He served the Lord even though revelation was rare...
“Now the boy Samuel ministered to the Lord before Eli. And the word of the Lord was rare in those days; there was no widespread revelation.” [1]
He did not yet know the Lord. God’s Word was not yet revealed to him...
“Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord, nor was the word of the Lord yet revealed to him.” [2]
Then, the Lord spoke his name and he responded...
“Now the Lord came, stood, and called as at other times, ‘Samuel! Samuel!’ And Samuel answered, ‘Speak, for Your servant hears.’” [3]
The Lord was with him and gave him the right words to say...
“So, Samuel grew, and the Lord was with him and let none of his words fall to the ground.” [4]
The Lord continued to appear to Samuel and reveal Himself to Samuel via His Word...
“Then the Lord appeared again in Shiloh. For the Lord revealed Himself to Samuel in Shiloh by the word of the Lord.” [5]
“Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for revealing Yourself to us via Your Word that is recorded and preserved for us in the Bible. Thank You Jesus Son of God for removing the wall of separation between us and the Father via Your atoning sacrifice for our sins. Thank You Holy Spirit for deigning to dwell in us and for revealing the meaning of God’s Word for us.”
[1] 1 Samuel 3:1
[2] 1 Samuel 3:7
[3] 1 Samuel 3:10
[4] 1 Samuel 3:19
[5] 1 Samuel 3:21
Bearing witness to the Word of God and to the testimony of Jesus!
Saturday, April 30, 2022
Friday, April 29, 2022
Hold Fast The Confession
“Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.” [1]
“If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” [2]
“Every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” [3]
“Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.” [4]
[1] Hebrews 10:23
[2] Romans 10:9
[3] Philippians 2:11
[4] Proverbs 18:21
“If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” [2]
“Every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” [3]
“Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.” [4]
[1] Hebrews 10:23
[2] Romans 10:9
[3] Philippians 2:11
[4] Proverbs 18:21
Wednesday, April 27, 2022
The Power of Prayer and Praise to God
“At midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God and the prisoners were listening to them.” [1]
What did Paul and Silas do in prison? What was the outcomes of their actions?
Paul and Silas prayed, presumably aloud, and sang hymns to God. This does not a normally happen when two men are locked up for doing good. They had every reason to cry injustice and complain, but instead, they prayed and sang. The prisoners listened.
With Jesus their heart-breaking situation gave way to shining the Gospel light amidst people sitting in darkness. The world offers division, complaint, strife, anger, victimhood, guilt, shame, and pride. Jesus offers a grateful heart that can “give thanks in all circumstances.” [2]
Paul and Silas had the promise from Jesus of a glorious resurrection. Even if they were executed, they would rise again. Jesus said, “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” [3]
What did the prisoners hear spilling out from Paul and Silas amidst their trials? What are our listeners hearing us say?
The example of Paul and Silas moved their jailer to ask them, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” [4]
It is highly probable, based on the outcomes recorded in this Bible story, that if we sincerely pray to God and loudly praise Him with song, someone will ask us how they too can be saved.
[1] Acts 16:25
[2] 1 Thessalonians 5:18
[3] Matthew 5:11-12
[4] Acts 16:30
Tuesday, April 26, 2022
Maintaining The Main Mission
Paul’s accusers: “For we have found this man a plague, a creator of dissension among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes.” [1]
Paul’s response: “I have hope in God, which they themselves also accept, that there will be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and the unjust.” “Concerning the resurrection of the dead I am being judged by you this day.” [2]
After Jesus revealed Himself to Paul and commissioned him to preach the Gospel to Jews, non-Jews and to kings, [3] the Apostle was not deterred by the false accusations and hardships that came against him. He had hope in God! He had hope in God because for him the resurrection from the dead of the just and the unjust was a reality.
Previously, Epicurean and Stoic philosophers mocked him saying, “What does this babbler want to say?” While others said of him, “He seems to be a proclaimer of foreign gods,” because he preached to them Jesus and the resurrection. [4]
Paul responded to these mockers and skeptics with a warning, “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 whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead.” [5]
The revelation of Jesus Christ brought Paul to repentance. He repented of his rage against Jesus and His followers. Jesus led him and empowered him to become one of His greatest writers and proclaimers of the resurrection message. Thanks to God’s grace, every other priority of Paul gave way to the priority of preparing people for eternity. Despite mocking, mischaracterization, and maltreatment, he maintained his mission.
“Dear Heavenly Father, please help us to prepare people for eternity by revealing Your Son Jesus Christ to them even as You have so graciously revealed Him to us. It is in His Name we pray. Amen.”
[1] Acts 24:5
[2] Acts 24:15, 21
[3] Acts 9:15
[4] Acts 17:18
[5] Acts 17:30-31
Paul’s response: “I have hope in God, which they themselves also accept, that there will be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and the unjust.” “Concerning the resurrection of the dead I am being judged by you this day.” [2]
After Jesus revealed Himself to Paul and commissioned him to preach the Gospel to Jews, non-Jews and to kings, [3] the Apostle was not deterred by the false accusations and hardships that came against him. He had hope in God! He had hope in God because for him the resurrection from the dead of the just and the unjust was a reality.
Previously, Epicurean and Stoic philosophers mocked him saying, “What does this babbler want to say?” While others said of him, “He seems to be a proclaimer of foreign gods,” because he preached to them Jesus and the resurrection. [4]
Paul responded to these mockers and skeptics with a warning, “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 whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead.” [5]
The revelation of Jesus Christ brought Paul to repentance. He repented of his rage against Jesus and His followers. Jesus led him and empowered him to become one of His greatest writers and proclaimers of the resurrection message. Thanks to God’s grace, every other priority of Paul gave way to the priority of preparing people for eternity. Despite mocking, mischaracterization, and maltreatment, he maintained his mission.
“Dear Heavenly Father, please help us to prepare people for eternity by revealing Your Son Jesus Christ to them even as You have so graciously revealed Him to us. It is in His Name we pray. Amen.”
[1] Acts 24:5
[2] Acts 24:15, 21
[3] Acts 9:15
[4] Acts 17:18
[5] Acts 17:30-31
Saturday, April 23, 2022
Bound For Glory!
Did you know that Samson, the great strong man of God, was once bound and delivered over to his enemies by his own people to save them from death?
It is true! The Philistine army deployed itself against Israel. Israel asked them why. The Philistines replied, “We have come up to arrest Samson...” So, 3,000 Israelites approached Samson, and said to him, “We have come to arrest you, to deliver you into the hand of the Philistines.” They bound Samson with ropes and brought him up to the Philistines. Thankfully, the Spirit of the Lord came mightily upon Samson. He broke the ropes. He slew 1,000 Philistines. He was free again. [1]
The Apostle Paul was also bound but later freed.
A man with a prophetic gift took Paul’s belt and bound his own hands and feet with it. He said, “Thus says the Holy Spirit, ‘So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man who owns this belt and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.’” Paul’s friends were quite upset by this prophesy. Paul responded to them by saying, “What do you mean by weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” [2]
Jesus was also bound. “The detachment of troops and the captain and the officers of the Jews arrested Jesus and bound Him.” [3] Jesus was also bound by strips of grave clothing. “Then they took the body of Jesus and bound it in strips of linen with the spices, as the custom of the Jews is to bury.” [4] But no bonds, no grave clothing and no sealed-shut tomb were able stop Jesus. He had the power of an endless life. [5]
In all these cases, God’s messengers were set free from the bonds that people tried to bind them with. And in all these cases, these who were bound by the world, were also bound for glory.
“Dear Heavenly Father, please keep us ever mindful that all the world’s bindings against Your servants are destined to burst. You have bound us for glory. We are bound for glory thanks to You and Your Son Jesus Christ, our Redeemer. It is in His Name that I praise You. Amen.”
[1] Judges 15:9-15
[2] Acts 21:10-13
[3] John 18:12
[4] John 19:40
[5] Hebrews 7:16
It is true! The Philistine army deployed itself against Israel. Israel asked them why. The Philistines replied, “We have come up to arrest Samson...” So, 3,000 Israelites approached Samson, and said to him, “We have come to arrest you, to deliver you into the hand of the Philistines.” They bound Samson with ropes and brought him up to the Philistines. Thankfully, the Spirit of the Lord came mightily upon Samson. He broke the ropes. He slew 1,000 Philistines. He was free again. [1]
The Apostle Paul was also bound but later freed.
A man with a prophetic gift took Paul’s belt and bound his own hands and feet with it. He said, “Thus says the Holy Spirit, ‘So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man who owns this belt and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.’” Paul’s friends were quite upset by this prophesy. Paul responded to them by saying, “What do you mean by weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” [2]
Jesus was also bound. “The detachment of troops and the captain and the officers of the Jews arrested Jesus and bound Him.” [3] Jesus was also bound by strips of grave clothing. “Then they took the body of Jesus and bound it in strips of linen with the spices, as the custom of the Jews is to bury.” [4] But no bonds, no grave clothing and no sealed-shut tomb were able stop Jesus. He had the power of an endless life. [5]
In all these cases, God’s messengers were set free from the bonds that people tried to bind them with. And in all these cases, these who were bound by the world, were also bound for glory.
“Dear Heavenly Father, please keep us ever mindful that all the world’s bindings against Your servants are destined to burst. You have bound us for glory. We are bound for glory thanks to You and Your Son Jesus Christ, our Redeemer. It is in His Name that I praise You. Amen.”
[1] Judges 15:9-15
[2] Acts 21:10-13
[3] John 18:12
[4] John 19:40
[5] Hebrews 7:16
Friday, April 22, 2022
The Heavenly Message
“Jesus
came preaching the good news of the kingdom of God. He charged His disciples
with the Great Commission. The Book of Acts records the Great Commission in
action - the proclamation of the Gospel and the instruction of new believers.”
~ Alexander Strauch
Thursday, April 21, 2022
God's Response To Pain
Exile is to ancient Israel is what crucifixion of Jesus is to Church. Return from exile (restoration) is to Israel what resurrection of Jesus is to Church.
Before exile, tradition had become a prop. Landholding had become a prop. Power had become a prop. God had to take away all their props so they can come back to God.
The Bible is God’s response to human suffering… “For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.”
Romans 15:4
Before exile, tradition had become a prop. Landholding had become a prop. Power had become a prop. God had to take away all their props so they can come back to God.
The Bible is God’s response to human suffering… “For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.”
Romans 15:4
Wednesday, April 20, 2022
Christ-Centered Christianity
“Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days [3 weekly meetings] reasoned with them out of the Scriptures.” [1]
“The Greek word translated ‘reasoned’ is the root for our English word dialogue. There was an exchange, questions and answers. He dialogued with them ‘from the Scriptures.” (Hughes) [2]
“Opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom I preach unto you, is Christ.” [3]
Paul did the work in Thessalonica, Greece, of proving that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead. He presented persuasive evidence to his listeners.
The first reaction...
A great multitude of devout Greeks (even chief women) believed in JESUS. [4] Praise the Lord!
The second reaction:
Those who were jealous recruited a mob of lewd people and started a riot. They attacked the house of Jason and brought him and others who supported Paul before the rulers of the city. Their accusation against was:
“These that have turned the world upside down are come here also... They are contrary to Caesar... They say that Jesus is king.” [5]
Thankfully, the rulers let Jason go. [6]
In the meantime, Paul and Silas traveled to Berea, Greece. The Bereans received God’s Word with readiness of mind. They searched the Scriptures daily. Many of them believed including highly honored Greek women and men. [7]
Wonderful!
Then, angry people arrived from Thessalonica and stirred up the people against Paul once again, so he went and preached to people in Athens, Greece. [8] An Athenian man named Dionysius and an Athenian woman named Damaris, and others believed in Jesus. [9]
Leading people to believe in Christ is Christ-centered Christianity. We are still pointing people to Him today.
Jesus gives those who believe in Him new and abundant life. He takes the guilt of sin away because He forgives all our sins. He gives us His Holy Spirit. His Spirit gives us love, joy and peace that we never experienced prior to our faith in Christ. And He gives us eternal life. I pray, if you have not believed in Christ yet, that you would believe in Him today.
[1] Acts 17:2
[2] Enduring Word Commentary
[3] Acts 17:3
[4] Acts 17:4
[5] Acts 17:5-7
[6] Acts 17:9
[7] Acts 17:11-12
[8] Acts 17:13-15
[9] Acts 17:34
“The Greek word translated ‘reasoned’ is the root for our English word dialogue. There was an exchange, questions and answers. He dialogued with them ‘from the Scriptures.” (Hughes) [2]
“Opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom I preach unto you, is Christ.” [3]
Paul did the work in Thessalonica, Greece, of proving that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead. He presented persuasive evidence to his listeners.
The first reaction...
A great multitude of devout Greeks (even chief women) believed in JESUS. [4] Praise the Lord!
The second reaction:
Those who were jealous recruited a mob of lewd people and started a riot. They attacked the house of Jason and brought him and others who supported Paul before the rulers of the city. Their accusation against was:
“These that have turned the world upside down are come here also... They are contrary to Caesar... They say that Jesus is king.” [5]
Thankfully, the rulers let Jason go. [6]
In the meantime, Paul and Silas traveled to Berea, Greece. The Bereans received God’s Word with readiness of mind. They searched the Scriptures daily. Many of them believed including highly honored Greek women and men. [7]
Wonderful!
Then, angry people arrived from Thessalonica and stirred up the people against Paul once again, so he went and preached to people in Athens, Greece. [8] An Athenian man named Dionysius and an Athenian woman named Damaris, and others believed in Jesus. [9]
Leading people to believe in Christ is Christ-centered Christianity. We are still pointing people to Him today.
Jesus gives those who believe in Him new and abundant life. He takes the guilt of sin away because He forgives all our sins. He gives us His Holy Spirit. His Spirit gives us love, joy and peace that we never experienced prior to our faith in Christ. And He gives us eternal life. I pray, if you have not believed in Christ yet, that you would believe in Him today.
[1] Acts 17:2
[2] Enduring Word Commentary
[3] Acts 17:3
[4] Acts 17:4
[5] Acts 17:5-7
[6] Acts 17:9
[7] Acts 17:11-12
[8] Acts 17:13-15
[9] Acts 17:34
Tuesday, April 19, 2022
The Proper Response to the Resurrection of Jesus Christ
The proper response our Lord’s resurrection is to GO and TELL others.
The Apostle Paul, who experienced a face to face encounter with the Risen Lord Jesus, did just that!
For example, in the city of Thessalonica, the Apostle Paul ministered for three Sabbaths in a Jewish synagogue. He reasoned with them from the Scriptures. What was the topic of his Bible teaching? The resurrection of Jesus Christ!
“He explained and proved that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead, and saying, ‘This Jesus whom I preach to you is the Christ.’” Christ is Greek for Messiah!
Some Jews, a great multitude of Greeks, and many leading women were persuaded that Jesus was Messiah and joined with Paul and his ministry partner Silas. [1]
Next, Paul and Silas preached Christ in a Berean synagogue. The Berean Jews searched the Scriptures daily to verify if Jesus did indeed fulfill the Bible’s prophesies. Many of them believed. There were also many Greek converts including prominent women as well as men. [2]
Next, Paul stood amid the Areopagus (a temple to a Greek god) located in Athens Greece. Here too, he preached Christ. [3]
He told his listeners, “We ought not to think that the Divine Nature is like gold or silver or stone, something shaped by art and man’s devising. 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 whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead.” [4]
Some in the audience mocked Paul while others wanted to hear more. One man named Dionysius, one woman named Damaris, and some others believed and joined him. [5]
Paul is God’s example of a person who loves God and his neighbor. God’s love led him to care for peoples’ souls. By faith in God’s Word and reliance on the power of the Holy Spirit, he continually made new followers of Jesus Christ.
As many as receive Jesus Christ, to them He gives the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who are born... of God. [6] Converted by His Word and Holy Spirit!
[1] Acts 17:1-4
[2] Acts 17:11-12
[3] Acts 17:22
[4] Acts 17:29-31
[5] Acts 17:32-34
[6] John 1:12-13
The Apostle Paul, who experienced a face to face encounter with the Risen Lord Jesus, did just that!
For example, in the city of Thessalonica, the Apostle Paul ministered for three Sabbaths in a Jewish synagogue. He reasoned with them from the Scriptures. What was the topic of his Bible teaching? The resurrection of Jesus Christ!
“He explained and proved that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead, and saying, ‘This Jesus whom I preach to you is the Christ.’” Christ is Greek for Messiah!
Some Jews, a great multitude of Greeks, and many leading women were persuaded that Jesus was Messiah and joined with Paul and his ministry partner Silas. [1]
Next, Paul and Silas preached Christ in a Berean synagogue. The Berean Jews searched the Scriptures daily to verify if Jesus did indeed fulfill the Bible’s prophesies. Many of them believed. There were also many Greek converts including prominent women as well as men. [2]
Next, Paul stood amid the Areopagus (a temple to a Greek god) located in Athens Greece. Here too, he preached Christ. [3]
He told his listeners, “We ought not to think that the Divine Nature is like gold or silver or stone, something shaped by art and man’s devising. 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 whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead.” [4]
Some in the audience mocked Paul while others wanted to hear more. One man named Dionysius, one woman named Damaris, and some others believed and joined him. [5]
Paul is God’s example of a person who loves God and his neighbor. God’s love led him to care for peoples’ souls. By faith in God’s Word and reliance on the power of the Holy Spirit, he continually made new followers of Jesus Christ.
As many as receive Jesus Christ, to them He gives the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who are born... of God. [6] Converted by His Word and Holy Spirit!
[1] Acts 17:1-4
[2] Acts 17:11-12
[3] Acts 17:22
[4] Acts 17:29-31
[5] Acts 17:32-34
[6] John 1:12-13
Saturday, April 16, 2022
Believing Between Then And Now
Jesus had told His disciples multiple times that He would die, but on the third day rise again. [1] But we read of their unbelief between then and now... The time between His crucifixion and His resurrection. [2]
Between the crucifixion and resurrection, Jesus rested on the Sabbath. He did not go into crisis control mode. The tomb was sealed. It was a rich man’s tomb complete with bodyguards.
Is it any coincidence that God set apart the seventh day of the week and made it holy? I think not! Sabbath is a day to die-to-self and to rest in God. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, did not work during His Sabbath in the grave. But on the first day of the week, when there was work to do, He resurrected with healing in His wings. [3]
“He was crucified in weakness, yet He lives by the power of God.” [4]
What about those unbelieving disciples? What happened to them? Poisoned minds! The devil did this to our first parents... he poisoned their minds against God. Some members of Alcoholics Anonymous speak of the devil being on one’s shoulder speaking into their ear. Yes, the enemy poisons people against God, against themselves and others. Some doubted until they saw Jesus alive from the dead on the third day.
How many are doubting today that Jesus will return just as He said?
We must beware of doubting when we should be resting. The Apostle Peter warned that in the last days, many will be saying, “Where is the promise of His coming?” [5]
“The unbelieving... poisoned their minds against the brethren.” [6] Did the brethren quit? No, “they stayed there a long time, speaking boldly in the Lord, who was bearing witness to the word of His grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands.” [7]
Some persuaded the multitudes to stone the Apostle Paul. Did he quit? No, he went forward preaching the Gospel in the next city. He and his ministry team made many disciples there. [8]
Paul exhorted his disciples to continue in the faith, saying, “We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God.” [9]
Despite all that is waged against Jesus Christ, and the truth that He gives us, He overcomes. It was prophesied long ago of Jesus in God’s Word the Bible...
“I will make My firstborn the highest of the kings of the earth.” [10]
Keep on believing between the then of Sabbath and the now of Resurrection!
[1] Matthew 16:21, Matthew 17:23, Matthew 20:19
[2] Matthew 28:17, Luke 24:25, John 20:24-27
[3] Malachi 4:2
[4] 2 Corinthians 13:4
[5] 2 Peter 3:4
[6] Acts 14:2
[7] Acts 14:3
[8] Acts 14:19-21
[9] Acts 14:22
[10] Psalm 89:27
Between the crucifixion and resurrection, Jesus rested on the Sabbath. He did not go into crisis control mode. The tomb was sealed. It was a rich man’s tomb complete with bodyguards.
Is it any coincidence that God set apart the seventh day of the week and made it holy? I think not! Sabbath is a day to die-to-self and to rest in God. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, did not work during His Sabbath in the grave. But on the first day of the week, when there was work to do, He resurrected with healing in His wings. [3]
“He was crucified in weakness, yet He lives by the power of God.” [4]
What about those unbelieving disciples? What happened to them? Poisoned minds! The devil did this to our first parents... he poisoned their minds against God. Some members of Alcoholics Anonymous speak of the devil being on one’s shoulder speaking into their ear. Yes, the enemy poisons people against God, against themselves and others. Some doubted until they saw Jesus alive from the dead on the third day.
How many are doubting today that Jesus will return just as He said?
We must beware of doubting when we should be resting. The Apostle Peter warned that in the last days, many will be saying, “Where is the promise of His coming?” [5]
“The unbelieving... poisoned their minds against the brethren.” [6] Did the brethren quit? No, “they stayed there a long time, speaking boldly in the Lord, who was bearing witness to the word of His grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands.” [7]
Some persuaded the multitudes to stone the Apostle Paul. Did he quit? No, he went forward preaching the Gospel in the next city. He and his ministry team made many disciples there. [8]
Paul exhorted his disciples to continue in the faith, saying, “We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God.” [9]
Despite all that is waged against Jesus Christ, and the truth that He gives us, He overcomes. It was prophesied long ago of Jesus in God’s Word the Bible...
“I will make My firstborn the highest of the kings of the earth.” [10]
Keep on believing between the then of Sabbath and the now of Resurrection!
[1] Matthew 16:21, Matthew 17:23, Matthew 20:19
[2] Matthew 28:17, Luke 24:25, John 20:24-27
[3] Malachi 4:2
[4] 2 Corinthians 13:4
[5] 2 Peter 3:4
[6] Acts 14:2
[7] Acts 14:3
[8] Acts 14:19-21
[9] Acts 14:22
[10] Psalm 89:27
Friday, April 15, 2022
Good Friday Is GOOD
Good Friday commemorates the day on which Jesus, the Son of God, was crucified for our sins. He had committed no sin. He was God’s perfect sacrifice for our sins.
Below is the meat of what the Apostle Paul preached about Jesus...
“Though they found NO CAUSE for death in HIM [Jesus], they asked Pilate that He should be put to death. After they had fulfilled all that was written concerning Him [in the Old Testament], they took Him down from the tree and laid Him in a tomb.
BUT GOD RAISED HIM FROM THE DEAD! [Hallelujah!]
...We declare to you GLAD TIDINGS... GOD... has raised up JESUS.” [1]
“Therefore, let it be known to you, brethren, that through this Man is preached to you the FORGIVENESS OF SINS; and BY HIM EVERYONE WHO BELIEVES IS JUSTIFIED FROM ALL THINGS FROM WHICH YOU COULD NOT BE JUSTIFIED BY THE LAW OF MOSES.” [2]
Jesus Christ is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. The Law of Moses convicts humanity of sin before God. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ erases the criminal records of every believer in Him from all divine offenses.
We who believe in JESUS are no longer offenders before GOD. We are justified... just-if-I’d not sinned... justified by God due to our faith in His Son Jesus Christ.
How does one get his or her name in the Lamb’s Book of Life? The answer is to believe in one’s heart and confess with one’s mouth, “Jesus Christ is the Lamb of God who takes away my sin.”
As Scripture says, “Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us.” [3]
The key to victory over sin, satan and death is FAITH in the SON of GOD, JESUS CHRIST!
This is what makes Good Friday so GOOD!
[1] Acts 13:28-33
[2] Acts 13:38-39
[3] Romans 8:33-34
Below is the meat of what the Apostle Paul preached about Jesus...
“Though they found NO CAUSE for death in HIM [Jesus], they asked Pilate that He should be put to death. After they had fulfilled all that was written concerning Him [in the Old Testament], they took Him down from the tree and laid Him in a tomb.
BUT GOD RAISED HIM FROM THE DEAD! [Hallelujah!]
...We declare to you GLAD TIDINGS... GOD... has raised up JESUS.” [1]
“Therefore, let it be known to you, brethren, that through this Man is preached to you the FORGIVENESS OF SINS; and BY HIM EVERYONE WHO BELIEVES IS JUSTIFIED FROM ALL THINGS FROM WHICH YOU COULD NOT BE JUSTIFIED BY THE LAW OF MOSES.” [2]
Jesus Christ is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. The Law of Moses convicts humanity of sin before God. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ erases the criminal records of every believer in Him from all divine offenses.
We who believe in JESUS are no longer offenders before GOD. We are justified... just-if-I’d not sinned... justified by God due to our faith in His Son Jesus Christ.
How does one get his or her name in the Lamb’s Book of Life? The answer is to believe in one’s heart and confess with one’s mouth, “Jesus Christ is the Lamb of God who takes away my sin.”
As Scripture says, “Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us.” [3]
The key to victory over sin, satan and death is FAITH in the SON of GOD, JESUS CHRIST!
This is what makes Good Friday so GOOD!
[1] Acts 13:28-33
[2] Acts 13:38-39
[3] Romans 8:33-34
Thursday, April 14, 2022
Returning To God
“The backslider in heart will be filled with his own ways, but a good man will be satisfied from above.” [1]
“A common English expression claims ‘what goes around comes around.’ It is true that good people can experience difficult circumstances and even persecution [2], and evil people can sometimes appear successful. [3] Both are temporary situations, however. Natural cause-and-effect usually brings negative consequences to evildoers and benefits to those who do good.
The phrase ‘backslider in heart’ literally means ‘a turned-aside heart.’ This is someone who has rejected God’s wisdom [4] in favor of their own preferences. [5] As the book of Proverbs often notes, ignoring God increases risks in earthly life [6] and guarantees death in eternity.” [7 Q1]
“Often the love we need most is the love we want least. The love feels so harsh, so blunt, so unpleasant in the moment that we often don’t even recognize it as love. Sometimes the Lord’s love for us feels like the opposite of love, but that’s only because we can’t see everything He sees. Behind the real pain He allows is an even more real love for those for whom He sent His Son. [8]
The world would never call any kind of pain ‘love.’ The world simply does not have categories for God doing whatever necessary to draw us to Himself, but His love for us explodes the world’s small categories and far surpasses its weak expectations.
The sweetest gift God gives us when He wounds us is that He gives us more of Himself.
We see this kind of love throughout the prophets. God is willing to withhold anything to bring His people back to Himself. Again and again, the pain He allows is designed to lead us to comfort and hope and healing, not despair. Don’t be afraid to feel the pain in suffering, and to grieve the pain, but let it lead you to God, not away.” [Q2]
The prophets conveyed God’s desire to replace peoples’ distance with closeness to Him.
He withheld food to make them hungry: “I gave you cleanness of teeth in all your cities, and lack of bread in all your places, yet you did not return to Me.” [9] God was willing to watch them hunger if that’s what it took for them to hunger for Him again.
He stopped the rain to make them thirsty: “I also withheld the rain from you when there were yet three months to the harvest; I would send rain on one city, and send no rain on another city; one field would have rain, and the field on which it did not rain would wither; so two or three cities would wander to another city to drink water, and would not be satisfied; yet you did not return to Me.” [10]
He corrupted the fields to ruin their harvest: “I struck you with blight and mildew; your many gardens and your vineyards, your fig trees and your olive trees the locust devoured; yet you did not return to Me.” [11] God compromised their livelihood to initiate a return to Him.
God even allowed their young sons to die in war: “I sent among you a pestilence after the manner of Egypt; I killed your young men with the sword, and carried away your horses, and I made the stench of your camp go up into your nostrils; yet you did not return to me. . .. I overthrew some of you, as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah, and you were as a brand plucked out of the burning; yet you did not return to Me.” [12] He allowed some to die that others might truly live.
God’s purpose was not destruction, but reconciliation. His motivation was not revenge, but invitation. In every ounce of suffering, He calls to His people, “Return to Me.”
“Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, that He may have compassion on him, and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon.” [13] The pain may feel like God’s fierce anger in the moment, but it actually serves to reveal His warm compassion toward us. Joel writes, “Return to the Lord your God, for He is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love; and He relents over disaster.” [14]
Return and be healed! “The Lord will strike Egypt, striking and healing, and they will return to the Lord, and He will listen to their pleas for mercy and heal them.” [15] The Lord does take away. The Lord does strike. All that He may heal. Hosea sings, “Come, let us return to the Lord; for He has torn us, that He may heal us; He has struck us down, and He will bind us up.” [16]
“I have blotted out your transgressions like a cloud and your sins like mist; return to Me, for I have redeemed you.” [17] When we return to the Lord, we don’t meet resistance or reluctance. This Father runs to receive His prodigal. [18]
“Thus said the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, ‘In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.’ But you were unwilling.” [19] When we suffer, enduring disappointment or rejection, wrestling with disease or disability, losing someone we loved, we may want rest more than anything — rest from the pain, from the questions, from the doubt, from the anxieties. Tragically, many of us run away from God to try and find rest when the suffering is designed to lead us into real rest with Him.
God hangs the same banner over every trial: “Come to Me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” [20]
“The ransomed of the Lord shall return and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.” [21] Satan prowls like a lion, waiting to devour the vulnerable. He preys on the weak. He wants your life to be full of sorrow. However, when we begin to realize all that God does for us during adversity, we not only learn to tolerate our weaknesses and afflictions, but we also “boast all the more gladly” in them. [22]
“I will give them a heart to know that I am the Lord, and they shall be My people and I will be their God, for they shall return to Me with their whole heart.” [23] In the end, the sweetest gift God gives us when He wounds us is that He gives us more of Himself. When we return to God, we get God. [24] And He is worth whatever we must lose or suffer to have Him.
God pleads for His people to return — to come home — but also warns us. “Thus I will do to you, O Israel; because I will do this to you, prepare to meet your God, O Israel!” For behold, he who forms the mountains and creates the wind, and declares to man what is his thought, who makes the morning darkness, and treads on the heights of the earth — the Lord, the God of hosts, is His name!” [25]
Whether we return to God or not when we’re wounded, we will meet Him one day. The suffering we experience now is designed to bring us to Him as a precious son or daughter. But if we refuse, we will meet Him as an enemy, and our suffering will be far worse forever. An eternity apart from Him, and against Him, will make years of pain and heartache look strangely light and momentary by comparison.
Don’t be afraid to feel the pain in suffering, and to grieve the pain, but let it lead you to God, not away from Him. He is wounding you with love and pleading with you to run to Him.
[1] Proverbs 14:14
[2] Psalm 9:9–10
[3] Psalm 73:2–3
[4] Proverbs 1:7; 3:5
[5] Proverbs 14:11–12
[6] Proverbs 13:21
[7] Proverbs 10:29; 11:4
[8] John 3:16
[9] Amos 4:6
[10] Amos 4:7–8
[11] Amos 4:9
[12] Amos 4:10–11
[13] Isaiah 55:7
[14] Joel 2:13
[15] Isaiah 19:22
[16] Hosea 6:1
[17] Isaiah 44:22
[18] Luke 15:20
[19] Isaiah 30:15
[20] Matthew 11:28–29
[21] Isaiah 35:10; 51:11
[22] 2 Corinthians 12:9
[23] Jeremiah 24:7
[24] 1 Peter 3:18
[25] Amos 4:12–13
[Q1] Quotes from Bibleref.com
“A common English expression claims ‘what goes around comes around.’ It is true that good people can experience difficult circumstances and even persecution [2], and evil people can sometimes appear successful. [3] Both are temporary situations, however. Natural cause-and-effect usually brings negative consequences to evildoers and benefits to those who do good.
The phrase ‘backslider in heart’ literally means ‘a turned-aside heart.’ This is someone who has rejected God’s wisdom [4] in favor of their own preferences. [5] As the book of Proverbs often notes, ignoring God increases risks in earthly life [6] and guarantees death in eternity.” [7 Q1]
“Often the love we need most is the love we want least. The love feels so harsh, so blunt, so unpleasant in the moment that we often don’t even recognize it as love. Sometimes the Lord’s love for us feels like the opposite of love, but that’s only because we can’t see everything He sees. Behind the real pain He allows is an even more real love for those for whom He sent His Son. [8]
The world would never call any kind of pain ‘love.’ The world simply does not have categories for God doing whatever necessary to draw us to Himself, but His love for us explodes the world’s small categories and far surpasses its weak expectations.
The sweetest gift God gives us when He wounds us is that He gives us more of Himself.
We see this kind of love throughout the prophets. God is willing to withhold anything to bring His people back to Himself. Again and again, the pain He allows is designed to lead us to comfort and hope and healing, not despair. Don’t be afraid to feel the pain in suffering, and to grieve the pain, but let it lead you to God, not away.” [Q2]
The prophets conveyed God’s desire to replace peoples’ distance with closeness to Him.
He withheld food to make them hungry: “I gave you cleanness of teeth in all your cities, and lack of bread in all your places, yet you did not return to Me.” [9] God was willing to watch them hunger if that’s what it took for them to hunger for Him again.
He stopped the rain to make them thirsty: “I also withheld the rain from you when there were yet three months to the harvest; I would send rain on one city, and send no rain on another city; one field would have rain, and the field on which it did not rain would wither; so two or three cities would wander to another city to drink water, and would not be satisfied; yet you did not return to Me.” [10]
He corrupted the fields to ruin their harvest: “I struck you with blight and mildew; your many gardens and your vineyards, your fig trees and your olive trees the locust devoured; yet you did not return to Me.” [11] God compromised their livelihood to initiate a return to Him.
God even allowed their young sons to die in war: “I sent among you a pestilence after the manner of Egypt; I killed your young men with the sword, and carried away your horses, and I made the stench of your camp go up into your nostrils; yet you did not return to me. . .. I overthrew some of you, as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah, and you were as a brand plucked out of the burning; yet you did not return to Me.” [12] He allowed some to die that others might truly live.
God’s purpose was not destruction, but reconciliation. His motivation was not revenge, but invitation. In every ounce of suffering, He calls to His people, “Return to Me.”
“Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, that He may have compassion on him, and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon.” [13] The pain may feel like God’s fierce anger in the moment, but it actually serves to reveal His warm compassion toward us. Joel writes, “Return to the Lord your God, for He is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love; and He relents over disaster.” [14]
Return and be healed! “The Lord will strike Egypt, striking and healing, and they will return to the Lord, and He will listen to their pleas for mercy and heal them.” [15] The Lord does take away. The Lord does strike. All that He may heal. Hosea sings, “Come, let us return to the Lord; for He has torn us, that He may heal us; He has struck us down, and He will bind us up.” [16]
“I have blotted out your transgressions like a cloud and your sins like mist; return to Me, for I have redeemed you.” [17] When we return to the Lord, we don’t meet resistance or reluctance. This Father runs to receive His prodigal. [18]
“Thus said the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, ‘In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.’ But you were unwilling.” [19] When we suffer, enduring disappointment or rejection, wrestling with disease or disability, losing someone we loved, we may want rest more than anything — rest from the pain, from the questions, from the doubt, from the anxieties. Tragically, many of us run away from God to try and find rest when the suffering is designed to lead us into real rest with Him.
God hangs the same banner over every trial: “Come to Me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” [20]
“The ransomed of the Lord shall return and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.” [21] Satan prowls like a lion, waiting to devour the vulnerable. He preys on the weak. He wants your life to be full of sorrow. However, when we begin to realize all that God does for us during adversity, we not only learn to tolerate our weaknesses and afflictions, but we also “boast all the more gladly” in them. [22]
“I will give them a heart to know that I am the Lord, and they shall be My people and I will be their God, for they shall return to Me with their whole heart.” [23] In the end, the sweetest gift God gives us when He wounds us is that He gives us more of Himself. When we return to God, we get God. [24] And He is worth whatever we must lose or suffer to have Him.
God pleads for His people to return — to come home — but also warns us. “Thus I will do to you, O Israel; because I will do this to you, prepare to meet your God, O Israel!” For behold, he who forms the mountains and creates the wind, and declares to man what is his thought, who makes the morning darkness, and treads on the heights of the earth — the Lord, the God of hosts, is His name!” [25]
Whether we return to God or not when we’re wounded, we will meet Him one day. The suffering we experience now is designed to bring us to Him as a precious son or daughter. But if we refuse, we will meet Him as an enemy, and our suffering will be far worse forever. An eternity apart from Him, and against Him, will make years of pain and heartache look strangely light and momentary by comparison.
Don’t be afraid to feel the pain in suffering, and to grieve the pain, but let it lead you to God, not away from Him. He is wounding you with love and pleading with you to run to Him.
[1] Proverbs 14:14
[2] Psalm 9:9–10
[3] Psalm 73:2–3
[4] Proverbs 1:7; 3:5
[5] Proverbs 14:11–12
[6] Proverbs 13:21
[7] Proverbs 10:29; 11:4
[8] John 3:16
[9] Amos 4:6
[10] Amos 4:7–8
[11] Amos 4:9
[12] Amos 4:10–11
[13] Isaiah 55:7
[14] Joel 2:13
[15] Isaiah 19:22
[16] Hosea 6:1
[17] Isaiah 44:22
[18] Luke 15:20
[19] Isaiah 30:15
[20] Matthew 11:28–29
[21] Isaiah 35:10; 51:11
[22] 2 Corinthians 12:9
[23] Jeremiah 24:7
[24] 1 Peter 3:18
[25] Amos 4:12–13
[Q1] Quotes from Bibleref.com
[Q2] Quote from Marshall Segal (@marshallsegal) writer & managing editor at desiringGod.org
Tuesday, April 12, 2022
Peter's Vision
A New Direction – And it is Good!
The Lord gave Peter a vision of animals that Peter had never eaten before and told him to rise, kill the animals and eat them. Peter’s response was, “Not so, Lord! For I have never eaten anything common or unclean.” But the Lord told him, “What God has cleansed you must not call common.”
While Peter wondered what this vision meant, men were at the gate of the house asking to see him. The Holy Spirit said to Peter, “Behold, three men are seeking you. Arise therefore, go down and go with them, doubting nothing; for I have sent them.” [1]
The three men led Peter to the house of a Roman Centurion named Cornelius. Cornelius had invited many relatives and friends to hear what Peter had to say. Before Peter entered the home of Cornelius, he explained to him why he, a Jew, felt at liberty to enter the home of a Gentile...
He said, “You know how unlawful it is for a Jewish man to keep company with or go to one of another nation. But God has shown me that I should not call any man common or unclean. Therefore, I came without objection as soon as I was sent for.” [2]
Peter preached the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the group of Italians in a home setting. The Holy Spirit fell on them, they believed in Christ and were baptized. [3]
“Dear Heavenly Father, please help leaders and followers of the blessed faith that You have given to us through Your Son Jesus Christ, that we, would be open to new instructions and new directions from You, for the sake of souls that need and want to hear the Gospel. This I pray in the Name of Your Son Jesus Christ. Amen.”
[1] Acts 10:13-20
[2] Acts 10:23-29
[3] Acts 10:34-48
The Lord gave Peter a vision of animals that Peter had never eaten before and told him to rise, kill the animals and eat them. Peter’s response was, “Not so, Lord! For I have never eaten anything common or unclean.” But the Lord told him, “What God has cleansed you must not call common.”
While Peter wondered what this vision meant, men were at the gate of the house asking to see him. The Holy Spirit said to Peter, “Behold, three men are seeking you. Arise therefore, go down and go with them, doubting nothing; for I have sent them.” [1]
The three men led Peter to the house of a Roman Centurion named Cornelius. Cornelius had invited many relatives and friends to hear what Peter had to say. Before Peter entered the home of Cornelius, he explained to him why he, a Jew, felt at liberty to enter the home of a Gentile...
He said, “You know how unlawful it is for a Jewish man to keep company with or go to one of another nation. But God has shown me that I should not call any man common or unclean. Therefore, I came without objection as soon as I was sent for.” [2]
Peter preached the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the group of Italians in a home setting. The Holy Spirit fell on them, they believed in Christ and were baptized. [3]
“Dear Heavenly Father, please help leaders and followers of the blessed faith that You have given to us through Your Son Jesus Christ, that we, would be open to new instructions and new directions from You, for the sake of souls that need and want to hear the Gospel. This I pray in the Name of Your Son Jesus Christ. Amen.”
[1] Acts 10:13-20
[2] Acts 10:23-29
[3] Acts 10:34-48
Monday, April 11, 2022
Arise, Go, Do
He heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?”
He said, “Who are You, Lord?”
Then the Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads.” So, he, trembling and astonished, said, “Lord, what do You want me to do?”
Then the Lord said to him, “Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.” [1]
In what ways are we intentionally or unintentionally persecuting Jesus! Is He not who we expected Him to be? Are we afraid to have a close relationship with Him?
Saul of Tarsus was kicking against the goads. Goads are used to keep a sheep on the right path. Saul was not just drawing outside the lines; he was trying to erase them. He was kicking the lines, that is, until he met Jesus.
After Saul met Jesus personally, he was humble. He called Jesus Lord. He wanted to arise, go, and do for Jesus. He followed the Good Shepherd.
“Lord Jesus, please forgive us for kicking against the goads. Please fill afresh and anoint us with Your Holy Spirit to arise, go and do Your will... to be Your disciples and to be Your disciple-makers like the Apostle Paul (formerly known as Saul). It is in Your mighty Name that I pray. Amen.”
He said, “Who are You, Lord?”
Then the Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads.” So, he, trembling and astonished, said, “Lord, what do You want me to do?”
Then the Lord said to him, “Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.” [1]
In what ways are we intentionally or unintentionally persecuting Jesus! Is He not who we expected Him to be? Are we afraid to have a close relationship with Him?
Saul of Tarsus was kicking against the goads. Goads are used to keep a sheep on the right path. Saul was not just drawing outside the lines; he was trying to erase them. He was kicking the lines, that is, until he met Jesus.
After Saul met Jesus personally, he was humble. He called Jesus Lord. He wanted to arise, go, and do for Jesus. He followed the Good Shepherd.
“Lord Jesus, please forgive us for kicking against the goads. Please fill afresh and anoint us with Your Holy Spirit to arise, go and do Your will... to be Your disciples and to be Your disciple-makers like the Apostle Paul (formerly known as Saul). It is in Your mighty Name that I pray. Amen.”
[1] Acts 9:4-6
Thursday, April 7, 2022
Unlocking Lockdowns
“Now Jericho was securely shut up because of the children of Israel; none went out, and none came in. And the Lord said to Joshua: ‘See! I have given Jericho into your hand, its king, and the mighty men of valor.’” [1]
The key to any victory, spiritually speaking, is the Lord! As the Apostle Paul said, “If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?” [2]
The city of Jericho was on a spiritual lockdown. All but the harlot Rahab was happy with the way things were. They did not want the people of God in their city. They were determined to keep them out. The Lord told Joshua that walls were coming down. He told Joshua that He would unlock the lockdown. God is greater than demons and humans who defy Him.
“Joshua said to the people: ‘Shout, for the Lord has given you the city!’ The people shouted with a great shout, that the wall fell down flat. Then the people went up into the city, every man straight before him, and they took the city.” [3]
Spiritually speaking, if God wants a person, city and/or nation to experience a spiritual awakening, no one can stay His hand, but God chooses to work through people to bring about victories in this world. People like Joshua and his band of believers. People who shout if need be. People who sound trumpets if need be. But ultimately, people who believe GOD is GOD.
“Dear Heavenly Father, we ask that in the Name of Your Son Jesus Christ, that You decimate strongholds of darkness in our cities and nations and give Your Christ-believing and Christ-proclaiming people glorious victories today. Thank You, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, Your glory is above all the earth! In the Name Jesus Christ, I praise You and I pray! Amen!”
“If it is of God, you cannot overthrow it—lest you even be found to fight against God.” [4]
[1] Joshua 6:1-2
[2] Romans 8:31-32
[3] Joshua 6:16, 20
[4] Acts 5:39
The key to any victory, spiritually speaking, is the Lord! As the Apostle Paul said, “If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?” [2]
The city of Jericho was on a spiritual lockdown. All but the harlot Rahab was happy with the way things were. They did not want the people of God in their city. They were determined to keep them out. The Lord told Joshua that walls were coming down. He told Joshua that He would unlock the lockdown. God is greater than demons and humans who defy Him.
“Joshua said to the people: ‘Shout, for the Lord has given you the city!’ The people shouted with a great shout, that the wall fell down flat. Then the people went up into the city, every man straight before him, and they took the city.” [3]
Spiritually speaking, if God wants a person, city and/or nation to experience a spiritual awakening, no one can stay His hand, but God chooses to work through people to bring about victories in this world. People like Joshua and his band of believers. People who shout if need be. People who sound trumpets if need be. But ultimately, people who believe GOD is GOD.
“Dear Heavenly Father, we ask that in the Name of Your Son Jesus Christ, that You decimate strongholds of darkness in our cities and nations and give Your Christ-believing and Christ-proclaiming people glorious victories today. Thank You, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, Your glory is above all the earth! In the Name Jesus Christ, I praise You and I pray! Amen!”
“If it is of God, you cannot overthrow it—lest you even be found to fight against God.” [4]
[1] Joshua 6:1-2
[2] Romans 8:31-32
[3] Joshua 6:16, 20
[4] Acts 5:39
Wednesday, April 6, 2022
Resurrection-based Love
"With great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all." [1]
Why would the apostles give witness to the the resurrection of the Lord Jesus?
Why was this message the core of their proclamation?
Why did God grant great grace to this movement?
"Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood."
Did you catch the last phrase of the above Bible verse? "Which He purchased with His own blood." Jesus Christ of Nazareth died on the cross for our sins. His body laid lifeless in a tomb for 3 days. "By the grace of God, He tasted death for everyone." [3] Jesus, the Son of God, was crucified and buried for your sins and mine, but He resurrected on the 3rd day to assure us of our resurrection, that is, if we believe in Him and confess Him as our Lord and Savior.
There is a guaranteed eternity with God in heaven for all who believe in Jesus Christ and profess Him as their Lord and Savior. This eternity was purchased for us with the price of the precious blood of Jesus Christ.
God gives great grace to those who proclaim this message. The Holy Spirit places guardians and proclaimers of this message over flocks of God's people, and He gives us grace to hold the line and not compromise the message.
I have come to see this message as resurrection-based love. It is a love that runs much deeper than a person's personal happiness and freedom in this temporary world. It is a love that cares that every soul should enjoy God's riches and glory for all eternity.
[1] Acts 4:33
[2] Acts 20:28
[3] Hebrews 2:9
[2] Acts 20:28
[3] Hebrews 2:9
Monday, April 4, 2022
Rejoice Your Name is Written in Heaven [1]
Yesterday, I listened to a message by Colin Smith on the radio. He said, “Your best life now” is only true if you are on your way to hell. But if we trust in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, our best life is yet to come. He urged servants of God’s Word not to rejoice in ministry successes, but to rejoice that our names are written in heaven. It is wonderful to enjoy seasons of harvest from our ministry efforts, but even when we do, we should remember the best is yet to come thanks to the redemptive work of our Savior Jesus Christ.
The Apostle Peter preached, “...Be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.” [2]
Nothing else is more important than being assured that Jesus Christ is Lord and Messiah!
“All inhabitants of the earth will worship the beast—all whose names have not been written in the Lamb’s book of life, the Lamb who was slain from the creation of the world.” [3]
Many will be deceived in the last days. Only those who are assured that there is an eternity with God that is worth much greater than anything this world has to offer, will refuse to deny the Lordship of Jesus Christ.
“Nothing impure will ever enter it [New Jerusalem], nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life.” [4]
How is anyone cleansed of sinful impurities? The answer is Christ! Recognize that only the sacrifice of Christ of Himself on the cross for our sins is sufficient to cleanse us of all our sins. How does one get his or her name written in the Lamb’s Book of Life? You must believe in your heart and confess with your mouth that Jesus Christ alone is Lord and Savior.
“Everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.” [5]
[1] Luke 10:20
[2] Acts 2:36
[3] Revelation 13:8
[4] Revelation 21:27
[5] 1 John 5:4-5
The Apostle Peter preached, “...Be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.” [2]
Nothing else is more important than being assured that Jesus Christ is Lord and Messiah!
“All inhabitants of the earth will worship the beast—all whose names have not been written in the Lamb’s book of life, the Lamb who was slain from the creation of the world.” [3]
Many will be deceived in the last days. Only those who are assured that there is an eternity with God that is worth much greater than anything this world has to offer, will refuse to deny the Lordship of Jesus Christ.
“Nothing impure will ever enter it [New Jerusalem], nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life.” [4]
How is anyone cleansed of sinful impurities? The answer is Christ! Recognize that only the sacrifice of Christ of Himself on the cross for our sins is sufficient to cleanse us of all our sins. How does one get his or her name written in the Lamb’s Book of Life? You must believe in your heart and confess with your mouth that Jesus Christ alone is Lord and Savior.
“Everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.” [5]
[1] Luke 10:20
[2] Acts 2:36
[3] Revelation 13:8
[4] Revelation 21:27
[5] 1 John 5:4-5
Saturday, April 2, 2022
Biblically-Based Shepherding
“...I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.” [1]
Paul set an example for the elders of the Church of God, and for Christian leaders of all generations. His example was to place the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace above all other tasks, even above the task of self-preservation.
“Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which He bought with His own blood.”
The elders of the Church of God were to watch over themselves spiritually and over God’s flock. Their identity was??? To be overseers and shepherds of the church of God. What was the value of the people that they were appointed to protect and provide for? Their value was the matchless worth of the Son of God’s own blood. He redeemed their souls with the price of His own blood.
This week, my son-in-law, Todd Fletcher, who is highly successful pastor in Colorado, gave me a book by Alexander Strauch that is well-researched, well-thought-out and well written on the topic of shepherding. Todd’s highest priority has been to develop a Biblically-based-leadership group. The Lord has blessed his church with depth and growth. I am praying that the Lord will do the same for the First Church of the Nazarene in Kirksville.
[1] Acts 20:24
[2] Acts 20:28
Paul set an example for the elders of the Church of God, and for Christian leaders of all generations. His example was to place the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace above all other tasks, even above the task of self-preservation.
“Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which He bought with His own blood.”
The elders of the Church of God were to watch over themselves spiritually and over God’s flock. Their identity was??? To be overseers and shepherds of the church of God. What was the value of the people that they were appointed to protect and provide for? Their value was the matchless worth of the Son of God’s own blood. He redeemed their souls with the price of His own blood.
This week, my son-in-law, Todd Fletcher, who is highly successful pastor in Colorado, gave me a book by Alexander Strauch that is well-researched, well-thought-out and well written on the topic of shepherding. Todd’s highest priority has been to develop a Biblically-based-leadership group. The Lord has blessed his church with depth and growth. I am praying that the Lord will do the same for the First Church of the Nazarene in Kirksville.
[1] Acts 20:24
[2] Acts 20:28
Friday, April 1, 2022
Grace to Accomplish the Mission
“Him [Christ] we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus. To this end I also labor, striving according to His working which works in me mightily.” [1]
God compels His servants to warn and teach people with the goal of perfecting them in Christ Jesus. God worked mightily in His servant Paul at this task.
“With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all.” [2]
“Dear Heavenly Father, please continue to grant us the grace to stay on task, namely, to lead people to Jesus and to be more like Jesus day by day as they sojourn here on earth. In the Name of Your Son Jesus Christ I pray. Amen.”
[1] Colossians 1:28-29
[2] Acts 4:33
God compels His servants to warn and teach people with the goal of perfecting them in Christ Jesus. God worked mightily in His servant Paul at this task.
“With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all.” [2]
“Dear Heavenly Father, please continue to grant us the grace to stay on task, namely, to lead people to Jesus and to be more like Jesus day by day as they sojourn here on earth. In the Name of Your Son Jesus Christ I pray. Amen.”
[1] Colossians 1:28-29
[2] Acts 4:33
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