Hello,
I apologize if I’ve “wounded” you in any way, or if I’ve not spread the Gospel in the way I should.
I’ve deleted my last two posts because I was “marketing Jesus”. I’ve been reading a lot of marketing books recently, of course, I can’t blame them… I am, however, going to try to fix the problem.
Please forgive me!
You are loved!
Joshua Cleveland
I apologize for this post, and others that I’ve written that are like it. At this time in my life I was trying my hand at internet marketing; thus all the white space, little amount of information, and general horrible bad quality of this post and posts like it. I personally suggest you simply skip past such posts that I’ve written, as they are not something I’m exactly proud of… At all.
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Hello again!
Here’s what God gave me today:
Isa 4:4 when the Lord shall have washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion and cleansed the bloodstains of Jerusalem from its midst by a spirit of judgment and by a spirit of burning.
Hmm, “God will wash away the filth of the daughters of Zion and clean the bloodstains of Jerusalem.”
What does that mean do you think? No, I’m not asking you again Mr. Smug look!
(Now the baby is an oppressor too?!)
Jerusalem had fallen under God’s curse, we had been under God’s curse, under condemnation and the promise of Hell.
Jesus saved us!!!
Need I truly say more?
You and I were bloodstained, and now, we’re still bloodstained! But, not with the dirtying blood of the flesh, but with the cleansing blood of Jesus (the) Christ!
“Amidst the spirit of burning”
We were “amidst the spirit of burning”!
We were burning up with hate! But now, we burn with the love of Jesus!
We’ve washed, through the blood of the lamb
There’s nothing left for us to do now, but love
And in reality, what else can we do?
Well, I’ll tell you true:
Nothing! No matter how hard we do try, he (Jesus) is the one who has lifted us high
I don’t really have much else to say
Just remember… Jesus loves you today!
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You are loved! (By me too!)
Joshua Cleveland
Hello again!
These verses, are… A little confusing, so I suggest you really think hard about these verses, come to a conclusion on what you think they mean, and then continue reading:
For a man will take hold of his brother in the house of his father, saying: “You have a cloak; you shall be our leader, and this heap of ruins shall be under your rule”; in that day he will speak out, saying: “I will not be a healer; in my house there is neither bread nor cloak; you shall not make me leader of the people.” (Isa 3:6-7)
You can just imagine what they’re saying:
Random guy 1: “Hey, you’ve got a cloak right?… … OK, never mind, you’ve won all of Jerusalem! Congratulations!”
Random guy 2: “I don’t want it!”
Anyway, aside from what ever they may or may not be saying, lets get to the point:
“For a man will take hold of his brother in the house of his father, saying: “You have a cloak; you shall be our leader, and this heap of ruins shall be under your rule”; in that day he will speak out, saying: “I will not be a healer; in my house there is neither bread nor cloak; you shall not make me leader of the people.”
They needed a Saviour, they needed a healer, and they needed a priest… Though not exactly in that order.
Do you see that in there?
Why was it this had happened to them in the first place? Because they had false prophets!
OK, damage has been, now what? They needed a healer to heal them from the wound caused by the false prophets!
OK, so they didn’t get a healer, damage has been done, now what?! They now need a Saviour! They need someone now to come and save them, but men aren’t helping, are they?
That’s a pretty pathetic state we’re in, isn’t it?
We had the choice whether or not to let the healer, true prophet, and Saviour into our life… And yet we rejected him! In fact, for heaven’s sake we crucified him!!!
Albeit, it wasn’t us we crucified him, but if we had been there, we would’ve…
Me, you, everyone, we all need a healer! We all need a true prophet! And we with out a doubt need a Saviour! No matter who you are, you were, you too need to be saved!
That’s why I recommend http://www.settingcaptivesfree.com so much! Because they can introduce you to the Saviour!
Please take a minute now and pray to Jesus, just say “Please come into my heart and save me! Amen”, or… … Something to that effect.
You are loved!
Joshua Cleveland
P.S. Here are some of the lyrics from the song “All For You” it’s part of the “Jonahs33” CD:
“And now He sweats these drops of blood
And He prays take this cup from me
But He knows there’s no other way
His father’s will is that He take your sin, your shame,
Your place upon that cross of pain And die for you
PRECHORUS:
There’s no way to repay
All the pain He went through for you
His reason: simply His love
It’s time to see the truth
And understand there’s nothing you can do
His reason was simply you”
His reason was simply you! His reason for dying was you! Please, remember that!
Hello again!
YIPEE! Yahoo, and yippe again!
The pastor… … Preached the gospel today, from start to finish! Yippie!
My family and I have sort of been “wall-banging” on churches, if you will. It feels like we go way down just to come way up… This was a “way up” time at church.
The pastor preached from 1 Corinthians Chapter 15, where Paul talks about what is most important… The gospel!
There were three points:
The beginning of the Gospel
The ressurection
Our repose to the Gospel
To more accurate the pastor preached on ! Corinthians, Chapter 15 verses 1-11.
The church was “Christ the corner-stone”.
Thank you Jesus!
You are loved!
Joshua Cleveland
Hello again!
OK, so maybe they weren’t actually thinking that… But, you know how names some times “just stick”… Well, sort of.
And I will make boys their princes, and infants shall rule over them. And the people will oppress one another, every one his fellow and every one his neighbor; the youth will be insolent to the elder, and the despised to the honorable. (Isa 3:4-5)
Let’s try to single out on… Well, a single verse here:
“And I will make boys their princes, and infants shall rule over them.”
I hate to “over-spiritualize” anything… Please keep an open mind here, and pay attention… And maybe post a comment if you think there is a problem. Also, remember that no one but Jesus, no matter how brilliant they may seem (hint hint) is perfect.
OK, onto the actual point here;
I think this may mean that since there was actually no “grown ups”, spiritually, that spiritual babies had to… Well, take over.
No offence to any of you, erm, “babies” out there, but no wonder God was mad!
And you can see just how “well” that’s going in the last part of verse five:
“the youth will be insolent to the elder, and the despised to the honorable.”
Yeah, not very well… I think this may even be implying that the quote and quote “rulers” were being “insolent” to the elderly… … OK, I realize just how you may of already known that… Sheesh, you people are harsh… on the… internet, on a blog, where you can’t actually talk to me… Hmm, food for thought.
Aside from my deep… Psycho approach to things, please try to take me seriously for verse five here:
And the people will oppress one another, every one his fellow and every one his neighbor; the youth will be insolent to the elder, and the despised to the honorable. (Isa 3:5)
Yes, it is best to not oppress one another… Wow, that was tough. Well, hope you enjoyed it, bye!
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I’m serious here…
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OK, OK! I feel a little repetitive here but you guys are really, erm, for lack of a better word… are really pushy!
And the people will oppress one another, every one his fellow and every one his neighbor; the youth will be insolent to the elder, and the despised to the honorable. (Isa 3:5)
Yes, it is true we should not oppress one another, a lot of families to-day are, quote and quote “dis-functional”…
Here’s a reality check/revision to the above sentence:
Yes, it is true we should not oppress one another, a lot of families to-day are Satan filled, self-centered, and yes, hence 99.9999999 and a half dis-functional. I don’t want to say they are actually totally dis-functional, simply because no one is “totally evil” minus the Devil, of course…
OK, my favorite part! I get to bring out… … The equal signs (=)!!!
Devil = Bad… Just to make sure you know that.
Devil + You = Bad You
Devil + Family = dis-functionality
God + Family = Good family functionality
If you and your family are believers, and you still are “dis-functional” then you must not be totally God centered.
OK, that sounded really bad, let me rephrase that:
If you are God-Centered you won’t be dis-functional, honestly, it’s that simple, if you eat your three spiritual meals a day… Scratch that, if you are constantly eating spiritual food, then you won’t have a problem! If your still not getting a long with your family, then it’s not their fault! … (Hint hint)
You probably only have yourself to blame… Yeah, I think is can be labeled under “inspiration/encouraging”.
Aside from that though, I think you probably get my point…
If you don’t… Well, I suppose you’ll just have to subscribe to my e-zine to see if I’m going to explain further in my next post.
I’m probably not going to explain further in my next post… Now, go subscribe! … Er, please?
You are loved!
Joshua Cleveland
Hello again!
I know, I know, weird title… Again (it’s habit!), but just read these verses, I think you’ll begin to understand it:
And the idols shall utterly pass away. And people shall enter the caves of the rocks and the holes of the ground, from before the terror of the LORD, and from the splendor of his majesty, when he rises to terrify the earth. (Isa 2:18-19)
This at least partially goes along with what we read about yesterday, “And the idols shall utterly pass away”, so, lets see what this means to us: … … What was that? Oh, you want me to explain the whole terror of the Lord stuff?
Well, if you insist:
God is terrifying, there’s not much else to it… … That’s not to say that his ‘terror’able.
quick note here:
terrorable is not actually how terrible is spelled, it just sounds like it!
Aside from that though, God is terrifying but not terrible, that’s my point… … There is a big difference!
God has “two sides”, we only really see one side now, sense Jesus died for you and me. We see (MAINLY!) his kind and loving side, of course, there are “trails and tribulations”, aka, your car breaks down in the middle of the highway… … God is teaching you not to buy rotten cars!
OK, bad example… But, you get the point… Probably;
You + Crisis = Mad You = Bad News!
You + God + Crisis = God teaching you a lesson = Understanding you!
Make sense? Good, now, can I please get back to my original point? OK, thank you:
Ahem, as I was saying… … This rather goes along with what we were discussing earlier, about how idols, only now we’re seeing them in a whole ‘nother way!
Before we were looking at idols in their temptation towards us, now we’re looking at how those same idols will “utterly pass away”, so now we’ve entered Kansas, is that what’s up with the reference to cows (utterly)… … ? Oh, my bad! Wrong Story, right, back to the point;
Idols are simply temporary! Your bike, yep, you got it, aren’t you smart! It was soon rust and fall apart! Unless it’s refurbished… but that’s aside from that point!
The point is, that we should not look at things seen but should look forward to things “yet unseen”. Look towards Jesus, look towards the cross and resurrection! Don’t look towards you TV or your computer, those things will soon break and fall apart, as pointed out above.
You + Idols = Dun Dun Dun
You + Jesus + Idols = IMPOSSIBLE! You can’t serve two masters.
You + Jesus = Selling your idols on eBay = $$$
OK, maybe you could just through it away… … But think ahead people! $20 could mean a lot…
You are loved!
Joshua Cleveland.
Hello again!
Please quickly read these verses and move on.. … I know that sounds strange, but the verses will probably confuse you, and I want to make sure that you understand their meaning:
Their land is filled with idols; they bow down to the work of their hands, to what their own fingers have made. So man is humbled, and each one is brought low– do not forgive them! (Isa 2:8-9)
Wohoho, what’s going on?!
“So man is humbled, and each one is brought low– do not forgive them!”
Excuse me? I though Jesus said that we should forgive people… … Well, yes, it’s true that ‘Jesus’ did say that, and yes, it’s true that God and Jesus are one. However, to conclude from here the Jesus and God are either contradicting each other, is 100% wrong!
Why? Two reasons:
First of all… … It’s impossible!
OK, got that out of my system :-).
Secondly; Jesus came to save, and he saves in the New Testament… … In the Old Testament, there is war, there is evil, there is a reason that God threw his people into captivity so many times!
Do you understand now, or am I going to use another couple of equal signs (=)?
OK, fine:
Old Testament = Unforgivingness = BAD News!
New Testament = Jesus (the) Christ = Forgiveness!
OK, onto the next part:
Worshiping idols,
Quick Side Note:
Idols can be anything! They could be a computer, a TV, food, or even a toy car!
Aside from that though, worshiping idols… … Is bad.
OK, good, end of story, goodbye.
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OK, yeesh you guys are persistent… … No, this is not how I talk in real life.
Idols disrupt and destroy! It doesn’t really matter what they are, as long as they are keeping us away from worshiping God.
Try looking in your life, if you absolutely have to have your coffee in the morning, try going without it for three days or so, see what happens, do you get irritable? Did you lessen your prayer time? Or where you just fine?
My point is, look in your life, turn off the computer if you have to! Having idols will destroy your relationship with God, don’t let that happen!
You are loved!
Joshua Cleveland
Hello again!
I apologize for the confusing title… I think it will make a little more sense after you read the verses:
Your princes are rebels and companions of thieves. Everyone loves a bribe and runs after gifts. They do not bring justice to the fatherless, and the widow’s cause does not come to them. (Isa 1:23)
And I will restore your judges as at the first, and your counselors as at the beginning. Afterward you shall be called the city of righteousness, the faithful city.” (Isa 1:26)
Does the title make sense now? OK then, good.
So, let’s get the order of events here straight:
Prince = Rebel = No Justice… …Judges = Judgment on Prince/Rebels =
Righteousness = God’s Happiness
OK, everyone now clear on the series of events here? Roger… … OK, lets move on to how this applies to us;
I’m 100% positive that we have all fallen back into sin at one point or another, right? Can I ask you how exactly it is that you managed to “get out”? Well, one of the ways I would expect you to say is “I went for counseling”… … Do you get where I’m going with this?
We were/are rebels! Though you and I aren’t exactly princes… … Correction, we used to be princes of darkness… Aside from that though, you and I aren’t princes in the terms that most people think of “princes”… … And now I’m getting off topic, Lets start over.
OK, we’re not princes, we got that covered… … But we are/were rebels, always running from God, always “rebelling”. Here’s another verse to remind you of how that was *shivers*:
“but if you refuse and rebel, you shall be eaten by the sword; for the mouth of the LORD has spoken.” (Isa 1:20)”
But, God provided a way for us! …
“If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land; (Isa 1:19)”
You see, we have to be willing and obedient to “eat the good of the land”, but, how can we be good?!
I have suddenly have the strangest sense of deja vu… … Hmm, aside from that though, God provided his son for us!
It’s impossible for us to be saved apart from his son, Jesus (the) Christ! I hate to repeat myself, but I really like this saying:
“You can say something is impossible, just don’t interrupt the one doing it!”
I’m not saying I’m perfect (only Jesus was), I’m not saying your perfect (I’m not going to repeat myself…)… … But, I am saying Jesus was/is/and is to be perfect!
Please accept Jesus as your savior today, for help and counselling please visit http://www.settingcaptivesfree.com/.
I know it seems like I’m promoting them a lot, but I just don’t know of any other online free resource that’s better!
You are loved!
Joshua Cleveland
For non-commercial use only
Hello again!
When you read this verse, just remember this; “God’s reasoning with you, is a lot different from you reasoning with yourself!”:
“Come now, let us reason together, says the LORD: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool. (Isa 1:18)
I think this actually rather goes to together with my last post “bloody hands”.
Here’s that verse, put in you/me terms:
Lets see, you’re a bloody sinner, um… You are (*currently*) worthless, wretched, and have no purpose to your life!… To put it frankly, you’re a bloody mess!
But, you know something?… My son died so that you could “clean up”. He became a bloody mess, for you… So that you can become my son (sheep)!
That’s what I think this verse is saying.
There, believe it or not, is a reason Jesus died for you and for me… It was so that you and I could become God’s children! For heaven’s sake (if you’ll pardon the pun), that’s God’s own reasoning!
You are loved!
Joshua Cleveland
Hello again!
Read these verses, then try and apply them to the Jews of that time – aka – think of what this would mean for them. Then, reread them, and see how they can apply to you.
When you spread out your hands, I will hide my eyes from you; even though you make many prayers, I will not listen; your hands are full of blood. Wash yourselves; make yourselves clean; remove the evil of your deeds from before my eyes; cease to do evil, (Isa 1:15-16)
Why would God hide his hands from them? … Because there hands were bloody! Can I ask you something, why is it that it seems your prayers aren’t being answered? Well, it could be that you have “bloody hands”. Of course, for them, it means that they, actually did have “bloody hands”. God was referring to the sacrifices they were making, (God through Isiah).
What this means for us, is that we have guilt. Here’s an example, it’s like pilot “washing his hands of Jesus”. He was trying to wash his guilt of killing a innocent man away.
Anyway, back to the topic; One possible reason your prayers may not seem to be answered, could be that your spiritual life needs to “washed”. Of course, the new question becomes, how do you do that?!
Well, let me, if you will, answer that question with a question:
How can we remove evil of your deeds from before my eyes (God’s eyes); and cease to do evil.
Well, I’ll be blunt… We can’t remove evil from our deeds, we can’t cease to do evil. We can’t clean our spiritual life, simple as that. End of story, you can go away now… Right?
WRONG, WRONG, AND WRONG AGAIN!!! We can’t do anything, it’s true, but Jesus can do everything!
I’m guessing that your saying something like (if your an unbeliever):”Joshua… Jesus just doesn’t exist! We can’t, as you say, “cease to do sin.” And, I respond by saying: “You can say something is impossible, just don’t interrupt the person doing it!” I forget who exactly said that, probably some old dead guy…
But, those words still remain true! Jesus has changed me life for the (much) better, he can change yours as well!
http://www.settingcaptivesfree.com/
You are loved!
Joshua Cleveland
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