The Love of Jesus and Spiritual Gifts

We went to see the Jesus Revolution movie. It hit number three at the box office this weekend.

 
Afterwards we watched a documentary on Chuck Smith. I liked that Chuck Smith held to the Biblical perspective that LOVE is the greatest spiritual gift, or fruit of the Spirit. 

“The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness.” [1]

 
Last Sunday, I shared with our congregation an illustration that Pastor Hong Sit shared with me years ago. It shows love being poured into the locomotive by the Holy Spirit. The love of Jesus for the lost, the last and the least keeps the gifts of the Spirit moving forward on the right track, and at the right speed so the train is not derailed.

 
Attached is the link to the Chuck Smith documentary.

https://youtu.be/lrxsFErLcHY

[1] Galatians 5:22

Good Convictions of Unbelief, Righteousness and Judgment

“When He [the Holy Spirit] has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: of sin, because they do not believe in Me; of righteousness, because I go to My Father and you see Me no more; of judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.” [1]

Convictions of unbelief, righteousness, and judgment are from God. Without such convictions, we won’t repent and receive Jesus Christ as our Savior.

People once asked Jesus, “What shall we do, that we may work the works of God?” Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent.” [2]

God’s righteousness comes to us through FAITH in Christ. “…The righteousness of God… is revealed… by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe.” [3] God’s righteous stamp is given to all who believe in Christ.

“For there is no difference; for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.” [4] Did you catch that? There is no difference. All have sinned. All of us fall short of God’s glory. All saved people are saved by God’s grace through faith in Christ.

“God set forth Him [Christ] as a propitiation by His blood…” [5] To propitiate is to atone for or to cover one’s sin by a perfect blood sacrifice. When we believe in Christ, God forgives our sin.

“God is just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.” [6]

Praise to be God that His Holy Spirit convicts us that we are sinners in need of a Savior, and that He helps us to believe in Jesus Christ.

[1] John 16:8-11
[2] John 6:28-29
[3] Romans 3:21-22
[4] Romans 3:22-24
[5] Romans 3:25
[6] Romans 3:26

In a Relationship with GOD

That you may know that JESUS CHRIST has the power to forgive sins... He instantly healed a man who was paralyzed and unable to walk. The man glorified God!

“Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Rise up and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins’—He said to the man who was paralyzed, ‘I say to you, arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.’ 

Immediately he rose up before them, took up what he had been lying on, and departed to his own house, glorifying God.” [1]

People could not SEE that the man’s sins were forgiven, but they could SEE that his body was healed. JESUS said that his physical healing was a sign that GOD had forgiven his sin as well.

When some complained to JESUS that they saw Him eating with “sinners” (which of course everyone has sinned), JESUS said to them... “I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.” [2]

I am so glad that the JESUS CHRIST forgives sin when we believe in HIM and ask Him to forgive us.

The LORD speaks to us at the place of forgiveness of sin. This can be SEEN in the Old Testament...

“Now when Moses went into the tabernacle of meeting to speak with Him, he heard the voice of One speaking to him from above the mercy seat that was on the ark of the Testimony, from between the two cherubim; thus He spoke to him.” [3]

The mercy seat was where the high priest poured the blood of sacrificed animals for the forgiveness of the people's sin. And from this place, Moses heard God's voice.

“How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?” [4]

God explains to us in the Book of Hebrews that His SON JESUS CHRIST has replaced the animal sacrifices of the Old Testament. He is now the One who takes away our sin and give us a clean conscious. He gives us peace with God!

“Therefore, having been justified [before God] by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” [5]

Instant healing from illness is a miracle. But an even greater miracle is God’s forgiveness of our sins. It is through our repentance of sin and His forgiveness of our sin that we enjoy a relationship with GOD!

[1] Luke 5:23-25

[2] Luke 5:32
[3] Numbers 7:89
[4] Hebrews 9:14
[5] Romans 5:1

Take Heed, Watch and Pray

“Tell us, when will these things be? What will be the sign when all these things will be fulfilled?” These are the questions Peter, James, John, and Andrew asked Jesus to explain. They wanted to know signs of the end of the age. [1]

The first sign Jesus gave them to beware of was deception. Many will claim to be Jesus. They will create a Jesus of their own imagination. One that allows for all that is accepted by the sinful world but that is condemned by God. A Jesus that does not talk about sin and the need to repent of sin, and the need for forgiveness of sin! Many will be deceived. [2]

News of wars and rumors of wars will be rampant. Nation will rise against nation. There will be earthquakes, famines, and troubles. “These are the beginnings of sorrows.” [3]

Genuine followers of Christ will be beaten in religious gathering places. Governing authorities will try them. They are to be witnesses of Christ to them. The Holy Spirit will give them the words to say. The Gospel will be spreading to the nations. Family members will betray one another’s trust resulting in the betrayed member’s execution. Everyone will hate genuine followers of Jesus Christ. “But he who endures to the end shall be saved.” “Unless the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect’s sake, whom He chose, He shortened the days.”

“False christ and false prophets will rise and show signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.” [5]

“After that tribulation, the sun will be darkened, the moon will not give its light; the stars of heaven will fall, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. Then, they will see the Son of Man coming in the clouds with great power and glory. Then, He will send His angels, and gather His elect from the four winds, from the farthest part of earth to the farthest part of heaven.” [6]

“But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Take heed, watch, and pray; for you do not know when the time is.” [7]

So, let us learn to lean. Lean on God our Savior in the Name of His Son Jesus Christ! Think about HIs love! Think about His grace! Think about His death on the cross for our sins, and about His resurrection which guarantees to us that He will indeed resurrect us from the dead.

Be filled with the Holy Spirit! The Holy Spirit is the promise of the Father. The Holy Spirit is our helper, our advocate, our comforter, and our navigator! He is the One who is greater in us than he (the enemy of our souls) who is in the world. God's love for us helps us to be more than conquerors.

“Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.” [8]

[1] Mark 13:1-4
[2] Mark 13:5-6
[3] Mark 13:7-8
[4] Mark 13:9-13, 20
[5] Mark 13:22
[6] Mark 13:24-27
[7] Mark 13:32-33
[8] Romans 8:37

Eyes Fixed Forward on the Heavenly Father

To plow straight rows, keep your eyes fixed on a focal point and plow towards that point. Our Heavenly Father is our focal point. Jesus revealed the Father to us - with His Holy Spirit’s empowering presence we can keep our eyes fixed on Him.

Proverbs 8:34

“Yes, thank You Heavenly Father for Your Holy Word through which You speak to all who pause and listen.”

God's Presence in One's Life is Amazing Grace!

 

Not Ashamed of Jesus Amid an Adulterous Generation

“…The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. He [Jesus] spoke this word openly.”

Previously, Peter professed that Jesus is the Son of God. Was Jesus undermining His own popularity purposefully? He spoke of His own demise openly, or did He? Six important words follow His message about being rejected and killed by the religious leaders of the people. They are, “And after three days rise again.” [1]

Peter was upset. He took Jesus aside and began to rebuke Him. But Peter turned towards His disciples and looked at them. “He rebuked Peter, saying, ‘Get behind Me, Satan! For you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men.’” [2]

Yes, the Son of God needed to be tortured by wicked people. He needed to be crucified. In so doing, He would expose the evil of false prophets; atone for the sins of the world; and resurrect from the dead for the resurrection of all who believe in Him.

Jesus said to His disciples, “Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the Gospel’s will save it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him the Son of Man also will be ashamed when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.” [3]

Jesus says that we must deny ourselves, take up the cross and follow Him. We need to lose our lives for the sake of Gospel to save them. Christ is everything! The Gospel is everything! Nothing is more important than safe-guarding and living for Jesus Messiah and His message.

Our Lord Jesus will be ashamed of whoever is ashamed of Him amidst an adulterous and sinful generation. There will not be glory for them. Jesus will descend to earth with the glory of the Father and His holy angels, but it will not be glorious for the one who has been ashamed of Jesus amidst those who are perishing in their sins.

“Dear Heavenly Father, please forgive us for all the times we have been ashamed of Your precious Son Jesus. Lord Jesus, please grant us the will-power and Holy Spirit anointing to speak up for You even when we are amidst adulterous and sin-loving people. Let us be willing to bear the cross for their sake that they might be saved. It is in Your Name Lord Jesus, that we pray. Amen.”

[1] Mark 8:31-32
[2] Mark 8:33
[3] Mark 8:34-37

The Fear of God as a Gift from God

Suddenly, it was done! As though an eagle had swept down from the sky, picked them up and carried them away to a better place. Their bondage to idolaters and slavers was over. They left Egypt with gold, silver, and precious jewels, but better yet, with a new opportunity to be close with God and to walk in His ways. The Lord brought them out of a land of idolatry and enslavement…

“‘You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to Myself. Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people; for all the earth is Mine. And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words which you shall speak to the children of Israel.” [1]

They had the opportunity to hear God’s voice and be in a covenant relationship with Him. To be His special treasure above all other people groups! A light on a hill! The salt of the earth! A kingdom of priests! A holy nation!

When God gave the Ten Commandments to Moses, there was the sound of the trumpet, and other signs and wonders. The people trembled. They were afraid to be close to God at that point. It was a moment comparable to when Peter fell at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!” [2]

God graciously granted unto the Israelites and unto Peter the fear of God to keep them from sinning against Him…

“Now all the people witnessed the thundering, the lightning flashes, the sound of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking; and when the people saw it, they trembled and stood afar off. Then they said to Moses, ‘You speak with us, and we will hear; but let not God speak with us, lest we die.’ And Moses said to the people, ‘Do not fear; for God has come to test you, and that His fear may be before you, so that you may not sin.’ So, the people stood afar off, but Moses drew near the thick darkness where God was.” [3]

The fear of God is a gift of the Spirit of the Lord in one’s life and is a blessing…

“There shall come forth a Rod from the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots. The Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon Him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the SPIRIT of the FEAR of the LORD.” [4]

To be among a people who do not fear the Lord is a dangerous place to be…

“And Abraham said, ‘Because I thought, surely the fear of God is not in this place; and they will kill me on account of my wife.’” [5]

“Thank You Heavenly Father for Your Holy Spirit who makes us aware of how precious You are to us and how wonderful Your ways are for us. We pray for more of the SPIRIT of the FEAR of the LORD to be upon us and upon all people. For we ask this in the Name of Your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.”

[1] Exodus 19:4-6
[2] Luke 5:8
[3] Exodus 20:18-21
[4] Isaiah 11:1-2
[5] Genesis 20:11

The Healing Touch of Jesus Messiah

 

How Did Christ Convert Him?

The greatest event in all my life was coming into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior!

The Lord initiated my conversion.

The process was that He revealed Himself to me through the Bible. He called me to believe in Him. He gave me the grace to respond to His invitation. After I gave my life to Jesus, I experienced God’s forgiveness via the lifting off of my sense of being guilty before God. Christ gave me a wonderful peace that I never experienced before. He gave me a 100% assurance that the creation around me was created by Him. He gave to me a hunger and desire to read His Word the Bible. My delight in His Word has never left me since my conversion in August of 1979.

Below is a conversion story of a jailer to Christ from the Bible:

“At midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone’s chains were loosed. And the keeper of the prison, awaking from sleep and seeing the prison doors open, supposing the prisoners had fled, drew his sword and was about to kill himself. But Paul called with a loud voice, saying, ‘Do yourself no harm, for we are all here.’” [1]

The jailer had a problem. The problem was that those in authority over him executed jailers who let prisoners escape. At first, he believed that suicide was his best alternative to being executed.

The jailer had a blessing. A prisoner assured him that no one escaped. The same prisoner pleaded for him not to harm himself.

Next, the jailer, with a light in hand, fell before God’s servants, and asked them, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” [2]

Their answer was simple, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.” [3] He was to place his hope of being saved in Christ. He was not to look for another rescuer. Christ only transport souls from this life to the next one. No one else can do this miracle.

Believing in the merits of Christ for one’s salvation is the way to have blessed assurance. To know that you have eternal life because it is Christ doing the saving of you and not another.

The jailer dressed the wounds of God’s servants and fed them. They continued to speak God’s Word to him and to his family. He rejoiced in the Lord! His entire family believed in Christ. He and his entire family was baptized into Christ. [4]

Have you been saved from your sins? If not, why not? Accept the offer of the Lord Jesus Christ to save you from your sins today.

[1] Acts 16:25-28
[2] Acts 16:29-30
[3] Acts 16:31
[4] Acts 16:32-34

With God All Things Are Possible!

 

Praying with Our Eyes on God

 

GRACE, LOVE, FELLOWSHIP

“May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.” ~ 2 Corinthians 13:14

Praise Be to God our Father for His Glorious Grace in Christ Jesus

 

Faithful Despite Betrayal

Israel loved Joseph more than all his children. When his brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers, they hated him and could not speak peaceably to him.

The Lord showed Joseph in a dream that one day his brothers and even his parents would bow down to him. In this way, he was a type of Christ. Our Messiah was born into the human race but was hated for being the favored one of His Heavenly Father more than any other son born to people.

Pontius Pilate perceived the reason the religious leaders betrayed Jesus: “For he knew that the chief priests had handed Him over because of envy.” [1]

Joseph’s brothers hated him because of his dreams and his words. [2]

One day, Joseph’s brothers conspired to kill him. However, his oldest brother, Reuben, overheard their plot and urged them to throw Joseph into a pit instead. Reuben’s secret plan was to return to the pit later when his brothers were not around and rescue Joseph. The hateful brothers heeded Reuben’s advice, but while Reuben was gone, Judah advised them to sell Joseph to slave traders.

Here again Joseph is a type of Christ. Judas Iscariot, a disciple of Jesus, betrayed Jesus to the priests of Jerusalem for thirty pieces of silver. Jesus referred to His disciples as brothers. So, His “brother” sold Him out for thirty pieces of silver. Thirty pieces of silver was the going price of a slave. Thus, Judas Iscariot was shocked when he discovered that the priests planned to kill Jesus, and not sell Him off as a slave. Judas returned the thirty pieces of silver to the priests and hung himself. Judas is the New Testament name for the Old Testament name Judah. Judah sold Joseph for a slave. Judas sold Jesus presumably to be a slave.

“Judah said to his brothers, ‘What profit is there if we kill our brother and conceal his blood? Come and let us sell him to the Ishmaelites, and let not our hand be upon him, for he is our brother and our flesh.’ And his brothers listened.” [3]

The next story in the Bible after this one is the story of Judah’s wicked sons and his scandalous relationship with Tamar his daughter-in-law. The Lord slew the first two of Judah’s three sons. Judah deprived his father Israel of a son and was himself deprived of two of his sons.

After Judah’s wife died, he found a harlot and went into her. What Judah did not realize was that this veiled harlot that he had intimacy with was not a stranger, she was Tamar, his daughter-in-law. Judah’s third son was obligated to impregnate Tamar when his first two sons failed to do so before they died. Without a son, Tamar would have no one to provide for her in her old age. Judah had promised to give his third son to Tamar when he was old enough to marry but did not do so. Tamar felt obligated to deceive Judah into having intimacy with her because she wanted a son, and he did not keep his promise to her.

Judah sold his brother Joseph to slavers. He deceived his father into believing that Joseph had been slain by wild animals. Afterwards, Judah grieved the loss of two of his sons. He was also deceived by Tamar to bring about the sons she needed to survive in her old age. Judah should not have betrayed Joseph or lied to his father.

Joseph was the brother that God had chosen to save his family and the world from death during a worldwide famine. He was the son who was reported by his brothers be dead, but then, after a period of mourning, was discovered to be alive. In this way, he was also a type of the Messiah that was to come.

Jesus was also betrayed by one whom He treated as a brother. John the Apostle quoted Psalm 41:9 as being fulfilled in Jesus:

“I do not speak concerning all of you. I know whom I have chosen; but that the Scripture may be fulfilled, ‘He who eats bread with Me has lifted up his heel against Me.” [4]

“Even my own familiar friend in whom I trusted, who ate my bread, has lifted up his heel against me.” [5]

Jesus Messiah was betrayed by His brothers, but praise God, He came back from the pit they had thrown Him in and redeemed us from our sins.

To be like Jesus. To faithfully reflect Him after a trusted brother’s betrayal: “Cast your burden on the Lord, and He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved.” [6]

[1] Mark 15:10
[2] Genesis 37:8
[3] Genesis 37:26-27
[4] John 13:18
[5] Psalm 41:9
[6] Psalm 55:22

He who has Ears to Hear Let Him Hear

 

A Prayer for Prophetic Speech

 

God’s Goodness that Leads to Repentance

Let God’s conviction of sin strike your conscience with lightning force. Let it drive you to desperation. On Pentecost Day, the people who were convicted of their sin, cried out, saying, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” Peter pointed them to Christ. When the Philippian jailer was convicted of his sin, he asked Paul and Silas, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” Paul pointed him to Christ. When Jesus convicted Paul of his sin, he asked Jesus, “Lord, what do You want me to do?” [1] God’s goodness leads people to repent of sin and believe in the Savior.

When God gives you the grace to be alarmed on account of your sins, then, you are ripe to approach the throne of God’s grace. God’s throne of grace is where you can ask God to forgive your sins. His forgiveness is the remedy for what ails you. Be contrite, not to acquire some merit by it, but in order that you may gladly accept what Jesus offers you, namely salvation. [2]

Drink the cup of Christ’s forgiveness. Avoid the cup of God’s wrath on sin.

On the night that Jesus was betrayed, “He took the cup, gave thanks, and gave to them, saying, ‘All of you drink it, for this is My blood of the new covenant, which is poured out for many for the remission of sins.’” [3] “…Apart from shedding of blood there is no remission.” [4] Praise God, He offers to you and to me a cup of salvation in Christ. A cup full of divine goodness, forgiveness, and salvation.

“Do you despise the riches of His [God’s] goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?” [5]

“Thank You Heavenly Father for Your goodness that led us to repent and believe Jesus Christ Your Son.”

[1] Based on words from a book by C.F.W. Walther, The Proper Distinction between Law and Gospel, Concordia Publishing House, 1929, pp. 193-196 (Acts 2:37; Acts 16:30; Acts 9:6)
[2] Ibid, pp. 195-196
[3] Matthew 26:27-28
[4] Hebrews 9:22
[5] Romans 2:4

Speak Lord for Your Servant is Listening

 

Being Quivered and Polished Arrows in God’s Hand

There is quiver time and polishing time before God chooses His next arrow. [1]

Speaking the right Word at the right time to the right people is what it means to hit the target for God.

This principle is true with child-rearing as well. [2]

Please see the pictures below.

[1] Isaiah 49:1-2
[2] Psalm 127:3-5

God Is Exalted Among The Nations

 

Witness for JESUS!

 

Fiery Judgment on All that is Evil

Our Heavenly Father grieved over the violence and hatred He saw among those made in His image in Noah’s day. How must He feel as He looks at what is happening now? “Heavenly Father, please help us to be ready for the moment that You tell Your Son Jesus Christ that it is time to return to the earth. This time, not to die on a cross for our sins, but to bring fiery judgment and the wrath of God on all that is evil.”

Thank You Lord Jesus for victories today in Your Name

Denying all that competes with faith in Christ:

“The weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but mighty before God to the throwing down of strongholds, throwing down imaginations and every high thing that is exalted against the knowledge of God and bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.” [1]

Receiving power, love and sound-mind from God:

“God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind.” [2]

Looking to God and being saved by God:

“Look to Me, and be saved, All you ends of the earth! For I am God, and there is no other.” [3]

“Thank You Lord Jesus for victories today in Your Name!”

[1] 2 Corinthians 10:4-5
[2] 2 Timothy 1:7
[3] Isaiah 45:22

True Prophets Testify for Jesus

“Of this salvation the prophets have inquired and searched carefully, who prophesied of the grace that would come to you, searching what, or what manner of time, the Spirit of Christ who was in them was indicating when He testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow.” (1 Peter 1:10-11)

Zeal for Your House Consumes Me

Zeal from the Greek word ζῆλος (zelos). Definition: eagerness, zeal, rivalry; to have warmth of feeling for or against, to be zealous or jealous. Jesus Messiah had zeal for His Father’s house. He said to Jews who were profiteering in the temple, “Is it not written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations’? But you have made it a ‘den of thieves.’” (Mark 11:17) After He made a whip of cords and drove the thieves out of the temple, His disciples remembered that it was written, ‘Zeal for Your house has consumed Me.’” (John 2:13-17)

King David who wrote by inspiration of the Holy Spirit, wrote, “Today, if you will hear His voice: ‘Do not harden your hearts, as in the rebellion, as in the day of trial in the wilderness, when your fathers tested Me; they tried Me, though they saw My work. For forty years I was grieved with that generation, and said, ‘It is a people who go astray in their hearts, and they do not know My ways.’ So, I swore in My wrath, ‘They shall not enter My rest.’” (Psalm 95:7-11)

Hardening of the heart is not something to hang onto. When God the Holy Spirit speaks, listen. Do not grieve God! “Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.” (Ephesians 4:30)

The disciples of Jesus had the zeal of the Lord. They prayed, “Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word, by stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus.’ And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.” (Acts 4:29-31)

What was the outcome of such zeal for the Lord?

“Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul; neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common. And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all. Nor was there anyone among them who lacked; for all who were possessors of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold and laid them at the apostles’ feet; and they distributed to each as anyone had need.” (Acts 4:32-35)

The outcome of their zealous faith in Jesus was oneness, sharing, and great witnessing for Jesus. God gave them GREAT GRACE! No one lacked anything. There was no needy among them.

“Dear Heavenly Father, please stir up zeal for Your house in the Name of Your Son Jesus, and by the power of the Holy Spirit working among us who believe in You.”

Relying on Divine Intervention

The angel of the Lord gave Joseph a prophetic dream. He said to him, “Get up, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you; for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.” It is safe to say that Joseph would not have known to leave Bethlehem if the angel had not spoken to him. Joseph was not doing anything at then but sleeping and God graciously spoke to him. He and his family were spared from harm. [1]

Paul testified of an angel of God coming to him in the night. The angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Paul; you must be brought before Caesar; and indeed, God has granted you all those who sail with you.” By this angelic appearance in his dream, he knew that he and his ship’s crew would reach their destination. [2]

“He shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways. In their hands they shall bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone. You shall tread upon the lion and the cobra, the young lion and the serpent you shall trample underfoot.” [3]

There are times when we don’t know what to do. We have no reference point for our circumstance. There is no one around to advise us. And thankfully, God intervenes! How does He intervene? By protecting us with His angels,

God gives us revelation by His angels! Throughout the Book of Revelation, Jesus uses angels to reveal to John what is about to happen. Christianity is a revealed religion. Stephen said that the law was received by the direction of angels. One of the ways God saves us is to give us direction via the Law. [4]

“The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple; the statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes; the fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. They are more to be desired than gold, yes, than much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. Moreover, by them Your servant is warned, and in keeping them there is great reward.” [5]

The angel showed John the destiny of those who refuse to repent of sin and give God the glory. [6] It is horrible! Holy Spirit revelation that Jesus is Messiah is grace. Without this revelation people perish.

“Today, if you will hear His voice, Do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.” [7] Some people get the revelation but reject it. God says, “Don’t do that!” Holy Spirit revelation that Jesus is Messiah is grace. Receive this revelation and profess it and He will save you. There’s a knowing, an assurance, all will be well when the Spirit reveals to you God’s saving grace.

The prophet Elisha relied on the Lord for revelation. Elisha’s servant Gehazi was going to push a woman away from him. But Elisha said to him, “Let her alone; for her soul is in deep distress, and the Lord has hidden it from me, and has not told me.” [8] When Elisha did perceive hidden things, it was because of God’s Spirit helped him to do so.

The Lord says to rely on His power. “Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit.” “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit…” [9] We must rely on the Lord to reveal Himself to us so we can reveal Him to others.

“Without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifested in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen by angels, preached among the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up in glory.” [10] Praise the Lord! Let us rejoice in the Lord as Paul did for revealing Himself to us.

[1] Matthew 2:13
[2] Acts 27:23-24
[3] Psalm 91:11-13
[4] Acts 7:53
[5] Psalm 19:7-11
[6] Revelation 16:9
[7] Hebrews 3:1
[8] 2 Kings 4:27
[9] Zechariah 4:6; John 15:5
[10] 1 Timothy 3:16

Guarding Your Relationship with God

“Pilate said to them, ‘You take Him and crucify Him, for I find no fault in Him.’” “From then on Pilate sought to release Him, but the Jews cried out, saying, ‘If you let this Man go, you are not Caesar’s friend. Whoever makes himself a king speaks against Caesar.’” [1]

Pilate turned against an innocent man, in fact against his Savior and Lord, due to pressure from others.

“He who loves pleasure will be a poor man; he who loves wine and oil will not be rich.” [2]

Love of pleasure, drinking alcohol and extravagant spending… these ill-advised choices can cause one to lose the richness of a close relationship with God which they once enjoyed.

King David wrote a song that could be summarized as guarding one’s relationship with God:

“Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law, he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, which brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper.” [3]

This person guards his/her relationship with God more than anything else.

On the flipside is the person who is careless about their relationship with God…

“The ungodly are not so but are like the chaff which the wind drives away. Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. For the Lord knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the ungodly shall perish.” [4]

There is a way of escape from deadly peer pressure, from the love of pleasure, and from ungodliness. It is via repentance of sin to God, asking His pardon and admitting one’s need for Him, and asking for His help.

“Who is a God like You, pardoning iniquity and passing over the transgression of the remnant of His heritage? He does not retain His anger forever, because He delights in mercy. He will again have compassion for us and will subdue our iniquities. You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea.” [5]

[1] John 19:7, 12
[2] Proverbs 21:17
[3] Psalm 1:1-3
[4] Psalm 1:4-6
[5] Micah 7:18-19

Knowing Jesus Whom God Sent

Such an amazing revelation! Jesus prays to the Father for His disciples and for those who will believe in Him via their witness, that’s people like you and me… Christians!

His words to His Father convey respect and affection: “Father.” “O Father.” “Holy Father.” “O Righteous Father.” [1]

He recognizes that the men to whom He manifested God’s Name were His Father’s, and that His Father gave them to Him. These men kept His Word, knew that He (Jesus) was sent from the Father and believed in Him. [2]

Jesus is praying for these men (His disciples), that His Father will keep them that may be one as He and the Father are one. In other words, do not let distance grow between them. Let them remain steadfastly close to the Father even as He is close to the Father.

“I pray for them. I do not pray for the world but for those whom You have given Me, for they are Yours. Holy Father, keep through Your name those whom You have given Me, that they may be one as We are.” [3]

He acknowledges that the world hates these men because they are not of the world. He prays that the Father will keep them from the evil one.

“I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one.” [4]

Next, He prays for the ongoing oneness of people who believe in God through the witness of His disciples, that they too will enjoy oneness with God.

“I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me.” [5]

“…that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.” [6]

That they… “May be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory which You have given Me; for You loved Me before the foundation of the world.” [7]

God reveals His heart for humans who believe in Him and walk with Him via this prayer of Jesus. A key truth for us to be ever mindful of from the prayer of Jesus is, “This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.” [8]

[1] John 17:1, 5, 11, 25

[2] John 17:6-8

[3] John 17:9, 11

[4] John 17:14-15

[5] John 17:20-21

[6] John 17:23

[7] John 17:24

[8] John 17:3

God’s Word a Wonderful Gift

The Word of God is a wonderful gift! By His Word God created the heavens and earth. God’s Word transform lives! And God is willing to entrust His Word to us who are seldom aware of what a great gift it is to us.

“Now the word of the Lord came to Jonah…” [1] God gave Jonah His Word, and what did Jonah do with it? “Jonah arose to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the Lord.” [2] Like so many, his initial response was to run from God. God wants us to receive and believe His Word, and to help others do the same.

“The Lord sent out a great wind on the sea, and there was a mighty tempest on the sea, so that the ship was about to be broken up.” [3] In a sense, the storm symbolized God’s faithfulness to Jonah. He was not going to let Jonah flee from Him unchallenged. First, God sent a storm, and then, He sent a great fish. “Now the Lord had prepared a great fish to swallow Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.” [4]

What did Jonah do?” Then Jonah prayed to the Lord his God from the fish’s belly.” [5] “So the Lord spoke to the fish, and it vomited Jonah onto dry land.” [6] Was that the end of the story? No. “Now the word of the Lord came to Jonah the second time…” [7] God gave Jonah another opportunity to receive His Word and bear fruit with it. Jonah preached God’s Word and his audience didn’t flee from the Lord, they fled to Him. “So the people of Nineveh believed God, proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, from the greatest to the least of them.” [8] His listeners repented to God and were spared from the consequences of sin.

Jesus said, “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit.” [9] “I am the vine; you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.” [10] “By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.” [11] He urges us to abide in Him who is the Living Word. While in Him, in Christ, fruit comes forth from us.

To be chosen to receive and proclaim, God’s Word is a gift of God. Jesus said, “You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you.” [12] Notice the mention of prayer! When Jonah prayed about what God said instead of fleeing from Him, good fruit came forth. Jesus urged us to pray to the Father in His Name for success.

“But when the Helper [the Holy Spirit] comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me.” [13] Receive the Word of the Lord. Pray about it. Rely on the Holy Spirit as you testify for God.

[1] Jonah 1:1
[2] Jonah 1:3
[3] Jonah 1:4
[4] Jonah 1:17
[5] Jonah 2:1
[6] Jonah 2:10
[7] Jonah 3:1
[8] Jonah 3:5
[9] John 15:1-2
[10] John 15:5
[11] John 15:8
[12] John 15:16
[13] John 15:26

Receive The Holy Spirit

 

Faithful Love

“He knew who would betray Him; therefore He said, ‘You are not all clean.’” [1]

Clean and unclean were often used terms among Jewish priests. The priests were tasked with the work of helping God’s people to discern between that which was considered clean in God’s sight and that which was not. Clean is synonymous with holy and unclean is synonymous with sinful. Here, Jesus applies “not clean” to the disciple who was about to betray Him.

“I do not speak concerning all of you. I know whom I have chosen; but that the Scripture may be fulfilled, ‘He who eats bread with Me has lifted up his heel against Me.’

When Jesus had said these things, He was troubled in spirit, and testified and said, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, one of you will betray Me.’” [2]

The most grievous sin against love is betrayal. Betrayal is unclean in God’s sight. Especially, betrayal of His Son who gave His life as a ransom for our sins. This is a sin that we should pray that the Holy Spirit will convict us not to commit: “Holy Spirit, please graciously grant us the gift of repentance to repent of not steadfastly loving our Savior Jesus Christ as we should.”

After announcing His betrayal, and after His betrayer Judas Iscariot left the room, Jesus said to the remnant, “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.” [3]

“Dear Heavenly Father, please help us to be faithful in love towards You, towards Your Son Jesus Christ, and towards those who are our fellow disciples. May You be glorified in us! In Jesus’ Name, I pray, Amen.”

[1] John 13:11
[2] John 13:18, 21
[3] John 13:34-35

Holy Spirit Rain Down

Discern the times! Take appropriate action! Sound the alarm! Call people to gather to fast and pray. Pray specifically for believers in GOD to be spared from the calamities that are coming on the world for its sin and to be delivered from the insults with which the enemy tries to destroy faith in GOD. [1]

In response to our obedience to pray, God pours out His Holy Spirit on us and gives praying people prophetic messages, dreams, visions, and salvation. [2]

We need a mighty movement of the Holy Spirit to overcome the works of our enemy. The devil is destroying many lives. We need to be filled and led by the Holy Spirit to overcome the evil one and to save those that he is destroying.

[1] Joel 2:15, 17
[2] Joel 2:28-29, 32

Jesus Christ Alone Conquered the Grave

 I took the picture for the background of this message while standing inside the empty tomb in Israel where it is believed that the body of Jesus came back to life after being dead for three days. No other religious leader left behind an empty tomb after he died. Only Jesus Christ did that. He said that His resurrection is the proof that He was sent from God and that He is the Messiah. The Savior of all who believe in Him!

From Mess to Message

Their nation was in a mess. God asked them, “Has anything like this happened in your days, or even in the days of your fathers?” [1] Bugs had decimated their land. [2] A strong nation fiercely attacked them. [3] The priests were mourning. [4] Farmers were wailing because they had no harvest. Trees gave forth no fruit. Joy had withered away. [5]

What did the Lord urge them to do? He urged them to call a fast. Call a sacred assembly! Gather in the house of God and cry out to the Lord! [6] Blow the trumpet in Zion and sound an alarm in My holy mountain! [7] “’Now, therefore,’ says the Lord, ‘Turn to Me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning.’ So rend your heart, and not your garments; return to the Lord your God, for He is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness; and He relents from doing harm.” [8]

As they sought the Lord, the question came up, “Why should they say among the peoples, ‘Where is their God?’” [9]

Then, the Lord said to them, “Be glad then, you children of Zion, and rejoice in the Lord your God; for He has given you the former rain faithfully, and He will cause the rain to come down for you—the former rain, and the latter rain in the first month. The threshing floors shall be full of wheat, and the vats shall overflow with new wine and oil.” [10] “You shall eat in plenty and be satisfied, and praise the name of the Lord your God, who has dealt wondrously with you; and My people shall never be put to shame.” [11]

But the Lord did more than restore their land, He poured out His Holy Spirit on them so that prophesying, dreams, and visions were happening in abundance. “And it shall come to pass afterward that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,

your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions. And also on My menservants and on My maidservants, I will pour out My Spirit in those days.” [12]

People were getting saved! “And it shall come to pass that whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” [13]

As the people seriously and earnestly sought the Lord, He brought them from mess to message… a message of salvation that yielded increase both physically and spiritually.

Therefore, may the Lord help us to fast, to gather together and to cry out to the Lord for an outpouring of His Holy Spirit on our land.

[1] Joel 1:2
[2] Joel 1:4
[3] Joel 1:6
[4] Joel 1:9
[5] Joel 1:11-12
[6] Joel 1:14
[7] Joel 2:1-2
[8] Joel 2:12-13
[9] Joel 2:17
[10] Joel 2:23-24
[11] Joel 2:26
[12] Joel 2:38-39
[13] Joel 2:32

Do You Believe in the Son of God?

The event might have seemed happenstance to some, but it was divinely driven. Jesus and His disciples met a man who was blind from birth. The disciples wanted to know if the man’s blindness was due to his sin or the sin of his parents. Jesus answered, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but that the works of God should be revealed in him.

This man had been destined by God for many years to show forth the mighty work of God.

After Jesus opened the blind man’s eyes, a group of religious leaders brought the man in for questioning. When he did not give them the answer they were looking for, they brought his parents in for questioning. When the parents did not give the answer, they were looking for, they turned back to the man, and commanded him, “Give God the glory! We know that this Man [Jesus] is a sinner.”

The religious leaders did not see a miracle in what happened, they saw an offence, namely that Jesus had healed a man who had been born blind. The narrative that they wanted the blind man and his parents to profess was a false one, namely that Jesus was a sinner. The now seeing-blindman said to them, “Whether He is a sinner or not I do not know. One thing I know: that though I was blind, now I see.”

The religious leaders reviled the man.

He answered and said to them, “Why, this is a marvelous thing, that you do not know where He is from; yet He has opened my eyes! Now we know that God does not hear sinners; but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does His will, He hears him. Since the world began it has been unheard of anyone who opened the eyes of one who was born blind. If this Man [Jesus] were not from God, He could do nothing.”

There the man’s witness for God. He stood up for Jesus God’s Messiah! He gave glory to God!

The religious leaders insulted him and cast him away.

“Jesus heard that they had cast him out; and when He had found him, He said to him, ‘Do you believe in the Son of God?’ He answered and said, ‘Who is He, Lord, that I may believe in Him?’ And Jesus said to him, ‘You have both seen Him and it is He who is talking with you.’ Then he said, ‘Lord, I believe!’ And he worshiped Him.”

Do you believe that Jesus Christ the Son of God? If you do, good, because that is indeed who He is, but beware! There are a whole lot of powerful and influential people in this world who want to silence believers in Jesus. Let God have them! But as for you and me, let us continue to do as the healed blindman did… He believed that Jesus is the Son of God and He worshipped Him!

(See John 9 for the complete text of this story)

The Fallow Versus the Fertile Ground

“Break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the Lord, till He come and rain righteousness on you” [1]

Commentary below from A.W. Tozer:

“Here are two kinds of ground: fallow ground and ground that has been broken up by the plow.

The fallow field is smug, contented, protected from the shock of the plow and the agitation of the harrow. Such a field… can be counted upon to remain always the same, while the fields around it change from brown to green and back to brown again. Safe and undisturbed, it sprawls lazily in the sunshine, the picture of sleepy contentment.

But it is paying a terrible price for its tranquility; never does it feel the motions of mounting life, nor see the wonders of bursting seed, nor the beauty of ripening grain. Fruit it can never know because it is afraid of the plow and the harrow.

In direct opposite to this, the cultivated field has yielded itself to the adventure of living. The protecting fence has opened to admit the plow… Peace has been shattered by the shouting farmer and the rattle of machinery. The field has felt the travail of change; it has been upset, turned over, bruised, and broken.

All over the field, the hand of God is at work... New things are born, to grow, mature, and consummate the grand prophecy latent in the seed when it entered the ground. Wonders follow the plow.

There are two kinds of lives also: the fallow and the plowed. For example, of the fallow life, we need not go far. They are all too plentiful among us.

The man of fallow life is contented with himself and the fruit he once bore. He does not want to be disturbed. He smiles in tolerant superiority at revivals, fasting, self-searching, and all the travail of fruit bearing and the anguish of advance. The spirit of adventure is dead within him. He is steady, “faithful,” always in his accustomed place (like the old field) … but he is fruitless.

The curse of such a life is that it is fixed, both in size and in content. “To be” has taken the place of “to become.” He has fenced himself in, and by the same act he has fenced out God...

The plowed life is the life that has, in the act of repentance, thrown down the protecting fences and sent the plow of confession into the soul. The urge of the Spirit, the pressure of circumstances and the distress of fruitless living have combined thoroughly to humble the heart. Such a life has put away defense and has forsaken the safety of death for the peril of life.

As always, fruit follows the plow. Life and growth begin as God “rains down righteousness.” Such a one can testify, “And the hand of the Lord was upon me there.” [2]

Corresponding to these two kinds of life, religious history shows two phases, the dynamic and the static. The dynamic periods were those heroic times when God’s people stirred themselves to do the Lord’s bidding and went out fearlessly to carry His witness to the world. They exchanged the safety of inaction for the hazards of God-inspired progress. Invariably, the power of God followed such action. The miracle of God went when and where his people went. It stayed when His people stopped.

The static periods were those times when the people of God tired of the struggle and sought a life of peace and security. They busied themselves, trying to conserve the gains made in those more-daring times when the power of God moved among them.

Bible history is replete with examples. Abraham “went out” on his great adventure of faith, and God went with him. Revelations, theophanies, the gift of Palestine, covenants, and the promises of rich blessings to come were the result. Then Israel went down into Egypt, and the wonders ceased for four hundred years. At the end of that time, Moses heard the call of God and stepped forth to challenge the oppressor. A whirlwind of power accompanied that challenge, and Israel soon began to march. As long as she dared to march, God sent out His miracles to clear a way for her. Whenever she lay down like a fallow field, God turned off His blessing and waited for her to rise again and command his power.

This is a brief but fair outline of the history of Israel and the Church as well. As long as they “went forth and preached everywhere,” the Lord worked “with them…confirming the Word with signs following.” [3] But when they retreated to monasteries or played at building pretty cathedrals, the help of God was withdrawn ’till a Luther or a Wesley arose to challenge hell again. Then, invariably, God poured out His power as before.

In every denomination, missionary society, local church or individual Christian, this law operates. God works as long as His people live daringly: He ceases when they no longer need His aid. As soon as we seek protection out of God, we find it to our own undoing. Let us build a safety-wall of endowments, by-laws, prestige, multiplied agencies for the delegation of our duties, and creeping paralysis sets in at once, a paralysis which can only end in death.

The power of God comes only where it is called out by the plow. It is released into the Church only when she is doing something that demands it. By the word “doing,” I do not mean mere activity. The Church has plenty of “hustle” as it is, but in all her activities, she is careful to leave her fallow ground mostly untouched. She is careful to confine her hustling within the fear-marked boundaries of complete safety. That is why she is fruitless; she is safe, but fallow.

The only way to power for such a church is to come out of hiding and once more take the danger-encircled path of obedience. Its security is its deadliest foe. The church that fears the plow writes its own epitaph. The church that uses the plow walks in the way of revival.”

[1] Hosea 10:12

[2] Ezekiel 3:22

[3] Mark 16:20

For Christ Amidst Againsters

“The Jews sought to kill Him…” [1]

Jesus told His own brothers, who incidentally did not believe in Him, “The world cannot hate you, but it hates Me because I testify of it that its works are evil.” [2]

“There was much complaining among the people concerning Him. Some said, ‘He is good;’ others said, ‘No, on the contrary, He deceives the people.’” [3]

Some Jews marveled, saying, “How does this Man know letters, having never studied?” [4]

Jesus urged the people, “Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment.” [5]

“Some of them from Jerusalem said, ‘Is this not He whom they seek to kill? But look! He speaks boldly, and they say nothing to Him. Do the rulers know indeed that this is truly the Christ?’” [6]

“Many of the people believed in Him, and said, ‘When the Christ comes, will He do more signs than these which this Man has done?’” [7]

Many from the crowd said, “Truly this is the Prophet.” Others said, “This is the Christ.” [8]

“But some said, ‘Will the Christ come out of Galilee? Has not the Scripture said that the Christ comes from the seed of David and from the town of Bethlehem, where David was?’ So, there was a division among the people because of Him.” [9]

“And everyone went to his own house.” [10]

Do you see it? The responses to Jesus were diverse then, and the responses to Him are diverse now. What is your response to Jesus? Especially when He is bringing the conviction of sin? The proper response to Jesus is to acknowledge that He alone is the Messiah sent from God. The only Savior of the world. The only one who gives the Holy Spirit to whosoever believes in His Name.

The problem with the Christian faith is not its Founder and Leader… our Lord Jesus Christ, but the opposition that comes from those who refuse to believe in Him and persecute those who do. Righteous ones! You who confess Christ as your Lord and Savior below are some of God’s promises of protection and faithfulness to you:

“Do not fret because of evildoers… they shall soon be cut down like the grass…” [11]

“Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for Him; do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass. Cease from anger and forsake wrath; do not fret—it only causes harm. For evildoers shall be cut off; but those who wait on the Lord, they shall inherit the earth. For yet a little while and the wicked shall be no more; indeed, you will look carefully for his place, but it shall be no more. But the meek shall inherit the earth and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.” [12]

“For those blessed by Him shall inherit the earth, but those cursed by Him shall be cut off.” [13]

“I have been young, and now am old; yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his descendants begging bread. He is ever merciful and lends; and his descendants are blessed.” [14]

“For the Lord loves justice and does not forsake His saints; they are preserved forever, but the descendants of the wicked shall be cut off. The righteous shall inherit the land, and dwell in it forever.” [15]

“The wicked watches the righteous and seeks to slay him. The Lord will not leave him in his hand, nor condemn him when he is judged.” [16]

“I have seen the wicked in great power and spreading himself like a native green tree. Yet he passed away, and behold, he was no more; indeed, I sought him, but he could not be found.” [17]

“The salvation of the righteous is from the Lord; He is their strength in the time of trouble. And the Lord shall help them and deliver them; He shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them, because they trust in Him.” [18]

[1] John 7:1
[2] John 7:5-7
[3] John 7:12
[4] John 7:15
[5] John 7:24
[6] John 7:25-26
[7] John 7:31
[8] John 7:40-41
[9] John 7:41-43
[10] John 7:53
[11] Psalm 37:1-2
[12] Psalm 37:7-11
[13] Psalm 37:22
[14] Psalm 37:25-26
[15] Psalm 37:28-29
[16] Psalm 37:32-33
[17] Psalm 37:35-36
[18] Psalm 37:39-40

God Wants a Close Relationship with Us

“I will return to My place till they acknowledge their offense. Then they will seek My face; in their affliction they will earnestly seek Me.” [1]

The Lord pulls back and the hedge of protection around decreases. The ensuing afflictions bring about a change of perspective in the people that He is pursuing. They say…

“Come and let us return to the Lord; for He has torn, but He will heal us; He has stricken, but He will bind us up. After two days He will revive us; on the third day He will raise us up, that we may live in His sight. Let us know, let us pursue the knowledge of the Lord. …He will come to us like the rain...” [2]

They seek the Lord for healing. They seek Him for revival. They pursue the Lord and He responds…

“Your faithfulness is like a morning cloud, and like the early dew it goes away. Therefore, I have hewn them by the prophets, I have slain them by the words of My mouth; and your judgments are like light that goes forth. For I desire mercy and not sacrifice, and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.” [3]

The Lord knows that their faithfulness to Him is short-lived. His prophets are His hands to shape them aright. His Word speaks death to that in them which needs to die so that they can truly live. His judgments provide light for them. The Lord wants to see reflections of His mercy in their lives. They considered their sacrifices for sin sufficient to please God, but no, He was looking for a change in their feelings towards Him. He wanted them to genuinely love Him! To know Him! To love Him which is the first commandment. God wants to be loved by people. He didn’t want to mete out judgments and rebukes to bring them back to Him, but He did so because only He could save them from sin and transform them. He cared for them.

“Then they said to Him, ‘What shall we do, that we may work the works of God?’ Jesus answered and said to them, ‘This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent.’” [4]

To do a pleasing work for God, believe in His Messiah. Walk with Him! Learn from Him! Love Him!

“Then Jesus said to them, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you. Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day. For My flesh is food indeed, and My blood is drink indeed. He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him. As the living Father sent Me, and I live because of the Father, so he who feeds on Me will live because of Me.’” [5]

Know and believe God’s Messiah, also partake of Him! We partake of Christ when we eat the bread which is His body and drink the fruit of vine which is His blood. This refers to the new covenant Jesus made. The new covenant is that He became our sacrificial lamb. The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! We eat His bread and drink His blood for the forgiveness of our sins, to have communion with Him and to proclaim that He will come again.

The relationship God wants with us is a close one.

[1] Hosea 5:15
[2] Hosea 6:1-3
[3] Hosea 6:4-6
[4] John 6:28-29
[5] John 6:53-57

The Importance of Christian Faith

By Christian faith I mean believing inwardly and professing outwardly that Jesus Christ alone is your Lord and Savior. To be a Christian in the Biblical sense is to be one who believes that Jesus of Nazareth is the Messiah promised by Moses and all the prophets.

Jesus went as far as to tell Jews who had a head knowledge of the Scriptures that they did not have the God’s Word abiding in them. They did not have the One from whom all Scripture came. They did not have the One who reveals the meaning of the Scripture, namely Jesus Messiah.

“You do not have His Word abiding in you, because whom He sent, Him you do not believe. You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me.” [1]

These Jews had the Scriptures but not the Author of the Scriptures. Jesus told them, “You are not willing to come to Me that you may have life.” [2]

Jesus pinpointed what was lacking in their faith:

1) They would not come to Him… they did not receive Him as their Messiah. They were unwilling to be Christians. To be identified with Christ!

2) They did not have the love of God in them. [3]

3) They were apt to receive a self-appointed messiah but not the One whom the Father sent them. [4]

4) They were more interested in being honored by human peers than by God. [5]

5) They claimed to be followers of Moses, but Moses prophesied of Jesus in his five books (Genesis – Deuteronomy). Jesus fulfilled the prophecies of Moses. Jesus told them, “If you believed Moses, you would believe Me; for he wrote about Me.” [6]

The Christian faith is important. Be a person identified with Christ! A Christ-centered and Christ-exalting believer!

A spiritual stronghold to overcome is the lie which says no one should say that salvation is only in the Name of Jesus. A second stronghold to overcome is the lie which says that no one should speak the Name of Jesus in public places. The early Christians countered these lies with truth…

“Let it be known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by Him this man stands here before you whole. This [Jesus] is the ‘stone, which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone.’ Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other Name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” [7]

“So, they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His Name.” [8]

“Dear Heavenly Father, please help all of us Christians to believe that the prophecies of the coming Messiah have all been fulfilled by Your Son, Jesus of Nazareth. Please fill us afresh with Your Holy Spirit so that we unashamedly identify ourselves as Christians and lead others to believe in Him. In Christ’s Name I pray. Amen.”

[1] John 5:38-39
[2] John 5:40
[3] John 5:42
[4] John 5:43
[5] John 5:44
[6] John 5:46
[7] Acts 4:10-12
[8] Acts 5:41

Love for the Lord Restored

“’I will punish her for the days of the Baals [false gods] to which she burned incense. She decked herself with her earrings and jewelry and went after her lovers [idols]; but Me she forgot,’ says the Lord.”

Our Lord is faithful in love. He desires faithful love to be mutual. Israel had failed the relationship by giving to other idols what should have been given to the Lord.

“Therefore, behold, I will allure her, will bring her into the wilderness, and speak comfort to her. I will give her vineyards from there, and the Valley of Achor as a door of hope; she shall sing there, as in the days of her youth, as in the day when she came up from the land of Egypt.”

The Lord took her away from the place of her failings in relationship and caused her to be fruitful in a place that was not normally considered a place to bear fruit – namely a wilderness. She became aware of God’s mercy toward her and His love for her was a door of hope. She began to sing to the Lord as in the days of her first love for Him.

“’And it shall be, on that day,’ says the Lord, ‘that you will call Me ‘My Husband,’ and no longer call Me ‘My Master,’ for I will take from her mouth the names of the Baals [idols], and they shall be remembered by their name no more. In that day I will make a covenant for them with the beasts of the field, with the birds of the air, and with the creeping things of the ground. Bow and sword of battle I will shatter from the earth, to make them lie down safely. I will betroth you to Me forever; Yes, I will betroth you to Me in righteousness and justice, in lovingkindness and mercy; I will betroth you to Me in faithfulness, and you shall know the Lord.”

“Heavenly Father and Christ Jesus the Son, thank You for Your faithful love for us Your people. Thank You for loving us so much that even when we disappoint and fail You, You do not give up on us, but You bring about favorable circumstances for us to be renewed in our love for You. You restore us in the qualities that make You so beautiful and unique in this world. The qualities of righteous and just living, as well as lovingkindness, mercy, and faithfulness. Thank You for revealing Yourself to us so that we know You and walk with You as Your betrothed. We look forward to the day when You bring us to Your house, and we will dwell in Your house forever. In the Name of Jesus Your Son Jesus Christ I pray. Amen.”

The Scripture verses are from Hosea 2:13-20 NKJV