (us) falling away from His knowledge. The chapter goes on to tell of our finding the resupply as we are first filled with the traits and then as His light flows from our mouths. Read the chapter in this context.

Romans 10
1 Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.
2 For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge.
3 For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.
4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.
5 For Moses described the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them.
6 But the righteousness which is of faith speaks on this wise, Say not in your heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down from above:)
7 Or, Who shall descend into the deep? (that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.)
8 But what does it say? The word is near you, even in your mouth, and in your heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;
9 That if thou will confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in your heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
11 For the scripture says, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.
13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?
15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written (Isaiah 52:7), How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!
16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah (53:1) says, Lord, who hath believed our report?
17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
18 But I say, Have they not heard? Yes verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world.
19 But I say, Did not Israel know? First Moses said, I will provoke you to jealousy by them that are no people, and by a foolish nation I will anger you.
20 But Isaiah (65:1) is very bold, and says, I was found of them that sought me not; I was made manifest unto them that asked not after me.
21 But to Israel he says, All day long I have stretched forth my hands unto a disobedient and gainsaying people.

After we have evaluated ourselves and found that we have been filled and prepared to continue our mission we should also realized this is our final push to the destination of our time. Hebrews 12 first tells of the destination reached, and then in chapter 13 we are called to go out of our comfort to meet the Lord as we bear His reproach. The context and the quotes are telling us of this being cross referenced with Psalms 118. I am going to paste these scriptures following.

In closing I exhort you, as Moses lifted the serpent, lift the LORD even higher, bearing His reproach as His Great Light shines through us in this darkened world. I am assured (by His provisions) that we will pass when tested. This is our hour and all things have become beautiful in our time.

Hebrews 12
22 But ye are come unto mount Zion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels,
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,
24 And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaks better things than that of Abel.
25 See that ye refuse not him that speaks. For if they escaped not who refused him that spoke on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaks from heaven:
26 Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven.
27 And this word, Yet once more, signifies the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain.
28 Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:
29 For our God is a consuming fire.

Hebrews 13
1 Let brotherly love continue.
2 Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.
3 Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body.
4 Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.
5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
6 So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.
7 Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation.
8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.
9 Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein.
10 We have an altar, whereof they have no right to eat which serve the tabernacle.
11 For the bodies of those beasts, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned without the camp.
12 Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate.
13 Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach.
14 For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come.
15 By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.
16 But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.
17 Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.
18 Pray for us: for we trust we have a good conscience, in all things willing to live honestly.
19 But I beseech you the rather to do this, that I may be restored to you the sooner.
20 Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant,
21 Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is well-pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
22 And I beseech you, brethren, suffer the word of exhortation: for I have written a letter unto you in few words.
23 Know ye that our brother Timothy is set at liberty; with whom, if he come shortly, I will see you.
24 Salute all them that have the rule over you, and all the saints. They of Italy salute you.
25 Grace be with you all. Amen.

Psalm 118
1 O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: because his mercy endures for ever.
2 Let Israel now say, that his mercy endures for ever.
3 Let the house of Aaron now say, that his mercy endures for ever.
4 Let them now that fear the Lord say, that his mercy endures for ever.
5 I called upon the Lord in distress: the Lord answered me, and set me in a large place.
6 The Lord is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?
7 The Lord takes my part with them that help me: therefore shall I see my desire upon them that hate me.
8 It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man.
9 It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in princes.
10 All nations compassed me about: but in the name of the Lord will I destroy them.
11 They compassed me about; yea, they compassed me about: but in the name of the Lord I will destroy them.
12 They compassed me about like bees: they are quenched as the fire of thorns: for in the name of the Lord I will destroy them.
13 Thou hast thrust sore at me that I might fall: but the Lord helped me.
14 The Lord is my strength and song, and is become my salvation.
15 The voice of rejoicing and salvation is in the tabernacles of the righteous: the right hand of the Lord doeth valiantly.
16 The right hand of the Lord is exalted: the right hand of the Lord doeth valiantly.
17 I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the Lord.
18 The Lord hath chastened me sore: but he hath not given me over unto death.
19 Open to me the gates of righteousness: I will go into them, and I will praise the Lord:
20 This gate of the Lord, into which the righteous shall enter.
21 I will praise thee: for thou hast heard me, and art become my salvation.
22 The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner.
23 This is the Lord’s doing; it is marvellous in our eyes.
24 This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.
25 Save now, I beseech thee, O Lord: O Lord, I beseech thee, send now prosperity.
26 Blessed be he that cometh in the name of the Lord: we have blessed you out of the house of the Lord.
27 God is the Lord, which hath showed us light: bind the sacrifice with cords, even unto the horns of the altar.
28 Thou art my God, and I will praise thee: thou art my God, I will exalt thee.
29 O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: for his mercy endures for ever.

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Today a few words about the Fulfillment defined in Matthew 5:17 & 18 immediately following the Lord’s explaining how it is achieved. The chapter begins with the Lord having ascended the mountain and setting Himself to worship, opened His mouth and taught. What follows are His defining the traits (beatitudes) of those who would find the kingdom of heaven, be comforted, inherit the earth, be filled with righteousness, find mercy, see God and be called (by Him) the Children of God.

Following He tells of the world’s response, as those standing in the way of His teaching and in fact teaching opposition, attacking those listening and understanding its validity. Seeing the coming kingdom, and the comfort as God’s children prepare to inherit the earth is what the world opposes. As we are also told in John 3 of the coming light, here seen in the righteousness it reproduces as the mercy of God shown and we are saved from condemnation found in the world’s teachings. Therein we see God as He is, and this is what and why it is opposed by the world.

The world’s ridicule and demonization of this teaching are as the serpent’s bites we are also told of in John 3. The remedy therein prescribed is to lift the Lord’s teaching even higher, as if on a mountain where all may see it, as Moses lifted the Serpent in the camp. All who looked on this Serpent (seeing God as He is) were unaffected by these other serpent’s bites, as if their false teaching was annulled and having no effect.

John 3
5 Jesus answered, Truly, truly, I say unto you, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
7 Marvel not that I said unto you, You must be born again.
8 The wind blows where it wills, and you hear the sound thereof, but cannot tell from where it comes, and where it goes: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.
9 Nicodemus answered and said unto him, “How can these things be?”
10 Jesus answered and said unto him, Are you a teacher of Israel, and know not these things?
11 Truly, Truly, I say unto you, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and you receive not our witness.
12 If I have told you earthly things, and you believe not, how shall you believe, if I tell you of heavenly things?
13 And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.
14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:
15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
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.
17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.
21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.

This is what we are told of in Matthew 5:17 & 18 where the Lord says He hasn’t come to “destroy” the Law and the Prophets but to “fulfill” them. The Greek word katalou, translated destroy, means to let down. It has a figurative meaning of removing the burden of a beast, or loosing the garments tied up away from the feet of the traveler, in both cases as signifying the end or a pause in the journey. It is the girding we will discuss shortly in further detail. The Greek word translated “fulfill” is pleroo, meaning to cram full. The deeper meaning is the Lord telling He isn’t come to loose us from the provision of our journey but to resupply us with everything we need and much more to carry us forward.

Matthew 5
17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.
18 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.

The Greek words used in verse 18 tell of none of the law being removed, nor the journey continued (pass – parerchomai), until this repacking (cramming full again) comes into being (fulfilled – ginomai, meaning comes into being).

I am going to post the full chapter of Matthew 5, but before I do a little more on this “girding” as in the resupply that will carry us forward. And a bit more on this being what is for filling our minds with what we need right now to combat the bites of the world.

The gird is spoken of in John 21:18 when the Lord first speaks to Peter about feeding His sheep. The food spoken of is this spiritual food the Lord now sends to us to again fix the gird. This gird is a leather belt used in the same way of holding up the garments so they don’t foul the feet as we travel. It is also folded in a way that money or valuables can be carried in it. Here we are also told of another who would gird us.

John 21
17 He said unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, love thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Love thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, you know all things; you knows that I love you. Jesus said unto him, Feed my sheep.
18 Truly, Truly, I say unto you, When you were young, thou girded thyself, and walked whither you would: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou would not.

This passage is in likeness defining the “wind” from John 3 above, and when the Lord says He will send “another” Comforter (Paraclete) in John 14:16.

John 14
15 If you love me, keep my commandments.
16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;
17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it sees him not, neither knows him: but ye know him; for he dwells with you, and shall be in you.

This again takes us back to what follows in John 21 in telling of the disciple who would tarry until the Lord comes.

John 21
22 Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me.
23 Then went this saying abroad among the brethren, that that disciple should not die: yet Jesus said not unto him, He shall not die; but, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee?
24 This is the disciple which testifies of these things, and wrote these things: and we know that his testimony is true.
25 And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen.

Next the fulfilling (pleroo – cramming us full again) as it is defined in 2 Thessalonians 1:11.

2 Thessalonians 1 (Read chapter 2 for more on the falling away and those opposing the Lord’s Teaching.)
1 Paul, and Silvanus, and Timothy, unto the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:
2 Grace unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
3 We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith grows exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other abounds;
4 So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure:
5 Which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer:
6 Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you;
7 And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels,
8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:
9 Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;
10 When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day.
11 Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power:
12 That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Matthew 5
1 And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him:
2 And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying,
3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
13 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.
14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it gives light unto all that are in the house.
16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill.
18 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.
19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
20 For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.
21 Ye have heard that it was said of them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment:
22 But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.
23 Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there remember that thy brother hath ought against thee;
24 Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.
25 Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison.
26 Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou hast paid the uttermost farthing.
27 Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery:
28 But I say unto you, That whosoever looks on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.
29 And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.
30 And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.
31 It hath been said, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement:
32 But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causes her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced commits adultery.
33 Again, ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths:
34 But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God’s throne:
35 Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King.
36 Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black.
37 But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.
38 Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth:
39 But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.
40 And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also.
41 And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain.
42 Give to him that asks thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.
43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.
44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he makes his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.
46 For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?
47 And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so?
48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

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Continuing: Isaiah 49
1 Listen, O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye people, from far; The Lord hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name.
2 And he hath made my mouth like a sharp sword; in the shadow of his hand hath he hid me, and made me a polished shaft; in his quiver hath he hid me;
3 And said unto me, Thou art my servant, O Israel, in whom I will be glorified.
4 Then I said, I have laboured in vain, I have spent my strength for naught, and in vain: yet surely my judgment is with the Lord, and my work with my God.
5 And now, says the Lord that formed me from the womb to be his servant, to bring Jacob again to him, Though Israel be not gathered, yet shall I be glorious in the eyes of the Lord, and my God shall be my strength.
6 And he said, It is a light thing that thou should be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved of Israel: I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou may be my salvation unto the end of the earth.
7 Thus says the Lord, the Redeemer of Israel, and his Holy One, to him whom man despises, to him whom the nation abhors, to a servant of rulers, Kings shall see and arise, princes also shall worship, because of the Lord that is faithful, and the Holy One of Israel, and he shall choose thee.
8 Thus says the Lord, In an acceptable time have I heard thee, and in a day of salvation have I helped thee: and I will preserve thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, to establish the earth, to cause to inherit the desolate heritages;
9 That thou may say to the prisoners, Go forth; to them that are in darkness, Show yourselves. They shall feed in the ways, and their pastures shall be in all high places.
10 They shall not hunger nor thirst; neither shall the heat nor sun smite them: for he that hath mercy on them shall lead them, even by the springs of water shall he guide them.
11 And I will make all my mountains a way, and my highways shall be exalted.
12 Behold, these shall come from far: and, lo, these from the north and from the west; and these from the land of Sinim.
13 Sing, O heavens; and be joyful, O earth; and break forth into singing, O mountains: for the Lord hath comforted his people, and will have mercy upon his afflicted.
14 But Zion said, The Lord hath forsaken me, and my Lord hath forgotten me.
15 Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee.
16 Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me.
17 Thy children shall make haste; thy destroyers and they that made thee waste shall go forth of thee.
18 Lift up thine eyes round about, and behold: all these gather themselves together, and come to thee. As I live, says the Lord, thou shalt surely clothe thee with them all, as with an ornament, and bind them on thee, as a bride doeth.
19 For thy waste and thy desolate places, and the land of thy destruction, shall even now be too narrow by reason of the inhabitants, and they that swallowed thee up shall be far away.
20 The children which thou shalt have, after thou hast lost the other, shall say again in thine ears, The place is too strait for me: give place to me that I may dwell.
21 Then shalt thou say in thine heart, Who hath begotten me these, seeing I have lost my children, and am desolate, a captive, and removing to and fro? and who hath brought up these? Behold, I was left alone; these, where had they been?
22 Thus saith the Lord God, Behold, I will lift up mine hand to the Gentiles, and set up my standard to the people: and they shall bring thy sons in their arms, and thy daughters shall be carried upon their shoulders.
23 And kings shall be thy nursing fathers, and their queens thy nursing mothers: they shall bow down to thee with their face toward the earth, and lick up the dust of thy feet; and thou shalt know that I am the Lord: for they shall not be ashamed that wait for me.
24 Shall the prey be taken from the mighty, or the lawful captive delivered?
25 But thus saith the Lord, Even the captives of the mighty shall be taken away, and the prey of the terrible shall be delivered: for I will contend with him that contends with thee, and I will save thy children.
26 And I will feed them that oppress thee with their own flesh; and they shall be drunken with their own blood, as with sweet wine: and all flesh shall know that I the Lord am thy Saviour and thy Redeemer, the mighty One of Jacob.

Job 37
1 At this also my heart trembles, and is moved out of his place.
2 Hear attentively the noise of his voice, and the sound that goes out of his mouth.
3 He directs it under the whole heaven, and his lightning unto the ends of the earth.
4 After it a voice roars: he thunders with the voice of his excellency; and he will not stay them when his voice is heard.
5 God thunders marvelously with his voice; great things doeth he, which we cannot comprehend.
6 For he says to the snow, Be thou on the earth; likewise to the small rain, and to the great rain of his strength.
7 He seals up the hand of every man; that all men may know his work.
8 Then the beasts go into dens, and remain in their places.
9 Out of the south cometh the whirlwind: and cold out of the north.
10 By the breath of God frost is given: and the breadth of the waters is straitened.
11 Also by watering he wearies the thick cloud: he scatters his bright cloud:
12 And it is turned round about by his counsels: that they may do whatsoever he commands them upon the face of the world in the earth.
13 He causes it to come, whether for correction, or for his land, or for mercy.
14 Hearken unto this, O Job: stand still, and consider the wondrous works of God.
15 Dost thou know when God disposed them, and caused the light of his cloud to shine?
16 Dost thou know the balancings of the clouds, the wondrous works of him which is perfect in knowledge?
17 How thy garments are warm, when he quiets the earth by the south wind?
18 Hast thou with him spread out the sky, which is strong, and as a molten looking glass?
19 Teach us what we shall say unto him; for we cannot order our speech by reason of darkness.
20 Shall it be told him that I speak? if a man speak, surely he shall be swallowed up.
21 And now men see not the bright light which is in the clouds: but the wind passes, and cleanses them.
22 Fair weather cometh out of the north: with God is terrible majesty.
23 Touching the Almighty, we cannot find him out: he is excellent in power, and in judgment, and in plenty of justice: he will not afflict.
24 Men do therefore fear him: he respects not any that are wise of heart.

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