Acts 16: 31
Paul told the jailer, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved."
In Acts 26: 9-18 Paul recounts to King Agrippa how Jesus saved him on the Road to Damascus.
We all need to be able to recount to others how God found us, how Jesus changed us, and how they also can be found by God and saved by Jesus. Every Christian needs to know how to do the work of an Evangelist, even if we don't feel gifted in that area.
We all need to be prepared to give our answer to anyone who asks us (I Peter 3:15).
I can tell you about when God found me and showed me Jesus hanging on His Cross. Tell me your story, I'd love to hear it, and I'll tell you mine.
All our stories are different, but they all have the same outcome: Jesus saved us! Practice telling your story; write it out, then condense it.
I started out droning on and on with my story. Then I wrote it out, and was able to cut it down to the essential truths, without leaving out any of the drama. And I've told it repeatedly to different people, and now I'm able to talk to just about anyone, using my story to present the Good News of how Jesus came to save each one of us and give us a new life.
It was really scary at first, but I did it anyway, and it got easier. Like anything else, practice always improves performance.
Let me know how you are doing in being able to share your story with others.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Sunday, September 3, 2017
Saturday, September 2, 2017
Pride Vs. Humility
Proverbs 13: 10
Pride leads to conflict; those who take advice are wise.
Pride can convince us that we aren't "that bad" to deserve to die. We never killed anybody, after all. But "sin" is an archery term that refers to "missing the mark." My arrow can miss the target completely, or it can hit it right next to the bull's eye; in any case, I've missed the mark I was aiming for.
Pride can also make me too stubborn to give way to a reasonable compromise, complicating my relationship with the other person. And causing arguments.
On the other hand, if I humble myself and honestly listen to other viewpoints, then I will have more information, more knowledge to consider in making my decisions; and the more relevant knowledge I can obtain, the better my decision will be.
This Book of Proverbs gives us a good map to follow in our relationships with one another. I have heard that even some people who don't even know the Lord read this book every month (it has 31 verses) for the practical advice it gives.
And the Book of Psalms gives us the Heart of God.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Pride leads to conflict; those who take advice are wise.
Pride can convince us that we aren't "that bad" to deserve to die. We never killed anybody, after all. But "sin" is an archery term that refers to "missing the mark." My arrow can miss the target completely, or it can hit it right next to the bull's eye; in any case, I've missed the mark I was aiming for.
Pride can also make me too stubborn to give way to a reasonable compromise, complicating my relationship with the other person. And causing arguments.
On the other hand, if I humble myself and honestly listen to other viewpoints, then I will have more information, more knowledge to consider in making my decisions; and the more relevant knowledge I can obtain, the better my decision will be.
This Book of Proverbs gives us a good map to follow in our relationships with one another. I have heard that even some people who don't even know the Lord read this book every month (it has 31 verses) for the practical advice it gives.
And the Book of Psalms gives us the Heart of God.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Friday, September 1, 2017
The First Of All The Sacrifices
Leviticus 1
Because this is a very detailed and technical record, I will paraphrase this for you.
Vs. 1-2 God spoke to Moses from the Tent of Meeting. He said that any individual person can bring an animal for his personal sacrifice, and it can be a calf or a lamb or a goat kid.
V. 3 It must be a male animal, that doesn't have any kind of imperfection, it must be perfectly healthy.
V. 4 This person must lay his hand on the head of the animal to identify with it, and it will be accepted as his substitute to pay his sin debt.
V. 5 Then he is to slaughter this young bull or lamb or goat kid, dying in his place; and the priest is to bring its blood in a bowl to the altar, and sprinkle this blood all around the sides of the altar. This blood will cover the man's sins so that he can now be forgiven.
Vs. 6-9 Then the priest will skin the animal and cut it into pieces, the sons of Aaron (the other priests) will kindle a fire on the altar, and arrange the pieces of the animal on the fire, including the head and all its fat. He is to wash its inner organs and legs and put them on the altar, too, to all burn up completely, as a pleasing aroma to the Lord.
Vs. 10-13 Whether it is a calf, a lamb or a goat, it must be slaughtered on the North side of the altar, and its blood splashed all around on the sides of the altar to cover the sins of the person. Then it is to be all burned up completely.
Vs. 14-17 The person can even bring a bird if they cannot afford a mammal, a dove or a young pigeon. The priest is to wring off its head and drain out its blood on the side of the altar. The bird's crop is to be thrown to the East side of the altar, where the ashes are. Then he is to tear it open by its wings, but keep it together, to burn completely in the fire on the altar.
Jesus fulfilled this first, foundational sacrifice that every individual person was to bring. Jesus is our Lamb, sacrificed completely for us individually, His precious Blood splashing the sides of His altar, the Cross.
Every person is deserving of death for their personal sins, and for the sin-nature he is born into. God is so Holy, nothing that has any hint of sin is able to live with Him in Heaven. These people who brought the animal sacrifices could have their sins covered by the animal's blood so they could be forgiven, but they still couldn't go to Heaven when they died, they went to Sheol, the Place of the Dead.
Jesus described Sheol for us with His story about the Rich Man and Lazarus, with two distinct sides separated with an uncrossable gulf. Those who admitted they deserved death when they put their hand on the head of the sacrifice went to the Paradise side, but the rest had to go to the fire side.
Jesus told the "Good Thief" that He would be with him that day in Paradise, in Sheol. When Jesus died, while His body was buried in that cave, sealed with a stone, He was gathering all the forgiven people in Paradise to bring them to Heaven, since His precious Blood did not just cover, but actually washed away their sins.
As it takes away all of our sins today. When we agree with God that we deserve death, and figuratively lay our hand on His head as our Sacrifice, then His Blood cleanses us of all our sins and unrighteousness and makes us white as snow, white as wool, purified from anything and everything that would make us less than perfect, without spot or wrinkle. Suited and fit for life with God Himself, in His Heaven, even in the New Heaven and New Earth.
This has been His Plan from the beginning. And He is completing all the final touches of His design.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Because this is a very detailed and technical record, I will paraphrase this for you.
Vs. 1-2 God spoke to Moses from the Tent of Meeting. He said that any individual person can bring an animal for his personal sacrifice, and it can be a calf or a lamb or a goat kid.
V. 3 It must be a male animal, that doesn't have any kind of imperfection, it must be perfectly healthy.
V. 4 This person must lay his hand on the head of the animal to identify with it, and it will be accepted as his substitute to pay his sin debt.
V. 5 Then he is to slaughter this young bull or lamb or goat kid, dying in his place; and the priest is to bring its blood in a bowl to the altar, and sprinkle this blood all around the sides of the altar. This blood will cover the man's sins so that he can now be forgiven.
Vs. 6-9 Then the priest will skin the animal and cut it into pieces, the sons of Aaron (the other priests) will kindle a fire on the altar, and arrange the pieces of the animal on the fire, including the head and all its fat. He is to wash its inner organs and legs and put them on the altar, too, to all burn up completely, as a pleasing aroma to the Lord.
Vs. 10-13 Whether it is a calf, a lamb or a goat, it must be slaughtered on the North side of the altar, and its blood splashed all around on the sides of the altar to cover the sins of the person. Then it is to be all burned up completely.
Vs. 14-17 The person can even bring a bird if they cannot afford a mammal, a dove or a young pigeon. The priest is to wring off its head and drain out its blood on the side of the altar. The bird's crop is to be thrown to the East side of the altar, where the ashes are. Then he is to tear it open by its wings, but keep it together, to burn completely in the fire on the altar.
Jesus fulfilled this first, foundational sacrifice that every individual person was to bring. Jesus is our Lamb, sacrificed completely for us individually, His precious Blood splashing the sides of His altar, the Cross.
Every person is deserving of death for their personal sins, and for the sin-nature he is born into. God is so Holy, nothing that has any hint of sin is able to live with Him in Heaven. These people who brought the animal sacrifices could have their sins covered by the animal's blood so they could be forgiven, but they still couldn't go to Heaven when they died, they went to Sheol, the Place of the Dead.
Jesus described Sheol for us with His story about the Rich Man and Lazarus, with two distinct sides separated with an uncrossable gulf. Those who admitted they deserved death when they put their hand on the head of the sacrifice went to the Paradise side, but the rest had to go to the fire side.
Jesus told the "Good Thief" that He would be with him that day in Paradise, in Sheol. When Jesus died, while His body was buried in that cave, sealed with a stone, He was gathering all the forgiven people in Paradise to bring them to Heaven, since His precious Blood did not just cover, but actually washed away their sins.
As it takes away all of our sins today. When we agree with God that we deserve death, and figuratively lay our hand on His head as our Sacrifice, then His Blood cleanses us of all our sins and unrighteousness and makes us white as snow, white as wool, purified from anything and everything that would make us less than perfect, without spot or wrinkle. Suited and fit for life with God Himself, in His Heaven, even in the New Heaven and New Earth.
This has been His Plan from the beginning. And He is completing all the final touches of His design.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Thursday, August 31, 2017
I Cry Out
Psalm 57: 2, 3b
I cry out to God Most High (El Elyon), to God Who will fulfill His purpose for me ... My God will send forth His unfailing love and faithfulness.
O my Father, I pray for Your leading and guidance this coming week. Please strengthen me to put a guard on my mouth. Let my words be a healing balm, not a sharp sword. Give me Your thoughts and attitudes, Father, not my own.
May your will be accomplished in and through me this coming week, may Your plans succeed, not mine. Teach me to stay in Your presence, moment by moment; in Your strength, discernment, words, attitudes, thoughts, Your Truth.
Teach me integrity, that there be no discrepancy between my words and my actions, and what clearly stands before me in reality.
And may everything that transpires this coming week bring glory and honor to You, my God and my Lord.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
I cry out to God Most High (El Elyon), to God Who will fulfill His purpose for me ... My God will send forth His unfailing love and faithfulness.
O my Father, I pray for Your leading and guidance this coming week. Please strengthen me to put a guard on my mouth. Let my words be a healing balm, not a sharp sword. Give me Your thoughts and attitudes, Father, not my own.
May your will be accomplished in and through me this coming week, may Your plans succeed, not mine. Teach me to stay in Your presence, moment by moment; in Your strength, discernment, words, attitudes, thoughts, Your Truth.
Teach me integrity, that there be no discrepancy between my words and my actions, and what clearly stands before me in reality.
And may everything that transpires this coming week bring glory and honor to You, my God and my Lord.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Wednesday, August 30, 2017
The Lord Will Answer
Psalm 4: 3
You can be sure of this: The Lord set apart the godly for Himself. The Lord will answer when I call to Him.
Our Lord God wants to answer all our prayers. That's one reason why He gave us His Word, so we can know His ways and pray according to His will. He will always answer when we ask Him for what He wants to give us.
I cannot count all the prayers He has answered for me. Even when I've asked Him where a lost item is, a small bauble or a misplaced key or phone, or whatever, He has answered by leading me to look where it is. I believe He has even moved an item to where we could see it, to find it! He is just as attentive to our small details as He is to the great and grand events of our lives.
He is the God of the glorious and the mundane, the minuscule and and the overwhelming. He is Lord of all.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
You can be sure of this: The Lord set apart the godly for Himself. The Lord will answer when I call to Him.
Our Lord God wants to answer all our prayers. That's one reason why He gave us His Word, so we can know His ways and pray according to His will. He will always answer when we ask Him for what He wants to give us.
I cannot count all the prayers He has answered for me. Even when I've asked Him where a lost item is, a small bauble or a misplaced key or phone, or whatever, He has answered by leading me to look where it is. I believe He has even moved an item to where we could see it, to find it! He is just as attentive to our small details as He is to the great and grand events of our lives.
He is the God of the glorious and the mundane, the minuscule and and the overwhelming. He is Lord of all.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Tuesday, August 29, 2017
I Lift My Eyes
Psalm 123: 1-2
I lift my eyes to You, O God, enthroned in Heaven. We keep looking to the Lord our God for His mercy. ... As a slave girl watches her mistress for the slightest signal.
O my Father, my Lord and my God, I lift my eyes to You, I open my mind and heart to hear Your still, small voice amid the clamor of this World.
I thank You and I praise You for Your greatness, Your power and Your wisdom; for Your great mercy and grace to us, to me, and all the wonderful blessings You have poured out upon me.
I pray, Father, that You would hide me in the cleft of the Rock and cover me with Your hand, so that others would not see my flesh (don't let my flesh break out!), but would see You, and be drawn to You.
Receive all the credit, all the honor, and all the glory for everything You are doing, for only You deserve it all.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
I lift my eyes to You, O God, enthroned in Heaven. We keep looking to the Lord our God for His mercy. ... As a slave girl watches her mistress for the slightest signal.
O my Father, my Lord and my God, I lift my eyes to You, I open my mind and heart to hear Your still, small voice amid the clamor of this World.
I thank You and I praise You for Your greatness, Your power and Your wisdom; for Your great mercy and grace to us, to me, and all the wonderful blessings You have poured out upon me.
I pray, Father, that You would hide me in the cleft of the Rock and cover me with Your hand, so that others would not see my flesh (don't let my flesh break out!), but would see You, and be drawn to You.
Receive all the credit, all the honor, and all the glory for everything You are doing, for only You deserve it all.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Monday, August 28, 2017
Who Has Faith?
Luke 18: 8
. . . But when the Son of Man returns, how many will He find on the Earth who have faith?
This sounds like there won't be very many. Jesus also said, "The love of many will grow cold."
Matthew 24: 9-14
(See vs. 4-8 for the beginnings of the birth pains toward the New Earth.)
Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all Nations because of Me. At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved. And the Gospel of the Kingdom will be preached in the whole World as a testimony to all Nations, and then the end will come.
Christians in the Middle East are today being handed over to be persecuted, tortured and put to death. The Nation Israel is in a very precarious position politically, with her huge neighbors still proclaiming their desire to obliterate her from the face of the Earth.
I know in America, that many, maybe most, people who think that they are Christians have only a religion, not that vital relationship with God, and will not be able to stand. These are they that will fall away, betray, and hate God's people. And already many churches are preaching a different gospel, not the Good News that Jesus fulfilled that personal sacrifice that Leviticus records first, for each of us, paying in full our debt to God. These preachers are false prophets, and they are deceiving many, having large followings.
Only those with true faith in our true God, and Jesus our Lord and King, will be able to stand under and against the onslaught of the enemy at this time. And many of these will be martyred before the end, so there may be only a few left compared to the masses, when Jesus returns.
So the bad is getting worse, and the good is getting better, with the true Gospel of the Kingdom being preached over the whole World, in every Nation, among every tribe and family, and everyone will hear. So everyone will be accountable for either accepting or rejecting the Truth they will hear.
We all need to regard the gaining of Worldly goods and standing to be only temporary, and our souls and spirits which will last forever to be our focus, knowing that we will either suffer eternally in rejection of God's gracious Gift, or to enjoy His Light and His Love forever.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
. . . But when the Son of Man returns, how many will He find on the Earth who have faith?
This sounds like there won't be very many. Jesus also said, "The love of many will grow cold."
Matthew 24: 9-14
(See vs. 4-8 for the beginnings of the birth pains toward the New Earth.)
Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all Nations because of Me. At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved. And the Gospel of the Kingdom will be preached in the whole World as a testimony to all Nations, and then the end will come.
Christians in the Middle East are today being handed over to be persecuted, tortured and put to death. The Nation Israel is in a very precarious position politically, with her huge neighbors still proclaiming their desire to obliterate her from the face of the Earth.
I know in America, that many, maybe most, people who think that they are Christians have only a religion, not that vital relationship with God, and will not be able to stand. These are they that will fall away, betray, and hate God's people. And already many churches are preaching a different gospel, not the Good News that Jesus fulfilled that personal sacrifice that Leviticus records first, for each of us, paying in full our debt to God. These preachers are false prophets, and they are deceiving many, having large followings.
Only those with true faith in our true God, and Jesus our Lord and King, will be able to stand under and against the onslaught of the enemy at this time. And many of these will be martyred before the end, so there may be only a few left compared to the masses, when Jesus returns.
So the bad is getting worse, and the good is getting better, with the true Gospel of the Kingdom being preached over the whole World, in every Nation, among every tribe and family, and everyone will hear. So everyone will be accountable for either accepting or rejecting the Truth they will hear.
We all need to regard the gaining of Worldly goods and standing to be only temporary, and our souls and spirits which will last forever to be our focus, knowing that we will either suffer eternally in rejection of God's gracious Gift, or to enjoy His Light and His Love forever.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)