Before Dawn

What time do you get up and go outside in the morning?

Do you still get up early and set aside 30 minutes with your Bible open reading and meditating on the WORD, reflecting and memorizing scripture? Do you still go out early into the dark morning walkways amidst the refreshing early morning sounds of life reawakening for at least 30 minutes praying, talking with Abba Yahweh & JESUS maybe even interceding?

Do you remember what that daily early morning experience is like? What it is?

Have you never done any of these things? Have you ever intentionally focused on memorizing a particular passage each week? Do you know what that experience is like and the impact it has on you and in your spirit both during that season and for your entire life?

Have you ever set aside an entire night to read through the book of Acts or an entire week to read through the book of Luke and Acts?

You will be transformed

Before Dawn

WTW 2021
15 July
From the Personal Records of Kepha called Simon Peter

To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder and a witness of Christ’s sufferings who also will share in the glory to be revealed: With the help of Silas, whom I regard as a faithful brother, I have written to you briefly, encouraging you and testifying that this is the true grace of God. Stand fast in it. 1 Peter 5:1‭, ‬12

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Open conversations with muslims (and other students of other scriptures) who do not believe in Jesus God’s Son are invaluable. Such discussions will always give followers of JESUS both the challenge and the opportunity to examine our own faith and scriptures more fully and more honestly and in ways such as we would never otherwise consider.

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The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known.
John 1:14‭, ‬18
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Muslims do not believe or accept the message or the 4 Evangels we have, preserved from the first century eyewitnesses. Many do not even want to accept any written copies of the Evangels or biblical scripture. The reason is noble; it’s simply faulty. The reason they give is that the 4 Evangels are not the 1 Injeel given to JESUS. Their information is wrong but their reason is understandable. Like others, I do not accept Watch Tower materials from JWs either.

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Then John gave this testimony: “I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him. And I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’ I have seen and I testify that this is God’s Chosen One.” The next day John was there again with two of his disciples. When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, “Look, the Lamb of God!”
John 1:32‭-‬36
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It is indeed interesting that most of our new testament scriptures are written by the one apostle who was the last one to see JESUS. That fact is true. With this is mind it may be a useful study to track down the records we have preserved which are directly from the original physical eyewitnesses. Nevertheless, blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe.

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Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
John 20:29‭-‬31

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As we noted yesterday, even understanding the similarities between 2 Peter 2 and Jude may be informed by considering the koinonia partnership between Peter and JESUS’ 4 earthly brothers. It is also instructive to consider more closely exactly all the powerful first hand eyewitness testimony and insight we have preserved directly from the companions of JESUS, specifically Peter, James, John, Matthew & his brother Jude.

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Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
1 Peter 1:8‭-‬9
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For 2 Peter (Simon) & Jude (Iouda) as well for James (Iakobos), Mark & Luke, this can take some closer study. As you reread yesterday’s post and that linked article more closely, here are some expressly italicized direct quotes from our records which can help us understand those references and also help continuing to track the trail of all the irrefutable first hand eyewitness records.

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Don’t we have the right to take a believing wife along with us, as do the other apostles and the brothers of Kyriou kai Kephas ? 1 Corinthians 9:5

Isn’t this the carpenter? Isn’t this the son of Marias and the brother of Iakobou, Iosetos, Iouda and Simonos? Aren’t his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him. Mark 6:3

“Isn’t this the carpenter’s son? Isn’t his mother’s name Mariam, and aren’t his brothers Iakobos, Ioseph, Simon and Ioudas? Matthew 13:55

Symeon Petros, a servant and apostle of Iesou Xristou, To those who through the righteousness of our God and Savior Iesou Xristou have received a faith as precious as ours… 2 Peter 1:1

WTW July 2021
Week 3
2 Peter

14 July

There were about 40 JESUS people at the outreach event last night. Every one could give you at least a ten minute recap of the time. Some could give you a 30 minute review.

One man whose name I don’t know yet…the man in the green shirt…was described by one very knowledgeable JESUS follower as a Muslim who would not get any visions because he understood and could explain the Good News message completely. He didn’t need anyone to explain anymore but was disturbed because his mother is dying and has no assurance of salvation in Islam.

I finally broke away to take my boys to join the group of 5 men where the man in the green shirt was intently talking in Arabic to the man holding the coffee cup. Not 15 minutes later, I found out from one of the other 5 men recapping that conversation to the knowledgeable man that the man in the green shirt actually is a JESUS follower no one else actually met before.

Of the multiple thousands of people who became devoted JESUS followers in the first century spending thousands of hours following JESUS and his companions and ministers, and speaking and telling others about Him, we are blessed to have 27 written accounts about all the things which took place.

For we did not follow cleverly devised stories when we told you about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ in power, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. He received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, saying, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” We ourselves heard this voice that came from heaven when we were with him on the sacred mountain. 2 Peter 1:16‭-‬18

WTW 2021
13 July
2 Peter 3

Dear friends, this is now my second letter to you. I have written both of them as reminders to stimulate you to wholesome thinking. 2 Peter 3:1

Reread the entirety of this letter commonly called 2 Peter and you will see that the writer was quite likely studying Isaiah 14 among other things. From the very beginning of his letter there are multiple references suggesting this as well as the fact that he was apparently responding to false teachers falsely teaching things from the prophets. He was doing this while simultaneously encouraging followers of JESUS to hold fast to the true faith and to right understanding and application of these passages and of all the teachings of Christ, the apostles and all the prophets.

This then is what we must continue to do as well, and this requires great diligence both in studying and especially in living according to the WORD.

Flashback
Now read this previous letter from our dear brother John
https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/who-wrote-2-peter

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Dear friends, although I was very eager to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt compelled to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to God’s holy people. Jude 1:3

WTW 2021
12 July
2 Peter 2

“God did not spare angels when they sinned, but sent them to Tartarus.” 2 Peter 2:4a

We have the firm promise that we will experience deceptive times. These are times when it seems we stand alone. Times when all around seem to agree that we have gone too far, and are claiming to stand for something that is false, that we are the ones deceived and advocating for a teaching that is outdated, Pharisaical. That last comment there is always a way to cause us to think twice. And we should. We should think twice. Better yet, we are to test the spirits. And we are given many litmus tests. We are given a more sure WORD. And by this WORD, we are able to test and see what is true and good.

Love & Truth do go hand in hand. We must have both. Grace & Truth. Mercy & Truth have kissed. Love is not love. God is love. And JESUS is the Way, JESUS is the Truth & JESUS is the Life.

Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other. Psalm 85:10

Love (chesed) and faithfulness (emeth) meet together; righteousness (tsedeq) and peace (shalom) kiss each other.

Like dear friends

Chesed & Emeth have met

Tsedeq & Shalom have kissed

But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves. For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but sent them to Tartarus, putting them in chains of darkness to be held for judgment; if this is so, then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials and to hold the unrighteous for punishment on the day of judgment. With eyes full of adultery, they never stop sinning; they seduce the unstable; they are experts in greed—an accursed brood! For they mouth empty, boastful words and, by appealing to the lustful desires of the flesh, they entice people who are just escaping from those who live in error. They promise them freedom, while they themselves are slaves of depravity—for “people are slaves to whatever has mastered them.” If they have escaped the corruption of the world by knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and are again entangled in it and are overcome, they are worse off at the end than they were at the beginning. It would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than to have known it and then to turn their backs on the sacred command that was passed on to them. Of them the proverbs are true: “A dog returns to its vomit,” and, “A sow that is washed returns to her wallowing in the mud.” 2 Peter 2:1‭,4‭,9,14‭,18‭-‬22

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Note: It is interesting that the opening verse here today says angels rather than demons or unclean spirits
Mat 12:43 unclean spirit (akatharton pneuma)
Luke 4:41 demons (daimonia)
2 Pet 2:4 angels (angelōn)

See also
Isaiah 14

WTW 2021
11 July
2 Peter 1

His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 2 Peter 1:3

We know it is God’s grace, not our works, which brings us salvation. We know it is this salvation from God which births in us a desire for His righteousness in our walk. Walking in righteousness is walking in grace and purity, forgiveness and holiness. Walking as JESUS walked requires daily renewal to walk toward others with great grace, love & tenderness while remaining pure in His righteous ways.

Whenever it seems there is a dilemma in relating to others not walking in complete forgiveness and purity, what we need is not more righteousness which is of our own effort. Rather what we need is more of God’s grace which produces cleansing, love, forgiveness and right living in us and in others.

Bible Project Overview

WTW 2021
Level 2
13 April
Vayikra 21

“ ‘If a man commits adultery with another man’s wife—with the wife of his neighbor—both the adulterer and the adulteress are to be put to death. Vayikra 20:10

Yahweh said to Moses, “Speak to the priests, the sons of Aaron, and say to them: ‘A priest must not make himself ceremonially unclean for any of his people who die, “ ‘They must not marry women defiled by prostitution or divorced from their husbands, because priests are holy to their God. “ ‘The high priest, the one among his brothers who has had the anointing oil poured on his head and who has been ordained to wear the priestly garments, must not let his hair become unkempt or tear his clothes. “ ‘The woman he marries must be a virgin. He must not marry a widow, a divorced woman, or a woman defiled by prostitution, but only a virgin from his own people, so that he will not defile his offspring among his people. I am Yahweh, who makes him holy.’ ” Vayikra 21:1‭, ‬7‭, ‬10‭, ‬13‭-‬15

No descendant of Aaron the priest who has any defect is to come near to present the food offerings to Yahweh. He has a defect; he must not come near to offer the food of his God. He may eat the most holy food of his God, as well as the holy food; yet because of his defect, he must not go near the curtain or approach the altar, and so desecrate my sanctuary. I am Yahweh, who makes them holy.’ ” Vayikra 21:21‭-‬23

“To the married I give this command (not I, but the Lord): A wife must not separate from her husband. But if she does, she must remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband. And a husband must not divorce his wife. A woman is bound to her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is free to marry anyone she wishes, but he must belong to the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 7:10‭-‬11‭, ‬39

“When they were in the house again, the disciples asked Jesus about this. He answered, ‘Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery against her. And if she divorces her husband and marries another man, she commits adultery.’ ” Mark 10:10‭-‬12

“I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people—not at all meaning the people of this world who are immoral, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters. In that case you would have to leave this world. But now I am writing to you that you must not associate with anyone who claims to be a brother or sister but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or slanderer, a drunkard or swindler. Do not even eat with such people. What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? God will judge those outside. ‘Expel the wicked person from among you.’ ” 1 Corinthians 5:9‭-‬13

WTW 2021
12 April
Dvarim 12

“There, in the presence of Yahweh Elohekha, you and your families shall eat and shall rejoice in everything you have put your hand to, because Yahweh Elohekha has blessed you.”

Dvarim 12:7

WTW 2021
11 April
Dvarim 11

א וְאָהַבְתָּ, אֵת יְהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ; וְשָׁמַרְתָּ מִשְׁמַרְתּוֹ, וְחֻקֹּתָיו וּמִשְׁפָּטָיו וּמִצְוֺתָיו–כָּל-הַיָּמִים.

דְּבָרִים יא:א

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א וְאָהַבְתָּ, אֵת יְהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ; וְשָׁמַרְתָּ מִשְׁמַרְתּוֹ, וְחֻקֹּתָיו וּמִשְׁפָּטָיו וּמִצְוֺתָיו–כָּל-הַיָּמִים.

1 Therefore thou shalt love the LORD thy God, and keep His charge, and His statutes, and His ordinances, and His commandments, alway.

ב וִידַעְתֶּם, הַיּוֹם, כִּי לֹא אֶת-בְּנֵיכֶם אֲשֶׁר לֹא-יָדְעוּ וַאֲשֶׁר לֹא-רָאוּ, אֶת-מוּסַר יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם: אֶת-גָּדְלוֹ–אֶת-יָדוֹ הַחֲזָקָה, וּזְרֹעוֹ הַנְּטוּיָה.

2 And know ye this day; for I speak not with your children that have not known, and that have not seen the chastisement of the LORD your God, His greatness, His mighty hand, and His outstretched arm.

Mechon-Mamre