Out of all the people in the New Testament perhaps none has had a more profound influence than Paul the Apostle. On the road to Damascus God speaks to Saul asking Him, “Why do you persecute me?” (Acts 9:4). Saul, who is later called Paul, had been responsible for the killing of tons of Christians. When Paul heard the voice from Heaven or from Jesus it changed him forever. He would later become the most well-known and perhaps most passionate follower of Christ. He was so devoted that Paul himself would later suffer death because of His love for Christ.
Archive for December, 2023
Jesus Rose
The resurrection of Jesus from the dead and rising others from the dead is important to us today because it shows the wonderful power of God. The fact that Jesus actually raised Himself & Lazarus from the grave after he had been dead for days proves that Christ was God because only God has power over death. From a historical standpoint when we look at the resurrection of Jesus we see why the early Christian Movement started and the Early Church.
Israel
In Jeremiah 32:37-41 God made a promise concerning that nation of Israel. God promised that He would return them back to their homeland. They reestablished the nation in the 1950’s. For thousands of years Jews were scattered amongst the Earth and most were not in Israel. But in 1948 God’s promise was fulfilled with the establishment of the state of Israel. Now Israel is once again a nation but constantly lives at war as prophecy also predicated. Men, women, and even children are in danger of bombs, and even being shot. They are in danger of being killed even by suicidal Palestinians with bombs strapped to their backs. It is too dangerous in most places of Israel to even go out and eat at a restaurant. Yet in the midst of blood shed, false peace promises made by Palestinians, and war. There is hope the name of that hope is Jesus whom the Jews all need to know and accept as their savior. But even the Jews that don’t know Jesus still their enemies will be driven away from before them. Not because of the righteousness of the Jews but because of the evil of their enemies. Even though that will happen to unsaved Jews they will never live in complete peace unless they learn of Jesus. Then they will be able to live in a land promised to every saved soul. The name of that land is called, “New Jerusalem” and it will come down from Heaven. Those that are saved will live their one thousand years and then be brought up to a New Heaven to live there forever more.
Psalms 100
When Psalms 100:1 says, “make a joyful noise to the Lord all you lands” I believe that it is saying that we should give a loud shout to the Lord and praise His name. In my opinion, the fact that it says “all you lands” declares that since in every land the Lord’s goodness is seen in every land His name should be praised. In Psalms 100:3 it is declaring that the Lord alone is God and that there is no one else and that we are His people and He is our God.
Since God is gracious I believe that Psalms 100 is teaching us that He deserves our praise and He should be praised with gladness and a loud shout. We should always give praise to God and remember that He alone is worthy and we should remember that His goodness and mercy is everlasting. Ephesians 1:6 says, “To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.”. So from that we know that we as Christians are accepted into God’s family. Amen
God Speaks
Just as the Lord spoke to His prophets He still speaks to His servants today through His word. “For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. – Romans 15:4.”. God has given us the Bible as a way for us to know Him, and grow in a relationship with Him. “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: – 2 Timothy 3:16.” Praise God that we have the Bible. God left us with the Holy Bible as a means to know Him and grow in relationship with Him. As we read the Bible more and more we can understand the love of God and the plan He has for our lives. Amen
Light of the World
According to John 11:9 if you walk in Jesus then you are the light of the World. Jesus is perfect, and cares about each and everyone of us. We should follow God with a willing heart and always remember that God is a loving God. “We love him, because he first loved us. – 1 John 4:19”. “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. – Matthew 5:16”. It’s great to know that God has always loved us and desires for us to do good things for His glory. We should do our best to follow God. Praise God for His grace and love. Amen
Fellowship
Jesus Christ is the only son of God, born of the Virgin Mary born under the law and declared to be the son of God according to His great power. Jesus proved His Godhood outlined in the scriptures through His resurrection from the dead and by also raising Lazarus from the dead. However, the best thing is that Jesus didn’t just prove who He was then but who He is now. Christ is always the same and He is with us even here today and He will be alive forevermore. Yes Heaven and Earth will be gone. But Jesus will live forevermore. Yes Jesus has control over both death and life for He will kill the devil along with its slaves. But Jesus will set free those who are captive if they received Him as their Lord and Savior.
God does exist and you have been called to have fellowship with His Son Jesus Christ the Lord. I am completely confident and know in my heart that neither angels, tribulation, devil, famine, war or anything of evil now or anything to come will separate Christians from the love of God which is in Jesus Christ the Lord. Every person chooses His or Her own destiny, life or death is your choice. You can go to Hell with Satan if you choose to turn from Jesus Christ the Lord. Or you can live happily in God’s Kingdom forever. Grace, forgiveness, and mercy only comes through Jesus Christ the Lord.
Greater
In 1 John 4:4 it says greater is He meaning God in us then anyone that is in the World. According to Jeremiah 29:11 God has great plans for us and desires the best for us, this means that God will not harm us, or as in Hebrews 13:5 He will not leave us or forsake us. According to Philippians 4:19 our God is a loving God and according to His faithfulness He will provide for your needs. Once again we need to remember that God has never left us and will never forsake us.
In Our Hearts
I feel God is calling us these last days not to be ignorant. That we might study his message and keep His words in our hearts. We as Christians should not have confidence in the body but in the spirit of Jesus Christ our Lord. For the body is sinful and weak but the spirit of God is righteous and strong. If God is in us and we are in this World we still should not be of this World. We being dead to this World and to sin should serve God in spirit and in truth. Having joy in times of trouble that the power of God might be upon us. Knowing that the joys and sorrows of life are for a short time but God is forever and God will never let us down.
Child
Jesus said in Matthew 19:4 (NIV), “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” I think God wants us to have a child like faith in our walk with Him. Often, children are quick to believe and strong in their beliefs. God desires for us to have an unwavering faith. We should be humble like a child and have faith like a child. Jesus said Heaven belongs to those who are humbled like a child.