Reaching Forward

“Forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself.” [1]

Hope is anticipating a future that is better than the present. Hope is good for us.

Christian hope is different than optimism. Optimism can amount to a baseless belief that somehow things will always get better. Christian hope is based on a person: Jesus Christ.

Paul believed that Jesus Christ died on the cross to pay our sin debt. Jesus Christ rose from the dead on the third day. Paul’s hope was based in the victory of Messiah over death and in His promise to resurrect all who believe in Him.

Jesus will transform our lowly bodies to conform to His glorious body. Our miracle working Savior does this miracle. This is the prize. This is the hope He has given to us. Our heavenly citizenship that is not based on our works, race, social class, or gender, but based on what Jesus Christ did for us. He is our blessed hope!

[1] Philippians 3:13-14, 20-21

Grace That Makes Rich

“For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich.” [1]

“...as poor, yet making many rich...” [2]

“Listen, my beloved brethren: Has God not chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him?” [3]

There’s a different kind of wealth that the Lord gives to those who walk with Him, namely the wealth of faith and spiritual fruits and gifts.

Jesus went to the cross to take away the sins of the world. We just need to receive this gift by faith. Once sin is removed, Jesus gives us another gift, namely the gift of His indwelling Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit enriches those who have Him with faith in God and fruits of God’s character such as love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. The Holy Spirit gives gifts such as words of wisdom, words of knowledge, words of faith, gifts of healing, miracles, prophetic utterances and discerning of spirits. [4] These fruits and gifts of the Spirit empower the one who has them to enrich the lives of those around him or her. The Christian might be poor and uneducated by the world'’ standards, but in truth, do more to enrich the lives of others than many millionaires combined.

“Dear Lord Jesus, thank You for becoming poor for us so that we could receive You and the fruits and gifts of Your Holy Spirit. Please enrich the lives of others as we depend upon Your grace to work in and through us. For it is in Your Name that we pray. Amen.”

[1] 2 Corinthians 8:9
[2] 2 Corinthians 6:10
[3] James 2:5
[4] Galatians 5:22-23 & 1 Corinthians 11:8-10

The Fellowship of Christ's Sufferings

“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 the armor of righteousness...
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]

Paul the Apostle wrote of a different kind of divine validation from which to speak for Christ to the world. His credentials to speak for God included a long list of sufferings that he incurred while sharing the Good News of Christ with others. He told the Philippians that he wanted to fellowship in Christ’s sufferings and be conformed to Messiah’s death. [2]

I thank God for all who paid a great price to bring me to Christ.

“Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for Your servants who go through so much to keep Your light, Your love, Your joy, and Your peace flowing in this cruel world. Please continue to grace our world with such servants as these. And please grant us the grace to join in this unique fellowship. It is in the Name of Your Son Jesus that I pray. Amen.”

[1] 2 Corinthians 6:5-10
[2] Philippians 3:10

The Blessed Hope

“What you sow is not made alive…
Unless it dies.
And what you sow,
Is not that body that shall be,
But mere grain…
But God gives it a body as He pleases,
And to each seed its own body.

So, also is the resurrection of the dead.

The body is sown in corruption,
The body is raised in incorruption.
The body is sown in dishonor,
The body is raised in glory.
The body is sown in weakness,
The body is raised in power.
The body is sown a natural body,
The body is raised a spiritual body.
There is a natural body,
And there is a spiritual body.
‘The first man Adam became a living being.’
The last Adam became a life-giving spirit.

The first man was of the earth, made of dust;
The second Man is the Lord from heaven.
As was the man of dust,
So, also are those who are made of dust;
And as is the heavenly Man,
So, also are those who are heavenly.
And as we have borne the image of the man of dust,
We shall also bear the image of the heavenly Man.

Behold, I tell you a mystery:
We shall not all sleep,
But we shall all be changed—
In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye,
At the last trumpet.
For the trumpet will sound,
And the dead will be raised incorruptible,
And we shall be changed.

For this corruptible must put on incorruption,
This mortal must put on immortality.
So, when this corruptible has put on incorruption,
And this mortal has put on immortality,

Then, shall be brought to pass the saying that is written:
‘Death is swallowed up in victory.’
‘O Death, where is your sting?
O Hades, where is your victory?’

Thanks be to God,
He gives us the victory…
Through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Therefore, my beloved brethren,
Be steadfast, immovable,
Always abounding in the work of the Lord,
Know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.”

1 Corinthians 15:36-38, 42-45, 47-49, 51-55, 57

Praise God for His Word

I praise God for His Word!

This morning, I woke up with thoughts of how during His earthly ministry, Jesus experienced abandonment and rejection. Many disciples split off from Him. [1] His twelve disciples forsook and fled from Him when He was arrested. [2] These incidents seem to indicate that Jesus was not a good leader. He could not hold people together. Even those who were closest to Him. But after His resurrection, and after He baptized His disciples in the Holy Spirit, the number of His disciples grew incredibly. Good disciples! Dedicated disciples!

I pray the Lord will revive His Church in these last of the last days.

Many builders have rejected Christ. They do not want to talk about Jesus. They do not want to be associated with people who are overly enthusiastic about Him. They are making a big mistake.

“The Stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone. This was the Lord’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes. This is the day the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.” [3]

Jesus Christ is the Chief Cornerstone. His Word is good counsel. King David highly regarded the Word of the Lord. He asked the Lord to help him to always cherish God’s Word.

“Incline my heart to Your testimonies,
And not to covetousness.
Turn away my eyes from looking at worthless things,
And revive me in Your way.

I am a companion of all who fear You,
And of those who keep Your precepts.

The law of Your mouth is better to me
than thousands of coins of gold and silver.

Unless Your law had been my delight,
I would then have perished in my affliction.

How sweet are Your words to my taste,
Sweeter than honey to my mouth!

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

I hate the double-minded,
But I love Your law.
You are my hiding place and my shield;
I hope in Your word.
Depart from me, you evildoers,
For I will keep the commandments of my God!

The entrance of Your words gives light;
It gives understanding to the simple.

Look upon me and be merciful to me,
As Your custom is toward those who love Your name.
Direct my steps by Your word,
And let no iniquity have dominion over me.

I am small and despised,
Yet I do not forget Your precepts.

Consider my affliction and deliver me,
For I do not forget Your law.

Plead my cause and redeem me;
Revive me according to Your word.

I see the treacherous, and am disgusted,
Because they do not keep Your word.

Consider how I love Your precepts;
Revive me, O Lord, according to Your lovingkindness.

Princes persecute me without a cause,
But my heart stands in awe of Your Word.
I rejoice at Your word
As one who finds great treasure.

Great peace have those who love Your law,
And nothing causes them to stumble.

My lips shall utter praise,
For You teach me Your statutes.” [4]

David did not want to be beholden to ungodly behaviors such as covetousness, worthless pursuits, double mindedness, evil deeds, and treachery. He wanted to be a companion with God-fearers, a keeper of God’s precepts, a delighter in God’s law, a follower in Lord’s footsteps, a rejoicing person in God’s Word, and a praising person of God.

“Dear Lord Jesus, thank You for Your Word. Please help us to always delight-in and praise You for Your Word. It is in Your Name I pray. Amen.”

[1] John 6:66
[2] Mark 14:50
[3] Psalm 118:22-24
[4] Psalm 119:36-37, 63, 72, 92, 103, 105, 113-115, 130, 132-133, 141, 153-154, 158-159, 161-162, 165, 171

Saved by God’s Grace

When the Philistines were fighting Keilah, what did David do? He inquired of the Lord, saying, “Shall I go and attack these Philistines?” And the Lord said to David, “Go and attack the Philistines, and save Keilah.”

David’s men said to him, “Look, we are afraid here in Judah. How much more than if we go to Keilah against the armies of the Philistines?” David inquired of the Lord once again. The Lord said, “Arise, go down to Keilah. For I will deliver the Philistines into your hand.”

God gave David and his men the victory.

Then, King Saul, his father-in-law, called all the people together for war, to go down to Keilah to besiege David and his men. David asked the Lord, “Will the men of Keilah deliver me into his hand? Will Saul come down, as Your servant has heard? O Lord God of Israel, I pray, tell Your servant.” The Lord replied, “He will come down.” David asked, “Will the men of Keilah deliver me and my men into the hand of Saul?” The Lord replied, “They will deliver you.” David and his men escaped.

Saul sought him every day, but God did not deliver him into his hand.

The Ziphites offered to betray David into Saul’s hands.

Saul was on one side of a mountain, and David and his men were on the other side of the mountain. Saul and his men were encircling David and his men to take them. But a messenger came to Saul and warned of a Philistine invasion. So, Saul broke off the attack on David. David called that place the Rock of Escape (Jesus is the Rock of our salvation). [1]

A lengthened life is God’s gift to those who listen to Him:

“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.” [2]

Today, there still is a remnant of God’s people according to the election of grace. “Saved by God’s grace” means our salvation is no longer of works; otherwise grace is no longer grace. [3]

The odds are stacked against us. We cannot win. Except for God! Praise be to God for extending grace to us in Jesus Christ His Son. We win because God saves us by His grace in Christ Jesus, not by our works.

[1] 1 Samuel 23
[2] Proverbs 9:10-11
[3] Romans 11:5-6

Mercifully Elected

“So then it [election] is not of him who wills, nor of him who runs, but of God who shows mercy.” [1]

God elects sinners for salvation. We don’t get to do that. In fact, we don’t get to elect ourselves. Election is always a result of God’s mercy.

Jesus spoke of a Pharisee who stood and prayed with himself, “God, I thank You that I am not like other men—extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.” Jesus spoke of a tax collector who would not raise his eyes to heaven. He beat his breast, saying, “God, be merciful to me a sinner!” Jesus said the tax collector was justified by God. The Pharisee was not. Jesus taught that self-exaltation leads to humiliation, whereas humility before God leads to exaltation. [2]

Brennan Manning wrote that the Gospel is for people who are not too proud to accept the handout of amazing grace. “Honest disciples who admit they are scalawags.” [3]

“Thank You Heavenly Father for being merciful to me. Please help me to be merciful towards others. In the Name of Your Son Jesus I pray. Amen.”

[1] Romans 9:16
[2] Luke 18:9-14
[3] The Ragamuffin Gospel, Multnomah Books, 7680 Goddard St., Suite 200, Colorado Springs, CO 80920

Drawing Near To God

The ark of the covenant of God was not where it should be. It remained distant from the people for twenty years. The Israelites lamented after the Lord.

Samuel urged them, “If you return to the Lord with all your hearts, then put away the foreign gods and the Ashtoreths from among you, and prepare your hearts for the Lord, and serve Him only; and He will deliver you from the hand of the Philistines.”

Samuel told the people to gather, and he would pray for them. They gathered, drew water, and poured it out before the Lord. They fasted and confessed, “We have sinned against the Lord.”

At this solemn moment, the Philistines attacked Israel. The devil does not want people to draw near to God. The Israelites were afraid. They said to Samuel, “Do not cease to cry out to the Lord our God for us, that He may save us from the hand of the Philistines.”

Samuel sacrificed a lamb to the Lord. He prayed. The Lord answered his prayer with loud thunder. The thunder scared the Philistines. They became confused. The Lord defeated them.

Afterwards, Samuel set up a stone and called its name Ebenezer, saying, “Thus far the Lord has helped us.” The Philistines were subdued. The cities they had taken from Israel were restored to Israel, and there was peace. [1]

A metaphor for Jesus in Bible is a lamb that is slain. The priests of God sacrificed lambs to atone for the sins of people. Jesus is called the Lamb of God because He is the One who takes away the sin of all who believe in Him.

The nation of Israel had departed from God to serve foreign gods. The enemy took advantage of their apostacy. He oppressed and abused the people. They were like sheep without a shepherd to protect them from predators. They were afraid.

The people of Israel wanted Samuel to pray for them. He urged them to forsake foreign gods and prayer to the one true God. He atoned for their sin by sacrificing a lamb to God. Once their sinned was forgiven by God the devil had no legal claim again them.

What they had been unable to do in twenty years, happened in a day. The Lord defeated their enemies. They turned to the Lord, sought His forgiveness, and received His help.

Like the nation of Israel, we have sinned against God. We need His forgiveness. God has set forth Jesus as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. In this way, God is just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus. [2] May the Lord help the people of our nation to forsake other gods and hold steadfast to faith in Christ alone.

[1] 1 Samuel 7:2-10, 12-14
[2] Romans 3:23-26

My Heart Rejoices in the Lord

“Her rival provoked her severely, to make her miserable, because the Lord had closed her womb. So it was, year by year, when she went up to the house of the Lord, that she provoked her severely; therefore she wept and did not eat.” [1]

The story of Hannah follows the story of Naomi in the Bible. [2]

Naomi was once bitter, but the Lord did not leave her there. He sweetened her life.

Hannah was verbally abused by her husband’s other wife. Some of the side effects of her rival’s treatment was sorrow, loss of appetite, and inability to accept love.

Hannah’s husband said to her, “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?” [3] He could not comfort her. He could not cheer her up.

There’s no mention of Hannah blaming her husband for her unhappiness. There’s no mention of her fighting back against Peninnah. Instead, Hannah turned to the Lord and sought the Lord for conflict resolution. “She was in bitterness of soul and prayed to the Lord and wept in anguish.” [4]

Her priest saw her praying before the Lord. Her lips moved, but her voice was not heard. Therefore, he assumed she was drunk. So, he said to her, “How long will you be drunk? Put your wine away from you!” [5]

Wow, even in church, she found no solace! However, this time Hannah defended her actions. She said, “No, my lord, I am a woman of sorrowful spirit. I have drunk neither wine nor intoxicating drink but have poured out my soul before the Lord. Do not consider your maidservant a wicked woman, for out of the abundance of my complaint and grief I have spoken until now.” [6] The priest responded by giving her a benediction of peace and said to her “May God of Israel grant your petition which you have asked of Him.” [7]

The Lord answered Hannah’s prayer. “The Lord remembered her.” [8] She had asked the Lord for a son, and the Lord gave her one.

Like Naomi in the Book of Ruth, Hannah’s son would have a special place in God’s book. Naomi’s grandson was the grandfather of King David. Hannah’s son, Samuel, was the prophet of God who anointed David to be the king of Israel.

The Lord is wonderful. Hannah praised the Lord with the following words, “My heart rejoices in the Lord; my horn is exalted in the Lord. I smile at my enemies,

Because I rejoice in Your salvation. He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the beggar from the ash heap, to set them among princes and make them inherit the throne of glory.” [9]

[1] 1 Samuel 1:6-7
[2] Ruth 1-4 – 1 Samuel 1-2
[3] 1 Samuel 1:8
[4] 1 Samuel 1:10
[5] 1 Samuel 1:12-14
[6] 1 Samuel 1:15-16
[7] 1 Samuel 1:17
[8] 1 Samuel 1:19
[9] 1 Samuel 2:1, 8

An Exceedingly Happy Ending

“Also the neighbor women gave him 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.” [1]

At one point in her life, Naomi was exceedingly disappointed. She told the women of her hometown, “Do not call me Naomi (Pleasant); call me Mara (bitter), for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me. I went out full, and the Lord has brought me home again empty. Why do you call me Naomi, since the Lord has testified against me, and the Almighty has afflicted me?” [2]

But God was preserving the genealogy of His Son, the Messiah and Savior of the world, through Naomi...

1) Her move to Moab.
2) Her son's marriage to Ruth.
3) The death of her husband and sons
4) Her return to her homeland
5) Her daughter-in-law’s, Ruth’s, loyalty to her
6) Ruth’s working in barley fields for income

These twists and turns in Naomi’s life led to her cradling a grandson (Obed) in her arms who was destined to become the grandfather of King David. Her grandson was destined to be in the family tree of the Messiah and Savior of the world: Jesus Christ. [3]

So, if you are a follower of Christ, and wonder, like I do sometimes about disappointments, consider this, everything that happens in this world is for the glory of Jesus Christ.

He is Alpha and Omega, the Beginning, and the End. [4]

And by the way, the Book of Ruth ends with Naomi being exceedingly happy. Her story, and ours (who are in Christ) does have an exceedingly happy ending.

[1] Ruth 4:17
[2] Ruth 1:20-21
[3] Matthew 1:5-6
[4] Revelation 1:7-8

Eyes Straight Heart Right with the Lord

“Give attention to My words; incline your ear to My sayings. Do not let them depart from your eyes; keep them in the midst of your heart; for they are life to those who find them, and health to all their flesh.” [1]

Eyes, ears, and heart given to God produce good results. His Word is health and peace to those who receive it.

“Let your eyes look straight ahead, and your eyelids look right before you. Ponder the path of your feet and let all your ways be established. Do not turn to the right or the left; remove your foot from evil.” [2]

The above passage speaks of very intentional and dedicated focus on God.

God’s Word has a purpose. It reveals Him and produces faith in Him. A light switch allows electricity to flow to a light bulb when it is in the ON position. Faith in God allows His divine power and intervention to FLOW to your life.

“Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life. Put away from you a deceitful mouth and put perverse lips far from you.” [3]

Where does deception and perversity come from? It comes from the devil. What does deception and perversity produce? Corruption! When our first parents sinned, sin corrupted them. They distanced themselves from God by hiding from Him. The Lord advises us to diligently keep our hearts right with Him. Beware of and avoid deceitful and perverse words.

We need the Lord. This is why we keep our heart right with Him with all diligence! We should sincerely pray to the Lord those two petitions contained in the prayer that He taught us: “Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.”

When a war is not going well, defenders search diligently for a key to turn the tide in the battle. JESUS is the KEY. JESUS provides GOOD INTEL. There is power in the NAME of JESUS! The enemy retreats when he is rebuked in the NAME of JESUS. Claim the shed blood of JESUS for the forgiveness of your sins. Satan’s claims on you have been cancelled when your sins are forgiven in JESUS’ NAME. JESUS establishes you. JESUS stabilizes your ways. JESUS keeps you on the path to victory.

The Bible foretells of two characteristics of our King Jesus Christ when He returns, “He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His Name is called The Word of God.” [4] Let us keep our eyes straight and our heart right with Him.

[1] Proverbs 4:20-22
[2] Proverbs 4:25-27
[3] Proverbs 4:23-24
[4] Revelation 19:13

Worse Sinners Than Others?

Comparatively speaking, the worst tragedy is to miss eternity with God. Believers in Christ are guaranteed everlasting food, clothing, and housing for all eternity.

People once asked Jesus if the tragic death of some Galileans was because they worse sinners than others. The Roman Governor Pilate had executed them while they were in the process of making sacrifices to God. What did Jesus say?

“There were present at that season some who told Him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. And Jesus answered and said to them, ‘Do you suppose that these Galileans were worse sinners than all other Galileans, because they suffered such things? I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.’” [1]

Jesus emphasized everyone’s need of repentance. The Bible states that one sin against God makes a person guilty before God. “Whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all.” [2]

Not one person measures up to God’s standard of perfection. “…There is no difference; for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” [3]

The Apostle Peter told his listeners how to overcome eternal death. We all die, but what happens after that is what is most important. Peter preached, “Repent and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” [4]

The key to eternal happiness is to repent of trusting in our own efforts to reach God and to acknowledge that God has already reached out to us. He created us. He sent His Son to die on the cross for our sins. He gives us His Holy Spirit. In Christ, we can have a meaningful life no matter what the world does destroy it.

Rather than focus on death, let us focus on God’s promise of eternal life to those who believe in Jesus. Let us focus on good that God does through us whether we many or few days on earth.

[1] Luke 13:1-3
[2] James 2:10
[3] Romans 3:22-23
[4] Acts 2:38

COVID Departure - SPIRIT Arrival

We met Hurricane Ophelia just after we moved to Morehead City, NC. Ophelia drifted just offshore between September 14 – September 16, 2005. She caused a total of $70 million in damage, including breaking through the roof of our thrift store and pouring water within. She spun off the North Carolina coast for eight days. She fluctuated between strong tropical storm intensity and Category One intensity five times. Ophelia stayed in the relatively same location, caused a lot of beach erosion. Weak steering currents caused the storm to move very slowly, drift, and even become stationary.

As I consider our current situation with COVID lockdown until May 3, I think of that time when we waited in our home for Hurricane Ophelia to leave. The strongest gusts slightly shook our home. The water in our cul-de-sac ascended towards the front door of our home. We hoped the water would not breach the doorway. We had to stay in place and wait. We could not do anything but pray and trust in the Lord to take care of us. He did! Praise the Lord!

This morning, the Lord gave me…

“If it had not been the Lord who was on our side. Then the waters would have overwhelmed us, the stream would have gone over our soul; then the swollen waters would have gone over our soul. Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth.” [1]

The Lord also gave me…

“The Lord, He is the One who goes before you. He will be with you; He will not leave you nor forsake you; do not fear nor be dismayed.” [2]

After His resurrection, “He [Jesus] also presented Himself alive after His suffering by many infallible proofs, being seen by them for forty days and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God.” “He commanded them [His disciples] to wait for the Promise of the Father…” saying, “…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 witnesses...” [3]

My prayer is that a mighty move of the Holy Spirit will follow this time of waiting on the Lord.

[1] Psalm 124:1, 4-5, 8
[2] Deuteronomy 31:8
[3] Acts 1:3-5, 8

Walking With Jesus

This morning, I read of the blessings that the Lord bestows on those who obey Him, AND of the curses that the Lord bestows on those who forsake Him. [1]

The Lord made a covenant with His people. He commanded them not to turn away from Him to serve other gods… that there would be no root among them that brings forth bitterness. He warned them not to defy the covenant, saying, “Let it not happen, when he [anyone among them] hears the words of this curse that he blesses himself in his heart, saying, ‘I shall have peace, even though I follow the dictates of my heart.’ As though the drunkard could be included with the sober.” [2]

During a conversation with Peter, Jesus asked him, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?” [3] “These” most likely refers to the fish that they were eating. Fishing was Peter’s career. His identity was tied to fishing, but what about Jesus? Did Peter love Jesus enough to tend sheep for Him? Love impacts our decisions. Love for the Lord leads one to lay down one’s own ambitions for the sake of others. This the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God.

May our love for Jesus exceed all other loves! May we focus on feeding the Lord’s sheep with spiritual food rather than on feeding our flesh. May He be glorified in our lives! God’s blessings are on those whose heart is steadfast with Him.

[1] Deuteronomy 28:1-68
[2] Deuteronomy 29:19
[3] John 21:15

He Obeyed And Sacrificed

Before I get to the story of Jesus, I want to speak of Israel’s first king. His name was Saul.

God spoke to Moses long before Saul was born. He said to Moses, “Remember what Amalek did to you on the way as you were coming out of Egypt, how he met you on the way and attacked your rear ranks, all the stragglers at your rear, when you were tired and weary; and he did not fear God. Therefore it shall be, when the Lord your God has given, you rest from your enemies all around, in the land which the Lord your God is giving you to possess as an inheritance, that you will blot out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven. You shall not forget.” [1]

The Amalekites attacked the weak and weary of Israel when Israel was no threat to them. It was a slaughter. God gave the Amalekites a long opportunity to repent of their sin.

After the Lord anointed Saul to be Israel’s first king, he said to him, “I will punish Amalek for what he did to Israel, how he ambushed him on the way when he came up from Egypt. Now go and attack Amalek, and utterly destroy all that they have, and do not spare them…” [2]

Saul attacked the Amalekites and defeated them, but he spared their king and the best of their livestock. He failed to adhere to God’s plan… as king, which was his job.

The Lord told Samuel, “I greatly regret that I have set up Saul as king, for he has turned back from following Me, and has not performed My commandments.” [3]

The Lord’s word to Saul via His messenger Samuel was, “Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, He also has rejected you from being king.” [4]

Fast forward to the Garden of Gethsemane! Jesus is kneeling and praying, “Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless, not My will, but Yours, be done.” “Being in agony, He prayed more earnestly. Then His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.” [5]

Jesus obeyed God’s plan. He drank the cup of God’s wrath against humanity’s sin. He did not disobey God’s plan for Him. He also sacrificed. His sacrifice on the cross was for our disobedience and rebellion… not His own.

Earthly kings cannot save us from death. Jesus can! Jesus is the resurrection and the life. He raises everyone who believes in Him from the dead. He gives believers in Him eternal life. Salvation is His gift to everyone who believes in Him.

[1] Deuteronomy 24:17-19
[2] 1 Samuel 15:1-3
[3] 1 Samuel 15:7-11
[4] 1 Samuel 15:22-23
[5] Luke 22:41-44

The Proper Distinction Between Law And Gospel

“The Law tells us what we are to do. The Gospel reveals to us what God is doing.

The Law is speaking concerning our works. The Gospel, concerning the great works of God.

The Law gives people a sense of right and wrong. The Gospel is an invitation to partake of heavenly blessings.

The Law is to be preached to sinners who feel secure to keep sinning. The Gospel is be preached to sinners who feel alarmed about their sins.

The Law contains threats for sinners. The Gospel contains no threats at all, but only words of consolation.

The Law produces thirst; it leads the hearer to hell and slays him. The Gospel refreshes the hearer and leads him to heaven.

In the Law we hear the tenfold summons, “Thou shalt.” The Gospel does not require anything good that man must furnish not a good heart, not a good disposition, no improvement of his condition, no godliness, no love either of God or men. It issues no orders, but it changes man. The Gospel plants love into his heart and makes him capable of all good works. It demands nothing, but it gives all. Should not this fact make us leap for joy?” [1]

“The LAW was given by Moses, but GRACE and TRUTH came by JESUS CHRIST.” [2]

“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. And you are witnesses of these things. 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.” [3]

After the Law, after the Gospel, next comes the Promise of the Father which is the blessed Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the enduement of power from on high. He helps us to live a new life.

[1] Excerpts from “The Proper Distinction between Law and Gospel,” by C. F. W. Walther, Concordia Publishing House, 1929
[2] John 1:17
[3] Luke 24:46-49

Let Us Ever Walk With Jesus

“Let us ever walk with Jesus,
Follow His example pure,
Flee the world, which would deceive us
And to sin our souls allure.
Ever in His footsteps treading,
Body here, yet soul above,
Full of faith and hope and love,
Let us do the Father's bidding.
Faithful Lord, abide with me;
Savior, lead, I follow Thee.” [1]

Follow Jesus! Flee the world, which would deceive us.

“If there arises among you a prophet or a dreamer of dreams, and he gives you a sign or a wonder, and the sign or the wonder comes to pass, of which he spoke to you, saying, ‘Let us go after other gods’—which you have not known— ‘and let us serve them,’ you shall not listen to the words of that prophet or that dreamer of dreams.” [2]

There is no other god but the One true God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Don’t listen to anyone who tries to convince you otherwise.

“If your brother, the son of your mother, your son or your daughter, the wife of your bosom, or your friend who is as your own soul, secretly entices you, saying, ‘Let us go and serve other gods…’” [3] Don’t listen! Don’t exchange an eternity with God for the sake of a family member, spouse, child, or friend. God does not want us to give up eternity with Him for the sake of unity with an idolatrous family member or friend.

“If you hear someone in one of your cities, which the Lord your God gives you to dwell in, saying, ‘Corrupt men have gone out from among you and enticed the inhabitants of their city, saying, ‘Let us go and serve other gods.’” [4] Don’t go after other gods when neighbors do.

The Lord advises, “Do not let your heart envy sinners, but be zealous for the fear of the Lord all the day; for surely there is a hereafter, and your hope will not be cut off.” [5] Did you hear that? Be zealous for the Lord all day! There is a hereafter. You don’t want to miss it.

May the Lord help us to remain steadfastly devoted unto Him. Not competitive, but as Jesus said, “By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” [6]

[1] Sigismund von Birken, 1626-1681
[2] Deuteronomy 13:1-3
[3] Deuteronomy 13:6
[4] Deuteronomy 13:12-13
[5] Proverbs 23:17-18
[6] John 13:35

Speak God’s Word

“Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you; before you were born, I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations.” [1]

God reveals to us in Jeremiah a man whose “heroism” is based on divine grace. Before he was born, God called him. Before he did anything good or bad, the Lord ordained him.

“Then I [Jeremiah] said: ‘Ah, Lord God! Behold, I cannot speak, for I am a youth.’” [2]

God’s heroes are unlike worldly heroes. They have no confidence in themselves. They don’t seek to be the focus of everyone’s attention. They can live without worldly applause.

“The Lord said to me: ‘Do not say, ‘I am a youth,’ for you shall go to all to whom I send you, and whatever I command you, you shall speak. Do not be afraid of their faces, for I am with you to deliver you,’ says the Lord. Then the Lord put forth His hand and touched my mouth, and the Lord said to me: ‘Behold, I have put My words in your mouth.’” [3]

The Lord gave Jeremiah marching orders:

Don’t speak negatively of yourself
Go where I send you
Speak what I command you to say
Don’t fear your audience
I will deliver you

The Lord’s equipment for Jeremiah was His Word.

“Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for Your Word, the Bible. Help us to faithfully speak for You as many have done and as many are still doing. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.”

[1] Jeremiah 1:5
[2] Jeremiah 1:6
[3] Jeremiah 1:7-9

Remember

“The Lord your God is bringing you into a good land, a land of brooks of water, of fountains and springs, which flow out of valleys and hills; a land of wheat and barley, of vines and fig trees and pomegranates, a land of olive oil and honey.” [1]

“Beware that you do not forget the Lord your God by not keeping His commandments…” [2]

“[Lest], when your heart is lifted up, and you forget the Lord your God...” [3]

“Then you say in your heart, ‘My power and the might of my hand have gained me this wealth.’” [4]

“You shall remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth…” [5]

Remember! Sometimes it takes something drastic to jar our memories. We become so focused on the here and now that we forget the there and later. Remember, the Lord is bringing us to a land better than the land of Israel. He is bringing us to an eternity with Him in paradise.

“Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. So, when He heard that he [Lazarus their brother] was sick, He stayed two more days in the place where He was.” [6]

Lazarus died during that two-day delay, but Scripture tells us that Jesus loved Martha and her sister Mary. Jesus had a plan. He was going to reveal His great love for these two sisters by not healing their brother when he was sick. His plan was to heal Lazarus after he was dead.

“Then Jesus said to them plainly, “Lazarus is dead. And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, that you may believe. Nevertheless, let us go to him.” [7]

Jesus told His disciples that He was glad for their sakes that He was not present when Lazarus died. He had a plan. His plan was to raise Lazarus from the dead to boost their faith in Him.

During this season when bad reports flow like a mighty river, let us remember the Lord. He is bringing us to better place. This world is not where it all ends. There is still more life to come, and it is a better life when we believe in Jesus Christ.

Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die.” [8]

[1] Deuteronomy 8:7-8
[2] Deuteronomy 8:11
[3] Deuteronomy 8:14
[4] Deuteronomy 8:18
[5] John 11:5-6
[6] John 11:14-15
[7] John 11:25-26

Be Clean

Due to a pandemic, the government wants everyone to constantly wash their hands. I looked at the word “unclean” in the Bible. Using BibleGateway.com set on the New King James Bible Version, I could see how many times the word “unclean” appears in the Bible. Here are stats:

124 x – Books of Moses
153 x – All Old Testament including Books of Moses
22 x – Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke
44 x – All New Testament books including the Gospels
197 x – The entire Bible

The Book of Leviticus uses the word “unclean” ninety-two times. Many of these passages state that if a person does ____, or eats ______, etc., they are unclean.

The Gospels use the word “unclean” most often to refer to a person who had been defiled and negatively affected by an unclean spirit.

“Now there was a man in their synagogue with an unclean spirit. And he cried out…” [1] Jesus removed the unclean spirit from the man and people were amazed. “Then they were all amazed, so that they questioned themselves, saying, ‘What is this? What new doctrine is this? For with authority He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey Him.’” [2]

Jesus gave authority to His disciples to cast out unclean spirits. “And He called the twelve to Himself, and began to send them out two by two, and gave them power over unclean spirits.” [3]

The ministry of casting out unclean spirit continued after Jesus ascended to heaven. “Also a multitude gathered from the surrounding cities to Jerusalem, bringing sick people and those who were tormented by unclean spirits, and they were all healed.” [4]

The Bible associates uncleanness with sin done in the body. “Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.” [5] “For this you know that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.” [6]

New Jerusalem is a place that is free from uncleanness. “There shall by no means enter it anything that defiles, or causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.” [7]

Jesus is the key to victory over unclean spirits. “How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?” [8] His blood cleanses our conscience so that we hear and obey His Spirit’s voice and leading.

“Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for sending Your Son into the world. An atoning sacrifice for our sins! We ask that You forgive our sins and cleanse our land from unclean spirits that defile people. Please bring about newness through the indwelling presence of Your Holy Spirit. In Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen.”

[1] Mark 1:23
[2] Mark 1:27
[3] Mark 6:7
[4] Acts 5:16
[5] Romans 1:24-25
[6] Ephesians 5:5
[7] Revelation 21:27
[8] Hebrews 9:14

Humble Yourself Before The Lord

At 4 am this morning, I was thinking of winnowing, potsherds, Zedekiah and a time in my life when a song by Second Chapter of Acts helped me.

John the Baptist said that Jesus winnows out chaff and collects wheat. [1]

Jeremiah told religious leaders that they would become like the broken potsherds that were disposed of outside their city. The blood of innocent children sacrificed to idols was on their hands. They refused to repent. [2] Americans have torn millions of babies from the wombs of mothers. Many have been warned not to sacrifice these unborn babies on the altars of their own convenience but did it anyway.

Zedekiah was a king who feared people more than God. He put his chips on people rather than on God and lost. The King of Babylon slaughtered his sons before his eyes. Afterwards, his eyes were put out and he was bound with bronze shackles. [3]

The song, “Humble Yourself” by the Second Chapter of Acts came to me during a difficult time in my life. I was trying to learn Mandarin. We were staying in a missionary’s home while he was on furlough because we had no place of our own. We had little money. Sherry was suffering. A fellow missionary advised me that the only way up is down. Her words upset me because I thought to myself, “How much lower can I go?” But the Lord confirmed that word through the lyrics of the song, “Humble Yourself.”

[Verse 1]

“You pick the crown
And you have found
Pride comes before a stumble
The bigger you are
The harder you fall
Don’t harden your heart
When you hear Him Call

[Verse 2]

Don’t think of yourself as overly smart
God uses your mind
But looks to the heart
To see if your thoughts are open and true
Cause He really cares what you’ve been up to

[Verse 3]

Don’t worry or fret
You’ll get what you need
The flowers He clothes
The sparrow He feeds
And you will receive a greater reward
By putting your faith and trust in the Lord

[Chorus]

Humble yourself before the Lord
Humble yourself
Humble yourself before the Lord
Humble yourself” [4]

After I humbled myself before the Lord, He did come through for me. The Lord winnowed out the chaff from my life and preserved its wheat. As soft clay in His hands I was not shattered. I was shaped. The Lord did lift me up.

[1] Luke 3:17
[2] Jeremiah 19
[3] Jeremiah 39:3-7
[4] Songwriters: Anne Herring / Jim Tenneboe, Humble Yourself lyrics © Latter Rain Music, Emi Christian Music Pub Obo Latter Rain Music, Midi Mouse Music

Heavenly Jerusalem

“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life.” [1]

“You have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, to an innumerable company of angels, to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are registered in heaven, to God the Judge of all, to the spirits of just men made perfect.” [2]

“Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying,

‘Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men,
And He will dwell with them,
And they shall be His people.
God Himself will be with them and be their God.
And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes;
There shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying.
There shall be no more pain,
For the former things have passed away.’” [3]

“I saw no temple in it, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. The city had no need of the sun or of the moon to shine in it, for the glory of God illuminated it.” [4]

“There shall by no means enter it anything that defiles, or causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.” [5]

[1] John 5:24
[2] Hebrews 12:22-23
[3] Revelation 21:1-4
[4] Revelation 21:22-23
[5] Revelation 21:27

Spiritually Mindedness

Jesus taught, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’” [1]

There is a naturalization process to enter God’s Kingdom. We must believe in the Lamb of God, Jesus Christ, who became an atoning sacrifice for us. Only Jesus gives the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the One who births people anew so that we have a new heart and spirit to honor God.

“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.” [2]

“Dear Heavenly Father, during these perilous days of evil reports, thank You for the Good News that our Redeemer lives. Thank You for the gift of the transforming Holy Spirit. Thank You for spiritual rebirth and mindedness.”

[1] John 3:5-7
[2] Romans 8:5-9

The Captain of the Host Is Jesus

“When we cried out to the Lord, He heard our voice and sent the Angel and brought us up out of Egypt; now here we are in Kadesh, a city on the edge of your border.” [1]

“For the Lord is marching on
And His army is ever strong
And His glory shall be seen upon our land
Raise the anthem, sing the victor's song
Praise the Lord for the battle's won
No weapon formed against us shall stand

For the Captain of the host is Jesus
We're following in His footsteps
No foe can stand against us in the fray

We are marching in Messiah's band
The keys of vict'ry in His mighty hand
Let us march on to take our promised land
For the Lord is marching on
And His army is ever strong
And His glory shall be seen upon our land.” [2]

The Lord Jesus Christ is the Captain of the Armies of Heaven. [3] Old Testament Joshua was a type of Christ in this sense. Jesus Christ is also our Good Shepherd. [4] He leads His sheep to green pastures. [5]

“Then the seventh angel sounded: and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, ‘The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!’” [6]

Links below:

A study on “The Angel of the Lord” or “Messenger of the Lord.” Angel is Greek for messenger. A teaching about Theophany (the pre-incarnate appearance of Christ) in the Old Testament

https://www.blueletterbible.org/faq/don_stewart/don_stewart_26.cfm

YouTube presentation of the song, “For the Lord is Marching On”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Opo0f84QqzM

[1] Numbers 20:16
[2] “For the Lord is Marching On” song by Kent Henry
[3] Revelation 19:11-14
[4] John 10:11
[5] Psalm 23:1-2
[6] Revelation 11:15

Plague Stopped by an Atoning Sacrifice

“Moses said to Aaron, ‘…take it quickly to the congregation and make atonement for them; for wrath has gone out from the Lord. The plague has begun.’ “He… made atonement for the people. And he stood between the dead and the living; so, the plague was stopped.” [1]

“In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be an atoning sacrifice for our sins.” [2]

Once an atonement was made, the plaque among the Israelites stopped. God loved us and sent His Son to be an atonement for our sins. Faith in Christ’s redemptive work on the cross destroys the destructive consequences of sin… both in this world and the next.

“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. But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave, for He shall receive me. Selah” [3]

Human pride scoffs at yielding itself to God. “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, a broken and a contrite heart—These, O God, You will not despise.” [4] May the Lord grant us the grace of humility, the blessing of brokenness and the gift of contrition. The Lord urges us, “Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.” [5]

Don’t be destroyed by the curses of sin. Claim the blood of Jesus Christ shed for the forgiveness of your sins! Let Christ take whatever is coming against you, and let Him halt and reverse the effects of the plague.

[1] Numbers 16:46-48
[2] 1 John 4:10
[3] Psalm 49:6-9, 15
[4] Psalm 51:17
[5] Luke 21:34-36

Jesus Increase Self Decrease

Jesus and His disciples were baptizing. [1] So were John the Baptist and his disciples. [2] John the Baptist was informed, “Rabbi, He who was with you beyond the Jordan, to whom you have testified—behold, He is baptizing, and all are coming to Him!” [3]

John responded, “You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, ‘I am not the Christ,’ but, ‘I have been sent before Him.’” [4]

John compared himself to a friend of the bridegroom who rejoices to hear the bridegroom’s voice. [5] Then, he told his disciples, “He [Jesus] must increase, but I must decrease.” [6]

John explained to them that God gave to Jesus the Holy Spirit without measure [7], and that Jesus is the Beloved Son of God, and that whoever believes in Jesus has everlasting life.

“The Father loves the Son and has given all things into His hand. He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.” [8]

Are we competing with Jesus? Limiting Jesus? Or is Jesus increasing in our lives? Do we believe that He is the One who the heavenly Father loves… the One we should acknowledge and seek to imitate, or do we have other idol-figure in our lives? Perhaps, our own ego? John encouraged his followers by way of example to rejoice in Jesus. Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He is the door to heaven. He is the resurrection. He has everlasting life. He is the way to the Father.

[1] John 3:22
[2] John 3:23
[3] John 3:26
[4] John 3:28
[5] John 3:29
[6] John 3:30
[7] John 3:34
[8] John 3:35-36

Repentance & Faith

Psalm 38 is of the penitential genre along with Psalms 6, 32, 51, 102, 130, and 143. Penitential refers to repentance of sin. What does repentance look like?

“Your hand presses me down.” [1] David’s agony was because of his own sin. Jesus was made the target of the same agony, but for our sins, not for His own. Jesus sustained the weight for the sins of the whole world. Understanding the agony helps us to understand something of the greatness of the love that sent Him to the cross – for us.

“My iniquities have gone over my head; like a heavy burden they are too heavy for me. My wounds are foul and festering because of my foolishness.” [2] David’s sins were the cause of the crisis. David hoped that an honest and heartfelt telling of his misery would move God’s compassion.

“My loved ones and my friends stand aloof from my plague, and my relatives stand afar off. Those who seek my life lay snares for me; those who seek my hurt speak of destruction, and plan deception all day long.” [3] David’s misery was unrelieved by either friends or relatives. His loved ones either did not care or could not help David. He also faced determined enemies who constantly plotted his destruction.

“For in You, O Lord, I hope; You will hear, O Lord my God.” [4] David chose to allow his affliction to press him towards God instead of away from the God.

“But my enemies are vigorous, and they are strong; and those who hate me wrongfully have multiplied. Those also who render evil for good, they are my adversaries, because I follow what is good.” [5] On the one hand, David felt afflicted because of his lack of goodness before God and on the other hand, he felt afflicted because his peers felt he was too good. “They are my adversaries,” the Hebrew word translated adversaries is the root for the title Satan. “They Satanically hate me, as if they were transformed into so many breathing devils.”  [6]

“Do not forsake me, O Lord; O my God, be not far from me! Make haste to help me, O Lord, my salvation!” [7] The psalm closes with a heartfelt cry. More than anything, David wanted the sense of God’s presence (be not far from me). It is likely that the absence of that sense was David’s greatest trial in this dark season.

David pressed his need before God with urgency and looked to the Lord as his only salvation. The psalm ends without a change in circumstances but with continued faith in God.

[1] Psalm 38:2
[2] Psalm 38:4-5
[3] Psalm 38:11-12
[4] Psalm 38:15
[5] Psalm 38:19-20
[6] 2019 The Enduring Word Bible Commentary by David Guzik – ewm@enduringword.com
[7] Psalm 38:21-22

Saved By Grace

The parables of “The Unjust Steward” and “Lazarus and the Rich Man” [1] follow the parables of “The Lost Sheep,” “The Lost Coin,” and “The Lost Son.” [2] Both the unjust steward and Lazarus are men who had nothing to offer the Lord in terms of wealth or a great resumé, and yet, both escape with their lives at the end of their stories.

“He [Jesus] also said to His disciples: ‘There was a certain rich man who had a steward, and an accusation was brought to him that this man was wasting his goods.’” [3]

The steward or treasurer in this parable of Jesus either messed up or was falsely accused. His rich boss was about to terminate him, so he made friends with his bosses’ debtors by reducing one’s debts by 50% and another’s debt by 20%. He hoped they would take him in after he was fired. Based on the context of the chapter in which this parable is told, I believe the treasurer was just trying to survive.

Jesus told His disciples, “No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.” [4] The emphasis is not to love worldly wealth more than God.

“Now the Pharisees, who were lovers of money, also heard all these things, and they derided Him [Jesus]. He [Jesus] said to them, ‘You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is highly esteemed among men is an abomination in the sight of God.’” [5]

Money and success are highly esteemed among people who want to justify themselves. But this kind of self-worth is an abomination to God. People are intrinsically valuable to God. He created us in His image. We do not need to prove our value. God loves us.

Jesus told another parable in the presence of the Pharisees. “There was a certain rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and fared sumptuously every day. But there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, full of sores, who was laid at his gate. So it was that the beggar died and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s bosom. The rich man also died and was buried. And being in torments in Hades, he lifted-up his eyes and saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.” “Abraham said, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things; but now he is comforted, and you are tormented.” [6]

The rich man assumed that he was safe due to his abundant provisions, but his life was devoid of God. He had no compassion on poor Lazarus. He had no relationship with God.

Lazarus had nothing to offer God, but a wounded, homeless, and hungry man. The Lord had mercy on Him and brought him to be with Father Abraham. Like the steward of the rich man who failed his master, he knew that he needed grace if he was going to have a place to live in the future. We all need the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ to be welcomed into His eternal home. He is the only Savior from sin. 

“Dear Lord Jesus, thank You for Your sacrifice on the cross for my sins. You are my Savior. I trust You to save me though I do not deserve to be saved. In Your Name, I pray. Amen.”

[1] Luke 16
[2] Luke 15
[3] Luke 16:1
[4] Luke 16:13
[5] Luke 16:14-15
[6] Luke 16:19-20, 22-2, 25

The Beloved Well-Pleasing Son

“The Holy Spirit descended in bodily form like a dove upon Him [JESUS], and a voice came from heaven which said, ‘You are My beloved Son; in You I am well pleased.’” [1]

“Then Jesus, being filled with the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, being tempted for forty days by the devil. And in those days, He ate nothing, and afterward, when they had ended, He was hungry.” [2]

The devil tempted Jesus in the wilderness. The wilderness was a place of discomfort including hunger, heat, loneliness and finally, the devil.

The devil wanted Jesus to prove himself. Prior to the wilderness, the Spirit descended upon Jesus in the form of a dove and the Heavenly Father spoke from heaven and said. “You are My beloved Son; in You I am well-pleased.”

Jesus knew He was loved. He was already pleasing to God. He did not need to jump through the devil's hoops. Jesus didn't need to turn stones into bread. He didn't need to jump off the temple and be rescued by angels. He certainly didn't need to fall down and worship the devil in exchange for worldly wealth.

Jesus knew His status with God even in the place of discomfort.

JESUS left the devil in the dust that day.

He remained in fellowship with the Heavenly Father and was filled with the Holy Spirit. His ministry results were resourced by divine communion.

“Dear Heavenly Father, Jesus the Son, and precious Holy Spirit, please grant us Your presence and fellowship throughout our journey here on earth. For it is in the Name of Jesus that I pray. Amen.”

[1] Luke 3:22
[2] Luke 4:1-2

The Father Gives His Spirit to Askers

“If a son asks for bread from any father among you, will he give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent instead of a fish? Or if he asks for an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!” [1]

“How much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!” Are we asking for temporary or everlasting gifts from our Heavenly Father?

Jesus taught His disciples to pray, “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” [2]

Jesus rebuked the Pharisees for seeking the wrong things, saying, “You Pharisees... your... full of greed and wickedness. Woe to you Pharisees! For you love the best seats in the synagogues and greetings in the marketplaces.” [3]

Once, three preachers in China spoke with great joy to a large crowd. I was there. They were joyful because the Lord had counted them worthy to suffer for His Name’s sake. Their joy was heavenly. Amidst political persecution, Jesus blessed them to see many people pick up their cross and follow Him.

“Heavenly Father, please give us Your Holy Spirit for the sake of hallowing Your Name and for the sake of doing Your will here on earth. For it is in the Name of Your Son Jesus that I pray. Amen.”

[1] Luke 11:11-13
[2] Luke 11:2
[3] Luke 11:39, 43

Jesus To The Rescue

Lately, I’ve been reading a book to Sherry as she drives us home from work. This book emphasizes the good works of those who rescued girls from sex traffickers in San Francisco, and the Christian education that they provided for them afterwards.

King David compared the person who robs another person of her life to a lion that devours it’s unsuspecting innocent prey. “He sits in the lurking places of the villages; in the secret places he murders the innocent; his eyes are secretly fixed on the helpless. He lies in wait secretly, as a lion in his den; he lies in wait to catch the poor; he catches the poor when he draws him [her] into his net. So he crouches, he lies low, that the helpless may fall by his strength. He has said in his heart, ‘God has forgotten; He hides His face; He will never see.’” [1]

Thankfully, the Lord and His servants do not forget the plight of the innocent who have been overpowered by beasts. The Lord responds, “’For the oppression of the poor, for the sighing of the needy, now I will arise,’ says the Lord; ‘I will set him in the safety for which he yearns.’” [2]

Jesus rescued Mary Magdalene both from the demons without her life and within in her life. And she became a part of His ministry team: “The twelve were with Him [Jesus], and certain women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities—Mary called Magdalene, out of whom had come seven demons.” [3]

“Dear Lord Jesus, thank You for You and for Your servants who rescue people from thieves who steal their lives. Please continue to raise up more laborers for this harvest, for the harvest is great and the laborers are few.”

[1] Psalm 10:8-11
[2] Psalm 12:5
[3] Luke 8:1-2

The Author of Peace

“Then a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone and threw it into the sea, saying, ‘Thus with violence the great city Babylon shall be thrown down, and shall not be found anymore.’” [1] The Babylon of Revelation refers to is a spiritual whore. She is the mother of whores. She symbolizes those who live contrary to God and refuse to submit to His ways.

“Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.” [2] That which is contrary to God, that which causes confusion, shall be succeeded by God’s kingdom which is symbolized in New Jerusalem. She is God’s bride. She is faithful to God. She comprises followers of Jesus Christ.

Babylon first appears in the Bible under the guise of the tower of Babel in Genesis 11. The Hebrew word for “confused” in Genesis 11:9 is babal, which sounds like Babylon. The great evil of the tower builders is their sinful pride against the rule of God. [3] The Bible says… “For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there.” [4]

The world is full of envy and self-seeking, and thus, causes confusion. Idolatry also causes confusion: “…Their molded images are wind and confusion.” [5] “…They shall go in confusion together, who are makers of idols.” [6] God, on the other hand, is love. He is compassionate as we see in the example of His Son Jesus Christ in the Gospels. “God is not the author of confusion but of peace…” [7] There is peace in God!

[1] Revelation 18:21
[2] Revelation 21:2
[3] biblestudytools.com
[4] James 3:16
[5] Isaiah 41:29
[6] Isaiah 45:16
[7] 1 Corinthians 14:33

The Power of Christ’s Forgiveness

“’That you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins’—He said to the man who was paralyzed, ‘I say to you, arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.’ Immediately he rose up before them, took up what he had been lying on, and departed to his own house, glorifying God.” [1]

How can you know that God has forgiven your sins? Jesus healed a paralyzed man so that His listeners that day would KNOW that He has power to forgive sins.

Sin paralyzes a person’s prayer life with God. God’s Word says, “If I regard iniquity in my heart, The Lord will not hear.” “Your iniquities have separated you from your God; and your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He will not hear.” [2]

The good news is that the Son of Man [JESUS] has the power to forgive sin. He says: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” [3]

“Dear Lord Jesus, please forgive my sins, so that like the man whom You healed of paralysis, I may rise up with new ability to bring You glory... for it is in Your Name Lord Jesus that I pray. Amen.”

[1] Luke 5:24-25
[2] Psalm 66:18; Isaiah 59:2
[3] 1 John 1:9

Victory Over Unclean Spirits

“Do not drink wine or intoxicating drink, you, nor your sons with you, when you go into the tabernacle of meeting, lest you die. It shall be a statute forever throughout your generations, that you may distinguish between holy and unholy, and between unclean and clean.” [1]

God gave to the priests of Israel the ministry of discernment. They were to help His people to distinguish between the holy and unholy, between the unclean and clean. He warned these leaders not to partake of substances so that their gift of discernment would not be impaired.

One of the blessings of our Savior Jesus and His Holy Spirit is the ability to discern between clean and unclean spirits. Jesus did this ministry when He walked among us.

“Now in the synagogue there was a man who had a spirit of an unclean demon. And he cried out with a loud voice, saying, 'Let us alone! What have we to do with You, Jesus of Nazareth? Did You come to destroy us? I know who You are—the Holy One of God!' But Jesus rebuked him, saying, 'Be quiet, and come out of him!” And when the demon had thrown him in their midst, it came out of him and did not hurt him." [2]

The words unclean and holy appear in the passage above. Jesus freed a man from an unclean spirit. How did that unclean spirit get control of that man in the first place? Just as any invading force would that overtakes a city! Little by little! First, by grooming their target's mind! Second, by relentless attempts to enter! Third, by entering when the person is vulnerable! Fourth, by taking control!

Living in San Francisco and learning of the kinds of evils that have went on in this city, namely human trafficking, it has helped me to see more clearly how a lot of the movies coming out of Hollywood are products of similar unclean spirits. These spirits want to groom people for takeover with unclean thoughts, and ultimately enslave people to sin so they are subject to them.

Jesus sets people free from defiling spirits by the power of His Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is more powerful than unclean spirits. “And demons also came out of many, crying out and saying, ‘You are the Christ, the Son of God!’ And He, rebuking them, did not allow them to speak, for they knew that He was the Christ.” [3]

Our Lord Jesus sets people free from unclean spirits that have defiled their thought-lives and brought them into captivity.

Jesus helps His disciples to discern when an unclean spirit is present. He also gives us authority to rebuke them and cast them out in His Name. He says to us, “As you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.” [4]

[1] Leviticus 10:9-10
[2] Luke 4:33-35
[3] Luke 4:41
[4] Matthew 10:7-8

The High Priest is Praying for You

The Lord gave Moses the clothing and accessories designs for the apparel of the high priest. The design included a breastplate of linen that was threaded with gold, blue, purple and scarlet threads. The breastplate also had twelve settings on it for twelve precious stones. Each stone represented a tribe of Israel. The Lord explained the meaning of this breastplate to Moses.

The Lord said, “So, Aaron shall bear the names of the sons of Israel on the breastplate of judgment over his heart, when he goes into the holy place, as a memorial before the Lord continually.” [1]

The high priest carried the names of the people near to his heart and to the Lord in prayer.

Later, in the Bible, we learn that Israel’s high priest was a type of Messiah, but Jesus is Messiah. Jesus is the One in heaven who knows our names, carries us in His heart, and intercedes for us.

“He [Jesus], because He continues forever, has an unchangeable priesthood. Therefore, He 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]

Sherry and I are blessed to have a Cantonese speaking lady who often prays over us by reciting from memory the words of Psalm 121. I share this Psalm with you now. May the Lord comfort you through His word to know that He loves you, knows your name, prays for you and is always watching over you.

“I will lift up my eyes to the hills—
From whence comes my help?
My help comes from the Lord,
Who made heaven and earth.

He will not allow your foot to be moved;
He who keeps you will not slumber.
Behold, He who keeps Israel
Shall neither slumber nor sleep.

The Lord is your keeper;
The Lord is your shade at your right hand.
The sun shall not strike you by day,
Nor the moon by night.

The Lord shall preserve you from all evil;
He shall preserve your soul.
The Lord shall preserve your going out and your coming in
From this time forth, and even forevermore.” [3]

[1] Exodus 28:15, 17, 21, 29
[2] Hebrews 7:24-25
[3] Psalm 121

The Angel of the Lord

“Behold, I send an Angel before you to keep you in the way and to bring you into the place which I have prepared. Beware of Him and obey His voice; do not provoke Him, for He will not pardon your transgressions; for My name is in Him. But if you indeed obey His voice and do all that I speak, then I will be an enemy to your enemies and an adversary to your adversaries.” [1]

The Angel (Angel is the Greek word for Messenger) is the Sent-one by God. He leads God’s people. He speaks God’s Word. God overcomes the enemies of those who obey His voice.

“So you shall serve the Lord your God, and He will bless your bread and your water. And I will take sickness away from the midst of you.” [2]

The Lord blesses food and drink and takes away sickness from our midst. Jesus multiplied bread and often healed ALL who came to listen to Him teach.

“I will send My fear before you, I will cause confusion among all the people to whom you come and will make all your enemies turn their backs to you.” [3]

He fights our battles.

“And Moses took the blood, sprinkled it on the people, and said, ‘This is the blood of the covenant which the Lord has made with you according to all these words.’” [4]

With the announcement of God’s Word and of God’s covenant to His people, there is the sprinkling of blood. Christ is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world by the shedding of His blood on the cross. God’s Word comes to us by grace. Grace to forgive our sins when we do not deserve to be forgiven. Grace to include us in His plan of redemption.

“Then Moses went up, also Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel, and they saw the God of Israel. And there was under His feet as it were a paved work of sapphire stone, and it was like the very heavens in its clarity.” [5]

Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God. After our sin is cleansed away by God, He reveals Himself to us. God enjoys communing with us.

“Then the Lord said to Moses, ‘Come up to Me on the mountain and be there; and I will give you tablets of stone, and the law and commandments which I have written, that you may teach them.’” [6]

The Lord sets His Word in stone. He does not flip flop His position. His YES is YES. His NO is NO. He is altogether dependable.

“And He said to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you that there are some standing here who will not taste death till they see the kingdom of God present with power.’ Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John, and led them up on a high mountain apart by themselves; and He was transfigured before them. His clothes became shining, exceedingly white, like snow, such as no launderer on earth can whiten them.” [7]

“Thank You Heavenly Father for sending Your Angel; Your Messenger; Your Son to us. Your Name is in Him… JESUS… meaning Savior. We experience Your kingdom in Him. Thank You for communing with us, and for showing us Your glory. Thank You for Your promise that as we trust in Your Messenger, Christ, and follow Him, we too, one day, will be transformed. We will see You face to face in all Your glory. Praise be to Your holy Name.”

[1] Exodus 23:20-22
[2] Exodus 23:25
[3] Exodus 23:27
[4] Exodus 24:8
[5] Exodus 24:9-10
[6] Exodus 24:12
[7] Mark 9:1-3

A Clean And Steadfast Heart

“You shall not make for yourself a carved image…
For I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God,
Visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children…
To the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me,
But showing mercy to thousands,
To those who love Me and keep My commandments.

You shall not take the name of the Lord your God…
In vain [as empty or nothing לַשָּׁ֑וְא],
For the Lord will not hold him guiltless…
Who takes His name in vain!

“Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.” [1]

“Keep your heart with all diligence,
For out of it spring the issues of life.
Ponder the path of your feet,
And let all your ways be established.
Do not turn to the right or the left;
Remove your foot from evil.” [2]

“There is nothing that enters a man from outside which can defile him; but the things which come out of him, those are the things that defile a man.” “…whatever enters a man from outside cannot defile him, because it does not enter his heart but his stomach, and is eliminated… What comes out of a man, that defiles a man. For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within and defile a man.” [3]

Food does not defile us, unclean spirits do. Unclean spirits seek to plant evil thoughts in us as mentioned above. We should reject those unclean thoughts just as we reject gross tasting food.

“A woman whose young daughter had an unclean spirit heard about Him, and she came and fell at His feet.” [4] Jesus healed her.

Jesus casts out unclean spirits.

“Dear Lord Jesus, thank You for creating in us a clean heart, and steadfastness to love and worship You. Thank You for Your great mercy on us. Please rebuke away and shield us from unclean spirits that seek to defile us. Keep us from temptation and deliver us from evil, so that we constantly abide in You and bear good fruit for Your glory. For it is in Your Name, and for Your glory, that we pray. Amen.”

[1] Exodus 20:4-8
[2] Proverbs 4:23, 26-27
[3] Mark 7:15, 18-23
[4] Mark 7:25, 29-30

A Believing Heart is Better than a Hardened Heart

“So, Moses went out from Pharaoh and entreated the Lord. And the Lord did according to the word of Moses; He removed the swarms of flies from Pharaoh, from his servants, and from his people. Not one remained. But Pharaoh hardened his heart at this time also; neither would he let the people go.” [1]

Pharaoh had ten opportunities to repent and believe in God but hardened his heart after each magnanimous miracle which God did.

“He who is often rebuked, and hardens his neck, will suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.” [2]

Pharaoh and his army were suddenly destroyed in the waters of the Red Sea.

“Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the Gospel of the kingdom of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the Gospel.’” [3]

Jesus has given us opportunity via His Word, the Bible, to believe the Gospel, namely that He died on the cross for our sins and rose from the dead on the third day, and that when we believe in Him, we receive eternal life. He says to us, “The kingdom of God is at hand.” Now, today, is your opportunity to receive His kingdom by receiving Christ as Your Lord and Savior.

Jesus says to us, “Repent!” Don’t harden your heart! “Believe in the Gospel.” May it be so us for us, our loved ones, and our neighbors.

[1] Exodus 8:30-32
[2] Proverbs 29:1
[3] Mark 1:14-15

Love in the Last Days

The disciples asked Jesus: “What will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?” [1] After describing some signs, He ended His sharing with the following parable:

“When the Son of Man comes in His glory,
And all the holy angels with Him,
Then He will sit on the throne of His glory.

All the nations will be gathered before Him,
And He will separate them one from another,
As a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats.
And He will set the sheep on His right hand,
But the goats on the left.

Then the King will say to those on His right hand,
‘Come, you blessed of My Father,
Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from…
The foundation of the world…” [2]

The blessed of the Father, GAVE to JESUS…
Food for hunger
Drink for thirst
Accommodation for estrangement
Clothes for nakedness
Visitation for sickness
Visitation for imprisonment
The cursed withheld from JESUS the above. [3]

The King said to the blessed: “Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.” [4]

The Lord said to the cursed: “Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.” [5]

The conclusion: “And these [the cursed] will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.” [6]

Jesus said, “Because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold.” [7]

“Dear Lord Jesus, please keep the flames of Your love burning in our hearts. Please move us to love with action not just with words. For it is in Your Name that we pray. Amen.”

[1] Matthew 24:3
[2] Matthew 25:31-34
[3] Matthew 25:35-39, 41-44
[4] Matthew 25:40
[5] Matthew 25:45
[6] Matthew 25:46
[7] Matthew 24:12

The Glory of God’s Presence

Jacob and his large family of thirteen children, two wives and two nursemaids were on their way to Bethel. Bet-El is Hebrew for House of God. He told his family: “Put away the idols that are among you, purify yourselves, and change your garments. Then let us arise and go up to Bethel; and I will make an altar there to God, who answered me in the day of my distress and has been with me in the way which I have gone.” [1]

Jacob wanted to come into God’s presence in a holy fashion, namely, stripped of all that competed for God’s glory in their lives. Let’s get rid of our idols. Let’s purify ourselves. Let’s put on clean clothes. Let us give God reverence. This God, our God, delivered me in the day of my distress and His presence has been with me.

His family followed his instruction and received a blessing from God: “As they journeyed, the terror of God was upon the cities that were all around them, and they did not pursue the sons of Jacob.” [2]

Jacob and his family arrived at Bethel. “He built an altar there and called the place El Bethel (God of the House of God), because there, God appeared to him when he fled from the face of his brother.” [3]

Then God appeared to Jacob again and blessed him. God changed his name from Jacob to Israel. God gave Jacob a commission to be fruitful and multiply, to produce nations and kings, and to inherit the land that He promised to Abraham and Isaac. [4]

And Jacob called the name of the place where God spoke with him, Bethel.” [5]

Truly, Bethel, the House of God, is entered whenever and wherever we put to death (bury) our idols. We come to God not to ask for more of this world, but to reverence God for who He is and that He chooses to BE in our lives. How Amazing!!! He created and sustains the universe! He loves us! 

“Thank You Heavenly Father for delivering us from all our distresses. You have preserved our lives. You have blessed us with in so many ways. We give You reverence. Thank You for Your presence.”

[1] Genesis 35:3-4
[2] Genesis 35:5
[3] Genesis 35:7
[4] Genesis 35:8-12
[5] Genesis 35:15

Guaranteed Entrance into the Promised Land

God promised to Abraham and Sarah a son. They grew weary of waiting on God’s promise to be fulfilled, so Sarah gave her servant Hagar to Abraham that he might have a child by her.

The Apostle Paul uses this historic happening to illustrate the Law and the Gospel to the Christians of Galatia. He wrote:

“It is written that Abraham had two sons: the one by a bondwoman [Hagar], the other by a free woman [Sarah]. But he [Ishmael] who was of the bondwoman was born according to the flesh, and he [Isaac] of the free woman through promise, which things are symbolic.” [1]

“The flesh” refers to unbelief and self-dependence whereas “promise” refers to faith and dependence on God’s promise.

Paul calls Hagar [the Egyptian] Mount Sinai. Mount Sinai is where God gave Moses the Law. Paul refers to Sarah as Jerusalem. The Israelites entered the Holy Land by faith in God’s Promise. Paul refers to human attempts to please God as bondage, and trust in God’s Promise as freedom. The Promise refers to Christ, which will be clarified later.

“Mount Sinai which gives birth to bondage, which is Hagar… Jerusalem above is free, which is the mother of us all.” [2]

Galatians 3:27 is a Hallelujah for those who trust in the Lord’s Promise. Miracles! In Christ: the barren gives birth; those who do not labor receive results; the desolate woman has more children than the woman with husband…

“Rejoice, O barren,
You who do not bear!
Break forth and shout,
You who are not in labor!
For the desolate has many more children
Than she who has a husband.”

Paul emphasizes: “Now we, brothers, as Isaac was, are children of promise.” “So then, brothers, we are not children of the bondwoman but of the free.” [3]

What did Abraham do to deserve such blessings? He believed that God would do for him what he could not accomplish via Sarah… albeit, his faith did falter… he did have a child by Hagar. Still God kept His promise to Abraham. And God credited righteousness to Abraham’s account for believing in Him. Galatians 3:6 says…

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

Then, Paul turns this story on us and says, “Know, therefore, that only those who are of faith are sons of Abraham” and adds, “so then those who are of faith are blessed with believing Abraham.” [4]

What faith? Faith in Christ!

Paul wrote, “Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, ‘Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree’), that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles [us non-Jews] in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.” [5]

The curses of the law are listed in Leviticus 26:14-39 and Deuteronomy 27:11-26. These curses are for those who do not obey the Lord perfectly.

Jesus Christ obeyed the Law perfectly. He is the only who ever lived in human flesh and did so.

Jesus Christ took the curses which our imperfect obedience deserves and gave us the blessing of Abraham, namely God. We receive the Holy Spirit (the presence of God with us) by believing in Christ. The Holy Spirit is God’s gift to believers in Christ. The Holy Spirit helps to live for God.

Ephesians 1:13-14 says, “In Him [Christ] you also trusted… having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance.” The Holy Spirit is God’s down-payment on our eternal salvation. He is a sign that God has purchased our salvation and WILL bring us to heaven.

Why is Abraham’s son Isaac so important?

Isaac represents salvation by grace. Christ is a descendant of Isaac. The Seed through whom all the nations are blessed refers to Christ.

“Now to Abraham and his Seed were the promises made. He does not say, “And to seeds,” as of many, but as of one, “And to your Seed,” who is Christ.” [6]

Paul states that the Law which was given to Moses did not cancel out the Promise that was given to Abraham. He states that the inheritance was given to Abraham in the Promise of Christ. [7]

The conclusion of the matter is this: “If you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.” [8]

“Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for the precious Promise. All good things have come to us in Christ Jesus Your Son. Thank You for the gift of the Holy Spirit, who is Christ in us, the hope of glory. Thanks to the death of Your Son on the cross and His resurrection from the dead, we have a sure promise of entering Heavenly Jerusalem, which is far greater than any Promised Land that ever preceded it. You are our confidence! You are our sure salvation. All glory to You. In the Name of Your Son Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.”

[1] Galatians 3:22-23
[2] Galatians 3:24-26
[3] Galatians 3:28, 31
[4] Galatians 3:6, 9
[5] Galatians 3:13-14
[6] Galatians 3:16
[7] Galatians 3:17-18
[8] Galatians 3:29

Believing God Despite Difficulties

Isaiah and Jeremiah believed in God despite their experiences of difficulties.

God told Isaiah to write on a tablet...
Make a record…
The people were rebellious…
Refusing to hear the Lord’s law.
Saying to God’s seers, “Don’t see!”
Saying to God’s prophets, “Don’t prophesy!
Don’t declare right things!
Speak to us smooth things!
Prophesy deceit.
Leave God’s way.
Turn from His path,
Cause the Holy One…
To cease from before us.”

Isaiah warned them…

You despise God’s Word…
You trust in oppression and perversity,
Your high wall is about to fall…
It will fall suddenly…
God shall break your wall…
As a potter breaks a pot…
There shall not be a fragment left…
Large enough to carry fire or water.

Then, the Lord advised them…
“In returning and rest you shall be saved;
In quietness and confidence…
Shall be your strength.”

Then, the Lord promised them…

“The Lord will wait…
That He may be gracious to you;
He will be exalted in having mercy on you.
For the Lord is a God of justice;
Blessed are all those who wait for Him.” [1]

The Lord told Jeremiah…
To break a flask before the leaders and say…
Even so the Lord will break this people and this city,
As one breaks a potter’s vessel,
Because of its idolatry. [2]

Later, Jeremiah wrote Lamentations…
He was greatly aggrieved.
Rather than softening to God’s Word…
His city hardened itself.
They were shattered by an invading force.

In the year 2020 the Lord is saying…

“The just shall live by faith;
But if anyone draws back,
My soul has no pleasure in him.” [3]

Our resolution is…

“We are not of those who draw back to perdition,
But of those who believe to the saving of the soul.” [4]

“Dear Heavenly Father,
Please keep our hearts tender to You.
Help us to live by faith…
As Your Son said to Satan…
‘Man shall not live by bread alone,
But by every word that…
Proceeds from the mouth of God.’
Please grant us grace…
Please fill us with Your Holy Spirit…
So that we live by faith…
And never turn back.
In Jesus’ Name we pray, Amen!”

[1] Isaiah 30:8-15, 18
[2] Jeremiah 19:10-13
[3] Hebrews 10:38
[4] Hebrews 10:39

Power in the Name of Jesus

Once, two Christians were going to a place of public prayer.
On the way, they met a beggar.
The beggar had never been able to walk.
He asked the Christians for money.
One of them said to the man, “Look at us.”
The beggar expected the Christian to give him money.
But the Christian said to the beggar...

“Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.” Immediately, the beggar’s bones received strength. The beggar entered the place of public prayer with the men. He was walking, leaping, and praising God. When the people saw him walking and praising God, they were amazed, because they knew that he was the beggar that was previously lame.

Since there were many people there who did not believe in Jesus, the Christian began telling all the people around him the story of Jesus. He told the crowd that the beggar’s healing was achieved through faith in name of Jesus. He said, “Faith in Jesus gave this man perfect wholeness.”

The Christian urged the people to repent and be converted so that their sins would be forgiven and so that they too could receive the refreshing presence of Jesus.

Before the Christians could finish speaking, authorities arrested them and placed them in detention for the night.

While on trial, the Christians proclaimed that the lame was healed by the power of the name of Jesus Christ.

They proclaimed that salvation is in the name of Jesus.

After threatening them, the authorities released them.

The authorities could not punish the Christians since the whole community was glorifying God due to the miracle.

The man that Jesus healed was over forty years old.

About 5,000 men believed in Jesus from that incident. [1]

“Thank You Jesus for the faith that You gave Peter and John that day, please help us Christians in 2020 to have the same assurance of faith in Your Name so that more people will see and hear the power of Your Name and believe in You. For it is in Your Name that we pray. Amen.”

[1] Acts 3:1 - 4:21