The Prophetic Gift

“As you approach the town, you will meet a procession of prophets coming down from the high place with lyres, timbrels, pipes, and harps being played before them, and they will be prophesying. The Spirit of the Lord will come powerfully upon you, and you will prophesy with them; and you will be changed into a different person. Once these signs are fulfilled, do whatever your hand finds to do, for God is with you.” [1] The Spirit was given to Saul to help him lead well. He did not have to pay or work for this anointing. He just needed to receive it.

The Spirit of the Lord moved in and through the prophets as musicians played music to the Lord. As soon as Saul met them, he too started prophesying. God changed him into a different person. God was with him in such a way that whatever his hand did, it went well.

By the way, God says that He inhabits the praises of His people. [2] The Lord has given me visions and prophetic words during moments of whole-hearted worship to Him. Once, when Elisha was asked for counsel by the King of Israel, he told the king, “’Bring me a harpist.’ While the harpist was playing, the hand of the Lord came on Elisha and he said, ‘This is what the Lord says: I will fill this valley with pools of water. For this is what the Lord says: You will see neither wind nor rain, yet this valley will be filled with water, and you, your cattle and your other animals will drink. This is an easy thing in the eyes of the Lord; he will also deliver Moab into your hands. You will overthrow every fortified city and every major town. You will cut down every good tree, stop up all the springs, and ruin every good field with stones.’” [3]

The people of Israel did well in the days of Ezra by listening to the prophetic counsel of Zechariah and Haggai. “So the elders of the Jews continued to build and prosper under the preaching of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah, a descendant of Iddo. They finished building the temple according to the command of the God of Israel and the decrees of Cyrus, Darius and Artaxerxes, kings of Persia.” [4] Via prophet Zechariah, the Lord Almighty says to us, “Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit.” [5]

I was converted to the Lord after He said to me, “Give your life to Me and I will touch many people through you.”

The Lord has kept His promise. And whenever my witness for Christ hits a lull, the Spirit brings to my remembrance the promise of Christ to me, and I pray, “Father, pleased continue to use my life to touch many people for the sake of converting lost souls to faith in Your Son Jesus Christ.”

One day in El Paso, Texas, while walking along a city sidewalk, Sherry was telling me she felt an urgency to call her parents because she thought that they were worrying about us. When we came to a street corner, a man met us. He asked, “Where have you been?” We did not know what to say. He continued, “I have been waiting here for you.” We still did not know what to say. He continued, “The Lord says to you (Sherry) that you need not be concerned about your parents. They are not worrying about you.” Then, he said, “I saw you (Mark) and you (Sherry) with Jesus and many children.” I told him that we did not plan to have children (it was 1983). Then, I asked him where because I believed we were called to China. He replied, “I don’t know. The Lord did not show me that.” Then, he left. Not only did we have four biological children since then. We have also ministered to many children from various cultures and languages.

Paul advised Timothy, “Devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching. Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through prophecy when the body of elders laid their hands on you. Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress. Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.” [6]

The formula Paul gave Timothy to win spiritual battles was: 1) Publicly read, preach, and teach God’s Word; 2) Utilize the gifts given to him by prophetic utterance; 3) Embody with diligence and wholeheartedness God’s Word and gifts, so that people would see his progress; and 4) Persevere meticulously at maintaining Christ-like behavior and doctrine.

Praise be to God for His Spirit and His gifts.

[1] 1 Samuel 10:5-7
[2] Psalm 22:3
[3] 2 Kings 3:15-19
[4] Ezra 3:14
[5] Zechariah 4:6
[6] 1Timothy 4:13-16

Rebellion NO Grace YES

“Those who regard worthless idols forsake their own Mercy.” [1]

“Samuel replied: ‘Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the Lord? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is the sin of iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, He has rejected you as king.” [2]

Let us claim the blood of Jesus against the spirits of rebellion that are deceiving so many people. How many people mistakenly assume that it is freedom to be a rebel against God? Not realizing that in rebelling against God, they are forsaking their own tender mercies?

Jesus used the word “Gehenna” eleven times to describe existence cut off from God’s Kingdom. It is a place where soul and body experience unquenchable fire. [3] The people who trash their Maker end up being trashed. May the Lord graciously grant rebels the grace to repent that He might save them and give them new hearts of love towards Him and others!

[1] Jonah 2:8
[2] 1 Samuel 15:22-23
[3] Mark 9:43-48; Matthew 10:28

Preach the Gospel to all Nations

Jesus promised, “This GOSPEL of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.” “The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in His Name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.” [1]

Our Lord called us to participate in His worldwide mission: “You are WITNESSES of these things. I am going to send you what My Father has PROMISED (the Holy Spirit); but stay in the city until you have been clothed with POWER from on high.” [2] We don’t wait in Jerusalem for the promised Holy Spirit because He has already come and is available to everyone who joins the mission. Peter told the high priest and the Sadducees, “God gives the Holy Spirit to those who obey Him.” [3]

We need to be filled with Holy Spirit to be effective witnesses for Christ. “The Spirit of prophecy bears testimony to Jesus.” [4] Our Lord wants His people to speak for Him. Even Moses had this revelation when he said, “I wish that all the Lord’s people were prophets and that the Lord would put his Spirit on them!” [5]

[1] Matthew 24:14; Luke 24:46-47
[2] Luke 24:48-49
[3] Acts 5:32
[4] Revelation 19:10
[5] Numbers 11:29

Let The Worship be To God

“The Lord said to Moses: ‘You are going to rest with your ancestors, and these people will soon prostitute themselves to the foreign gods of the land they are entering. They will forsake Me and break the covenant I made with them. And in that day I will become angry with them and forsake them; I will hide my face from them, and they will be destroyed. Many disasters and calamities will come on them, and in that day, they will ask, ‘Have not these disasters come on us because our God is not with us?’ And I will certainly hide my face in that day because of all their wickedness in turning to other gods.” [1]

How sad! Moses wasn’t gone long, and the people turned from the God of miracles, the God who loved them, to worship handmade idols of stone and wood. God told Moses that He would hide His face from them in that day. God’s face disappearing from one’s life is like the sun going down and not coming up again the next day. Darkness reigns without God.

“My son, if sinful men entice you do not give in to them. My son, do not go along with them, do not set foot on their paths; these men lie in wait for their own blood; they ambush only themselves! Such are the paths of all who go after ill-gotten gain; it takes away the life of those who get it. For the waywardness of the simple will kill them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them; but whoever listens to me will live in safety and be at ease, without fear of harm.” [2]

The Lord urges us not to be drawn away from Him by sinful men. Don’t go with them! Don’t join in their ambushes of unsuspecting prey. Their waywardness will kill them. The Lord says to us, “Listen to me! Live in Safety! Live without fear of harm!”

“Jesus called them together and said, ‘You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you! Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave—just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.” [3]

The lust for greatness and firstness relates to idolatry. It’s ego wanting to reign on the throne of our life. Jesus calls us to be servants and slaves. Let all the worship and praise be to God!

[1] Deuteronomy 31:16-18
[2] Proverbs 1:10, 15, 18-19, 32-33
[3] Matthew 20:25-28

Life And Prosperity or Death And Destruction

“See, I set before you today life and prosperity, death, and destruction. For I command you today to love the Lord your God, to walk in obedience to Him, and to keep His commands, decrees, and laws; then you will live and increase, and the Lord your God will bless you in the land you are entering to possess.” [1]

The Lord wants us to enjoy a good and prosperous life. Loving God leads to that life! Obeying the Lord leads to that life! Keeping His commands leads to that life!

Once He has brought us into the good life, the Lord doesn’t want us to be defrauded of it. He warns, “Make sure there is no man or woman, clan, or tribe among you today whose heart turns away from the Lord our God to go and worship the gods of those nations; make sure there is no root among you that produces such bitter poison. When such a person hears the words of this oath and they invoke a blessing on themselves, thinking, ‘I will be safe, even though I persist in going my own way,’ they will bring disaster on the watered land as well as the dry.” [2]

Don’t let someone poison you against the Lord! Persisting in our own ways leads to disaster for us personally and for our nation if it does the same.

“Now what I am commanding you today is not too difficult for you or beyond your reach. It is not up in heaven, so that you have to ask, ‘Who will ascend into heaven to get it and proclaim it to us so we may obey it?’ Nor is it beyond the sea, so that you have to ask, ‘Who will cross the sea to get it and proclaim it to us so we may obey it?’ No, the word is very near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart so you may obey it.”

God is an ever-present help in time of need. Rely on Him to help you choose life and prosperity not just one day of your life, but all your days.

[1] Deuteronomy 30:15-16
[2] Deuteronomy 29:18-19
[3] Deuteronomy 30:11-14

TWO THINGS I ASK

The Bible contains curses and blessings. God’s heart is to bless us. He is, however, willing to let us suffer a lesser pain (earthly pain) to avoid a greater pain (eternal condemnation). It hurts to love someone who disregards you. The Lord blesses those who love Him as well as those who love their neighbor.

“If you fully obey the Lord your God and carefully follow all His commands I give you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations on earth. All these blessings will come on you and accompany you if you obey the Lord your God. However, if you do not obey the Lord your God and do not carefully follow all His commands and decrees I am giving you today, all these curses will come on you and overtake you.” [1]

We want the Lord's blessings don't we?

When Sherry first married me, she often prayed the following prayer, “Two things I ask of you, Lord; do not refuse me before I die: keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. Otherwise, I may have too much and disown You and say, ‘Who is the Lord?’ Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God.” [2]

I am thankful for the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ that moved Him to start a relationship with me. He gave me a godly wife. He compels us to read His Word, to pray and to serve Him daily. These are His undeserved blessings to us. I am thankful to our Heavenly Father for His promise of eternal paradise with Him based on the saving merits of His Son Jesus Christ.

Blessing, glory and honor be to His Holy Name!

[1] Deuteronomy 28:1-2, 15
[2] Proverbs 30:7-9

Preferring Justice

“You must have accurate and honest weights and measures, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you. For the Lord your God detests anyone who does these things, anyone who deals dishonestly.” [1]

Some cultures exalt the person who is able to take advantage of the other, but to God such dealings are detestable. Our Lord Jesus suffered loss for the sake of saving sinners.

“Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit.” [2]

“By justice a king gives a country stability, but those who are greedy for bribes tear it down.” [3]

Let us pray for those in authority that they would govern their people with justice and that they would arrest those who try to bribe them.

[1] Deuteronomy 25:15-16
[2] 1 Peter 3:18
[3] Proverbs 29:4

Thorns In The Flesh

“In order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” [1]

“God’s power neither displaces weakness nor overcomes it. On the contrary, it comes to its full strength in it (en +astheneia). At issue is how God manifests His power. Paul’s opponents claimed that it is best seen in visions, ecstasies and the working of signs and wonders. [2] Paul, on the other hand, maintained that God’s power is most effectively made known in and through weakness. Indeed, God’s power is made perfect in weakness (teleitai ‘to find consummation’ or ‘be accomplished.’ [3] ‘There is a certain finishing and perfecting power in weakness.’ [4] ‘Not that we are to cherish our infirmities. Weakness of itself will perfect nothing. But when the human vessel is weak, the divine power is especially evident, and the weakness proves to be a fine discipline.’ [5]

Paul accepted his weaknesses and learned to take pleasure in them. Why, because these very weaknesses afford the opportunity for the power of Christ to rest on him. The verb episkenoo …actually means to ‘make one's quarters in’ or ‘take up one's abode in.’ So God’s power not merely ‘rested on’ or ‘over’ Paul but took up residence in him.” [6]

[1] 2 Corinthians 12:7-10
[2] 2 Corinthians 12:1, 12
[3] 2 Corinthians 12:9

The Passion of Our Christ

“Do not be far from Me, for trouble is near and there is no one to help. Many bulls surround Me; strong bulls of Bashan encircle Me. Roaring lions that tear their prey open their mouths wide against Me. I am poured out like water, and all My bones are out of joint. My heart has turned to wax; it has melted within Me. My mouth is dried up like a potsherd, and My tongue sticks to the roof of My mouth; you lay Me in the dust of death. Dogs surround Me, a pack of villains encircles me; they pierce MY HANDS and MY FEET. All My bones are on display; people stare and gloat over Me. They DIVIDE MY CLOTHES AMONG THEM and CAST LOTS FOR MY GARMENT.” [1]

Who wants God to be far from them when surrounded by people who are like raging bulls, roaring lions, and gross dogs. Our Lord prayed for His Father to be near Him. He felt His life being poured out. His heart was melting like hot wax. They pierced His hands and feet right through. They cared for His garment, but not for Him.

“For this reason He (Jesus Christ) had to be made like them, fully human in every way, in order that He might become a merciful and faithful High Priest in service to God, and that He might make atonement for the sins of the people. Because He Himself suffered when He was tempted, He is able to help those who are being tempted.” [2]

What a painful way to become a merciful and faithful high priest! But nevertheless, He made atonement for our sins. And He helps when we are tempted during trials.

“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have One (Jesus Christ) who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet He did not sin.” [3]

Hallelujah! What a Savior! “Thank You Lord Jesus for Your great passion for us. I pray that we would be filled with passion for You, and for the people You died for.”

[1] Psalm 22:11-18
[2] Hebrews 2:17-18
[3] Hebrews 4:15

He Far Exceeded Their Mold

Our Lord Jesus went outdoors, taught, and preached in their cities. He revealed to them the kingdom of God with power and authority. [1]

Jesus knew what the people expected of their Messiah but remained true to Himself, namely being the Son of God. Jesus Christ “is the image of the invisible God” and “the express image of His person.” [2] He could not sin. He could not compromise God’s nature.

John the Baptist sent two disciples to ask Jesus, “Are you he (the Messiah) that should come, or do we look for another?” Jesus told his messengers, “The blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the good news preached to them.” [3] Jesus helped those who could not help themselves. They were in pits too deep to climb out of, and Jesus rescued them. He revealed God’s heart for them.

Jesus noted something different about John the Baptist to a crowd of listeners. John preached in open fields (the wilderness) and not in fancy buildings, yet people flocked to him. John did not wear fancy clothes, yet they listened to him. [4]

Jesus compared his listeners to children sitting in the markets who express disappointment in those who do not conform to their expectations. They wanted people to dance to their music. They wanted people to cry when they cried. They wanted John the Baptist to eat and drink with them. When he didn’t, they said, “He has a devil.” When Jesus ate and drank with sinners, they called Him a glutton, wino, and a friend of sinners. Jesus said that wisdom is justified by her children. In other words, wisdom is demonstrated by the good fruit it yields. [5]

Jesus rebuked the cities that did not repent after they saw His mighty works. He told them that cities famous for being evil would have repented if they had seen His miracles. He warned them, “I say unto you, that it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment than for you.” [6]

Jesus prayed, “I thank you, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because You have hid these things from the wise and prudent, and have revealed them unto babes, even so, Father: for so it seemed good in Your sight.” Then, He explained, “All things are delivered unto Me of My Father: and no man knows the Son, but the Father; neither knows any man the Father, save the Son, and He to whomsoever the Son will reveal Him.” In other words, the only way to know God is if Jesus Christ reveals Him to you. [7]

The people that Jesus spoke with wanted to come to God on their own terms. His miracles did not matter to them. They wanted Jesus to present God to them according to their preferences.

Our Lord Jesus did extend an invitation to them. He said, “Come unto Me, all you that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and you shall find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light.” [8] God’s terms include God’s presence and His help.

What about us? Are we willing to receive God on His terms?

“Jesus, Savior, Son of God, please continue to reveal the Father to us. Please graciously grant to us the holy audacity to profess You as Lord to people who need You. Thank You once again for the invitation to come to You. It is in Your Name that I pray. Amen.”

[1] Matthew 11:1
[2] Colossians 1:15; Hebrews 1:3
[3] Matthew 11:2-6
[4] Matthew 11:7-10
[5] Matthew 11:16-19
[6] Matthew 11:20-24
[7] Matthew 11:25-27
[8] Matthew 11:28-30

The Sins of Sodom

I heard Dr. Adrian Rogers speaking on the radio. He brought out that there was more to Sodom’s sin than immorality. He quoted the Bible, “Now this was the sin of your sister Sodom: she and her daughters were arrogant, overfed and unconcerned; they did not help the poor and needy.” [1]

The Sodomites looked down on others. They indulged in gluttony. They lacked concern for their deprived neighbors. Adrian was not making light of immoral sin. He was bringing out other characteristics of the Sodomites that were detestable in God’s sight.

“They were haughty and did detestable things before Me. Therefore, I did away with them as you have seen.” [2]

A humble attitude, fasting from food to focus on praying for spiritual renewal and putting others before ourselves is good for us. The desire of our Savior is to save us from this present evil age.

[1] Ezekiel 16:49
[2] Ezekiel 16:50

The Three Tests

1. The test to prove yourself.

Prove that you are somebody special. The correct response is to not to do it. Your proof of identity and worth is found in the Word of God: the Bible. The Bible tells you that God created you in His image and sent His only begotten Son to save you from your sins.

“The tempter came to Him and said, ‘If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.’ Jesus answered, ‘It is written, man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” [1]

2. The test to take risks; to gamble; to falsely believe that you are invincible even if you are not obeying God.

The correct response is to not gamble with your life. Don’t test the limits of how far you can take rebellion against God. This is to listen to the devil. God loves you, but He is also holy. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. When you live an obedient life towards God, He blesses you.

“Then the devil took Him to the holy city and had Him stand on the highest point of the temple. ‘If you are the Son of God, he said, ‘throw yourself down. For it is written, He will command His angels concerning You, and they will lift You up in their hands, so that You will not strike Your foot against a stone.’ Jesus answered him, ‘It is also written, ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’” [2]

3. The test to forsake God in preference for temporary pleasures.

The correct response is to choose to worship God and worship Him only no matter what your status is in the eyes of the world. God is eternal. The devil is temporary. Those who listen to the devil will perish with the devil. He is a liar and deceiver. Those who listen to and obey God bear good fruit in this life because they live for God and neighbor, whereas those who live selfishly (themselves instead of Christ on the throne of their hearts) will perish with the devil.

“Again, the devil took Him to a very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. ‘All this I will give You,’ he said, ‘if You will bow down and worship me.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Away from Me, Satan! For it is written, Worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only.’ Then the devil left Him, and angels came and attended Him.” [3]

“Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” [4]

“Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.” [5]

[1] Matthew 4:3-4
[2] Matthew 4:5-7
[3] Matthew 4:8-10
[4] James 4:7
[5] 1 John 5:5

Wise Preponderances From Proverbs

“They that forsake the law praise the wicked: but such as keep the law contend with them. Evil men understand not judgment: but they that seek the Lord understand all things. Better is the poor that walks in his uprightness, than he that is perverse in his ways, though he be rich. Whoso keeps the law is a wise son: but he that is a companion of riotous men shames his father.” [1]

The wise choice is to obey the law of God. The Lord gives understanding. So, walk uprightly before God.

“He that covers his sins shall not prosper, but whoso confesses and forsakes them shall have mercy. Happy is the man that fears always: but he that hardens his heart shall fall into mischief.” [2]

The wise choice is to confess and forsake sin. The wise choice is to listen and obey God. Hardening the heart towards God leads to undesirable mischief.

“The prince that lacks understanding is also a great oppressor: but he that hates covetousness shall prolong his days.” [3] The wise choice is to get understanding from God and not to spend one’s day coveting what you do not have.

“He that tills his land shall have plenty of bread: but he that follows after vain persons shall have poverty enough. A faithful man shall abound with blessings: but he that makes haste to be rich shall not be innocent.” [4]

The wise choice is to work and not waste one’s time with vain people. The wise choice is to be faithful to God, and not to pursue worldly wealth.

“He that is of a proud heart stirs up strife: but he that puts his trust in the Lord shall be made fat.” [5]

The wise choice is to trust in the Lord.

“When the wicked rise, men hide themselves: but when they perish, the righteous increase.” [6]

Let us pray that more people will ponder and purse righteousness of God.

[1] Proverbs 28:4-7
[2] Proverbs 28:13-14
[3] Proverbs 28:16
[4] Proverbs 28:19-20
[5] Proverbs 28:25
[6] Proverbs 28:28

Praise the Lord for His Goodness

“Hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted in them.

Such as sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, being bound in affliction and iron; because they rebelled against the words of God and contemned the counsel of the most High: therefore He brought down their heart with labor; they fell down, and there was none to help.

Fools because of their transgression, and because of their iniquities, are afflicted. Their soul abhors all manner of meat; and they draw near unto the gates of death.

They that go down to the sea in ships that do business in great waters; these see the works of the Lord, and His wonders in the deep. For He commands, and raises the stormy wind, which lifts up the waves thereof. They mount up to the heaven. They go down again to the depths: their soul is melted because of trouble. They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, and are at their wit's end.

He (the Lord) calms the storm so that the waves thereof are still.

He (the Lord) turns the wilderness into a pool of water, and dry ground into water springs.

He sets the poor on high from affliction, and makes him families like a flock.

They cry unto the Lord in their trouble, and He saves them out of their distresses.

He sent His Word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.

Oh, that men would praise the Lord for His goodness and for His wonderful works to the children of men!

Whoso is wise, and will observe these things, even they shall understand the lovingkindness of the Lord.”

Psalm 107:5, 10-12, 17-18, 23-27, 29, 35, 41, 19-21, 43

Are You Ready For The Wedding

“Let us rejoice and be glad and give Him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and His bride has made herself ready? [1]

Jesus spoke of five wise virgins who were ready for a wedding with the Lord and five foolish ones who were not. The five wise virgins were welcome to enter the Lord’s banqueting hall. The foolish virgins were locked out. Jesus concluded the story by saying, Therefore keep watch because you do not know the day or the hour.” [2]

Are You Ready For The Wedding

“Christ loved the Church and gave Himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the Word, and to present her to Himself as a radiant Church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.” [3]

The Lord Jesus Christ came from heaven to earth. He was born of the virgin Mary. He lived among us. He did miracles. He lived a sinless life. He was crucified. He died as a criminal not for His own sin, but for ours. He was buried. On the third day, He resurrected from the dead. He was seen alive by over five hundred witnesses. He ate with them. He allowed them to touch Him. After forty days, He ascended to heaven. He is returning for the bride who is prepared for Him.

His bride prepared herself for Him by having the oil of His blessed presence, the Holy Spirit, in her lamp. She daily washes herself in His Word by reading and applying it to her life.

Are You Ready For The Wedding

“The Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come!’ And let the one who hears say, ‘Come!’ Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes, take the free gift of the water of life. He who testifies to these things says, ‘Yes, I am coming soon.’ Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s people. Amen.” [4]

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ is the answer. We must transfer our hope of salvation from ourselves unto the Lord. Only Jesus can save us. Therefore, we lean upon His grace to keep us ready for His return. To enter heaven, we must have Jesus.

Are You Ready For The Wedding

If not, ask Jesus to save you by forgiving yours sins. Ask Him to transform you by the power of His Holy Spirit. Ask Him to cleanse you with His Word the Bible. Join yourself to other Jesus-professing Bible-believing Christians in weekly worship and prayer. Let your life be about Jesus!

[1] Revelation 19:7
[2] Matthew 25:1-13
[3] Ephesians 5:25-27
[4] Revelation 22:17, 20-21

Work For Jesus

“Jonah obeyed the word of the Lord and went to Nineveh. He proclaimed, ‘Forty more days and Nineveh will be overthrown.’ The Ninevites believed God. A fast was proclaimed, and all of them, from the greatest to the least, put on sackcloth. When Jonah’s warning reached the king of Nineveh, the king rose from his throne, took off his royal robes, covered himself with sackcloth and sat down in the dust. He issued a decree… ‘Let everyone call urgently on God. Let them give up their evil ways and their violence. Who knows? God may yet relent and with compassion turn from his fierce anger so that we will not perish.’” [1]

“When He (Jesus) saw the crowds, He had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then He said to His disciples, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into His harvest field.” [2]

Our Lord Jesus has called us to pray for compassionate workers. No goal is accomplished without effort. “Lord Jesus, help us to work for You. Fill our hearts with so much compassion for harassed, helpless, and shepherd-less sheep that we work for them. Help us put our hand to the plow and not look back. Souls hang in the balance.”

Mordecai told his cousin Esther, “If you remain silent at this time, relief, and deliverance… will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” [3]

Let us work for Jesus.

[1] Jonah 3:3-9
[2] Matthew 9:36-38
[3] Esther 4:14

Abstaining From Destructive Criticism

“For you put up with fools gladly since you yourselves are wise! For you put up with it if one brings you into bondage, if one devours you, if one takes from you, if one exalts himself, if one strikes you on the face. To our shame I say that we were too weak for that…” [1]

The Lord is saying not to accept the pain that fools, slavers, back-biters, thieves, despisers of others or physically abusive people seek to bring into your church and personal life.

Elizabeth Gilbert posted on her Facebook page, “Criticism: I avoid criticism about myself not because I DON'T care what people say about me, but because I DO care. I am sensitive and easily bruised. I know that critical words can hurt me, and I am not in the business of hurting myself. I will not put those words in my head. To do so is an act of violence against me.

The novelist John Updike said that reading your own reviews is like eating a sandwich that might have some broken glass in it. I have nothing to gain by eating shards of broken glass. It doesn’t benefit me or anyone else to digest something that will cause internal bleeding.” Malicious critics do not have my best interests at heart. Their words will not make me a better person

“If the review is kind, then read it. It's nice to hear people say nice things about your work! And it’s rare! So when it happens: Treat yourself!

The people who I listen to about my work are people who have earned the right to offer me criticism. They are a few of my closest and most trusted friends, family members, and colleagues. Here is the test, to see if people are allowed to criticize me:

1) Do I trust your opinion and your taste?
2) Do I trust that you understand what I am trying to create?
3) Do I trust that your critique will improve my work?
4) Do I trust that you have my best interests at heart?
5) Do I trust that you will critique me without wounding me?

Gentleness is very important. When somebody tells you that she is brutally honest, she is telling you, ‘I am brutal. I am waiting for a chance to brutalize you.’ I don’t volunteer to be brutalized.

DO NOT put something out there, and then search for that one wickedly cruel comment. If you dig long enough, you will find it. You will find the pain you were looking for. Show the self-discipline that is necessary for self-care. Walk away.

Refusing to read nasty things about myself is not denial; it is affirmation. Protect yourself. People can attack you and insult you, but you are not obliged to listen to them. Turn your head from the violence. Keep working!” [2]

[1] 2 Corinthians 11:19-21
[2] Edited excerpts from Elizabeth Gilbert’s 10.16.15, Facebook post

Missionaries Needed

“When He (Jesus) saw the crowds, He had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then He said to His disciples, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into His harvest field.’” [1]

I pondered my missionary experiences today. Missionary ministries need workers. For example, at Christ is the Answer Ministries, I did construction work like breaking up old concrete before laying new and digging a ditch for a pipeline. In Hong Kong, I carried loads of Bibles into China.

Compassion that makes a difference for harassed and helpless people involves work. Jesus worked diligently to bring help to lost and needy souls. Jesus said, “My Father is always at His work to this very day, and I too am working.” [2]

The Apostle Paul said to his Christian friends, “In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus Himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” [3]

William Carey’s father asked William before he left for India, “What do you have to offer?” His reply was, “I know how to plod” meaning that he was willing to work like an ox to make a difference for Christ in India.

A man once told Missionary Hudson Taylor that he had come to China to work with him. Hudson looked at him and replied, “But you only have one leg” to which the man said, “But the men with two legs are not coming.”

An older preacher urged younger preachers, “Don’t be a pretty boy.” He explained that some ministers strive to be popular but are like clouds without rain. They don’t get the job done.

“Dear Lord of harvest please give more people a mindset to work.”

[1] Matthew 9:36-38
[2] John 5:17
[3] Acts 20:35

Righteousness Restored

Their land was parched, and their pastures withered because of their adulteries with other gods. Their prophets committed adultery and lived a lie. Their prophets strengthened the hands of evildoers, so that no evildoer turned from doing evil. Their leaders were like Sodom, and the people themselves were like Gomorrah to God. Cities that He destroyed for their wickedness! Their leaders said to those who despised God, “The Lord says: You will have peace.” They said to all who followed the stubbornness of their own hearts, “No harm will come to you.” [1]

God told Jeremiah that if these leaders had stood in His council, they would have proclaimed His words to His people and would have turned them from their evil ways and from their evil deeds. This is what good shepherds do. [2]

The good news is that God had a plan to save His people. He promised to raise-up for His people a righteous Branch. A King, who would reign wisely and do what is just and right in the land! The name this king shall be called by is “The Lord Our Righteous Savior.” [3]

The Righteous Branch is Jesus Christ. He is the Good Shepherd. He is the most powerful king. He calls people to turn from evil and gives those who turn from evil His Holy Spirit. By His indwelling Holy Spirit people obey God, the nation changes, and God gives His blessing.

[1] Jeremiah 23:10, 14, 17,
[2] Jeremiah 23:22
[3] Jeremiah 23:5-6

The Tradition of the Prophets

His nation was under siege by a mighty army. Jeremiah’s king sent two priests to him. They wanted him to inquire of the Lord so that God would intervene and save their nation. I am sure these priests were shocked when Jeremiah told them to tell the king that God was for their enemies. God would not have mercy on Jerusalem. [1]

Jeremiah told the priests to tell the people, “Thus says the Lord: ‘Behold, I set before you the way of life and the way of death. He who remains in this city shall die by the sword, by famine, and by pestilence; but he who goes out and defects to the Chaldeans who besiege you, he shall live, and his life shall be as a prize to him. For I have set My face against this city for adversity and not for good, it shall be given into the hand of the king of Babylon, and he shall burn it with fire.’” [2]

Jeremiah’s advice to his king was this: “Administer justice every morning; rescue from the hand of the oppressor the one who has been robbed or my wrath will break out and burn like fire because of the evil you have done— burn with no one to quench it.” [3]

After that, Jeremiah took his message directly to the palace. He told his king, “This is what the Lord says: ‘Do what is just and right. Rescue from the hand of the oppressor the one who has been robbed. Do no wrong or violence to the foreigner, the fatherless or the widow, and do not shed innocent blood in this place.’” [4] In other words, if you want God to intervene and save you, you need to reform your ways and protect the most vulnerable people among you. Foreigners, widows, orphans! Don’t shed innocent blood means to stop killing babies. Life will be well for you if you change but a disaster if you do not. [5]

Jeremiah told his king, “Woe to him who builds his palace by unrighteousness, his upper rooms by injustice, making his own people work for nothing, not paying them for their labor.” [6] The king and his cohorts were exploiting the working class. God would not intervene to save them as long as they continued this policy.

He asked his king, “Does it make you a king to have more and more cedar wood? Did your father not have food and drink? He did what was right and just, so all went well with him. He defended the cause of the poor and needy, and so all went well. Is that not what it means to know me?” [7]

The tradition of the prophets is to confront those who are enjoying wealth at the expense of others to repent or to suffer losses on many levels. The good news is that God does offer a way out from the pending disaster. The way out is to humble oneself and to start protecting vulnerable people, start paying the workers their wages, and stop killing the babies.

[1] Jeremiah 21:1-6
[2] Jeremiah 21:8-10
[3] Jeremiah 21:12
[4] Jeremiah 22:3
[5] Jeremiah 22:4-5
[6] Jeremiah 22:13
[7] Jeremiah 22:15-16

Prophecy To The Religious Community

The Lord urged the religious community of Jerusalem not to trust in the religious building they had built. He wanted to see inward changes in them. To treat one another justly! To stop oppressing foreigners, the fatherless, and widows! To stop from shedding innocent blood (killing babies)! To forsake false gods! If they obeyed Him, He would save them from becoming refugees. [1]

The problem was that they were stealing, murdering, committing adultery, lying, worshiping false gods, coming into God’s house, and saying that He saved them so that they could keep on sinning. The Lord asked them, “Is this house, which is called by My Name, become a den of robbers in your eyes? [2] They were using God’s house as a safe house. They assumed that they could keep committing crimes as long as they attended religious gatherings.

The Lord told them to go to Shiloh where His presence once dwelt and see what happened to it. If they continued to do evil, their land would be destroyed just as Shiloh was. [3]

The Lord’s message to the religious community of Jeremiah’s day was to obey His voice, and He would be their God, and they would be His people. He commanded them to walk in His ways and it would be well with them. [4]

The Lord lamented over them, saying, “The stork in the heaven knows her appointed times; and the turtle and the crane and the swallow observe the time of their coming; but My people know not the judgment of the Lord.” [5] Birds recognize and take action when seasons change, but His people were too blind to notice that it was time to change.

Their prophets and priest said “Peace… peace” when there was no peace. [6] They did not want to be bothered with social injustice. The people said. “We looked for peace, but no good came; and for a time of health and behold trouble!” [7] The messages of their false prophets and backslidden priests sounded good but did not add up in the real world.

The people concluded, “The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved.” [8] The Lord’s response was, “For the hurt of the daughter of My people am I hurt; I am black; astonishment has taken hold on Me.” [9] God wept over the religious people’s futile ways. He knew that they would suffer dearly if they did not change directions, and they did.

[1] Jeremiah 7:4-7
[2] Jeremiah 7:9-11
[3] Jeremiah 7:12-14
[4] Jeremiah 7:23
[5] Jeremiah 8:7
[6] Jeremiah 8:10-11
[7] Jeremiah 8:15
[8] Jeremiah 8:20
[9] Jeremiah 8:21

Renewing Marriage Vows With God

Memories! Memories of the days when the Jews walked with Him as a bride walks with her bridegroom! They had strolled together. The Jews were the first fruits of His human harvest. He held anyone who touched them accountable. He struck down their enemies with disaster [1] Now, they were rejecting Him.

Why did His people stop loving Him? He asked them, “What unrighteousness have your fathers found in me, that they have gone far from me, and have walked after worthless vanity, and have become worthless?” [2] He had delivered them from slavers. They flourished under His faithful love. He brought them into a land of abundant food. They corrupted it. No gratitude! No love! No one asked, “Where is the Lord?”

When two people love each other, they want to be together. God wanted to be close with His people. They wanted to be far from Him. In fact, they wanted to live as though He did not exist. Can you imagine God’s embarrassment? They claimed to be His people and yet, they lived antagonistically towards Him. They lavished the adoration that was due to Him on others.

The Lord asked them to travel far and wide to see if there was ever a nation like theirs who exchanged the true God for worthless idols. He told the heavens, “Be astonished, heavens, at this and be horribly afraid. Be very desolate.” [3]

God lamented: “My people have committed two evils: they have forsaken Me, the spring of living waters, and cut out cisterns for themselves: broken cisterns that can’t hold water.” [4] God wanted to fill their cups until overflowing. [5] They betrayed Him for “husbands” who had nothing to give but pain and abuse.

God had a covenant relationship with the Jerusalemites. They made vows to be faithful to one another. At first, Jerusalem loved God as a bride loves her husband, but later betrayed Him.

God questioned her decision. He asked her, “What unrighteousness have your fathers found in Me.” [6] He was gracious to her. She was cruel to Him. She took His gifts and ran. She gave herself to those who did not love her. Why did she choose worthless idols? The idolaters of Egypt had abused her. Why did she spurn the living God for false gods?

The Lord said to her, “I remember for you the kindness of your youth, the love of your weddings; how you went after me in the wilderness, in a land that was not sown.” [7] She may have forgotten the love they once shared, but He did not.

Jeremiah pleaded with his people to return to God. Like Isaiah, Jeremiah was saying, “Hey! Come, everyone who thirsts, to the waters!” [8] The Lord quenches the thirst of souls.

Like Jeremiah, the Apostle Paul urged people to turn from idols to God. He pointed out that God made everything. He gives everyone life. He is not made of gold, silver, or stone. He is not the product of human design. God commands people to repent of such false notions. God has set a day on which He will judge the world with justice by His Son Jesus Christ. His truth-proof is the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. [9]

Jesus Christ is the chain breaker. He casts out defiling spirits. He puts to death the old man of sin and resurrects the new creation. He creates a hunger for holiness where once there was only an appetite for sin.

God deserves our first love. Jesus told the Christians in Ephesus, “I have this against you, that you left your first love. Remember therefore from where you have fallen, and repent and do the first works; or else I am coming to you swiftly and will remove your lamp stand out of its place, unless you repent.” [10]

“Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for loving us so much! Thank You for coming after us when we have departed in our hearts from You. Please fill us with Your Spirit of love that we may be able to love as You love. Help us to be faithful to our marriage vows to You. Thank You for helping us in this relationship to remain faithful and adoring to You. We look forward to marriage feast of the Lamb and His Bride. And we say, ‘Come Lord Jesus, come!’ In Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen.”


[1] Jeremiah 2:1-3 Reference
[2] Jeremiah 2:5
[3] Jeremiah 2:12
[4] Jeremiah 2:13
[5] Psalm 23:5 Reference
[6] Jeremiah 2:5
[7] Jeremiah 2:2
[8] Isaiah 55:1
[9] Acts 17:24-25, 29-31 Reference
[10] Revelation 2:4-5

Christ Stood up for Stephen

“Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. ‘Look,’ he said, ‘I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.’”

When Stephen stood up for Christ, Christ stood up from His throne in heaven.

“At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him, dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul.”

“While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, ‘Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.’ Then he fell on his knees and cried out, ‘Lord, do not hold this sin against them.’ When he had said this, he fell asleep.” [2]

This scene has been repeated innumerable times in innumerable ways since that day. “The world was not worthy of them.” [3] Heaven rejoices over them: “Then I heard a voice from heaven say, ‘Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on. Yes,’ says the Spirit, ‘they will rest from their labor, for their deeds will follow them.’” [4]

Christ stood up for Stephen.

[1] Acts 7:55-56
[2] Acts 7:57-60
[3] Hebrews 11:38
[4] Revelation 14:13

Zechariah’s Vision of Joshua

The Lord gave Zechariah a vision of Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at his right side to accuse him.

Praise God because the Lord said to Satan, “The Lord rebuke you, Satan! The Lord, who has chosen Jerusalem, rebuke you! Is not this man a burning stick snatched from the fire?”

Joshua was dressed in filthy clothes as he stood before the angel. The angel said to those who were standing before him, “Take off his filthy clothes.”

Then he said to Joshua, “See, I have taken away your sin, and I will put fine garments on you.”

The angel of the Lord said to Joshua, “‘Listen, High Priest Joshua, you and your associates seated before you, who are men symbolic of things to come: I am going to bring my servant, the Branch. See, the stone I have set in front of Joshua! There are seven eyes on that one stone, and I will engrave an inscription on it,’ says the Lord Almighty, ‘and I will remove the sin of this land in a single day. In that day each of you will invite your neighbor to sit under your vine and fig tree,’ declares the Lord Almighty.’”

Jesus is the New Testament pronunciation of Joshua. Jesus took our sins, our filth upon Himself, so that He could save us from our sins. Jesus is the Branch of the Lord spoke of by the prophet Isaiah. Jesus is the one who removed the sin of the land in a single day. In Christ, neighbors come together in fellowship. Christ is the Chosen One and Anointed One to save us from Satan’s accusations and filth.

I have attached pictures to further illustrate the work of Christ.

Growth Despite Opposition

Peter and John just healed a lame man in the Name of Jesus. The number of men who believed in Christ grew to about five thousand. “They [The religious leaders] were greatly disturbed because the apostles were teaching the people, proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead. They seized Peter and John and, because it was evening, they put them in jail until the next day.” [1]

The same guys who executed Jesus (Annas, Caiaphas, John, Alexander and others of the high priest’s family) began to interrogate Peter and John. [2]

The Holy Spirit filled Peter and he boldly declared in, “It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead that this man stands before you healed.” He added, “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” [3]

Here’s how the trial ended, “They commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John replied, ‘Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to him? You be the judges! As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.’ After further threats they let them go.” [4]

After being released, Peter and John went back to their own people and they raised their voices together in prayer to God. They concluded their prayer by saying, “Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable Your servants to speak Your word with great boldness. Stretch out your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” [5]

“They [those in the prayer meeting] were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.” “God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all.” [6]

There is One God and One Lord. Who is any government or person that he or she can silence God? God created and sustains the universe. Jesus Christ is Lord of all!

[1] Acts 3:6; 4:3-4
[2] Acts 4:5-6
[3] Acts 4:10, 12
[4] Acts 4:18-21
[5] Acts 4:29-30
[6] Acts 4:31, 33

Build Your Church Lord

On the day of Pentecost, Jews from every nation were gathered together in Jerusalem.

The Holy Spirit filled the disciples so that they began to speak in a tongue that people could understand. Peter preached the Gospel to them. When he was done, they asked him, “What shall we do?”

Peter replied, “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” [1]

Repent in the original language means to change one’s mind. Repent is what Abraham (the father of the Jewish faith) did. He left Babylon. He forsook the idols that his parents worshiped. Abraham believed God, and God counted his faith as righteousness. [2] True worship of God is to trust Him and act on His Word.

On the day of Pentecost, Peter’s listeners heard God speaking and replied, “What shall we do.” [3] Peter told them to repent and be baptized in the Name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins. Be immersed in Christ. Receive the Holy Spirit!

The word for “church” in the original language of the New Testament is ekklesia. It means to be a “called out.” Like Abraham and like Peter’s listeners, turn from false religions and erroneous teachings. Turn towards the true and living God.

The Christian faith is a calling-out from the world by God to inherit Christ and all that He offers us. Christianity is faith in Christ lived-out by the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit.

[1] Acts 2:37
[2] Genesis 15:6
[2] Acts 2:36

Elijah’s Ministry Strategy

An evil king ruled the nation. He ruined the country’s economy and security. He persecuted the faithful servants of the Lord. Does that sound familiar?

What was Elijah's ministry strategy?

Elijah committed himself to the Lord. He trusted in God no matter what the blasphemous fool on the throne said or did. When the Lord told him to confront the king, he did. He confronted the king with God’s Word not his own.

“Then the word of the Lord came to him (Elijah), saying, ‘Get away from here and turn eastward, and hide by the Brook Cherith which flows into the Jordan. And it will be that you shall drink from the brook, and I have commanded the ravens to feed you there.’ So he went and did according to the word of the Lord, for he went and stayed by the Brook Cherith which flows into the Jordan. The ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning, and bread and meat in the evening; and he drank from the brook.” [1]

Later, the Lord told him to challenge the king’s 700 false prophets to a contest. The Lord turned the tide on that evil king and his false prophets. By a miracle of the Lord, the king’s 700 false prophets were executed that day.

Elijah did not just talk about faith in God, he had it. When an evil leader ruled his country, Elijah’s ministry strategy was to listen to and act on God’s Word. The Lord brought forth the victory.

[1] 1 Kings 17:2-6

No to Torment Yes to Jesus

“’Let not your heart be troubled: you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. And where I go you know, and the way you know.’

Thomas said to him, ‘Lord, we know not where You go; and how can we know the way?’ Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man comes to the Father, but by Me.’” [1]

What a wonderful promise! Jesus has went to His Father’s house to prepare a place for us so that we may be with Him forever.

Last night, a dream brought me to my knees. Sherry woke up and prayed as well. We prayed for as many people as came to mind.

In the dream, I was in a carnival setting, but I did not want to be there. As I tried to leave, the carnival people kept throwing snakes and candy at me. These things attached themselves to me so that I had to rip them off. In the dream, I did not think to call on the Lord. I tried to leave the place of torment in my own strength but could not escape.

When I woke up, I felt the chill of evil in the room, so that is when I rolled out of bed and onto my knees to pray. Sherry did too. Praise the Lord, as we prayed, Jesus rebuked the evil one. Then, we prayed for our children, grandchildren, parents, siblings, congregational members, neighbors, spiritual leaders, our nation, and the people of the world. We prayed that none would end up in the place of torment where there is no escape and where it is too late to be saved by JESUS.

Jesus has given a wonderful promise to everyone who believes in Him: an eternity with Him in His Father’s house. Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life for everyone who believes.

“Lord Jesus, please help all who read this message to realize the value of Your great salvation, repent of sin, call upon Your Name, and follow You by living according to Your Word all their days.”

[1] John 14:1-6

Faith in the Hour that Tries by Fire

“Jesus... was troubled in spirit, and testified, and said, ‘Verily, verily, I say unto you, that one of you shall betray Me.’ Now there was leaning on Jesus’ bosom one of His disciples, whom Jesus loved. Simon Peter therefore beckoned to him, that he should ask who it should be of whom He spoke. He then lying on Jesus’ breast said to Him, ‘Lord, who is it?’ Jesus answered, ‘It is he to whom I shall give a sop, when I have dipped it.’ And when He had dipped the sop, He gave it to Judas Iscariot.” [1]

“When the host would dip his piece of bread into the dish, and then give the sop to someone, that was very, very significant. The host or master of the house would give the sop to the person to whom he wanted to show his greatest love and esteem. He did that by dipping into the common dish and then placing the sop in the person’s mouth. In doing that, he would show to all those present, and to the person receiving the sop, the love and honor he had for him.

Jesus knew that Judas was about to betray him. Yet, there he sat, quite possibly in a position of honor at the meal, and Jesus gave him the sop.” [2]

Jesus extended grace, honor, and love to Judas. Judas betrayed Jesus for thirty pieces of silver. He traded an eternity with God in paradise for earthly money that would only yield a momentary pleasure.

Jim Elliott once said, “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep, to gain that which he cannot lose.”

The eleven disciples who remained faithful to Jesus, though mistreated on earth, enjoy eternal feasting and joy unspeakable and full of glory with Christ in heaven.

“Lord Jesus, please pray for us that our faith will not fail in the hour that tries by fire. Please bring us to Your heavenly kingdom by keeping our faith in You strong.”

[1] John 13:21, 23-26
[2] Michael A. Verdicchio quote: confidenceandjoy.com

Our Loving Doting Heavenly Father

“The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; He will save, He will rejoice over thee with joy; He will rest in His love, He will joy over thee with singing.” [1]

Of all the wonderful experiences that our loving doting Heavenly Father has granted me, being a husband, father and grandfather are roles that evoke much joy, love and singing from me. I find myself singing about Sherry, my wife, almost daily. Once, I even converted the national anthem into a love song to her. I enjoy seeing her smile. When I hear from one of our children or grandchildren, my day brightens, especially when we FaceTime.

The Heavenly Father has redeemed my life from the pit of sin and despair and granted me the blessing of delighting in being a doting husband, father, and grandfather.

“Thank You Heavenly Father for filling my life with rejoicing! Thank You for Your love. Thank You for sharing Your songs with me.”

Praise be to God our Father for His great love for us. Jesus is the expressed image of God. [2] If we have seen Jesus in the Gospels, we have seen the Father. [3] Jesus is the image of the invisible God. [4]

Think of how Jesus His Son did not defend Himself when the people preferred the murderer Barabbas before Him. How could God rejoice with joy and singing over such people?

Jesus did not defend Himself against those who hated Him because He wanted to save them. If He defended Himself, He could not save Barabbas. The criminal Barabbas in the Passion Story represents the human race. We all have sinned and fallen short of God’s glory. [5] “There is none righteous, no not one.” [6] We deserved to be hated not rejoiced over, but the Lord died for our sins because He loves us and wants to save us.

Our Heavenly Father is a doting Father... He delights to sing over us with joy. His promise still stands forgiveness of sins and renewal in His image if we believe in His Son. Christ still pours the pure love of the Holy Spirit into us as we trust in Him. [7]

In the power of the Holy Spirit, we too can rejoice with joy over people as our Heavenly Father does, Jesus took on our nature so that we can experience His divine nature by His grace. The joy of our Loving Doting Heavenly Father! Amen! Alleluia!

[1] Zephaniah 3:17
[2] Hebrews 1:3
[3] John 14:9
[4] Colossians 1:15
[5] Romans 3:23
[6] Romans 3:10
[7] Romans 5:5

Righteousness, Peace, and Joy in the Holy Spirit

A man did a thorough search and documented his findings. He used a scientific approach to uncover which lifestyle is the most meaningful existence in a world filled with meaningless activity. He stated his conclusion at the end of his book…

“Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind. For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.” [1]

Why should we reverence God and uphold the commands He gave us? He’s our Creator and Sustainer! He is wiser than we are! He is more trustworthy than we are! His goal is to bring us into a wonderful existence with Him for all eternity.

“The kingdom of God is… righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.” [2]

[1] Ecclesiastes 12:13-14
[2] Romans 14:17

What Does the Holy Spirit Do?

Bible verses that reveal the Holy Spirit’s role in our lives.

He fills us with God’s with love (Romans 5:5)
He empowers us to worship God (John 4:23-24)

Rejected by Leaders but Anointed by God’s Spirit

“It came to pass on one of those days, as He (Jesus) was teaching the people in the temple, and proclaiming good news, the chief priests and the scribes, with the elders, came upon Him.” [1]

The religious leaders feared that the Roman government would close down their meeting places and put them out of jobs if the Jesus movement continued to grow. The fact of the matter is that after these leaders crucified Jesus, the Romans did destroy the religious institutions and gathering places of Jerusalem in 70 AD.

I remember a preacher telling a story about an on-fire-Christian being denied entrance into seminary. He was downcast afterwards. He wanted to learn the Word of God so he could win the world to Christ. As he walked away, Jesus came and walked aside him. Finally, Jesus asked him, “Why are you so downcast?” He replied, “Because the seminary would not let me in.” Jesus replied, “Don’t be too disappointed, I am Messiah, and they won’t let me in either.”

Religious leaders, don’t throw Jesus out of your congregations or student body! Invite the Holy Spirit to teach and proclaim Good News of Jesus to your people. Trust in God to deal with those who oppose Him. After all, He’s got the whole world in His hands.

[1] Luke 20:1

Cleave To & Profess Christ

The Church was initiated by God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. When any religious group, State, or Empire acts on the belief that it has the right to eliminate the Christian Church, it puts itself in direct conflict with the Lord of the Church: Jesus Christ. Jesus is the King of Kings and Lord of lords whose kingdom has no end.

Babylon was once a world power. Her king thought he could defy and ignore the living God until a hand appeared and wrote on the wall that his kingdom had been weighed by God and came up short. That very night Babylon was overthrown.

“You… Belshazzar, have not humbled your heart…. You have lifted yourself up against the Lord of heaven. You have been weighed in the balances and found wanting.” [1]

We are in a time of derision because so many kings and their people have risen up against God and His Anointed One (Christ). Political and religious upheavals are happening everywhere.

“Why do the nations rage, and the people plot a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord and against His Anointed, saying, ‘Let us break Their bonds in pieces and cast away Their cords from us.’ He who sits in the heavens shall laugh; the Lord shall hold them in derision.” [2]

It is time to cleave to and profess Christ as Lord. Be saved not lost!

The destiny of every human being is stated in the Bible…

“God has highly exalted Him and given Him the Name, which is above every name, that at the Name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” [3]

We may or may not have to stand before earthly authorities due to our professed beliefs, but every one of us will stand before God’s throne and give an account of what we believed and professed on earth.

[1] Daniel 5:22-23, 27
[2] Psalm 2:1-4
[3] Philippians 2:9-11

Victory Over Futility

“’Meaningless! Meaningless!’ says the Teacher. ‘Utterly meaningless, everything is meaningless.’” [1]

The Teacher tried to satisfy himself by gaining superior wisdom. He tried to satisfy himself with every kind of earthly pleasure. He tried to satisfy himself with his work. At the end of each phase, he came up empty handed and lamenting “meaningless.”

“To the person who pleases Him, God gives wisdom, knowledge, and happiness, but to the sinner He gives the task of gathering and storing up wealth to hand it over to the one who pleases God. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind.” [2]

I believe the Teacher found God’s strategy meaningless because God’s plan was not about gratifying his sinful self. God’s plan is that we unite with Him through faith in Jesus Christ and that with Jesus Christ we carry out God’s will on earth.

Who pleases God? Who experiences victory over futility?

“Everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world, only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.” [3]

Life does not have to be meaningless. Jesus Christ replaces futility with faith by filling us with His Spirit. By the power of the Holy Spirit, God can do things through us that otherwise He could not do. Jesus helps us to live victoriously.

[1] Ecclesiastes 1:2
[2] Ecclesiastes 2:26
[3] 1 John 5:4-5

Suffering For Righteousness’ Sake

“The Lord restored Job’s losses when he prayed for his friends. Indeed the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before.” [1]

The blood test result was Bar Epstein virus. Three months, four rounds of steroids, one round of antibiotic and still not better! The bright side of the trial was more time redeemed in prayer for my family members, relatives, friends, church members and for lost souls.

I’m twelve chapters deep into the seventh edit of a book that I have been working on for three years. I have learned during this trial that much of the Bible was written by authors in exile or prison. The Lord slows down His servants, so that we take time to reflect on and write down what He teaches us from His Word. “Thank You Jesus for pruning us so that we yield good fruit.”

Job was laboring for righteousness’ sake when the devil attacked him. His friends believed he was suffering because he sinned against God. Job knew that was not the case, but he did not know why the Lord allowed him to suffer. The Bible tells us that Job’s book was written for our sake, to encourage us that at the end of every trial, we will know just as Job did, that God is merciful and full of compassion. [2]

I enjoyed wonderful times of prayer during my season of hardship. Revelation from God’s Word! Spirit anointed worship! More empathy for others!

Job was a type of Christ. He suffered unjustly so that others could read of the Lord’s faithfulness to His servants. Job blessed the Name of the Lord when he lost his worldly wealth but agonized over the concern that he had lost God.

Remember when Jesus cried out from the cross, “My God, my God why have You forsaken Me.” [3] Christ was forsaken for our sake. But on the third day, Christ resurrected by the power of God and showed Himself to His disciples and to over 500 witnesses. He ate and drank with them for forty days before He ascended up on high. This same Jesus is coming back for all who love Him.

The Bible says, “Our light affliction, which is but for a moment, works for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.” [4]

“Holy Spirit, please anoint God’s servants who are suffering for righteousness’ sake. Please make the latter part of our lives more fruitful than the former, and may You get all the glory, for You alone are worthy! In the Name of the Lord Jesus, I pray. Amen. And by the way, thank You Lord Jesus in advance for healing me. As Your word says, “Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all.” [5]

[1] Job 42:10
[2] James 5:11
[3] Mark 15:34
[4] 2 Corinthians 4:17
[5] Psalm 34:19

The Holy Spirit with Fire Baptism

“He went into all the country around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.

The people were waiting expectantly and were all wondering in their hearts if John might possibly be the Messiah.

John answered them all, ‘I baptize you with water. But One who is more powerful than I will come, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.’” [1]

The baptism of repentance is about changing our perspective of who is Savior. Living in a particular geographical place or being of a particular race of people doesn’t save us. The Savior is not an elite religious group. He is not an imaginary comic book hero or a current political leader. He is Jesus Christ.

When we confess Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, He baptizes us with the Holy Spirit and fire. The Holy Spirit gives us the fruits of love, joy, and peace. He gives us grace-gifts which help us navigate through this dark world. He gives us an appetite for righteousness. He ignites in us love for God and love for neighbor.

The unholy trio of the devil, sin and death defile and destroy the human race. The Triune Father, Son and Holy Spirit saves us and renews us. All God’s fullness dwells in Christ. [2] God restores what was stolen and gives us eternal life as we trust in His Son Jesus Christ and receive His Holy Spirit.

[1] Luke 3:3, 15-16
[2] Colossians 2:9

Encouragement for the Lord’s Servants

After God removed His hedge of protection from around Job, Satan attacked and destroyed all his assets and killed ten children. [1]

Job’s response was totally amazing!

“He fell to the ground in worship and said: ‘Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the Name of the Lord be praised.’ In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing.” [2]

Job loved God. “Many waters cannot quench love; rivers cannot sweep it away. If one were to give all the wealth of one’s house for love, it would be utterly scorned.” [3] He wanted to keep on worshipping and loving God despite his losses. He did not want to end the relationship.

Then, Job’s three friends drew near to comfort him. However, when the pain of his losses sunk in, he began to curse the day he was born. Job’s three friends began to debate with him as to who was to fault for his losses. Their point was that God cannot be blamed because God is faultless, so therefore, Job must have done something wrong and that is why Job was being punished. [4]

There was a high school girl who had a “Job experience.” Hateful classmates hacked her social media page and posted accusatory lies on her Facebook page towards her friends. Her friends forsook her. Some beat her. Her Mom finally chose to move to new school district to protect her. Those who delighted in hurting her, started the same cycle again with her new classmates. She probably would have ended her life had two faithful friends not stepped in to defend her.

Thanks to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, I understand that good people, even the Son of God, are falsely accused and attacked. Satan hates those who love God and their neighbor. He wants to wipe off of the face of the earth. He wants to humiliate us in every way possible.

The good news is that the Lord confronted the three “friends” about their treatment of Job. He told them to ask Job to pray for them. Then, the Lord restored all that Job lost, twice over. [5]

The Good News about our Lord Jesus Christ is even though people falsely accused Him, tortured Him and crucified Him, God raised Him from the dead on the third day. When Jesus reappeared to His twelve disciples, He did not tell them to slay those who killed Him. He told them to speak of His forgiveness and love. He instructed them to tell the people everywhere how they could have eternal life with God if they only trusted in Him.

During a dialogue with an audience, Jesus framed the story of good versus evil in the following way: “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life and have it to the full.” The devil is a thief. Jesus Christ is the way, the truth, and the life. [6]

God says, “I will show love to a thousand generations of those who love Me and keep My commandments.” [7] Jesus said, “My Father will honor the one who serves Me.” [8] James the Apostle urged the Church, “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” [9] The Apostle Peter wrote, “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time. Cast all your cares on God because He cares for you.” “The God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will Himself restore you and make you strong, firm, and steadfast. To God be the power for ever and ever. Amen.” [10]

[1] Job 1:8-19
[2] Job 1:20-22
[3] Song of Songs 8:7
[4] Job 2:11; 3:1; 4:1-32:1
[5] Job 42:8-10
[6] John 10:10; 14:6
[7] Deuteronomy 5:10
[8] John 12:26
[9] James 4:7
[10] 1 Peter 5:6-7, 10-11