"Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;" - Ephesians 6:18

Above all we must love the truth.

"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." - John 14:6 KJV

By His gospel Jesus is the way, so that we can now come to Him in peace. (Colossians 1:20). The gospel of Jesus is the truth. (Ephesians 1:13). By the gospel of Jesus, He brought us life. (John 10:10-11, 17).

The Bible tells us that the truth is the gospel - that Jesus died for our sins, He was buried, and rose again the third day. (Ephesians 1:13, 1 Corinthians 15:1-4). The Bible tells us that we obey the gospel by becoming dead to sin (repentance), buried with Him by baptism in Jesus name for the remission of our sins, and rising to walk in new life with the infilling of His Holy Ghost. (Romans 6:1-6, Acts 2:38, Acts 2:4). We are saved by the truth - the gospel of Jesus.

The Bible tells us to “buy the truth and sell it not.” (Proverbs 23:23).

The Bible also tells us, if we are going to be saved, we must have the love of the truth.

"And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: that they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness." - 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12 KJV

Jesus wants us to hear Him.

The great commandment in the Law begins with “Hear.”

"Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD:" - Deuteronomy 6:4 (Mark 12:29)

Jesus repeatedly would say, "He that hath ears to hear, let him hear."

Jesus wants those that He is calling to hear, and those that have answered His call and are living for Him to hear.

"My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:" - John 10:27

"For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God." - Romans 8:14

Philip was led by the Spirit to witness to the Ethiopian Eunuch that was traveling in the desert from Jerusalem.

"Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot." - Acts 8:29

Philip listened to Jesus and was used to bring salvation to the Eunuch.

"And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him." - Acts 8:38

Peter was also led by the Spirit.

"While Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said unto him, Behold, three men seek thee… And the Spirit bade me go with them, nothing doubting. Moreover these six brethren accompanied me, and we entered into the man's house:" - Acts 10:19, Acts 11:12

Peter listened to Jesus and was used to bring salvation to the Gentiles.

"While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. ... And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days." - Acts 10:44, 48

Jesus tells us,

"Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me." - Revelation 3:20

Church! Prepare yourself to face the new year.

"Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

“Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

“Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

“Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

“And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;" - Ephesians 6:10-18 KJV

With the Armour of God, you can make it!

Reposting this…

"Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ." - Colossians 2:17 KJV

The Butler and the Baker and Communion

While Joseph was in prison, Pharaoh’s Butler and Baker were also cast into prison. The Butler and the Baker both had dreams. The Butler dreamed he was taking grapes and pressing them into Pharaoh’s cup. Joseph interpreted for him that in three days he would be restored to his position.

The Baker dreamed that birds ate all his bake goods that he had in a basket on top of his head. Joseph interpreted for him that in three days he would hang on a tree and die. (Genesis 40:1-19)

The Butler seems to represent the blood and Spirit of Jesus. The Baker seems to represent the body of Jesus. Jesus’ flesh hung on a tree, died, and was buried. But in three days, His Spirit resurrected Him to life.

"I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world." - John 6:51 KJV

"And as they did eat, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and brake it, and gave to them, and said, Take, eat: this is my body." - Mark 14:22 KJV

"And it came to pass the third day, which was Pharaoh's birthday, that he made a feast unto all his servants: and he lifted up the head [summoned] of the chief butler and of the chief baker among his servants. And he restored the chief butler unto his butlership again; and he gave the cup into Pharaoh's hand: But he hanged the chief baker: as Joseph had interpreted to them." - Genesis 40:20-22 KJV

As the fulfillment of the dreams take place in three days, Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection also take place in three days.

"Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day:" - Luke 24:46 KJV

The Butler, as the cup bearer, seems to represent the Life that is in Jesus.

"And he [Jesus] took the cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them: and they all drank of it. And he said unto them, This is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many." - Mark 14:23-24 KJV

"For the life of the flesh is in the blood..." - Leviticus 17:11a KJV

After Joseph had interpreted the Butler’s dream, Joseph told him to remember him.

"But think on me when it shall be well with thee, and shew kindness, I pray thee, unto me, and make mention of me unto Pharaoh, and bring me out of this house: For indeed I was stolen away out of the land of the Hebrews: and here also have I done nothing that they should put me into the dungeon." - Genesis 40:14-15 KJV

"And he restored the chief butler unto his butlership again; and he gave the cup into Pharaoh's hand: ... Yet did not the chief butler remember Joseph, but forgat him." - Genesis 40:21, 23 KJV

Just as Joseph told the Butler to remember him, Jesus told His disciples to remember Him when they would take the cup with the fruit of the vine.

"After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me." - 1 Corinthians 11:25 KJV

"Then spake the chief butler unto Pharaoh, saying, I do remember my faults this day:" - Genesis 41:9 KJV

For two years, the Butler had forgotten to tell Pharaoh there was an innocent Hebrew bound in prison. Then, the Butler remembered his faults.

Before we take communion, we are to remember our faults.

"But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup." - 1 Corinthians 11:28 KJV

When we repent, we crucify our flesh, just as the baker was hung on the tree. When we apply Jesus’ blood in water baptism for the remission of sins and receive the Holy Ghost, we are restored to God, as the Butler was restored to his position with Pharaoh. In communion, we examine and judge ourselves, as the Butler remembered his faults. When we remember Christ, He is loosed and elevated in our life to a position of power, salvation, and provision, as the Butler remembered Joseph, who ascended from a place of being bound, to rule all the land of Egypt, providing for and saving the world from famine.

With this new year, we have decided to make changes in our life. With God’s help, we can do it.

"I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." - Philippians 4:13

2020