Bad Company

 1 Corinthians 15:33, NASB: "Do not be deceived: 'Bad company corrupts good morals.'"

Reading this in its context for a Bible Study the other night it turns out.  In its proper context the bad company being spoken of here is anyone who is focused on this life.  Anyone who is caught up in this world system and busy with the things of this world, pursuing their best life now is bad company.  Anyone seeking answers and fulfillment in this life is bad company.

We are a people of the resurrection.  When we went under the waters of baptism we literally died and what came out of those waters is new life.  This new life is no longer under the powers and principalities of the air, this world system.  This new life is His life, eternal and imperishable.

This new life has as its focus the kingdom to come, the return of the conquering King.  We love not our lives unto death because we are already dead to everything in this life.

We are totally free of the powers of the air and this world system.

Totally free, new creations, living by and for the eternal life of the King, everyone who is not in this condition is bad company.

A Very Rare Song Recommendation

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k_LmRcr8Mm4

Redemption Song with an arrangement by this wonderfully talented man and family.

I can't fully explain it, but it reaches me, reaches deep into my Spirit and speaks to me

of love, and hope and peace.

Enjoy.

If You Mock Israel When They are Cast Down...

 Say to the Ammonites, ‘Hear the word of the Lord GOD! Thus says the Lord GOD: “Because you said, ‘Aha!’ against My sanctuary when it was profaned, and against the land of Israel when it was desolate, and against the house of Judah when they went into captivity, indeed, therefore, I will deliver you as a possession to the men of the East, and they shall set their encampments among you and make their dwellings among you; they shall eat your fruit, and they shall drink your milk. And I will make Rabbah a stable for camels and Ammon a resting place for flocks. Then you shall know that I am the LORD.” Ezekiel 25:1-5

This is a warning that the "church" would do well to heed.  Judgment will come during the time of Jacob's trouble, but those of us who follow the Messiah of Israel and the God of Israel better have the same heart and attitude as Paul displayed in Romans 9:1-4

Our call is to bring hope and help to the chosen people, period.  They are His brethren and that makes them our brothers and sisters, period.

It will not be easy to be associated with them when the anti-Christ is rising up with an army and great fury, but this life is not all there is and we know that so we willingly, lovingly give up our lives, just like the crucified Lamb that we follow.

This is the only path through the tribulation, "and they loved not their lives unto the death."  Mercy reveals this to us now.  People get ready!

The Gospel

 When Isaiah talks about the gospel in chapter 35 and 40...

When, in Galatians, it says the gospel was preached to Abraham...

When gigantic promises are given to David that a king from his line would sit on the throne forever...

The gospel was being preached.

The God of Israel has a gospel and 

surprise

it is tied to a specific people and a specific land.