Month: November 2021

Baptized into Christ

Baptized into Christ

When we received Christ as our Savior and Lord and were baptized in water, we were baptized into His death.  Wow!  That sounds a little dark, huh?

Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?  (Rom 6:3 NIV)

But the triumphant news is that we, who were baptized into Christ’s death, now live with Him and through Him, as the following Scriptures attest.

Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him . . .  (Rom 6:8)

This is a faithful saying:  For if we died with Him, we shall also live with Him.  (2 Tim 2:11)

I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.  (Gal 2:20, underscoring added)

Christ lives in each and every believer!

For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus’ sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh.  (2 Cor 4:11) 

Believers are always delivered to death for Jesus’ sake because we are denying ourselves, by dying to our flesh, in order to follow and to obey Jesus and His earthly example.  (See Colossians 3:5)

All who follow the Lord Jesus Christ, who have accepted Him as their Savior and have been water baptized, have been baptized into the body of Christ—His Church.  Praise His Holy Name!

Our Mediator

Our Mediator

Jesus Christ is the ONLY mediator (intermediary, conciliator) between God and mankind.  There is no other, despite what other religious philosophies may affirm.

For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus . . .  (1 Tim 2:5)

There is no arbitrator between us, who could lay his hand upon us both [would that there were].  (Job 9:33 AMP)  In the Old Testament, the thought of a mediator between God and mankind was considered a hoped-for dream.  This is because ONLY Jesus Christ is both God and man.  Jesus is able to comprehend both man and God.

A mediator, however, implies more than one party; but God is one.  (Gal 3:20 NIV)  A mediator comes between two parties, persons, or points of view.  A mediator is a go-between or an agent for both points of view.  

This is why he’s the mediator of a new covenant (which is a will): so that those who are called might receive the promise of the eternal inheritance on the basis of his death. His death occurred to set them free from the offenses committed under the first covenant.  (Heb 9:15 CEB)  Jesus is the mediator of the New Testament.  Jesus is our Peacemaker.  Glory to God most High!

Prayer & Faith

Prayer & Faith

Prayer that arises from faith in Jesus in our hearts accomplishes wonderful and mighty blessings.  Another beneficial tool that believers have is anointing people with oil, and laying hands on them in prayer.  In the Scriptures, oil represents the Holy Spirit.  In the New Testament the laying on of hands was associated with Christ healing the sick (Luke 4:40)

Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven.  (Jas 5:14-15 NIV)  In this case, we are encouraged to ask the elders of the church to pray for the sick after anointing them with oil.

And they cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick, and healed them. (Mk 6:13)  This passage is referring to the apostles’ doing good works, including casting out demons, anointing the sick with oil and healing them.  Praise God!

And it happened that the father of Publius lay sick of a fever and dysentery. Paul went in to him and prayed, and he laid his hands on him and healed him.  (Ac 28:8)  The Apostle Paul laid hands on Publius after praying for him, and healed Publius.

These are procedures that the apostles used, because they had seen Jesus Christ (our example) using them.  Modern believers should use these same methods and practices in order to see the same results.

Remember, all signs, wonders and miracles are a result of faith in Jesus Christ and in focusing upon Him and His love and mercy.  Faith is a gift from God (Eph 2:8) and we should cherish it, value it, and thank and praise God for it. Hallelujah!

Two Important Instructions

Two Important Instructions

We are instructed by God’s Word to do two central things: 

(1)  do good deeds, and

(2) to search for and practice being at peace with all people.

Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.  (Ps 34:14 NIV)  Turn away from evil (in thought, word, and deed).  Do good to others and look for (and chase after) inspired ways to be at peace with all people.

Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord . . .  (Heb 12:14)  Follow peace, and practice peace—as well as living a righteous life; for without these things, no man will see the Lord.

Let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it.  (1 Pet 3:11)

Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.  (Gal 6:10)  We are told to do good to all, especially our brothers and sisters in the faith.

This is not as easy as it may sound!  “DO GOOD TO ALL” does not give the impression of being difficult, right?  However, when you think about “doing good” to people you don’t particularly like, to a malicious co-worker, to a mean store clerk, or to those who are unappealing and unpleasant, then the challenge comes much more clearly into focus. 

The Lord also wants us to be at peace with these kinds of people:  all who are obnoxious and unlovable. 

We were created in the image of God (Gen 1:27), and God loves each and every human being.  He wants all people to be saved.  (2 Pet 3:9)  People are won over to Christ and to the gospel of salvation through our lives and through our testimonies.  They are also won over by our kindnesses and our good deeds. They are persuaded by our actions to those who are unlovely.

Following Christ’s example will bring forth eternal fruit for the Kingdom of God.

Saved, Sanctified, Justified

Saved, Sanctified, Justified

We, who believe in Jesus Christ, have been saved through God’s mercy.  We have been cleansed, sanctified, and justified in and through Jesus, our Savior.

He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.  (Tit 3:5 NIV)

The indwelling Holy Spirit is constantly cleansing us and renewing our minds. One tool that is helpful is the Word of God.

And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.  (1 Cor 6:11)

. . . that he might sanctify her [the Church], having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word . . .  (Eph 5:26 ESV, words in brackets added)  Another way that we are continuously cleansed and sanctified is through a daily reading of the Scriptures as well as constant meditation upon them.  This is what we may choose to do in order to cooperate with the Holy Spirit, our teacher.

. . . knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified.  (Gal 2:16)  This Bible verse reiterates the truth that no one is justified by fulfilling the law but rather through an ongoing faith in and relationship with Jesus Christ, the Savior of mankind.  Praise God!

A Relationship With Jesus is Great Gain

A Relationship With Jesus is Great Gain

Once we have accepted Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord, we have begun an eternal relationship with the Lord.  Having a relationship with Jesus, our Savior, is the greatest blessing and gain (profit, benefit, advantage) anyone can ever have.  Hallelujah!

But godliness with contentment is great gain.  (1 Tim 6:6 NIV)  Living a holy life (godliness) with peace in our hearts (contentment) is a wonderful blessing.

Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”  (Heb 13:5)  Jesus, our living Lord, will never leave us nor reject us.  The Word instructs us to be content with such a supernatural blessing as this, as well as all of the other blessings that Jesus has purchased for us.

For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come.  (1 Tim 4:8)  Godliness (righteousness, holiness) is necessary and beneficial for this life as well as for all eternity.

Better is a little with the fear of the Lord, than great treasure with trouble.  (Pro 15:16)  It is better to have a small amount in this life along with awe-inspired respect for our Lord, than to have what the world considers to be “great treasure” because such things are accompanied by anxieties and dangers, and temptations to turn away from our faith in our Savior.

For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord will give grace and glory; no good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly.  (Ps 84:11)  The Lord does not deny ANY GOOD THING to His followers, His obedient ones who live in holiness. The greatest wealth that anyone can ever have is a deep and abiding relationship with our Savior, Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory. 

Every blessing, every benefit, and every advance is a gift that flows from His loving heart.  Thank God for His blessings today, friends!

Jesus Heals Broken Things, Especially Our Hearts

Jesus Heals Broken Things, Especially Our Hearts

The Lord is close to the brokenhearted, and he saves those whose spirits have been crushed.  (Ps 34:18 NCV)

He heals the brokenhearted and bandages their wounds.  (Ps 147:3 NET)

My flesh and my heart may grow weak, but God always protects my heart and gives me stability.  (Ps 73:26 NET)

For I am the Lord who heals you.  (Ex 15:26c NKJV)

Charles Spurgeon said: “There are many sorts of broken hearts, and Christ is good at healing them all.”  What a beautiful statement of faith and truth!

What types of things can break a person’s heart? 

  • The death of someone we love;
  • Betrayal by someone who is dear to us;
  • The end of a friendship;
  • A miscarriage;
  • Divorce;
  • Being helpless;
  • Being bullied;
  • A crisis on the job;
  • A troubled church situation; or
  • Recognizing that life is unfair, and that it contains pain and heartache.

Everyone has felt the anguish of a broken heart.  If not, then it will occur at some time in the future.  It seems that this is a part of life that cannot be avoided.

The reality is that God is with us in the midst of our brokenness, distress and torment. 

Matthew 5:4 says:  Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.  Again, in Hebrews 13:5 we’re told:  For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”  Jesus has promised that He will never leave us nor abandon us.  He is always with us, and His love is always surrounding us.  His Spirit is our Comforter.

Isaiah 53:3 reminds us that Jesus knows how we feel:  He is despised and rejected by men, a Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. And we hid, as it were, our faces from Him; He was despised, and we did not esteem Him.

Jesus was betrayed and ultimately rejected by mankind.  He came to extend salvation, love, mercy, and healing to humanity; but we angrily refused Him, tortured Him and crucified Him. 

And yet, Jesus was raised from the dead by the power of the Holy Spirit (Rom 8:11), and He came forth from the grave in power, valor, and ENDURING LOVE for us!  How wonderful is our Savior! He is truly a God who actively and lovingly comforts us and binds up our hearts with bands of mercy, love and healing. 

Trust in Jesus and turn to Him when you are brokenhearted and trust Him to heal your wounds. Hallelujah to His holy Name!

Christ is the Arm of the Lord

Christ is the Arm of the Lord

Today, our meditation is upon the term used in the Bible, “the arm of the Lord.”  The arm of the Lord and the hand of the Lord have the same meaning in Old Testament Scriptures.

Wake up, wake up, O Lord! Clothe yourself with strength!  Flex your mighty right arm!
Rouse yourself as in the days of old when you slew Egypt, the dragon of the Nile.  (Isa 51:9 NLT, underscoring added)

The Arm of the Lord refers to the Lords’ strength and ability to accomplish whatever He chooses to do. In other words, Jesus being referred to as “the Arm” signifies His Omnipotent and proactive nature.    

Another verse that explains why one of Jesus’ names is ‘The Arm of The Lord’ is John 14:13, which declares, “If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.” Remember, when Jesus taught us how to pray in Matthew 6:6-15, He said, “pray to the Father.” Then He said, “I will do it.” Jesus is The Arm of The Lord. He is the One who gets things done.  (Source:  https://www.preaching.com/articles/jesus-is-the-arm-of-god)

Nevertheless, I am continually with you; you hold my right hand.  (Ps 73:23 ESV)

Even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me.  (Ps 139:10 ESV, underscoring added)

And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number who believed turned to the Lord.  (Ac 11:21 ESV)

In the Prophets, we hear promises that the Lord would again save his people by his arm. And in Isaiah, in particular, the revealing of the arm in Isaiah 52:10 leads us in that section to see how God would save His people.

Isaiah 53 foretells of the Servant whose body would be offered as a sacrifice to pay the penalty of sin for his people. Moreover, Isaiah 59 informs us that no man was there to intercede and bring justice to the nations (v. 15). Therefore, God himself would bring salvation by his arm. Only now, in the fullness of this passage and in the fullness of time, we know that God did not send an arm. Rather, his arm is his Son.  (Source:  https://davidschrock.com/2017/12/13/the-arm-of-the-lord-from-moses-to-isaiah-to-christ/)

Because Jesus is the Arm of the Lord, we need never to be afraid.  Jesus promised that He would never leave us nor abandon us (Heb 13:5).  That means that the might, majesty, and power of God are perpetually with each one of His children.  His protection and His blessings are upon us at all times.  Hallelujah, holy God!

God Holds Us

God Holds Us

The Word of God tells us that the Lord has engraved [inscribed, imprinted, etched] us on the palms of His own hands!  Wow!  What a concept!  That’s worth meditating upon.

Behold, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands . . . (Isa 49:16a ESV) 

God also tells us that He holds us by the hand, and He reminds us that He is the One who helps us.  What an honor and a blessing to be helped by the all-powerful, living God!  He is not only “close” to us, but He is actually holding us by the hand.  Glory!

For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, “Fear not, I am the one who helps you.”  (Isa 41:13 ESV) 

Even if people who are blood relatives of ours desert us, our Savior God holds us close to His heart.  He will never leave us nor disown [reject] us.  (Hebrews 13:5)  God’s love is constant, enduring and unfailing.  (Ps 136:26; Rom 8:39)

Even if my father and mother abandon me, the Lord will hold me close.  (Ps 27:10 NLT) 

NO ONE has the strength, might or power to be able to take us out of our Father God’s hand.  Praise the Lord!

My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.  (Joh 10:29 ESV, emphasis added)

The Lord says that He is our God for our entire lives.  Once we accept Christ as our Savior and Lord, He cares for us and will carry us and save us—even into eternity!

I will be your God throughout your lifetime – until your hair is white with age. I made you, and I will care for you. I will carry you along and save you.  (Isa 46:4 NLT) The Lord upholds [sustains] our very lives.  (Isa 54:4 NLT) 

Did you realize that?  Return His perfect love and worship Him today!