“So, Moses went out from Pharaoh and entreated the Lord. And the Lord did according to the word of Moses; He removed the swarms of flies from Pharaoh, from his servants, and from his people. Not one remained. But Pharaoh hardened his heart at this time also; neither would he let the people go.” [1]
Pharaoh had ten opportunities to repent and believe in God but hardened his heart after each magnanimous miracle which God did.
“He who is often rebuked, and hardens his neck, will suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.” [2]
Pharaoh and his army were suddenly destroyed in the waters of the Red Sea.
“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.’” [3]
Jesus has given us opportunity via His Word, the Bible, to believe the Gospel, namely that He died on the cross for our sins and rose from the dead on the third day, and that when we believe in Him, we receive eternal life. He says to us, “The kingdom of God is at hand.” Now, today, is your opportunity to receive His kingdom by receiving Christ as Your Lord and Savior.
Jesus says to us, “Repent!” Don’t harden your heart! “Believe in the Gospel.” May it be so us for us, our loved ones, and our neighbors.
[1] Exodus 8:30-32
[2] Proverbs 29:1
[3] Mark 1:14-15
Bearing witness to the Word of God and to the testimony of Jesus!
Wednesday, January 29, 2020
Saturday, January 25, 2020
Love in the Last Days
The disciples asked Jesus: “What will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?” [1] After describing some signs, He ended His sharing with the following parable:
“When the Son of Man comes in His glory,
And all the holy angels with Him,
Then He will sit on the throne of His glory.
All the nations will be gathered before Him,
And He will separate them one from another,
As a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats.
And He will set the sheep on His right hand,
But the goats on the left.
Then the King will say to those on His right hand,
‘Come, you blessed of My Father,
Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from…
The foundation of the world…” [2]
The blessed of the Father, GAVE to JESUS…
Food for hunger
Drink for thirst
Accommodation for estrangement
Clothes for nakedness
Visitation for sickness
Visitation for imprisonment
The cursed withheld from JESUS the above. [3]
The King said to the blessed: “Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.” [4]
The Lord said to the cursed: “Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.” [5]
The conclusion: “And these [the cursed] will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.” [6]
Jesus said, “Because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold.” [7]
“Dear Lord Jesus, please keep the flames of Your love burning in our hearts. Please move us to love with action not just with words. For it is in Your Name that we pray. Amen.”
[1] Matthew 24:3
[2] Matthew 25:31-34
[3] Matthew 25:35-39, 41-44
[4] Matthew 25:40
[5] Matthew 25:45
[6] Matthew 25:46
[7] Matthew 24:12
“When the Son of Man comes in His glory,
And all the holy angels with Him,
Then He will sit on the throne of His glory.
All the nations will be gathered before Him,
And He will separate them one from another,
As a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats.
And He will set the sheep on His right hand,
But the goats on the left.
Then the King will say to those on His right hand,
‘Come, you blessed of My Father,
Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from…
The foundation of the world…” [2]
The blessed of the Father, GAVE to JESUS…
Food for hunger
Drink for thirst
Accommodation for estrangement
Clothes for nakedness
Visitation for sickness
Visitation for imprisonment
The cursed withheld from JESUS the above. [3]
The King said to the blessed: “Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.” [4]
The Lord said to the cursed: “Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.” [5]
The conclusion: “And these [the cursed] will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.” [6]
Jesus said, “Because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold.” [7]
“Dear Lord Jesus, please keep the flames of Your love burning in our hearts. Please move us to love with action not just with words. For it is in Your Name that we pray. Amen.”
[1] Matthew 24:3
[2] Matthew 25:31-34
[3] Matthew 25:35-39, 41-44
[4] Matthew 25:40
[5] Matthew 25:45
[6] Matthew 25:46
[7] Matthew 24:12
Saturday, January 18, 2020
The Glory of God’s Presence
Jacob and his large family of thirteen children, two wives and two nursemaids were on their way to Bethel. Bet-El is Hebrew for House of God. He told his family: “Put away the idols that are among you, purify yourselves, and change your garments. Then let us arise and go up to Bethel; and I will make an altar there to God, who answered me in the day of my distress and has been with me in the way which I have gone.” [1]
Jacob wanted to come into God’s presence in a holy fashion, namely, stripped of all that competed for God’s glory in their lives. Let’s get rid of our idols. Let’s purify ourselves. Let’s put on clean clothes. Let us give God reverence. This God, our God, delivered me in the day of my distress and His presence has been with me.
His family followed his instruction and received a blessing from God: “As they journeyed, the terror of God was upon the cities that were all around them, and they did not pursue the sons of Jacob.” [2]
Jacob and his family arrived at Bethel. “He built an altar there and called the place El Bethel (God of the House of God), because there, God appeared to him when he fled from the face of his brother.” [3]
Then God appeared to Jacob again and blessed him. God changed his name from Jacob to Israel. God gave Jacob a commission to be fruitful and multiply, to produce nations and kings, and to inherit the land that He promised to Abraham and Isaac. [4]
And Jacob called the name of the place where God spoke with him, Bethel.” [5]
Truly, Bethel, the House of God, is entered whenever and wherever we put to death (bury) our idols. We come to God not to ask for more of this world, but to reverence God for who He is and that He chooses to BE in our lives. How Amazing!!! He created and sustains the universe! He loves us!
“Thank You Heavenly Father for delivering us from all our distresses. You have preserved our lives. You have blessed us with in so many ways. We give You reverence. Thank You for Your presence.”
[1] Genesis 35:3-4
[2] Genesis 35:5
[3] Genesis 35:7
[4] Genesis 35:8-12
[5] Genesis 35:15
Jacob wanted to come into God’s presence in a holy fashion, namely, stripped of all that competed for God’s glory in their lives. Let’s get rid of our idols. Let’s purify ourselves. Let’s put on clean clothes. Let us give God reverence. This God, our God, delivered me in the day of my distress and His presence has been with me.
His family followed his instruction and received a blessing from God: “As they journeyed, the terror of God was upon the cities that were all around them, and they did not pursue the sons of Jacob.” [2]
Jacob and his family arrived at Bethel. “He built an altar there and called the place El Bethel (God of the House of God), because there, God appeared to him when he fled from the face of his brother.” [3]
Then God appeared to Jacob again and blessed him. God changed his name from Jacob to Israel. God gave Jacob a commission to be fruitful and multiply, to produce nations and kings, and to inherit the land that He promised to Abraham and Isaac. [4]
And Jacob called the name of the place where God spoke with him, Bethel.” [5]
Truly, Bethel, the House of God, is entered whenever and wherever we put to death (bury) our idols. We come to God not to ask for more of this world, but to reverence God for who He is and that He chooses to BE in our lives. How Amazing!!! He created and sustains the universe! He loves us!
“Thank You Heavenly Father for delivering us from all our distresses. You have preserved our lives. You have blessed us with in so many ways. We give You reverence. Thank You for Your presence.”
[1] Genesis 35:3-4
[2] Genesis 35:5
[3] Genesis 35:7
[4] Genesis 35:8-12
[5] Genesis 35:15
Saturday, January 11, 2020
Guaranteed Entrance into the Promised Land
God promised to Abraham and Sarah a son. They grew weary of waiting on God’s promise to be fulfilled, so Sarah gave her servant Hagar to Abraham that he might have a child by her.
The Apostle Paul uses this historic happening to illustrate the Law and the Gospel to the Christians of Galatia. He wrote:
“It is written that Abraham had two sons: the one by a bondwoman [Hagar], the other by a free woman [Sarah]. But he [Ishmael] who was of the bondwoman was born according to the flesh, and he [Isaac] of the free woman through promise, which things are symbolic.” [1]
“The flesh” refers to unbelief and self-dependence whereas “promise” refers to faith and dependence on God’s promise.
Paul calls Hagar [the Egyptian] Mount Sinai. Mount Sinai is where God gave Moses the Law. Paul refers to Sarah as Jerusalem. The Israelites entered the Holy Land by faith in God’s Promise. Paul refers to human attempts to please God as bondage, and trust in God’s Promise as freedom. The Promise refers to Christ, which will be clarified later.
“Mount Sinai which gives birth to bondage, which is Hagar… Jerusalem above is free, which is the mother of us all.” [2]
Galatians 3:27 is a Hallelujah for those who trust in the Lord’s Promise. Miracles! In Christ: the barren gives birth; those who do not labor receive results; the desolate woman has more children than the woman with husband…
“Rejoice, O barren,
You who do not bear!
Break forth and shout,
You who are not in labor!
For the desolate has many more children
Than she who has a husband.”
Paul emphasizes: “Now we, brothers, as Isaac was, are children of promise.” “So then, brothers, we are not children of the bondwoman but of the free.” [3]
What did Abraham do to deserve such blessings? He believed that God would do for him what he could not accomplish via Sarah… albeit, his faith did falter… he did have a child by Hagar. Still God kept His promise to Abraham. And God credited righteousness to Abraham’s account for believing in Him. Galatians 3:6 says…
“Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.”
Then, Paul turns this story on us and says, “Know, therefore, that only those who are of faith are sons of Abraham” and adds, “so then those who are of faith are blessed with believing Abraham.” [4]
What faith? Faith in Christ!
Paul wrote, “Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, ‘Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree’), that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles [us non-Jews] in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.” [5]
The curses of the law are listed in Leviticus 26:14-39 and Deuteronomy 27:11-26. These curses are for those who do not obey the Lord perfectly.
Jesus Christ obeyed the Law perfectly. He is the only who ever lived in human flesh and did so.
Jesus Christ took the curses which our imperfect obedience deserves and gave us the blessing of Abraham, namely God. We receive the Holy Spirit (the presence of God with us) by believing in Christ. The Holy Spirit is God’s gift to believers in Christ. The Holy Spirit helps to live for God.
Ephesians 1:13-14 says, “In Him [Christ] you also trusted… having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance.” The Holy Spirit is God’s down-payment on our eternal salvation. He is a sign that God has purchased our salvation and WILL bring us to heaven.
Why is Abraham’s son Isaac so important?
Isaac represents salvation by grace. Christ is a descendant of Isaac. The Seed through whom all the nations are blessed refers to Christ.
“Now to Abraham and his Seed were the promises made. He does not say, “And to seeds,” as of many, but as of one, “And to your Seed,” who is Christ.” [6]
Paul states that the Law which was given to Moses did not cancel out the Promise that was given to Abraham. He states that the inheritance was given to Abraham in the Promise of Christ. [7]
The conclusion of the matter is this: “If you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.” [8]
“Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for the precious Promise. All good things have come to us in Christ Jesus Your Son. Thank You for the gift of the Holy Spirit, who is Christ in us, the hope of glory. Thanks to the death of Your Son on the cross and His resurrection from the dead, we have a sure promise of entering Heavenly Jerusalem, which is far greater than any Promised Land that ever preceded it. You are our confidence! You are our sure salvation. All glory to You. In the Name of Your Son Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.”
[1] Galatians 3:22-23
[2] Galatians 3:24-26
[3] Galatians 3:28, 31
[4] Galatians 3:6, 9
[5] Galatians 3:13-14
[6] Galatians 3:16
[7] Galatians 3:17-18
[8] Galatians 3:29
The Apostle Paul uses this historic happening to illustrate the Law and the Gospel to the Christians of Galatia. He wrote:
“It is written that Abraham had two sons: the one by a bondwoman [Hagar], the other by a free woman [Sarah]. But he [Ishmael] who was of the bondwoman was born according to the flesh, and he [Isaac] of the free woman through promise, which things are symbolic.” [1]
“The flesh” refers to unbelief and self-dependence whereas “promise” refers to faith and dependence on God’s promise.
Paul calls Hagar [the Egyptian] Mount Sinai. Mount Sinai is where God gave Moses the Law. Paul refers to Sarah as Jerusalem. The Israelites entered the Holy Land by faith in God’s Promise. Paul refers to human attempts to please God as bondage, and trust in God’s Promise as freedom. The Promise refers to Christ, which will be clarified later.
“Mount Sinai which gives birth to bondage, which is Hagar… Jerusalem above is free, which is the mother of us all.” [2]
Galatians 3:27 is a Hallelujah for those who trust in the Lord’s Promise. Miracles! In Christ: the barren gives birth; those who do not labor receive results; the desolate woman has more children than the woman with husband…
“Rejoice, O barren,
You who do not bear!
Break forth and shout,
You who are not in labor!
For the desolate has many more children
Than she who has a husband.”
Paul emphasizes: “Now we, brothers, as Isaac was, are children of promise.” “So then, brothers, we are not children of the bondwoman but of the free.” [3]
What did Abraham do to deserve such blessings? He believed that God would do for him what he could not accomplish via Sarah… albeit, his faith did falter… he did have a child by Hagar. Still God kept His promise to Abraham. And God credited righteousness to Abraham’s account for believing in Him. Galatians 3:6 says…
“Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.”
Then, Paul turns this story on us and says, “Know, therefore, that only those who are of faith are sons of Abraham” and adds, “so then those who are of faith are blessed with believing Abraham.” [4]
What faith? Faith in Christ!
Paul wrote, “Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, ‘Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree’), that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles [us non-Jews] in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.” [5]
The curses of the law are listed in Leviticus 26:14-39 and Deuteronomy 27:11-26. These curses are for those who do not obey the Lord perfectly.
Jesus Christ obeyed the Law perfectly. He is the only who ever lived in human flesh and did so.
Jesus Christ took the curses which our imperfect obedience deserves and gave us the blessing of Abraham, namely God. We receive the Holy Spirit (the presence of God with us) by believing in Christ. The Holy Spirit is God’s gift to believers in Christ. The Holy Spirit helps to live for God.
Ephesians 1:13-14 says, “In Him [Christ] you also trusted… having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance.” The Holy Spirit is God’s down-payment on our eternal salvation. He is a sign that God has purchased our salvation and WILL bring us to heaven.
Why is Abraham’s son Isaac so important?
Isaac represents salvation by grace. Christ is a descendant of Isaac. The Seed through whom all the nations are blessed refers to Christ.
“Now to Abraham and his Seed were the promises made. He does not say, “And to seeds,” as of many, but as of one, “And to your Seed,” who is Christ.” [6]
Paul states that the Law which was given to Moses did not cancel out the Promise that was given to Abraham. He states that the inheritance was given to Abraham in the Promise of Christ. [7]
The conclusion of the matter is this: “If you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.” [8]
“Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for the precious Promise. All good things have come to us in Christ Jesus Your Son. Thank You for the gift of the Holy Spirit, who is Christ in us, the hope of glory. Thanks to the death of Your Son on the cross and His resurrection from the dead, we have a sure promise of entering Heavenly Jerusalem, which is far greater than any Promised Land that ever preceded it. You are our confidence! You are our sure salvation. All glory to You. In the Name of Your Son Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.”
[1] Galatians 3:22-23
[2] Galatians 3:24-26
[3] Galatians 3:28, 31
[4] Galatians 3:6, 9
[5] Galatians 3:13-14
[6] Galatians 3:16
[7] Galatians 3:17-18
[8] Galatians 3:29
Saturday, January 4, 2020
Believing God Despite Difficulties
Isaiah and Jeremiah believed in God despite their experiences of difficulties.
God told Isaiah to write on a tablet...
Make a record…
The people were rebellious…
Refusing to hear the Lord’s law.
Saying to God’s seers, “Don’t see!”
Saying to God’s prophets, “Don’t prophesy!
Don’t declare right things!
Speak to us smooth things!
Prophesy deceit.
Leave God’s way.
Turn from His path,
Cause the Holy One…
To cease from before us.”
Isaiah warned them…
You despise God’s Word…
You trust in oppression and perversity,
Your high wall is about to fall…
It will fall suddenly…
God shall break your wall…
As a potter breaks a pot…
There shall not be a fragment left…
Large enough to carry fire or water.
Then, the Lord advised them…
“In returning and rest you shall be saved;
In quietness and confidence…
Shall be your strength.”
Then, the Lord promised them…
“The Lord will wait…
That He may be gracious to you;
He will be exalted in having mercy on you.
For the Lord is a God of justice;
Blessed are all those who wait for Him.” [1]
The Lord told Jeremiah…
To break a flask before the leaders and say…
Even so the Lord will break this people and this city,
As one breaks a potter’s vessel,
Because of its idolatry. [2]
Later, Jeremiah wrote Lamentations…
He was greatly aggrieved.
Rather than softening to God’s Word…
His city hardened itself.
They were shattered by an invading force.
In the year 2020 the Lord is saying…
“The just shall live by faith;
But if anyone draws back,
My soul has no pleasure in him.” [3]
Our resolution is…
“We are not of those who draw back to perdition,
But of those who believe to the saving of the soul.” [4]
“Dear Heavenly Father,
Please keep our hearts tender to You.
Help us to live by faith…
As Your Son said to Satan…
‘Man shall not live by bread alone,
But by every word that…
Proceeds from the mouth of God.’
Please grant us grace…
Please fill us with Your Holy Spirit…
So that we live by faith…
And never turn back.
In Jesus’ Name we pray, Amen!”
[1] Isaiah 30:8-15, 18
[2] Jeremiah 19:10-13
[3] Hebrews 10:38
[4] Hebrews 10:39
God told Isaiah to write on a tablet...
Make a record…
The people were rebellious…
Refusing to hear the Lord’s law.
Saying to God’s seers, “Don’t see!”
Saying to God’s prophets, “Don’t prophesy!
Don’t declare right things!
Speak to us smooth things!
Prophesy deceit.
Leave God’s way.
Turn from His path,
Cause the Holy One…
To cease from before us.”
Isaiah warned them…
You despise God’s Word…
You trust in oppression and perversity,
Your high wall is about to fall…
It will fall suddenly…
God shall break your wall…
As a potter breaks a pot…
There shall not be a fragment left…
Large enough to carry fire or water.
Then, the Lord advised them…
“In returning and rest you shall be saved;
In quietness and confidence…
Shall be your strength.”
Then, the Lord promised them…
“The Lord will wait…
That He may be gracious to you;
He will be exalted in having mercy on you.
For the Lord is a God of justice;
Blessed are all those who wait for Him.” [1]
The Lord told Jeremiah…
To break a flask before the leaders and say…
Even so the Lord will break this people and this city,
As one breaks a potter’s vessel,
Because of its idolatry. [2]
Later, Jeremiah wrote Lamentations…
He was greatly aggrieved.
Rather than softening to God’s Word…
His city hardened itself.
They were shattered by an invading force.
In the year 2020 the Lord is saying…
“The just shall live by faith;
But if anyone draws back,
My soul has no pleasure in him.” [3]
Our resolution is…
“We are not of those who draw back to perdition,
But of those who believe to the saving of the soul.” [4]
“Dear Heavenly Father,
Please keep our hearts tender to You.
Help us to live by faith…
As Your Son said to Satan…
‘Man shall not live by bread alone,
But by every word that…
Proceeds from the mouth of God.’
Please grant us grace…
Please fill us with Your Holy Spirit…
So that we live by faith…
And never turn back.
In Jesus’ Name we pray, Amen!”
[1] Isaiah 30:8-15, 18
[2] Jeremiah 19:10-13
[3] Hebrews 10:38
[4] Hebrews 10:39
Wednesday, January 1, 2020
Power in the Name of Jesus
Once, two Christians were going to a place of public prayer.
On the way, they met a beggar.
The beggar had never been able to walk.
He asked the Christians for money.
One of them said to the man, “Look at us.”
The beggar expected the Christian to give him money.
But the Christian said to the beggar...
“Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.” Immediately, the beggar’s bones received strength. The beggar entered the place of public prayer with the men. He was walking, leaping, and praising God. When the people saw him walking and praising God, they were amazed, because they knew that he was the beggar that was previously lame.
Since there were many people there who did not believe in Jesus, the Christian began telling all the people around him the story of Jesus. He told the crowd that the beggar’s healing was achieved through faith in name of Jesus. He said, “Faith in Jesus gave this man perfect wholeness.”
The Christian urged the people to repent and be converted so that their sins would be forgiven and so that they too could receive the refreshing presence of Jesus.
Before the Christians could finish speaking, authorities arrested them and placed them in detention for the night.
While on trial, the Christians proclaimed that the lame was healed by the power of the name of Jesus Christ.
They proclaimed that salvation is in the name of Jesus.
After threatening them, the authorities released them.
The authorities could not punish the Christians since the whole community was glorifying God due to the miracle.
The man that Jesus healed was over forty years old.
About 5,000 men believed in Jesus from that incident. [1]
“Thank You Jesus for the faith that You gave Peter and John that day, please help us Christians in 2020 to have the same assurance of faith in Your Name so that more people will see and hear the power of Your Name and believe in You. For it is in Your Name that we pray. Amen.”
[1] Acts 3:1 - 4:21
On the way, they met a beggar.
The beggar had never been able to walk.
He asked the Christians for money.
One of them said to the man, “Look at us.”
The beggar expected the Christian to give him money.
But the Christian said to the beggar...
“Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.” Immediately, the beggar’s bones received strength. The beggar entered the place of public prayer with the men. He was walking, leaping, and praising God. When the people saw him walking and praising God, they were amazed, because they knew that he was the beggar that was previously lame.
Since there were many people there who did not believe in Jesus, the Christian began telling all the people around him the story of Jesus. He told the crowd that the beggar’s healing was achieved through faith in name of Jesus. He said, “Faith in Jesus gave this man perfect wholeness.”
The Christian urged the people to repent and be converted so that their sins would be forgiven and so that they too could receive the refreshing presence of Jesus.
Before the Christians could finish speaking, authorities arrested them and placed them in detention for the night.
While on trial, the Christians proclaimed that the lame was healed by the power of the name of Jesus Christ.
They proclaimed that salvation is in the name of Jesus.
After threatening them, the authorities released them.
The authorities could not punish the Christians since the whole community was glorifying God due to the miracle.
The man that Jesus healed was over forty years old.
About 5,000 men believed in Jesus from that incident. [1]
“Thank You Jesus for the faith that You gave Peter and John that day, please help us Christians in 2020 to have the same assurance of faith in Your Name so that more people will see and hear the power of Your Name and believe in You. For it is in Your Name that we pray. Amen.”
[1] Acts 3:1 - 4:21
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