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.