The Righteousness of Abraham

Genesis 15:6, “And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.”
Galatians 3:6, “Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.”
James 2:23, “And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.”



Beloved please, what kind of righteousness did Abraham really receive? We are told that Abraham “believed God”; he expressed faith in God and this same God “counted it to him for righteousness”. Please, what does this mean? Did Abraham experience spiritual transformation that led him to receive the very righteousness of God? Was Abraham bestowed the very righteousness of God (in Christ)? Or was it a symbolic righteousness; a superficial righteousness; a tentative righteousness; an artificial righteousness; a “shadow” righteousness – as opposed to a “real”, divine righteousness? Please, stop and think about this for a minute. Meditate on these questions.

Did Abraham really become righteous? Was he endowed with the righteousness of God? The righteousness of Abraham... …please, is it the same righteousness faithful, salvaged sons and daughters of God have today? You, yes, you, reading this right now, the righteousness you have received by faith from God the Father, please, is it the same righteousness that Abraham received by faith? Is your righteousness in Christ any different from Abraham’s righteousness? You have received righteousness by faith. Abraham also lived by faith. Is the quality of your righteousness the same as that of Abraham? Any difference in the righteousness?

If you say there’s a difference, then please, what is it? What kind of righteousness did Abraham receive – a ‘honorary’ righteousness or a real divine righteousness? If you say it was a honorary righteousness, please, what do you mean by that? If you say it was a real divine righteousness, then please, how is his real divine righteousness different from yours?

If you are like me, then you would agree that the righteousness given to Abraham by God is the same righteousness you and I have received today. It is the same righteousness people like Enoch and Elijah received. These are people who walked so very closely with God our heavenly Father, so much so that they became ONE with God. They attained “eternal oneness” with the spirit of the Father indwelling them (“the still small voice”) and as a result were caught up, translated from the planet to the heavenlies without going through the usual or traditional passage of death. Or do you really believe the righteousness God has poured on you is better than that given to Enoch or Elijah? What have you done or achieved with yours? Please, do you understand what Enoch and Elijah achieved with theirs? Have you come any close?

The very righteousness of God in Christ has always been in existence from the very beginning. For in the beginning was the WORD and the WORD was with God and the WORD was God. Christ did not come into existence when Jesus showed up. Oh no! Christ has always been – even since the dateless past. Christ simply showed up on a mortal bestowal mission as Jesus of Nazareth over 2,000 years ago…

So, Christ, as SPIRIT, has always been in existence and working or operating on Earth. The very righteousness of God has always been available to anyone who makes himself or herself ready or available to receive it, regardless of date and time; regardless of era, dispensation or epoch. To receive divine righteousness, the individual is required to walk by “FAITH”. That’s the operative word, “faith”. Oh! Hallelujah!! Glory to God!!! Yes, there are some gifts, blessings and endowments we have today that people in prior dispensations did not have or enjoy. In Ephesians 4:7-8, brother Paul wrote, "But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ's gift. Therefore it says, “When he ascended on high he led a host of captives, and he gave gifts to men.”" However, when it comes to “righteousness”, saints of old had it. They had it. And they walked in it or walked in its realities.

This righteousness is called “the righteousness of God in Christ” by some people today, a term popularized by the blessed and remarkable Apostle Paul. Call it “the righteousness of God in Christ” or call it “unmerited righteousness” or call it “divine righteousness” or call it whatever. It is the same righteousness, my dear. Christ bestows it on you freely, if you allow your soul to be activated – regardless of day and age, era or dispensation. The divine love is constant. There’s this constancy in the divine nature that demands the character, behavior or acts of God to be constant always – regardless of your tribe, nationality, geographic location, professed religion, etc… If you exercise faith, divinity responds! This righteousness is yours by faith!

'Private Ministry' vs. 'Public Ministry', a brief overview.

#GospelMinistry:

We are all called into "private ministry". And it is important to note that NOT EVERYONE is called into "public ministry". If indeed you are among the few that are called into public ministry, you should know this, deep down, on your inside. Many times, it will cost you a lot more, to wholeheartedly commit to the call to public ministry. This is a key reason why a very strong and reliable support base is needed. (Of course the celestials support but you need human beings to support you.)

For His public ministry, Jesus had a strong support base - His inner circle of Apostles and Evangelists. He also had some disciples, well wishers, etc. There were people who gave him moral support and prayed for Him and made donations to assist the work.

Our work of presenting the message of the Kingdom (Gospel Message) and the Fifth Epochal Revelation would gain greater traction when many more readers understand and appreciate these things.

Having a Sustainable Impact on, "The World-Mind"

#Preaching #Teaching #PublicMinistry 

Fellow Urantia Book readers, please let us strike directly at a very important objective: "What did Jesus do?" Where are the pastors, teachers and evangelists in our midst? Where are the ministers?

There has to be a better way of presenting the "undiluted" message of the gospel to the world - to people in villages, towns and cities. This would involve having a "structure" in place. This would involve "money". Some teachers would have to commit at least 40 hours per week to the work. 4 hours of "volunteer" work is not sufficient. This is what we see looking at Jesus and his apostles and evangelists as they embarked on a "Public Ministry" (not "Private Ministry").

This is not about forcing the entire Urantia Book down the throats of the masses. It's not about "rushing" to get millions of humans to change their entire mindset instantly. That's not the point. Rather, the point is having a sustainable impact on "the world-mind" with the simple, clear and undiluted gospel teachings as presented in the Urantia Book. Many souls will be saved, healed, delivered, spiritually enlightened, uplifted... Laborers are needed in the Master’s vineyard. More people, who can devote 40 or more hours weekly are needed to take the message of love, grace and truth to the ends of the Earth.

Machiventa Melchizedek did it with his students. He had a headquarters in Salem (that is "structure" or "organization", folks). The Salem headquarters needed "funding" constantly. Remember Abraham paid tithes to Melchizedek? Jesus did a similar thing with his apostles, disciples, evangelists... They were funded as well. The Apostles couldn't work full time at a job or business. Their families had to be supported. Jesus and his inner circle had to be supported financially as well. Matthew was "the money getter". Believers gave cheerfully to Jesus' Public Ministry. Judas was the treasurer.

More light workers are needed to "GO!" - and preach the gospel of the kingdom and proclaim the saving truth that man is a son of God; to present the teachings of the kingdom in ways that can be easily understood by the common man. Jesus said "the harvest is plenteous". How do we look at this? Please, compare and contrast with the "slow growth" concept of the dissemination of the Fifth Ephocal Revelation.

Look at it this way: There may be "slow growth" with regards to people fully embracing the Fifth Ephocal Revelation and having a very good grasp of its many information. But when it comes to getting people to having a clear understanding of the "gospel message", the harvest is plenteous. We do not have to shelve the entire Urantia Book on people's laps. But we are called to work together in teams, to share the gospel message to the entire world's population.

So the question is, "Please, what is stopping us from having a sustainable impact on "the world-mind" with the simple, clear and undiluted gospel teachings as presented in the Urantia Book?" Let us strike directly for our objectives! Please, let's not make it look complicated. "Strike directly for your objectives!" 

Peace be upon us!

“Jesus continued to teach the twenty-four, saying: “...The heathen strike directly for their objectives; you are guilty of too much chronic yearning. If you desire to enter the kingdom, why do you not take it by spiritual assault even as the heathen take a city they lay siege to? ...Cease your useless yearning and go forth bravely doing that which concerns the establishment of the kingdom.” - Urantia Book 155:1.3

“And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force." - Jesus, Matthew 11:12. The violent ones take it by force - by spiritual assault! Glory!

- The Christ Michael Center, http://www.christmichaelcenter.org 

Global Gospel Outreach through Facebook Boost

Beloved, are you interested in Gospel Outreach? Through Facebook Boost (advertising) you can present the gospel to people in cities around the world or in countries around the world. Words of truth, beauty and goodness in their undiluted form can be offered to hundreds, thousands or even millions of people. It all depends on the amount of money you spend. You may spend $5, $10, $25 or more each month.

First of all, you would have to create a Facebook Like Page. And post messages: texts, pictures and/or videos there. It’s all free. You may then pick a post and “boost” it. You initiate the boost by clicking on the “Boost” icon by the post. You have the opportunity to share that post with men and women, boys and girls in a particular city or cities around the world. Also, you may choose to share using the Country option. You can select one or more countries.

Just imagine the difference we can make in the lives of people all over the world by sharing teachings from the Urantia Book. You can make a commitment of spending $10 or $25 per month. You can even spend less or more. Each month, your message may reach 5,000, 20,000 or more people. In partnership with divinity, you can bring salvation, healing, deliverance and spiritual enlightenment to your fellow brothers and sisters globally. New Urantia Book readers would most definitely be generated.

Just imagine if 1,000 readers create Facebook Like Pages and each spend $10 a month, sharing the gospel of grace and truth, in its undiluted form as presented in the Urantia Book! Each month, we will be reaching millions of people, globally! There are thirsty and hungry souls, seeking, searching, waiting for people like you and I to help them get to know of the existence of the Urantia Book. Please, stop and think about this for a minute.

If you do not wish to create a “Like” page, may I suggest to you to consider giving money to those who do? A cash donation of $5, $10 or $20 per month would go a long way in bringing salvation, spiritual growth, peace and joy to many. Through Facebook Boost, organizations like “Stories of Jesus”, “The Urantia Book Fellowship”, “The Christ Michael Center”, etc are making a remarkable impact in the lives of individuals globally. Please, consider praying for them and giving financially to them. 

Let us work together - sow seeds together. Let us allow Jesus to re-live his life through us today; to pass by our fellows, bringing gifts of love, healing, joy and spiritual power! Let us make this world a better place. 'Thank you! 

#OneLove
#GospelOutreach

"The next evening, having gathered together the twelve apostles, the apostles of John, and the newly commissioned women's group, Jesus said: "You see for yourselves that the harvest is plenteous, but the laborers are few. Let us all, therefore, pray the Lord of the harvest that he send forth still more laborers into his fields."" - Urantia Book Paper 150:4.1

"And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force." - Jesus, Matthew 11:12

Spiritual Assault

Spiritual assault is spiritual force. Spiritual assault requires spiritual valor. It requires prayers and meditations. It also requires action! Spiritual assault involves desiring a certain Kingdom-oriented outcome with all of your heart; and putting all efforts or great efforts to get it. You focus your mind on it - use the power of your mind, your thoughts and prayers.

Spiritual assault involves spiritual warfare prayers. You pray with boldness and confidence and faith. You stand strong and declare and decree prophetically. With spiritual clarity, you speak things into existence in line with the divine will.

Spiritual assault involves exercising your divinely endowed powers and authority as a faith-liberated son or daughter of God. With spiritual assault, you make things happen, in partnership with divinity. You don't sit on the sidelines... You don't ‘chicken out’. You put up a good fight - a good fight of faith! Hallelujah!

“Jesus continued to teach the twenty-four, saying: “...The heathen strike directly for their objectives; you are guilty of too much chronic yearning. If you desire to enter the kingdom, why do you not take it by spiritual assault even as the heathen take a city they lay siege to? ...Cease your useless yearning and go forth bravely doing that which concerns the establishment of the kingdom.” - Urantia Book 155:1.3

You have to strike directly for your goals and objectives. Go for it forcefully in the power of the Holy Spirit. You have to be hungry to get it or achieve it.

“And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force." - Jesus, Matthew 11:12. The violent ones take it by force - by spiritual assault! Glory!

One has to be 'violent' against evil, sin, iniquity, hindrances, obstacles, evil machinations from Lucifer and his minions.... One also has to be 'violent' - forcefully determined to ascend the progressive steps of righteousness....

A simple way to understand spiritual assault is to take a close look at these words of Jesus in the Urantia Book quote [in UB155:1.3]: "The heathen strike directly for their objectives..." We have to learn to strike directly for our spiritual goals. When you spend time reading spiritual books with an objective to feed your soul; to grow spiritually; to equip yourself with wisdom, knowledge and understanding, you are engaging in spiritual assault! When you take out time to meditate and pray, with a desire to understand who you truly are and who God really is and your place and role in the Universe, you are engaging in spiritual assault! The other day, a brother talked about proactively doing gospel outreach work. That is a goal or an objective. If he decides to actually give it a go, to do something about it - practically, and to make efforts to sustain the momentum, that is spiritual assault!

You go for it; you enter the Kingdom; you seek to have a better understanding of the Kingdom (or the Father's Fold); you make direct efforts to help others to understand as well; you boldly acknowledge all your rights and privileges as a faith-liberated son or daughter of God; you walk in the reality of your divine heritage as a member of the family of God; you allow love to flow in your heart as you bask in the fellowship of believers; you sustain the momentum... You back it all up with loving prayers and meditations. That is spiritual assault. You, “Take the Kingdom by force” - without apologies; without fear or favor; with zeal, coupled with knowledge! ...Spiritual Assault!

Go in the strength of God’s love!

Peace & goodwill to you!
The Christ Michael Center
Homepage: http://www.christmichaelcenter.org
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChristMichaelCenter
Twitter: @JesusHub

What is Salvation?

“The sufferings of Jesus were not confined to the crucifixion. In reality, Jesus of Nazareth spent upward of twenty-five years on the cross of a real and intense mortal existence. The real value of the cross consists in the fact that it was the supreme and final expression of his love, the completed revelation of his mercy.” - The Urantia Book 188:5.4

There is power in the cross to bring salvation to an individual. Why is it so? The answer is simple: In UB 188:5.4, we read, "The real value of the cross consists in the fact that it was the supreme and final expression of his love, the completed revelation of his mercy." The expression of Jesus' love and mercy, seen at the cross, is so powerful, that it pulls people to acknowledge the love of God towards them. This makes them to "surrender all" to God; to see God as a Father that loves them and would keep them in His Kingdom forever - in love, joy, peace, service, etc. This is why someone can experience salvation through the cross. The mistake some people make is this: they believe that salvation cannot happen outside the cross. 

The spiritual technique of SALVATION takes place when an individual understands and accepts the expression of God's love and mercy. Salvation is yours when you get a revelation of God's love and mercy: a revelation or understanding experience that causes you to open your heart to God, to trust Him, to welcome Him into your life; to surrender all to Him as your Father. These acts bring you to a place where you begin to see others as your brothers and sisters and you develop FAITH in your eternal salvation - that you will exist in and with God forever. Your heart becomes totally committed to doing His will. This is possible because of the GRACE of God. Herein is your salvation. And all these can occur at the cross. They can also occur without the cross or outside the cross - because the revelation of the divine love and mercy is not restricted to the cross and cross alone. 

When you understand what we are saying, you will agree that there are people, here on Earth who do not carry the tag-name, “Christian”, who are saved. Also, there are people in other planets - billions upon billions of them, who have no cross to relate to - who are also saved as well. Some of them may not even be aware that the Creator, Christ came to Earth, as Jesus. They may not know of his death on a cross. But they have the love and mercy of God to relate to. Therein is their salvation. Regardless of planet of origin, we are saved by grace, through faith, not of works - the work of sacrificing an animal, a human being or even Jesus or any other "works".

But someone may ask: Is there power in the blood of Jesus? Yes, there is power in the blood of anyone. The blood speaks. There's life in the blood. Our blood speaks everyday. It even speaks more powerfully when we die or leave our mortal bodies behind - be it a natural death or murder. When Martin Luther King Jr was killed, his blood continued to speak, even at a higher level. This led to more breakthroughs for blacks and other minorities in America. So, how much more powerful would Jesus' blood speak! So much more and more and more powerful!! Glory to God! We can understand these things if we allow Jesus' Spirit, The Spirit of Truth to teach us. Amen.