POSSESS YOUR SOULS By your patience possess your souls. (said Jesus/Yahushua) Luke 21:19 The word for patience is - Strongs G5281 hupomonē (hoop-om-on-ay) - cheerful (or hopeful) ENDURANCE, CONSTANCY: - enduring, patience, patient continuance (waiting). Greek Lexicon 5281 hupomone (hoop-om-on-ay’) Translated in the AV (Authorised Version of the King James Bible) as -patience 29x, enduring 1x, patient continuance 1x, patient waiting 1x; total 32x 1) steadfastness, constancy, endurance 1a) in the NT the characteristic of a man who is not swerved from his deliberate purpose and his loyalty to faith and piety by even the greatest trials and sufferings 1b) patiently, and steadfastly 2) a patient, steadfast waiting for 3) a patient enduring, sustaining, perseverance Did you see that? - ...the characteristic of a man WHO IS NOT SWERVED FROM HIS DELIBERATE PURPOSE AND HIS LOYALTY TO FAITH AND PIETY BY EVEN THE GREATEST TRIALS AND SUFFERINGS. Does not Jesus/Yahushua possesses the soul of every man who becomes born again by the Spirit of God? He said, John 10:27 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. 28 And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; AND NO ONE IS ABLE TO SNATCH THEM OUT OF MY FATHERS HAND. Did you notice that there is a condition to no one being able to snatch them out of His Fathers hand? He said they follow Me. Jesus/Yahushua protects and occupies the soul of every man who becomes born again by the Spirit of God, but the person still needs to maintain their relationship with Him, abiding in Him and walking in the light of the New Covenant. This requires willful participation and obedience on the part of the man who chooses to follow Jesus/Yahushua. His initial act of repenting from sin and accepting Jesus/Yahushua as his sustitutionary sacrifice is not conclusive. A man CAN lose his salvation. If he abandons faith, the Lord will do all He can to bring Him back, but cannot override a mans will to reject Him. Hebrews_7:25 Therefore He (Jesus/Yahushua) is also able to save to the uttermost those WHO COME TO GOD THROUGH HIM, since He always lives to make intercession for them. Why would intercession be necessary if salvation was fixed the moment a person became born again and accepted Jesus/Yahushua? If there was no risk of losing ones salvation, then a person could go on their merry way from the moment they accepted Messiah/Christ and were born again, and their Saviour could remain unengaged until seeing saved people in heaven after they die. The truth is there is a real enemy of men who is able still to destroy the believer. That is why Peter says, 1Peter_5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. What is the solution? Faith in Jesus/Yahushua. 1John_5:4 For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world; our faith. There are many aspects to faith. Romans_10:17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Faith has to do with trusting God and not doubting. Matthew_14:31 And immediately Jesus/Yahushua stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, O you of little faith, why did you doubt? Matthew_15:28 Then Jesus/Yahushua answered and said to her, O woman, great is your faith! Let it be to you as you desire. And her daughter was healed from that very hour. Faith is the opposite of fear. Mark_4:40 But He said to them, Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith? Faith is having confidence in God. Mark_11:22 So Jesus/Yahushua answered and said to them, Have faith in God. Faith means doing something to show your love for Him. This cancels out sin. Luke_7:50 Then He (Jesus/Yahushua) said to the woman, Your faith has saved you. Go in peace. (This woman had come into the presence of other men who could mock her and bathed the feet of Jesus/Yahushua with her tears and hair, anointing them with fragrant oil, and for this Jesus/Yahushua said, Therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little. Then He said to her, Your sins are forgiven. Luke 7:47) A person can waver in faith, and tests and temptations may lure him into unbelief, but the Saviour will pray for him to return. Jesus/Yahushua said to Simon Peter, Luke_22:31 And the Lord said, Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. 32 But I have prayed for you (Peter), that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren. How does one strengthen ones own faith? By letting the Word of God dwell richly in one, by worshiping the Lord and putting Him and His Will first, by praying, giving and fasting in secret. Let me start with fasting. Jesus/Yahushua spoke about fasting. Mark_2:18 The disciples of John and of the Pharisees were fasting. Then they came and said to Him, Why do the disciples of John and of the Pharisees fast, but Your disciples do not fast? 19 And Jesus/Yahushua said to them, Can the friends of the bridegroom fast while the bridegroom is with them? As long as they have the bridegroom with them they cannot fast. 20 BUT the days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them, AND THEN THEY WILL FAST IN THOSE DAYS. In the Old Testament God said that the Israelites were to afflict their souls on the Day of Atonement /Yom Kippur. This is understood among the Jews to include fasting. Leviticus 16:29 This shall be a statute forever for you: In the seventh month, on the tenth day of the month (...this in the Day of Atonement / Yom Kippur...), YOU SHALL AFFLICT YOUR SOULS... The apostle Paul also wrote about fasting. 2Corinthians_6:4 But in all things we commend ourselves as ministers of God: in much patience, in tribulations, in needs, in distresses, 5 in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in sleeplessness, IN FASTINGS; 2Corinthians_11:24 From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one. ......27 in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, IN FASTINGS OFTEN (note that he differentiates this from hunger and thirst), in cold and nakedness... He says, 1Corinthians_9:27 But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified. When Jesus/Yahushua said, By your patience possess your souls. (Luke 21:19) - as we saw above in the definition of the word patience, He meant by your endurance, constancy, steadfastness possess your souls; by sustained perseverance do not be swerved from your deliberate purpose and loyalty to your faith in God and devotion to holiness, not even in the greatest of trials and sufferings. Patience is necessary in overcoming trials and suffering. Paradoxically trials produce patience. James_1:2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let PATIENCE have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. James_5:10 My brethren, take the prophets, who spoke in the name of the Lord, as an example of suffering and PATIENCE. Hebrews_6:11 And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end, 12 that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith AND PATIENCE inherit the promises. Colossians_1::9 For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; 10 that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11 strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, FOR ALL PATIENCE and longsuffering with joy... 2Thessalonians_1:4 so that we ourselves boast of you among the churches of God for YOUR PATIENCE and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that you endure... The same Greek word for patience as these above [G5281] is translated into the NKJV as perseverance and endurance in the following verses. James 5:11 Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance [G5281 patience, steadfast constancy, endurance] of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord; that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful. Hebrews 10:36 For you have need of ENDURANCE [G5281 perseverance, patience] , so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise: 37 For yet a little while, And He who is coming will come and will not tarry. 38 Now the just shall live by faith; But if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him. 39 But we are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of those who believe TO THE SAVING OF THE SOUL. The end intended by the Lord for patiently enduring trials, tests, temptations and sufferings is that the soul of the man might be delivered (saved) from the wrath of God and eternal separation from Him, and BE BLESSED with the inheritance of Eternal Life and a new, incorruptible body in the Presence of Almighty God forever. It is God who saves the soul of a man, but not without his participation. James_1:21 Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness THE IMPLANTED WORD, WHICH IS ABLE TO SAVE YOUR SOULS. 1Peter_1:6 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ /Yahushua Messiah, 8 whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, 9 RECEIVING THE END OF YOUR FAITH - THE SALVATION OF YOUR SOULS. Jesus/Yahushua used the word patience [G5281] in the parable of the sower sowing the seeds of the word of God. He said, Luke 8:15 But the ones (seeds) that fell on the good ground are those who, having heard the word with a noble and good heart, keep (guard) it and bear fruit WITH PATIENCE (endurance, constancy, steadfastness). Paul understood this necessary virtue and so said, Philippians 2:12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, WORK OUT YOUR OWN SALVATION WITH FEAR AND TREMBLING; 13 for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure. Colossians_1:29 To this end I also labor, striving according to HIS WORKING which works in me mightily. Peter also understood this virtue. 2Peter 1:1 Simon Peter, a bondservant and apostle of Jesus Christ /Yahushua Messiah, To those who have obtained like precious faith with us by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ /Yahushua Messiah: 2 Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus/Yahushua our Lord, 3 as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, 4 by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. 5 BUT ALSO for this very reason, GIVING ALL DILIGENCE, ADD to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, 6 to knowledge self-control, to self-control PERSEVERANCE [G5281] , to perseverance godliness, 7 to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. 8 For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins. 10 Therefore, brethren, BE EVEN MORE DILIGENT TO MAKE YOUR CALL AND ELECTION SURE (...that means its NOT completely sure...), for if you do these things you will never stumble; 11 for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ /Yahushua Messiah. If you dont want to have to receive correction and discipline from the Lord your heavenly Father, then rein yourSELF in. Discipline yourSELF as Jesus/Yahushua did with prayer, fasting, obedience to His Father, service to others and self-sacrificing love for God and men. Hebrews 12:3 For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls. 4 You have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin. 5 And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons: My son, do not despise the chastening of the LORD, nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him; :6 For whom the LORD loves He chastens, and scourges every son whom He receives. 7 If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten? 8 But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons. 9 Furthermore, we have had human fathers who corrected us, and we paid them respect. Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live? 10 For they indeed for a few days chastened us as seemed best to them, but He for our profit, that we may be partakers of His holiness. 11 Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. 12 Therefore STRENGTHEN THE HANDS WHICH HANG DOWN, AND THE FEEBLE KNEES, 13 AND MAKE STRAIGHT PATHS FOR YOUR FEET, SO THAT WHAT IS LAME MAY NOT BE DISLOCATED, BUT RATHER HEALED. 14 PURSUE peace with all people, AND HOLINESS, WITHOUT WHICH NO ONE WILL SEE THE LORD: 15 looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled; 16 lest there be any fornicator or profane person like Esau, who for one morsel of food sold his birthright. 17 For you know that afterward, when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no place for repentance, though he sought it diligently with tears. Even though Jesus/Yahushua was completely obedient, He didnt find the obedience His Father required easy. Hebrews 5:7 who, in the days of His flesh, when He had offered up prayers and supplications, with vehement cries and tears to Him who was able to save Him from death, and was heard because of His godly fear, 8 though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered. This indicates that Jesus/Yahushua suffered BEFORE He went to the cross. Other than during His forty day trial in the wilderness whilst fasting and all the persecution and death-threats He encountered, He also struggled to accept the pain God called Him to in taking up His ultimate cross. Luke 22:40 When He came to the place, He said to them, PRAY that you may not enter into temptation. 41 And He was withdrawn from them about a stones throw, and He knelt down and prayed, 42 saying, Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done. 43 Then an angel appeared to Him from heaven, strengthening Him. 44 AND BEING IN AGONY, He prayed more earnestly. Then His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground. There is yet a rest for the sons of God. Hebrews 4:9 There remains therefore a rest for the people of God. 10 For he who has entered His rest has himself also ceased from his works as God did from His. 11 LET US THEREFORE BE DILIGENT TO ENTER THAT REST, lest anyone fall according to the same example of disobedience. Part of the process of entering the rest which God has provided wherein we may cease from our own works is found in this next passage. Paul writes, 2Corinthians 6:4 But in all things we commend ourselves as ministers of God: IN MUCH PATIENCE (endurance, constancy), in tribulations, in needs, in distresses, 5 in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in sleeplessness, in fastings; 6 BY purity, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Spirit, by sincere love, 7 by the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left, 8 by honor and dishonor, by evil report and good report; as deceivers, and yet true; 9 as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold we live; as chastened, and yet not killed; 10 as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things. 16 And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said: I will dwell in them and walk among them. I will be their God, and they shall be My people. 17 Therefore COME OUT FROM AMONG THEM AND BE SEPARATE, SAYS THE LORD. DO NOT TOUCH WHAT IS UNCLEAN AND I WILL RECEIVE YOU. 18 I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters, says the LORD Almighty. 7:1 Therefore, having these promises, beloved, LET US CLEANSE OURSELVES FROM ALL FILTHINESS OF THE FLESH AND SPIRIT, PERFECTING HOLINESS IN THE FEAR OF GOD. Paul exhorts - let us cleanse OURSELVES. We need to renew our minds with the Word of God for as a man thinks, so is he. (Proverbs_23:7) We need to pursue holiness, without which no one will see the Lord. (Hebrews_12:14) All this so that we make be consecrated vessels to more effectively reach the lost and properly disciple the nations, as well as be prepared for what is yet to come, the judgment seat of Christ/Messiah and the Day of Gods wrath, so that we may overcome in all things and stand before Him blameless. 1Peter 4:1 Therefore, since Messiah/Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind, for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, 2 that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God. Paul said, Colossians_1:24 I now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ/Messiah, for the sake of His body, which is the church... 2Peter 3:10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. 11 Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, WHAT MANNER OF PERSONS OUGHT YOU TO BE IN HOLY CONDUCT AND GODLINESS, 12 looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat? 13 Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. 14 Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, BE DILIGENT TO BE FOUND IN HIM in peace, WITHOUT SPOT AND BLAMELESS; 15 and consider that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation--as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you, 16 as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which untaught and unstable people twist to their own destruction, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures. 17 You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked; 18 but GROW IN THE GRACE AND KNOWLEDGE of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ /Yahushua Messiah. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen. Jude 1:24 Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to present you FAULTLESS before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy... In possessing your souls with all patience, never be discouraged by your weaknesses and lack of strength. Jesus/Yahushua Himself said to the mighty apostle Paul, who face enormous trials throughout his ministry, 2Corinthians_12:9-10 And He (Jesus/Yahushua) said to me, My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness. Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Messiah/Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Messiah/Christs sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong. Joel_3:10 Let the weak say, I am strong. As you read this next chunk of scripture, think also about conquering and possessing the promised land of your own soul. (This is copied from as essay I posted on 31 Dec 2013 entitled LET THE WEAK SAY I AM STRONG.) Deuteronomy 7:1 When THE LORD YOUR GOD brings you into the land which you go to possess, and has cast out many nations before you, the Hittites and the Girgashites and the Amorites and the Canaanites and the Perizzites and the Hivites and the Jebusites, seven nations greater and mightier than you, (!!!!!!!) 2 and when THE LORD YOUR GOD delivers them over to you, you shall conquer them and utterly destroy them. You shall make no covenant with them nor show mercy to them. 3 Nor shall you make marriages with them. You shall not give your daughter to their son, nor take their daughter for your son. 4 For they will turn your sons away from following Me, to serve other gods; so the anger of the LORD will be aroused against you and destroy you suddenly. 5 But thus you shall deal with them: you shall destroy their altars, and break down their sacred pillars, and cut down their wooden images, and burn their carved images with fire. 6 For YOU ARE A HOLY PEOPLE TO THE LORD YOUR GOD; THE LORD YOUR GOD HAS CHOSEN YOU TO BE A PEOPLE FOR HIMSELF, A SPECIAL TREASURE ABOVE ALL THE PEOPLES ON THE FACE OF THE EARTH. 7 The LORD did not set His love on you nor choose you because you were more in number than any other people, for you were the least of all peoples; 8 but BECAUSE THE LORD LOVES YOU, AND BECAUSE HE WOULD KEEP THE OATH WHICH HE SWORE TO YOUR FATHERS, THE LORD HAS BROUGHT YOU OUT WITH A MIGHTY HAND, AND REDEEMED YOU FROM THE HOUSE OF BONDAGE, FROM THE HAND OF PHARAOH KING OF EGYPT. 9 THEREFORE KNOW THAT THE LORD YOUR GOD, > HE IS GOD, > THE FAITHFUL GOD WHO KEEPS COVENANT AND MERCY FOR A THOUSAND GENERATIONS WITH THOSE WHO LOVE HIM AND KEEP HIS COMMANDMENTS; 10 and He repays those who hate Him to their face, to destroy them. He will not be slack with him who hates Him; He will repay him to his face. 11 Therefore you shall keep the commandment, the statutes, and the judgments which I command you today, to observe them. 12 Then it shall come to pass, BECAUSE YOU LISTEN to these judgments, and keep and do them, that THE LORD YOUR GOD will keep with you the covenant and the mercy which He swore to your fathers. 13 AND HE WILL LOVE YOU AND BLESS YOU AND MULTIPY YOU; He will also bless the fruit of your womb and the fruit of your land, your grain and your new wine and your oil, the increase of your cattle and the offspring of your flock, in the land of which He swore to your fathers to give you. 14 YOU SHALL BE BLESSED ABOVE ALL PEOPLES; there shall not be a male or female barren among you or among your livestock. 15 And the LORD will take away from you all sickness, and will afflict you with none of the terrible diseases of Egypt which you have known, but will lay them on all those who hate you. 16 And you shall destroy all the peoples whom THE LORD YOUR GOD delivers over to you; your eye shall have no pity on them; nor shall you serve their gods, for that will be a snare to you. 17 If you should say in your heart, These nations are greater than I; how can I dispossess them?; 18 you shall not be afraid of them, but you shall remember well what THE LORD YOUR GOD did to Pharaoh and to all Egypt: 19 the great trials which your eyes saw, the signs and the wonders, the mighty hand and the outstretched arm, by which THE LORD YOUR GOD brought you out. So shall THE LORD YOUR GOD do to all the peoples of whom you are afraid. 20 Moreover THE LORD YOUR GOD will send the hornet among them (!) until those who are left, who hide themselves from you, are destroyed. 21 You shall not be terrified of them; for THE LORD YOUR GOD, THE GREAT AND AWESOME GOD, IS AMONG YOU. 22 And THE LORD YOUR GOD will drive out those nations before you little by little; you will be unable to destroy them at once, lest the beasts of the field become too numerous for you. 23 But THE LORD YOUR GOD will deliver them over to you, and will inflict defeat upon them until they are destroyed. 24 And He will deliver their kings into your hand, and you will destroy their name from under heaven; NO ONE SHALL BE ABLE TO STAND AGAINST YOU UNTIL YOU HAVE DESTROYED THEM. 25 You shall burn the carved images of their gods with fire; you shall not covet the silver or gold that is on them, nor take it for yourselves, lest you be snared by it; for it is an abomination to THE LORD YOUR GOD. 26 Nor shall you bring an abomination into your house, lest you be doomed to destruction like it. You shall utterly detest it and utterly abhor it, for it is an accursed thing. ________________________________ _THE LORD YOUR GOD, _HE IS GOD. ________________________________ Zechariah_12:8 In that day THE LORD will defend the inhabitants of Jerusalem; the one who is feeble among them in that day SHALL BE LIKE DAVID, and the house of David SHALL BE LIKE GOD, like the Angel of the LORD [...Messiah...] before them. Proverbs 3:5,6 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.
Posted on: Sun, 19 Jan 2014 04:38:15 +0000