Proverbs 13: 19
It is pleasant to see dreams come true, but fools refuse to turn from evil to attain them.
It is very foolish to hang on to a bad habit or an illicit relationship and still think that God will help you fulfill your dreams. We must--MUST--turn from our wicked and evil ways and turn toward God, embracing His righteous ways and attitudes, and abandoning all that is contrary to Him no matter how much we feel we must cling to them.
He will give us the power and ability to turn our lives around when we repent and walk away from whatever is keeping us away from Him. His plans for us are so much better than anything we can dream up for ourselves, and He wants to enable us to take hold of those good things He made us for.
Then we can ask Him for what He wants for us, and He will answer us!
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Monday, October 31, 2016
Sunday, October 30, 2016
God's Faithfulness
Psalm 89: 30-33
But if [David's] descendants forsake My instructions and fail to obey My regulations, if they do not obey My decrees and fail to keep My commandments; then I will punish their sin with the rod, and their disobedience with beating. But I will never stop loving him nor fail to keep My promise to him.
Even though David's descendants today for the most part do not know God, God will never forget or negate His promise to David; He will one Day save "all Israel in a day," when Jesus returns.
Even when we are unfaithful, God is still faithful. His love endures and will never fail or diminish, for either us Christians or David's descendants. When we pull away and turn to the Right or to the Left away from His righteous plans for us, He will discipline us with the rod and beatings, but His love will still stay just as strong as it always was, and He will draw us back to Himself.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
But if [David's] descendants forsake My instructions and fail to obey My regulations, if they do not obey My decrees and fail to keep My commandments; then I will punish their sin with the rod, and their disobedience with beating. But I will never stop loving him nor fail to keep My promise to him.
Even though David's descendants today for the most part do not know God, God will never forget or negate His promise to David; He will one Day save "all Israel in a day," when Jesus returns.
Even when we are unfaithful, God is still faithful. His love endures and will never fail or diminish, for either us Christians or David's descendants. When we pull away and turn to the Right or to the Left away from His righteous plans for us, He will discipline us with the rod and beatings, but His love will still stay just as strong as it always was, and He will draw us back to Himself.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Saturday, October 29, 2016
Glory, Faith And Love
John 17: 22, 23
"I have given them the glory You gave Me, so that they may be one, as We are. ... Then the world will know that You sent Me. ..."
Jesus has just prayed in verse 10 that those the Father has given Him are His glory, that we are His glory. Now He gives us the glory He received from the Father, to the intent that we be united as one in Him as He is in the Father.
When we are one in Him, that's when the world will understand that Jesus really did come in the flesh from the Father in heaven.
Oh, that we would be one in faith and love, to believe the Truth and display it in our lives by loving God and showing that love for God by loving our fellow man, our brothers and sisters and the world.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
"I have given them the glory You gave Me, so that they may be one, as We are. ... Then the world will know that You sent Me. ..."
Jesus has just prayed in verse 10 that those the Father has given Him are His glory, that we are His glory. Now He gives us the glory He received from the Father, to the intent that we be united as one in Him as He is in the Father.
When we are one in Him, that's when the world will understand that Jesus really did come in the flesh from the Father in heaven.
Oh, that we would be one in faith and love, to believe the Truth and display it in our lives by loving God and showing that love for God by loving our fellow man, our brothers and sisters and the world.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Friday, October 28, 2016
Citizens Of Jerusalem
Psalm 87:4-6
I will count Egypt and Babylon among those who know Me--also Philistia and Tyre, and even distant Ethiopia. They have all become citizens of Jerusalem! Regarding Jerusalem it will be said, "Everyone enjoys the rights of citizenship there." And the Most High will personally bless this city. When the Lord registers the nations, He will say, "They have all become citizens of Jerusalem."
Yes, the day will come when all nations will know the Lord; when Jesus Himself reigns over all the world from Jerusalem, all nations will come to Him and bow before Him as King and Savior.
But not until then. Other nations today try to lay claim to Jerusalem, but without any faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. So they have no Divine Right to any of that land, as the nation Israel has. So there will be turmoil in the Middle East until the Lord comes.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
I will count Egypt and Babylon among those who know Me--also Philistia and Tyre, and even distant Ethiopia. They have all become citizens of Jerusalem! Regarding Jerusalem it will be said, "Everyone enjoys the rights of citizenship there." And the Most High will personally bless this city. When the Lord registers the nations, He will say, "They have all become citizens of Jerusalem."
Yes, the day will come when all nations will know the Lord; when Jesus Himself reigns over all the world from Jerusalem, all nations will come to Him and bow before Him as King and Savior.
But not until then. Other nations today try to lay claim to Jerusalem, but without any faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. So they have no Divine Right to any of that land, as the nation Israel has. So there will be turmoil in the Middle East until the Lord comes.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Thursday, October 27, 2016
To Forgive
Luke 17:3-4
So watch yourselves! If another believer sins, rebuke that person; then if there is repentance, forgive. Even if that person wrongs you seven times a day and each time turns again and asks forgiveness, you must forgive.
So if they wrong me, I am to let them know how they have offended me; and if I wrong them, I am to ask their forgiveness. Even if I am offended by their constant or repeated, "I'm sorry!" for the same repeated offense, I am to still forgive.
I do not forgive for their sake, because they asked forgiveness; I am to forgive for my own heart's healing, even if they don't ask for forgiveness. To forgive is not to trust--trust regained must be earned. But I must not keep beating myself up for their offences, I must forgive, and let it go.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
So watch yourselves! If another believer sins, rebuke that person; then if there is repentance, forgive. Even if that person wrongs you seven times a day and each time turns again and asks forgiveness, you must forgive.
So if they wrong me, I am to let them know how they have offended me; and if I wrong them, I am to ask their forgiveness. Even if I am offended by their constant or repeated, "I'm sorry!" for the same repeated offense, I am to still forgive.
I do not forgive for their sake, because they asked forgiveness; I am to forgive for my own heart's healing, even if they don't ask for forgiveness. To forgive is not to trust--trust regained must be earned. But I must not keep beating myself up for their offences, I must forgive, and let it go.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Wednesday, October 26, 2016
Control Our Tongue
Proverbs 13:3
Those who control their tongue will have a long life; opening your mouth can ruin everything.
O Lord God, my Lord and my Father, please help me. Put a guard on my mouth and keep me from verbally inserting myself where I need to step back. Please keep me out of the way of Your working in the lives and hearts of those close to me. Teach me to be the servant of those who are part of my life. Strengthen me to keep my mouth shut and teach only by my example, without any words at all.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Those who control their tongue will have a long life; opening your mouth can ruin everything.
O Lord God, my Lord and my Father, please help me. Put a guard on my mouth and keep me from verbally inserting myself where I need to step back. Please keep me out of the way of Your working in the lives and hearts of those close to me. Teach me to be the servant of those who are part of my life. Strengthen me to keep my mouth shut and teach only by my example, without any words at all.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Tuesday, October 25, 2016
Hidden Faults And Deliberate Sins
Psalm 19:12-14
How can I know all the sins lurking in my heart? Cleanse me from these hidden faults. Keep me from deliberate sins! Don't let them control me. Then I will be free of guilt and innocent of great sin. May the words of my mouth and the thoughts of my heart be pleasing to You, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.
This is my prayer. This has been my prayer for many years now, and God is still showing me what secret sins are still lurking in my heart, so that I can attack them to eradicate them from my life. And I pray that He continue to do this.
I have also sought His strength when confronted with deliberate sinful choices, to decide to do what is right instead of what is easy or convenient. But I need to be mindful at the moment to seek His strength, and not to just "go with the flow." I'm still working on this!
When David talks about deliberate sins controlling him, he's referring to what we call addiction today. Anyone who finds themself caught in this trap, I suggest Celebrate Recovery, a Christian 12-step program that is based on the Beatitudes and uses the the steps of Alcoholics Anonymous. Everyone is welcome and can be helped, no matter what the issue is that they are wrestling with, not just alcohol.
When we do these things, then we will be free of feeling guilty, and we won't be as vulnerable to "great sin," using the power of the Holy Spirit living in us to reject it and turn to what is right, instead.
Then our words and our very thoughts will be pleasing to God, and we will be enabled to be Jesus' hands and feet, and His voice in teaching others of God's good ways.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
How can I know all the sins lurking in my heart? Cleanse me from these hidden faults. Keep me from deliberate sins! Don't let them control me. Then I will be free of guilt and innocent of great sin. May the words of my mouth and the thoughts of my heart be pleasing to You, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.
This is my prayer. This has been my prayer for many years now, and God is still showing me what secret sins are still lurking in my heart, so that I can attack them to eradicate them from my life. And I pray that He continue to do this.
I have also sought His strength when confronted with deliberate sinful choices, to decide to do what is right instead of what is easy or convenient. But I need to be mindful at the moment to seek His strength, and not to just "go with the flow." I'm still working on this!
When David talks about deliberate sins controlling him, he's referring to what we call addiction today. Anyone who finds themself caught in this trap, I suggest Celebrate Recovery, a Christian 12-step program that is based on the Beatitudes and uses the the steps of Alcoholics Anonymous. Everyone is welcome and can be helped, no matter what the issue is that they are wrestling with, not just alcohol.
When we do these things, then we will be free of feeling guilty, and we won't be as vulnerable to "great sin," using the power of the Holy Spirit living in us to reject it and turn to what is right, instead.
Then our words and our very thoughts will be pleasing to God, and we will be enabled to be Jesus' hands and feet, and His voice in teaching others of God's good ways.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Monday, October 24, 2016
Be Strong And Courageous
Joshua 1: 7-9
Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the instructions Moses gave you. Do not deviate from them, turning either to the right or to the left. Then you will be successful in everything you do. Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do. This is My command--be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.
We need to be careful to obey all the instructions God has given to us, not leaving anything out. We are not to deviate from them, turning either to the right or to the left--don't make them stricter or easier, more conservative or more liberal than what they actually say. That's how we will be able to be successful in everything we do in life. If we study this Book of Instruction continually, daily, and meditate on it day and night, thinking about it when we get up and go to bed, and in relation to everything we do all day, then we will be able to obey everything written in it, and only then will [we] prosper and succeed in all [we] do.
God has given us His Manufacturer's Instructions, the how-to manual, to show us the way He has designed this Earth and this world on it, to operate properly. He doesn't want us to add any further complications or requirements to it, nor will He abide our leaving out any of it we don't think we agree to. We are not to change any part of it, to "interpret" it other than its normal, common meaning of the words.
Then when we understand His love for us in providing everything we need in every area of life, and trust His wisdom and knowledge to have planned out everything for the progress of this world's societies in carrying out His Plan of the Ages; then we will be able to be strong and courageous, and not be afraid or discouraged, no matter what kind of turmoil happens to be roiling around us, trusting Him to be with us all the time and everywhere we go.
Thank you, dear Father, for giving us Your Word, to teach us of Your love and care for us; for pouring out Your wrath due us on Christ Jesus on the Cross in our place, and for sealing us up into Your Kingdom forever by Your Holy Spirit. Your greatness and graciousness and mercy are unfathomable. There is no other in all Creation like You or even similar to You, as You are the Creator, and stand apart in Your holiness from all You have made.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the instructions Moses gave you. Do not deviate from them, turning either to the right or to the left. Then you will be successful in everything you do. Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do. This is My command--be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.
We need to be careful to obey all the instructions God has given to us, not leaving anything out. We are not to deviate from them, turning either to the right or to the left--don't make them stricter or easier, more conservative or more liberal than what they actually say. That's how we will be able to be successful in everything we do in life. If we study this Book of Instruction continually, daily, and meditate on it day and night, thinking about it when we get up and go to bed, and in relation to everything we do all day, then we will be able to obey everything written in it, and only then will [we] prosper and succeed in all [we] do.
God has given us His Manufacturer's Instructions, the how-to manual, to show us the way He has designed this Earth and this world on it, to operate properly. He doesn't want us to add any further complications or requirements to it, nor will He abide our leaving out any of it we don't think we agree to. We are not to change any part of it, to "interpret" it other than its normal, common meaning of the words.
Then when we understand His love for us in providing everything we need in every area of life, and trust His wisdom and knowledge to have planned out everything for the progress of this world's societies in carrying out His Plan of the Ages; then we will be able to be strong and courageous, and not be afraid or discouraged, no matter what kind of turmoil happens to be roiling around us, trusting Him to be with us all the time and everywhere we go.
Thank you, dear Father, for giving us Your Word, to teach us of Your love and care for us; for pouring out Your wrath due us on Christ Jesus on the Cross in our place, and for sealing us up into Your Kingdom forever by Your Holy Spirit. Your greatness and graciousness and mercy are unfathomable. There is no other in all Creation like You or even similar to You, as You are the Creator, and stand apart in Your holiness from all You have made.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Sunday, October 23, 2016
Yeast
Luke 13: 20-21
He also asked, "What else is the Kingdom of God like? It is like the yeast a woman used in making bread. Even though she put only a little yeast in three measures of flour, it permeated every part of the dough."
Jesus also said that the Kingdom of God is within me (Luke 17:21); since I revere and obey Jesus as my King, I am a part of His Kingdom. Each one of us who has recognized His authority over us as our King is also a part of His Kingdom right now. So we are to be the yeast in the dough of the society we live in to raise it up, just as the yeast makes the bread to rise. It takes time; The dough sits to rise, then is often punched down to rise again. We need to remember this when we find ourselves "punched down." We will rise again. And we may even raise up our whole society, if we don't give up.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
He also asked, "What else is the Kingdom of God like? It is like the yeast a woman used in making bread. Even though she put only a little yeast in three measures of flour, it permeated every part of the dough."
Jesus also said that the Kingdom of God is within me (Luke 17:21); since I revere and obey Jesus as my King, I am a part of His Kingdom. Each one of us who has recognized His authority over us as our King is also a part of His Kingdom right now. So we are to be the yeast in the dough of the society we live in to raise it up, just as the yeast makes the bread to rise. It takes time; The dough sits to rise, then is often punched down to rise again. We need to remember this when we find ourselves "punched down." We will rise again. And we may even raise up our whole society, if we don't give up.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Saturday, October 22, 2016
Empty Words
Deuteronomy 32:47
These instructions are not empty words--they are your life! By obeying them you will enjoy a long life in the land you will occupy when you cross the Jordan River.
(See also, John 6:63, The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life.)
Every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God is our life. Man's words are empty, like the empty calories we eat that do not nourish but only put on unhealthy fat. God has given us real food that will nourish our physical bodies. And He has given us Real Food and Real Drink that are spiritual, for our life itself is spiritual, and it manifests itself in our physical bodies.
Isaiah 55:2
Why spend your money on food that does not give you strength? Why pay for food that does you no good?
Empty calories in processed foods do not nourish our bodies, and can be a source of many of our diseases. And listening to all this world's "wisdom" will never lead to good health. Only God's natural foods give physical life, and His Word gives Real Life; God's laws and rules provide the spiritual nourishment, the principles by which we live our lives, and results in robust health; in the spiritual, emotional and physical arenas.
So I have learned to enjoy God's nourishing whole foods instead of the chemically-enhanced flavorings of this world's processed foods. And I also daily nourish my emotional and spiritual health by ingesting His Word. I will take a "bite" and "chew" it until I am ready to accept that Truth in its total entirety, with all its practicality and applicability to my life, my daily living and attitudes; then I'll "swallow" it, to let it become my life.
May I honestly approach Scripture with an open mind, ready to learn what Truth God has for me each day, not considering what I may have previously been taught, or what I would want to find there for my own vindication.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
These instructions are not empty words--they are your life! By obeying them you will enjoy a long life in the land you will occupy when you cross the Jordan River.
(See also, John 6:63, The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life.)
Every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God is our life. Man's words are empty, like the empty calories we eat that do not nourish but only put on unhealthy fat. God has given us real food that will nourish our physical bodies. And He has given us Real Food and Real Drink that are spiritual, for our life itself is spiritual, and it manifests itself in our physical bodies.
Isaiah 55:2
Why spend your money on food that does not give you strength? Why pay for food that does you no good?
Empty calories in processed foods do not nourish our bodies, and can be a source of many of our diseases. And listening to all this world's "wisdom" will never lead to good health. Only God's natural foods give physical life, and His Word gives Real Life; God's laws and rules provide the spiritual nourishment, the principles by which we live our lives, and results in robust health; in the spiritual, emotional and physical arenas.
So I have learned to enjoy God's nourishing whole foods instead of the chemically-enhanced flavorings of this world's processed foods. And I also daily nourish my emotional and spiritual health by ingesting His Word. I will take a "bite" and "chew" it until I am ready to accept that Truth in its total entirety, with all its practicality and applicability to my life, my daily living and attitudes; then I'll "swallow" it, to let it become my life.
May I honestly approach Scripture with an open mind, ready to learn what Truth God has for me each day, not considering what I may have previously been taught, or what I would want to find there for my own vindication.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Friday, October 21, 2016
Please Return
Luke 12: 31-32
Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and He will give you everything you need. So don't be afraid, little flock, for it gives you Father great happiness to give you the kingdom.
O my Father, please wake me up. Wake up Your church in America. Wake up the congregations of Your people to see how far we have fallen and bring great revival. Please raise up godly leaders all over this land who will govern and rule in righteousness and true judgment. Raise up godly judges who will not be seduced into perverting righteous judgments. Raise up godly legislators who will pass laws to return integrity and goodness to our land. Wake up Your people to elect the godly, righteous leaders we need to return to You and Your ways before the end.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and He will give you everything you need. So don't be afraid, little flock, for it gives you Father great happiness to give you the kingdom.
O my Father, please wake me up. Wake up Your church in America. Wake up the congregations of Your people to see how far we have fallen and bring great revival. Please raise up godly leaders all over this land who will govern and rule in righteousness and true judgment. Raise up godly judges who will not be seduced into perverting righteous judgments. Raise up godly legislators who will pass laws to return integrity and goodness to our land. Wake up Your people to elect the godly, righteous leaders we need to return to You and Your ways before the end.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Thursday, October 20, 2016
Words Of Life
Proverbs 12: 18-20
Some people make cutting remarks, but the words of the wise bring healing. Truthful words stand the test of time, but lies are soon exposed. Deceit fills hearts that are plotting evil, joy fills hearts that are planning peace.
John 6: 63, 68
"The very words I have spoken to you are spirit and life." ... Simon Peter replied, "You alone have the words that give eternal life. ..."
O my Father, You have given me words of life, that I might give these life-words to others. My words often have been vinegar, pushing away the very ones I desire to draw close. Fill my mind and my heart with Your life-giving words, to crowd out all the negative and critical attitudes that still remain there; that the words that spill over from my heart out my mouth would be healing to my relationships.
Open my eyes and mind and heart to see and understand all that is behind the words and actions of others, that I might respond in a positive, encouraging manner that will heal.
Continue to draw us all closer to Yourself, Father, for salvation, for understanding and for growth in Christ.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Some people make cutting remarks, but the words of the wise bring healing. Truthful words stand the test of time, but lies are soon exposed. Deceit fills hearts that are plotting evil, joy fills hearts that are planning peace.
John 6: 63, 68
"The very words I have spoken to you are spirit and life." ... Simon Peter replied, "You alone have the words that give eternal life. ..."
O my Father, You have given me words of life, that I might give these life-words to others. My words often have been vinegar, pushing away the very ones I desire to draw close. Fill my mind and my heart with Your life-giving words, to crowd out all the negative and critical attitudes that still remain there; that the words that spill over from my heart out my mouth would be healing to my relationships.
Open my eyes and mind and heart to see and understand all that is behind the words and actions of others, that I might respond in a positive, encouraging manner that will heal.
Continue to draw us all closer to Yourself, Father, for salvation, for understanding and for growth in Christ.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Wednesday, October 19, 2016
Right, Just And Fair
Proverbs 2: 1-9
My child, listen to Me, ... tune your ears ... cry out ...search ...Then you will understand what it means to fear the Lord, and you will gain knowledge of God.
For the Lord grants wisdom! From His mouth come knowledge and understanding. He grants a treasure of good sense to the godly. He is their shield, protecting those who walk with integrity. He guards the paths of justice and protects those who are faithful to Him.
Then you will understand what is right, just and fair, and you will know how to find the right course of action every time.
O my Father, I have listened, I have tuned my ears to hear, I have and am crying out to You and searching diligently. And I have gained an understanding of what it means to fear the Lord, to appreciate the magnitude of Your power and righteousness and Your sovereign authority over all You have made.
Now, Father, grant me the wisdom to apply the knowledge and understanding You have granted me to learn, to choose the right course of action to take to resolve the issues that persist in my relationships. Be my Shield, to protect me as I walk in integrity. Guard my path as I seek to be faithful to You in my attitudes, words and actions.
Help me to understand what is right, just and fair in my communications with my loved ones and with others, so that I will take the right course of action and words every time to bless them and glorify You.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
My child, listen to Me, ... tune your ears ... cry out ...search ...Then you will understand what it means to fear the Lord, and you will gain knowledge of God.
For the Lord grants wisdom! From His mouth come knowledge and understanding. He grants a treasure of good sense to the godly. He is their shield, protecting those who walk with integrity. He guards the paths of justice and protects those who are faithful to Him.
Then you will understand what is right, just and fair, and you will know how to find the right course of action every time.
O my Father, I have listened, I have tuned my ears to hear, I have and am crying out to You and searching diligently. And I have gained an understanding of what it means to fear the Lord, to appreciate the magnitude of Your power and righteousness and Your sovereign authority over all You have made.
Now, Father, grant me the wisdom to apply the knowledge and understanding You have granted me to learn, to choose the right course of action to take to resolve the issues that persist in my relationships. Be my Shield, to protect me as I walk in integrity. Guard my path as I seek to be faithful to You in my attitudes, words and actions.
Help me to understand what is right, just and fair in my communications with my loved ones and with others, so that I will take the right course of action and words every time to bless them and glorify You.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Tuesday, October 18, 2016
God's Diamonds
Proverbs 16:4
The Lord has made everything for His own purposes, even the wicked for punishment.
Our God is the Almighty God of the Ages, Creator of the Universe. He has made all things for His own pleasure, and all His purposes for everything will be accomplished. His goodness to those who love Him is set in contrast to His justice in punishing the wicked who hate Him. Just as the fiery light of a diamond gleams brightest against a black velvet backdrop, so His chosen ones will shine with His glory forever.
I think of a video game scenario, a very poor illustration: As the player controls the hero, and the hero learns by trial and gains in skills and powers, he fights and vanquishes ever stronger foes until he finally comes to the culmination, the final victory, and wins the game. There would be no game without the dastardly foes.
And our dastardly foes are not flesh and blood, but are spiritual authorities in heavenly places, invisible to our physical eyes, but detectable in our spirits. This foe often attacks us through human people who have been deceived by him, but these people are not really our enemies, but the dark powers behind them are. That's why Jesus told us to pray for our enemies, those who despitefully use us, because God's goodness to them can lead them to repentance also, as it did for us.
But those people who refuse to want to know the Truth, and choose to continue in the godless life they have made for themselves, will in the end find that their god is our enemy, and will share his eternity, separated from God. This will starkly contrast with the light and life and joy and peace we will have in Christ with God forever.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
The Lord has made everything for His own purposes, even the wicked for punishment.
Our God is the Almighty God of the Ages, Creator of the Universe. He has made all things for His own pleasure, and all His purposes for everything will be accomplished. His goodness to those who love Him is set in contrast to His justice in punishing the wicked who hate Him. Just as the fiery light of a diamond gleams brightest against a black velvet backdrop, so His chosen ones will shine with His glory forever.
I think of a video game scenario, a very poor illustration: As the player controls the hero, and the hero learns by trial and gains in skills and powers, he fights and vanquishes ever stronger foes until he finally comes to the culmination, the final victory, and wins the game. There would be no game without the dastardly foes.
And our dastardly foes are not flesh and blood, but are spiritual authorities in heavenly places, invisible to our physical eyes, but detectable in our spirits. This foe often attacks us through human people who have been deceived by him, but these people are not really our enemies, but the dark powers behind them are. That's why Jesus told us to pray for our enemies, those who despitefully use us, because God's goodness to them can lead them to repentance also, as it did for us.
But those people who refuse to want to know the Truth, and choose to continue in the godless life they have made for themselves, will in the end find that their god is our enemy, and will share his eternity, separated from God. This will starkly contrast with the light and life and joy and peace we will have in Christ with God forever.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Monday, October 17, 2016
He That Is Hanged Is Cursed
Deuteronomy 21: 22-23
And if a man have committed a sin worthy of death, and thou hang him on a tree: his body shall not remain all night upon the tree, but thou shalt in any wise bury him that day; (for he that is hanged is accursed of God;) --
Jesus' body must be removed from the cross and buried that same day, for He bore the curse in God's sight that is upon us, all of us, each one of us, the curse that I deserve. Because He bore my curse, I am free of it, free from the bondage of the curse of sin, and God is now free to bless me instead.
How often have we returned to the mire, the sin that once bound us. In our rebellion, selfishness and pride, our childish willfulness, we have pulled away from You, tried to go our own way, as though we could ever know better than You!
But You are faithful and strong and wise and gentle with us, drawing us back to Your path that You have set before each of us from the detours we tend to run off to.
Father, I want to do what You have for me to do, I want to be who You have made me to be; open the eyes of my heart, Lord, I do want to see You! Thank You for Your promise that, He who began a good work in me will continue to perform it in me until I am perfect on the day my Lord returns. You will never let me go.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
And if a man have committed a sin worthy of death, and thou hang him on a tree: his body shall not remain all night upon the tree, but thou shalt in any wise bury him that day; (for he that is hanged is accursed of God;) --
Jesus' body must be removed from the cross and buried that same day, for He bore the curse in God's sight that is upon us, all of us, each one of us, the curse that I deserve. Because He bore my curse, I am free of it, free from the bondage of the curse of sin, and God is now free to bless me instead.
How often have we returned to the mire, the sin that once bound us. In our rebellion, selfishness and pride, our childish willfulness, we have pulled away from You, tried to go our own way, as though we could ever know better than You!
But You are faithful and strong and wise and gentle with us, drawing us back to Your path that You have set before each of us from the detours we tend to run off to.
Father, I want to do what You have for me to do, I want to be who You have made me to be; open the eyes of my heart, Lord, I do want to see You! Thank You for Your promise that, He who began a good work in me will continue to perform it in me until I am perfect on the day my Lord returns. You will never let me go.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Sunday, October 16, 2016
The Least And The Greatest
Luke 9:48
Then He said to them, "Anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf welcomes Me, and anyone who welcomes Me also welcomes my Father who sent Me. Whoever is the least among you is the greatest."
I must diminish while You must grow greater (John 3:30). Hide me in the clift of the rock and cover me with Your hand (Exodus 33:22), that I may not promote myself but rather be the servant of all, that my good works may bring glory to You, Father, Who does all things for Your glory. You alone deserves all the honor and glory, for it is You Who are accomplishing Your whole will in this whole world fulfilling Your whole plan for us all.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Then He said to them, "Anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf welcomes Me, and anyone who welcomes Me also welcomes my Father who sent Me. Whoever is the least among you is the greatest."
I must diminish while You must grow greater (John 3:30). Hide me in the clift of the rock and cover me with Your hand (Exodus 33:22), that I may not promote myself but rather be the servant of all, that my good works may bring glory to You, Father, Who does all things for Your glory. You alone deserves all the honor and glory, for it is You Who are accomplishing Your whole will in this whole world fulfilling Your whole plan for us all.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Saturday, October 15, 2016
The King's Responsibility
Deuteronomy 17:18-20
When he sits on the throne as king, --
This is when a new king is anointed and crowned to reign over the people.
He must copy for himself this body of instructions on a scroll --
He is required to make himself his own Bible.
in the presence of the Levitical priests. --
So he will copy accurately every word, every phrase, not leaving anything out.
He must always keep that copy with him and read it daily, --
He cannot misplace it, because he needs to read it every day.
as long as he lives. --
He will never know it so well that he doesn't need to review it every day, his whole life long.
That way he will learn to fear the Lord his God --
This will help him know God better and better, thereby growing in his "fear of the Lord," the reverential awe and respect for God that He deserves.
by obeying all the terms of these instructions and decrees. --
This king will not only know intellectually what God says, but he will also put into practice everything it says to do; this is a faith of doing, not just giving mental assent. It will teach him how to rule his people according to true justice and righteousness.
This regular reading --
Every day.
will prevent him from becoming proud and acting as if he is above his fellow citizens. --
It will continually remind him that, although he is king over the people, he is still one of them, and he does not stand above the law, but is just as subject to it as everyone else.
It will also prevent him from turning away from these commands in the smallest way. --
Continually reading all these stipulations every day will keep fresh in his mind the attitudes of mind that recognize that God is the One that is above all, and who made everything and devised the laws that govern all of Creation.
Understanding how all these rules fit together, as a "body of laws" will impress upon him that diverting from them in the least way would be like putting just a little poison into the great pot of stew: it will pollute the whole pot. Likewise, every detail of God's laws is woven into the whole body of laws, and to pull one "string" can unravel the whole garment.
And it will insure that he and his descendants will reign for many generations in Israel.
This was when Moses was repeating to all the children of Israel the Law that God had given to him at the beginning of their sojourn in the desert, at the end of these 40 years of wandering, to make sure that they would all have these ideas clear in their minds as they entered the Promised Land to conquer and possess it.
This says that even the future king would be just as much under God's laws as the poorest of the people under him. It doesn't matter how important you think you are, or how insignificant you think you are, you are fully responsible to know, obey and follow the "Manufacturer's Instructions." No one is exempt.
Now, today, as Christians, we understand that we are not under the Law because Jesus fulfilled all the Law; so now we understand that Body of Law not as specific rules to be followed by rote, but as life principles that are to govern our view of the world, our attitudes, and our thinking processes. We all think that "common sense" should be followed, but what has commonly been known as "common sense" is nothing different than the principles God laid down in His Law. When we are so familiar with God's Word by reading it every day for years and decades, and have God's Holy Spirit living in us to teach us the Truth of His written Word, then we will follow the "common sense" it outlines for our lives.
When the king over Israel had his own Scriptures that he read every day, that would have kept him from ever being enticed to be diverted into following all the disgusting, demon-backed idols and practices of the people who lived around and among them. The peoples that God wanted displaced and eradicated from the land He gave His people. The enticing lies that had deceived these people were to be stamped out, and God's Truth would have triumphed, had the people only followed God with their whole hearts.
When the king strayed, then the people under him also strayed. Likewise, when the king followed God wholeheartedly, God blessed him and his people, and prosperity was enjoyed by everyone in the nation.
That's a very important reason why we need to pay attention to who we elect to be our leaders in our own society: If they follow the right ways, we will all be blessed; if they follow the (left?) wrong ways, they will be deceived and they will deceive the people, which has resulted in poverty and all manner of problems in our society.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus.
When he sits on the throne as king, --
This is when a new king is anointed and crowned to reign over the people.
He must copy for himself this body of instructions on a scroll --
He is required to make himself his own Bible.
in the presence of the Levitical priests. --
So he will copy accurately every word, every phrase, not leaving anything out.
He must always keep that copy with him and read it daily, --
He cannot misplace it, because he needs to read it every day.
as long as he lives. --
He will never know it so well that he doesn't need to review it every day, his whole life long.
That way he will learn to fear the Lord his God --
This will help him know God better and better, thereby growing in his "fear of the Lord," the reverential awe and respect for God that He deserves.
by obeying all the terms of these instructions and decrees. --
This king will not only know intellectually what God says, but he will also put into practice everything it says to do; this is a faith of doing, not just giving mental assent. It will teach him how to rule his people according to true justice and righteousness.
This regular reading --
Every day.
will prevent him from becoming proud and acting as if he is above his fellow citizens. --
It will continually remind him that, although he is king over the people, he is still one of them, and he does not stand above the law, but is just as subject to it as everyone else.
It will also prevent him from turning away from these commands in the smallest way. --
Continually reading all these stipulations every day will keep fresh in his mind the attitudes of mind that recognize that God is the One that is above all, and who made everything and devised the laws that govern all of Creation.
Understanding how all these rules fit together, as a "body of laws" will impress upon him that diverting from them in the least way would be like putting just a little poison into the great pot of stew: it will pollute the whole pot. Likewise, every detail of God's laws is woven into the whole body of laws, and to pull one "string" can unravel the whole garment.
And it will insure that he and his descendants will reign for many generations in Israel.
This was when Moses was repeating to all the children of Israel the Law that God had given to him at the beginning of their sojourn in the desert, at the end of these 40 years of wandering, to make sure that they would all have these ideas clear in their minds as they entered the Promised Land to conquer and possess it.
This says that even the future king would be just as much under God's laws as the poorest of the people under him. It doesn't matter how important you think you are, or how insignificant you think you are, you are fully responsible to know, obey and follow the "Manufacturer's Instructions." No one is exempt.
Now, today, as Christians, we understand that we are not under the Law because Jesus fulfilled all the Law; so now we understand that Body of Law not as specific rules to be followed by rote, but as life principles that are to govern our view of the world, our attitudes, and our thinking processes. We all think that "common sense" should be followed, but what has commonly been known as "common sense" is nothing different than the principles God laid down in His Law. When we are so familiar with God's Word by reading it every day for years and decades, and have God's Holy Spirit living in us to teach us the Truth of His written Word, then we will follow the "common sense" it outlines for our lives.
When the king over Israel had his own Scriptures that he read every day, that would have kept him from ever being enticed to be diverted into following all the disgusting, demon-backed idols and practices of the people who lived around and among them. The peoples that God wanted displaced and eradicated from the land He gave His people. The enticing lies that had deceived these people were to be stamped out, and God's Truth would have triumphed, had the people only followed God with their whole hearts.
When the king strayed, then the people under him also strayed. Likewise, when the king followed God wholeheartedly, God blessed him and his people, and prosperity was enjoyed by everyone in the nation.
That's a very important reason why we need to pay attention to who we elect to be our leaders in our own society: If they follow the right ways, we will all be blessed; if they follow the (left?) wrong ways, they will be deceived and they will deceive the people, which has resulted in poverty and all manner of problems in our society.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus.
Friday, October 14, 2016
Praise To Our God
Psalm 71:22-23
I will praise You with music on the harp, because You are faithful to Your promises, O my God. I will sing praises to You with a lyre, O Holy One of Israel. I will shout for joy and sing Your praises, for You have ransomed me.
O my Father, I pray that I may diminish that You be glorified and magnified. I give You all the credit, all the honor for what You are doing in my life. You alone are worthy. Make me a vessel fit for Your service; mold me and cleanse me and shape me for Your purposes.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
I will praise You with music on the harp, because You are faithful to Your promises, O my God. I will sing praises to You with a lyre, O Holy One of Israel. I will shout for joy and sing Your praises, for You have ransomed me.
O my Father, I pray that I may diminish that You be glorified and magnified. I give You all the credit, all the honor for what You are doing in my life. You alone are worthy. Make me a vessel fit for Your service; mold me and cleanse me and shape me for Your purposes.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Thursday, October 13, 2016
Jesus' Burial And Resurrection
Continuing in the Gospels the story of who Jesus is that we started on September 16, 2016 with His conception and birth, through the beginning of His public ministry, His presenting what God's Kingdom will look like on Earth, His miracles showing His authority over all Creation, down to His trials, Crucifixion and death.
They buried His dead body in a grave, following the customs of the day, wrapping it in a clean linen cloth with spices that would stiffen and "cement" the cloth around the body. (See Matthew 27:57-61, Mark 15:42-47, Luke 23:50-56 and John 19:38-42.)
Matthew 27:62-66 and 28:11-15 also tells us about the scheme to try to secure the tomb so the Disciples couldn't steal His body; then when Jesus rose from the dead and the angel rolled the stone away, scaring the soldiers into fainting, they bribed the soldiers to say that the disciples did steal it while they slept!
You may read about how Mary Magdalene's sorrow turned to joy in my blog entry of 3/26/16, and a probable time-table I devised for everything that happened between Jesus' Resurrection and His Ascension in my blog entry on 3/27/16.
I was struck by the accounts of the Angel telling the women to remind the disciples of the appointment Jesus made with them to meet in Galilee, but when Jesus spoke to the women, He wants them to tell His brothers to go to the meeting, also. His concern for His Earthly family is touching, wanting His own siblings to recognize who He really is. And His brother James became the Church Leader in Jerusalem and wrote the Epistle of James, and His brother Jude wrote the Epistle that bears his name. So His own brothers became disciples after His Resurrection. This is understandable; imagine having a big Brother who never did anything wrong! Very frustrating. But His Resurrection proved that He is who He always said He is, the Son of God.
I didn't cover all Jesus' teachings in this series except in the Sermon on the Mount, but I did comment on many of them randomly as I have posted my journal entries on my blog through the years.
My prayer is that this blog will help you to get to know God better and grow closer to Him. He loves you passionately, like a newlywed groom is enamored with his new bride; have you ever fallen in love with Him? He is not as concerned with what we do, but with who we are in Christ. When we are more aware of who we are, then what we do will flow from that.
I invite you to comment below on any of my entries, any questions you may have, any alternate views on what I've covered, or anything else you feel led to share. I read all comments, and will reply.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
They buried His dead body in a grave, following the customs of the day, wrapping it in a clean linen cloth with spices that would stiffen and "cement" the cloth around the body. (See Matthew 27:57-61, Mark 15:42-47, Luke 23:50-56 and John 19:38-42.)
Matthew 27:62-66 and 28:11-15 also tells us about the scheme to try to secure the tomb so the Disciples couldn't steal His body; then when Jesus rose from the dead and the angel rolled the stone away, scaring the soldiers into fainting, they bribed the soldiers to say that the disciples did steal it while they slept!
You may read about how Mary Magdalene's sorrow turned to joy in my blog entry of 3/26/16, and a probable time-table I devised for everything that happened between Jesus' Resurrection and His Ascension in my blog entry on 3/27/16.
I was struck by the accounts of the Angel telling the women to remind the disciples of the appointment Jesus made with them to meet in Galilee, but when Jesus spoke to the women, He wants them to tell His brothers to go to the meeting, also. His concern for His Earthly family is touching, wanting His own siblings to recognize who He really is. And His brother James became the Church Leader in Jerusalem and wrote the Epistle of James, and His brother Jude wrote the Epistle that bears his name. So His own brothers became disciples after His Resurrection. This is understandable; imagine having a big Brother who never did anything wrong! Very frustrating. But His Resurrection proved that He is who He always said He is, the Son of God.
I didn't cover all Jesus' teachings in this series except in the Sermon on the Mount, but I did comment on many of them randomly as I have posted my journal entries on my blog through the years.
My prayer is that this blog will help you to get to know God better and grow closer to Him. He loves you passionately, like a newlywed groom is enamored with his new bride; have you ever fallen in love with Him? He is not as concerned with what we do, but with who we are in Christ. When we are more aware of who we are, then what we do will flow from that.
I invite you to comment below on any of my entries, any questions you may have, any alternate views on what I've covered, or anything else you feel led to share. I read all comments, and will reply.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Wednesday, October 12, 2016
Good Friday
Matthew 27:45-46,50-51
From the sixth hour (noon) until the ninth hour (3:00 pm) darkness came over all the land. --
This is when the sun refused to shine.
About the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, "Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?" which is translated as, "My God, my God, why have You forsaken me." --
This is when Jesus bore our sin-nature. He was born with a true human nature, but without the sin; here is when He "became sin for us." God is too pure to even look upon sin, and He had to turn His back on Jesus. The sun would not honor the execution of God who created it by shining on this spectacle.
And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, He gave up His spirit. --
He died.
At that moment --
At Jesus' death.
The curtain of the Temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The Earth shook and the rocks split. --
The Earth could not stand the sun not shining, and after three hours it upheavaled. That earthquake is what God used (along with His or angels' hands?) to rip the curtain between the Holy Place and the Most Holy Place where God dwelt. This shows us that, now that Jesus has paid our debt in full, we have direct access to the Throne of God through Jesus; we don't need a priest or any other mediator, Jesus alone is our Mediator and our High Priest. And every believer is a priest under Him in petitioning God on behalf of our fellow man.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
From the sixth hour (noon) until the ninth hour (3:00 pm) darkness came over all the land. --
This is when the sun refused to shine.
About the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, "Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?" which is translated as, "My God, my God, why have You forsaken me." --
This is when Jesus bore our sin-nature. He was born with a true human nature, but without the sin; here is when He "became sin for us." God is too pure to even look upon sin, and He had to turn His back on Jesus. The sun would not honor the execution of God who created it by shining on this spectacle.
And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, He gave up His spirit. --
He died.
At that moment --
At Jesus' death.
The curtain of the Temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The Earth shook and the rocks split. --
The Earth could not stand the sun not shining, and after three hours it upheavaled. That earthquake is what God used (along with His or angels' hands?) to rip the curtain between the Holy Place and the Most Holy Place where God dwelt. This shows us that, now that Jesus has paid our debt in full, we have direct access to the Throne of God through Jesus; we don't need a priest or any other mediator, Jesus alone is our Mediator and our High Priest. And every believer is a priest under Him in petitioning God on behalf of our fellow man.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Tuesday, October 11, 2016
Jesus' Trials
John 18:12-13, 24
Then the detachment of soldiers with its commander and the Jewish officials arrested Jesus. They bound Him and brought Him first to Annas, who was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, the high priest that year.
This is His first trial.
Then Annas sent Him bound to Caiaphas the high priest.
Mark 14:53, 55
They took Jesus to the high priest, and all the chief priests, the elders and the teachers of the law came together.
This was in the middle of the night, an illegal time to meet.
The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for evidence against Jesus so that they could put Him to death, but they did not find any.
They had already decided the verdict before they brought Him in, and were trying to justify it.
Matthew 26:63-66
But Jesus remained silent. The high priest said to Him, "I charge You under oath by the living God: Tell us if You are the Messiah, the Son of God."
"You have said so," Jesus replied. "But I say to all of you: From now on you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of Heaven."
Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, "He has spoken blasphemy! Why do we need any more witnesses? Look, now you have heard the blasphemy. What do you think?"
"He is worthy of death," they answered.
This is the second trial, a kangaroo trial, just an excuse to do what they already planned to do.
Matthew 27:1-2, Mark 15:1
Very early in the morning, all the chief priests and the elders and teachers, the whole Sanhedrin, made their plans how to have Jesus executed. So they bound Him, led Him away and handed Him over to Pilate the governor.
I blended these two writers, as they both say virtually the same thing. The Sanhedrin, the political rulers over the Jewish people, had decided to get rid of Jesus by murdering Him, but didn't want to appear guilty of this crime, so they would accomplish it by execution. The Romans had conquered Judea, and didn't allow the Jews enough authority to execute their criminals, so they had to convince the Roman governor to condemn Him to death.
Luke 23:1-6
Then the whole assembly rose and led Him off to Pilate. And they began to accuse Him, saying, "We found this Man subverting our nation. He opposes payment of taxes to Caesar and claims to be Messiah, a king."
So Pilate asked Jesus, "Are You the King of the Jews?" "You have said so," Jesus replied. The Pilate announced to the chief priests and the crowd, "I find no basis for a charge against this Man." But they insisted, "He stirs up the people all over Judea by His teaching. He started in Galilee and has come all the way here." On hearing this, Pilate asked if the Man was a Galilean. When he learned that Jesus was under Herod's jurisdiction, he sent Him to Herod, who was also in Jerusalem at that time.
This is the third trial, and found innocent, Not Guilty.
Luke 23:8-11
When Herod saw Jesus, he was greatly pleased, because for a long time he had been wanting to see Him. From what he had heard about Him, he hoped to see Him perform a sign of some sort. He plied Him with many questions, but Jesus gave him no answer. The chief priests and the teachers of the law were standing there, vehemently accusing Him. Then Herod and his soldiers ridiculed and mocked Him. Dressing Him in an elegant robe, they sent Him back to Pilate.
Here's Jesus' fourth trial, still not found guilty of anything.
Luke 23:13-25
Pilate called together the chief priests, the rulers and the people, and said to them, "You brought me this Man as one Who was inciting the people to rebellion. I have examined Him in your presence and have found no basis for your charges against Him. Neither has Herod, for he sent Him back to us; as you can see, He has done nothing to deserve death. Therefore, I will punish Him and then release Him. But the whole crowd shouted, "Away with this Man! Release Barabbas to us! (Barabbas had been thrown into prison for an insurrection in the city, and for murder.) Wanting to release Jesus, Pilate appealed to them again. But they kept shouting, "Crucify Him! Crucify Him!" For the third time he spoke to them: "Why? What crime has this Man committed? I have found in Him no grounds for the death penalty." But with loud shouts they insistently demanded that He be crucified, and their shouts prevailed. So Pilate decided to grant their demand.
When Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere, but that instead an uproar was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd. "I am innocent of this Man's blood," he said. "It is your responsibility!" (Matthew 27:24)
He released the man who had been thrown into prison for insurrection and murder, the one they asked for, and surrendered Jesus to their will.
This was Jesus' fifth trial, and still has not been convicted of wrong. He is still innocent.
Then the soldiers mock and scourge Jesus, before putting Him on the path to Golgotha, carrying His own cross. Being so weakened by the scourging, He fell, and the soldiers grabbed a bystander, Simon of Cyrene, to help Him carry the heavy cross up the hill. (Matthew 27:27-31, Mark 15:16-24, Luke 23:26-31, John 19:16-17.)
Jesus, the Man who had no sin, died a criminal's death by execution. The Romans had devised the most inhumane method of execution that has ever been known. The Romans had also conquered the whole known world, and built good roads to reach every part of it. So God chose the perfect time for His Son to come as our Sacrificial Lamb, and, after all was said and done, for the disciples to be able to bring the Good News to every corner of the Earth. God's timing is always perfect.
Even so, Come, Lord Jesus!
Monday, October 10, 2016
Jesus In The Garden
Matthew 26:36-56
This part covers Jesus' prayers in the Garden of Gethsemane, and His arrest.
Then Jesus went with His disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and He said to them, "Sit here while I go over there and pray." He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with Him, and He began to be sorrowful and troubled. Then He said to them, "My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death, Stay here and keep watch with Me."
Going a little farther, He fell with His face to the ground and prayed, "My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from Me. Yet not as I will, but as You will."
This is Jesus' last night before He would be taken and executed, and He was very troubled and sorrowful. He left the disciples near the entrance to the garden, and took Peter, James and John with Him deeper into it, then He went a little beyond them, too. There He communed with His Father, earnestly asking if there could be any other way, as, in His humanity, when it came down to it, He really didn't want to have to go through this.
Jesus prayed this same prayer three times (vs. 42-44), and Luke tells us that, An angel from Heaven appeared to Him and strengthened Him. And being in anguish, He prayed more earnestly, and His sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground (Luke 22:43-44).
This is possibly the only time in all Eternity Past and Future that the Father and Son didn't agree 100% in their wills. Jesus was born into our human family in order to be the "sacrificial Lamb" that would take away our sins, but in His Humanity He faced many temptations, every temptation we are all tempted with, including trying to get out of this obligation. He had never been separated from His Father, and He really dreaded it. That's why He asked three times. But He knew there was no other way to be able to take us to Heaven. That's how much He loves us!
Luke 22:45-48
When He rose from prayer and went back to the disciples, He found them asleep, exhausted from sorrow. "Why are you sleeping?" He asked them. "Get up and pray so that you will not fall into temptation." While He was still speaking a crowd came up, and the man who was called Judas, one of the Twelve, was leading them. He approached Jesus to to kiss Him, but Jesus asked him, "Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?"
The culture Jesus lived in called for a close friend to greet another with a kiss on the cheek, as a sign of affection and respect. Judas was abusing this greeting in using it as a sign to His enemies. Surely, he didn't think he could deceive Jesus with it! So Jesus called him out.
John 18:3-11
So Judas came to the Garden, guiding a detachment of soldiers and some officials from the chief priests and the Pharisees. They were carrying torches, lanterns and weapons. Jesus, knowing everything that was going to happen to Him, went out and asked, them, "Who is it you want?" "Jesus of Nazareth," they replied." "I am He," Jesus said. (And Judas the traitor was standing there with them.) When Jesus said, "I am He," they drew back and fell to the ground.
I can imagine that when Jesus, the great I AM, actually said, "I AM," to them, the effect knocked them backward onto the ground!
Again He asked them, "Who is it you want?" "Jesus of Nazareth," they said. Jesus answered, "I told you that I am He. If you are looking for Me, then let these men go." This happened so that the words He had spoken would be fulfilled: "I have not lost one of those You gave Me." Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it and struck the high priest's servant, cutting off his right ear. (The servant's name was Malchus.) Jesus commanded Peter, "Put your sword away! Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given Me?"
And He touched the man's ear and healed him." (Luke 22:51.)
Here's Peter, again defending Jesus to keep Him "safe." But Jesus is now strengthened, and simply heals the man.
Matthew tells us that He said that could call on My Father, and He will at once put at My disposal more than twelve legions of angels. (26:53.)
And Matthew, Mark and Luke all tell us that Jesus told them that he had spent every day with them teaching in the temple courts, and they hadn't arrested Him there. (Matthew 26:55, Mark 14:49, and Luke 22:53.)
He knew they were afraid of the people, that's why they didn't arrest Him there.
And Luke adds, But this is your hour--when darkness reigns. (22:53.)
Jesus knew that Satan would think he was destroying Man's hope, and would rejoice at Jesus' suffering and death. That's why He references darkness getting the upper hand, but only temporarily. And these chief priests and Pharisees were the ones who called for His crucifixion, because they refused to believe in Him.
Jesus' humanity is glaringly on display here: through His anguished prayers, the arrest, all of the trials they illegally put Him through, His crucifixion, death and burial.
All because He loves us that much. God the Father loves us that much, to agree to sacrifice His own Son. This love is greater, grander, purer, broader, bolder, more passionate than any earthly love that is possible.
And this unlimited and eternal love can be yours, in Christ Jesus our Lord!
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
This part covers Jesus' prayers in the Garden of Gethsemane, and His arrest.
Then Jesus went with His disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and He said to them, "Sit here while I go over there and pray." He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with Him, and He began to be sorrowful and troubled. Then He said to them, "My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death, Stay here and keep watch with Me."
Going a little farther, He fell with His face to the ground and prayed, "My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from Me. Yet not as I will, but as You will."
This is Jesus' last night before He would be taken and executed, and He was very troubled and sorrowful. He left the disciples near the entrance to the garden, and took Peter, James and John with Him deeper into it, then He went a little beyond them, too. There He communed with His Father, earnestly asking if there could be any other way, as, in His humanity, when it came down to it, He really didn't want to have to go through this.
Jesus prayed this same prayer three times (vs. 42-44), and Luke tells us that, An angel from Heaven appeared to Him and strengthened Him. And being in anguish, He prayed more earnestly, and His sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground (Luke 22:43-44).
This is possibly the only time in all Eternity Past and Future that the Father and Son didn't agree 100% in their wills. Jesus was born into our human family in order to be the "sacrificial Lamb" that would take away our sins, but in His Humanity He faced many temptations, every temptation we are all tempted with, including trying to get out of this obligation. He had never been separated from His Father, and He really dreaded it. That's why He asked three times. But He knew there was no other way to be able to take us to Heaven. That's how much He loves us!
Luke 22:45-48
When He rose from prayer and went back to the disciples, He found them asleep, exhausted from sorrow. "Why are you sleeping?" He asked them. "Get up and pray so that you will not fall into temptation." While He was still speaking a crowd came up, and the man who was called Judas, one of the Twelve, was leading them. He approached Jesus to to kiss Him, but Jesus asked him, "Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?"
The culture Jesus lived in called for a close friend to greet another with a kiss on the cheek, as a sign of affection and respect. Judas was abusing this greeting in using it as a sign to His enemies. Surely, he didn't think he could deceive Jesus with it! So Jesus called him out.
John 18:3-11
So Judas came to the Garden, guiding a detachment of soldiers and some officials from the chief priests and the Pharisees. They were carrying torches, lanterns and weapons. Jesus, knowing everything that was going to happen to Him, went out and asked, them, "Who is it you want?" "Jesus of Nazareth," they replied." "I am He," Jesus said. (And Judas the traitor was standing there with them.) When Jesus said, "I am He," they drew back and fell to the ground.
I can imagine that when Jesus, the great I AM, actually said, "I AM," to them, the effect knocked them backward onto the ground!
Again He asked them, "Who is it you want?" "Jesus of Nazareth," they said. Jesus answered, "I told you that I am He. If you are looking for Me, then let these men go." This happened so that the words He had spoken would be fulfilled: "I have not lost one of those You gave Me." Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it and struck the high priest's servant, cutting off his right ear. (The servant's name was Malchus.) Jesus commanded Peter, "Put your sword away! Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given Me?"
And He touched the man's ear and healed him." (Luke 22:51.)
Here's Peter, again defending Jesus to keep Him "safe." But Jesus is now strengthened, and simply heals the man.
Matthew tells us that He said that could call on My Father, and He will at once put at My disposal more than twelve legions of angels. (26:53.)
And Matthew, Mark and Luke all tell us that Jesus told them that he had spent every day with them teaching in the temple courts, and they hadn't arrested Him there. (Matthew 26:55, Mark 14:49, and Luke 22:53.)
He knew they were afraid of the people, that's why they didn't arrest Him there.
And Luke adds, But this is your hour--when darkness reigns. (22:53.)
Jesus knew that Satan would think he was destroying Man's hope, and would rejoice at Jesus' suffering and death. That's why He references darkness getting the upper hand, but only temporarily. And these chief priests and Pharisees were the ones who called for His crucifixion, because they refused to believe in Him.
Jesus' humanity is glaringly on display here: through His anguished prayers, the arrest, all of the trials they illegally put Him through, His crucifixion, death and burial.
All because He loves us that much. God the Father loves us that much, to agree to sacrifice His own Son. This love is greater, grander, purer, broader, bolder, more passionate than any earthly love that is possible.
And this unlimited and eternal love can be yours, in Christ Jesus our Lord!
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Sunday, October 9, 2016
From Supper To The Garden
Matthew 21:1-11, Mark 11:1-11, Luke 19:28-40, and John 12:12-19
Jesus' last week begins with His Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem as the King and Messiah over Israel. He went immediately to the Temple and cleansed it, all which incensed the Jewish leaders, who were afraid of Him, and also envious of His popularity. They are the ones who demanded His crucifixion later in the week.
Jesus then left the Temple, going back to Martha, Mary and Lazarus' home in Bethany, just outside Jerusalem, where He spent the night.
When He came back to Jerusalem, He went into the Temple again and stymied the teachers who hated Him, told parables against them, tripped them up in their own words, and taught the people to watch out for them, to do what they say but not what they do.
By the time of the Passover, the Jewish teachers had decided it would be best for Jesus to die and plotted to kill Him, and hired Judas to betray Him.
Matt 26:20-30, Mark 14:17-26, Luke 22:14-30, and John 13:18-30
Then at the Last Supper He tells them again of His death and resurrection, institutes the Lord's Supper Communion ordinance of the church, prays His High Priestly Prayer (John 17), and goes to the Garden of Gethsemane, teaching all the way.
Matthew 26:36-46, Mark 14:32-42, Luke 22:39-46, and John 18:1-2
Here we have the personal prayer Jesus prayed, as He asked His Father to release Him from having to be tortured to death, and separated from His Father, if it was possible, and still be able to save us. In His human body, He really didn't want to face this ultimate horror; but He knew that there was no other way, and He submitted to His Father's will, not His human one. Probably the only time in all eternity past and future when the Son and Father were not in perfect agreement in their wills.
Then He was arrested.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Jesus' last week begins with His Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem as the King and Messiah over Israel. He went immediately to the Temple and cleansed it, all which incensed the Jewish leaders, who were afraid of Him, and also envious of His popularity. They are the ones who demanded His crucifixion later in the week.
Jesus then left the Temple, going back to Martha, Mary and Lazarus' home in Bethany, just outside Jerusalem, where He spent the night.
When He came back to Jerusalem, He went into the Temple again and stymied the teachers who hated Him, told parables against them, tripped them up in their own words, and taught the people to watch out for them, to do what they say but not what they do.
By the time of the Passover, the Jewish teachers had decided it would be best for Jesus to die and plotted to kill Him, and hired Judas to betray Him.
Matt 26:20-30, Mark 14:17-26, Luke 22:14-30, and John 13:18-30
Then at the Last Supper He tells them again of His death and resurrection, institutes the Lord's Supper Communion ordinance of the church, prays His High Priestly Prayer (John 17), and goes to the Garden of Gethsemane, teaching all the way.
Matthew 26:36-46, Mark 14:32-42, Luke 22:39-46, and John 18:1-2
Here we have the personal prayer Jesus prayed, as He asked His Father to release Him from having to be tortured to death, and separated from His Father, if it was possible, and still be able to save us. In His human body, He really didn't want to face this ultimate horror; but He knew that there was no other way, and He submitted to His Father's will, not His human one. Probably the only time in all eternity past and future when the Son and Father were not in perfect agreement in their wills.
Then He was arrested.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Saturday, October 8, 2016
Jesus' Authority Over The Spiritual And Material Worlds
Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John
All of Jesus' miracles show His authority over:
physical conditions:
sicknesses,
paralysis,
lameness,
blindness,
deafness,
muteness;
His authority over:
food: loaves and fishes, water to wine;
weather: calming the wind and the waves, walking on water, letting Peter walk on water;
demons: to command them, limit them, to cast them out, even at a distance;
Life and death: to raise from the dead;
And the most amazing: to forgive sins.
All these miracles show His authority over the material world and spiritual world He created, to do whatever He wants with His own property.
And all His teachings: the parables, the prophesies, the stories; all show His complete understanding of all He has made and how it works, how everything works together, and how we are to regard God and one another. And how this world will function in His Kingdom; in His own (who have received Him) who are living now, and under His rule as King of the World for that 1000 years (Revelation 20:1-7), and continuing in the New Heaven and New Earth forever.
Next we will see what He accomplished, the work He finished.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
All of Jesus' miracles show His authority over:
physical conditions:
sicknesses,
paralysis,
lameness,
blindness,
deafness,
muteness;
His authority over:
food: loaves and fishes, water to wine;
weather: calming the wind and the waves, walking on water, letting Peter walk on water;
demons: to command them, limit them, to cast them out, even at a distance;
Life and death: to raise from the dead;
And the most amazing: to forgive sins.
All these miracles show His authority over the material world and spiritual world He created, to do whatever He wants with His own property.
And all His teachings: the parables, the prophesies, the stories; all show His complete understanding of all He has made and how it works, how everything works together, and how we are to regard God and one another. And how this world will function in His Kingdom; in His own (who have received Him) who are living now, and under His rule as King of the World for that 1000 years (Revelation 20:1-7), and continuing in the New Heaven and New Earth forever.
Next we will see what He accomplished, the work He finished.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Friday, October 7, 2016
Jesus' Authority
Matthew 7: 28-29
When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at His teaching, because He taught as One Who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law.
Even the multitudes who heard Jesus teaching this Sermon on the Mount recognized that Jesus wasn't just repeating what God had given to Moses on Mount Sinai, as their teachers of the law did; Jesus expanded and deepened the principles that the Law was designed to portray, as only the Lawgiver would be able to do. This whole passage shows us that Jesus is the Creator Who designed and made this world, this universe, and is the One Who laid out the parameters, the rules by which it would function. So He does have the authority to explain how these statutes are to be applied to living in this world. And He is the rightful King and sovereign God over all, as the Owner Who cares for it all.
This is who Jesus is, Who He was, and will always be.
Next we will see what Jesus did, the work He came to do, and finished; and then, the results that come from His finished work, including His further authority.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at His teaching, because He taught as One Who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law.
Even the multitudes who heard Jesus teaching this Sermon on the Mount recognized that Jesus wasn't just repeating what God had given to Moses on Mount Sinai, as their teachers of the law did; Jesus expanded and deepened the principles that the Law was designed to portray, as only the Lawgiver would be able to do. This whole passage shows us that Jesus is the Creator Who designed and made this world, this universe, and is the One Who laid out the parameters, the rules by which it would function. So He does have the authority to explain how these statutes are to be applied to living in this world. And He is the rightful King and sovereign God over all, as the Owner Who cares for it all.
This is who Jesus is, Who He was, and will always be.
Next we will see what Jesus did, the work He came to do, and finished; and then, the results that come from His finished work, including His further authority.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Thursday, October 6, 2016
What's Your Foundation In Life?
Matthew 7:24-27
Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.
Luke 6:46-49
Why do you call me, "Lord, Lord," and do not do what I say? As for everyone who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice, I will show you what they are like. They are like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete.
Both Matthew and Luke relate this story Jesus told the people. They all had been listening to His whole Sermon on the Mount, and He is challenging them to take to heart all the life principles He just told them, life choices that can be very difficult to consistently apply in our lives.
We need to make the effort, though, and rely on His strength to do it. If we don't think we can, and just give up trying, then we will face the consequences. Both houses were subjected to the same rains, floods, winds, and torrents of life. Both houses (lives) were built to satisfy the builders' needs and wants, and were both furnished satisfactorily. The only difference was the foundations that were under them. The one had the Rock, Jesus, as a foundation, and the other had sand or ground, the world's philosophies, under it.
It doesn't matter which of this world's philosophies you choose to undergird your life, they are all as shifting as sand in the whirlwinds of life. The only firm foundation for our living every day is our trust in Christ Jesus, The Rock, who came to take our debt on Himself. He is the Maker of this Earth and everything in it, and He gave us His written Word as the Manufacturer's Instructions to guide us in our dealings with everything we encounter in this world, including one another.
When we know God, we recognize His holy and pure Character, and follow His rules in our treatment of one another and use of finances, and attitudes toward everything in this life; then we will be cooperating with how He designed this World to work, and thereby enjoy the results of obeying His commandments. We can no more "break" one of His natural laws, as "break" one of His moral laws--we only break ourselves on them, and do harm to one another.
So continue to read my blog, go back to my previous entries, and learn how to form God's thoughts in our own minds, to see life through His eyes, and do the "work" God wants us to do. Then He will bless us with His peace, regardless of the storms that swirl around us.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.
Luke 6:46-49
Why do you call me, "Lord, Lord," and do not do what I say? As for everyone who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice, I will show you what they are like. They are like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete.
Both Matthew and Luke relate this story Jesus told the people. They all had been listening to His whole Sermon on the Mount, and He is challenging them to take to heart all the life principles He just told them, life choices that can be very difficult to consistently apply in our lives.
We need to make the effort, though, and rely on His strength to do it. If we don't think we can, and just give up trying, then we will face the consequences. Both houses were subjected to the same rains, floods, winds, and torrents of life. Both houses (lives) were built to satisfy the builders' needs and wants, and were both furnished satisfactorily. The only difference was the foundations that were under them. The one had the Rock, Jesus, as a foundation, and the other had sand or ground, the world's philosophies, under it.
It doesn't matter which of this world's philosophies you choose to undergird your life, they are all as shifting as sand in the whirlwinds of life. The only firm foundation for our living every day is our trust in Christ Jesus, The Rock, who came to take our debt on Himself. He is the Maker of this Earth and everything in it, and He gave us His written Word as the Manufacturer's Instructions to guide us in our dealings with everything we encounter in this world, including one another.
When we know God, we recognize His holy and pure Character, and follow His rules in our treatment of one another and use of finances, and attitudes toward everything in this life; then we will be cooperating with how He designed this World to work, and thereby enjoy the results of obeying His commandments. We can no more "break" one of His natural laws, as "break" one of His moral laws--we only break ourselves on them, and do harm to one another.
So continue to read my blog, go back to my previous entries, and learn how to form God's thoughts in our own minds, to see life through His eyes, and do the "work" God wants us to do. Then He will bless us with His peace, regardless of the storms that swirl around us.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Wednesday, October 5, 2016
The Work Of God
Matthew 7:21-23
Not everyone who says to me, "Lord, Lord," will enter the Kingdom of Heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father Who is in Heaven. Many will say to me on that Day, "Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your Name and in Your Name drive out demons, and in Your Name perform many miracles?" Then I will tell them plainly, "I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!"
Wow! All these church leaders, these missionaries, these Bible College professors, all the good people who thought that they were serving God and doing His work, called "evildoers" by the Lord? So who is "the one who does the will of my Father," if not these?
John tells us very specifically, in 6:28-29, "Then they asked Him, 'What must we do to do the works God requires?' Jesus answered, 'The work of God is this: to believe in the One He has sent.'"
So what does that mean? How could so many miss this? John used the Greek word, pisteuo for "believe," which comes from the word for "trustworthy." So we are to "entrust" ourselves to Jesus, to trust Him totally, implicitly, without reservation. Trust Him to do what? To be our "sacrificial Lamb," to die for us in payment for our debt of sin. When the penitent brought the lamb according to the Old Testament sacrificial system, in payment for the sin he was confessing, he would put his hand on the lamb's head, conferring his sin onto the lamb, then the lamb died in his place. That is what Jesus came to do, He is the "Lamb of God Who takes away the sin of the world." The Lamb God provided, to pay off the whole principle of our debt, not just the interest due on it year-by-year.
Now, when each of us realizes that we deserve death for all our sins, and that Jesus died for us, to pay off our whole debt; that is putting our trust in Him to accomplish in time for us what would take us forever to do. We are all "born in sin," with that Original Sin that Adam passes on in his DNA to all his children, all of mankind, the sin-nature that prompts us to make all those poor choices that "miss the mark" of what is best for us.
Romans 6:23 tells us that, "The wages of sin is death," and our "sin" is our sin-nature, that is the source and fountainhead of all our "sins." So if you ever made any decision to do what you knew was wrong and did it anyway, that proves that you have that sin-nature that Jesus bore on the cross when He came "to be sin," "for us," in our place (II Corinthians 5:21).
So even "good people" still have that sin-nature, and need a Savior to rescue them from having to spend eternity paying that eternal debt to God. Only the Eternal Person could pay our eternal debt in time. That is why He came, why He "became flesh," to qualify as human to die the human death we each deserve, yet still be the Eternal God, the Son that Isaiah said was "given" (9:6), Who was the Son from eternity past.
O my Father, thank You so much for showing me Jesus there on His Cross, letting me know that He took my place, my death, so that I could live forever with You. Thank You so much for loving me that much, to sacrifice Your own Son for me. Praise You, Almighty, Loving God, Omnipotent King of the Universe.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Not everyone who says to me, "Lord, Lord," will enter the Kingdom of Heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father Who is in Heaven. Many will say to me on that Day, "Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your Name and in Your Name drive out demons, and in Your Name perform many miracles?" Then I will tell them plainly, "I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!"
Wow! All these church leaders, these missionaries, these Bible College professors, all the good people who thought that they were serving God and doing His work, called "evildoers" by the Lord? So who is "the one who does the will of my Father," if not these?
John tells us very specifically, in 6:28-29, "Then they asked Him, 'What must we do to do the works God requires?' Jesus answered, 'The work of God is this: to believe in the One He has sent.'"
So what does that mean? How could so many miss this? John used the Greek word, pisteuo for "believe," which comes from the word for "trustworthy." So we are to "entrust" ourselves to Jesus, to trust Him totally, implicitly, without reservation. Trust Him to do what? To be our "sacrificial Lamb," to die for us in payment for our debt of sin. When the penitent brought the lamb according to the Old Testament sacrificial system, in payment for the sin he was confessing, he would put his hand on the lamb's head, conferring his sin onto the lamb, then the lamb died in his place. That is what Jesus came to do, He is the "Lamb of God Who takes away the sin of the world." The Lamb God provided, to pay off the whole principle of our debt, not just the interest due on it year-by-year.
Now, when each of us realizes that we deserve death for all our sins, and that Jesus died for us, to pay off our whole debt; that is putting our trust in Him to accomplish in time for us what would take us forever to do. We are all "born in sin," with that Original Sin that Adam passes on in his DNA to all his children, all of mankind, the sin-nature that prompts us to make all those poor choices that "miss the mark" of what is best for us.
Romans 6:23 tells us that, "The wages of sin is death," and our "sin" is our sin-nature, that is the source and fountainhead of all our "sins." So if you ever made any decision to do what you knew was wrong and did it anyway, that proves that you have that sin-nature that Jesus bore on the cross when He came "to be sin," "for us," in our place (II Corinthians 5:21).
So even "good people" still have that sin-nature, and need a Savior to rescue them from having to spend eternity paying that eternal debt to God. Only the Eternal Person could pay our eternal debt in time. That is why He came, why He "became flesh," to qualify as human to die the human death we each deserve, yet still be the Eternal God, the Son that Isaiah said was "given" (9:6), Who was the Son from eternity past.
O my Father, thank You so much for showing me Jesus there on His Cross, letting me know that He took my place, my death, so that I could live forever with You. Thank You so much for loving me that much, to sacrifice Your own Son for me. Praise You, Almighty, Loving God, Omnipotent King of the Universe.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Tuesday, October 4, 2016
Broadway Or The Narrow Way?
Matthew 7:13-20
Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow is the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.
Jesus is saying to not follow the crowd. Most people will go along with what everyone else is doing, thinking along the popular reasonings, and seeking after all the material things of this world, obeying all the advertisements, going along with the crowd.
But the way to real life is a narrow way, through a small portal, that few, compared to the crowds, will even search for to find. How can we know if we're following the right people, that will lead to that narrow way?
Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes? or figs from thistles? Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.
Luke says, A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of (6:45).
So we need to be careful of who we are listening to and following. These false teachers are coming in disguise, portraying themselves as good men, faithful Biblicists, people who only want to help. But if you investigate their personal lives, you could find out if they are being truthful or if they are deceived and are teaching lies that they believe are true.
I don't take what any teacher says as true just because they have a reputation as a good Bible teacher. I will take note of their teachings and then search the scriptures to see if what they are saying is true. Even Saint Paul didn't want people to believe what he said simply because he said it; he said that the Bereans were "more noble" than others because they not only "received the Word with all readiness," but also "searched the Scriptures daily [to see] whether these things were so" (Acts 17:11).
I also don't want you, dear reader of my blog, to take what I say to be true just because I believe it so. Do your own searching, to make sure that you are believing God's Truth, not any man's ideas. I may have some good ideas, but I don't think that I will never err in what I say, so please correct me whenever you find something that may not be correct. I will research your findings, also.
Tomorrow we will see why there are so many Bible teachers who may be deceived.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow is the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.
Jesus is saying to not follow the crowd. Most people will go along with what everyone else is doing, thinking along the popular reasonings, and seeking after all the material things of this world, obeying all the advertisements, going along with the crowd.
But the way to real life is a narrow way, through a small portal, that few, compared to the crowds, will even search for to find. How can we know if we're following the right people, that will lead to that narrow way?
Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes? or figs from thistles? Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.
Luke says, A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of (6:45).
So we need to be careful of who we are listening to and following. These false teachers are coming in disguise, portraying themselves as good men, faithful Biblicists, people who only want to help. But if you investigate their personal lives, you could find out if they are being truthful or if they are deceived and are teaching lies that they believe are true.
I don't take what any teacher says as true just because they have a reputation as a good Bible teacher. I will take note of their teachings and then search the scriptures to see if what they are saying is true. Even Saint Paul didn't want people to believe what he said simply because he said it; he said that the Bereans were "more noble" than others because they not only "received the Word with all readiness," but also "searched the Scriptures daily [to see] whether these things were so" (Acts 17:11).
I also don't want you, dear reader of my blog, to take what I say to be true just because I believe it so. Do your own searching, to make sure that you are believing God's Truth, not any man's ideas. I may have some good ideas, but I don't think that I will never err in what I say, so please correct me whenever you find something that may not be correct. I will research your findings, also.
Tomorrow we will see why there are so many Bible teachers who may be deceived.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Monday, October 3, 2016
Do Unto Others
Matthew 7:12
So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.
This is commonly known as "The Golden Rule." Jesus says that to value others as we value our own selves and needs would fulfill the whole Old Testament ("The Law and The Prophets"), all the rules for living and everything that God has planned out for this Earth from beginning to end.
It makes sense. If I love my neighbor, I won't steal from him, lie to or about him, murder him, steal his spouse's affections, or desire to possess what he owns rather than work to get my own. And if I love God, I won't consider any other thing as more important than He is, or make a statue to worship, or use His Name in any but the most respectful way. I will honor the position my parents have over me, regardless of how good or bad I think their parenting to have been. And I will also honor both God and myself in taking off work one day a week for rest and worship.
That covers the Ten Commandments. And all the other rules and statutes and laws stem from those two tablets. And all the prophets preached about how God's people were "missing the mark" of even trying to follow the Creator's "guidelines" for how to get along in this world. And all the future prophesies will unfold in time, revealing all the consequences of not following our Lawgiver's direction.
But I read "the last chapter," so I know that our Almighty Sovereign will even all odds, straighten out all that is twisted, right all wrongs, and award every created being the awards each has earned, be it positive or negative.
So let us all strive to consider others in our lives as worth our love and affection, regardless of what it costs us, as our Father has lavished His love on us.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.
This is commonly known as "The Golden Rule." Jesus says that to value others as we value our own selves and needs would fulfill the whole Old Testament ("The Law and The Prophets"), all the rules for living and everything that God has planned out for this Earth from beginning to end.
It makes sense. If I love my neighbor, I won't steal from him, lie to or about him, murder him, steal his spouse's affections, or desire to possess what he owns rather than work to get my own. And if I love God, I won't consider any other thing as more important than He is, or make a statue to worship, or use His Name in any but the most respectful way. I will honor the position my parents have over me, regardless of how good or bad I think their parenting to have been. And I will also honor both God and myself in taking off work one day a week for rest and worship.
That covers the Ten Commandments. And all the other rules and statutes and laws stem from those two tablets. And all the prophets preached about how God's people were "missing the mark" of even trying to follow the Creator's "guidelines" for how to get along in this world. And all the future prophesies will unfold in time, revealing all the consequences of not following our Lawgiver's direction.
But I read "the last chapter," so I know that our Almighty Sovereign will even all odds, straighten out all that is twisted, right all wrongs, and award every created being the awards each has earned, be it positive or negative.
So let us all strive to consider others in our lives as worth our love and affection, regardless of what it costs us, as our Father has lavished His love on us.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
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