Judging Rightly Pursuing Truth

“You will Know the Truth and the Truth will Set you Free” [1]

One day, God asked Jeremiah to walk the streets of Jerusalem. God wanted him to find one person who judged rightly and sought the truth. If he could find just one, God promised to forgive his city. This story reminds me of the time God promised to Abraham that if there were just ten righteous people in Sodom and Gomorrah, He would spare the city. [2]

The people of Jerusalem needed a righteous person. Jeremiah did not find him. But alas, the day would come when a sinless man would walk the streets of Jerusalem. He would faithfully bear witness to the truth. His Name is Jesus Christ.

Last night, I watched a YouTube video about the liberation of the people of the former USSR from a very oppressive government. Below are some quotes from the video:

“If the leaders need to answer to the will of the people every few years, then the leaders are held accountable for their actions.”

“People were aware of being lied to, but they did not know just how much they were being lied to. They saw that the propaganda they were shown conflicted with the reality they saw with their own eyes.”

“As the people became more and more aware of their conditions, they began to consolidate and express their desire for a government that would reflect the will of the people. [Kind of like the early American colonist who said they did not want taxation without representation.]

They wanted a less centralized government. They wanted federalization where each region had equal rights. A referendum was held. The result was that the people voted overwhelmingly for equal rights among the various republics and peoples of the USSR. The old vanguard staged a coup to stop the progress of this freedom movement but failed. The people were no longer interested in preserving the USSR in any form. [3]

In light of this video, I thought of the prophet Jeremiah. He spoke truth from God that his country’s leadership did not want people to hear. They tried to silence him. They tried to convince the people he was a traitor, but in the end, Jeremiah was right. He was right because he received his words from God. God was directing his thoughts, actions, and speech. In fact, though no one seemed to listen to him or regard him worthy of respect, Jeremiah never let up sounding the alarm that his country was in trouble. If only they had listened to him and acted upon the truth that he spoke, they would have been spared from much harm.

May the Lord help the people of the nations to judge rightly and pursue truth. Listen to what His Spirit is saying through His servants! Grant us grace to believe and act on His truth that is found in the Bible.

[1] John 8:32
[2] Jeremiah 5; Genesis 18:32
[3] The Breakup of the Soviet Union Explained (YouTube)

A Reason To Hope

“Philip ran up to the chariot and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. ‘Do you understand what you are reading?’ Philip asked. ‘How can I,’ he said, ‘unless someone explains it to me?’ So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.

This is the passage of Scripture the eunuch was reading: ‘He was led like a sheep to the slaughter...’

The eunuch asked Philip, ‘Tell me, please, who is the prophet talking about, himself or someone else?’ Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus.” [1]

How many would believe in Jesus if someone explained the Bible to them correctly? Once the eunuch understood the Bible correctly, he believed in Jesus and was baptized. [3]

Jesus is about GOOD NEWS! He came from heaven. He lived among us. He showed us what God clothed in human flesh looks like. He willingly died for our sins on the cross to atone for our sins. He resurrected from the dead. He gives eternal life to all who believe in Him and confess Him as their Lord and Savior. This is GOOD NEWS!

“In your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.” [3]

We who believe in Jesus have reason to hope. This is what all the people around us need. They need a reason to hope.

[1] Acts 8:30-35
[2] Acts 8:36-38
[3] 1 Peter 3:15

Knowing And Revealing Jesus

“Let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us, and establish the work of our hands for us; yes, establish the work of our hands.” [1]

Jesus wants us to win: “Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.” [2]

Jesus reveals the Father to us: “No one knows who the Son is except the Father, and who the Father is except the Son, and the one to whom the Son wills to reveal Him.” [3]

Knowing Jesus is a miracle: “Blessed are the eyes which see the things you see; for I tell you that many prophets and kings have desired to see what you see, and have not seen it, and to hear what you hear, and have not heard it.” [4]

Hearing from Jesus is good: “Mary sat at Jesus’ feet and heard His word.” Jesus said, “One thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.” [5]

Jesus wants more people to hear this good news. He urged us to pray: “The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few; therefore, pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.” [6]

“Yes, Lord of the harvest, thank You for sending out laborers into Your harvest. Please send out more. In Your Name Jesus, I pray. Amen.”

[1] Psalm 90:17
[2] Luke 10:19
[3] Luke 10:22
[4] Luke 10:23-24
[5] Luke 10:39, 42
[6] Luke 10:2

Victory in Times of War

People warring one against another is a recurrent theme throughout history. Nations that went to battle without the favor of God rarely claimed victory. Conversely, favor was given to those who trusted in God and yielded themselves to His guidance.

The psalmist prayed, “...Scatter the nations who delight in war.” [1]

The prophet prophesied, “He [God] will judge between the nations and will settle disputes for many peoples.” [2]

The epistle writer wrote, “What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God.” [3]

The Lord urges us to pray to Him instead of resorting to fighting and quarreling,.

The psalmist sang, “I will sing a new song to you, my God; on the ten-stringed lyre I will make music to you, to the One who gives victory to kings, who delivers his servant David. From the deadly sword.” [4]

The psalmist testified of victories for those who trust in the Lord. He wrote, “Then our sons in their youth will be like well-nurtured plants, and our daughters will be like pillars carved to adorn a palace. Our barns will be filled with every kind of provision. Our sheep will increase by thousands, by tens of thousands in our fields; our oxen will draw heavy loads. There will be no breaching of walls, no going into captivity, no cry of distress in our streets.” [5]

The psalmist concluded, “Blessed is the people of whom this is true; blessed is the people whose GOD is the LORD.” [6]

[1] Psalm 68:30
[2] Isaiah 2:4
[3] James 4:1-2
[4] Psalm 144:9-10
[5] Psalm 144:12-14
[6] Psalm 144:15

Grateful for Supporters of Gospel Missions

“He [Jesus] went through every city and village, preaching and bringing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God. And the twelve were with Him.” [1]

“Bringing glad tidings broadly describes the theme of Jesus’ preaching. He brought good news to the people, news that God’s Messiah and King was present with them, announcing His kingdom.” [2]

“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.” [3]

“Jesus had a different attitude towards women than the religious leaders and teachers of that day. ‘The rabbis refused to teach women and generally assigned them a very inferior place.’

Mary called Magdalene had been demon possessed until Jesus freed her. Many assume that she was given over to immorality, but this isn’t said by the Biblical text. ‘There is nothing whatever in the sources to indicate this.’ [4]

Joanna, the wife of Chuza, was Herod’s steward. ‘She was the official that looked after the king’s financial interests…There could be no more trusted and important official.’ [5]

Mary and Joanna were among the first witnesses of Jesus’ resurrection. [6]

Susanna and many others provided for Him from their substance. We see the true humble nature of Jesus. He willingly made Himself dependent upon others. He didn’t have to; He could have just created all the money or food He needed. Jesus was humble enough and godly enough to receive from others.

Many of us are too proud to receive help from others. Sometimes the ability to humbly receive is a better measure of Jesus in our life than the ability to give. Giving sometimes puts us in a higher place but receiving may put us in a lower place.” [7]

“Heavenly Father, thank You for raising up supporters of the Gospel proclamation. Please help us, who preach the Gospel, to receive their support humbly and gratefully for the benefit of all involved and for Your glory! In Jesus’ Name, I pray. Amen.”

[1] Luke 8:1
[2] Enduring Word Commentary
[3] Luke 8:2-3
[4] Enduring Word Commentary (Morris)
[5] Enduring Word Commentary (Barclay)
[6] Luke 24:10
[7] Enduring Word Commentary

The Resurrector of the Dead

No one and nothing must remain dead with Jesus Christ. He is the resurrector of the dead. He conquered the grave and made His victory ours as we simply believe in Him.

“A dead man was being carried out, the only son of his mother; and she was a widow. And a large crowd from the city was with her. When the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her and said to her, ‘Do not weep.’ Then He came and touched the open coffin, and those who carried him stood still. And He said, ‘Young man, I say to you, arise.’ So, he who was dead sat up and began to speak. And He presented him to his mother.” [1]

“Any funeral is a tragedy, but this was a special loss. The deceased was the only son of his mother and the mother herself was a widow. The loss of her only son meant a miserable future for the widow.

‘When the Lord saw her.’ Luke uses the absolute form of Lord emphasizing the deity of Jesus.

‘Young man, I say to you, arise.’ Jesus looked at the boy and spoke to a dead person as if he were alive.” [2]

“God gives life to the dead and calls those things which do not exist as though they did.” [3]

“On more than one occasion Jesus broke up funeral processions by raising the dead. This was also true for Jarius’ daughter and Lazarus. Jesus did not like death, and He regarded it as an enemy that had to be defeated.” [4]

Jesus declared, “This is the will of the Father who sent Me, that of all He has given Me I should lose nothing but should raise it up at the last day. And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day.” [5]

Jesus is the Giver of everlasting life. Life does not end for those who believe in Him. It only gets better!

[1] Luke 7:12-15
[2] Enduring Word Commentary
[3] Romans 4:17
[4] Enduring Word Commentary with references from Luke 8:41-56; John 11:1-45
[5] John 6:39-40

Embracing the Heavenly Vision

Sitting in self-made shelter,
Jonah waited and watched.
What will happen to Nineveh?

A leafy plant for shade;
God provided for Jonah.
To ease his discomfort.

A worm to kill the plant;
God provided for Jonah.
To cause him discomfort. [1]

The Lord asked Jonah,
“Concerned about the plant,
You did not grow, are you?”
“Concerned about the 120,000 people,
Should I not be?” [2]

“Jonah is an example of a point of view often prevalent among God’s people. Behind Jonah’s story is the idea that permeates the entire Bible – that Yahweh is a missionary God who desires His people share His missionary heart.” [3]

Jonah sat on his shaded seat and waited for God to come around to his way of thinking instead of yielding himself to God’s mission.

God sent one greater than Jonah and Solomon, that is, Jesus. At the beginning of His earthly ministry, Jesus told Nicodemus that God so loved the world that He sent His Son to save us. At the end of His earthly ministry, Jesus told His disciples to go into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature. Jesus said, “This Gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.” [4]

“Dear Heavenly Father, please uproot from our lives the tendency to place our personal pleasure in the highest place, and please plant in our lives Your heart to seek and to save the lost. For their salvation and for Your glory! In Jesus’ Name, I pray. Amen.”

[1] Based on Jonah 4:5-8
[2] Based on Jonah 4:10-11
[3] Gailey and Culbertson, Discovering Missions, Beacon Hill Press, (c) 2007, pp. 29-30
[4] John 3:16; Mark 16:15; Matthew 24:14

He will Save the Children of the Needy

“He will save the children of the needy.” [1]

The Lord blessed me to find movies on YouTube this week that told the stories of ladies who successfully helped needy children.

Surprisingly, the first movie “Who Will Love My Children,” starred Ann Margaret playing the part of Lucile Fray. Lucile was a mother of 10 children. She lived in Ottumwa, Iowa. She had terminal cancer. Her husband was an alcoholic. Lucile ensures each of her children are placed with good parents. It is a true story. This movie was released on February 14, 1983. Ann Margaret won a Golden Globe Award for best performance in a movie made for television.

“You are my hope, O Lord God;
You are my trust from my youth.
By You I have been upheld from birth;
You are He who took me out of my mother’s womb.
My praise shall be continually of You.” [2]

The second movie, “My 100 Children,” is the story of a holocaust survivor, young teacher and psychologist, Lena Kuchler. She established a home for surviving children from eastern Poland. Due to violent anti-Semitic attacks on the house, Lena had to flee with her 100 children out of Poland. Eventually, she resettled the children in Israel. In 1959, Lena Kuchler published “My Hundred Children”, the first of her best-selling books, which was translated into 14 languages.

These two movies reminded me of the times the Lord provided for me RICH experiences to serve orphans in China, Vietnamese refugees in Hong Kong and Kurdish, Burmese, and Latin American refugees in Nashville. They praised the Lord for His help!

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me,
Because He has anointed Me
To preach the Gospel to the poor;
He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted...” [3]

“Amen. Even so come Lord Jesus!”

[1] Psalm 72:4
[2] Psalm 71:5-6
[3] Luke 4:18

The Glory of the Lord

“Thus, Moses did; according to all that the Lord had commanded him, so he did.” “...So, Moses finished the work. Then the cloud covered the tabernacle of meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. And Moses was not able to enter the tabernacle of meeting, because the cloud rested above it, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle.” [1]

While many went about life unaware of the Lord and what the Lord was doing, Moses focused on following the Lord's instructions to create a meeting place (a tabernacle) along with its elements and servants. After Moses finished it, the Lord filled the meeting place with His glory.

“...I have finished the work which You have given Me to do.” “I have manifested Your Name to the men whom You have given Me out of the world.” [2]

Jesus our Messiah also completed the work God gave Him to do. He revealed who God is to the men God gave Him. He gave them God’s Word. He taught them by way of example to stand with God even if the world hated them for it...

“I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one.” [3]

Praise God for protection from the evil one. The hatred that the world has for Christ and His followers originates with the evil one.

“Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth. As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. And for their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they also may be sanctified by the truth.” [4]

The tabernacle of Moses was filled with God’s glory after he followed God’s instruction on how to sanctify it. Our Lord Jesus speaks of His followers receiving His truth and being sanctified by it. Next, He speaks of showing us His glory...

“Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory which You have given Me; for You loved Me before the foundation of the world.” [5]

Our victory comes through Him whom God ordained from the foundation of the world to be our Savior. Our Lord Jesus gives us the truth, prays for our protection from the evil one, and afterwards brings us to see His glory in the kingdom of our Heavenly Father. Hallelujah!

[1] Exodus 40:16, 33-35
[2] John 17:4, 6
[3] John 17:14-15
[4] John 17:17-19
[5] John 17:24

Serving the Lord with Gladness

“Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression, but a good word makes it glad.” [1]

Instead of considering words that cause anxiety leading to depression, why not be inspired by good words from God’s Holy Word, the Bible, that lead to gladness?

Jesus said, “Do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” [2]

The Heavenly Father knows what we need. He keeps the oxygen in the air at the right levels for us. He causes the sun to shine for light and warmth. He maintains the universe with all its stars and planets. He is more than able to meet our physical needs.

Our enemy, the devil, would like to preoccupy our lives with worldly worries instead of Kingdom of God triumphs.

The Lord shows us a better way. He says, “Serve the Lord with gladness; come before His presence with singing.” [3]

Enjoy the Lord! Serve the Lord! Worship the Lord! Enjoy gladness in His presence. Start sincerely singing His praises! Rest in His love! Let go! Let God! All things are possible with God!

[1] Proverbs 12:25
[2] Matthew 6:31-33
[3] Psalm 100:1

The First Commandment

A scribe once asked Jesus, “Which is the first commandment of all?”

Jesus answered him, “The first of all the commandments is: ‘Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment.” [1]

Yes, the God who is love wants to be loved. Our Creator does not want us placing other gods that are no gods at all before Him. In fact, the term “anti” as in “anti-Christ” can be translated “instead of Christ.” Is there anything or anyone that we have placed higher than Christ?

God is a jealous God. After He brought the people out of Egypt, He tells us that they made another god out of gold and began to worship. God was in the midst of giving Moses His commandments for the people to follow when this happened. He was ready to destroy them and make of Moses “a great nation” but “Moses pleaded with the Lord his God” to spare them for the sake of His (God’s) reputation before the nations. Moses reminded God of His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Israel. “So the Lord relented from the harm which He said He would do to His people.” [2]

The Exodus from Egypt was indeed a great deliverance, but even greater is the deliverance that Jesus Christ wrought for us. He died on the cross and rose from the dead. He lives to intercede for us. He frees us from bondage to sin and from the devil’s power. He gives us eternal life. Praise His holy Name!

“Dear Lord Jesus, forgive us for the times we have failed to keep You in the highest place. Please fill us with zeal by the power of Your Holy Spirit to be jealous for You and for Your glory. May You be highly exalted in our lives, and please use our lives to lead others to put You in the highest place as well. It is in Your Name that I pray. Amen.”

[1] Mark 12:28-30
[2] Exodus 32:1-14

Victory Over Unjust Treatment

How should we pray when dealing with ungodliness, deceitfulness, and unjust treatment? The Bible offers us examples of such prayers in the Book of Psalms.

“Vindicate me, O God, and plead my cause against an ungodly nation; Oh, deliver me from the deceitful and unjust man!” [1]

“For You are the God of my strength; why do You cast me off? Why do I go mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?” [2]

“Oh, send out Your light and Your truth! Let them lead me; Let them bring me to Your holy hill and to Your tabernacle. Then I will go to the altar of God, to God my exceeding joy; and on the harp I will praise You, O God, my God.” [3]

“Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; for I shall yet praise Him, the help of my countenance and my God.” [4]

“Yes, Heavenly Father, when we experience ill-treatment from others, lead us into Your presence where there is exceedingly great joy. Even music and songs of praise! Please fill us with hope. Praise You for helping to shine in a world that desperately needs Your light. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.”

[1] Psalm 43:1
[2] Psalm 43:2
[3] Psalm 43:3-4
[4] Psalm 43:5

Delighting in the Delightful One

“Take delight in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart.” [1]

Yesterday morning, Sherry and I were blessed to hear the voices of many expressing love and praise for Jesus. We praised our Lord with our friends Pastors Robert and Deborah Johnson, and with their fellowship of worshippers.

They are blessed with a beautiful gift to express their delight in the Lord. And they are experiencing His delightful presence.

“Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret—it leads only to evil.” [2]

It is better to live with delight in the Lord than living with anger, and fretting. The former receives the empowering presence of the Lord while the latter leads to evil!

“The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in Him; though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with His hand.” [3]

Though we delight in the Lord we still may stumble, but the Lord promises to uphold us, and to do so with His very own hand.

“We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.” [4]

The good news here is that we can love God, and He will take everything that the enemy does to hurt us, and transform it into something good for us. In this sense, we cannot lose as we love the Lord, which, by way is the first and great commandment.

“Called according to purpose!” The Lord initiated our call and purpose. It is in Him that our lives are made complete.

“Thank You Heavenly Father for giving us Your Son Jesus, and for giving us Your Holy Spirit. We delight in You!”

[1] Psalm 37:4
[2] Psalm 37:8
[3] Psalm 37:23-24
[4] Romans 8:28

I Love You Lord

Is it surprising that the God who loves us so deeply wants to be loved in return?

He sacrificed His Son for our salvation.

“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.” [1]

King David responded... “I will love You, O Lord, my strength.” [2]

The Apostle Peter responded.... “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” [3]

It is written in God's Word, “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.” [4]

Now, may... “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen.” [5]

[1] Deuteronomy 6:5
[2] Psalm 18:1
[3] John 21:15
[4] 1 Corinthians 2:9
[5] 2 Corinthians 13:14

There is No One Like the Lord

Jesus gave various revelations of Himself to John. He showed John His glory. “His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes like a flame of fire; His feet were like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace, and His voice as the sound of many waters... His countenance was like the sun shining in its strength.” [1] This description of Jesus parallels the description of the Ancient of Days (God) in Daniel 7:9-10.

Jesus declared to John His authority over Hades and Death. “I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death.” [2] Jesus holds the keys to everyone’s eternity. No one by-passes Jesus to overcome Hades and Death. He is the only way.

Jesus also revealed His passion to John. “I looked, and behold, in the midst of the throne... stood a Lamb as though it had been slain...” [3] Heaven’s worshippers say of Jesus, “You... have redeemed us to God by Your blood out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation and have made us kings and priests to our God; and we shall reign on the earth.” [4] “Ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands” worship Jesus with a loud voice saying He is “worthy to receive power and riches and wisdom, and strength and honor and glory and blessing!” [5]

Jesus also appeared to John as a conquering rider on a white horse with many crowns. “The armies in heaven... follow Him on white horses.” “On His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.” [6]

These depictions of Jesus are true. He is the Lamb of God who was slain for humanity’s sin to redeem people unto God. He is King of kings and Lord of lords who shines like the sun in all its brilliance.

Towards the end of this prophecy, Jesus said to John, “These words are faithful and true. Behold, I am coming quickly! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.” [7]

There is no one like the Lord. He is above all others. Let us prepare for His return.

[1] Revelation 1:14-15
[2] Revelation 1:18
[3] Revelation 5:6
[4] Revelation 5:9
[5] Revelation 5:11-13
[6] Revelation 19:11-16
[7] Revelation 22:6-7

Partnerships In Gospel Proclamation!

“I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the Gospel from the first day until now.” [1]

A source of joy for me is partnerships in Gospel proclamation. I pray for my fellow proclaimers. I thank God for them during my morning prayer times. We are people from different countries, languages and walks of life, but we serve the Gospel of our Lord in one way or another. Praying for partners in Gospel proclamation does yield joy for me.

“I pray that your partnership with us in the faith may be effective in deepening your understanding of every good thing we share for the sake of Christ.” [2]

Prayers for partners may include petitions for a deepening of our mutual understanding of every good things that we share in Christ. May the Lord graciously grant us grace to be grateful to Him for His blessings! Magnify Him! Minimize complaints!

My fellowship with Christians on social media, and at church gatherings are means that the Lord provides for me to enjoy partnerships in the Gospel. I am asking the Lord to bless these partnerships so that our joy in proclaiming His Gospel may abound and yield more salvations. Lost souls for whom He died on the cross! Lost souls for whom He lives and intercedes for on high!

May the Lord bless you my partners in Gospel proclamation!

[1] Philippians 1:3-5
[2] Philemon 1:6

Proclaimers of Resurrection-based Love

Its the most important message we can share with anyone.

Paul wrote, “I handed on to you as of first importance what I in turn had received. Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures. He was buried. He was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures.” [1]

Resurrection-based love tells people that the resurrection of Jesus Christ is a fact. It addresses the issue common to humanity of our earth suits having expiration dates.

Death is the elephant in the room that no one wants to notice or talk about. But to avoid the topic of death is to jeopardize one’s eternity.

Just because we can’t see heaven or hell, it does not mean they don’t exist. Jesus emphasized the message of life after death in the Gospels and in the Revelation.

Jesus told Martha, “I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believes in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live.” [2] When Jesus resurrected from the dead, He proved for all to see that there is life after death.

The Early Church had a united testimony that went like this: “This is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.” [3]

Resurrection-based love is about endlessly and delightfully proclaiming, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” [4]

Jesus says to us, “Come after Me, and I will make you to become fishers of men.” [5] Be proclaimers of resurrection-based love.

[1] 1 Corinthians 15:3-4
[2] John 11:25
[3] 1 John 5:11-12
[4] John 3:16
[5] Mark 1:17

After Death – Alive and Well

“The angel said to the women, ‘Fear not: for I know that you seek Jesus, which was crucified. He is not here: for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. Go quickly and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead; and behold, He goes before you into Galilee; there you shall see Him: lo, I have told you.’ And they departed quickly from the sepulcher with fear and great joy; and did run to bring His disciples word. And as they went to tell His disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, ‘All hail.’ And they came and held Him by the feet and worshipped Him.” [1]

How amazing to meet an angel! And to hear the angel say that Jesus is risen from the dead. “Spread the news!” Then, while experiencing a mix of fear and immense joy, they meet Jesus alive. Their response was to worship Him.

In Christ they had redemption through His blood, the remission of trespasses, according to the riches of His grace. [2]

Three days earlier, they had watched Jesus tortured unto death. Isaiah had prophesied of the coming Messiah saying, “His visage was marred more than any man, And His form more than the sons of men.” [3] Yet, here He stood alive and well.

Before His death, when asked for a sign, Jesus said, “As Jonah was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so, shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.” [4] Now, here He stood alive and well.

He had told His disciples more than once that He would suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day. [5] Now, here He stood alive and well.

What did His resurrection mean to them? What does His resurrection mean for us?

Paul boldly proclaimed, “God both raised up the Lord and will also raise us up by His power.” [6] His resurrection means we who believe in Him shall also be raised to new life after we die.

Jesus delivers us from the wrath that is to come against sin. [7] Our salvation is guaranteed based on what He did for us. After we die, we too shall be found standing, alive and well.

[1] Matthew 28:5-9
[2] Ephesians 1:7
[3] Isaiah 52:14
[4] Matthew 12:40
[5] Matthew 16:21; Matthew 17:22; Matthew 20:18-19
[6] 1 Corinthians 6:14
[7] 1 Thessalonians 1:10

The Potter’s Field

“When Judas, which had betrayed Him [Jesus], when he saw that He [Jesus] was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, saying, ‘I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood.’ They said, ‘What is that to us? You see to it.’ He cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself. The chief priests took the silver pieces, and said, ‘It is not lawful for to put them into the treasury, because it is the price of blood.’ They took counsel, and bought with them the potter’s field, to bury strangers in.” [1]

What Judas did was wrong. He betrayed the Lord for the sake of money. Not just once, but often. John tell us that Judas “was a thief. He had the money box. He used to take what was put in it.” [2] But God, in His grace and love, turned what was meant for evil into something good.

God used the chief priests and elders to bring about the death of the Lamb of God. They called for His crucifixion. Christ’s blood is the only blood that cleanses sin away. God also used these evil religious men to purchase a “potter’s field” in which to bury strangers in. In so doing, they fulfilled Old Testament prophecies about the Messiah on both accounts.

“This “potter’s field”—whose Aramaic name was “Aceldama,” or “The field of blood” was located outside Jerusalem. [3] The potters excavated and gathered its high-quality, deep-red clay to make their ceramics. Removing these nutrients from the soil rendered the land barren.

Unusable for farming, it was better suited to serve as a graveyard. Derived from the English Bible, the term “potter’s field” survives even today—also called “paupers’ grave,” “common grave.” It is used to describe a cemetery reserved for the disposal of unclaimed corpses, as well as the remains of unidentified and/or poor people.” [4]

God transformed betrayal money into charity money. The “potter” is the one who fashions vessels out of clay, pointing to God, who fashioned our own bodies out of the clay of the earth. The “potter’s field” points to a place where people who experienced little acceptance in this life, experience a place of rest in the life to come thanks to the love and mercy of God.

[1] Matthew 27:3-7
[2] John 12:6
[3] Acts 1:19
[4] forwhatsaiththescriptures.org

Brought into Honored Nearness to God

God shows His glory to people throughout the earth. He reveals who He is and what He has done that we might give Him glory in loving worship.

God mandates a declaration of His glory to the nations:

“Sing to the Lord, bless His name;
Proclaim the good news of His salvation from day to day.
Declare His glory among the nations,
His wonders among all peoples.” [1]

The ultimate purpose for world evangelization is that all people might glorify God:

“Give to the Lord, O families of the peoples,
Give to the Lord glory and strength.
Give to the Lord the glory due His name;
Bring an offering, and come into His courts.
Oh, worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness!
Tremble before Him, all the earth.” [2]

The ultimate value of salvation is not to be seen in what we are saved FROM, but in what we are saved FOR. People are saved to serve God in worship. World evangelization is for GOD. The rationale for mission is the colossal worthiness of GOD.

True worship takes place when we recognize who GOD is, publicly acknowledge Him, freely approach Him, and personally offer to Him gratitude and allegiance. Worship is genuine relational interaction with GOD.

God is delighted by the sincere love that comes to Him in true worship. By wooing people into true worship, He is able to fully bestow His love upon us.

“Honor and majesty are before Him;
Strength and beauty are in His sanctuary.” [3]

Worship fulfills God’s love. He loves us so greatly that He wills to exalt us to something better than greatness; He wants to bring us into an honored nearness to Him. [4]

[1] Psalm 96:2-3
[2] Psalm 96:7-9
[3] Psalm 96:6
[4] Comments based on an article entitled, “The Story of His Glory” by Steven C. Hawthorne

Like God’s Angels

“The Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to Him [Jesus] and asked Him, saying, ‘Teacher, Moses said that if a man dies, having no children, his brother shall marry his wife and raise up offspring for his brother. Now there were with us seven brothers. The first died after he had married, and having no offspring, left his wife to his brother. Likewise the second also, and the third, even to the seventh. Last of all the woman died also. Therefore, in the resurrection, whose wife of the seven will she be? For they all had her.’

Jesus answered and said to them, ‘You are mistaken, not knowing the Scriptures nor the power of God. For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage but are like angels of God in heaven.’” [1]

The scenario that the Sadducees presented to Jesus, and to which He was responding above, was that a woman had married a man with six brothers. When the first one died, she married the second brother, and when he died, she married the third, and so on, until she had been married to all seven brothers during her lifetime.

Being passed from one brother to another seven times over does not sound like a good life to me. Their goal was to provide a heir from this woman, but she was not able to produce a child.

Jesus proclaimed good news about this woman. When she died, her identity was no longer tied to a husband or to an ability to produce children. She became like an angel of God in heaven, neither marrying nor given in marriage. Her identity was directly tied to her Creator and Redeemer. The same is true for every other woman who believes in God. She will be able to stand side by side with men, and give glory, honor, and praise to God. Praise the Lord!

[1] Matthew 22:23-30

Global Christians Serving a Global God

“...Those who are of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all (as it is written, ‘I have made you a father of many nations’).” [1]

“I pray that these words, ‘a father of many nations,’ may be written on our hearts. It reveals the living God of the Bible to be a missionary God.” [2]

God said to Abraham, “I will bless you.” [3]

“God... sent Him [Jesus] to you first, to bless you,” echoed Peter. [4]

“God’s attitude to His people is positive, constructive, enriching. Judgment is His ‘strange work.’ His principal and characteristic work is to bless people with salvation.” [5]

“After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands.” [6]

God wants people from every nation to hear the blessed Gospel and experience His salvation.

“How dare we adopt a hostile or scornful or even indifferent attitude to any person of another color or culture if our God is the God of ‘all the families of the earth.’ We need to become global Christians with a global vision, for we have a global God.” [7]

[1] Romans 4:16-17
[2] Quote from “Perspectives on the World Christian Movement”, chapter by John R. W, Stott

[3] Genesis 12:2
[4] Acts 3:26

[5] Quotes from “Perspectives on the World Christian Movement”, chapter by John R. W, Stott
[6] Revelation 7:9
[7] Quote from “Perspectives on the World Christian Movement”, chapter by John R. W, Stott

Jesus Messiah Our Savior

His face shone like the sun.
His clothes became as light. [1]

Moses (representing the Law) spoke with Him
Elijah (representing the Prophets) spoke with Him
The Father declared, “This is My beloved Son...
In whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!” [2]
The Law and Prophets point to Jesus.
The Father points to Jesus.
He is God's Messiah and our Savior.

A father brought to Him a demon-oppressed son.
Jesus rebuked the demon, and the son was cured. [3]
Jesus has authority and power to defeat demons.

He spoke of being betrayed.
He spoke of being killed.
He spoke of being resurrected on the third day. [4]
Jesus has authority and power over sin and death.

The tax collector demanded taxes.
He provided tax money from the mouth of a fish.
The tax was paid for Him and for Peter. [5]
The government demanded what they could not pay.
Jesus miraculously provided for Peter and Himself.

Jesus is God’s beloved Son.
God is well pleased in Him.
Let us trust in our Lord Jesus Christ.
He is God’s Messiah and our Savior.

[1] Matthew 17:2
[2] Matthew 17:3-5
[3] Matthew 17:14-18
[4] Matthew 17:22-23
[5] Matthew 17:24-27

The Heartbeat of Our Mission

“I was glad when they said to me, ‘Let us go into the house of the Lord.’” [1]

God’s grace! His grace attracts us to Him. To want to be in His presence! To be glad to be in His house when a worship service to Him is happening!

“Jacob was left alone; and a Man wrestled with him until the breaking of day. And He [the Man] said, ‘Let Me go, for the day breaks.’ But he [Jacob] said, ‘I will not let You go unless You bless me!’ And He [the Man] said, ‘Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel; for you have struggled with God and with men and have prevailed.’ So Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: ‘For I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved.’” [2]

Jacob fought for God’s blessing. He saw God’s face and lived. The Lord blessed him.

“I will lift up my eyes to the hills—from whence comes my help? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. The Lord shall preserve you from all evil; He shall preserve your soul. The Lord shall preserve your going out and your coming in from this time forth, and even forevermore.” [3]

Whether we acknowledge Him or not, God is the One who helps us. He made the heavens and earth, and He made us. Evil utterly and everlastingly destroys souls. God saves our souls as we trust in the amazing grace of His Son Jesus Christ for salvation. God is worthy of our praise and worship! It is good to go God’s house! To praise Him and love Him for preserving our lives in this world and in the next. And to love Him for who He is.

[1] Psalm 122:1
[2] Genesis 32:24, 26, 28, 30
[3] Psalm 121:1-2, 8

The Abundant Grace of Jesus our Lord

“When Jesus heard it, He departed from there by boat to a deserted place by Himself.” [1]

What was it? It was the news that King Herod beheaded John the Baptist. Jesus wanted to be by Himself at this point, but when duty called, He answered.

Multitudes WALKED from the cities to the deserted place where Jesus was praying. Jesus went out to meet them. He had compassion for them. He healed their sickness. His disciples urged Him to send the crowd away to find food for themselves, Jesus replied, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.” The disciples offered to Jesus five loaves of bread and two fish. He blessed this food. It transformed into enough food to feed the 5,000 men plus the women and children that were there, and still have twelve baskets full of leftovers. [2]

Jesus sent His disciples by boat to cross a lake. He stayed behind. He dismissed the crowds. Then, Jesus went up to a mountain to pray. He was alone. Then, duty called again. A storm hit the lake. Jesus could have stopped the storm from His place of prayer but chose instead to meet His disciples amid the storm. After giving Peter a brief opportunity to join Him for a walk on that stormy sea, He got into the boat with His disciples and the wind ceased. At that point, the disciples worshipped Jesus, saying, “Truly You are the Son of God.” [3]

Upon arriving on land, people from the surrounding area gathered many sick people to Jesus. They “begged Him that they might only touch the hem of His garment. And as many as touched it were made perfectly well.” [4]

“Thank You Jesus that You grieve the death of Your messengers, like John the Baptist, who are slain for speaking up for righteousness’ sake, but do not diminish Your compassion for the needy people of our world who seek You. Despite what evil does, You pray for and provide for the needs of those who come to You. I thank and praise You for Your bountiful and faithful love for us. Your grace is more than enough. Your grace towards us is abundant.”

[1] Matthew 14:13
[2] Matthew 14:13-21
[3] Matthew 14:22-33
[4] Matthew 14:34-36

Walking & Talking With God

“And it came to pass, when God destroyed the cities of the plain, that God remembered Abraham, and sent Lot out of the midst of the overthrow, when He overthrew the cities in which Lot had dwelt.” [1]

Abraham received the Lord and all that the Lord wanted to do for him. The Lord cultivated a relationship with him. One outcome of this relationship for Abraham was that the Lord revealed to him things to come. For example, the Lord showed Abraham that Sodom was about to be destroyed due to its sin. Therefore, Abraham asked the Lord to spare his nephew Lot from the destruction, and the Lord answered his prayer.

The Lord also revealed to Abraham that his descendants would dwell in a strange land for 400 years, and that the people there would afflict them, but afterward the Lord would bring them out. [2]

God did bring them out of that strange land [Egypt] with silver and gold, and there was none feeble among His tribes. He opened the rock, and water gushed out; it ran in the dry places like a river. For He remembered His holy promise, and Abraham His servant.” [3]

It is vital for each of us to walk and talk with God... for each of us to receive the Lord and all that He does for us. To trust in Him! To listen carefully to what He has said to us in His book the Bible. In this way, God works to save our lives and to save the lives of those we love.

[1] Genesis 19:29
[2] Genesis 15:13-14
[3] Psalm 105:37, 41-42

Miraculous & Meaningful Conceptions

At age 99, Abram received a divine visitation. He fell on his face before the Lord. The Lord gave him a new name. Abram means father of people. Abraham means the father of many people. The Lord said to him, “I have made you a father of many nations.” [1]

The Lord made a covenant with Abraham. [2]

Then, He told Abraham, “I will bless her [Sarah] and also give you a son by her; then I will bless her, and she shall be a mother of nations; kings of peoples shall be from her.”

Abraham fell on his face once again, but this time because he was laughing so hard. He questioned the Lord, asking, “Shall a child be born to a man who is one hundred years old? And shall Sarah, who is 90 years old, bear a child?” The Lord affirmed His promise, saying, “Sarah your wife shall bear you a son, and you shall call his name Isaac...” [3] Isaac means laughter. Psalm 2:1-4 says that the Lord laughs at the mighty who try to undermine His sovereignty. God can do as He chooses to do.

After receiving the promise of a long-awaited child, we find Abraham interceding for righteous people that they would not perish with the wicked. The Lord was about to destroy the city of Sodom because of their wickedness. Abraham’s nephew Lot lived there. So, Abraham interceded for Sodom. He began with fifty and stopped at 10! He asked the Lord to spare Sodom for the sake of ten righteous people in that city. The Lord listened to Abraham’s prayer. He promised to spare the city for the sake of ten righteous people. [4]

Sadly, there were not even five righteous people in Sodom. The city was destroyed after the Lord sent two angels to rescue Lot and his family.

Abraham is a type of Israel in that he waited a long time for the child of promise to born. His child Isaac was the outcome of a long-awaited miraculous birth. Many prophets foretold the birth of a Savior, but thousands of years passed before He (Jesus) was born. Jesus was the outcome of a miraculous birth. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit in the virgin Mary.

Like Jesus, Abraham interceded for righteous people to be saved from the fiery fate of the wicked. It is through our Lord’s sacrifice of Himself on the cross, and His forgiveness that people who believe in Him are made righteous. Jesus prayed on the cross, “Father forgive for they know not what they do.” [5] Those who believe in Jesus are forgiven of their sins, and thus, are spared from the fiery fate of the unforgiven. We all need the Savior Jesus Christ to be saved.

[1] Genesis 17:1-5
[2] Genesis 17:9-14
[3] Genesis 17:16-19
[4] Genesis 18:22-33
[5] Luke 23:34

Earthly Extravagance Exchanged for Eternity

Lot and Abram had too much between them to dwell in one place. Their herdsmen were striving against each other. “Abram said to Lot, ‘Please let there be no strife between you and me, and between my herdsmen and your herdsmen; for we are brethren. Is not the whole land before you? Please separate from me. If you take the left, then I will go to the right; or, if you go to the right, then I will go to the left.” [1]

Lot chose the area that was like the garden of the Lord. He pitched his tent even as far as Sodom. “But the men of Sodom were exceedingly wicked and sinful against the Lord.” [2]

The Lord spoke to Abram after Lot had separated from him. He told Abram to look northward, southward, eastward, and westward. Why? Because the Lord planned to give him the surrounding area. [3]

War broke out in Lot’s land. Lot and his family became prisoners of war. They lost everything. An escapee informed Abram about Lot’s situation and Abram rescued Lot, as well as Lot’s family and his goods. [4]

The king of Sodom offered to Abram the spoils of the war. “Abram said to the king of Sodom, ‘I have raised my hand to the Lord, God Most High, the Possessor of heaven and earth, that I will take nothing, from a thread to a sandal strap, and that I will not take anything that is yours, lest you should say, ‘I have made Abram rich.’” [5]

He refused to take anything from a man who was exceedingly wicked and sinful against the Lord.

“Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was the priest of God Most High. He blessed him [Abram] and said: ‘Blessed be Abram of God Most High, possessor of heaven and earth; and blessed be God Most High, who has delivered your enemies into your hand.’” He [Abram] gave Him [Melchizedek] a tithe of all.” [6]

The writer of Hebrews explains that Melchizedek means “King of Righteousness” and that Salem means “Peace.” He is a priest not after the order of Aaron, but one without beginning or ending. He is God’s Most High Priest. He brought Abram bread and wine. Abram paid his tithe to Him. Melchizedek, “like the Son of God, remains a priest continually.” [7]

What began as strife between Lot’s and Abram’s herdsmen due to having too much, ended up for Abram as a divine visitation. Abram valued God’s righteousness – a righteousness not deserved. He allowed Lot the best land though he was Lot’s uncle and senior. He rescued Lot when Lot could not save himself. Abram valued God’s peace more than winning a battle of strife. Abram valued the Lord more than anything else. He got the Lord.

[1] Genesis 13:6-9
[2] Genesis 13:10-13
[3] Genesis 13:14-17
[4] Genesis 14:8-16
[5] Genesis 14:17, 21-23
[6] Genesis 14:18-20
[7] See Hebrews chapter 7, also Hebrews 5:6, 10 and 6:11

Called by the Gospel (book now available)

 

The Gospel Preached to all Nations

Jesus’ prophesied that His people would be hated by all nations in the end time. [1] But after saying this, He provided a much more optimistic prophecy about His people. Even though they will be an unpopular minority, they will be doing something great...

“And this Gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.” [2]

Jesus Christ motivated a small and weak group of people to do something big, namely, preach the Gospel of the kingdom in all the world... to all nations...”

Jesus reveals an important marker to identify what His true followers will be doing before He returns. They will be busy with getting the Gospel to all nations. The Greek word translated “will be preached” means to proclaim with formality, gravity, and an authority. Preaching appeals to the heart and urges action. [3]

The apostle Paul, “preached the kingdom of God and taught the things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ with all confidence, no one forbidding him.” [4]

Jesus was clear that His Church will preach (and teach) the Gospel message on a global scale. Paul also wrote that the Gospel must be spread “to the ends of the world.” [5]

Jesus has commissioned His Church to make the Gospel message accessible to “all nations.”

“...As a witness...”

From the Greek word for “witness” we get the word martyr (to die for something), but the original Greek word means to testify, especially when being tried.

“...And then the end will come...”

In this context, “the end” refers to Christ’s second coming—which marks the end of “this present evil age.” [6]

Yesterday, the Lord refreshed my heart with news of Chinese Christians taking the Gospel to the region called the 10/40 window where the greatest number of unreached people groups live. I have attached a few pictures from a YouTube video where Zola Levitt interviews Brother Yun.

[1] Matthew 24:6
[2] Matthew 24:14
[3] Matthew 4:17; Mark 1:14-15; Luke 24:47; Acts 8:12
[4] Acts 28:31
[5] Romans 10:18
[6] Galatians 1:4

Noah Found Grace in God's Eyes

“And the Lord said, ‘My Spirit shall not strive with man forever, for he is indeed flesh; yet his days shall be 120 years.’” [1]

“The Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.” [2]

The problem with sin is that it is evil, and it does evil. Also, God cannot tolerate it forever. God set a date for judgment in Noah’s day. And God has set a judgment day for the current generation as well.

“But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord. Noah was a just man, perfect in his generations. Noah walked with God.” [3]

Noah is a type of Christ in the Old Testament. He is God’s chosen man to save humanity from perishing. Unlike the Messiah, He is not chosen due to his deity. He is not the sinless Son of God. Noah is chosen by God’s grace. God’s grace also helped Noah to live justly and to be considered perfect by God during his generation. What did Noah do that was such a good example to his generation? He walked with God. This is example that Jesus also set when He walked the earth. Fellowship with God was more important to Jesus and Noah than approval of people.

“God said to Noah, “The end of all flesh has come before Me, for the earth is filled with violence through them; and behold, I will destroy them with the earth. Make yourself an ark...” [4]

The ark is also a type of Christ in that all who enter it are saved from death during the Judgment Day.

“Thus, Noah did; according to all that God commanded him, so he did.” [5]

Noah followed the Lord. The Lord led Noah to victory not only for himself, but for us who are alive today. He may have felt lonely and like a loser at the time. He only saved his family, but no God used Noah to preserve humanity. Thus, God uses those who walk with God when all the world is walking astray.

[1] Genesis 6:3
[2] Genesis 6:5
[3] Genesis 6:8-9
[4] Genesis 6:13-14
[5] Genesis 6:22

From Persecutor to Preacher

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

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...

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[3] John 13:2, 27

[4] Matthew 26:24

[5] John 13:34-35
[6] Quote from the Blue Letter Bible Commentary

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

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]

[1] John 6:70-71

[2] John 6:27

[3] John 6:68-69

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

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

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.

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

A Kingdom For Saints

“The saints of the Most High shall receive the kingdom, and possess the kingdom forever, even forever and ever.” [1]

From whom do the saints receive the kingdom? From God Himself!

“The kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people, the saints of the Most High. His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey Him.” [2]

Who shall inherit the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heavens? The Messiah gives it to those who have brought their sins to Him to be washed away by His redeeming blood. “To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.” [3]

Luke says to us who follow Him, “You are those who have continued with Me in My trials. And I bestow upon you a kingdom, just as My Father bestowed one upon Me.” [4]

Let us keep anticipating the Lord’s return! As the rays of the sun dispel the darkness of night, His arrival shall vanquish evil, and release glorious goodness. “The greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people, the saints of the Most High!”

Praise the Lord!

[1] Daniel 7:18
[2] Daniel 7:27
[3] Revelation 1:5-6
[4] Luke 22:28-29

The Difference Making Holy Spirit

The king said to Daniel, “I have heard of you, that the Spirit of God is in you, and that light and understanding and excellent wisdom are found in you.” [1]

And when a new king took power from that one, it was written about Daniel, “Daniel distinguished himself above the governors and satraps, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king gave thought to setting him over the whole realm.” [2]

What set Daniel apart from others? The answer is God's Spirit!

Of course! As a person loves God, keeps His commandments, and God’s Spirit helps him, excellent fruit comes forth.

Jesus said, “If you love Me, keep My commandments. And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever—the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.” [3]

If we love JESUS, if we keep His commandments, He prays the Father to send us the Helper, that is, the Spirit of truth. He dwells with us and in us. With the Spirit of God in us we are no longer orphans. We are living with the help of God our Father, the advocacy of Jesus the Son and in the power of the Holy Spirit.

[1] Daniel 5:14
[2] Daniel 6:3
[3] John 14:15-18

Loyal To The Lord

“...You are those who have continued with Me in My trials. And I bestow upon you a kingdom, just as My Father bestowed one upon Me...” [1]

Throughout history, loyalists to the Lord have encountered trials, but the Lord is loyal to His loyal followers. He shall reward us in like manner to the rewards He received from His Father.

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego are fine examples of loyal followers of the Lord. In their day, a king made an idol of gold. It was ninety feet tall and ten feet wide. He ordered his officials to join the dedication of this image. He commanded them to worship the image. He warned them, “Whoever does not fall down, and worship shall be cast immediately into the midst of a burning fiery furnace.” [2]

“How twisted!” This man threatened people with fire if they did not worship him. This is the final destiny of followers of false gods. “And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.” [3]

Most fell down and worshiped the gold image. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego were the exceptions. It was reported to the king, “They do not serve your gods or worship the gold image which you have set up.” [4]

The king warned them, “If you do not worship, you shall be cast immediately into the midst of a burning fiery furnace. And who is the god who will deliver you from my hands?” [5]

They replied, “Our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king. But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up.” [6]

They were thrown into the fiery furnace. To his surprise, the king saw a fourth man in the fire with them. He exclaimed, “Look! I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire; and they are not hurt, and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.” [7]

When Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego exited the fire, the hair of their head was not singed nor were their garments affected, and the smell of fire was not on them.

The king praised God, saying, “Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, who sent His Angel and delivered His servants who trusted in Him.” He added, “There is no other God who can deliver like this.” Then, he promoted them. [8]

Loyal followers of the Lord may experience trials for a season, but in the end, we experience God’s deliverance and promotions from Him. Praying for God’s grace to help us all be loyal to the Lord!

[1] Luke 22:28-29
[2] Daniel 3:6
[3] Revelation 20:15
[4] Daniel 3:12
[5] Daniel 3:15
[6] Daniel 3:17-18
[7] Daniel 3:25
[8] Daniel 3:28-30