Christ Our Redeemer and Propitiator

“For there is no difference; for ALL HAVE SINNED and FALL SHORT of the glory of God, being justified freely by HIS GRACE through the redemption that is in CHRIST JESUS.” [1]

Redemption is the action of regaining or gaining possession of something in exchange for payment or clearing a debt. Jesus Christ redeemed us. He became like us, human, so that we could regain the image of God once again. Christ exchanged His life for ours. He took the sin of our human race upon Himself so that whosoever believes in Him, whosoever has their sin-debt paid by Him, is REDEEMED unto God, purchased back to God... becoming a child of God.

“[Jesus Christ] whom God set forth as a propitiation by HIS BLOOD…” [2]

Propitiation is the action of propitiating or appeasing God. It is the action of atoning or covering or removing the sin that displeased God. Faith in Jesus Christ, the Propitiator, is the only way to please God and to be acceptable to God.

The Bible states that there is no other Name [than Christ] by which people are eternally saved. [3]

Jesus Christ is our Redeemer and Propitiator. Jesus is the only way to the Father. It is by the gracious merits of Jesus Christ credited to us that we enjoy a welcome into God’s presence and blessings.

[1] Romans 3:23-24
[2] Romans 3:25
[3] Acts 4:12

Conversions by God's Spirit

“Can a leopard [change] its spots? Neither can you do good who are accustomed to doing evil.” [1]

Humanity is hopelessly bound to living a self-centered, self-pleasing life, contrary to God and under God’s condemnation, unless humanity (a human being) believes in Christ. God has ordained His Son to be the only liberator from the sinful nature. God has ordained that His Holy Spirit is only given to those who believe in Jesus Christ His Son.

Humanism is living according to the flesh.

A prideful human is contrary to God.

The Bible says, “If anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His.” God is the only One who gives us new life, divine life, through His Spirit.

“Those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh,
but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.
For to be carnally minded is death,
but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
Because the carnal mind is enmity against God;
for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be.
So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God.”

But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His.

But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.” [2]

Ever since Christ resurrected from the dead and ascended on high, He pours forth His Spirit on who all ask God’s forgiveness and believe in Him. Do you believe in Christ? If not, why wait?

The Lord says, “Come now, and let us reason together, though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” [3]

God’s forgiveness and Christ’s Holy Spirit yields transformation from the inside out. He removes our heart of stone and gives us a heart like His… full of love, joy, and peace.

[1] Jeremiah 13:23
[2] Romans 8:5-9, 11
[3] Isaiah 1:18

Praying for Others

Paul says the Holy Spirit helps us to pray. “...the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groans which cannot be uttered. Now, He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.” [1]

The Holy Spirit is an intercessor. If we want to pray for others, let the Holy Spirit empower and lead us. Paul says that He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

Dr. E. Stanley Jones wrote, “In prayer you align yourselves to the purpose and power of God and He is able to do things through you that He could not do otherwise.”

Richard C. Trench wrote, “Prayer is not getting man's will done in heaven but getting God's will done on earth. It is not overcoming God's reluctance but laying hold of God's willingness.”

Hans Von Staden wrote, “When man works man works, but when man prays, God works.”

Dwight L. Moody wrote, “Every great movement of God can be traced to a kneeling figure.”

[1] Romans 8:26

The Spirit of God

“The Spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life.” [1]

“He has put a new song in my mouth—
Praise to our God;
Many will see it and fear,
And will trust in the Lord.” [2]

The Holy Spirit is the breath of God. He fills with us with new songs of praise for our God. He is our Helper. He is our teacher. He reminds us of what our Lord Jesus Christ taught us. He helps us to trust God amidst the most adverse circumstances.

“The Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.” [3]

[1] Job 33:4
[2] Psalm 40:3
[3] John 14:26

Fountains of Living Water with God

The value of believing in Christ and maintaining our faith in Christ is not fully realized without the blessed assurance of a heavenly home with God when this life is over.

“These [the ones in white array] are the ones who come out of the great tribulation and washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore, they are before the throne of God, and serve Him day and night in His temple. And He who sits on the throne will dwell among them. They shall neither hunger anymore nor thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any heat; for the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne He will shepherd them and lead them to living fountains of waters, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.” [1]

No more hunger or thirst! What a wonder! Especially for the millions who are deprived of sufficient sustenance to survive in this world. “The sun shall not strike them, nor any heat.” What a blessing! Especially, for those who lived day after day in extreme temperatures. Such as those in refugee camps who lack air conditioning and fans.

The Lamb who was slain for the sins of humankind shall bring these who washed their garments in His blood to fountains of living water. They are refreshed. Their tears are wiped away by God.

They are before the greatest throne of all. The throne of God! God has turned their mourning into dancing, and He has clothed them with garments of joy. [2] Praise the Lord!

[1] Revelation 7:13-17
[2] Psalm 30:11

Testimony from the National Evangelism Seminar

“Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him. Even so, I will defend my own ways before Him. He also shall be my salvation, for a hypocrite could not come before Him. I know that I shall be vindicated. Who is he who will contend with me?” [1]

During our small group gathering, we each shared our salvation testimony. What surprised me was the commonality of content among us. There were four of us among the nine who had been brought up in religious homes where we tried to measure up to God and others in our own strength. That was impossible! We reaped deep despair!

Prior to being born again, we perceived God to be an angry overseer who was never happy with us. The enemy of our souls told us that the best option was to self-destruct. However, the real JESUS reached out to us and revealed Himself to be the source of true love, peace, comfort, and joy. Asking Jesus Christ to save us yielded the gift of blessed assurance... God loves us, wants us, and has secured an eternal home for us through faith in Jesus Christ His Son.

One person in our group said that the following Bible verses helped him to see the light, “For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” [2]

Now, thanks to Jesus, our lives are meaningful, enjoyable and producing good fruit in both our lives and in the lives of others.

[1] Job 13:15-16, 18-19
[2] Romans 5:6-8

Loving God

Short biographies of the kings of Judah and Israel are found in the 112 chapters of the books of Kings and Chronicles in the Bible. The outcomes of their lives are measured by devotion to God and by service rendered to His people. Four of forty-two kings of Judah and Israel are said to have had a heart after God. The first commandment is to love God.

"My servant David kept My commandments and followed Me with all his heart, to do only what was right in My eyes." [1]

"There was no king like him [Hezekiah], who turned to the Lord with all his heart, with all his soul, and with all his might, according to all the Law of Moses; nor after him did any arise like him." [2]

"Jehoshaphat sought the Lord with all his heart.” [3]

"Then the king [Josiah] stood in his place and made a covenant before the Lord, to follow the Lord, and to keep His commandments and His testimonies and His statutes with all his heart and all his soul..." [4]

Sin separates us from God, so let us pray as David did...

"Who can understand his errors?

Cleanse me from secret faults.

Keep back Your servant also from presumptuous sins;

Let them not have dominion over me.

Then I shall be blameless,

And I shall be innocent of great transgression.

Let the words of my mouth,

and the meditation of my heart

Be acceptable in Your sight,

O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer." [5]

Truly, the best life is a life of love for God and people. 

"Dear Lord Jesus, please fill our hearts with love for YOU. Anoint us and fill us with YOUR precious HOLY SPIRIT."

[1] 1 Kings 14:8
[2] 2 Kings 23:25
[3] 2 Chronicles 22:9
[4] 2 Chronicles 34:31
[5] Psalm 19:12-14

Create in Us Clean Hearts O God

There is so much time, talent and treasure spent focusing on human politicians and legislators, but what our country really needs is a populace whose heart has been changed by the power of God’s Holy Spirit.

Legislation in the USA has become as wind. It blows in the direction of whoever has the power at the time. What has it done for Americans?

We need a great awakening where people turn their hearts to God as the only answer to human need and say, “Heavenly Father, forgive us for the sins by which we crucified Your Son Jesus Christ. You have been gracious to us. We have been evil towards You. We have failed the first and foremost commandment which is to LOVE You God, and the second one to love our neighbors.”

Repentance unto life is based on love for God and others, “Forgive us Lord Jesus, for what we have done to You and to the people who You created in Your image. Please change our hearts O God! Please make us more like You.”

May we all pray as David prayed in Psalm 51:10-12, “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from Your presence, take not Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of Your salvation and uphold me by Your generous Spirit.”

“Holy Spirit, please speak to hearts today and call us to repentance of sin and to faith in Jesus Christ our Lord. For it is in the Name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.”

Lobbyist Pays Government 375 tons of Silver to Destroy God’s People

His rationale: 1) They don’t follow cultural trends, 2) They are civilly disobedient, 3) It is not in the government’s best interest to tolerate them

“Then Haman said to King Xerxes, ‘There is a certain people dispersed among the peoples in all the provinces of your kingdom who keep themselves separate. Their customs are different from those of all other people, and they do not obey the king’s laws; it is not in the king’s best interest to tolerate them. If it pleases the king, let a decree be issued to destroy them, and I will give ten thousand talents [375 tons] of silver to the king’s administrators for the royal treasury.’” [1]

What did God’s people do?

They wept, fasted, and prayed. God worked everything out so that on the day appointed for their destruction, they were not destroyed. The lobbyist was, however, executed.

“Whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?” [2]

Let us pray for believers in the God of the Bible who are holding to their faith in Christ despite governmental persecution.

[1] Esther 3:8-9
[2] 1 John 5:4-5

Blessed Are The Meek

“The Lord takes pleasure in His people; He will beautify the meek with salvation.” “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.” [1]

“During a conflict, when we are unable to control or influence circumstances, our response may include frustration, bitterness, anger, and/ or withdrawal. But if we rely on the Holy Spirit, we can accept God’s ability to make our out-of-control circumstances work out for our good, and for the good of those around us. When exercising meekness, we may appear outwardly weak to others but in truth be inwardly resilient and strong. Sometimes we are placed in a position of weakness where we must persevere by dependence on God. The use of the Greek word ‘meek’ when applied to animals means ‘tame.’ In other words, such animals have not lost their strength but have learned to control the destructive instincts that prevent them from living in harmony with others.” [2]

“Lord Jesus, please keep us meek when meek is the last thing we want to be. Give us the wisdom to make the right choice in every circumstance. For Your glory and the blessing of those around us, I pray, in Your Name Jesus. Amen.”

[1] Psalm 149:4; Matthew 5:5
[2] Abridged: “Dictionaries – Baker’s Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology – Meekness”

Perfected Forever by Jesus Christ

Never feeling good enough… never feeling approved… always feeling guilt and shame is a miserable place to be. That is why the Gospel is such Good News. Jesus Christ with one sacrifice wiped out the sins of everyone who believes in and confesses Him. God does not remember our sins when we trust in Christ as our Savior and Lord.

No matter what we have done, no matter who we are, we can come boldly to the Holiest place, before God our Creator, and receive HIS help and HIS life to flow through us. Praise the Lord!

“…After He [Jesus Christ] had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God, for by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified. He adds, ‘Their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more.’

Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, …let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day [of the Lord] approaching.”

Hebrews 10:12, 14, 17, 19, 24-25

Make God’s Praise Glorious!

God is our Creator and Sustainer.

He saves us from the evil one and from our sin.

Let all who know and believe in Him praise His Holy Name!

“He [Hezekiah] stationed the Levites in the house of the Lord with cymbals, with stringed instruments, and with harps, according to the commandment of David, of Gad the king’s seer, and of Nathan the prophet; for thus was the commandment of the Lord by His prophets.” [1]

King and prophets have endorsed worship music to the Lord!

The Levites stood with the instruments of David, and the priests with the trumpets. [2]

“…And when the burnt offering began, the song of the Lord also began, with the trumpets and with the instruments of David king of Israel.” [3]

“So, all the assembly worshiped, the singers sang, and the trumpeters sounded; all this continued until the burnt offering was finished. And when they had finished offering, the king and all who were present with him bowed and worshiped. Moreover, King Hezekiah and the leaders commanded the Levites to sing praise to the Lord with the words of David and of Asaph the seer. So, they sang praises with gladness, and they bowed their heads and worshiped.” [4]

“So, there was great joy in Jerusalem, for since the time of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel, there had been nothing like this in Jerusalem. Then the priests, the Levites, arose and blessed the people, and their voice was heard; and their prayer came up to His holy dwelling place, to heaven.” [5]

One of the primary objectives of God’s people is to encourage and make way for people to worship the Lord with music and singing.

I love to praise and worship our Lord Jesus Christ with His people in His house.

[1] 2 Chronicles 29:25 
[2] 2 Chronicles 29:26 
[3] 2 Chronicles 29:27 
[4] 2 Chronicles 29:28-30 
[5] 2 Chronicles 30:26-27

Relying on the Lord for Salvation

Once upon a time, a King of Judah named Amaziah hired 100,000 mighty men of valor from Israel for 100 talents of silver [$170,000 or $17 per man]. But after he did this, a man of God came to him, and said, “O king, do not let the army of Israel go with you, for the Lord is not with Israel.” Amaziah then asked the man of God, “But what shall we do about the 100 talents which I have given to the troops of Israel?” The man of God answered him, ‘The Lord is able to give you much more than this.’” He listened to the man of God. The battle was won. [1]

The Lord graciously helps us when we trust in Him for salvation. He is our Savior! Saving is what He does.

Truly, our Lord Jesus Christ saves to the uttermost all who come to God through Him.

“He [Jesus] is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.” [2]

[1] 2 Chronicles 25:6-7, 8-9, 11
[2] Hebrews 7:25

Daring to Speak FOR God when Speaking AGAINST God is Trending

Zechariah is a not-so celebrated Bible hero. His father saved a king. That king executed Zechariah. Why? He dared to speak FOR GOD when speaking against God was trending.

“He [the Lord] sent prophets to them, to bring them back to the Lord; and they testified against them, but they would not listen.

Then the Spirit of God came upon Zechariah the son of Jehoiada the priest, who stood above the people, and said to them, ‘Thus says God: Why do you transgress the commandments of the Lord, so that you cannot prosper? Because you have forsaken the Lord, He also has forsaken you.’

So, they conspired against him [Zechariah], and at the command of the king they stoned him with stones in the court of the house of the Lord. Thus, Joash the king did not remember the kindness which Jehoiada his [Zechariah’s] father had done to him, but killed his son; and as he died, he said, ‘The Lord look on it, and repay!’” [1]

The kindness Jehoida had shown Joash was that he saved Joash from being killed by his mother Queen Athaliah. Jehoida hid Joash for seven years. He raised him for seven years and ensured that he was enthroned as king after his mother was executed.

The Lord repaid Joash for his iniquity (unequal treatment) against Jehoida and his son Zechariah. During the very next spring, the Syrian army came against him with a small company of men and defeated Joash’s much greater army – why? – because Joash had led his people to abandon the Lord. Not only that, but Joash was wounded during the battle, and later assassinated while in lying on a bed in a recovery room. [2]

Zechariah is undoubtedly enjoying a heavenly time with his Creator and Redeemer.

“Lord, please turn people back to You. Help me and Your people to speak FOR YOU even when speaking against You is trending.”

[1] 2 Chronicles 24:19-22
[2] 2 Chronicles 24:23-25

Wise Men Still Worship Jesus

The three wise men chose to worship a baby born to a poor couple than a king who had soldiers to do his bidding. They chose to travel a far distance to worship Jesus rather than stay at home. They chose to bring Jesus gifts rather than spend money on themselves. Wise men (and women) still worship Jesus.

King Jehoshaphat also chose to worship the Lord and to rely on his singers of praise more than on his soldiers. The Lord worked a mighty miracle for Jehoshaphat and his people as they simply praised and honored the Lord.

Be assured that worshiping the Lord with His people is the wise thing to do. The Lord gives victories to those who worship and honor Him.

“Jehoshaphat stood and said, ‘Hear me, O Judah and you inhabitants of Jerusalem: Believe in the Lord your God, and you shall be established; believe His prophets, and you shall prosper.’ And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed those who should sing to the Lord, and who should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army and were saying:

‘Praise the Lord, for His mercy endures forever.’

Now when they began to sing and to praise, the Lord set ambushes against the people of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah; and they were defeated.

So, when Judah came to a place overlooking the wilderness, they looked toward the multitude; and there were their dead bodies, fallen on the earth. No one had escaped.

When Jehoshaphat and his people came to take away their spoil, they found among them an abundance of valuables on the dead bodies, and precious jewelry, which they stripped off for themselves, more than they could carry away; and they were three days gathering the spoil because there was so much.

And on the fourth day they assembled in the Valley of Berachah, for there they blessed the Lord; therefore, the name of that place was called The Valley of Berachah until this day.

Then they returned, every man of Judah and Jerusalem, with Jehoshaphat in front of them, to go back to Jerusalem with joy, for the Lord had made them rejoice over their enemies.

So, they came to Jerusalem, with stringed instruments and harps and trumpets, to the house of the Lord.

And the fear of God was on all the kingdoms of those countries when they heard that the Lord had fought against the enemies of Israel. Then the realm of Jehoshaphat was quiet, for his God gave him rest all around.” [1]

[1] 2 Chronicles 20:20-22, 24-30

Paying a Price to Speak for God

I remember the first time that I received an honorarium for speaking at a church. I was surprised. I was thankful that a church would even let me stand in their pulpit and talk about God.

Recently, I was enjoying fellowship with another pastor, and we were talking about the state of our nation and the state of Christian witnessing in the USA. He made a joke about non-prophet organizations. That is, Christian organizations and churches that lack prophetic luster.

Micaiah spoke what God told him to speak and paid a price for it. He spoke the truth to an evil king. As a result that king ordered Micaiah to be incarcerated and to be fed with the bread and water of affliction.

“Jehoshaphat said, ‘Is there not still a prophet of the Lord here, that we may inquire of Him?’ So the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, ‘There is still one man by whom we may inquire of the Lord; but I hate him, because he never prophesies good concerning me, but always evil. He is Micaiah the son of Imla.’ And Jehoshaphat said, ‘Let not the king say such things!’” [1]

If ever there was a time that our nation needed to hear from the LORD, it is NOW.

“Holy Spirit of God, please help us to speak God’s Word with anointing and prophetic precision. Please make us bold to speak, like Micaiah, so whatever needs to be said is said even if we have to pay a price for it. This we pray in the Name of the Son of God, Jesus Christ. Amen!”

[1] 2 Chronicles 18:6-7

Persevere! Satan Fails! Christ Wins!

“How you are fallen from heaven,
O Lucifer, son of the morning!
How you are cut down to the ground,
You who weakened the nations!
For you have said in your heart:
‘I will ascend into heaven,
I will exalt my throne above the stars of God;
I will also sit on the mount of the congregation
On the farthest sides of the north.’” [1]

Lucifer was once an angel in the congregation of heaven. He wanted to take the head pastor’s place, namely Christ’s. His goal has not changed.

Paul wrote to the Thessalonian Christians…

“The son of perdition opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.” [2]

The devil wants to be God. He wants to fill God’s house with impostors who do his bidding. Impostors who will force out the true believers!

Jesus addressed a situation like this that was happening among the Christians in Philadelphia:

“Indeed, I will make those of the synagogue of Satan, who say they are Jews and are not, but lie—indeed I will make them come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you. Because you have kept My command to persevere...” [3]

Satan had placed impostors among the Christians in Philadelphia. The impostors tried to convince the Philadelphians that Jesus did not love them. In due season, Jesus compelled the impostors to acknowledge that He loved the Philadelphians.

Brothers and sisters, persevere!

One day, people will see the devil for who he really is and ask, “Is this the man who made the earth tremble, who shook kingdoms?” [4] He is no match for Christ or Christ’s followers. He fails! Christ wins!

[1] Isaiah 14:12-13
[2] 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4
[3] Revelation 3:9-10
[4] Isaiah 14:16

Everlasting Life

Do you believe in the Heavenly Father who sent His Son Jesus Christ to save you from your sins and to give you everlasting life?

If so, you shall not come into judgment when you die. You have passed from death into eternal life.

If you have not believed in the Father who sent His Son, ask the Lord Jesus Christ to forgive your sins, and confess to Him that you believe in Him, and that you want Him to save you.

Salvation is a gift. You receive the gift of salvation from the Lord Jesus Christ by praying to and believing in Him. He is your Savior.

“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him [the Father] who sent Me [the Son - Jesus Christ] has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life.” John 5:24

Humiliation that Blossomed into Joy

“The Scripture which he [the Ethiopian] read was this:

‘He was led as a sheep to the slaughter;
And as a lamb before its shearer is silent,
So He opened not His mouth.
In His humiliation His justice was taken away,
And who will declare His generation?
For His life is taken from the earth.’

‘I ask you [Philip], of whom does the prophet say this, of himself or of some other man?’ Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning at this Scripture, preached Jesus to him.” [1]

Led to the slaughter...
Silent
Humiliated
Deprived of justice
Martyred
From this scenario, Philip preached Jesus.

How many of us are willing to be humiliated, be deprived of justice, be martyred, and remain silent? But what does the Scripture say?

“Looking unto Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” [2]

Jesus foresaw the coming joy even while on the cross. His joy is souls like you and me saved for eternity. He brought us to His Father and made us sons and daughters. We will soon be in heaven together with all who have come to faith in God because of what our Lord Jesus Christ has done for us. Hallelujah!

[1] Acts 8:32-35
[2] Hebrews 12:2

Lord You Amaze Me

“And they were greatly amazed in themselves beyond measure, and marveled.” [1]

“As a teen, You Lord brought me to the Book of Jeremiah. You gave me the model of man who sought to turn His nation back to God by speaking Your Word.

At twenty-one, You brought me to the Books of Kings. You moved me through these narratives to cleanse my “land” (my life) of TV shows, music and literature that did not exalt You, and to be wholly given over to You.

At fifty-eight, you revealed to me that Jeremiah is the author of the Kings. He emphasized Your work to halt his nation’s apostasy. You did not want people to turn from You and suffer losses. You are the Prophet, Priest, and King that our nations need to prosper!

I trust You Lord to work through me by Your Spirit so that I am a faithful voice for You. Please continue to call a distant humanity back to closeness with You through my life.

You Lord Amaze me!”

[1] Mark 6:51

A Choice To Make

Pilate set Barabbas and Jesus before the religious leaders and their followers. Never mind justice! Let the lynch mob decide! The people were stirred up against Jesus. Jesus had healed their sick. He had fed their hungry. He had told them about the Kingdom of God. Barabbas, on the other hand, stood for violence and rebellion. Barabbas was the devil incarnate. Who would the people choose?

Pilate asked them, “Do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?”

Pilate knew that the chief priests had betrayed Jesus out of envy.

Pilate asked them, “What then do you want me to do with Him whom you call the King of the Jews?”

They cried out again, “Crucify Him!”

Pilate asked them, “Why, what evil has He done?”

They cried out all-the-more, “Crucify Him!”

“So, Pilate, wanting to please the crowd, released Barabbas to them; and he delivered Jesus, after he had scourged Him, to be crucified.” [1]

Barabbas and the collective consensus of the crowd or Jesus?

The Apostle Paul was in prison for the Christian faith when he wrote, “But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ.” [2]

Paul wanted to “know Christ and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death.” For what? So, he could take part in Christ’s resurrection. [3]

The resurrection from the dead to an eternal heavenly reward is of much more value than having governmental and crowd approval.

“Holy Spirit, please empower us to be witnesses for Christ regardless of the suffering that we may experience. Please don’t ever let the shouts of pain in our ears ever become louder than the choruses of hallelujahs from heaven’s distant shores. In Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen.”

[1] Mark 15:6-10
[2] Philippians 3:7-8
[3] Philippians 3:10-11

Rejoicing In The Lord

God’s presence among His people is His witness to the world.

“May the Lord our God be with us, as He was with our fathers. May He not leave us nor forsake us, that all the peoples of the earth may know that the Lord is God; there is no other.” [1]

The Lord beautifies His people with grace.

“The Lord takes pleasure in His people; He will beautify the humble with salvation.” [2]

Our response is to speak to others about the lover of our souls: Jesus Christ.

“What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is preached; and in this I rejoice, yes, and will rejoice.” [3]

[1] 1 Kings 8:57, 60
[2] Psalm 149:4
[3] Philippians 1:18

Joy In The Holy Spirit

“The Spirit helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.” [1]

“The kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.” [2]

“The fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth.” [3]

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” [4]

“Happy are the people whose God is the Lord!” [5]

[1] Romans 8:26
[2] Romans 14:17
[3] Ephesians 5:9
[4] Romans 15:13
[5] Psalm 144:15

Walking In The Spirit

“You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace. For we through the Spirit eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.” [1]

Don’t try to serve God in your own strength. Eagerly wait for the hope of God’s righteousness being brought to light to those around you by the Holy Spirit. By faith – trust in God to show up.

I say then: walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish.” [2]

The key to walking as Jesus walked is to be filled and overflowing with the Holy Spirit. Even Jesus testified to His hometown folks that was God’s Spirit that anointed Him to do the works of God. [3] Jesus casted out evil spirits by the Spirit of God. [4]

“And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.” [5]

We don’t want to go around flexing our muscles like some kind of victorious sports figure. Pride leads to a fall. We want to be humble. God gives grace to the humble. [6] We want to walk in a demonstration of power by the Holy Spirit.

[1] Galatians 5:4-5
[2] Galatians 5:16-17
[3] Luke 4:18
[4] Matthew 12:27
[5] Galatians 5:24-25
[6] 1 Peter 5:5

Heirs of God through Faith in Christ

“Abraham ‘believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.’

Therefore, know that only those who are of faith are sons of Abraham.

So, then those who are of faith are blessed with believing Abraham.

‘The just shall live by faith.’

We receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

The law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith.

For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.

And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.” [1]

Faith in God is the link between us and Him. The law points to our need to receive righteousness from God to be in a right standing with God. All that came before Christ was to prepare for us His arrival, and then, to be heirs of His heavenly kingdom.

[1] Galatians 3:6-7,9 11, 14, 24, 26, 29

Tamrat’s Life was Transformed by Jesus

Tamrat was a guerrilla fighter for the communist party in Ethiopia. He ended up in prison. He tried to end his life twice. Jesus appeared to him while he was in prison. He felt his life was worthless, but then, the Son of God, appeared to him and asked him to follow Him. Jesus appeared to Tamrat a second time and that is when he acknowledged Christ as his Lord and Savior.

After Christ converted him, he received his first Bible. He was told to start his Bible reading adventure with the Gospel of John, but he opened his Bible and the read the first verse his eyes fell upon, and that verse was Psalm 119:67: “Before I was afflicted, I went astray, but now I keep Your word.”

The Lord has taken Tamrat to 32 states and over 40 countries since his conversion. His life was transformed by Jesus.

The Divinity of Christ and His Saving Grace

In his letter to the Christians in Galatia, Paul wrote that his apostleship was not from or through man but through Jesus Christ and God the Father. Thus, he placed Christ on equal status with God the Father. “Paul, an apostle (not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father who raised Him from the dead)” [1]

He named Christ as Deliver when he wrote, “Christ gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil age...” [2]

He declared Christ divine when he wrote, “The Gospel which was preached by me is not according to man. For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through the revelation of Jesus Christ.” [3]

Jesus Christ is more than a man. He is the Son of God. He is Emmanuel. God with us!

Christ revealed Himself to Paul for the sake of saving him from his sins and to call Paul to be his ambassador to the world. Paul wrote…

“For you have heard of my former conduct in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God beyond measure and tried to destroy it. But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb and called me through His grace, to reveal His Son in me, that I might preach Him among the Gentiles…” [4]

Paul was against Christ and Christians, that is, until Christ revealed Himself to Paul. After that divine encounter, Paul, a Hebrew of Hebrews, preached the Gospel to the Gentiles (the non-Jews). He was a different man with a different purpose.

People were saying, “He who formerly persecuted us now preaches the faith which he once tried to destroy.” [5]

I praise God for His grace. Christ is still revealing Himself to unworthy sinners and calling us to be His messengers today. To God be the glory!

[1] Galatians 1:1
[2] Galatians 1:4
[3] Galatians 1:11-12
[4] Galatians 1:13-16
[5] Galatians 1:23

The Difficult but Divine Mission

“I [Jesus] say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so? Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.” [1]

It goes against the grain of human nature to love people who curse you, hate you, spitefully use you and persecute you. A hurtful word and a nasty betrayal can cause much agony in a good person's heart. How can any human love someone who purposely tries to hurt them?

Recently, I have been reading about David in the Bible. God called David a man after his own heart. David treated his enemy Saul well. Saul believed and propagated false accusations against David. He had his 3,000 best soldiers searching to destroy David. On two occasions, David had opportunities to kill Saul, but abstained from doing so. In this regard, David was perfect like his Father in heaven. Even after Saul died in battle, David spoke well of him. This is where David demonstrated his love for God, not any god, but the God whose Son died on the cross for evil people. David’s treatment of Saul was God’s sunshine and God’s rain on an unjust and evil man.

As we pursue life, liberty, and happiness, let’s ask the Holy Spirit to help us exude Christlikeness in a world that is unlike Christ. Christ will help us. Lives will be transformed! Including our own! To God be the glory!

[1] Matthew 5:44-48

Love & Forgiveness

David heard that the Philistines were attacking and robbing the people of Keilah. He asked the Lord, “Shall I go and attack these Philistines?” The Lord said to him, “Go and attack the Philistines, and save Keilah.” [1]

David and his men struck the Philistines with a mighty blow and saved the people of Keilah. [2]

After that, David heard that King Saul was coming to attack him. So, he asked the Lord, “Will the men of Keilah deliver me into his hand?” The Lord replied, “They will deliver [betray] you.” [3]

They were ready to betray David after he delivered them from their enemies. How did he feel about that? Was he bitter? Was he angry?

Well, thanks to the Lord, he escaped from Saul.

Saul and his army continued to pursue David.

The Lord sent Jonathan, Saul’s son, to find David and strengthen him in God. Jonathan said to David, “Do not fear, for the hand of Saul my father shall not find you.” [4]

Saul had 3,000 elite soldiers searching to destroy David. But what happened next? Saul went into a cave to relieve himself. David and his men were hiding in the recesses of that [big] cave. David’s men urged him to kill Saul, but David only stealthily cut off a corner of Saul’s robe. [5]

After Saul left the cave and was a healthy distance away, David called out to him and said, “The Lord delivered you today into my hand… someone urged me to kill you. But my eye spared you. …See that there is neither evil nor rebellion in my hand, and I have not sinned against you. Yet you hunt my life to take it. …Therefore, let the Lord be judge, and judge between you and me, and see and plead my case, and deliver me out of your hand.”

Saul wept. He said to David: “You are more righteous than I; for you have rewarded me with good, whereas I have rewarded you with evil. …The Lord delivered me into your hand, you did not kill me. …May the Lord reward you with good for what you have done to me this day.

Saul went home. David and his men went up to the stronghold. [6]

After reading this story, I thought of how Judas Iscariot betrayed Jesus Christ. Jesus even urged Judas, saying to him, “What you do, do quickly.” [7] Jesus knew that God His Father would show the world through something so evil as betrayal, something so evil as the death of an innocent man, that He was indeed God’s Son… The Savior of the world.

Jesus set for us an example of loving His enemies and praying for them. While on the cross, He prayed, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” [8]

“Lord Jesus, please empower us by Your Spirit to forgive and love people always.”

[1] 1 Samuel 23:1-2
[2] 1 Samuel 23:5
[3] 1 Samuel 23:10-12
[4] 1 Samuel 23:16
[5] 1 Samuel 24:1-5
[6] 1 Samuel 24:16-22
[7] John 13:27
[8] Luke 23:34

Deliver Us From Evil

I had a dream this morning. I was telling a bank teller of Chinese descent about Jesus. He listened and believed. Then, he asked me, “What’s the difference between America [persecution of Christians] and China?” Before I could answer him, the sound of gunfire rang out. He was shot and killed. A gunman was being demonically directed to kill Christians. I had to take cover and ask the Lord to divinely intervene. That was where my dream ended. Thankfully, he believed in Christ before he died.

The killing of Christians happens both in China and America. Although the US government is not currently targeting Christians for extermination, we do have people in the US who enter churches and Christian schools for the purpose of mass killing Christians.

Once, evil King Saul massacred a village of priests. “Then the king said to the guards who stood about him, ‘Turn and kill the priests of the Lord, because their hand also is with David, and because they knew when he fled and did not tell it to me.’ But the servants of the king would not lift their hands to strike the priests of the Lord. And the king said to Doeg, ‘You turn and kill the priests!’ So Doeg the Edomite turned and struck the priests, and killed on that day eighty-five men who wore a linen ephod. Also, Nob, the city of the priests, he struck with the edge of the sword, both men and women, children and nursing infants, oxen, donkeys, and sheep—with the edge of the sword.” [1]

King Saul was demonically directed to have 85 priests and their families executed.

They are eternally with the Lord now.

As I considered the devil’s war on Christians, the following Bible verse came to mind:

“And they overcame him [that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan] by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.” [2]

“Holy Spirit, please lead us away from evil, and if evil should come upon us suddenly, please grant us the courage to be witnesses for Jesus in that moment. In Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen.”

[1] 1 Samuel 22:17-19
[2] Revelation 12:11

The Oil of Joy for Mourning

A woman named Hannah had a rival who provoked her severely, to make her miserable, because she was barren. Year after year, her rival provoked Hannah to tears. Her husband tried to cheer her up by saying, “Hannah, why do you weep? Why do you not eat? And why is your heart grieved? Am I not better to you than ten sons?” [1]

A priest once mistook her sorrow for drunkenness. She told him, “I am a woman of sorrowful spirit. I have drunk neither wine nor intoxicating drink but have poured out my soul before the Lord." [2]

The priest said to her, “Go in peace, and the God of Israel grant your petition which you have asked of Him.” [3]

In the process of time, Hannah bore a son. She called his name Samuel, saying, “Because I have asked for him from the Lord.” [4]

Hannah praised God, saying, “No one is holy like the Lord, for there is none besides You, nor is there any rock like our God.” [5]

And the Lord visited Hannah so that she bore three sons and two daughters. Meanwhile the child Samuel grew before the Lord. [6]

Don’t give up on the brink of a miracle. Hold onto God. “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.” [7]

[1] 1 Samuel 1:7-8
[2] 1 Samuel 1:15
[3] 1 Samuel 1:17
[4] 1 Samuel 1:20
[5] 1 Samuel 2:2
[6] 1 Samuel 2:21
[7] 1 Corinthians 2:9

The Garment of Praise for the Spirit of Heaviness

A woman named Naomi, her husband and two sons relocated to another country due to a lack of food in her land. Naomi's two sons married natives of that nation. Then, her husband died. Then, her two sons died. Displaced, widowed, and bereaved of her sons, Naomi decided to move back to her hometown.

One of Naomi’s daughters-in-law, Ruth, chose to stay with her and even converted to faith in her God. Ruth worked hard to support herself and Naomi. She caught the eye of a man named Boaz. He married her. They had a son named Obed.

The women of Naomi's town said to her, “May he (your first grandson) be to you a restorer of life and a nourisher of your old age; for your daughter-in-law, who loves you, who is better to you than seven sons, has borne him.” [2]

“The neighbor women gave him [the baby] a name, saying, 'There is a son born to Naomi.’ And they called his name Obed. He is the father of Jesse, the father of David.” [3]

I have not experienced all the losses that Naomi did, but I have experienced the blessing of becoming a grandfather. I cannot think of any better expression to describe the feeling than what Naomi’s neighbors said to her. God uses grandchildren to restore life and nourishment to me. I am also grateful to God for the children-in-love that He has given me.

Incidentally, Naomi’s grandson became the grandfather of a boy named David. That boy went onto to become the king of Israel. David wrote the majority of the Psalms in the Bible. David appointed three men named Heman, Asaph and Jeduthun to make the worship of God flourish in his nation. These three men had 24 sons between them who led worship. [4] Thanks to God, Naomi’s legacy included numerous worship leaders. Thanks to God, her life ended on a good note.

Our Heavenly Father gave Naomi the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness. [4]

[1] Ruth 4:15
[2] Ruth 4:17
[3] 1 Chronicles 25:1-7
[4] Isaiah 61:3

The Power of Christ revealed in Paul

“In all things we commend ourselves as ministers of God:

In much patience,

In tribulations,

In needs,

in distresses,

In stripes,

In imprisonments,

In tumults,

In labors,

In sleeplessness,

In fasting;

By purity,

By knowledge,

By long-suffering,

By kindness,

By the Holy Spirit,

By sincere love,

By the word of truth,

By the power of God,

By armor of righteousness on the right and on the left,

By honor and dishonor,

By evil report and good report;

As deceivers,

And yet true;

As unknown, and yet well known;

As dying, and behold we live;

As chastened, and yet not killed;

As sorrowful, yet always rejoicing;

As poor, yet making many rich;

As having nothing, and yet possessing all things.”

[1]

That is quite a resumé!

Christ and His servant Paul loved people even when it hurt.

[1] 2 Corinthians 6:4-10

Waiting For Guidance From the Lord

In Jephthah’s days, his people were not walking with God. Jepththah was chased from home by his siblings. However, when they needed him, he helped them. He lost his only child as result of coming to their aid. After he helped them, some still criticized him. There was bloodshed. Lives were lost. His story raises questions for consideration.

When your family disowns you, should you resort to crime? Should you agree to help people who need you, but have previously hated you? What if the people you helped, came against you afterwards?

Below is a summary of Jephthah’s story from Judges 11-12.

Jephthah was a mighty man of valor…

but he was the son of a harlot

His stepbrothers drove him away…

Jephthah fled to the land of Tob

He became a leader of worthless men…

Robbers.

The Ammonites made war against Israel.

So, the elders of Gilead said to Jephthah,

“Come and be our commander…

Fight our enemies.”

Jephthah asked them, “Did you not hate me?

Did you not expel me from my father’s house?

Why have you come to me now when you are in distress?”

They replied, “Go with us and fight our enemies.

Be the leader of us all.”

Jephthah asked them, “If… the Lord delivers them to me…

I shall be your leader?”

“Yes,” they replied.

Then the Spirit of the Lord came upon Jephthah.

He advanced toward the enemies.

He made a rash and unneeded vow to the Lord.

That vowed resulted in the death of his only child.

The Lord delivered the Ammonites into his hands.

He defeated twenty cities with a very great slaughter.

Thus, the enemies were subdued.

Then, some of his own people gathered against him.

They said to Jephthah,

“Why did you not call us to go with you [to war]?

We will burn your house down on you with fire!”

Jephthah fought against them…

He slew 42,000 of them.

Jephthah judged (led) Israel six years.

Then, he died and was buried.

What about Jesus? Christ came to His own, but His own received Him not. He did not resort to crime. He did not slay those who attacked Him. He chose to die for the sins of those who hated and mistreated Him.

What about those who enter Christian ministry? Is it possible that we too will experience some of what Jephthah and Christ experienced? When should you pull away from users and abusers? When should you persevere in rescuing them?

The answer can be found via Scripture reading, prayer, and by asking trusted fellow believers for advice. Some Scripture advocate for overcoming foes and others for forgiving and helping them. This is why prayer is important. The Holy Spirit does help God’s people to know which direction to go when the right path forward is unclear. Sometimes the Holy Spirit will give a Bible verse to guide you. Sometimes He will give peace to you when you are making the right decision. Sometimes He will take peace from you when you are about to make a bad decision. Other times, He will speak to you through godly friends who care about you more than they care about the right or wrong of a situation. The main point is not to make a rash decision as Jephthah did, but to wait on the Lord until you receive His guidance.

Filled & Overflowing with the Holy Spirit

“They were all FILLED with the HOLY SPIRIT, and they spoke the WORD of GOD with boldness.” [1]

“’He who believes in Me [Jesus], as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’ But this He spoke concerning the SPIRIT, whom those believing in Him would receive...” [2]

[1] Acts 4:31
[2] John 7:38-39

Lovely Not Offensive Meditations

Has anyone noticed that the news media spends a large percentage of its time publishing accusations against people? Always expressing outrage!

Do we really want a mentality like unto the days of the French revolution and the cultural revolution in China to be kindled? During those days, a person’s expressed outrage could lead to the public denunciation, shaming and instant execution of another.

During the Passion Week, religious leaders resolved that they needed to falsely accuse and condemn Christ lest the Romans would “come and take away both our temple and our nation.” [1]

Whatever happened to “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you?” [2]

Jesus once told a group of vigilantes, “He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.” [3]

Paul wrote to his young protégé and fellow pastor Timothy: “Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men.” [4]

Did you hear that? God’s apostle said to pray and give thanks for people.

The Lord says to us in His Word: “Because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.” [5]

A constantly disgruntled mindset can lead to futile thoughts... thoughts that accomplish nothing. An accusatory attitude can lead to a darkened heart. The people described above knew God but would not glorify Him. They were not grateful. Paul advised Timothy, “Having food and clothing, with these we shall be content.” [6] Did you get to eat today? Did you have clothing to wear? Then, give glory and thanksgiving unto God!

While sitting in a Roman prison, Paul wrote, “Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.” [7] These are healthy meditations. Take it from a guy who spent time in jail seeking to do what was best for others. Meditate on your blessings and enjoy a better life!

[1] John 11:48
[2] Ephesians 4:32
[3] John 8:7
[4] 1 Timothy 2:1
[5] Romans 1:21
[6] 1 Timothy 6:8
[7] Philippians 4:8

The End of Evil Empires

The Lord’s promise to take down evil empires of the world is a source of hope for those who currently live under such a regime. When I lived in China, I often prayed that the Lord would replace the evil rulers of China with rulers that were more like Jesus. I often the preached from the Bible books of Daniel and Revelation when I did ministry in Guangzhou City, China.

In Daniel’s days, Babylon was the superpower nation of the world. Nebuchadnezzar was Babylon ‘s king. God gave to Nebuchadnezzar a dream. No man could interpret his dream, that is, until God gave Daniel the interpretation. [1]

The dream was of a splendid and awesome image. The image had a head of gold, a chest and arms of silver, belly and thighs of bronze, legs of iron, and feet partly of iron and partly of clay.

A stone was cut out without hands, which struck the image on its feet of iron and clay and broke them in pieces. Then the iron, the clay, the bronze, the silver, and the gold were crushed together, and became like chaff which the wind drives away until no trace of them is found. And the stone that struck the image became a great mountain and filled the whole earth.

The interpretation of the dream was that Nebuchadnezzar was the head of gold, and that after him would arise three other world-ruling kingdoms. God told Nebuchadnezzar that in the days of these kings, He (God) would set up a kingdom which would never be destroyed; never be taken over by other people. His kingdom would destroy all previous kingdoms and stand forever. Daniel said to Nebuchadnezzar, “The great God has made known to the king what will come to pass after this. The dream is certain, and its interpretation is sure.” [2]

I was ministering God’s Word in a Communist country that arrested and tortured Christians. Mao Zedong said that he would cut out the tongue of God. God gave me faith that Mao’s kingdom would eventually bow to Jesus. Eventually, all anti-Christian kingdoms will bow to the rule of Christ.

[1] Daniel 2:1-30
[2] Daniel 2:31-45

Blessed

I am extremely blessed because of the Lord’s steadfast love for me and for the people of my race - the human race.

When I consider all that the Lord has done and is still doing daily... I am amazed at His great love for us.

Recently, I’ve been thinking how our Lord Jesus died for us when we did not deserve such lavish love. And yet He lives and intercedes for us at the Father’s right hand.

What the prophet Isaiah said of Israel in his days is true of what the Lord is doing for us:

“I have stretched out My hands all day long to a rebellious people, who walk in a way that is not good, according to their own thoughts.” (1)

The Lord has chosen to love rebellious people. People who betray His love. How can He refrain from legal action against us when we have disrespected and mistreated Him over and over again? We have all failed Him.

In the light of who we are and how we behave towards Him, I stand in awe of our Triune God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

“Thank You Lord for your steadfast love, Your forgiveness and for all the blessings that You give to us when we do not deserve them. To You alone be all glory, praise and honor. In Jesus’ Name. I pray. Amen.”

(1) Isaiah 65:2

Enforcer or Empathizer

“Do you [hypocritical judges] despise the riches of His [God’s] goodness, forbearance, and long-suffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?” [1]

The Apostle Paul addressed the hypocrites who called for obedience to God’s Law while failing to obey it themselves. He reminded them how generous God is with being good, forbearing, and long-suffering with sinners. God’s goodness leads sinners to repent.

The purpose of God’s Law is to afflict the comfortable. The purpose of the Gospel is to comfort the afflicted. Our Lord Jesus gave believers the Holy Spirit to help us know when to apply the conviction of the Law, and when to apply the comfort of the Gospel. In fact, only the Holy Spirit can convert a soul to Christ.

“Thank You Lord Jesus, for providing for us the Law, the Gospel, and Your Holy Spirit. Please grant that our actions and words towards others and towards ourselves will spring forth from the goodness of God. In Your Name I pray, amen.”

[1] Romans 2:4

Obeying The Lord’s Commandments

“You shall have the tassel, that you may look upon it and remember all the commandments of the Lord and do them, and that you may not follow the harlotry to which your own heart and your own eyes are inclined, and that you may remember and do all My commandments and be holy for your God.” [1]

The tassel reminded the Israelites of God’s commandments. They were not merely to know them, but to obey them. God knows we are apt to go astray. We need reminders to be faithful to the Lord. Thanks to Christ, we have the Holy Spirit to help us obey the Lord’s commands.

“Holy Spirit, please empower us to obey God’s commandment’s. In the Name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.”

[1] Numbers 15:39-40

Never Give Up

Some said that Paul was a sick man, a divider and cult leader, “For we have found this man a plague, a creator of dissension among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes.” [1]

Others honored him in many ways, “And it happened that the father of Publius lay sick of a fever and dysentery. Paul went into him and prayed, and he laid his hands on him and healed him. So when this was done, the rest of those on the island who had diseases also came and were healed. They also honored us in many ways; and when we departed, they provided such things as were necessary.” [2]

God gave Paul the privilege of penning a large portion of the New Testament, planting new churches, physically healing sick bodies, and preaching the Gospel to lost souls. To some, he was deemed a disease to be stamped out. To others, he was considered a great blessing sent from God.

Praise God for helping Paul to never give up. May the Holy Spirit help us to share the Word of God and testify for Jesus as Paul did.

[1] Acts 24:5
[2] Acts 28:8-10

The B-I-B-L-E That’s the Book for Me

“This is my comfort in my affliction,
For Your Word has given me life.

Forever, O Lord,
Your Word is settled in heaven.

Your Word is a lamp to my feet
And a light to my path.

The entrance of Your Words gives light;
It gives understanding to the simple.” [1]

[1] Psalm 119:50, 89, 105, 130
The “Word” in these verses refers to the Bible

Submitting To The Leadership of God

“Therefore, since we are originally [υπαρχοντες] of God, we ought not to think that the Divine Nature is like gold, silver, or stone, something shaped by art and man’s devising. Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent, because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man [Jesus Christ] whom He has ordained.” [1]

It’s not God who needs to repent. It is us. All people, even rulers, need to repent of an unjust attitude towards God. We need to repent of our rebellion against His rule.

“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]

Political and religious leaders fall short of God’s glory, but so do “we the people.” Many democratic voters falsely assume that we can cancel God if He does not adhere to our agenda? We may temporarily seem to succeed, but in the end, each of us will be voted into or out of heaven according to God’s Word as recorded in the Bible. We desperately need God to graciously help us to discern between right and wrong. We need His Spirit to empower us to embrace and obey Him.

Therefore, let us repent of any trace of a condescending attitude towards God within us and bow before Him and confess His Son Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord. He is our only hope for eternity in the perfectly wonderful Kingdom of God.

The good news is that God is for us. He wants to guide us to victory over sin, death, and the devil. He wants us to inherit eternal life. That’s why He sent His Son into the world to atone for our sins. That’s why He sent His Holy Spirit into the world to indwell us who believe in Him. He wants us with Him forever.

[1] Acts 17:29-31
[2] Psalm 2:2-4

Paul Preached The Gospel

He preached, “Now when they had fulfilled all that was written concerning Him, they took Him down from the tree and laid Him in a tomb. But God raised Him from the dead. He was seen for many days. Therefore, let it be known to you, brothers, that through this Man is preached to you the forgiveness of sins; and by Him everyone who believes is justified from all things from which you could not be justified by the law of Moses.” [1]

Those that believed the Gospel were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.

“Now when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and glorified the word of the Lord. And as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed. And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.” [2]

[1] Acts 13:29-31
[2] Acts 13:48, 52

True To God and Self

“Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward Him, and said of him, ‘Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no deceit!’” [1]

Some of the words that Synonyms.com lists for deceitful are:

disingenuous

false

hypocritical

misleading

underhanded

untrustworthy

untruthful

counterfeit

deceiving

double-dealing

indirect

shifty

slick

sly

sneaky

stealthy

subtle

treacherous

tricky

two-faced

“Lord Jesus, please make us like Nathanael. ‘People in whom is no deceit.’ Not to be unknowingly duped or deceived by devil! Not to act as someone we are not! Not to water down God’s Word and work in our lives!”

Jesus said, “You shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free.” [2]

“Lord Jesus, please help us to know the truth and be free. In Your Name, I pray. Amen.”

[1] John 1:47
[2] John 8:32

Christ Our High Priest & Mediator

“You shall make a plate of pure gold, and grave on it, like the engravings of a signet, HOLINESS TO THE LORD… It shall be on Aaron’s forehead, that Aaron may bear the iniquity of the holy things, which the children of Israel shall hallow in all their holy gifts; and it shall be always on his forehead, that they may be accepted before the Lord.” [1]

“Aaron must have this upon his forehead, that he may bear the iniquity of the holy things, and that they may be accepted before the Lord — Herein he was a type of Christ, the great Mediator between God and man. Through him, what is amiss in our services, is pardoned: even this would be our ruin, if God should enter into judgment with us: but Christ, our High-Priest, bears this iniquity; bears it for us, so as to bear it from us. Through him, likewise, what is good is accepted; our persons, our performances, are pleasing to God upon the account of Christ’s intercession, and not otherwise. His being holiness to the Lord, recommends all those to the divine favor that believe in him. Having such a High-Priest, we come boldly to the throne of grace.” [2]

[1] Exodus 28:36, 38
[2] Benson Commentary on Exodus 28:38

An Outstanding Nation

A nation of people who seek to obey God’s voice and keep covenant (relationship) with Him is His special treasure and considered His priests and holy nation.

“If you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people; for all the earth is Mine. And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.” Exodus 19:5-6

Christ Was Better Than Caesar

Jesus “went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.” [1]

Many listened to Christ and followed Him, but the religious leaders of Jerusalem believed that Jesus was a threat to their nation’s well-being.

“If we (Pharisees and priests) let Him (Jesus) alone like this, everyone will believe in Him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and nation.” [2]

Later, when given the choice between Jesus and Barabbas, the people (under the influence of the chief priests and Pharisees) chose Barabbas.

“Then they all cried again, saying, ‘Not this Man, but Barabbas!’ Now Barabbas was a robber.” [3]

After that, when given the choice between Jesus and Caesar, the people chose Caesar.

“They cried out, ‘Away with Him (Jesus), away with Him! Crucify Him!’ Pilate said to them, ‘Shall I crucify your King?’ The chief priests answered, ‘We have no king but Caesar!’” [4]

Jesus was crucified. He resurrected from the dead on the third day. He appeared to His disciples and to over 500 witnesses. After 40 days, He ascended to heaven. He will return.

Was Caesar a better choice than Christ for the people of Jerusalem?

35 years later, Roman legions surrounded Jerusalem. By the year 70, they breached Jerusalem's outer walls and ransacked the city. The assault culminated in the burning and destruction of the Temple that served as the center of Judaism.

In victory, the Romans slaughtered thousands. Of those sparred from death: thousands more were enslaved and sent to toil in the mines of Egypt, others were dispersed to arenas throughout the Empire to be butchered for the amusement of the public. The Temple's sacred relics were taken to Rome where they were displayed in celebration of the victory.

King David was right when he wrote, “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people He has chosen as His own inheritance.”

If Jerusalem’s leaders and people had embraced Christ, their nation would have been blessed.

[1] Acts 10:38

[2] John 11:48

[3] John 18:40

[4] John 19:15

Love & Hatred

"These things I command you, that you love one another.

If the world hates you, know that it hated Me before it hated you." [1]

Last Sunday, Chuck read a portion of Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I have a dream" speech. He noted that Jesus and Martin both were assassinated for trying to bring people together in harmony. Life can get messy fast when someone stands between two groups who are at odds with one another and tries to reconcile the two.

Our Lord Jesus Christ paid with His life to reconcile God and humanity. God hates sin. Humanity for the most past loves sin. Who could destroy the alienation between the two? Christ paid humanity's sin debt before God when He became a human/divine sacrifice for our sin. Without sin, humanity is acceptable to God. By removing our sin, Christ made way for the Spirit of God to dwell in human flesh. The Holy Spirit is the love of God poured into our hearts. Thus, in Christ and by the power of His Spirit, humanity can love God and one another.

The mission that God's prophet, the Church, has inherited is to stand between a world that loves to sin and a God that hates sin, and bring the two together. How? By preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The Gospel is the power of God unto salvation to everyone who believes. Through the Spirit of Christ, the divine/human alienation between God is replaced with love. Not to say, that everyone will accept the message of reconciliation. No, some, will hate and violently attack God's messenger. Still, the message must be preached. Why? Because, some, will believe.

But wait, there is a love among the messengers of Christ that is inspiring, encouraging and comforting. Jesus, our Lord has commanded us to love one another. And He has given us His Holy Spirit to keep us united and to help us do just that.

[1] John 15:17-18

The Love-Laws

“I do what My Father commands Me so that the world will know that I love the Father. Arise, let us go from here.” [1]

Jesus went to Gethsemane knowing that arrest, trial, torture, and crucifixion would follow, but He did so out of obedience to His Father. Obedience to God’s will is the love language of Christ.

Prior to the statement above, Jesus told His disciples, “He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him.” [2]

Jesus showed us to love our Heavenly Father by knowing and doing His will. Jesus told us to love Him by keeping His commandments. Obedience is the love language of Christ.

This morning, I read in Genesis 44:30-33 how Judah offered to take his brother’s punishment so that his brother, Benjamin, could go free.

It was from the line of Judah that Jesus was born. In this passage, Judah was a type of Christ.

Judah was mainly concerned for his father’s heart. Judah knew that his father could not live without Benjamin. So, he pleaded, “My father’s life is bound up in the lad’s life. When he sees that the lad is not with us, that he will die. Therefore, please let your servant remain instead of the lad as a slave to my lord, and let the lad go up with his brothers.”

Jesus Christ knew that our Heavenly Father’s heart was bound up with us. So, Jesus took the punishment for our sin so that we might be reunited with God. Jesus came to our rescue because He knew the Father did not want a heaven without us.

The law Jesus wants us to keep is the love-laws for God and neighbor. On these two commandments, said Jesus, hang all the law and prophets. [3]

[1] John 14:31
[2] John 14:21
[3] Matthew 22:37-40

The Father Honors Those Who Honor Christ

“If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor.” [1]

We serve Jesus by following Him. By being where He is! When we serve Jesus, our Heavenly Father honors us.

Let us take Old-Testament Joseph for an example! He honored God even after being sold into slavery by his jealous brothers. Even after being imprisoned due to the false accusations of an adulterous woman!

“The keeper of the prison did not look into anything that was under Joseph’s authority, because the Lord was with him; and whatever he did, the Lord made it prosper.” [2]

Later, the Pharaoh of Egypt, said of Joseph, “Can we find such a one as this, a man in whom is the Spirit of God?” Then Pharaoh said to Joseph directly, “Inasmuch as God has shown you all this, there is no one as discerning and wise as you. You shall be over my house, and all my people shall be ruled according to your word; only in regard to the throne will I be greater than you.” [3]

When we honor God, He honors us.

[1] John 12:26
[2] Genesis 39:23
[3] Genesis 41:38-40

The Work God That Requires

“Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on him God the Father has placed His seal of approval.

Then they asked Him, ‘What must we do to do the works God requires?’

Jesus answered, ‘The work of God is this: to believe in the one He has sent.

For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in Him shall have eternal life, and I (the Lord Jesus Christ) will raise them up at the last day.” [1]

The work God that requires is to believe in His Son the Lord Jesus Christ.

[1] John 6:27-29, 40

Jesus Has Overcome the World

Paul told Timothy about a trial that he went through, he wrote, “At my first defense no one stood with me, but all forsook me. May it not be charged against them. But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that the message might be preached fully through me, and that all the Gentiles might hear. Also, I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work and preserve me for His heavenly kingdom. To Him be glory forever and ever. Amen!” [1]

Paul also told the disciples in Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch, “We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God.” [2]

Jesus said, “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world, you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” [3]

Hold on to Jesus. Do not abandon Him. With Him you are destined to overcome the world.

[1] 1 Timothy 4:16-18
[2] Acts 14:22
[3] John 16:33

Father Abraham And His Son Isaac

The Lord said to Abraham, “Take now your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.” [1]

This son was the long-awaited one. He was the promised son. Abraham and Sarah had waited many years for him to come. Now that he is here, he is to be sacrificed. In this story, Isaac is a type of Christ.

“So, Abraham rose early in the morning and saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him, and Isaac his son; and he split the wood for the burnt offering and arose and went to the place of which God had told him. Then on the third day Abraham lifted his eyes and saw the place afar off. And Abraham said to his young men, ‘Stay here with the donkey; the lad and I will go yonder and worship, and we will come back to you.’” [2]

Abraham had faith that even if he sacrificed Isaac, that he would still come back with a living Isaac. He said to the two men, “We will come back to you.” “By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, of whom it was said, ‘In Isaac your seed shall be called,’ concluding that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead, from which he also received him in a figurative sense.” [3]

God had promised to give Abraham descendants as numerous as the stars through Isaac. Abraham believed God. He knew that Isaac had to have children before he would die.

Before the sacrifice began, Isaac spoke to Abraham his father and said, “My father! Look, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?” Abraham replied, “My son, God will provide for Himself the lamb for a burnt offering.” [4]

“Abraham stretched out his hand and took the knife to slay his son. But the Angel of the Lord called to him from heaven and said, ‘Abraham, Abraham! Do not lay your hand on the lad, or do anything to him; for now, I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me.’” [5]

“Then Abraham lifted his eyes and looked, and there behind him was a ram caught in a thicket by its horns. So, Abraham went and took the ram, and offered it up for a burnt offering instead of his son. And Abraham called the name of the place, The-Lord-Will-Provide…” [6] Then, the Lord repeated His promise to Abraham, “In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice.” [7]

Isaac represents Christ in this story because it is through Christ (a descendant of Abraham and Isaac) that all the nations on earth are blessed. The ram also represents Christ because God’s Son was sacrificed for the sins of all people. God forgives the sins of all who receive His Son as their Savior. Abraham represents God in this story because he was willing to give up his son.

Now, the question for us is, in what ways is Christ revealing Himself through OUR lives?

[1] Genesis 22:2
[2] Genesis 22:3-5
[3] Hebrews 11:17-19
[4] Genesis 22:7-8
[5] Genesis 22:9-12
[6] Genesis 22:13-14
[7] Genesis 22:18

Holy Spirit Fillings

In what city did the Holy Spirit first fill followers of Jesus?

“Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high.” [1]

The answer is Jerusalem. This miracle happened on the Day of Pentecost. [2]

The Holy Spirit also filled followers of Jesus at Samaria. [3]

The Holy Spirit filled Saul of Tarsus on the road to Damascus. [4]

The Holy Spirit filled Gentile believers in Caesarea. [5]

The Holy Spirit filled twelve men who believed in Jesus in Ephesus. [6]

I praise God that the Holy Spirit is still at work all over this earth filling followers of Jesus today.

The miracle I enjoy every Sunday is the miracle of fellowship with other followers of Jesus who are filled with His Spirit.

“Thank You Heavenly Father, Risen Son of God and Comforting Holy Spirit for Your presence in our lives.”

[1] Luke 24:49
[2] Acts 2:1-18
[3] Acts 8:14-19
[4] Acts 9:17
[5] Acts 10:44-48
[6] Acts 19:5-6

Jesus Knows our Pain

Jesus knows our pain

He is merciful

He is gracious

Jesus responds to our needs

When we bring needs to Him

“Now the men who held Jesus mocked Him and beat Him. And having blindfolded Him, they struck Him on the face and asked Him, saying, ‘Prophesy! Who is the one who struck You?’ And many other things they blasphemously spoke against Him.” [1]

“Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” [2]

[1] Luke 22:63-65

[2] Hebrews 4:14-16