Proclaimers of Resurrection-based Love

Its the most important message we can share with anyone.

Paul wrote, “I handed on to you as of first importance what I in turn had received. Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures. He was buried. He was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures.” [1]

Resurrection-based love tells people that the resurrection of Jesus Christ is a fact. It addresses the issue common to humanity of our earth suits having expiration dates.

Death is the elephant in the room that no one wants to notice or talk about. But to avoid the topic of death is to jeopardize one’s eternity.

Just because we can’t see heaven or hell, it does not mean they don’t exist. Jesus emphasized the message of life after death in the Gospels and in the Revelation.

Jesus told Martha, “I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believes in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live.” [2] When Jesus resurrected from the dead, He proved for all to see that there is life after death.

The Early Church had a united testimony that went like this: “This is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.” [3]

Resurrection-based love is about endlessly and delightfully proclaiming, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” [4]

Jesus says to us, “Come after Me, and I will make you to become fishers of men.” [5] Be proclaimers of resurrection-based love.

[1] 1 Corinthians 15:3-4
[2] John 11:25
[3] 1 John 5:11-12
[4] John 3:16
[5] Mark 1:17

After Death – Alive and Well

“The angel said to the women, ‘Fear not: for I know that you seek Jesus, which was crucified. He is not here: for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. Go quickly and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead; and behold, He goes before you into Galilee; there you shall see Him: lo, I have told you.’ And they departed quickly from the sepulcher with fear and great joy; and did run to bring His disciples word. And as they went to tell His disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, ‘All hail.’ And they came and held Him by the feet and worshipped Him.” [1]

How amazing to meet an angel! And to hear the angel say that Jesus is risen from the dead. “Spread the news!” Then, while experiencing a mix of fear and immense joy, they meet Jesus alive. Their response was to worship Him.

In Christ they had redemption through His blood, the remission of trespasses, according to the riches of His grace. [2]

Three days earlier, they had watched Jesus tortured unto death. Isaiah had prophesied of the coming Messiah saying, “His visage was marred more than any man, And His form more than the sons of men.” [3] Yet, here He stood alive and well.

Before His death, when asked for a sign, Jesus said, “As Jonah was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so, shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.” [4] Now, here He stood alive and well.

He had told His disciples more than once that He would suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day. [5] Now, here He stood alive and well.

What did His resurrection mean to them? What does His resurrection mean for us?

Paul boldly proclaimed, “God both raised up the Lord and will also raise us up by His power.” [6] His resurrection means we who believe in Him shall also be raised to new life after we die.

Jesus delivers us from the wrath that is to come against sin. [7] Our salvation is guaranteed based on what He did for us. After we die, we too shall be found standing, alive and well.

[1] Matthew 28:5-9
[2] Ephesians 1:7
[3] Isaiah 52:14
[4] Matthew 12:40
[5] Matthew 16:21; Matthew 17:22; Matthew 20:18-19
[6] 1 Corinthians 6:14
[7] 1 Thessalonians 1:10

The Potter’s Field

“When Judas, which had betrayed Him [Jesus], when he saw that He [Jesus] was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, saying, ‘I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood.’ They said, ‘What is that to us? You see to it.’ He cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself. The chief priests took the silver pieces, and said, ‘It is not lawful for to put them into the treasury, because it is the price of blood.’ They took counsel, and bought with them the potter’s field, to bury strangers in.” [1]

What Judas did was wrong. He betrayed the Lord for the sake of money. Not just once, but often. John tell us that Judas “was a thief. He had the money box. He used to take what was put in it.” [2] But God, in His grace and love, turned what was meant for evil into something good.

God used the chief priests and elders to bring about the death of the Lamb of God. They called for His crucifixion. Christ’s blood is the only blood that cleanses sin away. God also used these evil religious men to purchase a “potter’s field” in which to bury strangers in. In so doing, they fulfilled Old Testament prophecies about the Messiah on both accounts.

“This “potter’s field”—whose Aramaic name was “Aceldama,” or “The field of blood” was located outside Jerusalem. [3] The potters excavated and gathered its high-quality, deep-red clay to make their ceramics. Removing these nutrients from the soil rendered the land barren.

Unusable for farming, it was better suited to serve as a graveyard. Derived from the English Bible, the term “potter’s field” survives even today—also called “paupers’ grave,” “common grave.” It is used to describe a cemetery reserved for the disposal of unclaimed corpses, as well as the remains of unidentified and/or poor people.” [4]

God transformed betrayal money into charity money. The “potter” is the one who fashions vessels out of clay, pointing to God, who fashioned our own bodies out of the clay of the earth. The “potter’s field” points to a place where people who experienced little acceptance in this life, experience a place of rest in the life to come thanks to the love and mercy of God.

[1] Matthew 27:3-7
[2] John 12:6
[3] Acts 1:19
[4] forwhatsaiththescriptures.org

Brought into Honored Nearness to God

God shows His glory to people throughout the earth. He reveals who He is and what He has done that we might give Him glory in loving worship.

God mandates a declaration of His glory to the nations:

“Sing to the Lord, bless His name;
Proclaim the good news of His salvation from day to day.
Declare His glory among the nations,
His wonders among all peoples.” [1]

The ultimate purpose for world evangelization is that all people might glorify God:

“Give to the Lord, O families of the peoples,
Give to the Lord glory and strength.
Give to the Lord the glory due His name;
Bring an offering, and come into His courts.
Oh, worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness!
Tremble before Him, all the earth.” [2]

The ultimate value of salvation is not to be seen in what we are saved FROM, but in what we are saved FOR. People are saved to serve God in worship. World evangelization is for GOD. The rationale for mission is the colossal worthiness of GOD.

True worship takes place when we recognize who GOD is, publicly acknowledge Him, freely approach Him, and personally offer to Him gratitude and allegiance. Worship is genuine relational interaction with GOD.

God is delighted by the sincere love that comes to Him in true worship. By wooing people into true worship, He is able to fully bestow His love upon us.

“Honor and majesty are before Him;
Strength and beauty are in His sanctuary.” [3]

Worship fulfills God’s love. He loves us so greatly that He wills to exalt us to something better than greatness; He wants to bring us into an honored nearness to Him. [4]

[1] Psalm 96:2-3
[2] Psalm 96:7-9
[3] Psalm 96:6
[4] Comments based on an article entitled, “The Story of His Glory” by Steven C. Hawthorne

Like God’s Angels

“The Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to Him [Jesus] and asked Him, saying, ‘Teacher, Moses said that if a man dies, having no children, his brother shall marry his wife and raise up offspring for his brother. Now there were with us seven brothers. The first died after he had married, and having no offspring, left his wife to his brother. Likewise the second also, and the third, even to the seventh. Last of all the woman died also. Therefore, in the resurrection, whose wife of the seven will she be? For they all had her.’

Jesus answered and said to them, ‘You are mistaken, not knowing the Scriptures nor the power of God. For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage but are like angels of God in heaven.’” [1]

The scenario that the Sadducees presented to Jesus, and to which He was responding above, was that a woman had married a man with six brothers. When the first one died, she married the second brother, and when he died, she married the third, and so on, until she had been married to all seven brothers during her lifetime.

Being passed from one brother to another seven times over does not sound like a good life to me. Their goal was to provide a heir from this woman, but she was not able to produce a child.

Jesus proclaimed good news about this woman. When she died, her identity was no longer tied to a husband or to an ability to produce children. She became like an angel of God in heaven, neither marrying nor given in marriage. Her identity was directly tied to her Creator and Redeemer. The same is true for every other woman who believes in God. She will be able to stand side by side with men, and give glory, honor, and praise to God. Praise the Lord!

[1] Matthew 22:23-30

The Lord’s Anointed One Wins

In Matthew 23, Jesus spoke to the multitudes and to His disciples about the sin of hypocrisy. He described its characteristics and pronounced woes upon its proponents. He declared they would bear the guilt of all God’s martyrs from Abel to Zechariah. [1]

Who is Abel? Who is Zechariah?

Abel is the first human to be murdered. His brother Cain killed him after the Lord respected Abel’s offering but did not respect Cain’s. [2] Cain’s works were evil and his brother’s righteous. [3] Abel’s offering was offered by faith to God and not by faith in himself. Thanks to God, Abel still speaks. [4]

Zechariah was the son of Jehoiada the priest. Jehoiada rescued the future king of Judah (Joash) from an assassination plot to kill him. After Jehoiada died, King Joash forsook the Lord. Zechariah, Jehoiada’s son, prophesied by the Spirit of God to King Joash, saying, “Thus says God: ‘Why do you transgress the commandments of the Lord, so that you cannot prosper? Because you have forsaken the Lord, He also has forsaken you.” Rather than repent, King Joash had Zechariah stoned to death. As he died, Zechariah said, “The Lord look on it, and repay!” [5]

There are many such stories of God’s favored ones suffering at the hands of those who should have embraced them. These divinely favored ones were types of God’s Son. God’s plan was to show sinners the way back to God through their lives.

Another example is Joseph. “When his brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers, they hated him and could not speak peaceably to him.” [6] They threw him in a pit. They sold him to human traffickers. But later on, after God blessed Joseph. By God’s grace, Joseph ended up rescuing his evil brothers from famine and he provided a place for them.

This morning as I prayed for the USA, and other nations in similar circumstances as ours, a Bible verse came to mind. Evil people had taken over David’s country. Someone told King David, saying, “Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom.” And David said, “O Lord, I pray, turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness!” [7] The Lord answered David’s prayer. The conspirators were taken down, and righteousness ruled his nation once again.

Our Lord Jesus and His followers are the real deal. The fakers who rage, plot, and set themselves against Him fail. [8] Praise the Lord!

[1] Matthew 23:34-36
[2] Genesis 4:3-5
[3] 1 John 3:12
[4] Hebrews 11:4
[5] 2 Chronicles 24:20-22
[6] Genesis 37:4
[7] 2 Samuel 15:31
[8] Psalm 2

Global Christians Serving a Global God

“...Those who are of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all (as it is written, ‘I have made you a father of many nations’).” [1]

“I pray that these words, ‘a father of many nations,’ may be written on our hearts. It reveals the living God of the Bible to be a missionary God.” [2]

God said to Abraham, “I will bless you.” [3]

“God... sent Him [Jesus] to you first, to bless you,” echoed Peter. [4]

“God’s attitude to His people is positive, constructive, enriching. Judgment is His ‘strange work.’ His principal and characteristic work is to bless people with salvation.” [5]

“After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands.” [6]

God wants people from every nation to hear the blessed Gospel and experience His salvation.

“How dare we adopt a hostile or scornful or even indifferent attitude to any person of another color or culture if our God is the God of ‘all the families of the earth.’ We need to become global Christians with a global vision, for we have a global God.” [7]

[1] Romans 4:16-17
[2] Quote from “Perspectives on the World Christian Movement”, chapter by John R. W, Stott

[3] Genesis 12:2
[4] Acts 3:26

[5] Quotes from “Perspectives on the World Christian Movement”, chapter by John R. W, Stott
[6] Revelation 7:9
[7] Quote from “Perspectives on the World Christian Movement”, chapter by John R. W, Stott

Jesus Messiah Our Savior

His face shone like the sun.
His clothes became as light. [1]

Moses (representing the Law) spoke with Him
Elijah (representing the Prophets) spoke with Him
The Father declared, “This is My beloved Son...
In whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!” [2]
The Law and Prophets point to Jesus.
The Father points to Jesus.
He is God's Messiah and our Savior.

A father brought to Him a demon-oppressed son.
Jesus rebuked the demon, and the son was cured. [3]
Jesus has authority and power to defeat demons.

He spoke of being betrayed.
He spoke of being killed.
He spoke of being resurrected on the third day. [4]
Jesus has authority and power over sin and death.

The tax collector demanded taxes.
He provided tax money from the mouth of a fish.
The tax was paid for Him and for Peter. [5]
The government demanded what they could not pay.
Jesus miraculously provided for Peter and Himself.

Jesus is God’s beloved Son.
God is well pleased in Him.
Let us trust in our Lord Jesus Christ.
He is God’s Messiah and our Savior.

[1] Matthew 17:2
[2] Matthew 17:3-5
[3] Matthew 17:14-18
[4] Matthew 17:22-23
[5] Matthew 17:24-27

The Heartbeat of Our Mission

“I was glad when they said to me, ‘Let us go into the house of the Lord.’” [1]

God’s grace! His grace attracts us to Him. To want to be in His presence! To be glad to be in His house when a worship service to Him is happening!

“Jacob was left alone; and a Man wrestled with him until the breaking of day. And He [the Man] said, ‘Let Me go, for the day breaks.’ But he [Jacob] said, ‘I will not let You go unless You bless me!’ And He [the Man] said, ‘Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel; for you have struggled with God and with men and have prevailed.’ So Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: ‘For I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved.’” [2]

Jacob fought for God’s blessing. He saw God’s face and lived. The Lord blessed him.

“I will lift up my eyes to the hills—from whence comes my help? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. The Lord shall preserve you from all evil; He shall preserve your soul. The Lord shall preserve your going out and your coming in from this time forth, and even forevermore.” [3]

Whether we acknowledge Him or not, God is the One who helps us. He made the heavens and earth, and He made us. Evil utterly and everlastingly destroys souls. God saves our souls as we trust in the amazing grace of His Son Jesus Christ for salvation. God is worthy of our praise and worship! It is good to go God’s house! To praise Him and love Him for preserving our lives in this world and in the next. And to love Him for who He is.

[1] Psalm 122:1
[2] Genesis 32:24, 26, 28, 30
[3] Psalm 121:1-2, 8

The Abundant Grace of Jesus our Lord

“When Jesus heard it, He departed from there by boat to a deserted place by Himself.” [1]

What was it? It was the news that King Herod beheaded John the Baptist. Jesus wanted to be by Himself at this point, but when duty called, He answered.

Multitudes WALKED from the cities to the deserted place where Jesus was praying. Jesus went out to meet them. He had compassion for them. He healed their sickness. His disciples urged Him to send the crowd away to find food for themselves, Jesus replied, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.” The disciples offered to Jesus five loaves of bread and two fish. He blessed this food. It transformed into enough food to feed the 5,000 men plus the women and children that were there, and still have twelve baskets full of leftovers. [2]

Jesus sent His disciples by boat to cross a lake. He stayed behind. He dismissed the crowds. Then, Jesus went up to a mountain to pray. He was alone. Then, duty called again. A storm hit the lake. Jesus could have stopped the storm from His place of prayer but chose instead to meet His disciples amid the storm. After giving Peter a brief opportunity to join Him for a walk on that stormy sea, He got into the boat with His disciples and the wind ceased. At that point, the disciples worshipped Jesus, saying, “Truly You are the Son of God.” [3]

Upon arriving on land, people from the surrounding area gathered many sick people to Jesus. They “begged Him that they might only touch the hem of His garment. And as many as touched it were made perfectly well.” [4]

“Thank You Jesus that You grieve the death of Your messengers, like John the Baptist, who are slain for speaking up for righteousness’ sake, but do not diminish Your compassion for the needy people of our world who seek You. Despite what evil does, You pray for and provide for the needs of those who come to You. I thank and praise You for Your bountiful and faithful love for us. Your grace is more than enough. Your grace towards us is abundant.”

[1] Matthew 14:13
[2] Matthew 14:13-21
[3] Matthew 14:22-33
[4] Matthew 14:34-36

Walking & Talking With God

“And it came to pass, when God destroyed the cities of the plain, that God remembered Abraham, and sent Lot out of the midst of the overthrow, when He overthrew the cities in which Lot had dwelt.” [1]

Abraham received the Lord and all that the Lord wanted to do for him. The Lord cultivated a relationship with him. One outcome of this relationship for Abraham was that the Lord revealed to him things to come. For example, the Lord showed Abraham that Sodom was about to be destroyed due to its sin. Therefore, Abraham asked the Lord to spare his nephew Lot from the destruction, and the Lord answered his prayer.

The Lord also revealed to Abraham that his descendants would dwell in a strange land for 400 years, and that the people there would afflict them, but afterward the Lord would bring them out. [2]

God did bring them out of that strange land [Egypt] with silver and gold, and there was none feeble among His tribes. He opened the rock, and water gushed out; it ran in the dry places like a river. For He remembered His holy promise, and Abraham His servant.” [3]

It is vital for each of us to walk and talk with God... for each of us to receive the Lord and all that He does for us. To trust in Him! To listen carefully to what He has said to us in His book the Bible. In this way, God works to save our lives and to save the lives of those we love.

[1] Genesis 19:29
[2] Genesis 15:13-14
[3] Psalm 105:37, 41-42

Miraculous & Meaningful Conceptions

At age 99, Abram received a divine visitation. He fell on his face before the Lord. The Lord gave him a new name. Abram means father of people. Abraham means the father of many people. The Lord said to him, “I have made you a father of many nations.” [1]

The Lord made a covenant with Abraham. [2]

Then, He told Abraham, “I will bless her [Sarah] and also give you a son by her; then I will bless her, and she shall be a mother of nations; kings of peoples shall be from her.”

Abraham fell on his face once again, but this time because he was laughing so hard. He questioned the Lord, asking, “Shall a child be born to a man who is one hundred years old? And shall Sarah, who is 90 years old, bear a child?” The Lord affirmed His promise, saying, “Sarah your wife shall bear you a son, and you shall call his name Isaac...” [3] Isaac means laughter. Psalm 2:1-4 says that the Lord laughs at the mighty who try to undermine His sovereignty. God can do as He chooses to do.

After receiving the promise of a long-awaited child, we find Abraham interceding for righteous people that they would not perish with the wicked. The Lord was about to destroy the city of Sodom because of their wickedness. Abraham’s nephew Lot lived there. So, Abraham interceded for Sodom. He began with fifty and stopped at 10! He asked the Lord to spare Sodom for the sake of ten righteous people in that city. The Lord listened to Abraham’s prayer. He promised to spare the city for the sake of ten righteous people. [4]

Sadly, there were not even five righteous people in Sodom. The city was destroyed after the Lord sent two angels to rescue Lot and his family.

Abraham is a type of Israel in that he waited a long time for the child of promise to born. His child Isaac was the outcome of a long-awaited miraculous birth. Many prophets foretold the birth of a Savior, but thousands of years passed before He (Jesus) was born. Jesus was the outcome of a miraculous birth. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit in the virgin Mary.

Like Jesus, Abraham interceded for righteous people to be saved from the fiery fate of the wicked. It is through our Lord’s sacrifice of Himself on the cross, and His forgiveness that people who believe in Him are made righteous. Jesus prayed on the cross, “Father forgive for they know not what they do.” [5] Those who believe in Jesus are forgiven of their sins, and thus, are spared from the fiery fate of the unforgiven. We all need the Savior Jesus Christ to be saved.

[1] Genesis 17:1-5
[2] Genesis 17:9-14
[3] Genesis 17:16-19
[4] Genesis 18:22-33
[5] Luke 23:34

Earthly Extravagance Exchanged for Eternity

Lot and Abram had too much between them to dwell in one place. Their herdsmen were striving against each other. “Abram said to Lot, ‘Please let there be no strife between you and me, and between my herdsmen and your herdsmen; for we are brethren. Is not the whole land before you? Please separate from me. If you take the left, then I will go to the right; or, if you go to the right, then I will go to the left.” [1]

Lot chose the area that was like the garden of the Lord. He pitched his tent even as far as Sodom. “But the men of Sodom were exceedingly wicked and sinful against the Lord.” [2]

The Lord spoke to Abram after Lot had separated from him. He told Abram to look northward, southward, eastward, and westward. Why? Because the Lord planned to give him the surrounding area. [3]

War broke out in Lot’s land. Lot and his family became prisoners of war. They lost everything. An escapee informed Abram about Lot’s situation and Abram rescued Lot, as well as Lot’s family and his goods. [4]

The king of Sodom offered to Abram the spoils of the war. “Abram said to the king of Sodom, ‘I have raised my hand to the Lord, God Most High, the Possessor of heaven and earth, that I will take nothing, from a thread to a sandal strap, and that I will not take anything that is yours, lest you should say, ‘I have made Abram rich.’” [5]

He refused to take anything from a man who was exceedingly wicked and sinful against the Lord.

“Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was the priest of God Most High. He blessed him [Abram] and said: ‘Blessed be Abram of God Most High, possessor of heaven and earth; and blessed be God Most High, who has delivered your enemies into your hand.’” He [Abram] gave Him [Melchizedek] a tithe of all.” [6]

The writer of Hebrews explains that Melchizedek means “King of Righteousness” and that Salem means “Peace.” He is a priest not after the order of Aaron, but one without beginning or ending. He is God’s Most High Priest. He brought Abram bread and wine. Abram paid his tithe to Him. Melchizedek, “like the Son of God, remains a priest continually.” [7]

What began as strife between Lot’s and Abram’s herdsmen due to having too much, ended up for Abram as a divine visitation. Abram valued God’s righteousness – a righteousness not deserved. He allowed Lot the best land though he was Lot’s uncle and senior. He rescued Lot when Lot could not save himself. Abram valued God’s peace more than winning a battle of strife. Abram valued the Lord more than anything else. He got the Lord.

[1] Genesis 13:6-9
[2] Genesis 13:10-13
[3] Genesis 13:14-17
[4] Genesis 14:8-16
[5] Genesis 14:17, 21-23
[6] Genesis 14:18-20
[7] See Hebrews chapter 7, also Hebrews 5:6, 10 and 6:11

Called by the Gospel (book now available)

 

The Gospel Preached to all Nations

Jesus’ prophesied that His people would be hated by all nations in the end time. [1] But after saying this, He provided a much more optimistic prophecy about His people. Even though they will be an unpopular minority, they will be doing something great...

“And this Gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.” [2]

Jesus Christ motivated a small and weak group of people to do something big, namely, preach the Gospel of the kingdom in all the world... to all nations...”

Jesus reveals an important marker to identify what His true followers will be doing before He returns. They will be busy with getting the Gospel to all nations. The Greek word translated “will be preached” means to proclaim with formality, gravity, and an authority. Preaching appeals to the heart and urges action. [3]

The apostle Paul, “preached the kingdom of God and taught the things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ with all confidence, no one forbidding him.” [4]

Jesus was clear that His Church will preach (and teach) the Gospel message on a global scale. Paul also wrote that the Gospel must be spread “to the ends of the world.” [5]

Jesus has commissioned His Church to make the Gospel message accessible to “all nations.”

“...As a witness...”

From the Greek word for “witness” we get the word martyr (to die for something), but the original Greek word means to testify, especially when being tried.

“...And then the end will come...”

In this context, “the end” refers to Christ’s second coming—which marks the end of “this present evil age.” [6]

Yesterday, the Lord refreshed my heart with news of Chinese Christians taking the Gospel to the region called the 10/40 window where the greatest number of unreached people groups live. I have attached a few pictures from a YouTube video where Zola Levitt interviews Brother Yun.

[1] Matthew 24:6
[2] Matthew 24:14
[3] Matthew 4:17; Mark 1:14-15; Luke 24:47; Acts 8:12
[4] Acts 28:31
[5] Romans 10:18
[6] Galatians 1:4

Noah Found Grace in God's Eyes

“And the Lord said, ‘My Spirit shall not strive with man forever, for he is indeed flesh; yet his days shall be 120 years.’” [1]

“The Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.” [2]

The problem with sin is that it is evil, and it does evil. Also, God cannot tolerate it forever. God set a date for judgment in Noah’s day. And God has set a judgment day for the current generation as well.

“But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord. Noah was a just man, perfect in his generations. Noah walked with God.” [3]

Noah is a type of Christ in the Old Testament. He is God’s chosen man to save humanity from perishing. Unlike the Messiah, He is not chosen due to his deity. He is not the sinless Son of God. Noah is chosen by God’s grace. God’s grace also helped Noah to live justly and to be considered perfect by God during his generation. What did Noah do that was such a good example to his generation? He walked with God. This is example that Jesus also set when He walked the earth. Fellowship with God was more important to Jesus and Noah than approval of people.

“God said to Noah, “The end of all flesh has come before Me, for the earth is filled with violence through them; and behold, I will destroy them with the earth. Make yourself an ark...” [4]

The ark is also a type of Christ in that all who enter it are saved from death during the Judgment Day.

“Thus, Noah did; according to all that God commanded him, so he did.” [5]

Noah followed the Lord. The Lord led Noah to victory not only for himself, but for us who are alive today. He may have felt lonely and like a loser at the time. He only saved his family, but no God used Noah to preserve humanity. Thus, God uses those who walk with God when all the world is walking astray.

[1] Genesis 6:3
[2] Genesis 6:5
[3] Genesis 6:8-9
[4] Genesis 6:13-14
[5] Genesis 6:22

From Persecutor to Preacher

One day, Saul of Tarsus was breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, and another day, he preached the Christ in the synagogues [public gathering places], “that He [Christ] is the Son of God.” [1]

What happened?

Saul had an encounter with the Savior. After that meeting, he was three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank. The Lord sent a man named Ananias to restore his sight to him. [2]

Ananias said to him, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you came, has sent me that you may receive your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” Immediately, there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he received his sight at once; and he arose and was baptized. [3]

“Saul increased all the more in strength... proving that this Jesus is the Christ [Messiah].” [4]

“Oh Lord, please raise up for us servants like Your servant Saul. Your Church needs a booster shot.”

[1] Acts 9:1, 20
[2] Acts 9: 4-6, 9-10
[3] Acts 9:17-18
[4] Acts 4:22

The Vital Role of Women in Ministry

"And certain women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities—Mary called Magdalene, out of whom had come seven demons, and Joanna the wife of Chuza, Herod’s steward, and Susanna, and many others who provided for Him from their substance." (Luke 8:2-3)

Women who serve the Lord are a tremendous blessing to the world. Recently, as I prepared a book about our years in China as missionaries, I noticed a reoccurring theme. God employed godly women to forward the Gospel ministry. First, I noticed my wife, Sherry, and then, her mother, her sisters and many Chinese, Filipina, and western sisters in Christ. They loved the Lord and helped to bridge the gaps between me and lost souls so that I could lead many lost souls to Jesus. Praise the Lord!

I composed the attached picture from a post by Pastor Kerry Ridings...

Exiles as a Royal Priesthood

“Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who are elect exiles... according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in the sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with His blood: May grace and peace be multiplied to you.” [1]

Why does Peter address his audience as elect exiles? Many of them were new believers living in their home country, speaking their own language, functioning in their native culture. They were like exiles because they were clinging to God in a land that had abandoned God.

Their citizenship was in heaven. They were waiting for their Savior Jesus Christ to appear from heaven. “One of the essential lessons of 1 Peter is that this suffering and social exclusion is the most normal thing in the world. It is common for our brothers and sisters around the world today.” [2]

Christians in exile may be hope-filled yet fearful; be humble and respectful yet speak the Gospel with authority; and, live holy lives, separate from the world, yet be incredibly welcoming and loving in it. We can live and share good news as exiles because we have the hope of glory. Our hope is not based in this life. Our “faith and hope are in God.” [3]

Our eternal “hope motivates evangelism. We tend not to speak of Jesus because we fear what we now call the ‘cancel’ culture, that we will be ignored, disrespected, even derided for our outdated and dangerous faith. But when we have hope that goes beyond this life, we can be bold. People are drawn to a hope that survives what the world and our enemy throw at it.”

Peter frames our lives by Christ’s example. He is the living stone. We are living stones. He is chosen by God and precious, but, rejected by men. Just as Christ was much more than what the people who rejected Him could imagine, so the church is much more than the people around us, or we ourselves, can imagine. We are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession. [5]

[1] 1 Peter 1:1-2
[2] Clark, Elliott, Evangelism as Exiles
[3] 1 Peter 1:21
[4] Clark, Elliott, Evangelism as Exiles
[5] 1 Peter 2:4-10

Iniquity Removed In One Day

“Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the Angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at his right hand to oppose him. And the Lord said to Satan, ‘The Lord rebuke you, Satan!’” [1]

Satan accuses God’s servants. [2] He especially attacks those who stand as priests before God to intercede for others! Those who help others to discern between the holy and unholy! Thankfully, the Lord rebukes Satan from opposing His chosen servants.

“And He said to him, “See, I have removed your iniquity from you, and I will clothe you with rich robes.” [3]

God removes the iniquity of His priests and gives us rich robes, even the robe of righteousness. He does this through faith in His Son Jesus Christ.

“For behold, I am bringing forth My Servant the BRANCH.” [4]

The etymology of Nazareth (the name of the town Jesus grew up in) has been said to derive from the Hebrew word נצר netser, meaning a “sprout” or “branch.” The “ee” ending added to a word in Hebrew means “my.” So, when people called Jesus the Nazarene, it sounded as if they were calling Him, “Jesus My Branch.” Indeed, Jesus is the Branch spoke of by the prophets. Isaiah referred to Jesus as the Branch that would grow out of Jesse’s roots. [5]

“And I will remove the iniquity of that land in one day.” [6]

Jesus Christ is the One who removed the iniquity of the land in one day. He did it by His bitter suffering and death on the cross when He became a sacrifice for our sins.

The Lord gave His prophet a vision of two olive trees and explained to him, “These are the two anointed ones, who stand beside the Lord of the whole earth.” [7]

These anointed Ones! These are the two hands of God. Jesus, His Son, (God’s Word made flesh) and the Holy Spirit, the very breath of His mouth. God is our victory over sin and Satan. In God, sin and the works of darkness are overcome. In God, righteousness, and holiness spring forth.

The Apostle Peter put it this way, “Him [Jesus] 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.” [8]

[1] Zachariah 3:1-2
[2] Revelation 12:10
[3] Zachariah 3:4
[4] Zachariah 3:8
[5] Isaiah 11:1
[6] Zachariah 3:9
[7] Zachariah 4:10, 14
[8] Acts 5:31-32

Forsaking Sin

“If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me.” [1]

“The Bible teaches that there are times when God doesn’t hear or answer our prayers. These unanswered prayers may be the result of unconfessed sin in our hearts. We cannot live the Christian life with unconfessed sin, unresolved anger and bitterness, and impure hearts, and still expect God to hear and answer our prayers.” [2]

“He that covers his sins shall not prosper but whoso confesses and forsakes them shall have mercy.” [3]

May the Holy Spirit mercifully convict us of any sin that we might be regarding in our hearts, and help us to confess it to God, and to ask God in the Name of Jesus to move us to forsake it, so the Lord may happily forgive our sin and prosper our service of bringing glory unto Him.

[1] Psalm 66:18
[2] Morris Hull at hlm.org
[3] Proverbs 28:13

God Chose Mary

God chose Mary to be the earthly mother of the Messiah, His Son, Jesus Christ. She conceived Jesus by the Holy Spirit. She was a virgin. She had not known a man, but this was hard to explain to the average person who did not believe in God or in miracles.

Joseph, her betrothed thought to end the betrothal, but the Lord sent an angel to assure him that the child in Mary's womb was from God, and that Mary had committed no sin in this regard.

When Christ comes into our life... when we believe in Him and profess Him, we too, like Mary, may have people who don't understand us. Some might even want to hurt us due to being fed misinformation about us. However, in the end, if we stick with God's plan for our lives, namely to carry Jesus the full term of our lives, we will be exceedingly glad that we did.

Jesus Christ is the only One who opens heaven's door. Without Him no one gets in. Is your name in the Lamb's Book of Life? If not, I urge you to fully commit your life to Him today. Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you shall be saved.

Images from Franco Zeffirelli’s TV-miniseries “Jesus of Nazareth” 1977, ITC Entertainment, Scripture quotes from NIV Bible

Befriending Lonely People

“All the lonely people
Where do they all come from?
All the lonely people
Where do they all belong?” [1]

John Lennon and Paul McCartney wrote the lyrics for the song, “Eleanor Rigby.” The song seems to mock at one point a Father McKenzie because he does nothing for all the lonely people. In fact, he seems lonely too. The song offers no hope or call for change. It just exposes a problem that exists in the world. There are lonely people in the world whose loneliness is not being addressed or cured at this moment.

When Jesus walked on earth, He was mocked by some religious leaders as a friend of sinners. [2] When asked by messengers of an imprisoned man if He was the Messiah, Jesus responded with a report of meeting the needs of people. He said, “The blind see and the lame walk; the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear; the dead are raised up and the poor have the Gospel preached to them.” [3] Jesus cares about lonely and needy people. His servants are still ministering to such people today all over this world.

The followers of Jesus share with lonely people that God loves them and sent His Son to pay for their sins on the cross! They tell lonely people of the Holy Spirit who fills believers in Christ with love, joy, and peace. Yes, there are faithful servants of the Lord in the world. They befriend lonely people and invite them into fellowship with God and His people.

The Apostle John wrote of God bringing him and the apostles into fellowship with Him through Jesus His Son. He then extends that invitation to others because he wants their joy to be full.

“That which was from the beginning [namely Jesus Messiah], which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life—the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us— that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. And these things we write to you that your joy may be full.” [4]

There is immense joy in knowing God in a personal way. There is extraordinary joy when people who know God befriend you and demonstrate His love for you by word and deed. May the Lord help us to be that kind of follower of Jesus for all the lonely people.

[1] John Lennon / Paul McCartney, Eleanor Rigby lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
[2] Matthew 11:19
[3] Matthew 11:5
[4] 1 John 1:1-4

The Real Meaning of Christmas is Christ

“If you love Me, keep My commandments. And I will pray to 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.” [1]

Knowing the Lord and making Him known is the real meaning of Christmas. It is about God dispelling the dark lies of the evil one and turning on the light of truth for us.

Jesus said if we love Him, He will ask the Father to give us another Helper. This Helper is the Spirit of truth. He dwells with us and in us. With the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit at work in our lives, we are no longer orphans. We are no longer parentless.

The Christ of Christmas helps us to overcome the misinformation of our enemy the devil.

From the beginning the devil tempted humankind to choose his deceptive narrative rather than God’s true Word, the Holy Bible.

The revelation that Jesus is the Messiah (the Christ) of God is a tremendous gift of love.

Jesus said in, “No one knows the Father except the Son, and the one to whom the Son wills to reveal Him.” [2] Knowing the Heavenly Father is a gift of revelation from Jesus His Son.

“Jesus answered and said to him, ‘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.’” [3]

To love Jesus... To be devoted to His Word is a divine gift of grace. To be loved by the Heavenly Father is a heavenly blessing. To have the Holy Trinity set up residence in one’s life is the greatest gift that the first Christmas brought to us.

Christmas is not about Santa Claus, Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer, Frosty the Snowman, or Jack Frost. Christmas is about Christ coming into our world in human flesh and dwelling among us. He came to redeem us from our sins. He came to reconnect the disconnect between us and God. Christ is the real meaning of Christmas.

[1] John 14:15-18
[2] Matthew 11:27
[3] John 14:23

Love One Another

Before Jesus uttered His new commandment to His disciples – the one to love one another – He washed their feet. He also experienced a troubling in His spirit.

What troubled Jesus that evening?

Jesus told His disciples, “Most assuredly, I say to you, one of you will betray Me.” [1] One of His disciples was about to betray Him.

The disciples looked at one another. They were perplexed. A disciple close to Jesus asked Him, “Who is it?” Jesus answered him, “It is he to whom I shall give a piece of bread when I have dipped it.” And having dipped the bread, He gave it to Judas Iscariot.

“The giving of the dipped bread designated special honor, like a toast.” [2]

Jesus blessed him who cursed Him. He treated him who deserved no love with special kindness.

Was it for Judas that Jesus was troubled? God wants all people to be saved.

The devil had cultivated Judas to make the wrong decision – to betray Jesus. Judas listened to the devil. The devil entered the heart of Judas. [3]

The destiny of Judas was a horrible one. First suicide, and then, an eternity without God. Jesus said, “Woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been good for that man if he had not been born.” [4]

Thus, it is with all who decide to reject Jesus. It is an extremely ill choice.

After Judas left, Jesus said to His remaining 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.” [5]

“The command to love was not new; but the extent of love just displayed by Jesus was new, as would be the display of the cross. Love was newly defined from His example.” [6]

“Dear Lord Jesus, forgive us for the times we have been unfaithful to love You and our fellow disciples as we should. Help to love as You love. Deeply! Humbly! Sacrificially! Faithfully! Please keep us in the fold of those who love You, and of those who love one another. For it is Your Name that we pray. Amen.”

[1] John 13:21
[2] Quotes from the Blue Letter Bible Commentary

[3] John 13:2, 27

[4] John 13:34-35
[5] Matthew 26:24
[6] Quote from the Blue Letter Bible Commentary

Preachers of the Gospel Needed

“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?” [1]

I have attached a couple of photos to illustrate what has been helpful to me in the past for inspiring me and equipping me to share the Gospels with others. If every Christian would lead one soul to Christ per year, the number of Christians would double in size annually.

The Lord used a tract by Keith Green to take me over the line in regards to taking the Gospel to people overseas. (photo)

However, before I went overseas, the Lord directed me to evangelize in the US. I took part in an Evangelism Explosion training and went out afterwards to visit people. (photo)

My partner and I used a survey method to start conversations. If that worked, we asked the two diagnostic questions (photo).

We also handed tracts and invited people to church. (photo)

While doing evangelism, it is vital to make a proper distinction between the Law and the Gospel (photo)

The Law convicts of sin. It demands. The Gospel gives. It tells us what Jesus taught about salvation and tells us what Jesus did for our salvation.

Lost souls need preachers of the Gospels.

“Dear Lord of Harvest, please raise up and equip more laborers, and may these laborers focus on preaching the Gospel. It is in Your Name that I pray. Amen.”

[1] Romans 10:14

Peter not Judas

“Jesus answered them, ‘Did I not choose you, the twelve, and one of you is a devil?’ He spoke of Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon, for it was he who would betray Him, being one of the twelve.” [1]

One of you is the devil. His name was Judas or in Hebrew Judah. Judah was once a popular name among the Jews, but that changed with Judah from Kerioth or Judas Iscariot. Judah means praise in Hebrew. In English, Judas has come to mean someone who betrays another’s trust for the sake of silver. Its sad how some of have tied all Jews to Judas and have forgotten that eleven Jewish followers of Jesus laid down their lives for Him. God chose Jewish disciples to write the New Testament and to establish the Christian faith.

Why did Jesus choose Judas to be one of His twelve disciples? He knew Judas would betray Him. There was no possibility of converting this man. The verses that came to me this morning as I meditated on this passage were Isaiah 14:12-17, Ezekiel 28:12-15 and Revelation 12:7-9. Passages where God explains that Lucifer once brought praise to Him, but then, wanted to be God, and raised a rebellion against God, and was thus, expelled from heaven by God’s angel Michael. Was Jesus in choosing Judas teaching us something about the Kingdom of God?

Earlier in John 6, Jesus told a crowd, “Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life, which the Son of Man will give you, because God the Father has set His seal on Him.” [2] In other words, do not be so enamored with God’s created things that you miss the Creator when He is standing right in front of you.

God the Father has set His seal on Jesus. Jesus is the Messiah. He is the gate to enter the sheepfold. He is the One who gives everlasting life. Worship Jesus! He is the One all heaven adores. Stick with the eleven loyal followers of Jesus and serve Him. Proclaim His Name! Be His disciple!

Follow Jesus, because as Peter said, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. Also, we have come to believe and know that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” [3]

[1] John 6:70-71

[2] John 6:27

[3] John 6:68-69

From Death to Life

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

It is a done deal. Hear the words of Jesus! Believe in Him who sent Jesus! You have eternal life. God will not judge you, in such a case, you pass from death to life based on what God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit has done for you.

The reason salvation is free is because God the Father poured His heart in giving us His Son. God the Son poured out His heart by dying a cruel death on a cross to pay our sin debt before God in full. God the Holy Spirit poured out His life by deigning to come and to convict us that we need GOD to save us. What is more the Holy Spirit fills believers in Jesus and helps us to be strong in faith.

Passed from death to life based on God’s saving work!

[1] John 5:24

Jesus Christ Savior of the World

Jesus said to the woman, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you...” [1]

She did not know who Jesus was at the moment, but she brought up the right topic during her conversation with Jesus...

“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.’” [2]

The Messiah introduced Himself to her that day. What did she do?

“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.” [3]

She went forth and told others about Jesus.

“And many more believed because of His own word. Then they said to the woman, ‘Now we believe, not because of what you said, for we ourselves have heard Him and we know that this is indeed the Christ, the Savior of the world.’” [4]

Praise God! It only takes a spark to get a fire going. May the Lord spark salvation fires in our communities today.

[1] John 4:10
[2] John 4:25-26
[3] John 4:28-30
[4] John 4:41-42

House of Prayer Not Merchandise

The Son of God came to earth and lived among us. On the one hand, He came to make atonement for our sins and to defeat the power of sin, satan and death over us. On the other hand, He came to embody the Word of God so that we would have God’s interpretation of Scripture perfectly practiced by Himself in human flesh.

Every story in the Gospels tells us something about our Creator and Sustainer. For example, when Jesus found people in the temple doing profitable business dealings for themselves, He had made a whip of cords, and drove them out. He told them, “Do not make My Father’s house a house of merchandise!” [1] God denounced the exploitation of His temple for selfish gain by the managers of it.

I like what the Lord did through Billy Graham. He turned for-personal-profit business locations into venues to preach the Gospel to lost souls. For example, He preached the Gospel to lost souls at the Raymond James Stadium in Tampa Bay before the Buccaneers played their first football game in it. Thousands of souls streamed to their knees in repentance and professed faith in Christ during the days of that crusade. Praise the Lord!

“Those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the firmament, and those who turn many to righteousness like the stars forever and ever.” [2]

The Lord says that those who are wise will shine. He said that the true stars of this life turn people to righteousness. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if every church venue in the world would be a venue for the Gospel to be preached to lost souls? And that thousands of souls would stream to their knees in repentance and profess faith in Christ during the services?

Let us pray for revival!

[1] John 2:14-16
[2] Daniel 12:3

A Kingdom For Saints

“The saints of the Most High shall receive the kingdom, and possess the kingdom forever, even forever and ever.” [1]

From whom do the saints receive the kingdom? From God Himself!

“The kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people, the saints of the Most High. His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey Him.” [2]

Who shall inherit the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heavens? The Messiah gives it to those who have brought their sins to Him to be washed away by His redeeming blood. “To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.” [3]

Luke says to us who follow Him, “You are those who have continued with Me in My trials. And I bestow upon you a kingdom, just as My Father bestowed one upon Me.” [4]

Let us keep anticipating the Lord’s return! As the rays of the sun dispel the darkness of night, His arrival shall vanquish evil, and release glorious goodness. “The greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people, the saints of the Most High!”

Praise the Lord!

[1] Daniel 7:18
[2] Daniel 7:27
[3] Revelation 1:5-6
[4] Luke 22:28-29

The Difference Making Holy Spirit

The king said to Daniel, “I have heard of you, that the Spirit of God is in you, and that light and understanding and excellent wisdom are found in you.” [1]

And when a new king took power from that one, it was written about Daniel, “Daniel distinguished himself above the governors and satraps, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king gave thought to setting him over the whole realm.” [2]

What set Daniel apart from others? The answer is God's Spirit!

Of course! As a person loves God, keeps His commandments, and God’s Spirit helps him, excellent fruit comes forth.

Jesus said, “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]

If we love JESUS, if we keep His commandments, He prays the Father to send us the Helper, that is, the Spirit of truth. He dwells with us and in us. With the Spirit of God in us we are no longer orphans. We are living with the help of God our Father, the advocacy of Jesus the Son and in the power of the Holy Spirit.

[1] Daniel 5:14
[2] Daniel 6:3
[3] John 14:15-18

Loyal To The Lord

“...You are those who have continued with Me in My trials. And I bestow upon you a kingdom, just as My Father bestowed one upon Me...” [1]

Throughout history, loyalists to the Lord have encountered trials, but the Lord is loyal to His loyal followers. He shall reward us in like manner to the rewards He received from His Father.

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego are fine examples of loyal followers of the Lord. In their day, a king made an idol of gold. It was ninety feet tall and ten feet wide. He ordered his officials to join the dedication of this image. He commanded them to worship the image. He warned them, “Whoever does not fall down, and worship shall be cast immediately into the midst of a burning fiery furnace.” [2]

“How twisted!” This man threatened people with fire if they did not worship him. This is the final destiny of followers of false gods. “And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.” [3]

Most fell down and worshiped the gold image. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego were the exceptions. It was reported to the king, “They do not serve your gods or worship the gold image which you have set up.” [4]

The king warned them, “If you do not worship, you shall be cast immediately into the midst of a burning fiery furnace. And who is the god who will deliver you from my hands?” [5]

They replied, “Our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king. But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up.” [6]

They were thrown into the fiery furnace. To his surprise, the king saw a fourth man in the fire with them. He exclaimed, “Look! I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire; and they are not hurt, and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.” [7]

When Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego exited the fire, the hair of their head was not singed nor were their garments affected, and the smell of fire was not on them.

The king praised God, saying, “Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, who sent His Angel and delivered His servants who trusted in Him.” He added, “There is no other God who can deliver like this.” Then, he promoted them. [8]

Loyal followers of the Lord may experience trials for a season, but in the end, we experience God’s deliverance and promotions from Him. Praying for God’s grace to help us all be loyal to the Lord!

[1] Luke 22:28-29
[2] Daniel 3:6
[3] Revelation 20:15
[4] Daniel 3:12
[5] Daniel 3:15
[6] Daniel 3:17-18
[7] Daniel 3:25
[8] Daniel 3:28-30

Enter via the Narrow Gate

Jesus was teaching in cities and villages as He journeyed toward Jerusalem. Someone asked Him, “Lord, are there few who are saved?” [1]

Jesus responded, “Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I say to you, will seek to enter and will not be able. When once the Master of the house has risen up and shut the door, and you begin to stand outside and knock at the door, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open for us,’ and He will answer and say to you, ‘I do not know you, where you are from,’ then you will begin to say, ‘We ate and drank in Your presence, and You taught in our streets.’ But He will say, ‘I tell you I do not know you, where you are from. Depart from Me, all you workers of iniquity.’ There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, and yourselves thrust out. They will come from the east and the west, from the north and the south, and sit down in the kingdom of God. And indeed there are last who will be first, and there are first who will be last.” [2]

The narrow gate according to Jesus is, “I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.” [3]

During the days that Jesus walked through the cities and villages of Israel, many attended synagogue services. Many had the Scriptures and could quote passages, but what they lacked was a personal relationship with the God of the Scriptures. He was standing before them in the person of Jesus Christ and they rejected Him. He told them that many from all over the world would accept Him and believe in Him. Those who did, would be blessed to eat with Him, with Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and the prophets in the kingdom of God.

What really matters is what we do with Jesus. Those who embrace Him with love, worship and service will be the “first” in the kingdom of God. They will enter the kingdom of God thanks to the narrow gate. That's because Jesus Christ (the narrow gate) is the only Savior from sin. A person must believe in Him to be saved.

[1] Luke 13: 22-23
[2] Luke 13:24-30
[3] John 10:9

Rich Toward God

“The ground of a certain rich man yielded plentifully. And he thought within himself, saying, ‘What shall I do, since I have no room to store my crops?’ So he said, ‘I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build greater, and there I will store all my crops and my goods. And I will say to my soul, ‘Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease; eat, drink, and be merry.’ But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?’ So, is he who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.” [1]

“THINGS the nations of the world seek after, and your Father knows that you need... THINGS. But SEEK the KINGDOM of GOD, and... things shall be added to you.” [2]

“If you choose money over love, you will always be poor.” – Unknown

“Dear Heavenly Father, please help us to pursue love. To be rich in love, especially towards You, but also to the people around us.”

[1] Luke 12:16-21
[2] Luke 12:30-31

The Vital Importance of Professing Christ

“...Rejoice because your names are written in heaven.” [1]

Is your name written in heaven?

“There shall by no means enter it [the heavenly Jerusalem] anything that defiles, or causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.” [2]

How does one’s name get written into the Lamb’s Book of Life? The answer is by believing in the Lamb of God and following Him while here on earth. And who is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin that keeps people from entering New Jerusalem. The Lamb is none other than the King of kings and Lord of lords Jesus Christ.

“Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent, because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man [Jesus Christ] whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him [Jesus] from the dead.” [3]

Don’t wait another moment. Ask God to forgive your sins based on what His Son Jesus did for you on the cross... He sacrificed Himself to wash away your sins. Receive His forgiveness! And place your trust in Christ alone to save you both in this life and in the next. Those who confess Christ before people, He confesses before His Father in heaven. This is how one's name is written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.

“Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven.” [4]

[1] Luke 10:20
[2] Revelation 21:27
[3] Acts 17:30-31
[4] Matthew 10:32-33

The Gift Of Loving

“Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.” [1]

“Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.” [2]

“Let all that you do be done with love.” [3]

“Heavenly Father, thank You for loving us so much! Help us to love others as You love them. Thank You for giving up Your Son unto death to pay in full our sin debt against You. Help us to love those who sin against us. Keep us from harming those around us. May Your great love for people be the starting point from which we do all that we do. In Jesus’ Name, I pray. Amen.”

[1] 1 John 4:8-11
[2] Romans 13:10
[3] 1 Corinthians 16:14

What A Miracle!

I remember the day when I first truly believed that Jesus Christ IS Lord and Savior. It happened on a day of August of 1979. The Lord graciously brought me to the place where I spoke to Him and asked Him to take my life, save it from sin and hell and use me for His glory! Immediately, a peace came over me. A peace like I never experienced before. I KNEW He was REAL. I knew the creation I had seen everyday was HIS handiwork. Praise the Lord!

But that day was only the beginning! He is still transforming me. Helping me to see and understand better ways to love Him and to love those around me. Praise GOD for sending His Son into the world to reveal Himself and His ways to us.

I am very grateful to God for my wife Sherry. She has been a dear soul to me. I count her as one of the Lord’s greatest blessings to me. God has placed so much love in my heart for her. I pray that the Lord will bless her.

I praise the Lord for giving me a new heart and spirit.

Here is what the Lord says to us, “Repent, and turn from all your transgressions, so that iniquity will not be your ruin. Cast away from you all the transgressions which you have committed, and get yourselves a new heart and a new spirit. For why should you die? For I have no pleasure in the death of one who dies, says the Lord God. Therefore turn and live!” [1]

“YES LORD, I turn to YOU and I LIVE!”

[1] Ezekiel 18:30-32

Authority & Power to Heal Sickness

“Then Jesus went with them. And when He was already not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to Him, saying to Him, ‘Lord, do not trouble Yourself, for I am not worthy that You should enter under my roof. Therefore I did not even think myself worthy to come to You. But say the word, and my servant will be healed. For I also am a man placed under authority, having soldiers under me. And I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.’

When Jesus heard these things, He marveled at him, and turned around and said to the crowd that followed Him, ‘I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!’ And those who were sent, returning to the house, found the servant well who had been sick.” [1]

Jesus authorized the Centurion’s servant to be healed and it was done. He also commended the centurion's faith in the hearing of those around Him. Jesus marveled at the man because He was not a Jew. He was a Gentile! Yet, He had greater faith in the Jewish Messiah than many of His own people.

Jesus Christ is the Son of God! He has authority and power over all created things. In fact, He created and sustains all creation...

“He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones, dominions, principalities, or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist.” [2]

“Thank You Lord Jesus for creating us, sustaining us, and caring for us. Thank You for all the miraculous healings of human bodies that You have done throughout the ages and for the healing You will be doing today around the world. All praise, glory and blessing be unto You. We marvel at Your great love for us!”

[1] Luke 7:6-10
[2] Colossians 1:15-17

Blessings & Woes

Jesus calls those who follow Him to see suffering from a different perspective. Jesus declares the poor, hungry and weeping blessed.

“Blessed are you poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. Blessed are you who hunger now, for you shall be filled. Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh. Blessed are you when men hate you, and when they exclude you, and revile you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of Man’s sake. Rejoice in that day and leap for joy! For indeed your reward is great in heaven, for in like manner their fathers did to the prophets.” [1]

“The poor are not promised wealth – but something more valuable: God’s kingdom. The hungry and weeping will have their present situations reversed, becoming filled and laughing. Their current situation does not reflect their actual blessed state. Jesus promises blessings to those who face persecution.

The woes are a warning to those who place their trust in their comfortable situation. It is this independence from God that places them in a woeful situation, possibly without them even realizing it.” [2]

“But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation. Woe to you who are full, for you shall hunger. Woe to you who laugh now, for you shall mourn and weep. Woe to you when all men speak well of you, for so did their fathers to the false prophets.” [3]

The blessings and woes of Jesus are comparable to the blessings and curses of Moses. [4] Both messages encourage us to make obedience to God the main issue. Jesus encourages obedience to God even when obedience doesn’t seem to yield blessings.

Jesus clarified the kind of obedience that God is looking for when He went on to say, “Love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil. Therefore, be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful.” [5]

Selfless love in a world full of hatred and greed is bound to incur some blow back, but in the end, such a person will be greatly rewarded by God for all eternity.

[1] Luke 6:20-23
[2] Julia Van Den Brink: “Luke’s beatitudes and woes: are they covenant blessings and curses?”
[3] Luke 6:24-25
[4] See Deuteronomy 28
[5] Luke 6:35-36

The Greatest Crisis To Resolve

Social media companies and political fundraisers spend billions of dollars to bring us into line with their way of thinking. They want our thoughts, emotions and energies to flow in a particular direction. They seem to always being creating a crisis that only they can solve.

Ungodly leaders were not the main concern of Jesus when He came to earth. He multiplied food for the hungry, but that was not His main concern. He healed many sick, but healthcare was not His number one concern. So, what was our Lord’s primary concern when He walked among us?

Jesus said, “The Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.” [1]

The main concern of Jesus was that those heading for an eternity without God would be saved.

“He said to His disciples, ‘The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore, pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.’” [2]

Jesus urged His disciples to pray for laborers to do the work of saving souls.

“Dear Lord Jesus, You said that those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. You did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repent. [3] You sent your apostles to open eyes. To turn people from darkness to light! To turn people from the power of Satan to the power of God! You want people to receive forgiveness for their sins! An inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in You! [4] Please connect us with lost souls and may Your Holy Spirit speak through us to them. Please open blind eyes! Please set captive souls free from bondages to sin! May Satan’s power gives way to Your power! May sinners repent and receive Your forgiveness. May they experience the joy of salvation! This I pray in Your Name Lord Jesus. Amen.”

[1] Luke 19:10
[2] Matthew 9:37-38
[3] Luke 5:30-32
[4] Acts 26:17-18

Warning, Warning, Warning

The Lord gave Ezekiel a vision of four living creatures. He saw the glory of the Lord. Then, the Lord gave him a commission. He was to speak to His people in Babylon. The challenge was that they were in no mood to listen to what he had to say.

The Lord told Ezekiel, “Do not be afraid of their words or dismayed by their looks, though they are a rebellious house. You shall speak My words to them, whether they hear or whether they refuse, for they are rebellious.” [1]

The Lord gave Ezekiel a scroll to eat. He was to absorb and internalize it. Let it energize him to speak for God. The topics in the prophetic message were lamentations, mourning and woe. [2]

“Then I came to the captives at Tel Abib, who dwelt by the River Chebar; and I sat where they sat and remained there astonished among them seven days. Now it came to pass at the end of seven days that the word of the Lord came to me, saying, ‘Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; therefore hear a word from My mouth, and give them warning from Me.’” [3]

Seven days! He did not want to speak. But after seven days, the Lord reminded him that this was his mission.

As Ezekiel sat among the people, he realized that the Lord was not kidding when He said, “The house of Israel will not listen to you, because they will not listen to Me.” [4] The Babylonian conquest and decimation of their nation had not softened their hearts towards God. Becoming captives of others yielded no humility in them. They continued to ignore Ezekiel’s warnings from God. He continued to faithfully warn them to repent.

“Dear Heavenly Father, please help us Your sentinels by the power of Your Holy Spirit to keep on warning those who do not want to be warned. To keep on loving them as You love them! To You be all the glory, honor, and praise! In Jesus’ Name, we pray.”

[1] Ezekiel 2:6-7
[2] Ezekiel 2:9-10; 3:3
[3] Ezekiel 3:15-17
[4] Ezekiel 3:7

Reflecting God’s Glory

God created us people in His image to reflect His glory on the earth. When we bring glory to God, we fulfill our primary purpose.

Jesus taught, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” [1]

When we ask God to intervene in our lives and do miracles to help us, we are in a sense asking Him to be glorified in our lives.

“Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me.” [2]

Those who are victorious over the beast, over his image, over his mark and over his number (666), stand on a sea of glass with harps of God, and sing:

“Who shall not fear You, O Lord, and glorify Your name? For You alone are holy. For all nations shall come and worship before You, for Your judgments have been manifested.” [3]

So, let our purpose be to glorify the Lord...

“Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let Your glory be above all the earth.” [4]

[1] Matthew 5:16
[2] Psalm 50:15
[3] Revelation 15:2, 4
[4] Psalm 57:5

21st Century Jeremiah Book Now Available

My book is now available to order via:

https://www.lulu.com/shop

At the website above, type “21st Century Jeremiah” in the search window and it will bring it up.

I pray that this book will inspire love for God.

Forgiveness of Sin and the Holy Spirit

“Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin my mother conceived me.” [1]

The Bible teaches that we are born with a sin nature. It is natural, but not advantageous, for sinners to sin.

“Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.” [2]

Rather than wait for purgatory to be purged of sin as some teach, King David asked the Lord to purge his sin in the here and now.

Hyssop was used to apply the blood of the Passover lamb to the door posts of one’s home. When the angel of the Lord saw the blood of the lamb on the entry posts of people’s homes, he did not strike anyone dead. [3] So vital it is that our sin be purged by the blood of a lamb that God sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to be THE LAMB of GOD who takes away the sin of the world.

“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from Your presence, and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.” [4]

King Saul took God’s grace in vain. He was not faithful to the Lord. God did take His Holy Spirit from Saul. An evil spirit came upon him so that he began to persecute his son-in-law, David. He made every effort to kill David but failed. He ended up taking his own life. After all this, David sinned by taking the life of one of his faithful soldiers, and by committing adultery with the soldier’s wife. He repented. David experienced severe consequences for these sins, but the Lord did not take His Spirit from David. God forgave his sin.

“Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, and sinners shall be converted to You.” [5]

Grateful for God’s grace, David proceeded to tell sinners about the Lord. In a sense, he is still doing so as people read the Psalms which God inspired him to write.

“The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, a broken and a contrite heart—these, O God, You will not despise.” [6]

David was broken and contrite in regards to his sin. God saw that! God accepted his repentance.

Later on, David’s son, Solomon wrote, “Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and depart from evil. It will be healthy for your flesh and strengthen your bones. Honor the Lord with your possessions, and with the first fruits of all your increase; so your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will overflow with new wine.” [7]

Rather than think highly of self, think highly of the Lord. Give unto the Lord the glory that He so richly deserves!

“Surely He scorns the scornful but gives grace to the humble.” [8]

“Yes Lord, help us to be humble. To accept that what You say is true, and to act upon it. Please forgive our sins and fill us afresh with Your Holy Spirit to lead others to You. For it is in the Name of Jesus, that we pray. Amen.”

[1] Psalm 51:5
[2] Psalm 51:7
[3] Exodus 12:22
[4] Psalm 51:10-11
[5] Psalm 51:13
[6] Psalm 51:17
[7] Proverbs 3:7-10
[8] Proverbs 3:34

The Lord Defends His Servant

“Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the Angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at his right hand to oppose him. [1]

Joshua was doing priestly service. Satan stood at his right hand to oppose him. He hates it when God’s people stand with the Lord.

“The Lord said to Satan, ‘The Lord rebuke you, Satan! The Lord who has chosen Jerusalem rebukes you! Is this not a brand plucked from the fire?’” [2]

“The name Satan literally means adversary or opponent. He stands against us in spiritual battle. Satan wanted to destroy Simon Peter, sifting him like wheat but Jesus prayed for Peter and stood beside him and did not allow Satan to carry out every evil intention. The Lord rebukes Satan. When Satan accuses, Christ pleads. The Lord is a very present help in time of trouble.

“Michael the archangel said to Satan, ‘The Lord rebuke you.’ The example here shows us a model for spiritual warfare. We should battle Satan with the Lord’s authority. In His authority we fight from a place of victory, more than fighting for victory.” [3]

“Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments and was standing before the Angel. Then He answered and spoke to those who stood before Him, saying, ‘Take away the filthy garments from him.’ And to him He said, ‘See, I have removed your iniquity from you, and I will clothe you with rich robes.’” [4]

Satan was pointing to Joshua’s filthy clothes and declaring him unfit to serve the Lord. No problem, “Joshua’s ministry was not based on his own goodness or merit. He had been rescued as a brand plucked from the fire. Indeed, Satan had a lot to accuse Joshua of, but Joshua had an even greater advocate, namely the Lord.

Joshua not only enjoyed having his iniquity removed, he also was given a positive righteousness – clothed with rich robes. The thought of being clothed by God in righteousness runs from Genesis to Revelation.” [5]

“I said, ‘Let them put a clean turban on his head.’ So they put a clean turban on his head, and they put the clothes on him. And the Angel of the Lord stood by.” [6]

“The turban was part of the High Priest’s garments and on the front, it had a gold plate inscribed with the phrase HOLINESS TO THE LORD.” [7] In God’s eyes Joshua was holy. He had been declared useful by the Lord for His service.

How should we respond to the Lord’s help? By praising Him: “Sing praises to God, sing praises! Sing praises to our King, sing praises! For God is the King of all the earth; sing praises with understanding. God reigns over the nations; God sits on His holy throne.” [8]

[1] Zachariah 3:1
[2] Zachariah 3:2
[3] Enduring Word Commentary with references to Ephesians 6:10-18; Luke 22:31-32; Jude 1:9
[4] Zachariah 3:3-4
[5] Enduring Word Commentary with references to Genesis 3:7, 21; Revelation 7:13-14
[6] Zachariah 3:5
[7] Enduring Word Commentary with reference to Exodus 28:36-38
[8] Psalm 47:6-8

Caring As The Lord Cares

The Prophet Jeremiah’s care for people was great. He wrote, “For the hurt of the daughter of My people, I am hurt. I mourn. Dismay has taken hold of me. Is there no balm in Gilead? Is there no physician there? Why then isn’t the health of the daughter of My people recovered?” [1]

When he reached out to those on the verge of perishing, they replied, “We will walk after our own plans… we will each follow the stubbornness of his evil heart.” [2]

Was the care that God gave him for people an exercise of futility? Should he have concluded, “Love is not a worthy cause?

The Lord’s promise to those who care deeply for others is this: “Those who sow in tears will reap in joy. He who goes out weeping, carrying seed for sowing, will certainly come again with joy, carrying his sheaves.” [3]

The ministry of divine love, though painful, yields great joy. While the Prophet Jeremiah may have not seen the fruit of his labors during his lifetime, his tears have turned to joy. He is with the Lord now and his earthly efforts are still bearing good fruit today.

Caring as the Lord cares is a worthy cause!

[1] Jeremiah 8:21-22
[2] Jeremiah 18:12
[3] Psalm 126:5-6

Glorifying God!

God designed us to bring Him glory! If we fail to give Him glory, we fail in our primary purpose!

What was Gehenna? It was the place where items that no longer served their purpose were thrown and burned.

Are you? Am I? Glorifying God?

The temptation of these last days is to “blaspheme the name of God” and to refuse to “repent and give Him glory.” [1] To doubt God! To defy and denounce Him!

Let us defy defiance of God and glory in giving Him glory! As the Psalmist said, “Oh, magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together.” [2]

As Paul said, “God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.” [3] Let us boast about what Jesus for us on the cross!

Jesus advised us, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” [4]

Let us glorify the Lord in such a way that others want to join us in bringing God glory!

[1] Revelation 16:9
[2] Psalm 34:3
[3] Galatians 3:14
[4] Matthew 5:16

Overcoming the Forces of Darkness

“We do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.” [1]

These evil principalities, powers, dark rulers, and spiritual hosts of wickedness want to keep people from believing in Christ.

“If our Gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the Gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them.” [2]

“Heavenly Father, please open the eyes of the spiritually blind. Please shine Your light upon those sitting in darkness. I as this in the Name of Your Son Jesus Christ.”

I have found it helpful when witnessing to lost souls to use my authority from the Lord to bind the devil in the Name of Jesus. To plead the blood of Jesus shed for them. We overcome the forces of darkness by the blood of the Lamb. We want the Lord to pierce the darkness in their soul and reveal Himself to them. I pray the Holy Spirit to blow upon them like a mighty wind and reveal to them through my witness that Jesus Christ is indeed their Lord and Savior.

[1] Ephesians 6:12
[2] 2 Corinthians 4:3-4