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Enduring
Victoriously
To The End
Our
spiritual walk, like the wilderness journey is filled with many difficulties
and unique challenges.
.
Sadly, so many believers
are not taught and are unprepared to make it victoriously to the goal of the
Promised Land, the Kingdom of Heaven. The lack of the knowledge of the full
council of the Word of God has kept multitudes deceived by a distorted gospel
message. Grievously, there is so much deception being taught that most people
do not even know the words of our Savior that instruct us on the narrow path of
biblical righteousness. Only a wholehearted righteous remnant will continually
count the cost to be faithful holy disciples.
A
TEACHING AND PRAYER
It’s Midnight Ministries
“. . . not one
shall come into the land where I swore that I would make you
dwell, except Caleb the son of Jephunneh and Joshua the son of Nun.” - Numbers 14:30 English Standard Version
With many signs,
wonders, and judgments upon Egypt and all their idolatrous gods, the children
of Israel were delivered from bondage.
Yahveh’s provision of
the lamb’s blood spared them from death and His righteous indignation displayed
through many disastrous plagues. (Exodus 12:7,23, Leviticus 23:5).
The Almighty and Moses
miraculously led them through the parting of the Red Sea, through the
wilderness, in route to the Promised Land.
There were over a
million Israelites that were miraculously delivered from Egyptian bondage.
However, when we read
Israel’s history, there were only two, Joshua and Caleb, of the original
throngs, along with the children of those who died in the wilderness, who made
it victoriously to the Promised Land (Numbers 14:30).
The others lost faith,
they allowed fear and cravings for other things to turn their hearts away from
their Almighty God Who had delivered them from bondage.
Paul, the Jewish
apostle to the Gentiles, highlights Israel’s example in her wilderness journey
as warnings, urging us not to make the same mistakes and reap similar
devastating consequences and judgments.
He wrote, “I do not want you to be unaware,
brethren, that our fathers [referring to the children of Israel] were
all under the cloud [the Almighty’s glorious presence] and all passed
through the [Red] sea; … and all ate the same spiritual food [manna
pointing to Yahshua ‘the living bread that came down from heaven’ John 6:51];
“and all drank the same spiritual drink, for they
were drinking from a spiritual rock which followed them; and the rock was
Messiah.
“Nevertheless, with most of them God was not well
pleased; for they were laid low in the wilderness. Now these things happened as
examples for us, so that we would not crave evil things as they also craved.
“Do not be idolaters, as some of them were; as it is
written, ‘The people sat down to eat and drink, and stood up to play [they
corrupted themselves and quickly turned aside from the way Yahveh commanded
them’] (Exodus 32:7-8).
“Nor let us act immorally, as some of them did, and
twenty-three thousand fell in one day. Nor let us try Yahveh the Lord, as some
of them did, and were destroyed by the serpents [Numbers 21:6].
“Nor grumble, as some of them did, and were destroyed
by the destroyer.
“Now these things happened to them as an example, and
they were written for our instruction, upon whom the ends of the ages have
come.
“Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed
that he does not fall” (1 Corinthians 10:1-12).
Apostle Peter adds to this warning, “it is time
for judgment to begin with the household of God; and if it begins with us
first, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God?”
(1
Peter 4:17)
Our spiritual walk,
like the wilderness journey is filled with many difficulties and unique
challenges.
Yahshua (Jesus) said, “In the world you will have
tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world" (John 16:33).
“’Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal
among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing
were happening to you’ for the righteous remnant everywhere are enduring trials
in their pilgrimage towards the Promised Land” (1 Peter 4:12).
Sadly, so many
believers are not taught and are unprepared to make it victoriously to the goal
of the Promised Land, the Kingdom of Heaven.
The lack of the
knowledge of the full council of the Word of God has kept multitudes deceived
by a distorted gospel message.
Yahveh says, “My people are destroyed for lack of
knowledge” (Hosea 4:6).
“All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for
teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16).
Paul warned that after
his departure many savage wolves would come in to distort the gospel (Acts 20:29).
He also said, “if one comes and preaches another
Yahshua (Jesus) whom we have not preached, or you receive a different spirit …
or a different gospel … you bear this beautifully” (2 Corinthians 11:4).
Paul saw this apostasy
coming even in his day and at the end of the age it has
become increasingly pervasive and a grievous defamation to our holy God and
Savior.
It is not the
uncompromised word of God conveying the true Yahshua (Jesus) and His pure
gospel message.
Yahshua (Jesus) has this to say to the hypocritical
religious then and now, “this people honors Me with their lips, but their
heart is far away from Me [because they are not walking in the truth]. 'But in
vain do they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the precepts of men'" (Matthew 15:8-9).
Grievously, there is so
much deception being taught that most people do not even know the words of our
Savior that instruct us on the narrow path of biblical righteousness.
Listen carefully to His directions, “Enter through
the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to
destruction, and there are many who enter through it. For the gate is small and
the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it” (Matthew 7:13-14).
Yahshua (Jesus) in essence is saying to us, “My
people are those who do not seek the treasures and joys of this world, because
I AM their ‘great reward’ and in that they have life”
Most do not understand much less obey our Savior’s
words, “Whoever wants to be My disciple must deny themselves and take up
their cross [crucifixion stake] and follow Me” (Matthew 16:24).
Yahshua in essence is saying to us, “My people are
those who do not seek the treasures and joys of this world, because I AM their ‘great
reward’ and in that they have life.”
The majority of people are
denying the Spirit in order to indulge the flesh, which is 100% opposite of
what Yahshua (Jesus) and His disciples taught.
This is absolutely a counterfeit
gospel created and perpetuated through man by Satan the Deceiver.
Apostle Paul warned, we
are not to be unaware of Satan’s schemes so that he does have an advantage
over us through deception (see 2 Corinthians 2:11).
The New Testament
apostles and the prophets of old warned the people that uncompromised truth
would no longer be taught or received by the masses.
“For the time will come when they will not endure
sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate
for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires” (2 Timothy 4:3).
“For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit,
and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another” (Galatians 5:17).
“Beloved, I urge you as aliens and strangers to
abstain from fleshly lusts which wage war against the soul” (1 Peter 2:11).
Only a wholehearted
righteous remnant will continually count the cost to be faithful holy
disciples.
Our Savior gave important instruction regarding the
fact that “counting the cost” was a prerequisite “to fight the good
fight of faith” and victoriously follow Him to the end into His Kingdom (read Luke 14:28, 1
Timothy 6:12).
Yahshua (Jesus) was a suffering Servant. Apostle John
said, “the one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same
manner as He walked” (1 John 2:6).
We too, are called to be suffering servants and we
are to “rejoice in Yahveh always” regardless of the trials and hardships
(Philippians
4:4).
Yahshua (Jesus) and the apostle’s writings make it
clear, “through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God” (Acts 14:22).
We are perfected into the image of our Savior through
trials, it is written, “For to you it has been granted for Messiah’s
(Christ's) sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake”
(Philippians
1:29).
“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will
enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in
heaven will enter” (Matthew 7:21)
The many diverse trials
and hardships that true disciples experience are used by our God and Savior to
strengthen us in our faith, to be found victorious and faithful to the end of
our pilgrimage journey to the Promised Land — His Kingdom where only the righteous
enter.
The faithful redeemed remnant will persevere and
endure because they have “godliness with contentment” (1 Timothy 6:6).
They took warning and
learned from the example of the Israelites so that they would not repeat the
same errors and fall in the wilderness, never making it to the Promised Land.
So many “take
lightly such a great salvation” (Hebrews 2:3) and will consequently
end up like Israel in the wilderness filled with faithless discontent, selfish
cravings, and continual complaints in the sight of the Holy God Who in mercy
had delivered them from bondage to bring them to the Promised Land.
Woe to us if we repeat
this similar scenario!
Apostle Paul words are
a loud warning that we must learn from their example, lest we too, fall under
our God and Savior’s displeasure and judgment in our spiritual walks and never
make it to the eternal Promised Land.
We must all take to
heart the warnings of Yahshua (Jesus), “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord,
Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father
who is in heaven will enter. “Many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not
be able” but “He who endures [faithfully doing the will of God] to the end
shall be saved” (Matthew 7:21, Luke 13:24, Matthew 24:13).
Don’t pridefully think you are standing firm but
humbly continue to “work out your salvation with fear and trembling” (Philippians 2:12).
“The flesh profits nothing” it is a detriment and
it will ultimately be the downfall of many because “flesh and blood cannot
inherit the kingdom of God” (John 6:63 and 1 Corinthians 15:50)
The glory cloud led
Israel, which was Yahshua (Jesus).
The righteous redeemed
remnant are led by Yahshua’s indwelling Spirit in our pilgrimage out of this
world headed for the Kingdom of Heaven.
We must understand and accept that suffering and
hardship is the preparation that Yahveh “works together for good” (Romans 8:28).
It prepares us to be holy and acceptable in His sight
because “holiness befits our King” and His righteous Kingdom (see Psalm 93:5).
Anyone who walks as
Yahshua (Jesus) walked will come to know Him more intimately through His
sufferings.
In referring to Apostle Paul, our Savior said, “I
will show him [Paul] how much he must suffer for My name's sake” (Acts 9:16).
Through the apostle’s
many sufferings he learned something very vital that he teaches as a safeguard
against the flesh’s response to these trials.
Paul exhorts the true followers of Yahshua (Jesus), “Rejoice
in Yahveh God always and again I say rejoice” (Philippians 4:4).
This mandate to rejoice
is not to be taken lightly.
It is written, “the joy of Yahveh is our strength”
and is a safeguard for our faith (Nehemiah 8:10).
No other joy can
strengthen our spirit in order to make it victoriously as spiritual pilgrims to
the Heavenly Kingdom.
The distractions and
preoccupations of what the flesh craves only strengthen the flesh that must to
be crucified and not indulged.
Paul said, “the flesh profits nothing” it is a
detriment and it will ultimately be the downfall of many because “flesh and
blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God” (John 6:63, 1
Corinthians 15:50).
The “joy of Yahveh is our strength” and He
leads us from “strength to strength” so that we will endure victoriously
to the end over trials and tribulations in our pilgrimage journey (Nehemiah 8:10, Psalm
84:7).
Those who endure through faith and perseverance will
be part of the joyful redeemed remnant of which it is written, “… The
ransomed of Yahveh (the Lord) will return and come with joyful shouting to
Zion, and everlasting joy will be on their heads. They will obtain gladness and
joy, and sorrow and sighing will flee away” (Isaiah 51:11).
"Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and
He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be
among them, and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no
longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain;
the first things have passed away.
“And He who sits on the throne said, ‘Behold, I am
making all things new … I will give to the one who thirsts from the spring of
the water of life without cost … He who overcomes will inherit these things,
and I will be their God and they will be my children’” (Revelation 21:3-7).
PRAYER
Heavenly Father, You have spoken to me regarding the
condition of my faith and spiritual walk. You see my heart and know the many
ways I am preoccupied, discontent, and overcome with many selfish cravings.
I confess that I forget You so much of the time
because You have not been enough for me. Please forgive me, I have lived with
my sights and desires for the “here and now” on earth rather than the
“hereafter” with You in the Kingdom of Heaven.
I have neglected to keep my faith in You and sought
worldly and temporary passing joys, that have robbed me of the true joy of
loving, seeking, and obeying You. Your word says, “Godliness with contentment
is great gain”. That is what I am prayerfully seeking.
Yahshua (Jesus), I truly need Your grace and the
power of Your Spirit to help me focus my desires on seeking and doing Your
perfect will. Please help me to take all of my treasures out of this temporal
world and put them where they belong in the Kingdom of Heaven.
Your Spirit is convicting me, I know that I have been
on the broad path, please help me to keep my eyes fixed on You as You lead me
on the narrow path that leads to eternal life. I have been so consumed with the
things of this world, the everyday preoccupations, distractions, and
enticements that continually grab my attention. I have made You an afterthought
rather than the foremost focus of my life.
I have not wanted to endure sufferings and trials
that are part of following You on the narrow path. I have failed You, I have
not obeyed Your clear instruction that says, "Whoever wants to be my
disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me” (Matthew 16:24).
I have denied
Your word to indulge my flesh and I am unworthy to be called Your disciple. I
humbly repent, please wash me with Your sacrificial blood.
Yahshua (Jesus) please deliver me and help me to
reject all the things that so easily pull me away from You. I have fallen from
my first love and You are not receiving the full attention, affection, and
glory that is Your due.
I am truly sorry for being double minded,
hypocritical, and superficial in my relationship with You. Rarely do I rejoice
in Your sacrificial death to redeem my soul. Forgive me for having joy in so
many cheap thrills and not always rejoicing in You.
I ask You to forgive and purify me with Your
cleansing blood that I be holy and pleasing in Your sight. Help me to die to
all the distractions and counterfeit joys that I might have the true joy that
comes from humble obedience to wholeheartedly seeking and doing Your will
according to Your Word.
Help me to never look back and fall into
self-indulgence, covetousness, discontent, and complaining. Thank You for the
immeasurable utmost price You paid to redeem me so that I could be part of Your
faithful righteous remnant that truly love, serve, and “worship You in spirit
and in truth”, now and forever. I pray this with all my heart in the name of
Yahshua (Jesus). Amen.
RESTORING THE ANCIENT FOUNDATIONS BY UNLOCKING BIBLICAL TRUTHS, REESTABLISHING HOLINESS & UPHOLDING RIGHTEOUSNESS TO DRAW YOU CLOSER TO THE ALMIGHTY IN THIS LATE HOUR
It’s Midnight Ministries is a global non-profit organization that focuses on unlocking Biblical truths, reestablishing holiness, and upholding righteousness to draw you closer to the Almighty in this late hour. We have been faithfully serving the global Messianic and Christian communities for over thirty years. The big question we pose and help you answer is the following: “Are you ready and waiting for your glorious soon coming Savior?” We believe the hour is late and YAHshua (Jesus) said now is the day of salvation - if you hear his voice do not harden your heart. Simply, it's nearly midnight. Indeed, the clock is ticking, the grains of sand are falling in the hourglass; very little time is left! We are exhorted “to redeem the time for the days are evil.” (Ephesians 5:16) An important question is – What are you doing that is of eternal value at this most critical juncture in world history and its threshold into eternity? As such, the Mighty One, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, is wooing a remnant, both Jews and Gentiles, to be reconciled to Him and one another, a righteous remnant, who will know and worship Him in spirit and in truth. It is the prayer of this ministry that the Spirit of Truth will take the whole hearted seeker of the Most High on a pilgrimage onward and upward on the “Highway of Holiness” (Isaiah 35:8). The Holy Spirit is now opening the seals of many vital scriptures that have been hidden in the scroll of ancient biblical truths. For many centuries these truths have been covered in obscurity by the doctrines of men and their historical religious traditions. The topic of the divine memorial-names of YAHveh, the Almighty, and YAHshua, the Messiah, are a primary golden thread woven through the fabric of this ministry’s teachings, creating a vivid portrait of the Holy One of Israel and the Messiah of mankind. The Hebraic root of the Messiah and the original messianic faith will also be interwoven throughout this tapestry.
https://www.itsmidnight.org/prayers/enduring-victoriously-to-the-end
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