How to be Right with God

“Now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed...” [1]

Wait! There is a righteousness revealed that is apart from the law? Isn’t law-keeping the only way to be right with God?

“Even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe.” [2]

Wait! God accounts those who believe in Jesus Christ righteous?

YES!

“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.” [3]

Justified by grace? You mean that God has created a way around being a perfect law-keeper? YES! Through redemption! Believe in the Redeemer! God has set forth His Son Jesus Christ as our Redeemer.

“God set forth [Jesus] as a propitiation [a sin covering – a sin canceller] by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness...” [4] Through faith – believe in JESUS!

“That He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in JESUS.” [5]

Did you get that? God remains just by justifying sinners who have faith in His Son Jesus Christ. God imputes the perfect righteousness of Christ to everyone who believes in Christ.

So, what happens to the great American pass time of boasting?

“Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? Of works? No, but by the law of faith.” [6]

Self-boasting is excluded because everyone is made righteous by One and the same Savior: Jesus Christ. No one can stand before God as perfectly holy apart from receiving God’s gift of righteousness; namely the righteousness of Christ placed into one’s account by God.

“Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith apart from the deeds of the law.” [7]

This is Paul the once great Pharisee talking. He used to pride himself in how zealous he was for keeping God’s laws. Now, he is boasting in Christ alone. He says that his and our only hope of being right with God is to believe in His Son Jesus Christ. YES! It is that simple because Jesus did all that was needed to make us right with God on the cross!

[1] Romans 3:21
[2] Romans 3:22
[3] Romans 3:22-24
[4] Romans 3:25
[5] Romans 3:26
[6] Romans 3:27
[7] Romans 3:28

Called to Preach the Gospel

“Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ”

“There were several ancient Greek words used to designate a slave, but the idea behind the word for servant (doulos) is “complete and utter devotion.”

“Called to be an apostle”

“The idea of being an apostle is that you are a special ambassador or messenger.”

“Separated to the Gospel of God”

“Some think Paul alludes to the name of Pharisee, which means ‘Separatist.’ When he was a Pharisee, he was separated to the law of God; and now, being a Christian, he was separated to the Gospel of God.” [1]

“Through Him we have received grace and apostleship”

“Without GRACE, the help of God, he could not have been an apostle.” [2]

“I am ready to preach the Gospel to you who are in Rome” [3]

Readiness to preach the Gospel was Paul’s gift and high calling from the Lord.

“For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes”

“The Gospel of Jesus Christ has power. We do not give it power; we only stop hindering it when we present it effectively. The Gospel’s power to salvation comes to everyone who believes.” [4]

“For in it [the Gospel] the righteousness of God is revealed”

“The Gospel speaks of the righteousness of God that is given to the sinner who puts their trust in Jesus Christ. William Barclay explains the meaning of this ancient Greek word dikaioo, which means ‘I justify,’ and is the root of dikaioun ‘righteousness’: ‘All verbs in Greek which end in oo… always mean to treat, or account or reckon a person as something. If God justifies a sinner, it means that God treats the sinner as if he had not been a sinner at all.” [5]

“The just shall live by faith”

By faith in who or what? By faith in Jesus Christ. Faith by itself merits nothing. Faith is receptivity. Faith receives Christ and all that He has done for us. This faith rests on the merits of Christ! What He did for us on the cross! By His resurrection! By His presence via the Holy Spirit! He gives the Holy Spirit to those who believe in Him.

[1] Romans 1:1 and Enduring Word Commentary
[2] Romans 1:5 and Enduring Word Commentary
[3] Romans 1:15
[4] Romans 1:16 and Enduring Word Commentary
[5] Romans 1:17

On Fire for Jesus

In Acts 27, Paul and 275 others survived a shipwreck. Thanks to God’s grace, they were close to shore. They used pieces of the wooden ship to float to shore. Everyone survived.

While on the island of Malta, the natives kindly kindled a fire to warm them. Paul gathered a bundle of sticks for the fire as well. However, as he neared the fire, “Ouch!” A viper bit his hand. A viper’s bite is deadly. The natives saw the creature hanging from his hand, and remarked, “No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he has escaped the sea, yet justice does not allow to live.” [1]

Paul was doing a good deed. It’s amazing how people jump to false conclusions when something bad happens to a good person. Nevertheless, the Lord told Paul previously that he would stand before Caesar. Paul shook the viper off into the fire. The snake died. He lived. “The natives changed their minds and said that he was a god.” [2]

After that, a leading citizen of the island entertained Paul and others courteously for three days. The man’s father was sick with fever and dysentery, so Paul prayed for him, and he was healed. Then, the rest of those on the island who had diseases came and were healed. Revival! It was no coincidence that they crashed into this island.

Paul and his company received many honors during their three month stay in Malta, and the locals met all their needs. [3] God made a way where there seemed no way.

When Paul reached Rome, he was allowed to dwell by himself with the soldier who guarded him. He dwelt there two whole years in his own rented house, and received all who came to him. What did he do? He preached the kingdom of God and taught people about the Lord Jesus Christ. He did so with confidence. No one stopped him anymore. [4]

What about Paul’s appearance before Caesar? How did that go? Apparently very well. In his letter to the Philippians, he wrote of saints in Caesar’s household. How did that happen? Did Paul witness to them as he did to the two Roman governors, Felix and Festus, and as he did to King Agrippa and his wife Drusilla? Perhaps!

“All the saints greet you, but especially those who are of Caesar’s household.” [5]

Before he left this world, he wrote a challenge to us in his letter to the Corinthians, “Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.” [6] I have heard of the ice bucket challenge, but who wants to be cold or lukewarm? Let’s imitate Paul! Let’s be on fire for Jesus!

[1] Acts 28:1-4
[2] Acts 28:5-6
[3] Acts 28:7-11
[4] Acts 28:15-16, 30-31
[5] Philippians 4:22
[6] 1 Corinthians 11:1

A Timely Prayer and Word from God

“All hope that we would be saved was finally given up.” [1]

There were 276 people (mostly prisoners) on the ship. [2]

Paul warned those in charge before they set off to sea, “Men, I perceive that this voyage will end with disaster and much loss, not only of the cargo and ship, but also our lives.” But the Roman centurion in-charge was more persuaded by the helmsman and the owner of the ship than by Paul. [3]

While at sea, the weather turned bad for many days.

The 276 people on the ship minus one now had no hope of surviving. They stopped eating. In their minds they were about to die. But one among them, Paul, had good news from the Lord for them...

“I urge you to take heart, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship. For there stood by me this night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve, saying, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must be brought before Caesar; and indeed, God has granted you all those who sail with you.’ Therefore, take heart, men, for I believe God that it will be just as it had told me. However, we must run aground on a certain island.” [4]

God had a plan for Paul. He was to be brought before Caesar. And the Lord granted him the lives of everyone on the ship in answer to his prayers for them. Paul believed!

Next, Paul urged them to eat. They were so stressed that they had not eaten for 14 days. He told them, “This is for your survival, since not a hair will fall from the head of any of you.” Paul took bread and gave thanks to God in the presence of them all; and when he had broken it, he began to eat. Then they were all encouraged and took food themselves.” [5]

After the ship struck rocks near to an island and began to break apart, the soldiers planned to kill the prisoners lest they escape. “But the centurion, wanting to save Paul, kept them from their purpose.” He commanded the prisoners to jump overboard and swim to land. Everyone escaped safely to land. [6]

How many people are living without hope today? They are not eating or sleeping properly. They need a “Paul” to pray for them. They need a “Paul” to speak words from Jesus to them.

“Heavenly Father, here we are, please use our lives to pray for them and to give them a timely word in due season. For this we pray in Jesus’ Name. Amen.”

[1] Acts 27:21
[2] Acts 27:37
[3] Acts 27:10-11
[4] Acts 27:21-26
[5] Acts 27:33-36
[6] Acts 27:42-44

Paul’s Message and Challenge

His Message...

“...Having obtained help from God, to this day I stand, witnessing both to small and great, saying no other things than those which the prophets and Moses said would come—that the Christ would suffer, that He would be the first to rise from the dead, and would proclaim light to the Jewish people and to the Gentiles.” [1]

His message was in line with the Hebrew Bible. He rightly discerned the focus of Scripture, namely the Messiah Jesus, who died and rose again. Paul also had a personal relationship with Christ. Paul told King Agrippa with great passion what Jesus Christ meant to him.

The words of a song recorded by Avalon well describe Paul’s love for the Lord...

“Everything to me
He's more than a story
More than words on a page of history
He's the air that I breathe
The water I thirst for
And the ground beneath my feet
He's everything, everything to me.” [2]

His Challenge...

“King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you do believe.” [3]

“Do you believe?”

Paul wanted everyone that he came into contact with to enjoy the blessing of knowing God and to enjoy knowing that when they died, they too could live with God forever... when they believed and confessed Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.

The words of another song recorded by Bill & Glory Gaither capture the essence of Paul’s Holy Spirit empowered passion for Jesus...

“Everybody ought to know
Everybody ought to know
Everybody ought to know
Who Jesus is.” [4]

Do you know Jesus? If not, why wait another moment? Believe and Confess Jesus as your Lord and Savior today!

[1] Acts 26:22-23
[2] “Everything to Me,” Recorded by Avalon. Songwriters: Cates Chad Robert / Smith Sue C. Lyrics © New Spring Publishing, Inc.
[3] Acts 26:27
[4] Everybody Ought To Know,” Recorded by Bill & Gloria Gaither. Songwriter: Harry Loes. Lyrics © New Spring Publishing, Inc.

Paul’s Resurrection Testimony

Arrested and imprisoned back in Acts 21:27-30, after people stirred up a riot against him.

In Acts 23:11, the Lord stood by him and said, “Be of good cheer, Paul; for as you have testified for Me in Jerusalem, so you must also bear witness at Rome.”

Two years later, in Acts 25, Paul is still detained and waiting for a verdict on the charges levied against him.

Acts 28:16: “When we came to Rome, the centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of the guard; but Paul was permitted to dwell by himself with the soldier who guarded him.”

8 of 28! 28.57%! That is the number of chapters and percentage of Acts that spring from Paul’s experience with angry mobs, arrest, and detention. Paul also authored the books of Philippians, Ephesians, Colossians, and Philemon while he was in prison. That is an additional fifteen chapters of the Bible! Amazing, that a man who suffered so many setbacks is still positively impacting people today!

Vital to Paul and to the world was his proclamation of Christ.

While requesting counsel from King Agrippa on Paul’s case, Governor Festus made the following statement about Paul in Acts 25:18-19...

“When the accusers stood up, they brought no accusation against him of such things as I supposed but had some questions against him about their own religion and about a certain Jesus, who had died, whom Paul affirmed to be alive.”

The governor got it right. For Paul, his existence was about the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. Believe in Jesus! Be saved by Him. Enjoy paradise thanks to Jesus! Jesus paid the entry fee when He died for our sins on the cross, and when He rose from the dead on the third day!

He’s Alive!

Paul’s Message to Governor Felix

Chief priest, elders/officials, the Governor, a famous orator, and a courtroom packed with people! Paul on trial! What’s his topic of choice at this moment? The resurrection of the dead!

The accusations against Paul were...

“We have found this man a plague, a creator of dissension among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes.” [2]

Imagine that! Some people don’t like Paul rallying others to believe in Jesus of Nazareth!

Paul, though vastly outnumbered, relied on the truth to defend himself:

“They neither found me in the temple disputing with anyone nor inciting the crowd, either in the synagogues or in the city. Nor can they prove the things of which they now accuse me.” [3]

But then, he circled back to his main concern... to witness for Christ... to witness for the resurrection:

“Concerning the resurrection of the dead I am being judged by you this day.” [4]

The Roman Governor Felix commanded “the centurion to keep Paul and to let him have liberty and told him not to forbid any of his friends to provide for or visit him.”

Later, Governor Felix “sent for Paul and heard him concerning the faith in Christ.” Paul reasoned with the Governor “about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come.” [5]

This man, Paul, was he whom the Lord used to write most of the books in the New Testament. His writings about Christ have been read and taught in seminaries, schools, and churches around the world many times over. He invested heavily in Christianity. His investment still yields returns today. Trials turned to gold! Not into the perishable gold of this world, but into the metaphoric gold of numerous souls in heaven via his witness for Christ!

May the Lord help us all to be so bold for Jesus the Nazarene...

“Restore us, O God; cause Your face to shine, and we shall be saved!” [6]

[1] Acts 24:15
[2] Acts 24:5
[3] Acts 24:12-13
[4] Acts 24:21
[5] Acts 24:23-25
[6] Psalm 80:3

The Conspiracy Conquering God

“Have we trials and temptations?
Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged
Take it to the Lord in prayer.”

So goes the third verse of the hymn, “What a Friend we have in Jesus.” [1]

“Be of good cheer, Paul; for as you have testified for Me in Jerusalem, so you must also bear witness at Rome.” [2]

Be of good cheer Paul. Be of good cheer you who witness for Christ.

The angel of the Lord brought this message to Paul while he was on trial due to the misdeeds of others. A mob of people who spoke louder than the law were trying to convict him based on emotion and not on the rule of law. Does that sound familiar?

“When Paul’s sister’s son heard of their ambush, he went and entered the barracks and told Paul.” [3]

Those who hated Paul feared the court would fail to convict him, so they planned an ambush against him to kill him. “There were more than 40 who had formed this conspiracy.” [4]

These forty conspirators told the chief priests and elders that they had bound themselves with oaths to not eat until they had killed Paul. They needed the help of the religious leaders to have Paul moved from one location to another so while in transit they could ambush and kill him. [5]

Thankfully, Paul’s nephew overheard the plot and informed Paul. Paul asked a centurion to take his young nephew to the commander. He did! The commander took the boy by his hand and gave him an opportunity to speak. The commander took the boy’s information seriously and ordered two centurions to “Prepare 200 soldiers, 70 horsemen, and 200 spearmen to go to Caesarea at the third hour of the night [9 pm].” Paul was spared. The plot against him was foiled. [6]

The Lord encourages the discouraged hearts of His witnesses. Even by sending angels to speak to us! The Lord promised to bring Paul through his trial. The Lord also foiled the spiteful plot of his conspirators to kill him through the ears and loving actions of a faithful young nephew.

May the Lord be with you today!

[1] Lyrics by Joseph Scriven
[2] Acts 23:11
[3] Acts 23:16
[4] Acts 23:13
[5] Acts 23:14-15
[6] Acts 21:16-23

From Saul to Paul

“Then a certain Ananias, a devout man according to the law, having a good testimony with all the Jews who dwelt there, came to me [Saul]; and he stood and said to me, ‘Brother Saul, receive your sight.’ And at that same hour I looked up at him. Then he said, ‘The God of our fathers has chosen you that you should know His will, and see the Just One, and hear the voice of His mouth. For you will be His witness to all men of what you have seen and heard. And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.’” [1]

Saul, like us all, needed someone to be the hands and voice of Jesus to him. The Lord sent to him Ananias.

Ananias was devout. The word devout in the original Greek New Testament is εὐλαβής which literally means to “take hold well,” primarily, “cautious,” “careful as to the realization of the presence and claims of God, reverencing God.” [2]

Ananias had a good reputation in the eyes of God’s people.

The Lord used Ananias to pronounce the word of restoration of vision to Saul’s blind eyes. The Lord Jesus did the miracle. Ananias just announced it. Ananias stood next to Saul. He called the Pharisee who once persecuted Christians “brother.”

Acts 22:14-15 is a four-point summary of the duty of everyone before God:

1) To know His will (led and empowered by the Holy Spirit),
2) To see the Just One (Jesus), and,
3) To hear the voice of His mouth (His Word).
4) To be His (Christ’s) witness of what you have seen and heard.

Basically, a Bible preacher or teacher goes to the Lord via the Bible to see what is there and reports back to people what the Lord has shown him or her from God’s Word.

In Acts 22:16 Ananias gives Saul five action steps:

1) Arise (Get up – do)
2) Why wait (Seize the moment)
3) Be baptized (Surrender your life to Jesus)
4) Wash away your sins (Turn from doubt to faith in Jesus)
5) Call on the Name of the Lord! (Start praying in Jesus’ Name)

Saul obeyed. The Lord used him to plant churches and to author more books of the New Testament than any other writer. The Lord gave him a new name... Paul.

[1] Acts 22:12-16
[2] Vine's Expository Dictionary of NT Words

Triumphant Over Troublemakers

“...The Jews from Asia seeing him [Paul] in the temple, stirred up the whole crowd and laid hands on [lynched] him.” [1]

“The Jews of Asia” were set against him [Paul] wheresoever he went as Acts 14:19; 17:5 show. [2]

“Their charges against him are partly flat lies, partly conclusions drawn from misapprehension of his position, partly exaggeration, and partly hasty assumptions. When passion is roused, exaggerations and assumptions soon become definite assertions.” [3]

Paul was a Jew. He was not against these Jews of Asia. He was for them. He was making every effort to point them to their Messiah.

Perhaps, it was a false accusation that was Paul’s thorn in his side. He called his thorn “a messenger of Satan to buffet me.” False accusations leading to persecution were a constant trial for Paul. [4]

A riot broke out in the city. Paul was lynched and beaten. A Roman Commander saw the violence and stopped the rioters from killing Paul. The Officer asked the people what Paul had done. “Some among the multitude cried one thing and some another.” [5]

Satan is called the accuser of the brothers. He was at work that day. [6]

Josephus, the famous Jewish historian, in writing about the conquering of Jerusalem in the days of the Hasmoneans and Maccabees, made the comment: “Because two brothers could not get along, we lost our freedom and liberty to Rome.” The Hasmoneans and Maccabees had been successfully defending Jerusalem from foreign invaders until they turned on one another.

The enemy divides to conquer. Jesus said that a house divided against itself cannot stand. [7]

What percentage of our news today is inflammatory and accusatory? Where are the voices for forgiveness and reconciliation? Who is urging us towards goodwill?

Jesus declared, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.” [8]

“Dear Heavenly Father, please help us to sow peace not discord. Truth not falsehood! Forgiveness not bitterness! Goodwill not ill-will. Please pour Your love into our interpersonal relationships. This we pray in Jesus’ Name. Amen.”

[1] Acts 21:27
[2] Matthew Poole’s Commentary
[3] MacLaren’s Expositions
[4] 2 Corinthians 12:7
[5] Acts 21:30-34
[6] Revelation 12:10
[7] Matthew 12:25
[8] Matthew 5:9

Disciples Despite Adversity

The proper response to the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead is to go and make disciples in His Name as He commissioned us to do.

Acts 20:4 speaks of the fruit of Paul’s discipleship ministry: Sopater, Aristarchus, Secundus, Gaius, Timothy, Tychicus and Trophimus. He recruited laborers for the Gospel harvest. I discovered via cross-referencing that all but Gaius came from cities that persecuted Paul. In other words, the odds of success in these places were severely against Paul. Yet, by God’s grace he prevailed.

Below is my finding from the cross-referencing research:

Sopater of Berea – people from Thessalonica incited a riot against Paul in Berea [1]

Aristarchus and Secundus were Thessalonians - a riot was incited against Paul in Thessalonica [2]

Gaius of Derbe – Paul was stoned in Lystra and traveled to Derbe the next day [3]

Timothy was from Lystra – the people stoned Paul here [4]

Tychicus and Trophimus were from Ephesus – a riot broke out against Paul [5]

Paul lived for the Great Commission. Despite adversity, the Lord helped Paul to make disciples.

Paul told the elders of the Church in Ephesus...

“And see, now I go bound in the spirit to Jerusalem, not knowing the things that will happen to me there, except that the Holy Spirit testifies in every city, saying that chains and tribulations await me. But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the Gospel of the grace of God.” [6]

“Dear Heavenly Father, please grant us the grace to make disciples that will advance the proclamation of Your great love for humanity and of Your saving grace. In Jesus’ Name, I pray. Amen.”

[1] Acts 17:13-15
[2] Acts 17:5-7
[3] Acts 14:19-20
[4] Acts 14:19-20; 16:1-2
[5] Acts 19:23-41 (riot) Acts 20:4; Ephesians 6:21–22; Colossians 4:7; Titus 3:12; 2 Timothy 4:12; western text indicates Tychicus was an Ephesian; Acts 21:29 (Trophimus)
[6] Acts 20:17, 22-24

Have You Received the Holy Spirit

Paul was looking for disciples in Ephesus and found twelve. He asked them, “Have you received the Holy Spirit since you believed? They replied, “We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Spirit.” Paul laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit evidenced by gifts of the Holy Spirit. [1]

This is how the Lord’s work strengthens and thrives. Disciples must be filled with the Holy Spirit.

Electricity is a helpful current. It drives a lot of our technology and even helps in many cases our machines to work, but if the people of God are not living, acting, and moving in the power of the Holy Spirit, we cannot produce and maintain the kind of disciples that God’s work needs to be strong and to thrive.

Paul wanted to know, “Have you received the Holy Spirit?” The twelve Ephesian disciples had not and were honest to admit, “We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Spirit.”

The Holy Spirit produces good fruit in a Christian’s life: “love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” [2] Such fruits bring us together in harmony and help us to appreciate one another and to celebrate one another’s victories in Christ.

Gifts of the Holy Spirit include divinely imputed wisdom, knowledge, faith, healing, miracles, prophetic utterances, discernment, and divine speech. [3]

It is scary and stressful to do anything for God in one’s own strength. The Holy Spirit empowers believers who want to serve God with the necessary fruits and gifts to serve Him well.

Long ago there was a man named Zerubbabel. He became governor of Judaea under the Persians. Influenced by the prophets Haggai and Zechariah, he rebuilt the Temple. The Prophet Zechariah encouraged the Governor saying, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ says the Lord of hosts.” [4]

“Dear Heavenly Father, please continue to send Your precious Holy Spirit upon us Your people so that Your kingdom is seen and experienced here on earth. May Your kingdom come, and Your will be done. For we pray this in Jesus’ Name. Amen.”

[1] Acts 19:1-7
[2] Galatians 5:22-23
[3] 1 Corinthians 11:8-10
[4] Zechariah 4:6

God’s Word is Powerful

“Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the Word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.” [1]

The entire universe was created as God spoke His Word and He sustains all the planets, stars, sun and moon by His Word. All things are upheld by the power of His Word [2]

The entrance of God’s Word gives light; it gives understanding unto the simple. [3]

The Word of God prospers those who receive it. [4]

A man from Alexandria [Egypt] came to Ephesus [Turkey]. His name was Apollos. He was eloquent in speech. He was mighty in the Scriptures. He had received instruction in the ways of the Lord. He was fervent in spirit. He was diligent to teach the things he knew about the Lord.

Apollos received a blessing as he served the Lord’s Word. This happened while he was speaking boldly in a synagogue. A couple named Aquila and Priscilla heard him speak and recognized that he only knew Scripture up until the time of John the Baptist. So, they took him in, and explained to him the way of God more perfectly... they taught him about Jesus. [5]

Scripture is powerful to transform a person’s life but even more so when one receives the revelation of its trajectory. The trajectory of Scripture is to point people to God’s Messiah, His Son, Jesus Christ.

This man from Alexandria, Egypt [a city noted for its huge library] proceeded to mightily convince people publicly via the Scriptures that Jesus is the promised Christ [Messiah] of God. [6]

“Dear Heavenly Father, please help us Your people to fully understand the power of Your Word and how it points people to Your Son Jesus Christ. And then, help us, like Apollos, to use that knowledge effectively to convince many people to believe in Christ. In Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen.”

[1] Hebrews 11:3
[2] Hebrews 1:3
[3] Psalm 119:130
[4] Joshua 1:8; Psalm 1:1-3; Isaiah 55:11
[5] Acts 18:24-26
[6] Acts 18:28

Christianity’s Primary Objective (Acts 17)

“Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days [3 weekly meetings] reasoned with them out of the Scriptures.” [1]

“The Greek word translated ‘reasoned’ is the root for our English word dialogue. There was exchange, questions and answers. He dialogued with them ‘from the Scriptures.” (Hughes) [2]

“Opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom I preach unto you, is Christ.” [3]

Paul did the work in Thessalonica, Greece, of demonstrating that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead. He presented persuasive evident to his listeners.

The first reaction...

A great multitude of devout Greeks (even chief women) believed in JESUS. [4] Praise the Lord!

The second reaction:

Those who were jealous recruited a mob of lewd people and started a riot. They attacked the house of Jason and brought him and others who supported Paul before the rulers of the city. Their accusation against was:

“These that have turned the world upside down are come here also... They are contrary to Caesar... They say that Jesus is king.” [5]

Thankfully, the rulers let Jason go. [6]

In the meantime, Paul and Silas traveled to Berea, Greece. The Bereans received God’s Word with readiness of mind. They searched the Scriptures daily. Many of them believed including highly honored Greek women and men. [7]

Wonderful!

Then, angry people arrived from Thessalonica and stirred up the people against Paul once again, so he went and preached to people in Athens, Greece. [8] An Athenian man named Dionysius and an Athenian woman named Damaris, and others believed in Jesus. [9]

Leading people to believe in Christ was the primary objective of Christianity when it began. And today, we are still pointing people to Him.

Jesus gives those who believe in Him new and abundant life. He takes the guilt of sin away because He forgives all our sins. He gives us His Holy Spirit. His Spirit gives us love, joy and peace that we never experienced prior to our faith in Christ. And He gives us eternal life. I pray, if you have not believed in Christ yet, that you would believe in Him today.

[1] Acts 17:2
[2] Enduring Word Commentary
[3] Acts 17:3
[4] Acts 17:4
[5] Acts 17:5-7
[6] Acts 17:9
[7] Acts 17:11-12
[8] Acts 17:13-15
[9] Acts 17:34

Would You Go There for One?

Why return to a place that tried to kill you by stoning you?

Talk about reasons to be offended...

Paul returned to Derbe and Lystra where the people had dragged him outside the city after stoning him. [1] They assumed he was dead, but he survived. Now, he is back. So, the line, “I’ll be back” did not originate with Arnold Schwarzenegger. In fact, Jesus preceded Paul in this scenario. Jesus was executed by people who opposed Him, but Jesus came back. You cannot keep God’s man down.

During his second visit to Lystra, Paul met a disciple named Timothy. Timothy turned out to be an extreme blessing from God to Paul. In dying to self... returning to Lystra for the sake of Christ and others, great blessings came forth.

Jesus taught. “Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abides alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.” [2]

Below are highlights of Paul’s new disciple Timothy:

His name means “honoring God” or “precious to God.”

Timothy had an exceptional reputation among the local Christians. [3]

His grandmother and mothers were believers in Christ. [4] They and Paul (among others) mentored him.

God used Paul, Silas, and Timothy to strengthen people’s faith. [5]

Paul dispatched Timothy to the Corinthian Church to help them remember the ways of Christ. [6]

Paul regarded Timothy as a “dearly beloved son.” [7]

When Paul directed his attention to the churches in Macedonia, he knew he could trust Timothy to deal with the situation in Ephesus. [8]

Timothy was faithful to study God’s Word. [9]

He was a preacher of God’s Word and an evangelist. [10]

Timothy partnered with others in the ministry of the Gospel. This contrasts with society’s go-it-alone attitude. The Spirit calls us to work with other believers in bringing the lost to faith and discipling new believers in their walk with Christ.

[1] Acts 14:6, 19-20, Acts 16:1
[2] John 12:24
[3] Acts 16:1-2
[4] 2 Timothy 1:5
[5] Acts 15:19-20; 16:4-5
[6] 1 Corinthians 4:17
[7] 2 Timothy 1:2
[8] 1 Timothy 1:3
[9] 2 Timothy 3:14-15
[10] 2 Timothy 4:2, 5

Paradise as a Gift of God’s Grace

“We believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved.” [1]

Peter and the apostles believed that they were saved eternally by the grace of our Lord Jesus.

What about you?

Are you trusting in your own merits? What you have done or what you have not done? Or are you trusting in the grace of our Lord Jesus to give you eternal life in paradise?

Rewards in this world are so often based on performance. A person might even rate their own life's worth based on how well they do at something. But can you ever have peace with God when you are trusting in your performance? God made and sustains the whole universe. Who can impress God? And what if you were incapacitated to do anything for yourself or others? Would you still be a life worthy of life?

Once, a criminal rebuked another criminal for blaspheming Jesus. He confessed that they were worthy of death, but that Jesus was innocent. In this way, he transferred his hope of salvation from self-performance to faith in the merits of Christ to save him. He addressed Jesus as Lord. He asked Jesus to bring him to paradise. Jesus granted his request.

The believing criminal exhibited amazing faith in Christ. Jesus can save me when I have nothing to offer Him but a broken and messed up life. He can save me when many people are insulting and mocking Him. He can save me when He is about to die on a cross. Jesus can bring me to paradise if I simply ask Him to do so.

Below is the exact exchange:

“Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying, ‘If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us.’

But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, ‘Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong.’ 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.’” [2]

He admitted that he was a sinner and that he needed Jesus. Most everyone else was doubting and cursing Jesus. He believed that Jesus would be entering an eternal kingdom. He wanted Jesus to remember him.

“Jesus said to him, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.’”

I hope that you, like me, have experienced the miracle of saving faith in Jesus. He forgives all our sins when we ask Him to do so, and He gives us eternal life as a gift of grace when we trust in Him.

[1] Acts 15:11
[2] Luke 23:39-43

Does Anything Phase Them?

Paul and Barnabas faced so many trials due to their dedication to preach God’s Word, but only became stronger and influenced more people after each trial. God was with them.

For example, they traveled to a Greek city-state called Iconium. Iconium was a prosperous commercial and agricultural center with five large roads going out from it. They preached in a Jewish synagogue there with the result that a great multitude both of the Jews and of the Greeks believed in Christ. [1]

Wow! Angels rejoice over one sinner who repents. [2] Many had believed, so heaven must have been full of celebration that day.

Paul and Barnabas must have been happy! I know that I have no greater joy than when the Lord uses my life to lead someone to faith in Him.

Life on earth would be so great if it was always about successes with no setbacks. BUT... the very next verse says that unbelievers poisoned the people’s minds against the preachers. “But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brethren.” [3]

“’Poisoned their minds against the brothers’ - literally translated - they ‘made their souls evil against,’ pointing to an assault on the feelings not intellect. The ‘soul’ is that inward place of feeling that may be influenced by others.” [4]

So what did Paul and his team do? Surprisingly, they stayed. “Therefore they stayed there a long time, speaking boldly in the Lord, who was bearing witness to the word of His grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands.” [5]

The people of Iconium were blessed with bold speakers for the Lord. They spoke of God’s grace. God did signs and wonders among them.

Paul and Barnabas stayed in Iconium until a violent attempt was made by people with their rulers to abuse and stone them. When they became aware of the plot, they fled to others cities and preached the gospel there. [6]

In Lystra, Barnabas and Paul were blessed once again with a large audience of listeners. Praise God! Every preacher’s dream!

However, their success was tempered with another setback. Those who opposed their preaching in Antioch and Iconium came to Lystra. The opposition persuaded the crowds to stone Paul. They dragged him out of the city. They supposed he was dead, but he wasn’t. What did he do, he got up, went back into the city, and departed the next day to another city (Derbe). [7]

They made many disciples in Derbe. Then, they returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch... the cities where they experienced ill-treatment from the enemies of the Gospel. They strengthened the souls of the disciples. How did they do this? They exhorted them to continue in the faith. Their message to disciples was, “We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God.” [8]

“Dear Heavenly Father, please revive in us Your people, a fervency to preach Christ to unbelievers, and to strengthen them to become His disciples. This I pray in Your Son’s Name, Jesus Christ, and by the power of Your Holy Spirit. Amen.”

[1] Acts 14:1
[2] Luke 15:7, 10
[3] Acts 14:2
[4] Enduring Word Commentary
[5] Acts 14:3
[6] Acts 14:5-7
[7] Acts 14:19-20
[8] Acts 14:21-22

Set Apart, Sent and Filled with the Holy Spirit

“As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, ‘Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.’ Then, having fasted and prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them away.” [1]

“So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went...” [2]

“Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit...” [3]

“And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.” [4]

Guidance and Reliance! They listened to the voice of the Holy Spirit. They obeyed His voice, and He filled them. He also filled their disciples.

What else happened?

They preached God’s Word in places of assembly. [5]

A Roman Proconsul (civil governor) believed in Jesus despite the efforts of a sorcerer to turn him away from the faith. [6]

They successfully preached the forgiveness of sins and justification before God by faith in Christ: “Therefore let it be known to you, brethren, that through this Man [Jesus Christ] is preached to you the forgiveness of sins; and by Him everyone who believes is justified from all things from which you could not be justified by the law of Moses.” [7]

As they continued faithfully to preach Christ week after week... “the whole city came together to hear the word of God.” [8]

Their listeners were “glad and glorified the word of the Lord. And as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed.” “The word of the Lord spread throughout all the regions.” [9]

“Come Holy Spirit, please fill us afresh, guide us and help us to successfully point more people to Jesus. To God be the glory! For it is in Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.”

[1] Acts 13:2-3
[2] Acts 13:4
[3] Acts 13:9
[4] Acts 13:52
[5] Acts 13:5
[6] Acts 13:6-12
[7] Acts 13:38-39
[8] Acts 13:44
[9] Acts 13:48-49

Herod dies Peter Lives

King Herod had just put the Apostle James to death by execution. When he saw that executing a Christian leader pleased his constituents, he had the Apostle Peter arrested. He assigned four squads of soldiers to guard Peter. Normally, one to two soldiers guarded a prisoner. Was this extreme precaution taken because he feared an uprising from the people or was it to build a political narrative against Christians? Did he want Christians to be perceived as a great threat to peace and stability in his country? Whereas, in fact, they were promoting love, joy, peace and goodwill among people. [1]

Acts 12:1 says that Herod the king stretched out his hand to harass some from the Church.

Back at the Church, constant prayer was offered to God for Peter.

“The word constant also has the idea of earnest; literally, the word pictures someone stretching out all they can for something. ‘The verb ektenos is related to ektenes, a medical term describing the stretching of a muscle to its limits.’” (MacArthur)

Luke 22:44 uses this same word ektenos for the agonizing prayer of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane.

Much of our prayer is powerless because it lacks earnestness. Too often we almost pray with the attitude of wanting God to care about things we really do not care too much about.

Earnest prayer has power not because it persuades a reluctant God. Instead, it demonstrates that our heart cares passionately about the things God cares about, fulfilling Jesus’ promise If you abide in Me and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you (John 15:7).

It is also important to see that the Church prayed to God. It may seem obvious, but often our prayers are weak because we are not consciously coming into the presence of our great and holy God, offering our requests to Him.” [2]

The Lord sent an angel to undo Peter’s chains and to escort him out of the prison. Neither the guards nor Peter were fully aware of what was happening at the time. Peter thought he was having a vision. The two guards chained to Peter did not wake up. Guards at two guard posts did not see Peter. The iron gate of the city opened to Peter of its own accord. Peter walked down a few more streets, the angel disappeared, and then, Peter realized he was not dreaming. His escape was for real. [3]

The next day, Herod commanded that the prison guards be put to death. [4]

Soon after that, the angel of Lord struck Herod with a disease and he died, but the word of God grew and multiplied. [5]

[1] Acts 12:1-4
[2] Enduring Word Commentary
[3] Acts 12:6-11
[4] Acts 12:18-19
[5] Acts 12:21-24

Thriving Not Surviving

Persecution of the Jewish Christians in Jerusalem led to the spread of Christianity to regions outside this city where our Lord was crucified and resurrected on the third day.

Peter ended up in the home of some Italians in Caesarea. [1] These Gentiles believed in Christ. At first, some early believers contended with Peter for eating with non-Jews, but after hearing firsthand from him what had happened, they glorified God, saying, “Then God has also granted to the Gentiles repentance to life.” [2]

Others scattered by the persecution traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch (see the map). Some began preaching the Lord Jesus to the Greeks. The Lord was with them. A considerable number of Greeks believed and turned to the Lord. Barnabas and Saul joined the effort in Antioch. They discipled people there for a full year. Antioch is where the disciples of Jesus first came to be called Christians. [3]

“Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for taking what was meant for evil, namely the bloody and deadly persecution of Christians in Jerusalem, and turning it into catalyst to spread the Good News of Your Son Jesus Christ to non-Jews like me and others. Please help us Your Church to see what You are doing in 2021, and to become a part of it, because we know that You are always doing great and mighty things due to Your great love for people. In Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen.”

[1] Acts 10:1
[2] Acts 11:1-18
[3] Acts 11:19-26

Visions and Dreams

“And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, that I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your young men shall see visions, your old men shall dream dreams.” [1]

The Lord Jesus gave Ananias a vision in which He named the street and the owner of a home. He gave Ananias a man’s name. The Lord instructed Ananias to go to the man and place his hand on him. Ananias obeyed the Lord. He found the man, Saul, praying. Ananias laid his hand on him, and Saul’s vision was restored. The Holy Spirit filled Saul. Saul was baptized. [2]

The Lord gave a Roman Centurion named Cornelius a vision of an angel of God. The angel told Cornelius that God had heard his prayers. The angel instructed Cornelius to send men to Joppa, to the owner of a certain business/home, and to ask for a man named Peter. Peter would tell Cornelius what to do. After the vision ended, Cornelius obeyed the angel’s instructions. [3]

The Lord repeated a vision to Peter three times. As the vision ended, the messengers of Cornelius arrived at the gate of the house. They asked for Peter. The Holy Spirit said to Peter, “Behold, three men are seeking you. Arise therefore, go down and go with them, doubting nothing; for I have sent them.” [4]

Peter ministered in the home of Cornelius that day. He told him and his cohorts about Jesus. He declared to them that Jesus is the One “ordained by God to be Judge of the living and the dead. To Him all the prophets witness that, through His name, whoever believes in Him will receive remission of sins.” [5]

Like Saul, whom Ananias ministered to, Cornelius and his cohorts, believed in Jesus, were filled with the Holy Spirit, and were baptized that very day. [6]

“Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for pouring out Your Spirit in these last days. Thank You for visions and dreams. Thank You for grace to believe. Please continue to bring people to Your Son Jesus Christ, for it is in His Name that we pray. Amen.”

[1] Acts 2:17
[2] Acts 9:10-15, 17-18
[3] Acts 10: 1-8
[4] Acts 10: 9-20
[5] Acts 10:38-43
[6] Acts 10:44-48

A Revelation of Jesus Christ

Suddenly, a light shone around him from heaven. He fell to the ground. He heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?”

He asked, “Who are You, Lord?”

The Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads.”

So, he, trembling and astonished, said, “Lord, what do You want me to do?”

Then, the Lord said to him, “Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.” [1]

Saul of Tarsus arrested Christians. He consented to the stoning of God's servant Stephen. When the Lord appeared to Saul in a vision, he had two questions for the Lord:

1) “Who are you?”
2) “Lord, what do You want me to do?”

Jesus verified that it was He who was speaking to Saul. He added two facts:

1) When you persecute Christians, you persecute Christ
2) It is hard to kick against goads.

What are goads?

“A goad was a long, extremely sharp stick used to get an ox going the way you wanted when plowing. One jabbed the hind legs of the ox with the goad until the ox cooperated.” [2]

Jesus had been goading Saul, but Saul kept kicking against the goad.

The Lord Jesus Christ compared Saul’s defiance of Him to a rebellious ox that prefers goading to working. Usually, oxen cooperate with farmers who goad them. Saul refused to be led by Jesus despite his pain.

The Lord Jesus graciously appeared to Saul. Saul had done everything against Jesus and His followers. Now, Saul knew Jesus as His Lord and Savior. [3]

After His conversion, Saul began to preach Christ in the synagogues or places of religious gatherings. He preached that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. [4]

Saul increased in strength. He proved to many that this Jesus is the Christ. [5]

I wonder how many are kicking against the goads today. Jesus graciously revealed himself to Saul. After he met Jesus, he was forever changed. Have you met Jesus? If not, I pray that you too will receive a revelation of Him that transforms you, assures you that He is real, and solidifies your confidence that in Christ you have God's gift of eternal life.

[1] Acts 9:3-7
[2] Enduring Word Commentary
[3] Acts 9:17-18
[4] Acts 9:20
[5] Acts 9:22

Relentless Faith

The martyrdom of Stephen was only the beginning. Great persecution hit the Jerusalem Church. Some from the Jerusalem Church scattered to Judea (south) and others to Samaria (north). Among those who stayed behind, many were arrested and imprisoned by Saul of Tarsus.

Those who fled from Jerusalem were preaching God’s Word everywhere. [1]

Such a relentless faith! The Holy Spirit empowered them to keeping spreading the good news about what Jesus did for the salvation of the world, namely, His self-sacrifice for sin on the cross and His resurrection from the dead three days later.

One of the Jerusalemite Christians named Philip traveled to a Samarian city and preached Christ there. Multitudes listened to him and there was immense joy in that city. Those who believed were baptized.

After that, the Lord led Philip to meet the treasurer of Queen Candace of Ethiopia. The man was sitting in his chariot and reading Isaiah 53:7-8 when Philip approached him. Talk about perfect timing! The Treasurer asked Philip, of whom Isaiah was speaking. He was describing Israel’s future Messiah. So, Philip started there, and preached to him Jesus. The Treasurer believed in Jesus and was baptized that same day. [2]

After that, Philip preached Jesus in many cities till he came to Caesarea. [3]

Christianity is still spreading. As of April 7, 2021, the top twenty countries where Christianity is growing the fastest (based on percentage increases from year to year) are:

1. Nepal
2. China
3. United Arab Emirates
4. Saudi Arabia
5. Qatar
6. Oman
7. Yemen
8. Mongolia
9. Cambodia
10. Bahrain
11. Benin
12. Burkina Faso
13. South Sudan
14. Bhutan
15. Mali
16. Brunei
17. Guinea
18. Kuwait
19. Singapore
20. Turks and Caicos Islands [4]

[1] Acts 8:1-4
[2] Acts 8:5-8, 12, 26-37
[3] Acts 8:40
[4] discipleallnations.wordpress.com/2013/08/25/the-top-20-countries-where-christianity-is-growing-the-fastest/

Jesus is Alive and Still Working

After His resurrection, His apostles experienced His power and His grace.

Through their hands Jesus did many signs and wonders among the people. [1]

“Believers were increasingly added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women.” [2]

The apostles were briefly imprisoned by the High Priest and his gang. Briefly, because an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and urged them to keep preaching the Gospel in the temple, which they did. [3]

The high priest had them arrested again, which gave them another opportunity to tell him and his gang about Jesus. [4]

Peter proclaimed to them...

“The God of our fathers raised up Jesus whom you murdered by hanging on a tree. Him God has exalted to His right hand to be Prince and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. And we are His witnesses to these things, and so also is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey Him.” [5]

The high priest had them beaten, commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. [6]

The apostles departed from them, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for the Name of Jesus. And guess what? “Daily in the temple, and in every house, they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.” [7]

It’s amazing what witnessing a dead person come back to life on the third day, ascend to heaven 40 days later and pour forth His Holy Spirit on you, can do!

“Dear Heavenly Father, please renew and restore Your mighty power and grace among us the followers of Your Son, Jesus Christ, so that we, like our early Church leaders, proclaim with great joy and love Your Gospel everywhere. For it is in the Name of Your Son Jesus that we pray. Amen.”

[1] Acts 5:12
[2] Acts 5:14
[3] Acts 5:17-20
[4] Acts 5:21-28
[5] Acts 5:30-32
[6] Acts 5:40
[7] Acts 5:41-42

Boldness

“The man was over 40 years old on whom this miracle of healing had been performed.” [1]

“Many of those who heard the word [that Peter and John preached] believed; and the number of the men [who believed] came to be about 5,000.” [2]

While Peter and John were still speaking...

Priests, The captain of the temple and Sadducees

Came upon them.

They were extremely disturbed that they [Peter and John] instructed the people and preached in Jesus the resurrection from the dead.

They laid their hands on them and put them in custody until the next day. [3]

The next day, Peter, and John, are standing before...

Rulers, Elders, Scribes, Annas the high priest, Caiaphas [father-in-law of Annas], John and Alexander [4]

They are standing before the same guys who moved the people in Jerusalem, in one short week, to turn from cheering Jesus to jeering Jesus... to crucifying Jesus. [5]

They ask Peter and John by what power or by what name they healed the 40-year-old man with disabilities. [6]

Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, responds, “...By the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by Him this man stands here before you whole. [Jesus] is the ‘stone, which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone.’ Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved [than the Name of Jesus].” [7]

The leaders threatened Peter and John. They command them to stop propagating the Name of Jesus. They let Peter and John go. [8]

Peter and John report to their fellow Christians what happened. A prayer meeting begins. The place where they are meeting shakes. They are filled with the Holy Spirit. They continue to speak God’s Word with boldness. [9]

Christians are united. They share with one another. With great power the witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus continues. Great grace was upon them all. No one lacks anything. [10]

“Dear Heavenly Father, You see how some leaders seek to silence the Good News of Your Son Jesus Christ. Please help us by filling us with the Holy Spirit, and bestowing on us great grace, and meeting all our needs, so that the messaging of Your message continues with boldness. In Jesus’ Name, we pray, Amen.”

[1] Acts 4:22
[2] Acts 4:4
[3] Acts 4:2-3
[4] Acts 4:5-6
[5] Matthew 26:3, 57, John 18:13-14, 28
[6] Acts 4:6-7
[7] Acts 4:10-12
[8] Acts 4:17-21
[9] Acts 4:23-31
[10] Acts 4:32-35

Healed in the Name of Jesus

Who restored mobility to the lame man?

“The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob,
The God of our fathers,
Glorified His Servant Jesus,
Whom you delivered up...
Whom you denied in the presence of Pilate,
When he was determined to let Him go.
You denied the Holy One and the Just,
You asked for a murderer to be granted to you.
You killed the Prince of life,
Whom God raised from the dead,
Of which we are witnesses.

His name, through faith in His name,
Has made this [lame] man strong,
[The lame man at the temple gate]
Whom you see and know.
Yes, FAITH which comes thru Him [Jesus]...
Has given him this perfect soundness [healing]...
In the presence of you all.” [1]

Faith in Jesus gave the lame man perfect soundness. Shalom – Wholeness! Working legs!

What should those who crucified Jesus do considering this miracle?

“Yet... I know that you did it [crucified Christ] ...
In ignorance, as did your rulers.

That which God foretold...
By the mouth of all His prophets,
That the Christ would suffer,
He has thus fulfilled.

Repent therefore and be converted,
So that, your sins may be blotted out,
So that times of refreshment may come...
From the presence of the Lord,
And so that He may send Jesus Christ,
Who was preached to you before,
Whom heaven must receive until...
The times of restoration of all things,
Which God has spoken by...
The mouth of all His holy prophets...
Since the world began.” [2]

Those who crucified Jesus should repent and be converted to faith in Him.

Why did Jesus Christ resurrect from the dead?

“God, having raised up His Servant Jesus,
Sent Him to bless you,
In turning away...
Every one of you from your iniquities.” [3]

Jesus Christ resurrected from the dead to bless us and to help us turn from our iniquities.

The lame man was healed that day by the power of Jesus’ Name. Others were healed of the crippling effect of sin and guilt as they BELIEVED in JESUS.

“Holy Spirit, please grant us faith to believe in the resurrected Christ. Faith that in Christ our sins are forgiven by God! Faith, that in Him, there are seasons of refreshing blessings! This we pray in the Mighty Name of Jesus. Amen.”

[1] Acts 3:13-15
[2] Acts 3:16-21
[3] Acts 3:26

Something to Sing About

What did Jesus mean when He said, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood’?"

At the Last Supper, Jesus took a cup and said, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you” [1]

The “new covenant” contrasts with the old. The old covenant established laws and ceremonies that separated the Jews from the other nations, defined sin, and showcased God’s provision of forgiveness through sacrifice. Jesus established a “better covenant” in His blood. [2]

Jesus shed His blood on the cross to take away the sins of the world. [3]

On the night He was betrayed, Jesus took the cup and said to His disciples, “Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins” [4]

The contents of the cup was representative of His blood. It was to be drunk in remembrance of our Savior and to proclaim Jesus’ death until He returns. [5]

The new covenant is based on faith in the shed blood of Christ to take away sin.

Jesus is the Lamb of God. His one-time sacrifice is sufficient to atone for the sins of all who believe in Him. We “partake” of Jesus by receiving Him by faith [6], and by trusting that His sacrifice is sufficient to pay for our sins.

As we eat the bread and drink the drink in communion with other believers, we affirm our faith and fellowship in Christ.

Acts 2:42 describes the early Church as continuing “steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine (they pointed people to Jesus) and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.”

Jesus overcame the crucifixion and death. He paid the redemptive price for every believer in Him with His blood. He placed His guarantee on us His Church when He said, “I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.” [7]

That is something to sing about!

“I will sing to the Lord, because He has dealt bountifully with me.” [8]

In fact, before Jesus and His disciples left the meal table that night, they sang a hymn. [9]

[1] Luke 22:20
[2] Hebrews 7:22
[3] John 1:29
[4] Matthew 26:27–28
[5] 1 Corinthians 11:25-26
[6] John 1:12
[7] Matthew 16:18
[8] Psalm 13:6
[9] Matthew 26:30

Empowered by the Spirit

“In the Lord I put my trust;
How can you say to my soul,
‘Flee as a bird to your mountain’?” [1]

“David lifted his eyes to the Lord to find faith in a time of testing. He knew the safest place to stand was in radical trust in God.” *

When his ‘friends’ advised him to ‘flee as a bird to your mountain,’ he didn’t go down that path. He turned to the Lord...

“The Lord is in His holy temple,
The Lord’s throne is in heaven;
His eyes behold,
His eyelids test the sons of men.” [2]

David reminded himself and his friends, ‘God hasn’t gone anywhere.’ ‘The Lord isn’t going anywhere, so I won’t either.’ * He turned to the Lord and the Lord gave him faith to stay the course.

God was greater than all David’s enemies put together. The Lord is looking for people like David who are willing to trust Him and bring Him glory on the earth.

“But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” [3]

When the Holy Spirit comes upon us… we witness for Jesus.

The disciples of Jesus were filled with the Holy Spirit and the Gospel did spread from Jerusalem, to Judea and Samaria, and then to the end of the earth:

Acts 1-7 describes the Gospel in Jerusalem.
Acts 8-12 speak of the Gospel in Judea and Samaria.
Acts 13-28 tells of the Gospel going to the end of the earth.” *

“Dear Heavenly Father, please fill us afresh with the power of Your Holy Spirit that we may witness boldly for Your Son Jesus, in whom alone is eternal salvation. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.”

[1] Psalm 11:1
[2] Psalm 11:4
[3] Acts 1:8
* Comments derived from Enduring Word Commentary

The Weapons of our Warfare

Some heroes have swords and arrows. Some have light sabers and spaceships. Others have helmets and shields, What are the weapons of godly warfare?

King David used prayers to God.

“Oh, let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end, but establish the just… My defense is of God, who saves the upright in heart. God is a just judge, and God is angry with the wicked every day.” [1]

He placed the wicked and the just into God’s hands. He trusted God to do what is right. God responds to this confidence in Him.

King David used songs of praise to God, and He used professions of God’s deeds to others.

“Sing praises to the Lord, who dwells in Zion! Declare His deeds among the people.” [2]

King David employed humility before God to gain God’s attention and God’s help.

When He avenges blood, He remembers them; He does not forget the cry of the humble.” [3]

King David employed the weight of God’s compassion for the needy and poor against the weight of evil leaders who oppressed them.

“For the needy shall not always be forgotten; the expectation of the poor shall not perish forever.” [4]

These spiritual weapons are powerful because the source of their power is God Himself. “For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but MIGHTY IN GOD for pulling down strongholds.” [5]

So now, let us employ these weapons! Let us go to battle against the forces of darkness that are destroying the lives of so many poor and needy people! By reliance on the power of God, and His leading, let us bring down evil and build up the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.

“I would have lost heart, unless I had believed That I would see the goodness of the Lord In the land of the living.” [6] Amen!

[1] Psalm 7:9-11
[2] Psalm 9:11
[3] Psalm 9:12
[4] Psalm 9:18
[5] 2 Corinthians 10:4
[6] Psalm 27:13

For Messiah not Magic

“For these nations which you will dispossess listened to soothsayers and diviners; but as for you, the Lord your God has not appointed such for you.” [1]

We don't need superstition or magic. We need Jesus only!

The Lord says, “There shall not be found among you anyone who makes his son or his daughter pass through the fire, anyone who practices witchcraft, or a soothsayer, or one who interprets omens, or a sorcerer, or one who conjures spells, or a medium, or a spiritist, or one who calls up the dead. For all who do these things are an abomination to the Lord.” [2]

This would include but not be limited to Tarot cards, palm reading, Ouija Boards, horoscopes, etc. The Lord raised up a Prophet who spoke and speaks the truth. He is the Good Shepherd. He leads us to an eternal home with God. He is the perfect and unerring guide for us.

“Moses truly said to the fathers, ‘The Lord your God will raise up for you a Prophet like me from your brethren. Him you shall hear in all things, whatever He says to you. And it shall be that every soul who will not hear that Prophet shall be utterly destroyed from among the people.’” [3]

Jesus is the only Savior from sin. To avoid eternal destruction and receive eternal blessedness it is necessary to believe in Him.

“The woman said to Him, ‘Sir, I perceive that You are a prophet.’” [4]

“The woman said to Him, ‘I know that Messiah is coming’ (who is called Christ). ‘When He comes, He will tell us all things.’ Jesus said to her, ‘I who speak to you am He.’” [5]

“The woman then left her water pot, went her way into the city, and said to the men, ‘Come, see a Man who told me all things that I ever did. Could this be the Christ?’ Then they went out of the city and came to Him.” [6]

“And many of the Samaritans of that city believed in Him because of the word of the woman who testified, ‘He told me all that I ever did.’” [7]

Jesus is Messiah. He foretells of and gives us the best future when we trust in Him, namely eternal life.

[1] Deuteronomy 18:4
[2] Deuteronomy 18:10-12
[3] Acts 3:22-23, Deuteronomy 8:15
[4] John 4:9
[5] John 4:25-26
[6] John 4:28-30
[7] John 4:39

Destined to See His Glory

Jesus lifted His eyes to heaven, and said: "Father... You have given Him [Your Son] authority over all flesh, that He should give eternal life to as many as You have given Him. And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.” [1]

Jesus has authority from the Father to give eternal life to whomever the Father gives Him.

What is eternal life?

It is to know the only true God and Jesus Christ whom He sent to be Savior of the world.

Do you know the only true God? Do you know His Messiah?

Christ is the Greek word for Anointed One. Messiah is the Hebrew word for Anointed One. Jesus is the only Anointed One by the Father to give eternal life.

“I have manifested Your Name to the men whom You have given Me out of the world. For I have given to them the words which You have given Me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came forth from You; and they have believed that You sent Me.” [2]

How does Jesus reveal God’s Name to those the Father gives Him?

He speaks what His Father speaks!

The disciples, in turn, received the words of Jesus, and believed them.

“Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth. As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world.” [3]

God sanctifies us by giving us truth and sending us forth as His truth-tellers.

“Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory which You have given Me...” [4]

What destiny does Jesus desire for us? To be where He is! To behold His glory.

The Apostle Peter wrote, “When the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away.” [5]

Jesus keeps us from stumbling and presents us faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy. [6]

[1] John 17:1-3
[2] John 17:6, 8
[3] John 17:17-18
[4] John 17:24
[5] 1 Peter 5:4
[6] Jude 1:24

Revival Birthed by the Holy Spirit

“Revive me, O Lord, for Your name’s sake! For Your righteousness’ sake... bring my soul out of trouble.” [1]

“And when He [the Holy Spirit] has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: of sin, because they do not believe in Me; of righteousness, because I go to My Father and you see Me no more; of judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.” [2]

“He will convict: Or undeceive the world.”

“Of sin, because they do not believe in Me: It is unbelief, the rejection of Jesus, which ultimately proves one to be guilty. The Holy Spirit will tell the world of the importance of trusting in, relying on, and clinging to Jesus to avoid this sin.

“The essence of sin is unbelief... it is a total rejection of God’s messenger and message.” (Tenney)

“The basic sin is the sin which puts self at the center of things and consequently refused to believe in Him [Jesus].” (Morris)

“Of righteousness, because I go to My Father: The ascension of Jesus to heaven demonstrated that He had perfectly fulfilled the Father’s will and had proven Himself righteous – and exposed the lack of righteousness in the world that rejected Him. The Holy Spirit shows the world the righteousness of Jesus and its own unrighteousness.”

“Righteousness... has been revealed in the incarnate Son, who exemplified it perfectly in all his relationships.” (Tenney)

“The ruler of the world [that is, the devil] is judged.” “To adhere to the lies of the devil and the deceitfulness of sin rather than to Christ is to cling to a doomed cause, to a sinking ship.” (Dods) [3]

“Yes, O Holy Father, revive us for the sake of Your Son’s Name. Bring many souls out of trouble. In Jesus’ Name, pour forth Your Holy Spirit and bring many souls out of trouble. In Jesus’ Name, we ask. Amen.”

[1] Psalm 143:11
[2] John 16:8-11
[3] Selected comments from the Enduring Word Commentary

Neighborly Love not Sneetches

“If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love. These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full. This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.” [1]

The Lord’s commandments are based on divine love. A love that provides an environment of mutual respect and mutual goodwill towards one another! When carried out, His commandments do bring fullness of joy. To “love one another” is to experience the immense value God places on each one of us. A love so deep that it may move a person to give up his or her life for the well-being of another.

In the Declaration of Independence, we have the following words:

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”

There was to be no elite class of people that ruled by force, but the rather, all people were to be considered equal because God created each one. The government gained its power and authority from “we the people” or by consent of the governed. A government by consent rather than by force! It is amazing that God Almighty, Creator and Sustainer of the Universe, respects the free will of people. He could obviously force people to bow to Him but does not. His Son, Jesus Christ, came to us as one who serves. One who laid down His life for us!

As a child, I learned a good lesson from Dr. Suess’s book the “The Sneetches.” The book begins with Star-bellied Sneetches proclaiming themselves superior to Plain-bellied Sneetches. A shrewd entrepreneur named Sylvester McMonkey McBean sees a way to make money from their strife with one another. One day, he convinces everyone that it is better to be a Plain-bellied Sneetch and he has a machine to remove the stars from bellies. So, the Stars pay to have their stars removed. Then, he convinces them it is better to have stars. They pay to have the stars reinstalled. At the end of the story, McBean rides out of town with a wagon full of money. After he fled with their money, and their economy was destroyed, they realized that he used their competitive natures to rob them. They had no money, but at least they started having a good relationship with each other.

“Dear Heavenly Father, please help us to uphold Your commandments and love one another. We need Your fullness of joy. We need to become good neighbors once again. Please help us. In the Name of Your Son, Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.”

[1] John 15:10-13

In His Presence – Love and Peace

“Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.” [1]

We have a good reason not to be troubled because the outrageous craziness of this temporary life shall give way to eternal and secure dwellings places with the Lord. Jesus is preparing dwelling places for us His followers. He paid the price in full for our beautiful destination.

“Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” [2]

The way to this beautiful eternity is Jesus. He is the truthteller that guides us there. He gives us the life of God so we win where otherwise on our own we would fail.

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

Commandment keeping... law abiding is our Lord’s love language. As we set out to obey His commands, He gives us His Holy Spirit to help us. The Holy Spirit is also a truthteller. He helps us to know the truth despite all the rampant lies swirling around us. Jesus does not leave alone. He comes to us via His abiding Holy Spirit.

“He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him.” [4]

Jesus reveals Himself – His thoughts – His goodness – His love – His mighty power – to us who have His commandments and keep them. As we obey Him, we experience His love and presence.

“If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him.”

Now that I am older, I enjoy just sitting next to Sherry. Just being near her. In a similar fashion, I enjoy the Lord’s presence. His presence brings a wonderful sense of love and peace.

“Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” [6]

“Thank You Lord for peace in a troubled world. Thank You for hope. Thank You for Your ever-presence with us.”

[1] John 14:1-3
[2] John 14:6
[3] John 14:15-18
[4] John 14:21
[5] John 14:23
[6] John 14:27

Amazing Love

Jesus did the job of the lowest household servant when He washed His disciples’ feet. His goal – to teach them to seek to serve rather than to be served. Luke 22:23 says that the disciples entered the room debating who was greatest. He was their Rabbi, yet He served them.

Lucifer once said, “I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God.” [1] Lucifer wanted to humiliate God. Take His place. Cancel God. Wherever there is strife – class warfare – race warfare – pride warfare – gender warfare - humanism instead of godliness - Lucifer is at work.

Jesus quotes from Psalms to His disciples, “He who eats bread with Me has lifted up his heel against Me.” [2] Always using the Word of God to expose Satan’s subversive plots!

He says to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who receives whomever I send receives Me; and he who receives Me receives Him who sent Me.” [3] In other words, My humble ways may not impress you, but when you receive Me, you receive My Father who sent Me.

Jesus became troubled in spirit, and said, “One of you will betray Me.” [4]

After Jesus served bread to Judas Iscariot (a kind deed), Satan entered him. Remember the quote from Psalms, “He who eats bread with Me has lifted up his heel against Me.” Satan inspired Judas to put Jesus under foot. Jesus washed the feet of Judas. Jesus said to him, “What you do, do quickly.” Jesus knew that Judas wanted the thirty pieces of silver more than he wanted Him. Recently, I heard that when evil is afoot, follow the money trail and you will find who is behind the crime. In any case, the other disciples did not know why Judas left the room. [5]

“So, when he [Judas] had gone out, Jesus said, ‘Now the Son of Man (Messiah) is glorified, and God is glorified in Him.’” [6]

Wow! You would think just the opposite. He just washed a disciple’s feet, and the man sold Him out for money. Judas forsook the Son of God and Israel’s Messiah in exchange for thirty pieces of silver. How is Jesus and the Father glorified in this? Well, it is not in the betrayal of goodness for evil that Jesus is glorified, but in His love for people.

Jesus said to His disciples, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” [7]

Do you want to know who is the greatest? The one who serves and the one who loves amidst a culture of cruel competitors! As His betrayer is recruiting torturers and executioners, Jesus speaks of love.

Keep on serving! Keep on loving! God will take care of the rest.

“Dear Lord Jesus, we need You to transform our thought-and-deed-life. Please by the power of Your transforming Holy Spirit, help us to demonstrate Your amazing love to those around us.”

[1] Isaiah 14:13
[2] Psalm 41:9
[3] John 13:20
[4] John 13:21
[5] John 13:26-29
[6] John 13:31
[7] John 13:34-35

Resurrection Victory

Six days before the Passover (Saturday), Jesus is in Bethany with Lazarus, Martha, and Mary. [1]

Many Jews came to see Jesus and Lazarus. Lazarus had been dead in a tomb for four days when Jesus called him back to life. If we had honest polling charts from this day, we would see that Jesus and Lazarus were hugely popular. The Jewish elite, the chief priests, were plotting to destroy both Jesus and Lazarus. Why Lazarus? Because on account of him many Jews believed in Jesus.” [2]

The next day (Sunday), a massive rally formed because they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. In fact, as Jesus entered the city, the people “took branches of palm trees and went out to meet Him, and cried out...

‘Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord! The King of Israel!’ [3]

The opposition party, the Pharisees, “said among themselves, ‘You see that you are accomplishing nothing. Look, the world has gone after Him!’” [4]

Even Greek people in the crowd were saying. “We want to see JESUS.” [5]

Jesus said to Andrew and Philip, “The hour has come that the Son of Man (Messiah) should be glorified.” [6]

How? He will die. He will lose His life.

His soul is troubled, but He prays, “Father, glorify Your name.” A voice from heaven, responds, “I have both glorified it and will glorify it again.” [7]

Jesus said to the crowd, “I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself.” [8]

His death and His resurrection is His greatest sign to the world that He is MESSIAH.

“Even among the rulers many believed in Him, but because of the Pharisees they did not confess Him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue; for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.” [9]

Jesus declared to them, “I have not spoken on My own authority; but the Father who sent Me gave Me a command, what I should say and what I should speak. And I know that His command is everlasting life...” [10]

It was for our sakes that JESUS underwent death and resurrection. JESUS gives to us who believe in His Name a better world than the one that now exists. He has made His resurrection victory our resurrection victory. Hallelujah!

[1] John 12:1
[2] John 12:9-11
[3] John 12:12-13
[4] John 12:19
[5] John 12:21
[6] John 12:23
[7] John 12:24-28
[8] John 12:32
[9] John 12:42-43
[10] John 12:49-50

Blessings from Psalm 128

“Blessed is everyone who fears the Lord, who walks in His ways.” [1]

We give our Lord the proper honor and respect due Him when we walk in His ways.

Such a life yields many blessings.

“When you eat the labor of your hands, you shall be happy, and it shall be well with you. Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine in the very heart of your house, your children like olive plants all around your table.” [2] 

The fruitful vine (yielding clusters of grapes) and the olive plants (yielding oil) are “biblical symbols of the abundant life. They are not food staples like wheat or corn. They symbolize rich blessing.” 

“Olive trees take a long time to mature and become profitable. Patiently cultivated, they become quite valuable and continue to produce a profitable crop for centuries, longer perhaps than any other fruit-producing tree or plant.” [3]

Olive shoots are the vigorous offsets from an aged olive tree. “Beautiful; producing abundance; sending up young plants to take the place of the old when they decay and die.” [4]

“Olive shoots” may be applied to the spiritual seed and offspring of Christ. In Psalm 52:8, Zechariah 4:11, and Revelation 11:4 they are anointed ones. True believers in Christ have the anointing of the Holy Spirit in them. They are ever green in Jeremiah 11:16. In Song of Solomon 1:12, our Lord takes delight and pleasure in them. [5]

“Behold, thus shall the man be blessed who fears the Lord.” [6]

There is assurance of blessing for all who honor and respect God the way that they should.

“The Lord bless you out of Zion, and may you see the good of Jerusalem all the days of your life.” [7]

Psalm 128 is a Song of Ascent. It was sung as singers walked up to Jerusalem to appear before the Lord. It was natural for singers of this psalm to think about the connection of blessing with Jerusalem. Good has come out of Zion (another name for Jerusalem).

Jesus brought forth the New Testament teaching and ministry in Jerusalem. His blessing to us!

Jesus died as a sacrifice for our sins in Jerusalem. His blessing to us!

Jesus rose from the dead and ascended to heaven from Jerusalem. His blessing to us!

The Gospel was first preached out of Jerusalem and the Church was birthed there. His blessing to us! [8]

“Yes, may you see your children’s children. Peace be upon Israel!” [9]

“The blessing to the one who fears the Lord goes beyond the holy city and impacts the holy family. The psalmist sees the blessing as enjoying grandchildren.

Since the pilgrim journeys to Israel were often made as families, it made sense for there to be much attention given to family relationships in the Songs of Ascents.

The psalmist understood that if the people of Israel did fear the Lord, this blessing of peace (shalom) would impact many. [10]

[1] Psalm 128:1
[2] Psalm 128:2-3
[3] Boise – quoted in the Enduring Word Commentary
[4] Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
[5] Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible
[6] Psalm 128:4
[7] Psalm 128:5
[8] Derived from the Enduring Word Commentary
[9] Psalm 128:6
[10] Enduring Word Commentary

 

 

People Need the Lord

“And many believed in Him there.” [1]

This is my prayer, my plea... dear Heavenly Father, Son of God, Holy Spirit, please bring people to faith in the Messiah through my life and through the lives of Your people.

Our Messiah, Jesus Christ, prayed to the Father, “And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.” [2]

People need to know who Jesus is...

“How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, who bring glad tidings of good things!” [3]

May the Gospel of Peace and Glad Tidings of good things be exuberantly preached so people can hear, believe, and call upon Jesus Christ to save them.

Revival is to restore to original condition. “Dear Almighty Father, Prince of Peace and Wonderful Counselor please restore Your Church to its original Gospel-preaching, disciple-making condition.” If ever there was a time when people need the Gospel of Peace and Glad Tidings of good things it is now.

People need the Lord!

[1] John 10:42
[2] John 17:3
[3] Romans 10:14-15

Being Received by Grace

Have you ever found yourself assuming that you deserve no favor unless you can do something outstanding or conform to a certain “ideal” image?

Have you ever found yourself expecting people to receive you based on your credentials, image and/or achievements?

How does God receive us? He receives us according to His grace in Christ Jesus.

So, instead of being offended when unfavored, pray for God’s unmerited favor to be upon you. Just as you and I need God to graciously receive us, so it is with people. We need them to receive us by grace. And this goes both ways. We need to receive people by grace as well.

We also need grace to receive God as He describes Himself and His actions in the Bible. After Jesus forgave a woman caught in the very act of adultery and told her to sin no more (John 8:1-11), the religious leaders were upset with Him. They had a very tight understanding of who God is and how God should act. Yet, God was standing before them in human flesh, and they rejected Him. He had said to them, “He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.” None of them fit that description.

Jesus told them, “He who is of God hears God’s words; therefore you do not hear, because you are not of God.” (John 8:47) Jesus would have received them as graciously as He forgave the woman caught in adultery, but they rejected Him.

GRACE is what Christianity has that no other religion has. We need God’s grace to be saved. We also need to learn from Him how to be gracious. Below are a wide array of Bible sentences and phrases about being received by grace.

“Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord.” (Genesis 6:8)

“I know you by name, and you have also found grace in My sight.” (Exodus 33:12)

“The law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.” (John 1:17)

“Great grace was upon them all.” (Acts 4:33)

“We believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved.” (Acts 15:11)

“Even so then, at this present time there is a remnant according to the election of grace.” (Romans 11:5)

“Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them.” (Romans 12:6)

“I thank my God always concerning you for the grace of God which was given to you by Christ Jesus.” (1 Corinthians 1:4)

“According to the grace of God which was given to me.” (1 Corinthians 3:10)

“[They] long for you because of the exceeding grace of God in you.” (2 Corinthians 9:14)

“My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness. Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” (2 Corinthians 12:9)

“God separated me from my mother’s womb and called me through His grace.” (Galatians 1:15)

“When James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that had been given to me, they gave me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship.” (Galatians 2:9)

“I became a minister according to the gift of the grace of God given to me.” (Ephesians 3:7)

“To me, who am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ.” (Ephesians 3:8)

“To each one of us grace was given.” (Ephesians 4:7)

“You all are partakers with me of grace.” (Philippians 1:7)

“Our Lord Jesus Christ and God our Father has loved us and given us everlasting consolation and good hope by grace.” (2 Thessalonians 2:16)

“God has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began.” (2 Timothy 1:9)

“Justified by His grace.” (Titus 3:7)

“Let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear.” (Hebrews 12:28)

“For it is good that the heart be established by grace, not with foods which have not profited those who have been occupied with them.” (Hebrews 13:9)

“Of this salvation the prophets have inquired and searched carefully, who prophesied of the grace that would come to you.” (1 Peter 1:10)

“Rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” (1 Peter 1:13)

“Husbands and wives are heirs together of the grace of life.” (1 Peter 3:7)

“As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” (1 Peter 4:10)

“This is the true grace of God in which you stand.” (1 Peter 5:12)

“Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” (2 Peter 3:18)

“The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.” (Revelation 22:21 – last verse of the Bible)

Searching for that Missing Person

The people of Jerusalem wanted “normalcy,” but their normal was unacceptable to God. Their normalcy was destroying their country. Does that sound familiar?

They were not serving the Lord with gladness. They were not coming before Him singing. [1] They were hearers, not doers of God’s Word, which God categorizes as self-deception. [2]

God told Jeremiah that if he found one righteous person, He would forgive the people. [3] So, he searched for that missing person. His hunger and thirst for righteousness drove him to make a comprehensive quest, but, alas, there was none righteous, no not one.

The Lord declared, ‘From their least even to their greatest, everyone is given to covetousness. From the prophet even to the priest, everyone deals falsely. They have also healed the hurt of my people superficially, saying, ‘Peace, peace!’ when there is no peace.’ [4] Their pursuit of popular perks upset any hope of spiritual improvement.

The people of Jerusalem wanted to have God on their own terms. They burned imported sweet cane to Him. They incorrectly assumed that He liked sugar. Insubordination, however, is not sweet to God. The Lord was searching for people who loved Him and loved His ways.

God was testing them. One more plea! One more warning! Will they turn back to Me? God wanted a return to ‘normalcy’ in His relationship with them, but they stayed away from Him. Now, it was their turn to have “normalcy” allude them.

‘Men will call them rejected silver, because the Lord has rejected them.’ [5] When the Lord tested what kind of metal that they were made of, He found only dross. When a refiner is to able to see his reflection in gold, he knows the gold is pure. God found no reflection of Himself in them.

The Jerusalemites were missing in action. They placed a relationship with God in the inactive file. God offered them a way out… ‘Return to Me!’ But they refused to return.

‘Dear Heavenly Father, please remove the sin in our lives that keeps us distant from You and from walking in Your ways. We are unable to remove it. We want to be missing in action. We want to serve You, and bring You glory. We want to be pure gold for You. In the Name of Your Son Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen!’”

[1] Psalm 100:2
[2] James 1:22
[3] Jeremiah 5:1
[4] Jeremiah 6:13-14
[5] Jeremiah 6:30

Believing Believers

After Jesus transformed a lad’s five barley loaves and two small fish into enough food to feed 5,000 men, the people remarked, “This is truly the Prophet who is to come into the world.”

They asked Jesus, “What shall we do, that we may work the works of God?”

Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent.” [1]

Jesus simply directed them to believe in Him. He was the One who just provided a miraculous provision of food for them. But while they were willing to embrace Him as a prophet, they were not willing to believe that He was the Christ (Greek) and Messiah (Hebrew).

Jesus said to them, “This is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day. Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me has everlasting life.” [2]

How hard is it to believe that God’s Messiah can give those who believe in Him eternal life? Especially after He transformed five loaves and two small fishes into enough food to feed 5,000 men! Men tend to eat a lot. In fact, there were twelve large baskets of bread leftover after everyone had eaten their fill.

Peter and the other disciples who walked with Jesus did believe in Him. Peter spoke on behalf of them all when he said to Jesus, “We have come to believe and know that You are the Christ (Messiah), the Son of the living God.” [3]

On January 12th, 1995, Evangelist Reinhard Bonnke gave a message to the believers that I was discipling in Guangzhou City, China. He is with the Lord now. But previously to preaching the Gospel to the disciples in Guangzhou, he had held large crusades in thirty-three countries. His meetings often exceeded 100,000 people in attendance. He preached in every major city of Rwanda just before the massacre took place there. He reported that 10,000 people converted to Christ in every city where he preached in Rwanda. We had just over sixty people present at our service in Guangzhou. He preached on Mark 16:14-16 about believing believers.

God does amazing things in and through believing believers in His Son, the Messiah.

My resolve in life is to be a believing believer in Jesus and to help others to believe in Him as well. Please pray for me to lead many people to faith in Jesus. This is my prayer for you as well.

[1] John 6:14, 28-29
[2] John 6:40, 47
[3] John 6:69