Blessed Is The Man That Endures Temptation For When he Is Tried, he Shall Receive the Crown of Life, Which The Lord Hath Promised To Them That Love Him - Part 1816

"My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; knowing this, that the trying of your faith works patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that gives to all men liberally, and upbraided not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. " (James 1:1-6)

As believers in the Lord Jesus the Christ by faith, having been enlightened by the truth of the gospel and His Word, we should no longer desire the whims of this world, because the Lord Jesus has become in our hearts our all in all. He is the Alpha and Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the ending. the King of kings and Lord of lords. 

Indeed, in this current dispensation of grace (the time in which we live) God has given us His Name -- the Name of JESUS, for He shall save us from our sins. Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited His people. (Luke 1:78) He was in the world and the world was made by Him and the world knew Him not. He came unto His own and His own received Him not. (John 1:10-11; I Timothy 3:16; Isaiah 9:6)

Mary, the mother of Jesus, heartily rejoiced in God her Saviour. "And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. For He hath regarded the low estate of His handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. For He that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is His Name." (Luke 1:47-49)

Indeed, holy is His Name! The precious Name of the Lord Jesus. The ONLY Name whereby we must be saved in this dispensation of grace. (Acts 4:12) The Name which was given to us for this time in which we live -- which is above every other other Name, including those names assigned to and by God Almighty in times past. (Philippians 2:9) 

How do we know? Because the angel of the Lord declared, "and ye shall call His Name JESUS for He shall save His people from their sins ... Emmanuel, which being interpreted, God with us!" (Matthew 1:21-23)

But the world does not like the Name of JESUS, except as a name to curse. And, as Jesus instructed -- we can expect to be separated from those in the world because the world hated Him first. Nevertheless, we know from whence comes our salvation, and in whom we trust. And when we love Him -- our Lord God and Saviour Jesus the Christ with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, He dwells within as the Comforter -- the resurrected Spirit of our Lord Jesus -- the Holy Ghost, leading and guiding us into all truth. (John 14:26; John 15:26; Acts 1:2-3; II John 1:9; I Timothy 3:16; Isaiah 9:6; Titus 2:13; Titus 3:4-7)

He is the King of kings and Lord of lords. (Revelation 1, 8, 11)

However, conversely, as the scriptures also declare, "... he that wavers is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. A double minded man is unstable in all his ways. Let the brother of low degree rejoice in that he is exalted: but the rich, in that he is made low: because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away. For the sun is no sooner risen with a burning heat, but it withers the grass, and the flower thereof fall, and the grace of the fashion of it perishes: so also shall the rich man fade away in his ways." (James 1:8-11)

But the promise to them that believe -- "Blessed is the man that endures temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love Him." (James 1:12)

Therefore, let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempts He any man: but every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it brings forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, brings forth death. But our hope is in the Lord God who has already paid the price for our sins and transgressions. He paid the ultimate price with His shed blood on a cross, beaten and whipped, and wearing a crown of thorns, so that we might have abundant life in Him.

Thus, "do not err, my beloved brethren. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. Of His own will begat He us with the Word of truth, that we should be a kind of first fruits of His creatures. Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: for the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God. Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted Word, which is able to save your souls.

Be ye doers of the Word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves, for if any be a hearer of the Word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: for he beholds himself, and goes his way, and straightway forgets what manner of man he was. But whoso looks into the perfect law of liberty, and continues therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.

And just in case there are some of you who believe Jesus is akin to organized man-made religion / traditions of men, James writes -- "If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridles not his tongue, but deceives his own heart, this man's religion is vain [for] pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this -- To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world." (James 1:13-27)

Stand in the offering plate.

Who Hath Believed Our Report? And To Whom Is The Arm Of The LORD Revealed? Part 1815

"Bel boweth down, Nebo stoopeth, their idols were upon the beasts, and upon the cattle: your carriages were heavy loaden; they are a burden to the weary beast. They stoop, they bow down together; they could not deliver the burden, but themselves are gone into captivity. Hearken unto Me, O house of Jacob, and all the remnant of the house of Israel, which are borne by Me from the belly, which are carried from the womb: And even to your old age I am He; and even to hoar hairs will I carry you: I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and will deliver you." (Isaiah 46:1-4)

Herein, the Lord God Almighty is speaking through the prophet Isaiah, warning of times such as these, when we behold everything and anything rather than the Word of the Lord. So what does the Lord say, that would encourage us to understand that He has a higher purpose for His people?

"To whom will ye liken Me, and make Me equal, and compare Me, that we may be like?" (Isaiah 46:5)

There is no hand carved idol which can take away our sin. There is no prophet from afore that could become the perfect sacrifice. And those pieces of gold and silver -- all worldly constructs -- cannot fill us with the peace and joy that can only come from worshipping our Lord God and Saviour Jesus the Christ. And yet, sadly, we in the world, continue to chase the things of earth and the wisdom of this world over the marvellous handiwork of our Lord God. And, as Isaiah points out, we are missing the calling and purpose that He placed in our heart whilst we were still in our mother's womb. 

Isaiah scribed our dilemma this way -- "They lavish gold out of the bag, and weigh silver in the balance, and hire a goldsmith; and he maketh it a god: they fall down, yea, they worship.They bear him upon the shoulder, they carry him, and set him in his place, and he standeth; from his place shall he not remove: yea, one shall cry unto him, yet can he not answer, nor save him out of his trouble. Remember this, and shew yourselves men: bring it again to mind, O ye transgressors.

Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like Me, declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, "My counsel shall stand, and I will do all My pleasure: calling a ravenous bird from the east, the man that executes My counsel from a far country: yea, I have spoken [it], I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed I[t], I will also do it.

Hearken unto Me, ye stouthearted, that are far from righteousness: I bring near My righteousness; it shall not be far off, and My salvation shall not tarry: and I will place salvation in Zion for Israel My glory." (Isaiah 46:6-13)

We are called to hearken unto the Lord God and to obtain our instruction from Him -- the very same Him who loved you and I enough to become our Saviour. Oh, how we miss out on life when we fail to heed His voice in all things. Nevertheless, those who love Him will -- as the scripture declares -- in all things -- both word and deed, do all in the precious Name of JESUS. 

As an aside, we know the world is changing quickly. In fact, all creation is groaning at man's excessive indulgences, and now (as should we also) be awaiting the appearance of our Lord God and Saviour Jesus the Christ. 

Hosea said, "My people perish for lack of knowledge!" (Hosea 4:6) And while the self-proclaiming authorities in the world attempt to keep us in bondage and captivity, there is still One Lord God and Saviour Jesus the Christ who wants us to stand fast in His liberty. (Galatians 5:1) To understand that the love of God surpasses anything that this earthly journey can provide. But we need to come to Him -- the Lord Jesus -- and ask Him to be both Lord and Christ in our hearts.

Time is short. Even so, if we (His beloved) would only turn to Him -- the same God who willingly allowed His humanity to hang on that cross so that we might have life in Him -- how quickly could things turn around. 

Because "every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. Of His own will begat He us with the Word of truth, that we should be a kind of first fruits of His creatures ..." (James 1:17-18)

If you currently do not know the Lord Jesus as your personal Saviour, today is the day of salvation. Ask Him to be both Lord and Christ in your heart. Be water baptized in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ and receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. (Acts 2:36-41) Find a New Testament Bible and begin reading (preferably a King James version, or a similar New Testament that has not been revised and/or rewritten). Study His Word to show thyself approved unto God so that you too can rightly discern His Word, and the signs of the times.

And know that when the Lord gave His right arm, He did so in order that we might have eternal life in Him. The mystery that was held in the bosom of the Father from the beginning of the world. God manifest in the flesh. (I Timothy 3:16) He was in the world and the world was made by Him and the world knew Him not. He came unto His own and His own received Him not. (John 1:10-11) After the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared ... (Titus 3:4-7)

Stand in the offering plate.

Surely Goodness And Mercy Shall Follow Me All The Days Of My Life Because Of Our Lord God And Saviour Jesus the Christ -- Post 1814

"Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: Thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over." (Psalm 23:5)

Isn't this a beautiful promise? That when we focus on our Lord God and Saviour Jesus the Christ, our cups can runneth over. Indeed, this promise of joy and peace in our hearts is to all believers and their families and to all them that might still be afar off -- if we would only commit our lives and hearts to our wonderful Lord Jesus -- our Lord and Saviour who created this world and all that is within it -- and yet loved us enough to have His humanity die on the cross for our sin.

And this day, He wants our cup -- the cup that is indicative of our lives -- to runneth over with joy. Not just far off in the future, but now, in our daily journey here on earth too. Why? Because as the scriptures point out, "Surely He hath borne our griefs and carried our sorrows. He was wounded for our transgressions. He was bruised for our iniquities. The chastisement of our peace was upon Him and yet with His stripes we are healed." (Isaiah 53:4-5)

The same God who holds the universe in its rightful place is holding us tight in His arms. Cuddling us in the hope that we will see His magnificence in everything around us. The brilliant, ever-changing wonders in the heavens, hand painted for His beloved creation to behold. And to know that this same God who also knows our innermost thoughts of our hearts desires to make us whole -- and complete -- in His abundance.

In the book of Job, there is an interesting passage about wisdom that states:

"There is a path which no foul knows, and which the vulture's eye hath not seen. The lion's whelps have not trodden it nor the fierce lion passed by it. He puts forth His hand upon the rock. He overturns the mountains by the roots. He cuts out rivers among the rocks and His eye sees every precious thing. He binds the floods from overflowing; and the thing that is hid brings He forth to light. But where shall wisdom be found? And where is the place of understanding? Man knows not the price thereof, neither is it found in the land of the living.

The depth saith, "It is not in me and the sea saith, It is not with me." It cannot be gotten for gold, either shall silver be weighed for the price thereof. It cannot be valued with all the gold of Ophir, with the precious onyx or the sapphire. The gold and the crystal cannot equal it and the exchange of it shall not be for jewels of fine gold. No mention shall be made of coral, or of pearls; for the price of wisdom is above rubies. (Job 28:2-18)

You see, Job saw the inherent value in knowing God intimately. In worshipping Him without hesitation. And consequently, in every breath how to praise God for His goodness, and kindness, and mercy. In fact, Job knew from personal experience from whence wisdom comes and the source from where exists this place of understanding. And he wasn't trading his God for anything this world could offer. Job wasn't alone.

We see the same understanding in David -- a man after God's own heart. For example, in Psalms 23 David wrote, "Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever."

John too when he wrote in I John 3, "Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us that we -- [the who-so-evers who believe in Jesus] -- should be called the sons of God."

Indeed, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us that He would consider taking on a body -- God manifested to take away our sins -- our Creator who knew no sin -- so that we that abide in Him can pass from death unto life. Hereby perceive the love of God because He laid down His life for us. (I John 3:16)

This is the promise that we hold dear to our hearts. And this promise is forever.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life -- the word 'surely' defined in the dictionary as firmly, without missing, undoubtedly, assuredly, certainly, without fail and yes, indeed.

This is the Jesus in whom we worship. He is the way, the truth and the life. The same yesterday, today and forever. The Great I AM. The Prince of peace. The King of kings and Lord of lords. Alpha and Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the ending.

Don't let another day go by without the comfort of Jesus in your soul. Stand in the offering plate.

The Wisdom That Is From Above Is First Pure, Then Peaceable, Gentle, And Easy To Be Intreated, Full Of Mercy And Good Fruits, Without Partiality And Without Hypocrisy, And The Fruit of Righteousness Is Sown In Peace Of Them That Make Peace - Part 1813

"And being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross." (Philippians 4:8)
Likewise, we as believers in Jesus by faith are to humble ourselves "in the sight of the Lord, and He shall lift you up. Speak not evil one of another, brethren ... " (James 4:10-11)

The Bible speaks about humbling ourselves before the Lord ... and He shall lift you up. In a later revision of the Bible, this same scripture states: 'Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord and He will exalt you" (James 4:10)

And therefore, in so doing, be blessed not in and of yourself but be blessed because you have humbled yourself before our Lord God and Saviour Jesus the Christ -- in His presence -- in the "presence of the Lord."

Yes, the message is to humble ourself before God Almighty who loved us so much that He would become flesh and shed His precious holy blood on a cross for you and I. This good news salvation message has not changed throughout time. In the Old Testament God said, "If My people who are called by My Name shall humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and forgive their sin ... " (2 Chronicles 7:14)

In the New Testament, citing from the parable found in Luke 18:9-14, Jesus refers to those who think themselves righteous, treating others with contempt. In fact, Jesus shares about the two men who went up into the temple to pray. One was a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself prays unto God saying: "God I thank you that I am not like other men - extortioners, unjust, adulterers or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and I pay tithes."

In contrast, the tax collector, standing off in the distance could not even lift his eyes to heaven. Instead he beat his breast saying, "God be merciful to me a sinner."

This parable speaks to the state of one's heart, and how it is the heart that God sees in us. And we know this because the Lord is very compassionate and of tender mercy. (James 5:11; Psalm 94:12; James 1:21-22)

In fact, every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning, of His own will begat He us with the Word of truth, that we should be a kind of first fruits of His creatures. Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath, for the wrath of man works not the righteousness of God. Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity [abundance] of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted [implanted] Word, which is able to save your souls. (James 1:17-21)

And in so doing, be ye doers of the Word, and not hearers only.

Thus, why do we need to be humble? Because as the scriptures repeatedly state, "For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God." (Romans 3:23) Not one of us has achieved salvation through our own works or deeds. But the good news is that we are His workmanship -- created in Christ Jesus for good works -- which God prepared beforehand that we should walk with Him. (Ephesians 2:10)

And thus, we being justified freely by His grace, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, can enter into His Kingdom, wherein we personally know the King of kings and Lord of lords. We can be assured of our salvation wherein we have been saved according to His great mercy. It is He who has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled and unfading kept in heaven for you, who by God`s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

Jesus said "truly I say unto you that unless you turn and become like children you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 18:3-4)

Therefore, while there is still time, and as Jesus said, "Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me for I am gentle and lowly in heart and you will find rest for your souls." (Matthew 11:29)

Trust Jesus as your Lord God and Saviour today. Ask Jesus for His will to be fulfilled in your life. You will never be disappointed!

Stand in His offering plate.

Thus Saith The Lord God; "Behold, I Set Before You The Way Of Life - Part 1812

"For when God made promise to Abraham, because He could swear by no greater, He share by Himself, saying, "Surely blessing, I will bless thee, and multiplying, I will multiply thee."

And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise. For men verily swear by the greater; and an oath for confirmation is to them an end of all strife. Wherein God, willing more abundantly to show unto the heirs of promise the immutability of His counsel, confirmed it by an oath, that by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us: which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters into that within the veil; whither the forerunner is for us entered, [even] Jesus made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec ..." (Hebrews 6:13-20)

When we think of Abraham, we know that by faith he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. By faith, he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise. For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.

Further, through faith also, Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised. Therefore, sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable, these all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced [them], and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For they that say such things, declare plainly that they seek a country, and truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned.

But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore, God is not ashamed, to be called their God; for He hath prepared for them a city." (Hebrews 11:8-16; Revelation 21:21)

Thus, we can say that our head office, the Head of the body of Christ church is in heaven. Our Lord God and Saviour, who after His kindness and love toward man appeared, having robed Himself in sin prone flesh (and yet without sin), so that we might experience a relationship with Him. (Titus 3:4-7)

And by faith, Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had receive the promises offered up his only begotten [son] -- of whom it was said, "That in Isaac shall Thy seed by called; accounting that God was able to receive [Him] up, even from the dead: from whence also He received Him in a figure." (Hebrews 11:17-19)

James also elaborates on Abraham -- in the context of faith -- stating, "Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, "Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto Him for righteousness, and he was called the Friend of God." (James 2:21-24; Genesis 22:9-18; Hebrews 11:17; John 8:39; Genesis 15:6; II Chronicles 20:7)

Still, it is in the book of Romans that we begin to understand the significance of Abraham more fully, in that we can now conclude that a man is justified by faith (in this current dispensation of grace) without the deeds of the law. That we are now justified through our belief in Jesus, justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is only found in Christ Jesus ... "whom God hath set forth [to be] a propitiation through faith in His blood, to declare His righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God. To declare, [I say] at this time, His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of him which believes in Jesus." (Romans 3:24-31)

The righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets, even the righteousness of God [which is] by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe ..." (Romans 3:21-22)

But I digress somewhat. In Romans 4, the question is asked, "What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found?" For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath [whereof] to glory; but not before God. For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God and it was counted unto him for righteousness. Now to him that worth is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. But to him the works not, but believes on Him that justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness." (Romans 4:1-17)

It is herein that we begin to understand the faith of Abraham, which he had being yet uncircumcised, for the promise, that he should be the heir of the world was not to Abraham, or to his seed through the law, but 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. Because the law worketh wrath; for where no law is, there is no transgression.

Therefore, is is of 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 of Abraham; who is the father of us all.

(As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations0 before Him whom he believed, [even] God, who quickens the dead and calls those things which be not as though they were, who against hope believed in hope, that He might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken -- "So shall thy seed be." And being not weak in faith, he considered his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sarah's womb: he staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; and being fully persuaded, that, what He had promised, He was able to perform, and therefore, it was imputed to him for righteousness." (Romans 4:1-23; Romans 15:4; Genesis 15:6; Hebrews 11:11, 19; Genesis 17:17; Genesis 15:5; Romans 8:11; Romans 9:26; Romans 3:23-24; Galatians 3:18-22; Isaiah 51:2; Genesis 21:12; Genesis 27:26-40; Genesis 48:1, 5, 16, 20; Genesis 50:24-25; Romans 11:29; Colossians 1:5; Hebrews 4:14; Hebrews 3:1; Hebrews 5:10-1)

Note that this was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him, but for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, IF WE BELIEVE ON HIM THAT RAISED UP JESUS OUR LORD FROM THE DEAD, WHO WAS DELIVERED FOR OUR OFFENCES AND WAS RAISED AGAIN FOR OUR JUSTIFICATION. (Romans 4:23-25; Romans 15:4; Acts 2:24, 36-38; Isaiah 53:4-5; I Corinthians 15:17)

Therefore, being justified by faith, we can now have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom also we have access by faith into this grace, wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God! (Romans 5:1-2)

And when we realize that God commended His love toward us, that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us, "much more then, being now justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him." (Romans 5:8-9; Isaiah 53:5; John 3:16; John 1:10-11; John 15:13; Ephesians 2:13; I Thessalonians 1:10)

And in so doing, He has set before us an open door, inviting us into His wedding feast, wherein we are no longer under condemnation but rather saved by grace through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.

There is so much more to share here, but let what is written serve for understanding how the old covenant and law intertwines with the New Testament (wherein the Lord does a new thing!) showing how the promise that those faithful could only have hoped for has been offered to us -- if we repent, and are water baptized in the Name of the Lord Jesus -- so that we too can receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. The resurrected Christ within. His Spirit that moved across the face of the waters in the beginning, dwelling in our hearts, as both Lord and Christ.

His Name is JESUS, for He shall save His people from their sins. (Matthew 1:21-23) Therefore, be strong in faith, giving glory to God; and similarly, be fully persuaded that what He has promised to those who believe in Him by faith, He was wholly able to perform.

Stand in the offering plate.

Glory To His Name, O Lord, Glory To YOUR Name; JESUS, For He Shall Save His People From Their Sins - Part 1811

"And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory." (I Timothy 3:16)

When we understand how the Seed travelled through the generations as outlined in the scriptural genealogies, we also know that JESUS was not part of the creation of God. Indeed, JESUS is the Creator of all things. Similarly, JESUS is before all things. And JESUS is the cause and effect of all things existing that are in Heaven and upon earth. JESUS then is the very Word of God.

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God ... And the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us ..." (John 1:1-18)

"He was in the world and the world was made by Him and the world knew Him not. He came unto His own and His own received Him not." (John 1:10-11)

Moreover, JESUS is the revealing of God [Himself] in visible form. JESUS is not created for He who appeared came forth from the innermost being of God. God steps out of Himself into visible form having neither beginning of days nor end of life. In fact, God is One Spirit! And yes, God’s Spirit fills the heavens and the earth. Like the hymn declares, God’s Spirit is immortal - invisible. God being God.

In Isaiah's prophetic writings, speaking of things to come, we see that God upon counselling with Himself decided that He was going to make a visible creation. A visible creation which shadows after the pattern of the unseen spiritual realm. And of course [He] God who was formerly unseen is now going to show Himself in visible form!

In contrast, we as humans are an earthy creation, patterned after the visible spiritual form. This wasn't quite the original plan. Somewhere along the way, the devil appears to have caused an interruption to God’s plan. Or at least that might be the initial perception. Of course, for those who recognize God's plan of salvation, we also know that there is nothing hid from God. From the fall of man in the Garden of Eden, we have grown in spiritual stature to realize that we need God in every aspect of our life. Indeed, life apart from God is really nothing more than being akin to the walking dead. But I digress somewhat.

Do you recall when Paul entered into a city and beheld all sorts of images, in the inhabitants' attempt to find God? In one such city, Paul read an inscription that stated, "To the unknown God." In many ways, our society today is similar, We have images that are supposed to be JESUS crucified on a cross. Indeed, we have everywhere an abundance of such images. At the same time, people prostrate themselves into a voluntary humility before such images, as if there is a connect between the man made image and carved statutes and themselves as an individual.

But as we also know, images are dead. They do not talk. They do not move. They have no feelings or emotions, and are lifeless. And sadly, many within the current religious culture hang onto these idols, even when the scriptures clearly tell us to keep ourselves from idols. Sadly, as we understand from Paul's encounter on Mar's Hill, the worship of idols has been one of man's downfalls. And that has not changed, as we seek bigger houses to live in and pricier cars to drive.

Still, as we know from documented church history, the self appointed church fathers (who immerse themselves in religious traditions dating back to 300 and 400 AD) have surely rearranged the minds of men and women under the guise of religion. They do so by asserting that they are God’s witnesses, even proclaiming to act on God's stead. However, as we read in the scriptures, true worshipers will worship in Spirit and likewise, in the Spirit of Truth.

When someone asked JESUS, "What is truth?" JESUS replied that His Word is the Spiritual Word and therefore is truth. And we are sanctified by that same truth -- Thy Word is truth! (John 17:17)

Continuing, we see that apostle Paul revealed to the inhabitants of that city the unknown God to whom they ignorantly worshiped. Indeed, Paul told them of God who had revealed Himself in the face (life) of JESUS the Christ. This is why today, JESUS is not hanging on a cross. And neither is JESUS in a grave. JESUS is arisen.

As portrayed in the scriptures, JESUS appeared in the flesh for one reason. That is, to purposely enable deceived men and women to get back on the track of God’s highway! To be set free from the bondage of this world, and understand that we are to stand fast in the liberty wherewith is Christ Jesus.

In other words, God’s highway is not idolatrous religious erroneous teachings formulated after the strange devices of demonic influenced persons. The Word and the Spirit agree, and if there is a contrast, Thy Word, as Jesus said, is Truth!

One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism. (Ephesians 4:5-6)

After the kindness and love of God toward men, He became our Saviour. (Titus 3:4-7)

And right now, God is inviting us to the most elaborate wedding feast ever, but we need to take hold of His truth. We need to accept what He did on the cross and ask Him to forgive our sins. Ask our Lord God and Saviour Jesus the Christ to become both Lord and Christ in our hearts.

And then, as an answer of a good conscience toward God, we need to be water baptized in the precious holy Name of the Lord Jesus Christ, so that He can clothe us in His righteousness. So that we can receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. (Acts 2:36-47; Romans 6:3-4; I Peter 3:21-22; Acts 10:44-48; Revelation 1:8, 11)

Yes, God sincerely wants to impart His abundant life to one and all. He willingly became the perfect sacrifice so that we might know Him and understand the meaning of true love, when One dies for His enemies, whilst these were still His enemies. And He wants to give us His abundant life. He is the living God, the Bread of Life, the Living Water wherein we never will thirst again.

But those images and carved statues? As Paul states, they have no life.

Therefore, call upon His Name today. The name of JESUS. Not a church, nor a religion and not a form. Give yourself totally -- your heart, your soul, your mind, your strength -- to the LORD JESUS, and discover what the Lord God has in store for you.

Stand in the offering plate!

For Had They Known, They Would Not Have Crucified The Lord of Glory - Part 1810

"Though He did not pick up His humanity till the fullness of time, yet He used it, and acted upon it, from all eternity." (John Miller)

"Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as His mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily. But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call His name Jesus: for He shall save His people from their sins."

Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, "Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call His name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us." (Matthew 1:18-23)

Too often, we try to bring Almighty God down to a human level, wherein we can attempt to explain away His abundance of love and kindness for us. His mercy which was evident from the very beginning, when He decided even before the world was formed, to become the perfect sacrifice. Certainly, as a Son, robed in a cloak of human flesh, and yet without sin, Jesus is known as the only begotten Son. But He is also the visible image of an unseen God. (Hebrews 1:1-3) The King of kings and Lord of lords, Alpha and Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the ending. (Revelation 1:8, 11) 

In another place, the scripture identifies Jesus as both Lord and Christ. (Acts 2:36)

The son of man is the Lord of glory! (Matthew 25:31)

"Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought: but we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, [even] the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known [it], they would not have crucified the Lord of glory." (I Corinthians 2:6-8)

Therefore, meditate on His Word today, and don't let the whims of this world toss you to and fro from knowing and understanding the mystery that was held in the bosom of the Father from the beginning of the world. Know too that His Word is truth, and as believers in Jesus by faith, we are sanctified through His Word. (John 17:17) 

Indeed, Jesus said, "ye shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free." (John 8:36)

Therefore, as Jesus also told us about the end, "When the Son of man shall come in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then shall He sit upon the throne of His glory: and before Him shall be gathered all nations: and He shall separate them one from another, as a Shepherd divide h/His sheep from the goats: and He shall set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left.

Then shall the King say unto them on His right hand, "Come, ye blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: for I was an hungred, and ye gave Me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave Me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took Me in ... naked, and ye clothed Me: I was sick, and ye visited Me: I was in prison, and ye came unto Me."

Then shall the righteous answer Him, saying, "Lord, when saw we Thee an hungred, and fed Thee? or thirsty, and gave Thee drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?" And the King shall answer and say unto them, "Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these My brethren, ye have done it unto Me."

Then shall He say also unto them on the left hand, "Depart from Me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: for I was an hungred, and ye gave Me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave Me no drink: I was a stranger, and ye took Me not in: naked, and ye clothed Me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited Me not. Then shall they also answer him, saying, "Lord, when saw we Thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto Thee?"

Then shall He answer them, saying, "Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to Me." And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal." (Matthew 25:31-46)

Make the right decision in your heart today. Ask our Lord God and Saviour Jesus the Christ to come into your heart today, and to become the King of kings and Lord of lords in your life. Find yourself a New Testament that has not been doctored and ask the Lord to lead and guide you into all truth. Know that God is one and worship Him with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength. Read Acts 2 -- which is the beginning of the New Testament church. (Acts 2:1-47) 

Stand in the offering plate.

The Foundation Of God Stands Sure, Having This Seal, The Lord Knows Them That Are His - Part 1809

Who is the Author and Finisher of your faith? Who is the Alpha and Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the ending? Who is the King of kings and Lord of lords, who willingly offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice so that we could find life in Him? These are all valid questions to ask. This is why we are instructed to study the Word as doth a workman approved unto God, a workman that need not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of truth. (II Timothy 2:15)

When we approach the scriptures from the perspective of "give us this day our daily bread" we will come to know and understand the good news gospel of our Lord God and Saviour Jesus the Christ -- wherein, as Jesus stated when we would see Him no more, the Holy Ghost -- the Comforter will come and abide within those who believe -- and lead and guide us into all truth. (Matthew 6:11-15; Luke 11:3; John 16:16; John 14:19; Matthew 26:11; II Timothy 2:15; Titus 3:4-7; John 14:26; John 15:26; Acts 1:2-3)

Jesus said, "Howbeit when He, the Spirit of Truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth: for He shall not speak of Himself; but whatsoever He shall hear, that shall He speak: and He will shew you things to come. He shall glorify Me: for He shall receive of Mine, and shall shew it unto you. All things that the Father hath are Mine: therefore said I, that He shall take of Mine, and shall shew it unto you." (John 16:13-15)

And through His Word, we are sanctified, for Thy Word is truth. (John 17:17) 

Thus, we can understand why Jesus said we will see Him no more. (John 16:16; John 14:19) Because after He was taken up, He [Christ Jesus] THROUGH the Holy Ghost would give commandments unto the apostles whom He had chosen. (Acts 1:2-3) This is why the disciples (120 in the upper room) had to tarry in Jerusalem -- waiting for the promise from the Father -- until they received the power from on high. (Acts 1:12-26)

Just prior to returning from whence He came, Jesus had told His disciples, "But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth." (Acts 1:8)

This is what we witness on the day of Pentecost, when Peter standing with the eleven, told those from every city that this same Jesus whom ye have crucified is both Lord and Christ. (Acts 2:36-38)  Jesus is the Word made flesh. (John 1:1-18) Jesus is God manifest in the flesh, the Lord coming forth as a mighty man. (I Timothy 3:16; Isaiah 9:6; Isaiah 42:13)

"He was in the world and the world was made by Him and the world knew Him not. He came unto His own, and His own received Him not." (John 1:10-11)

After the kindness and love, God our Saviour toward man appeared. (Titus 3:4-7) As prophesied in Isaiah, God willingly clothed Himself in sin-prone flesh (yet without sin) so that He could save us from our sins. The greatest love story ever told, and yet, the deceiver - satan -- has succeeded in rewriting that one and same salvation message, separating and dividing God's love into a triad god message, rather than the same Lord God who created us in the beginning, loving us enough as His beloved, to shed His precious holy blood. 

If we take this thought one step further, what kind of a God would you serve if He sent a Son instead of Himself as a Son to shed blood on a cross for us? Is this the character of a God you would want to serve? From a human perspective, would you send your child, knowing that that child would die a merciless death? Of course you would not. Nevertheless, this is the prevailing teaching within the man-made religious culture today, even though the Word clearly tells us otherwise. 

Still, the Word of God is truth, and we are sanctified by His truth. And within the pages wherein, "Lo, behold, the volume of the book is written of Me!" the salvation message is consistent and clear. That is, God Himself became our Saviour, shedding His precious holy blood on a cross so that you and I might have abundant life in Him. 

When there was no other way to redeem His people, He prepared for Himself a body for sacrifice.   The Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing ..." (Hebrews 9:8) The mystery that was held from the beginning of the world -- in the bosom of the Father until the fullness of time. The mystery of godliness.

 

"And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory." (I Timothy 3:16)

But if He had revealed Himself, when He walked with man on this earth, we would worship Him for the wrong reasons. There is a perfect example of this when Jesus fed the five thousand. The people came back the next day because their bellies were hungry. It is in this context that Jesus hid His glory from those who would not leave everything behind to follow Him.

What did these see in Jesus, that these willingly forsook their lives for Him? Gave up their all in all to follow Christ Jesus? Of course, that is a study in itself. What is important for us to understand is that when the Holy Ghost overshadowed Mary so that she could bring forth a son -- that "holy thing" within -- He gave us a Name whereby we must be saved in this current dispensation of grace. (Luke 1:35; Matthew 1:18-23; Acts 4:12; Philippians 2:9; Ephesians 3:2)

His Name is JESUS, for He shall save His people from their sins. (Matthew 1:21) 

Throughout the Old Testament, God had a Name whereby the people knew Him. Therefore, it should not come as a surprise that God had a Name specific to this current dispensation of grace. The apostles who walked with Jesus on earth knew His Name. So did Saul, when Jesus met him on the road to Damascus. Therein, Saul asks, "Who art Thou, Lord?" Jesus told Saul, "I am Jesus, whom thou persecutes ..." (Acts 9:5) 

Yes, JESUS is the ONLY NAME WHEREBY WE MUST BE SAVED! (Acts 4:12)

Still, even though Jesus hid His glory from the multitudes, He did tell His disciples who He was. In fact, Jesus told them, "I and My Father are One!" (John 10:30) Jesus told Philip, "If ye had known Me, ye should have known My Father also: and from henceforth ye know Him, and have seen Him." (John 14:7) And when Thomas put his hands in Jesus' side, when Jesus appeared to the disciples before being taken up, Thomas referred to Jesus as  "my Lord and my God!" (John 20:28)

This is the only way that Jesus could say, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life." (John 14:6) Or that, if you believe in Me, ye shall have eternal life. Because Jesus is the only Mediator between God and man. Note however, that in most cases in our human relationships, a mediator would mean a third person, there is an exception to that rule when it comes to God, because God is One. (Galatians 3:20; Ephesians 4:5-6; Deuteronomy 6:4; Mark 12:29-31) He is excepted, which did put all things under His feet. 

"For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. For [there is] one God, and One mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time." (I Timothy 2:4-6)

"Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the Seed should come to whom the promise was made; [and it] was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator. Now a mediator is not [a mediator] of one, but God is one! [Is] the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law. But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe." (Galatians 3:19-22)

"The last enemy [that] shall be destroyed is death. For He hath put all things under His feet. But when He saith, all things are put under [Him, it is] manifest that He is excepted, which did put all things under Him. And when all things shall be subdued unto Him, then shall the Son also Himself be subject unto Him that put all things under Him, that God may be all in all." (I Corinthians 15:26-28)

It is for this reason that we who have a little strength as members of the body of Christ church (wherein Jesus is the Head) are instructed in these last days to keep His Word and not to deny His Name. (Revelation 3:8-9)

So much to learn and yet, we should understand, that Jesus is the Bread of Life, the Living Word wherein we can drink and never thirst again. Therefore, I encourage you to read and study His Word, beginning in the new testament, so that you can experience the life you were intended to live right from the beginning, communing with the same God who created you and place His purpose in your heart, whilst you were still in your mother's womb.

Be strengthened in His knowledge and wisdom. Stand in the offering plate.

Who Shall Lay Any Thing To The Charge Of God's Elect? - Part 1808

"... in all things we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God -- which is in Christ Jesus our Lord!" (Romans 8:37-39)

Like the scripture above, I am always amazed at how one particular verse from the Bible can speak to our heart, and give us hope. Today, for example, I opened my Bible to the book of Matthew - the first gospel found in the New Testament. Note that I wasn't looking for any particular message. Indeed, I just opened my Bible and started reading the text at the point where my eyes first gazed.

What did I see? Herein, Matthew is writing Jesus' words as He spoke to both the crowds and the disciples. Just prior, Jesus had reminded the Pharisees and lawyer of the first commandment (in both the old and the new). That is, "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it -- "thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself." On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets." (Matthew 22:33-40)

Jesus then asks them, "What think ye of Christ? whose son is He?" To which the Pharisees then replied, "The son of David." Jesus then saith unto them, "How then doth David in spirit call Him Lord, saying, "The Lord said unto My Lord, sit Thou on My right hand, till I make Thine enemies Thy footstool." If David then call Him Lord, how is He His son?" (Matthew 22:41-46)

It is here that we are enter the scene, wherein Jesus begins to speak to the multitudes. Jesus told them, "The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses' seat so practice and observe whatever they tell you but not what they do; for they preach but do not practice. They bind heavy burdens, hard to bear and lay them on men's shoulders but they themselves will not move them with their finger. They do all their deeds to be seen by men, for they make their phylacteries broad and their fringes long, and they love the place of honour at feasts and the best seats in the synagogues and salutations in the marketplaces and being called rabbi by men. But you are not to be called rabbi, for you have "one teacher" and you are all brethren. And call no man your father on earth for you have "one Father" who is in Heaven. Neither be called masters for you have one Master, the Christ. But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant; whoever exalts himself will be humbled and whoever humbles himself will be exalted." (Matthew 23:1-12; Nehemiah 8:4, 8; Romans 2:19; Luke 11:46; Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18; Luke 11:43; Luke 20:46; James 3:11; Malachi 1:6; Matthew 20:26-27; Luke 14:11; Luke 18:14)

Yes, Jesus' message to the crowds is clear. He is referring to those who demand our attention and adoration but are not willing themselves to humble themselves before the Lord of Lords and King of Kings.

Although admittedly, this may seem to be a simplistic interpretation of the above scriptures, and observed without any deep reflection, these verses serve to remind us as men and women of our humble place in the world and that without our Master, the Christ, we are as nothing. But note that Jesus did not end His message to the crowds there. Jesus had an important message to tell the people -- and by extension to us in the 21st century as well -- one that we all need to hear.

In verse 13, Jesus said, "But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites [the religious of the day] because you shut the kingdom of Heaven against men. For you neither enter yourselves, nor allow those who would enter to go in. Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites for you traverse sea and land to make a single proselyte. You make him twice as much a child of hell as yourselves." (Matthew 23:13-15)

Strong words -- yes! Nevertheless, Jesus would that all be saved, and that we as believers in Jesus would not become deceived by those around us. This is why we need to make His Word our daily bread, so that we are not tossed to and fro by every wind of doctrine. But I digress.

Continuing in verse 23, Jesus further states, "Woe to you scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, for you tithe mint and dill and cumin and have neglected the weightier matters of the law, justice and mercy and faith; those you ought to have done without neglecting the others. You blind guides, straining out a gnat and swallowing a camel."  (Matthew 23:23-24)

If you read further, there are a lot of woes being stated, so that we will always be faithful in His Word, seeking HIs understanding in what we read and study.  But there is more -- actually much more. Jesus warns us of the hypocrites who would come and try to lead us astray from this gospel message. In fact, Jesus warned that "many will come in my name saying, I am the Christ, and they will lead many astray."

However, Jesus doesn't want us to be led astray. He wants us to understand that this very same God who created the world in the beginning, loved us so much that He became flesh and sacrificed His blood on the cross so that we might have salvation eternal.

"He was in the world and the world was made by Him and the world knew Him not. He came unto His own and His own received Him not." (John 1:10-11; John 1-18; I Timothy 3:16)

And, even unto this very day, Jesus' arms are still stretched wide waiting for each and every one of us to reach out and pray with all our hearts, soul, mind and strength. Ye will not be disappointed because Jesus is the greatest love story ever told to humankind. Don't leave your house anymore desolate but know that when our Lord God and Saviour Jesus the Christ comes, He is coming for a people who love Him.

More on this subject to come. In the interim, don't forget to stand in the offering plate.

Praying Also That God Would Open Unto Us A Door Of Utterance To Speak The Mystery of Christ - Part 1807

"For Thou hast made of a city an heap; of a defenced city, a ruin; a palace of strangers to be no city: it shall never be built. Therefore, shall the strong people glorify Thee, the city of the terrible nations shall fear Thee. For Thou hast been a strength to the poor, a strength to the needy in distress, a refuge from the storm, a shadow from the heat, when the blast of the terrible ones is as a storm [against] the wall ..." (Isaiah 25:1-4)

Time is indeed short. The Lord Jesus is soon coming to redeem His people from this earth, and we, as believers in the Lord Jesus Christ by faith, need to ready ourselves, putting on therefore as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, long-suffering, forbearing one another, and forgiving one another. And we need to ensure that there is sufficient oil in our lamps (as did the five wise virgins), so that when that day shall come, the Word of Christ dwells within us richly in all wisdom, shining with grace in our hearts to the Lord.

Thus, we continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving, withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us, a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ ... walking in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time. letting our speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man. (Colossians 4:2-6; Luke 18:1; Colossians 2:7-9; Ephesians 6:19-20; I Corinthians 16:9; Ephesians 3:3-4; Ephesians 5:15; Matthew 10:16; Ecclesiastes 10:12; Mark 9:50; I Peter 3:15)

The greatest love story ever told is that God Himself was manifest in the flesh, so that we might find abundant life -- the purpose for which we were created -- through Him and in Him. He was in the world and the world was made by Him and the world knew Him not. Indeed, His own rejected Him, because these did not expect the Lord of glory to humbly come as the Son of man. (John 1:1-18; Isaiah 9:6; I Timothy 3:16; Titus 3:4-7; Revelation 1:8,11; Matthew 1:21-23; Luke 1:35)

Nevertheless, the good news gospel message delivered personally by our Lord God and Saviour Jesus the Christ to the Gentiles was so that we could know Him personally, and behold Him in all His glory, with thankfulness of heart, knowing that this same Lord God who created this world in the beginning loved us enough to prepare for Himself a body - a perfect sacrifice.

Still, it is important to understand that Jesus was the one and only begotten of the Father -- the Holy Ghost overshadowing Mary, so that she could bring forth a son. (Matthew 1:21-23; Luke 1:35) This is why Jesus is rightfully called "the only begotten of the Father" because His miraculous birth was not tainted with the same inherited sinful nature that all men are born into, as a consequence of the fall of Adam and Eve. And we should recognize too from the scriptures that He lived on earth as we do, tempted in all things, but yet He was without sin.

His humanity (having also been born of a woman) should serve as an exemplary example for you and I to follow -- as disciples.

First, Jesus prayed so that we would understand how to submit all our hearts and minds and souls and strength to the Lord. (Deuteronomy 6:4-5; Mark 12:29-31) Jesus said, "... nevertheless not My will, but Thine be done." (Luke 22:42; Isaiah 50:5; John 4:34; John 6:38; John 8:29)

Second, Jesus did not seek to do His own will, but the will of the Father, when He said to the Jews who sought the more to kill Him for making Himself equal with God -- "I can of Mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge, and My judgment is just; because I seek not Mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent Me." (John 5:18-47)

Third, as a consequence of His humanity, Jesus could rightly state -- "My Father is greater than I" -- giving all the glory and honour and praise to God our Father, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. (John 14:28; Ephesians 4:5-6)

Fourth, that we, as Jesus did, should acknowledge that we can do nothing of ourselves. Jesus said, "Verily, verily, I say unto you -- the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He seeth the Father do: for what things soever He doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise." (John 5:19)

Fifth, Jesus gives all praise to the Father as having the power to give life, and the authority to execute judgment, because the Father "hath committed all judgment unto the Son: that all [men] should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father: he that honours to the Son honours not the Father which hath sent Him. Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that hears My Word, and believes on Him that sent Me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation, but is passed from death to life." (John 5:19-24)

It is herein that we are to "hear ye Him." Yes, Jesus came in His Father's Name so that we might have life everlasting. (John 5:43) For God so loved the world [you and I] that He gave His only begotten Son so that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. ( John 3:16) Whosoever believes in Him! JESUS!

Jesus said, "I am the resurrection and the life: he that believes in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live. And whosoever lives, and believes in Me, shall never die ..." (John 11:25-26; John 5:21; John 6:39-44; I John 5:10; I Corinthians 15:22)

God in Christ. The ministry of reconciliation which caused the veil to be torn from top to bottom -- heaven to earth so that we might have everlasting life in our Lord God and Saviour. (Titus 3:4-7; Titus 2:13) How do we know? Because Jesus is the fullness of the Godhead dwelling bodily in Him. (Colossians 2:9) The visible image of an invisible God. (Hebrews 1:1-12; John 1:1-18) "God was manifest in the flesh" (I Tim 3:16) The Lord came forth as a mighty man. (Isaiah 42:13; Isaiah 9:6)

This means that Jesus could rightly state -- "I and my Father are One" (John 10:30-33) And that, if you have "seen Me, ye have seen the Father." (John 14:6-12) And now we know too, that Jesus, after He was taken up, He THROUGH the Holy Ghost gave commandments unto the apostles whom He had chosen. (Acts 1:2-3) 

This is why the disciples -- the number of names together about one hundred and twenty -- tarried in Jerusalem, in that upper room until they received the power from on high -- "after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto Me both is Jerusalem and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth." (Acts 1:8, 13-15; Acts 2:1-47)

"And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance ..." (Acts 2:4) It is for this reason that we also know that the resurrected Jesus is indeed the Bread of Life, the Living Word, the King of kings and Lord of lords, Alpha and Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the ending. (Revelation 1:8, 11) Ask this same Lord Jesus (who is both Lord and Christ) into your heart today. (Acts 2:36) Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the Name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. (Acts 2:38) Study His Word, eating His meat with gladness and singleness of heart, and don't be misled by the traditions of men, who do anything and everything but admit that Jesus is our all in all. (Acts 2:1-47)

As the apostles remind us -- "Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men, for I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God. Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which He hath purchased with His own blood. For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also, of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them." (Acts 20:21-28)

One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism. Stand in the offering plate.