Tag Archives: Gospel

Are You Whole Or Only Partly Whole?

Posted on by under Christianity, Faith, Jesus Christ, Jews & Gentiles, The Word

While Jesus was on earth he ate with tax collectors and sinners, he didn’t need to eat with people who were whole. What did Jesus mean? Luke 5:31-32 states, ‘And Jesus answering said unto them,’ “They that are whole need not a physician; but they that are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” Jesus is telling us that those who are born again believers in him and have placed their trust and faith in him are whole already. Their sins have already been forgiven by God. They have Jesus Christ in their lives already. And we all need him day by day too, whether we are born again believers saved by grace or if we are still secular (those without Christ and are still of this world). God’s word tells us we each need him, recognized or not by us. So any sinner who has not been saved or born again by grace is the one who Jesus is saying is ‘incomplete, not whole, or sick (in need of him).’

Jesus sees people without faith as incomplete or not whole or sick. This is not to be thought of as a hard saying to take, as a denigration or unfairly criticizing, but to let people know that without him they do not have all that they need to have in this life to be equipped, and for all eternity. Jesus deals with the truth only, and Jesus places very great emphasis on having faith in Jesus and his word, the bible. In fact the bible states that without faith we cannot please him, that is how important coming to know Jesus Christ is. Hebrews 11:6 states, ‘But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.’ Wow! It’s right there, plus he promises to reward people who diligently seek him! What is not to like there?! He is urging each of us to come now. It’s saying truly come after me, seek me, and see if you will not see for yourself!

Let’s break down the words incomplete, not whole, and sick to help us even further. Incomplete means: not having all the necessary parts, not having enough of a specific ingredient, not enough, or existing only in part. Not whole means: not finished, not full, not total, imperfect, or lacking. Sick means: ailing or indisposed. This is how Jesus sees us without him and how he wants us to see ourselves; as us without him who made us! He knows you need him and yearns for you to come in faith to him. Each of these meanings shows us Jesus is telling us he knows what we feel like without being complete in him. This is why he tells us this and what we need to be complete. It’s him! No wonder we feel the way we do sometimes, right?!

To be whole as sinners we need Jesus Christ because our sins separate us (or man) from God. Sin started with Adam and Eve. Life was whole for Adam and Eve and before the apple was eaten it was a perfect existence. Adam and Eve’s relationship with God was perfect too. God had supplied their every need and there was no sin and thus no death. God cannot be in the presence of sin and because of sin any possible relationship with a holy God was gone. Read for yourself in the chapter of Genesis. But God loving us and making a plan in his goodness, provided a way for us to come back into a relationship with him. That is why he sent his one and only son, Jesus, who came into the world to die for our sins on that cross, and take our place. He then rose again three days later for us. Only Jesus could do that! Notice again that Jesus Christ has already died on the cross to forgive everyones sins in this world. So he’s freely given us this gift of himself, but we must by grace alone through faith, believe and accept that he’s done all this for us. In fact when Jesus Christ began to preach, his first words were in Matthew 4:17, “Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” It still is truly amazing to me after forty plus years of being a Christian! In John 10:7-11 Jesus says, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them. I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.” There’s only one way to have a relationship with God and it is through our Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus states in John 14:6, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” Narrow is the way and it’s only through Jesus.

Don’t you desire a new life and relationship with Jesus today? Come as you are, sincerely repent of all your sins, and believe what he has done for you.

Whether you are a Jew or a Gentile, Jesus is coming back one day!

Why don’t people consider cleaning their insides? We clean the outside don’t we?

Posted on by under Christianity, Faith, Jesus Christ, Jews & Gentiles, The Word

We know how to clean our bodies by showering or bathing, but do we understand that we also need to have our insides cleaned? Our hearts, our minds, our souls? How do I know this? Because I have been confronted with this myself. What in the world do I mean? Bear with me and read these words.

Luke 11:37-44, ‘And as he spake, a certain Pharisee besought him to dine with him; and he went in, and sat down to meat. And when the Pharisee saw it, he marvelled that he had not first washed before dinner. And the Lord said unto him,’ “Now do ye Pharisees make clean the outside of the cup and the platter; but your inward part is full of ravening and wickedness. Ye fools, did not he that made that which is without make that which is within also? But rather give alms of such things as ye have; and, behold, all things are clean unto you. But woe unto you, Pharisees! for you tithe mint and rue and all manner of herbs, and pass over judgement and the love of God: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone. Woe unto you, Pharisees! for ye love the uppermost seats in the synagogues, and greetings in the markets. Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are as graves which appear not, and the men that walk over them are not aware of them.” Psalm 5:9 states, ‘For there is no faithfulness in their mouth; their inward part is very wickedness; their throat is an open sepulchre; they flatter with their tongue.’ …They gave no thought to the condition inside themselves and how spiritually distant they really were from God. They were passing over God’s love for them and passing over what God really thinks of them in their condition. The most important thing to Jesus, to God, about each one of us is our spiritual side, and what we are truly like on the inside.

We need to ask Jesus to help us, and we need to take action about how our insides are to be kept by reading his words. He wants all our corners cleaned out. He would like us to desire holiness and his righteousness and to be like him. We as people can spend an exorbitant amount of time on our outside appearance and status and the like can’t we? But what about the inside and what about our conscience? Jesus desires for us to see our insides as the most important, not the outside. Our thoughts are most important to him. It’s opposite of how the world thinks isn’t it? If we don’t start looking at Jesus, the one who made us, reading his word to help us understand what he thinks, we will never learn all there is he wants us to know about him, ourselves, our insides, and this world. Jesus was saying to the Pharisees, look inside yourselves and at your sins and what you are doing… you are living not from me but from yourselves. The Pharisees desired only to lift themselves up in their own eyes and other people’s eyes, to be seen, to be recognized, be pointed to, and revered. They cared so much for the outside and their power, but never took the time to look deep inside within and see the lack thereof. The Old Testament had laws that said if a person touched a grave he was unclean. Jesus said because of the Pharisees corruptness they were guilty of making everyone else who came into contact with them unclean also. Innocent people became contaminated themselves with sin and got caught up in uncleanness too, because of not staying close enough to God, and staying away from these truly ungodly leaders. Sin keeps a person separated from God. But Jesus has provided a way for us.

Please read more. In Luke 11:45-54: ‘Then answered one of the lawyers, and said unto him, Master; thus saying thou reproachest us also. And he said,’ “Woe unto you also, ye lawyers! for ye lade men with burdens grievous to be borne, and ye yourselves touch not the burdens with one of your fingers. Woe unto you! for ye build the sepulchers of the prophets, and your fathers killed them. Truly ye bear witness that ye allow the deeds of your fathers: for they indeed killed them, and ye build their sepulchers. Therefore also said the wisdom of God, I will send them prophets and apostles, and some of them they shall slay and persecute: That the blood of all the prophets, which was shed from the foundation of the world, may be required of this generation; From the blood of Abel unto the blood of Zacharias, which perished between the altar and the temple: verily I say unto you, It shall be required of this generation. Woe unto you, lawyers! for ye have taken away the key of knowledge: ye entered not in yourselves, and them that were entering in ye hindered.” ‘And as he said these things unto them, the scribes and the Pharisees began to urge him vehemently, and to provoke him to speak of many things: Laying wait for him, and seeking to catch something out of his mouth, that they might accuse him.’

How blind can a person be right?! The Pharisees wanted to be known for building tombs for the prophets but didn’t look at how their forefathers could possibly be wrong in killing the prophets? This is because they refused to even consider Jesus. Jesus talked about the load people had to carry on the inside because of all the Pharisees’ rules, and how the ‘experts in the law’ didn’t do anything about it… uncaring, selfish and truly blind that they were because of no empathy here in their lives. And even after Jesus leaves, the Pharisees continue to conspire against Jesus instead of having a look inside themselves and trying to understand even a little of what Jesus was talking to them about. Attack and do not look inside to see if there might be even a grain of truth inside! And in reality if they had they would have seen that Jesus was telling them the whole truth. He was their long awaited Messiah! We must take time for our inside, our conscience, to be thought about. God wants us to compare ourselves to what we see and hear about in his word. Why? Because our thoughts and feelings can be wrong unless we compare them against the truth of God’s word. He gives us the straight story about ourselves. Just ask him to help you. You can change and be better for it!

Jesus tells us we cannot change from the inside out without his help and grace. We are dependent upon him, and he wants us to depend on him for this and ask for his help. No one can truly understand about God and that they need him, without him, and him drawing you to him. So if you are reading this, this is a sign, that he is drawing you as you read this. It is very exciting! His grace is truly a free gift given for each of us and that only, Jesus Christ himself, can give to someone. It is personal and it is from Jesus. Ephesians 2:8-10 tells us, ‘For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.’ We may try to change ourselves on our own but we will always fall short because it is beyond our ability. Coming to Christ for salvation is not a work. You can do nothing without him. For you must become born again to be changed and cleaned on the inside, as God’s word says in John 3:1-8. Read it for yourself. We need Jesus Christ. And he created us for relationship with himself. Only Jesus can cleanse us from our sin from the inside out. Jesus gives us this hope in the true story of his gospel; coming into the world born of the virgin Mary, death on the cross, shedding his blood for each of us, and rising from the dead on the third day thereby destroying sin’s power over death and us being able to live with Jesus while on this earth and for eternity in heaven. Jesus Christ is the free gift in what he did for you and is given to any who sincerely desire to have a new and changed life in him, for those who desire with whole hearts to repent fully of their sins and believe in him and what he’s done for them. Come just as you are if you desire to have this new life and believe he did this for you. No need to ‘clean up’ before you come, because Jesus loves you right where you are at right now. In John 14:6 Jesus tells us, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no one cometh unto the Father, but by me.”

Glory be to God for providing a way for us!

Whether you are a Jew or a Gentile, Jesus is coming back one day!

Jewish people, sent but not forgotten.

Posted on by under Christianity, Faith, Jesus Christ, Jews & Gentiles, The Word

God’s chosen people were the Jews. God’s original intention was for the Jews to go out into the world and tell others about him. In Matthew 10:5-7 it states, ‘These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying,’ “Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not: but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And as ye go, preach saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Paul, on his missionary journeys in the new testament, preached first to the Jews, then to the Gentiles.

Romans 9:29 with Paul speaking to the Jewish people states, ‘And as Esaias said before, Except the Lord of Sabaoth had left us a seed, we had been as Sodoma, and been made like unto Gomorrha.’ Romans 9:27 says, ‘Esaias also crieth concerning Israel, Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, a remnant shall be saved.’ Romans 10:3-4 explains this, ‘For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God (what God tells us in his word). For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.’ Verse 3 is clear, the Jews thought that by their works they would be able to obtain righteousness. But just as the Gentiles must know if they are ever to understand Christ, it is that their righteousness is not from anything we can do, for that is considered ‘a work.’ Salvation is not from anyone’s work but Jesus Christ’s. We as mere human beings cannot do a single thing to satisfy the requirement God needed to bring us into a right relationship with him. For none of us ever are good enough to bridge that gap on our own. God required a holy and righteous sacrifice. One perfect in his eyes that would be able to take on all the sins of the world. One that could not be fully human only for none are righteous in his eyes. So Jesus Christ came fully as a human but also as God fully divine, without a spot of sin or wrinkle.

A shedding of blood is required to cover and atone for sins. Hebrews 9:22 states, ‘And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.’ It goes on in Hebrews 9:26, ‘For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by sacrifice of himself.’ Jesus Christ was and is the great sacrifice, coming once and for all in these last days, Jew and Gentile alike. His birth, death on the cross, and his resurrection three days later made a way for us to be able to enter by God’s grace into his presence, …to be able to have a relationship with him. That is why in John 19:30 Jesus says, “It is finished.” It is over and paid for in full for the forgiveness of the people’s sins. Jesus’s love for us was sacrificial and perfect, done for you, done for me. Jesus is the bridge that fills the gap between us and God, the Father. Jesus rising three days later proving to us that there is life after death and that we will one day, rise to meet him and live eternally with him if we are born again (saved). It is only by grace we are saved. Ephesians 2:8-9 states, ‘For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God. Not of works, lest any man should boast.’ Romans 9:16 says, ‘So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy.’ It is a gift offered freely for any who desire to accept by faith the good news of what Jesus has done. Do you desire with all your heart to repent of all your sins, desiring to change your ways, and come to Jesus asking for his forgiveness? Do you desire a ‘new life’ in him? Come as you are and accept the free gift Jesus has for you. Tell him so.

Romans 11:25-27 states, ‘For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in. And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob: For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.’ Israel will finally recognize Jesus as their Messiah. Ezekiel 11:17 says, ‘Therefore say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; I will even gather you from the people, and assemble you out of the countries where you have been scattered, and I will give you the land of Israel.’

John 14:6-7 states, ‘Jesus saith unto him,’ “I am the way, and the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. If you had known me, you should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.”

What is your role as a Jewish person in this ‘Age of the Gentiles?’ Are you meant to be reading this? Is there a purpose specifically designed for you by God? I believe you are meant to read this and yes, there is a purpose God has made you for! Even in Romans 1:16 it states, “I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.”

Whether you are a Jew or a Gentile, Jesus is coming back one day!

Israel’s Unbelief.

Posted on by under Christianity, Faith, Jesus Christ, Jews & Gentiles, The Word

The Jews expected Jesus Christ to be a different sort of king than he was. They figured Jesus would be a regular type of king that would be of this world, so that he would rescue them from Roman rule, and then they would be independent as a nation with Jesus as their true king and messiah. And because of this most Jewish people don’t believe who Jesus Christ truly is. But Jesus came as a servant to the whole world, to physically show his love to you and me by actually dying for each and every one of us on that cross. Jesus Christ is God come in the flesh to us, so he would not be thinking as the Jewish people expected. Jesus Christ was to come into this world to save all people from their sins, which he has done by physically coming into this world, dying on the cross, and rising three days later. He’s defeated sin and death for each of us. He’s provided a way for this whole world, every person/sinner to come in repentance to him to have the relationship with God himself restored to us now. In Hebrews 3:19 states, ‘So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief.’ Israel lost their total dependence on God that it had had before sadly. We all need Jesus and he wants us to be dependent on him. We all need to keep our eyes and thoughts on Jesus Christ and his word to decipher what he is thinking and telling us to know. Over 300 prophecies told the Jewish people about their Messiah and some of those stated that he also would be persecuted and killed. It was foretold. Paul writes in Romans 9:4-5, ‘Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises; Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed forever. Amen.’ Their heritage was the most blessed of any in the world.

To have been chosen to just be in the Jewish lineage… what a privilege it was and still is!

Let’s look quickly at just a few of those 300+ prophecies that have verses corresponding  both from the old and new testaments. The Messiah would be a sacrifice for sin: Isaiah 53:5-12 & Romans 5:6-8. The Messiah rejected by his own people: Psalm 69:8 & John 1:11. The Messiah silent before his accusers: Isaiah 53:7 & Mark 15:4-5. The Messiah buried with the rich: Isaiah 53:9 & Matthew 27:57-60. The Messiah resurrected from the dead: Psalm 16:10 & Matthew 28:2-7; also Psalm 49:15 & Acts 2:22-32.

In Isaiah 41:14 the LORD refers to himself as ‘thy redeemer.’ Redeemer means rescuer. Jeremiah 31:31-34 states, ‘Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah. Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was and husband unto them, saith the LORD: But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people. And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.’ This can only happen by the power of the God and from his free gift of grace to you through Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is the new covenant. Jesus came to save you from your sins. Ephesians 2: 8-9 states: ‘For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not by works, lest any man should boast.’ Humbly and truthfully confessing all of our sins before him, desiring to change with true repentance, and acknowledging Jesus’s death on the cross and his resurrection for you are included. This is a new covenant that is made with Israel and with all mankind. He desires you to be born again spiritually so you are able to see things as he sees them, from God’s worldview and not only from your human standpoint. Hebrews 11:6 states, ‘But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.’

Matthew 5:17-20 talks of how Jesus didn’t come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; but to fulfill them. In Verse 20 Jesus states, “For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.” And how can this be done? Only through Jesus Christ and his righteousness. Read God’s word. It cannot be from ourselves, good works of any kind, or anything we think we should do to get us into heaven because why would Jesus had to of died on the cross for us then? Here again we see God’s words pointing only to Jesus Christ, the savior of the world. We must keep our eyes and our heart on him and be in his word if we are to understand. The Pharisees were studious in the Law, and pious on the outside. They believed strict obedience to the Law would get them into heaven. But their hearts were far from God and his kingdom. The Pharisees allegiances were on themselves. God wants our dependence on him, not ourselves. We are not the key, Jesus is himself. Read the word, you will find out for yourself. As Jews and Gentiles we can’t do anything to make ourselves right with God. And there is only one way. In John 14:6-7 says, ‘Jesus saith unto him,’ “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.”

Romans 9:30-32 talks of how the Jews pursued a law of righteousness and were not able to attain it, but how the Gentiles obtained righteousness because of their faith. It states how the Jews thought they’d be able to attain it for themselves by their works. Again, why would we need Jesus Christ if we could get to heaven by something we ourselves could do? Romans chapter 11 talks of the remnant of Israel. Verses 5-7 states, ‘Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace. And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work. What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for: but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded.’

Galatians 3:23-26 says, ‘But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster. For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.’ Galatians 3:29 states, ‘And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.’

Jesus Christ is the new covenant. Given to us as a free gift from God the Father above. He is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. Only by God’s grace through faith can you receive him if you want to be born again from above. Repent and trust in him. Ask him to help you to understand.

You will know if you have truly received Jesus Christ as your savior as he gives you the Holy Spirit to guide and give you direction in this new life. Stay in the word of God to be continually fed, you will need this! And you will have a new purpose along with new eyes to see, new ears to hear, and a deep faith that pleases God! Praise Jesus! His word is true life. Praise God!

Whether you are a Jew or a Gentile, Jesus Christ is coming back one day!

Jesus Christ is a buoy and a light for you.

Posted on by under Christianity, Faith, Jesus Christ, Jews & Gentiles, The Word

Jesus Christ is like a buoy that keeps you afloat, his words (think the KJV bible, not the kind that are unbiblical – yes there are many heretical ones out there now folks!) are navigation tools warning us of a danger and other hazards, keeping you where it is safe under his care. Like a very caring parent concerned for their child.

Even if I have a not so great day, after time spent with him whether at that time or the next morning, I am lifted back up by him knowing I am going to be all right because of our relationship and having him in my life. He reassures me I am not alone and helps me in what to think, and the result from during and after visiting with him is a feeling of real joy and peace. This is priceless. Truly knowing that everything is set back in place, settled again as it should be. For the believer, Romans 5:1-2 states, ‘Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.’ Isaiah 9:6 also says in part…’And his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.’ Are you ready to get to know him?

Jesus is our light so we can always look up to him in our hearts and think about him and ask for help. We are dependent on him. He made us this way. Did you know every person is born with a God-shaped void inside them? Now to help you, we should be in his word each day because that’ll gives us true direction from him and light for our lives. In John 1:8-9 John (one of the apostles) first tells us about himself and then Jesus, ‘He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.’ Jesus is my foundation, and he and his word are my supporting structure, he is my rock and I count on him. He is my Savior, my teacher, and my best friend. In life every one has valleys and trials, but if you have Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, he is going to help you get back up again and again. He will be your strength and your life, and you will not be built on shifting sands that are undependable or unsafe for you. He is always there for you and will be your helper and comforter through any suffering. He will be there for you guiding you in his knowledge, understanding, wisdom, and truth. And you are never alone as a true believer, never. He will be with you while on this earth and for all eternity. Jesus is our light. He is the way, the truth, and the life. Listen to John 14:6 after Thomas, one of the apostles, asks Jesus how can we know the way?, ‘Jesus saith unto him,’ “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”

Jesus tells us in his word we must come to him humbly, lowly, and contritely (showing him that you are truly sorry and know you are guilty of your sins and you want him to change you). We are to come even as a little child if we desire to know Jesus Christ and who he is. He will know if you are. And if you become a born again Christian you will know it and know that you have become a new creature in Christ. And you will start learning to walk by faith. 2 Corinthians 5:17 states, ‘Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.’ You will be learning so much and love it! But this is not to say normal life doesn’t carry on. We will continue to grow and sometimes we may have to go around more than once or twice or three times to understand the lesson Jesus is trying to teach us. And I have been slower to get some things than I care to admit. And I have been brought around the wagon, more times than I want to realize, to really learn a particular thing he has wanted me to understand about life. We do learn and grow more through our sufferings than at any high points but Jesus loves us and allows us to go through these times for us to grow and mature. Just make sure if you’re going around what seems like a few too many times about the same thing in your life that you ask God to help you understand what it is he wants you to learn from it so you can move onto new horizons!

Jesus fills my heart with joy and thanksgiving each day. As only he can. My husband, children, grandchildren, and others can help do this too but they alone cannot give me all I need. This is because I as well as you were built needing something spiritual to complete us. We are created with a void in us that only God himself can fill. God gave us this void to be filled by Jesus Christ. That is why God’s word was given to us and why Jesus Christ was sent by God, in the flesh, to die for us. Jesus Christ had to die for our sins, to complete the way for how we are able to come into a relationship with God himself. Do you have a relationship with him yet?

The bible says we were made for praising him. Beautiful words from Psalm 139:13-16 confirm this and state; ‘For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother’s womb. I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvelous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.’ Do you not sense and feel the depth, love, and magnitude of such a thing from God? Does this not create wonder and great joy in you just knowing this!

Jesus Christ, as the light of the world, shares his light with me and will share his light with anyone who will come after him and ask him, seek him, and knock on his door. Matthew 7:7 in the King James Version bible Jesus states, “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.” John 1:4 states, ‘In him was life; and the life was the light of men.” John 14:6 says, ‘Jesus saith unto him,’ “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” Being a born again Christian I am ready to shine light into the darkness for any who have need. I had need and came to know him through grace by faith in Jesus Christ. Just read these words in Hebrews 11:6, ‘But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.’ Are you not excited? I am! In John 8:12 Jesus says “I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” My friend he is talking about here on earth and for eternity!

The bible tells us of Jesus’s great love for us and to come to him just as we are right away. I suggest you start reading the Authorized KJV bible. This bible does not cut out forty two verses from it like the translations that came after the KJV, from people tampering with God’s word. Find one that has Jesus’s words written in red letters and has indexed chapters so you can find the chapter easily when looking for one. Jesus Christ died on the cross, was buried, and rose again three days later for you and for me so we might come to know him as our own personal Lord and Savior, and be able to start our very own relationship with him and become born again by his grace through faith. He is risen and alive and waits for you!

Remember Jesus can be your buoy and light out there in the ocean of life! He has all our answers.

Whether you are a Jew or a Gentile, Jesus if coming back one day!

What say you about ‘judging?’

Posted on by under Christianity, Faith, Jesus Christ, Jews & Gentiles, The Word

Romans 2:1 states, ‘Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things.’

Often sins most clearly noticed in others are ones that have taken root in us they say. Are we maybe committing the same sins only in more socially acceptable forms? Are we saying one thing to someone hypocritically and then doing it in a way we don’t think is the same? Do we not like that ‘something’ we know about someone else, but refuse to see that ‘different form’ in us? For instance, do you wonder ‘what people are thinking’ when they hear about ‘another’s adultery,’ but you fail at holding yourself accountable for mentally thinking about or daydreaming about someone other than your own spouse during the day and think nothing has been done wrong? Your thoughts do count. In Matthew 5:28 Jesus himself says, “But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery in his heart.” We need Jesus’s help in cleaning out all the corners of our lives. Come to his word and read and learn.

In the bible there is a parable about a woman committing adultery and the casting of the first stone. The people with the stones had judged her and wanted to give her what she deserved. The law stated if a woman was found in adultery she was to be stoned to death. She had went against the law. But what is better? Truly put yourself in her place. If that was you and your particular sin, would you want justice or mercy? Shouldn’t we treat others the way we want to be treated? The bible says love covers a multitude of sins. But what about the sin? Jesus says to the woman in John 8:10… “Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee?” Verse 11 states, ‘She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her,’ “Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.” He didn’t condemn or ignore the woman’s sin. The woman has been spared her life even though sinning against God. But Jesus’s words ‘go and sin no more’ would tell her that Jesus expected her to change and to stop sinning, that he loved her and he didn’t approve of her doing this. Jesus can not dwell with sin for he is holy. His thoughts are not our thoughts. He is God and he is our authority. He loved this woman but not her sin. Jesus knew she needed help and desired a change of heart through all this and that she would need Jesus’s help. Why? Just being in the Lord’s presence she would have instantly felt and knew more intensely than before that she’d been doing wrong and realized she desired to change things and didn’t want this way of life anymore. She had met the living Lord. She knew she had to do something about this wrong in her life. She knew that she had been sinning and now knew she needed his help and desired to repent and ask Jesus for forgiveness and to be cleansed of it all. Jesus Christ is the only way to obtain forgiveness and to be cleansed of all our sins too. This woman was being given a new chance for a brand new life and wanted to deal with her sin. She didn’t want it anymore. Jesus is the only way sin can be dealt with in this life. He came for us all and died on the cross, to provide the sacrifice needed for our sin. God’s word tells us narrow is the road and not many find it. Jesus is this narrow road. The woman is totally dependent upon Jesus to provide her with his saving grace through faith, and all that she needs to change to be able to live this new life in him that she now thirsts for.

How about judging by ‘the worlds’ standards; power, wealth, status, pleasure, and beauty? These false values are not from Christ, but they are from this world. They are worldly values and thus not God’s values. Jesus and his Word are not of this world. But because of his great love for us he sent us his word so we can understand things. God tells us worldly standards are only distractions that will lead you to a distructive end if you don’t realize it. They will only serve to entangle you and waste your time and energy, and hurt you in the end. These are not lasting Christ-like values that God says we should focus on. In fact we need to do the opposite and walk away from thinking, speaking, and acting like these are what we are running after in life. If Jesus Christ doesn’t focus on them should you even care or spend time on such things? James 4:4 states, ‘Ye adulterers and adultresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.’ Strong words telling us that whatever wrong things we may choose to do, go against God, and go against his all encompassing love for you and for your well-being. Those false values and strivings of this world will not be a part of eternity and so have absolutely nothing in common with God and what he values. It is about yourself and not about thinking correctly from God’s viewpoint of what’s right and what’s wrong for yourself. Your eyes need to get off yourself and to get and stay on Jesus Christ my friend. Friendship with the world is the opposite of what God says to have. It goes against God’s great love for you and what he knows you need most. Which is him, his forgiveness, and his values so his word (the bible).

Here’s an example of what Jesus wants us to focus on… Let’s just look at four women that happen to be listed in Christ’s genealogy from Matthew 1. From verse 3: #1) Thamar (Tamar) – she prostituted herself  with her father-in-law to gain an heir for her deceased husband’s lineage. The story is found in Genesis 38 if you care to read the whole story. Verse 5: #2) Rachab (Rahab) – she was a prostitute who hid Israelite spies. Verse 5: #3) Ruth – a Moabite woman who came from pagan roots. She married Boaz. Verse 6: #4) ‘of her that had been the wife of Urias’ (Bathsheeba) – committed adultery with King David. All of these women had ordinary lives and none were pillars of society. And some we are told of their shady reputations. But God chose to show us his love in this writing and that he can choose anyone in life and show them his love, no matter their story. God had his own reasons for including these women in Matthew 1. Maybe God wants to show people his heart of love and concern for everyone and hopes that they desire a new life in him, and that he has something real to offer them for the rest of their lives and for eternity. This too shows us that we should come and repent of our sins to Jesus too. If you’re reading this don’t you think he could have planned on you reading this? He tells us to come just as we are even now. He tells us we can be forgiven and have a new life in him and become new creatures. Jesus is telling us through these women’s lives how he accepts anyone who comes believing in him, through his grace by faith. We aren’t our sin if we come to Jesus and repent. We can be rid of the weight of sin that burdens us. Read the KJV bible for yourself and see. Start in the new testament like with the book of John, then try Romans.

If Jesus can look beyond a person’s bad reputation, outside appearance, wealth, poverty, station in life, and all the rest, so can we. In fact we should and need to. If Jesus looks at a person’s heart, so should we. We need to practice this until we get it straight and of course we’ll need his help for we cannot do it by ourselves. Look to these four women as examples of how God looks at people. Women he chose to have written about in the bible, noting them because he loved them and shows us as it says in Romans 8:28, ‘And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.’

Christ didn’t come to condemn. He came to save. In John 3:17 Jesus says, “For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.” Did you ever read about Jesus in a story where he didn’t ‘come with love’ to talk to a person about their sin? There was no loud voice, no oppressing against their will, no putting down, no intolerance, and no side-lining the issue. Only humbleness, lowliness, love, and grace. Isn’t he the best example of how to be and live? Just the best example of how to treat and love the other person, and ourselves too.

One more thing. Jesus does want us to be able to ‘judge’ right from wrong, or what is sin. His word, the bible, will give you the truth and discernment you will need to know the difference between them. The biggest issues of the day are in the bible too. Make sure you take the time for yourself each day and educate yourself from his perspective. A biblically doctrinal church is also a good place for fellowship and hearing the word. Start with looking online at a church’s statement of beliefs and what their doctrine is. It should all follow what’s in the bible for it to be doctrinal. And the bible itself has to be not written by any one man or by any group that is ungodly. This is why I just stay with the KJV bible, one that has Jesus’s words in red print and also has the chapters of the bible indexed for you, making it easier to find passages you might be looking for. Selfishness, haughtiness, pride, and hypocrisy are all just a few examples of sin. All are ‘heart’ issues, that need help cleaning it up. And Jesus is just the person to help you, and all of us, do it. Proverbs 4:23 states, ‘Keep thy heart with all diligence: for out of it are the issues of life.’ So true my friend. May God bless you.

Whether you are a Jew or a Gentile, Jesus is coming back one day!

Why the bible is basic to life.

Posted on by under Christianity, Faith, Jesus Christ, Jews & Gentiles, The Word

Sometimes I wonder where people get their ideas. What are they building upon to understand their own world? Is it truth and what are they building their lives upon?

I would like to start this dialogue with a plea to the people out there. Please, do not take other people’s reasoning verbatim! How do you know they are right about which they speak? You must learn to think like Jesus Christ teaches us and measure your and their thoughts against God’s holy word or you will continually find yourself on the yellow brick road ending up at someone else’s version of the truth, which isn’t the truth at all, and not God’s truth.

I can remember when I was quite young, maybe 6th grade or so, paging through our family bible and I came upon 1 Tim. 2:5,6 which states, ‘For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.’ Wow I thought! I don’t have to go to the priest and tell him my private, personal sins! I was so happy; I had always felt dislike for such a rule in the Catholic church. That rule just didn’t sit right inside of me. I asked my mother about it and she didn’t have an answer for me. Wow, my mother didn’t know?! We think our parents know everything at that age. I grew up Roman Catholic and I had naturally assumed my mother would know the answer. I wondered did other Catholics believe this as the truth for their own lives? And did the Catholic church have other rules that differed from God’s Word?

What is our measuring stick for real truth?

Fast forward a few years to a young adult in her mid-twenties. I had become a born again Christian. I had an insatiable appetite for God’s word. It told me who God was and who I was. It showed me that unless my foundation is built upon God and his word my foundation was like shifting sand, never staying steady, and would unsafely send me toppling to the ground. Sand is unpredictable, unmanageable, and difficult to deal with. How can you build a marriage, a family, or have any decent relationships like that? Who needs it! We need solid advice that does not change.

For instance peoples’ thoughts, words, and deeds can be unstable vessels unless anchored inside God’s holy word. And they are not to be trusted sometimes as we grow and learn because we need the truth! Others thoughts and words sometimes can be unsound advice or untrustworthy at times even though they think they are giving us good advice. By faith I now try to only look at and depend on Jesus Christ, not on myself, and measure my thoughts, words, and actions against his holy word and what it says. And I do the same if puzzled about what others may say or do. I pray for his confirmation if something is right or not. If it goes against God’s word then I know it is wrong.

I like tranquility in my life. I like steady, reliable, unchanging rules that help guide me. Christ is my center and I depend on him for his help, I don’t want to depend on myself, for I know I need to trust God more than I trust myself to keep things on track as he would like and that is always best for me. I need Jesus in this world because he has all wisdom and all understanding so I can be guided into the right port! That is why God’s word is so good. It sets my feet on solid ground. He is my rock. His words teach me, they give me peace in the storm, and shows me the way no matter the situation. Sometimes it may take some time in praying and being patient to hear but persevere and you will see.

God’s word is truth and life to us. In John 6:68 it says, ‘Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.’ So God’s words are not just for the here and now, but they are for us and our eternity. The beginning of James 4:8 states, ‘Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you.’

Hebrews 4:12-13 states, ‘For the word of God is quick, andpowerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.’ Aren’t his words amazing and wonderful!

The bible was given first to the Jews and then to the Gentiles, to use and to cherish, and to be a light unto our feet. Psalm 119:105 tells us, ‘Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.’ Isn’t that a lovely truth? God being there for us, holding a light out there for you to be able to find your way in the darkness. He really cares! What love, truth, and hope he brings us!

What will be your measuring stick for the truth? How about the bible that tells us only Jesus Christ is ‘the way, the truth, and the life?’ In Matthew 24:35 Jesus states, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words shall not pass away.’ How about from the one who even knows the number of hairs on your head? In Luke 12:7 Jesus says in part of this verse, “But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered.”

Whether you are a Jew or a Gentile, Jesus is coming back one day!

Taking time to prepare your heart.

Posted on by under Christianity, Faith, Jesus Christ, Jews & Gentiles, The Word

God declares the end from the beginning. The Bible as God’s book of love and personal instruction is sent to us and for us. It gives us the most important and captivating history lessons and spiritual lessons to learn from. It starts with the beginning of time and creation in Genesis, and goes onto what will be happening in the end times. Isaiah 46:9-10 says, ‘Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me, Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure.’ God gives everyone his Word, the Bible, so we can be prepared ahead of time for what is coming and understand why his own inspired, inerrant words were written to and for us. Readying our heart, mind, and spirit to get to know him personally and hopefully that you might receive him. Jesus Christ urges us to be ready by reading and hearing his word. Understanding that he knows everything about us already since he’s made us. Knowing what he wants us to learn from it and that it is for our own best and that of our family’s. He wants us to be ready with our lamps burning and plenty of oil in waiting for his return. This is so exciting! Revelation 22:20 states, ‘He which testifieth these things saith,’ “Surely I come quickly.” ‘Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.’ Prophecy is proof that the bible is from a truly loving and holy God. Prophecy comes from the prophets in the old testament and there is some in the new testament. Jesus loves us and wants us to read and take his Word, the Bible, very seriously. In fact there is no more important thing we can do for ourselves in heaven or on earth than to prepare ourselves to know Jesus Christ and read his words. Come just as you are to him and read. The new testament book of John is a wonderful place to start with inside the Bible because it gives us a lot of Jesus’s own words and explains to us who Jesus Christ really is, and about believing in him. There are some spectacular miracles written about here, and about his life. I love that it’s full of truth and light and love.

A good majority of God’s word is prophecy. By one account over 25% of both old and new testament scripture is prophecy. So prophecy is most important in the bible! 2 Peter 1:20-21 states, ‘Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.’ God’s message is clear; he exists and is in control of history! This is truly comforting. There are over 300 prophecies that Jesus Christ has fulfilled on the topic of his life, death, and resurrection.

Jesus also tells everyone in Luke 21 about remaining watchful for his return. We are living in the last days everyone! Hebrews 1:1-2 states, ‘God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds.’ His words say in Hebrew 2:1-4, ‘Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip. For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward; How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him; God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will?’ Christ wants us spiritually fit and ready because he is coming back. Don’t be lazy or careless about life – seek God – who he is, why he came, what he did, and what he will be doing. You don’t know what you don’t know. Ask God for his help in this. Ask him for what you need whether it’s knowledge, wisdom, or/and understanding and he will give it to you. Knock at his door! Read his Word. In Matthew 7:7,8 Jesus states, “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.” Get a good bible, I recommend the authorized KJV with the words of Jesus in red letters and the chapters indexed. Do not give up, stick with it, and see what happens! How is a person to know the signs of the times we are coming upon unless you start getting acquainted with what Jesus says in his word so you can understand and be ready?

If you knew something in the future was coming wouldn’t you act to prepare? No one likes to be left behind or left out of anything important, and in this case it is the most important thing of all. If we know our car needs fixing we don’t wait until it almost falls apart to get it looked at. Or if one of our children needs to go to the doctor suddenly, we just wouldn’t ignore them would we? That is what Jesus is trying to tell us, be ready! In Luke 12:40 Jesus states, “Be therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not.” A lot of prophecies left to be fulfilled have to do with him coming again one day. And he wants you prepared not only for yourself but for your family and friends as well.

In Revelation 22:7 Jesus tells us, “Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book.” In Revelation 22:13 Jesus says, “I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.” John 1:1-5 says, ‘In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not anything made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.’ The Word is consistent, unchanging, and always points to Jesus Christ. Much prophecy was fulfilled in his first coming. And with Jesus’s second coming, he is coming to rule over all nations and this time as the one and only king of all. Revelation 19:15-16 states, ‘And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.’ Let us make time to prepare our hearts, our minds, and our souls for him!

2 Peter 1:19 states, ‘We also have a more sure word of the prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts.’ The morning star is our Messiah.

Scripture/the Word/Jesus Christ is the only light for our feet. In John 14:6 it says, ‘Jesus saith unto him,’ “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” In the bible we meet Jesus Christ who died for us and is our answer for everything in all of life and for eternity. Light shines to help us and guide us. Follow the light of the world who is Jesus Christ and you will never regret it, and your life will become more and more like his. Light draws us, warms us, staves off darkness, makes things visible, and sustains all life. As plants do not grow without enough light, the Lord is truly our light to help us see and learn that we wither without his light and grace to sustain us and keep us strong. In John 8:12 it says, ‘Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying,’ “I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” This is a promise from Jesus Christ to you!

Whether you are a Jew or a Gentile, Jesus is coming back one day!

Israel and it’s past, present, and future.

Posted on by under Christianity, Faith, Jesus Christ, Jews & Gentiles, The Word

The Jews are God’s chosen people told to us from God’s Word. Deuteronomy 14:2 states, ‘For thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God, and the LORD hath chosen thee to be a peculiar people unto himself, above all the nations that are upon the earth.’ There is a purpose in this. In the book of Genesis Seth is Adam and Eve’s third son, with most of the other descendants of Adam and Eve not being written about. This is because Jesus Christ can be traced from the line of Seth. Jesus Christ is what the whole bible talks to us about as people. The Bible is progressive which means as you read God’s Word it reveals over time what God is planning and how things will be changing in the future. From Seth down to Noah (think the flood), Noah to Abraham, to the twelve sons of Jacob (Jacob was Abraham’s grandson), to the kings of Judah and then to King David, until when we come to the world’s savior, Jesus Christ, the world’s Messiah; God had chosen and planned for the Jewish people to understand where Jesus, the Anointed One, was to be born into and what race he would be from. 1 Kings 8:53 states, “For thou didst separate them from among all the people of the earth, to be thine inheritance, as thou spakest by the hand of Moses thy servant, when thou broughtest our fathers out of Egypt, O Lord GOD.” Israel was to be the honored nation of priests, prophets, teachers, and preachers sent out to the Gentiles from God. Israel was to be the nation who pointed the world towards God, the Word, and the world’s prophesied about Messiah, Jesus Christ.

Isaiah 53 clearly prophesies about the Messiah coming to suffer for the whole human race. Isaiah 53:10-12 states, ‘Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he had put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand. He shall see the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities. Therefore I will divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.’ The Jews instead of thinking of how Jesus, their sent Messiah, would suffer for them, only loose themselves in their thinking how soon ‘the Anointed One’ would bring them victory. Wasn’t he their prophesied king, one who was to set up his kingdom and rule? This of course was true but only wasn’t to happen then at that time. He will come to be King one day soon but he first came to die for the world and so came as the suffering servant for them. So when Jesus Christ comes into the world to live among those he created, to die on the cross and be resurrected three days later, they continue to reject him. Jesus had come to die for the Jewish people’s sins and the Gentiles’ sins. Israel’s heart was hardened; but surprisingly and ultimately this actually ends up leading to a way for both Jews and Gentiles alike to be able to get to know God in relationship through Jesus Christ who had come. This was in God’s progressive plan, to have Jesus his dearest one and only begotten son crucified, being made a ransom for all in the world, as his great gift given to us to restore our relationship with God the Father. Paul states in Romans 11:25, ‘For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.’

In Romans 9:23,24 Paul says, ‘And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory, Even us, whom he hath called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles?’ Romans 9:27 states, ‘Esaias also crieth concerning Israel, Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, a remnant shall be saved.’ Romans 9:30-33 says, “What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith. But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness. Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by works of the law. For they stumbled at the stumblingstone; As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.’ Paul goes on in Romans 10:1-4, ‘Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. For I bear them record that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.’ Romans 11:1-6 states, ‘I say then, Hath God cast away his people? God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew. Wot ye not what the scripture saith of Elias? how he maketh intercession to God against Israel, saying, Lord, they have killed thy prophets, and digged down thine altars; and I am left alone, and they seek my life. But what saith the answer of God unto him? I have reserved to myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal. Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace. And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.’ After this Jesus teaches about the vine and the branches: the tree’s natural but broken branches (any Jewish people) and the wild olive shoots (any Gentiles); that share from the olive root (Jesus Christ), the nourishing sap needed to grow healthy and stay strong. In John 15:1-2 Jesus Christ states, “I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.” Jesus is the living vine today for all who want to/should come to him. Be not afraid. Come read his Word. (I use the authorized KJV.) His words tell us there, without faith it is impossible to please him. We can not understand God or bear any bear fruit that counts in God’s eyes, or become more Christ-like, without knowing Jesus and becoming born again/saved. For he alone is the way, the truth, and the life.

God desires each of us and all to come to know him personally, Jewish people and Gentiles alike. This whole biblical account is for all of us, what he did and over time and through the ages. Dying as the Passover Lamb, being the true ‘Lamb of God’ who takes away the sins of the world… back then and today right now, and in the future, all the sins of those whom he calls and who will believe on him. What the Word says he did. What a gift! And what a mystery, and what love, light, and truth! He offers new life only by his grace, to any who in true sincerity will come repenting of (turning from) their sins to him, confessing them to him, asking for his forgiveness, and believing in Jesus Christ and that he died and rose again three days later for their sins and to forgive them. In Matthew 4:17 it states, ‘From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say,’ “Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” For Jesus was there in the flesh with them being fully man and fully God right in front of them at that time.

Israel will be restored one day. Isaiah 11:11-12 says, ‘And it shall come to pass in that day, that the Lord shall set his hand again the second time to recover the remnant of his people, which shall be left, from Assyria, and from Egypt, and from Pathros, and from Cush, and from Elam, and from Shinar, and from Hamath, and from the islands of the sea. And he shall set up an ensign for the nations, and shall assemble the outcasts of Israel, and gather together the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth.’ Praise God!

The book of John in the new testament is a wonderful place to start reading the Bible in coming to know who our Lord Jesus Christ is and what he says to us. I really love reading the book of John. God’s holy Word is divine and inspired from God. Did you know Jesus Christ is called the Word? Look with me at John 1:14. It states, ‘And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.’ John 1:1 says, ‘In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.’ Isn’t this fascinating and all encompassing? Read it for yourself and see.

Are you ready? Jesus urges us to be ready. Jesus’s words in Luke 12:40 state, “Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not.”

Whether you are a Jew or a Gentile, Jesus is coming back one day!

Have you ever felt like you’re missing something?

Posted on by under Christianity, Faith, Jesus Christ, Jews & Gentiles, The Word

We are missing something in our life aren’t we? Have you ever felt that way? When Adam and Eve disobeyed God in the Garden of Eden, sin for the very first time entered into the world because of it. And because of their disobedience to a faithful and loving God, a ‘spiritual death’ had come upon them. Sin is equated with spiritual death. Sin is what separates us from God the Father because God cannot be in the presence of sin for he is holy. This spiritual death is a void in us, and a broken relationship between God and us, because of this innate sin nature all of us have since the time of Adam. THAT is the very thing that you’re missing that you may not have even thought of before and not thoroughly understanding of it and what this means.

Adam and Eve walking with God before sinning you must realize had the perfect life! They would not know any sorrow, pain, or even death before they chose to sin against God. Let’s see, great relationships – check, a beautiful home – check, great food – check, great scenery – check, no rushing, no hassles, and best of all – getting to talk with and walk with God, the creator of this world who made you and the universe – check! Hmm perfection in this world, who wouldn’t take that!?

Really? No fighting, killing, hurtful words, senseless actions, no wars, drugs or dentists, no concern about money, no illness, no abuse, no crazy people running things, no chaos, or confusion? Sounds sublime, so peaceful… a utopian state. I could get into that. Who doesn’t want peace, love, joy, patience, less burdens, more direction and guidance, and most of all feeling whole and complete, and being able to get rid of all our load… our sins! Jesus tells us his burdens are light and his yolk is easy! In Matthew 11:28-30 Jesus states, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” That my friend is a promise to all who will come to know him!

Now there is no way that Adam and Eve could have understood all the implications/consequences of what their disobedience would cost them and all those who came after them, or maybe they would of thought twice don’t you think?! They should have kept their eyes on Jesus Christ. We are so like them aren’t we? But Jesus beckons us to come for he is the answer for all of this.

So… because of sin and how this separates us from God, we each walk around this earth with something we are truly missing… which you may already realize, or maybe not. We are each missing our ‘spiritual side’ because of Adam and Eve’s story in the garden. God had punished Adam and Eve for sinning, and he then put a separation between him and them. No more a perfect world for them. God cannot be in the presence of any sin because he is perfect and he is holy. So God, because of his great love for us, fixed this problem by sending Jesus (his son and God incarnate) to die instead of us. Jesus died on the cross and rose again three days later. He became our ransom. And he rose again defeating Satan proving he was and is alive and well. For us now we can know he is alive and well right now, right where you are, and forever more will be. And He’s arranged for you to have this gift of his son Jesus Christ, free and for the believing, just as you are right now. You can do nothing to earn this. Part of Ephesians 2:8,9 states, …’For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.’ So you’re to come just as you are, no fixing yourself up first. An eternal, infinite sacrifice was needed to cleanse us and make us right before him. And by God’s grace alone, when we genuinely take and receive this free gift, believing in Jesus Christ by faith and realizing in this that we fullheartedly desire and do repent and desire a full turn from our sins – he in turn comes, forgives us, and gives us his holy spirit and we become born again. Read John 3:1-8. He gives you his holy spirit and God’s holy word to help you, to teach you and guide you here. And you will become more and more like him as the time goes by. He gives you peace and love, and a joy that transcends through every sorrow. Jesus says your burdens can be light with him. He and his Word (the Bible, I use the KJV) gives you his direction and guidance and how he wants us to live our best life in this world. And the best of all he makes you feel complete because you are now whole/complete in him and are born again! The spiritual void will be gone. Look and read the book of John in the new testament to find out more. I could not in my own words simply express all I was feeling when this happened to me so many years ago. What love and what a mystery it still is for me! You will have your ‘spiritual’ side back now! In John 10:10 Jesus says, “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” You see, there is no real life without him.

Don’t get me wrong here… life will not be perfect because this world is a fallen world without Jesus Christ in everyones lives. But the main thing is when we become born again we will know the truth. We will be as pilgrims on this road with him. And we will have Jesus forever and for always! He is our life, our truth, and our way. In John 14:6 Jesus states, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” With him we have the life, we have the truth, we have the way! When we pass away we have his promises that we will be living eternally with him… where all will be made right and there will be no more crying, pain, or death. In John 14:3 Jesus states, “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.”

Each of us is missing something in our life. God gives us this ‘void’ to help us to think, search, and find what we are missing. This ‘void is God-shaped’ which means only being able to be filled by Jesus Christ. Other things will never satisfy this part of yourself because what you need is something specially made by him for you, to complete you and make you whole. He wants a relationship with you. No one can make you whole but Jesus Christ. No other person, place, or thing (ie… money, power, any religious tradition, etc.) will ever get you there and make you whole. And we all need him alone plus nothing else. For he is sufficient. You, as a Jew or Gentile, have the truth now. So what are you going to do about it? I urge you earnestly to read God’s Word as well so we can learn and grow about him, our Savior. Because we don’t know when his return will be, Matthew 24:44 Jesus states, “Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.” Are you prepared to meet him? He is giving us time.

Whether you are a Jew or a Gentile, Jesus is coming back one day!