Refreshed by the Lord

One day, the Lord asked Jeremiah to take a sash and hide it under a rock. After many days, the Lord asked Jeremiah to recover the sash.

The sash was spoiled. It was no longer presentable.

The Lord compared His people to the sash. Sin had soiled and made them rotten.

The people that the Lord purchased for Himself out of Egypt and cleansed with the sacrifices of sheep and bulls were defiled. They were once His delight and His honor. He wore them close to Himself like a beautiful sash around His waist. But now, due to sin, He wanted everyone to know that He did not approve of them.

He called them to turn from sin to Him for cleansing but they refused. He allowed a foreign nation to be a scourge unto them. Babylon conquered them, killed many of them and took others captive back to Babylon.

I have attached slides from Jeremiah 13, Proverbs 2, Acts 3 and 2 Corinthians 5 to convey good news to sinners, who like me, need God’s forgiveness, and God’s Son Jesus to help me live a holy life that brings glory to God and His love to those around me. No matter how far we have fallen, if we turn back to the Lord with all our heart, He will receive us, refresh us, and make us new.

Affection Amidst Affliction

How do you feel about affliction?

David wrote, “Unless Your Law had been my delight, I would then have perished in my affliction.” [1]

Amidst affliction David experienced affection from the Lord in His Word.

Amidst affliction, David became aware of how faithful the Lord had been to him.

“I know, O Lord, that Your judgments are right, and that in faithfulness You have afflicted me.” [2]

Amidst affliction, David found hidden treasure.

“Trouble and anguish have overtaken me, yet Your commandments are my delights.” [3]

The Spirit of God came to David while others were abandoning him, and gave to him what those others, and what he himself could never have received apart from God.

“The entrance of Your Words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.” [4] The Lord says, “Turn at My rebuke; surely I will pour out My Spirit on you; I will make My Words known to you.” [5]

Amidst affliction, David experienced the Lord’s affections for him.

So, David knew to turn to the Lord and His Word for affection amidst afflictions.

“I am afflicted very much; revive me, O Lord, according to Your Word.” [6]

The Apostle Paul had similar experiences with God. He wrote, “I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and difficulties for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.” [7]

As a result of David’s experiences with God’s Word, he became jealous for it. He wrote, “Through Your precepts I get understanding; therefore, I hate every false way.” [8]

David became sensitive to how people treated God and God’s Word. He wrote, “It is time for You to act, O Lord, for they have regarded Your Law as void.” [9]

He did not want people to miss out on knowing the Lord. He testified, “Great peace have those who love Your Law, and nothing causes them to stumble.” [10]

David asked the Lord to help him so that he could continue abiding in His Word amidst affliction. “Let Your hand become my help, for I have chosen Your precepts.” [11]

During the first century AD, many people discovered as David did, that God is good. The Lord was happy to receive them into His fold... “The Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.” [12]

“Thank You Lord Jesus for showing me affection when I am afflicted. Your grace is sufficient for me. Your power has turned my darkness into light. I have power to live well. Thanks to You!”

[1] Psalm 119:92
[2] Psalm 119:75
[3] Psalm 119:143
[4] Psalm 119:130
[5] Proverbs 1:23
[6] Psalm 119:107
[7] 2 Corinthians 12:10
[8] Psalm 119:104
[9] Psalm 119:126
[10] Psalm 119:165
[11] Psalm 119:173
[12] Acts 2:47

The God who Reigns Forever

“The Lord your God is He who has fought for you.” [1]

I’m so glad that the Lord fights for me and for you. Isn‘t it encouraging to know that the God who created and sustains the whole universe is fighting for you. He is on your side. He wants you to win the battle of overcoming this world and enjoy everlasting life in His kingdom.

The Lord coaches us through His Word, saying, “Be very courageous to keep and to do all that is written in the Book of the Law of Moses, lest you turn aside from it to the right hand or to the left, and lest you go among these nations, these who remain among you. You shall not make mention of the name of their gods, nor cause anyone to swear by them; you shall not serve them nor bow down to them, but you shall hold fast to the Lord your God, as you have done to this day.” [2]

Idolatry is sneaky. It is like yeast. It only takes a little yeast to leaven the whole lump of dough. When I think of all God our Father has done for us, when I consider Jesus giving His life on the cross for us, how is it that so many Christians incorporate false stories about an easter bunny laying eggs, a fat man delivering gifts on a flying sleigh and little leprechauns doing magic? How say we one moment we love the Lord, and the next moment light up while telling falsehoods? The Lord urges you and me not to turn to the right or to the left, but to follow hard after Him and Him alone.

“The Lord has driven out from before you great and strong nations; but as for you, no one has been able to stand against you to this day. One man of you shall chase a 1,000, for the Lord your God is He who fights for you, as He promised you. Therefore take careful heed to yourselves, that you love the Lord your God.” [3]

Being loved by God and loving Him in return is the most successful strategy for productvity and meaningfulness in this world. 

We should aim to be standouts for the Lord rather than compromisers with this world. 

“Or else, if indeed you do go back, and cling to the remnant of these nations—these that remain among you—and make marriages with them, and go in to them and they to you,  know for certain that the Lord your God will no longer drive out these nations from before you. But they shall be snares and traps to you, and scourges on your sides and thorns in your eyes, until you perish from this good land which the Lord your God has given you.” [4]

A solution that is diluted is never as powerful as one that is full strength. Let us be fully strengthened by our Lord, not diluted by the deceptions that others allow into their lives.

The Lord is a jealous God. Why? Because He loves us so deeply. He has tough love. He will mete out consequences to us if we are unfaithful to Him. 

“Behold, this day I am going the way of all the earth. And you know in all your hearts and in all your souls that not one thing has failed of all the good things which the Lord your God spoke concerning you. All have come to pass for you; not one word of them has failed. Therefore it shall come to pass, that as all the good things have come upon you which the Lord your God promised you, so the Lord will bring upon you all harmful things, until He has destroyed you from this good land which the Lord your God has given you.” [5]

God keeps all His promises, even His promises to deal with us harshly if we turn our backs on Him to give honor to false gods.

God’s servant Joshua made a commitment to the Lord and he kept it. He said, “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” [6]

God’s servant David wrote, “Our God is in heaven; He does whatever He pleases. Their idols are silver and gold, the work of men’s hands. They have mouths, but they do not speak; eyes they have, but they do not see; they have ears, but they do not hear; noses they have, but they do not smell; they have hands, but they do not handle; feet they have, but they do not walk; nor do they mutter through their throat. Those who make them are like them; so is everyone who trusts in them.” [7] 

Let us shun imposters and fakes and remain steadfast and unwavering towards the real and authentic God, the One and Only Creator of the universe, the God who reigns forever.

[1] Joshua 23:3

[2] Joshua 23:6-8

[3] Joshua 23:9-11

[4] Joshua 23:12-13

[5] Joshua 23:14-15

[6] Joshua 24:15

[7] Psalm 115:3-8

A New Kind of Jonah

“So the Lord gave to Israel all the land of which He had sworn to give to their fathers, and they took possession of it and dwelt in it.” [1]

The Lord gave the children Israel land on this earth. They took ownership of it. They settled in it.

The Lord has given to us who believe in Christ the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the earnest or assurance of our inheritance until we receive what Christ purchased for us, that is, everlasting life in paradise with God. [2]

Jesus said, “The King [namely Him] shall say to them on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.’” [3]

God our Father in His abundant mercy has birthed you again into a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead to an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fades not away, reserved in heaven for you. [4]

We are joint-heirs with Christ. [5]

As it was with Israel in the days of Joshua, so it is with us who follow Jesus. “Not a word failed of any good thing which the Lord had spoken to the house of Israel. All came to pass.” [6]

Are we living like joint-heirs with Christ? Have we taken ownership of God’s promises? Have we settled in them?

Joshua told those who took ownership of land in his day, “Take careful heed to do the commandment and the Law which Moses the servant of the Lord commanded you, to love the Lord your God, to walk in all His ways, to keep His commandments, to hold fast to Him, and to serve Him with all your heart and with all your soul.” [7]

We have a great God and a great inheritance! We should love and walk with Him.

The Psalmist wrote, “From the rising of the sun to its going down the Lord’s Name is to be praised. The Lord is high above all nations, His glory above the heavens. Who is like the Lord our God, who dwells on high, who humbles Himself to behold the things that are in the heavens and in the earth? He raises the poor out of the dust, and lifts the needy out of the ash heap, that He may seat him with princes—with the princes of His people. He grants the barren woman a home, like a joyful mother of children. Praise the Lord!” [8]

Praising the Lord is a sign that we have taken ownership of our inheritance and have settled in it. We believe that the Lord shall raise us up out of the dust and seat us with all who have gone before us, even with the saints in heaven!

A little over four months ago, our son and our daughter-in-law gave birth to our twelfth grandchild, a grandson, whom they named Jonah. In light of my great delight in Jonah, the name Jonah now stands out to me in the Scripture.

Simon Peter was the son of a man named Jonah. Jesus addresses Peter as the son of Jonah five times in the Gospel: when they first meet; after Peter professes that Jesus is the Son of God; and three times when Jesus asked Peter to feed His sheep and lambs. Jesus said to Peter that feeding His sheep and lambs would involve loss of control of where he would live and what he would wear. Peter would need to become a new kind of Jonah. A Jonah who preferred to follow the Lord than to serve his own preferences! [9]

The reference to Jonah is significant because in the Old Testament, the Prophet Jonah, refused to follow the Lord when the Lord called him to preach to foreigners. That is, until the Lord put Jonah through some trials. Afterwards, Jonah followed the Lord, and an entire city of pagans turned to the Lord in repentance and faith. [10]

The Lord has given us an eternal inheritance in His kingdom. Let us take ownership of it with our minds and attitudes. Let us settle into this promise by doing the work of feeding others with the Gospel... following in the footsteps of our Good Shepherd.

[1] Joshua 21:43
[2] Ephesians 1:13-14
[3] Matthew 25:34
[4] 1 Peter 1:3-5
[5] Romans 8:17
[6] Joshua 21:45
[7] Joshua 22:5
[8] Psalm 113:3-9
[9] John 1:42; 21:15-19; Matthew 16:17
[10] Jonah 1-3

Your Heavenly Father Loves You

Our Heavenly Father loves us. He does not take the lion’s share of the family’s goods and spend the goods on selfish pleasures. Some earthly fathers drink the family’s income away. Some gamble it away. Some betray the family by forsaking them to join themselves with a stranger. Some are just self-absorbed with personal interests or hobbies around the home and do not give their family members any loving attention.

Our Heavenly Father is not like so many heads of nations who steal from the national treasuries to provide for themselves every kind of fleshly pleasure while many in their nation suffer from deprivation of basic necessities. How many wars? How many line items on national budgets are money laundering schemes to line the pockets of the heads of nations?

Our Heavenly Father is not like them. He knows how many hairs are on our heads. He promises to provide food and clothes for us as we prioritize receiving and implementing instruction and guidance from Him. He keeps His promises.

“Seek first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” [1]

Our Heavenly Father paid off our sin debt. We all have sinned against God, against people and against ourselves. Our Heavenly Father provided His own sinless Son as a sacrifice for our sins. Jesus willingly gave up His life on the cross, like a lamb to the slaughter, for our atonement, that is to blot out the criminal charges of sin against us so that our Heavenly Father could justly pardon our sins and remember them no more. Praise the Lord!

I am amazed how God our Father provided detailed descriptions about the Messiah’s story hundreds of years before He arrived to confirm to us that Jesus is the Messiah that He sent.

For example, when the Roman soldiers took the garments of Jesus and tore the garments into four parts, one part for each solder. Then, cast lots for the tunic. These are exact details of what happened on crucifixion day. “...that the Scripture might be fulfilled which says: ‘They divided My garments among them, and for My clothing they cast lots.’ Therefore the soldiers did these things.” [2]

This passage also alludes to the fame of Jesus. Great crowds had followed Him. King Herod had wanted to see Jesus. The religious authorities crucified Jesus due to their jealousy of Him. Four soldiers wanted His clothing and each one got a piece. But as to His tunic, they gambled for it rather than tear it apart.

The burial of Jesus by a rich man fulfilled a prophesy spoken by the prophet Isaiah. Joseph of Arimathea asked the Roman Governor for the body of Jesus. And another rich man, Nicodemus, provided special spices for the burial of Jesus. They placed His body into a walk-in tomb rather than burying it in the ground. This way, Jesus did not need to ascend from underneath dirt, He could just sit up and return to the land of the living easily. [3]

Jesus resurrected from the dead. He ate with His disciples and they touched Him to confirm that He was not a ghost. Over 500 witness saw Jesus at one time. He walked among people for forty days, and then, ascended to heaven. He will return again. [4]

“What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for us all—how will He not also, along with Him, graciously give us all things? [5]

The key to receiving from our Heavenly Father is to trust in Him. To believe He is a much better father than any earthly father. And then to ask Him plain and simple for help.

“If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!” [6]

The Father’s good things include more than food, clothing, shelter and protection. He also assures us that He sees us, delights in us and that He loves us.

[1] Matthew 6:33
[2] John 19:23-24
[3] John 19:38-42
[4] 1 Corinthians 15:3-9; Luke 24:41-43; John 20:27; Acts 1:3, 11
[5] Romans 8:31-32
[6] Matthew 7:11

Food for the Soul

Jesus told the Roman Governor, “Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.” [1] John 18:37

The truth is good whereas lies are not. God’s Word is truth.

One truth vital truth to know is that God is God and we are not.

“Serve the Lord with gladness; come before His presence with singing. Know that the Lord, He is God; it is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; we are His people and the sheep of His pasture.” [2]

The Lord cares for His followers as a good shepherd cares for His sheep. He leads us into green pastures. Green pastures, spiritually speaking, are full of helpful truths, whereas weed patches are full of harmful lies.

The Good Shepherd turns the homes of His sheep into spiritually healthy environments.

“I will walk within my house with a perfect heart. I will set nothing wicked before my eyes; I hate the work of those who fall away; it shall not cling to me. A perverse heart shall depart from me; I will not know wickedness. Whoever secretly slanders his neighbor, him I will destroy; the one who has a haughty look and a proud heart, him I will not endure. My eyes shall be on the faithful of the land, that they may dwell with me; he who walks in a perfect way, he shall serve me. He who works deceit shall not dwell within my house; he who tells lies shall not continue in my presence.” [3]

The Good Shepherd makes our home a holy place where we enjoy fellowship with God. He steers us clear from wicked images. Helps us avoid perversity and slander. For example, He helped me to discern that some news proclaimers speak slander fluently, and to avoid them. He helps me to detect and turn from human arrogance. He provides for me faithful servants like Christian movies, travel and nature videos, good preachers and good worship musicians and singers. When I fail to make the healthy choices, He accepts my repentance and renews in me an appetite for what is best for my soul.

One day soon, this current world’s behavior towards God will change. In that day, “The nations shall fear the Name of the Lord, and all the kings of the earth Your glory.” [4]

There is hatred in the world, but the Lord is able and willing to deliver us from people who hate.

“He saved them from the hand of him who hated them and redeemed them from the hand of the enemy.” [5]

The Good Shepherd reminds us to continue to praise Him when all is well. The Bible tells us that Israel, “Soon forgot His works; they did not wait for His counsel, but lusted exceedingly in the wilderness, and tested God in the desert. And He gave them their request but sent leanness into their soul.” [6]

The Lord helps me to discern the difference between food that feeds my flesh and food that feeds my soul. I have enjoyed delicious food at times, but during these seasons also experienced leanness of soul. The more I fill-up on God’s Word, the more I pray, the less I desire harmful food.

“He satisfies the longing soul and fills the hungry soul with goodness.” [7]

“He sent His Word, healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.” [8]

Meditating on the Word day and night does transform our lives and make them richer.

“Through God we will do valiantly, for it is He who shall tread down our enemies.” [9]

We should not shun our Good Shepherd’s guidance but cherish it. He offers us guidance because He loves us and wants to keep our soul well fed and safe from destruction. Below are some final words from the book of wisdom – Proverbs.

“One who turns away his ear from hearing the Law, even his prayer is an abomination. Whoever causes the upright to go astray in an evil way, he himself will fall into his own pit; but the blameless will inherit good.” [10]

“He who covers his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy. Happy is the man who is always reverent, but he who hardens his heart will fall into calamity.” [11]

“He, who is of a proud heart, stirs up strife, but he who trusts in the Lord will be prospered.” [12]

[1] John 18:37
[2] Psalm 100:2-3
[3] Psalm 101:2-7
[4] Psalm 102:15
[5] Psalm 106:10
[6] Psalm 106:13-15
[7] Psalm 107:9
[8] Psalm 107:20
[9] Psalm 108:13
[10] Proverbs 28:9-10
[11] Proverbs 28:13-14
[12] Proverbs 28:25

Knowing God

“This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.” [1]

Know God and know His Messiah, His Son Christ, this is the essence or ingredients of eternal life for me and for you.

“Everybody ought to know who Jesus is” are the words of a Christian song.

Jesus manifested the Name of Messiah to the men that the Father gave to Him. The Name was His Name: Jesus! The disciples kept Jesus’s Word. Treasured it! Committed to live by them.

This is what Jesus prayed to the Father, “I have manifested Your Name to the men whom You have given Me out of the world. They were Yours, You gave them to Me, and they have kept Your Word. Now they have known that all things which You have given Me are from You. For I have given to them the Words which You have given Me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came forth from You; and they have believed that You sent Me.” [2]

Jesus manifested His Name to them, just as He manifests His Name to us today. Jesus brings us to the place where we KNOW that what He teaches us is of God. He works with us until we are sure that He came forth from God and that He is God’s Messiah. This is called saving faith.

Jesus prayed for us who believe in Him based on the written testimonies of His prophets and apostles in the Bible. His prayer for us is for oneness. Oneness with God! That is knowing God!

“I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their Word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.” [3]

Our close walk with God... our rich relationship with Him from which we derive His love, His joy, His peace, His patience, His forgiveness, His gentleness, and the blessed assurance of everlasting life, helps the world to believe that God did send Jesus, and that He alone is Messiah and Savior.

“Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory which You have given Me; for You loved Me before the foundation of the world.” [4]

Jesus wants us to be with Him in glory. To see Him in the place where He was loved before the world was founded! To live in the place where all His values are the values!

“O righteous Father! The world has not known You, but I have known You; and these have known that You sent Me. And I have declared to them Your Name, and will declare it, that the love with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them.” [5]

“That the love with which You loved Me may be in them.” It is in the Trinity that we are completed. We cannot love as God’s loves apart from knowing God and having His help. We learn from the Father, Son and Holy Spirit how to be persons in community. With differing functions but ONE in heart, mind and soul working in ONE accord. It is in the Father, Son and Holy Spirit that our original personhood, who we were meant to be, is fulfilled.

[1] John 17:3
[2] John 17:6-8
[3] John 17:20-23
[4] John 17:24
[5] John 17:25-26

Don’t Gamble with God – Know Him

Meeting God does not happen by chance. It’s not like Russian roulette or a role of the dice. One in a thousand meets Him! It is 100% sure to happen.

The Lord says, “Prepare to meet your God.” [1]

The Lord says, “God exalted Him [Jesus Christ] to the highest place and gave Him the Name that is above every name, that at the Name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” [2]

You will meet a specific God. The God of the Bible! Every knee will bow and every tongue will profess that Jesus Christ is Lord. That means yours too. This will happen. 100%!

So, why push thoughts of meeting God to the back burner? Like that project that you are dragging your feet to finish? This is about your eternity. Don’t gamble on it working out without paying attention to the seriousness of the matter. You will stand before God. Prioritize knowing and walking with God above all else.

Jesus said, “I tell you the truth.” That is what Jesus does. He is the truth-teller.

He tells you the truth about God and eternity. He does so now via His Holy Spirit and the Bible. Both the Spirit and the Bible are necessary because only with the Spirit’s help can you correctly interpret and understand the Bible.

Jesus said, “I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you.” [3]

The Helper is the Holy Spirit of God. What does the Spirit do for you? He convicts you of the sin of not believing in Jesus because Jesus is the only One who saves from hell. He convicts you of judgment because the ruler of this present world [Satan] is judged. Satan’s kingdom on earth shall end when Jesus returns. The Holy Spirit convicts you of what is right because Jesus is not walking physically before you as He did with His disciples. [4]

Jesus described God’s Spirit as the Spirit of truth who guides you into all truth. The Bible is the truth, so the Holy Spirit helps you to understand and believe the Bible. He helps you to glorify Jesus because Jesus is the key to heaven’s door. You must believe in Jesus to enter His kingdom.

Jesus said, “When He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. He will glorify Me...” [5]

The Holy Spirit only speaks what the Bible says.

God doesn’t want you to go through life wondering if He will accept you or reject you when you die and stand before Him. He wants you to know Him now by His Spirit and by His Word [the Bible].

Please read carefully the following Bible verses and understand that God wants you to KNOW Him and KNOW the things that pertain to His kingdom.

“’What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived’—the things God has prepared for those who love Him—these are the things God has revealed to us by His Spirit.”

“The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. For who knows a person’s thoughts except their own spirit within them? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. What we have received is not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may understand what God has freely given us. This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, explaining spiritual realities with Spirit-taught words. The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit.” [6]

See, you need a spiritual relationship with God via His Spirit and His Word the Bible. God, the Holy Spirit, is your teacher and guide. Yes, listen to others who profess and teach you from the Bible about Jesus Christ, but also take time to read the Bible by yourself. Pray for the Holy Spirit to help you understand it correctly and to believe what you are reading. The most important factor is faith. You must believe in God and believe what Jesus says to you in the Bible to be saved.

Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” [7]

Don’t stay distant from God and gamble that somehow He will save you though you never invested time, energy and resources in getting to KNOW Him. KNOW Him! Seek Him!

The Lord says, “You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart.” [8]

[1] Amos 4:12
[2] Philippians 2:9-11
[3] John 16:7
[4] See John 16:8-10
[5] John 16:13-14
[6] 1 Corinthians 2:9-14
[7] John 14:6
[8] Jeremiah 29:13

Rejoice The Lord Reigns!

“Rejoice in the Lord, you righteous, and give thanks at the remembrance of His holy Name.” [1]

Rejoice in who? The Lord! Who may rejoice in Him? The righteous! Give thanks for what? For the remembrance of the Lord’s Name. His Name (Jesus) means salvation.

Sing to the Lord what? A new song! Why? The Lord has made known to you His salvation. He has revealed His righteousness (Jesus) to the nations. He has spread His good news to all the earth. Therefore, we should shout joyfully to whom? To the Lord! We should break forth to God in songs of praise! Sing to God with what? With instruments! With what kind of instruments? Stringed instruments and horns! Clap! Clap to who? Clap to the Lord! Why? He is coming to judge the world with righteousness – to make all things new and right. [2]

“...Let the earth be moved! Let them praise Your great and awesome Name—He is holy.” [3]

Yes, be moved, be moved everyone to praise the great Name of the Lord! He is coming!

“Moses and Aaron were among His priests, and Samuel was among those who called upon His Name; they called upon the Lord, and He answered them. He spoke to them in the cloudy pillar. They kept His testimonies and the ordinance He gave them.” [4]

Let us join with those stalwarts of the faith who have gone before us in praying for people, sharing testimonies about the Lord, and in taking orders from our God.

“You answered them, O Lord our God. You were to them God-Who-Forgives, though You took vengeance on their deeds. Exalt the Lord our God, and worship at His holy hill; for the Lord, our God is holy.” [5]

Praise the Lord for His forgiveness. We have all failed Him miserably, but He has been very merciful to us. But let’s not focus on ourselves. Let’s focus on the Lord! For HE IS HOLY! He deserves our worship! Glory be to the Lord our God! He reigns!

[1] Psalm 97:12
[2] Based on Psalm 98:1-8
[3] Psalm 99:1, 3
[4] Psalm 99:6-7
[5] Psalm 99:8-9

I Am With You

The Prophet Jeremiah warned his generation to turn back to God to avert being destroyed by Babylon. Jesus warned the people during His days on earth to turn to faith in Him to avert being destroyed eternally by hell.

“But the sons of the kingdom [who should have believed in Jesus Messiah but did not] will be thrown into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” [1]

Jesus uses the phrase “weeping and gnashing of teeth” in parables about the final judgment.

In the parable of the wedding feast, a guest who is not properly dressed is thrown into outer darkness, where “there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” [2]

The raiment he needed was the righteousness of Christ which God imputes to those who believe in His Son Jesus Christ.

Though invited to the wedding feast to be with God and His people, we must not think the invitation by itself saves us. We need a personal relationship with Jesus. We are not invited to the wedding banquet of God’s Son because we are better than others. On the contrary, we who enter, do so, because the Holy Spirit mercifully moved us to give our lives to Jesus knowing that without Him we would be lost.

Jesus also spoke of the wicked and worthless servant, who is cast into outer darkness with weeping and gnashing of teeth in Matthew 24:51 and 25:30.

Jesus said, “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” [3]

The devil wants us to doubt God’s Word just as our first parents Adam and Eve did. He doesn’t want us to be in paradise with God. He wants us to be in outer darkness with him. Jesus does want us to be with Him in paradise. He told the believing thief, the one who died next to Him on the cross, “Assuredly, I say to you, today, you will be with me in paradise.” [4]

So, the Church's calling today is great. We are called to...

“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I [Jesus] have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Amen.” [5]

In other words, we are to help people believe in Christ so that they shall be saved.

Jeremiah protested against God’s calling at first. He said, “Ah, Lord God! Behold, I cannot speak, for I am a youth.” But the Lord told Jeremiah the same remedy for speaking and teaching that He tell us in Matthew 28:20, namely, “I am with you.” [6]

[1] Matthew 8:12
[2] Matthew 22:13
[3] John 10:10
[4] Luke 23:43
[5] Jeremiah 1:6, 8
[6] Matthew 28:19-20

How Much Longer - He is Worthy

The prophets Isaiah, Jeremiah and Ezekiel compare God's people with vines that He planted, but in whom He was disappointed because they produced idolatry and immorality. As a result, He winnowed them, scattering them to foreign lands. The goal was to prune foolishness and wildness from them and restore them to producing the kind of fruit that He created them to produce. [1]

John the Baptist and Jesus also spoke like this. Please see the attached pictures.

I am praying for the fruit of repentance in our nation and around the world. I don't know how much longer the Lord will patiently endure the kinds of pursuits people are devoting their passions and energies toward. I know that the Lord is worthy to be loved, honored and served.

It is better to be sent out by Christ as His ambassadors to lead the nations with joy and worship of God than to be scattered due to shattering from internal strife and moral decay.

[1] Isaiah 5:1-7, Jeremiah 2:21, and Ezekiel 15:1-8

Live To Love

“Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints.” [1]

When a person lays down his or her life for another, it is precious in God’s eyes.

It is divine! God created us to love as Jesus loves.

Jesus knew that the Chief Priests and Scribes were plotting to kill Him, but He kept on loving.

“The chief priests plotted to put Lazarus to death also, because on account of him many of the Jews went away and believed in Jesus.” [2]

The “also” refers to Jesus. Jesus had raised Lazarus from the dead. The Chief Priests and Scribes wanted to eliminate both Jesus and the man that He resurrected from the dead (Lazarus).

Jesus willingly died for our salvation.

Judas Iscariot, on the other hand, was willing to let others die for the sake of money.

Profiteering from the death of others is a very horrible lifestyle. 

Judas betrayed Jesus for 30 pieces of silver. He did not crucify his flesh for the sake of loving Christ or others. Satan led him away from Jesus, and when the devil no longer needed him, he led Judas to hang himself.

Jesus said, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain. He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.” [3]

Again, precious in the eyes of the Lord is the death of His saints.

By His death and resurrection, Jesus made atonement for the sins of the world. [4]

Sin in your life is the legal grounds by which Satan claims you belong to him. When you ask God to forgive your sins for the sake of Jesus who died on the cross for your salvation, God forgives you and the devil has no more legal claim to you. You are set free from sin, Satan and death. “Whom the Son makes free is free indeed.” [5]

In lieu of His eminent death and resurrection, Jesus said, “’Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world [Satan] will be cast out [Satan has been cast out from the lives of many by Jesus]. And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself.’ This He said, signifying by what death He would die.” [6]

The proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus’ death and resurrection has brought many to salvation.

The death Jesus died was real. It was painful!

“You have laid Me in the lowest pit, in darkness, in the depths. Your wrath lies heavy upon Me, and You have afflicted Me with all Your waves. Selah You have put away My acquaintances far from Me; You have made Me an abomination to them; I am shut up, and I cannot get out.” [7]

The resurrection of Jesus was real. It was a pleasure!

“For You will not leave My soul in Sheol, nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption. You will show Me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” [8]

Don’t let praise from self-serving people keep you from giving your praise to the Lord!

“Nevertheless even among the rulers many believed in Him, but because of the Pharisees they did not confess Him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue; for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.” [9]

Be focused like a laser, like Jesus, on completing the mission God has given to you.

“For I have not spoken on My own authority; but the Father who sent Me gave Me a command, what I should say and what I should speak. And I know that His command is everlasting life. Therefore, whatever I speak, just as the Father has told Me, so I speak.” [10]

“A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, loving favor rather than silver and gold.” [11]

The good Name is the Name of Jesus. The loving favor that is better than silver or gold is God’s favor. By God’s grace are you saved. [12]

“The mouth of an immoral woman is a deep pit; he who is abhorred by the Lord will fall there.” [13]

Immorality is not an idyllic lifestyle; it is an indictment. It is a sign of one’s need for God’s grace. His forgiveness! His salvation! His Holy Spirit’s infilling! The power not to use people, but to lay down your life for them is Christ in you the hope of glory! Praise God!

[1] Psalm 116:15
[2] John 12:10-11
[3] John 12:24-25
[4] John 1:29; 1 John 2:2
[5] John 8:36
[6] John 12:31-32
[7] Psalm 88:6-8
[8] Psalm 16:10-11
[9] John 12:42-43
[10] John 12:49-50
[11] Proverbs 22:1
[12] Ephesians 2:8
[13] Proverbs 22:14

The Lord Will Do Wonders Among You

“And Joshua said to the people, ‘Sanctify yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you.’” [1]

With the Lord every day is a day of wonders. He only does wondrous things. So, let us daily sanctify ourselves, that is, set ourselves aside, and let the Lord have the driver’s seat.

“The Lord said to Joshua, ‘This day I will begin to exalt you in the sight of all Israel, that they may know that, as I was with Moses, so I will be with you.’” [2]

The Lord made the difference in Moses and Joshua. He led. They followed.

“Joshua said, ‘By this you shall know that the living God is among you...’” [3]

Joshua went on to tell the people of the miracles that God was about to do. The Lord was going before them to make their path to victories smooth.

“The Lord of all the earth, shall rest in the waters of the Jordan, that the waters of the Jordan shall be cut off, the waters that come down from upstream, and they shall stand as a heap.” [4]

Imagine that! God rests in the Jordan River, and His invisible presence forms a dam to keep back the waters of the river from flowing downstream. What would have required much work for men to do, God accomplished by just resting.

“On that day the Lord exalted Joshua in the sight of all Israel; and they feared him, as they had feared Moses, all the days of his life.” [5]

People don’t tend to do what they are supposed to do. They need incentives to do what is right. Like a police car on the side of the road to get the speeders to slow down. The Lord was with Joshua. The people were like, “God is backing up Joshua. We better listen and follow him.”

“That all the peoples of the earth may know the hand of the Lord, that it is mighty, that you may fear the Lord your God forever.” [6]

The goal of these miracles and blessings was to help earth’s people know and fear the Lord.

The Lord led Joshua. He met with Joshua and introduced Himself to Joshua “as Commander of the army of the Lord I have now come.” What was Joshua’s response to meeting the Lord? “Joshua fell on his face to the earth and worshiped, and said to Him, “What does my Lord say to His servant?” [7]

The Lord gave Joshua the prescription for taking down the mighty kingdom of Jericho. The plan included marching around the city once a day for six days, and then, on the seventh day to march around the city seven times and blow seven trumpets. The people were to shout, and the kingdom would collapse before them. [8]

When the Lord Jesus takes over this world, He has seven angels blow seven trumpets. “Then the seventh angel sounded: And there were loud voices [a shout] in heaven, saying, ‘The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!’” [9]

It turns out that Joshua is a type of Jesus, and that Jericho is a type of the evil empires of this world, and that the Israelites inheriting the kingdoms they conquer is a type of the saints being given the kingdoms of this world by our Commander and Chief King Jesus.

“I will hear what God the Lord will speak, for He will speak peace to His people and to His saints; but let them not turn back to folly.” [10] It is folly not to listen to the voice the Lord. He leads His listeners to victories and great blessings. He only does wondrous things!

“Among the gods there is none like You, O Lord; nor are there any works like Your works. All nations whom You have made shall come and worship before You, O Lord, and shall glorify Your Name. For You are great and do wondrous things; You alone are God.” [11]

“ Both the singers and the players on instruments say, ‘All my springs are in you.’” [12]

“There is no wisdom or understanding or counsel against the Lord. The horse is prepared for the day of battle, but deliverance is of the Lord.” [13]

“Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus.” He said to her, “Did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?” [14]

God loves all people, but He especially loves the ones who love and trust Him in return.

[1] Joshua 3:5
[2] Joshua 3:8
[3] Joshua 3:10
[4] Joshua 3:13
[5] Joshua 4:14
[6] Joshua 4:24
[7] Joshua 5:14
[8] Joshua 6:1-5
[9] Revelation 11:15
[10] Psalm 85:8
[11] Psalm 86:8-10
[12] Psalm 87:7
[13] Proverbs 21:30-31
[14] John 11:5; 40

Kiss The Son

“I and My Father are One.”

“Then the Jews took up stones again to stone Him. Jesus answered them, ‘Many good works I have shown you from My Father. For which of those works do you stone Me?’ The Jews answered Him, saying, ‘For a good work we do not stone You, but for blasphemy, and because You, being a man, make Yourself GOD.’” [1]

“Then [different occasion] Jesus said to the twelve, ‘Do you also want to go away?’ But Simon Peter answered Him, ‘LORD, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. Also we have come to believe and know that You are THE CHRIST, the SON of the living GOD.’”

“HE [Jesus Christ] is the image of the invisible GOD, the firstborn over all creation. For by HIM all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones, dominions, principalities, or powers. ALL THINGS were created through HIM and for HIM. And HE is before all things, and IN HIM ALL THINGS CONSIST. And HE is the HEAD of the body, the Church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that IN ALL THINGS HE may HAVE the PREEMINENCE.” [3]

“Now therefore, be wise, O kings; be instructed, you judges of the earth. Serve the LORD with fear and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the SON, lest He be angry, and you perish in the way, when His wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all those who put their trust in Him.” [4]

JESUS is the SON who is the LORD. Thus, when, we hear a call to kiss HIM, it means to bow in reverence and love before the Sovereign KING of KINGS, JESUS, the SON of GOD. On the other hand, if we get too full of ourselves, and scoff at serving the SON, “kissing” [worshipping] toward HIM, if we seek our own glory, then we will ultimately perish in our sin.

Only the Lord saves. He is the Savior.

“Our God is the God of salvation; and to God the Lord belong escapes from death.” [5]

[1] John 10:30-33
[2] John 6:67-69
[3] Colossians 1:15-18
[4] Psalm 2:10-12
[5] Psalm 68:20

A New and Better Covenant

In lieu of both Israelite and Christian failure to keep the first covenant God made with people, that is, the commandments that God gave to Moses, I rejoice all the more in the new and better covenant that God made with us in His Son Jesus Christ.

The new covenant involves one Lamb who made one sacrifice and through faith in Him, all our sins are forgiven.

The new covenant involves the Law written in our hearts by the indwelling and abiding Holy Spirit.

The New Covenant focuses on the blood of Jesus as our blessed assurance of God’s forgiveness.

On the night that He was betrayed, Jesus, “took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, ‘Drink from it, all of you. For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.’” [1]

The new covenant is about being forgiven, accepted, approved and adopted by God in His family via faith in His Son Jesus Christ. Jesus is the Lamb who took away the sin of the world. [2]

Jesus is also our High Priest. He is the head of Messianic Israel and of Christianity. He is the final word on what is right and wrong, and what is holy and what is unholy. No other person has the right to negate or altar what He teaches us in His Word. He is alive! He is the Chief Shepherd! All of us who speak and act on the Word of God need to be in an interactive relationship with God’s High Priest, His Son, Jesus Christ, by His indwelling Holy Spirit.

Our High Priest “is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens, a Minister of the sanctuary and of the true tabernacle which the Lord erected, and not man.” [3]

The literal meaning of tabernacle in the original language is a dwelling place.

The new covenant involves our Lord Jesus making tabernacles of those who believe in Him. The Holy Spirit fills and abides in us who believe in Christ.

Jesus Christ is the “Mediator of a better covenant” “established on better promises” than the one that God made with Moses. [4]

Our Lord Jesus fulfilled the promise God made to Israel in the days of Jeremiah. “Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah—not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they did not continue in My covenant, and I disregarded them, says the Lord.” [5]

“The covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put My laws in their mind and write them on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. None of them shall teach his neighbor, and none his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for all shall know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them. For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more.” [6]

We “know the Lord” because He has given us His Holy Spirit, and His Spirit helps us to understand God and to understand God’s Word.

The Holy Spirit helps us to pray. He helps us to communicate back and forth with God. [7]

“As it is written: ‘Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.’ But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God.” [8]

So, each of us who have entered the new covenant given to us by Christ have left behind trying to relate with God on a failed intellectual level only. We rely Christ’s blood for cleansing of our sin and on His Spirit to relate with God in a personal way.

This is the new covenant of Christ which makes our of us a new people that serve God in amazing ways.

“If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” [9]

[1] Matthew 26:27-28
[2] John 1:29
[3] Hebrews 8:1-2
[4] Hebrews 8:6
[5] Hebrews 8:8-9
[6] Hebrews 8:10-12; Jeremiah 31:31-34
[7] Romans 8:26; 8:14
[8] 1 Corinthians 2:9-10
[9] 2 Corinthians 5:17

The Covenant To Love

One way to express for love for God is by praising Him. Moses sang: “Ascribe greatness to our God. He is the Rock, His work is perfect; for all His ways are just, a God of truth and without injustice; righteous and upright is He.” [1]

Another way to express love for God is to keep His commandments.

The Lord calls His commandments a covenant. “These are the words of the covenant which the Lord commanded Moses to make with the children of Israel in the land of Moab, besides the covenant which He made with them in Horeb.” [2]

God’s commandments are a holy place where He meets with us and we meet with Him. God cannot sin so He cannot partake in sin with us, but He can fellowship with us when we are walking in His ways. Jesus said, “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.” [3]

Keeping God’s commandments is about love. John wrote, “By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep His commandments.” [4]

God’s covenant is a covenant to love. Just like a marriage covenant! To love, honor and cherish! Jesus said that all the Law and the Prophets hang on the two commandments to love God and love one’s neighbor. [5]

So, how do divine consequences for sin fit into this equation? Sin is the rejection of love for God and love for others. Curses on sin can be compared with signs of being on the wrong path. God in His love for us provides for us signs to exit from the highway to hell.

God’s Word is a sign to exit from the highway to hell. When God blesses us with the opportunity to hear His Word, He is giving us a sign to exit from the highway to hell.

God’s Spirit urges us to exit from the highway to hell. The Holy Spirit bears witness to Word of God and the testimony of Jesus. He gives us an inner witness that what God is telling us is right.

God gives His angels charge over us to protect us in all our ways. For example, when Balaam made a bad decision to use his prophetic gift to gain worldly wealth, God placed in angel in the middle of his road to convict him of his crime. Sadly, Balaam wanted to stay on the highway to hell, so God let him continue on that road. Balaam was eventually executed. The Apostle Peter compares false teachers to Balaam, “who loved the wages of wickedness.” [6]

The Bible says, “Whom the Lord loves He chastens, and scourges every son whom He receives.” [7]

God compared Israel’s worship of false gods with the sin of adultery. He compared His sending Israel away into exile with a divorce. [8]

God removed lesser blessings to induce a greater blessing, namely, Israel came back to God with their whole heart. “Then, I will give them a heart to know Me, that I am the Lord; and they shall be My people, and I will be their God, for they shall return to Me with their whole heart.” [9]

I have attached slides that summarize the blessings of God on covenant keepers and the curses of God on covenant breakers.

I have attached slides that compare the curses of Law listed in Leviticus and the curses listed in Revelation.

God has not changed in regards to His desire for His people to be covenant keepers, but He has sent His Son, Jesus Christ, into the world to bear the curses we deserve, so that whosoever believes in Jesus Christ, can have His perfect obedience to the Law placed in their account, and live under the blessings of a covenant keeper.

I have attached slides that testify from the Scripture that Jesus Christ took the curses of the Law that we deserve so that we can receive the blessings of the Law that we do not deserve by faith in Him.

The Gospel is God’s ultimate message of love for us and His desire to bring us to Him.

“For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. [10]

[1] Deuteronomy 32:3-4
[2] Deuteronomy 29:1
[3] John 14:15
[4] 1 John 5:2
[5] Matthew 22:40
[6] Psalm 91:11; Numbers 22:21-35, 31:8; 2 Peter 2:15
[7] Hebrews 12:6
[8] Jeremiah 3:8
[9] Jeremiah 24:7
[10] Romans 5:6-8

I appreciate the testimony of Johnny Chang. He explains the connection between love and the commandments very well. I have attached the link to his testimony below:

 https://youtu.be/NP8ixeAN7XQ?si=ep1QgNdWN8nnePRF

The Truth Shall Make You Free

The Lord gave revelation to Moses of blessings and curses. Blessings to those who live according to His commandments and curses to those who do not. You can read these revelations in Deuteronomy 27-29.

There are doctrines in the fields of medicine, science, philosophy, politics and false religions that deny and denounce God’s Word, the Bible, in regards to the root causes of calamities and cures, but that their lack of understanding, knowledge, wisdom and discernment does not negate the truth that God has given us. The entire Bible from Genesis to Revelation testifies to the truth that God blesses and curses according to what He teaches in the Bible.

I am developing 52 videos on this topic that I hope to publish by or before January 1, 2026.

Discipleship is vital. Jesus called us His followers to make disciples of all nations. We are to teach them to obey all that He has commanded us. There are blessings to be received and curses to be avoided. The main point, however, is a personal relationship with God. God’s commandments are the common ground in which He walks with us and we with Him.

At the end of each our lives, we will meet God. “At the Name of Jesus every knee shall bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; and every tongue shall confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” [1]

Jesus has urged us, “Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life, which the Son of Man will give you, because God the Father has set His seal on Him.” [2]

The work God expects us to do is to believe in Jesus. “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent.” [3]

Jesus pointed us in the right direction when He said, “My Father gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is He who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” [4]

God is the source of accurate knowledge, wisdom, understanding and discernment. He gives us life-flowing revelation through His Son Jesus. Jesus is called the Word of God. His Word is Him, and He is His Word.

Jesus testified, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst.” [5] He is speaking here of spiritual sustenance to keep our soul alive and well.

“This is the will of the Father who sent Me, that of all He has given Me I should lose nothing but should raise it up at the last day. And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day.” [6] Jesus is Wonder Bread. He gives everlasting life to those who partake of Him.

Jesus said, “It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life.” [7] He is willing to give the bread of His Word, the bread of Himself, the revelation of Himself, to whosoever believes in Him.

Peter was one of Jesus’ disciples. He professed, “You [Jesus] have the words of eternal life. Also we have come to believe and know that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” [8]

Peter’s profession of faith is the song of overcomers of the world’s deception and exploitation.

John was one of Jesus’ disciples. He professed, “Everyone born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world: our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.” [9]

The key work of the Church and the key mission of the Lord’s disciples is to teach the world the truth about God, and the truth about themselves, because Jesus said, “You shall know the truth and truth shall make you free.” [10]

[1] Philippians 2:10-11
[2] John 6:27
[3] John 6:29
[4] John 6:32-33
[5] John 6:35
[6] John 6:39-40
[7] John 6:63
[8] John 6:68-69
[9] 1 John 5:4-5
[10] John 8:32

 

A Song is Better than Sacrifice

“I will praise the Name of God with a song and will magnify Him with thanksgiving. This also shall please the Lord better than an ox or bull, which has horns and hooves.” [1]

Think about it! Would you rather have a relationship with a disappointing person who is always apologizing to you, or a relationship with someone who praises you, and is grateful for you?

Don’t get me wrong, we all need the Lord’s sacrifice on the cross to atone for our sins. But let us press on into praising His Name. Singing God love songs! Magnifying and giving Him thanks!

Our God raises the dead! Praise the Lord!

Jesus said, “As the Father raises the dead and gives life to them, even so the Son gives life to whom He will.” [2] Jesus resurrected from the dead. He also resurrected dead people back to life: Jairus’ daughter, the widow of Nain’s son, and His friend Lazarus, just to name a few.

Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.” [3]

The composer of sweet songs of praise to God wrote, “Our God is the God of salvation; and to God the Lord belong escapes from death.” [4]

This same Psalmist wrote, “You have ascended on high You have led captivity captive; You have received gifts among men, even from the rebellious, that the Lord God might dwell there.” [5]

Jesus Christ ascended on high. He captured my captor, namely rebellion. My rebellious nature was a cruel jailer. Sin made me do things I did not want to do, and afterwards condemned me and beat me for doing them. But praise God, Jesus saved me. He gave me the gift of faith. He gave me His Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit gave me spiritual gifts. Now, the old has passed away, the new has come, I’ve been born again. I have a zeal for God.

Zeal for God is a precious gift. Treasure your love for God no matter what others say about it.

King David was born into a large family a royal family. While others played, he was watching his father’s sheep. He did not complain. He did not rebel against his father. He learned to play a stringed instrument and wrote praise songs to God.

His family scorned his love for God. He wrote, “I have become a stranger to my brothers, and an alien to my mother’s children; because zeal for Your house has eaten me up, and the reproaches of those who reproach You have fallen on me. When I wept and chastened my soul with fasting, that became my reproach. I also made sackcloth my garment; I became a byword to them. Those who sit in the gate speak against me, and I am the song of the drunkards.” [6]

Amidst rebels against God, a lover of God may be insulted, laughed at and mockingly sung about. But if he or she loves the rebels with the love of the Lord, and prays for them, they too may believe in Jesus Christ.

Jesus daily experiences ridicule and blasphemy from rebels. Both now, and when He hung on the cross. David wrote prophetically of the crucifixion of Jesus when he wrote, “Reproach has broken my heart, and I am full of heaviness; I looked for someone to take pity, but there was none; and for comforters, but I found none. They also gave me gall for my food, and for my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink.” [7]

The gall and vinegar was a pain reliever given to those who were about to die. Jesus refused it to bear the full brunt of the pain that our sin deserved. His heart was broken because those who crucified Him did not know what they were doing. They were murdering the very one who loved them the most. The Savior who delivers lost souls from hell!

Hell is horrible! It is forever! It is the incinerator for those who trashed God and God’s Word. The worst humanitarian crisis is to be a lost soul that’s about to die without God.

The good news is that Jesus Christ wants to save us. He wants to redeem us. He said, “As the Father raises the dead and gives life to them, even so the Son gives life to whom He will.” [8]

Jesus gives eternal life to those who listen to Him and believe in Him.

Jesus said, “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My Word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life.” [9]

In other words, faith in Christ seals the deal. The believer in Him already has eternal life.

“Most assuredly, I say to you, the hour is coming, and now is, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God; and those who hear will live. The hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth—those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation.”[10]

This is significant! Hear His voice and live!

Some use the Bible to talk about themselves and other things, but Jesus said the Bible testifies to Him. “You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me.” [11]

We need to beware of charlatans: “If another comes in his own name, him you will receive.” [12]

This is precisely why it is vital for us to gratefully praise the Name of God with songs. Otherwise, we will go downstream with those who are giving and receiving honor from one another. Jesus asks us, “How can you believe, who receive honor from one another, and do not seek the honor that comes from the only God? [13]

The Lord gave Moses instructions about offerings of thanksgiving to God. People were to bring a tithe of the firstfruits of their field’s produce to God. The priest was to receive the offering, and then, give them opportunity to profess the following words...

“My father was a Syrian, about to perish, and he went down to Egypt and dwelt there, few in number; and there he became a nation, great, mighty, and populous. But the Egyptians mistreated us, afflicted us, and laid hard bondage on us. Then we cried out to the Lord God of our fathers, and the Lord heard our voice and looked on our affliction and our labor and our oppression. So, the Lord brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand and with an outstretched arm, with great terror and with signs and wonders. He has brought us to this place and has given us this land, a land flowing with milk and honey; and now, behold, I have brought the firstfruits of the land which you, O Lord, have given me.” [14]

Coming before God with one’s offering was a time to remember. Remember how the Lord delivered you from a miserable lifestyle that you could not deliver yourself from.

The Lord urges us to “Rejoice in every good thing which the Lord your God has given to you and your house...” [15]

And the Lord, “He will set you high above all nations which He has made, in praise, in name, and in honor, and that you may be a holy people to the Lord your God, just as He has spoken.” [16]

[1] Psalm 69:30-31
[2] John 5:21
[3] John 11:25
[4] Psalm 68:20
[5] Psalm 68:18
[6] Psalm 69:8-12
[7] Psalm 69:20-21
[8] John 5:21
[9] John 5:24
[10] John 5:25, 28-29
[11] John 5:39
[12] John 5:43
[13] John 5:44
[14] Deuteronomy 26:5-10
[15] Deuteronomy 26:11
[16] Deuteronomy 26:19