Monthly Archives: May 2024

The ABC’s of Scripture: FORSAKING CHRIST

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“Therefore, I will divide Him a portion with the great, and He shall divide the spoil with the strong because HE POURED OUT HIS SOUL UNTO DEATH, and HE WAS NUMBERED WITH THE TRANSGRESSORS, and He BORE THE SIN OF MANY, and made INTERCESSION for the transgressors.”- Isa 53:12

The Son of God came at His first coming to the nation of Israel. He taught that generation from the Scriptures. He performed miracles in their presence. He fulfilled all of the prophecies that spoke about the Messiah. Jesus Christ offered His life on the Cross as a sacrifice to all of His elect people throughout history.

“For I say to you that this WHICH IS WRITTEN must still be accomplished in Me: ‘And He WAS NUMBERED WITH THE TRANSGRESSORS.” For the things concerning Me have an end.” -Luke 22:37

This was all according to the plans of God form before the foundation of the world. Not only did Jesus willingly pay for the sins of all of His people through the shedding of His blood, but to add insult to injury, even His own beloved disciple FORSOOK Him out of fear for their own lives. When the Jewish mob come to arrest Jesus, He told His disciples not to fight them. Jeus said that He could call for more than twelve legions of angels if His purpose was to physically resist. He was arrested and His disciples FORSOOK Him and fled.

“But all this was done that the Scriptures of the prophets might be FULFILLED. Then ALL THE DISCIPLES FORSOOK HIM AND FLED.”- Matt 26:56

Even Apostle Peter, who had gone in among the crowd to watch the proceeding before Caiaphas the high priest, from the outside courtyard, DENIED knowing the Lord three times.

“Then he (Peter) began to curse and swear, saying, “I DO NOT KNOW THE MAN?’ Immediately a rooster crowed. And Peter remembered the word of Jesus who had said to him, ‘before the rooster crows, YOU WILL DENY ME three times.” So, He went out and wept bitterly.”- Matt 26:74

The fact that Jesus was FORSAKEN by His disciples, tells us that the fear that they had: and for the love that Christ had for them. His purpose was to pay for the sins of His elect people and He accomplished that. His sacrifice did not depend on their loyalty to Him, but it was instead HIS perfect loyalty to the Scriptures, SO THAT ALL MAY BE FULFILLED.

As sinners, His elect disciples could FORSAKE Him; but as their Holy Savior, Christ would not FORSAKE them. His elect disciples were known by their faith. Even if they stumbled, Jesus knew who His elect were. He also knew those who were not His elect.

“But there are some of you who do not believe,’ For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were who did not believe, and who would BETRAY HIM. And He said, ‘Therefore, I have said to you that no one can come to the Me unless it has been granted to him by My Father.’ FROM THAT TIME MANY OF HIS DISCIPLES WENT BACK AND WALKED WITH HIM NO MORE.” -John 6:64-66

The FORSAKING of Jesus by His disciples was only during the time of the Cross in 30ad. It is different than the “falling away” of some of His followers prior to His second coming in 66-70ad. The FORSAKING was when they deserted Him out of fear before His resurrection. it was sin that would be paid for by the atonement of Christ at the cross and His resurrection that WAS SOON TO OCCUR.

Consider the dramatic shift in attitude of His elect disciples AFTER He was resurrected. The disciples went from being afraid and scattered to being bold, organized, and faithful through the extreme persecutions that they ended during the transition period. The resurrection of Christ brought new power and focus to those first century persecuted Apostles and disciples. [See: “FALLING AWAY”.] https://faithfood.me/2024/04/29/the-abcs-of-scripture-falling-away/

-Michael Alan Nichols

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*Can we see that the FORSAKING from fear brings deception and creates a heart that lacks in Faith? Fear and Faith don’t mix, we can only operate out of one or the other.

For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.- Matt 16:25

For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and for the gospel will save it.- Mark 8:35

For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it.- Luke 9:24

Whoever tries to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life will preserve it. – Luke 17:33

Whoever loves his life will lose it, but whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. -John 12:25

Isn’t it great though that Christ forgives us for our weakness’. In all seriousness the disciples and apostles that literally walked with Christ were the very scriptural elect that were chosen to preach the Gospel that the prophets of old prophesized about. The prophets of old never personally met nor walked with Christ yet, they spoke, shared and wrote down all the things that God spoke to them, the very inspired world of God.

All Scripture is God-breathed [given by divine inspiration] and is profitable for instruction, for conviction [of sin], for correction [of error and restoration to obedience], for training in righteousness [learning to live in conformity to God’s will, both publicly and privately—behaving honorably with personal integrity and moral courage];so that the man of God may be complete and proficient, outfitted and thoroughly equipped for every good work.-2 Tim 3:16 &17

The disciples nor the Apostles ever preached another Gospel, they never swayed from the one TRUE JESUS… nor the sanctity of the cross. “But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to that which we [originally] preached to you, let him be condemned to destruction!” – Gal 1:8

I watch the people of this generation (and all generations since the fulfilment of the bible) continually try to be “THE GENERATION” that scripture is speaking of. So much inserting ourselves into the context of the scriptures. Don’t get me wrong, I was there once, and I am truthfully so thankful God pulled me out of that deception. It is so much clearer and more peaceful being in the full stature of Christ.

“So, we have the prophetic word made more certain. You do well to pay [close] attention to it as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and light breaks through the gloom and the morning star arises in your hearts. But understand this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of or comes from one’s own [personal or special] interpretation, for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.”- 2 Pet 1:19-21

It is so much clearer and more peaceful being in the full stature of Christ. I do know that I must continually keep humble enough to be taught to see all the deceptions of the ‘churches’ and the misled heart matter- making scripture what it is not. saying what it does NOT say. So much is lost when we add to the context, history and audience relevance. We have strayed from the simplicity of Christ and HIS ONLY PURPOSE and that is to save HIS elect. Then, now and forever. Jesus Christ is [eternally changeless, always] the same yesterday and today and forever. – Heb 13:8

To be HIS ELECT we must believe on the FINISHED WORKS OF THE CROSS! NOTHING MORE AND NOTHING LESS! CHRIST PLUS SOMETHING EQUALS NOTHING! CHRIST PLUS NOTHING EQUALS EVERYTHING! ❤

“For I made the decision to know nothing [that is, to forego philosophical or theological discussions regarding inconsequential things and opinions while] among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified [and the meaning of His redemptive, substitutionary death and His resurrection].” -1 Cor 2:2

All my completely satisfied in the FINSHED WORKS of CHRIST AND THE CROSS, ❤ Diana xo 🙂

The ABC’s of Scripture: FLOOD (Moses); FLOOD (Noah)

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The Lord brought the Israelites out of their captivity in Egypt by causing the waters of the Red Sea to divide so that they could cross over to the other side. The people were afraid, but Moses led them through the waters on dry land that God miraculously provided for them.

“And the Lord said to Moses, “Why do you cry to Me?” Tell the children of Israel to go forward. But lift up your rod and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it. And the children of Israel shall go on dry ground through the midst of the sea. And I indeed will harden the hearts of the Egyptians, and they shall follow them. So, I will gain honor over Pharaoh and over his army, his chariots, and his horsemen.” -Ex 14:15-17

The Egyptian armies of Pharoah chased after them. As the Israelites crossed through the sea, God went before the camp of Israel. He had Moses stretch out his hand over the sea; and the Lord caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind all that night; and made the sea into dry land, and the waters were divided.

So the children of Israel went into the midst of the sea on the dry ground, and the waters were a wall to them on their right hand and on their left. The Egyptians pursued and went after them into the midst of the sea, all of Pharaoh’s horses, his chariots, and his horsemen.

The Lord told Moses to stretch out his hand again over the sea; and the waters came back upon the Egyptians, on their chariots, and on their horsemen. In the morning the sea returned to its full depth, while the Egyptians were fleeing into it. So the Lord overthrew the Egyptians in the midst of the sea.

The waters covered them and not so much as one of them remained. So, the Lord saved Israel that day out of the hand of the Egyptians, and Israel saw the Egyptians dead on the seashore. At that time the Israelites saw the great work which the Lord had done in Egypt; so, the people feared the Lord and believed the Lord and His servant Moses. – Ex 14:18-31

“Marvelous things He did in the sight of their fathers, in the land of Egypt, in the field of the Zoan. He divided the sea and caused them to pass through; and He made the waters stand up like a heap.”- Psa 78:12-13

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FLOOD (Noah)

God had Noah build an ark that was 450 feet long, 75 feet wide, and 45 feet high. Noah constructed the ark according to the specifications and materials that God instructed. -Gen 6:14-16. He had Noah, his wife, his sons, and their wives enter the ark at the chosen time. God had Noah bring into the ark seven of each animal, a male and his female; also seven each of the birds of the air; a male and his female. -Gen 7:2-3

God brought every living thing of all flesh, birds after their own kind, and animals after their own kind, and every creeping thing after its kind; two of every sort into the ark, male and female. His purpose was to keep the species alive. Noah obeyed Go. He was six hundred years old when the floodwaters were on the earth. – Gen 6:17-22; Gen 7:4-16

Now the flood was on the earth forty days. The waters increased and lifted up the ark, and it rose high above the earth. All the high hills and mountains under heaven were covered. The waters prevailed 22.5 feet upward. All flesh died that moved on earth: birds and cattle and beasts and every creeping thing, and every man. God destroyed all living things from the earth. Only Noah, his family, and the creatures inside the ark remained alive. The waters prevailed on the earth one hundred and fifty days. -Gen 7:14-24

Then God made a wind to pass over the earth, and the waters subsided. At the end of the 150 days the water decreased. Then the ark rested in the seventh month, the seventeenth day of the month, on the mountains of Ararat. The waters decreased continually until the tenth month when the tops of the mountains were seen. It came to pass in the six hundred and first year of Noah, in the first month, that the waters were dried up from the earth.

In the second month, on the twenty-seventh day of the month, the earth was dried. Then Noah, and all onboard left the ark. Noah built an altar to the Lord, and offered burnt offerings from the clean animals and birds. God said: “while the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, winter and summer, and day and night shall not cease.” -Gen 8:14-22

God said that never again shall all flesh be cut off by the waters of the flood; never again shall there be a flood to destroy the earth. God made a sign of this covenant that He made with Noah. He set His rainbow in the cloud over the earth. -Gen 9:11-17

God blessed his sons (Shem, Ham, and Japheth). All the days of Noah were nine hundred and fifty years: and he died. -Gen 9:29

In 30ad Jesus used the example of the Noah’s flood to tell His disciples that His second coming Parousia and His judgement upon unbelieving Israel would occur in their generation at the time that the non-believing Jews would not expect. People living as they normally did. They did not expect the destruction that was to come upon them. This occurred in 70ad.

“But as many the DAYS OF NOAH were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. For as in the days of the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day of NOAH entered the ark, and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will THE COMING of the Son of Man be.” – Matt 24:37-38

-Michael Alan Nichols

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When I think of the waters that God will divide for us and the arks that He provides for us, I am still in awe of everything He has done for us from a historical, Biblical standpoint and in our personal lives.

To me when I hear the story of the flood, I think of the story of Christ’s baptism. A time for Christ to come into His very own ministry as He grew in stature and wisdom from seed (the miraculous conception- to His harvest (of the saints and all who choose to believe on Him for salvation). HE is our ARK- He is our salvation!

The day CHRIST was baptized by the prophet John as prophesized was a fulfillment of Noah’s flood and the ark of the covenant (which is CHRIST) Who was raise up upon the waters and then the type and shadow of the dove (the Holy Spirit) appeared

I indeed baptize you in water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you in the Holy Spirit and in fire: -Matt 3:11

When the physical return of Christ came (the resurrection) He walked and taught for 40 more days and then ascended to the heavens and sent HIS HELPER the HOLY SPIRIT to live in each and every one of us that believe on HIM and HIS shed blood for our penalty paid for our remissions of sin so that we can NOW and for ETERNITY live with HIM.

For now, He lives within the body of Christ (believers in the FINISHED WORKS OF THE CROSS) And for Eternity we will remain with HIM. That is the prize we need to fix our gaze upon.

As a bible college graduate, ordained minister too, (titles not needed- just verifying my desire to study myself approved)- I love the subject of types and shadows being fulfilled in CHRIST! There is NOT one jot, nor one tittle left out of the fulfillment of the prophecy of the Bible and that is CHRIST! EVERY SINGLE TYPE OR SHADOW OF PHROPECY IS ALWAYS FULFILLED IN CHRIST! There is NO unfulfilled biblical prophecies except to the unsatisfied soul. If Christ is NOT enough, then one will never be satisfied and the desire to eat from the tree of knowledge of good and evil will be what kills them spiritually one bite at a time. Knowledge is NOT always power. Sometimes it is simply carnality and death.

All my on fire for the HOLY SPIRIT love, ❤ Diana xo 🙂

The ABC’s of Scripture: FASTING

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*photo of Me and my Stepdad Daniel, March 1996

FASTING is a tool from time to time helps Christians to strengthen their focus on right priorities in Christ. It is abstaining from food for a period of time. There is no specific length of time required. It could be for one or more meals, or for one or more days.

FASTING clears our thoughts of distractions that interfere, even so slightly, for the important issues at hand. It is to be done personally, without making a show to others. It is to be done willingly, not out of compulsion from others. It is ALWAYS to be accompanied by personal prayer.

Generally, FASTING does not involve more than just oneself. However, a husband and a wife may choose to fast and pray together seeking God’s will over a difficult issue. The key to effective FASTING when joined by others is or all to stay focused on the concern at hand while diligently praying for insight from God. FASTING seems to produce a special supernatural blessing for a Christian and draws him or her closer to God.

Moreover, when you FAST, do not be like the hypocrites, with a sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces that they may appear to be men to be FASTING. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But you, when you FAST, anoint your head and wash your face, so that you do not appear to be men to be FASTING, but to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.”- Matt 6:16-18

-Michael Alan Nichols

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*Fasting is a very near and dear component of my life. When I am frustrated with the wiles of the enemy (evil agendas- not some spiritual entity) I must stop and pray and fast when the Holy Spirit invites me to do so.

Fasting is also a big part of my career. I teach on the health reasons for fasting. As a health minister, (yes, one of my titles is actually a legit and certified Health minister) only pointing that out because I get a lot of slack from haters that think I think I’m special because I read some book or watch a YouTube that made me ‘holier than thou vegan’. Projecting and gaslighighting is a daily encountering for me and that is okay, I just keep remembering that projection comes from convictions that have not been dealt with, and you know what’s good for that, “fasting” yup, fast and pray, and actually seek Gods kingdom as opposed to seeking opinions of men and lying agendas that deceived hearts continue to spread.

Fasting is so personal to me for yesterday was 13 years that I lost my step-father Daniel. I almost wrote this blog yesterday, but I needed to not write but to pray and meditate on my inner most holy place and let Christ bring my heart peace, as He always does when I stop and just rest in Him. God called me to a Daniel fast 13 years ago, in March of 2011 what I thought would be a 21 day fast turned into a ‘vegan’ lifestyle. I never even heard of the word vegan, nor did I have any clue what it was. I simply allowed the Holy Spirit to guide me. Not only did it give me clarity, but it brought me a peace beyond understanding. I couldn’t be more thankful for the journey of FASTING which I find works best when we stay in prayer. And the peace of God [that peace which reassures the heart, that peace] which transcends all understanding, [that peace which] stands guard over your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus [is yours].- Phil 4:7

FASTING just to fast for vanity is pointless. FASTING just for the appearance of health is also very pointless, just as much as losing weight vs. actually being healthy. Or being “fit” vs being healthy. There is a huge difference between a physically fit person and an internally healthy individual. It is like cleaning the outside of the vessel (the physical appearance) and not cleaning the inside (the Spirit). When we focus on the inner man (the Spirit) the outer man (the body) shall follow.
-….First clean the inside of the cup and dish, so that the outside may become clean as well.- Matt 23:26

All of my prayer and FASTING Love, ❤ Diana xo 🙂