“The saints of the Most High shall receive the kingdom, and possess the kingdom forever, even forever and ever.” [1]
From whom do the saints receive the kingdom? From God Himself!
“The kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people, the saints of the Most High. His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey Him.” [2]
Who shall inherit the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heavens? The Messiah gives it to those who have brought their sins to Him to be washed away by His redeeming blood. “To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.” [3]
Luke says to us who follow Him, “You are those who have continued with Me in My trials. And I bestow upon you a kingdom, just as My Father bestowed one upon Me.” [4]
Let us keep anticipating the Lord’s return! As the rays of the sun dispel the darkness of night, His arrival shall vanquish evil, and release glorious goodness. “The greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people, the saints of the Most High!”
Praise the Lord!
[1] Daniel 7:18
[2] Daniel 7:27
[3] Revelation 1:5-6
[4] Luke 22:28-29
Tuesday, November 30, 2021
Monday, November 29, 2021
The Difference Making Holy Spirit
The king said to Daniel, “I have heard of you, that the Spirit of God is in you, and that light and understanding and excellent wisdom are found in you.” [1]
And when a new king took power from that one, it was written about Daniel, “Daniel distinguished himself above the governors and satraps, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king gave thought to setting him over the whole realm.” [2]
What set Daniel apart from others? The answer is God's Spirit!
Of course! As a person loves God, keeps His commandments, and God’s Spirit helps him, excellent fruit comes forth.
Jesus said, “If you love Me, keep My commandments. And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever—the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.” [3]
If we love JESUS, if we keep His commandments, He prays the Father to send us the Helper, that is, the Spirit of truth. He dwells with us and in us. With the Spirit of God in us we are no longer orphans. We are living with the help of God our Father, the advocacy of Jesus the Son and in the power of the Holy Spirit.
[1] Daniel 5:14
[2] Daniel 6:3
[3] John 14:15-18
And when a new king took power from that one, it was written about Daniel, “Daniel distinguished himself above the governors and satraps, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king gave thought to setting him over the whole realm.” [2]
What set Daniel apart from others? The answer is God's Spirit!
Of course! As a person loves God, keeps His commandments, and God’s Spirit helps him, excellent fruit comes forth.
Jesus said, “If you love Me, keep My commandments. And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever—the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.” [3]
If we love JESUS, if we keep His commandments, He prays the Father to send us the Helper, that is, the Spirit of truth. He dwells with us and in us. With the Spirit of God in us we are no longer orphans. We are living with the help of God our Father, the advocacy of Jesus the Son and in the power of the Holy Spirit.
[1] Daniel 5:14
[2] Daniel 6:3
[3] John 14:15-18
Sunday, November 28, 2021
Loyal To The Lord
“...You are those who have continued with Me in My trials. And I bestow upon you a kingdom, just as My Father bestowed one upon Me...” [1]
Throughout history, loyalists to the Lord have encountered trials, but the Lord is loyal to His loyal followers. He shall reward us in like manner to the rewards He received from His Father.
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego are fine examples of loyal followers of the Lord. In their day, a king made an idol of gold. It was ninety feet tall and ten feet wide. He ordered his officials to join the dedication of this image. He commanded them to worship the image. He warned them, “Whoever does not fall down, and worship shall be cast immediately into the midst of a burning fiery furnace.” [2]
“How twisted!” This man threatened people with fire if they did not worship him. This is the final destiny of followers of false gods. “And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.” [3]
Most fell down and worshiped the gold image. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego were the exceptions. It was reported to the king, “They do not serve your gods or worship the gold image which you have set up.” [4]
The king warned them, “If you do not worship, you shall be cast immediately into the midst of a burning fiery furnace. And who is the god who will deliver you from my hands?” [5]
They replied, “Our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king. But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up.” [6]
They were thrown into the fiery furnace. To his surprise, the king saw a fourth man in the fire with them. He exclaimed, “Look! I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire; and they are not hurt, and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.” [7]
When Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego exited the fire, the hair of their head was not singed nor were their garments affected, and the smell of fire was not on them.
The king praised God, saying, “Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, who sent His Angel and delivered His servants who trusted in Him.” He added, “There is no other God who can deliver like this.” Then, he promoted them. [8]
Loyal followers of the Lord may experience trials for a season, but in the end, we experience God’s deliverance and promotions from Him. Praying for God’s grace to help us all be loyal to the Lord!
[1] Luke 22:28-29
[2] Daniel 3:6
[3] Revelation 20:15
[4] Daniel 3:12
[5] Daniel 3:15
[6] Daniel 3:17-18
[7] Daniel 3:25
[8] Daniel 3:28-30
Throughout history, loyalists to the Lord have encountered trials, but the Lord is loyal to His loyal followers. He shall reward us in like manner to the rewards He received from His Father.
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego are fine examples of loyal followers of the Lord. In their day, a king made an idol of gold. It was ninety feet tall and ten feet wide. He ordered his officials to join the dedication of this image. He commanded them to worship the image. He warned them, “Whoever does not fall down, and worship shall be cast immediately into the midst of a burning fiery furnace.” [2]
“How twisted!” This man threatened people with fire if they did not worship him. This is the final destiny of followers of false gods. “And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.” [3]
Most fell down and worshiped the gold image. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego were the exceptions. It was reported to the king, “They do not serve your gods or worship the gold image which you have set up.” [4]
The king warned them, “If you do not worship, you shall be cast immediately into the midst of a burning fiery furnace. And who is the god who will deliver you from my hands?” [5]
They replied, “Our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king. But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up.” [6]
They were thrown into the fiery furnace. To his surprise, the king saw a fourth man in the fire with them. He exclaimed, “Look! I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire; and they are not hurt, and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.” [7]
When Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego exited the fire, the hair of their head was not singed nor were their garments affected, and the smell of fire was not on them.
The king praised God, saying, “Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, who sent His Angel and delivered His servants who trusted in Him.” He added, “There is no other God who can deliver like this.” Then, he promoted them. [8]
Loyal followers of the Lord may experience trials for a season, but in the end, we experience God’s deliverance and promotions from Him. Praying for God’s grace to help us all be loyal to the Lord!
[1] Luke 22:28-29
[2] Daniel 3:6
[3] Revelation 20:15
[4] Daniel 3:12
[5] Daniel 3:15
[6] Daniel 3:17-18
[7] Daniel 3:25
[8] Daniel 3:28-30
Friday, November 19, 2021
Enter via the Narrow Gate
Jesus was teaching in cities and villages as He journeyed toward Jerusalem. Someone asked Him, “Lord, are there few who are saved?” [1]
Jesus responded, “Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I say to you, will seek to enter and will not be able. When once the Master of the house has risen up and shut the door, and you begin to stand outside and knock at the door, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open for us,’ and He will answer and say to you, ‘I do not know you, where you are from,’ then you will begin to say, ‘We ate and drank in Your presence, and You taught in our streets.’ But He will say, ‘I tell you I do not know you, where you are from. Depart from Me, all you workers of iniquity.’ There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, and yourselves thrust out. They will come from the east and the west, from the north and the south, and sit down in the kingdom of God. And indeed there are last who will be first, and there are first who will be last.” [2]
The narrow gate according to Jesus is, “I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.” [3]
During the days that Jesus walked through the cities and villages of Israel, many attended synagogue services. Many had the Scriptures and could quote passages, but what they lacked was a personal relationship with the God of the Scriptures. He was standing before them in the person of Jesus Christ and they rejected Him. He told them that many from all over the world would accept Him and believe in Him. Those who did, would be blessed to eat with Him, with Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and the prophets in the kingdom of God.
What really matters is what we do with Jesus. Those who embrace Him with love, worship and service will be the “first” in the kingdom of God. They will enter the kingdom of God thanks to the narrow gate. That's because Jesus Christ (the narrow gate) is the only Savior from sin. A person must believe in Him to be saved.
[1] Luke 13: 22-23
[2] Luke 13:24-30
[3] John 10:9
Jesus responded, “Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I say to you, will seek to enter and will not be able. When once the Master of the house has risen up and shut the door, and you begin to stand outside and knock at the door, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open for us,’ and He will answer and say to you, ‘I do not know you, where you are from,’ then you will begin to say, ‘We ate and drank in Your presence, and You taught in our streets.’ But He will say, ‘I tell you I do not know you, where you are from. Depart from Me, all you workers of iniquity.’ There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, and yourselves thrust out. They will come from the east and the west, from the north and the south, and sit down in the kingdom of God. And indeed there are last who will be first, and there are first who will be last.” [2]
The narrow gate according to Jesus is, “I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.” [3]
During the days that Jesus walked through the cities and villages of Israel, many attended synagogue services. Many had the Scriptures and could quote passages, but what they lacked was a personal relationship with the God of the Scriptures. He was standing before them in the person of Jesus Christ and they rejected Him. He told them that many from all over the world would accept Him and believe in Him. Those who did, would be blessed to eat with Him, with Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and the prophets in the kingdom of God.
What really matters is what we do with Jesus. Those who embrace Him with love, worship and service will be the “first” in the kingdom of God. They will enter the kingdom of God thanks to the narrow gate. That's because Jesus Christ (the narrow gate) is the only Savior from sin. A person must believe in Him to be saved.
[1] Luke 13: 22-23
[2] Luke 13:24-30
[3] John 10:9
Thursday, November 18, 2021
Rich Toward God
“The ground of a certain rich man yielded plentifully. And he thought within himself, saying, ‘What shall I do, since I have no room to store my crops?’ So he said, ‘I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build greater, and there I will store all my crops and my goods. And I will say to my soul, ‘Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease; eat, drink, and be merry.’ But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?’ So, is he who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.” [1]
“THINGS the nations of the world seek after, and your Father knows that you need... THINGS. But SEEK the KINGDOM of GOD, and... things shall be added to you.” [2]
“If you choose money over love, you will always be poor.” – Unknown
“Dear Heavenly Father, please help us to pursue love. To be rich in love, especially towards You, but also to the people around us.”
[1] Luke 12:16-21
[2] Luke 12:30-31
“THINGS the nations of the world seek after, and your Father knows that you need... THINGS. But SEEK the KINGDOM of GOD, and... things shall be added to you.” [2]
“If you choose money over love, you will always be poor.” – Unknown
“Dear Heavenly Father, please help us to pursue love. To be rich in love, especially towards You, but also to the people around us.”
[1] Luke 12:16-21
[2] Luke 12:30-31
Tuesday, November 16, 2021
The Vital Importance of Professing Christ
“...Rejoice because your names are written in heaven.” [1]
Is your name written in heaven?
“There shall by no means enter it [the heavenly Jerusalem] anything that defiles, or causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.” [2]
How does one’s name get written into the Lamb’s Book of Life? The answer is by believing in the Lamb of God and following Him while here on earth. And who is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin that keeps people from entering New Jerusalem. The Lamb is none other than the King of kings and Lord of lords Jesus Christ.
“Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent, because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man [Jesus Christ] whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him [Jesus] from the dead.” [3]
Don’t wait another moment. Ask God to forgive your sins based on what His Son Jesus did for you on the cross... He sacrificed Himself to wash away your sins. Receive His forgiveness! And place your trust in Christ alone to save you both in this life and in the next. Those who confess Christ before people, He confesses before His Father in heaven. This is how one's name is written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.
“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]
[1] Luke 10:20
[2] Revelation 21:27
[3] Acts 17:30-31
[4] Matthew 10:32-33
Is your name written in heaven?
“There shall by no means enter it [the heavenly Jerusalem] anything that defiles, or causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.” [2]
How does one’s name get written into the Lamb’s Book of Life? The answer is by believing in the Lamb of God and following Him while here on earth. And who is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin that keeps people from entering New Jerusalem. The Lamb is none other than the King of kings and Lord of lords Jesus Christ.
“Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent, because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man [Jesus Christ] whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him [Jesus] from the dead.” [3]
Don’t wait another moment. Ask God to forgive your sins based on what His Son Jesus did for you on the cross... He sacrificed Himself to wash away your sins. Receive His forgiveness! And place your trust in Christ alone to save you both in this life and in the next. Those who confess Christ before people, He confesses before His Father in heaven. This is how one's name is written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.
“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]
[1] Luke 10:20
[2] Revelation 21:27
[3] Acts 17:30-31
[4] Matthew 10:32-33
Monday, November 15, 2021
The Gift Of Loving
“Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.” [1]
“Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.” [2]
“Let all that you do be done with love.” [3]
“Heavenly Father, thank You for loving us so much! Help us to love others as You love them. Thank You for giving up Your Son unto death to pay in full our sin debt against You. Help us to love those who sin against us. Keep us from harming those around us. May Your great love for people be the starting point from which we do all that we do. In Jesus’ Name, I pray. Amen.”
[1] 1 John 4:8-11
[2] Romans 13:10
[3] 1 Corinthians 16:14
“Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.” [2]
“Let all that you do be done with love.” [3]
“Heavenly Father, thank You for loving us so much! Help us to love others as You love them. Thank You for giving up Your Son unto death to pay in full our sin debt against You. Help us to love those who sin against us. Keep us from harming those around us. May Your great love for people be the starting point from which we do all that we do. In Jesus’ Name, I pray. Amen.”
[1] 1 John 4:8-11
[2] Romans 13:10
[3] 1 Corinthians 16:14
Sunday, November 14, 2021
What A Miracle!
I remember the day when I first truly believed that Jesus Christ IS Lord and Savior. It happened on a day of August of 1979. The Lord graciously brought me to the place where I spoke to Him and asked Him to take my life, save it from sin and hell and use me for His glory! Immediately, a peace came over me. A peace like I never experienced before. I KNEW He was REAL. I knew the creation I had seen everyday was HIS handiwork. Praise the Lord!
But that day was only the beginning! He is still transforming me. Helping me to see and understand better ways to love Him and to love those around me. Praise GOD for sending His Son into the world to reveal Himself and His ways to us.
I am very grateful to God for my wife Sherry. She has been a dear soul to me. I count her as one of the Lord’s greatest blessings to me. God has placed so much love in my heart for her. I pray that the Lord will bless her.
I praise the Lord for giving me a new heart and spirit.
Here is what the Lord says to us, “Repent, and turn from all your transgressions, so that iniquity will not be your ruin. Cast away from you all the transgressions which you have committed, and get yourselves a new heart and a new spirit. For why should you die? For I have no pleasure in the death of one who dies, says the Lord God. Therefore turn and live!” [1]
“YES LORD, I turn to YOU and I LIVE!”
[1] Ezekiel 18:30-32
But that day was only the beginning! He is still transforming me. Helping me to see and understand better ways to love Him and to love those around me. Praise GOD for sending His Son into the world to reveal Himself and His ways to us.
I am very grateful to God for my wife Sherry. She has been a dear soul to me. I count her as one of the Lord’s greatest blessings to me. God has placed so much love in my heart for her. I pray that the Lord will bless her.
I praise the Lord for giving me a new heart and spirit.
Here is what the Lord says to us, “Repent, and turn from all your transgressions, so that iniquity will not be your ruin. Cast away from you all the transgressions which you have committed, and get yourselves a new heart and a new spirit. For why should you die? For I have no pleasure in the death of one who dies, says the Lord God. Therefore turn and live!” [1]
“YES LORD, I turn to YOU and I LIVE!”
[1] Ezekiel 18:30-32
Saturday, November 13, 2021
Authority & Power to Heal Sickness
“Then Jesus went with them. And when He was already not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to Him, saying to Him, ‘Lord, do not trouble Yourself, for I am not worthy that You should enter under my roof. Therefore I did not even think myself worthy to come to You. But say the word, and my servant will be healed. For I also am a man placed under authority, having soldiers under me. And I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.’
When Jesus heard these things, He marveled at him, and turned around and said to the crowd that followed Him, ‘I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!’ And those who were sent, returning to the house, found the servant well who had been sick.” [1]
Jesus authorized the Centurion’s servant to be healed and it was done. He also commended the centurion's faith in the hearing of those around Him. Jesus marveled at the man because He was not a Jew. He was a Gentile! Yet, He had greater faith in the Jewish Messiah than many of His own people.
Jesus Christ is the Son of God! He has authority and power over all created things. In fact, He created and sustains all creation...
“He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones, dominions, principalities, or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist.” [2]
“Thank You Lord Jesus for creating us, sustaining us, and caring for us. Thank You for all the miraculous healings of human bodies that You have done throughout the ages and for the healing You will be doing today around the world. All praise, glory and blessing be unto You. We marvel at Your great love for us!”
[1] Luke 7:6-10
[2] Colossians 1:15-17
When Jesus heard these things, He marveled at him, and turned around and said to the crowd that followed Him, ‘I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!’ And those who were sent, returning to the house, found the servant well who had been sick.” [1]
Jesus authorized the Centurion’s servant to be healed and it was done. He also commended the centurion's faith in the hearing of those around Him. Jesus marveled at the man because He was not a Jew. He was a Gentile! Yet, He had greater faith in the Jewish Messiah than many of His own people.
Jesus Christ is the Son of God! He has authority and power over all created things. In fact, He created and sustains all creation...
“He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones, dominions, principalities, or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist.” [2]
“Thank You Lord Jesus for creating us, sustaining us, and caring for us. Thank You for all the miraculous healings of human bodies that You have done throughout the ages and for the healing You will be doing today around the world. All praise, glory and blessing be unto You. We marvel at Your great love for us!”
[1] Luke 7:6-10
[2] Colossians 1:15-17
Friday, November 12, 2021
Blessings & Woes
Jesus calls those who follow Him to see suffering from a different perspective. Jesus declares the poor, hungry and weeping blessed.
“Blessed are you poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. Blessed are you who hunger now, for you shall be filled. Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh. Blessed are you when men hate you, and when they exclude you, and revile you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of Man’s sake. Rejoice in that day and leap for joy! For indeed your reward is great in heaven, for in like manner their fathers did to the prophets.” [1]
“The poor are not promised wealth – but something more valuable: God’s kingdom. The hungry and weeping will have their present situations reversed, becoming filled and laughing. Their current situation does not reflect their actual blessed state. Jesus promises blessings to those who face persecution.
The woes are a warning to those who place their trust in their comfortable situation. It is this independence from God that places them in a woeful situation, possibly without them even realizing it.” [2]
“But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation. Woe to you who are full, for you shall hunger. Woe to you who laugh now, for you shall mourn and weep. Woe to you when all men speak well of you, for so did their fathers to the false prophets.” [3]
The blessings and woes of Jesus are comparable to the blessings and curses of Moses. [4] Both messages encourage us to make obedience to God the main issue. Jesus encourages obedience to God even when obedience doesn’t seem to yield blessings.
Jesus clarified the kind of obedience that God is looking for when He went on to say, “Love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil. Therefore, be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful.” [5]
Selfless love in a world full of hatred and greed is bound to incur some blow back, but in the end, such a person will be greatly rewarded by God for all eternity.
[1] Luke 6:20-23
[2] Julia Van Den Brink: “Luke’s beatitudes and woes: are they covenant blessings and curses?”
[3] Luke 6:24-25
[4] See Deuteronomy 28
[5] Luke 6:35-36
“Blessed are you poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. Blessed are you who hunger now, for you shall be filled. Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh. Blessed are you when men hate you, and when they exclude you, and revile you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of Man’s sake. Rejoice in that day and leap for joy! For indeed your reward is great in heaven, for in like manner their fathers did to the prophets.” [1]
“The poor are not promised wealth – but something more valuable: God’s kingdom. The hungry and weeping will have their present situations reversed, becoming filled and laughing. Their current situation does not reflect their actual blessed state. Jesus promises blessings to those who face persecution.
The woes are a warning to those who place their trust in their comfortable situation. It is this independence from God that places them in a woeful situation, possibly without them even realizing it.” [2]
“But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation. Woe to you who are full, for you shall hunger. Woe to you who laugh now, for you shall mourn and weep. Woe to you when all men speak well of you, for so did their fathers to the false prophets.” [3]
The blessings and woes of Jesus are comparable to the blessings and curses of Moses. [4] Both messages encourage us to make obedience to God the main issue. Jesus encourages obedience to God even when obedience doesn’t seem to yield blessings.
Jesus clarified the kind of obedience that God is looking for when He went on to say, “Love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil. Therefore, be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful.” [5]
Selfless love in a world full of hatred and greed is bound to incur some blow back, but in the end, such a person will be greatly rewarded by God for all eternity.
[1] Luke 6:20-23
[2] Julia Van Den Brink: “Luke’s beatitudes and woes: are they covenant blessings and curses?”
[3] Luke 6:24-25
[4] See Deuteronomy 28
[5] Luke 6:35-36
Thursday, November 11, 2021
The Greatest Crisis To Resolve
Social media companies and political fundraisers spend billions of dollars to bring us into line with their way of thinking. They want our thoughts, emotions and energies to flow in a particular direction. They seem to always being creating a crisis that only they can solve.
Ungodly leaders were not the main concern of Jesus when He came to earth. He multiplied food for the hungry, but that was not His main concern. He healed many sick, but healthcare was not His number one concern. So, what was our Lord’s primary concern when He walked among us?
Jesus said, “The Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.” [1]
The main concern of Jesus was that those heading for an eternity without God would be saved.
“He said to His disciples, ‘The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore, pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.’” [2]
Jesus urged His disciples to pray for laborers to do the work of saving souls.
“Dear Lord Jesus, You said that those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. You did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repent. [3] You sent your apostles to open eyes. To turn people from darkness to light! To turn people from the power of Satan to the power of God! You want people to receive forgiveness for their sins! An inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in You! [4] Please connect us with lost souls and may Your Holy Spirit speak through us to them. Please open blind eyes! Please set captive souls free from bondages to sin! May Satan’s power gives way to Your power! May sinners repent and receive Your forgiveness. May they experience the joy of salvation! This I pray in Your Name Lord Jesus. Amen.”
[1] Luke 19:10
[2] Matthew 9:37-38
[3] Luke 5:30-32
[4] Acts 26:17-18
Ungodly leaders were not the main concern of Jesus when He came to earth. He multiplied food for the hungry, but that was not His main concern. He healed many sick, but healthcare was not His number one concern. So, what was our Lord’s primary concern when He walked among us?
Jesus said, “The Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.” [1]
The main concern of Jesus was that those heading for an eternity without God would be saved.
“He said to His disciples, ‘The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore, pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.’” [2]
Jesus urged His disciples to pray for laborers to do the work of saving souls.
“Dear Lord Jesus, You said that those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. You did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repent. [3] You sent your apostles to open eyes. To turn people from darkness to light! To turn people from the power of Satan to the power of God! You want people to receive forgiveness for their sins! An inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in You! [4] Please connect us with lost souls and may Your Holy Spirit speak through us to them. Please open blind eyes! Please set captive souls free from bondages to sin! May Satan’s power gives way to Your power! May sinners repent and receive Your forgiveness. May they experience the joy of salvation! This I pray in Your Name Lord Jesus. Amen.”
[1] Luke 19:10
[2] Matthew 9:37-38
[3] Luke 5:30-32
[4] Acts 26:17-18
Saturday, November 6, 2021
Warning, Warning, Warning
The Lord gave Ezekiel a vision of four living creatures. He saw the glory of the Lord. Then, the Lord gave him a commission. He was to speak to His people in Babylon. The challenge was that they were in no mood to listen to what he had to say.
The Lord told Ezekiel, “Do not be afraid of their words or dismayed by their looks, though they are a rebellious house. You shall speak My words to them, whether they hear or whether they refuse, for they are rebellious.” [1]
The Lord gave Ezekiel a scroll to eat. He was to absorb and internalize it. Let it energize him to speak for God. The topics in the prophetic message were lamentations, mourning and woe. [2]
“Then I came to the captives at Tel Abib, who dwelt by the River Chebar; and I sat where they sat and remained there astonished among them seven days. Now it came to pass at the end of seven days that the word of the Lord came to me, saying, ‘Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; therefore hear a word from My mouth, and give them warning from Me.’” [3]
Seven days! He did not want to speak. But after seven days, the Lord reminded him that this was his mission.
As Ezekiel sat among the people, he realized that the Lord was not kidding when He said, “The house of Israel will not listen to you, because they will not listen to Me.” [4] The Babylonian conquest and decimation of their nation had not softened their hearts towards God. Becoming captives of others yielded no humility in them. They continued to ignore Ezekiel’s warnings from God. He continued to faithfully warn them to repent.
“Dear Heavenly Father, please help us Your sentinels by the power of Your Holy Spirit to keep on warning those who do not want to be warned. To keep on loving them as You love them! To You be all the glory, honor, and praise! In Jesus’ Name, we pray.”
[1] Ezekiel 2:6-7
[2] Ezekiel 2:9-10; 3:3
[3] Ezekiel 3:15-17
[4] Ezekiel 3:7
The Lord told Ezekiel, “Do not be afraid of their words or dismayed by their looks, though they are a rebellious house. You shall speak My words to them, whether they hear or whether they refuse, for they are rebellious.” [1]
The Lord gave Ezekiel a scroll to eat. He was to absorb and internalize it. Let it energize him to speak for God. The topics in the prophetic message were lamentations, mourning and woe. [2]
“Then I came to the captives at Tel Abib, who dwelt by the River Chebar; and I sat where they sat and remained there astonished among them seven days. Now it came to pass at the end of seven days that the word of the Lord came to me, saying, ‘Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; therefore hear a word from My mouth, and give them warning from Me.’” [3]
Seven days! He did not want to speak. But after seven days, the Lord reminded him that this was his mission.
As Ezekiel sat among the people, he realized that the Lord was not kidding when He said, “The house of Israel will not listen to you, because they will not listen to Me.” [4] The Babylonian conquest and decimation of their nation had not softened their hearts towards God. Becoming captives of others yielded no humility in them. They continued to ignore Ezekiel’s warnings from God. He continued to faithfully warn them to repent.
“Dear Heavenly Father, please help us Your sentinels by the power of Your Holy Spirit to keep on warning those who do not want to be warned. To keep on loving them as You love them! To You be all the glory, honor, and praise! In Jesus’ Name, we pray.”
[1] Ezekiel 2:6-7
[2] Ezekiel 2:9-10; 3:3
[3] Ezekiel 3:15-17
[4] Ezekiel 3:7
Friday, November 5, 2021
Reflecting God’s Glory
God created us people in His image to reflect His glory on the earth. When we bring glory to God, we fulfill our primary purpose.
Jesus taught, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” [1]
When we ask God to intervene in our lives and do miracles to help us, we are in a sense asking Him to be glorified in our lives.
“Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me.” [2]
Those who are victorious over the beast, over his image, over his mark and over his number (666), stand on a sea of glass with harps of God, and sing:
“Who shall not fear You, O Lord, and glorify Your name? For You alone are holy. For all nations shall come and worship before You, for Your judgments have been manifested.” [3]
So, let our purpose be to glorify the Lord...
“Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let Your glory be above all the earth.” [4]
[1] Matthew 5:16
[2] Psalm 50:15
[3] Revelation 15:2, 4
[4] Psalm 57:5
Jesus taught, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” [1]
When we ask God to intervene in our lives and do miracles to help us, we are in a sense asking Him to be glorified in our lives.
“Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me.” [2]
Those who are victorious over the beast, over his image, over his mark and over his number (666), stand on a sea of glass with harps of God, and sing:
“Who shall not fear You, O Lord, and glorify Your name? For You alone are holy. For all nations shall come and worship before You, for Your judgments have been manifested.” [3]
So, let our purpose be to glorify the Lord...
“Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let Your glory be above all the earth.” [4]
[1] Matthew 5:16
[2] Psalm 50:15
[3] Revelation 15:2, 4
[4] Psalm 57:5
Wednesday, November 3, 2021
21st Century Jeremiah Book Now Available
My book is now available to order via:
https://www.lulu.com/shop
At the website above, type “21st Century Jeremiah” in the search window and it will bring it up.
I pray that this book will inspire love for God.
Forgiveness of Sin and the Holy Spirit
“Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin my mother conceived me.” [1]
The Bible teaches that we are born with a sin nature. It is natural, but not advantageous, for sinners to sin.
“Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.” [2]
Rather than wait for purgatory to be purged of sin as some teach, King David asked the Lord to purge his sin in the here and now.
Hyssop was used to apply the blood of the Passover lamb to the door posts of one’s home. When the angel of the Lord saw the blood of the lamb on the entry posts of people’s homes, he did not strike anyone dead. [3] So vital it is that our sin be purged by the blood of a lamb that God sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to be THE LAMB of GOD who takes away the sin of the world.
“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from Your presence, and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.” [4]
King Saul took God’s grace in vain. He was not faithful to the Lord. God did take His Holy Spirit from Saul. An evil spirit came upon him so that he began to persecute his son-in-law, David. He made every effort to kill David but failed. He ended up taking his own life. After all this, David sinned by taking the life of one of his faithful soldiers, and by committing adultery with the soldier’s wife. He repented. David experienced severe consequences for these sins, but the Lord did not take His Spirit from David. God forgave his sin.
“Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, and sinners shall be converted to You.” [5]
Grateful for God’s grace, David proceeded to tell sinners about the Lord. In a sense, he is still doing so as people read the Psalms which God inspired him to write.
“The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, a broken and a contrite heart—these, O God, You will not despise.” [6]
David was broken and contrite in regards to his sin. God saw that! God accepted his repentance.
Later on, David’s son, Solomon wrote, “Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and depart from evil. It will be healthy for your flesh and strengthen your bones. Honor the Lord with your possessions, and with the first fruits of all your increase; so your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will overflow with new wine.” [7]
Rather than think highly of self, think highly of the Lord. Give unto the Lord the glory that He so richly deserves!
“Surely He scorns the scornful but gives grace to the humble.” [8]
“Yes Lord, help us to be humble. To accept that what You say is true, and to act upon it. Please forgive our sins and fill us afresh with Your Holy Spirit to lead others to You. For it is in the Name of Jesus, that we pray. Amen.”
[1] Psalm 51:5
[2] Psalm 51:7
[3] Exodus 12:22
[4] Psalm 51:10-11
[5] Psalm 51:13
[6] Psalm 51:17
[7] Proverbs 3:7-10
[8] Proverbs 3:34
The Bible teaches that we are born with a sin nature. It is natural, but not advantageous, for sinners to sin.
“Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.” [2]
Rather than wait for purgatory to be purged of sin as some teach, King David asked the Lord to purge his sin in the here and now.
Hyssop was used to apply the blood of the Passover lamb to the door posts of one’s home. When the angel of the Lord saw the blood of the lamb on the entry posts of people’s homes, he did not strike anyone dead. [3] So vital it is that our sin be purged by the blood of a lamb that God sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to be THE LAMB of GOD who takes away the sin of the world.
“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from Your presence, and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.” [4]
King Saul took God’s grace in vain. He was not faithful to the Lord. God did take His Holy Spirit from Saul. An evil spirit came upon him so that he began to persecute his son-in-law, David. He made every effort to kill David but failed. He ended up taking his own life. After all this, David sinned by taking the life of one of his faithful soldiers, and by committing adultery with the soldier’s wife. He repented. David experienced severe consequences for these sins, but the Lord did not take His Spirit from David. God forgave his sin.
“Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, and sinners shall be converted to You.” [5]
Grateful for God’s grace, David proceeded to tell sinners about the Lord. In a sense, he is still doing so as people read the Psalms which God inspired him to write.
“The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, a broken and a contrite heart—these, O God, You will not despise.” [6]
David was broken and contrite in regards to his sin. God saw that! God accepted his repentance.
Later on, David’s son, Solomon wrote, “Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and depart from evil. It will be healthy for your flesh and strengthen your bones. Honor the Lord with your possessions, and with the first fruits of all your increase; so your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will overflow with new wine.” [7]
Rather than think highly of self, think highly of the Lord. Give unto the Lord the glory that He so richly deserves!
“Surely He scorns the scornful but gives grace to the humble.” [8]
“Yes Lord, help us to be humble. To accept that what You say is true, and to act upon it. Please forgive our sins and fill us afresh with Your Holy Spirit to lead others to You. For it is in the Name of Jesus, that we pray. Amen.”
[1] Psalm 51:5
[2] Psalm 51:7
[3] Exodus 12:22
[4] Psalm 51:10-11
[5] Psalm 51:13
[6] Psalm 51:17
[7] Proverbs 3:7-10
[8] Proverbs 3:34
Tuesday, November 2, 2021
The Lord Defends His Servant
“Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the Angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at his right hand to oppose him. [1]
Joshua was doing priestly service. Satan stood at his right hand to oppose him. He hates it when God’s people stand with the Lord.
“The Lord said to Satan, ‘The Lord rebuke you, Satan! The Lord who has chosen Jerusalem rebukes you! Is this not a brand plucked from the fire?’” [2]
“The name Satan literally means adversary or opponent. He stands against us in spiritual battle. Satan wanted to destroy Simon Peter, sifting him like wheat but Jesus prayed for Peter and stood beside him and did not allow Satan to carry out every evil intention. The Lord rebukes Satan. When Satan accuses, Christ pleads. The Lord is a very present help in time of trouble.
“Michael the archangel said to Satan, ‘The Lord rebuke you.’ The example here shows us a model for spiritual warfare. We should battle Satan with the Lord’s authority. In His authority we fight from a place of victory, more than fighting for victory.” [3]
“Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments and was standing before the Angel. Then He answered and spoke to those who stood before Him, saying, ‘Take away the filthy garments from him.’ And to him He said, ‘See, I have removed your iniquity from you, and I will clothe you with rich robes.’” [4]
Satan was pointing to Joshua’s filthy clothes and declaring him unfit to serve the Lord. No problem, “Joshua’s ministry was not based on his own goodness or merit. He had been rescued as a brand plucked from the fire. Indeed, Satan had a lot to accuse Joshua of, but Joshua had an even greater advocate, namely the Lord.
Joshua not only enjoyed having his iniquity removed, he also was given a positive righteousness – clothed with rich robes. The thought of being clothed by God in righteousness runs from Genesis to Revelation.” [5]
“I said, ‘Let them put a clean turban on his head.’ So they put a clean turban on his head, and they put the clothes on him. And the Angel of the Lord stood by.” [6]
“The turban was part of the High Priest’s garments and on the front, it had a gold plate inscribed with the phrase HOLINESS TO THE LORD.” [7] In God’s eyes Joshua was holy. He had been declared useful by the Lord for His service.
How should we respond to the Lord’s help? By praising Him: “Sing praises to God, sing praises! Sing praises to our King, sing praises! For God is the King of all the earth; sing praises with understanding. God reigns over the nations; God sits on His holy throne.” [8]
[1] Zachariah 3:1
[2] Zachariah 3:2
[3] Enduring Word Commentary with references to Ephesians 6:10-18; Luke 22:31-32; Jude 1:9
[4] Zachariah 3:3-4
[5] Enduring Word Commentary with references to Genesis 3:7, 21; Revelation 7:13-14
[6] Zachariah 3:5
[7] Enduring Word Commentary with reference to Exodus 28:36-38
[8] Psalm 47:6-8
Joshua was doing priestly service. Satan stood at his right hand to oppose him. He hates it when God’s people stand with the Lord.
“The Lord said to Satan, ‘The Lord rebuke you, Satan! The Lord who has chosen Jerusalem rebukes you! Is this not a brand plucked from the fire?’” [2]
“The name Satan literally means adversary or opponent. He stands against us in spiritual battle. Satan wanted to destroy Simon Peter, sifting him like wheat but Jesus prayed for Peter and stood beside him and did not allow Satan to carry out every evil intention. The Lord rebukes Satan. When Satan accuses, Christ pleads. The Lord is a very present help in time of trouble.
“Michael the archangel said to Satan, ‘The Lord rebuke you.’ The example here shows us a model for spiritual warfare. We should battle Satan with the Lord’s authority. In His authority we fight from a place of victory, more than fighting for victory.” [3]
“Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments and was standing before the Angel. Then He answered and spoke to those who stood before Him, saying, ‘Take away the filthy garments from him.’ And to him He said, ‘See, I have removed your iniquity from you, and I will clothe you with rich robes.’” [4]
Satan was pointing to Joshua’s filthy clothes and declaring him unfit to serve the Lord. No problem, “Joshua’s ministry was not based on his own goodness or merit. He had been rescued as a brand plucked from the fire. Indeed, Satan had a lot to accuse Joshua of, but Joshua had an even greater advocate, namely the Lord.
Joshua not only enjoyed having his iniquity removed, he also was given a positive righteousness – clothed with rich robes. The thought of being clothed by God in righteousness runs from Genesis to Revelation.” [5]
“I said, ‘Let them put a clean turban on his head.’ So they put a clean turban on his head, and they put the clothes on him. And the Angel of the Lord stood by.” [6]
“The turban was part of the High Priest’s garments and on the front, it had a gold plate inscribed with the phrase HOLINESS TO THE LORD.” [7] In God’s eyes Joshua was holy. He had been declared useful by the Lord for His service.
How should we respond to the Lord’s help? By praising Him: “Sing praises to God, sing praises! Sing praises to our King, sing praises! For God is the King of all the earth; sing praises with understanding. God reigns over the nations; God sits on His holy throne.” [8]
[1] Zachariah 3:1
[2] Zachariah 3:2
[3] Enduring Word Commentary with references to Ephesians 6:10-18; Luke 22:31-32; Jude 1:9
[4] Zachariah 3:3-4
[5] Enduring Word Commentary with references to Genesis 3:7, 21; Revelation 7:13-14
[6] Zachariah 3:5
[7] Enduring Word Commentary with reference to Exodus 28:36-38
[8] Psalm 47:6-8
Monday, November 1, 2021
Caring As The Lord Cares
The Prophet Jeremiah’s care for people was great. He wrote, “For the hurt of the daughter of My people, I am hurt. I mourn. Dismay has taken hold of me. Is there no balm in Gilead? Is there no physician there? Why then isn’t the health of the daughter of My people recovered?” [1]
When he reached out to those on the verge of perishing, they replied, “We will walk after our own plans… we will each follow the stubbornness of his evil heart.” [2]
Was the care that God gave him for people an exercise of futility? Should he have concluded, “Love is not a worthy cause?
The Lord’s promise to those who care deeply for others is this: “Those who sow in tears will reap in joy. He who goes out weeping, carrying seed for sowing, will certainly come again with joy, carrying his sheaves.” [3]
The ministry of divine love, though painful, yields great joy. While the Prophet Jeremiah may have not seen the fruit of his labors during his lifetime, his tears have turned to joy. He is with the Lord now and his earthly efforts are still bearing good fruit today.
Caring as the Lord cares is a worthy cause!
[1] Jeremiah 8:21-22
[2] Jeremiah 18:12
[3] Psalm 126:5-6
When he reached out to those on the verge of perishing, they replied, “We will walk after our own plans… we will each follow the stubbornness of his evil heart.” [2]
Was the care that God gave him for people an exercise of futility? Should he have concluded, “Love is not a worthy cause?
The Lord’s promise to those who care deeply for others is this: “Those who sow in tears will reap in joy. He who goes out weeping, carrying seed for sowing, will certainly come again with joy, carrying his sheaves.” [3]
The ministry of divine love, though painful, yields great joy. While the Prophet Jeremiah may have not seen the fruit of his labors during his lifetime, his tears have turned to joy. He is with the Lord now and his earthly efforts are still bearing good fruit today.
Caring as the Lord cares is a worthy cause!
[1] Jeremiah 8:21-22
[2] Jeremiah 18:12
[3] Psalm 126:5-6
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