“Then He began to rebuke the cities in which most of His mighty works had been done, because they did not repent.” [1]
Jesus called sinners to repentance. Sin is an evil fruit. It destroys those who partake of it.
Throughout the Old Testament, God called His people to bring animal sacrifices to atone for their sins. Atonement for sin was a key function of the tabernacle and the priesthood.
Sin must be atoned for with blood: “Without shedding of blood there is no remission.” [2]
When Jesus instituted communion, He told His disciples, “This is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.” [3]
Jesus reached out to the last, the least and the lost, but His message to everyone was the same. Sin must be repented of. It must be atoned for. The Old Testament animals sacrifices were a type of His sacrifice, but they were imperfect. They had to be done over and over again. The sacrifice of Christ for our sins was a ONCE-FOR-ALL sacrifice.
Jesus “does not need daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for His own sins and then for the people’s, for this He did ONCE FOR ALL when He offered up Himself.” [4]
“Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place ONCE FOR ALL, having obtained eternal redemption.” [5]
“...But now, ONCE at the end of the ages, He has appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself.” [6]
“So Christ was offered ONCE to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation.” [7]
“...We have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ ONCE FOR ALL.” [8]
So, Jesus rebuked and pronounced woes over the cities that did not repent. [9] Sin separates people from God. Jesus brings people close to God through the forgiveness of their sins, but proud people rejected this theology of Jesus, which, by the way, is the theology of the Bible.
But to those who come to God on God’s terms, Jesus says, “My yoke is easy, and My burden is light.” [10] Once, sin is atoned for, there is wonderful fellowship with God and with His people.
John Wesley, at the height of the great awakening, preached that people are depraved due to sin and need to be converted by Christ to become new creations. Many sinners found forgiveness and renewal thanks to John’s Holy-Spirit-led and Biblically based preaching. May the Lord bring such preaching to the USA ONCE AGAIN.
[1] Matthew 11:20
[2] Hebrews 9:22
[3] Matthew 26:28
[4] Hebrews 7:27
[5] Hebrews 9:12
[6] Hebrews 9:26
[7] Hebrews 9:28
[8] Hebrews 10:10
[9] Matthew 11:21-24
[10] Matthew 11:30
Bearing witness to the Word of God and to the testimony of Jesus!
Thursday, September 30, 2021
Wednesday, September 29, 2021
The Surrendered Life
Jesus taught us what to expect as we serve Him in this sinful world. He told us that what He experienced, we too would experience. However, in the end, God will make the truth known...
“A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. It is enough for a disciple that he be like his teacher, and a servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more will they call those of his household! Therefore do not fear them. For there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, and hidden that will not be known.” [1]
When evil comes at us, Jesus urged us to weigh between the lesser of two evils. He said...
“Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” [2]
Yes, antagonists may inflict physical and emotional duress on us as we proclaim Christ, but those who die without Jesus Christ will definitely experience a life much worse than that.
“Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.” [3]
The ill-treatment that sometimes comes to us who proclaim Christ is not a reflection of God’s love for us. It comes to us from Satan who hates the servants of Christ. These times are opportunities to show how greatly God loves sinners. Keep loving them. You are experiencing what Jesus experienced. God is maligned and ill-treated daily. The truth about you is that you are more valuable to God than many sparrows. He not only has your back, He also has your hair. He knows the number of hairs are on your head.
“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.” [4]
This is the crux of the matter. Do we want Jesus to confess us before the Father in heaven? If so, then, we need to confess Him before people. This is our primary objective.
“He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it.” [5]
Jesus promises us that if we lose our life... if we yield it for His cause... if we surrender our lives to Him for His use, there will be a good outcome. He will ensure it happens. God will give us a better life than the one we left behind for Him.
[1] Matthew 10:24-26
[2] Matthew 10:28
[3] Matthew 10:29-31
[4] Matthew 10:32-33
[5] Matthew 10:39
“A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. It is enough for a disciple that he be like his teacher, and a servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more will they call those of his household! Therefore do not fear them. For there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, and hidden that will not be known.” [1]
When evil comes at us, Jesus urged us to weigh between the lesser of two evils. He said...
“Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” [2]
Yes, antagonists may inflict physical and emotional duress on us as we proclaim Christ, but those who die without Jesus Christ will definitely experience a life much worse than that.
“Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.” [3]
The ill-treatment that sometimes comes to us who proclaim Christ is not a reflection of God’s love for us. It comes to us from Satan who hates the servants of Christ. These times are opportunities to show how greatly God loves sinners. Keep loving them. You are experiencing what Jesus experienced. God is maligned and ill-treated daily. The truth about you is that you are more valuable to God than many sparrows. He not only has your back, He also has your hair. He knows the number of hairs are on your head.
“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.” [4]
This is the crux of the matter. Do we want Jesus to confess us before the Father in heaven? If so, then, we need to confess Him before people. This is our primary objective.
“He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it.” [5]
Jesus promises us that if we lose our life... if we yield it for His cause... if we surrender our lives to Him for His use, there will be a good outcome. He will ensure it happens. God will give us a better life than the one we left behind for Him.
[1] Matthew 10:24-26
[2] Matthew 10:28
[3] Matthew 10:29-31
[4] Matthew 10:32-33
[5] Matthew 10:39
Monday, September 27, 2021
Come Humble Ones To Jesus
“When evening had come, they brought to Him many who were demon-possessed. And He cast out the spirits with a word, and healed all who were sick, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying: He Himself took our infirmities and bore our sicknesses.” [1]
Bring them on! Kind and caring souls brought struggling people to Jesus. Demons had made their lives horrible. Jesus spoke a word and the demons departed from them. Others were battling infirmities. Jesus healed them.
Yes, God wants us to be whole. He also cares for our souls. Only He saves our souls from everlasting torment and brings us to heaven.
The worst disaster or crisis to avert in this life is the crisis of faith. Without faith in Christ it is impossible to be saved eternally. Jesus Christ is the Way the Truth and the Life. We must believe in Him to be saved.
Saving faith in Jesus is not a mere intellectual assent to information from the Bible, but a conversion of the soul thanks to a divine work of God in one’s heart. We each need the revelation that Jesus is God’s Messiah. He is the Savior of the world. This divine revelation prompts to action.
Like the humble souls in the Gospel, seek Jesus for a miracle. Jesus is the answer for your dilemma. Our Lord Jesus will respond to you with love and grace.
[1] Matthew 8:16-17
Bring them on! Kind and caring souls brought struggling people to Jesus. Demons had made their lives horrible. Jesus spoke a word and the demons departed from them. Others were battling infirmities. Jesus healed them.
Yes, God wants us to be whole. He also cares for our souls. Only He saves our souls from everlasting torment and brings us to heaven.
The worst disaster or crisis to avert in this life is the crisis of faith. Without faith in Christ it is impossible to be saved eternally. Jesus Christ is the Way the Truth and the Life. We must believe in Him to be saved.
Saving faith in Jesus is not a mere intellectual assent to information from the Bible, but a conversion of the soul thanks to a divine work of God in one’s heart. We each need the revelation that Jesus is God’s Messiah. He is the Savior of the world. This divine revelation prompts to action.
Like the humble souls in the Gospel, seek Jesus for a miracle. Jesus is the answer for your dilemma. Our Lord Jesus will respond to you with love and grace.
[1] Matthew 8:16-17
Saturday, September 25, 2021
Faith in Good News
“The time has come. The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!” [1]
The Kingdom of God was near in the person of Jesus Christ. Jesus told the disciples of John the Baptist... “The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor.” [2]
What was needed then, and what is needed now is repentance and faith in the Good News.
What is the Good News?
The Good News is that God so loves the world that He sent His Son Jesus into the world to die for our sins and to resurrect from the dead so that we may have a happily ever afterlife with God.
This Good News should not be glossed over. Should not be put on a shelf! Should not be taken for granted! Should not be doubted! It is to be believed!
Jesus has written your name in the Book of Life! Why? Because you simply believe that Jesus Christ is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, and your sin. Your confidence is in His merits not your own. We KNOW that He has made His eternity our eternity as well.
Jesus said, “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in Me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with Me that you also may be where I am.” [3]
Jesus prepares a place for each of us who believe in Him! It’s a place in His Father’s house. We get to be with the Father of all life and the Father of all creation forever and ever.
Let us pray...
“Teach me Your way, Lord, that I may rely on Your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear Your Name. I will praise You, Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify Your Name forever. For great is Your love toward me; You have delivered me from the depths, from the realm of the dead.” [4]
[1] Mark 1:15
[2] Matthew 11:5
[3] John 14:1-3
[4] Psalm 86:11-13
The Kingdom of God was near in the person of Jesus Christ. Jesus told the disciples of John the Baptist... “The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor.” [2]
What was needed then, and what is needed now is repentance and faith in the Good News.
What is the Good News?
The Good News is that God so loves the world that He sent His Son Jesus into the world to die for our sins and to resurrect from the dead so that we may have a happily ever afterlife with God.
This Good News should not be glossed over. Should not be put on a shelf! Should not be taken for granted! Should not be doubted! It is to be believed!
Jesus has written your name in the Book of Life! Why? Because you simply believe that Jesus Christ is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, and your sin. Your confidence is in His merits not your own. We KNOW that He has made His eternity our eternity as well.
Jesus said, “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in Me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with Me that you also may be where I am.” [3]
Jesus prepares a place for each of us who believe in Him! It’s a place in His Father’s house. We get to be with the Father of all life and the Father of all creation forever and ever.
Let us pray...
“Teach me Your way, Lord, that I may rely on Your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear Your Name. I will praise You, Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify Your Name forever. For great is Your love toward me; You have delivered me from the depths, from the realm of the dead.” [4]
[1] Mark 1:15
[2] Matthew 11:5
[3] John 14:1-3
[4] Psalm 86:11-13
Friday, September 24, 2021
The Love of God
“Jesus said to him, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’” [1]
LOVE! “Yes, Heavenly Father, we love You with heart, soul, and mind, but confess that our love is too small. You who are worthy of so much more love than we give. We want to love You much more than we do.”
“...the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” [2]
“Thank You Holy Spirit for pouring into our hearts love for God.”
“The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen.” [3]
“Yes, Lord Jesus, to overcome the tendency to be self-oriented, we need Your grace to forgive and to help us to be more others oriented like You are.”
“There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. We love Him because He first loved us.” [4]
“Yes, God, continue to root out imperfect love. Love that does not reach the intended recipient due to fear! Thank You Lord Jesus that You cast fear aside, knowing love would yield You pain! You chose love. You became a living sacrifice for sinners so that we might be saved.”
“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.” [5]
“Thank You God for this great demonstration of Your love for us.”
“O Lord Your Tenderness,
Melting all my bitterness,
O Lord, I receive Your love.
O Lord, Your loveliness,
Changing all my ugliness,
O Lord, I receive Your love.” [6]
[1] Matthew 22:37
[2] Romans 5:5
[3] 2 Corinthians 13:14
[4] 1 John 4:18-19
[5] Romans 5:6-8
LOVE! “Yes, Heavenly Father, we love You with heart, soul, and mind, but confess that our love is too small. You who are worthy of so much more love than we give. We want to love You much more than we do.”
“...the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” [2]
“Thank You Holy Spirit for pouring into our hearts love for God.”
“The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen.” [3]
“Yes, Lord Jesus, to overcome the tendency to be self-oriented, we need Your grace to forgive and to help us to be more others oriented like You are.”
“There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. We love Him because He first loved us.” [4]
“Yes, God, continue to root out imperfect love. Love that does not reach the intended recipient due to fear! Thank You Lord Jesus that You cast fear aside, knowing love would yield You pain! You chose love. You became a living sacrifice for sinners so that we might be saved.”
“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.” [5]
“Thank You God for this great demonstration of Your love for us.”
“O Lord Your Tenderness,
Melting all my bitterness,
O Lord, I receive Your love.
O Lord, Your loveliness,
Changing all my ugliness,
O Lord, I receive Your love.” [6]
[1] Matthew 22:37
[2] Romans 5:5
[3] 2 Corinthians 13:14
[4] 1 John 4:18-19
[5] Romans 5:6-8
Thursday, September 23, 2021
The Kingdom of God is at Hand
“Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.” [1]
“Jesus endured temptation both so that He could identify with us, and to demonstrate His own holy, sinless character.” [2]
“If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread. But He answered and said, ‘It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’” [3]
“It isn’t that Jesus refused supernatural help in feeding Himself; He was more than happy to eat what the angels brought Him when the time of testing was over. It wasn’t a matter of refusing supernatural help; it was a matter of submitting to His Father’s timing and will in all things.” [4]
“Then the devil took Him up into the holy city, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, ‘If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down...’ Jesus said to him, ‘It is written again, ‘You shall not tempt the Lord your God.’” [5]
“Satan tempted Jesus to ‘force’ the Father into a supernatural event. Satan appealed to the desire within every man to sense approval from God and to have that approval publicly demonstrated.” “This warns us against demanding something spectacular from God to prove His love or concern for us. He has already given the ultimate demonstration of His love for us at the cross, and He can do nothing more “spectacular” than that.” [6]
“Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to Him, ‘All these things I will give You if You fall down and worship me.’ Then Jesus said to him, ‘Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.’ Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him.” [7]
Many kingdoms are under the devil’s power because they are deceived. Some worship false gods invented by the devil. Some have been influenced by the devil to become addicts of sinful pleasures: sex, drugs, alcohol, ego, etc. Those who oppose faith alone in God are many. They come against the man or woman, boy or girl who follows Christ. The devil tempted Jesus to join his gang. Why not enjoy the social welfare of the devil instead of the pain of social conflict that comes with following Christ?
“From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.’” [8]
Jesus calls those caught in the devil’s web of lies and fearmongering to repent. Repent of the sinful pleasures that the devil’s has you addicted to. Repent of the unbelief in Christ that he’s feeding you. God’s kingdom is at hand. The time to get right with God is now. When Christ returns, it will be too late. You will be excluded from His everlasting kingdom of glory unless you repent and surrender your life to Christ! Surrender to Christ as your Lord and King. He will save you from this evil world and bring you into His everlasting kingdom where righteousness, peace, and joy reign.
[1] Matthew 4:1
[2] Enduring Word Commentary with references to Hebrews 2:18; 4:15
[3] Matthew 4:3-4
[4] Enduring Word Commentary with reference to Matthew 4:11
[5] Matthew 4:5-7
[6] Enduring Word Commentary with reference to Romans 5:8
[7] Matthew 4:8-11
[8] Matthew 4:17
“Jesus endured temptation both so that He could identify with us, and to demonstrate His own holy, sinless character.” [2]
“If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread. But He answered and said, ‘It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’” [3]
“It isn’t that Jesus refused supernatural help in feeding Himself; He was more than happy to eat what the angels brought Him when the time of testing was over. It wasn’t a matter of refusing supernatural help; it was a matter of submitting to His Father’s timing and will in all things.” [4]
“Then the devil took Him up into the holy city, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, ‘If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down...’ Jesus said to him, ‘It is written again, ‘You shall not tempt the Lord your God.’” [5]
“Satan tempted Jesus to ‘force’ the Father into a supernatural event. Satan appealed to the desire within every man to sense approval from God and to have that approval publicly demonstrated.” “This warns us against demanding something spectacular from God to prove His love or concern for us. He has already given the ultimate demonstration of His love for us at the cross, and He can do nothing more “spectacular” than that.” [6]
“Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to Him, ‘All these things I will give You if You fall down and worship me.’ Then Jesus said to him, ‘Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.’ Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him.” [7]
Many kingdoms are under the devil’s power because they are deceived. Some worship false gods invented by the devil. Some have been influenced by the devil to become addicts of sinful pleasures: sex, drugs, alcohol, ego, etc. Those who oppose faith alone in God are many. They come against the man or woman, boy or girl who follows Christ. The devil tempted Jesus to join his gang. Why not enjoy the social welfare of the devil instead of the pain of social conflict that comes with following Christ?
“From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.’” [8]
Jesus calls those caught in the devil’s web of lies and fearmongering to repent. Repent of the sinful pleasures that the devil’s has you addicted to. Repent of the unbelief in Christ that he’s feeding you. God’s kingdom is at hand. The time to get right with God is now. When Christ returns, it will be too late. You will be excluded from His everlasting kingdom of glory unless you repent and surrender your life to Christ! Surrender to Christ as your Lord and King. He will save you from this evil world and bring you into His everlasting kingdom where righteousness, peace, and joy reign.
[1] Matthew 4:1
[2] Enduring Word Commentary with references to Hebrews 2:18; 4:15
[3] Matthew 4:3-4
[4] Enduring Word Commentary with reference to Matthew 4:11
[5] Matthew 4:5-7
[6] Enduring Word Commentary with reference to Romans 5:8
[7] Matthew 4:8-11
[8] Matthew 4:17
Wednesday, September 22, 2021
Humility and the Fear of the Lord! Yes!
"By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches and honor and life."
The enemy of our souls would like us to believe otherwise than what Proverbs 22:4 states above, but Jesus said that the devil is a liar and a thief. Jesus came to give us life and life more abundantly.
"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." (John 10:10)
"He [the devil] was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it." (John 8:44)
The devil is one who offered Jesus all the kingdoms of the world. Jesus was about to begin his ministry here on earth. The liar and thief sought to buy him out, but Jesus was not buying from him. He knew that in the end, He inherits all the kingdoms of the world. Our Lord had a higher purpose and that was to die on a cruel cross for the sins of Adam's race. To redeem us! To make a way for us back to God. To bless us!
Yes, by humility and the fear of the Lord are riches and honor and life. It is better to be humble, fear the Lord and do what is right than to join with liars and thieves. They and their father, the devil end up in the lake of fire while the servants of the Lord enjoy glory and blessings in His presence forevermore.
"Dear Heavenly Father, please grant us the wisdom and discernment to always choose the way of humility before You and the way of submission to Your will that You may bring about for us all Your good plans for our lives. For it is in the Name of Your Son Jesus Christ that we pray. Amen."
The enemy of our souls would like us to believe otherwise than what Proverbs 22:4 states above, but Jesus said that the devil is a liar and a thief. Jesus came to give us life and life more abundantly.
"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." (John 10:10)
"He [the devil] was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it." (John 8:44)
The devil is one who offered Jesus all the kingdoms of the world. Jesus was about to begin his ministry here on earth. The liar and thief sought to buy him out, but Jesus was not buying from him. He knew that in the end, He inherits all the kingdoms of the world. Our Lord had a higher purpose and that was to die on a cruel cross for the sins of Adam's race. To redeem us! To make a way for us back to God. To bless us!
Yes, by humility and the fear of the Lord are riches and honor and life. It is better to be humble, fear the Lord and do what is right than to join with liars and thieves. They and their father, the devil end up in the lake of fire while the servants of the Lord enjoy glory and blessings in His presence forevermore.
"Dear Heavenly Father, please grant us the wisdom and discernment to always choose the way of humility before You and the way of submission to Your will that You may bring about for us all Your good plans for our lives. For it is in the Name of Your Son Jesus Christ that we pray. Amen."
Tuesday, September 21, 2021
Give the Steering Wheel to God
The people in Isaiah’s day were being urged by God and His servants to let go and let Him, but at first, they despised God’s Word. They continued to rely on sinful motives. God warned them that their bad choices would result in a sudden collapse...
“Therefore thus says the Holy One of Israel: ‘Because you despise this word, and trust in oppression and perversity, and rely on them, therefore this iniquity shall be to you like a breach ready to fall, a bulge in a high wall, whose breaking comes suddenly, in an instant.’” [1]
God urged them to return to resting in Him if they wanted to be rescued. Be quiet. Be confident. “I will be your strength.” But they hardened their hearts against God...
“For thus says the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel: ‘In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and confidence shall be your strength.’ But you would not.” [2]
So, the Lord decided to wait. He wouldn’t force what was good for them upon them. He waited to be gracious to them. There would come a point when the people would stop striving and turn to Him. Then, He would be gracious to them. Then, He would have mercy on them. Blessed are those who wait patiently on the Lord...
“Therefore the Lord will wait, that He may be gracious to you; and therefore He will be exalted, that He may have mercy on you. For the Lord is a God of justice; blessed are all those who wait for Him. He will be very gracious to you at the sound of your cry; when He hears it, He will answer you.” [3]
As the people waited upon the Lord, they heard Him speaking. He gave them directions. Life became easier with God Almighty the Creator in-charge. They threw aside their idols...
“Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, ‘This is the way, walk in it,’ whenever you turn to the right hand or whenever you turn to the left. You will also defile the covering of your images of silver, and the ornament of your molded images of gold. You will throw them away as an unclean thing; you will say to them, ‘Get away!’” [4]
Not only was life better with God in the driver seat, they also experienced His healing power...
“In the day that the Lord binds up the bruise of His people and heals the stroke of their wound.” [5]
“Dear Heavenly Father, please forgive us for trusting in our faulty human pride, and please grant us the wisdom and strength to return to You, rest in You, be rescued by You and led by You. And please do graciously heal our bruises and wounds. For it is in Name of Jesus Your Son that we pray. Amen.”
[1] Isaiah 30:12-13
[2] Isaiah 30:15
[3] Isaiah 30:18-19
[4] Isaiah 30:21-22
[5] Isaiah 30:26
“Therefore thus says the Holy One of Israel: ‘Because you despise this word, and trust in oppression and perversity, and rely on them, therefore this iniquity shall be to you like a breach ready to fall, a bulge in a high wall, whose breaking comes suddenly, in an instant.’” [1]
God urged them to return to resting in Him if they wanted to be rescued. Be quiet. Be confident. “I will be your strength.” But they hardened their hearts against God...
“For thus says the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel: ‘In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and confidence shall be your strength.’ But you would not.” [2]
So, the Lord decided to wait. He wouldn’t force what was good for them upon them. He waited to be gracious to them. There would come a point when the people would stop striving and turn to Him. Then, He would be gracious to them. Then, He would have mercy on them. Blessed are those who wait patiently on the Lord...
“Therefore the Lord will wait, that He may be gracious to you; and therefore He will be exalted, that He may have mercy on you. For the Lord is a God of justice; blessed are all those who wait for Him. He will be very gracious to you at the sound of your cry; when He hears it, He will answer you.” [3]
As the people waited upon the Lord, they heard Him speaking. He gave them directions. Life became easier with God Almighty the Creator in-charge. They threw aside their idols...
“Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, ‘This is the way, walk in it,’ whenever you turn to the right hand or whenever you turn to the left. You will also defile the covering of your images of silver, and the ornament of your molded images of gold. You will throw them away as an unclean thing; you will say to them, ‘Get away!’” [4]
Not only was life better with God in the driver seat, they also experienced His healing power...
“In the day that the Lord binds up the bruise of His people and heals the stroke of their wound.” [5]
“Dear Heavenly Father, please forgive us for trusting in our faulty human pride, and please grant us the wisdom and strength to return to You, rest in You, be rescued by You and led by You. And please do graciously heal our bruises and wounds. For it is in Name of Jesus Your Son that we pray. Amen.”
[1] Isaiah 30:12-13
[2] Isaiah 30:15
[3] Isaiah 30:18-19
[4] Isaiah 30:21-22
[5] Isaiah 30:26
Monday, September 20, 2021
Praises & Petitions of a Person who Glorifies God
“In You, O Lord, I put my trust; let me never be put to shame. Be my strong refuge, to which I may resort continually; You have given the commandment to save me, for You are my rock and my fortress.” [1]
“Let my mouth be filled with Your praise and with Your glory all the day.” [2]
“I will hope continually, and will praise You yet more and more. My mouth shall tell of Your righteousness and Your salvation all the day, for I do not know their limits. I will go in the strength of the Lord God; I will make mention of Your righteousness, of Yours only.” [3]
“Now also when I am old and gray headed, O God, do not forsake me, until I declare Your strength to this generation, Your power to everyone who is to come.” [4]
“You, who have shown me great and severe troubles, shall revive me again, and bring me up again from the depths of the earth. You shall increase my greatness, and comfort me on every side.” [5]
“In that day the Lord of hosts will be for a crown of glory and a diadem of beauty to the remnant of His people, for a spirit of justice to him who sits in judgment, and for strength to those who turn back the battle at the gate.” [6]
“Blessed be the Lord God, the God of Israel, who only does wondrous things! And blessed be His glorious name forever! And let the whole earth be filled with His glory. Amen and Amen.” [7]
[1] Psalm 71:1, 3
[2] Psalm 71:8
[3] Psalm 71:14-16
[4] Psalm 71:18
[5] Psalm 71:20
[6] Isaiah 28:5-6
[7] Psalm 72:18-19
“Let my mouth be filled with Your praise and with Your glory all the day.” [2]
“I will hope continually, and will praise You yet more and more. My mouth shall tell of Your righteousness and Your salvation all the day, for I do not know their limits. I will go in the strength of the Lord God; I will make mention of Your righteousness, of Yours only.” [3]
“Now also when I am old and gray headed, O God, do not forsake me, until I declare Your strength to this generation, Your power to everyone who is to come.” [4]
“You, who have shown me great and severe troubles, shall revive me again, and bring me up again from the depths of the earth. You shall increase my greatness, and comfort me on every side.” [5]
“In that day the Lord of hosts will be for a crown of glory and a diadem of beauty to the remnant of His people, for a spirit of justice to him who sits in judgment, and for strength to those who turn back the battle at the gate.” [6]
“Blessed be the Lord God, the God of Israel, who only does wondrous things! And blessed be His glorious name forever! And let the whole earth be filled with His glory. Amen and Amen.” [7]
[1] Psalm 71:1, 3
[2] Psalm 71:8
[3] Psalm 71:14-16
[4] Psalm 71:18
[5] Psalm 71:20
[6] Isaiah 28:5-6
[7] Psalm 72:18-19
Sunday, September 19, 2021
Blessings From The Lord
Death Swallowed Up
Tears Wiped Away
Gladness and Rejoicing
Perfect Peace
Strength
Earth’s Inhabitants Learning God’s Righteousness
God’s Face Shining upon Us
The Earth Yielding Her Increase
Seeing God’s Face
Walking in the Light of God’s Glory
Wonderful blessings from the Lord!
“He will swallow up death forever, and the Lord God will wipe away tears from all faces; the rebuke of His people He will take away from all the earth; for the Lord has spoken. And it will be said in that day: ‘Behold, this is our God; we have waited for Him, and He will save us. This is the Lord; we have waited for Him; we will be glad and rejoice in His salvation.’” [1]
“You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You. Trust in the Lord forever, for in Yah, the Lord, is everlasting strength.” [2]
“Yes, in the way of Your judgments, O Lord, we have waited for You; the desire of our soul is for Your Name and for the remembrance of You. With my soul I have desired You in the night, yes, by my spirit within me I will seek You early; for when Your judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness.” [3]
“God be merciful to us and bless us, and cause His face to shine upon us, Selah, that Your way may be known on earth, Your salvation among all nations. Let the peoples praise You, O God; let all the peoples praise You. Then the earth shall yield her increase; God, our own God, shall bless us.” [4]
“They [God’s servants] shall see His face, and His name shall be on their foreheads. There shall be no night there: They need no lamp nor light of the sun, for the Lord God gives them light. And they shall reign forever and ever.” [5]
[1] Isaiah 25:8-9
[2] Isaiah 26:3-4
[3] Isaiah 26:8-9
[4] Psalm 67:1-2, 5-6
[5] Revelation 22:4-5
Tears Wiped Away
Gladness and Rejoicing
Perfect Peace
Strength
Earth’s Inhabitants Learning God’s Righteousness
God’s Face Shining upon Us
The Earth Yielding Her Increase
Seeing God’s Face
Walking in the Light of God’s Glory
Wonderful blessings from the Lord!
“He will swallow up death forever, and the Lord God will wipe away tears from all faces; the rebuke of His people He will take away from all the earth; for the Lord has spoken. And it will be said in that day: ‘Behold, this is our God; we have waited for Him, and He will save us. This is the Lord; we have waited for Him; we will be glad and rejoice in His salvation.’” [1]
“You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You. Trust in the Lord forever, for in Yah, the Lord, is everlasting strength.” [2]
“Yes, in the way of Your judgments, O Lord, we have waited for You; the desire of our soul is for Your Name and for the remembrance of You. With my soul I have desired You in the night, yes, by my spirit within me I will seek You early; for when Your judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness.” [3]
“God be merciful to us and bless us, and cause His face to shine upon us, Selah, that Your way may be known on earth, Your salvation among all nations. Let the peoples praise You, O God; let all the peoples praise You. Then the earth shall yield her increase; God, our own God, shall bless us.” [4]
“They [God’s servants] shall see His face, and His name shall be on their foreheads. There shall be no night there: They need no lamp nor light of the sun, for the Lord God gives them light. And they shall reign forever and ever.” [5]
[1] Isaiah 25:8-9
[2] Isaiah 26:3-4
[3] Isaiah 26:8-9
[4] Psalm 67:1-2, 5-6
[5] Revelation 22:4-5
Saturday, September 18, 2021
Harvesters For Jesus
“The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.” [1]
Yes, the souls who need Christ are plentiful. Below are petitions based on Bible verses that Intervarsity put together to help harvesters to pray for the salvation of lost souls:
Heavenly Father, please help me become whatever kind of Christ-like servant _____ can identify with so that by all possible means he will be saved. [2]
Heavenly Father, please send more believers into ______’s life who will exemplify Christ and cause her to want to know Christ for herself. [3]
Heavenly Father, please open doors for proclaiming the mystery of Christ to ______. [4]
Heavenly Father, please enable me to speak Your Word to ______ with great boldness. [5]
Heavenly Father, please break the blindness on ______’s mind caused by the god of this age. Help him see the light of the Gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. [6]
Heavenly Father, please break complacency in _____’s mind and help her to want to be changed. [7]
Heavenly Father, please grant ______ a noble and good heart, help him hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop. [8]
Heavenly Father, please help ______ see with her eyes, hear with her ears, understand with her heart, and turn, and you will heal her. [9]
Heavenly Father, please me gently instruct ______ when he is in opposition to you, in the hope that you will grant him repentance leading him to knowledge of the truth, and that he will come to his senses and escape from the trap of the devil. [10]
Heavenly Father, please bring ______ to the point he declares with his mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believes in his heart that God raised Jesus from the dead, and he will be saved. [11]
Heavenly Father, please give me opportunity and boldness to invite ______ to come home to You. [12]
[1] Matthew 9:37-38
[2] 1 Corinthians 9:22
[3] Matthew 9:38
[4] Colossians 4:3
[5] Acts 4:29
[6] 2 Corinthians 4:4
[7] John 4:15
[8] Luke 8:11-15
[9] Matthew 13:15
[10] 2 Timothy 2:25-26
[11] Romans 10:9
[12] Luke 14:23
Yes, the souls who need Christ are plentiful. Below are petitions based on Bible verses that Intervarsity put together to help harvesters to pray for the salvation of lost souls:
Heavenly Father, please help me become whatever kind of Christ-like servant _____ can identify with so that by all possible means he will be saved. [2]
Heavenly Father, please send more believers into ______’s life who will exemplify Christ and cause her to want to know Christ for herself. [3]
Heavenly Father, please open doors for proclaiming the mystery of Christ to ______. [4]
Heavenly Father, please enable me to speak Your Word to ______ with great boldness. [5]
Heavenly Father, please break the blindness on ______’s mind caused by the god of this age. Help him see the light of the Gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. [6]
Heavenly Father, please break complacency in _____’s mind and help her to want to be changed. [7]
Heavenly Father, please grant ______ a noble and good heart, help him hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop. [8]
Heavenly Father, please help ______ see with her eyes, hear with her ears, understand with her heart, and turn, and you will heal her. [9]
Heavenly Father, please me gently instruct ______ when he is in opposition to you, in the hope that you will grant him repentance leading him to knowledge of the truth, and that he will come to his senses and escape from the trap of the devil. [10]
Heavenly Father, please bring ______ to the point he declares with his mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believes in his heart that God raised Jesus from the dead, and he will be saved. [11]
Heavenly Father, please give me opportunity and boldness to invite ______ to come home to You. [12]
[1] Matthew 9:37-38
[2] 1 Corinthians 9:22
[3] Matthew 9:38
[4] Colossians 4:3
[5] Acts 4:29
[6] 2 Corinthians 4:4
[7] John 4:15
[8] Luke 8:11-15
[9] Matthew 13:15
[10] 2 Timothy 2:25-26
[11] Romans 10:9
[12] Luke 14:23
Friday, September 17, 2021
The Devil’s Demise & The Savior’s Grace
“The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.” [1]
The influence and power of the deceiver of all the deceived, that is the devil, has an expiration date. When his time is up, he is cast into a kingdom ablaze with putrid smelling brimstone.
“Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them.” [2]
One of the devil’s deceptions was that people should fear to offend him more than God.
“And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books.” [3]
Those who trusted in their works to save them are judged by their works. Their works fell far short of God’s expectation. Only the saving work of God’s Son, Jesus Christ, on the cross, can atone for our sins and wipe our criminal records clean.
“The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works. Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.” [4]
Are our names in the Book of Life? Yes, if we believe in Jesus Christ...
“Jesus said to her, ‘I am the RESURRECTION and the LIFE. He who BELIEVES in ME, though he may die, he shall LIVE.’” [5]
“Therefore HE is also able to SAVE to the uttermost those who come to God through HIM, since HE always LIVES to make intercession for them.” [6]
“For by GRACE you have been SAVED through FAITH, and that not of yourselves; it is THE GIFT OF GOD, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” [7]
[1] Revelation 20:10
[2] Revelation 20:11
[3] Revelation 20:12
[4] Revelation 20:13-15
[5] John 11:25
[6] Hebrews 7:25
[7] Ephesians 2:8-9
The influence and power of the deceiver of all the deceived, that is the devil, has an expiration date. When his time is up, he is cast into a kingdom ablaze with putrid smelling brimstone.
“Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them.” [2]
One of the devil’s deceptions was that people should fear to offend him more than God.
“And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books.” [3]
Those who trusted in their works to save them are judged by their works. Their works fell far short of God’s expectation. Only the saving work of God’s Son, Jesus Christ, on the cross, can atone for our sins and wipe our criminal records clean.
“The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works. Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.” [4]
Are our names in the Book of Life? Yes, if we believe in Jesus Christ...
“Jesus said to her, ‘I am the RESURRECTION and the LIFE. He who BELIEVES in ME, though he may die, he shall LIVE.’” [5]
“Therefore HE is also able to SAVE to the uttermost those who come to God through HIM, since HE always LIVES to make intercession for them.” [6]
“For by GRACE you have been SAVED through FAITH, and that not of yourselves; it is THE GIFT OF GOD, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” [7]
[1] Revelation 20:10
[2] Revelation 20:11
[3] Revelation 20:12
[4] Revelation 20:13-15
[5] John 11:25
[6] Hebrews 7:25
[7] Ephesians 2:8-9
Thursday, September 16, 2021
Who Is On The Lord’s Side?
“After these things I heard a loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, saying, ‘Alleluia! Salvation and glory and honor and power belong to the Lord our God! For true and righteous are His judgments, because He has judged the great harlot who corrupted the earth with her fornication; and He has avenged on her the blood of His servants shed by her.’” [1]
Yes, praise the Lord! It seemed that the whole world was against Christ, and His servants, yet, in one day, that way of life ended.
“Again they said, “Alleluia! Her smoke rises up forever and ever!” [2]
“And I heard, as it were, the voice of a great multitude... saying, ‘Alleluia! For the Lord God Omnipotent reigns! Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready.’ ‘Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!’” [3]
The great multitude who worshiped and followed the Lamb, and are now with Him, rejoicing and glorifying God! “His wife has made herself ready.” This wife is a metaphor for saints of God. They remained faithful to their covenant with Christ. They were of a different culture. They had been in the world, but not of it. They were reborn by a work of conversion done in them via the Holy Spirit and the Word of God. While those who followed the devil experience demise, these experience joy at the marriage supper of the Lamb.
Next, the heaven, is opened and the King of kings and the Lord of lords leads the armies of heaven against the nations who oppose Him. He treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. [4]
The beast (the antichrist), the kings of the earth, and their armies, gather to make war against Christ, but lose. The antichrist and his false prophet are cast alive into the lake of fire burning with brimstone, and those who followed them are slain by the words of Christ’s mouth. [5]
“Who is on the Lord’s side? Who will serve the King?
Who will be His helpers, other lives to bring?
Who will leave the world’s side? Who will face the foe?
Who is on the Lord’s side? Who for Him will go?
By Thy call of mercy, by Thy grace divine,
We are on the Lord’s side—Savior, we are Thine!” [6]
[1] Revelation 19:1-2
[2] Revelation 19:3
[3] Revelation 19:6-7, 9
[4] Revelation 19:11-16
[5] Revelation 19:19-21
[6] Hymn: “Who is on the Lord’s Side? By Frances R. Havergal
Yes, praise the Lord! It seemed that the whole world was against Christ, and His servants, yet, in one day, that way of life ended.
“Again they said, “Alleluia! Her smoke rises up forever and ever!” [2]
“And I heard, as it were, the voice of a great multitude... saying, ‘Alleluia! For the Lord God Omnipotent reigns! Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready.’ ‘Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!’” [3]
The great multitude who worshiped and followed the Lamb, and are now with Him, rejoicing and glorifying God! “His wife has made herself ready.” This wife is a metaphor for saints of God. They remained faithful to their covenant with Christ. They were of a different culture. They had been in the world, but not of it. They were reborn by a work of conversion done in them via the Holy Spirit and the Word of God. While those who followed the devil experience demise, these experience joy at the marriage supper of the Lamb.
Next, the heaven, is opened and the King of kings and the Lord of lords leads the armies of heaven against the nations who oppose Him. He treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. [4]
The beast (the antichrist), the kings of the earth, and their armies, gather to make war against Christ, but lose. The antichrist and his false prophet are cast alive into the lake of fire burning with brimstone, and those who followed them are slain by the words of Christ’s mouth. [5]
“Who is on the Lord’s side? Who will serve the King?
Who will be His helpers, other lives to bring?
Who will leave the world’s side? Who will face the foe?
Who is on the Lord’s side? Who for Him will go?
By Thy call of mercy, by Thy grace divine,
We are on the Lord’s side—Savior, we are Thine!” [6]
[1] Revelation 19:1-2
[2] Revelation 19:3
[3] Revelation 19:6-7, 9
[4] Revelation 19:11-16
[5] Revelation 19:19-21
[6] Hymn: “Who is on the Lord’s Side? By Frances R. Havergal
Wednesday, September 15, 2021
Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!
“Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great! She has become a dwelling place for demons... For all nations have drunk the wine of the passion of her sexual immorality, and the kings of the earth have committed immorality with her, and the merchants of the earth have grown rich from the power of her luxurious living.” [1]
She fanned the flames of immoral passions and selfish living. She united the nations to exalt hedonistic lifestyles and to hate those who sought to keep themselves pure for the Lord.
“Then I heard another voice from heaven saying, ‘Come out of her, My people, lest you take part in her sins, lest you share in her plagues; for her sins are heaped high as heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities.’” [2]
Be in the world, but don’t be of the world. Don’t join in Babylon’s culture. Pray, the rather, that the Lord will take whatever part of Babylon might be in you from you. And pray for others who are enslaved to her ways.
“In her was found the blood of prophets and of saints, and of all who have been slain on earth.” [3]
Though you do not delight in the demise of anyone, realize that the Babylonian culture has slain many of God’s servants. She delighted in humiliating and destroying the followers of Christ.
“Rejoice over her, O heaven, and you saints and apostles and prophets, for God has given judgment for you against her!” [4]
The day of divine correction has arrived. God is so slow to judge. He is full of compassion. He doesn’t want anyone to perish eternally, but justice demands that Babylon be brought low and that God’s saints, apostles and prophets be vindicated. God’s messengers spoke the truth at the cost of their very lives. They loved those who hated them. They faithfully pointed people to the Savior from sin: Jesus Christ. Babylon is brought low. God’s messengers are raised up.
“He who testifies to these things says, ‘Surely I am coming soon.’ Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!” [5]
[1] Revelation 18:2-3
[2] Revelation 18:4-5
[3] Revelation 18:24
[4] Revelation 18:20
[5] Revelation 22:20
She fanned the flames of immoral passions and selfish living. She united the nations to exalt hedonistic lifestyles and to hate those who sought to keep themselves pure for the Lord.
“Then I heard another voice from heaven saying, ‘Come out of her, My people, lest you take part in her sins, lest you share in her plagues; for her sins are heaped high as heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities.’” [2]
Be in the world, but don’t be of the world. Don’t join in Babylon’s culture. Pray, the rather, that the Lord will take whatever part of Babylon might be in you from you. And pray for others who are enslaved to her ways.
“In her was found the blood of prophets and of saints, and of all who have been slain on earth.” [3]
Though you do not delight in the demise of anyone, realize that the Babylonian culture has slain many of God’s servants. She delighted in humiliating and destroying the followers of Christ.
“Rejoice over her, O heaven, and you saints and apostles and prophets, for God has given judgment for you against her!” [4]
The day of divine correction has arrived. God is so slow to judge. He is full of compassion. He doesn’t want anyone to perish eternally, but justice demands that Babylon be brought low and that God’s saints, apostles and prophets be vindicated. God’s messengers spoke the truth at the cost of their very lives. They loved those who hated them. They faithfully pointed people to the Savior from sin: Jesus Christ. Babylon is brought low. God’s messengers are raised up.
“He who testifies to these things says, ‘Surely I am coming soon.’ Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!” [5]
[1] Revelation 18:2-3
[2] Revelation 18:4-5
[3] Revelation 18:24
[4] Revelation 18:20
[5] Revelation 22:20
Tuesday, September 14, 2021
The Prayer Of Martyrs
“I saw the woman, drunk with the blood of the saints and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus. And when I saw her, I marveled with great amazement.” [1]
In this case, the woman represents a type of bride of Satan. She is a metaphor for those who are filled with the devil’s hatred of Christ and His followers. She seeks to lure people into a life of immorality and then shift the blame for their misery on the followers of Christ.
The blood of martyrs is flowing in countries like North Korea where “Christians are considered hostile elements to be eradicated.” “Yet Open Doors estimates the number of Christians in North Korea to be 300,000 strong—believers who are defying the unjust regime and following Jesus.”
Afghanistan is an “Islamic state by constitution, the country does not permit any faith other than Islam to exist. To convert to a faith outside Islam is tantamount to treason because it’s seen as a betrayal of family, tribe and country. Very often, there is only one possible outcome for exposed and caught Christians: death. In Afghanistan converts are considered literally insane to leave Islam. As a result, some may end up in a psychiatric hospital and have their homes destroyed.”
In Somalia, “in many rural areas, Islamic militant groups like al-Shabab are de facto rulers who regard Christians with a Muslim background as high-value targets—often killed on the spot when discovered.”
Remember “the horrifying video of Egyptian workers martyred by ISIS militants on the coast of Libya. The level of violence against Christians in Libya is very high, and Christians in Libya are subjected to violent, inhumane and degrading treatment.”
In Pakistan, “an estimated 700 girls and women abducted each year are often raped and then forcefully married to Muslim men in the community. Occupations seen as low, dirty and derogatory are officially reserved for Christians.” [2]
Other countries where persecution against Christians is strong include Nigeria, Eritrea, Sudan, Iran, Yemen and some parts of India. Let us pray for them. We can pray the martyr’s prayer recorded in Revelation 6:10...
“How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?”
“These will make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, for He is Lord of lords and King of kings; and those who are with Him are called, chosen, and faithful.” [3]
The Lamb of God, our Lord Jesus Christ, wins the final battle. He has said to us His people, “He who touches you touch the apple of His eye.” [4] “The tyrant dies and his rule is over, the martyr dies and his rule begins.” [5]
[1] Revelation 17:6
[2] Opendoorsusa.org
[3] Revelation 17:14
[4] Zechariah 2:8
[5] Quote by Søren Kierkegaard
Sunday, September 12, 2021
PRAISES and ADORATION to our GOD
The Lord provided a paradise for the first couple. No scarcity! No weeds. Animals in harmony! No hatred. No death. Love for God and for one another! Everything God created was very good. No reason whatsoever for people to be unhappy or oppositional towards God.
There was one commandment to observe. God told them, “Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.” [1]
“And war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought with the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought, but they did not prevail, nor was a place found for them in heaven any longer. So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.” [2]
The dragon, the devil, Satan, entered the paradise of humankind in the form of a serpent. His goal was to get the first couple to rebel against God. Never mind that God created the heavens and earth! Never mind that the Creator had them living in paradise! The serpent wanted them to think that God was unjust.
The serpent said to the woman, “Has God indeed said, ‘You shall not eat of every tree of the garden’? “You will not surely die. For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” [3]
The war was won with words. A three-pronged attack: “Did God say?” Question what God said. “You will not surely die.” Imply God’s Word is errant and fallible. “You will be like God.” Imply that God deprives and oppresses.
Fast forward to the future: “And I saw something like a sea of glass mingled with fire, and those who have the victory over the beast, over his image and over his mark and over the number of his name, standing on the sea of glass, having harps of God. They sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying: ‘Great and marvelous are Your works, Lord God Almighty! Just and true are Your ways, O King of the saints!’” [4]
Saints praise GOD. GOD overcomes the instigator of rebellion ! By trusting in GOD’s grace, the saints are saved from the devil’s efforts to destroy them. Now, they are singing with God-given instruments in hand atop a glassy sea. They are singing the song of Moses and of the Lamb. The Law and the Gospel have victorious virtuoso voices, namely those who embraced them here on earth. These are not patting each other on the back. No, they are praising the LORD GOD ALMIGHTY. HIS works are GREAT and MARVELOUS! HIS ways are JUST and TRUE! Saints happily confess and adore GOD as their KING!
[1] Genesis 2:16-17
[2] Revelation 12:8-9
[3] Genesis 3:1, 4-5
[4] Revelation 15:2-3
There was one commandment to observe. God told them, “Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.” [1]
“And war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought with the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought, but they did not prevail, nor was a place found for them in heaven any longer. So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.” [2]
The dragon, the devil, Satan, entered the paradise of humankind in the form of a serpent. His goal was to get the first couple to rebel against God. Never mind that God created the heavens and earth! Never mind that the Creator had them living in paradise! The serpent wanted them to think that God was unjust.
The serpent said to the woman, “Has God indeed said, ‘You shall not eat of every tree of the garden’? “You will not surely die. For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” [3]
The war was won with words. A three-pronged attack: “Did God say?” Question what God said. “You will not surely die.” Imply God’s Word is errant and fallible. “You will be like God.” Imply that God deprives and oppresses.
Fast forward to the future: “And I saw something like a sea of glass mingled with fire, and those who have the victory over the beast, over his image and over his mark and over the number of his name, standing on the sea of glass, having harps of God. They sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying: ‘Great and marvelous are Your works, Lord God Almighty! Just and true are Your ways, O King of the saints!’” [4]
Saints praise GOD. GOD overcomes the instigator of rebellion ! By trusting in GOD’s grace, the saints are saved from the devil’s efforts to destroy them. Now, they are singing with God-given instruments in hand atop a glassy sea. They are singing the song of Moses and of the Lamb. The Law and the Gospel have victorious virtuoso voices, namely those who embraced them here on earth. These are not patting each other on the back. No, they are praising the LORD GOD ALMIGHTY. HIS works are GREAT and MARVELOUS! HIS ways are JUST and TRUE! Saints happily confess and adore GOD as their KING!
[1] Genesis 2:16-17
[2] Revelation 12:8-9
[3] Genesis 3:1, 4-5
[4] Revelation 15:2-3
Saturday, September 11, 2021
Three Angelic End-Time Messages
“Then I saw another angel flying in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach to those who dwell on the earth—to every nation, tribe, tongue, and people— saying with a loud voice, ‘Fear God and give glory to Him, for the hour of His judgment has come; and worship Him who made heaven and earth, the sea and springs of water.’”
The Good News of Christ is going out everywhere. The Gospel calls us to believe that it is only via faith in the merits of Christ for our salvation that we can be saved. God created us and only by faith in Him will He embrace us when we breathe our last breath on earth.
“And another angel followed, saying, ‘Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she has made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.’’
Babylon is a metaphor for those who live and believe according to a different faith than is taught in the Bible. Babylon’s fornication is unfaithfulness to God. Like the devil and his angels, she, and those with her have chose to rebel against God, and live with utter disregard for Him.
“Then a third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, ‘If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives his mark on his forehead or on his hand, he himself shall also drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out full strength into the cup of His indignation. He shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. And the smoke of their torment ascends forever and ever; and they have no rest day or night, who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name.”
Unfaithfulness towards God does not yield a good outcome for the unfaithful.
“Here is the patience of the saints; here are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. Then I heard a voice from heaven saying to me, ‘Write: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.’ ‘Yes,’ says the Spirit, ‘that they may rest from their labors, and their works follow them.’”
Be patient! Keep God’s commandments. Keep trusting in Jesus. Rest is coming. The Lord will ensure that our works continue to produce good results after we have gone to be with Him.
Revelation 14:6-13
The Good News of Christ is going out everywhere. The Gospel calls us to believe that it is only via faith in the merits of Christ for our salvation that we can be saved. God created us and only by faith in Him will He embrace us when we breathe our last breath on earth.
“And another angel followed, saying, ‘Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she has made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.’’
Babylon is a metaphor for those who live and believe according to a different faith than is taught in the Bible. Babylon’s fornication is unfaithfulness to God. Like the devil and his angels, she, and those with her have chose to rebel against God, and live with utter disregard for Him.
“Then a third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, ‘If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives his mark on his forehead or on his hand, he himself shall also drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out full strength into the cup of His indignation. He shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. And the smoke of their torment ascends forever and ever; and they have no rest day or night, who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name.”
Unfaithfulness towards God does not yield a good outcome for the unfaithful.
“Here is the patience of the saints; here are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. Then I heard a voice from heaven saying to me, ‘Write: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.’ ‘Yes,’ says the Spirit, ‘that they may rest from their labors, and their works follow them.’”
Be patient! Keep God’s commandments. Keep trusting in Jesus. Rest is coming. The Lord will ensure that our works continue to produce good results after we have gone to be with Him.
Revelation 14:6-13
Friday, September 10, 2021
A Spiritual Awakening via Psalm 40 Style Prayers...
"I waited patiently for the Lord; and He inclined to me, and heard my cry. He also brought me up out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my steps."
[Thank You Heavenly Father for hearing our feeble prayers. It's not our prayers, but it's who is answering our prayers - YOU - that is making them powerful and effective.]
"He has put a new song in my mouth—Praise to our God; many will see it and fear, and will trust in the Lord."
[Thank You Heavenly Father that in the midst of trials and bad news, You give us songs - even new songs - songs that bring praise to You. People take note of this kind of faith and know that is not from human sources but from You, and they want to trust in You too.]
"Blessed is that man who makes the Lord his trust, and does not respect the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies. Many, O Lord my God, are Your wonderful works which You have done; and Your thoughts toward us cannot be recounted to You in order; if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered.”
[Praise You Heavenly Father that You replace darkness with light. The darkness has no power over us thanks to You. We get to enjoy and participate in Your WONDERFUL WORKS.]
"I have proclaimed the good news of righteousness in the great assembly; indeed, I do not restrain my lips, O Lord, You Yourself know. I have not hidden Your righteousness within my heart; I have declared Your faithfulness and Your salvation; I have not concealed Your lovingkindness and Your truth from the great assembly."
[By Your grace Heavenly Father, by Your grace Heavenly Father, we are declaring Your faithfulness and Your salvation. We are shouting about Your lovingkindness and Your truth to large gatherings.]
"Do not withhold Your tender mercies from me, O Lord; let Your lovingkindness and Your truth continually preserve me."
[For this success to continue, O Lord, we need Your tender mercies. Please preserve this movement of praise and proclamation via Your lovingkindness and truth.]
"Let all those who seek You rejoice and be glad in You; let such as love Your salvation say continually, 'The Lord be magnified!'”
[Yes, Heavenly Father, our ultimate goal is to magnify You and turn people to faith in You so they too experience Your salvation, Your protection, Your provision and Your blessings. This we pray in Jesus' Name. Amen.]
Psalm 40:1-5, 9-11, 16
[Thank You Heavenly Father for hearing our feeble prayers. It's not our prayers, but it's who is answering our prayers - YOU - that is making them powerful and effective.]
"He has put a new song in my mouth—Praise to our God; many will see it and fear, and will trust in the Lord."
[Thank You Heavenly Father that in the midst of trials and bad news, You give us songs - even new songs - songs that bring praise to You. People take note of this kind of faith and know that is not from human sources but from You, and they want to trust in You too.]
"Blessed is that man who makes the Lord his trust, and does not respect the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies. Many, O Lord my God, are Your wonderful works which You have done; and Your thoughts toward us cannot be recounted to You in order; if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered.”
[Praise You Heavenly Father that You replace darkness with light. The darkness has no power over us thanks to You. We get to enjoy and participate in Your WONDERFUL WORKS.]
"I have proclaimed the good news of righteousness in the great assembly; indeed, I do not restrain my lips, O Lord, You Yourself know. I have not hidden Your righteousness within my heart; I have declared Your faithfulness and Your salvation; I have not concealed Your lovingkindness and Your truth from the great assembly."
[By Your grace Heavenly Father, by Your grace Heavenly Father, we are declaring Your faithfulness and Your salvation. We are shouting about Your lovingkindness and Your truth to large gatherings.]
"Do not withhold Your tender mercies from me, O Lord; let Your lovingkindness and Your truth continually preserve me."
[For this success to continue, O Lord, we need Your tender mercies. Please preserve this movement of praise and proclamation via Your lovingkindness and truth.]
"Let all those who seek You rejoice and be glad in You; let such as love Your salvation say continually, 'The Lord be magnified!'”
[Yes, Heavenly Father, our ultimate goal is to magnify You and turn people to faith in You so they too experience Your salvation, Your protection, Your provision and Your blessings. This we pray in Jesus' Name. Amen.]
Psalm 40:1-5, 9-11, 16
Friday, September 3, 2021
Which do you prefer... good news or bad news?
King David prayed that what came out of his mouth and what dwelt in his heart would be acceptable to the Lord.
“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer.” [1]
News from those who meditate on evil is bad news. News from those who meditate on goodness is good news. The fact that God is our strength and Redeemer is good news.
King David wrote...
“Blessed (happy) 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.” [2]
You want to be happy? Don’t walk, stand or sit with ungodly sinners who are scornful. Scorners draw their brew from the wells of animosity and antagonism. Delight in God’s Word. Meditate on what God is saying day and night. He has higher and better thoughts! Get the good tree, namely God, and you will have good fruit.
“Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamor, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice.” [3] “Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled.” [4]
Evil thought and speech are common in some conversation circles, but that does not make them right. The Lord says they defile. Like a poison or a virus they defile! The Lord urges to choose grace. Look to Jesus! Rather than rant and rave, Jesus edifies and comforts.
“The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” [5]
Bad news from evil sources tends to rob and destroy a person. Good news from Jesus produces life and life more abundantly. I want to meditate on Christ, because as I do He produces good thoughts which in turn produces good works.
[1] Psalm 19:14
[2] Psalm 1-2
[3] Ephesians 4:31
[4] Hebrews 12:15
[5] John 10:10
“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer.” [1]
News from those who meditate on evil is bad news. News from those who meditate on goodness is good news. The fact that God is our strength and Redeemer is good news.
King David wrote...
“Blessed (happy) 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.” [2]
You want to be happy? Don’t walk, stand or sit with ungodly sinners who are scornful. Scorners draw their brew from the wells of animosity and antagonism. Delight in God’s Word. Meditate on what God is saying day and night. He has higher and better thoughts! Get the good tree, namely God, and you will have good fruit.
“Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamor, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice.” [3] “Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled.” [4]
Evil thought and speech are common in some conversation circles, but that does not make them right. The Lord says they defile. Like a poison or a virus they defile! The Lord urges to choose grace. Look to Jesus! Rather than rant and rave, Jesus edifies and comforts.
“The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” [5]
Bad news from evil sources tends to rob and destroy a person. Good news from Jesus produces life and life more abundantly. I want to meditate on Christ, because as I do He produces good thoughts which in turn produces good works.
[1] Psalm 19:14
[2] Psalm 1-2
[3] Ephesians 4:31
[4] Hebrews 12:15
[5] John 10:10
Wednesday, September 1, 2021
Willing and Available to Share the Gospel
My hope and pray is that every Christian including myself will consider the treasure that has been entrusted to us in the message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and that we would be willing to be available to the Lord to use our lives to bring this saving message to the lost.
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