Who Shall Separate Us from Jesus - Part 540

We have become more than conquerers through Jesus that loves us. This is why believers in Jesus are fully persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth shall separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8)

Indeed, as a consequence of Jesus' blood shed on the cross, there is now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh but after His Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made us free from the law of sin and death. For what the ten commandments and law dictated in the Old Testament could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh could accomplish.

Jesus on the cross in order that the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us who walk not after the flesh but after His Spirit. Jesus. For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but for those that are after the Spirit, there is only Jesus. "And when they lifted their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only." (Matthew 17:8)

You see once we have asked Jesus into our hearts, we are no longer in the flesh. No longer subject to the worldly spirit of bondage that subjects us to the whims of men. Instead, He that searches our hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God. The one and only mediator between God and man -- Jesus. 

Therefore when we let Jesus into our lives,  we receive the Spirit of adoption whereby we cry, Abba, Father. We become the children of our mighty God and Saviour. 

Romans 8:18 states: "For I reckon that [even] the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us."

Therefore rejoice. Because we are in the Spirit and the Spirit of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ is within us. We are delivered from the corruption of this world into the glorious liberty as the children of God. Free. Saved by hope. Who shall separate us from the love of Jesus? Shall tribulation or distress or persecution or famine or nakedness or peril or sword? Not a chance.

Why? Because as it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long. We are counted as sheep for the slaughter and yet, in all these things we are more than conquerers through our God and Saviour that loves us.

For we know in whom we believe. And if the same Spirit of Him that raised Jesus from the dead dwells within us, He that raised up Christ from the dead will also quicken our mortal bodies by His spirit that dwelleth in us. All things work together for good to them that love God. Stand in the offering plate.

Nothing Too Precious for My Jesus - Part 539

The woman in Mark 14 understood who Jesus was. She was the woman who brought an alabaster box of ointment of spikenard -- an ointment considered very precious and expensive at the time -- and poured the oil over Jesus' head. In her mind, there was nothing too precious for Jesus. As we read in the previous post, here was Jesus our Lord and Saviour pouring out His soul unto death for us. Ready to die so that we might have life in His abundance. The cornerstone of our salvation. The Alpha and Omega. Our God and Saviour - the beginning and the end. Preparing to hang on a cross because He loved us even before the foundation of this world was formed.

But the woman knew this already. Even when those in the house of Simon became indignant, calling the use of the ointment a waste -- suggesting that it could have been sold for 300 pence and the money given to the poor --  this woman knew that Jesus was worth more than silver or gold. She knew that  Jesus - the Word that had became flesh to save us from sin -- was worthy of worship and praise.

Remember when Jesus came to Nazareth where He had been raised and went into the synagogue on the Sabbath Day? There He opened the book of the prophet Esaias and read the following: "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me because He hath annointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; He hath sent me to heal the broken hearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, to preach the acceptable year of the Lord." (Luke 4:18)

Well, when the woman poured the expensive oil over Jesus, the woman already recognized Jesus as her Lord and Saviour. She knew that only Jesus could free souls from the torment and toil that is inherent in life. That it is Jesus who heals the broken-hearted and sets the captives free. Indeed, the woman was already aware of the miracles of Jesus. That it was this same Jesus who had repeatedly recovered sight to the blind throughout the new testament. It was Jesus who set at liberty all those that were bruised.

In this chapter, here was a woman willing to give Jesus her everything - her all - because she knew He was enough. Unlike Peter who should have known better, this woman was not going to deny her Lord and Saviour. She knew in whom she believed. And she understood why.

Psalms 73:25 states, "Whom have I in Heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire but you." In other words, in this woman's view, even this expensive oil wasn't good enough for Jesus who knew our hearts and yet loved us even before the foundation of the world was formed.

Grace and abundance be yours through the knowledge of our God and Saviour Jesus Christ. Stand in the offering plate.

Jesus - His Life a Ransom for Us - Part 538

Jesus said unto the disciples, "This is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many. Verily I say unto you, I will drink no more of the fruit of the vine, until that day that I drink it new in the kingdom of God." As Jesus and His disciples headed into the mount of Olives, Jesus continued speaking to their hearts, "All ye shall be offended because of me this night, for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered. But after that I am risen, I will go before you into Galilee."

But Peter in Mark 14 is adamant that he will not be offended even though Jesus knew beforehand that Peter would deny Him in the hours ahead. At the same time as this conversation was taking place, Jesus knew that His false accusers lay in wait. This is why Jesus said, "I will destroy this temple that is made with hands and within three days I will build another made without hands."

Even when the chief priests, elders and scribes of the day were intent on killing Jesus to the point that they sought witnesses who would falsely testify against Him, Jesus knew that this cup -- His precious blood shed on the cross for our sin - was necessary. Still, even though the flesh was weak, the Spirit was truly ready. "Not what I will, but what thou wilt." (Mark 14:38)

The Lord God who created this world had become flesh so that He could shed His humanity for our sins. Shed His precious blood on the cross so that we -- you and I -- might have salvation. As Jesus had read earlier in the scriptures from the prophet Esaias, Jesus knew that even the tomb could not hold the King of kings and Lord of lords. Jesus was going to rise again -- in pure defiance of the devil of this world. Praise you Jesus! Give your life over to Jesus today! Discover why Jesus loves you so much. Stand in the offering plate.

The Marvel of Jesus - Part 537

Look among the nations, watch, and wonder marvelously; for God is working a work in your days, which you will not believe though it is told you. Therefore,"behold I will proceed to do a marvelous work among this people, even a marvelous work and a wonder; and the wisdom of their wise men will perish, and the understanding of their prudent men will be hidden." It is no wonder that the man in Mark 5:20 went on his way, proclaiming in Decapolis how Jesus had done great things for him. Indeed, he began to publish the great things Jesus had done for him.

Prior to the man's encounter with Jesus, he had been possessed with a devil. Life wasn't going so well. Tormented, the man's only hope was Jesus. And Jesus? He knew of the man's situation, And He had compassion on the man. "Go home to thy friends and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee." It is no wonder that the man published his encounter to everyone he met. Jesus - the King of kings and Lord of lords had set him free -- once and for all. And the people marvelled.

But this is only the beginning. John 5:20 states: "For the Father loveth the Son and showeth Him all things that Himself doeth; and He will show Him greater works than these, that ye may marvel." Greater works than these. Jesus said in John 7:21, "I have done one work and ye all marvel because of it." It is no wonder that Peter said unto the people, "You men of Israel, why do you marvel at this man? Why do you fasten your eyes on us, as though by our own power or godliness we had made him walk? (Acts 3:12)

This point is reiterated in the example in John chapter 9. It was the Sabbath Day. As Jesus passed by, He saw a man which was blind from birth. And His disciples asked saying, "Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind? Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents but that the works of God should be made manifest in him." Jesus then went on to say, "I must work the works of Him that sent me while it is day, the night cometh when no man can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world."

When Jesus had spoken, He spat on the ground and made clay of the spittle and He annointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay. And then Jesus said, "Go wash in the pool of Siloam (which is by interpretation Sent). The man went his way, washing and seeing his sight restored. The neighbours asked, "Is this not he that sat and begged?"

The neighbours asked the man, "How were thine eyes opened?" And the man said, "A man that is called Jesus made clay and annointed mine eyes and said unto me, Go to the pool of Siloam and wash; and I went and washed, and I received sight."

Then the neighbours brought the blind man to the Pharisees who also asked how the man had received his sight. "He put clay upon eyes and I washed and do see." Some of the Pharisees said that this man was not of God because He keepeth not the Sabbath Day. Others said, "How can a man that is a sinner do such miracles? And there was a division among them." (John 9:16)

They said unto the blind man again, "What sayest thou of Him that He hath opened thine eyes? He said, He is a prophet. But the Jews did not believe concerning him that he had been blind and received \his sight until they called the parent s of him that received his sight. And they asked them, saying, "Is this your son, who ye say was born blind? How then doth he now see."

The parents answered them. "We know that this is our son and that he was born blind; But by what means he now seeth we know not; or who hath opened his eyes, we know not; he is of age; ask him: he shall speak for himself."

The parents worded their response this way because they feared the Jews. This is because the Jews had already agreed that if any man did confess that he was teh Christ he should be put out of the synagogue. So the parents said, "He is of age, ask him" referring to their son.

So the Pharisees again asked the man that was blind, "Give God the praise, we know that this man is a sinner." But the maan answered and said, "Whether he be a sinner or no, I know not: one thing I know that whereas I ws blind now I see."

The Pharisees asked again, "What did Jesus do?" But the man answered them, "I have told you already and ye did not hear wherefore would ye hear it again? Will ye also be His disciples?" In other words, will you follow the Jesus who healed a blind man who begged. Will you understand why the man said, "Why herein is a marvellous thing that ye know not from whence he is and yet he hath opened mine eyes. Now we know tht God heareth not sinners but if any man be a worshipper of God and doeth His will him He heareth. Since the world began was it not heard that any man opened the eyes of one that was born blind. If this man were not of God, He could do nothing."

The Pharisees cast the man out. But Jesus, upon hearing the Pharisee's response found the man and asked him, "Dost thou believe on the Son of God?" And the man answered and said, "Who is the Lord that I might beleive on Him?" And Jesus said, "Thou hast both seen Him and it is He that talketh with thee."

I am He that has come. And the man worshipped Jesus. The man who was once blind could now see and He knew in whom to put his faith in. He had said to the leaders of the day, "Why herein is a marvellous thing, that ye know not from whence He is and yet He has opened mine eyes." (John 9:30)

Like Paul states in Acts 13:4: "Behold you despisers [scoffers], and wonder, and perish; for I work a work in your days; a work which ye shall in no wise believe. Ye shall in no wise believe though a man declare it unto you."

The blind man was telling the Pharisees that Jesus had performed a miracle but the scoffers were not listening. They were not marvelling at the miracle that Jesus performed. Even though here was Jesus - God Almighty - the Word in the flesh - giving His mercies and grace to the people in abundance, the Pharisees were not rejoicing. But the Gentiles listened and as a consequence, the multitudes kept on coming to see Jesus. Why? Because the people recognized that Jesus was the only way, the truth and the life. It is Jesus' mercies that makes us whole. It is Jesus who gives us peace. It is Jesus that sets us free.

The Alpha and Omega. The beginning and the end. The Saviour who even when He is passing by - as was the case with the examples above - knows our inner struggles. Focus on Jesus today. Ask Jesus what He has planned for your life. Because it is Jesus who knew you before the beginning of the world and yet loved us. Jesus alone is enough. Stand in the offering plate.


  

Rejoice in the Lord Jesus - Part 536

Jesus loves you! Once a person accepts Jesus into their heart, their life begins to change. This personal peace comes from recognizing -- without a doubt -- that the same God of the universe -- the God who holds the heavens in His hands, cares so much more about you and I. Now there is a message to take hold of for this day. A reason to rejoice cradled in Jesus' love. Cradled in His grace and His never ending mercy. Why? Because this is the day that the Lord hath made!


In Matthew chapter 9, we read about Jesus at dinner with "many publicans and sinners" who had come to see Him. When the Pharisees saw this, they asked the disciples, "Why eateth your Master with publicans and sinners?" These were the lost of the world in the Pharisee's eyes. The people who didn't rate within the social fabric of society. Men and women who had nothing good to offer -- sinners -- as the Pharisees referred to them. 

But when Jesus heard this, He said unto the Pharisees. "They that be whole need not a physician but they that are sick. Go ye and learn what that meaneth. I will have mercy and not sacrifice; for I am not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance." 

Think about this for a moment. The same God who created the universe -- the same God who created you and I and knew us even before we were formed in the womb -- wants to know us personally. And He told the naysayers, the elites, the Pharisees in this example -- who readily sit in judgement of the less fortunate - to go figure out what it means to be whole. Imagine the joy the sinners sitting with Jesus must have felt. Confident that "my Lord and my God" as Thomas said of Jesus, loved them too.

Take hold of Jesus today for He loves you - unconditionally - no strings attached. All one has to do is say "Jesus, come into my heart." Rejoice in the knowledge that the Master is dining at the table with you too. Stand in the offering plate.

Have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? Part 535

Jesus wept. The same Jesus who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, and crowned with glory and honour so that He -- by the grace of God -- should taste death for every man wept for you and I. (Hebrews 2:9) So that we might know His abundance. His love for you and I.

Indeed, freely He shed His precious blood so that we might be saved. Not by works of righteousness which we have done but according to His mercy He saved us -- by the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost which He shed abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour, that being justified by His grace, "we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life." (Titus 3:5-7)

"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves. It is the gift of God." (Ephesians 2:8-9) Not of works lest any man boast. 

For we are His workmanship created in Christ Jesus. "It is He who is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; having abolished in His flesh the enemy, even the law of commandments, contained in the ordinances, for to make in Himself of twain one new man, so making peace. That He might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enemy thereby. 

For through Him, we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners but fellow citizens with the saints and of the household of God. And are built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief corner stone, in whom all the building fitly framed together grows unto an holy temple in the Lord in whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit."

In other words, our salvation was already purchased by the blood of Jesus. It is finished. Trust Jesus today. Stand in the offering plate. 

Jesus - The Sweetest Name I Know - Part 534

Who am I Lord that you - the Lord of lords and King of kings - would even know my name? The Lord who holds the earth completely in His hands. The same Lord who calms the oceans. And heals the sick. In comparison to your greatness Lord, who are we that we would even be a consideration? Or anything more than a passing thought in the broader scheme of humanity? But you Lord? You are our Lord God who loved us so much that you became our Saviour. The Creator of the universe who had decided, even before the foundation of the world was formed that He would shed His humanity on the cross of Calvary for our sins. To reconcile you and I back to Him -- as creation was originally intended.

"In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God ... And the Word became flesh." (John 1:1-14) 

Yes Lord, you showed us your abundant love when you allowed your own humanity to die on the cross so that we might know your goodness Lord. Your abundance Lord. Your love that has not changed since the beginning of time. Even in the conversation with Jacob in the Old Testament, the Lord that created him said, "Fear not: for I have redeemed thee. I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine."

In Acts 4:10-12, the scriptures further state: "Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of  Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by Him doth this man stand here before you whole. This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved."

Jesus - the greatest name I know. This is why believers are confident in their salvation because "to us, there is but one God, the Father of whom are all things, and we in Him and one Lord Jesus Christ by whom are all things." Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No man comes to the Father but through me." 

This love story written especially for you and I is further elaborated upon in John 10:30-33. Therein, the Jews were attempting to stone Jesus. Jesus had said, "I and my Father are one." Then the Jews took up stones again to stone Him. Jesus answered them, "Many good works have I showed you from my Father; for which of those words do ye stone me?" The Jews answered Him saying, "For a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God."

This same Lord thy God, "which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage" stated as well according to Isaiah 43:2, "When thou passes through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee." 

Yes, it is Jesus who is the I AM."Before Abraham, I AM." The Lord thy God that divided the seas whose waves roared. It is for this reason that Paul in the New Testament was willing to go the distance to tell the world about His God and Saviour - Jesus. Paul knew in whom He served. He had seen firsthand the healing power of Jesus. People's lives restored.

In I Corinthians 9:18-20, for example, the scriptures state: "Verily that, when I preach the gospel, I make the gospel of Christ without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel. for though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant to all, that I might gain the more. And unto the Jews, I became as a Jew that I might gain the Jews to them that are under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law."

But Paul did not just preach to people unnecessarily bound by institutional religions serving under the Law. Paul also preached to the weak so that they might also know Jesus as their personal Lord and Saviour. Didn't Paul ask, "Am I not an apostle? Am I not free? Have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord?" 

Paul is saying to each and every one of us that the meaning of life is in Jesus. Our freedom is in Jesus. The lily of the valley -- Jesus! Therefore, rest in Him for He is the Good Shepherd who plants hope and everlasting peace in our hearts. Jesus is still on His throne today setting us free. Jesus the Christ, the same yesterday, today and forever. And the best part -- this King Jesus already knows your name. Ask Jesus into your heart today. Give "yourself" to Him. Stand in the offering plate.

Jesus' Mercy From Everlasting to Everlasting - Part 533

Our hope is in Jesus. Bless His holy name. It is Jesus who heals all thy diseases, who forgives all our iniquities, who redeems our life from destruction, who crowns us with loving kindness and tender mercies. Indeed, Jesus satisfies us with good things so that "thy youth is renewed like the eagle's." (Psalm 103) 

Jesus - the sweetest name under Heaven and the only name whereby we can be saved. He is the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. When Jesus became our Saviour, it was not to establish institutionalized formal religion on earth. Rather, Jesus shed His blood on Calvary so that we might know the God that controls the universe personally. The God who knew us before we were formed in the womb. Yes, He is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. In Him, are we reconciled to God. (II Corinthians 5:18-20)


Why? Because Jesus - our Lord and Saviour - loves us that much. So that we could walk hand in hand with the creator of the universe. The same God who loved us enough to allow His humanity to die on the cross. In Him alone do we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins. So many times religion wants to bind us up with their rules and regulations -- even though we are no longer under the law. The gift of salvation was already purchased through the shedding of blood on the cross. As a consequence, Jesus has set us free. 

"And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to Himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation. To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; but hath committed unto us the Word of reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God."


This is why in Luke 4:18 we read, "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because He hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor. He hath sent me to heal the broken hearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised." 

Colossians 1:27 states, "To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory." Immerse yourself in the contentment that God intended for men and women from the beginning. 

Rejoice in the Lord always. Stand in the offering plate.

Only Jesus Gives Beyond Measure- Part 532

"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; and before you came forth out of the womb I sanctified you, and I ordained you a prophet unto the nations." (Jeremiah 1:5) This is the God that loves us beyond measure. This is the magnificent God who has compassion on His people -- so much so that He would become flesh and dwell among us. And His name is Jesus.

In Mark chapter 7, we read about the miracles and healings that Jesus performed. He healed the woman whose daughter had an unclean spirit. When the mother returned home after encountering Jesus, there was her daughter laying on the bed - peaceful. No longer subject to demons. But the healing power of Jesus does not end there. 

Departing from the coasts of Tyre and Sidon, he came unto the sea of Galilee, through the midst of the coasts of Decapolis. And there, the people brought unto Him - Jesus - the sick and lame, the hurting, those that were deaf, and those with impediments in speech. All they asked was that Jesus - the Almighty God in the flesh - the Heavenly Father who created us and loved us enough - put His hand on the sick. You see, when it comes to the King of kings, just one touch from His hand was enough. The hand of the Master who loves us.

And when Jesus did touch those in need, as we learn from this one example of a deaf man, "straight way his ears were opened and the string of his tongue loosed." Jesus then charged him not to tell no man. But the more Jesus asked that the miracles He performed and in particular this healing not be told, the more this good news was published throughout the land. He touched me. Indeed, Jesus touched me and made me whole.

"And were 'beyond measure' astonished, saying, He has done all things well: He makes both the deaf to hear, and the dumb to speak." 

It is this same Jesus who brings us peace today. Sufficiency of grace for each and every one of us. An abundance for eternity so that we can walk with Him forever. Jesus never failed the people then and He is not going to fail us today. Ask Jesus into your heart. Stand in the offering plate!

Jesus is the Answer - Part 531

Jesus is the answer for your life today! Not only did He form us from the womb but He said "I will pour water upon [all those] that are thirsty." Thirsty for His Word. Yes, Jesus is pouring out His spirit upon us but He doesn't stop there. Matthew 5:6 - "Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after [His] righteousness; for they shall be filled." Indeed, they shall spring up as among the grass as willows by the water courses. In delight of the many blessings that Jesus has declared for those who love Him.

Did not Jesus say to His disciples privately? "Blessed are the eyes which see the things that ye see; For I tell you, that many prophets and kings have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them."

Remember the leper in Mark chapter one? Jesus had been preaching in the synagogues throughout Galilee  at the time, casting out devils. And there in the midst came a leper to Him, beseeching Him, and kneeling down to Him , and saying unto Him, "If thou wilt, thou canst make me clean." Did Jesus turn away? Not a chance. There was Jesus - the  creator of the universe, the King who uses earth as His footstool - the King of kings and Lord of hosts - moved with compassion. Moved by compassion for the leper.

And what did Jesus do? He put forth His hand and He touched him. In that moment, the leper knew that Jesus was making him clean. The leper was cleansed once and for all. Why? Because He recognized that without Jesus, there was no hope. It is this same Saviour with the power to forgive sins who was also saying to the sick, "Arise, and take up thy bed, and go thy way into thine house."

This is the God that we have faith in - the God who loves us so much that He would become flesh and have His humanity die on the cross for us. His name is Jesus. Everything that He has promised, He will do for you.

"What things so ye desire when ye pray, believe that ye receive them and ye shall have them." This is the Jesus we serve. How could we ever doubt a God whose hands hold the universe? Why would we ever question Jesus plan for our lives?  Because the reality is that there is no place where we can go that He - Jesus the Christ - would not already know the things that trouble us. The desires of our hearts. It is this Jesus in whom I trust. It is this Jesus who is faithful.

Our Redeemer who proclaims, "I am the first, and I am the last, and beside me there is no God ... Fear ye not, neither be afraid: have I not told thee from that time, and have declared it? Ye are even my witnesses. Is there a God beside me? yea, there is no God - I know not any." Therefore, take up your cross and follow Jesus. Stand in the offering plate!