The space between light and darkness is decisions! Choose this day who you will serve! James and Hamsa Sasse. GodWhoisGod.com
Tag: light
Righteous Rule versus Wicked Rule!
Proverbs 29:2 “When the righteous are in authority the people rejoice; but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.” Who are the righteous? The word righteous in the Hebrew means those who live their lives in accordance with God’s standard! The words, “are in authority”, is translated from the Hebrew to mean those who are in the majority or more in number. The word wicked means those who are enemies of God and His people. Even though the world has always been a battlefield between the righteous and the wicked God still has His people everywhere! At the time of Christ’s birth Caesar and Herod ruled wickedly. Their wicked acts against Christ at His birth and at the Cross victoriously produced a foundation of redemption for man! His star today shines brighter to us than to the shepherds around Bethlehem! His light will always shine brighter and brighter as our world grows darker! As we celebrate Christmas remember the Herod’s of today are trying to stamp out Christmas are in the greatest need of Him! Be patient and remember we were once were on Herod’s team with the wicked! Christ is still pouring His love out on the wicked today and we must do the same! Merry Christmas! James and Hamsa Sasse. GodWhoisGod.com
The Nicene Creed
WE BELIEVE IN one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen. WE BELIEVE IN one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father. Through Him all things were made. For us and for our salvation He came down from heaven: by the power of the Holy Spirit he became incarnate from the Virgin Mary, and was made man. For our sake He was crucified under Pontius Pilate: He suffered death and was buried. On the third day He rose again in accordance with the scriptures: He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead, and His Kingdom will have no end. WE BELIEVE IN the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son. With the Father and the Son He is worshiped and glorified. He has spoken through the Prophets. We believe in one Holy universal and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen
Jesus Prays in Gethsemane Matthew 26:36-46
The word Gethsemane is a Hebrew word that means an oil press. Gethsemane was an olive garden with olive trees with an olive press most likely located on the western slope of the Mount of Olives. Have you ever been severely pressed in your soul, mind and body? Ever feel like you are being squeezed to death? Combat soldiers in battle experience this as death knocks at the door. If you were being executed for a crime you committed you could rationalize that I deserve it. If you were being executed for a crime you did not commit would you voluntarily step forward for execution? That is what Jesus did for you! Jesus and His disciples entered the garden late at night. Cold and darkness surrounded them as Roman soldiers were in the hunt for them. Jesus takes Peter, James and John into the interior of the garden with him to pray. While Jesus prays he becomes exceedingly sorrowful even unto death! Let this cup pass from me but if not your will be done. Meanwhile the disciples fall asleep? Jesus cautions his disciples to watch and pray and not to enter into temptation for the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak. Jesus prays again the second time the same prayer. The disciples fall into sleep again! Jesus prays again the third time the same prayer. Then the Chief Priest, elders and soldiers come and take him away. In Jewish culture if you say something three times that is the most you can say it. Peter do you love me? Peter do you love me? Peter do you love me? On the third day Jesus rose from the dead! Three strikes and your out. Jesus spoke to the mountain on the mountain three times and then He let God’s will and providence for His life and purpose be done! Let not our prayers be a fire escape but let His will for our lives be done so that others may benefit! When olives are squeezed they produce oil which is used for light and heat. Jesus was squeezed so you could have light in the dark world we live in. Jesus was, is and always will be the light of the world! Thankyou. James and Hamsa Sasse. GodWhoisGod.com
Beach Wedding
Would you like a beautiful wedding under the ocean sky? Let your colors be selected by your Creator! Let us begin with a turquoise sky contrasted by a white sand beach. Decide your water colors depending on the time of day. As the sun rises and sets over this occasion let the orange ball of light speak of eternity as it’s color spectrum dances in your mind. Let the sound of waves provide your music. Even the hermit crabs will come out of their homes and see this occasion. The clams will clap their shells in approval. The sea gulls and pelicans will get a bird’s eye view. They may even take a day off from fishing. The dolphins will break the surface to catch a glimpse. A sea foam green carpet stretched from the gazebo to the water will provide continuity. A guest book for surfers and beach bums would be polite. A bare foot dance in the sand would be down to earth. When the crabs come out to dance with you things are getting right. Let your gown, slippers and jewelry match your creation. Sea food should be on the menu. Let your wedding cake match your neighborhood. Let your mind with the creativity God has given you compliment your Creator! Please do not forget your departure time for your cruise ship. Your party is not over! Thankyou. Anita Sasse. GodWhoisGod.com
War Against Israel Equals Atomic War! Zechariah 14:12
Zechariah says,”Their flesh shall consume away while they stand on their feet and their eyes shall consume away in their holes and their tongue shall consume away in their mouth!” This prophecy was written 2500 years ago! If you go to the Book of Revelation and do a word study the word plague used there translates from the Greek as, “melt away.” We have seen the effects of Atomic war on Japan during World War II. Remember Japan joined Hitler with Italy known as the Axis Power. Hitler’s priority was to exterminate the Jews from the face of the earth! The Muslims joined him then as they do today to exterminate the Jews! Hitler almost succeeded were it not for a Jew. How far was Germany from an atomic weapon at the end of World war II? Evidence says exactly one year! At the end of the war the allies discovered a four engine jet bomber in a secluded hangar in Germany. The two engine proto type had already been test flown. It had a delta wing design with payload ability to reach New York City! It also had twice the speed of any existing allied aircraft. Albert Einstein, a Jew was a professor at Berlin Academy of Sciences in 1933. He was visiting America then when Hitler came to power. He did not return to Germany. In 1940 Einstein wrote four letters to President Roosevelt. He warned Roosevelt that Germany was developing a super bomb that could wipe out an entire city! You can read these letters on-line which are very interesting and detail Germany’s research at that time. In one of these letters he warned Roosevelt that Germany was blocking all Uranium sales from German occupied Czechoslovakian mines! These letters prompted Roosevelt to start the Manhattan Project! Israel has had conventional wars since becoming a nation in 1948. Now the balance of power is shifting in the middle east! President Obama has given Iran the green light for Iran to complete it’s atomic weapon development! Israel has about 80 atomic tipped missiles. Most are set to guard Israel’s back side which is Russia. With the entire middle east in chaos and Russia and Iran filling the vacuum left by American foreign policy failures the stage is being set for Zechariah 14:12. The Good News is there came another Jew Jesus Christ who has made a way of escape for you! No government can save you! Your Pastor cannot save you! Only Christ! Save you from the plagues coming upon the earth! Remember the Anti-Christ will also be Jewish! Which Jew are you going to follow? Thankyou. James and Hamsa Sasse. GodWhoisGod.com
Surprised By Joy!
This is the 3rd Sunday of Advent. The season of Advent helps us to shape and impact our culture. The Christmas story is ripe with revelation! Luke1:30 The angel appears to Mary! Of all the Prophets Isaiah had the most revelation about the coming Messiah! Isaiah Chapter 9. Isaiah focused on this Prophetic message. We have a gap of time between the old and new testament of 400 years. It is sometimes called the years of silence. About as much time as the Jews were in slavery in Egypt. No Prophets spoke and no further revelation was given during these silent years. The stage was set at the end of the old testament and the curtain was drawn. Is God silent in your life? Have you been listening for Him or just too busy? Then after 400 years of darkness the curtain is split in two! Light appears from darkness! At a time least expected! God will surprise you! Do you have an expectation from Him? God came into my life when I least expected it! Has He come for you? Advent is about Him coming to you! Do you need to welcome Him? When Jesus was born in Bethlehem wise men from the East following His star showed up in Jerusalem. King Herod heard about this and was very disturbed! He was rattled! Herod was jealous! King Jesus was a direct threat to him. Herod the Great was from Idumea and was a descendant of the Edomites who were the family of Esau. These descendants of Esau were always attacking Jacob’s family. Remember Jacob’s name was changed to Israel. After the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 A.D. the Edomites vanished from history. Herod ordered an abortion of all the children two years old and younger and knives thrust into the bellies women that were pregnant. Yes, the Devil believes in Christmas! The world worships power, position and influence. Not much room for a baby. It is interesting how God uses vulnerable people to accomplish His work! God uses two pregnant women to prepare the way for the Savior of the world! Do you qualify as vulnerable? Homeless, pregnant, broken, betrayed, on dope, rejected, divorced or disabled? Are you without hope? Then you qualify for God to use you in a big way! He is looking for people who will be testimonies for Him! Pass the test and trust God at His Word! The baby Elizabeth was carrying(John the Baptist), leaped for Joy in her womb when Elizabeth heard the news from Mary about her visitation and God’s plan for the King and Son of God to be born by her! Then Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit! Luke 1:39-41. Do not try to live without the Holy Spirit for He gives you the power to live a victorious life! Without the Holy Spirit you will be like the Pharisee’s who knew about God but did not know Him! Luke 2:25-26. Next an old vulnerable man named Simeon who was just and devout got surprised by the Holy Spirit with Joy and was told he would not die until he has seen the Christ. Luke 2: 36-38. Here we see Anna a Prophetess and widow most of her life who served in the Temple get surprised with Joy! Do you lack surprise? Is life dull and routine? Hopeless? Broken dreams? Remember Joy is a gift! God does not just give joy but He is Joy! In His presence is fullness of Joy! Joy is not happiness. Our Constitution says we have the right to pursue happiness! Happiness you have to pursue or try to chase down by your own efforts! It depends on the economy, politicians, health, ect. Joy is a gift and never earned! The price has been paid for you! Galatians 5:22. Joy is a fruit of the Holy Spirit. What are the enemies of Joy? Pride, self, criticism, sarcasm, ect. Do you find fault with everything? Do you leave any room for beauty? No room for Jesus in your Inn? Have you been wounded or hurt by someone? See the beauty of God! No one on earth loves you like Him! He will never leave you or forsake you! He is different from us! I am not offering you a Christian but Christ Himself! Never lose your fascination, awe and wonder for Him! Go for beauty and be surprised by Joy! Joy is a person and not a benefit! The Holy Spirit is a person! The benefits come with the person and not apart from Him! Psalm 16:8-11. Do not get fixed on our cultural problems. Important but not your focus! Rather than be a student of culture be a Worshipper of God! Set the Lord before you. Have fullness of Joy and pleasures forevermore! You can hear bad news but still have Joy. Turn off the news networks this season and enter into His rest! Focus on Christ! Spend time with Him! The word time means, :”To Honor.” Psalm 16:9 Rest in Hope! My heart is glad and rejoices. Joy is an inside job! Your body rests secure. An external God who gives internal pleasure. From without to within! Joy comes at unusual times and unusual places through unusual persons! Is your heart prepared to be surprised by Joy? Source; Sermon notes taken from message given by Pastor Brady Boyd at New Life Church in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Message given Sunday December 15, 2013.
Being Awesome In Obscurity! Matthew Chapter 6.
Why do we do what we do? Motives! Great people of God always have seasons of obscurity! Jesus in the desert, John the Baptist, Apostle John and many more examples in the Old Testament. American culture counters the idea of obscurity with social networks, web sites, instant media flashes, ect. God has to prepare out hearts and will not let us go public until we are right with Him and our fellow man. Motive is the spiritual mirror of the heart. The truth of scripture divides the motives of the heart. No one can hide wrong motives from God. The religious leaders of Jesus day gave money to be honored by men. Jesus said to give in secret. Then God will reward you openly! You will notice Jesus mentions reward three times. You will notice in Matthew Chapter 5, verse 16 that Jesus says to let your light so shine. Is Jesus contradicting Himself or is He talking about two different things? Shine or do in secret? It is all about motive. Neither do we boast or hide. We are a peculiar people. When people ask about your Godly behavior share your story about how God has changed you! Jesus mentioned a reward five times when you do the following three things in secret! They are; Give, pray and fast. Jesus says when we do these things which means we do them regularly! All three of these things are costly! Giving costs us money. To pray costs us time. To some time is money. To fast costs us energy. Most people say they trust in God and few Christians will do these three things regularly. To do these things means we embrace weakness. Most Christian’s will want to tell others they are doing these three things. Why? Motive! The Pharisee’s were the religious super stars of Jesus day. They fasted, prayed and gave money openly for men to see with no effect or approval from God! There will be seasons of obscurity sent from God to you so that you get right with who you are and do not give up your identity to please men! In Luke Chapter 4, verse 14 we read He returned with Power of the Spirit! God will not give you a public platform until you are ready! When Jesus came up out of the water during Baptism His Father in Heaven said; ” This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased!” What is the reward Jesus is talking about if we do these three things? Some Christians especially in America think it is money, big houses, fancy cars, gold, land, stocks, bonds, ect. Some will even borrow great amounts of money to show the world they are Blessed of God? The reward Jesus is talking about is this; ” His Presence. ” His love for you! An eternity spent with Him both now and forever! Source; Sermon notes from Pastor Brady Boyd at New Life Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado. July 14, 2013. Thankyou. James and Hamsa Sasse. GodWhoisGod.com
Can You Lose Your Salvation? Hebrews Chapter 6, Verses 1-6.
Chapter 6, verses 1-6 are probably the most controversial verses in the Bible! You need to micro-view these verses and then macro-view them in light of all scriptures! Remember the Bible always interprets itself. For those who say you can loose your salvation my question to them would be when are you going to lose yours? If your salvation is based on works then sooner or later all will be lost. The difficulty of these verses is removed by recognizing when the actual decision to follow Christ becomes true salvation. A person is saved at the point of genuine acceptance of God’s Gift of “Light”, and then he or she is received by God. God ultimately judges every heart and knows who is truly repentant. The decision for salvation is made ineffective when it is based on emotions and one’s own abilities. Christ died once for man’s sin. If this was insufficient there would be no security for believers. In verses 4-6, Paul is using hypollated illustration to make a point. In philosophical language, this form of reasoning called reductive ad absurdum ( a reduction to an absurdity ). From a false assumption comes absurd conclusions. It would be false to assume a believer could fall, because his repentance, based on Christ’s death would be invalidated. There would be no security and Christ would need to be crucified again! Sin is all about depending on your own works! Faith is about depending on Christ’s work! Source: Hebrew-Greek Key Study Bible. Thank you. James and Hamsa Sasse. GodWhoisGod.com