This world (Babylon) holds us captive; however, our LORD from Zion will set all who rejoice and are glad in Him free.
Psalms 14:7 KJV Oh that the salvation of Israel were come out of Zion! when the LORD bringeth back the captivity of his people, Jacob shall rejoice, and Israel shall be glad.
The correction of elder men and women is not the same as correction from elder men and women. The approach must maintain the utmost respect and honor, knowing that they have been faithful in many things and have invested much in our development.
1 Timothy 5:1 KJV Rebuke not an elder, but intreat him as a father; and the younger men as brethren;
1 Timothy 5:2 KJV The elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, with all purity.
Elders are neither without honor nor above rebuke.
1 Timothy 5:17 KJV Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.
1 Timothy 5:18 KJV For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward.
1 Timothy 5:19 KJV Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses.
1 Timothy 5:20 KJV Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear.
Sons and nephews have the primary responsibility of looking after their widows.
1 Timothy 5:3 KJV Honour widows that are widows indeed.
1 Timothy 5:4 KJV But if any widow have children or nephews, let them learn first to shew piety at home, and to requite their parents: for that is good and acceptable before God.
1 Timothy 5:8 KJV But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.
If you are a friend of Christ, you are a friend of mine, regardless of your denominational attire. Your fruit will earn my respect, not your clothing.
1 Timothy 5:21 KJV I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that thou observe these things without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality.
Most men will not agree with another man unless he agrees with their denominational talking points. As for me, I agree with all who agree with the Word of God. I will stand with any man who stands with Christ.
1 Timothy 5:22 KJV Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men's sins: keep thyself pure.
Although I do not drink wine, Scripture clearly does not absolutely forbid it. Teaching otherwise is dishonest. Yes, I have had cold medicine over the years.
1 Timothy 5:23 KJV Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach's sake and thine often infirmities.
Within résumé and denominational Christianity, the nefarious character of certain elders may not be discovered until some time after their appointment. The point is to address their evil accordingly and not cover it up.
By the way, if a man dots every i and crosses every t of your denominational talking points, that should be your first clue to his nefarious character.
1 Timothy 5:24 KJV Some men's sins are open beforehand, going before to judgment; and some men they follow after.
1 Timothy 5:25 KJV Likewise also the good works of some are manifest beforehand; and they that are otherwise cannot be hid.
If you study modern ambush techniques, you will notice many similarities with the ambush strategy in Joshua 8. It has been many years since I was an infantryman in the Army; however, I immediately recognized the tactics therein as I studied this chapter. God is a God of war; therefore, none of this is surprising to me.
Exodus 15:3 KJV The LORD is a man of war: the LORD is his name.
The ambush at Ai in Joshua 8 showcases God’s strategic mastery in warfare, as He commands an ambush (Joshua 8:2). Joshua’s main force, positioned north of Ai, engages the enemy and executes a feigned retreat to draw out defenders (Joshua 8:14–15), with God ensuring victory (Joshua 8:1). A 5,000-man contingent west of Ai likely prevents reinforcements (Joshua 8:12), while the ambush force conceals itself in the valley (Joshua 8:9), with the LORD Himself as the support element. The deceptive retreat lures Ai’s army (Joshua 8:15), and Joshua’s javelin signal coordinates the attack (Joshua 8:18–19).
Joshua 8:14 KJV And it came to pass, when the king of Ai saw it, that they hasted and rose up early, and the men of the city went out against Israel to battle, he and all his people, at a time appointed, before the plain; but he wist not that there were liers in ambush against him behind the city.
God destroyed Jerusalem by the hand of the pagan Babylonians, yet for some reason, in many deceived Christian minds, the Jews are untouchable today. My question to these minds is: Is God an antisemite?
Jeremiah 34:20 KJV I will even give them into the hand of their enemies, and into the hand of them that seek their life: and their dead bodies shall be for meat unto the fowls of the heaven, and to the beasts of the earth.
Jeremiah 34:21 KJV And Zedekiah king of Judah and his princes will I give into the hand of their enemies, and into the hand of them that seek their life, and into the hand of the king of Babylon's army, which are gone up from you.
Jeremiah 34:22 KJV Behold, I will command, saith the LORD, and cause them to return to this city; and they shall fight against it, and take it, and burn it with fire: and I will make the cities of Judah a desolation without an inhabitant.
Father, thank You for all of our friends in Christ. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
