“How you are fallen from heaven,
O Lucifer, son of the morning!
How you are cut down to the ground,
You who weakened the nations!
For you have said in your heart:
‘I will ascend into heaven,
I will exalt my throne above the stars of God;
I will also sit on the mount of the congregation
On the farthest sides of the north.’” [1]
Lucifer was once an angel in the congregation of heaven. He wanted to take the head pastor’s place, namely Christ’s. His goal has not changed.
Paul wrote to the Thessalonian Christians…
“The son of perdition 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]
The devil wants to be God. He wants to fill God’s house with impostors who do his bidding. Impostors who will force out the true believers!
Jesus addressed a situation like this that was happening among the Christians in Philadelphia:
“Indeed, I will make those of the synagogue of Satan, who say they are Jews and are not, but lie—indeed I will make them come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you. Because you have kept My command to persevere...” [3]
Satan had placed impostors among the Christians in Philadelphia. The impostors tried to convince the Philadelphians that Jesus did not love them. In due season, Jesus compelled the impostors to acknowledge that He loved the Philadelphians.
Brothers and sisters, persevere!
One day, people will see the devil for who he really is and ask, “Is this the man who made the earth tremble, who shook kingdoms?” [4] He is no match for Christ or Christ’s followers. He fails! Christ wins!
[1] Isaiah 14:12-13
[2] 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4
[3] Revelation 3:9-10
[4] Isaiah 14:16
Thursday, June 21, 2018
Everlasting Life
Do you believe in the Heavenly Father who sent His Son Jesus Christ to save you from your sins and to give you everlasting life?
If so, you shall not come into judgment when you die. You have passed from death into eternal life.
If you have not believed in the Father who sent His Son, ask the Lord Jesus Christ to forgive your sins, and confess to Him that you believe in Him, and that you want Him to save you.
Salvation is a gift. You receive the gift of salvation from the Lord Jesus Christ by praying to and believing in Him. He is your Savior.
“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him [the Father] who sent Me [the Son - Jesus Christ] has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life.” John 5:24
If so, you shall not come into judgment when you die. You have passed from death into eternal life.
If you have not believed in the Father who sent His Son, ask the Lord Jesus Christ to forgive your sins, and confess to Him that you believe in Him, and that you want Him to save you.
Salvation is a gift. You receive the gift of salvation from the Lord Jesus Christ by praying to and believing in Him. He is your Savior.
“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him [the Father] who sent Me [the Son - Jesus Christ] has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life.” John 5:24
Humiliation that Blossomed into Joy
“The Scripture which he [the Ethiopian] read was this:
‘He was led as a sheep to the slaughter;
And as a lamb before its shearer is silent,
So He opened not His mouth.
In His humiliation His justice was taken away,
And who will declare His generation?
For His life is taken from the earth.’
‘I ask you [Philip], of whom does the prophet say this, of himself or of some other man?’ Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning at this Scripture, preached Jesus to him.” [1]
Led to the slaughter...
Silent
Humiliated
Deprived of justice
Martyred
From this scenario, Philip preached Jesus.
How many of us are willing to be humiliated, be deprived of justice, be martyred, and remain silent? But what does the Scripture say?
“Looking unto Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” [2]
Jesus foresaw the coming joy even while on the cross. His joy is souls like you and me saved for eternity. He brought us to His Father and made us sons and daughters. We will soon be in heaven together with all who have come to faith in God because of what our Lord Jesus Christ has done for us. Hallelujah!
[1] Acts 8:32-35
[2] Hebrews 12:2
‘He was led as a sheep to the slaughter;
And as a lamb before its shearer is silent,
So He opened not His mouth.
In His humiliation His justice was taken away,
And who will declare His generation?
For His life is taken from the earth.’
‘I ask you [Philip], of whom does the prophet say this, of himself or of some other man?’ Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning at this Scripture, preached Jesus to him.” [1]
Led to the slaughter...
Silent
Humiliated
Deprived of justice
Martyred
From this scenario, Philip preached Jesus.
How many of us are willing to be humiliated, be deprived of justice, be martyred, and remain silent? But what does the Scripture say?
“Looking unto Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” [2]
Jesus foresaw the coming joy even while on the cross. His joy is souls like you and me saved for eternity. He brought us to His Father and made us sons and daughters. We will soon be in heaven together with all who have come to faith in God because of what our Lord Jesus Christ has done for us. Hallelujah!
[1] Acts 8:32-35
[2] Hebrews 12:2
Friday, June 8, 2018
Lord You Amaze Me
“And they were greatly amazed in themselves beyond measure, and marveled.” [1]
“As a teen, You Lord brought me to the Book of Jeremiah. You gave me the model of man who sought to turn His nation back to God by speaking Your Word.
At twenty-one, You brought me to the Books of Kings. You moved me through these narratives to cleanse my “land” (my life) of TV shows, music and literature that did not exalt You, and to be wholly given over to You.
At fifty-eight, you revealed to me that Jeremiah is the author of the Kings. He emphasized Your work to halt his nation’s apostasy. You did not want people to turn from You and suffer losses. You are the Prophet, Priest, and King that our nations need to prosper!
I trust You Lord to work through me by Your Spirit so that I am a faithful voice for You. Please continue to call a distant humanity back to closeness with You through my life.
You Lord Amaze me!”
[1] Mark 6:51
“As a teen, You Lord brought me to the Book of Jeremiah. You gave me the model of man who sought to turn His nation back to God by speaking Your Word.
At twenty-one, You brought me to the Books of Kings. You moved me through these narratives to cleanse my “land” (my life) of TV shows, music and literature that did not exalt You, and to be wholly given over to You.
At fifty-eight, you revealed to me that Jeremiah is the author of the Kings. He emphasized Your work to halt his nation’s apostasy. You did not want people to turn from You and suffer losses. You are the Prophet, Priest, and King that our nations need to prosper!
I trust You Lord to work through me by Your Spirit so that I am a faithful voice for You. Please continue to call a distant humanity back to closeness with You through my life.
You Lord Amaze me!”
[1] Mark 6:51
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