One day, Saul of Tarsus was breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, and another day, he preached the Christ in the synagogues [public gathering places], “that He [Christ] is the Son of God.” [1]
What happened?
Saul had an encounter with the Savior. After that meeting, he was three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank. The Lord sent a man named Ananias to restore his sight to him. [2]
Ananias said to him, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you came, has sent me that you may receive your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” Immediately, there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he received his sight at once; and he arose and was baptized. [3]
“Saul increased all the more in strength... proving that this Jesus is the Christ [Messiah].” [4]
“Oh Lord, please raise up for us servants like Your servant Saul. Your Church needs a booster shot.”
[1] Acts 9:1, 20
[2] Acts 9: 4-6, 9-10
[3] Acts 9:17-18
[4] Acts 4:22
Bearing witness to the Word of God and to the testimony of Jesus!
Thursday, December 30, 2021
Tuesday, December 28, 2021
The Vital Role of Women in Ministry
"And certain women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities—Mary called Magdalene, out of whom had come seven demons, and Joanna the wife of Chuza, Herod’s steward, and Susanna, and many others who provided for Him from their substance." (Luke 8:2-3)
Women who serve the Lord are a tremendous blessing to the world. Recently, as I prepared a book about our years in China as missionaries, I noticed a reoccurring theme. God employed godly women to forward the Gospel ministry. First, I noticed my wife, Sherry, and then, her mother, her sisters and many Chinese, Filipina, and western sisters in Christ. They loved the Lord and helped to bridge the gaps between me and lost souls so that I could lead many lost souls to Jesus. Praise the Lord!
I composed the attached picture from a post by Pastor Kerry Ridings...
Women who serve the Lord are a tremendous blessing to the world. Recently, as I prepared a book about our years in China as missionaries, I noticed a reoccurring theme. God employed godly women to forward the Gospel ministry. First, I noticed my wife, Sherry, and then, her mother, her sisters and many Chinese, Filipina, and western sisters in Christ. They loved the Lord and helped to bridge the gaps between me and lost souls so that I could lead many lost souls to Jesus. Praise the Lord!
I composed the attached picture from a post by Pastor Kerry Ridings...
Monday, December 27, 2021
Exiles as a Royal Priesthood
“Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who are elect exiles... according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in the sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with His blood: May grace and peace be multiplied to you.” [1]
Why does Peter address his audience as elect exiles? Many of them were new believers living in their home country, speaking their own language, functioning in their native culture. They were like exiles because they were clinging to God in a land that had abandoned God.
Their citizenship was in heaven. They were waiting for their Savior Jesus Christ to appear from heaven. “One of the essential lessons of 1 Peter is that this suffering and social exclusion is the most normal thing in the world. It is common for our brothers and sisters around the world today.” [2]
Christians in exile may be hope-filled yet fearful; be humble and respectful yet speak the Gospel with authority; and, live holy lives, separate from the world, yet be incredibly welcoming and loving in it. We can live and share good news as exiles because we have the hope of glory. Our hope is not based in this life. Our “faith and hope are in God.” [3]
Our eternal “hope motivates evangelism. We tend not to speak of Jesus because we fear what we now call the ‘cancel’ culture, that we will be ignored, disrespected, even derided for our outdated and dangerous faith. But when we have hope that goes beyond this life, we can be bold. People are drawn to a hope that survives what the world and our enemy throw at it.”
Peter frames our lives by Christ’s example. He is the living stone. We are living stones. He is chosen by God and precious, but, rejected by men. Just as Christ was much more than what the people who rejected Him could imagine, so the church is much more than the people around us, or we ourselves, can imagine. We are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession. [5]
[1] 1 Peter 1:1-2
[2] Clark, Elliott, Evangelism as Exiles
[3] 1 Peter 1:21
[4] Clark, Elliott, Evangelism as Exiles
[5] 1 Peter 2:4-10
Why does Peter address his audience as elect exiles? Many of them were new believers living in their home country, speaking their own language, functioning in their native culture. They were like exiles because they were clinging to God in a land that had abandoned God.
Their citizenship was in heaven. They were waiting for their Savior Jesus Christ to appear from heaven. “One of the essential lessons of 1 Peter is that this suffering and social exclusion is the most normal thing in the world. It is common for our brothers and sisters around the world today.” [2]
Christians in exile may be hope-filled yet fearful; be humble and respectful yet speak the Gospel with authority; and, live holy lives, separate from the world, yet be incredibly welcoming and loving in it. We can live and share good news as exiles because we have the hope of glory. Our hope is not based in this life. Our “faith and hope are in God.” [3]
Our eternal “hope motivates evangelism. We tend not to speak of Jesus because we fear what we now call the ‘cancel’ culture, that we will be ignored, disrespected, even derided for our outdated and dangerous faith. But when we have hope that goes beyond this life, we can be bold. People are drawn to a hope that survives what the world and our enemy throw at it.”
Peter frames our lives by Christ’s example. He is the living stone. We are living stones. He is chosen by God and precious, but, rejected by men. Just as Christ was much more than what the people who rejected Him could imagine, so the church is much more than the people around us, or we ourselves, can imagine. We are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession. [5]
[1] 1 Peter 1:1-2
[2] Clark, Elliott, Evangelism as Exiles
[3] 1 Peter 1:21
[4] Clark, Elliott, Evangelism as Exiles
[5] 1 Peter 2:4-10
Sunday, December 26, 2021
Iniquity Removed In One Day
“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. And the Lord said to Satan, ‘The Lord rebuke you, Satan!’” [1]
Satan accuses God’s servants. [2] He especially attacks those who stand as priests before God to intercede for others! Those who help others to discern between the holy and unholy! Thankfully, the Lord rebukes Satan from opposing His chosen servants.
“And He said to him, “See, I have removed your iniquity from you, and I will clothe you with rich robes.” [3]
God removes the iniquity of His priests and gives us rich robes, even the robe of righteousness. He does this through faith in His Son Jesus Christ.
“For behold, I am bringing forth My Servant the BRANCH.” [4]
The etymology of Nazareth (the name of the town Jesus grew up in) has been said to derive from the Hebrew word נצר netser, meaning a “sprout” or “branch.” The “ee” ending added to a word in Hebrew means “my.” So, when people called Jesus the Nazarene, it sounded as if they were calling Him, “Jesus My Branch.” Indeed, Jesus is the Branch spoke of by the prophets. Isaiah referred to Jesus as the Branch that would grow out of Jesse’s roots. [5]
“And I will remove the iniquity of that land in one day.” [6]
Jesus Christ is the One who removed the iniquity of the land in one day. He did it by His bitter suffering and death on the cross when He became a sacrifice for our sins.
The Lord gave His prophet a vision of two olive trees and explained to him, “These are the two anointed ones, who stand beside the Lord of the whole earth.” [7]
These anointed Ones! These are the two hands of God. Jesus, His Son, (God’s Word made flesh) and the Holy Spirit, the very breath of His mouth. God is our victory over sin and Satan. In God, sin and the works of darkness are overcome. In God, righteousness, and holiness spring forth.
The Apostle Peter put it this way, “Him [Jesus] God has exalted to His right hand to be Prince and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. And we are His witnesses to these things, and so also is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey Him.” [8]
[1] Zachariah 3:1-2
[2] Revelation 12:10
[3] Zachariah 3:4
[4] Zachariah 3:8
[5] Isaiah 11:1
[6] Zachariah 3:9
[7] Zachariah 4:10, 14
[8] Acts 5:31-32
Satan accuses God’s servants. [2] He especially attacks those who stand as priests before God to intercede for others! Those who help others to discern between the holy and unholy! Thankfully, the Lord rebukes Satan from opposing His chosen servants.
“And He said to him, “See, I have removed your iniquity from you, and I will clothe you with rich robes.” [3]
God removes the iniquity of His priests and gives us rich robes, even the robe of righteousness. He does this through faith in His Son Jesus Christ.
“For behold, I am bringing forth My Servant the BRANCH.” [4]
The etymology of Nazareth (the name of the town Jesus grew up in) has been said to derive from the Hebrew word נצר netser, meaning a “sprout” or “branch.” The “ee” ending added to a word in Hebrew means “my.” So, when people called Jesus the Nazarene, it sounded as if they were calling Him, “Jesus My Branch.” Indeed, Jesus is the Branch spoke of by the prophets. Isaiah referred to Jesus as the Branch that would grow out of Jesse’s roots. [5]
“And I will remove the iniquity of that land in one day.” [6]
Jesus Christ is the One who removed the iniquity of the land in one day. He did it by His bitter suffering and death on the cross when He became a sacrifice for our sins.
The Lord gave His prophet a vision of two olive trees and explained to him, “These are the two anointed ones, who stand beside the Lord of the whole earth.” [7]
These anointed Ones! These are the two hands of God. Jesus, His Son, (God’s Word made flesh) and the Holy Spirit, the very breath of His mouth. God is our victory over sin and Satan. In God, sin and the works of darkness are overcome. In God, righteousness, and holiness spring forth.
The Apostle Peter put it this way, “Him [Jesus] God has exalted to His right hand to be Prince and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. And we are His witnesses to these things, and so also is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey Him.” [8]
[1] Zachariah 3:1-2
[2] Revelation 12:10
[3] Zachariah 3:4
[4] Zachariah 3:8
[5] Isaiah 11:1
[6] Zachariah 3:9
[7] Zachariah 4:10, 14
[8] Acts 5:31-32
Sunday, December 19, 2021
Forsaking Sin
“If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me.” [1]
“The Bible teaches that there are times when God doesn’t hear or answer our prayers. These unanswered prayers may be the result of unconfessed sin in our hearts. We cannot live the Christian life with unconfessed sin, unresolved anger and bitterness, and impure hearts, and still expect God to hear and answer our prayers.” [2]
“He that covers his sins shall not prosper but whoso confesses and forsakes them shall have mercy.” [3]
May the Holy Spirit mercifully convict us of any sin that we might be regarding in our hearts, and help us to confess it to God, and to ask God in the Name of Jesus to move us to forsake it, so the Lord may happily forgive our sin and prosper our service of bringing glory unto Him.
[1] Psalm 66:18
[2] Morris Hull at hlm.org
[3] Proverbs 28:13
“The Bible teaches that there are times when God doesn’t hear or answer our prayers. These unanswered prayers may be the result of unconfessed sin in our hearts. We cannot live the Christian life with unconfessed sin, unresolved anger and bitterness, and impure hearts, and still expect God to hear and answer our prayers.” [2]
“He that covers his sins shall not prosper but whoso confesses and forsakes them shall have mercy.” [3]
May the Holy Spirit mercifully convict us of any sin that we might be regarding in our hearts, and help us to confess it to God, and to ask God in the Name of Jesus to move us to forsake it, so the Lord may happily forgive our sin and prosper our service of bringing glory unto Him.
[1] Psalm 66:18
[2] Morris Hull at hlm.org
[3] Proverbs 28:13
Saturday, December 18, 2021
God Chose Mary
God chose Mary to be the earthly mother of the Messiah, His Son, Jesus Christ. She conceived Jesus by the Holy Spirit. She was a virgin. She had not known a man, but this was hard to explain to the average person who did not believe in God or in miracles.
Joseph, her betrothed thought to end the betrothal, but the Lord sent an angel to assure him that the child in Mary's womb was from God, and that Mary had committed no sin in this regard.
When Christ comes into our life... when we believe in Him and profess Him, we too, like Mary, may have people who don't understand us. Some might even want to hurt us due to being fed misinformation about us. However, in the end, if we stick with God's plan for our lives, namely to carry Jesus the full term of our lives, we will be exceedingly glad that we did.
Jesus Christ is the only One who opens heaven's door. Without Him no one gets in. Is your name in the Lamb's Book of Life? If not, I urge you to fully commit your life to Him today. Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you shall be saved.
Images from Franco Zeffirelli’s TV-miniseries “Jesus of Nazareth” 1977, ITC Entertainment, Scripture quotes from NIV Bible
Joseph, her betrothed thought to end the betrothal, but the Lord sent an angel to assure him that the child in Mary's womb was from God, and that Mary had committed no sin in this regard.
When Christ comes into our life... when we believe in Him and profess Him, we too, like Mary, may have people who don't understand us. Some might even want to hurt us due to being fed misinformation about us. However, in the end, if we stick with God's plan for our lives, namely to carry Jesus the full term of our lives, we will be exceedingly glad that we did.
Jesus Christ is the only One who opens heaven's door. Without Him no one gets in. Is your name in the Lamb's Book of Life? If not, I urge you to fully commit your life to Him today. Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you shall be saved.
Images from Franco Zeffirelli’s TV-miniseries “Jesus of Nazareth” 1977, ITC Entertainment, Scripture quotes from NIV Bible
Tuesday, December 14, 2021
Befriending Lonely People
“All the lonely people
Where do they all come from?
All the lonely people
Where do they all belong?” [1]
John Lennon and Paul McCartney wrote the lyrics for the song, “Eleanor Rigby.” The song seems to mock at one point a Father McKenzie because he does nothing for all the lonely people. In fact, he seems lonely too. The song offers no hope or call for change. It just exposes a problem that exists in the world. There are lonely people in the world whose loneliness is not being addressed or cured at this moment.
When Jesus walked on earth, He was mocked by some religious leaders as a friend of sinners. [2] When asked by messengers of an imprisoned man if He was the Messiah, Jesus responded with a report of meeting the needs of people. He said, “The blind see and the lame walk; the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear; the dead are raised up and the poor have the Gospel preached to them.” [3] Jesus cares about lonely and needy people. His servants are still ministering to such people today all over this world.
The followers of Jesus share with lonely people that God loves them and sent His Son to pay for their sins on the cross! They tell lonely people of the Holy Spirit who fills believers in Christ with love, joy, and peace. Yes, there are faithful servants of the Lord in the world. They befriend lonely people and invite them into fellowship with God and His people.
The Apostle John wrote of God bringing him and the apostles into fellowship with Him through Jesus His Son. He then extends that invitation to others because he wants their joy to be full.
“That which was from the beginning [namely Jesus Messiah], which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life—the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us— that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. And these things we write to you that your joy may be full.” [4]
There is immense joy in knowing God in a personal way. There is extraordinary joy when people who know God befriend you and demonstrate His love for you by word and deed. May the Lord help us to be that kind of follower of Jesus for all the lonely people.
[1] John Lennon / Paul McCartney, Eleanor Rigby lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
[2] Matthew 11:19
[3] Matthew 11:5
[4] 1 John 1:1-4
Where do they all come from?
All the lonely people
Where do they all belong?” [1]
John Lennon and Paul McCartney wrote the lyrics for the song, “Eleanor Rigby.” The song seems to mock at one point a Father McKenzie because he does nothing for all the lonely people. In fact, he seems lonely too. The song offers no hope or call for change. It just exposes a problem that exists in the world. There are lonely people in the world whose loneliness is not being addressed or cured at this moment.
When Jesus walked on earth, He was mocked by some religious leaders as a friend of sinners. [2] When asked by messengers of an imprisoned man if He was the Messiah, Jesus responded with a report of meeting the needs of people. He said, “The blind see and the lame walk; the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear; the dead are raised up and the poor have the Gospel preached to them.” [3] Jesus cares about lonely and needy people. His servants are still ministering to such people today all over this world.
The followers of Jesus share with lonely people that God loves them and sent His Son to pay for their sins on the cross! They tell lonely people of the Holy Spirit who fills believers in Christ with love, joy, and peace. Yes, there are faithful servants of the Lord in the world. They befriend lonely people and invite them into fellowship with God and His people.
The Apostle John wrote of God bringing him and the apostles into fellowship with Him through Jesus His Son. He then extends that invitation to others because he wants their joy to be full.
“That which was from the beginning [namely Jesus Messiah], which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life—the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us— that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. And these things we write to you that your joy may be full.” [4]
There is immense joy in knowing God in a personal way. There is extraordinary joy when people who know God befriend you and demonstrate His love for you by word and deed. May the Lord help us to be that kind of follower of Jesus for all the lonely people.
[1] John Lennon / Paul McCartney, Eleanor Rigby lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
[2] Matthew 11:19
[3] Matthew 11:5
[4] 1 John 1:1-4
The Real Meaning of Christmas is Christ
“If you love Me, keep My commandments. And I will pray to 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.” [1]
Knowing the Lord and making Him known is the real meaning of Christmas. It is about God dispelling the dark lies of the evil one and turning on the light of truth for us.
Jesus said if we love Him, He will ask the Father to give us another Helper. This Helper is the Spirit of truth. He dwells with us and in us. With the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit at work in our lives, we are no longer orphans. We are no longer parentless.
The Christ of Christmas helps us to overcome the misinformation of our enemy the devil.
From the beginning the devil tempted humankind to choose his deceptive narrative rather than God’s true Word, the Holy Bible.
The revelation that Jesus is the Messiah (the Christ) of God is a tremendous gift of love.
Jesus said in, “No one knows the Father except the Son, and the one to whom the Son wills to reveal Him.” [2] Knowing the Heavenly Father is a gift of revelation from Jesus His Son.
“Jesus answered and said to him, ‘If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him.’” [3]
To love Jesus... To be devoted to His Word is a divine gift of grace. To be loved by the Heavenly Father is a heavenly blessing. To have the Holy Trinity set up residence in one’s life is the greatest gift that the first Christmas brought to us.
Christmas is not about Santa Claus, Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer, Frosty the Snowman, or Jack Frost. Christmas is about Christ coming into our world in human flesh and dwelling among us. He came to redeem us from our sins. He came to reconnect the disconnect between us and God. Christ is the real meaning of Christmas.
[1] John 14:15-18
[2] Matthew 11:27
[3] John 14:23
Knowing the Lord and making Him known is the real meaning of Christmas. It is about God dispelling the dark lies of the evil one and turning on the light of truth for us.
Jesus said if we love Him, He will ask the Father to give us another Helper. This Helper is the Spirit of truth. He dwells with us and in us. With the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit at work in our lives, we are no longer orphans. We are no longer parentless.
The Christ of Christmas helps us to overcome the misinformation of our enemy the devil.
From the beginning the devil tempted humankind to choose his deceptive narrative rather than God’s true Word, the Holy Bible.
The revelation that Jesus is the Messiah (the Christ) of God is a tremendous gift of love.
Jesus said in, “No one knows the Father except the Son, and the one to whom the Son wills to reveal Him.” [2] Knowing the Heavenly Father is a gift of revelation from Jesus His Son.
“Jesus answered and said to him, ‘If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him.’” [3]
To love Jesus... To be devoted to His Word is a divine gift of grace. To be loved by the Heavenly Father is a heavenly blessing. To have the Holy Trinity set up residence in one’s life is the greatest gift that the first Christmas brought to us.
Christmas is not about Santa Claus, Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer, Frosty the Snowman, or Jack Frost. Christmas is about Christ coming into our world in human flesh and dwelling among us. He came to redeem us from our sins. He came to reconnect the disconnect between us and God. Christ is the real meaning of Christmas.
[1] John 14:15-18
[2] Matthew 11:27
[3] John 14:23
Monday, December 13, 2021
Love One Another
Before Jesus uttered His new commandment to His disciples – the one to love one another – He washed their feet. He also experienced a troubling in His spirit.
What troubled Jesus that evening?
Jesus told His disciples, “Most assuredly, I say to you, one of you will betray Me.” [1] One of His disciples was about to betray Him.
The disciples looked at one another. They were perplexed. A disciple close to Jesus asked Him, “Who is it?” Jesus answered him, “It is he to whom I shall give a piece of bread when I have dipped it.” And having dipped the bread, He gave it to Judas Iscariot.
“The giving of the dipped bread designated special honor, like a toast.” [2]
Jesus blessed him who cursed Him. He treated him who deserved no love with special kindness.
Was it for Judas that Jesus was troubled? God wants all people to be saved.
The devil had cultivated Judas to make the wrong decision – to betray Jesus. Judas listened to the devil. The devil entered the heart of Judas. [3]
The destiny of Judas was a horrible one. First suicide, and then, an eternity without God. Jesus said, “Woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been good for that man if he had not been born.” [4]
Thus, it is with all who decide to reject Jesus. It is an extremely ill choice.
After Judas left, Jesus said to His remaining disciples, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” [5]
“The command to love was not new; but the extent of love just displayed by Jesus was new, as would be the display of the cross. Love was newly defined from His example.” [6]
“Dear Lord Jesus, forgive us for the times we have been unfaithful to love You and our fellow disciples as we should. Help to love as You love. Deeply! Humbly! Sacrificially! Faithfully! Please keep us in the fold of those who love You, and of those who love one another. For it is Your Name that we pray. Amen.”
[1] John 13:21
[2] Quotes from the Blue Letter Bible Commentary
What troubled Jesus that evening?
Jesus told His disciples, “Most assuredly, I say to you, one of you will betray Me.” [1] One of His disciples was about to betray Him.
The disciples looked at one another. They were perplexed. A disciple close to Jesus asked Him, “Who is it?” Jesus answered him, “It is he to whom I shall give a piece of bread when I have dipped it.” And having dipped the bread, He gave it to Judas Iscariot.
“The giving of the dipped bread designated special honor, like a toast.” [2]
Jesus blessed him who cursed Him. He treated him who deserved no love with special kindness.
Was it for Judas that Jesus was troubled? God wants all people to be saved.
The devil had cultivated Judas to make the wrong decision – to betray Jesus. Judas listened to the devil. The devil entered the heart of Judas. [3]
The destiny of Judas was a horrible one. First suicide, and then, an eternity without God. Jesus said, “Woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been good for that man if he had not been born.” [4]
Thus, it is with all who decide to reject Jesus. It is an extremely ill choice.
After Judas left, Jesus said to His remaining disciples, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” [5]
“The command to love was not new; but the extent of love just displayed by Jesus was new, as would be the display of the cross. Love was newly defined from His example.” [6]
“Dear Lord Jesus, forgive us for the times we have been unfaithful to love You and our fellow disciples as we should. Help to love as You love. Deeply! Humbly! Sacrificially! Faithfully! Please keep us in the fold of those who love You, and of those who love one another. For it is Your Name that we pray. Amen.”
[1] John 13:21
[2] Quotes from the Blue Letter Bible Commentary
[3] John 13:2, 27
[4] John 13:34-35
[5] Matthew 26:24
[6] Quote from the Blue Letter Bible Commentary
[5] Matthew 26:24
[6] Quote from the Blue Letter Bible Commentary
Wednesday, December 8, 2021
Preachers of the Gospel Needed
“How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?” [1]
I have attached a couple of photos to illustrate what has been helpful to me in the past for inspiring me and equipping me to share the Gospels with others. If every Christian would lead one soul to Christ per year, the number of Christians would double in size annually.
The Lord used a tract by Keith Green to take me over the line in regards to taking the Gospel to people overseas. (photo)
However, before I went overseas, the Lord directed me to evangelize in the US. I took part in an Evangelism Explosion training and went out afterwards to visit people. (photo)
My partner and I used a survey method to start conversations. If that worked, we asked the two diagnostic questions (photo).
We also handed tracts and invited people to church. (photo)
While doing evangelism, it is vital to make a proper distinction between the Law and the Gospel (photo)
The Law convicts of sin. It demands. The Gospel gives. It tells us what Jesus taught about salvation and tells us what Jesus did for our salvation.
Lost souls need preachers of the Gospels.
“Dear Lord of Harvest, please raise up and equip more laborers, and may these laborers focus on preaching the Gospel. It is in Your Name that I pray. Amen.”
[1] Romans 10:14
I have attached a couple of photos to illustrate what has been helpful to me in the past for inspiring me and equipping me to share the Gospels with others. If every Christian would lead one soul to Christ per year, the number of Christians would double in size annually.
The Lord used a tract by Keith Green to take me over the line in regards to taking the Gospel to people overseas. (photo)
However, before I went overseas, the Lord directed me to evangelize in the US. I took part in an Evangelism Explosion training and went out afterwards to visit people. (photo)
My partner and I used a survey method to start conversations. If that worked, we asked the two diagnostic questions (photo).
We also handed tracts and invited people to church. (photo)
While doing evangelism, it is vital to make a proper distinction between the Law and the Gospel (photo)
The Law convicts of sin. It demands. The Gospel gives. It tells us what Jesus taught about salvation and tells us what Jesus did for our salvation.
Lost souls need preachers of the Gospels.
“Dear Lord of Harvest, please raise up and equip more laborers, and may these laborers focus on preaching the Gospel. It is in Your Name that I pray. Amen.”
[1] Romans 10:14
Monday, December 6, 2021
Peter not Judas
“Jesus answered them, ‘Did I not choose you, the twelve, and one of you is a devil?’ He spoke of Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon, for it was he who would betray Him, being one of the twelve.” [1]
One of you is the devil. His name was Judas or in Hebrew Judah. Judah was once a popular name among the Jews, but that changed with Judah from Kerioth or Judas Iscariot. Judah means praise in Hebrew. In English, Judas has come to mean someone who betrays another’s trust for the sake of silver. Its sad how some of have tied all Jews to Judas and have forgotten that eleven Jewish followers of Jesus laid down their lives for Him. God chose Jewish disciples to write the New Testament and to establish the Christian faith.
Why did Jesus choose Judas to be one of His twelve disciples? He knew Judas would betray Him. There was no possibility of converting this man. The verses that came to me this morning as I meditated on this passage were Isaiah 14:12-17, Ezekiel 28:12-15 and Revelation 12:7-9. Passages where God explains that Lucifer once brought praise to Him, but then, wanted to be God, and raised a rebellion against God, and was thus, expelled from heaven by God’s angel Michael. Was Jesus in choosing Judas teaching us something about the Kingdom of God?
Earlier in John 6, Jesus told a crowd, “Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life, which the Son of Man will give you, because God the Father has set His seal on Him.” [2] In other words, do not be so enamored with God’s created things that you miss the Creator when He is standing right in front of you.
God the Father has set His seal on Jesus. Jesus is the Messiah. He is the gate to enter the sheepfold. He is the One who gives everlasting life. Worship Jesus! He is the One all heaven adores. Stick with the eleven loyal followers of Jesus and serve Him. Proclaim His Name! Be His disciple!
Follow Jesus, because as Peter said, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. Also, we have come to believe and know that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” [3]
One of you is the devil. His name was Judas or in Hebrew Judah. Judah was once a popular name among the Jews, but that changed with Judah from Kerioth or Judas Iscariot. Judah means praise in Hebrew. In English, Judas has come to mean someone who betrays another’s trust for the sake of silver. Its sad how some of have tied all Jews to Judas and have forgotten that eleven Jewish followers of Jesus laid down their lives for Him. God chose Jewish disciples to write the New Testament and to establish the Christian faith.
Why did Jesus choose Judas to be one of His twelve disciples? He knew Judas would betray Him. There was no possibility of converting this man. The verses that came to me this morning as I meditated on this passage were Isaiah 14:12-17, Ezekiel 28:12-15 and Revelation 12:7-9. Passages where God explains that Lucifer once brought praise to Him, but then, wanted to be God, and raised a rebellion against God, and was thus, expelled from heaven by God’s angel Michael. Was Jesus in choosing Judas teaching us something about the Kingdom of God?
Earlier in John 6, Jesus told a crowd, “Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life, which the Son of Man will give you, because God the Father has set His seal on Him.” [2] In other words, do not be so enamored with God’s created things that you miss the Creator when He is standing right in front of you.
God the Father has set His seal on Jesus. Jesus is the Messiah. He is the gate to enter the sheepfold. He is the One who gives everlasting life. Worship Jesus! He is the One all heaven adores. Stick with the eleven loyal followers of Jesus and serve Him. Proclaim His Name! Be His disciple!
Follow Jesus, because as Peter said, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. Also, we have come to believe and know that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” [3]
[1] John 6:70-71
[2] John 6:27
[3] John 6:68-69
Sunday, December 5, 2021
From Death to Life
“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life.” [1]
It is a done deal. Hear the words of Jesus! Believe in Him who sent Jesus! You have eternal life. God will not judge you, in such a case, you pass from death to life based on what God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit has done for you.
The reason salvation is free is because God the Father poured His heart in giving us His Son. God the Son poured out His heart by dying a cruel death on a cross to pay our sin debt before God in full. God the Holy Spirit poured out His life by deigning to come and to convict us that we need GOD to save us. What is more the Holy Spirit fills believers in Jesus and helps us to be strong in faith.
Passed from death to life based on God’s saving work!
[1] John 5:24
It is a done deal. Hear the words of Jesus! Believe in Him who sent Jesus! You have eternal life. God will not judge you, in such a case, you pass from death to life based on what God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit has done for you.
The reason salvation is free is because God the Father poured His heart in giving us His Son. God the Son poured out His heart by dying a cruel death on a cross to pay our sin debt before God in full. God the Holy Spirit poured out His life by deigning to come and to convict us that we need GOD to save us. What is more the Holy Spirit fills believers in Jesus and helps us to be strong in faith.
Passed from death to life based on God’s saving work!
[1] John 5:24
Saturday, December 4, 2021
Jesus Christ Savior of the World
Jesus said to the woman, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you...” [1]
She did not know who Jesus was at the moment, but she brought up the right topic during her conversation with Jesus...
“The woman said to Him, “’I know that Messiah is coming’ (who is called Christ). ‘When He comes, He will tell us all things.’ Jesus said to her, ‘I who speak to you am He.’” [2]
The Messiah introduced Himself to her that day. What did she do?
“The woman then left her water pot, went her way into the city, and said to the men, ‘Come, see a Man who told me all things that I ever did. Could this be the Christ?’ Then they went out of the city and came to Him.” [3]
She went forth and told others about Jesus.
“And many more believed because of His own word. Then they said to the woman, ‘Now we believe, not because of what you said, for we ourselves have heard Him and we know that this is indeed the Christ, the Savior of the world.’” [4]
Praise God! It only takes a spark to get a fire going. May the Lord spark salvation fires in our communities today.
[1] John 4:10
[2] John 4:25-26
[3] John 4:28-30
[4] John 4:41-42
She did not know who Jesus was at the moment, but she brought up the right topic during her conversation with Jesus...
“The woman said to Him, “’I know that Messiah is coming’ (who is called Christ). ‘When He comes, He will tell us all things.’ Jesus said to her, ‘I who speak to you am He.’” [2]
The Messiah introduced Himself to her that day. What did she do?
“The woman then left her water pot, went her way into the city, and said to the men, ‘Come, see a Man who told me all things that I ever did. Could this be the Christ?’ Then they went out of the city and came to Him.” [3]
She went forth and told others about Jesus.
“And many more believed because of His own word. Then they said to the woman, ‘Now we believe, not because of what you said, for we ourselves have heard Him and we know that this is indeed the Christ, the Savior of the world.’” [4]
Praise God! It only takes a spark to get a fire going. May the Lord spark salvation fires in our communities today.
[1] John 4:10
[2] John 4:25-26
[3] John 4:28-30
[4] John 4:41-42
Thursday, December 2, 2021
House of Prayer Not Merchandise
The Son of God came to earth and lived among us. On the one hand, He came to make atonement for our sins and to defeat the power of sin, satan and death over us. On the other hand, He came to embody the Word of God so that we would have God’s interpretation of Scripture perfectly practiced by Himself in human flesh.
I like what the Lord did through Billy Graham. He turned for-personal-profit business locations into venues to preach the Gospel to lost souls. For example, He preached the Gospel to lost souls at the Raymond James Stadium in Tampa Bay before the Buccaneers played their first football game in it. Thousands of souls streamed to their knees in repentance and professed faith in Christ during the days of that crusade. Praise the Lord!
“Those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the firmament, and those who turn many to righteousness like the stars forever and ever.” [2]
The Lord says that those who are wise will shine. He said that the true stars of this life turn people to righteousness. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if every church venue in the world would be a venue for the Gospel to be preached to lost souls? And that thousands of souls would stream to their knees in repentance and profess faith in Christ during the services?
Let us pray for revival!
[1] John 2:14-16
[2] Daniel 12:3
Every story in the Gospels tells us something about our Creator and Sustainer. For example, when Jesus found people in the temple doing profitable
business dealings for themselves, He had made a whip of cords, and drove them
out. He told them, “Do not make My Father’s house a house of merchandise!” [1]
God denounced the exploitation of His temple for selfish gain by the managers
of it.
I like what the Lord did through Billy Graham. He turned for-personal-profit business locations into venues to preach the Gospel to lost souls. For example, He preached the Gospel to lost souls at the Raymond James Stadium in Tampa Bay before the Buccaneers played their first football game in it. Thousands of souls streamed to their knees in repentance and professed faith in Christ during the days of that crusade. Praise the Lord!
“Those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the firmament, and those who turn many to righteousness like the stars forever and ever.” [2]
The Lord says that those who are wise will shine. He said that the true stars of this life turn people to righteousness. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if every church venue in the world would be a venue for the Gospel to be preached to lost souls? And that thousands of souls would stream to their knees in repentance and profess faith in Christ during the services?
Let us pray for revival!
[1] John 2:14-16
[2] Daniel 12:3
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