BRIGHTEN SOMEONE’S DAY

Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up. (Pro 12:25 NIV)

A cheerful heart is good medicine . . . (Pro 17:22a NIV)

We all experience days when we feel a little down or maybe worried or stressed out. On days like those, we all appreciate a cheerful word or a phone call from a friend. We all need encouragement, and we need other believers to come alongside of us occasionally to strengthen us.

We need a fellow believer to encourage our faith, to remind us of God’s goodness and glorious attributes, and to let us know that we are loved by God. Only another person who follows Jesus, and has experienced life’s challenges and victories is able to help us in this way. I encourage us all to cultivate friends who are fellow believers and who have been serving the Lord longer than we, ourselves, have.

Jesus taught us to love one another, and to be kind to one another. He gave us His own example of how to live like this.

Offering hope, support, and cheer to one another is a wonderful and practical way to spread God’s love in this stress-laden world. It’s important to encourage yourself first, in the Word of God. Another way to encourage yourself in the Lord is to remember all of the answered prayers you have experienced, and to remember all of the miracles that God has performed in the past in answer to your prayers. Rejoice! Thank and praise the Lord for these past testimonies and victories. Once you have done these things, you will have the strength to minister to others.

But take heart! I have overcome the world. (Joh 16:33 NIV)

The Good News is still true. The Lord is always reliable, and we can depend upon His Word and His matchless love. He has overcome!

So take a little time every day to share joy and cheer with everyone around you—with your family, friends, and co-workers. Hallelujah!

A Light for the Nations

Do you realize that Jesus is the Light for all Nations, and as His disciples and followers, WE are called to shine His light into all of the earth?

For this is what the Lord has commanded us: “I have made you a light for the Gentiles,
that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.” (Act 13:47 NIV)

I, the Lord, have called you in righteousness; I will take hold of your hand. I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people and a light for the Gentiles . . . (Isa 42:6 NIV)

For my eyes have seen Your salvation ³¹which You have prepared before the face of all peoples, ³²a light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of Your people Israel.” (Lk 2:30-32)

How can you shine the light of God’s love and salvation into the world?

By serving the Lord obediently and joyfully;
By sharing your testimonies of how you came to accept Christ as your Savior and about your answered prayers;
By praying for other people’s needs and asking God to bless them and to provide for them;
By testifying to the miracles, signs and wonders that God has performed for you; and
By living a holy lifestyle in obedience to the Scriptures.

Here is a passage from the Bible that gives us some answers:

Do all things without complaining and disputing, ¹⁵that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, ¹⁶holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain. (Phil 2:14-16, emphasis added)

God bless you!

Make Known God’s Glorious Deeds

We are called, as the people of God, to publicize and advertise to all of the earth the wonderful, glorious, praiseworthy deeds of God among men.

Oh give thanks to the Lord; call upon his name; make known his deeds among the peoples! (Ps 105:1 ESV)

Give thanks to the Lord, call upon his name, make known his deeds among the peoples, proclaim that his name is exalted. (Isa 12:4)

. . . and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel . . . (Eph 6:19)

Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a Man attested by God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs which God did through Him in your midst, as you yourselves also know— (Ac 2:22)

What should we make known about God? Here are some ideas:

His attributes (personality, nature, behavior)
The blessings of salvation; the advantages of a relationship with the Savior (as outlined in the Bible)
His miracles, signs, and wonders performed for mankind (both in Bible times and since the Gospel was first preached, even up to this current day)
The multitude of God’s mercies (which are new every day)
He is our Intercessor, Advocate and Mediator (1 Tim 2:5; Heb 8:6; 12:24; Isa 55:16; 1 Joh 2:1)

It is a fact that the Lord wants us to broadcast everything that we know about the Lord and about His free gift of salvation. The Lord wants His works, deeds, and miracles to be remembered and to be made public, for His Word says it quite plainly.

He has made His wonderful works to be remembered . . . (Ps 111:4a)

God bless you!

The Message of the Cross

For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. (1 Cor 1:18 NIV, underlining and emphasis added)

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. (Rom 1:16, emphasis added)

. . .but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness, ²⁴but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. ²⁵Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men. (1 Cor 1:23-25, emphasis added)

. . . because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction. You know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake. (1 Thes 1:5 ESV, emphasis added)

The message of the cross is sometimes referred to as the:

Gospel of Christ (Rom 1:16)
Good News (1 Thes 3:6)
Power of God (1 Cor 1:23-25)
Wisdom of God (1 Cor 1:23-25)
Resurrection Gospel (1 Cor 15, entire chapter)

What is the message of the cross? It is that God LOVES the world, and desires to be in RELATIONSHIP with each and every one of us. Thanks to this truth, the Father God provided salvation to all mankind through Jesus Christ.

Jesus humbled himself in coming to earth as a newborn baby. He grew up as a normal, human boy and learned the trade of carpentry. He lived a sinless, perfect life serving His heavenly Father. Jesus preached Good News, and demonstrated the love of His heavenly Father by performing signs, wonders, and miracles.

Jesus displayed the need for continuous fellowship with His Father, as well as drawing apart for prayer. He modeled forgiveness, wisdom, and walking in the Spirit for us all.

The symbol of the cross is an icon of grim human suffering and public humiliation. Jesus’ suffering and subsequent death and resurrection are all part of the message of the cross. In the light of Christ’s resurrection, there is restoration of hope, complete joy, and utter triumph. Hallelujah!

Notice that the preaching of this gospel of salvation is always accompanied by the POWER of God.

The message of the cross proves the magnitude of the love that God has for mankind.

Signs & Wonders Win the Lost

Did you know that when unsaved people see and experience signs, wonders, and miracles performed in the name of Jesus, that it wins many hearts to Jesus Christ?

Then many of the Jews who had come to Mary, and had seen the things Jesus did, believed in Him. (Joh 11:45)

Now when He was in Jerusalem at the Passover, during the feast, many believed in His name when they saw the signs which He did. (Joh 2:23)

And many of the people believed in Him, and said, “When the Christ comes, will He do more signs than these which this Man has done?” (Joh 7:31)

Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a Man attested by God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs which God did through Him in your midst, as you yourselves also know— (Act 2:22)

God also bearing witness both with signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own will? (Heb 2:4)

As we read these passages of Scripture shown above, we can easily see that human beings consider signs, wonders, and miracles to be a confirmation and a witness from God that Jesus is, indeed, the Son of God and the Savior of mankind.

How can we, who are alive in 2020, turn up our noses at signs and wonders, and decide that the “age of miracles” has passed? It is unthinkable and hard to fathom that anyone would believe such a thing.

There are signs, wonders, and miracles happening all over the world right now—in our present time. I have personally experienced miracles throughout my life, and many people that I know can also testify the same thing. Once you have experienced and seen a miracle for yourself, you will never again doubt that Jesus is still performing signs and wonders.

The Bible says: Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. (Heb 13:8) This means that whatever Jesus did in the past, He will continue to do forever. Whatever qualities and personality traits that Jesus demonstrated in Bible times are still active and operational today. It also means that His personality and His mission have not and will never change. Hallelujah!

Who are we to disagree with the God of all creation?

Choose Boldness & Endurance

If we endure, we shall also reign with Him. If we deny Him, He also will deny us. (2 Tim 2:12) We must sustain our faith throughout our lifetimes, and when we do, the Lord promises that we will one day reign with Him.

But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven. (Mt 10:33) Let us be watchful that we never—in any way—deny the Good News of Jesus Christ. It takes the grace of God to boldly and persistently pursue a life of faith in Jesus.

For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, of him the Son of Man will be ashamed when He comes in His own glory, and in His Father’s, and of the holy angels. (Lk 9:26)

To deny Christ means to reject Him and His claim to be the Son of God and savior of all those who believe in Him. This denial is a life-long denial, where there is no repentance and no acceptance of the Lord Jesus Christ. To those whose lives deny the Lord, the Lord will also say to them one day, “I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity” as we read in Matthew 7:23. (Source: http://answersfromthebook.net/jesus-said-that-if-you-deny-him-before-men-that-he-will-deny-you-before-his-father-peter-denied-the-lord-does-this-mean-that-jesus-will-now-deny-peter-before-his-father)

We need to be bold and brave in proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ. We aren’t all called to be preachers, pastors, missionaries, or evangelists, but we are ALL called to let our light shine in a dark and pain-filled world. One way to do that is through good works that bring glory to God.

You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. ¹⁵Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. ¹⁶Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. (Mt 5:14-16)

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. (Rom 1:16)

Each one of us can be courageous in living our life as a follower and servant of Jesus Christ. We may do that quietly and without fanfare, but all who know us should perceive that we have been with Jesus. (See Acts 4:13)

For it is the Spirit of prophecy who bears testimony to Jesus. (Rev 19:10, emphasis added)

Another way to proclaim the Good News of the Gospel is through telling others about our own, personal testimonies of God’s goodness to each of us, and of His miracles and wonders.

Jesus Fulfilled Prophecy

Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped.
⁶Then the lame shall leap like a deer, and the tongue of the dumb sing. For waters shall burst forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert. ⁷The parched ground shall become a pool, and the thirsty land springs of water . . . (Isa 35:5-7)

This passage of Scripture has beautiful, poetic language in it. This is a prophetic passage about the ministry of God’s anointed Savior and Redeemer.

We can recognize that a number of the things mentioned in this passage occurred in the ministry of Jesus Christ when He was on earth. And many other miracles took place in addition to these. Glory to God!

Blind people were healed (Mt. 9:27; 11:15; 12:22; 15:30; Mk 8:22-25; Lk 7:22)
Mute peoples’ tongues were loosed and they glorified God with their voices (Mt 12:22; 15:30; Mk 7:37)
Deaf people received their hearing (Mt 11:15; Mk 7:37; Lk 7:22)
Lame and maimed people were healed (Mt 11:15; 15:30; 21:14; Lk 7:22)
Lepers were cleansed (Mt 11:15; Lk 7:22; 17:11-14)
People were raised from the dead (Mt 11:15; Lk 7:22; Joh 12:1, 9)

The last part of the passage in Isaiah at the top of this article is looking toward the end times, after Jesus returns to the earth. Here is a teaching pertinent to the 2^nd coming of Jesus from another website:

Peter called the time after Jesus’ return the times of “refreshing” and “restoration of all things” (Acts 3:19-21). Isaiah painted this beautiful word picture: “The wilderness and the wasteland shall be glad for them, and the desert shall rejoice and blossom as the rose. … For waters shall burst forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert. The parched ground shall become a pool, and the thirsty land springs of water” (Isaiah 35:1, 6-7). ~ Source: https://lifehopeandtruth.com/prophecy/end-times/water-in-bible-prophecy/

Jesus fulfilled many of the prophecies concerning the Savior, but there are still some that are going to be fulfilled in the future. Those of us who follow Jesus and serve Him need to recognize the nature of the times in which we live, and to share the Good News of salvation as widely and lovingly as we can. God bless you.

Mustard Seed Faith

Do you know how tiny a mustard seed is? Mustard seeds can be different colors depending upon the plant; they may be anywhere from yellowish white to black. But one thing that is uniform with them all is that they’re very, very small.

So Jesus said to them, “Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you. (Mt 17:20)

So the Lord said, “If you have faith as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be pulled up by the roots and be planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you. (Lk 17:6)

Since a mustard seed is about 1 to 2 millimeters in diameter, it’s astonishing to understand that faith as small as this can move actual mountains and bring about impossible things. Reread those two Bible verses above. Jesus did say this, and it is recounted in two different places in the Scriptures.

Many believers make a big issue of faith as if it is a limiting factor. But I find these Bible verses very reassuring. I realize that God isn’t requiring us to have mountain-sized faith, but rather seed-sized faith which can move real mountains! Faith in God and in His Word is powerful.

Not only that, but faith is God’s gift to us! For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God . . . (Eph 2:8) We don’t have to work it up because the Lord has given it to every believer.

God actually has given us the very faith that we need in order to receive answers to prayer as well as the fulfillment of His promises found in His Word. How much better can it get? This truth fills me with tremendous joy.

Launch out today and use a tiny amount of faith to receive whatever you need from the Lord! He’s definitely on our side and wanting to help each and every one of us. He has already proven it by saving us and giving us the gift of faith which enables us to receive blessings, answers, and miracles from God.

Sun of Righteousness Dispenses Healing

Who is the Sun of Righteousness? It is Jesus Christ and He demonstrated this truth by performing signs, wonders, and miracles while He lived on the earth.

But to you who fear My name the Sun of Righteousness shall arise with healing in His wings; and you shall go out and grow fat like stall-fed calves. (Mal 4:2)

He is the Rock, His work is perfect; for all His ways are justice, a God of truth and without injustice; righteous and upright is He. (Deu 32:4)

According to Your name, O God, so is Your praise to the ends of the earth; Your right hand is full of righteousness. (Ps 48:10)

But the Lord of hosts shall be exalted in judgment, and God who is holy shall be hallowed in righteousness. (Isa 5:16)

“Behold, the days are coming,” says the Lord, “That I will raise to David a Branch of righteousness; a King shall reign and prosper, and execute judgment and righteousness in the earth. (Jer 23:5 emphasis added, see also Jer 33:15)

Jesus fulfilled each and every one of these Scriptures. As the Son of Righteousness, Jesus healed the elderly, the poor, the widowed, and the rich equally. He didn’t just heal one kind of disease but ALL kinds of disease. He demonstrated His unlimited power as well as the unlimited, unconditional love of His Father for all mankind.

And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease among the people. (Mt 4:23, emphasis added – see also Mt 9:35)

Jesus also healed people spiritually by feeding the Good News of the Kingdom to them (Living Water). He healed the broken in heart. (Ps 147:3) He healed demon-possessed and demon-oppressed people by delivering them. He healed and restored the bent and broken ones. He gave voices to the mute, and cured those with unclean spirits. (Mt 15:30; Lk 6:18) Some people received healing by just touching the edge of Jesus’ cloak! (Mk 6:56)

You know of Jesus of Nazareth, how God anointed Him with the Holy Spirit and with power, and how He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him. (Ac 10:38)

The book of Acts tells us that people who need healing are “oppressed by the devil.” That’s not just an old-time, backwards way of saying that people were sick. No, I believe that this is a revelation from God for us. Recognize that pain, sickness, and suffering are all tools of the enemy. He comes to steal, to kill, and to destroy according to the Bible. (Joh 10:10)

As followers of Jesus Christ, by faith we must trust Him and KNOW Him to be our healer. God has said:

. . . for I am the Lord that healeth thee. (Ex 15:26 KJV, end)

Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases . . . (Ps 103:3 KJV)

God Brings to Nothing Things That Are

God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. (1 Cor 1:28-29 ESV)

God has chosen the people that are despised—objects of contempt—to “bring to nothing” things that are!

In Bible days, God used Gentiles, after they became followers of Jesus Christ, to annihilate the works of the enemy through the working of miracles. Whatever believers do in serving the Lord does not give them grounds to boast, but rather, it reminds us that we are servants and vessels in the hands of our King.

He breaks in pieces mighty men without inquiry, and sets others in their place. (Job 34:24 NKJV) In our modern day terms, the Lord breaks powerful, rich, and influential people by exposing the truth about them in very public ways. With others who are on the same paths of greed and dominance, He sets them in their place and wakes them up to God’s power when they see their friends endure public exposure and humiliation.

The lofty looks of man shall be humbled, the haughtiness of men shall be bowed down,
and the Lord alone shall be exalted in that day. (Isa 2:11 NKJV) No human being is entitled to be haughty. The Lord alone deserves praise, honor, and exaltation.

Then the angel of the Lord went out, and killed in the camp of the Assyrians one hundred and eighty-five thousand; and when people arose early in the morning, there were the corpses—all dead. (Isa 37:36 NKJV) This is a shocking but real example of God bringing to nothing things, and people, that exist in order to fulfill His own plans.

You shall seek them and not find them—those who contended with you. Those who war against you shall be as nothing, as a nonexistent thing. (Isa 41:12 NKJV, emphasis added) The Lord is the divine judge of all, and He is the only One who decides when a human being has had all of the chances that He has allotted to them.

Many sorrows shall be to the wicked; but he who trusts in the Lord, mercy shall surround him. (Ps 32:10 NKJV)

Glory to God! Those who are in a close and obedient relationship with Jesus as their Savior and Lord are surrounded by mercy, protection and the blood of the Lamb! In humility and thanksgiving, with fear and trembling, it is our honor to serve the living God.

decidingvoteblog

You are the Deciding Vote! In your life, you can make decisions that will help you and bless you.

Tag: miracles