Footsteps to Zion

Shakings will Happen Copyright © 2010 CreationSwap LLC The frequency of earthquakes is said to have increased in our time. And this is something the Scriptures have already foretold. The Bible tells us that shakings will come. Haggai 2:6-7 “For thus says the Lord of hosts: ‘Once more (it is a little while) I will shake heaven and earth, the sea and dry land; and I will shake all nations, and they shall come to the Desire of All Nations, and I will fill this temple with glory,’ says the Lord of hosts. Hebrews 12:26 Whose voice then shook the earth; but now He has promised, saying, “Yet once more I shake not only the earth, but also heaven.” And these shakings indicate the days we are living in. We live in the last days. It is one of the signs of the end of the age. Matthew 24:3-8 Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?” And Jes...

Copyright © 2011 CreationSwap LLC 2 Timothy 2:20-21 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor. Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work. Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.  But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife. And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will. In his second letter to Timothy, the Apostle Paul speaks of the vessels of honor and dishonor. He illustrat...

Caleb was a true man of God. From the start to the end of his life, he was faithful to the Lord. It is no wonder that when God tested a whole generation, he was one of only two men who passed. It is therefore of great value to reflect on his life and seek to emulate him. Copyright © 2014 CreationSwap LLC Spy to Canaan - A Man of Faith and Obedience (Numbers 13) The Scripture first mentions Caleb as one of 12 spies commanded by Moses to spy out the Promise Land. Caleb at this time was already a leader of the tribe of Judah. He together with fellow leaders of the other tribes of Israel did as they were told and accomplished the mission in 40 days. The number 40 speaks of trials and tests. When God gives us a call, assignment, or ministry, we shall be tested by it. Tests reveal men’s hearts and determine who qualifies. They sift the saints. The spies all went through the mission and were tested by it. But only two passed, Caleb and Joshua, because only they had the right responses...

We shall study the last chapter of the Sermon on the Mount in light of fruits and fruitfulness. This issue of fruit is the all-important issue. The kind of fruits we bear determines whether we will receive the fullness of God’s purposes for our lives.   Copyright © 2010 CreationSwap LLC Where are we looking for fruits? Matthew 7:1-5 “Judge not, that you be not judged. For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye’; and look, a plank is in your own eye? Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye. In trying to understand the Sermon on the Mount it helps to remember that the sermon was given to God’s people and mostly applies to the local church. ...

In the Sermon on the Mount, the Lord Jesus spoke on prayer. He said that we ought not to pray vain repetitions. Thus, when He set forth the example of the Lord’s prayer in the succeeding verses of the Sermon on the Mount, He was not instructing us to simply pray it repetitiously but to pray in the same manner. As we look into the Lord’s prayer and other verses in the Sermon on the Mount that can relate to it, we glean precious lessons that are vital in our Christian walk.   Copyright © 2013 CreationSwap LLC Matthew 6:9-13 In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. The Lord’s Prayer begins with “ Our Father in heaven .” Obviously this is a pra...

How does Jesus define goodness? In the next passages of the Sermon on the Mount, we are given an understanding of what is good in the eyes of the Lord.   Copyright © 2013 lwf.org Matthew 5:38-42 “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also. And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two. Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away." An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth is what the law of Moses required in dealing with injustices. As Rev. Daniel Caram puts it, the law of Moses was exacting and unforgiving. However, the Lord Jesus called for a higher standard in addressing situations among the brethren. He says we are not to resist an evil person. We are not to get back at those who have wr...

The Lord began the Sermon on the Mount by showing us what He is and what we ought to be. The beatitudes show us the nature of Christ which He desires to work out in us and the rewards of having these attitudes developed in us. He continues the Sermon by then speaking on the Law. Copyright © 2013 CreationSwap LLC This flows beautifully with the beatitudes as the beatitudes show one the vision of being Christ-like while the succeeding passages let us understand the purpose for Christ-likeness. Matthew 5:13-16 You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.  You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in he...