The King Is Coming

“I was watching in the night visions,

And behold, One like the Son of Man,

Coming with the clouds of heaven!

He came to the Ancient of Days,

And they brought Him near before Him.

Then to Him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom,

That all peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him.

His dominion is an everlasting dominion,

Which shall not pass away,

And His kingdom the one

Which shall not be destroyed.” [1]

“Then the seventh angel sounded:

And there were loud voices in heaven, saying,

The kingdoms of this world

Have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ,

And He shall reign forever and ever!” [2]

[1] Daniel 7:13-15

[2] Revelation 11:15

Need Encouragement?

Come into God’s presence with thanksgiving in your heart and into God’s courts with praise. Worship God! He will speak to you. He will help you.

Praying for Gospel Proclamation

 Sanctification by the Holy Spirit

Holy Spirit guidance

Holy Spirit enduement with power and divine wisdom

God's resources to support Gospel proclamation

And CONVERSION of SINNERS to CHRIST!

God's Promises to His Faithful Servants in Psalm 112

 Yes, praise the Lord! In due season, those who have honored the Lord by the way they have lived ARE honored by Him in so many many ways.

The Lord becomes the Crown of His Remnant People

The Lord becomes the crown for the remnant of His people. He is our Spirit of justice and the source of our strength so that even battles which are on the verge of being lost are instead won!

 

Conversions To Christ

“I tried to make myself a Christian, but failed.” ~ Hudson Taylor

Stop and think about that for a moment!

Who is Jesus Christ?

He is the perfect Son of God! He lived a sinless life! He raised the dead, opened blind eyes, made the lame to walk again and He always did His Father’s will! He died on a cross, rose again & ascended to heaven.

Some careers are so difficult that few can do them. No one can live like Jesus unless Jesus changes them and empowers them to do so.

There must be a conversion by the Spirit of Christ via the truth... the Word of God if anyone is going to be a Christian. Only Christ can make Christians. Each person must come to Jesus Christ for salvation. Each Christian must be filled with the Spirit of Christ to walk as Jesus walked.

Hudson Taylor experienced that transformation and lived by resting in the Savior's abilities not his own.

[The attached photos pertain to the testimony of missionary to China Hudson Taylor]

Believe & Receive From Jesus

 

How Can I Pray for You?

 

Spread His Love To Everyone

Praise You Heavenly Father for sending Your Son Jesus Christ into the world so we now know what love likes and how it feels to be loved of God!

Righteous Before God

 How can anyone be righteous before God? The answer is to believe in the One whom God sent... namely Jesus Christ His Son our Redeemer.

Keep Swimming For God

 

Be A Truth Teller

 

The Night the Titanic Sank

The night the Titanic sank in 1912 on April 14, 1,528 people went into the frigid waters. John Harper, after putting his only daughter on a lifeboat, was seen swimming frantically to people in the water leading them to Jesus before the hypothermia became fatal. Reverend Harper swam up to one young man who had climbed up on a piece of debris. He asked him between breaths, “Are you saved?” The young man replied that he was not.

Harper then tried to lead him to Christ only to have the young man who was near shock, reply no. John Harper then took off his life jacket and threw it to the man and said, “Here then, you need this more than I do...” and swam away to other people. A few minutes later Harper swam back to the young man and succeeded in leading him to salvation. Of the 1,528 people that went into the water that night, six were rescued by the lifeboats. One of them was this young man on the debris.

Four years later, at a survivors meeting, this young man stood up and in tears recounted how John Harper had led him to Christ. Reverend Harper had tried to swim back to help other people, yet because of the intense cold, had grown too weak to swim. His last words before going under in the frigid waters were “Believe on the Name of the Lord Jesus and you will be saved.”

Does Hollywood remember this man? No. Oh well, no matter. This servant of God did what he had to do. While other people were trying to buy their way onto the lifeboats and were selfishly trying to save their own lives, John Harper gave up his life so that others could be saved. That’s love!

Sunrise Sunset - The Righteous & The Wicked

 

Lord, You Are Exalted Over All Others

 

THE SUPREMACY OF CHRIST

 

Boasting In The Cross Of Christ

 

21st Century Jeremiah

Lamentations gives the end result of a nation that ignored God’s Word and blindly followed godless leaders. I pray that the Lord will open the ears and hearts of our people in the 21st century to hear and believe His Word. 

Wakeup Call

 

Blessed Are The Undefiled

So many warnings have streamed through social media platforms about the dangers of invisible germs that can make one sick and take one's life, but little said or considered about the spiritual defilement that is flowing in our world like a humongous broken sewage line. Those who walk in the Law of the Lord, keep His testimonies and seek Him with their whole heart are the ones who are greatly blessed by Him. May the Lord help you to walk in His ways, hold tight to His testimonies found in the Bible, and may your whole heart go after the Living and True God in the Name of Jesus Christ His only-begotten and beloved Son. Amen!

Women Leaders Recognized By God

“I commend to you Phoebe our sister, who is a servant of the church in Cenchrea, that you may receive her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the saints and assist her in whatever business she has need of you; for indeed she has been a helper of many and of myself also.” [1]

“Paul sent an advance recommendation of this sister in Christ so the Romans will receive her and support her during her stay in their city.” [E]

“Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, who risked their own necks for my life, to whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles. Likewise greet the church that is in their house.” [2]

“Priscilla and Aquila were associates of Paul and helpers to Apollos. ‘The church that is in their house.’ In a city with a Christian community of any size, there would be several ‘congregations’ meeting in different houses since there were no ‘church’ buildings at this time.” [3 E]

“Greet Mary, who labored much for us. Greet Andronicus and Junia, my countrymen and my fellow prisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me. Greet Tryphena and Tryphosa, who have labored in the Lord. Greet the beloved Persis, who labored much in the Lord. Greet Philologus and Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints who are with them.” [4]

“Andronicus and Junia” were well regarded among the apostles. Of note among the apostles has the idea that Andronicus and Junia are apostles themselves (though not of the twelve), and notable among other apostles. If there ever were women recognized as apostles – in the sense of being special emissaries of God, not in the sense of being of the twelve – this is the strongest Scriptural evidence.” [E]

Phoebe, Priscilla, Mary, Tryphena, and Tryphosa worked for the Lord. “Of the twenty-four names mentioned in Romans 16, thirteen also appear in inscriptions or documents connected with the Emperor’s palace in Rome. We know that there were Christians among Caesar’s household.” [5 E]

“Heavenly Father, thank You for these women who served You faithfully in the days when the Church first began, and thank You for those who are faithfully serving You now!”

[1] Romans 16:1-2
[2] Acts 18:2; 18:18; 18:26
[3] Romans 16:3-5a
[4] Romans 16:6-7, 12, 15
[5] Philippians 4:22
[E] Enduring Word Commentary

TRUTH

What is the TRUTH? Who is telling the TRUTH? How do we know the TRUTH?

The Bible urges us to mediate on the TRUTH...

“Finally, brethren, whatever things are TRUE, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.” [1]

The Bible refers to Jesus as the TRUE light...

“That [Jesus] was the TRUE Light which gives light to every man coming into the world.” [2]

Jesus referred to His Heavenly Father as the TRUE God...

“And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only TRUE God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.” [3]

God is 100% TRUE and HOLY. People, on the other hand, are not the embodiment of truth. Our sinful nature deceives us. We need to confess the TRUTH that we are sinners. We need to confess our sins to God and receive His forgiveness to overcome the deceptive power of sin...

“If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the TRUTH is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” [4]

There is a deceiver in the world. His name is the devil...

“He [the devil] was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the TRUTH, because there is no TRUTH in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.” [5]

Jesus taught us to pray for victory over sin and over the devil...

“And do not lead us into temptation but deliver us from the evil one.” [6]

Jesus is the TRUTH and the way to the Father... the way to the TRUE God...

“Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, the TRUTH, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.’” [7]

Jesus gives His Holy Spirit to those who repent of their sins and believe in Him. The Holy Spirit guides us into all TRUTH...

“When He, the Spirit of TRUTH, has come, He will guide you into all TRUTH; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.” [8]

“Dear Heavenly Father, please forgive us our sins and speak truth into us by Your Holy Spirit. For we ask this in the Name of Your Son Jesus Christ. Amen.”

[1] Philippians 4:8
[2] John 1:9
[3] John 17:3
[4] 1 John 1:8-9
[5] John 8:44
[6] Matthew 6:13
[7] John 14:6
[8] John 16:13

Thank You Father for Faith

He gives victories to those who trust in Him!

“Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good testimony.”

“Without faith it is impossible to please God, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.”

“By faith Noah... became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.”

“By faith Abraham... waited for the city... whose builder and maker is God.”

“By faith Sarah... bore a child when she was past the age, because she judged Him faithful who had promised.”

“By faith Moses... chose to suffer affliction with the people of God rather than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin. He esteemed the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he looked to the reward.”

“By faith the harlot Rahab did not perish with those who did not believe, when she had received the spies with peace.”

“By faith Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel and the prophets subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in battle, and turned the armies of the aliens to flight.”

“By faith women received their dead raised to life again.” [1]

“Thank You Heavenly Father for granting us faith in You!”

[1] Hebrews 11:1-2, 6-11, 23, 25-26, 31-35

God Brings to Pass His Promises

“O man, who are you to reply against God? Will the thing formed say to him who formed it, ‘Why have you made me like this?’” [1]

God said to Moses, “’I will have mercy on whomever I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whomever I will have compassion.’ So then it is not of him who wills, nor of him who runs, but of God who shows mercy.” [2]

Paul wanted his nation, made up of the Jewish people, to accept their Jesus Christ as their Messiah during his lifetime, but for the most part they did not. He wrote of his sorrow and deep love for them to the Christians in Rome. [3]

The Lord told Ananias that Paul was His chosen vessel to bear His Name to the Gentiles. [4] The Lord confirmed Paul’s calling to bring the Gospel to non-Jews to the teachers and prophets of the Church Antioch. The Holy Spirit spoke to them and said, “Separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” [5]

Soon after that, Paul encountered Jews in Antioch Pisidia who vehemently opposed his teaching about Christ, and he responded to them, “It was necessary that the word of God should be spoken to you first; but since you reject it, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, behold, we turn to the Gentiles.” [6]

Paul expressed his grief to God that his Jewish nation did not receive their Jewish Messiah while the Gentiles did. He wrote to the Christians in Rome, “blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in.” [7]

The Lord reveals to us in the Book of Revelation that Jews from the twelve tribes of Israel will eventually believe in and serve Christ. There will indeed be a great worldwide ingathering of new believers in that day. [8]

One takeaway from this teaching is not to allow the distance between us and victory to steal our joy away in the Lord today. Rejoice in what GOD IS DOING! Trust in GOD! GOD will bring to pass what He has promised to do.

[1] Romans 9:20
[2] Romans 9:15-16
[3] Romans 9:1-3
[4] Acts 9:15
[5] Acts 13:1-2
[6] Acts 13:46
[7] Romans 11:25
[8] Revelation 7:3-9

Soft Clay in the Father’s Hands

“Then one of the servants answered and said, ‘Look, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite, who is skillful in playing [the harp], a mighty man of valor, a man of war, prudent in speech, and a handsome person; and the Lord is with him.’” [1]

How was it that a servant of a king noticed young David? To begin with, the Lord connected them. Secondly, David was soft clay in the Potter’s hands...

“O Lord, You are our Father; we are the clay, and You, our potter; and all we are the work of Your hand.” [2]

How did David become skillful at playing the harp? How did he become mighty and valiant? How did he learn to wage war? How did he become prudent in speech? Who made him into a handsome man?

The Lord did! The Lord was with Him! The Lord gave David the patience and tenacity to learn and perfect his harp playing skills. The Lord gave him the resilience to learn how to win battles for God and country. The Lord worked with his tongue and vocabulary to speak well. The Lord helped him to take care of his outward appearance.

Simply put, David was soft clay in the Potter’s hand. He did not harden himself against the Lord. He welcomed the Spirit of God to use and lead him. David allowed the Lord to shape his heart into a heart that was after God’s heart. The outcome was that the Lord was able to greatly use David to bring many people to Him. His Psalms are still widely used the world over.

Therefore, let us say with the Prophet Isaiah, “O Lord, You are our Father; we are the clay, and You, our potter; and all we are the work of Your hand.”

[1] 1 Samuel 16:18
[2] Isaiah 64:8

Expressing Pain Experiencing Help

The entire Bible can be read as a book about God’s response to human suffering. Many of the song lyrics in the Bible describe the composer’s pain, insecurity, fear, anxiety as well as confidence in the Lord for an abundant victory.

The composer of Bible songs cried out loud to God. He did not sing softly. He boldly made his supplications to the Lord. He poured out his complaints to God. He listed his troubles. He was overwhelmed. His enemies laid traps for him. He felt that no one cared for his soul. He felt like he was an invisible man!

He told the Lord of his low estate, and of the strength of his persecutors. He wanted the Lord to free his soul from its unpleasant imprisonment.

The upside of his life was the Lord. The Lord was aware of him. The Lord knew the path he walked. The Lord was his place of refuge. His safe place! The Lord was his portion. God filled the gaps left behind by disappointments. The Lord delivered him. He praised the Lord. The Lord replaced bad company with people who honored God.

The Psalmist ended his song on a high note. Thanks to His confidence in the Lord’s love for him, he said to the Lord, “You shall deal bountifully with me.”

“I cry out to the Lord with my voice;
With my voice to the Lord I make my supplication.
I pour out my complaint before Him;
I declare before Him my trouble.

When my spirit was overwhelmed within me,
Then You knew my path.
In the way in which I walk
They have secretly set a snare for me.
Look on my right hand and see,
For there is no one who acknowledges me;
Refuge has failed me;
No one cares for my soul.

I cried out to You, O Lord:
I said, ‘You are my refuge,
My portion in the land of the living.’
Attend to my cry,
For I am brought very low;
Deliver me from my persecutors,
For they are stronger than I.
Bring my soul out of prison,
That I may praise Your name;
The righteous shall surround me,
For You shall deal bountifully with me.”

Psalm 142

The Privilege to Preach the Gospel

“Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the Gospel of God.” [1]

Paul bound himself to Jesus, and served the Gospel with all his spirit...

“For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the Gospel of His Son...” [2]

Paul was ready to go to Rome far from his homeland so that more people could hear the Gospel...

“So, as much as is in me, I am ready to preach the Gospel to you who are in Rome also.” [3]

Paul knew that the Gospel message of Christ had power to convert and save lost souls...

“For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes...” [4]

Paul also knew that God was against those who were suppressing the Gospel. Therefore, it behooved him to preach this powerful Gospel to them so that they too might be saved...

“For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness.” [5]

Rejection of the Gospel truth that saves one from sin leads to lifestyle of more sin...

“Even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting.” [6]

Jesus compared the kingdom of heaven to a treasure of great worth...

“The kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it.” [7]

“Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for the privilege to preach the Gospel. Please open doors and grant us boldness to preach Your Gospel. Thank You for giving Your Son to die on the cross for our sins. Thank You for giving us Your Holy Spirit as a deposit and as a guarantee of the eternal kingdom that is instore for us. In Your Son’s Name I pray. Amen.”

[1] Romans 1:1
[2] Romans 1:9
[3] Romans 1:15
[4] Romans 1:16
[5] Romans 1:18
[6] Romans 1:28
[7] Matthew 13:45-46

God Revealing Himself via His Word

He served the Lord even though revelation was rare...

“Now the boy Samuel ministered to the Lord before Eli. And the word of the Lord was rare in those days; there was no widespread revelation.” [1]

He did not yet know the Lord. God’s Word was not yet revealed to him...

“Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord, nor was the word of the Lord yet revealed to him.” [2]

Then, the Lord spoke his name and he responded...

“Now the Lord came, stood, and called as at other times, ‘Samuel! Samuel!’ And Samuel answered, ‘Speak, for Your servant hears.’” [3]

The Lord was with him and gave him the right words to say...

“So, Samuel grew, and the Lord was with him and let none of his words fall to the ground.” [4]

The Lord continued to appear to Samuel and reveal Himself to Samuel via His Word...

“Then the Lord appeared again in Shiloh. For the Lord revealed Himself to Samuel in Shiloh by the word of the Lord.” [5]

“Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for revealing Yourself to us via Your Word that is recorded and preserved for us in the Bible. Thank You Jesus Son of God for removing the wall of separation between us and the Father via Your atoning sacrifice for our sins. Thank You Holy Spirit for deigning to dwell in us and for revealing the meaning of God’s Word for us.”

[1] 1 Samuel 3:1
[2] 1 Samuel 3:7
[3] 1 Samuel 3:10
[4] 1 Samuel 3:19
[5] 1 Samuel 3:21

Hold Fast The Confession

“Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.” [1]

“If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” [2]

“Every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” [3]

“Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.” [4]

[1] Hebrews 10:23
[2] Romans 10:9
[3] Philippians 2:11
[4] Proverbs 18:21

The Power of Prayer and Praise to God

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

What did Paul and Silas do in prison? What was the outcomes of their actions?

Paul and Silas prayed, presumably aloud, and sang hymns to God. This does not a normally happen when two men are locked up for doing good. They had every reason to cry injustice and complain, but instead, they prayed and sang. The prisoners listened.

With Jesus their heart-breaking situation gave way to shining the Gospel light amidst people sitting in darkness. The world offers division, complaint, strife, anger, victimhood, guilt, shame, and pride. Jesus offers a grateful heart that can “give thanks in all circumstances.” [2]

Paul and Silas had the promise from Jesus of a glorious resurrection. Even if they were executed, they would rise again. Jesus said, “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” [3]

What did the prisoners hear spilling out from Paul and Silas amidst their trials? What are our listeners hearing us say?

The example of Paul and Silas moved their jailer to ask them, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” [4]

It is highly probable, based on the outcomes recorded in this Bible story, that if we sincerely pray to God and loudly praise Him with song, someone will ask us how they too can be saved.

[1] Acts 16:25
[2] 1 Thessalonians 5:18
[3] Matthew 5:11-12
[4] Acts 16:30

Maintaining The Main Mission

Paul’s accusers: “For we have found this man a plague, a creator of dissension among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes.” [1]

Paul’s response: “I have hope in God, which they themselves also accept, that there will be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and the unjust.” “Concerning the resurrection of the dead I am being judged by you this day.” [2]

After Jesus revealed Himself to Paul and commissioned him to preach the Gospel to Jews, non-Jews and to kings, [3] the Apostle was not deterred by the false accusations and hardships that came against him. He had hope in God! He had hope in God because for him the resurrection from the dead of the just and the unjust was a reality.

Previously, Epicurean and Stoic philosophers mocked him saying, “What does this babbler want to say?” While others said of him, “He seems to be a proclaimer of foreign gods,” because he preached to them Jesus and the resurrection. [4]

Paul responded to these mockers and skeptics with a warning, “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 whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead.” [5]

The revelation of Jesus Christ brought Paul to repentance. He repented of his rage against Jesus and His followers. Jesus led him and empowered him to become one of His greatest writers and proclaimers of the resurrection message. Thanks to God’s grace, every other priority of Paul gave way to the priority of preparing people for eternity. Despite mocking, mischaracterization, and maltreatment, he maintained his mission.

“Dear Heavenly Father, please help us to prepare people for eternity by revealing Your Son Jesus Christ to them even as You have so graciously revealed Him to us. It is in His Name we pray. Amen.”

[1] Acts 24:5
[2] Acts 24:15, 21
[3] Acts 9:15
[4] Acts 17:18
[5] Acts 17:30-31

Bound For Glory!

Did you know that Samson, the great strong man of God, was once bound and delivered over to his enemies by his own people to save them from death?

It is true! The Philistine army deployed itself against Israel. Israel asked them why. The Philistines replied, “We have come up to arrest Samson...” So, 3,000 Israelites approached Samson, and said to him, “We have come to arrest you, to deliver you into the hand of the Philistines.” They bound Samson with ropes and brought him up to the Philistines. Thankfully, the Spirit of the Lord came mightily upon Samson. He broke the ropes. He slew 1,000 Philistines. He was free again. [1]

The Apostle Paul was also bound but later freed.

A man with a prophetic gift took Paul’s belt and bound his own hands and feet with it. He said, “Thus says the Holy Spirit, ‘So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man who owns this belt and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.’” Paul’s friends were quite upset by this prophesy. Paul responded to them by saying, “What do you mean by weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” [2]

Jesus was also bound. “The detachment of troops and the captain and the officers of the Jews arrested Jesus and bound Him.” [3] Jesus was also bound by strips of grave clothing. “Then they took the body of Jesus and bound it in strips of linen with the spices, as the custom of the Jews is to bury.” [4] But no bonds, no grave clothing and no sealed-shut tomb were able stop Jesus. He had the power of an endless life. [5]

In all these cases, God’s messengers were set free from the bonds that people tried to bind them with. And in all these cases, these who were bound by the world, were also bound for glory.

“Dear Heavenly Father, please keep us ever mindful that all the world’s bindings against Your servants are destined to burst. You have bound us for glory. We are bound for glory thanks to You and Your Son Jesus Christ, our Redeemer. It is in His Name that I praise You. Amen.”

[1] Judges 15:9-15
[2] Acts 21:10-13
[3] John 18:12
[4] John 19:40
[5] Hebrews 7:16

The Heavenly Message

“Jesus came preaching the good news of the kingdom of God. He charged His disciples with the Great Commission. The Book of Acts records the Great Commission in action - the proclamation of the Gospel and the instruction of new believers.” ~ Alexander Strauch

God's Response To Pain

Exile is to ancient Israel is what crucifixion of Jesus is to Church. Return from exile (restoration) is to Israel what resurrection of Jesus is to Church.

Before exile, tradition had become a prop. Landholding had become a prop. Power had become a prop. God had to take away all their props so they can come back to God.

The Bible is God’s response to human suffering… “For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.”

Romans 15:4

Christ-Centered Christianity

“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 an 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 proving that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead. He presented persuasive evidence 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 is Christ-centered Christianity. We are still pointing people to Him today.

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

The Proper Response to the Resurrection of Jesus Christ

The proper response our Lord’s resurrection is to GO and TELL others.

The Apostle Paul, who experienced a face to face encounter with the Risen Lord Jesus, did just that!

For example, in the city of Thessalonica, the Apostle Paul ministered for three Sabbaths in a Jewish synagogue. He reasoned with them from the Scriptures. What was the topic of his Bible teaching? The resurrection of Jesus Christ!

“He explained and proved that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead, and saying, ‘This Jesus whom I preach to you is the Christ.’” Christ is Greek for Messiah!

Some Jews, a great multitude of Greeks, and many leading women were persuaded that Jesus was Messiah and joined with Paul and his ministry partner Silas. [1]

Next, Paul and Silas preached Christ in a Berean synagogue. The Berean Jews searched the Scriptures daily to verify if Jesus did indeed fulfill the Bible’s prophesies. Many of them believed. There were also many Greek converts including prominent women as well as men. [2]

Next, Paul stood amid the Areopagus (a temple to a Greek god) located in Athens Greece. Here too, he preached Christ. [3]

He told his listeners, “We ought not to think that the Divine Nature is like gold or silver or stone, something shaped by art and man’s devising. Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent, because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead.” [4]

Some in the audience mocked Paul while others wanted to hear more. One man named Dionysius, one woman named Damaris, and some others believed and joined him. [5]

Paul is God’s example of a person who loves God and his neighbor. God’s love led him to care for peoples’ souls. By faith in God’s Word and reliance on the power of the Holy Spirit, he continually made new followers of Jesus Christ.

As many as receive Jesus Christ, to them He gives the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who are born... of God. [6] Converted by His Word and Holy Spirit!

[1] Acts 17:1-4
[2] Acts 17:11-12
[3] Acts 17:22
[4] Acts 17:29-31
[5] Acts 17:32-34
[6] John 1:12-13

Believing Between Then And Now

Jesus had told His disciples multiple times that He would die, but on the third day rise again. [1] But we read of their unbelief between then and now... The time between His crucifixion and His resurrection. [2]

Between the crucifixion and resurrection, Jesus rested on the Sabbath. He did not go into crisis control mode. The tomb was sealed. It was a rich man’s tomb complete with bodyguards.

Is it any coincidence that God set apart the seventh day of the week and made it holy? I think not! Sabbath is a day to die-to-self and to rest in God. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, did not work during His Sabbath in the grave. But on the first day of the week, when there was work to do, He resurrected with healing in His wings. [3]

“He was crucified in weakness, yet He lives by the power of God.” [4]

What about those unbelieving disciples? What happened to them? Poisoned minds! The devil did this to our first parents... he poisoned their minds against God. Some members of Alcoholics Anonymous speak of the devil being on one’s shoulder speaking into their ear. Yes, the enemy poisons people against God, against themselves and others. Some doubted until they saw Jesus alive from the dead on the third day.

How many are doubting today that Jesus will return just as He said?

We must beware of doubting when we should be resting. The Apostle Peter warned that in the last days, many will be saying, “Where is the promise of His coming?” [5]

“The unbelieving... poisoned their minds against the brethren.” [6] Did the brethren quit? No, “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.” [7]

Some persuaded the multitudes to stone the Apostle Paul. Did he quit? No, he went forward preaching the Gospel in the next city. He and his ministry team made many disciples there. [8]

Paul exhorted his disciples to continue in the faith, saying, “We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God.” [9]

Despite all that is waged against Jesus Christ, and the truth that He gives us, He overcomes. It was prophesied long ago of Jesus in God’s Word the Bible...

“I will make My firstborn the highest of the kings of the earth.” [10]

Keep on believing between the then of Sabbath and the now of Resurrection!

[1] Matthew 16:21, Matthew 17:23, Matthew 20:19
[2] Matthew 28:17, Luke 24:25, John 20:24-27
[3] Malachi 4:2
[4] 2 Corinthians 13:4
[5] 2 Peter 3:4
[6] Acts 14:2
[7] Acts 14:3
[8] Acts 14:19-21
[9] Acts 14:22
[10] Psalm 89:27

Good Friday Is GOOD

Good Friday commemorates the day on which Jesus, the Son of God, was crucified for our sins. He had committed no sin. He was God’s perfect sacrifice for our sins.

Below is the meat of what the Apostle Paul preached about Jesus...

“Though they found NO CAUSE for death in HIM [Jesus], they asked Pilate that He should be put to death. After they had fulfilled all that was written concerning Him [in the Old Testament], they took Him down from the tree and laid Him in a tomb.

BUT GOD RAISED HIM FROM THE DEAD! [Hallelujah!]

...We declare to you GLAD TIDINGS... GOD... has raised up JESUS.” [1]

“Therefore, let it be known to you, brethren, that through this Man is preached to you the FORGIVENESS OF SINS; and BY HIM EVERYONE WHO BELIEVES IS JUSTIFIED FROM ALL THINGS FROM WHICH YOU COULD NOT BE JUSTIFIED BY THE LAW OF MOSES.” [2]

Jesus Christ is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. The Law of Moses convicts humanity of sin before God. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ erases the criminal records of every believer in Him from all divine offenses.

We who believe in JESUS are no longer offenders before GOD. We are justified... just-if-I’d not sinned... justified by God due to our faith in His Son Jesus Christ.

How does one get his or her name in the Lamb’s Book of Life? The answer is to believe in one’s heart and confess with one’s mouth, “Jesus Christ is the Lamb of God who takes away my sin.”

As Scripture says, “Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us.” [3]

The key to victory over sin, satan and death is FAITH in the SON of GOD, JESUS CHRIST!

This is what makes Good Friday so GOOD!

[1] Acts 13:28-33
[2] Acts 13:38-39
[3] Romans 8:33-34

Returning To God

“The backslider in heart will be filled with his own ways, but a good man will be satisfied from above.” [1]

“A common English expression claims ‘what goes around comes around.’ It is true that good people can experience difficult circumstances and even persecution [2], and evil people can sometimes appear successful. [3] Both are temporary situations, however. Natural cause-and-effect usually brings negative consequences to evildoers and benefits to those who do good.

The phrase ‘backslider in heart’ literally means ‘a turned-aside heart.’ This is someone who has rejected God’s wisdom [4] in favor of their own preferences. [5] As the book of Proverbs often notes, ignoring God increases risks in earthly life [6] and guarantees death in eternity.” [7 Q1]

“Often the love we need most is the love we want least. The love feels so harsh, so blunt, so unpleasant in the moment that we often don’t even recognize it as love. Sometimes the Lord’s love for us feels like the opposite of love, but that’s only because we can’t see everything He sees. Behind the real pain He allows is an even more real love for those for whom He sent His Son. [8]

The world would never call any kind of pain ‘love.’ The world simply does not have categories for God doing whatever necessary to draw us to Himself, but His love for us explodes the world’s small categories and far surpasses its weak expectations.

The sweetest gift God gives us when He wounds us is that He gives us more of Himself.

We see this kind of love throughout the prophets. God is willing to withhold anything to bring His people back to Himself. Again and again, the pain He allows is designed to lead us to comfort and hope and healing, not despair. Don’t be afraid to feel the pain in suffering, and to grieve the pain, but let it lead you to God, not away.” [Q2]

The prophets conveyed God’s desire to replace peoples’ distance with closeness to Him.

He withheld food to make them hungry: “I gave you cleanness of teeth in all your cities, and lack of bread in all your places, yet you did not return to Me.” [9] God was willing to watch them hunger if that’s what it took for them to hunger for Him again.

He stopped the rain to make them thirsty: “I also withheld the rain from you when there were yet three months to the harvest; I would send rain on one city, and send no rain on another city; one field would have rain, and the field on which it did not rain would wither; so two or three cities would wander to another city to drink water, and would not be satisfied; yet you did not return to Me.” [10]

He corrupted the fields to ruin their harvest: “I struck you with blight and mildew; your many gardens and your vineyards, your fig trees and your olive trees the locust devoured; yet you did not return to Me.” [11] God compromised their livelihood to initiate a return to Him.

God even allowed their young sons to die in war: “I sent among you a pestilence after the manner of Egypt; I killed your young men with the sword, and carried away your horses, and I made the stench of your camp go up into your nostrils; yet you did not return to me. . .. I overthrew some of you, as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah, and you were as a brand plucked out of the burning; yet you did not return to Me.” [12] He allowed some to die that others might truly live.

God’s purpose was not destruction, but reconciliation. His motivation was not revenge, but invitation. In every ounce of suffering, He calls to His people, “Return to Me.”

“Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, that He may have compassion on him, and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon.” [13] The pain may feel like God’s fierce anger in the moment, but it actually serves to reveal His warm compassion toward us. Joel writes, “Return to the Lord your God, for He is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love; and He relents over disaster.” [14]

Return and be healed! “The Lord will strike Egypt, striking and healing, and they will return to the Lord, and He will listen to their pleas for mercy and heal them.” [15] The Lord does take away. The Lord does strike. All that He may heal. Hosea sings, “Come, let us return to the Lord; for He has torn us, that He may heal us; He has struck us down, and He will bind us up.” [16]

“I have blotted out your transgressions like a cloud and your sins like mist; return to Me, for I have redeemed you.” [17] When we return to the Lord, we don’t meet resistance or reluctance. This Father runs to receive His prodigal. [18]

“Thus said the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, ‘In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.’ But you were unwilling.” [19] When we suffer, enduring disappointment or rejection, wrestling with disease or disability, losing someone we loved, we may want rest more than anything — rest from the pain, from the questions, from the doubt, from the anxieties. Tragically, many of us run away from God to try and find rest when the suffering is designed to lead us into real rest with Him.

God hangs the same banner over every trial: “Come to Me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” [20]

“The ransomed of the Lord shall return and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.” [21] Satan prowls like a lion, waiting to devour the vulnerable. He preys on the weak. He wants your life to be full of sorrow. However, when we begin to realize all that God does for us during adversity, we not only learn to tolerate our weaknesses and afflictions, but we also “boast all the more gladly” in them. [22]

“I will give them a heart to know that I am the Lord, and they shall be My people and I will be their God, for they shall return to Me with their whole heart.” [23] In the end, the sweetest gift God gives us when He wounds us is that He gives us more of Himself. When we return to God, we get God. [24] And He is worth whatever we must lose or suffer to have Him.

God pleads for His people to return — to come home — but also warns us. “Thus I will do to you, O Israel; because I will do this to you, prepare to meet your God, O Israel!” For behold, he who forms the mountains and creates the wind, and declares to man what is his thought, who makes the morning darkness, and treads on the heights of the earth — the Lord, the God of hosts, is His name!” [25]

Whether we return to God or not when we’re wounded, we will meet Him one day. The suffering we experience now is designed to bring us to Him as a precious son or daughter. But if we refuse, we will meet Him as an enemy, and our suffering will be far worse forever. An eternity apart from Him, and against Him, will make years of pain and heartache look strangely light and momentary by comparison.

Don’t be afraid to feel the pain in suffering, and to grieve the pain, but let it lead you to God, not away from Him. He is wounding you with love and pleading with you to run to Him.

[1] Proverbs 14:14
[2] Psalm 9:9–10
[3] Psalm 73:2–3
[4] Proverbs 1:7; 3:5
[5] Proverbs 14:11–12
[6] Proverbs 13:21
[7] Proverbs 10:29; 11:4
[8] John 3:16
[9] Amos 4:6
[10] Amos 4:7–8
[11] Amos 4:9
[12] Amos 4:10–11
[13] Isaiah 55:7
[14] Joel 2:13
[15] Isaiah 19:22
[16] Hosea 6:1
[17] Isaiah 44:22
[18] Luke 15:20
[19] Isaiah 30:15
[20] Matthew 11:28–29
[21] Isaiah 35:10; 51:11
[22] 2 Corinthians 12:9
[23] Jeremiah 24:7
[24] 1 Peter 3:18
[25] Amos 4:12–13
[Q1] Quotes from Bibleref.com

[Q2] Quote from Marshall Segal (@marshallsegal) writer & managing editor at desiringGod.org

Peter's Vision

A New Direction – And it is Good!

The Lord gave Peter a vision of animals that Peter had never eaten before and told him to rise, kill the animals and eat them. Peter’s response was, “Not so, Lord! For I have never eaten anything common or unclean.” But the Lord told him, “What God has cleansed you must not call common.”

While Peter wondered what this vision meant, men were at the gate of the house asking to see him. 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.” [1]

The three men led Peter to the house of a Roman Centurion named Cornelius. Cornelius had invited many relatives and friends to hear what Peter had to say. Before Peter entered the home of Cornelius, he explained to him why he, a Jew, felt at liberty to enter the home of a Gentile...

He said, “You know how unlawful it is for a Jewish man to keep company with or go to one of another nation. But God has shown me that I should not call any man common or unclean. Therefore, I came without objection as soon as I was sent for.” [2]

Peter preached the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the group of Italians in a home setting. The Holy Spirit fell on them, they believed in Christ and were baptized. [3]

“Dear Heavenly Father, please help leaders and followers of the blessed faith that You have given to us through Your Son Jesus Christ, that we, would be open to new instructions and new directions from You, for the sake of souls that need and want to hear the Gospel. This I pray in the Name of Your Son Jesus Christ. Amen.”

[1] Acts 10:13-20
[2] Acts 10:23-29
[3] Acts 10:34-48

Arise, Go, Do

He heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?”

He said, “Who are You, Lord?”

Then 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]

In what ways are we intentionally or unintentionally persecuting Jesus! Is He not who we expected Him to be? Are we afraid to have a close relationship with Him?

Saul of Tarsus was kicking against the goads. Goads are used to keep a sheep on the right path. Saul was not just drawing outside the lines; he was trying to erase them. He was kicking the lines, that is, until he met Jesus.

After Saul met Jesus personally, he was humble. He called Jesus Lord. He wanted to arise, go, and do for Jesus. He followed the Good Shepherd.

“Lord Jesus, please forgive us for kicking against the goads. Please fill afresh and anoint us with Your Holy Spirit to arise, go and do Your will... to be Your disciples and to be Your disciple-makers like the Apostle Paul (formerly known as Saul). It is in Your mighty Name that I pray. Amen.”

[1] Acts 9:4-6

Unlocking Lockdowns

“Now Jericho was securely shut up because of the children of Israel; none went out, and none came in. And the Lord said to Joshua: ‘See! I have given Jericho into your hand, its king, and the mighty men of valor.’” [1]

The key to any victory, spiritually speaking, is the Lord! As the Apostle Paul said, “If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?” [2]

The city of Jericho was on a spiritual lockdown. All but the harlot Rahab was happy with the way things were. They did not want the people of God in their city. They were determined to keep them out. The Lord told Joshua that walls were coming down. He told Joshua that He would unlock the lockdown. God is greater than demons and humans who defy Him.

“Joshua said to the people: ‘Shout, for the Lord has given you the city!’ The people shouted with a great shout, that the wall fell down flat. Then the people went up into the city, every man straight before him, and they took the city.” [3]

Spiritually speaking, if God wants a person, city and/or nation to experience a spiritual awakening, no one can stay His hand, but God chooses to work through people to bring about victories in this world. People like Joshua and his band of believers. People who shout if need be. People who sound trumpets if need be. But ultimately, people who believe GOD is GOD.

“Dear Heavenly Father, we ask that in the Name of Your Son Jesus Christ, that You decimate strongholds of darkness in our cities and nations and give Your Christ-believing and Christ-proclaiming people glorious victories today. Thank You, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, Your glory is above all the earth! In the Name Jesus Christ, I praise You and I pray! Amen!”

“If it is of God, you cannot overthrow it—lest you even be found to fight against God.” [4]

[1] Joshua 6:1-2
[2] Romans 8:31-32
[3] Joshua 6:16, 20
[4] Acts 5:39

Resurrection-based Love

"With great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all." [1]

Why would the apostles give witness to the the resurrection of the Lord Jesus?

Why was this message the core of their proclamation?

Why did God grant great grace to this movement?

"Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood."

Did you catch the last phrase of the above Bible verse? "Which He purchased with His own blood." Jesus Christ of Nazareth died on the cross for our sins. His body laid lifeless in a tomb for 3 days. "By the grace of God, He tasted death for everyone." [3] Jesus, the Son of God, was crucified and buried for your sins and mine, but He resurrected on the 3rd day to assure us of our resurrection, that is, if we believe in Him and confess Him as our Lord and Savior.

There is a guaranteed eternity with God in heaven for all who believe in Jesus Christ and profess Him as their Lord and Savior. This eternity was purchased for us with the price of the precious blood of Jesus Christ.

God gives great grace to those who proclaim this message. The Holy Spirit places guardians and proclaimers of this message over flocks of God's people, and He gives us grace to hold the line and not compromise the message.

I have come to see this message as resurrection-based love. It is a love that runs much deeper than a person's personal happiness and freedom in this temporary world. It is a love that cares that every soul should enjoy God's riches and glory for all eternity.

[1] Acts 4:33
[2] Acts 20:28
[3] Hebrews 2:9

Rejoice Your Name is Written in Heaven [1]

Yesterday, I listened to a message by Colin Smith on the radio. He said, “Your best life now” is only true if you are on your way to hell. But if we trust in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, our best life is yet to come. He urged servants of God’s Word not to rejoice in ministry successes, but to rejoice that our names are written in heaven. It is wonderful to enjoy seasons of harvest from our ministry efforts, but even when we do, we should remember the best is yet to come thanks to the redemptive work of our Savior Jesus Christ.

The Apostle Peter preached, “...Be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.” [2]

Nothing else is more important than being assured that Jesus Christ is Lord and Messiah!

“All inhabitants of the earth will worship the beast—all whose names have not been written in the Lamb’s book of life, the Lamb who was slain from the creation of the world.” [3]

Many will be deceived in the last days. Only those who are assured that there is an eternity with God that is worth much greater than anything this world has to offer, will refuse to deny the Lordship of Jesus Christ.

“Nothing impure will ever enter it [New Jerusalem], nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life.” [4]

How is anyone cleansed of sinful impurities? The answer is Christ! Recognize that only the sacrifice of Christ of Himself on the cross for our sins is sufficient to cleanse us of all our sins. How does one get his or her name written in the Lamb’s Book of Life? You must believe in your heart and confess with your mouth that Jesus Christ alone is Lord and Savior.

“Everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.” [5]

[1] Luke 10:20
[2] Acts 2:36
[3] Revelation 13:8
[4] Revelation 21:27
[5] 1 John 5:4-5

Biblically-Based Shepherding

“...I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.” [1]

Paul set an example for the elders of the Church of God, and for Christian leaders of all generations. His example was to place the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace above all other tasks, even above the task of self-preservation.

“Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which He bought with His own blood.”

The elders of the Church of God were to watch over themselves spiritually and over God’s flock. Their identity was??? To be overseers and shepherds of the church of God. What was the value of the people that they were appointed to protect and provide for? Their value was the matchless worth of the Son of God’s own blood. He redeemed their souls with the price of His own blood.

This week, my son-in-law, Todd Fletcher, who is highly successful pastor in Colorado, gave me a book by Alexander Strauch that is well-researched, well-thought-out and well written on the topic of shepherding. Todd’s highest priority has been to develop a Biblically-based-leadership group. The Lord has blessed his church with depth and growth. I am praying that the Lord will do the same for the First Church of the Nazarene in Kirksville.

[1] Acts 20:24
[2] Acts 20:28

Grace to Accomplish the Mission

“Him [Christ] we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus. To this end I also labor, striving according to His working which works in me mightily.” [1]

God compels His servants to warn and teach people with the goal of perfecting them in Christ Jesus. God worked mightily in His servant Paul at this task.

“With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all.” [2]

“Dear Heavenly Father, please continue to grant us the grace to stay on task, namely, to lead people to Jesus and to be more like Jesus day by day as they sojourn here on earth. In the Name of Your Son Jesus Christ I pray. Amen.”

[1] Colossians 1:28-29
[2] Acts 4:33

Forgiven Much - Forgiving Much

I am one who has received much grace from God, that is, unmerited and undeserved mercy, forgiveness and goodness from Him... thanks to Jesus Christ my Savior and Lord. Blessed be His holy Name!

The Grace Of God

“There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death.” [1]

Death has a much deeper meaning in the context above. This death is a result of human pride daring to doubt God and to live in opposition to God. The shock of it all is that after death each human being meets God. He does exist. His holiness is beyond comprehension.

“...Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps. He committed no sin, nor was deceit found in His mouth. When He was reviled, He did not revile in return. When He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously. He bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed. For you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.” [2]

God in His incredible grace sent His own Son into the world. God in the flesh! Jesus Christ is the only being who wore human flesh and yet never sinned. He never lied or deceived. He did not threaten those who inflicted horrific suffering on Him. He placed every injustice into His Father’s hands. He bore my sins and your sins on the cross. He was betrayed for 30 pieces of silver... the price of a slave. He took the lashes of a whip across His back (also like a slave) for our healing.

We all fall short of God’s glory. [3] Our righteousness is like filthy rags compared to God’s. [4] Our only hope for salvation is to turn to the Shepherd and Overseer of souls. Embrace His grace! Acknowledge verbally to Him and to others that without the atoning sacrifice of Christ, “I am a lost soul and cannot be accepted by a holy God.”

And then, live as the Apostle Paul lived. He declared, “By the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.” “By grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God.” [5]

[1] Proverbs 16:25
[2] 1 Peter 2:21-25
[3] Romans 3:23
[4] Isaiah 64:6
[5] 1 Corinthians 15:10; Ephesians 2:8