Visit from an Elder

On the 12^th of December, 2011, I received a visit from one of the Elder’s from the church my wife and I attended before my book was released. The get together was unscheduled and a pleasant surprise for me. I had met with this Elder on previous occasions before; at my favorite place…Starbucks. After a warm greeting, I asked him if he would get in trouble if it be known he was talking with me. ???...I had to ask because of situations brought to my attention by others from the same church. We went on to talk for forty minutes or so. I can assure you, they (Pastors and Elders) believe they’re doing what’s right. I get it and I’m fine with it. Saying Jesus is not God is Huge!  I need to continue to trust in the Spirit of God and show not only love, but, patience. God was certainly patient with me before He called me to preach the message He placed in my care. He was certainly with me throughout the entire forty minute conversation with the Elder. I’m going to show mercy and say only this: Having the stones in my hands with a tight grip, and then…gently, dropping them to the ground…Adversary ZERO…Spirit of God 100%.

 I (Jim) would recommend to that elder that he reread from my book, the chapter titled: I am a ___!  For those that do not have the book, I’m going to quote from page 64: “The gift of Salvation is a free gift from God even though the price was high in making it (Salvation) available. We are to offer it freely. You can keep all your religious titles, and beautiful buildings, neither of them have anything to do with Salvation. They offer nothing but to act as your personal identity. I am a____! You can fill in the blank with the denomination you belong to. Please don’t misunderstand me. I’m not angry. What I am and I believe the Spirit of God is leading the way here, is disappointed as to how you defend the “Name” of your church and neglect to guard the trust that has been placed in your care, the inspired word of God. If you think for one second your church is the only way…please, examine yourself. There’s only one Church that has it right and it’s not because of anything they have done. The Bride (Church) of Messiah Yeshua is scattered all over the world and they love and keep His commandments. They’re within the walls of your church and meeting place. They’re your next door neighbors. You’ll know them by their fruit. The world sees how divided the “Christian” church is, and whatever flavor (Teaching) they’re (the world) looking for, they’ll find it. The only teaching that should be served is Salvation, on the Rock (Yeshua)!! You start preaching the word of God and watch how attendance drops. Then watch how God fills your church with “Believer’s.”"

That piece of the chapter, nor anything else written in my book, was written for the church I attended alone, but, for all churches that call themselves, a body of believer’s.

My friend (the Elder), God knows everything that has been said behind closed doors and in the open; at Starbucks with you, and my get together with the four Pastors and the one (not you) Elder present at church.  I’m at peace with the One that Messiah Yeshua calls His God and Father.

I have had students approach me with this question: “Jim, I have to take a class on evolution, I need the credits to get my degree. I don’t believe in it, but I have to pass the test. Jim, what do I do?”

My response: Take the test! Answer the questions correctly…God knows your situation my friend. Do not forget what Abraham did.  He took the low road when he said Sarah was his sister. Abraham was correct in saying that, but Sarah held a higher position in Abrahams life…Sarah was his wife. Abraham was afraid of dying. God still blessed Abraham and Sarah. You go and take the test…don’t worry about what Man is going to say or think. You live your life for God…the professor; teacher should have no questions on what you truly believe if you do. I said this because the problem the church (I attended) had with me was: “How could you (Jim) come here knowing that you didn’t believe in our doctrine?”

I went through the newcomer’s class and signed your [doctrine] to become a member of your church. That my friend will never happen again! The Spirit of God has set me free from the fear of the doctrines of Man. Just like Abraham and Sarah…God went on to bless my wife and me, and we enjoyed many friendships from within your church. God…just as He knew Abraham…knows my heart.

In His Loving Care…your friend-Jim

John sent a new comment

John-Peace and blessings from the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
John, I will not open your new comment under the posting titled "Interpretation" until you answer the question you've been avoiding: The foundation of the Trinity is centered on the Father and the Son being coequal and coeternal. Yeshua, the Son of God said, "His Father (God) is greater than He." What say you? Is the Father greater than the Son John?
Please read the November posting titled: The Greek System and the Dangers of Following It...again.

In His Loving and Patient Care...Jim

Interpretation?

Heavenly Father, I give thanks for all You have placed in my care. Help me Father to continually seek You in all that I say and do. In the precious name of Your Son, my Friend and Messiah to the Hebrew people...Yeshua! Amen and so be it!
Are you (Jim) saying it is how one interprets scripture? That was Johns question to "Whose Spirit of God is correct?"

I, being led by the Holy Spirit will answer the questions I presented to John,
"Me"...is Yeshua, the Son of God...free from the corruptions of Christianity.
"Father"...is God! The Father Word Holy Spirit and these three are one...1 John 5: 7 (NKJV).
Is one greater than the other?...YES! I have no choice but to follow the guidence of the Holy Spirit (see: Who is the Holy Spirit) who has and will (as needed) remind me of all that Yeshua has said and done; as given to Him (Yeshua) by His Father. John 14: 28 (NKJV) reads: "My (Yeshua) Father (God) is greater than I (Yeshua)."
 Love God with all your heart and your neighbor as yourself...how many ways can you interpret that? Don't get me wrong...this is no joking matter. I couldn't be more serious my friend. As long as people trust in the Greek System...(see: The Greek System and the Dangers of Following It) the simplicity of the Gospel of God will be filled with complications, and Man will continue to seek Man for their answers and they'll call them interpretations. Yeshua said it best..."The blind leading the blind." That's love my friend...God's way!

In His Loving Care...Jim

John asking the question "Whose Spirit of God is correct?"

John, you reminded me of the question: "Who determines what is truth if BOTH claim to be relying on the Spirit of God?" You'll have to answer that question for yourself my friend. Matthew 7:21 (NKJV) Yeshua speaking: "Not everyone who says to Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven." John, who is "Me", and who is "Father" in Matthew 7: 21? The answer to your question will be determined by how you see them both. My question to you would be: "Is one greater than the other?" In His Loving Care...your friend Jim

To my friend John.

Great comments on your responding to a letter from TW! Nicely done my friend! The answer to all you have written can be found within your comment. John you wrote: "I believe God speaks to us, but this must always be weighed with scripture." BINGO! You couldn't have said it any better my friend. John, you also wrote: "Everyone has a right to their opinion, but no man has a right to be wrong about their facts." My response to that would be: Show me the evidence of your facts. If you present your case with doctrines of Man...I'm not interested in hearing or reading them. I would send you back to your sentence that began with "I believe God speaks to us." John, my Yeshua has been well established within the writtings of my book and this blog. I know you have read the book and this blog...nothing has changed my friend. My Yeshua is the Son of God. John, return to the book,  the chapter titled "Who is My Neighbor" page 52 and you'll see that comparing people and their believes to other denominations has no merit and is dangerous my friend. John you wrote: "I notice an ANTI SCHOLARSHIP trend with some of your comments." My response: NOT AT ALL... like you said, "Everyone has a right to their opinion." John, you wrote: "What if salvation depends on knowing the proper interpretation?" My response: WOW! ??? Three minutes of praying and shaking my head has passed. If you or anyone else believes that...I just prayed for you! SALVATION: Confess you're a sinner...Believe in your heart that Yeshua is the Son of God...Invite the Spirit of God into your heart and believe it is so...Love and keep the commandments of God...I'll see you in New Jerusalem. Great comments John...THANKS! In His Care...Jim

Responding to a letter from TW

Peace and blessings from the God and Father of our Lord and Savior, Messiah Yeshua!

I received an interesting response to my book and the letter titled The GREEK SYSTEM and the DANGERS of FOLLOWING IT. If this is your first time on my blog, I would suggest you read that letter before continuing on. My book clearly establishes who Yeshua is to me. Yeshua is everything the inspired word of God (NKJV) says He is…the Son of God!

I’m going to respond to some of the questions and statements from the letter I received from TW. She also sent with her letter (3) printed out pamphlets:

·         The Trinity: UNDERSTANDING THE BIBLICAL DOCTRINE OF THE TRINITY     Pages  1 - 17

·         FACING THE MUSLIM CHALLEGE: Chapter Two…The Doctrine of the Trinity…The Christian Doctrine of God     Pages 1- 13

·         Deity of Jesus Christ by Rueben A. Torrey—Biblical Doctrine—Wholesome Words   Pages  1- 8

Well, I commend your willingness to stand up for what you believe...job well done TW!

I remember those days well…defending the Trinity that is. Your pamphlets were very familiar to me, don’t forget, my battle was decades long.

It was the Spirit of God that set me free from the doctrines of Man.

Question: “Why did you skip over Hebrews 1: 8 in your explanation of your belief?”

My response: Hebrews 1: 8 (NKJV) reads: But to the Son He says: “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever; A scepter of righteousness is the scepter of Your kingdom.”

·         Hebrews 6: 13-14 (NKJV) reads: For when God made a promise to Abraham, because He could swear to no one greater, He swore by Himself, saying, (14) “Surely blessings I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply you.”

God is not going to say one thing and then contradict Himself and then return back to what he started to say… God had no one or anything else that He could identify or even compare His throne with, so…He said it of Himself. Go back and read Hebrews 1: 5 and 9 and you’ll clearly see that God is greater than His Son and there’s an audience there to back me up; somehow…someway…someone wrote it down.

TW, you wrote: “I don’t think it is wise to disregard the scholarly works of men and women of the faith, who have a better grasp of the hebrew & greek cultures and linguistics.”

·         I agree in the need to investigate, but to say anyone has more “Scholarly works” than another is foolishness. Understanding of a Biblical truth comes from the Spirit of God and the Spirit of God alone! When Yeshua spoke in Matthew 12: 42 (NKJV) He mentioned the wisdom of Solomon and then went on to say “And indeed a greater than Solomon is here.” If you wish to be correct in your remark “A better grasp”, I would recommend you know fully the wisdom of all parties involved. If you’re going to judge people based on their earthly accomplishments without investigating their works, please leave me out…all I have is Yeshua! I KNOW God sent Him to show me where, when, and how to please His Father…God…why should I look any further than Yeshua? He’s pretty clear to me and the Umpire of Truth will keep me on the right path.

TW, you wrote: “The reason He was crucified was because He claimed to be God.”

·         Yeshua was sent to the cross because the people said He (Yeshua) claimed to be the Son of God. Yeshua was correct in His claim…He is the Son of God; show me one verse where Yeshua says He is God. Yeshua said “I and the Father are one.” If I accept Yeshua as the Son of God, and I do, then I am one with God through Yeshua. That’s God’s plan my friend. Yeshua went to the cross to die for the sin of the world.

Question: “Do you even believe the Holy Spirit has personhood or do you think He is just an it, like the essence or aura of God?”

·         See:  Who is the Holy Spirit on my blog; which was posted before I received your letter.

I give thanks and praise to the One…the God of Israel

Thank you for your response. I will not pursue the wisdom of Man, been there, wore the t-shirts, had the hats…no more!! It’s all about Yeshua for me. Yeshua is the way, the truth and the life…”Nuff said!”

That my friend is love…God’s way…In His Merciful and Loving Care…Jim