It was my intention to write about something totally different today but sometimes life experiences change not only the immediate but that they also cause the consideration of what might be going on in the plan and will of God. With that I can say that I was a bit irritated a little more than an hour ago. I was on a bus stop waiting for the bus to take me to one of my spots in the city of Baltimore. It would be that the bus would be extremely late when I have a day planned for activities (more to come on that). The fact is one of my weaknesses is the lack of patience in waiting for things that are late. I am very time conscious and lateness and I simply are not good friends.
When the bus finally arrived one of the nastiest drivers was operating the vehicle causing my irritation to rise just a bit more. The crowded bus was somewhat unsettling but tolerable. As the bus eased toward its destination the move became more of a crawl. Now, I admit that I am no longer the hare I was some thirty years ago but then nor am I the turtle I might be fifty years from now. Evidently there was a problem with the traffic so when the opportunity arose I disembarked short of my transfer point to find emergency equipment in the area where I would have been had the bus been on time.
Sometimes God allows delays in our lives not to try us but rather to protect us. All too often we (me definitely included) allow life circumstances to irritate and sometimes anger us. However if we sit back and look often speed bumps and road blocks serve to protect not just us but also those around us. Such was the case today as I was becoming irritated because of a bus that was around half an hour late. I considered changing my plans because of the delay and almost thought not to write because my mood to write was altered because of incidents beyond my control yet affecting me directly.
Now, as I was approaching the transfer point I noticed not just the multiple pieces of emergency equipment but also a large crowd of people spilling off the sidewalks. This crowd was behind yellow crime scene tape that marked an area of concern in front of the CVS store on the corner of Light and Lombard Streets in downtown Baltimore. As I was approaching I observed medics tending to an individual whom I first thought to be deceased because all I saw was the medics covering the individual with a sheet. Thank God he remains alive. As it turns out a vehicle ran into the store.
With that I have to wonder if I would have been involved in that accident had the bus been on time? Would I have been injured or killed? I really don’t know yet I can say with absolute certainty that God has once again protected me. He protected me even when I did not know that I needed protection. My suspicion is that I am not the only one God protects. Many have stories about occurrences in their lives but that for the grace of God there could have been deleterious impacts on them. So, when things don’t go as planned try not to get irritated just consider the fact that God is busy protecting His own. I am now thankful that that bus was not on time as I rejoice in the protective hand of God!
I first taught this lesson several years ago in Fort Smith, Arkansas. The time passed since this particular lesson was originally taught has no bearing on the continuing significance of the all powerful blood of Jesus. It is my hope that these lesson notes provides the catalysis for proper application of the blood as well as an understanding of this most powerful medium of salvation.
It’s in the Blood
Prepared for:
Springs of Refreshing Fellowship Church
1932 Gwynn Oak Ave
Baltimore, MD 21207
30 January 2014
Pastour: Bishop Johnny C. Carrington, Sr.
Prepared by: Eld. William James Carter, The 1st
© Copy Write 2014
It’s in the Blood
When you consider the Scriptures there is much talk about blood. This is discussion about the spilling of blood as concerning the taking of life and there is talk of blood lines when considering the lineage of people. Most importantly, there is much talk about blood in respect to the covering of and washing away of sin.
So, to clearly understand what all this blood talk is about there must be an understanding of what the purpose of blood is. Blood, as we know, is the sustainer of life. Leviticus 17:11 is clear evidence of this fact. It reads in part (For the life of the flesh is in the blood…) without out this precious fluid life would cease to be. Blood is also unique in that it is one of the few fluids that once spilled leaves a stain that is not easily removed.
If anyone has ever watched any police investigative shows one of the first things that one would notice is the constant mention of blood. It is the constant search of blood that is paramount, particularly in the event of a homicide. This being the case, there are some instances wherein a suspect might attempt to clean the blood with such agents as bleach and ammonia. This attempt to clean is futile because the blood leaves a stain that can not be cleaned. And so, detectives are often able to solve crimes by reason of the blood-stained scene.
Blood, according to Nelson’s New Illustrated Bible Dictionary, is the red fluid circulating in the body that takes nourishment to the body parts and carries away waste. But to fully understand blood one must delve just a little deeper into the science of it to get a clear picture of the power of this life-sustaining matter.
Now, blood has a number of characteristics. Firstly, blood, in general is called whole blood. It is a living tissue that circulates through the heart, arteries, veins, and capillaries carrying nourishment, electrolytes, hormones, vitamins, antibodies, heat, and oxygen to the body’s tissues. So, when God breathed life into man in Genesis 2:7, not only was man’s spirit made to come to life but that it began the circulation of blood which sustained the life of the physical man. Thereby, God having breathed into man’s nostrils had two-fold meaning.
Under the microscope blood is shown to have several parts. One such part is the red blood cell. The red blood cell is the heaviest of the cells and is responsible for carrying oxygen throughout the body. There are about one billion red blood cells for every two to three drops of blood.
It is noteworthy to mention that the human body holds about twelve pints of blood. I have no way of determining how many drops of blood are in one pint. But it is safe to say that one drop of the blood of Jesus is enough to bring life to about five hundred million to one billion people. And when this bloodline continues from generation to generation untold billions can receive life just from a drop of the blood of Jesus. This explains the numbers in Revelation 7:9-14 which reads:
After this I beheld, and lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; and cried with a loud voice saying, SALVATION TO OUR GOD WHICH SITTETH UPON THE THRONE, AND UNTO THE LAMB. And all the angels stood round about the throne on their faces, and worshipped God. Saying, A-men’: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen’. And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? And whence came they? And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
Keep in mind that these are not the only ones that will be standing with the Lamb. I Thessalonians 4:13-18 gives reason to celebrate by reason of the blood of Jesus.
But I would not to have you ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them which are sleep in Jesus will God bring with Him. For this we say unto you by the Word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
Red blood cells are also continuously being produced in the bone marrow. The individual cells have a specific life span but once its job is done, the job is done. And because these red blood cells are renewed day by day the potential for life is infinite. This is why the Christian can look forward to everlasting life.
Plasma is the liquid portion of the blood. While it has several functions, it is clear to see that the primary job of plasma is to regulate. Part of this regulation involves maintaining a satisfactory blood pressure and volume to supplying critical proteins for blood clotting and immunity. It also serves as the medium of exchange for vital minerals such as sodium and potassium, thus helping maintain a proper balance in the body, which is critical to cell function.
With this in mind, it is safe to say that the plasma holds it all together. It is instrumental in the necessary movement of minerals like as the blood of Christ is instrumental in the movement of sin from us as depicted in I John 1:7:
But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin.
So then, if this plasma, this blood of Christ regulates and maintains a proper balance of the minerals such a potassium and sodium in our bodies it is hard to understand why some of us persist in sin when we have declared that we have been washed in the Blood of the Lamb. If there was a washing in the Blood of the Lamb, and if the plasma regulates the blood, then perhaps the person claiming to have been washed was never washed. You see, once a thing is bleached the change in it is more than obvious.
Platelets are another part of the blood that have an invaluable function. The platelet is vital to life, because it helps prevent massive blood loss resulting from trauma, as well as blood vessel leakage that would otherwise occur in the course of normal, day-to-day activity. This is the sustaining part of the blood. It is the part of the blood that keeps us alive in Christ. The platelets are the part of the blood that lend credence to the forgiveness of sin, should we error. It is the platelets that allow repentance so that in the event of faltering we do not loose the righteousness of God. It is the redemption power that we so desperately need. Romans 3:23-25 says it like this:
For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God has set forth to be a propitiation through faith in His blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God.
The platelets also protect from harm that is not of the doing of the person. It protects from such trauma that is not self-inflicted but that occurs as a routine part of life. Such trauma could be a lie told, a scandalized name, the unexpected death of a loved one, an undeserved divorced, the lose of a job and a host of other things that are not sin but that has an effect on the life of the one washed in the blood. The platelets, then, can be said to have the keeping power.
White blood cells are responsible for protecting the body from invasion by foreign substances such as bacteria, fungi, and viruses. While in the bloodstream there are far fewer white blood cells than red blood cells. In fact, the ration would be 1:600, in favour of the red cells. This makes the white cells far more powerful than the red ones. But then, the job of the white cells is extraordinary.
White blood cells protect the Christian from invasions such as hopelessness, pain, and un-forgiveness. White blood cells attack disparity and loneliness. The disease of sin cannot compare to the protecting power of the white blood cells. The white blood cells are the overcoming power as described in Revelation 12:11 which says in part:
and they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb…
It is the white blood cells that fight off the infections of the corruption of this world. It is what gives strength to the Christian and, thus, is the reason we can cry redeemed, redeemed by the blood of the Lamb.
Ephesians 1:7 talks about the redeeming power of the blood by saying:
In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace.
The ninth chapter of Hebrews goes in some detail describing the work of the blood. Verses seven through eight A:
But into the second went the high priest alone once every year, not without blood, which he offered for himself, and for the errors of the people: The Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest…
Verse 11-15:
But Christ being come an high priest of things to com, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building; Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by His own blood, He entered once in the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? And for this cause he is the mediator of the New Testament that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.
Hebrews 10:14 reads:
For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that
are sanctified.
It has been way to long since I posted an article. That was not because I have nothing to say or write but rather because my life has been filled with one thing and then another. My down time had to be down time or my head would have been so full of stuff that my body would not have been able to handle it. This is not to say that things have been bad for me; actually the converse is true. The reason I have not posted, at least in part, is because of the things that God has allowed in my life for the preparation of my future.
For a number of years now it has seemed that all my work would be for naught. Many things went well against the way I thought they should be. Yet God knew of the work He had for me. He knew that I had to endure certain things and that I would not give up on my confidence in Him. This confidence is the “faith” factor I often make reference to. You see, faith is not a simple feeling rather it is absolute confidence that God will do what He said He would do. That is God’s faithfulness to us; that is God is dedicated to our wellbeing.
Several years ago I endured some personal tragedies. I lost more than I am will to mention in this forum but that it should be known that my looses were severe and devastating. Yet God found reason to remain with me in that His Word promised that He would never leave nor forsake me. And He did not. I was also promised that I would recover more than I lost. That recovery would not only be a blessing to me but that it would also be an amazement to those that sought my demise. This is why I have been able to maintain my confidence and trust in Him. Despite the disappointments of the past years I have been able to shake the dust off my back and push forward. Some of those accomplishments can be found on my Linkedin page http://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=37691076&trk=nav_responsive_tab_profile. Still, my accomplishments are not by my hand per se rather by the hand and will of God.
With that in mind it should be noted that I have been applying for jobs nearly across the continent for over two years. There were many disappointing responses and some who did not respond at all. Yet perseverance is key when trusting God. There will be disappointments as well as blessings. Both serve to not only under gird the truth of God as well as build faith and confidence in the believer. So, I had to use both to my benefit. Yes, I had to laugh and cry. Elation sometimes occurred while dejection tried to rear its ugly head. Nonetheless faith had to stand with the promises of a faithful God.
Last week Thursday I was blessed with the opportunity to interview for a position in Fort Worth, Texas. It was an hour long interview with four interviewers. The chief interviewer promised a return call the next day. While I awaited her call I was already planning on making that move. I began to research living and other matters that are important to relocating. God remained working in the background and Friday evening around 6:00 P.M. I received the promised call and was offered the position. I accepted.
My point is that God is faithful to the faithful. Be encouraged and let nothing deter you from the promises of God. Some will ridicule you as some have me. Others will do what they can to derail you. Do not let these things stop you from being faithful to faithful God. No, it will not be easy so just know that God is faithful that promised.
I would like to take this opportunity to welcome and introduce a new “voice” to The Christian Perspective. On occasion Joy Cehlar will provide a devotional such as is attached here. Please welcome and say “hi” to Joy as she reaches into the world through this medium to encourage all who will hear.
Welfare
For you have the poor with you always,” Jesus begins in Matthew 26:11. We cannot eradicate poverty, but we can attempt to alleviate the symptoms and the sufferings of the poor. We have Public Assistance, or Welfare. While there are those who take gross advantage of the system, there are others who are the working poor and Welfare fills in the gaps, providing food assistance and medical insurance. Pastors who embrace 2 Thess. 3:10, “If anyone will not work,neither shall he eat,” and use that to condemn anyone who receives welfare,forget that they themselves are receiving public assistance! Their salary and indeed their continued sustenance, is dependent on the members of the congregation-the public!-who give to the church and thus enable the pastor to get a steady paycheck. Jane Q. Public and others in fact, pay taxes on their income and then give again to support the church and the pastor pays taxes on his income to support the various government programs such as welfare, so the people sitting in the pews can give to the church and support him. Thus, it is shameful for a pastor to treat those on public assistance with disdain, because they, too, are getting public assistance—Welfare!
By: Joy Cehlar
I was scheduled to teach last evening at my home church however because of the weather conditions the service was cancelled. Still, I am persuaded that the lesson I was to teach is timely considering we are embarking on a New Year. I am convinced it is time to return to the standards of God. I trust this lesson will be one that draws many back to holiness.
Time to GO Back
Prepared for:
Springs of Refreshing Fellowship
1932 Gwynn Oak Ave
Baltimore, MD 21207
2 January 2014
Prepared by: Eld. William James Carter, The 1st
© Copy Write 2014 The Christian Perspective
Time to Go Back
There are many times in this life that we find ourselves on certain paths and a realization comes that we are on the wrong path. Take for instance when driving in unfamiliar territories. We follow the directions until we get to a point where we are sure there is a short cut, so we veer off the established road and find ourselves far from the desired place.
When in such a perilous state, the best thing to do is to turn around and get back to the main road. In turning there is a realization that an error has been made. Continuing along the same path will only result in further harm, and so it is mandated that a turn-about be made.
This is the idea the prophet Zachariah had. Once again the Israelites found themselves off the path ordained by God. They were following the path their fathers traveled earlier. It was a path that led to destruction and death. It was a not ordained of God, and in fact went totally against the teachings prescribed by God. So, God called His man-servant in Zachariah 1:1-6.
1In the eighth month, in the second year of Darius, came the word of the LORD unto Zechariah, the son of Berechiah, the son of Iddo the prophet, saying, 2The LORD hath been sore displeased with your fathers. 3Therefore say thou unto them, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Turn ye unto me, saith the LORD of hosts, and I will turn unto you, saith the LORD of hosts. 4Be ye not as your fathers, unto whom the former prophets have cried, saying, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Turn ye now from your evil ways, and from your evil doings: but they did not hear, nor hearken unto me, saith the LORD. 5Your fathers, where are they? and the prophets, do they live for ever? 6But my words and my statutes, which I commanded my servants the prophets, did they not take hold of your fathers? and they returned and said, Like as the LORD of hosts thought to do unto us, according to our ways, and according to our doings, so hath he dealt with us.
Re-read Verse 3
Time to Go Back!
Discuss some of the evil ways of the fathers:
These problems are part of the reason Solomon pray so in II Chronicles 6:26-27which reads:
When the heaven is shut up, and there is no rain, because they have sinned against thee; yet if they pray toward this place, and confess thy name, and turn from their sin, when thou dost afflict them; Then hear thou from heaven, and forgive the sin of thy servants, and of thy people Israel, when thou hast taught them the good way, wherein they should walk; and send rain upon thy land, which thou hast given unto thy people for an inheritance.
Solomon was pleading for the people that had given way to sin. He realized that without God’s intervention and mercy that all would be lost. So, Solomon poured out from his bowls in pleadings to God.
And God heard the cry of His servant and responded in chapter seven versus 12-14 with assurance that He hears His people when they cry out to Him.
And the LORD appeared to Solomon by night, and said unto him, I have heard thy prayer, and have chosen this place to myself for an house of sacrifice. If I shut up heaven that there be no rain, or if I command the locusts to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among my people; If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. Now mine eyes shall be open, and mine ears attent unto the prayer that is made in this place. For now have I chosen and sanctified this house, that my name may be there for ever: and mine eyes and mine heart shall be there perpetually.
It is evident that God heard the prayer of Solomon. But, a heard prayer is not necessarily an answered prayer. In fact, God’s answer to Solomon’s prayer is conditional. The conditions are
1. That God’s people would humble themselves – Humble – bring ones self under subjection
2. Pray – intervene, stand in for another
3. Seek His face – Seek – to seek to find; to desire presence
4. Turn – return unto; go back
5. Wicked ways – malignant (hateful, spiteful) course of life
These wicked ways are the same predicament the prodigal son found himself in. He required of his father that his inheritance be given to him prematurely. And, while the father disagreed with it, he allowed his son to receive what was stored up for him. And so, the son took the money and began to live in a fashion that was not taught by the father. The money was spent on drunkenness, wild women and complete riotous living.
This son went into a far land. He went to a place where he was not required to answer to his father. He did not have to adhere to his teachings. This is because in far lands there is no restraint and no need for discipline. This is much like people today. There is a coming of age and so there is often a leaving of what was taught. There is a putting away of what the father has taught because, after all, once out of the father’s house his rules are no longer applicable.
After a while the son ran out of money. Even worse, there was a famine in the land. The famine was that there was no sound teaching. There were no truths to hold on to. There was no safety in the father’s house. There was no security. And so, with the lack of money and famine he also ran out of friends. So he was found alone and according to Luke 15:14 he began to want.
And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want
The son wanted to be where he once was. There were some things missing and the realizations of his father’s teachings were becoming clear. He lacked the sound teaching. There began to be a longing for the truths he left behind. He once again hoped for the safety of his father’s care. The desire for the father’s security was pushing to the heart of the son’s predicament.
But, he still was not ready to turn back to his father. So, he joined himself to a citizen of that strange land. This is a similar problem reflective today. Those who leave home because they are tired of the father’s house and come across hard times attach themselves to strangers that really do not care for them. All the stranger wants is to get whatever he can out of the prodigal. So, he is sent out to do the work others would not find themselves doing.
Thus, he is found in the pig-pen of life. There is:
This son found himself in all these states and then some. It was in such a bad way that nobody gave to him. Not the citizen he joined himself to. Not the male friends and helped him spend his money. Not the females with which he had such a good time. There was nobody there for him or with him. With this, realization began to set in deeper. His father’s servants were doing far better than he was and they were in his father’s house.
The boy finally came to his senses. He came to himself and began a plan of attack to get back into his father’s graces, even if it meant laying aside his sonship and becoming a servant. He realized it was time to go back home.
Verses 17-19 read:
And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father’s have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.
And so the son got up, pulled himself together and headed home. He knew he had to make amends. There was no one that could help him but the father. He turned his back on the lifestyle that was contrary to his father’s teachings and began, once again, to head to the stability of his father’s house.
In his father’s house there was no more:
The loneliness was replaced with companionship (the love of the Father)
He would no longer be alone but encompassed with a great cloud of witnesses.
Misunderstanding would become a thing of the past because the witnesses knew all of what had happened and were compassionate.
The despair turned to hope and anticipation of things to come
Want would be translated to fulfillment.
Hunger would cease to be and be turned into total fulfillment.
The dirt left behind by sin would now be washed in the Blood so that the son would no longer be permeated by the sin but refreshed in the forgiveness of the Father.
Sorrow would be made joy.
Sure enough, all the son hoped for was at home. His father was waiting for him and saw him afar off. The greeting was tremendous. A robe was placed on his back. A ring was placed on his finger. The fatted calf was killed in celebration of the lost son having found his way home.
This turning back is what God was saying back in Chronicles. The son had to humble himself. There is no doubt that prayers were said. He sought the face of his father and turned from his wicked ways.
It is time to go back, back to the first love, back to the teachings of the Father, back to where you first believed. It is time to go back.
All too often the matter of Christmas has been marginalized by reason of commercialism. However, I am thankful for those that have kept Jesus Christ the center of all celebrations. Merry Christmas
preachercarter 