COVENANT MINDED MINISTRIES

Recognizing God in the radiant essence of His Majesty and Sovereignity is a most awesome and significant enbracement that sits in order the course of life to His knowledge, understanding, and wisdom.

God's omnipotence (unlimited power), omnipresence (present in all places at all times), omniscience (infinite awareness, understanding, and insight), omnicompetence (authority to act in all matters) manifests an awe (an emotion variously combining dread, veneration, and wonder) inspired by these unmatchable qualities.

His prevailing presence signifies that One greater than all we can see created all than is seen, and that which has been created or to be created can never be greater than the Creator.

No wonder! Those who trust in Him know that there is nothing made or created, including Satan and his demons, that have power over God and the children of God.  Therefore, if God be for us who can be against us?

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline. (Proverbs 1:7)

"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
(Proverbs 9:10)

Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, For this is man’s all. (Ecclesiastes 12:13)

 “And I say to you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. (Luke 12:4)

But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear Him who, after He has killed, has power to cast into hell; yes, I say to you, fear Him!  (Luke 12:5)

Implanted Moral Knowledge

God has implanted moral knowledge in every human being, so that, none are with an excuse.  The person who knows God and counts His promises is free, and life to that person can be vital and exciting.

However, those who do not know God and count His promises is a slave to sin, and life to that person is one of working out his or her own systems of productive ethics and morals with meaningless and disappointing results.

The best hope in this life is to fear God and keep His commandments, which means trusting in Him with all your heart and not leaning to your own understanding.  God has provided us all the way (Jesus Christ), and I strongly suggest taking it; you will not regret it in the end!

The implanted moral knowledge in human nature reveals to us all the sin and injustice that mar (destroy, injure, blemmish) society and make life so painful, wherein, reflecting divine judgment on humanity for rejecting Him and choosing, rather, immorality.

Crimes and injustices are expressions of humanity's sinful nature that's presently reflecting God's divine judgment on sin here on this earth, with the final judgment yet to come.

Sin, therefore, doesn't only have consequences at the day of judgment, but present consequences of ultimate depravities (losses or withholdings of the necessities of life or of healthful environmental influences) in morals, in character, wickedness and greed, in relationships, envy murder, deceit and malice, in polity, publicly approving things they know God condemns. 

God's implantation of moral knowledge in humanity stands in judgment on those same issues of personal and social relationships with which His law deals.  God will not judge sinners who do not know the standards revealed in the Scripture by biblical law; He doesn't have to!  Their moral knowledge of right and wrong is their manual for  judgment.

The Day of judgment will reveal that every human being has failed to live by his or her own standards, much less by God's!  God will judge sinners by their own sense of what's right and wrong.  What a dreadful Day for one to appear before God without Jesus, the Redeemer of humanity for all who believe on His name, which is the best hope in this life and for the life hereafter.

Relationship With God

Relationship with God requires an inner spiritual circumcision of the heart.  Many perform outward rituals to qualify themselves in the eyes of others to the covenant community of believers without having an inner spiritual circumcision of the heart.  These are they who possess only empty shams (false, counterfeit acts appearing to be genuine).

The Law serves as the standard of righteousness.  Measured against the Law, every individual falls short of the glory of God and thus subject to punishment.  It's not that we will be judged by God on this matter, but, that we've already been judged and pronounced gulity by Him.

Any righteousness found in the Law must come from human acts.  Any righteousness God provides must come from His acts.  This truth is not only taught in the Old Testament, but also in the Law and Prophets of the Old Testament.

even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe.  For there is no difference; (Romans 3:22)

for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, (Romans 3:23)

being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, (Romans 3:24)

“These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full. (John 15:11)

This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. (John 15:12)

Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. (John 15:13)

But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. (John 4:23)

God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”  (John 4:24)

The Ten Commandments

And God spoke all these words, saying: (Exodus 20:1)

 “I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. (Exodus 20:2)

“You shall have no other gods before Me.  (Exodus 20:3)

“You shall not make for yourself a carved image—any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; (Exodus 20:4)

you shall not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me, (Exodus 20:5)

but showing mercy to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments. (Exodus 20:6)

“You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain. (Exodus 20:7)

“Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. (Exodus 20:8)

Six days you shall labor and do all your work, (Exodus 20:9)

but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the LORD your God. In it you shall do no work: you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your male servant, nor your female servant, nor your cattle, nor your stranger who is within your gates. (Exodus 20:10)

For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it. (Exodus 20:11)

“ Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the LORD your God is giving you. (Exodus 20:12)

“You shall not murder. (Exodus 20:13)

“You shall not commit adultery. (Exodus 20:14)

“You shall not steal. (Exodus 20:15)

“You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. (Exodus 20:16)

“You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, nor his male servant, nor his female servant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbor’s.” (Exodus 20:17)

The Law and the Prophets

“Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. (Matthew 5:17)

Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.
(Matthew 7:12)

For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John. (11:13)

“The law and the prophets were until John. Since that time the kingdom of God has been preached, and everyone is pressing into it. (Luke 16:16)

“No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.”  (Luke 16:13)

Now the Pharisees, who were lovers of money, also heard all these things, and they derided Him. (Luke 16:14)

And He said to them, “You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts.  For what is highly esteemed among men is an abomination in the sight of God.  (Luke 16:15)

Then He said to them, “These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me.” (Luke 24:44)

Two Greatest Commandments

Jesus answered him, “The first of all the commandments is: ‘Hear, O Israel, the LORD our God, the LORD is one. (Mark 12:29)

And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment. (Mark 12:30)

And the second, like it, is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’  There is no other commandment greater than these.” (Mark 12:31)

On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.” (Matthew 22:40)

Jesus clearly and percisely points out that all laws "hang on" love for God and neighbor, meaning that Law and Prophets can be understood and lived only by one who loves both God and others.

It is very important for members in the body of Christ to be united, which occurs directly from loving one another.  The Church, as the body of Christ, emphasizes this vital attribute that binds the body of Christ together, uniting believers in a "one relationship" which enables Christ's body to be responsive to Him, its Head.

Love is a way of life and not an abstract (difficult to understand, insufficiently factual) concept, but a means by which one can express God's love to one another in many ways.  Living love on a daily basis among one another (saints and sinners) testifies to our love for God, which is pleasing in His sight.

Vengeance Belongs to the Lord

Leaving vengeance (punishment inflicted in retaliation for an injury or offense) is an act of love in obedience to God.  Although it may be, and most often is, difficult to do because of fleshly desires, with God all things are possible; His grace is sufficient. 

Vengeance is a judicial function that belongs to God and Him alone.  This is His moral responsibility and He will not draw back from it, but will carry it out as He has promised.  When we trust Him to do what He says, things always work out better.

Dont allow the flesh to move you in practicing revenge (an act or instance of retaliation in order to get even or an opportunity sought to get satisfaction against another).  Trust God and allow Him to carry of vengeance at His own timing and in His own way.

Vengeance is Mine, and recompense; Their foot shall slip in due time; For the day of their calamity is at hand, And the things to come hasten upon them.’ (Deuteronomy 32:15)

But he who does wrong will be repaid for what he has done, and there is no partiality.  (Colossians 3:25)

Because the sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil.  (Ecclesiastes 8:11)

Though a sinner does evil a hundred times, and his days are prolonged, yet I surely know that it will be well with those who fear God, who fear before Him.  (Ecclesiastes 8:12)

But it will not be well with the wicked; nor will he prolong his days, which are as a shadow, because he does not fear before God. (Ecclesiastes 8:13)

If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.  (Romans 12:18)

Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. (Romans 12:19)

Therefore 

“ If your enemy is hungry, feed him;   

If he is thirsty, give him a drink;

For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.” (Romans 12:20)

Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith. (Galatians 6:10)

Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin. (James 4:17)

The best hope in this life is fearing God and keeping His commandments; there is nothing anyone can offer you that's better.   

Regardless of who it may be, including, but not limited to their celebrity status, circle of influences, and support coalitions (temporay and/or permenant alliances of distinct and/or very distinct  persons, groups, organizations, ect.); no one can offer any advice or counsel more profitable than fearing God and keeping His commandments.

“Now it shall come to pass, if you diligently obey the voice of the LORD your God, to observe carefully all His commandments which I command you today, that the LORD your God will set you high above all nations of the earth. (Deuteronomy 28:1)

And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, because you obey the voice of the LORD your God: (Deuteronomy 28:2)

“But it shall come to pass, if you do not obey the voice of the LORD your God, to observe carefully all His commandments and His statutes which I command you today, that all these curses will come upon you and overtake you: (Deuteronomy 28:15)

“Moreover all these curses shall come upon you and pursue and overtake you, until you are destroyed, because you did not obey the voice of the LORD your God, to keep His commandments and His statutes which He commanded you. (Deuteronomy 28:45)

Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom.  For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.” (Luke 6:38)

For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments.  And His commandments are not burdensome. (1st John 5:3)

A real faith in Jesus expresses itself in our lives.  As we experience love for others and for God, obeying His commandments will be the product, and we will realize the more that we've truly been born again. 

Please God and Not Men

As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed.  (Galatians 1:9)

For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ. (Galatians 1:10)

The difference between the world and God is so vast that as we move toward the world (works of the flesh) we alienate ourselves from God. 

Those who are of the world have lost their awareness of sin, and thus sin has become habitual, that is, their way of life; approved of themselves and among themselves, being wise in their own eyes.

Therefore, friendship with the world is enmity (positive, active, and typically mutual hatred or ill will) with God.  

Adulterers and adulteresses!  Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God?  Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. (James 4:4)

Such friendship is detrimental to one's responsibility in accomplishing obedience to God's commandments.  Striving to receive the approval of the world over the approval of God is foolish and destructive,which many have done and are still doing.

Christians should never compromise the truth in order to develop and/or maintain friendship and peace with the world.  Those who do it have their personal interests in place rather than God's interest.

Compromising the truth promotes lies to acquire and/or maintain positions of power and authority; to accomplish acts to keep in place the love of money; to get in and/or remain in the circle of influences to control and manipulate; all are abominations to the Lord.

There are numerous things people are religiously doing that have no spiritual value whatsoever, because they're doing them to please men, including themselves, rather than God.  I say to such ones, "you already have your reward;" a reward that will fade away!

Just because some celebrity, television and/or radio talk show host promotes others views that the world gravitates to does not mean that you're to gravitate to the same ungodly and unscriptual views.  

These are all detractions to pervert (to cause to aside or away from what is good or true or morally right) the truth. 

For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth. (2nd Corinthians 13:8)

But I will tell you what is noted in the Scripture of Truth. (No one upholds me against these, except Michael your prince. (Daniel 10:21)

There shall not be found among you anyone who makes his son or his daughter pass through the fire, or one who practices witchcraft, or a soothsayer, or one who interprets omens, or a sorcerer, (Deuternomy 18:10)

or one who conjures spells, or a medium, or a spiritist, or one who calls up the dead. (Deuternomy 18:11)

Honoring the Father and the Son

But Jesus answered them, “My Father has been working until now, and I have been working.”  (John 5:17)

Therefore the Jews sought all the more to kill Him, because He not only broke the Sabbath, but also said that God was His Father, making Himself equal with God. (John 5:18)

Then Jesus answered and said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner.  (John 5:19)

For the Father loves the Son, and shows Him all things that He Himself does; and He will show Him greater works than these, that you may marvel. (John 5:20)

For as the Father raises the dead and gives life to them, even so the Son gives life to whom He will. (John 5:21)

For the Father judges no one, but has committed all judgment to the Son,  (John 5:22)

that all should honor the Son just as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him. (John 5:23)

“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life. (John 5:24)

The World's Hatred of Jesus

The world's hatred of Jesus was and still is a sin against God.  The Pharisees (lovers of money) was the ring leaders of this hatred.

We still have today modern-day type Pharisees and their scribes still hypocriting their way throughout the churches.

These Pharisees hated Jesus so badly that they continuously planned to kill Him, but was unable to accomplish their evil objective until He laid down His life and gave it up, so that He would take it up again as He said He would.

Jesus has revealed the Father Himself to the world and the world still hates Him.  Since Jesus and the Father are One, those who hate Christ hate the Father, and there's no getting around this conclusion.

Since this hatred exists for the Father and the Son, it should no be surprising that the world hates His followers also.

If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. (John 15:18)

But this happened that the word might be fulfilled which is written in their law, "They hated Me without a cause."  (John 5:25)

The Holy Spirit's Witness

This is He who came by water and blood—Jesus Christ; not only by water, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit who bears witness, because the Spirit is truth. (1st John 5:6)

For there are three that bear witness in heaven: the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one. (1st John 5:7)

And there are three that bear witness on earth: the Spirit, the water, and the blood; and these three agree as one.  (1st John 5:8)

But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
(Acts 1:8)

But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and you know all things. (1st John 2:20)

I have not written to you because you do not know the truth, but because you know it, and that no lie is of the truth. (1st John 2:21)

As we speak on Christ's behalf, the Holy Spirit brings inner conviction to unbelievers, which in turn, makes us witnesses for Jesus, who has prepared us to assimilate (take into the mind and throughly understand) the truth (the gospel of Jesus Christ). 

And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever—  (John 14:16)

the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. (John 14:17)

I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you. (John 14:18)

I tell the truth in Christ, I am not lying, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Spirit, (Romans 9:1)

As long as one tells the truth in Christ, with his or her conscience bearing witness to him or her in the Holy Spirit, God's purposes and promises will not fail; all things will work together for good because they love God and are called according to His purpose.

God's Words are Absolute Truths

God's words are not suggestions, but rather, absolute truths.  We should not expect those of the world to receive and understand them, because they are foolishness to them and are only spiritually decerned (to come to know or recognize mentally).

Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may run swiftly and be glorified, just as it is with you, (2nd Thessalonians 3:1)

and that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men; for not all have faith. (2nd Thessalonians 3:2)

But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one. (2nd Thessalonians 3:3)

The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned (come to be known or recognized mentally). (1st Corinthians 2:14)

Do not compromise the truth for the sake of friendship and/or popularity or for any other thing. 

The truthful lip shall be established forever, But a lying tongue is but for a moment. (Proverbs 12:19)

There are many talk show hosts (radio and television), actors and actresses, and other radio and television personalities in violation of Deuternomy 18:10, wherein, being controlled by deceiving spirits to promote doctrines of demons.