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
Tuesday, October 31, 2017
Saturday, October 28, 2017
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
Thursday, October 26, 2017
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
Wednesday, October 25, 2017
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
“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
Wednesday, October 11, 2017
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.”
[1] 2 Kings 5:10-14
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
Tuesday, October 10, 2017
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.”
“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.”
Thursday, October 5, 2017
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
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
Wednesday, October 4, 2017
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)
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