Writing On Eagles Wings

“Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:” – John 11:25

Today I am saying goodbye to Danisha, the daughter of a dear friend and sister in Christ. After battling pancreatitis, pneumonia, and renal failure, this sweet young lady left this temporal world and entered eternity.

I have known Danisha for many years. She was the same age as my daughter. They went to the same church and shared much of their pre-adolescent and teen years together. Later, in their adult years, they traveled different paths, but I remained close to Danisha’s mother, Estelle. When I received the news that Danisha was in the hospital, I prayed, fully expecting the Lord to restore her to complete health, but He had other plans for her.

My heart is filled with great sadness today, but I know without a shadow of a doubt that I will see Danisha again one day in the kingdom of God. The immense sorrow of loss from death will become overwhelming joy in life everlasting! I know this because Danisha had professed the Lord Jesus Christ as her personal Saviour. When she understood that she was a sinner, as we all are, she recognized that Jesus, God’s precious Son, died on the cross for her… to take all the punishment for all the sins she had ever committed or ever would do. His resurrection from the dead proved that Jesus was truly the Saviour of the world, and He desired her to trust in Him. She did. Because of that, she became His child forever, and He began to prepare a place for her in heaven.

John 14:2 states, “In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.” I have heard many speak of when Jesus is finished with an individual’s “place” in heaven that is when death comes. But I think differently. I believe that God takes us home when our work for Him is completed. Danisha’s work for her heavenly Father was finished sooner than anyone expected, and the time had come for her to go home to Him. 2 Timothy 4:7 records Paul’s words as he was close to dying. He wrote, “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:”

Danisha fought the good fight, finished her course and kept the faith. She is now in the presence of her beloved Saviour rejoicing and worshiping Him face to face. Her faith has become sight!

Will I miss her? Yes. Will her family miss her? Of course. But we are not as those without hope, as Paul stated in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14 “But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.”

We will see you soon, sweet Danisha!

And then one day I’ll cross the river
And I’ll fight life’s final war with pain
And then as death gives way to victory
I’ll see the lights of glory and I’ll know He lives!

(from “Because He Lives” by Bill and Gloria Gaither)

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” – John 3:16

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“Love gives us memories; faith gives us strength.” – author unknown

 

 

 

 

 

 

“Her children arise up, and call her blessed;” – Proverbs 31:28a

Tomorrow is Mother’s Day. I know that I will be celebrated by my children, and it will be a joyous day for the most part. The greatest difficulty for me is not being in the presence of my own mother to honor her. She passed from this life to her eternal one almost 30 years ago, and I miss her more than words can say. This is my tribute to her.

My mom was a very strong woman. She was born in rural Japan, just a stone’s throw from Hiroshima. As the youngest of four children, I imagine she was well looked after, especially after her father died when she was only twelve years old. Whatever career goals she had were abruptly put on hold when Japan chose to engage the United States in war when Emperor Hirohito ordered the bombing of Pearl Harbor. Schooling for her was interrupted, and she had to go to work as a young teen.

At the age of 17, she was an eyewitness to the atomic bomb explosion in Hiroshima. Once she shared with me her memories of the bright light, the heat from the blast, and the horrific after-effects of the radiation. Hiroshima was destroyed, but thankfully, the small village in which my mother and her family lived was somewhat sheltered from the deadly radiation and force of the explosion. She was a survivor.

Years later, during the Korean conflict, my mother met my father, a US serviceman, and they fell in love and married. She then moved to the United States to begin a new life in a land where she knew no one, barely spoke the language, and dwelt among those to whom the memories of WWII were still fresh. Many still considered her “the enemy”, yet she persevered and made a life for herself and her husband in America. She was determined.

In later years, my mother faced great challenges including a divorce and a chronic illness that her physicians hypothesized was a direct result of being exposed to atomic bomb radiation. This illness led to years of repeated hospitalizations due to SLE (systemic lupus erythematosus) and renal failure. Eventually, she learned to do peritoneal dialysis when her shunts for renal dialysis continued to fail due to her autoimmune disease. She was no longer able to work, but she maintained a positive outlook… at least when in my presence. She was courageous.

Her last years of life were filled with the joys of being a grandmother, and she doted on my children, always delighted to watch them for me when I went to work. Due to her many years of learning to live “without”, she had the greatest ability to create fun times with my son and daughter. She often played “Mr. Potato Head” with real potatoes and vegetables, or let the children build forts out of her many dialysis boxes. She was loving.

One of the greatest concerns I had for my mother was her relationship with God. Being raised in Japan, she was a Shintoist, although she didn’t go to temple here or demonstrate any real evidence of her faith in that religion. I, having accepted Christ as my Saviour at the age of 12, was burdened for my mother’s eternal destination, and would often share the gospel message with her. She listened politely, but never made a decision for Christ. It wasn’t until her last year of life that the Holy Spirit of God opened her eyes to her need for Jesus. One of the greatest joys of my life was sharing the message of salvation with my mother and listen to hear pray from her heart and accept Christ. We were in the hospital at the time, and her joy was bubbling over. In fact, her first declaration of her new faith was when a nurse came into the room. My mother burst out, “Today is the first day that I am a Christian!” I couldn’t hold my tears back. She was saved!

When my mother passed away, I was at her side. A few days before she died, she told her physician that she was ready to go home. He gently said to her that she was too sick to go home. She smiled sweetly and said, “No, I am ready to go home to Jesus.” Again, I cried tears of gratitude to a God who cared enough to touch the heart of my mom and prepare her for this final journey, secure in His promises of eternal life in heaven with Him. She was comforted.

So, this Mother’s Day, I will look upward and whisper “Happy Mother’s Day” to my mom who faced so many obstacles in her life and overcame them. I know she sacrificed so much for me… too much to write here, but needless to say, it was monumental. She was never a selfish woman, but instead, she gave all of herself to me and my children without reservation. She was memorable.

I would give anything to be able to tell my mom one more time how much I appreciate her… how much I admire her… and how much I love her. I know that one day I will be able to tell her all these things and so much more. I was so blessed to be her daughter, and I will forever be grateful that she was my mother.

“For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”- Romans 10:13

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“A mother is your first friend, your best friend, your forever friend.” —Unknown

 

 

 

 

 

“After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.” – 1 Corinthians 11:25

During the month of May, we celebrate Memorial Day. It is the day in which we remember those who died while serving in the armed forces. Memorial Day was first known as Decoration Day because after the Civil War, military graves began to be decorated with flags or flowers to honor the dead. Occasionally, it is referred to as a day of remembrance, but no matter what name is used, it is a time to remember those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our national freedoms.

Jesus Christ, who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom from sin, is also known by different names. Some are well known, such as Prince of Peace, Lamb of God, and the Good Shepherd, but the writers of the four gospels, through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, portrayed Jesus in very different ways.

In the first book of the New Testament, Jesus is described as the promised king. Matthew directed his writing to the Jewish people, and used many OT Scriptures to point out that Jesus is the promised Messiah, the King of Israel. Isaiah 7:14 states, “Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel,” to which Matthew relates in 1:23. Another verse, Matthew 2:6, states Bethlehem is the birthplace of Jesus, which Micah 5:2 prophesied as the place from which the Messiah would come. It is important to note that Matthew recognizes Jesus as the Saviour as well. “And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.” (Matthew 1:21)

In the book of Mark, Jesus is seen as a “suffering servant”. This gospel focuses on many of the miracles that Jesus performed and seems to be aimed at an audience who lived outside of the land of Israel and not been eyewitnesses to anything Jesus did or said. Mark’s writings clearly demonstrate the power of God in Jesus as a servant. Mark 10:45 records Jesus’ words: “For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.” Like Matthew, Mark also proclaims Jesus as the Son of God. In the first verse of his book, he writes, “The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God;” (Mark 1:1) and “And he saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Peter answereth and saith unto him, Thou art the Christ.” (Mark 8:29)

Jesus is presented as a man in the book of Luke. This is not to be mistaken for a denial of Jesus’ deity, for Luke also proclaims that Jesus is the Saviour of all mankind, for Jew and Gentile alike.  Luke 2:11 states, “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.” It is important to note that Luke is writing his gospel primarily for Gentiles, non-Jewish people. His writings accurately describe the humanity of Jesus, which is rather fitting considering Luke’s occupation. As a Gentile physician, Luke had a unique perspective regarding the sufferings of individuals and their physical needs especially in describing how Jesus addressed those needs. Additionally, the Greek culture focused on the perfecting of the body, and Luke understood that. His writings appealed to the Greek/Gentile mindset as he pointed out how Jesus attended to many of the physical needs of women, the poor, the shunned (lepers and demoniacs), etc. “But when thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind: And thou shalt be blessed; for they cannot recompense thee: for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just.” (Luke 14:13-14)

In the last of the gospels, the deity of Jesus is clearly the focal point. John wrote of the many signs and wonders surrounding Jesus, using the miraculous events to inspire belief in Christ as the Son of God. He begins his book by affirming that Jesus Himself is the incarnate Word of God in the first chapter. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” and “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” (v.1, 14). John also quotes Jesus as saying, “I and my Father are one” (John 10:30), declaring His own divinity. Additionally, many miracles are recorded in the book of John, including 7 that are not listed in the previous 3 gospels. These reinforce the deity of Christ, in that only God can raise the dead (John 11), heal the blind (John 9), and control nature (John 6). John’s assertion that Jesus is the Son of God is threaded throughout this gospel as he documents the declarations from eyewitnesses of Jesus’ life and miracles from Thomas ((John 20:28) to Martha (John 11:27) to Peter (John 6:69) to John the Baptist (John 1:34), and others as well.

For us, however, the greatest role that we can attribute to Jesus is that of “Saviour”. In this month of remembrance, it is easy to remember the death, burial, and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ because the Easter season has just finished, but we must be determined to never forget or take for granted what Jesus has done for us. 1 John 4:10 & 14 tell us that God the Father sent His Son Jesus to be the Saviour of the world. Without Jesus and the work He completed, we would have no hope of reconciliation with God, and we would be doomed to an eternity forever separated from the Lord. However, because God loves us so much, He provided a way for us to dwell with Him in heaven forever. That way was Jesus. John 3:16 states, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

His name is wonderful! His name is wonderful!

His name is wonderful, Jesus my Lord!

He is the mighty King, Master of everything;

His name is wonderful, Jesus my Lord.

He’s the Great Shepherd…

The Rock of all ages…

Almighty God is He.

Bow down before Him, love and adore Him;

His name is wonderful, Jesus my Lord.

(from “His Name is Wonderful” by Audrey Mieir)

“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” – Isaiah 9:6

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Who is Jesus to you?

 

 

 

(photo courtesy of Samantha Campbell)

“And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” – Joshua 24:15

What is a servant? According to the KJV dictionary, one of the meanings for the word “servant” is “a person, male or female, that attends another for the purpose of performing menial offices (services) for him, or who is employed by another for such offices or for other labor, and is subject to his command.” Another definition is “One who yields obedience to another.”

As a servant of God, which I believe encompasses both definitions, what are my responsibilities? I can think of many, such as sharing the gospel, praying, being faithful to getting together with like-minded believers, and the list goes on. But this morning, I was wondering what it was that servants do not do.

I reflected upon the relationship between a servant and a master. Here are some things a servant does not do.

• A servant does not tell the master what to do.
  1. “Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ;” – Ephesians 6:5
  2. The servant is obedient to the master, not the other way around. The servant listens and obeys.
• A servant does not grumble or get angry with the master when there is a job assigned to him/her.
  1. “Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own masters, and to please them well in all things; not answering again;” – Titus 2:9
  2. The servant serves without being argumentative (“answering gain”).
• A servant does not ask the master for food or clothing or shelter; it is provided by the master.
  1. “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 4:19
  2. A good master takes care of his servants by providing all the necessities of life needed; the servant will be 100% cared for by the master. The servant can rest knowing that no matter the need, the master will meet it and so much more.
• A servant does not ignore the master for any amount of time, whether it be an hour, a day, a week, etc.
  1. “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.” – 1 Corinthians 15:58
  2. A servant doesn’t serve when it is convenient to do so; he is always ready and available no matter the hour of the day. His devotion to the master is total. The servant is always attentive 24/7 to the master’s wishes.
• A servant does not think himself more highly than the master.
  1. “Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed.” – 1 Timothy 6:1
  2. The servant honors and respects the master, humbling himself in his service and in his heart.

The question now is, do I exhibit any of these ‘do not’ qualities in regard to my relationship with God? The Scriptures clearly state that believers are to be servants of the Lord. John 12:26 states, “If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.” Colossians 3:24 adds, “Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ,” and as a servant of the Lord Jesus Christ, I must examine my heart continually to be sure it is that of a true servant.

Therefore, my desire is to cast all my cares and concerns upon God because I know He truly cares for me (1 Peter 5:7) and He will take better care of me than I can do myself. To do so, I must remember Psalm 37:3-7, and strive for those qualities in my life.

• “Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.” (He has met my needs.)
• “Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.” (He blesses me with my wants in addition to meeting my every need.)
• “Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass. And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday.” (He guarantees a successful outcome to my service.)
• “Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.” (His ways are so much higher than mine, and His timing is perfect for everything in my life.)

My God loves me with an everlasting love (Jeremiah 31:3), just as He loves you. How can we not resolve to serve Him as humbly and thankfully as we know how?

Now I resolve with all my heart,
With all my powers, to serve the Lord:
Nor from His precepts e’er depart,
Whose service is a rich reward.

O be His service all my joy;
Around let my example shine
Till others love the best employ
And join in labors so divine.

(from “Now I Resolve with All My Heart” by Anne Steele and Lowell Mason)

“Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.” – Psalm 100:2

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What kind of a servant are you?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“And he saith unto them, Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold the place where they laid him.” – Mark 16:6

Easter 2022 was such a joyous day! Many families gathered together for a special meal, while children often hunted for colorfully dyed eyes to put in their Easter baskets. Additionally, many people started their Easter with a time of celebrating the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ in their churches. Worshippers filled the air with songs like “Because He Lives” and “Christ the Lord is Risen Today!” while pastors shared the good news of the risen Christ.

But now it is Monday, and the excitement of Easter is over. How are you doing today? Our pastor preached a message about living a “resurrected” life, and used a very familiar story from the Scriptures to explain. Let’s take a step back in time and “see” the events of John 11. This is the Biblical account of Martha, Mary, and Lazarus. Lazarus was the beloved brother of Mary and Martha, and he had been very sick when Jesus was summoned by the sisters to come restore Lazarus to health. However, by the time Jesus had arrived, Lazarus had been dead for four days. John records the conversations between Jesus and Lazarus’ sisters before  the Lord finally commanded Lazarus to come forth from the tomb. What a glorious moment that must have been for everyone, including Lazarus!!

I wonder how Lazarus might have lived after being resurrected by Jesus. Do you think he went back to doing the same old things he did before he became sick? Or do you think maybe that brief glimpse of paradise radically changed how he lived his life after being called forth from the tomb? Did he live a “resurrected” life after understanding the reality of all that Jesus had ever shared with him?

I have to agree with my pastor. I believe Lazarus’ entire point of view about death took a dramatic turn after he returned to the world of the living. Of course, the Bible doesn’t expound upon what Lazarus thought or did after he was raised from the dead, but I imagine he wasn’t the same man as he was before his sickness and death.

It is highly likely that Lazarus no longer feared dying because he knew what was coming! I believe he told his sisters all about his experiences in the “after life.” In fact, I believe he told everybody that crossed his path about the glories he had witnessed! His previous work, whatever that may have been, no longer was the first priority in his life. Instead, I believe he focused on spiritual things… eternal things… and shared that message with his friends and acquaintances. After all, he wouldn’t want anyone he cared about to miss what he had seen firsthand simply because they hadn’t heard about Jesus. Being resurrected surely must have had a profound effect on him! I believe he was emboldened to share what Jesus had done for him without any reservation at all!

What about Mary and Martha? How were their lives impacted by their brother’s resurrection? I am sure they were amazed and overjoyed, and like Lazarus, they must have told everyone they knew what had happened! If they could have, they probably would have been shouting it from the rooftops!! While they hadn’t witnessed what Lazarus had seen, they were eyewitnesses to his resurrection! What an amazing testimony those two ladies must have had, and I believe no one would have been able to keep them quiet about the miracle they had seen at their brother’s tomb.

Fast forward to today once more. What are your thoughts about the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ? Is it real to you? Real enough to share with others? Real enough to shout it from the rooftops?

Real enough to live a resurrected life?

Up from the grave He arose
With a mighty triumph o’er His foes
He arose a Victor from the dark domain
And He lives forever with His saints to reign
He arose! (He arose)
He arose! (He arose)
Hallelujah! Christ arose!

(from “Christ Arose” by Robert Lowry)

“Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:” – John 11:25

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If you know your Redeemer liveth, as Job proclaimed (Job 19:25), share it with someone today!

 

“But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”- Romans 5:8

(Please note: Parts of this blog is graphic in its descriptions of the events leading up to and including the crucifixion of Christ.)

The week before Easter is often referred to as “Passion” week. This is the week that began with Jesus’ entrance into Jerusalem on the back of a donkey while onlookers cried “Hosanna to the Son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest.” (Matthew 21:9) Less than one week later,  Jesus would hear the words “Crucify Him!” shouted by the same people who had earlier praised Him as their king.

We often think of the word “passion” as a strong feeling, but the word actually comes from the Latin word “pati”, which means “to suffer.” Many people are aware of some of the events that happened to Jesus in the week prior to His crucifixion, but a true understanding of His suffering is difficult to grasp.

Physically, Jesus endured a brutal beating by Roman soldiers at Pilate’s command. Typically, this is done with a short whip called a flagrum. It is composed of three knotted leather strips with pieces of metal or bone intertwined. Sometimes, metal hooks were attached to the ends of the strips to dig into the flesh when dragged across the back. Initially, the whipping would remove layers of the skin exposing the muscle tissues below. As the beating continued, excessive blood loss would ensue and often the victims would die from this form of punishment. If the criminal was sentenced to crucifixion, the centurion in charge was responsible to halt the beating before death occurred. Isaiah 53:5 prophesied, “But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.”

Roman soldiers also placed a crown of thorns on the head of Jesus. These long sharp thorns penetrated deeply into Jesus’ scalp, causing more bleeding and potential nerve damage, which induced great facial and neck pain. Matthew 27:29 states, “And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand: and they bowed the knee before him, and mocked him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews!”

Jesus was also forced to carry the crossbeam of His cross to the actual site of the crucifixion. This huge piece of timber was roughly placed on the shoulders of Jesus, and with each step, He struggled to walk the road to Calvary as the wood ripped through even more of His already shredded back. The 75-125 lb weight of the beam was staggering for Him to carry as He was extremely weakened by the massive loss of blood and intense pain. In fact, the Bible records that the Roman soldiers compelled another man to help carry the beam for Jesus. (Luke 23:26).

Lastly, crucifixion was the Roman form of capital punishment, although it was not invented by them. Those sentenced to die by this method were secured to the cross with nails that were approximately 7-9 inches in length. The wrists are the most likely place that the nails were driven to hold the upper body to the cross itself, while the feet were also secured with these blunt-tipped iron nails. Suspension on the cross would dislocate the shoulders, once again causing intense pain in the arms. In order to draw a breath, Jesus would need to push Himself upward to allow His lungs to inflate, and with each effort made to breathe, wounds on His back would reopen as they scraped along the wood of the cross. Death comes as a result of suffocation when the victim could no longer push himself up to breathe.

In addition to the physical suffering of Jesus, He suffered emotionally. He endured the betrayal of His followers, the mocking from the crowd, the humiliation of the cross, and the separation from His Father for the first time in all eternity. The Bible records Jesus crying out to His heavenly Father in agony. “And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? which is, being interpreted, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” (Mark 15:34)

Why did Jesus go through all of this? He did it because of His “passion” for us. In this usage, “passion” refers to a strong emotional desire, nearly uncontrollable. God has an intense “passion” for His creation. Each person on this planet who has ever lived, or ever will live, is one whom God loves passionately. Genesis records that God chose to create man differently than the rest of His creation, and that He personally, “… breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.” We were not created with the animals; we were a special creation. God wanted an intimate relationship with us, but once sin entered the world, it was impossible for God to abide with mankind due to His holiness.

In order to restore this relationship, God sacrificed His only Son, Jesus Christ, on that old rugged cross to become the atonement for the sins of all humanity.  When Jesus rose on that 3rd day after His death, He proved He was the Son of God, the Saviour of the world. Through His death and resurrection, God provided a way for us to be reconciled to Him. When we realize that we are sinners in need of a Saviour, we can accept Jesus for who He is and ask Him to forgive us. It is then that our relationship with God is restored, and we are promised an eternity with Him in heaven. The Bible tells us, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)

That’s the reason for the “Passion” week.

Tell of the cross where they nailed Him, writhing in anguish and pain;
Tell of the grave where they laid Him, tell how He liveth again.
Love in that story so tender, clearer than ever I see;
Stay, let me weep while you whisper, “Love paid the ransom for me.”

Tell me the story of Jesus, write on my heart every word;
Tell me the story most precious, sweetest that ever was heard.

(from “Tell Me the Story of Jesus” by Fanny Crosby)

“I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.” – John 10:11

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As you celebrate the resurrection of Jesus, never forget the “passion” of our Saviour.

 

Matthew 28:6 “He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.”

With Easter just a few weeks away, stores have filled their shelves with plastic eggs, stuffed bunnies and ducks, and lots of sugary candies. The truth of Easter, however, actually lies in the death, burial, and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. Through His atoning sacrifice on the cross and miraculous triumph over sin and death (evidenced by His resurrection), our lives have a God-given purpose and promise for now and the future. This Easter, rejoice in the truth: Jesus is ALIVE!

Jesus’ death and resurrection offers “a new and living way!” (Hebrews 10:20) through the precious gift of salvation that only He can offer. Here is what the God of all creation offers through His beloved Son.

God offers a way to reconcile every person to Him, our Creator.

• John 14:6 – “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”
• Acts 4:12– “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”
• Jesus gave us  the opportunity to restore a relationship with God. In Jeremiah 31:3, God proclaims that He loves us with an everlasting love, and that love was manifested in the most unbelievable way when God the Father sacrificed His only Son, Jesus, on that Roman cross. It is only through the belief in Jesus Christ and the acceptance of His work on the cross for the forgiveness of our sins will we be reconciled to our Creator. There is nothing we can do to earn our way into heaven. Putting your faith in anything or anyone else… will fail. Jesus told us that He is the only way.

God offers liberty to all who accept Jesus as their personal Saviour.

• 2 Corinthians 3:17 – “Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.”
• Romans 8:1 – “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.”
• Christian liberty is not a license to sin. Instead, we have liberty or freedom from the penalty of sin by faith in Jesus Christ as stated in Romans 6:23. We are liberated from the bondage of sin. Second, Romans 6 reminds us that we “should not serve sin.” Sin is no longer our master. Instead, we serve a risen Saviour! Lastly, we also have liberty from the cultural opinions of man as to what is right and wrong. We are to walk “after the Spirit“, following the truths in God’s Word over the so-called truths of the world.

God offers a transformed life for us in Christ.

• Hebrews 10:20 – “By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;”
• Romans 12:2 – “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”
• A relationship with Jesus changes how we think and act. We are transformed completely by the power of God!  The Holy Spirit renews our minds, changing our carnal way of life for a spiritual way of living. We can thus live a God-centered life with a God-centered purpose, honoring Him in all we think, say, and do.

God offers  empowerment in our daily lives through His Holy Spirit.

• Romans 8:11– “But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.”
• 1 Corinthians 6:19 – “What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?”
• When we accept Jesus as our Saviour, in addition to forgiveness of sin, we become recipients of the promise that He will never leave us (Matthew 28:20).  To fulfill that promise, He gave us His Holy Spirit to dwell within us, making us His temple. No matter where we go or what we do, the Holy Spirit of God is with us – helping, guiding, convicting, providing ways to avoid sin, empowering us to witness and serve God and more… every moment of every day! The power of the Almighty God is within each person who has accepted Jesus as their personal Lord and Saviour!

God offers the way to have victory in our lives.

• 1 Corinthians 15:57 – “But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
• Because of our relationship with Christ, we have the ability to live victorious lives in a sin-cursed world. Will we have troubles? Yes. Will we have times of discouragement, fear, and even doubt? Yes. This rather bleak list goes on, but we do not have to fear any of it because we have been promised the strength of Christ (Phil. 4:13), the empowerment of the Holy Spirit (John 14:16-18), and the security of our God to give us the victory (1 John 5:4) in any circumstance or situation. There is true and eternal victory through a personal relationship with Jesus!

God offers us everlasting life in heaven.

• John 14:1-3 – “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. I n my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.”
• John 3:16 – “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
• We never need to fear dead or hell. With Jesus as our Saviour, we are promised a heavenly home! At this very moment, Jesus is preparing a place for us to live with Him forever. And He promised He would come again to receive us unto Him so that where Jesus is, we will also be!

O victory in Jesus, my Savior, forever.
He sought me and bought me with His redeeming blood;
He loved me ere I knew Him and all my love is due Him,
He plunged me to victory beneath the cleansing flood.

(from “Victory in Jesus” by Eugene Bartlett)

“Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:”- John 11:25

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How will you celebrate Easter this year?

 

 

 

“For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.” – Philippians 2:13

I have a cause and effect religion. Cause and effect? What does that mean? When something occurs that triggers another event, that is termed ‘cause and effect.’ I have read lots of verses that describe my cause and effect relationship with God. Here are a few examples.

Proverbs 3:6 – “In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”

• Cause: Acknowledge God in all things.
• Effect: He will guide you through life.

James 5:16 – “Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.”

• Cause: Pray
• Effect: Results

Revelation 3:20 – “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.”

• Cause: Receive the gospel message.
• Effect: Jesus will commune with you as Saviour.

Perhaps the most famous cause and effect in Scripture can be found in John 3:16. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

• Cause: Believe in Jesus Christ, God’s Son, as your Saviour.
• Effect: God will give you everlasting life.

So how does Christian cause and effect impact me? First, it tells me that my faith must be a proactive faith. I cannot be a complacent believer, one who simply does nothing, for if I do nothing, my faith is essentially dead according to James 2:20. No action produces no result… no cause equals no effect. The brother of Jesus reiterates that my faith should be actively evidenced by my works… by the “causes” that will generate godly “effects.”

Secondly, I must identify the types of works (causes) that need to be demonstrated in my life. First and foremost, I must call upon the name of the Lord for my salvation. Romans 10:13 says “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Note the cause and effect). After that, I am to seek God’s righteousness… how? Through reading His Word, through attentiveness to the Holy Spirit as He guides me to all truth “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.” – John 16:13. I must also become a better witness for the cause of Christ, reflecting Him to those around me. “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.

Thirdly, but no less important than the first two, I must continue to cultivate my relationship with Christ, so I can grow strong in my faith and service to God. 1 Thessalonians 5:17 tells me to continually be in prayer. 2 Timothy 2:15 commands me to study God’s Word. 1 Peter 2:2 declares that I must desire the Word of God to grow. Hebrews 10:25 exhorts me to fellowship with other Christians… to gather together for worship. These works are critical for me to grow in my own faith and relationship with Jesus.

The scientist in me sees Newton’s third law of motion… for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.  Everything I do in my walk of faith has a reaction… a consequence…an effect… and those effects can be positive or negative. It is my responsibility to strive for positive effects rather than allowing the negative ones to sprout. To do so, I must take the appropriate actions… the right causes… to affect the results I seek. If I want answers, I must pray. If I want the abundantly life that Jesus has promised, I must follow Him. Cause and effect. It’s that simple!

Seek ye first the Kingdom of God
And His righteousness
And all these things shall be added unto you
Allelu, Alleluia
 
Ask and it shall be given unto you
Seek and ye shall find
Knock and it shall be opened unto you
Allelu, Alleluia

(from “Seek Ye First” by Karen Lafferty)

“For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;” – Colossians 1:9-10

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Are you satisfied with the picture of faith your works are revealing?

Earlier this month, I saw an acrostic of the word “valentine” that used each letter to share John 3:16. The purpose was to emphasize how much God loves us. That got me to thinking… how much do I love God? How do I show the Lord that I love Him? Here is my acrostic “VALENTINE” to Him.

V is for “Vision”

“Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.” Proverbs 29:18

• I must have a vision for what God has for me in my life! I must actively demonstrate my love for Him by pursuing His will for my life. I must have a viable vision in regard to serving God and following in the footsteps of my Saviour.

A is for “Acknowledge”

“In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” Proverbs 3:6

• I must acknowledge the importance of God in my life! I must pray daily and read His Word regularly. I must recognize and accept His presence and involvement in my life as vital as breathing!

L is for “Listen”

“Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.” Psalm 46:10

• I must take time to sit still, meditate upon God’s Word, and listen to Him as He speaks to me through it. I must make a concerted effort to listen to the Holy Spirit as He teaches, convicts, and guides me.

E is for “Exalt”

“Exalt ye the LORD our God, and worship at his footstool; for he is holy.” Psalm 99:5

• I must lift the name of Jesus high in honor and praise. I must exalt Him as I worship Him. I must give Him the honor that is due Him.

N is for “Nigh”

“Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.” James 4:8

• I must work to be near God, and diligently seek His presence. I must make time for Him in my daily life… not as an afterthought, but as the first priority!

T is for “Transformed”

“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” Romans 12:2

• I must make a commitment in my life to change and align my words and actions with that which is righteous in the sight of God. I must surround myself with things of God that influence my thinking and my behaviors, and reject the things of the world that are against the things of God. I must not surrender my thoughts and actions to the sinfulness of the worldly culture around me, but rather focus on Christ’s example of godly living and do the same.

I is for “Identify”

“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” 2 Corinthians 5:17

• I must live a life that is a reflection of Jesus, so others can see Him through me. I must be set apart from the sinful culture of man, instead, representing Jesus as His ambassador to a lost and dying world.

N is for “Narrow”

“Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” Matthew 7:14

• I must strive to walk in the footsteps of Jesus and not make excuses for following in the paths of the world. I must make a conscious effort to “walk the narrow way” because that is God’s way!

E is for “Embed”

“Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.” Psalm 119:11

• I must continue to study and commit God’s Word to memory. I must be “ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh” (1 Peter 3:15). I must embed His Scriptures into my mind, my heart, and my life!

O how I love Jesus,

O how I love Jesus,

O how I love Jesus,

Because He first loved me!

(from “Oh How I Love Jesus” by Frederick Whitfield)

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Does God know you love Him? How do you show it?

 

 

 

 

“For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.” – Luke 2:11

There are actually 12 days until Christmas, and the familiar song about the partridge in the pear tree came to mind. As I pondered the words, I decided to rewrite them for me, so that I could keep my focus on the real reason for the season. That reason is Jesus! I have read other Christian versions of this song, but I have not read one that focuses entirely upon my Saviour. This is my own thoughts to countdown the 12 days of CHRISTmas!

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12 – When Jesus was 12 years old, He was publicly recognized to have spiritual authority through His teaching in the temple as recorded in Luke 2:42-47.

• “And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers.” (Luke 2:47)

11 – Jesus had 11 faithful original disciples to take the gospel to the world after His betrayal.

• “While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled.” (John 17:12)

10 – There were 10 lepers that Jesus healed, but only 1 returned to thank Him as it is stated in Luke 17:12-18 .

• “And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off:” (Luke 17:12)

9 – Jesus died in the 9th hour. It is at this time that He cried out, “It is finished!” and gave up the ghost. He had paid the ultimate price for the sins of all of us.

• “And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eloi, Eloi, lama
  sabachthani? which is, being interpreted, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” (Mark 15:34)

8- Jesus was brought to the temple 8 days after His birth and legally received His name.

• “And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb.” (Luke 2:21)

7 – There are 7 recorded titles of Jesus in Hebrews.

• “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;” (1:2)
• “For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.” (2:10)
• “Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus;” (3:1)
• “And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;” (5:9)
• “Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.” (6:20)
• “And having an high priest over the house of God;” (10:21)
• “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (12:2)

6 – There were 6 wounds inflicted on Jesus at the crucifixion – 5 were while He was still living, and one was postmortem. There were 2 in His hands and 2 in His feet from the nails; one collective wound in His head from the crown of thorns, and one in His side from the soldier’s spear.

• “The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe.” (John 20:25)

5 – Jesus used 5 loaves of bread in the miracle of the feeding of the 5,000 as it is written in Matthew 14:19-21.

• “And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the grass, and took the five loaves, and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed, and brake, and gave the loaves to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude.” (Matthew 14:19)

4 – There are 4 books at the beginning of the New Testament that are known as the gospels. These four books present Jesus from a different perspective: Matthew, the king; Mark, the servant; Luke, the man; and John, the deity of Christ

3 – While there is only one God, yet He is three-in-one. This is known as the Trinity. Jesus is the 2nd person of the Trinity. The first is God the Father; the second is God the Son, and the third person of the Trinity is God the Holy Spirit.

• “For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.” (1 John 5:7)

2 – There are 2 main divisions of the Bible – the Old and New Testaments, both of which clearly point to Jesus as the Son of God and the Savior of the World.

1 – There is only 1 Saviour of the world – Jesus!

• “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12)

These are my 12 days of my CHRISTmas! As I continue through this season, my focus will be upon my Saviour, remembering that the greatest gift God ever gave to mankind began with a promise in Genesis, a manifestation in Matthew and Luke, and a glorious appearing in the not-too-distant future!

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” – John 3:16

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What’s your focus this Christmas?