Look to Jesus and Marvel - Part 581

In order to believe, we need to have faith. Why? Because as the Bible states, faith is the substance of things hoped for, and the evidence of things not seen. Without faith, it is impossible to please our Lord God and Saviour. For he or she that comes to Jesus must first believe that He is. That our Almighty King -- Jesus is the rewarder of all them that diligently seek Him.

Further, faith is a gift. It is in this context that Jesus has given to every one of us a measure of faith. Faith comes by hearing and the hearing by the Word. The Word -- Jesus. (I John 5:7) Faith is not something that we can conjure up in our minds. If it were, then faith would be akin to works. But the scriptures repeatedly state that faith is not of works but a gift. To obtain that gift, all we have to do is believe. Only believe. 

Don't be like the fool today who has said in his heart that there is no God. Look around - touch and see that the Almighty -- the same Almighty who created us in the beginning and then later as an act of love for His people shed His Holy Spirit blood on the cross for our transgressions --  is everywhere. Look at the flowers in the fields, the fruits on the trees and the harvest in the fields. 

Most of all, look to Jesus. He is the great I AM, the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. In the beginning God. In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God. Let the Word -- Jesus -- arise in your heart today. Hear His whisper saying, "Look to me all you people for I AM the Lord your God. Beside me there is no Saviour." Stand in the offering plate. 

There is Nothing Like Jesus - Part 580

Jesus is our stronghold. Jesus is our goodness and our fortress. Our high tower and deliverer in our time of need. Our shield of protection. In Jesus do we trust. "The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe." (Proverbs 18:10) His name is Jesus. There is no other name under heaven whereby we can be saved. 

In fact, if we compared Jesus to a tree planted by the waters -- an analogy often used in the Old Testament scriptures ... we can be assured that this tree would spread out its roots far and wide for us. This tree would not see when the heat would come hoping to destroy it or weaken its leaves. Because His focus would be on you and I -- calling us unto Himself, desiring that not one of us would be lost. Indeed, His leaf would remain forever green. The branches forever strong. For Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever. This tree would be forever strong, not needing to be careful in the year of drought because He -- Jesus -- would never cease to yield fruit for those who love Him.

This is why in Philippians 3:8, Paul states, "I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, counting them as rubbish that I may win Christ." Paul was not just speaking here of personal wealth but rather, that all the gold and silver combined with the wealth of this world could not even begin to measure the abundance of treasure that he had found in Jesus. 

Nothing compares to the love of Jesus. The only wise God our Saviour be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and forever. 

Jesus -- whose divine power has given us everything we need. And godliness through our knowledge of Jesus who called us by His own glory and goodness. Who willingly took our place on the cross so that our sins could be forgiven. Who loved us so much that He would shed His precious blood on the cross so that we might know Him personally.

Even though we don't deserve His grace, Jesus pours it upon those who love Him -- like a waterfall in the desert. Like a river that never stops flowing. Ask Jesus into your life today. Read the scriptures and discover His mercy. Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of our Lord God and Saviour Jesus Christ. (II Peter 1:2) Stand in the offering plate.

Jesus Promises Declared - Part 579

James wrote to "count it all joy" because the "trying of your faith worketh patience." But the promises do not end there. Indeed, in James 1:1-12, there are eight promises listed for those who love Jesus. Those individuals who desire Jesus and ask in faith, nothing wavering.

"Let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect, and entire, wanting nothing. If any of you lack wisdom, let him [or her] ask of God that giveth to all men liberally and upbraideth not, and it shall be given him." (James 1:4)

Further, let the brother of low degree rejoice in that he is exalted. For blessed is the man that endureth temptation, for when he is tried, he shall receive the "crown of life" which our Lord God and Saviour Jesus has promised to them that love Him.

Joy, patience, wisdom, crown of life, wanting nothing, wisdom, complete (entire), and that "ye may be perfect." And these are only the blessings that James writes about in the scriptures. Remember Jesus' teachings about the sparrow?

In Matthew 6:26, "Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?"

Or, in Matthew 10:29, "Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father knowing."

Or, in Luke 12:6, "Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God."

Yes, the same God who holds the universe in the palm of His hands loved us so much that He Himself would become flesh and shed His precious Holy blood on the cross so that we might have His salvation. Jesus declared I AM and He has not changed. Jesus is the same today. He loves us and wants to open the storehouses for those of us who love and desire Him. Ask Jesus into your life today. Stand in the offering plate.

What Must We Do - Part 578

Imagine the scene. Here were 3,000 people in an upper room, hearing about the Lord God and Saviour Jesus Christ. And they were pricked in their hearts. They wanted to know more about this Lord and Christ whom they had crucified. The same Almighty God who created man and woman in the beginning in Genesis and yet loved them so much that He would become flesh -- as one of us -- and shed His precious Holy Spirit blood on the cross for their salvation. The same Lord and Christ who was going to make their foes thy footstool.

Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down His life for His friends. (John 15:13)

Therefore let all the house know assuredly that God hath made that same Jesus whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ. (Acts 2:36) He is the King of kings and Lord of lords. It was He who made a way so that we might be saved when there was no way. Jesus - the only mediator between God and man. Jesus -- who hung in the balance of heaven and earth so that our sins could be forever forgiven.

When these people heard this, they asked the disciples what they should do. Then Peter, standing with the other disciples said unto them, Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sin and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you and to your children and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.

Then they that gladly received the Word were baptized. And the same day there were added unto them about 3.000 souls who continued steadfastly in the apostles doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread and in prayers. Hitherto, ye have asked nothing in my name: ask and ye shall receive that your joy may be full. (John 16:24)

In other words, these people were rejoicing. Jesus said, these things have I spoken unto you, that in Me, ye might have peace. In the world, ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

Ask Jesus into your life today. Take comfort in His peace and love that passeth all understanding. Be of good cheer, believing God that it shall be even as it was told in the upper room. Stand in the offering plate.

We Who Dwelleth in the Secret Place - Part 577

He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. Not only will He be my refuge but my fortress too. My Lord God and Saviour -- in Him will I trust -- completely because Jesus never fails. If one needs an analogy to explain how good our Lord Jesus is, keep on reading. 

He delivers me from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence. It is He that covers me with His feathers, and under His wings shall I trust. His truth is my shield. I will not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day. Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday. 

^{In the secret place of the most High, I can trust that a} thousand shall fall at my side, and ten thousand at my right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee. Why? Because I have made the Lord Jesus, who is my refuge, even the most High, my habitation. I have asked Jesus to come into my heart. Indeed, Jesus is my everything. There is nothing that I can do, nor is there any place that I can go that Jesus doesn't already know my needs.

And, as a consequence, no evil shall befall me. Neither shall any plague come near thy dwelling. For He has given his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone. Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet.

Because He -- our Lord God and Saviour -- the Most High -- hath set His precious love upon me. Psalms 91 states: "Therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name. He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.With long life will I satisfy him, and show him my salvation."

Take time today to dwell in the secret place of Jesus. Be renewed in His strength and peace that passes all understanding. Stand in the offering plate. 

Looking for the River in Jesus- Part 576

I thank my Lord God and Saviour Jesus the Christ upon every remembrance of you, and in every prayer of mine for you all, making request with joy. For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this very thing, that He which hath began a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.

Colossians chapter one elaborates on this point. Reading chapter one, the scriptures state: "For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the Word of the truth of the gospel; which is come unto you as it is in all the world and brings forth fruit, as it doth also in you, since the day ye heard it, and knew the grace of God in truth."

For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding. That you might walk worthy in the Lord Jesus, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of Him, strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power unto all patience and long suffering with joyfulness.

Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light, who hath delivered us from the power of darkness and hath translated us into the kingdom of His dearest beloved Son, in whom we have redemption through His blood, even the forgiveness of sin, who is the image of the invisible God, the first born of every creature.

Press in toward Jesus today. Stand in the offering plate.

The Power of Jesus Prevails - Part 575

Our hope, as we press forward unto the goal, is that Jesus will be magnified in our hearts and soul. In Philippians, Paul invites believers to understand the numerous blessings that Jesus has in store for those who love and desire Him. He encouraged us to "Shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the Word of life."

Further, Paul writes in Philippians, "do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." Why? Because the peace of our Lord God and Saviour Jesus the Christ which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds.

In fact Jesus will make your joy complete. (Philippians 2:2)

But not every one desires the grace and freedom that Jesus wants to bestow upon us. Some prefer to remain under the law -- in bondage to men's rules and traditions -- rather than seeking Jesus who by His blood has purchased our sins once and for all.

For example, in Mark 7, the Pharisees and some of the teachers of the law who had come from Jerusalem criticized Jesus' disciples. Indeed, seeing some of His disciples eating food with hands that were unclean, that is unwashed, the Pharisees and teachers criticized them.

The reason for this is that the Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they give their hands a ceremonial washing, holding to the tradition of the elders. When they came from the marketplace, they do not eat unless they wash. And they observe many other traditions too, such as the washing of cups, pitchers, and kettles.

So the Pharisees and teachers of the law ask Jesus, "Why don't your disciples live according to the tradition of the elders instead of eating their food with unclean hands?" He replied, "Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you hypocrites; as it is written, "These people honour me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain, their teachings are but rules taught by men."

Jesus told them, "You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to the tradition of men." And He said unto them, "You have a fine way of setting aside the commands of God in order to observe your own traditions. For Moses said, "Honour your father and your mother. Anyone who curses his father or mother must be put to death. But you say that if a man says to his father or mother: "Whatever help you might otherwise have received from me is Corban (that is a gift devoted to God) then you no longer let him do anything for his father or mother. Thus, you nullify the Word of God by your tradition that you have handed down. And you do many things like that."

Then Jesus called the crowd to Him and said, "Listen to me everyone, and understand this. Nothing outside a man can make him unclean by going into him. Rather, it is what comes out of a man that makes him unclean."

Think about this. Nothing that enters a man from the outside can make that man unclean. Because what enters from the outside doesn't go into his heart but into his stomach and then out of his body. In other words, in this specific example, Jesus was declaring all foods clean. His concern however as He elaborated later to the disciples is that the unclean comes from the inside. In other words, what comes out of a man's mouth is the unclean because what comes forth from the mouth is what men hold dear in their hearts. The innermost thoughts and desires of men and women -- these constitute sin if we choose not to desire Jesus.

This is why we press on toward the goal, that we may be found in Jesus, not having our own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is obtained through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith, that we might know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings.

Therefore, like Paul, press on and take hold of His promises for which Christ Jesus took hold of for you and I. Forget what is behind. Crave what lies ahead. Desire Jesus and stand firm in His Word. Stand in the offering plate.

Be Free in Jesus -- Part 574

Hereunto were ye called because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow in His steps -- the one who did no sin. His own self bare our sins in His own body on the tree that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness. By whose stripes we were healed. Jesus -- who when we were as sheep going astray made a way so that we could return unto the Shepherd and Bishop of our souls. (I Peter 2:21-25)

The scriptures state that we all -- like sheep -- have gone astray. Indeed, all -- each and every one of us -- have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. As a consequence, we have turned to our own ways and thus, turned away from our Lord and Saviour Jesus the Christ.

Nevertheless, the good news is that God -- the same God who created men and women in the beginning loved you and I so much that He wasn't going to leave His creation destitute. Without hope. Without an opportunity to experience the ultimate peace in our hearts that surpasses all understanding. The Bible specifically states "neither will He leave us comfortless."

In fact, God designed a plan of salvation for you and I before the foundations of the world were shaped. He made a way for us to be reconciled to Him before we were even formed in our mother's wombs.

That is, the Word that was in the beginning, the Word that was with God and the Word that was God according to John 1:1-14, became flesh and dwelt among us. Why? So that all of our iniquities and transgressions could be laid upon Him once and for all. Our multitude of sins and countless burdens laid upon Jesus the day He was nailed to the cross. Jesus -- the King of kings and Lord of lords -- who was delivered for our offences was raised again for our justification.

"Before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, having predestined us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace wherein He hath made us accepted in the beloved, in who we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace, wherein He hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence, having made known unto us the mystery of His will according to His good pleasure which He hath purposed in Himself, that in the dispensation of the fullness of times, He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth; even in Him.

In whom we have obtained an inheritance.

This promise of salvation was not to Abraham, or to his seed through the law. Salvation could only be obtained through the righteousness of faith. For if they which are of the law be heirs, faith is made void and the promise made of none effect. Why? Because the law works wrath. Rules that we cannot possibly live up to brings strife and disappointment.

But God knew that where no law exists, there can be no transgression. No guilt that we are not performing enough. How can we know?

Because Jesus paid the price of our salvation once and for all. The precious blood of Jesus was shed so that we could be planted together with Jesus. Planted in the likeness of His death so that we would also be in the likeness of His resurrection, knowing this, that our old man is crucified with Him that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin.

Free from sin by the grace of Jesus who died unto sin once so that we could no longer be under the law but under grace. Being made free from sin, willingly becoming the servants of righteousness.

Therefore, salvation is by faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law but to that also which is of the faith. And being fully persuaded that what God has promised, He is able to perform. Jesus -- the great I AM -- is the same yesterday, today and forever. Stand in the offering plate.

For Ye Shall Go With Joy - Part 573

Let my teaching fall like rain and my words descend like dew. like showers on new grass, like abundant rain on tender plants. (Deuteronomy 32:2) "For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returns not thither but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth the bud, that it may give seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my Word be that goeth forth out of my mouth; it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I have sent it. For ye shall go out with joy and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands." (Isaiah 55:10-12) Why would all the trees of the field clap their hands? As it is written, "God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work." Indeed, He that hath dispersed abroad; He hath given to the poor. It is His grace and righteousness that remains forever. Now He that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food and multiply your seed sown and increase the fruits of your righteousness: being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God.  For the administration of this service not only supplies the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God, while by the experiment of this ministration, they glorify God for your professed subjection unto the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal distribution unto them. and unto all men, and by their prayer for you, which long after you for exceeding grace of God in you. Thanks be unto our Lord God and Saviour Jesus for His unspeakable gift. Stand in the offering plate.

Jesus Breathes Life Into Us - Part 572

Jesus is the only way. He is the truth. And yes, Jesus is the giver of life eternal. Only Jesus can give you rest that surpasses all understanding.

It is no wonder that under the old covenant, the prophets were continually endeavouring to confirm a date for when the Spirit of Christ - God’s spiritual humanity - would deliver His plan of salvation to the world. Certainly, numerous prophecies in the Old Testament pointed to Jesus becoming the Lamb slain for the world.  

Up until this point in time, God had, using various signs and manners, spoken to our forefathers to convey this message.  Today, in this last dispensation of time, the Spirit of God has spoken to us through our Lord God and Saviour Jesus. The period of time when God who is Spirit stepped forth out of Himself in fashion as a visible spiritual Son so that we might be redeemed unto His power and grace.

But admittedly salvation came at a cost. Indeed, Christ -- the humanity of God -- the Alpha and Omega (the beginning and the end) suffered significantly on the cross. Still, Jesus shed His precious blood so that we -- you and I -- could experience His glory -- the outpouring of God’s Spirit -- which was destined to follow after the crucifixion of God's sinless body -- the Christ. And from the cross, Jesus prayed, "Forgive them Father, for they know not what they do."

This promise that is for you and your children and all those that are afar off explains why no man knows the mind of the Lord. That no one has been His counsellor.  Therefore, whatever the Spirit of God determines shall surely come to pass. In this context, God is constantly revealing Himself like a scroll, being rolled out gradually down through the ages like a play with many scenes unfolding. God alone orchestrates His hidden plan. 

And thus, it is this God who is Spirit -- that decided (when counselling with Himself) that He was going to create a visible world, a world in creation that will in visible created form be an exact visible image of the invisible world. Similarly, it was this same God who was Spirit that came forth of Himself in visible form as a Son. The beginning of the creation of God being that God the invisible would reveal Himself in a created form. 

This same God then created men and women as earthly images of that form, into which God breathed so that we could become living souls that would rejoice in His Word -- His love -- His peace that passes all understanding. This is why we can never be disappointed when we ask Jesus into our life today. Stand in the offering plate.