Beware Of Scams

“Let no one cheat you of your reward, taking delight in false humility and worship of angels, intruding into those things which he has not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, and not holding fast to the Head [Jesus Christ], from whom all the body, nourished and knit together by joints and ligaments, grows with the increase that is from God.” [1]

Paul warned the Colossians against counterfeit beliefs that would scam them out of eternal rewards.

Only faith in Jesus Christ nourishes and grows us towards eternal rewards. Jesus Christ is the Head of the Christian faith.

Are we steadfastly connected to a body of believers who recognize Christ as the Head of the Church?

“For many deceivers have gone out into the world who do not confess Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist. Look to yourselves, that we do not lose those things we worked for, but that we may receive a full reward.” [2]

Why is it important to confess that Christ came in the flesh? Any group of believers who does not acknowledge and confess the necessity of the Son of God to become a human sacrifice for our sins is deceiving its followers. They are placing something else, anti and instead of Christ as the most important teaching of the Church.

“Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son.” [3]

“Dear Lord Jesus Christ, Head of the Christian faith, please keep us Your people from being scammed out of the most important doctrine of the Bible, namely that YOU ALONE are the MESSIAH. In YOU ALONE is eternal salvation. Please help us to always acknowledge and confess YOU as our HEAD… the Only One to guide, nourish and grow us as a body. For it is in YOUR NAME JESUS, that I pray. Amen.”

[1] Colossians 2:18-19
[2] 2 John 1:7-8
[3] 2 John 1:9

Celebration Despite Contention

“Woe is me, my mother,
That you have borne me,
A man of strife and a man of contention to the whole earth!
I have neither lent for interest,
Nor have men lent to me for interest.
Every one of them curses me.

Know that for Your sake I have suffered rebuke.

Your words were found, and I ate them,
And Your word was to me the joy and rejoicing of my heart;
For I am called by Your name,
O Lord God of hosts.” [1]

“To me, who am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given, that I should preach among the Gentiles [non-Jews] the unsearchable riches of Christ.” [2]

The Prophet Jeremiah lamented that he was in a place where his love for God and for God’s Word yielded for him strife, contention, curses and rebuke, but nevertheless, he could say to God, “Your Word was to me the joy and rejoicing of my heart.” He was glad to be called by God’s Name.

The Apostle Paul marveled that he who was so small in his own eyes, was given grace by God to preach the unsearchable riches of Christ among non-Jews.

The grace of God that calls a man or woman to love Him and His Word is a marvelous gift. There are riches beyond compare in Christ our Savior. Our God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit, abundantly fills our cup until overflowing with revelations of Himself that make up the difference when we encounter contention.

[1] Jeremiah 17:10, 15-16
[2] Ephesians 3:8

Saying No to the flesh and Yes to the Holy Spirit

“‘When I had fed them to the full, then they committed adultery and assembled themselves by troops in the harlots’ houses. They were like well-fed lusty stallions; everyone one neighed after his neighbor’s wife. Shall I not punish them for these things?’ says the Lord. ‘And shall I not avenge Myself on such a nation as this?’” [1]

 “I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.”

“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.” [2]

The solution to breaking bondages of the flesh is to live by dependence on a higher power, namely the power of the Holy Spirit. Live for a higher purpose than gratifying the sinful nature! Live to love God and your neighbor by the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit.

“The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.” [3]

Good fruit, godly fruit, coming forth from your life is a blessing to God your Father, to your neighbor and to yourself as well.

[1] Jeremiah 5:7-9
[2] Galatians 5:16, 24-25
[3] Galatians 5:22-23

Lamentations

“They have turned their back to Me, and not their face. But in the time of their trouble they will say, ‘Arise and save us.’ My people have forgotten Me days without number.” [1]

Lament! God the Creator and Sustainer of the universe laments. He grieves. People that He poured out so much love for... people that He cared for deeply... they turned their back on Him. They forgot Him. They only remember Him when they need help.

Is loving people a worthy cause when they are so prone to grieve the heart of a loving God?

The people of whom God speaks of in Jeremiah’s prophecy did pay a price for going their own way..

“Your own wickedness will correct you, and your backslidings will rebuke you.

Know therefore and see that it is an evil and bitter thing that you have forsaken the Lord your God, and the fear of Me is not in you, says the Lord God of hosts.” [2]

The bad oats they sowed produced a harvest of trouble for them.

Not only this, but they embittered by their misbehavior the most loving being in the universe, namely, God their Creator and Heavenly Father. “The fear of Me is not in you...” They gave God disrespect instead of glory, praise and grateful service.

How often have we done to God what Jeremiah’s people did to Him?

May the Lord grant us grace to repent so that when He corrects us, we do not harden our hearts, but instead, ask Him to forgive us and to teach us how to love Him as He loves us.

[1] Jeremiah 2:27, 31
[2] Jeremiah 2:19

The Gospel Conveys Good Gifts

“Foolish!” “Bewitched!” The Galatians forgot that Christ was portrayed among them as CRUCIFIED. We need portrayals of Christ crucified to remind us that the cross, not human achievement, is the basis of God's blessing. [1]

“You cannot say that you received the Holy Spirit by the Law. But as soon as the Gospel came your way, you received the Holy Spirit by the simple hearing of faith, before you ever had a chance to do a single good deed. It is the nature of the Gospel to convey good gifts.” [2] Luke verifies this statement in the Book of Acts: “While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Spirit fell on all them which heard the Word.” “And as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the beginning.” [3]

Paul considered it foolish to seek Christian perfection by dependence on works of the flesh instead of by the power of the HOLY SPIRIT. [4]

Abraham “BELIEVED God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” [5]

Only those who are of FAITH are sons of Abraham. [6]

“In you [Abraham] all the nations shall be BLESSED” means in Abraham’s faith. [7] Faith in God is always what saves people. Those who are of faith are blessed with believing Abraham. [8]

To try to be righteous before God by our works is to be under the curse of the law. Self-righteousness is a curse because we must continue in all things which are written in the book of the Law (which is impossible) and in the end still be condemned by the Law. [9]

Christ REDEEMED us from the curse of the law by becoming accursed for us. [10] Why would anyone want to be self-righteous and be accursed? Christ took our sinful curse upon Himself and offers His righteous merits to us as we trust in Him.

God’s promise of blessing was to Abraham and to his Seed. This Seed refers to CHRIST. It is in Christ that we are blessed and not in becoming a Jew. [11]

Our divine inheritance comes to us by believing God’s PROMISE. [12]

The purpose of the Law is to help us be aware of our TRANSGRESSIONS. [13]

SCRIPTURE has confined all under sin that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe. [14]

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

We are all sons of God through faith in CHRIST. [15]

In Jewish literature, “sons-of-God” was a title of highest honor, used only for "the members of righteous Israel, destined to inherit the eschatological blessings" (Byrne 1979:174). But now Gentiles—the rejected, the outsiders, the sinners, those who do not observe the law—are called sons of God. How could a Gentile ever be called a child of God? Paul's answer is clear—through faith in Christ Jesus. Since Christ Jesus is the “Son of God,” all who by faith are in Christ are also sons of God.” [16]

“There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus” means that all people in Christ are considered equally as God’s children. [17] There is no sibling rivalry. No racism. No higher and lower caste of people.

When we are Christ’s, we are Abraham’s seed, and HEIRS according to the promise. [18]

[1] Galatians 3:1 & IVP Commentary
[2] Martin Luther’s Commentary
[3] Acts 10:44; 11:15
[4] Galatians 3:3
[5] Galatians 3:6
[6] Galatians 3:7
[7] Galatians 3:8
[8] Galatians 3:9
[9] Galatians 3:10
[10] Galatians 3:13
[11] Galatians 3:16
[12] Galatians 3:18
[13] Galatians 3:19
[14] Galatians 3:22
[15] Galatians 3:26
[16] Blue Letter Commentary
[17] Galatians 3:28
[18] Galatians 3:29

My Soul Delights in His Abundance

The Lord says to us if we are thirsty to come to Him. He will quench our thirst free of charge…

“Ho! Everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy, and eat. Yes, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.” [1]

He delights my soul in His abundance. [2]

He gives me the sure mercies of David when I am with Him. [3]

He gives me mercy and abundant pardon, as I seek Him, call upon Him, forsake wicked ways and unrighteous thoughts and return to Him. [4]

The Lord’s thoughts are not my thoughts, and my ways are not His ways, because as the heavens are higher than the earth, God’s ways and thoughts are higher than mine. [5]

The Lord’s Word is like rain and snow that water the earth, and make the earth bring forth and bud, and to provide seed to the sower, and bread to the eater. God’s Word is like that. It does not return empty-handed. It brings forth results. God’s Word accomplishes what He pleases. It prospers in the thing for which He sent it. [6]

Thank You God for Your Word!

In the Lord I have joy and peace, singing and clapping.

“For you shall go out with joy and be led out with peace; the mountains and the hills shall break forth into singing before you, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.” [7]

He removes that which tears and hurts, and gives that which delights…

“Instead of the thorn shall come up the cypress tree, and instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree...” [8]

“Thank You Heavenly Father that daily You minister to and bless whoever will come to You.”

[1] Isaiah 55:1
[2] Isaiah 55:2
[3] Isaiah 55:3
[4] Isaiah 55:6-7
[5] Isaiah 55:8-9
[6] Isaiah 55:10-11
[7] Isaiah 55:12
[8] Isaiah 55:13

The Heavenly Economy

Mr. Sylvester McMonkey McBean seemed on the surface to be one smart cookie. He got the Star-belly Sneetches and the Plain-belly Sneetches to compete with one another so that he could become rich from their investments to be “Numero Uno.” I wonder how many relatives of Mr. McBean live in our countries… politicians, those connected with sports leagues, beauty pageants, entrepreneurs, news media outlets.

God has a better economy. One not based on dollars and competition, but based on love, faithfulness, and everlasting values.

Inspired by God, King David wrote:

“Those who trust in their wealth
And boast in the multitude of their riches,
None of them can by any means redeem his brother,
Nor give to God a ransom for him—
For the redemption of their souls is costly,
And it shall cease forever—
That he should continue to live eternally,
And not see the Pit.” [1]

Money cannot ultimately thwart death for me or for anyone else.

“Do not be afraid when one becomes rich,
When the glory of his house is increased;
For when he dies, he shall carry nothing away;
His glory shall not descend after him.
Though while he lives, he blesses himself
(For men will praise you when you do well for yourself),
He shall go to the generation of his fathers;
They shall never see light.
A man who is in honor, yet does not understand,
Is like the beasts that perish.” [2]

This world is passing away.

What is considered success here, is not success in the life after death.

“Here is the man who did not make God his strength,
But trusted in the abundance of his riches,
And strengthened himself in his wickedness.” [3]

Will the statement above be a fitting epitaph on our gravestone? I hope not.

Jesus Christ demonstrated the economy of heaven by His choices…

“For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich.” [4]

He sacrificed Himself for our sins, so that our sins would be forgiven and forgotten by God His Father and that all who believe in Him could have a “happily-ever-after” in heaven with God forever when this life is over.

“Can a woman forget her nursing child,
And not have compassion on the son of her womb?
Surely, they may forget,
Yet I will not forget you.
See, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands;
Your walls are continually before Me.” [5]

The Godhead was forever changed when Christ came to earth. Now, in heaven, there appears a Lamb of God, the Son of God [6]. He still bears the wounds He received on earth for our sake. He holds those hands out as He intercedes for us that each person on earth will choose life… that we will believe in Him and receive everlasting life. [7]

What is the proper response to such an opportunity to escape from the evil ways of this world and to gain an entrance into such a heavenly one?

“Now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now, our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore, let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.”

We can cry out to God as King David did when he realized he had made the wrong choices due to the evil desires in his heart…

“Create in me a clean heart, O God,
And renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Do not cast me away from Your presence,
And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of Your salvation,
And uphold me by Your generous Spirit.
Then I will teach transgressors Your ways,
And sinners shall be converted to You.” [9]

Why? Because…

The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit,
A broken and a contrite heart—
These, O God, You will not despise.” [10]

[1] Psalm 49:6-9
[2] Psalm 49:16-20
[3] Psalm 52:7
[4] 2 Corinthians 8:9
[5] Isaiah 49:15-16
[6] Revelation 5:6
[7] John 1:11-12
[8] Romans 13:11-14
[9] Psalm 51:10-13
[10] Psalm 51:17

Credit to Dr. Seuss for this publication. 

Publisher	Redbook (magazines) Random House (book)
Publication date	July 1953 (Redbook) (The Sneetches) March 1954 (Redbook) (The Zax) August 28, 1961 (renewed 1989)

A Disturbing Vision

The Spirit of the Lord brought Prophet Ezekiel to Jerusalem to show him an image of jealousy. The Lord said to him, “Son of man, do you see what they are doing, the great abominations that the house of Israel commits here, to make Me go far away from My sanctuary? Now turn again, you will see greater abominations.” [1]

The Lord showed Ezekiel images of idols on the walls. Elders of the people were worshipping idols. These leaders said, “The Lord does not see us, the Lord has forsaken the land.” [2]

Then, the Lord showed him women who were sitting in the Lord’s house weeping for Tammuz - a fertility god. [3] After this the Lord showed him 25 men worshiping the sun. [4]

The Lord was determined to respond in fury: “My eye will not spare, nor will I have pity; and though they cry in My ears with a loud voice, I will not hear them.” [5]

The Lord called one of His angelic servants and said to him, “Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and put a mark on the foreheads of the men who sigh and cry over all the abominations that are done within it.” [6] Then, the Lord said to five angelic servants, “Go after him through the city and kill… but do not come near anyone on whom is the mark; and begin at My sanctuary.” [7]

Ezekiel fell on his face and cried out, and said, “Ah, Lord God! Will You destroy all the remnant of Israel in pouring out Your fury on Jerusalem?” The Lord replied, “The iniquity… is exceedingly great, and the land is full of bloodshed, and the city full of perversity…” [8]

“Lord, how many people are kindling Your anger today by the things they do in Your Name?”

The Apostle Paul, “For 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.” [9]

“Lord Jesus, please help us in the spiritual battle of turning people from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in You. Please turn the carnally minded to the saving and sanctifying work of Your Holy Spirit. For it is in Your Name we pray. Amen.”

[1] Ezekiel 8:6
[2] Ezekiel 8:12
[3] Ezekiel 8:14
[4] Ezekiel 8:16
[5] Ezekiel 8:18
[6] Ezekiel 9:4
[7] Ezekiel 9:5-6
[8] Ezekiel 9:8-9
[9] Romans 8:5-6

The Gift of Repentance

“The goodness of God leads you to repentance.” [1]

“When He [the Holy Spirit] has come… He will convict the world of sin.” [2]

“Thank You Holy Spirit for convicting us of sin!”

Apart from divine revelation, we cannot see our sin or feel how bad it is before God and others. The revelation of God’s holiness moves sinners to repent. The revelation that the sin of sinners slew the Son of God moves sinners to repent. Repentance is when God empowers you to confess your sins, and to ask His forgiveness. Repentance is when God inspires you to place your life in His hands, because on your own, you only mess it up.

James, the servant of our Lord, wrote: “Adulterers and adulteresses! ...Friendship with the world is enmity with God. God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble. Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, you double-minded. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.” [3]

“Heavenly Abba Father, thank You for the gift of repentance. To confess our sins! Receive Your forgiveness! Be transformed by Your Holy Spirit working in us. You are so good to us! In the Name of Jesus Your Son I pray. Amen.”

[1] Romans 2:4
[2] John 16:8
[3] James 4:4, 6-8, 10

Choose Life Not Death

Once, when my parents, siblings, and I were on vacation, a car passed us when it was unsafe to do so. We were on a two-lane highway that was strewn with multiple hills and valleys. When he passed us, he could not see if an oncoming car was just behind the next hill.

The car had obviously stopped ahead of us somewhere after the first pass-by. The second pass-by was also done on a double yellow line. That driver had no way of knowing if an oncoming car was on the other side of the hill. I remember my Mom saying the first time, “That’s dangerous!!!”

As that car passed us a second time, my eyes connected with a boy my age. He peered at me through his window. He smiled and waved. He was enjoying passing so many others. We watched in horror as an on-coming car nearly hit him head-on.

The driver of that car ignored the speed limit signs, ignored the double yellow line, and ignored the obvious danger of overtaking cars on curves and hills.

A little while later, we came to the scene of a horrific multi-car crash. Two semi-trucks were overturned in the fields besides the road, two cars were severely damaged and that car with the boy my age in it was a mangled mess. No one in that mangled wreckage could have survived.

I was perhaps five years old, but never forgot that day. How I wish the father of that family had followed the rules of the road. His disdain for rules destroyed him, his family members, and other motorists.

“The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, to turn one away from the snares of death.” [1] God gives us rules and promptings to save us from harm. He loves us and wants what is best for us. “I have set life and death before you, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live.” [2]

“Thank You Heavenly Father for prompting us to make good decisions via Your Holy Spirit and via Your Word. Please continue to help us choose life not death.”

[1] Proverbs 14:27
[2] Deuteronomy 30:19

The Lamb Overcomes the Beast

Headline:

Beauty and Beast at War with Christ

Who is the Beauty and who is the Beast?

The Beauty is a seducer. The Beast is a destroyer. They are one-two punches of the devil designed to knock-out the faithful servants of Christ. If the beauty of the world and its pleasures fail to seduce you to deny the Lord, the beast threatens to hurt and destroy you.

The Beauty and Beast compel young people to defy and disrespect those who are older and more honorable than them. “The people will be oppressed, everyone by another and everyone by his neighbor; the child will be insolent toward the elder, and the base toward the honorable.” [1]

What is at stake if you yield to beauty or beast? Eternal salvation! Heaven or hell! Life with God or eternal suffering with the devil. Big stakes. Yet, who is fighting the battles for the salvation of the world? The worst defeat is to lose one’s soul to hell for all eternity.

Who has put on their spiritual armor? Who has read the battle manual – the Bible? Who is taking orders from the Captain of our salvation? [2] Who is marching to war?

“The kings of the earth committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth were made drunk with the wine of her [the Harlot’s – the Beauty’s] fornication.” She was sitting on a scarlet beast which was full of names of blasphemy. She was drunk with the blood of the saints and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus. [3]

The beast will work with kings of the earth to make war with the Lamb [Jesus Christ] but the Lamb will overcome them, for He is Lord of lords and King of kings; and those who are with Him are called, chosen, and faithful.” [4]

We need to remain in Christ to WIN! “Those who are with Him are called, chosen and faithful.” The question is... are we with Him... with JESUS?

[1] Isaiah 3:5
[2] Hebrews 2:10
[3] Revelation 17:2-3, 6
[4] Revelation 17:14

Much Grain

“At midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them.” [1]

We never know what is going to catch someone’s attention for Christ. In this case, it was two men singing hymns and praying to God after they had been beaten and imprisoned. Their fellow prisoners listened to them.

“And he [the prison guard] brought them out and said, ‘Sirs, what must I do to be saved?’ So they said, ‘Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.’” [2]

It was a moment of great joy for Paul and Silas. Out of their hardship came forth an opportunity to share the Gospel. The prison guard and his entire family believed in Christ.

Jesus taught, “Unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain.” [3]

Why do we try to preserve the seed? Dress it up in special clothes? Surround it with comforts? Put it in on platform? Jesus said unless the seed falls to the ground and dies, it remains alone. If the seed dies, it produces MUCH GRAIN!.

“Lord Jesus, please help us to be faithful to speak of You, to sing of You, to pray to You, to die to self for You, so that You can produce much grain through us. For it is in Your Name that we pray. Amen.”

[1] Acts 16:25
[2] Acts 16:30-31
[3] John 12:24

Grateful For Gospel Proclaimers

“Have mercy on us, O Lord, have mercy on us! For we are exceedingly filled with contempt. Our soul is exceedingly filled with the scorn of those who are at ease, with the contempt of the proud.”

“Yes, Lord, please have mercy on all who are being treated with contempt and scorn by proud people who do not want to yield to the message of salvation by grace alone through faith in Christ. Thank You for all Your servants in my life who have humbly upheld Your honor and shared Your Gospel with me. I would have not known You without their dedication to You.”

Praise the Lord for “men [and women] who have risked their lives for the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” [2]

[1] Psalm 123:3-4
[2] Acts 15:26

Wisdom Calls Out

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

My son, hear the instruction of your father, and do not forsake the law of your mother; my son, if sinners entice you, do not consent. If they say, ‘Come with us we shall find all kinds of precious possessions, we shall fill our houses with spoil; cast in your lot among us, let us all have one purse’—my son, do not walk in the way with them, keep your foot from their path; they lurk secretly for their own lives. So are the ways of everyone who is greedy for gain; it [greed] takes away the life of its owners.

Wisdom calls aloud outside…

Turn at My rebuke;

Surely, I will pour out My Spirit on you;

I will make My words known to you.

Whoever listens to Me [the Lord] will dwell safely, and will be secure, without fear of evil.” [1]

The fear of the Lord or a reverent heart towards God is the beginning of wisdom. A humble state before God is good place to be when the Holy Spirit is speaking. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of wisdom. He urges God’s people not to join with greedy sinners. He promises to pour out on those who listen to Him, and to make God’s Word known to them. The Holy Spirit leads His listeners down safe rather than dangerous paths.

[1] Proverbs 1:7-8, 10-11, 13-15, 18-20, 23, 33

Miracles of the Resurrected Christ

A man named Saul is threatening and murdering the disciples of the Lord. He is hunting Christians with the goal of caging them. Putting them in prison! Then, suddenly, he encounters the resurrected Jesus Christ. His response, “Lord, what do You want me to do?” [1]

Saul spends some days with the disciples of the Lord, then, immediately begins preaching that Christ is the Son of God in the Jewish synagogues. People are amazed at the very tangible transformation in Saul’s life. He is now proving to his fellow Jews that this Jesus is the Christ. [2]

Twice, Saul is delivered by the Lord from assassination plots. [3] Saul continues to preach boldly in the name of Jesus.

The outcome of Saul’s conversion to Christianity is that the churches in his region experience peace and growth. Christians now walk in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit. [4]

Then, there’s Peter. Jesus heals a man that was paralyzed and bedridden for eight years via Peter. Many people in that region turn to Jesus. After this miracle, Jesus empowers Peter to raise a woman from the dead. News of this miracle spreads throughout the region and many believed in Jesus. [5]

“Heavenly Father, thank You for sending Your Son into the world! Please continue to do miracles so that people turn to You and believe in You. Please grace Your churches with growth via the preaching of Your Word. In the Name of Jesus I pray. Amen.”

[1] Acts 9:6
[2] Acts 9:19-22
[3] Acts 9:23, 29
[4] Acts 9:31
[5] Acts 9:35, 42

Saved From My Sin

A traveling man pondered these words of God’s prophet: “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.

...Beginning at this Scripture, Philip preached Jesus to him.” He explained to the man how Jesus fulfilled this prophecy. When Philip asked the man if he believed. The man answered and said, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.”

What about you? Have you believed in the Son of God? The Lamb of God! The One who takes away sin and gives everlasting life?

If not, what’s stopping you? Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world and your Savior. He gave His life for you so that you can live with God. Today, is the day of salvation. Believe in Him and He will save you from your sin.

[1] Acts 8:32-33, 35, 37
[2] Isaiah 53:6-8

Relationships that Yield God–Worship

“If I have made gold my hope, or said to fine gold, ‘You are my confidence;’ if I have rejoiced because my wealth was great, and because my hand had gained much; this also would be an iniquity deserving of judgment, for I would have denied God who is above.” [1]

Placing hope and confidence in gold; rejoicing in wealth and achievements; Job said this was iniquity. What is iniquity? Iniquity refers to an unjust balance. Gold and personal achievement cannot compare to the value meaningful relationships with God and people.

Once, the devil took Jesus up on an exceedingly high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. He said to Jesus, ‘All these things I will give You if You fall down and worship me.’ But Jesus said to him, ‘Away with you, Satan! For it is written, you shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.’” [2]

Things are lifeless. God is full of life. Love, joy, and peace are from God. Healthy relationships spring forth from people who are in fellowship with God.

The majority of addicts and alcoholics that I have listened to have cited a lack of meaningful relationships, or a loss of a meaningful relationship as the starting point from which their substance abuse began.

Jesus asked us a good question. We do well to consider it. He asked, “What does it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?” [2]

The bottom line is the devil uses “things” to lure us away from the blessings of God that yield life. Our Lord Jesus Christ gives us meaningful relationships with God and others. He gives to us life eternal with God and with all love God.

Therefore, let us daily choose to: “Worship the Lord our God, and serve Him only.” Let us invest in relationships that yield worship towards God.

[1] Job 31:24-25, 28
[2] Matthew 4:8-10

Victory Over The Beast

“And I saw... those who have the victory over the beast, over his image and over his mark and over the number of his name, standing on the sea of glass, having harps of God. They sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying: ‘Great and marvelous are Your works, Lord God Almighty! Just and true are Your ways, o King of the saints! who shall not fear You, O Lord, and glorify Your name? For You alone are holy. For all nations shall come and worship before You, for Your judgments have been manifested.’” [1]

The above words are from “The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants—things which must shortly take place.” [2]

Victory! Victory! Victory!

The revelation God gives us is victory over the beast. That beast, that anti-Christ, that instead-of-Christ-one! That which is instead of Christ is a beast. Not a good shepherd, but a spirit that tears and devours its prey! The beast wanted to brand God’s servants with his name. He wanted to steal God’s precious treasure, that is, His faithful servants, but he failed.

God gives His servants the victory. We shall stand on a sea so clear that it looks like a sheet of glass. We shall sing and celebrate God with musical instruments along with people from every nation!

Jesus said that when we see these signs of the end... to... “Look up. Lift up your heads because your redemption draws near.” [3]

So, we look up! We lift up! Christ is coming!

“Dear Heavenly Father, Jesus the Son and Precious Holy Spirit, Triune God, thank You for Your great and marvelous works. Thank You for victory!”

[1] Revelation 15:2-4
[2] Revelation 1:1
[3] Luke 21:28

GOD Is AWESOME!

“How can a man be righteous before God?” [1]

The Lord answered Job’s question, namely, “How can a man be righteous before God?”

After the Lord spoke to him in Job 38:1-40:2, Job replied, “Behold, I am vile; what shall I answer You? I lay my hand over my mouth. Once I have spoken, but I will not answer; Yes, twice, but I will proceed no further.” [2]

Instead of questioning God, Job listened to God.

God continued to speak to him in Job 40:6-41:36.

When he listened to God, Job realized the supremacy and the sovereignty of God and repented. He said, “I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes.” [3]

When Job changed his disposition towards God, God blessed him… “The Lord had accepted Job. And the Lord restored Job’s losses when he prayed for his friends. Indeed, the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before.” [4]

May the Lord bless each of us with a good disposition towards Him. We could have all the riches of the world, but if we do not know God or recognize His supremacy and sovereignty, we are poor. Quite often in movies, haunted houses are depicted as dirty run down and spider infested buildings. However, the real haunted house is a palace that is clean and ornate but has people in it who have no sense of the awesomeness of God their Creator.

“The Lord blessed the latter days of Job more than his beginning…” [5]

How wonderful that God blessed Job with a close relationship with Him! The rest was just icing on the cake!

Praise the Lord! GOD is AWESOME!

[1] Job 9:2
[2] Job 40:4-5
[3] Job 42:6
[4] Job 42:9-10
[5] Job 42:12

Thriving In Christ

“Can the papyrus grow up without a marsh? Can the reeds flourish without water? So are the paths of all who forget God; and the hope of the hypocrite shall perish.” [1]

Just as a plant needs water to thrive, we need Jesus. When we are in communion with Him, we are in the water of life. He is the Vine, and we are the branches, as we commune with Him through the Word and Spirit, we bear good fruit in this world.

“They overcame him [the devil] by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.” [2]

By His death on the cross for our sins, Christ cancelled Satan’s claims against us. The devil cannot condemn us or claim us as long as we are in Christ because we are not trusting in our own merits, but in the merits of Christ. In Christ, life is not about us. We must not fear death. Death is the portal to heaven. We are redeemed by the blood of the Lamb.

[1] Job 8:11, 13
[2] Revelation 12:11

Divine Protection During Evil Days

“Satan answered the Lord and said, ‘Does Job fear God for nothing? Have You not made a hedge around him, around his household, and around all that he has on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land.” [1]

The devil had just come from roaming the earth. [2] He had been afflicting people everywhere he went. He complained because God had put a hedge of protection around and blessed Job. This is what God does! He protects and blesses His own. He is the good Shepherd.

“This poor man cried out, and the Lord heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the Lord encamps all around those who fear Him and delivers them.” [3]

We need God’s angels to encircle us. To protect us from sudden attack and to deliver us!

“They [the locusts with scorpion stingers) were commanded not to harm the grass of the earth, or any green thing, or any tree, but only those men who do not have the seal of God on their foreheads.” [4]

The truth that God protects His own against evil is seen throughout the Bible.

“But the rest of mankind, who were not killed by these plagues, did not repent of the works of their hands, that they should not worship demons, and idols of gold, silver, brass, stone, and wood, which can neither see nor hear nor walk. And they did not repent of their murders or their sorceries or their sexual immorality or their thefts.” [5]

We people tend to be gamblers. We see others dying and suffering harm but bet that it will not happen to us. We continue to live as though we don’t need the Good Shepherd. All the while, He watches on, ready to help. Our choices reveal our loyalties. If we want the Holy God to be with us, to protect us and to bless us, we need to ask Him to forgive our sins and help us to repent (change our thinking) about Him. We need to embrace Christ and all that He has done for us… coming into the world as a baby… living among us… healing our people… dying on the cross for our sins… rising from the dead for our victory over sin, death, and the devil. Yes, relationship is a two-way street. If we want the Lord to be our Good Shepherd, we must ask, confess, and proclaim Him to be our good Shepherd. Ask Him to intervene; to protect us from the evil one. Jesus taught us to pray, “Keep us from temptation and deliver us from evil.” [6]

“Thank You Jesus for being a Good Shepherd to whosoever is Your sheep.”

[1] Job 1:9-10
[2] Job 1:7
[3] Psalm 34:6-7
[4] Revelation 9:4
[5] Revelation 9:20-21
[6] Matthew 6:13

Following Jesus

“My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me? Why are You so far from helping Me, and from the words of My groaning? O My God, I cry in the daytime, but You do not hear; and in the night season and am not silent.” [1]

Jesus quoted from the above passage while He hung on the cross. The Bible tells us that He who knew no sin became sin for us that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. [2] So, God denied His own Son’s plea for rescue, not for any wrongdoing on His part, but for the sins of humanity.

“…They pierced My hands and My feet; I can count all My bones. They look and stare at Me. They divide My garments among them, and for My clothing they cast lots.” [3]

These words were written long before Jesus was crucified but describe accurately what happened to Him. Have you ever been mistreated as a result of your obedience to God? Most of God’s servants have been at one time or another. Peter wrote, “Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial, which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.” [4]

“All the ends of the world shall remember and turn to the Lord, and all the families of the nations shall worship before You.” [5]

On crucifixion day, Jesus looked like a loser. He did not have a mega-church. He was not personally rich materialistically-speaking. However, the faith He died for… the Christian faith… did spread to all the ends of the earth. People in every generation since His first coming, have turned to Him and become Christians. Every week on planet earth, families worship before Him. I am one of them.

One of the wisest men who ever lived, Solomon, advised us this way…

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” [6]

The Bible is about trusting in the Lord. It is about acknowledging God. Letting go and letting God! May the Lord help each one of us in this way, both for our sake, and for the sake of the people we hope to see in eternity with us.

[1] Psalm 22:1-2
[2] 2 Corinthians 5:21
[3] Psalm 22:16-18
[4] 1 Peter 4:12-13
[5] Psalm 22:27
[6] Proverbs 3:5-6

Glory, Honor And Power to Who?

Jesus is my light in the darkness
He is my key to locked doors
He opens and shuts doors for me
He shows me the way of life
He gives me joy and pleasure
He transforms me
He satisfies my soul
He is worthy of glory, honor, and power!
Jesus is my Lord

“For You [Lord] will light my lamp; the Lord my God will enlighten my darkness.” [1]

“The key of the house of David I will lay on His shoulder; so, He shall open, and no one shall shut; and He shall shut, and no one shall open.” [2]

“These things says He [Jesus] who is holy, He who is true, who opens, and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens” “See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it…” [3]

“You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” [4]

“As for me, I will see Your face in righteousness; I shall be satisfied when I awake in Your likeness.” [5]

“You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory, honor, and power; for You created all things, and by Your will they exist and were created.” [6]

[1] Psalm 18:28
[2] Isaiah 22:22
[3] Revelation 3:7-8
[4] Psalm 16:11
[5] Psalm 17:15
[6] Revelation 4:11

Good Husband & Father

“Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it; unless the Lord guards the city, the watchman stays awake in vain. It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows; for so He gives His beloved sleep.

Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb is a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are the children of one’s youth. Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them; they shall not be ashamed but shall speak with their enemies in the gate.” [1]

For a husband and father to enjoy his wife and children as he should, the Bible prescribes trust in the Lord. When I was young, I worked day and night with the goal of being a good provider for wife and children, but often did not see that in being away from home so often, I was failing to provide for Sherry and our four children the quality relational time that we needed together. I should have relied on the Lord more and less on myself. Thanks to God’s grace and mercy, I enjoy a good relations with Sherry and the children today despite my bad choices as a young father. I am passing this word along in case it will be helpful to someone.

“Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.” [2]

We need God’s help to resist the devil. His strong arm is able to lift us out of bad habits formed due to prideful self-determination. Young man, by trusting in the Lord and by appreciating His coaching, you can be a good husband and father, and you will enjoy much love and joy from being with your family.

[1] Psalm 127
[2] James 4:7, 10

In Christ

Christ came as a High Priest…
With a greater and more perfect tabernacle…
Not made with hands, not of this creation.
He entered the Holy of Holies…
With His own blood.
He obtained for us eternal redemption.

Christ makes us holy.
Through the eternal Spirit…
He offered Himself without spot to God.
He cleanses our conscience from dead works…
Now, we serve the living God!

Christ is our Mediator.
In Him we have eternal inheritance.
He purified us with His blood…
By His shed blood we have forgiveness.

Christ entered heaven itself.
He appeared before God FOR US!
He took away our sin by…
The sacrifice of Himself.

It is appointed for us to die,
And after this the judgment.

But Christ offered Himself.
He bore our sins.
He will appear again….
Apart from sin….
For our salvation.

In Christ…
Redemption!
Holiness!
A conscience clear!
Service unto God!
Mediation!
Purification!
Forgiveness!
S A L VA T I O N!

GLORY to G O D!

Hebrews 9:9-15, 22, 24, 26-28

God’s Strong Word Cleaves the Darkness

“The Word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” [1]

A missionary was once asked by border guards of a communist county, “Do you have any guns, drugs, or Bibles?” The border guards apparently believed the Bible was as dangerous as guns and drugs. Guns injure and kill the body. Drugs alter and distort the mind. The Bible exposes and destroys falsehood. [2]

“There is no devil in the first two chapters of the Bible and no devil in the last two chapters. Thank God for a book that disposes of the devil!” [3]

“The Word not only lets you see what your thoughts are, but it criticizes your thoughts. The Word of God says of this thought, “it is vain,” and of that thought, “it is acceptable;” of this thought, “it is selfish,” and of that thought, “it is Christlike.” The Word of God gets at the very marrow of our manhood; it lays bare the secret thoughts of the soul. The Christ that is in the Word sees everything.” [4]

“The foundation of every reformation of the Holy Spirit is the Word of God made plain to the people.” [5]

“The first thing the Bible does is to make man take a serious view of life.” [6]

“The entrance of Your words gives light; It gives understanding to the simple.” [7]

[1] Hebrews 4:12
[2] Story told by D. J. De Haan
[3] Vance Havner
[4] Quote from Charles Spurgeon
[5] Frank Cooke
[6] D. Martin Lloyd-Jones
[7] Psalm 119:130

The Captain of Our Salvation

How shall we escape…

If we neglect so great a salvation?

It was spoken of by our Lord.
It was confirmed by those who heard Him.
God testified to it with signs and wonders…
Testified to it with gifts of the Holy Spirit.

Jesus who suffered death…
Is crowned with glory and honor.
By the grace of God…
He tasted death for us all.
All things are for Jesus…
By Jesus are all things…
Yet to bring many people to glory…
The Captain of our salvation...
Our Lord Jesus Christ…
Experienced sufferings.

He who makes us holy…
And we who are holy are One.
Jesus is not ashamed of us.
He says… “Here am I…

And here are the children…

Whom God has given Me.”

We are flesh and blood.
The Son of God became flesh and blood.
Through death He destroyed…
The death-holder,
That is, the devil.
Jesus delivered us!
We no longer fear death.

In all things Jesus became like us.
He is merciful!
He is faithful!
He is our High Priest.
He covered our sins with His blood.
He suffered…
He was tempted…
He helps us who are tempted.

Hallelujah!
Praise to the King!
Glory to the King of kings!
He is the Captain of our salvation!

(Based on Hebrews 2)

Daily Telling Someone about Jesus

“When the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by His grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.” [1]

This is such good news! God saved us not because of our righteous deeds, but because of HIS mercy. God’s mercy immense and free saves us. HE saves us by grace. JESUS CHRIST renews us in God’s image by a generous outpouring of HIS Holy Spirit into our lives. HE does the work that only GOD can do. We cannot justify ourselves. GOD justifies us. HE makes us heirs of eternal life based on the merits of CHRIST and not based on our own.

Praise and glory to GOD!

Have we understood the value of this good news?

No other message is more important to us! No other message is as important to the world! My prayer is that we daily tell someone about JESUS!

[1] Titus 3:4-7

Grateful For Answered Prayers

“... He [God] answered their prayers, because they trusted in Him.” [1]

I am grateful God answers prayers. I have leaned on Him for help daily. Daily He has helped me.

I am grateful for the Holy Spirit who leads me and gives me resolve to keep praying. “The Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.” [2]

I am grateful for my Lord and Savior JESUS Christ, because I can pray in His Name, and God the Father, receives and hears me based on the merits of His Son, who died for my sins and resurrected for my just standing, “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.” [3]

Glory to God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit!

[1] 1 Chronicles 5:20
[2] Romans 8:26
[3] Acts 4:10

Prayer Verses & Quotes

“I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior. He desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself a ransom for all.” [1]

“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.” [2]

“What the Church needs today is not more machinery or better, not new organizations or more and novel methods, but men whom the Holy Ghost can use — men of prayer, men mighty in prayer. The Holy Ghost does not flow through methods, but through men. He does not come on machinery, but on men. He does not anoint plans, but men, men of prayer.” [3]

“When man works man works, but when man prays, God works.” [4]

“Every great movement of God can be traced to a kneeling figure.” [5]

[1] 1 Timothy 2:1-5
[2] Richard C. Trench
[3] E.M. Bounds
[4] Hans Von Staden
[5] Dwight L. Moody

Holiness to the Lord

Holiness to the Lord

קדושה ליהוה

對主的聖潔

Santidad a Yahvé

യഹോവെക്കു വിശുദ്ധം

“For this is the will of God, Your sanctification: that you should abstain from sexual immorality; that each of you should know how to possess His own vessel in sanctification and honor, not in passion of lust, like the Gentiles who do not know God; that no one should take advantage of and defraud his brother in this matter, because the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also forewarned you and testified. For God did not call us to uncleanness, but in holiness.” [1]“Who may ascend into the hill of the Lord? Or who may stand in His holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who has not lifted up his soul to an idol, nor sworn deceitfully. He shall receive blessing from the Lord, and righteousness from the God of his salvation.” [2]

“Holy Spirit, please grant us the discernment, wisdom, and conviction to shun evil and cling to holiness. In Jesus’ Name I pray.”

“If on my soul a trace of sin remains, if on my hands a stain may yet be seen; if one dark thought a wearied mind retains, oh wash me, Lord, till every part be clean. For I would live that men may see Thyself in me, I would in faith ascend Thy holy hill, and with my thoughts in tune with Thy divinity, would learn how best to do Thy holy will.” [3]

[1] 1 Thessalonians 4:3-7
[2] Psalm 24:3-5
[3] Salvation Army Songbook Chorus #72 (1987 ed.)

Salvation

“The high priest said to Him, ‘I put You under oath by the living God: tell us if You are the Christ, the Son of God!’ Jesus said to him, ‘It is as you said. Nevertheless, I say to you, hereafter you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power and coming on the clouds of heaven.’” [1]

There are many voices in the world vying to have the preeminent place in our lives but let us keep Jesus Christ in the highest place.

“Nevertheless, I say to you, hereafter you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power and coming on the clouds of heaven.”

Each of us need to recognize that Jesus Christ is returning as Supreme King over all creation. He will render the final judgment on each of us according to our beliefs. He will approve and save those who trust in His merits for their salvation. He will condemn those who dare to stand before Him in pride of their own righteousness. Salvation requires a Savior. Jesus is the Savior. “There salvation in no other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” [2]

Now, is the time to believe in and confess Christ as your Lord and Savior. Receive Him now. Be saved today. Embrace the righteousness of Christ given for you. Receive Him and receive all He has done for you. You will not be ashamed on the last day. You will have joy unspeakable and full of glory when He returns.

[1] Matthew 26:63-64
[2] Acts 4:12

Cities For Christ

“You became examples to all in Macedonia and Achaia who believe. For from you the word of the Lord has sounded forth, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place. Your faith toward God has gone out...”

The Thessalonian Christians were a blessed congregation. They were model believers for others. They shared God’s Word with outsiders. Their faith in Christ inspired others to believe in Him as well. May the Lord Jesus move our churches today to spread God’s Word and inspire entire cities to believe in Christ.

1 Thessalonians 1:7-8

Time to Remove the Trash

A man of God who cried out against the altar of Jeroboam by the word of the Lord. He cried, “O altar, altar! Thus, says the Lord: ‘Behold, a child, Josiah by name, shall be born to the house of David; and on you he shall sacrifice the priests of the high places who burn incense on you, and men’s bones shall be burned on you.’” [1]

King Jeroboam’s altar and his priests were his attempts to have God on his own terms.

18 kings of Israel and 300 years later, the Lord fulfilled His Word. King Josiah of Judah desecrated the false altars and monumental tombs of false prophets which Jeroboam started.

But there is more to this story… sadly, the man of God who gave God’s Word to King Jeroboam was soon afterward deceived by a false prophet. [2] God mightily used him at one moment, but he was not careful, and was deceived by the devil in the next. The devil did not come to him as an ugly monster, but us as an angel of light. [3] The false prophet told the young man of God what he wanted to hear, but it was not what God told him. Thus, Jesus taught us to pray, “And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.” [4]

Paul warned his followers to beware of false teachers who teach that men must be circumcised to be approved of God. He wrote, “Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the mutilation!” [5] He used strong and derogatory words against false teachers because there is NO path to God except by faith in Jesus Christ. Paul told them, “For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.” [6] Saving sinners is God’s work. Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life, no comes to the Father except through Jesus. [7]

Paul went on to say that he counted his former life of self-righteousness as rubbish because he wanted to be found in Christ, not having his own righteousness (self-righteousness), which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith. [8] Faith receives Christ and all that HE has done for our salvation. Christian salvation is based on trust in the merits of Christ and not in our own merits. Trusting in one’s own merits for salvation is self-righteousness and it is rubbish… trash to be thrown out.

Paul described those who trust in their own merits as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction. Their god is their belly. They glory in their shame. Their minds are set on earthly things. In contrast to them, true believers their citizenship in heaven. We wait for Christ to transform our lowly bodies into the image of His glorious body, because only Christ is able to subdue all things to Himself. [9]

[1] 1 Kings 13:1-2
[2] 1 Kings 13:18
[3] 2 Corinthians 11:14
[4] Matthew 6:13
[5] Philippians 3:2
[6] Philippians 3:3
[7] John 14:6
[8] Philippians 3:7-9
[9] Philippians 3:18-21

The Gospel Embodied

“Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.” [1]

“Receive him [Epaphroditus] therefore in the Lord with all gladness and hold such men in esteem; because for the work of Christ he came close to death, not regarding his life, to supply what was lacking in your service toward me.” [2]

Paul wrote these words “to all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, with the bishops and deacons.” [3] He was a prisoner in chains for the sake of the Gospel. [4] Evil people had done him wrong, but he did not press for retribution. No, he urged his followers to shun selfish ambition and conceit, and to esteem others better than themselves, and to look out for the interests of others. AMAZING LOVE! DIVINE AGAPE (selfless) LOVE!

Paul held up to the saints, bishops, and deacons of Philippi the example of Epaphroditus… “Hold such men in esteem.” Epaphroditus risked his life to selflessly and heroically fill a gap that the Philippians Church had failed to supply.

Praise God that He has preserved this first century letter of Paul to the Philippians. Indeed, praise God for preserving the entire Bible! We had not known what true love is unless we had seen, heard, and touched it via the revelation of Christ and His New Testament servants. God is good!

Now, may the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit empower us to embody this message to our generation.

[1] Philippians 2:3-4
[2] Philippians 2:29-30
[3] Philippians 1:1
[4] Philippians 1:7, 13-14

More Than Anything Else

Thanks be to God…

In the Name of Christ His Son…
For every soul…
That HE, Almighty God…
Brings to green pastures…
And to still waters…
Of love for Christ.

Born sinners…

Stubborn and rebellious…

Forgetting and disrespecting God…
Betraying His love and faithfulness.

Yet, He, Christ...
In His great love for us…
Doesn’t leave us.
In His stubborn love…
Stronger than our rebellion...
Greater than our disrespect…
He pursues us.

Thank You dear Savior…
Our Lord Jesus Christ…
For changing us…
Replacing darkness...
With light…
So, that we with…
David and Paul can say…
I love Your Word…
I embrace Your crucifixion…
I want You…
More than Anything Else.

“Let my cry come before You, O Lord;
Give me understanding according to Your Word.

Let my supplication come before You;

Deliver me according to Your Word.

My lips shall utter praise,
For You teach me Your statutes.
My tongue shall speak of Your Word,
For all Your commandments are righteousness.
Let Your hand become my help,
For I have chosen Your precepts.
I long for Your salvation, O Lord,
And Your law is my delight.” [1]

“God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.” [2]

[1] Psalm 119:169-174
[2] Galatians 6:15

Your Kingdom Come

“Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” [1]

“Jesus answered, ‘My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here.’” [2]

“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” [3]

“Lord Jesus, please grant us, Your servants, grace to work together for You and for Your Kingdom.”

[1] Matthew 6:10
[2] John 18:36
[3] Matthew 6:33

Joyfully Accepting God’s Gifts

“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...” [1]

Separated: “This is a Hebrew expression, meaning to sanctify, ordain, prepare. Paul is saying, ‘When I was not yet born God ordained me to be an apostle, and in due time confirmed my apostleship.’”

“Every gift, be it small or great, spiritual or temporal, and every good thing I should ever do, God has ordained while I was yet in my mother's womb where I could neither think nor perform any good thing. After I was born God supported me. Heaping mercy upon mercy, He freely forgave my sins, replenishing me with His grace to enable me to learn what great things are ours in Christ. To crown it all, He called me to preach the Gospel to others.”

And called me by His grace: “What prompted Him to call me? His grace alone.”

“On the question of justification, we must remain adamant, or else we shall lose the truth of the Gospel. It is a matter of life and death. It involves the death of the Son of God, who died for the sins of the world. If we surrender faith in Christ, as the only thing that can justify us, the death and resurrection of Jesus are without meaning; that Christ is the Savior of the world would be a myth. God would be a liar, because He would not have fulfilled His promises. Let this be our resolution, that we will suffer the loss of all things, the loss of our good name, of life itself, but the Gospel and our faith in Jesus Christ—we will not stand for it that anybody take them from us.”

“I must listen to the Gospel. It tells me, not what I must do, but what Jesus Christ, the Son has done for me.”

“If you want to live unto God, find life through faith in Christ Jesus.”

“It is bad enough that we are wicked sinners and transgressors of all the commandments of God; on top of that to refuse the grace of God and the remission of sins offered unto us by Christ, is the worst sin of all, the sin of sins. There is no sin which Paul and the other apostles detested more than when a person despises the grace of God in Christ Jesus. Still there is no sin more common. That is why Paul can get so angry at the Antichrist, because he snubs Christ, rebuffs the grace of God, and refuses the merit of Christ.”

God was pleased: “God was pleased to freely give us His unspeakable gifts. If He offers His gifts free of charge, why not take them? Why worry about our lack of worthiness? Why not accept gifts with joy and thanksgiving?” [2]

[1] Galatians 1:15-16
[2] Martin Luther's Commentary on Galatians

Be Transformed

"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God." [1]

"Then Saul said to David, 'May you be blessed, my son David! You shall both do great things and also still prevail.'" [2]

David had the opportunity to slay Saul who had been trying to kill him but did not because Saul was king over Israel. David had snuck into Saul's camp and took the spear and water jug near his bedside, but he spared Saul's life. When Saul realized what David had done, he blessed him and predicted his success.

David's thinking did not conform to the world's ways. He allowed God to transform his mind and thus, not only did he evade capture by the king and his army, he was blessed and predicted to prevail by that king who wanted to destroy him.

May the Lord help each of us to seek the renewal of our minds... transformed-thinking! So that, we too may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

[1] Romans 12:2
[2] 1 Samuel 26:25

The Blessedness of Faith in Christ

“O Lord of hosts, blessed is the man who trusts in You!” [1]

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,

And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

For by me your days will be multiplied,
And years of life will be added to you.
If you are wise, you are wise for yourself,
And if you scoff, you will bear it alone.” [2]

“For Moses writes about the righteousness which is of the law, ‘The man who does those things shall live by them.’ But the righteousness of faith speaks in this way… that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For ‘whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.’” [3]

[1] Psalm 84:12
[2] Proverbs 9:10-12
[3] Romans 10:5-6, 9-10, 13

God Is The Justifier

“By the deeds of the Law…

No flesh will be justified in His [God’s] sight,

For by the Law is the knowledge of sin.

Now the righteousness of God…

Apart from the law is revealed,

Being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets,

Even the righteousness of God,

Through faith in Jesus Christ,

To ALL and on ALL who BELIEVE.

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,

Whom God set forth as a propitiation…

By HIS [Christ’s] BLOOD,

Through FAITH,

To demonstrate His righteousness,

Because in His forbearance…

God had passed over the sins…

That were previously committed,

To demonstrate at the present time…

HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS,

That He might be JUST and the JUSTIFIER of…

The one who has FAITH in JESUS.

Where is boasting then?

It is excluded.

By what law?

Of works?

No, but by the law of faith.

Therefore, we conclude that a man is…

Justified by FAITH…

Apart from the deeds of the law.” [1]

Propitiation refers to the mercy-seat. [2] On the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur) the high priest sprinkled the blood of the sacrifice on the “mercy-seat,” and so made propitiation or appeasement with God for the sin of all the people. Christ is called the “propitiation for our sins.” [3] Christ is “the propitiation,” because He atoned (covered) our sins with the sacrifice of His blood on the cross for us.

[1] Romans 3:20-28

[2] Romans 3:25

[3] 1 John 2:2

Divine Vindication

Haman accused God’s people of being lawbreakers. He had a genocidal plan to eliminate them. Thankfully, God exposed Haman as the one who was evil. God’s people had fasted and prayed. Haman was executed. God’s man Mordecai was promoted. [1]

Government officials passed a law with the specific goal of making Daniel, a good and trust-worthy man, into a lawbreaking criminal. God saved Daniel from the mouth of lions and those who plotted his death were eaten by the lions instead. [2]

The Apostle Paul was on trial due to false accusers. He stated, “…I do not object to dying; but if there is nothing in these things of which these men accuse me, no one can deliver me to them. I appeal to Caesar.” [3] God helped him to overcome the kangaroo court.

King Saul had it in his mind to kill his son-in-law, David. God rescued David multiple times from Saul’s attempts to kill him and placed David on Saul’s throne. [4]

David wrote, “Evil shall slay the wicked, and those who hate the righteous shall be condemned. The Lord redeems the soul of His servants, and none of those who trust in Him shall be condemned.” [5]

These Biblical accounts of God saving His servants from evil doers are in a sense promises to anyone who wants to serve God today. Hold on! Keep serving and honoring the Lord! God can turn everything around a day. “In that day the Lord of hosts will be for a crown of glory and a diadem of beauty to the remnant of His people, for a spirit of justice to him who sits in judgment, and for strength to those who turn back the battle at the gate.” [6]

[1] Esther 3:8 – 8:17
[2] Daniel 6:1-23
[3] Acts 25:11
[4] 1 Samuel 18-31
[5] Psalm 34:21-22
[6] Isaiah 28:5-6

The Functions of Law & Gospel

“Fulfillment of the Law is judged by God's perfection, not our best effort.” [1]

The Law acts as a curb and a mirror. The Law as a curb “warns us of impending danger, shocking us back onto the right path.” The Law as a mirror helps us “to see ourselves as God sees us.” [2]

“The Gospel... reveals the actions of God alone to save those who are ‘dead in their trespasses and sins.’ He alone pays the penalty for sin. He alone offers righteousness, salvation, and peace on His merciful terms.

The Gospel not only describes and proclaims what God has done it actually offers the merits of God's work in Christ to all who believe.” [3]

[1] Steven P. Mueller, Called to Believe, Wipf and Stock Publishers, Eugene Oregon, 2006, p. 38
[2] Ibid, pp. 43-44; Ephesians 2:1
[3] Ibid, p. 46; Luke 24:47, Romans 1:17

Fearing God Not People

Zedekiah listened to the voices of people more than to the voice of God. Thus, he abdicated his leadership role among them. In the absence of strong leadership, his nation continued down a path of abandoning God and denying God’s Word. His nation was destroyed. His sons were put to death before his eyes. He was executed.

“Zedekiah the king said to Jeremiah, ‘I am afraid of the Jews who have defected to the Chaldeans, lest they deliver me into their hand, and they abuse me.’” [1]

Jeremiah, the prophet, was also afraid of what the people would do to him if he spoke and led people according to God’s Word, but he prayed about it, and found strength and peace in the Lord to surrender his will to the will of God.

“’Do not be afraid of their faces, for I am with you to deliver you,’ says the Lord.” [2]

Nations, neighborhoods, and individuals need us to share God’s Word to them.

“Heavenly Father, please open doors for us to speak for You and please grant us the boldness by Your Spirit to speak to them when You do. This I pray in the Name of Jesus. Amen.”

[1] Jeremiah 38:19
[2] Jeremiah 1:8

No Other gods Before Me

“You shall have no other gods before Me.” [1]

As the day approaches when we celebrate the Resurrection from the dead of our Lord Jesus Christ, I pray that the Holy Spirit will convict us and cleanse us of idol-worship.

I’m not talking about idols of stone or metal, but the ones who vie for a higher place than Christ in our lives. Idols such as sports and movie figures! Idols such as comic book heroes! The Easter bunny! And the idol of idols... self! “By pride comes nothing but strife, but with the well-advised is wisdom.” [2] Worship of false gods does not end well.

All goodness, love, joy, and peace flows from our Lord Jesus Christ. He is the One who defeated our sin and our death when He died for our sins on the cross. He defeated our true adversary, the devil.

Jesus is the resurrection and the life. He deserves all our praise and worship. Christ gives us the indwelling Holy Spirit of God by whom we can truly die to self, and love God and our neighbor.

[1] Exodus 20:3
[2] Proverbs 13:10

Peter’s Word To Soldiers

Key points of Peter’s Message…
To the soldiers of the Italian Regiment…
Gathered at the home of Cornelius (their leader):

God anointed Jesus with the Holy Spirit and with power
Jesus went about doing good
Jesus healed people who were oppressed by the devil
God was with Jesus
Peter and others were witnesses of all things which Jesus did

Jesus was crucified

God raised Jesus up on the third day

God showed the risen Jesus to His witnesses
Those witnesses ate and drank with the risen Jesus
Jesus commanded Peter and the other witnesses to preach to people…
To testify that Jesus shall Judge the living and the dead…
To testify that all the [Biblical] prophets point to Jesus…
So that whosoever believes in Jesus receives forgiveness of sins

The outcomes of Peter’s preaching were:

The Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the Word
The new-believers were baptized

Acts 10:34-48

When the Lord Wants It Done

The man was threatening, arresting, and murdering Christians.

But the Lord Jesus appeared to him and asked him why he was persecuting Him. Essentially, Jesus told the man that he was only hurting himself. The man submitted himself to Jesus.

Next, the Lord gave a Christian man a vision. He told this Christian the name of a street, and a resident’s name who lived on that street. He informed the Christian that in this house he would find the anti-Christ-man, whom He had just converted, praying. Now, the Christian protested at first. He knew of the harm which the praying man had previously committed against Christians. The Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My Name...” The Christian obeyed the Lord, and the man, who once hurt and killed Christians, became a preacher of Christ.

“Immediately he preached Christ in the synagogues, that He is the Son of God.” All who heard him were amazed. He, who destroyed Christians, is now proving to people that this Jesus is the Christ. [1]

This story is happening today as well. Different people! Different places! Especially, in the countries of Iraq and Iran! The Lord Jesus is appearing to anti-Christian individuals and bringing them to faith in Himself so that they join Him in bringing the Gospel to others.

“Thank You Lord Jesus for Your amazing grace. You save unworthy sinners and make them Your mouth, hands, and feet to speak the message of Your amazing grace to others.”

[1] Acts 9:1-22 full account

JESUS Resurrected on the Third Day

“When they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness. With great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all.” [1]

Prayer! Filled with the Holy Spirit! Boldly speaking God’s Word! Powerfully witnessing to the resurrection of Jesus! Great grace upon them all! Yes, to all of the above!

All true prophets point people to Jesus, “And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself [Jesus].” [2]

“The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.” [3]

“Holy Spirit, please fill us. Help us to speak the Word of God boldly with the view to powerfully witness for JESUS. May Your grace, God’s great grace, be upon us. For it is in Jesus’ Name that I pray. Amen.”

[1] Acts 4:31, 33
[2] Luke 24:27
[3] Revelation 19:10

Spreading the Gospel to All the World

“He [JESUS] also presented Himself alive after His suffering by MANY infallible proofs, being SEEN by them during 40 days and speaking of the things pertaining to the KINGDOM of GOD. … He commanded them … to wait for the Promise of the Father, ‘which,’ He said, ‘you have heard from Me; for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the HOLY SPIRIT not many days from now.’

‘You shall receive POWER when the HOLY SPIRIT has come upon you; and you shall be MY WITNESSES in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.’” [1]

The HOLY SPIRIT is the Promise of the Father. JESUS baptizes us His disciples with the HOLY SPIRIT so that we are HIS WITNESSES and LIGHTS in this dark world.

“Thank You HEAVENLY FATHER and GLORIFIED SON for BAPTIZING us with the HOLY SPIRIT! HOLY SPIRIT please radiate from us today. Help us to spread the GOSPEL of SALVATION to all the world. In JESUS' NAME, we pray. Amen.”

[1] Acts 1:3-5, 8

Blessed Captives to the Will of God

“Jesus said to them, ‘When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He, and that I do nothing of Myself; but as My Father taught Me, I speak these things. And He who sent Me is with Me. The Father has not left Me alone, for I always do those things that please Him.’” [1]

The conscience of Jesus stayed on course with the will of His Father. His conscience was held captive to the will of God. How amazing!

As a young person, I imagined that if the Church would adopt the music and the fashion styles of the times, many young people would come. But what’s better, full halls or a small group of missionaries who seek to save the lost?

I see in Jesus the mindset to please His Heavenly Father no matter what a thousand people around Him expected Him to say or do. God was His director. He followed God’s script. Jesus shows us that the power to make a difference in this world is to defiantly obey the will of God no matter how popular culture responds. By obeying the leading of His Father, He saved one adulteress from being stoned by an angry crowd. He considered her worth running the risk of being stoned Himself. [2]

“Then, they took up stones to throw at Him; but Jesus hid Himself and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by.” [3]

“Lord Jesus, please help us by Your Spirit to have wills held captive to Father’s will for Your glory and for the salvation of others. In Your Name Jesus, we pray. Amen.”

[1] John 8:28-29
[2] John 8:3-11
[3] John 8:59

Understanding The Bible

“He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures.” [1]

We need the Author of the Bible to help us understand the Bible. Next time you read the Bible, ask the Holy Spirit, who breathed its words into the hearts and minds of its writers, to reveal to you the meaning and purpose of the Bible. Keep in mind that Scripture points to Jesus of Nazareth as the Messiah, “These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me.” [2]

The Bible was written to help us know Christ... so there is a bigger picture than just a selfie involved... “Then He [Jesus] said to them, ‘Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.’” [3]

[1] Luke 24:45
[2] Luke 24:44
[3] Luke 24:46-47

Nothing in my Hand I Bring

“Then he said to Jesus, ‘Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.’ And Jesus said to him, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.’” [1]

Jesus had said previously, “Indeed there are last who will be first, and there are first who will be last.” [2] The thief hanging next to Jesus on the cross was stereotyped by the world as a “last,” but he entered paradise that day with Jesus as a “first.” He placed all his hope for heaven in Jesus and became a “first.” So, it is for all who place 100% faith in Jesus for salvation, and 0% faith in themselves.

“Not the labors of my hands
Can fulfill Thy law’s commands;
Could my zeal no respite know,
Could my tears forever flow,
All for sin could not atone;
Thou must save, and Thou alone.

Nothing in my hand I bring,
Simply to the cross I cling;
Naked, come to Thee for dress;
Helpless, look to Thee for grace;
Foul, I to the fountain fly;
Wash me, Savior, or I die.” [3]

[1] Luke 23:42-43
[2] Luke 13:30
[3] Rock of Ages, Cleft for Me, Augustus M. Toplady

The Dead Raised to Life in Jesus

Some who listened to Jesus, doubted that people resurrect from the dead. So, Jesus used a title for God that appears in the-burning-bush-narrative to boost their faith. God told Moses that He is “the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.” From this passage, Jesus declared to the doubters that these three men are alive, “Those who are counted worthy to attain that age, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry nor are given in marriage; nor can they die anymore, for they are equal to the angels and are sons of God, being sons of the resurrection. Even Moses showed in the burning bush passage that the dead are raised, when he called the Lord ‘the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.’ For He is not the God of the dead but of the living, for all live to Him.” [1]

Jesus told one woman, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.” [2]

There is life beyond this life, and according to the Bible and Jesus, it is a better life, “There shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.” [3]

And God gave us this great salvation as gift at the cost of His own Son’s sacrifice, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” [4]

[1] Luke 20:35-38
[2] John 11:25
[3] Revelation 21:4
[4] John 3:16

Jesus Succeeds Where Others Fail

“He [the Lord] brought me up out of a horrible pit,
Out of the miry clay,
And set my feet upon a rock,
And established my steps.
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.” [1]

Humanism, rationalism, and syncretism are horrible pits and miry clay. Jesus is the rock of salvation. He puts better and happier songs in our hearts than humanism, rationalism, and syncretism. Praise the Lord!

When all the false narratives are blown away like dust in the wind, the Word of God will still be standing. The Kingdom of God will neither be silenced nor obscured.

God is omnipresent and omnipotent. Thanks to His Son Jesus Christ, we have a new song... a song of “saved by grace” to sing.

Humanism is an outlook or system of thought attaching prime importance to humans rather than divine or supernatural matters. Humanist beliefs stress the potential value and goodness of human beings, emphasize common human needs, and seek solely rational ways of solving human problems.

Rationalism is a belief or theory that opinions and actions should be based on reason and knowledge rather than on religious belief or emotional response. The practice of treating reason as the ultimate authority in religion.

Syncretism is the amalgamation or attempted amalgamation of different religions, cultures, or schools of thought.

Jesus declared that He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. [2] He proved His ability to overcome death and bring forth new life by rising from the dead and by ascending into heaven. Only Jesus can do this kind of miracle for people.

[1] Psalm 40:2-3
[2] John 14:6