The Just Shall Live by Faith

“Behold the proud,

His soul is not upright in him;

But the just shall live by his faith.”

[1]

The question of justification came up this season

It happened due to poor results from great effort

It is expected to do poorly if a person does not try

But if someone puts forth diligent effort…

And still does poorly, questions do arise

So, I prayed

I questioned

I waited

I asked the Lord to forgive me

I asked Him to help me

The Lord forgave me

He helped me

He reminded me…

“By grace…

You have been saved…

Through faith,

That not of yourselves;

It is the gift of God,

Not of works,

Lest anyone should boast.”

[2]

Trust in superior human effort and wisdom...

Fails

Trust in the One who made all things…

Trust in the One who sustains all things

Trust in the Redeemer…

Trust in the Savior Jesus Christ…

Prevails

When I was proud…

I was not upright

By faith in God…

I am just

God turns the tide…

In the battle, I fight…

He does miracles…

Of grace

He sends His angels…

He helps me

He provides…

Abundantly

God is glorified…

When I confess HIM

When I trust in HIM!

“Behold the proud,

His soul is not upright in him;

But the just shall live by his faith.”

[1] Habakkuk 2:4

[2] Ephesians 2:8-9

The Gift of Praise-of-God Language

“Immediately his mouth was opened, and his tongue loosed, and he spoke, praising God.” [1] Marvelous! Miraculous! Amazing! A man opened his mouth, and his tongue brought forth words of praise for God!

My prayer is that all humanity (including me) would be graciously granted the gift of praise-of-God language. And that we would sing heartily unto God in this extraordinary dialect.

Of all my human experiences, praising God in Spirit and truth and in the Name of His Son Jesus Christ, has been one of God's greatest gifts to me.

Was the night Jesus was born silent? What does the Bible say? “’This will be the sign to you: you will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.’ And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!’” [2] No, there was a host of angels praising and worshiping God.

“Thank You dear Lord Jesus for the gift of worship. You always fill our lives with songs of deliverance. Blessed be Your holy Name.”

[1] Luke 1:64
[2] Luke 2:12-14

The Thoughts of Hearts Revealed

Mary’s child was destined for the fall and rising of many…

He would be a sign spoken against…

A sword would pierce through her own soul.

The thoughts of many hearts would be revealed through her Son.

[1]

Jesus was crucified between two robbers…

He stole nothing from no one…

Yet was considered a transgressor by humanity.

[2]

The chief priests and scribes mocked Him,

“He saved others; Himself He cannot save.”

[3]

The Savior refused to save Himself…

To save us

How far will we go?

To rescue others?

Some saw a transgressor

Some saw an impostor

Some saw a failure

A Roman Centurion saw the Son of God

“So, when the centurion, who stood opposite Him, saw that He cried out like this and breathed His last, he said, ‘Truly this Man was the Son of God!’” [4]

[1] Luke 2:34-35

[2] Mark 15:27-28

[3] Mark 15:31

[4] Mark 15:39

Our Suffering Savior Understands Our Suffering

“Going a little farther, He (Jesus) fell to the ground

and prayed, that if possible the hour might pass from Him.

‘Abba, Father,’ He said,

‘everything is possible for You.

Take this cup from Me.

Yet not what I will, but what You will…’”

(After Jesus was arrested)

“everyone deserted Him and fled.”

(While on trial)

“some began to spit at Him;

they blindfolded Him,

struck Him with their fists,

and said, ‘Prophesy!’

And the guards took Him and beat Him.”

[1]

“Therefore, since we have a great high priest…

who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God,

let us hold firmly to the faith we profess.

For we do not have a high priest…

who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses,

but we have one who has been tempted in every way,

just as we are—yet He did not sin.”

[2]

[1] Mark 14:35-36, 50, 65

[2] Hebrews 4:14-15

Prepared to Meet Your Maker

Humble yourself in the sight of the Lord.

He is GOD and we are not.

You need God's forgiveness.

You need God's power to live right.

“The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;

A broken and contrite heart

You, God, will not despise.”

[1]

Talk with God.

Ask God to help and deliver you.

Seek to glorify God and not yourself.

“Call on Me in the day of trouble;

I will deliver you, and you will honor Me.”

[2]

Anticipate with blessed assurance that the Savior, Jesus Christ, will save you as you trust in Him.

“People will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. And He will send His angels and gather His elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of the heavens.” [3]

[1] Psalm 51:17

[2] Psalm 50:15

[3] Mark 13:26-27

The Eye Of The Needle

A camel with too many things…

Could not…

Enter the city

Once the city gate was closed

He had to enter the smaller door

The eye of the needle

He needed help

“Master, remove these things

I carry on my back.”

Then, down he went…

Humbly, he entered in…

His master helped him

We people need God’s help

To enter His kingdom

Will we humble ourselves?

Get on our knees?

Confess our need for God?

Allow God to remove what hinders?

“Then Jesus looked around and said to His disciples,

‘How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God!

It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle…

than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.’

And they were greatly astonished, saying among themselves,

‘Who then can be saved?’

But Jesus looked at them and said,

‘With men it is impossible, but not with God; for with God all things are possible.’”

“Whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant.

And whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all.

For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve,

and to give His life a ransom for many.”

Mark 10:23, 25-27, 43-45

O Come Let Us Adore Him - Christ the King

Help Us To Love You As You Love Us

“...The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.”

[1]

“And those who passed by blasphemed Him,

wagging their heads and saying, ‘Aha!

You who destroy the temple

and build it in three days,

save Yourself,

and come down from the cross!’

Likewise, the chief priests also,

mocking among themselves…

with the scribes, said,

‘He saved others;
Himself He cannot save.

Let the Christ, the King of Israel,

descend now from the cross,

that we may see and believe.’

Even those who were crucified with Him...
reviled Him.”

[2]

I am thankful that JESUS did not quit HIS mission to pay for humanity’s sins, when people rejected, mocked, and reviled HIM.

“Thank YOU, JESUS, for demonstrating God’s love for us.

No one ever loved humanity as much as you did JESUS…

No one ever paid a greater price to save us…

Help US dear LORD to love YOU as YOU love US…

In our lives… BE GLORIFIED.”

[1] Mark 12:10

[2] Mark 15:29-32

Telling What the Lord has Done

“As JESUS was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon-possessed begged to go with Him. JESUS did not let him, but said, ‘Go home to your own people and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how He has had mercy on you.’ So the man went away and began to tell in ten cities how much JESUS had done for him. And all the people were amazed.” [1]

JESUS has done so much for me throughout my life. I want to be a faithful teller of how-much-JESUS-had-done-for-me. I want thoughts of the Savior’s mercy to fill my thoughts and my speech.

“Dear Lord Jesus, please grant me, my spouse, my children and my children’s children mindsets and speaking-ability to tell the amazing things You have done for us. And then, I pray for my friends, and for my race, the human race, that we would ALL bring YOU glory and honor... for YOU are worthy.”

[1] Mark 5:18-20

The Best Thanksgiving Banquet

“Lord Jesus, may we partake of Your anointing and Word around our banqueting tables today. For it is in Your Name I pray. Amen.”

Today is Thanksgiving, and guess what! Two of my four Bible reading portions this morning cast a negative light on gluttony. I was surprised, but then, the Lord set before me a wonderful feast from His Word.

“When you sit down to eat with a ruler, consider carefully what is before you; and put a knife to your throat if you are a man given to appetite. Do not desire his delicacies, for they are deceptive food.” [1]

“Belshazzar the king made a great feast for a thousand of his lords and drank wine in the presence of the thousand.” [2] That same night Belshazzar’s kingdom fell to the Medes and Persians, and he was put to death.

Let us feast on the Word of God anointed by the Holy Spirit!

The Lord says, “…The yoke will be destroyed because of the anointing oil.” [3]

The Hebrew word Messiah means “Anointed One” and the Greek word “Christ” has the same meaning. It is Christ who breaks the yoke of oppression from sin, Satan and death from our lives. In fact, the Lord urges us to be anointed with oil by the elders of the church when we are feeling sick. “Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.” [4]

The Holy Spirit anoints to understand the true meaning of the Scripture, “But the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you will abide in Him.” [5]

Jesus ministered in the power of the Holy Spirit: “Then Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit to Galilee…” [6] “…With authority and power, He commands the unclean spirits, and they come out.” [7] “…And the power of the Lord was present to heal them.” [8] “The whole multitude sought to touch Him, for power went out from Him and healed them all.” [9]

Jesus gave power to His disciples to overcome the works of the evil one: “Then He called His twelve disciples together and gave them power and authority over all demons, and to cure diseases.” [10] “Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.” [11]

This power is none other than the Holy Spirit whom Jesus gives to those who believe in Him and want to obey and serve Him: “Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high.” [12] “We are His witnesses to these things, and so also is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey Him.” [13]

Jesus provides a better Thanksgiving feast than turkey, taters and stuffing. He provides spiritual food that energizes His servants to cast out demons and heal the sick. The side-effects of the food Jesus gives are abundant life on earth and eternal life in the age to come.

Jesus urges 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.” [14]

What kind of food does Jesus delight in? “Jesus said to them, ‘My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work.’” [15]

“Lord Jesus, thank You for giving to us the feast of Your Word anointed by Your Spirit. Thank You for gracing us with an array of spiritual fruits on our banqueting tables today.”

[1] Proverbs 23:1-3
[2] Daniel 5:1
[3] Isaiah 10:27
[4] James 5:14
[5] 1 John 2:27
[6] Luke 4:14
[7] Luke 4:36
[8] Luke 5:17
[9] Luke 6:19
[10] Luke 9:1
[11] Luke 10:19
[12] Luke 24:49
[13] Acts 5:32
[14] John 6:27
[15] John 4:34

Forgiveness And Healing

JESUS has the power…

And the will…

To forgive our sins

And heal our bodies…

If we ask Him to forgive us…

And make us whole.

“Which is easier, to say to the paralytic,

‘Your sins are forgiven you,’

or to say, ‘Arise,

take up your bed and walk’?

But that you may know…

that the Son of Man…

has power on earth to forgive sins’

…He said to the paralytic,

‘I say to you, arise, take up your bed,

and go to your house.’

Immediately he arose, took up the bed,

and went out in the presence of them all,

so that all were amazed

and glorified God, saying,

‘We never saw anything like this!’

And when the scribes and Pharisees saw Him…

eating with the tax collectors and sinners,

they said to His disciples,

‘How is it that He eats and drinks…

with tax collectors and sinners?’

When Jesus heard it, He said to them,

‘Those who are well have no need of a physician,

but those who are sick.

I did not come to call the righteous,

but sinners, to repentance.’”

Mark 2:9-12, 16-17

The Messiah’s Ministry

“And he (John the Baptist) preached, saying,

‘There comes One after me…

who is mightier than I,

whose sandal strap…

I am not worthy to stoop down and loose.

I indeed baptized you with water,

but He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.’

Now after John was put in prison,

Jesus came to Galilee,

preaching the Gospel of the kingdom of God,

and saying,

‘The time is fulfilled,

and the kingdom of God is at hand.

Repent,

and believe in the Gospel.”

At evening,

when the sun had set,

they brought to Him all who were sick

and those who were demon-possessed.

And the whole city…

was gathered together at the door.

Then He healed many…

who were sick with various diseases,

and cast out many demons…”

Mark 1:7-8, 14-15, 32-34

Don’t Wait Another Day

“This Gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.” [1]

The Gospel of Christ’s death and resurrection, His ascension into heaven, and His promise to return for those love His appearing has and is going out to the whole world as a witness to the nations. Millions have embraced Christ as Messiah. He is the Anointed One of God who saves all who believe in Him. This is good news.

Have you believed in and confessed Christ as your Lord and Savior? He gives eternal life in paradise to all who believe in Him. Don’t wait another day. Ask Christ to save you, transform you and make you a new person. Enter the Ark of God (Jesus Christ) before the last day and be saved today.

“Be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.” [2]

[1] Matthew 24:14
[2] Matthew 24:44

BC - AC

BC – Before Christ – Dry bones and a stony heart

AC – After Christ – A Great Army

“The hand of the Lord came upon me and brought me out in the Spirit of the Lord and set me down in-the-midst of the valley; and it was full of bones. Then He caused me to pass by them all around, and behold, there were very many in the open valley; and indeed, they were very dry.

And He said to me, ‘Son of man, can these bones live?’ So, I answered, ‘O Lord God, You know.’ Again, He said to me, ‘Prophesy to these bones, and say to them, ‘O dry bones, hear the Word of the Lord!’

So, I prophesied as He commanded me, and breath came into them, and they lived, and stood upon their feet, an exceedingly GREAT ARMY.” [1]

“I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them.

I will multiply the fruit of your trees and the increase of your fields, so that you need never again… bear the reproach of famine among the nations.

Then the nations which are left all around you shall know that I, the Lord, have rebuilt the ruined places and planted what was desolate. I, the Lord, have spoken it, and I will do it.” [2]

[1] Ezekiel 37:1-4, 10
[2] Ezekiel 36:26, 30, 36

Victory In Jesus

“The Lord is on my side;

I will not fear.

What can man do to me?”

[1]

“It is better to trust in the Lord

Than to put confidence in man.

It is better to trust in the Lord

Than to put confidence in princes.”

[2]

“The Lord is my strength and song,

And He has become my salvation.

The voice of rejoicing and salvation

Is in the tents of the righteous;

The right hand of the Lord does valiantly.”

[3]

“I shall not die, but live,

And declare the works of the Lord.”

[4]

“The stone (Christ) which the builders rejected

Has become the chief cornerstone.

This was the Lord’s doing;

It is marvelous in our eyes.

This is the day the Lord has made;

We will rejoice and be glad in it.”

[5]

Christ is better than TV:

“T-urn away mine eyes from beholding V-anity;

And quicken (revive) Thou me in Thy way.”

[6]

(T = Turn away… V = Vanity)

God’s Word gives life when afflicted:

“This is my comfort in my affliction,

For Your word has given me life.”

[7]

God’s Word is better than silver and gold:

“The law of Your mouth is better to me

Than thousands of coins of gold and silver.”

[8]

God’s Word turns the light on for people:

“The entrance of Your Word gives light;

It gives understanding to the simple.”

[9]

Christ is merciful to those who love Him:

“Look upon me and be merciful to me,

As Your custom is toward those who love Your name.”

[10]

Christ gives us victory over sin through His Word:

“Direct my steps by Your Word,

And let no iniquity have dominion over me.”

[11]

[1] Psalm 118:6

[2] Psalm 118:8-9

[3] Psalm 118:14-15

[4] Psalm 118:17

[5] Psalm 118:22-24

[6] Psalm 119:37

[7] Psalm 119:50

[8] Psalm 119:72

[9] Psalm 119:130

[10] Psalm 119:132

[11] Psalm 119:13

Embrace Understanding

Biblical Proverbs personify wisdom and understanding as a woman to be embraced. Proverbs is a book of divinely inspired sayings passed down from a father and a mother to their son. In essence they are saying, “My son, if you want to embrace a woman that will bless you, embrace understanding. Love her like you would a wife.” “Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom. and in all your getting, get understanding.” [1]

Understand God and people. Ask the Spirit of Christ to help you see God and humanity through the eyes of divine love.

“In all your getting, get understanding. Exalt her, and she will promote you; she will bring you honor, when you embrace her. She will place on your head an ornament of grace; a crown of glory she will deliver to you.” [2]

[1] Proverbs 4:7
[2] Proverbs 4:8-9

Jesus regards the prayer of the destitute...

“Jesus departed from there, skirted the Sea of Galilee, and went up on the mountain and sat down there.

Then great multitudes came to Him, having with them the lame, blind, mute, maimed, and many others; and they laid them down at Jesus’ feet, and He healed them.

So the multitude marveled when they saw the mute speaking, the maimed made whole, the lame walking, and the blind seeing; and they glorified the God of Israel.” [1]

“For the Lord shall build up Zion; He shall appear in His glory! He shall regard the prayer of the destitute, and shall not despise their prayer.” [2]

[1] Matthew 15:29-31
[2] Psalm 102:16-17

Thirty, Sixty & One Hundredfold Fruit

Our Heavenly Father blesses those who embrace and follow Him according to His instruction in the Bible.

Jesus taught, “He who received seed on the good ground is he who hears the Word (the Bible) and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and produces: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.” [1]

The Holy Spirit makes the Word of God understandable. He empowers us to do it. Therefore, we should ask our Heavenly Father to forgive our sins. To place our sin under the atoning blood of Jesus, and to help us by the power of the Holy Spirit to read and apply the Word of God correctly to our lives and to the lives of others.

“Lord Jesus, please grant us the grace to follow You even as You followed the leading of Your Heavenly Father. Please place our sins under Your atoning blood and graciously anoint us with the power and leading of Your Holy Spirit. For Your glory, and for the sake of others who need You in their lives, I pray. Amen.”

[1] Matthew 13:23

Hope Amid Hardships

Hope in the Lord!

He pleads for the redemption of the eternal salvation of our souls.

“This I recall to my mind,

Therefore, I have hope.

Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed,

Because His compassions fail not.

They are new every morning;

Great is Your faithfulness.

‘The Lord is my portion,’ says my soul,

‘Therefore, I hope in Him!’

The Lord is good to those who wait for Him,

To the soul who seeks Him.

It is good that one should hope and wait quietly

For the salvation of the Lord.

Let us search out and examine our ways,

And turn back to the Lord;

Let us lift our hearts and hands

To God in heaven.

O Lord, You have pleaded the case for my soul;

You have redeemed my life.”

Lamentations 3:21-26, 40-41, 58

The Supremacy Of Christ

“HE 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 or dominions

or 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.”

[1]

“Therefore, whoever CONFESSES ME before men,

him I will also confess before MY FATHER…

who is in heaven.

But whoever denies ME before men,

him I will also deny before MY FATHER…

who is in heaven.

And he who does not take his CROSS…

And FOLLOW-after Me is NOT WORTHY of ME.

He who finds his life will lose it,

And he who LOSES his LIFE for MY SAKE…

WILL FIND IT.”

[2]

The supremacy of Christ is good news for those who love Him and profess Him, but very bad news for those who deny and defy Him. Where are you with Christ?

[1] Colossians 1:15-18

[2] Matthew 10:32-33, 38

Restore Us O God

“Restore us, O God; cause Your face to shine, and we shall be saved!” [1]

“Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the Gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd.” [2]

Jesus is Father God’s face shining on us and restoring to us that which is lost. He provides good news rather than bad news. He provides healing for us instead of sickness and disease. He strengthens us when we are weary. He brings us together after we have been scattered. He is the Good Shepherd who leads us to green pastures and still waters. He saves us. Praise the Lord!

[1] Psalm 80:3
[2] Matthew 9:35-36

God Moves In Mysterious Ways

“Elisha sent a messenger to him (Naaman the leper), saying, ‘Go and wash in the Jordan seven times, and your flesh shall be restored to you, and you shall be clean.’

But Naaman became furious, and went away and said, ‘Indeed, I said to myself, he will surely come out to me, and stand and call on the name of the Lord his God, and wave his hand over the place, and heal the leprosy. Are not… the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? Could I not wash in them and be clean?’

So, he turned and went away in a rage. His servants came near and spoke to him, and said, ‘My father, if the prophet had told you to do something great, would you not have done it? How much more then when he says to you, wash, and be clean?’

So, he went down and dipped seven times in the Jordan, according to the saying of the man of God; and his flesh was restored like the flesh of a little child, and he was clean.” [1]

Naaman’s pride almost deprived him of a divine healing by God. Thankfully, his humble servants, encouraged him to submit to the Lord’s prescription. He repented and was healed.

“Lord, please help us not to storm off in anger when humbleness is what You require. Please grant that we, like Naaman, would receive words from You, spoken through Your humble servants from You... that we might be healed... that we might be lifted up from our helpless estate... for Your glory. In You Name, Jesus, I pray. Amen.”

When Naaman returned to Damascus,

He was well;

He had a testimony to tell.

He knew God loved him.

Miracles come by faith...

In God's grace.

[1] 2 Kings 5:10-14

Unleavened Bread

One Sunday, my wife held up a piece of cracker as she spoke of Christ and what He did for our salvation. She asked us to notice that it was flat. She explained that yeast makes bread to rise up, which is like pride in our spirit. The bread that the Israelites took with them when they escaped from the cruel bondage of Pharaoh (a type of Satan) was unleavened bread. Flat bread! She went on to explain that when Christ took away our sins, He was humble. He did not count equality with God something to grasp. He humbly gave up His life for people who were mocking Him and scorning Him that they might be saved eternally.

“Lord Jesus, we have people experiencing fires and floods. We have enemies such as terrorists, gangsters and human traffickers. We have people who hate one another. Please help us to be more like You Jesus. To be humble! To make sacrifices for the salvation and well-being of others! To speak words of encouragement and love for one another. For it is in Your Mighty Name I pray. Amen.”

Suffering, Shepherding and Splendorous Savior

A revelation from God came to me while sitting next to “Grandma” Dunkelberger in the office of Hong Kong Youth for Christ. The year was 1985. She told me that Psalms 22, 23, 24 are prophecies of the suffering, shepherding, and splendor of Christ. These prophecies were recorded more than a thousand years prior to our Lord’s first appearance on the earth.

Psalm 22 is a prophecy of Christ’s suffering (crucifixion): “Dogs have surrounded Me; the congregation of the wicked has enclosed Me. They pierced My hands and My feet; I can count all My bones. They look and stare at Me. They divide My garments among them, and for My clothing they cast lots.” [1]

Psalm 23 is a prophecy of Christ as a shepherd amidst His sheep: “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His Name’s sake. Yes, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; my cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” [2] The goal of our Savior is to guide us to be with God forever.

Psalm 24 is prophecy of Christ’s future return from heaven to earth: “Lift up your heads, O you gates! And be lifted up, you everlasting doors! And the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle. Lift up your heads, O you gates! Lift up, you everlasting doors! And the King of glory shall come in.” [3] Praise the Lord!

Between His two appearances, the Gospel shall be preached to the world: “All the ends of the world shall remember and turn to the Lord, and all the families of the nations shall worship before You. For the kingdom is the Lord’s, and He rules over the nations.” [4]

I am very grateful to our Lord Jesus Christ for suffering on the cross to atone for my sins, for being my good and faithful shepherd, and for returning in glory to receive me into His Father’s splendorous house.

He extends this invitation to you as well: “To as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His Name.” [5]

[1] Psalm 22:16-18
[2] Psalm 23
[3] Psalm 24:7-9
[4] Psalm 22:27-28
[5] John 1:12

With God's Love in My Heart

With God’s love in my heart,

With His Spirit’s work in and through me:

I am more concerned for others than for self,

I do what is right for my neighbors,

I treat foreigners well,

I care for the fatherless and widow,

I protect the innocent,

I worship and praise Him alone,

I obey His voice and walk in His ways.

“If you thoroughly amend your ways and your doings, if you thoroughly execute judgment between a man and his neighbor, if you do not oppress the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow, and do not shed innocent blood in this place, or walk after other gods to your hurt, then I will cause you to dwell in this place, in the land that I gave to your fathers forever and ever. Obey My voice, and I will be your God, and you shall be My people. And walk in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well with you.” (Jeremiah 7:5-7, 23)

Hope and Blessings In The Lord

“Seek the Lord while He may be found,

Call upon Him while He is near.

Let the wicked forsake his way,

And the unrighteous man his thoughts;

Let him return to the Lord,

And He will have mercy on him;

And to our God,

For He will abundantly pardon.”

[1]

“Your sun shall no longer go down,

Nor shall your moon withdraw itself;

For the Lord will be your everlasting light,

And the days of your mourning shall be ended.”

[2]

“For as the earth brings forth its bud,

As the garden causes the things that are sown in it to spring forth,

So the Lord God will cause righteousness

And praise to spring forth before all the nations.”

[3]

For since the beginning of the world

Men have not heard nor perceived by the ear,

Nor has the eye seen any God besides You,

Who acts for the one who waits for Him.”

[4]

[1] Isaiah 55:6-7

[2] Isaiah 60:20

[3] Isaiah 61:11

[4] Isaiah 64:4

Law & Grace

“Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law, he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper.” [1]

“Those who forsake the law praise the wicked, but such as keep the law contend with them.” [2]

“…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.” [3]

Our Lord Jesus cherished and obeyed God’s laws. He contended with evil. He poured out His soul to save sinners. He was numbered with transgressors while dying between two criminals. He took the sin of humankind upon Himself. He gives His righteousness to us who believe in Him. This is grace immense and free. He lives. Daily, He makes intercession for us. O to be like Him, cherishing and keeping God’s laws and yet full of grace and forgiveness towards all people.

Our Lord Jesus cherished and obeyed God’s laws. He contended with evil. He poured out His soul to save sinners. He was numbered with transgressors while dying between two criminals. He took the sin of humankind upon Himself. He gives His righteousness to those who simply believe in Him. This is grace immense and free. He lives. He makes intercession for us who daily cross lines that God does not want us to transgress. O to be like Him – cherishing and keeping God’s laws and yet full of grace and forgiveness towards all people.

[1] Psalm 1:1-3
[2] Proverbs 28:4
[3] Isaiah 53:12

Determined

To do right, to sing, to rejoice, to share good news, to declare, “Our God reigns!” Because all the earth shall see the salvation of our God

“Listen to Me, you who know righteousness, you people in whose heart is My law: do not fear the reproach of men, nor be afraid of their insults. For the moth will eat them up like a garment, and the worm will eat them like wool; but My righteousness will be forever, and My salvation from generation to generation.” [1]

“Therefore, the redeemed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with singing, with everlasting joy on their heads. They shall obtain joy and gladness; sorrow and sighing shall flee away.” [2]

“How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who proclaims peace, who brings glad tidings of good things, who proclaims salvation, who says to Zion, ‘Your God reigns!’” [3]

“The Lord has made bare His holy arm in the eyes of all the nations; and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God.” [4]

Praise the Lord!

[1] Isaiah 51:7-8
[2] Isaiah 51:11
[3] Isaiah 52:7
[4] Isaiah 51:10

In God We Trust

“The Name of the Lord is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe. The wealth of the rich is their fortified city; they imagine it a wall too high to scale. Before a down fall the heart is haughty, but humility comes before honor.” [1]

The Lord’s Name is an impenetrable shield for the righteous, but the riches of the wealthy is a wall that can be overcome. Humility leads to honor whereas pride precedes a fall.

“Lord, be gracious to us; we long for you. Be our strength every morning, our salvation in time of distress. For the Lord is our judge. The Lord is our lawgiver, the Lord is our king; it is He who will save us.” [2]

Salvation is of the Lord!

“Everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.” [3]

This is why we trust in the Lord and not in worldly riches.

[1] Proverbs 18:10-12
[2] Isaiah 33:2, 22
[3] 1 John 5:4-5, 12, 14

Standouts because of Him who Stand with Us

Standouts...
Because of Him who stands with us.
Standouts…
Because of His Spirit in us.
Hope-filled...
because He shall return.
We shall behold Him...
And we shall be like Him

“Dear Friends, we are children of God, and what we will be, has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. All who have this hope in Him purify themselves, just as He is pure. This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down His life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. And this is His command: to believe in the name of His Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as He commanded us. The one who keeps God’s commands lives in Him, and He in them. And this is how we know that He lives in us: we know it by the Spirit, He gave us.” (1 John 3:2-3, 16, 23-24)

Expecting The Lord To Return

“My Dear Children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.”

“We know that we have come to know Him (Christ) if we keep His commands. Whoever says, ‘I know Him,’ but does not do what He commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person. But if anyone obeys His Word, love for God is truly made complete in them. This is how we know we are in Him: whoever claims to live in Him must live as Jesus did.” [1]

“Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates a brother or sister is still in the darkness. Anyone who loves their brother and sister lives in the light, and there is nothing in them to make them stumble. But anyone who hates a brother or sister is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness. They do not know where they are going, because the darkness has blinded them.” [2]

“And now, dear children, continue in Him (Christ), so, that when He appears, we may be confident and unashamed before Him at His coming. If you know that He (Christ) is righteous, you know that everyone who does what is right has been born of Him.” [3]

[1] 1 John 2:1-6
[2] 1 John 2:9-11
[3] 1 John 2:28-29

Happy The Lord Is My God

“Surely this is our God; we trusted in Him, and He saved us. This is the Lord, we trusted in Him; let us rejoice and be glad in His salvation.” [1]

“You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast because they trust in You. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord himself, is the Rock eternal.” [2]

“All that we have accomplished, You have done for us.” [3]

“Even in darkness light dawns for the upright (see note), for those who are gracious and compassionate and righteous.” [4]

“Who is like the Lord our God, the One who sits enthroned on high, who stoops down to look on the heavens and the earth? He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap; He seats them with princes, with the princes of His people. He settles the childless woman in her home as a happy mother of children. Praise the Lord.” [5]

Note: God has shined His light in dark places for me. He has given me grace when burdens were too heavy. He has lifted me up from the dust and ash heap. He has made me happy when no one else could.

[1] Isaiah 25:9
[2] Isaiah 26:3
[3] Isaiah 26:12
[4] Psalm 112:4-5
[5] Psalm 113:5-9

Fight the Good Fight with Might

Why? Because: “Scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts, and saying, ‘Where is the promise of His coming?’” [1]

My son-in-law shared with me the results of a survey that was taken recently. The survey wanted to determine if people deemed faith better than doubt. The result was negative. The people who were surveyed felt that doubt was better. Better to be analytical! Better to be skeptical! Faith was not viewed positively.

Rejecting the Biblical view of God and His Law allows for freedom to live lust-filled lives.

The Lord calls us His Church to hold to the Christian faith amidst skepticism. He says, “Beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.” [2]

“We, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless.” [3]

The Lord urges us like a good coach does for his team, saying, “Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” [4] We need to depend on God’s grace to overcome in these last days. We need to fill our minds with the knowledge of God in these last days. Otherwise, we too, will descend into the drain of despair and debauchery.

We are in a war for the salvation of souls… both for our own and for the souls of those who are apt to believe in God with us.

Let us fight for the glory of Christ and for the salvation of souls. “To Him (Christ) be the glory both now and forever. Amen.” [5]

[1] 2 Peter 3:3-4
[2] 2 Peter 3:8-9
[3] 2 Peter 3:13-14
[4] 2 Peter 3:18
[5] 2 Peter 3:19

Revelation of Christ's Kingdom

“(You) are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” [1]

“Therefore, gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” [2]

“For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end.” [3]

“Then the seventh angel sounded: and there were loud voices 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!’” [4]

[1] 1st Peter 1:5-7
[2] 1st Peter 1:13
[3] Isaiah 9:6-7
[4] Revelation 11:15

Outlasting the Last Days

"Where there is no revelation (or prophetic vision), the people cast off restraint; but happy is he who keeps the law." [1]

As I hear of humanity passing laws that "liberate" people from being restrained by God's Word, I think of times in Biblical history and of post-biblical history when other generations did the same. It never ended well. In fact, it is a work of the devil to convince people to overthrow God's authority in their lives.

A falling away from faith in God precedes the appearance of son of perdition. The son of perdition (destruction) opposes God. He convinces others to completely reject the Bible and to follow him instead of Christ.

"Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day (the Day of Christ) will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God." [2]

What should we do?

We need to preach the Gospel. We need to hold regular weekly prayer meetings. We need to pray for the eyes of unbelievers to be opened to the truth of God. Without revelation, people cast off restraint.

"Holy Spirit empower us to present Christ to the lost in a language and in a mannerism that they will receive Him."

Finally,

"...Stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or our epistle." [3]

And here's a blessing...

"Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and our God and Father, who has loved us and given us everlasting consolation and good hope by grace, comfort your hearts and establish you in every good word and work." [4]

Also, keep in mind... "the Lord will consume (the anti-Christ) with the breath of His mouth and destroy (him) with the brightness of His coming." [5]

[1] Proverbs 29:18 NKJV
[2] 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4 NKJV
[3] 2 Thessalonians 2:15 NKJV
[4] 2 Thessalonians 2:16 NKJV
[5] 2 Thessalonians 2:8 NKJV