What do you do when you see a person headed for eternal destruction? I pray, for my hope is in the Lord. There are things we can say, if the person is willing to listen. We can present the gospel, if the person is willing to hear. But what do you do if the person is completely convinced that the gospel is a joke? If all their mannerisms tell you they want to be anywhere but here listening to this gospel. I pray, for my hope is in the Lord. Salvation is between you and the Lord. Each person will be held accountable, by God, as to whether he denies God or begs for mercy. We can live out the gospel before the lost but ultimately it is Christ who draws all men to Him. I do not know how many times God will offer salvation to a person. Today is the day of salvation!
Ps.39:7 "And now, O Lord, for what do I wait? My hope is in you.
1Peter 1:21 who through him are believers in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.
God's promise:
Titus 1:2 in hope of eternal life, which God, who never lies, promised before the ages began
Through Christ
Heb.7:19 (for the law made nothing perfect); but on the other hand, a better hope is introduced, through which we draw near to God.
Heb.7:22 This makes Jesus the guarantor of a better covenant.
One time sacrifice:
Heb.7:27 He has no need, like those high priests, to offer sacrifices daily, first for his own sins and then for those of the people, since he did this once for all when he offered up himself.
Response to the lost:
1Peter 3:15 but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect
In the end:
Heb.9:27 And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment
Lord, salvation is by Your power alone! Help us to be obedient to You in living out your gospel truth. I grieve for the lost and bow humbly before Your throne of grace. To serve You all my days, in love and respect, for You alone are worthy! Amen
Friday, April 13, 2012
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
Unless You Repent You Will All Likewise Perish
Luke 13:5 No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish."
Repent means turning from sin! Turning from sin means going in another direction, one that is more pleasing to God. Another direction means seeking after the things of God. The things of God are loving the Lord with all your heart, obeying His commands, and loving your neighbor. You can only do these things if you are a new creation in Christ. God's changes are forever and He is Lord over all things. It does not matter what evil controls you, our God is mighty! You want peace? Read God's word and ask for Him to reveal to you the wonder of Who He is! He has revealed Himself to us in His word and in His creation.
Deut.29:29 “The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law.
John 5:36-40
36 But the testimony that I have is greater than that of John. For the works that the Father has given me to accomplish, the very works that I am doing, bear witness about me that the Father has sent me.
37 And the Father who sent me has himself borne witness about me. His voice you have never heard, his form you have never seen, 38 and you do not have his word abiding in you, for you do not believe the one whom he has sent. 39 You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me, 40 yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life.
Lord, only You can change hearts! My heart grieves for the lost and the sweet relationship they will miss with you. Lord, You are over all things. Help us to reach the lost for Your glory in the whole Earth. Amen
Repent means turning from sin! Turning from sin means going in another direction, one that is more pleasing to God. Another direction means seeking after the things of God. The things of God are loving the Lord with all your heart, obeying His commands, and loving your neighbor. You can only do these things if you are a new creation in Christ. God's changes are forever and He is Lord over all things. It does not matter what evil controls you, our God is mighty! You want peace? Read God's word and ask for Him to reveal to you the wonder of Who He is! He has revealed Himself to us in His word and in His creation.
Deut.29:29 “The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law.
John 5:36-40
36 But the testimony that I have is greater than that of John. For the works that the Father has given me to accomplish, the very works that I am doing, bear witness about me that the Father has sent me.
37 And the Father who sent me has himself borne witness about me. His voice you have never heard, his form you have never seen, 38 and you do not have his word abiding in you, for you do not believe the one whom he has sent. 39 You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me, 40 yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life.
Lord, only You can change hearts! My heart grieves for the lost and the sweet relationship they will miss with you. Lord, You are over all things. Help us to reach the lost for Your glory in the whole Earth. Amen
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Do You Know Who I Am?
Who is He to you? I am speaking of Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God! One day you will stand before Him and He will judge you, and it will be just for He is righteous. You want to know why?
He died, in obedience to His Father, on the cross when He took the wrath due you and me! All power in heaven and earth has been given to Him by the Father.
Matt.28:18 And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
We here on earth, put high importance on who we are. But that is not what is important. God's word says" It is appointed once for man to die and then judgement".
Heb.9:27 And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment
Christ will not ask who you are but will ask do you obey Me, do you humbly bow before Me, and is your faith solely in me for salvation? There is salvation in no one else!
Acts 4:12 And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved."
How can this fact be ignored by man? What will be the outcome if you ignore this precious gift?
Heb.2:2-4
2 For since the message declared by angels proved to be reliable, and every transgression or disobedience received a just retribution,
3 how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard,
4 while God also bore witness by signs and wonders and various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.
Heb.2:10 For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the founder of their salvation perfect through suffering.
Hell and Heaven are real. Your soul is eternal! It goes to one place or the other. God has made a way for you to be reconciled to Him through His Son. You can repent and ask for mercy or you can deny and face the harsh reality of Hell. Don't let people lead you down a path of destruction. Read God's word, pray for forgiveness, repent and discover the truth for yourself. Before you do these things, look to creation for clues God has set before all mankind.
Romans 1:18-20
18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth.
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.
Lord, open the eyes of wicked man to see the truth of Your glory revealed through out creation. Amen
He died, in obedience to His Father, on the cross when He took the wrath due you and me! All power in heaven and earth has been given to Him by the Father.
Matt.28:18 And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
We here on earth, put high importance on who we are. But that is not what is important. God's word says" It is appointed once for man to die and then judgement".
Heb.9:27 And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment
Christ will not ask who you are but will ask do you obey Me, do you humbly bow before Me, and is your faith solely in me for salvation? There is salvation in no one else!
Acts 4:12 And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved."
How can this fact be ignored by man? What will be the outcome if you ignore this precious gift?
Heb.2:2-4
2 For since the message declared by angels proved to be reliable, and every transgression or disobedience received a just retribution,
3 how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard,
4 while God also bore witness by signs and wonders and various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.
Heb.2:10 For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the founder of their salvation perfect through suffering.
Hell and Heaven are real. Your soul is eternal! It goes to one place or the other. God has made a way for you to be reconciled to Him through His Son. You can repent and ask for mercy or you can deny and face the harsh reality of Hell. Don't let people lead you down a path of destruction. Read God's word, pray for forgiveness, repent and discover the truth for yourself. Before you do these things, look to creation for clues God has set before all mankind.
Romans 1:18-20
18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth.
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.
Lord, open the eyes of wicked man to see the truth of Your glory revealed through out creation. Amen
Friday, April 6, 2012
Key to the Universe
Pastor's sermon today was God filled and awesome!
Ps.103:19 The LORD has established his throne in the heavens, and his kingdom rules over all.
Eph.1:21-23
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.
Remember the holiness of God!
God is sovereign over all!
Deut.4:25 that you shall be driven from among men, and your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field. You shall be made to eat grass like an ox, and you shall be wet with the dew of heaven, and seven periods of time shall pass over you, till you know that the Most High rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom he will.
From the beginning, we have denounced His sovereignty, and despised His righteousness! We totally disregard His wrath and continually deny his love! How can righteous God be loving to rebellious sinners who are due his wrath? God's forgiveness of our sin is a threat to His character! Before the cross is for anyone else's sake, the cross is for His sake! Tremble at the horror of man's wickedness! Jewish leaders, Roman leaders, soldiers, crowds, and even His disciples were all wicked and sinful toward the Lord. The Jews rejected Him, had Him arrested, accused Him of being blasphemous, and judged Him as a liar. The Romans sentenced and crucified Him. The soldiers stripped, scourged, mocked, beat, and spat on Him. The crowds ridiculed, reviled, and shouted at Him. Even those who believed and loved Him, His disciples betrayed, denied, disobeyed, and deserted Him and scattered and left Him alone.
Matt.27:1 When morning came, all the chief priests and the elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death.
John 11:46-48
46 but some of them went to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done.
47 So the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered the Council and said, "What are we to do? For this man performs many signs.
48 If we let him go on like this, everyone will believe in him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation."
Matt.26:57 Then those who had seized Jesus led him to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders had gathered.
Matt.27:20-22
20 Now the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and destroy Jesus.
21 The governor again said to them, "Which of the two do you want me to release for you?" And they said, "Barabbas."
22 Pilate said to them, "Then what shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?"They all said, "Let him be crucified!"
Matt.27:28-31
28 And they stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him,
29 and twisting together a crown of thorns, they put it on his head and put a reed in his right hand. And kneeling before him, they mocked him, saying, "Hail, King of the Jews!"
30 And they spit on him and took the reed and struck him on the head.
31 And when they had mocked him, they stripped him of the robe and put his own clothes on him and led him away to crucify him.
Matt.26:49-50
49 And he came up to Jesus at once and said, "Greetings, Rabbi!" And he kissed him.
50 Jesus said to him, "Friend, do what you came to do." Then they came up and laid hands on Jesus and seized him.
Matt.26:56 But all this has taken place that the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled." Then all the disciples left him and fled.
Matt.27:45-50
45Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour.
46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, "Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?" that is, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"
47 And some of the bystanders, hearing it, said, "This man is calling Elijah."
48 And one of them at once ran and took a sponge, filled it with sour wine, and put it on a reed and gave it to him to drink.
49 But the others said, "Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come to save him."
50 And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice and yielded up his spirit.
Behold the humility of Christ! He was our substitution! Jesus died our death! He is the Passover Lamb who saves us with His blood. He is the covenant keeper who seals us with His blood. Before the cross, we were headed for eternal death; we now have eternal life. The definition of propitiation: the turning away of wrath by an offering or an atoning sacrifice
Jesus was our propitiation, He endured our condemnation! The cup of the cross is not primarily physical suffering; it is predominantly spiritual suffering. Jesus was not a coward about to face Romans soldiers; He was a Savior about to experience divine wrath. Before the cross, we were afraid of God; because of the cross, we are now friends with God. We are reconciled only through Christ who suffered our separation. The cry on the cross was not a cry of unbelief, confusion, or despair but it was a cry of physical agony, spiritual anguish and relational separation. The curse of the cross; Jesus was cut off from the Father's favorable presence. Jesus was given the full recompense of our disobedience. Before the cross, we were cast out of God's presence; because of the cross , we are now invited into God's presence!
Ex.12:23 For the LORD will pass through to strike the Egyptians, and when he sees the blood on the lintel and on the two doorposts, the LORD will pass over the door and will not allow the destroyer to enter your houses to strike you.
1Cor.5:7 Cleanse out the old leaven that you may be a new lump, as you really are unleavened. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed.
Ex.24:8 And Moses took the blood and threw it on the people and said, "Behold the blood of the covenant that the LORD has made with you in accordance with all these words."
Matt.26:28 for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.
2Cor.5:18-21
18 All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation;
19 that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.
20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.
21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
Want you surrender your heart to God? I am now proclaiming to you the hope I have found in the gospel. Whosoever calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved!
Lord God, maker of heaven and earth and everything in them, melt hearts today with Your Word. Amen
Ps.103:19 The LORD has established his throne in the heavens, and his kingdom rules over all.
Eph.1:21-23
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.
Remember the holiness of God!
God is sovereign over all!
Deut.4:25 that you shall be driven from among men, and your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field. You shall be made to eat grass like an ox, and you shall be wet with the dew of heaven, and seven periods of time shall pass over you, till you know that the Most High rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom he will.
From the beginning, we have denounced His sovereignty, and despised His righteousness! We totally disregard His wrath and continually deny his love! How can righteous God be loving to rebellious sinners who are due his wrath? God's forgiveness of our sin is a threat to His character! Before the cross is for anyone else's sake, the cross is for His sake! Tremble at the horror of man's wickedness! Jewish leaders, Roman leaders, soldiers, crowds, and even His disciples were all wicked and sinful toward the Lord. The Jews rejected Him, had Him arrested, accused Him of being blasphemous, and judged Him as a liar. The Romans sentenced and crucified Him. The soldiers stripped, scourged, mocked, beat, and spat on Him. The crowds ridiculed, reviled, and shouted at Him. Even those who believed and loved Him, His disciples betrayed, denied, disobeyed, and deserted Him and scattered and left Him alone.
Matt.27:1 When morning came, all the chief priests and the elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death.
John 11:46-48
46 but some of them went to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done.
47 So the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered the Council and said, "What are we to do? For this man performs many signs.
48 If we let him go on like this, everyone will believe in him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation."
Matt.26:57 Then those who had seized Jesus led him to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders had gathered.
Matt.27:20-22
20 Now the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and destroy Jesus.
21 The governor again said to them, "Which of the two do you want me to release for you?" And they said, "Barabbas."
22 Pilate said to them, "Then what shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?"They all said, "Let him be crucified!"
Matt.27:28-31
28 And they stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him,
29 and twisting together a crown of thorns, they put it on his head and put a reed in his right hand. And kneeling before him, they mocked him, saying, "Hail, King of the Jews!"
30 And they spit on him and took the reed and struck him on the head.
31 And when they had mocked him, they stripped him of the robe and put his own clothes on him and led him away to crucify him.
Matt.26:49-50
49 And he came up to Jesus at once and said, "Greetings, Rabbi!" And he kissed him.
50 Jesus said to him, "Friend, do what you came to do." Then they came up and laid hands on Jesus and seized him.
Matt.26:56 But all this has taken place that the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled." Then all the disciples left him and fled.
Matt.27:45-50
45Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour.
46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, "Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?" that is, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"
47 And some of the bystanders, hearing it, said, "This man is calling Elijah."
48 And one of them at once ran and took a sponge, filled it with sour wine, and put it on a reed and gave it to him to drink.
49 But the others said, "Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come to save him."
50 And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice and yielded up his spirit.
Behold the humility of Christ! He was our substitution! Jesus died our death! He is the Passover Lamb who saves us with His blood. He is the covenant keeper who seals us with His blood. Before the cross, we were headed for eternal death; we now have eternal life. The definition of propitiation: the turning away of wrath by an offering or an atoning sacrifice
Jesus was our propitiation, He endured our condemnation! The cup of the cross is not primarily physical suffering; it is predominantly spiritual suffering. Jesus was not a coward about to face Romans soldiers; He was a Savior about to experience divine wrath. Before the cross, we were afraid of God; because of the cross, we are now friends with God. We are reconciled only through Christ who suffered our separation. The cry on the cross was not a cry of unbelief, confusion, or despair but it was a cry of physical agony, spiritual anguish and relational separation. The curse of the cross; Jesus was cut off from the Father's favorable presence. Jesus was given the full recompense of our disobedience. Before the cross, we were cast out of God's presence; because of the cross , we are now invited into God's presence!
Ex.12:23 For the LORD will pass through to strike the Egyptians, and when he sees the blood on the lintel and on the two doorposts, the LORD will pass over the door and will not allow the destroyer to enter your houses to strike you.
1Cor.5:7 Cleanse out the old leaven that you may be a new lump, as you really are unleavened. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed.
Ex.24:8 And Moses took the blood and threw it on the people and said, "Behold the blood of the covenant that the LORD has made with you in accordance with all these words."
Matt.26:28 for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.
2Cor.5:18-21
18 All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation;
19 that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.
20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.
21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
Lord God, maker of heaven and earth and everything in them, melt hearts today with Your Word. Amen
Thursday, April 5, 2012
The Power of the Empty Tomb
The truth of the reliable story of the empty tomb is far more involved than we think. It begins long ago, before the birth and death of Christ. We only get, God revealed glimpses, of the mysteries contained in the story as told in the bible. Christ birth and death were ordained by God. God had a plan! That plan is still working out in the lives of those waiting for it's culmination. That plan's end will result in Christ coming for His bride and a new heaven and earth that has been promised to those who know and love the Lord. Christ is God, spirit and man!
Old Testaments saints testimony:
Job19:25-27
For I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last he will stand upon the earth. 26 And after my skin has been thus destroyed, yet in my flesh I shall see God, 27 whom I shall see for myself, and my eyes shall behold, and not another. My heart faints within me!
As Messiah:
Romans 9:5 To them belong the patriarchs, and from their race, according to the flesh, is the Christ who is God over all, blessed forever. Amen.
Titus 2:13 waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ
As God:
John 1:1-14
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. 6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. 8 He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light. 9 The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. 11 He came to his own, and his own peopledid not receive him. 12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, 13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. 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.John 1:18 No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father's side, he has made him known.Phil.2:5-115 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant,being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
One with God the father:John 10:30 I and My Father are One.Matt.11:27All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.
In Spirit:John 15:26 "But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me.
As Creator:Neh.9:6 6 "You are the LORD, you alone. You have made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them; and you preserve all of them; and the host of heaven worships you.John 1:3 All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.Col.1:16-20 16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities--all things were created through him and for him. 17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. 19 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.
Supernatural raising of the dead:John 5:21 For as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so also the Son gives life to whom he will.John 6:40 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."John 6:54-58 54 Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day. 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 10:17-18 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."
Sweet Jesus, reveal Yourself to us. We long to deeply know You. We want to reflect you to the world. Teach us to "turn the other cheek", to "love our enemies", and to show forgiveness when the world thinks it impossible. Amen
Old Testaments saints testimony:
Job19:25-27
For I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last he will stand upon the earth. 26 And after my skin has been thus destroyed, yet in my flesh I shall see God, 27 whom I shall see for myself, and my eyes shall behold, and not another. My heart faints within me!
As Messiah:
Romans 9:5 To them belong the patriarchs, and from their race, according to the flesh, is the Christ who is God over all, blessed forever. Amen.
Titus 2:13 waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ
As God:
John 1:1-14
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. 6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. 8 He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light. 9 The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. 11 He came to his own, and his own peopledid not receive him. 12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, 13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. 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.John 1:18 No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father's side, he has made him known.Phil.2:5-115 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant,being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
One with God the father:John 10:30 I and My Father are One.Matt.11:27All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.
In Spirit:John 15:26 "But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me.
As Creator:Neh.9:6 6 "You are the LORD, you alone. You have made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them; and you preserve all of them; and the host of heaven worships you.John 1:3 All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.Col.1:16-20 16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities--all things were created through him and for him. 17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. 19 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.
Supernatural raising of the dead:John 5:21 For as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so also the Son gives life to whom he will.John 6:40 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."John 6:54-58 54 Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day. 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 10:17-18 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."
Sweet Jesus, reveal Yourself to us. We long to deeply know You. We want to reflect you to the world. Teach us to "turn the other cheek", to "love our enemies", and to show forgiveness when the world thinks it impossible. Amen
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
Wisdom and Comfort for the Dying Christian
In the written truth of God's Word, we have a real assurance of what happens to us when we leave this place called Earth. If you believe God sent His Son, Jesus, to die as the only acceptable sacrifice for sinners, taking the wrath due man, nailing it to the cross and therefore making a way for man to be reconciled to a holy God. You have God's authority about eternity through His Son! I am trusting Christ for my salvation, so I must trust Him, with assured peace, in life and death. There is no other option! If you deny Christ, then you have no peace in life or death! There is no comfort or peace left for you! Most of us think of dying as something that comes suddenly as with an accident, or because of illness, but the truth of the matter is that, the minute you were born, you began to die. Your death has been going on, simultaneously as you live life. God's plan, your number of days have been ordained by God and written in His book, before you ever had one.
Matt.28:18 And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
Col.1:15-23
His promise:
John 14:1-4 “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. 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? 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. And you know the way to where I am going.”
Romans 8:16-17 The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.
We die and live through Him:
John 11:23-26 Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” Martha said to him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.” Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?”
1 Corinthians 15:54-57 When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Philippians 3:20-21 But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.
He will do:
1 Corinthians 15:20-23 But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ.
Philippians 1:23-24 I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account.
1 Peter 1:3-5 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he 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.
1 John 3:1-2 See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is.
Revelation 21:1-4 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”
In death:
Psalm 23:4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil,
Psalm 116:15 Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.
John 10:27-29 “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.” (Jesus speaking)
Romans 8:38-39 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 14:8 For if we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord’s.
Revelation 14:13 And I heard a voice from heaven saying, “Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.” “Blessed indeed,” says the Spirit, “that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow them!”
Hallelujah and Amen, Praise God for He alone is worthy!!!
Matt.28:18 And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
Col.1:15-23
15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.
16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities--all things were created through him and for him.
17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.
18 And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent.
19 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell,
20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.
21 And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds,
22 he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him,
23 if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, became a minister.
His promise:
John 14:1-4 “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. 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? 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. And you know the way to where I am going.”
Romans 8:16-17 The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.
2 Corinthians 5:6-8 So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, for we walk by faith, not by sight. Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord.
1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. Therefore encourage one another with these words.
1 Thessalonians 5:9-11 For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him. Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.
John 11:23-26 Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” Martha said to him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.” Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?”
1 Corinthians 15:54-57 When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Philippians 3:20-21 But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.
He will do:
1 Corinthians 15:20-23 But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ.
Philippians 1:23-24 I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account.
1 Peter 1:3-5 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he 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.
1 John 3:1-2 See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is.
Revelation 21:1-4 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”
In death:
Psalm 23:4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil,
Psalm 116:15 Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.
John 10:27-29 “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.” (Jesus speaking)
Romans 8:38-39 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 14:8 For if we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord’s.
Revelation 14:13 And I heard a voice from heaven saying, “Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.” “Blessed indeed,” says the Spirit, “that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow them!”
Hallelujah and Amen, Praise God for He alone is worthy!!!
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