The Temporary Separation of the Soul from the Body

John 11:4 But when Jesus heard it he said, "This illness does not lead to death. It is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it." 
John 11:11 After saying these things, he said to them, "Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I go to awaken him." 
John 11:14-15
14 Then Jesus told them plainly, "Lazarus has died, 

15 and for your sake I am glad that I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him." 

John 11:25-26

25 Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, 

26 and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?" 

Oh what peace and joy these words hold for those who have been saved by grace through Christ! We will die, but we have the promise from God that those of us who trust Christ for salvation will be raised to everlasting life!

I And The Father Are One

John 10:30 I and the Father are one." 
Deuteronomy 6:4 Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one
John 10:29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father's hand
John 10:36 what about the one whom the Father set apart as his very own and sent into the world? Why then do you accuse me of blasphemy because I said, 'I am God's Son'?

John 17:21 that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.

Matthew 11:27 "All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.

As Christians we do believe that Christ is the Son of God and the son of man. This is the divine plan of Father God. God sent Christ. 

John 17:3 Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.

God has granted authority over man to Christ. 

John 3:35 The Father loves the Son and has placed everything in his hands

John 17:2 since you have given him authority over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him.

Christ is mediator between man and God.

1Tim.2:5 For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus

Christ had the authority to lay down His life and take it up again. 

John 10:17-18 

17 For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again. 

18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father."

Christ has intimate knowledge of the Father. 

Eph.1:17-23 

17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, 

18 having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, 

19 and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might 

20 that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, 

21 far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. 

22 And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, 

23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.

Gracious Lord, as I bow before you today, teach me! I know without a shadow of doubt that Christ is my salvation. His life, freely given as payment and received, on Your altar as the only acceptable sacrifice for repentant sinners for eternity. I am saved, by His grace, alone! Let me teach the truth of the hope that is found in Christ and let the lost respond. Lord, let my last breath sing Your praises! In Jesus precious name, Amen

Every Heart Is Naturally Vicious

Matt.7:17 So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit.

You can not be sinner and saint! I did not say you would never sin! As long as we are in this corrupt body, we are fighting a battle against temptation and sin and then when we fail, falling on our face in humble repentance. Only the Words of life brought to us by God and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit can change the vicious heart of a sinner. God alone changes the heart!

Heb.12:24 24 and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel. 
Ps.51:10 Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.

Ezekiel 36:26 I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.

Acts 15:9 He made no distinction between us and them, for he purified their hearts by faith.

Ephesians 2:10 For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Matt.26:41 Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

2 Corinthians 3:3 You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.

Lord, we trust in You alone for our salvation! Our faith comes from You alone! Create in us a clean heart that serves people in Your name. Teach us so we can teach the world! Amen

Fruit of the Spirit....

Gal.5:22-26

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 

23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. 

24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 

25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. 

26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.


Works of the flesh....
Gal.5:16-21 

16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 
17 For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. 
18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. 
19 Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, 
20 idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, 
21 envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

Our King Is....

Matt.21:1-11
1 Now when they drew near to Jerusalem and came to Bethphage, to the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples, 2 saying to them, "Go into the village in front of you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her. Untie them and bring them to me. 3 If anyone says anything to you, you shall say, 'The Lord needs them,' and he will send them at once." 4 This took place to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet, saying, 5 "Say to the daughter of Zion, 'Behold, your king is coming to you, humble, and mounted on a donkey, and on a colt, the foal of a beast of burden.'" 6 The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them. 7 They brought the donkey and the colt and put on them their cloaks, and he sat on them. 8 Most of the crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9 And the crowds that went before him and that followed him were shouting, "Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!" 10 And when he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred up, saying, "Who is this?" 11 And the crowds said, "This is the prophet Jesus, from Nazareth of Galilee."
Jesus, You are the prophesied king, the divine king, the righteous king, the Savior king, the gentle and peaceful king, the global and Messianic king, the compassionate and holy king, the prophetic king and the authoritative king.You hold authority over temples, disease, all people and all creation. You are our coming king!
Matt.21:23-27 23 And when he entered the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came up to him as he was teaching, and said, "By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority?"24 Jesus answered them, "I also will ask you one question, and if you tell me the answer, then I also will tell you by what authority I do these things. 25 The baptism of John, from where did it come? From heaven or from man?" And they discussed it among themselves, saying, "If we say, 'From heaven,' he will say to us, 'Why then did you not believe him?' 26 But if we say, 'From man,'we are afraid of the crowd, for they all hold that John was a prophet." 27 So they answered Jesus, "We do not know." And he said to them, "Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things. The first time You came riding on a colt and You came to rescue the sinner by Your death and resurrection. You are coming again riding on a horse, to be sovereign judge and king to sinners.We will praise You, we will worship You and we will surrender to You! We continually seek You! Let us bear fruit for Your glory and for Your kingdom!
Matt.21:18-20 18 In the morning, as he was returning to the city, he became hungry. 19 And seeing a fig tree by the wayside, he went to it and found nothing on it but only leaves. And he said to it, "May no fruit ever come from you again!" And the fig tree withered at once. 20 When the disciples saw it, they marveled, saying, "How did the fig tree wither at once?"  Matt.21:22 And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith."Luke 18:27 Jesus replied, "What is impossible with men is possible with God."Matt.21:13-14 13 He said to them, "It is written, 'My house shall be called a house of prayer,' but you make it a den of robbers." 14 And the blind and the lame came to him in the temple, and he healed them.
Lord Most High God, we, as Your church pray for what You have promised in Your Word. We wait for You to fulfill Your will in us. Let us spread Your gospel to the nations. Amen

The Spirit Who Gives Life

John 6:63 It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life.


John 6:55-58 
55 For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. 
56 Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him. 
57 As the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever feeds on me, he also will live because of me. 
58 This is the bread that came down from heaven, not like the bread the fathers ate and died. Whoever feeds on this bread will live forever." 


John 6:60-62 
60 When many of his disciples heard it, they said, "This is a hard saying; who can listen to it?" 
61 But Jesus, knowing in himself that his disciples were grumbling about this, said to them, "Do you take offense at this? 
62 Then what if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before?


John 6:64-69

64 But there are some of you who do not believe." (For Jesus knew from the beginning who those were who did not believe, and who it was who would betray him.) 
65 And he said, "This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by the Father." 
66 After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him. 
67 So Jesus said to the Twelve, "Do you want to go away as well?" 
68 Simon Peter answered him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, 
69 and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God."

This is the truth of God's Word! May you be blessed! May you listen! May you understand that this is grace coming to you from Christ Who is offering life eternal through the work on the Cross and the Resurrection! He did it all!

Let The Shadow Go Back Ten Steps

Oh the power of the Lord! What gifts He gives to the faithful!

2Kings 20:10 And Hezekiah answered, "It is an easy thing for the shadow to lengthen ten steps. Rather let the shadow go back ten steps."


The gift....
2Kings 20:1-6 

1 In those days Hezekiah became sick and was at the point of death. And Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz came to him and said to him, "Thus says the LORD, 'Set your house in order, for you shall die; you shall not recover.'" 

2 Then Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the LORD, saying, 

3 "Now, O LORD, please remember how I have walked before you in faithfulness and with a whole heart, and have done what is good in your sight."And Hezekiah wept bitterly. 

4 And before Isaiah had gone out of the middle court, the word of the LORD came to him: 

5 "Turn back, and say to Hezekiah the leader of my people, Thus says the LORD, the God of David your father: I have heard your prayer; I have seen your tears. Behold, I will heal you. On the third day you shall go up to the house of the LORD, 

6 and I will add fifteen years to your life. I will deliver you and this city out of the hand of the king of Assyria, and I will defend this city for my own sake and for my servant David's sake."

Lord, we praise You for You alone are worthy!!! Amen

I Am The Bread That Came Down From Heaven

John 6:41 So the Jews grumbled about him, because he said, "I am the bread that came down from heaven."


Jesus is the soul satisfying nourishment we need. He is the bread of life sent from His Father to offer eternal food to the lost!

John 6:32-33 
32 Jesus then said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but my Father gives you the true bread from heaven. 
33 For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world." 


John 6:35 Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.

Our precious Redeemer gave His flesh and blood for our eternal soul to be reconciled to God the Father. His broken body and the shedding of His blood are the new covenant. With His death and Resurrection, we are raised to new life, pardoned from sin, able to go before His throne of grace, sealed by His blood covenant and have eternal life through Him alone!

John 6:38-40 

38 For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me. 

39 And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day. 

40 For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day." 

What will you do with this knowledge?

Heb.9:27 And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment

Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Rev.1:5 and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood 

Lord, what is clear to us, is clear because You have opened our eyes! Open eyes to Your truth! Amen

He Wrote of Me

John 5:45-47
45 Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father. There is one who accuses you: Moses, on whom you have set your hope. 

46 For if you believed Moses, you would believe me; for he wrote of me. 

47 But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe my words?" 

On whom do you place your eternal hope? Is it self ? Is it a false God? Is it that you believe life ends with death? Christ is the Son of the Most High God and He has been given authority over life and death. God holds all things eternal, somethings we know by God's grace and then there are things which belong only to God and are not revealed to us. The Bible is a factual book, a historical book, a book backed by many ancient writings of old philosophers and it is for teaching, reproof, correction and training.

2 Tim.3:16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness


Old Testament Prophecy....
Deut.18:15 "The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your brothers--it is to him you shall listen-- 
Deut.18:18 I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their brothers. And I will put my words in his mouth, and he shall speak to them all that I command him.

New Testament....

Acts 3:22 Moses said, 'The Lord God will raise up for you a prophet like me from your brothers. You shall listen to him in whatever he tells you.

Acts 7:37  This is the Moses who said to the Israelite's, 'God will raise up for you a prophet like me from your brothers.'

Christ appears on the road to Emmaus....

Luke 24:27And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.

Luke 24:18-26

18 Then one of them, named Cleopas, answered him, "Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?" 

19 And he said to them, "What things?" And they said to him, "Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, a man who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, 

20 and how our chief priests and rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him. 

21 But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things happened. 

22 Moreover, some women of our company amazed us. They were at the tomb early in the morning, 

23 and when they did not find his body, they came back saying that they had even seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive. 

24 Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see." 

25 And he said to them, "O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 

26 Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?"

He is coming again....
John 14:1-4

1 "Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. 
2 In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? 
3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. 
4 And you know the way to where I am going."

Acts 1:11and said, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.
1Cor.11:26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes.
1 Thess.1:10 and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come
1 Thess.2:19 For what is our hope or joy or crown of boasting before our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not you?
1 Thess.3:13 so that he may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.
1 Thess.5:23 Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Titus 2:13 waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ
James 5:7-9

7 Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains. 
8 You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. 
9 Do not grumble against one another, brothers, so that you may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing at the door.
2 Pet.1:16 For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty.
1 John 2:28 And now, little children, abide in him, so that when he appears we may have confidence and not shrink from him in shame at his coming
Rev.3:11 I am coming soon. Hold fast what you have, so that no one may seize your crown
Rev.22:12 "Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay everyone for what he has done.
Rev.22:20 He who testifies to these things says, "Surely I am coming soon." Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!

Lord, impart Your glorious nature to us. Keep us from all sin and let us teach the world of the wonder that is You! Awaken the hearts of wicked man to Your salvation for Your glory! Amen

Passed From Death to Life

John 5:24 Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.


John 6:58 This is the bread that came down from heaven. Your forefathers ate manna and died, but he who feeds on this bread will live forever."


Sinner, you are living a dying life, one leading to eternal death. You remain dead in your sin!
Matthew 25:46 "Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life."

Our Lord Jesus Christ is the Messiah! His authority has been declared!
John 5:22 The Father judges no one, but has given all judgment to the Son
John 5:27 And he has given him authority to execute judgment, because he is the Son of Man.


The mercy of Jesus...
Romans 5:8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.


God has given man reasoning skills to retrieve knowledge from his surroundings and God's own true Word so that man will know the truth. He has set apart His redeemed people to be His witness to all the nations. When Christ died and rose again, He began to draw all men to Him. By the preaching of His word and the influence of His Spirit I will attract men, both Jew and Gentile. Will you take the gift of eternal life?

John 12:32 And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.”


Lord, what joy fills my soul when I read Your Word! Teach me so that I may teach others the glory that is found in You! Amen

The Lord Is Faithful

The Lord is faithful! God, in the days of old, chose the Prophets, the twelve disciples and ordinary people to speak the truth to the people, to warn the people, to heal the people, to teach the people His commands and to make disciples. Are we faithful? Do we have that mustard seed of faith to move a mountain? In my shame and stupidity, I am restless waiting on God! Almighty God who is in control and works all things for good to those who are called by Him for His glory! Knowing full well, God is just, His timing is perfect, and above all, He is faithful!
Lord, forgive me for not being faithful, obedient, yielded and still as You work in Your perfect timing. Give us all total trust and faith to be still in You! Amen

He is real...
John 4:25-26 
25 The woman said to him, "I know that Messiah is coming (he who is called Christ). When he comes, he will tell us all things." 

26 Jesus said to her, "I who speak to you am he.

His faithfulness...

1Thessalonians 5:24 He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.

Deut.7:9 Know therefore that the LORD your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commands

1 Corinthians 1:9 God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful

2 Thessalonians 3:3 But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen and protect you from the evil one

2Tim.2:13 if we are faithless, he remains faithful--for he cannot deny himself

He Who Comes From Heaven Is Above All

John 3:31 He who comes from above is above all. He who is of the earth belongs to the earth and speaks in an earthly way. He who comes from heaven is above all.


John the Baptist is speaking of Christ.
John 3:32-36

32 He bears witness to what he has seen and heard, yet no one receives his testimony. 

33 Whoever receives his testimony sets his seal to this, that God is true. 

34 For he whom God has sent utters the words of God, for he gives the Spirit without measure. 

35 The Father loves the Son and has given all things into his hand. 

36 Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him. 

Prophecy from the book of Daniel...
Daniel 7:14 He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all peoples, nations and men of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.


Christ returns to the Father...
John 13:3 Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God

John 16:28 I came from the Father and entered the world; now I am leaving the world and going back to the Father."

Christ as servant...
Spiritual washing and cleansing of the soul from sin...
Titus 3:5 he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit
1 Peter 3:21 and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also--not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a good conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ
Matthew 20:28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many

You as servant...
Sharing the gospel...
Ephesians 5:26 to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word
Mark 9:35 Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, "If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all
Matt.28:19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit


The promise...
Christ...
Gal.3:22-28-
22 But the Scripture imprisoned everything under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe. 
23 Now before faith came, we were held captive under the law, imprisoned until the coming faith would be revealed. 
24 So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith. 
25 But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian, 
26 for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. 
27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 
28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.


Lord, we long for Your return! Amen

Washed By The Water

The regenerating work of the Holy Spirit is compared to water. Our new birth which is wrought by the Spirit, brings us to the realization that sin destroys! Christ is the cornerstone of the gospel! Christ pardons the sinner!

The sinner's condemned state...
Romans 4:23-25 

23 But the words "it was counted to him" were not written for his sake alone, 
24 but for ours also. It will be counted to us who believe in him who raised from the dead Jesus our Lord, 
25 who was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification


God's eternal love...
Jer.3:3 the LORD appeared to him from far away. I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you.

God's wisdom and power through Christ...
1 Corinthians 1:18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.


Sin requires sacrifice and atonement...
Romans 3:25 whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins.
Romans 5:9 Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God's wrath through him!

You must believe Christ is the Son of the living God...
1 John 5:5 Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?
1 John 5:9 If we receive the testimony of men, the testimony of God is greater, for this is the testimony of God that he has borne concerning his Son.
1 John 5:11 And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.
1 John 5:20 And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true; and we are in him who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.

The benefit...
You will not perish...
You have everlasting life...
John 3:16 "For God so loved the world,that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

The grace...
Ephesians 2:4-9 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ— by grace you have been saved—and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.


Justified...
Gal.3:11 Now it is evident that no one is justified before God by the law, for "The righteous shall live by faith."
1Peter 2:24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.
Eph.2:8-9 

8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 
9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast.



Sanctified...
Phil.2:13 for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure
1Cor.6:11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

Condemned Already

John 3:18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.


We are born condemned! We are born in sin! Belief in Christ is the only way for salvation. Christ, our escape from condemnation, given us by holy God, a life freely given by an obedient Son! How can man turn his back on this eternal gift? A gift given at such cost!!
Precious Lord, who can understand? None! Who is worthy? None! Lord, I praise You for You alone are worthy! Amen

John 3:16-17 

16 "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. 

17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.

John 11:25 Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies

Romans 5:8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us

Romans 8:32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all--how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?

Ephesians 2:4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy

1 John 4:10 This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins

Revelation 1:5 and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood

Do you have a humble heart before God? Do you know that you are lost, forever separated from God?

There Was No Voice And No One Answered

1 Kings 18:26 And they took the bull that was given them, and they prepared it and called upon the name of Baal from morning until noon, saying, "O Baal, answer us!" But there was no voice, and no one answered. And they limped around the altar that they had made.


All who serve false gods, receive no answer! They have no voice! They have no power!

1 Kings 18:27-29 
27 And at noon Elijah mocked them, saying, "Cry aloud, for he is a god. Either he is musing, or he is relieving himself, or he is on a journey, or perhaps he is asleep and must be awakened." 
28 And they cried aloud and cut themselves after their custom with swords and lances, until the blood gushed out upon them. 
29 And as midday passed, they raved on until the time of the offering of the oblation, but there was no voice. No one answered; no one paid attention.


There is one true living God!

1 Kings 18:36-39 
36 And at the time of the offering of the oblation, Elijah the prophet came near and said, "O LORD, God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, let it be known this day that you are God in Israel, and that I am your servant, and that I have done all these things at your word. 
37 Answer me, O LORD, answer me, that this people may know that you, O LORD, are God, and that you have turned their hearts back." 
38 Then the fire of the LORD fell and consumed the burnt offering and the wood and the stones and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench. 
39 And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces and said, "The LORD, he is God; the LORD, he is God."


The spirit testifies....


John 1:29-34

29 The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, "Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! 

30 This is he of whom I said, 'After me comes a man who ranks before me, because he was before me.' 

31 I myself did not know him, but for this purpose I came baptizing with water, that he might be revealed to Israel." 

32 And John bore witness: "I saw the Spirit descend from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him. 

33 I myself did not know him, but he who sent me to baptize with water said to me, 'He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain, this is he who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.' 

34 And I have seen and have borne witness that this is the Son of God."

Romans 8:14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.

Romans 8:16 The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God

God's voice through His Son....

Hebrews 10:12-18 

12 But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, 

13 waiting from that time until his enemies should be made a footstool for his feet. 

14 For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified. 

15 And the Holy Spirit also bears witness to us; for after saying, 

16 "This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my laws on their hearts, and write them on their minds," 

17 then he adds, "I will remember their sins and their lawless deeds no more." 

18 Where there is forgiveness of these, there is no longer any offering for sin.

Lord, we praise You for You alone are worthy! Amen

The Word Among Us

John 1:14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.


Christ was wholly man and wholly God!
Definition of wholly:  Entirely; fully
Our menial brain can not fully understand the things of God. This is one of those things that remains a mystery and it belongs to God alone. Christ has the attributes of man and God! He was the acceptable choice for our sin debt there by offering salvation to all men. The Bible records real events as they unfold, given to man through the inspired word of God. We are warned of great judgment if we take away or add to these divine words. The historical records given to man for his use are indeed meant to enlighten, but more so to give an accurate record of God's will for man. These records show what God demands, from in the beginning with the old covenant law to the present day of Christ blood covenant with those who will serve Him.

From the beginning....
1John 1:1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched--this we proclaim concerning the Word of life.


Eyewitness accounts....
2 Peter 1:16 We did not follow cleverly invented stories when we told you about the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty.


Wholly man....
Philippians 2:7 but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.


Wholly God....
Galatians 4:4 But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law


Before creation....
John 17:24 "Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world.

Sinful man's reconciliation with God....
John 14:6 Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me


Coming King....
Revelation 19:13 He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God


Lord most high God, Open eyes to the truth of this precious gift. Let all mankind know that Christ did it all! He is our salvation, provided by You from before the world began! Amen

Proclaimed In His Name To All Nations

Luke 24:46-48 
46 and said to them, "Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, 
47 and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. 
48 You are witnesses of these things. 

We are the witnesses God has given Christ, we are to proclaim His gospel to the nations. Although we have not physically seen the events in God's Word, we believe! Why? Because God's Word is so compelling! Because God has opened our eyes to see! Because God has shown us through His creation of the universe!

1 Peter 1:8 Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy

1John 5:10-11 

10 Whoever believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself. Whoever does not believe God has made him a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God has borne concerning his Son. 

11 And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.

Acts 26:18 to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.'

Romans 1:19-20 

19 For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. 

20 For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.

God will not be denied! He demands worship! He alone is worthy! There is no other God!

Almighty God of the universe, creator of all things, forgive us! Loose our tongues with the hope found in You. Amen

It Was In Your Heart

1 Kings 8:18 But the LORD said to David my father, 'Whereas it was in your heart to build a house for my name, you did well that it was in your heart.
1Kings 8:23 and said, "O LORD, God of Israel, there is no God like you, in heaven above or on earth beneath, keeping covenant and showing steadfast love to your servants who walk before you with all their heart


Is He in your heart? Do you thirst for the true knowledge of God? Do you proclaim His glory to the world? He holds the universe in His hands! He holds you in His hand! Do you know the fear of falling into the hands of the living God?

1 Kings 8:37-40 
37 "If there is famine in the land, if there is pestilence or blight or mildew or locust or caterpillar, if their enemy besieges them in the land at their gates, whatever plague, whatever sickness there is, 
38 whatever prayer, whatever plea is made by any man or by all your people Israel, each knowing the affliction of his own heart and stretching out his hands toward this house, 
39 then hear in heaven your dwelling place and forgive and act and render to each whose heart you know, according to all his ways (for you, you only, know the hearts of all the children of mankind), 
40 that they may fear you all the days that they live in the land that you gave to our fathers.


If, in your heart, you ask for mercy, God forgives!

1Kings 8:57-61, 9:3 
57 The LORD our God be with us, as he was with our fathers. May he not leave us or forsake us, 
58 that he may incline our hearts to him, to walk in all his ways and to keep his commandments, his statutes, and his rules, which he commanded our fathers. 
59 Let these words of mine, with which I have pleaded before the LORD, be near to the LORD our God day and night, and may he maintain the cause of his servant and the cause of his people Israel, as each day requires, 
60 that all the peoples of the earth may know that the LORD is God; there is no other. 
61 Let your heart therefore be wholly true to the LORD our God, walking in his statutes and keeping his commandments, as at this day."
3 And the LORD said to him, "I have heard your prayer and your plea, which you have made before me. I have consecrated this house that you have built, by putting my name there forever. My eyes and my heart will be there for all time.


Faith, mercy and patience...


Heb.11:6 And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.

1Tim.1:16 But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life.

Awesome God of my heart, forgive us! We do not really grasp Who You Are!! Give us a thirst for You that can not be satisfied! Help us to teach and show you to the world! Amen

Tremble Sinner At These Words!

Luke 23:31 For if they do these things when the wood is green, what will happen when it is dry?”

1 Peter 4:18 And, "If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?"

1 Timothy 1:9 We also know that law is made not for the righteous but for lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sinful, the unholy and irreligious; for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers

Jude 1:15 to judge everyone, and to convict all the ungodly of all the ungodly acts they have done in the ungodly way, and of all the harsh words ungodly sinners have spoken against him."

Will these words satisfy man's own mind as to the truth of who God is? There is coming a time when you will be judged, by Christ, as to whether you trusted in Him for salvation or denied Him! If you are a Christ follower, you are to flee from sin. Why? Sin destroys! Satan is the author of sin and the foundation of his kingdom is built upon lies! We must guard the truth of God's Word and deliver it to the world. It must be kept pure! There are those who pervert God's Word and lead people down the path of destruction. Be aware, study God's Word. 

Jude 1:4 For certain people have crept in unnoticed who long ago were designated for this condemnation, ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into sensuality and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.

It is God alone who works grace in the souls of men and He alone who perfects it! God is our only hope for mercy! God has shown us mercy through Christ! That mercy brings peace which also produces love that is shown to the world! The greatest mercy and love that can be shown is to tell someone about the hope we have in Christ! We are alive in Christ! 

The fullness of the gospel....

Col.2:6-15

6 Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, 

7 rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving. 

8 See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ. 

9 For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, 

10 and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority. 

11 In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, 

12 having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead. 

13 And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, 

14 by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. 

15 He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him. 

My Lord and My God, we praise You for You are worthy!!! Amen

Who Do You Say I Am?

Luke 22:69 But from now on the Son of Man shall be seated at the right hand of the power of God.”

Psalm 110:1 Of David. A psalm. The LORD says to my Lord: "Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet."

Mark 14:62 "I am," said Jesus. "And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven."

Who do you say Jesus Christ is? A great prophet, a carpenter, Master, Lord and King or do you just ignore Him altogether? I pray for you to know the truth, to be aware of your surroundings and see, in creation, what has been created by God for His glory and as a witness to you! What God has promised to do, by His own Word, through His Son, so that we might believe the power God has given His Son to redeem our souls! And that belief is based solely on faith that Christ can and will do what the Father has said, save the sinner from Hell.

Luke 22:67 "If you are the Christ," they said, "tell us." Jesus answered, "If I tell you, you will not believe me

Luke 22:68 and if I ask you, you will not answer

John 4:23 Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks

Matthew 26:28 This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins

Mark 10:45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."

Philippians 2:7 but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.

Revelation 1:5 and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood

Lord, your testimony is here for all who will see! It is there for us to proclaim to the world! It is true! It is good! Only You offer man salvation! I ask for Your will and we give You all the glory forever. Amen