Luke 5: 27-32
And the Pharisees and their Scribes began grumbling at His disciples saying, "Why do you eat and drink with the tax-gatherers and sinners?" And Jesus answered and said to them, "It is not those who are well who need a physician, but those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance."
These religious leaders thought they were righteous, but all they had was self-righteousness, and they had a "holier-than-thou" attitude. Whenever they would come to the place where they could admit their sins, confess them and turn from them (repent), then they could be saved, too.
We all need to realize we are sinners before we can know we need a Savior. For there is none who is righteous in their flesh; we are all led astray by the sin-nature we inherited from Adam. So we all need saving.
Ephesians 2:3 tells us that we are all "by nature (not actions) creatures of wrath," we are all born into this family of Mankind inheriting the DNA of our fathers (through Adam) and our mothers (through Eve). But the sin-part of that DNA was given to Adam to pass on, not Eve. (That's why Mary could bear Jesus without sin, because He didn't have a human father.)
Eve was deceived, she thought it would be a good thing to not have to bother God with all her choices, she could decide for herself. But then she "gave to her husband with her" and he ate in full realization of disobeying God, a willful sin. That's when what he ate was digested, and "damaged" his genes. (Read Genesis 3:1-7, see how Satan first places doubt in Eve's mind, v. 1, then lies outright to her, v. 4.)
Satan tempts us with the same deception: we're smart, we know how to make our own decisions, don't tell us what to do! That's prideful, and worldly thinking. Yes, we're intelligent, we can think through a lot of things for ourselves. But God's thoughts are not our thoughts. We need to direct our thinking processes along God's lines, as He reveals to us in His Word, and depend on His Holy Spirit of Truth that lives in us to guide us. Even when it may not make perfect sense to us. If we think on it enough, submitting ourselves to His ways, then He will make known to us how "reasonable" it really is ("Come let us reason together" Isaiah 1:18).
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Monday, April 24, 2017
Sunday, April 23, 2017
We Will Not Conceal, But Tell
Psalm 78: 1-4
Listen, O my people, to my instruction; incline your ears to the words of my mouth. I will open my mouth to a parable; I will utter dark sayings of old, which we have heard and known, and our fathers have told us. We will not conceal them from their children, but tell the generation to come the praises of the Lord, and His strength and His wondrous works that He has done.
This is a long Psalm: 72 verses, recounting all the miracles God did for Israel. We are to tell our children and grandchildren all these Bible stories as though they really, actually happened, because they did. If they don't seem to be reasonable, natural things, it's because they're not--they're miracles.
God is the Maker of this World, and He is the One Who designed it; so He can decide to "bend" it if He chooses to do so, without upsetting the "normal" course of events. God is the One Who put order (Truth) into His creation. He is Truth, our standard for what Truth is. As such, He would never put any "myth" into His Word as though it happened if it didn't.
And we will not conceal them or leave anything out of what we've learned, even the dark sayings of old. So our Bible is a true and complete record of all that God wants us to know.
So we are to teach our children and grandchildren these stories, to show Who God is, how He sees us and loved us, and is capable of doing anything He wants. He is a good God, and He wants only the best for His beloved, us, granting us grace and mercy.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Listen, O my people, to my instruction; incline your ears to the words of my mouth. I will open my mouth to a parable; I will utter dark sayings of old, which we have heard and known, and our fathers have told us. We will not conceal them from their children, but tell the generation to come the praises of the Lord, and His strength and His wondrous works that He has done.
This is a long Psalm: 72 verses, recounting all the miracles God did for Israel. We are to tell our children and grandchildren all these Bible stories as though they really, actually happened, because they did. If they don't seem to be reasonable, natural things, it's because they're not--they're miracles.
God is the Maker of this World, and He is the One Who designed it; so He can decide to "bend" it if He chooses to do so, without upsetting the "normal" course of events. God is the One Who put order (Truth) into His creation. He is Truth, our standard for what Truth is. As such, He would never put any "myth" into His Word as though it happened if it didn't.
And we will not conceal them or leave anything out of what we've learned, even the dark sayings of old. So our Bible is a true and complete record of all that God wants us to know.
So we are to teach our children and grandchildren these stories, to show Who God is, how He sees us and loved us, and is capable of doing anything He wants. He is a good God, and He wants only the best for His beloved, us, granting us grace and mercy.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Saturday, April 22, 2017
Deceptive Food
Isaiah 55: 2
Why do you spend your money on food that does not nourish you? Why are you paying for food that does you no good? Listen to Me, and you will eat what is good; you will enjoy the finest food.
So much of America's diet is not even food, but chemicals! All the artificial ingredients in it do not nourish us, but only "spike" the pleasure centers of our brains, so we will be deceived into thinking it tastes good. We are getting fat as we starve.
God made this Earth for us, and He put in it everything we need for good health and prosperity. One-ingredient foods, like a meat or a potato or a carrot, are real food. Food that will nourish our bodies, feed our brains, and give us energy. When it is processed, and other stuff is added to it; when all the nourishment is removed, then replaced artificially; it becomes merely deceptive dainties.
It is said, you are what you eat. That is because our bodies use what we consume to repair our cells, and when we eat what is not food, then these artificial chemicals work their way into our make-up; resulting in our bodies attacking themselves with auto-immune diseases.
When Daniel was brought to Babylon and chosen to be prepared for the king's court and service, he recognized that the king's food was not healthy, so he requested only vegetables and water. Then after the time of testing, because he had gone through this "cleanse," he looked much healthier than the others, because he was. (see Daniel chapter 1.) This is a good example given us to learn from.
I search for natural, organic, unprocessed foods, and prepare my own meals at home. I know that these foods that God has provided from this Earth He designed for us will give me good, dense nourishment without extra calories. And it has enabled me to enjoy exceptional physical health.
Praise God for providing for us everything we need, in this Earth and in His Son. God loves us and wants the best for us, so He sent His best to meet our most urgent need, the Spiritual. That is Real Life (see John 6:63).
When we seek God and His righteousness first, then all these Earthly things will also be given to us (Matthew 6:63). God will not withhold any good thing from His own children.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Why do you spend your money on food that does not nourish you? Why are you paying for food that does you no good? Listen to Me, and you will eat what is good; you will enjoy the finest food.
So much of America's diet is not even food, but chemicals! All the artificial ingredients in it do not nourish us, but only "spike" the pleasure centers of our brains, so we will be deceived into thinking it tastes good. We are getting fat as we starve.
God made this Earth for us, and He put in it everything we need for good health and prosperity. One-ingredient foods, like a meat or a potato or a carrot, are real food. Food that will nourish our bodies, feed our brains, and give us energy. When it is processed, and other stuff is added to it; when all the nourishment is removed, then replaced artificially; it becomes merely deceptive dainties.
It is said, you are what you eat. That is because our bodies use what we consume to repair our cells, and when we eat what is not food, then these artificial chemicals work their way into our make-up; resulting in our bodies attacking themselves with auto-immune diseases.
When Daniel was brought to Babylon and chosen to be prepared for the king's court and service, he recognized that the king's food was not healthy, so he requested only vegetables and water. Then after the time of testing, because he had gone through this "cleanse," he looked much healthier than the others, because he was. (see Daniel chapter 1.) This is a good example given us to learn from.
I search for natural, organic, unprocessed foods, and prepare my own meals at home. I know that these foods that God has provided from this Earth He designed for us will give me good, dense nourishment without extra calories. And it has enabled me to enjoy exceptional physical health.
Praise God for providing for us everything we need, in this Earth and in His Son. God loves us and wants the best for us, so He sent His best to meet our most urgent need, the Spiritual. That is Real Life (see John 6:63).
When we seek God and His righteousness first, then all these Earthly things will also be given to us (Matthew 6:63). God will not withhold any good thing from His own children.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Friday, April 21, 2017
God's Reputation
Isaiah 48:11
I will rescue you for My sake--yes, for My own sake! I will not let My reputation be tarnished, and I will not share My glory with idols!
The World looks at our Nation and they think they see a Christian nation, but they are pointing out all our rebellion as Christianity, which blasphemes God.
Just as Israel was a chosen nation before God, but strayed far from His ways, worshiping all the idols of their neighbors instead of God; so America, a nation founded on Biblical principles, has also wandered very far from Godly ways.
O my dear, glorious Father in Heaven, I pray for this Nation that is known as Yours, but no longer acknowledges You. Father, do not let these other nations disparage Your reputation in the World! Do not allow any of the idols we have set up to honor and adore share any of Your glory!
Please raise up Asa's in our halls of power to tear down all the heathen altars, shrines and idols! Continue to wake up Your Church to recognize these sins, and strengthen us against these abominations, to put away all the secret idols we have set up in our hearts; to live our lives openly in Your righteousness.
Let America be again that "shining city on a hill" to show Your glory to the World, before the end.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
I will rescue you for My sake--yes, for My own sake! I will not let My reputation be tarnished, and I will not share My glory with idols!
The World looks at our Nation and they think they see a Christian nation, but they are pointing out all our rebellion as Christianity, which blasphemes God.
Just as Israel was a chosen nation before God, but strayed far from His ways, worshiping all the idols of their neighbors instead of God; so America, a nation founded on Biblical principles, has also wandered very far from Godly ways.
O my dear, glorious Father in Heaven, I pray for this Nation that is known as Yours, but no longer acknowledges You. Father, do not let these other nations disparage Your reputation in the World! Do not allow any of the idols we have set up to honor and adore share any of Your glory!
Please raise up Asa's in our halls of power to tear down all the heathen altars, shrines and idols! Continue to wake up Your Church to recognize these sins, and strengthen us against these abominations, to put away all the secret idols we have set up in our hearts; to live our lives openly in Your righteousness.
Let America be again that "shining city on a hill" to show Your glory to the World, before the end.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Thursday, April 20, 2017
The Lessons From The Past
Isaiah 42: 23
Who will hear these lessons from the past and see the ruin that awaits you in the future?
It is said that the past repeats itself. This is because we do not listen to the lessons from the past. We think that if we go this way, then it will go well for us. But God says that there is a way that seems right to us, but its end is destruction, death (Proverbs 16:25). That is why history repeats--we keep doing the same things expecting a different outcome! This is insanity! If we would only look at our own history with inquiring eyes to learn those lessons, then we would finally turn to God to find out His ways.
When we can learn God's ways for us, then we will be able to do the things He wants for us; we will learn how to interact with our fellow human beings and use this Earth for our benefit, and we will all be better off for it.
But we naturally want to figure things out for ourselves, we're smart, we can make our own decisions. So we close our eyes to history and repeat the same policies that have failed in the past. Many may do this, thinking that they will benefit from others' loss, which is using people. People are to be loved, things are to be used. If we love the things of this World, then we will use people to get more of them. This is evil, will not satisfy, and is detrimental to our human family.
We need to pray that God will teach us His ways, and that He would grant that His people would rule over us, according to the good and beneficial ways God has told us in His Word. We need to live our own personal lives, and seek to live our corporate and community and political lives together according to His ways. Then we will do the things that will fulfill our own desires (Psalm 37:4), and further along God's great Plan of the Ages for all of us in this era He has placed us in. We each have a small role to play, a simple thread to add to His great Tapestry of Time. Our threads could be dark, even black, or they could be a bright color, or even silver or gold! It is our choice to go God's way or our own way, determining what our "color" will be in that final Big Picture.
God's magnificent glory and perfect justice will be on display for all eternity. I want for all of us to be part of the glory side of forever.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Who will hear these lessons from the past and see the ruin that awaits you in the future?
It is said that the past repeats itself. This is because we do not listen to the lessons from the past. We think that if we go this way, then it will go well for us. But God says that there is a way that seems right to us, but its end is destruction, death (Proverbs 16:25). That is why history repeats--we keep doing the same things expecting a different outcome! This is insanity! If we would only look at our own history with inquiring eyes to learn those lessons, then we would finally turn to God to find out His ways.
When we can learn God's ways for us, then we will be able to do the things He wants for us; we will learn how to interact with our fellow human beings and use this Earth for our benefit, and we will all be better off for it.
But we naturally want to figure things out for ourselves, we're smart, we can make our own decisions. So we close our eyes to history and repeat the same policies that have failed in the past. Many may do this, thinking that they will benefit from others' loss, which is using people. People are to be loved, things are to be used. If we love the things of this World, then we will use people to get more of them. This is evil, will not satisfy, and is detrimental to our human family.
We need to pray that God will teach us His ways, and that He would grant that His people would rule over us, according to the good and beneficial ways God has told us in His Word. We need to live our own personal lives, and seek to live our corporate and community and political lives together according to His ways. Then we will do the things that will fulfill our own desires (Psalm 37:4), and further along God's great Plan of the Ages for all of us in this era He has placed us in. We each have a small role to play, a simple thread to add to His great Tapestry of Time. Our threads could be dark, even black, or they could be a bright color, or even silver or gold! It is our choice to go God's way or our own way, determining what our "color" will be in that final Big Picture.
God's magnificent glory and perfect justice will be on display for all eternity. I want for all of us to be part of the glory side of forever.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Wednesday, April 19, 2017
The Ground Is Level
Galatians 4:28-31
And you, dear brothers and sisters, are children of the Promise, just like Isaac. But you are now being persecuted by those who want you to keep the Law, just as Ishmael, the child born by human effort, persecuted Isaac, the child born by the power of the Spirit. But what do the Scriptures say about that? "Get rid if the slave and her son, for the son of the slave woman will not share the inheritance with the free woman's son." So, dear brothers and sisters, we are not children of the slave woman; we are children of the free woman.
I am friends with a couple from the USA who have been living in Israel for several decades as missionaries to the Jews.
I am also acquainted with a missionary who is gathering some of the children of the slave woman into God's church in Jerusalem.
Both of these groups of people are in desperate need of Jesus' saving grace, as all the rest of us are. For there is no more distinction between Jew and Arab, Israeli and gentile, civilized and barbarian, slave and free. The ground is level at the foot of the Cross--God has counted us all as sinners. So His Blood can cleanse each one of us, if we just humble ourselves before Him admitting we deserve death, and let Jesus take our place on the Cross to pay our debt for us. That is why He was born into our World, so He could take us to His Heaven.
We are to pray for all kinds of people: rich and poor, near and far, friends and enemies. God is not willing that any should perish, but that all would come to a saving knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But not all know that Jesus came to save them, they've never been told. So we need to pray that God would send laborers into these fields that are already white for harvesting. People all over the world, including the Middle East, are turning to God Who loves them, away from the idols and gods of this World that have enslaved them. They just need to hear. But how can they hear without a preacher? And how can they preach unless someone is sent?
Pray, pray, pray! God hears the prayers of His beloved children, and if you are praying, God may even send you!
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
And you, dear brothers and sisters, are children of the Promise, just like Isaac. But you are now being persecuted by those who want you to keep the Law, just as Ishmael, the child born by human effort, persecuted Isaac, the child born by the power of the Spirit. But what do the Scriptures say about that? "Get rid if the slave and her son, for the son of the slave woman will not share the inheritance with the free woman's son." So, dear brothers and sisters, we are not children of the slave woman; we are children of the free woman.
I am friends with a couple from the USA who have been living in Israel for several decades as missionaries to the Jews.
Both of these groups of people are in desperate need of Jesus' saving grace, as all the rest of us are. For there is no more distinction between Jew and Arab, Israeli and gentile, civilized and barbarian, slave and free. The ground is level at the foot of the Cross--God has counted us all as sinners. So His Blood can cleanse each one of us, if we just humble ourselves before Him admitting we deserve death, and let Jesus take our place on the Cross to pay our debt for us. That is why He was born into our World, so He could take us to His Heaven.
We are to pray for all kinds of people: rich and poor, near and far, friends and enemies. God is not willing that any should perish, but that all would come to a saving knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But not all know that Jesus came to save them, they've never been told. So we need to pray that God would send laborers into these fields that are already white for harvesting. People all over the world, including the Middle East, are turning to God Who loves them, away from the idols and gods of this World that have enslaved them. They just need to hear. But how can they hear without a preacher? And how can they preach unless someone is sent?
Pray, pray, pray! God hears the prayers of His beloved children, and if you are praying, God may even send you!
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Tuesday, April 18, 2017
All The Credit He Deserves
Isaiah 45: 22-24
Turn to Me and be saved, all you ends of the Earth; for I am God, and there is no other. By Myself I have sworn, My mouth has uttered in all integrity a word that will not be revoked: Before Me every knee will bow; by Me every tongue will swear. They will say of Me, "In the Lord alone are righteousness and strength."
Romans 14: 10-12
... For we will all stand before God's judgment seat. It is written: "As surely as I live," says the Lord, "every knee will bow before Me; every tongue will confess to God." So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God.
Philippians 2: 9-11
Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the Name that is above every name, that at the Name of Jesus every knee should bow in Heaven and on Earth and under the Earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Revelation 5: 12-13
In a loud voice they sang, "Worthy is the Lamb, Who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!"
Then I heard every creature in Heaven and on Earth and under the Earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, singing: "To Him Who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power for ever and ever!"
When Jesus explained to Cleopas and his companion what was said in all the Scriptures concerning Himself on their way to Emmaus (Luke 24:13-35), I'm sure He connected all the dots for them to see the Big Picture, and their "hearts burned" within them.
Because from the first chapter of Genesis to the final chapter in Revelation, the whole story is the story of the Lord God of the Old Testament, revealed as Jesus the Christ in the New Testament; the Creator, the Lawgiver, the Benefactor, the Finisher of everything He began. He is the One Who has dealt with Mankind from the very beginning, and He will be the One Who will even all the odds, reveal all the mysteries, solve all the problems, heal all the wounds and sorrows, and wrap everything up neatly into a New Heaven and New Earth.
And every creature that has ever been created, everywhere, will give Him all the credit He deserves.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Turn to Me and be saved, all you ends of the Earth; for I am God, and there is no other. By Myself I have sworn, My mouth has uttered in all integrity a word that will not be revoked: Before Me every knee will bow; by Me every tongue will swear. They will say of Me, "In the Lord alone are righteousness and strength."
Romans 14: 10-12
... For we will all stand before God's judgment seat. It is written: "As surely as I live," says the Lord, "every knee will bow before Me; every tongue will confess to God." So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God.
Philippians 2: 9-11
Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the Name that is above every name, that at the Name of Jesus every knee should bow in Heaven and on Earth and under the Earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Revelation 5: 12-13
In a loud voice they sang, "Worthy is the Lamb, Who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!"
Then I heard every creature in Heaven and on Earth and under the Earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, singing: "To Him Who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power for ever and ever!"
When Jesus explained to Cleopas and his companion what was said in all the Scriptures concerning Himself on their way to Emmaus (Luke 24:13-35), I'm sure He connected all the dots for them to see the Big Picture, and their "hearts burned" within them.
Because from the first chapter of Genesis to the final chapter in Revelation, the whole story is the story of the Lord God of the Old Testament, revealed as Jesus the Christ in the New Testament; the Creator, the Lawgiver, the Benefactor, the Finisher of everything He began. He is the One Who has dealt with Mankind from the very beginning, and He will be the One Who will even all the odds, reveal all the mysteries, solve all the problems, heal all the wounds and sorrows, and wrap everything up neatly into a New Heaven and New Earth.
And every creature that has ever been created, everywhere, will give Him all the credit He deserves.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
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