“He [Jesus Christ] was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His Name is called The Word of God.” [1]
It came to me yesterday morning while reading the Book of 1 Kings in the Bible, that wherever the Scripture says, “The Word of the Lord came to... [such and such a person]...” that this “Word of the Lord” is the pre-incarnate Son of God. The significance of this revelation to me was that it shifted my awe from the human receiver of the Word to divine the Giver of the Word… our Lord Jesus Christ! It lifted the weight of hearing from God off of me the hearer and placed the burden of it on Christ the speaker. My part as His ambassador is to meditate on His Holy Word as recorded in the Bible, and to anticipate Him to reveal Himself to me in it.
Our Redeemer Jesus Christ is referred to as the “Word of God” in other places in the Bible as well. For example, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.” [2] Praise the Lord!
The glory of a person hearing God speak is God’s miracle. He is willing to speak to those who have ears to hear. [3] The Messiah, God’s Son, is the Word of the Lord. He speaks to us when we listen.
[1] Revelation 19:13
[2] John 1:1-3
[3] Matthew 11:15; 13:9; Mark 4:9, 23; Luke 8:8; 14:35
Tuesday, May 28, 2024
Friday, May 17, 2024
Who has Believed our Report
“Who has believed our report?” asks the Lord in Isaiah 53:1.
This morning, I was remembering a conversation with a man named Tyrone at Good Samaritan Ministries in Washington Park, Illinois. He said that he believed in a higher power but not in the God of the Bible.
The Lord brought Good News to Tyrone about loving him so much that He sent His Son Jesus Christ to die for him. To give him eternal salvation based on what Jesus did for Tyrone. He listened but did not receive the Good News. I’m praying for him and hope to see him again.
This morning, I looked up Isaiah 53:1, but then, was led to Isaiah 52:7, “How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who proclaims peace, who brings glad tidings of good things, who proclaims salvation, who says to Zion, ‘Your God reigns!’” And then, I found myself unable to stop reading until I reached Isaiah chapter 58. Such Good News!
I am praying for more encounters with people who need to hear Good News, and for vigor and vim from the Holy Spirit to share it.
This morning, I was remembering a conversation with a man named Tyrone at Good Samaritan Ministries in Washington Park, Illinois. He said that he believed in a higher power but not in the God of the Bible.
The Lord brought Good News to Tyrone about loving him so much that He sent His Son Jesus Christ to die for him. To give him eternal salvation based on what Jesus did for Tyrone. He listened but did not receive the Good News. I’m praying for him and hope to see him again.
This morning, I looked up Isaiah 53:1, but then, was led to Isaiah 52:7, “How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who proclaims peace, who brings glad tidings of good things, who proclaims salvation, who says to Zion, ‘Your God reigns!’” And then, I found myself unable to stop reading until I reached Isaiah chapter 58. Such Good News!
I am praying for more encounters with people who need to hear Good News, and for vigor and vim from the Holy Spirit to share it.
Monday, May 13, 2024
Open My Eyes that I Might See
“Awake, you who sleep, arise from the dead, and Christ will give you light.” [1]
The Lord has been leading me to pray for a spiritual awakening in America.
The Bible says, “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” [2] The first commandment is to love God. When we love Him, He opens our eyes to see what we otherwise miss. “Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God.” [3]
The Apostle Paul prayed for people this way, “that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe.” [4]
I’m praying like this for you my friends, for my wife, for my children, for my grandchildren, for my fellow church members, for my co-workers, for my fellow Americans, and for my fellow people on the earth today.
“Open my eyes that I may see
Glimpses of truth Thou hast for me.
Place in my hands the wonderful key
That shall unclasp and set me free.
Silently now I wait for Thee,
Ready, my God, Thy will to see.
Open my eyes; illumine me,
Spirit divine!” [5]
[1] Ephesians 5:14
[2] 1 Corinthians 2:9
[3] 1 Corinthians 2:12
[4] Ephesians 1:17-19
[5] Author: Clara H. Scott. Hymn title: “Open my eyes that I may see”
The Lord has been leading me to pray for a spiritual awakening in America.
The Bible says, “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” [2] The first commandment is to love God. When we love Him, He opens our eyes to see what we otherwise miss. “Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God.” [3]
The Apostle Paul prayed for people this way, “that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe.” [4]
I’m praying like this for you my friends, for my wife, for my children, for my grandchildren, for my fellow church members, for my co-workers, for my fellow Americans, and for my fellow people on the earth today.
“Open my eyes that I may see
Glimpses of truth Thou hast for me.
Place in my hands the wonderful key
That shall unclasp and set me free.
Silently now I wait for Thee,
Ready, my God, Thy will to see.
Open my eyes; illumine me,
Spirit divine!” [5]
[1] Ephesians 5:14
[2] 1 Corinthians 2:9
[3] 1 Corinthians 2:12
[4] Ephesians 1:17-19
[5] Author: Clara H. Scott. Hymn title: “Open my eyes that I may see”
Sunday, May 12, 2024
Glory in the Lord!
It is in Jesus Messiah that David and his descendants are blessed.
David wanted to build a house for the Lord. The Lord commended him for his desire to build for Him, but God informed David that all blessings would flow to those who have a relationship with Him through faith in His Son – God’s Son. In Him, Jesus, would all people be blessed…
“When your days are fulfilled and you rest with your fathers, I will set up your Seed after you, who will come from your body, and I will establish His kingdom. He shall build a house for My Name, and I will establish the throne of His kingdom forever. I will be His Father, and He shall be My Son.” [1] This Son is Jesus!
Thus, Paul urges us to avoid divisions based on human personalities, saying, “Now I plead with you, brethren, by the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. For it has been declared to me concerning you, my brethren, by those of Chloe’s household, that there are contentions among you. Now I say this, that each of you says, “I am of Paul,” or “I am of Apollos,” or “I am of Cephas,” or “I am of Christ.” Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?” [2]
The key point here is, “Was Paul crucified for you?” Was any human being or human organization without sin that it could give it’s life on the cross to atone for your sins? The answer is no. Only Jesus Messiah was without sin. Only He takes away our sin and unites us with God His Father.
God has ordained one Messiah for both Jew and Gentile. His Name is Jesus! It is to Him that all allegiance and glory is due. As Paul said, “He who glories, let him glory in the Lord.” [3]
[1] 2 Samuel 7:12-14
[2] 1 Corinthians 1:10-13
[3] 1 Corinthians 1:31
“When your days are fulfilled and you rest with your fathers, I will set up your Seed after you, who will come from your body, and I will establish His kingdom. He shall build a house for My Name, and I will establish the throne of His kingdom forever. I will be His Father, and He shall be My Son.” [1] This Son is Jesus!
Thus, Paul urges us to avoid divisions based on human personalities, saying, “Now I plead with you, brethren, by the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. For it has been declared to me concerning you, my brethren, by those of Chloe’s household, that there are contentions among you. Now I say this, that each of you says, “I am of Paul,” or “I am of Apollos,” or “I am of Cephas,” or “I am of Christ.” Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?” [2]
The key point here is, “Was Paul crucified for you?” Was any human being or human organization without sin that it could give it’s life on the cross to atone for your sins? The answer is no. Only Jesus Messiah was without sin. Only He takes away our sin and unites us with God His Father.
God has ordained one Messiah for both Jew and Gentile. His Name is Jesus! It is to Him that all allegiance and glory is due. As Paul said, “He who glories, let him glory in the Lord.” [3]
[1] 2 Samuel 7:12-14
[2] 1 Corinthians 1:10-13
[3] 1 Corinthians 1:31
Friday, May 10, 2024
Evil Has An Expiration Date
There is an expiration date for evil. The Lord indicates that it is darkest before the dawn. When evildoers rise to the top, it is so He can remove them.
The Lord keeps His promises. When we commit people into His hands, He shows us that His hands are working and making a difference, we just need to be patient.
“Oh Lord, how great are Your works! Your thoughts are very deep. A senseless man does not know, nor does a fool understand this. When the wicked spring up like grass, and when all the workers of iniquity flourish, it is that they may be destroyed forever. But You, Lord, are on high forevermore.” [1]
“The righteous shall flourish like a palm tree, he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon. Those who are planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of our God. They shall still bear fruit in old age; they shall be fresh and flourishing, to declare that the Lord is upright; He is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in Him.” [2]
[1] Psalm 92:5-8
[2] Psalm 92:12-15
The Lord keeps His promises. When we commit people into His hands, He shows us that His hands are working and making a difference, we just need to be patient.
“Oh Lord, how great are Your works! Your thoughts are very deep. A senseless man does not know, nor does a fool understand this. When the wicked spring up like grass, and when all the workers of iniquity flourish, it is that they may be destroyed forever. But You, Lord, are on high forevermore.” [1]
“The righteous shall flourish like a palm tree, he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon. Those who are planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of our God. They shall still bear fruit in old age; they shall be fresh and flourishing, to declare that the Lord is upright; He is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in Him.” [2]
[1] Psalm 92:5-8
[2] Psalm 92:12-15
Wednesday, May 8, 2024
Ask of Me
The Lord says, “Ask of Me, and I will give You the nations for Your inheritance, and the ends of the earth for Your possession.” [1]
Will you join me in asking our Heavenly Father for the nations, that the nations will hear the Good News of His Son Jesus Christ through me.
Atonement (at-one-ment with God and one another) is a gift paid for by Jesus Christ. The atoning sacrifice of Christ for sins is applied to all who believe in Him and profess Him as our Lord and Savior, but how they will know unless someone tells them?
I am old and gray headed, so it is the appropriate time in my life to pray the following prayer that is recorded in the Bible...
“Now also when I am old and gray headed, oh God, do not forsake me, until I declare Your strength to this generation, Your power to everyone who is to come.” [2]
[1[ Psalm 2:8
[2] Psalm 71:18
Will you join me in asking our Heavenly Father for the nations, that the nations will hear the Good News of His Son Jesus Christ through me.
Atonement (at-one-ment with God and one another) is a gift paid for by Jesus Christ. The atoning sacrifice of Christ for sins is applied to all who believe in Him and profess Him as our Lord and Savior, but how they will know unless someone tells them?
I am old and gray headed, so it is the appropriate time in my life to pray the following prayer that is recorded in the Bible...
“Now also when I am old and gray headed, oh God, do not forsake me, until I declare Your strength to this generation, Your power to everyone who is to come.” [2]
[1[ Psalm 2:8
[2] Psalm 71:18
Sunday, May 5, 2024
Clothed in the Righteousness of Christ
We all fall short of the glory of God. We need a righteousness that is better than our own. The righteousness that we need is that of Jesus Christ.
Jesus Christ is the One who fulfills the prophecy written in the Book of Jeremiah.
“Behold, the days are coming,” says the Lord, ‘That I will raise to David a Branch of righteousness; a King shall reign and prosper, and execute judgment and righteousness in the earth. In His days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell safely; now this is His name by which He will be called: THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.’” [1]
“Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God. For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” [2]
We receive the righteousness of Christ imputed to us when we believe in Him. Praise the Lord!
[1] Jeremiah 23:5-6
[2] 2 Corinthians 5:20-21
Jesus Christ is the One who fulfills the prophecy written in the Book of Jeremiah.
“Behold, the days are coming,” says the Lord, ‘That I will raise to David a Branch of righteousness; a King shall reign and prosper, and execute judgment and righteousness in the earth. In His days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell safely; now this is His name by which He will be called: THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.’” [1]
“Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God. For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” [2]
We receive the righteousness of Christ imputed to us when we believe in Him. Praise the Lord!
[1] Jeremiah 23:5-6
[2] 2 Corinthians 5:20-21
Saturday, May 4, 2024
Believe the Good News
The Good News is that God declares people righteous who believe in His Son Jesus Christ. God deems those who live by faith in His Son Jesus Christ as righteous.
“In it [the Gospel] the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, ‘The righteous shall live by faith.’” (Romans 1:17) Faith in what or whom? Faith in Jesus Christ.
The repentance is a repentance of unbelief regarding the goodness, grace and love of God towards you. Repent of humanistic religions that place the weight of salvation on your shoulders.
Believe the Good News that Christ has done all that is necessary for your salvation. Receive eternal life as a gift that was purchased for you by Christ when He died for your sins and mine on the cross.
“In it [the Gospel] the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, ‘The righteous shall live by faith.’” (Romans 1:17) Faith in what or whom? Faith in Jesus Christ.
The repentance is a repentance of unbelief regarding the goodness, grace and love of God towards you. Repent of humanistic religions that place the weight of salvation on your shoulders.
Thursday, May 2, 2024
Freedom to Live Right is in Jesus Messiah
Jesus Messiah is the true David, King of Israel. All God's blessings come to us through His grace. He has been appointed King of kings, and Lord of lords...
“God be merciful to us and bless us, and cause His face to shine upon us, Selah That Your way may be known on earth, Your salvation among all nations. Let the peoples praise You, O God; let all the peoples praise You. Oh, let the nations be glad and sing for joy! For You shall judge the people righteously and govern the nations on earth. Selah Let the peoples praise You, O God; let all the peoples praise You. Then the earth shall yield her increase; God, our own God, shall bless us. God shall bless us, and all the ends of the earth shall fear Him.” [1]
King Jesus is the One who conquered our sin. He set us free from the shackles of sin so that we lose our appetite to sin and gain an appetite to be like Him: clean and holy, doing what is right.
“...As you presented your members as slaves of uncleanness, and of lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves of righteousness for holiness. For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. What fruit did you have then in the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” [2]
“Thank You Lord Jesus for binding us to Your righteous ways. Praise You for empowering us to bear holy fruit for Your glory. And thank You for the GIFT of eternal life.”
[1] Psalm 67
[2] Romans 6:19-23
“God be merciful to us and bless us, and cause His face to shine upon us, Selah That Your way may be known on earth, Your salvation among all nations. Let the peoples praise You, O God; let all the peoples praise You. Oh, let the nations be glad and sing for joy! For You shall judge the people righteously and govern the nations on earth. Selah Let the peoples praise You, O God; let all the peoples praise You. Then the earth shall yield her increase; God, our own God, shall bless us. God shall bless us, and all the ends of the earth shall fear Him.” [1]
King Jesus is the One who conquered our sin. He set us free from the shackles of sin so that we lose our appetite to sin and gain an appetite to be like Him: clean and holy, doing what is right.
“...As you presented your members as slaves of uncleanness, and of lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves of righteousness for holiness. For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. What fruit did you have then in the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” [2]
“Thank You Lord Jesus for binding us to Your righteous ways. Praise You for empowering us to bear holy fruit for Your glory. And thank You for the GIFT of eternal life.”
[1] Psalm 67
[2] Romans 6:19-23
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