Tag: Lord Jesus Christ

We Must Set Our Hope On God Alone

We Must Set Our Hope On God Alone

It is important that we set our hope upon the Lord, Himself—and nothing and no one else. 

The seed sown among thorns is the person who hears the word, but worldly cares and the seductiveness of wealth choke the word, so it produces nothing.  (Mt 13:22 NET)

We must try to stay clear from worldly cares and worldly desires, which will profit us nothing, spiritually.

Now the ones that fell among thorns are those who, when they have heard, go out and are choked with cares, riches, and pleasures of life, and bring no fruit to maturity.  (Lk 8:14 NKJV)

The cares and pleasures of earthly life will not bring any form of spiritual fruit to maturity.  And we must remember that we live for Christ—to serve Him and to bring Him glory and honor and praise.

Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to set their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy.  (1 Tim 6:17 NASB)

Believers should never allow themselves to feel confident in wealth or financial security, for these are fleeting and can crumble in a day or even a span of earthly hours. 

But true security comes from placing our hope and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ who has promised that He will NEVER leave us nor forsake us.  This means that Jesus will NEVER disown, abandon, reject, or renounce anyone who has accepted Him as their own Savior and Lord.

THAT is true security—now only for the moment but throughout eternity!  Hallelujah!

Examples of the Patience of God

Examples of the Patience of God

Each and every believer is an example to the unsaved world of the mercy and patience of God!  The apostle Paul, claiming to be the worst of sinners, demonstrates this argument for us in 1 Timothy.

But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life.  (1 Tim 1:16 NIV)

Seeing the various types of people who accept Christ as their Savior, and hearing their testimonies of forgiveness and salvation, encourages many unsaved observers that there is truly hope for them, too.  It may be the very thing that opens the door to the grace that they need to receive the precious gift of salvation.

This is why I tell you that her many sins have been forgiven; so [consequently] she has shown great love. The one who is forgiven little loves little.  (Lk 7:47 CEB – descriptive word in brackets added)

In Luke 7 above, we are shown that those who are forgiven MUCH are the very born-again believers who will respond with a great swell of love for others, especially the unsaved.

The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.  (2 Pet 3:9 ESV)

In 2nd Peter, we clearly understand that the Lord is not disposed to see anyone lost and be ultimately destined for hell.  God’s desire is that ALL should turn away from their old life of sin and sorrow and accept the Lord Jesus Christ as their Redeemer and Lord.

These are just some of the scenarios that we can use to encourage ourselves to become faithful witnesses of God’s goodness, and for us to share with others to encourage them receive Jesus as their Savior and Lord.  Glory to God most High!

Complete the Race, Receive the Crown

Complete the Race, Receive the Crown

We all understand that in order to receive the crown (reward, wreath), we must complete the race as a winner.  A winner can also be called a conqueror, a victor, or an overcomer.  Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.  (1 Cor 9:25 ESV)We are called by the Lord to complete the “race of life” as a conqueror who will receive an eternal reward.  One factor that is required, even as it is required of athletes, is self-control in all things.  But we are able.  Let’s remember that Romans 8:37 tells us:  Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.We are “more than conquerors” because the true Conqueror, Jesus Christ, has shared His victory with each one of us through the gift of salvation.Similarly, anyone who competes as an athlete does not receive the victor’s crown except by competing according to the rules.  (2 Tim 2:5 NIV)Obviously, every race has rules that must be obeyed.  In order to receive the victor’s crown spoken about in the Bible, we must obey the Word of God.  Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. (1 Tim 6:12 NKJV)The battle in which we must engage is the battle for our very own souls, and the only way to win this battle is by FAITH.  This is emphatically taught in Scripture:For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.  (1 Joh 5:4 NKJV)Who is the one who overcomes the world, but the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?  (1 Joh 5:5 NASB)But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.  (1 Cor 15:57 NIV)

If we stay on the path of obedience to God and to His Word, we shall surely win the race and receive the crown!  Glory to God most High!

The Importance of the Christ’s Resurrection

<strong>The Importance of the Christ’s Resurrection</strong>

We’re going to study the distinctiveness, the need, and the urgency of the resurrection.  First, let’s check out a few Scripture verses on the topic:

“For He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by a Man whom He has appointed, having given assurance of this to all men by raising Him from the dead.”  (Ac 17:31 MEV)

And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain.  (1 Cor 15:14 ESV)

. . . and if Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins.  (1 Cor 15:17 NASB)

The resurrection of the Lord Jesus was unparalleled because of His divinity.  Because Jesus claimed to be the Son of God (Joh 10:36), the high priests sought to put Him to death.  Therefore, His resurrection from the dead proved His declaration that He was God’s Son to be true. 

In Acts 2, Peter reasons that since the Lord Jesus was God’s Son, it would be impossible for Him to remain dead and to decompose in a tomb—like a mere mortal.  (Ac 2:24-32)  We can’t value this truth too highly.

Jesus’ resurrection was exceptional because of the death that led to it and demanded it.  Jesus’ death was extraordinary because it was the death of One who lived a holy, sinless, righteous life that brought honor to God on behalf of sinful humanity.  Jesus’ death was unique because it was God’s eternal plan that His Son should die as a blameless sacrificial lamb, as a surrogate recompense for the sins of humanity.

The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!”  (Joh 1:29 NKJV, emphasis added)

Clean out the old leaven so that you may be a new lump, just as you are in fact unleavened. For Christ our Passover also has been sacrificed.  (1 Cor 5:17 NASB)

For all eternity, Christ has been designated as the perfect sacrifice, without spot or blemish, whose death could atone for the sins of others.  (Isa 53; 1 Pet 1:18-20; 1 Pet 2:21-25)

But when the Messiah came as a high priest of the good things that have come, he went through the greater and more perfect tent that was not made by human hands and that is not a part of this creation. 12 Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with his own blood he went into the Most Holy Place once for all and secured our eternal redemption. 13 For if the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are unclean purifies them physically, 14 how much more will the blood of the Messiah, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from dead actions so that we may serve the living God!  (Heb 9:11-14 ISV)

The resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ had no precedent.  Never before had anyone been raised from the dead in such a unique way; because when Jesus was resurrected, He was so altered that He was eternally beyond death.  He would never again experience death.

This is why Jesus’ resurrection was described as the ‘firstfruits’ in 1 Corinthians 15:23, because there will be many who will follow Him (in being resurrected).

The resurrection of Jesus Christ is a matter of life or death.  Our response to this truth will decide our eternal destiny. 

An indication of how thoroughly Jesus had been changed by the resurrection becomes clear when we notice a couple of facts.  After His resurrection, Jesus could appear and disappear as He chose (Lk 24:31); and He could also enter a place with a locked door (Joh 20:26).   Praise God! The resurrection of Jesus Christ was crucial because it’s an essential element in saving faith.  In both the Old and New Testaments, a redeeming faith was faith in a God who could and would raise people from the grave.  An in-depth study of the 11th chapter of Hebrews will reveal that the faith of Old Testament saints is a resurrection faith. Glory to God!

Be Filled With the Spirit

<strong>Be Filled With the Spirit</strong>

We are instructed in Ephesians to “be filled with the Spirit.”  What should we understand about this command?

And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, 20 giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ . . .  (Eph 5:18-20 NKJV, emphasis added)

This passage tells us not to be drunk with wine (which is a form of alcohol, at times referred to as ‘spirits’), but that we should be filled with the Spirit—meaning the Holy Spirit.

Have you ever seen someone who is under the influence of too much alcohol?  They are often out-of-control, and will frequently act in ways which are outlandish and even shocking for them.  In Ephesians, the word dissipation is used which means overindulgence, debauchery, and intemperance.  When such ones recover their sobriety, they may feel ashamed of their actions while they were intoxicated. 

However, when one is “full of the Spirit,” we mean a person has allowed themselves to be controlled and guided by the Holy Spirit.  This often results in our encouraging each other with Scriptures and with spiritual songs, giving praise and thanksgiving to the Lord.  This is a way of overflowing with the joy of the Lord in giving praise and thanksgiving to the Lord who is perpetually worthy to be praised!

Let’s turn back to the Bible and see what other wisdom the Lord would like to share with us.

But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and remind you of everything that I have told you.  (Joh 14:26 ISV)

The Holy Spirit will teach us everything that we need for life and godliness (2 Pet 1:3) and will remind us of the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ.

“When the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, namely, the Spirit of truth who comes from the Father, He will testify about Me . . .  (Joh 15:26 NASB)

The Holy Spirit is also called the Spirit of truth, and the Holy Spirit testifies [gives evidence; affirms; confirms] to us about Jesus.  The Holy Spirit teaches us about the love of Jesus for mankind as well as all of His other beautiful attributes.

And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.  (Ac 2:4 NKJV)

One evidence, on the day of Pentecost, of the infilling of the Holy Spirit was the fact that all those who were filled spoke in other tongues [unknown languages, that is, unknown to the speakers].  This experience of speaking in other tongues is still available today to anyone who desires it.  Just ask, by faith, the Holy Spirit to give it to you in Jesus’ Name.  God bless you.

Our Weakness Reveals God’s Strength

Our Weakness Reveals God’s Strength

How can weakness or challenges in life reveal God’s strength to us? 

And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.  (2 Cor 12:9)

Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.  (2 Cor 12:10, emphasis added)

For though He was crucified in weakness, yet He lives by the power of God. For we also are weak in Him, but we shall live with Him by the power of God toward you.  (2 Cor 13:4)

Whenever we are weak in an area, it presents an opportunity for God’s strength to be discovered by us.  Our weaknesses, when exposed and humbly given to God, invite God’s love and strength to work powerfully in our situations.

Our weaknesses help us to see that there isn’t much that we can do in ourselves and by ourselves.  We comprehend our utter helplessness.  Problems and weaknesses compel us to turn to the true source of ALL help and power:  to the Lord Jesus Christ.  We must learn to rely upon God’s grace and mercy, both of which are abundantly available to us according to the Word of God.

In times of need, trial, or crisis, we reach a point where we are ready and willing to yield to God’s will in our lives.  Praise God!  As the Scriptures shown at the top of this article demonstrate, God is ready and able to meet our needs and to help us.  And when He does, it is a testimony to His love and mercy.

He loves to bless us and to solve our problems because He loves us.  (Joh 3:16; 1 Joh 4:19; Ps 37:40; 46:1; 63:7)

Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.  (Rom 8:26, emphasis added)  The Holy Spirit helps us in our weaknesses.

After we turn to the Lord and pray about our area of weakness and need, His power will flow into the situation and turn it around.  We then have gained genuine, first-hand experience of the love and mercy of God.  This, in turn, enables us to comfort and to minister to other people who are in similar situations.  (2 Cor 1:4)  It also deepens and matures our faith.

Rejoice in the strength and power of God that is available to you!