Tag Archives: Gospel

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 get our insides cleaned? 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: When Jesus had finished speaking, a Pharisee invited him to eat with him; so he went in and reclined at the table. But the Pharisee, noticing that Jesus did not first wash before the meal was surprised. Then the Lord said to him, “Now then, you Pharisees clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness. You foolish people! Did not the one who made the outside make the inside also? But give what is inside the dish to the poor, and everything will be clean for you. Woe to you Pharisees, because you give a tenth of your mint, rue and all other kinds of garden herbs, but you neglect justice and love of God. You should have practiced the latter without leaving the former undone. Woe to you Pharisees, because you love the most important seats in the synagogues and greetings in the marketplaces. Woe to you, because you are like unmarked graves, which men walk over without knowing it.” They gave no thought to the condition inside themselves and how spiritually far they really were from God. And the thing most important thing to Jesus, to God about each of us is our spiritual side, what we are truly like on the inside.

We need to desire and be action orientated about our inside to be kept clean and pure as well. We as people can spend an exorbitant amount of time on our outside appearances 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. Sounds opposite of how the world thinks doesn’t it? If we don’t first start looking at Jesus, the one who made us, reading his word, we will never learn all there is he wants us to know about ourselves and our insides. Jesus was saying to the Pharisees, look inside yourself 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. 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 not their leaders. Their leaders uncleanness was sin. And sin keeps a person separated from God.

Please read more. Luke 11:45-54: One of the experts in the law answered him, “Teacher, when you say these things, you insult us also.” Jesus replied, “And you experts in the law, woe to you, because you load people down with burdens they can hardly carry, and you yourselves will not lift one finger to help them. Woe to you, because you build tombs for the prophets, and it was your forefathers who killed them. So you testify that you approve of what your forefathers did; they killed the prophets, and you build their tombs. Because of this, God in his wisdom said, ‘I will send them prophets and apostles, some of whom they will kill and others they will persecute.’ Therefore this generation will be held responsible for the blood of all the prophets that has been shed since the beginning of the world, from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah, who was killed between the altar and the sanctuary. Yes, I tell you, this generation will be held responsible for it all. Woe to you experts in the law, because you have taken away the key to knowledge. You yourselves have not entered, and you have hindered those who were entering.” When Jesus left there, the Pharisees and the teachers of the law began to oppose him fiercely and to besiege him with questions, waiting to catch him in something he might say.

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 blind that they were. 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 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 the time for our insides 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 God’s word of truth. He gives us the straight story about ourselves. Just ask him to help you.

Jesus tells us we cannot change from the inside out without his help. We are dependent on him for this and he wants us to depend on him. No one can truly understands that they need him without his help and drawing. His grace is a free gift for all mankind that only Jesus Christ himself can give. It is from Jesus alone and only by his grace through faith from him that we may receive it. We may try to change ourselves on our own but we will always fall short. Why? Because it is beyond our ability. For you must become born again. We need Jesus Christ. And he created us for himself. Only Jesus can cleanse us from our sin and from the inside out. But Jesus gives us this hope in the true story of his death on the cross and his dying for us, shedding his blood for each of us, and rising from the dead on the third day thereby destroying sin’s power over death. Jesus Christ is the free gift in what he did for you. This free gift is given to any who sincerely desire to change and thereby connect you, to God the Father. It is a free gift given to 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 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 answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through 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 original people were the Jews. God’s original intention was for the Jews to go out into the world and tell others about him. To the twelve disciples Jesus says in Matthew 10:5-7 – “Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans. Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel. As you go, preach this message: The kingdom of heaven is near.” Paul, on his journeys, preached first to the Jews, then to the Gentiles.

Romans 9:29 with Paul speaking to the Jewish people states, “It is just as Isaiah said previously: Unless the Lord Almighty had left us descendants, we would have become like Sodom, we would have been like Gomorrah.” Romans 9:27 says, “Isaiah cries out concerning Israel: Though the number of the Israelites be like the sand by the sea, only the remnant will be saved.” Romans 10:3, 4 explain this, “Since they did not know the righteousness that comes from God and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness. Christ is the end of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes.” 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, “In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.” It goes on in Hebrews 9:26, “Then Christ would have had to suffer many times since the creation of the world. But now he has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself. Jesus Christ was and is the great sacrifice, coming once and for all, Jew and Gentile alike. His 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. Romans 9:16 says, “It does not, therefore, depend on man’s desire or effort, but on God’s 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, “I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers, so that you may not be conceited: Israel has experienced a hardening in part until the full number of the Gentiles has come in. And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written: The deliverer will come from Zion; he will turn godlessness away from Jacob. And this is my covenant with them when I take away their sins.” Israel will finally recognize Jesus as their Messiah. Ezekiel 11:17 says, “Therefore say: This is what the Sovereign LORD says: I will gather you from the nations and bring you back from the countries where you have been scattered, and I will give you back the land of Israel again.”

John 14:6 states, “Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well…”

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 to be a different sort of king. Because of this many don’t believe who Jesus Christ truly is. They fail to take a good look at Jesus Christ himself and see his reasoning behind for why he did what he did and they have kept their eyes on themselves. Israel lost their total dependence on God that it had had before sadly. We all need to keep our eyes on Jesus Christ and his word to decipher what he is thinking and telling us. 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, “the people of Israel. Theirs is the adoption as sons; theirs the divine glory, the covenants, the receiving of the law, the temple worship and the promises. Theirs are the patriarchs, and from them is traced the human ancestry of Christ, who is God over all, forever praised! 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!

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 ‘your Redeemer.’ Redeemer means rescuer. How could this be possible if what Jesus did stopped at the cross?! Part of Jeremiah 31:31-34 states, “The time is coming,” declares the LORD, when I will make a new covenant… “It will not be like the covenant I made with their forefathers…” “This is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after that time,” declares the LORD. “I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. No longer will a man teach his neighbor, or a man his brother, saying, ‘Know the LORD,’ because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest,” declares the LORD. 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 has to save you from your sins before you can truly understand why he wasn’t the style of king you thought he should of been when he came into this world. As Ephesians 2: 8-9 states: “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith — and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God — not by works, so that no one can boast.” Humbly and truthfully confessing all of our sins before him, desiring to change with true repentance of them, 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.

Matthew 5:17-20 talks of how Jesus didn’t come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; but to fulfill them. Verse 20, “For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.” And how can this be done? Only through Jesus Christ and his righteousness. 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 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. As Jews and Gentiles we can’t do anything to make ourselves right with God. And there is only one way. John 14:6-7 says, “Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.”

Romans 9:30-32 talks of how the Jews pursued a law of righteousness (being right with God) 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, “So too, at the present time there is a remnant chosen by grace. And if by grace, then it is no longer by works; if it were, grace would no longer be grace. What then? What Israel sought so earnestly it did not obtain, but the elect did. The others were hardened,…”

Galatians 3:23-25 says, “Before this faith came, we were held prisoners by the law, locked up until faith should be revealed. So the law was put in charge to lead us to Christ (so that we could see our sin) that we might be justified by faith. Now that faith has come, we are no longer under the supervision of the law.” Galatians 3:29 states, “If you belong to Christ, then you are 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 you in this new life. 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! Also most important, continue in God’s holy word. 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 like a buoy.

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

Jesus Christ is like a buoy that keeps you afloat, his words warning us of a danger so we don’t go too close, but stay where it is safe. Like a parent concerned for a child.

Even on the bad days, after time spent with him, I am lifted back up, knowing I am going to be ‘all right’ because I have him in my life. He reassures me I am not alone and helps me in my thoughts, resulting at the end of our time (visiting) together with a feeling of joy; joy and peace. That is priceless to me my dear friends. For as many of you know, many search for it but cannot find it. He makes me feel like things are alright again. Truly, that everything is set back in it’s place, settled again as it should be. Spiritually in my heart he gets me to that point and makes it so. Isaiah 9:6 says…”And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

The source of all life, Jesus Christ, has made me feel it so. He keeps my foundation on the rock; solid, steady, and forever and for always there! He is my refuge, my Lord, my shield, my best friend. Life may try to knock you down in a hundred different ways but if you have Jesus Christ as your center, your Lord and Savior, you are going to get back up again, and again, and again. Your life is not built on all those shifting sands of life. Jesus is my teacher through my sufferings; he is there welcoming me, holding me, guiding me to persevere, gain knowledge, gain more character, and to have hope. It has been many times a daunting task, going over some things an uncountable number of times to get me to the point where I need to be. We do learn and grow more through our suffering than in other ways. We do not have to like them but Jesus allows each of us to go through these times.

Jesus makes my heart shine again. As only he can. My husband, children, grandchildren, and others can help but they alone cannot give me all I need because I was built needing something eternal to aid me in making sense of all life. That is why God’s word was given to us and why Jesus Christ ‘was sent,’ in the flesh, to us. He reveals God to us. The bible says we were made for praising him. Beautiful words from Psalm 139:13-16 confirm this and state; “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.” How can one not be overjoyed and full of wonder at this?!

Jesus, as a lighthouse, shares his light with me. With him in me I feel as a lighthouse too, ready to shine light into the darkness for those who come across my path for help. John 8:12 says… “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

And I think, how many times do we need to be reminded of his words, his goodness, and his promises? The very things that will help cement those thoughts in our minds? Many, many times, right?! The bible gives us all those kindly reminders of his unconditional love for us, all those things we need to learn, and all those promises for each who ventures ever closer to him. Aren’t we like a sheep in society, following this sheep or that sheep not knowing who or which way to go or follow? That’s why we have been given his words. Words that we are blessed to have, so we can know which way is correct, the way that is practical, logical, and true. It is wisdom for those who are seeking; with finding out that the more you want to know, the closer you must come to him. For in walking this path of life for any amount of time, you find the closer you walk with him, the more Christ shares and helps you to learn, like pearls of great wisdom. The longer and closer you walk with him, the more clarity you will have in your life. It is like a pair of binoculars. You see unfocused as you first look through the lenses, but find if you walk closer with him, things start coming into focus for you. But if you step and go further away from him, your life starts getting out of focus again, and maybe you don’t even recognize it until some time later. Just as in other relationships, the closer you get and the more time spent with them, the more you find out how much you don’t know!

Remember Jesus can be your buoy out there in the ocean, a symbol and a hope for you!

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…”for whatever point you judge (use verdict on) the other, you are condemning (sentencing to punishment) yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things.”

Often sins most clearly noticed in others are ones that have taken root in us. 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 someone other than your own spouse during the day and think nothing is wrong?

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… “Has no one condemned you?” She says, “no one, sir.” Verse 11: “Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.” He didn’t condemn or ignore the woman’s sin. The woman has been spared her life even though sinning against God. And ‘leave your life of sin’ would tell her that Jesus wanted her to change, that he didn’t approve of her doing this. Sin is never of God and Jesus cannot dwell with sin. He loved her but not her sin. She needed and desired a change of heart through all this and would need Jesus’s help. Why? She realized she had been forgiven much. She was being given a chance for a new life and needed to deal with her sin. Jesus is the only way sin can be dealt with. She is dependent upon Jesus to provide her with grace and all she needs to change and live this new life.

How about judging by ‘the worlds’ standards; power, wealth, status, and beauty? These ways are not from Christ, they are from the world. Jesus and his word are not of this world and you should not want to be either. These worldly standards are only distractions that will lead you down a disappointing road. They will only serve to entangle you and waste your time in the end. These are not lasting values nor will they be brought with us when we leave this world. If Jesus doesn’t focus on them why should you even care?

Here’s an example of what Jesus does want us to focus on… Let’s just look at the women that happen to be listed in Christ’s genealogy from Matthew 1. There are five. 1) Tamar – she prostituted herself  with her father-in-law only to gain an heir. The story is found in Genesis 38 if you care to read the whole story. 2) Rahab – she was a prostitute who hid Israelite spies. 3) Ruth – a Moabite woman who came from pagan roots. 4) Uriah’s wife – committed adultery with King David. 5) Mary – Joseph’s wife; chosen to be the virgin mother of Jesus. Both Mary and Joseph are direct descendants of King David. All of these women had ordinary lives and none were pillars of society. And some we are even told of their shady reputations. But in reading their personal stories the main attraction to me is how afterwards they each had a growing heart for God if you will read their stories. This too shows us how we can and should come to him as we are and get to know him.

If Jesus can look beyond a person’s 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 five women as examples of how God looks at people. Women he chose to have in his ancestral background, noting them because of their heart, and not because of any of the other stuff of life.

Christ didn’t come to condemn. He came to save. 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, unconditional love, and grace. Isn’t he a totally wonderful example? The best example of how to treat and love the other person, and ourselves too.

One more thing. Jesus does want us 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 on the difference between them. Some big issues of the day are in the bible too. Make sure you take the time for yourself and educate yourself. A bible believing church is also a good place for fellowship and hearing the word. Selfishness, haughtiness, pride, and hypocrisy are all just a few examples of sin. All are ‘heart’ issues, needing help cleaning it up. And Jesus is just the person to help you do it. Proverbs 4:23 states, “Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.” So true my friend, so true. 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 do they build upon to understand their own world?

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 for yourself or you will continually find yourself on the yellow brick road ending up at someone else’s version of the 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 which says, “For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, …” Wow I thought! I don’t have to go to the priest and tell him my private and personal sins! I was so happy; I had always felt dislike for such a rule. I asked my mother about it and she didn’t have an answer for me. Wow, my mother didn’t know?! I grew up Catholic and I had naturally assumed my mother would know the answer. And at other times when we would discuss religious topics, she would usually say something close to “this is what the Catholic Church believes about that…” I wondered did other Catholics believe the Catholic Church was gospel on what it told too? And did God say those things in his 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, my foundation was like shifting sand, moving to and fro, always changing, never steady, and could send me toppling to the ground. Sand is unpredictable, hard to plan around, unmanageable,  and difficult to deal with. How can you build a marriage, a family, or have any decent relationships like that? Who needs that if you’re trying to get somewhere?

For instance our thoughts and emotions can be unstable vessels unless anchored in God’s word. As I have learned they are not to be trusted sometimes! They can be wild, unpredictable, untrustworthy waves at times. I now try to only depend on Christ and measure my thoughts and emotions against his word and what it says. Then I know if I should think, feel, speak or act on something or not.

And the older I get, the more sereneness I like in my life. I like steady, true blue, reliable, and unchanging rules that help guide me. Christ is my center and I depend on him, not myself, for I have learned to trust God more than I trust myself. I usually (ok always) need someone with more wisdom and understanding than I to guide me in to port!

That is why God’s Word is so good. It sets my feet on solid ground, it teaches me, it gives me peace in the storm, and peace for my life. God’s word is life to us. In John 6:68 Peter says to the Lord, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.” It guides and can show you the way no matter the situation. Hebrews 4:12-13 states, “For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight.”

The Bible was given to us, first to the Jews and then to the Gentiles, to use and to cherish, to be a light unto our feet. Psalm 119:105 says, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.” Isn’t that a lovely thought? God being there for us, holding a light out there for you to be able to find your way in the dark. What love! And what caring! The closer you stay to him, the closer he’ll stay to you too. And he’ll help if you ask.

What will be your measuring stick for real truth? How about one that is filled with truth and love, unchanging, trustworthy, and will never pass away? Matthew 24:35 says, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.” How about from one who even knows the number of hairs on your head? Luke 12:7 states, “Indeed, 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. Isaiah 46:9-10 says, “Remember the former things, those of long ago; I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me. I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come… ” What other history book does that? Prophecy is proof that the bible is from God. How can I say this? Deuteronomy 18:21-22 states, “You may say to yourselves, “How can we know when a message has not been spoken by the LORD?” If what a prophet proclaims in the name of the LORD does not take place or come true, that is a message the LORD has not spoken. That prophet has spoken presumptuously. Do not be afraid of him.” There are over 300 prophecies that Jesus Christ has fulfilled on the topic of his life, death, and resurrection!

A good majority of God’s word is prophecy. Over 20-25% of both old and new testament scripture is prophecy. So we might say prophecy is important in the bible! 2 Peter 1:20-21 says, “Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation. For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.” God’s message is clear; he exists and is in control of history!

Jesus also tells everyone in Luke 21 about remaining watchful for his return. We are living in the last days everyone. Hebrews 1:2 tells us this. His words say in Hebrew 2:1-3, “We must pay more careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away. For if the message spoken by angels was binding, and every violation and disobedience received its just punishment, how shall we escape if we ignore such a great salvation? This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him. God also testified to it by signs, wonders and various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.” Christ wants us spiritually fit and ready because he is coming back. Don’t be careless about life – seek God – who he is, why he came, what he did, and what he will be doing. Ask God for his help in this. Ask him if you need more patience, wisdom, and understanding and if he will give it to you. Knock at his door! Matthew 7:7,8 states, “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.” Get a good bible, maybe one with a ‘life application study’ and start reading. Do not give up and see what happens! How is a person to know the signs of the times we are in 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 think to prepare? No one likes to be left behind or left out of anything important, and in this case most important right? 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 it would we? That is what Jesus is trying to tell us, be ready! Luke 12:40 states, “You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.” 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 as well and whom you love.

Don’t we all desire to know the future, if we can, so we can prepare? Sure, but none of us can predict that. The only safe and truthful place you can hear about the future is in prophetic scripture from God’s Holy Word, the Bible. He gives us all we need to know there.

Revelation 22:7 says, “Behold, I am coming soon! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy in this book.” Revelation 22:13 states, “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.” John 1:1-5 says, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.” His name is the Word of God. And prophecy is about him. His word is consistent and unchanging and points to Christ. Much prophecy was fulfilled in his first coming as Jesus, our redeemer and sacrifice, and eternally living Lord. He is central and the theme in all prophecy. And with Jesus’s second coming, he is coming to rule over all nations and show everyone who really is king of the world! Let us prepare our hearts for him!

2 Peter 1:19 states, “And we have the word of the prophets made more certain, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.” The morning star is our Messiah.

Scripture is our light. It is all people’s help for the present time and the future. Light shines to guide us. Follow the ‘light of the world.’ Light draws us, it warms us, it staves off darkness, makes things visible, and sustains all life. As plants do not grow without enough light, Lord help us to see that we too wither without your light to sustain us. John 8:12 says, “When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

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. Genesis only gives the genealogy of Seth (Adam and Eve’s third son), with all of the other descendants of Adam and Eve being ignored. From Seth down to Noah, and through his son Shem, to Abraham, the twelve sons of Jacob, all the kings of Judah, and David, when we come finally to Jesus Christ, the world’s Messiah. God chose the Jewish race and nation for Jesus, the Anointed One, to be born into. 1 Kings 8:53 states, “For you singled them out from all the nations of the world to be your own inheritance…” Israel was to be a nation of priests, prophets, and missionaries to the Gentiles. Israel was to be the nation who pointed towards God and the world’s Messiah.

Isaiah 53 clearly prophesies about the Messiah suffering. Isaiah 53:10-12 says, “Yet it was the LORD’S will to crush him and cause him to suffer, and though the LORD makes his life a guilt offering, he will see his offspring and prolong his days, and the will of the LORD will prosper in his hand. After the suffering of his soul, he will see the light of life and be satisfied; by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many, and he will bear their iniquities. Therefore I will give him a portion among the great, and he will divide the spoils with the strong, because he poured out his life unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors. For he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.” The Jews instead of thinking of how Jesus would suffer, only loose themselves in 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 didn’t happen. So when Jesus Christ dies on the cross, they reject him. So Israel’s heart is hardened; but surprisingly and ultimately this actually ends up leading to a way for both Jews and Gentiles to be able to get to know God. Paul states in Romans 11:25, “I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers, so that you may not be conceited: Israel has experienced a hardening in part until the full number of the Gentiles has come in.” So this was actually in God’s plan, to have Jesus crucified, being made a ransom for all.

Romans 9:23-24 says, “…whom he prepared in advance for glory — even us, whom he also called, not only from the Jews but also from the Gentiles?” Romans 9:27 states, “Isaiah cries out concerning Israel: Though the number of the Israelites be like the sand by the sea, only the remnant will be saved.” Romans 9:30-33 says, “What then shall we say? That the Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have obtained it, a righteousness that is by faith; but Israel, who pursued a law of righteousness, has not attained it. Why not? Because they pursued it not by faith but as if it were by works. They stumbled over the “stumbling stone.” As it is written: “See, I lay in Zion a stone that causes men to stumble and a rock that makes them fall, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame.” Paul goes on in Romans 10:1-4, “Brothers, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is that they may be saved. For I can testify about them that they are zealous for God, but their zeal is not based on knowledge. Since they did not know the righteousness that comes from God and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness. Christ is the end of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes.” Romans 11:1-6 states, “I ask them: Did God reject his people? By no means! I am an Israelite myself, a descendant of Abraham, from the tribe of Benjamin. God did not reject his people, whom he foreknew. Don’t you know what the Scripture says in the passage about Elijah — how he appealed to God against Israel: Lord, they have killed your prophets and torn down your altars; I am the only one left, and they are trying to kill me? And what was God’s answer to him? “I have reserved for myself seven thousand who have not bowed the knee to Baal.” So too, at the present time there is a remnant chosen by grace. And if by grace, then it is no longer by works; if it were, grace would no longer be grace.” After this Jesus teaches about the vine and the branches: the tree’s natural but broken branches (Jewish) and the wild olive shoots (Gentiles); that share from the olive root (Jesus), the nourishing sap needed to grow healthy and stay strong. John 15:1-2 states, “I am the vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.” Jesus is the living vine today for all who want to come to him. We can bear no fruit, or be Christ-like, without knowing Jesus. For he alone is the way, the truth, and the life.

God calls us all, Jews and Gentiles alike. That was the point of him going through all he did, constructing the story for all of us how he did. Dying, as the Passover Lamb did, being the true ‘Lamb of God’ who took away then and takes away now and in the future all the sins of the world of those whom he calls. What a gift! What a mystery, what love, light, and truth! He offers new life to any who, in sincerity, will come repenting of (turning from) their sins to him, confessing to him, and asking for his forgiveness.

Israel will be restored one day. Isaiah 11:11 says, “In that day the Lord will reach out his hand a second time to reclaim the remnant that is left of his people from…” Praise God!

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? When Adam and Eve disobeyed God in the Garden of Eden, sin for the very first time entered into the world! Because of their disobedience to a faithful and loving God, a ‘spiritual’ death had come upon them. And they would also have to suffer a physical death down the road because of this.

Walking with God before sinning, just think, Adam and Eve had life perfect! They did not know any sorrow, pain, or death. Let’s see, great relationships – check, a beautiful home – check, great food – check, great scenery – check, and best of all – getting to walk with and talk with God himself – check! Hmmm, perfection in their world, who wouldn’t take that?

Really? No fighting, killing, hurtful words, senseless actions, no wars, drugs or multivitamins, no concern about money, no illness, no abuse, no crazy people running things, no chaos, or confusion? Sounds so peaceful… a utopian state. I could get into that! Who doesn’t want peace, love, joy, happiness, less burdens, more direction and guidance, and most of all feeling complete?!

Now there is no way that Adam and Eve could have understood all the implications of what their disobedience would cost all those who came after them, or maybe they would of thought twice don’t you think?!

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, putting a separation between him and them. A perfect God cannot be in the presence of any sin because he is perfect and he is holy. So God fixed this problem of our sin 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 rose again defeating Satan proving he was alive and well. And He arranged for you to have this gift, free. You can do nothing to earn this. Part of Ephesians 2:5 states, …”it is by grace you have been saved.” So you’re to just come as you are, no fixing yourself up required first! An eternal, infinite sacrifice was needed to cleanse us and make us right before him. And when we genuinely take and receive this free gift (believing and realizing in this that we want to repent and turn from our sins) – he in turn forgives us and gives us eternal life with him. He gives you his holy spirit to help you, to guide you, and to become more like him as time goes on. He gives you peace and love, a joy that transcends even through your sorrows, takes away your burdens (if you let him), gives you direction and guidance in this world, and best of all makes you feel complete because you are saved! Words could not simply express how I was feeling when this happened to me so many years ago. What love and what a mystery! You have your ‘spiritual’ side now!  John 10:10 says, “…I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” You see, there is no real life without him.

Don’t get me wrong here… life will still not be perfect, but the main thing is we will know the truth. We have Jesus, forever and for always. 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. John 14:3 states, “And I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.”

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” – only being able to be filled by him. ‘Other’ things will never satisfy this part of yourself because what you need is something to complete you and make you whole. No one can make you whole but Jesus. No person, place, or thing (including money) will ever get you there. You, as a Jew or Gentile, have the truth now. So what are you going to do about it?

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

Who is Jesus Christ?

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

Jesus is the one, appointed from God the Father, who came to this earth to save all the people from their sins. This was prophesied long ago, of one who would be coming into this world to suffer and die for us, and to be resurrected three days later. Isaiah 7:14 states, “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.” More than seven hundred years before Jesus was born Isaiah 53 was written, and prophesied about Jesus and his suffering. Referring to Jesus’s resurrection Psalm 110:1 says, “The LORD says to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.” I hope that Jews will take special note of this ‘old testament verse’ speaking about Jesus resurrected and with God!

Jesus’s resurrection is proof that Christ is who he said he was… the Son of God. Who else could do this dying and rising again thing? John 2:19 says, “Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days.” The resurrection tells us that we too, if we believe, have the hope that we will rise again after our death and be with him. Our souls are immortal, our bodies are not. 1 Cor. 15:22 says, “For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.” 1 Cor. 15:44 states, “…it is shown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body.” The Apostles being eyewitnesses, hid after Christ’s death, fearing for their lives. But after Jesus’s resurrection, he appears to them, and they boldly start proclaiming God’s Word. Luke 24:39 states, “Look at my hands and feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.” After Christ’s resurrection and his appearance to Paul on the road to Damascus, Paul does a total 180 degree turn around. Instead of killing Christians as he had been doing, he starts defending the very Gospel of Jesus Christ. More eyewitnesses are confirmed in 1 Cor. 15:6, “After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time…”

Christ is the bridge between God and man. Without him we have no chance to be connected to God. Sin must be atoned for. Jesus gives us this free gift, himself, so we can be reconnected with God. A free gift, that is your gift, absolutely free for the taking.

Can you believe it? Can you believe Jesus gives us this gift?! Isn’t it exciting?! We have one we can go to for forgiveness, and to be continually cleansed each and every day. We can have a personal relationship with God. What happiness, what joy, knowing he did this for you. And all you have to do is accept it (what he did), repent (decide to turn away from your sins), and tell him how you feel (confess with your mouth).

John 14:6 says, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

John 15:13 says, “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.”

Jesus, the new covenant (New Testament), has replaced the old covenant (Old Testament law). By his death and resurrection he provides for those who will come to Christ, and he provides the purification and cleansing of their sins. Sins turned as white as snow from his forgiveness, and cleansed from guilt to have freedom in Christ. And knowledge of an everlasting life with him? Nothing could be better!

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