For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Rom. 6:23
The Gift Left under the Tree
Given in love, nail-scarred hands placed beneath the tree,
A divine gift for each one, and one addressed to me.
One by one the gifts are taken, with joy each received, An eternal treasure to each who had faith and believed.
Yet, some gifts remained unopened, whose could they be? How sad for those who left their gift lying under the tree.
Jesus died on the cross that whosoever will might have eternal life. Receive this gift by faith.
It can be found under the tree – at the foot of the cross.
REV DB
Tuesday, December 26, 2017
Saturday, December 23, 2017
A Savior
And the angel said unto them Fear not … for unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:10-11
It was dark. The shepherds watched their sheep laying quietly about them. Another silent night spent on the familiar hills surrounding Bethlehem. Suddenly, a bright light shines upon them and they hear the voice of the angel proclaim, “Fear not, for unto you is born in Bethlehem a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”
The angel did not declare the news of Christ’s birth to those in the temple or to those who sat in positions of power. Rather, the angel came to the lowly shepherds and invited them to come and see where the child lay.
Thank God for His invitation to them and to you and me.
Rev DB
It was dark. The shepherds watched their sheep laying quietly about them. Another silent night spent on the familiar hills surrounding Bethlehem. Suddenly, a bright light shines upon them and they hear the voice of the angel proclaim, “Fear not, for unto you is born in Bethlehem a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”
The angel did not declare the news of Christ’s birth to those in the temple or to those who sat in positions of power. Rather, the angel came to the lowly shepherds and invited them to come and see where the child lay.
Thank God for His invitation to them and to you and me.
Rev DB
Walked and was not
Walked and was not
Genesis 5:24 And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him.
What a testimony we have about Enoch. He loved God. He spent time with God. God was his life and purpose for living. He just lived right up until the time he was taken out of here. It is almost like everyone knew that Enoch was God’s man. Then one day he just disappeared. He was with God. God took him.
That should be a picture of our lives. We should be walking with God. That should be known about us. Everyone who knows us should know that we walk with God. One day, soon I hope, He will come again. He will take us out of here. We call that the rapture, the great snatching away.
I want to walk with Him till He takes me out of here. I want those around me to know that I love God and live for Him with all that I am or have!
Let’s walk with God till He takes us, one way or the other!
Rev AG
Genesis 5:24 And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him.
What a testimony we have about Enoch. He loved God. He spent time with God. God was his life and purpose for living. He just lived right up until the time he was taken out of here. It is almost like everyone knew that Enoch was God’s man. Then one day he just disappeared. He was with God. God took him.
That should be a picture of our lives. We should be walking with God. That should be known about us. Everyone who knows us should know that we walk with God. One day, soon I hope, He will come again. He will take us out of here. We call that the rapture, the great snatching away.
I want to walk with Him till He takes me out of here. I want those around me to know that I love God and live for Him with all that I am or have!
Let’s walk with God till He takes us, one way or the other!
Rev AG
Bethlehem's Star
Matthew 2:2 Where is he that is born king of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.
Bethlehem's Star
It was Ordered by the Lord:
It was Overseen by the Lord:
It's Outcome was by the Lord:
It brought those searching, to God's Son, the Christ child.
Thank God for the means, God used to bring me to His son back in 1972.
God bless you and Merry Christmas!
May the God of Heaven help us to seek his Son in these times.
Rev DN
Bethlehem's Star
It was Ordered by the Lord:
It was Overseen by the Lord:
It's Outcome was by the Lord:
It brought those searching, to God's Son, the Christ child.
Thank God for the means, God used to bring me to His son back in 1972.
God bless you and Merry Christmas!
May the God of Heaven help us to seek his Son in these times.
Rev DN
Friday, December 8, 2017
Thy Salvation
For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, which thou hast prepared before the face of all people. Luke 2:30-31
Simeon had waited his whole life for this moment. A devout man, the Holy Spirit had told Simeon he would not die until he had seen the Lord’s Christ. On this day, the Holy Spirit had led him to the temple where Mary and Joseph had come to present Jesus to the Lord.
When Simeon saw the baby Jesus, he took him up in his arms and praised God. Simeon rejoiced because he had seen for himself the salvation of the Lord. Not only his Savior, but the Savior of the whole world.
If we follow the Holy Spirit, He will always lead us to Jesus.
Rev DB
Simeon had waited his whole life for this moment. A devout man, the Holy Spirit had told Simeon he would not die until he had seen the Lord’s Christ. On this day, the Holy Spirit had led him to the temple where Mary and Joseph had come to present Jesus to the Lord.
When Simeon saw the baby Jesus, he took him up in his arms and praised God. Simeon rejoiced because he had seen for himself the salvation of the Lord. Not only his Savior, but the Savior of the whole world.
If we follow the Holy Spirit, He will always lead us to Jesus.
Rev DB
White as snow
Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow. . . Is. 1:18
The falling snow turns the world from grey and brown to a pure white. The dead weeds and the muddy spots disappear. All that is left appears pure and clean.
Isaiah tells us there is a way to be pure and clean before God. To have all of our dead weeds and dirty spots disappear. The blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from all our sins. The stains of sin, though they be as scarlet, can be made as white as snow.
Come, let us reason together, and seek the Lord.
Rev. DB
The falling snow turns the world from grey and brown to a pure white. The dead weeds and the muddy spots disappear. All that is left appears pure and clean.
Isaiah tells us there is a way to be pure and clean before God. To have all of our dead weeds and dirty spots disappear. The blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from all our sins. The stains of sin, though they be as scarlet, can be made as white as snow.
Come, let us reason together, and seek the Lord.
Rev. DB
Wednesday, December 6, 2017
abide in the ship
Paul said to the centurion and to the soldiers, “Except ye abide in the ship, ye cannot be saved.” Acts 27:31
The storm had gone on for days. The ship tossed and driven by the wind and waves. Hope all seemed but lost. The sailors were sure they would perish. Then out of the darkness the shipmen deemed that they drew near to some country. Excited, they let down the life boats and prepared to leave the ship.
It was then Paul spoke: “Except ye abide in the ship, ye cannot be saved.” His words probably seemed unreasonable to the frightened seaman, but they cut the ropes anyway and stayed with the ship. As a result, not a life was lost.
Sometimes we may be tempted to abandon the old ship of Zion, but the only way to be saved is to abide in the ship.
Rev. DB
The storm had gone on for days. The ship tossed and driven by the wind and waves. Hope all seemed but lost. The sailors were sure they would perish. Then out of the darkness the shipmen deemed that they drew near to some country. Excited, they let down the life boats and prepared to leave the ship.
It was then Paul spoke: “Except ye abide in the ship, ye cannot be saved.” His words probably seemed unreasonable to the frightened seaman, but they cut the ropes anyway and stayed with the ship. As a result, not a life was lost.
Sometimes we may be tempted to abandon the old ship of Zion, but the only way to be saved is to abide in the ship.
Rev. DB
The gift of God
The gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Rom. 6:23
I remember as a child the excitement of Christmas. Looking forward to the gifts that would be under the tree on Christmas morning. Crawling under the tree to find the gift that had my name on it. A gift given with me in mind.
The gift of God is eternal life. As a nine year old boy I received this precious gift. Where did I find it? Under the tree. When I humbled myself and knelt at the foot of the cross, I found the gift that was given just for me.
There is gift for each of us if we will only look under the tree.
Rev DB
I remember as a child the excitement of Christmas. Looking forward to the gifts that would be under the tree on Christmas morning. Crawling under the tree to find the gift that had my name on it. A gift given with me in mind.
The gift of God is eternal life. As a nine year old boy I received this precious gift. Where did I find it? Under the tree. When I humbled myself and knelt at the foot of the cross, I found the gift that was given just for me.
There is gift for each of us if we will only look under the tree.
Rev DB
so great salvation
How shall we escape if we neglect so great salvation…? Heb. 2:3
Every public building is required to have an “Exit” sign. In the event of a fire or other emergency these signs tell people where to go to escape the danger. To ignore these signs during an emergency would place oneself in great peril.
Similarly, God has given us an “Exit” sign: a cross and an empty tomb. He gave us Jesus. Jesus is the door through which we can escape the penalty of our sin and find eternal life.
How can we escape if we ignore Him?
Rev. DB
Every public building is required to have an “Exit” sign. In the event of a fire or other emergency these signs tell people where to go to escape the danger. To ignore these signs during an emergency would place oneself in great peril.
Similarly, God has given us an “Exit” sign: a cross and an empty tomb. He gave us Jesus. Jesus is the door through which we can escape the penalty of our sin and find eternal life.
How can we escape if we ignore Him?
Rev. DB
Wednesday, November 29, 2017
Response to "Jesus never claimed to be God."
Response to "Jesus never claimed to be God."
The Deity of Christ
A. Jesus’ Claims to Deity
1. Claims Relating to God
a) Jesus Claimed Equality with God
Matt. 10:40; Matt. 11:27; Matt. 28:19; John 3:35; John 5:17–18, 22–23; John 6:62; John 8:19; John 8:58; John 10:30, 36–38; John 12:44–45; John 14:1, 7–11; John 15:23; John 16:28; John 17:10, 21–23
b) Jesus Claimed the Rights of God
(1) Jesus Claimed to Forgive Sins
Matt. 26:28; Mark 2:1–12; Luke 7:48–49
(2) Jesus Claimed to Give Life
Mark 5:41; Luke 23:42–43; John 5:21, 25, 28–29; John 6:33; John 10:10; John 11:25; John 14:6
(3) Jesus Claimed to Judge
John 5:22, 27; John 8:15–16
(4) Jesus Claimed to Grant Spiritual Blessings
Luke 24:49; John 1:12; John 14:13, 27; John 17:13
(5) Jesus Did Miracles
Matt. 11:4–6; John 5:36; John 10:37–38; John 15:24
(6) Jesus Cleansed the Temple
Matt. 21:12–13
(7) Jesus Claimed to Establish God’s Kingdom
Matt. 4:23; Matt. 6:33; Matt. 7:21; Matt. 12:28; Matt. 21:31; Matt. 25:34; Mark 1:14–15; Luke 12:32
(8) Jesus Exorcised Demons
Mark 1:27; Luke 11:14–20
(9) Jesus Claimed to Defeat Satan
Luke 4:1–13; John 12:31
(10) Jesus Claimed to Be Lord of the Sabbath
Mark 2:27–28
(11) Jesus Claimed to Be David’s Lord
Luke 20:41–44
c) Jesus Claimed the Authority of God
(1) General Statements
Matt. 7:28–29; Matt. 21:23–27; Matt. 28:18; Mark 1:22; John 3:31; John 17:2
(2) Particular Sayings
Matt. 5:18–20; Matt. 5:21–22; Matt. 5:26; Matt. 5:27–28; Matt. 5:31–32; Matt. 5:33–35; Matt. 5:38–39; Matt. 5:43–44; Matt. 6:2; Matt. 6:25; Matt. 6:29; Matt. 7:22–23; Matt. 8:11–12; Matt. 10:15; Matt. 10:23; Matt. 10:42; Matt. 12:6; Matt. 12:36; Matt. 13:17; Matt. 17:12; Matt. 17:20; Matt. 18:3; Matt. 18:13; Matt. 18:18–20; Matt. 19:9; Matt. 19:23–24; Matt. 21:31; Matt. 21:43; Matt. 23:36; Matt. 24:2–3, 34; Matt. 25:12; Matt. 25:40; Mark 3:28–29; Mark 5:41; Mark 8:12; Mark 9:1; Mark 9:41; Mark 10:15; Mark 10:29–31; Mark 11:23–25; Mark 12:43; Mark 13:30–32, 37; Mark 14:9; Mark 14:18; Mark 14:25; Mark 14:30; Luke 4:24–27; Luke 6:27–28; Luke 7:28; Luke 7:47; Luke 10:24; Luke 11:9; Luke 12:4–5; Luke 12:8; Luke 12:37; Luke 12:43–44; Luke 13:23; Luke 13:35; Luke 16:9; Luke 23:43; John 1:51; John 3:3, 5; John 3:11; John 5:19, 24–25; John 6:26; John 6:32; John 6:47; John 6:53; John 8:34; John 8:51; John 8:58; John 10:1, 7; John 12:24–25; John 13:16; John 13:20; John 13:21; John 13:38; John 14:12; John 16:20, 23; John 21:18
d) Jesus Described Himself as God’s Counterpart on Earth
Matt. 11:25–27; John 3:16; John 5:19–23; John 8:19, 38; John 10:36; John 17:25–26
e) Jesus Accepted Prayer, Praise, and Worship
Matt. 2:2; Matt. 8:2; Matt. 9:18; Matt. 14:33; Matt. 15:25; Matt. 18:20; Matt. 28:9, 17; Mark 5:6–7; Luke 23:42–43; Luke 24:52; John 5:23; John 14:14
f) Jesus Found the Source of Power within Himself
Matt. 9:6; John 5:26; John 10:17–18; John 10:28
g) Jesus Never Showed Any Consciousness of Sin
John 8:46; John 14:30; John 17:4
2. Claims Relating to Human Beings
a) Jesus Promised Peace and Rest to Those Who Trust Him
Matt. 11:28–30; John 6:29; John 7:38; John 14:27; John 16:33; John 20:19
b) Jesus Claimed Power over All Life, Space, and Time
Matt. 16:27; Matt. 18:20; Matt. 24:1–51; Matt. 28:18, 20; John 14:23
c) Jesus Claimed to Determine People’s Eternal Destiny
Matt. 7:21–23; Matt. 10:32–33; Matt. 11:6; Matt. 25:31–46; Mark 8:34–38; John 3:16; John 5:24; John 10:28–29; John 12:32
d) Jesus Claimed Final Authority over People
John 4:24–26; John 6:35; John 8:12, 23–24, 28, 58; John 10:7, 9; John 10:11, 14; John 11:25; John 13:18–20; John 14:6; John 15:1, 5
3. Claims Relating to Jesus’ Mission
a) Jesus Came to Be People’s Savior
Matt. 9:12–13; Matt. 15:24; Matt. 18:12–14; Mark 2:17; Luke 15:1–32; Luke 19:10; John 3:14–18; John 3:36; John 6:51; John 8:12; John 10:16, 28; John 12:47
b) Jesus Came to Make God Known
Mark 1:14; Mark 1:38; Luke 10:22; Luke 14:7–11, 23–24; John 5:17; John 6:38; John 7:16–18; John 8:26, 38, 42; John 12:49–50; John 15:15; John 16:25, 28
c) Jesus Came to Sum Up the Entire OT
Matt. 5:17–18; Matt. 11:4–6; Matt. 13:16–17; Mark 1:14–15; Luke 4:17–21; Luke 10:23–24; Luke 24:27; Luke 24:44–45; John 5:39–40
B. NT Claims to Jesus’ Deity
1. Jesus Is Considered Equal with God
Acts 2:38; 1 Cor. 1:3; 1 Cor. 12:4–6; 2 Cor. 13:14; Gal. 1:3; Eph. 4:4–5; Eph. 6:23; Phil. 2:6; Col. 1:19; Col. 2:9; Col. 3:1; 1 Thess. 3:11; 2 Thess. 2:16–17; 1 John 2:23; 1 John 5:20; Rev. 20:6; Rev. 22:3
2. Jesus Possesses God’s Attributes
a) Eternality
John 1:1–2, 15; Acts 3:15; Col. 1:17; Heb. 1:11; Rev. 1:8; Rev. 1:17–18
b) Faithfulness
2 Thess. 3:3; 2 Tim. 2:13; Heb. 2:17; Heb. 3:6; Rev. 1:5; Rev. 3:14; Rev. 19:11
c) Goodness
John 10:11; Acts 10:38; 1 Pet. 2:2
d) Grace
John 1:14, 17; Acts 15:11; 2 Cor. 8:9; 1 Tim. 1:14; Heb. 4:16
e) Holiness
Mark 1:24; Luke 1:35; John 6:69; Acts 3:14; Acts 4:27; Heb. 4:15; Heb. 7:26; 1 Pet. 2:22; Rev. 3:7
f) Justice
Rev. 19:11
g) Love
John 15:9; Rom. 8:35, 38–39; 2 Cor. 5:14; Eph. 3:17–18; 1 John 3:16
h) Mercy
Heb. 2:17; Heb. 4:16; Jude 21
i) Omnipotence
Isa. 9:6; Matt. 28:18; 1 Cor. 1:24; 1 Cor. 15:24; Eph. 1:19–21; Col. 2:10; Heb. 1:3; 1 Pet. 3:22; 2 Pet. 1:16; Rev. 1:8; Rev. 12:10
j) Omnipresence
Matt. 18:20; John 3:13; Eph. 1:22–23
k) Omniscience
Matt. 11:27; Acts 1:24; 1 Cor. 4:5; Col. 2:2–3; Rev. 2:19; Rev. 2:23
l) Patience
1 Tim. 1:16
m) Righteousness
2 Tim. 4:8; Heb. 1:8; Heb. 7:1–2, 17, 26; 1 Pet. 3:18; 1 John 2:1, 29; Rev. 19:11
n) Self-Existence
John 1:1; 2 Cor. 8:9; Phil. 2:6; Heb. 7:16
o) Truthfulness
John 1:14, 17; John 14:6; John 18:37; 2 Cor. 11:10; Eph. 4:21; 1 John 5:20; Rev. 3:7, 14; Rev. 19:11
p) Unchangeability
Heb. 1:11–12; Heb. 13:8
q) Wisdom
1 Cor. 1:24; 1 Cor. 1:30; Col. 2:2–3; Rev. 5:12
3. Jesus Does the Work of God
a) God’s Work Related to the Created Order
(1) Jesus Created
See The Son and Creation
(2) Jesus Sustains
John 1:3–4; Col. 1:17; Heb. 1:3
(3) Jesus Rules
1 Cor. 15:27; Phil. 2:9–11; Rev. 1:5; Rev. 3:14
b) God’s Work Related to Mankind
(1) Jesus Judges All Mankind
Acts 10:42; Acts 17:31; Rom. 2:16; 2 Cor. 5:10; 2 Tim. 4:1
(2) Jesus Punishes the Wicked
1 Thess. 5:2–3; 2 Thess. 1:6–9; 2 Thess. 2:8; Rev. 6:14–17; Rev. 11:18; Rev. 21:8
(3) Jesus Rewards the Righteous
1 Cor. 9:25; Col. 3:4; 1 Thess. 4:17; 2 Thess. 1:10; 2 Tim. 4:8; 1 Pet. 1:3–5; Rev. 2:10; Rev. 7:17; Rev. 11:18
c) God’s Work Related to the Problem of Sin
(1) Jesus Overcomes Evil
Col. 2:15; Heb. 2:14; 1 John 3:8; Rev. 17:14
(2) Jesus Appeases God’s Wrath
Rom. 3:23–25; Rom. 5:8–11; 2 Cor. 5:21; Gal. 3:13; Eph. 2:13–16; Heb. 9:11–14; 1 Pet. 3:18; 1 John 4:10
(3) Jesus Justifies People before God
Acts 13:39; Rom. 3:23–24; Rom. 3:26; Rom. 4:23–25; Rom. 5:9; Rom. 8:1–3; Gal. 2:16–17; 1 John 1:7
(4) Jesus Reconciles People to God
Rom. 5:10–11; 2 Cor. 5:18; Eph. 2:14–16; Col. 1:20
(5) Jesus Forgives Sin
Acts 5:31; Eph. 1:7; Col. 3:13
(6) Jesus Saves People
Acts 4:12; 1 Thess. 5:9; 1 Tim. 1:15; 1 John 4:14
d) God’s Work Related to Believers
(1) Jesus Gives Life to Believers
Gal. 2:20; Eph. 2:4–6; Col. 3:4; 1 Thess. 5:10; 2 Tim. 2:11; 1 John 4:9; 1 John 5:12
(2) Jesus Gives Revelation to Believers
2 Cor. 12:1; Gal. 1:12
(3) Jesus Indwells Believers
2 Cor. 13:5; Eph. 3:17
(4) Jesus Empowers Believers
2 Cor. 12:9; Phil. 4:13; Col. 1:29; 1 Tim. 1:12
(5) Jesus Speaks through Believers
2 Cor. 13:3
(6) Jesus Calls for Ministry from Believers
Acts 26:16–18; 2 Cor. 5:20
(7) Jesus Sanctifies Believers
1 Cor. 1:30; Eph. 5:25–27; Heb. 2:11; Heb. 13:12
(8) Jesus Intercedes for Believers
Rom. 8:34; Eph. 3:12; Col. 3:17; Heb. 7:25; 1 John 2:1
(9) Jesus Preserves Believers
Rom. 8:34; 1 Cor. 1:8; 2 Tim. 1:12; Heb. 2:18
(10) Jesus Transforms the Bodies of Believers
1 Cor. 15:50–51; Phil. 3:20–21
(11) Jesus Leads Believers
Rev. 7:17
e) God’s Work Related to Scripture
1 Pet. 1:10–11
4. Jesus Is Identified with God
a) Jesus and God’s Being
Heb. 1:3
b) Jesus and God’s Glory
2 Cor. 3:18; Heb. 1:3
c) Jesus and God’s Image
2 Cor. 4:4; Col. 1:15
d) Jesus and God’s Name
John 1:1, 18; John 20:28, 31; Acts 9:20; Acts 20:28; Rom. 9:5; Col. 2:9; 1 Thess. 1:9–10; 1 Tim. 3:16; Titus 2:13; Heb. 1:5, 8; 2 Pet. 2:1; 1 John 5:20
e) Jesus and God’s Nature
Phil. 2:6
5. Jesus Is Paralleled with God
(1) The Glory Is of God and Christ
Rom. 5:1–2; 1 Cor. 2:8; 1 Pet. 4:13–14; 2 Pet. 1:17
(2) The Glory of God Is in Christ
1 Cor. 4:6
(3) Majesty Is of God and Christ
Heb. 1:3; 2 Pet. 1:16–17
(4) The Spirit Is of God and Christ
Rom. 8:9; Phil. 1:19; 1 Thess. 4:8; 1 Pet. 1:11–12
(5) Only God Is Wise and Christ Is Our Wisdom
1 Cor. 1:21–24
(6) The Power Is of God and Christ
1 Cor. 5:4–5; 2 Cor. 6:7; 2 Cor. 12:9
(7) Christ Is the Power of God
1 Cor. 1:24
(8) The Truth Is of God and Christ
Rom. 1:25; Rom. 9:1; 2 Cor. 11:10
(9) The Authoritative Word Is of God and Christ
Matt. 4:4; Col. 3:16; 1 Thess. 1:8
(10) God and Christ Love Us
Rom. 5:8; Rom. 8:35; Gal. 2:20
(11) The Love of God Is in Christ
Rom. 8:39
(12) Mercy Is from God and Christ
Rom. 15:9; 1 Cor. 7:25; 1 Tim. 1:2; 2 Tim. 1:2; Jude 21
(13) The Gospel Is of God and Christ
Rom. 1:16; 2 Cor. 10:14; Gal. 1:7; Phil. 1:27; 1 Thess. 2:2; 1 Thess. 3:2; 2 Thess. 1:8
(14) Salvation Is from God and Christ
Eph. 5:23; Phil. 3:20; 1 Thess. 5:9; Titus 2:10–11; Titus 2:13
(15) God and Christ Rescue Us
Col. 1:13; 1 Thess. 1:10
(16) God and Christ Redeem Us
Gal. 3:13; Gal. 4:4; Col. 1:13
(17) God and Christ Forgive Our Sins
Col. 1:13–14; Col. 2:13
(18) We Are to Believe God and Christ
Acts 16:31; Rom. 4:1–3; Gal. 2:16–19
(19) We Are to Know God and Christ
Gal. 4:8–9; Phil. 3:10; 2 Pet. 1:8
(20) Peace Comes from God and Christ
Eph. 2:13–14; Phil. 1:2; Col. 1:2; Col. 3:15; 1 Thess. 1:1; 1 Thess. 5:23
(21) Grace Is of God and Christ
Gal. 1:6; Col. 1:2; Col. 1:6; Phil. 1:2; Phil. 4:23; 1 Thess. 1:1; 1 Thess. 5:28
(22) God and Christ Dwell in Us
Gal. 2:20; Eph. 3:16–17; Eph. 4:6; Col. 1:27
(23) God and Christ Sanctify Us
Acts 20:32; Acts 26:15, 17–18; 1 Cor. 1:2
(24) God and Christ Are Our Strength
Phil. 4:13; Col. 1:10–11
(25) God and Christ Strengthen Us
2 Thess. 2:16–17
(26) God and Christ Comfort Us
2 Cor. 1:3–5; Phil. 2:1
(27) We Are to Obey God and Christ
Acts 5:29; 2 Cor. 10:5; Eph. 6:5; 1 Pet. 1:1–2
(28) We Live by the Will of God and Christ
Eph. 1:11; Eph. 5:17
(29) We Live in the Presence of God and Christ
Acts 10:33; 1 Thess. 2:19; 2 Tim. 4:1
(30) We Are to Live Worthy of God and Christ
Col. 1:10; 1 Thess. 2:11–12
(31) We Live in the Sight of God and Christ
2 Cor. 2:10; 2 Cor. 4:2; 1 Tim. 5:21
(32) We Are Servants (Slaves) of God and Christ
Rom. 1:1; Gal. 1:10; Col. 3:23–24; 1 Thess. 1:9
(33) We Boast in God and Christ
1 Cor. 1:28–31; Phil. 2:16
(34) We Hope in God and Christ
Rom. 15:13; 1 Cor. 15:19; Eph. 1:12; 1 Tim. 1:1
(35) We Joy (Rejoice) in God and Christ
Luke 1:46; Phil. 1:26
(36) We Are to Glory in God and Christ
Rom. 15:17; Phil. 2:11; Phil. 3:3
(37) The Fullness of God and Christ Is Ours
Eph. 3:19; Eph. 4:13
(38) The Kingdom Is of God and Christ
Eph. 5:5; Col. 1:13; 1 Thess. 2:12
(39) The Church Is of God and Christ
Gal. 1:13; 1 Thess. 1:1; 1 Thess. 2:12
(40) The Mystery (Secret Things) Is of God and Christ
Eph. 3:4; Eph. 3:8; Col. 4:3
(41) The Great Day Is of God and Christ
1 Cor. 1:8; 2 Cor. 1:14; Phil. 1:6; 1 Thess. 5:2
(42) We Stand Before God and Christ
Gal. 1:20; 1 Thess. 2:19
(43) We Appear before the Judgment Seat of God and Christ
Rom. 14:10–12; 2 Cor. 5:10
6. Jesus Is Assigned OT Designations of God
Matt. 1:23; Matt. 3:3; John 3:31; John 12:38–41; Acts 3:14; Rom. 10:9–13; Rom. 14:10–12; 1 Cor. 1:30; 1 Cor. 2:8; 2 Cor. 5:10; Eph. 4:7–8; Phil. 2:9–11; 2 Thess. 1:6–10; 2 Thess. 1:12; Titus 2:13; Heb. 1:8–9; Heb. 13:20; 1 Pet. 3:15; Rev. 1:17
7. Jesus Is Superior to Men and Angels
John 1:17; Eph. 1:19–22; Phil. 2:9–10; Col. 1:17–18; Col. 2:10; Heb. 1:4–6, 13; Heb. 2:5, 7–8; Heb. 3:3; 1 Pet. 3:21–22; Rev. 1:5
8. Jesus Receives Prayer, Praise, and Worship
Acts 3:16; Acts 7:59–60; Acts 22:16; Rom. 1:7; Rom. 10:9–12; 1 Cor. 11:24–25; 2 Cor. 12:8–9; Gal. 1:3–5; Gal. 6:18; Eph. 5:21; Phil. 2:10–11; 2 Thess. 2:16–17; 1 Tim. 1:2, 12; 2 Tim. 4:18, 22; Heb. 1:6; Heb. 13:20–21; 1 Pet. 3:15; 2 Pet. 3:18; Rev. 5:14; Rev. 7:9–10; Rev. 15:3–4
C. The Sinlessness of Jesus
Matt. 27:3–4; John 7:16–18; John 8:29, 46, 50; Rom. 15:3; 2 Cor. 5:21; Heb. 1:9; Heb. 2:10; Heb. 4:15; Heb. 7:26–28; 1 Pet. 1:1:19; 1 Pet. 2:22–23; 1 John 3:5
D. The Glory of Christ
Mark 9:2–7; Luke 24:26; John 1:14; John 2:11; John 11:4; John 12:38–41; John 17:5, 22; 1 Cor. 2:8; Gal. 1:3–5; 1 Tim. 3:16; Heb. 1:3; 1 Pet. 1:21; 2 Pet. 1:16–17; Rev. 1:6
E. The Resurrection of Christ
See Christ’s Resurrection
F. The Exaltation of Christ
Ps. 8:5–6; Ps. 89:27; Ps. 110:1; Ps. 118:22; Isa. 52:13; John 6:62; Acts 2:33; Acts 5:31; Acts 7:55; Rom. 8:29; 1 Cor. 11:3; Eph. 1:19–22; Eph. 4:15; Eph. 5:23; Phil. 2:9–10; Col. 2:10; Col. 3:1; Heb. 1:3–5, 13; Heb. 2:5, 7–9; Heb. 10:12; Heb. 12:2; 1 Pet. 3:22; Rev. 3:21
Walter A. Elwell and Douglas Buckwalter, Topical Analysis of the Bible: vol. 5, Baker Reference Library (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House, 1996).
The Deity of Christ
A. Jesus’ Claims to Deity
1. Claims Relating to God
a) Jesus Claimed Equality with God
Matt. 10:40; Matt. 11:27; Matt. 28:19; John 3:35; John 5:17–18, 22–23; John 6:62; John 8:19; John 8:58; John 10:30, 36–38; John 12:44–45; John 14:1, 7–11; John 15:23; John 16:28; John 17:10, 21–23
b) Jesus Claimed the Rights of God
(1) Jesus Claimed to Forgive Sins
Matt. 26:28; Mark 2:1–12; Luke 7:48–49
(2) Jesus Claimed to Give Life
Mark 5:41; Luke 23:42–43; John 5:21, 25, 28–29; John 6:33; John 10:10; John 11:25; John 14:6
(3) Jesus Claimed to Judge
John 5:22, 27; John 8:15–16
(4) Jesus Claimed to Grant Spiritual Blessings
Luke 24:49; John 1:12; John 14:13, 27; John 17:13
(5) Jesus Did Miracles
Matt. 11:4–6; John 5:36; John 10:37–38; John 15:24
(6) Jesus Cleansed the Temple
Matt. 21:12–13
(7) Jesus Claimed to Establish God’s Kingdom
Matt. 4:23; Matt. 6:33; Matt. 7:21; Matt. 12:28; Matt. 21:31; Matt. 25:34; Mark 1:14–15; Luke 12:32
(8) Jesus Exorcised Demons
Mark 1:27; Luke 11:14–20
(9) Jesus Claimed to Defeat Satan
Luke 4:1–13; John 12:31
(10) Jesus Claimed to Be Lord of the Sabbath
Mark 2:27–28
(11) Jesus Claimed to Be David’s Lord
Luke 20:41–44
c) Jesus Claimed the Authority of God
(1) General Statements
Matt. 7:28–29; Matt. 21:23–27; Matt. 28:18; Mark 1:22; John 3:31; John 17:2
(2) Particular Sayings
Matt. 5:18–20; Matt. 5:21–22; Matt. 5:26; Matt. 5:27–28; Matt. 5:31–32; Matt. 5:33–35; Matt. 5:38–39; Matt. 5:43–44; Matt. 6:2; Matt. 6:25; Matt. 6:29; Matt. 7:22–23; Matt. 8:11–12; Matt. 10:15; Matt. 10:23; Matt. 10:42; Matt. 12:6; Matt. 12:36; Matt. 13:17; Matt. 17:12; Matt. 17:20; Matt. 18:3; Matt. 18:13; Matt. 18:18–20; Matt. 19:9; Matt. 19:23–24; Matt. 21:31; Matt. 21:43; Matt. 23:36; Matt. 24:2–3, 34; Matt. 25:12; Matt. 25:40; Mark 3:28–29; Mark 5:41; Mark 8:12; Mark 9:1; Mark 9:41; Mark 10:15; Mark 10:29–31; Mark 11:23–25; Mark 12:43; Mark 13:30–32, 37; Mark 14:9; Mark 14:18; Mark 14:25; Mark 14:30; Luke 4:24–27; Luke 6:27–28; Luke 7:28; Luke 7:47; Luke 10:24; Luke 11:9; Luke 12:4–5; Luke 12:8; Luke 12:37; Luke 12:43–44; Luke 13:23; Luke 13:35; Luke 16:9; Luke 23:43; John 1:51; John 3:3, 5; John 3:11; John 5:19, 24–25; John 6:26; John 6:32; John 6:47; John 6:53; John 8:34; John 8:51; John 8:58; John 10:1, 7; John 12:24–25; John 13:16; John 13:20; John 13:21; John 13:38; John 14:12; John 16:20, 23; John 21:18
d) Jesus Described Himself as God’s Counterpart on Earth
Matt. 11:25–27; John 3:16; John 5:19–23; John 8:19, 38; John 10:36; John 17:25–26
e) Jesus Accepted Prayer, Praise, and Worship
Matt. 2:2; Matt. 8:2; Matt. 9:18; Matt. 14:33; Matt. 15:25; Matt. 18:20; Matt. 28:9, 17; Mark 5:6–7; Luke 23:42–43; Luke 24:52; John 5:23; John 14:14
f) Jesus Found the Source of Power within Himself
Matt. 9:6; John 5:26; John 10:17–18; John 10:28
g) Jesus Never Showed Any Consciousness of Sin
John 8:46; John 14:30; John 17:4
2. Claims Relating to Human Beings
a) Jesus Promised Peace and Rest to Those Who Trust Him
Matt. 11:28–30; John 6:29; John 7:38; John 14:27; John 16:33; John 20:19
b) Jesus Claimed Power over All Life, Space, and Time
Matt. 16:27; Matt. 18:20; Matt. 24:1–51; Matt. 28:18, 20; John 14:23
c) Jesus Claimed to Determine People’s Eternal Destiny
Matt. 7:21–23; Matt. 10:32–33; Matt. 11:6; Matt. 25:31–46; Mark 8:34–38; John 3:16; John 5:24; John 10:28–29; John 12:32
d) Jesus Claimed Final Authority over People
John 4:24–26; John 6:35; John 8:12, 23–24, 28, 58; John 10:7, 9; John 10:11, 14; John 11:25; John 13:18–20; John 14:6; John 15:1, 5
3. Claims Relating to Jesus’ Mission
a) Jesus Came to Be People’s Savior
Matt. 9:12–13; Matt. 15:24; Matt. 18:12–14; Mark 2:17; Luke 15:1–32; Luke 19:10; John 3:14–18; John 3:36; John 6:51; John 8:12; John 10:16, 28; John 12:47
b) Jesus Came to Make God Known
Mark 1:14; Mark 1:38; Luke 10:22; Luke 14:7–11, 23–24; John 5:17; John 6:38; John 7:16–18; John 8:26, 38, 42; John 12:49–50; John 15:15; John 16:25, 28
c) Jesus Came to Sum Up the Entire OT
Matt. 5:17–18; Matt. 11:4–6; Matt. 13:16–17; Mark 1:14–15; Luke 4:17–21; Luke 10:23–24; Luke 24:27; Luke 24:44–45; John 5:39–40
B. NT Claims to Jesus’ Deity
1. Jesus Is Considered Equal with God
Acts 2:38; 1 Cor. 1:3; 1 Cor. 12:4–6; 2 Cor. 13:14; Gal. 1:3; Eph. 4:4–5; Eph. 6:23; Phil. 2:6; Col. 1:19; Col. 2:9; Col. 3:1; 1 Thess. 3:11; 2 Thess. 2:16–17; 1 John 2:23; 1 John 5:20; Rev. 20:6; Rev. 22:3
2. Jesus Possesses God’s Attributes
a) Eternality
John 1:1–2, 15; Acts 3:15; Col. 1:17; Heb. 1:11; Rev. 1:8; Rev. 1:17–18
b) Faithfulness
2 Thess. 3:3; 2 Tim. 2:13; Heb. 2:17; Heb. 3:6; Rev. 1:5; Rev. 3:14; Rev. 19:11
c) Goodness
John 10:11; Acts 10:38; 1 Pet. 2:2
d) Grace
John 1:14, 17; Acts 15:11; 2 Cor. 8:9; 1 Tim. 1:14; Heb. 4:16
e) Holiness
Mark 1:24; Luke 1:35; John 6:69; Acts 3:14; Acts 4:27; Heb. 4:15; Heb. 7:26; 1 Pet. 2:22; Rev. 3:7
f) Justice
Rev. 19:11
g) Love
John 15:9; Rom. 8:35, 38–39; 2 Cor. 5:14; Eph. 3:17–18; 1 John 3:16
h) Mercy
Heb. 2:17; Heb. 4:16; Jude 21
i) Omnipotence
Isa. 9:6; Matt. 28:18; 1 Cor. 1:24; 1 Cor. 15:24; Eph. 1:19–21; Col. 2:10; Heb. 1:3; 1 Pet. 3:22; 2 Pet. 1:16; Rev. 1:8; Rev. 12:10
j) Omnipresence
Matt. 18:20; John 3:13; Eph. 1:22–23
k) Omniscience
Matt. 11:27; Acts 1:24; 1 Cor. 4:5; Col. 2:2–3; Rev. 2:19; Rev. 2:23
l) Patience
1 Tim. 1:16
m) Righteousness
2 Tim. 4:8; Heb. 1:8; Heb. 7:1–2, 17, 26; 1 Pet. 3:18; 1 John 2:1, 29; Rev. 19:11
n) Self-Existence
John 1:1; 2 Cor. 8:9; Phil. 2:6; Heb. 7:16
o) Truthfulness
John 1:14, 17; John 14:6; John 18:37; 2 Cor. 11:10; Eph. 4:21; 1 John 5:20; Rev. 3:7, 14; Rev. 19:11
p) Unchangeability
Heb. 1:11–12; Heb. 13:8
q) Wisdom
1 Cor. 1:24; 1 Cor. 1:30; Col. 2:2–3; Rev. 5:12
3. Jesus Does the Work of God
a) God’s Work Related to the Created Order
(1) Jesus Created
See The Son and Creation
(2) Jesus Sustains
John 1:3–4; Col. 1:17; Heb. 1:3
(3) Jesus Rules
1 Cor. 15:27; Phil. 2:9–11; Rev. 1:5; Rev. 3:14
b) God’s Work Related to Mankind
(1) Jesus Judges All Mankind
Acts 10:42; Acts 17:31; Rom. 2:16; 2 Cor. 5:10; 2 Tim. 4:1
(2) Jesus Punishes the Wicked
1 Thess. 5:2–3; 2 Thess. 1:6–9; 2 Thess. 2:8; Rev. 6:14–17; Rev. 11:18; Rev. 21:8
(3) Jesus Rewards the Righteous
1 Cor. 9:25; Col. 3:4; 1 Thess. 4:17; 2 Thess. 1:10; 2 Tim. 4:8; 1 Pet. 1:3–5; Rev. 2:10; Rev. 7:17; Rev. 11:18
c) God’s Work Related to the Problem of Sin
(1) Jesus Overcomes Evil
Col. 2:15; Heb. 2:14; 1 John 3:8; Rev. 17:14
(2) Jesus Appeases God’s Wrath
Rom. 3:23–25; Rom. 5:8–11; 2 Cor. 5:21; Gal. 3:13; Eph. 2:13–16; Heb. 9:11–14; 1 Pet. 3:18; 1 John 4:10
(3) Jesus Justifies People before God
Acts 13:39; Rom. 3:23–24; Rom. 3:26; Rom. 4:23–25; Rom. 5:9; Rom. 8:1–3; Gal. 2:16–17; 1 John 1:7
(4) Jesus Reconciles People to God
Rom. 5:10–11; 2 Cor. 5:18; Eph. 2:14–16; Col. 1:20
(5) Jesus Forgives Sin
Acts 5:31; Eph. 1:7; Col. 3:13
(6) Jesus Saves People
Acts 4:12; 1 Thess. 5:9; 1 Tim. 1:15; 1 John 4:14
d) God’s Work Related to Believers
(1) Jesus Gives Life to Believers
Gal. 2:20; Eph. 2:4–6; Col. 3:4; 1 Thess. 5:10; 2 Tim. 2:11; 1 John 4:9; 1 John 5:12
(2) Jesus Gives Revelation to Believers
2 Cor. 12:1; Gal. 1:12
(3) Jesus Indwells Believers
2 Cor. 13:5; Eph. 3:17
(4) Jesus Empowers Believers
2 Cor. 12:9; Phil. 4:13; Col. 1:29; 1 Tim. 1:12
(5) Jesus Speaks through Believers
2 Cor. 13:3
(6) Jesus Calls for Ministry from Believers
Acts 26:16–18; 2 Cor. 5:20
(7) Jesus Sanctifies Believers
1 Cor. 1:30; Eph. 5:25–27; Heb. 2:11; Heb. 13:12
(8) Jesus Intercedes for Believers
Rom. 8:34; Eph. 3:12; Col. 3:17; Heb. 7:25; 1 John 2:1
(9) Jesus Preserves Believers
Rom. 8:34; 1 Cor. 1:8; 2 Tim. 1:12; Heb. 2:18
(10) Jesus Transforms the Bodies of Believers
1 Cor. 15:50–51; Phil. 3:20–21
(11) Jesus Leads Believers
Rev. 7:17
e) God’s Work Related to Scripture
1 Pet. 1:10–11
4. Jesus Is Identified with God
a) Jesus and God’s Being
Heb. 1:3
b) Jesus and God’s Glory
2 Cor. 3:18; Heb. 1:3
c) Jesus and God’s Image
2 Cor. 4:4; Col. 1:15
d) Jesus and God’s Name
John 1:1, 18; John 20:28, 31; Acts 9:20; Acts 20:28; Rom. 9:5; Col. 2:9; 1 Thess. 1:9–10; 1 Tim. 3:16; Titus 2:13; Heb. 1:5, 8; 2 Pet. 2:1; 1 John 5:20
e) Jesus and God’s Nature
Phil. 2:6
5. Jesus Is Paralleled with God
(1) The Glory Is of God and Christ
Rom. 5:1–2; 1 Cor. 2:8; 1 Pet. 4:13–14; 2 Pet. 1:17
(2) The Glory of God Is in Christ
1 Cor. 4:6
(3) Majesty Is of God and Christ
Heb. 1:3; 2 Pet. 1:16–17
(4) The Spirit Is of God and Christ
Rom. 8:9; Phil. 1:19; 1 Thess. 4:8; 1 Pet. 1:11–12
(5) Only God Is Wise and Christ Is Our Wisdom
1 Cor. 1:21–24
(6) The Power Is of God and Christ
1 Cor. 5:4–5; 2 Cor. 6:7; 2 Cor. 12:9
(7) Christ Is the Power of God
1 Cor. 1:24
(8) The Truth Is of God and Christ
Rom. 1:25; Rom. 9:1; 2 Cor. 11:10
(9) The Authoritative Word Is of God and Christ
Matt. 4:4; Col. 3:16; 1 Thess. 1:8
(10) God and Christ Love Us
Rom. 5:8; Rom. 8:35; Gal. 2:20
(11) The Love of God Is in Christ
Rom. 8:39
(12) Mercy Is from God and Christ
Rom. 15:9; 1 Cor. 7:25; 1 Tim. 1:2; 2 Tim. 1:2; Jude 21
(13) The Gospel Is of God and Christ
Rom. 1:16; 2 Cor. 10:14; Gal. 1:7; Phil. 1:27; 1 Thess. 2:2; 1 Thess. 3:2; 2 Thess. 1:8
(14) Salvation Is from God and Christ
Eph. 5:23; Phil. 3:20; 1 Thess. 5:9; Titus 2:10–11; Titus 2:13
(15) God and Christ Rescue Us
Col. 1:13; 1 Thess. 1:10
(16) God and Christ Redeem Us
Gal. 3:13; Gal. 4:4; Col. 1:13
(17) God and Christ Forgive Our Sins
Col. 1:13–14; Col. 2:13
(18) We Are to Believe God and Christ
Acts 16:31; Rom. 4:1–3; Gal. 2:16–19
(19) We Are to Know God and Christ
Gal. 4:8–9; Phil. 3:10; 2 Pet. 1:8
(20) Peace Comes from God and Christ
Eph. 2:13–14; Phil. 1:2; Col. 1:2; Col. 3:15; 1 Thess. 1:1; 1 Thess. 5:23
(21) Grace Is of God and Christ
Gal. 1:6; Col. 1:2; Col. 1:6; Phil. 1:2; Phil. 4:23; 1 Thess. 1:1; 1 Thess. 5:28
(22) God and Christ Dwell in Us
Gal. 2:20; Eph. 3:16–17; Eph. 4:6; Col. 1:27
(23) God and Christ Sanctify Us
Acts 20:32; Acts 26:15, 17–18; 1 Cor. 1:2
(24) God and Christ Are Our Strength
Phil. 4:13; Col. 1:10–11
(25) God and Christ Strengthen Us
2 Thess. 2:16–17
(26) God and Christ Comfort Us
2 Cor. 1:3–5; Phil. 2:1
(27) We Are to Obey God and Christ
Acts 5:29; 2 Cor. 10:5; Eph. 6:5; 1 Pet. 1:1–2
(28) We Live by the Will of God and Christ
Eph. 1:11; Eph. 5:17
(29) We Live in the Presence of God and Christ
Acts 10:33; 1 Thess. 2:19; 2 Tim. 4:1
(30) We Are to Live Worthy of God and Christ
Col. 1:10; 1 Thess. 2:11–12
(31) We Live in the Sight of God and Christ
2 Cor. 2:10; 2 Cor. 4:2; 1 Tim. 5:21
(32) We Are Servants (Slaves) of God and Christ
Rom. 1:1; Gal. 1:10; Col. 3:23–24; 1 Thess. 1:9
(33) We Boast in God and Christ
1 Cor. 1:28–31; Phil. 2:16
(34) We Hope in God and Christ
Rom. 15:13; 1 Cor. 15:19; Eph. 1:12; 1 Tim. 1:1
(35) We Joy (Rejoice) in God and Christ
Luke 1:46; Phil. 1:26
(36) We Are to Glory in God and Christ
Rom. 15:17; Phil. 2:11; Phil. 3:3
(37) The Fullness of God and Christ Is Ours
Eph. 3:19; Eph. 4:13
(38) The Kingdom Is of God and Christ
Eph. 5:5; Col. 1:13; 1 Thess. 2:12
(39) The Church Is of God and Christ
Gal. 1:13; 1 Thess. 1:1; 1 Thess. 2:12
(40) The Mystery (Secret Things) Is of God and Christ
Eph. 3:4; Eph. 3:8; Col. 4:3
(41) The Great Day Is of God and Christ
1 Cor. 1:8; 2 Cor. 1:14; Phil. 1:6; 1 Thess. 5:2
(42) We Stand Before God and Christ
Gal. 1:20; 1 Thess. 2:19
(43) We Appear before the Judgment Seat of God and Christ
Rom. 14:10–12; 2 Cor. 5:10
6. Jesus Is Assigned OT Designations of God
Matt. 1:23; Matt. 3:3; John 3:31; John 12:38–41; Acts 3:14; Rom. 10:9–13; Rom. 14:10–12; 1 Cor. 1:30; 1 Cor. 2:8; 2 Cor. 5:10; Eph. 4:7–8; Phil. 2:9–11; 2 Thess. 1:6–10; 2 Thess. 1:12; Titus 2:13; Heb. 1:8–9; Heb. 13:20; 1 Pet. 3:15; Rev. 1:17
7. Jesus Is Superior to Men and Angels
John 1:17; Eph. 1:19–22; Phil. 2:9–10; Col. 1:17–18; Col. 2:10; Heb. 1:4–6, 13; Heb. 2:5, 7–8; Heb. 3:3; 1 Pet. 3:21–22; Rev. 1:5
8. Jesus Receives Prayer, Praise, and Worship
Acts 3:16; Acts 7:59–60; Acts 22:16; Rom. 1:7; Rom. 10:9–12; 1 Cor. 11:24–25; 2 Cor. 12:8–9; Gal. 1:3–5; Gal. 6:18; Eph. 5:21; Phil. 2:10–11; 2 Thess. 2:16–17; 1 Tim. 1:2, 12; 2 Tim. 4:18, 22; Heb. 1:6; Heb. 13:20–21; 1 Pet. 3:15; 2 Pet. 3:18; Rev. 5:14; Rev. 7:9–10; Rev. 15:3–4
C. The Sinlessness of Jesus
Matt. 27:3–4; John 7:16–18; John 8:29, 46, 50; Rom. 15:3; 2 Cor. 5:21; Heb. 1:9; Heb. 2:10; Heb. 4:15; Heb. 7:26–28; 1 Pet. 1:1:19; 1 Pet. 2:22–23; 1 John 3:5
D. The Glory of Christ
Mark 9:2–7; Luke 24:26; John 1:14; John 2:11; John 11:4; John 12:38–41; John 17:5, 22; 1 Cor. 2:8; Gal. 1:3–5; 1 Tim. 3:16; Heb. 1:3; 1 Pet. 1:21; 2 Pet. 1:16–17; Rev. 1:6
E. The Resurrection of Christ
See Christ’s Resurrection
F. The Exaltation of Christ
Ps. 8:5–6; Ps. 89:27; Ps. 110:1; Ps. 118:22; Isa. 52:13; John 6:62; Acts 2:33; Acts 5:31; Acts 7:55; Rom. 8:29; 1 Cor. 11:3; Eph. 1:19–22; Eph. 4:15; Eph. 5:23; Phil. 2:9–10; Col. 2:10; Col. 3:1; Heb. 1:3–5, 13; Heb. 2:5, 7–9; Heb. 10:12; Heb. 12:2; 1 Pet. 3:22; Rev. 3:21
Walter A. Elwell and Douglas Buckwalter, Topical Analysis of the Bible: vol. 5, Baker Reference Library (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House, 1996).
Tuesday, November 28, 2017
Christmas Season 2017
Happy Christmas Season!!
Excited and looking forward to coming Christmas Season, time to even more promote & proclaim Christ our Savior, to the world, for His love, labor & logic will save whosoever will believe.
Christian workers,
As we are coming into the Christmas Season, let us promote and proclaim Christ our Savior, to a lost and christless world.
The birth of our King Lord and Savior. The bread that came down from heaven, as the manna came from Heaven on God's people, to save them, Praise-the-Lord, Jesus came to this earth to save whosoever that will believe!!
His birth is our message, God gave his son,
His birth is our mandate, Go tell the world, (whosoever)
His birth is our motivation, Guides us
His birth is our mission, Goal and service
well, May God Bless you all during this Christmas Season
#Christmas2017
#ChristinChristmas
#Jesusisthereasonfortheseason
Rev. DS
Excited and looking forward to coming Christmas Season, time to even more promote & proclaim Christ our Savior, to the world, for His love, labor & logic will save whosoever will believe.
Christian workers,
As we are coming into the Christmas Season, let us promote and proclaim Christ our Savior, to a lost and christless world.
The birth of our King Lord and Savior. The bread that came down from heaven, as the manna came from Heaven on God's people, to save them, Praise-the-Lord, Jesus came to this earth to save whosoever that will believe!!
His birth is our message, God gave his son,
His birth is our mandate, Go tell the world, (whosoever)
His birth is our motivation, Guides us
His birth is our mission, Goal and service
well, May God Bless you all during this Christmas Season
#Christmas2017
#ChristinChristmas
#Jesusisthereasonfortheseason
Rev. DS
Thursday, November 23, 2017
Thanksgiving
Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise:
be thankful unto him, and bless his name.
5 For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting;and his truth endureth to all generations.
Happy Thanksgiving !!
May God bless you,
Believe and call on Him today.
RevDanSam
be thankful unto him, and bless his name.
5 For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting;and his truth endureth to all generations.
May God bless you,
Believe and call on Him today.
RevDanSam
Wednesday, November 22, 2017
Sufficient Grace
Sufficient Grace
I thought the Christian life was going to be easier than this. Have these words ever entered your mind? Sometimes we come into the family of God thinking that our heavenly Father will fix all our problems and devote Himself to our happiness and comfort. However, that is not the reality portrayed in Scripture. Paul was a man whom the Lord used greatly, and yet his life was anything but easy.
In fact, at one point, the apostle thought his pain was too much to bear, and he begged God to remove it. There’s nothing wrong with asking the Lord to relieve our suffering, but what should our response be if He doesn’t? Paul probably had no idea that His experience would find its way into the Bible, to comfort and guide believers throughout the ages. The promise God gave him applies to us as well: “My grace is sufficient for you” (v. 9).
God’s grace could be defined as His provision for us at the point of our need. The problem is that sometimes it doesn’t seem as if the Lord truly is meeting our need. But He frequently sees deficiencies, outcomes, and complications that we don’t. His goals for us involve spiritual growth, the development of Christlike character, and strong faith. And trials play a vital role in achieving these.
The important issue is how we respond. If all you want is relief, you could descend into anger and doubt. But if your desire is to become the person God wants you to be, you’ll see each trial as an opportunity for Christ to display His character and strength in you.
Rev.CS
Tuesday, November 21, 2017
Upsetting the apple cart
Upsetting the apple cart
Acts 21:21 And they are informed of thee, that thou teachest all the Jews which are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, saying that they ought not to circumcise their children, neither to walk after the customs.
Word was out. Paul was teaching people that they didn’t have to keep the old law, the rules. The old guard wanted everyone to walk after the customs. They thought that all should do what they had always done. Paul didn’t teach that way. They wanted people to keep on being circumcised even though that was never the point of the circumcision. Paul not teaching the same was upsetting everything.
Do you realize that salvation is not about what we do but what He did? We, too, often want to follow too many rules or rather we want to put our rules on other people. Word spreads when you do not say the same thing as the old guard. Paul didn’t seem to care.
Let’s teach truth because it is Biblical not custom just because it is customary for us to do something!
Rev AG
Acts 21:21 And they are informed of thee, that thou teachest all the Jews which are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, saying that they ought not to circumcise their children, neither to walk after the customs.
Word was out. Paul was teaching people that they didn’t have to keep the old law, the rules. The old guard wanted everyone to walk after the customs. They thought that all should do what they had always done. Paul didn’t teach that way. They wanted people to keep on being circumcised even though that was never the point of the circumcision. Paul not teaching the same was upsetting everything.
Do you realize that salvation is not about what we do but what He did? We, too, often want to follow too many rules or rather we want to put our rules on other people. Word spreads when you do not say the same thing as the old guard. Paul didn’t seem to care.
Let’s teach truth because it is Biblical not custom just because it is customary for us to do something!
Rev AG
Some simple thoughts
Some simple thoughts regarding the Christian's life.
Gal 6:1 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.
1. The Concentration: Brethern. The hope for the overtaken should be the Brethern. It's Sad when it seems they're the ones trying to burry the wounded. The breakdown could be found in number three here.
2. The Crisis: Overtaken in a Fault
The Challenge: ye which are spiritual - finding someone spiritual is the end time dilemma facing the church.
3. The Command: restore
4. The Consideration: considering thyself
5. The Chance: thou also be tempted
Rev DN
Gal 6:1 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.
1. The Concentration: Brethern. The hope for the overtaken should be the Brethern. It's Sad when it seems they're the ones trying to burry the wounded. The breakdown could be found in number three here.
2. The Crisis: Overtaken in a Fault
The Challenge: ye which are spiritual - finding someone spiritual is the end time dilemma facing the church.
3. The Command: restore
4. The Consideration: considering thyself
5. The Chance: thou also be tempted
Rev DN
Sunday, November 19, 2017
He did so much
He did so much
John 21:25 And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen.
Jesus did so much that if it were all written down the world wouldn’t hold the books! The greatest story of all that was written for us is that He loved us and died on a cross for us. He paid our sin debt. He paid your sin debt as well! If you are not a believer, you need to know that all has already been done to give you salvation. It is bought and paid for. All you need to do is accept the gift.
Another lesson here is that when you read the Bible, you now know that there were many more stories that could have been told. The Lord has hand-picked what He wanted us to know. That is all you need to worry about. Worry about what He told us!
As you study, the Bible think of the reason that He put each specific story in the Bible. They must have been important. They must have a point that we need to learn and apply!
Rev. AG
John 21:25 And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen.
Jesus did so much that if it were all written down the world wouldn’t hold the books! The greatest story of all that was written for us is that He loved us and died on a cross for us. He paid our sin debt. He paid your sin debt as well! If you are not a believer, you need to know that all has already been done to give you salvation. It is bought and paid for. All you need to do is accept the gift.
Another lesson here is that when you read the Bible, you now know that there were many more stories that could have been told. The Lord has hand-picked what He wanted us to know. That is all you need to worry about. Worry about what He told us!
As you study, the Bible think of the reason that He put each specific story in the Bible. They must have been important. They must have a point that we need to learn and apply!
Rev. AG
Some believed
And some believed the things which were spoken, and some believed not. Acts 28:24
One of the greatest evangelist in the New Testament was the Apostle Paul. Acts records his extensive travels and faithful declaration of God’s Word. In this passage, Paul has just spoken to a group in Rome who were unfamiliar with his travels and the message of the gospel.
Despite Paul’s best efforts to persuade his audience as to the truth of Jesus Christ, the Bible records that some believed and some did not. Certainly, Paul wanted everyone to be saved. But the fact some were not, did not discourage him from sharing with those who were.
As witnesses for Jesus, our responsibility is to be faithful. It is the hearer’s responsibility to believe.
Rev. DB
One of the greatest evangelist in the New Testament was the Apostle Paul. Acts records his extensive travels and faithful declaration of God’s Word. In this passage, Paul has just spoken to a group in Rome who were unfamiliar with his travels and the message of the gospel.
Despite Paul’s best efforts to persuade his audience as to the truth of Jesus Christ, the Bible records that some believed and some did not. Certainly, Paul wanted everyone to be saved. But the fact some were not, did not discourage him from sharing with those who were.
As witnesses for Jesus, our responsibility is to be faithful. It is the hearer’s responsibility to believe.
Rev. DB
Forgive
Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. Col. 3:13
I, for one, am thankful for forgiveness – the forgiveness given to me by God and the forgiveness I have received from others. All of us have sinned. Often our sins against God involve sins against our fellow man. Forgiveness helps restore our relationship with God and with others.
Since I often need forgiveness, I should be quick to forgive others. Sometimes this is easier said than done. The Lord will help us to forgive those who have hurt us. Take your hurts to Christ and leave them there. By forgiving others, we not only help restore relationships, but the person who can forgive frees his own heart to love as Christ loves us.
Rev. DB
I, for one, am thankful for forgiveness – the forgiveness given to me by God and the forgiveness I have received from others. All of us have sinned. Often our sins against God involve sins against our fellow man. Forgiveness helps restore our relationship with God and with others.
Since I often need forgiveness, I should be quick to forgive others. Sometimes this is easier said than done. The Lord will help us to forgive those who have hurt us. Take your hurts to Christ and leave them there. By forgiving others, we not only help restore relationships, but the person who can forgive frees his own heart to love as Christ loves us.
Rev. DB
Be ye kind
And be ye kind one to another, tender hearted . . . Eph. 4:32
Ruth was a Moabite. A widow, who left her home and followed Naomi, her husband’s mother, back to the land of Israel. The two of them had no means of support and depended upon the kindness of others. By divine grace, Ruth found herself gleaning corn in the fields of Boaz. Boaz was a relative who showed kindness to Ruth and Naomi.
This beautiful story illustrates the kindness God has shown to us. Jesus became flesh and provided divine grace to those who will receive it. Kindness is one of the greatest Christian virtues. Is there someone today who needs to hear a kind word or receive an act of kindness?
Let us be kind one to another and tender hearted toward those in need.
Rev. DB
Ruth was a Moabite. A widow, who left her home and followed Naomi, her husband’s mother, back to the land of Israel. The two of them had no means of support and depended upon the kindness of others. By divine grace, Ruth found herself gleaning corn in the fields of Boaz. Boaz was a relative who showed kindness to Ruth and Naomi.
This beautiful story illustrates the kindness God has shown to us. Jesus became flesh and provided divine grace to those who will receive it. Kindness is one of the greatest Christian virtues. Is there someone today who needs to hear a kind word or receive an act of kindness?
Let us be kind one to another and tender hearted toward those in need.
Rev. DB
Whoever will believe
Whoever will believe
Acts 10:43 To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.
All the prophets, all the Old Testament Scriptures even, give witness that God will save and forgive sin to all who will believe. It is through the name of Jesus Christ that sins are forgiven. The whole Bible knows that it is the name of Jesus that offers forgiveness of sins. It is the name of Jesus that must be believed on.
The beautiful truth also is that it is for whosoever believes. If they will but believe in Jesus, who died for their sins they can enjoy forgiveness of sins.
Whosoever believes! Have you believed? You can. It is time for you to believe!
Rev AG
Acts 10:43 To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.
All the prophets, all the Old Testament Scriptures even, give witness that God will save and forgive sin to all who will believe. It is through the name of Jesus Christ that sins are forgiven. The whole Bible knows that it is the name of Jesus that offers forgiveness of sins. It is the name of Jesus that must be believed on.
The beautiful truth also is that it is for whosoever believes. If they will but believe in Jesus, who died for their sins they can enjoy forgiveness of sins.
Whosoever believes! Have you believed? You can. It is time for you to believe!
Rev AG
Truth and Thought
All Scripture is inspired and profitable, but the New Testament has greater priority as the source of doctrine. Old Testament revelation was preparatory and partial, but New Testament revelation is climactic and complete.
when logic is used to create truth, as it were, then the theologian will be guilty of pushing his system beyond the limitations of biblical truth.
To say that the cosmos came from nothing means it was self-created. This is a logical contradiction, because for something to be self-created it must exist and not exist at the same time in the same way. Furthermore, self-creation has never been scientifically demonstrated and observed.
Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, Trust in the LORD with ALL your heart.
Charles Caldwell Ryrie
when logic is used to create truth, as it were, then the theologian will be guilty of pushing his system beyond the limitations of biblical truth.
To say that the cosmos came from nothing means it was self-created. This is a logical contradiction, because for something to be self-created it must exist and not exist at the same time in the same way. Furthermore, self-creation has never been scientifically demonstrated and observed.
Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, Trust in the LORD with ALL your heart.
Charles Caldwell Ryrie
Friday, November 10, 2017
A Christian man
There is a difference between a CRANKY OLD MAN and a CONCERNED-COURAGEOUS-COMPASSIONATE MAN standing for what is dear to his heart-that's probably what was said about Noah-Elijah-Daniel-Paul-I'M CRANKED BUT NOT CRANKY-HAPPY-😀😀😀😀😀
Sunday, October 29, 2017
It is a heart problem
Matthew 15:19 For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:
So when someone has evil thoughts where do they come from? Is sex sin a body problem or a heart problem? When people tell lies does that reveal anything about their heart? When people make light of the things of God what does that tell you about them in their heart and most central part of their lives?
The truth is what we say and do comes from who we are. If we could have a good heart we would change. If our heart was right then our sex life would please God. What we say and think would be right if our heart was right.
The obvious decision here is to work on our heart. That is to work on our innermost being. We do that first by His saving us. Then we do that by filling our heart with His Word, His way of thinking, His heart!
So work on being transformed by the renewing of your mind.
Rev. AG
So when someone has evil thoughts where do they come from? Is sex sin a body problem or a heart problem? When people tell lies does that reveal anything about their heart? When people make light of the things of God what does that tell you about them in their heart and most central part of their lives?
The truth is what we say and do comes from who we are. If we could have a good heart we would change. If our heart was right then our sex life would please God. What we say and think would be right if our heart was right.
The obvious decision here is to work on our heart. That is to work on our innermost being. We do that first by His saving us. Then we do that by filling our heart with His Word, His way of thinking, His heart!
So work on being transformed by the renewing of your mind.
Rev. AG
To lead you must serve
Matthew 20:27 And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant:
This is probably the hardest part to understand. Jesus did everything backward compared to the world. With Jesus to live you must die, to be whole you must be broken, to go up you must go down, to lead you must serve, to be lifted up you must humble yourself, to have friends you must be a friend, and many others I am sure that you can think of.
We would all like to be number one. Our culture teaches us to be number one. We are to push to the front, to be out in front. Jesus taught the opposite. We are to serve. We are to humble ourselves. That will make us a leader. If we love and serve we lead.
Jesus did just that. He lived out this truth. It is never about how people treat me but how I treat people. It isn’t about what you do for me but what I do for you!
Let’s serve others.
Rev AG
This is probably the hardest part to understand. Jesus did everything backward compared to the world. With Jesus to live you must die, to be whole you must be broken, to go up you must go down, to lead you must serve, to be lifted up you must humble yourself, to have friends you must be a friend, and many others I am sure that you can think of.
We would all like to be number one. Our culture teaches us to be number one. We are to push to the front, to be out in front. Jesus taught the opposite. We are to serve. We are to humble ourselves. That will make us a leader. If we love and serve we lead.
Jesus did just that. He lived out this truth. It is never about how people treat me but how I treat people. It isn’t about what you do for me but what I do for you!
Let’s serve others.
Rev AG
Choose you this day whom you will serve
Choose whom you will serve. Joshua 24:15
In life, there are many things over which we have no choice. A lot of them are bad. Some are good. For example, we have no choice in the fact that God loves us. No matter who we are or what we’ve done, God loves us. He loves us so much that He went to the cross and died for our sins.
We have a choice in how we respond to God’s love. We can embrace Him in faith or reject Him. We can live our lives for His glory or for ourselves. It is our choice to live for Him today or not. It is our choice to be with Him in Heaven or not.
Please choose Jesus today.
Rev. DB
In life, there are many things over which we have no choice. A lot of them are bad. Some are good. For example, we have no choice in the fact that God loves us. No matter who we are or what we’ve done, God loves us. He loves us so much that He went to the cross and died for our sins.
We have a choice in how we respond to God’s love. We can embrace Him in faith or reject Him. We can live our lives for His glory or for ourselves. It is our choice to live for Him today or not. It is our choice to be with Him in Heaven or not.
Please choose Jesus today.
Rev. DB
Let not your heart be troubled
Let not your heart be troubled; ye believe in God, believe also in me. John 14:1
Jesus ask His disciples who people said He was. Some thought He was one of the prophets or even John the Baptist returned from the dead. He then ask Peter who he thought He was. Peter responded, “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the Living God.”
Many people today have a high opinion of Jesus. They consider Him a great teacher, a prophet or a miracle worker. While all of this is true, it is not who Jesus is. He is the Messiah, the Christ, the Son of the Living God. To believe in Jesus is to believe it all. To believe He lived a sinless life, died on the cross for our sins and rose again. To believe He has ascended into Heaven and will return in glory. To believe in Jesus is the ultimate remedy for a troubled heart.
Rev. DB
Jesus ask His disciples who people said He was. Some thought He was one of the prophets or even John the Baptist returned from the dead. He then ask Peter who he thought He was. Peter responded, “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the Living God.”
Many people today have a high opinion of Jesus. They consider Him a great teacher, a prophet or a miracle worker. While all of this is true, it is not who Jesus is. He is the Messiah, the Christ, the Son of the Living God. To believe in Jesus is to believe it all. To believe He lived a sinless life, died on the cross for our sins and rose again. To believe He has ascended into Heaven and will return in glory. To believe in Jesus is the ultimate remedy for a troubled heart.
Rev. DB
Will you be ready ??
"And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually." (Genesis 6:5)
It saddens me deeply as to what we have become in America today. My heart aches as I watch the news on TV and read it on the internet. I am so sick of seeing people, and especially kids, getting murdered around the world. Just a couple of days ago, a cook was shot in a restaurant in Clayton County and the murderer just ran off. A big part of the problem is from our children today. It is the children that are doing most of the killing! They have taken away our right to discipline our children and look at what it has brought us! Whether you like it our not, the Bible teaches us that we are to spank (not beat) our children (Proverbs 13:24, "He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes").
I also find it interesting how people want to blame it on the gun that the person used to commit the murder. I had to catch myself as I was writing this post as to not call the murderer that killed the man at the restaurant a "gunman". What ever happened to the word "murderer". If someone is killed with a knife, do we call the one that committed the crime a "knifeman"? Why is it that when a drunk driver kills someone we blame it on the driver and not the alcohol like we do the gun? As soon as someone is killed with a gun, like what happened in Texas, everyone wants to talk about "getting rid of guns". The conversation always becomes "We need to get these guns off the streets". However, when a drunk kills someone, nothing is said about getting rid of alcohol. Why is the alcohol not the culprit but the gun is? More people are killed by alcohol abuse in the U.S. than by gun related violence. Look it up. It is true, yet nothing is done about alcohol because of the tax revenue that it brings in.
Ok. I chased that rabbit far enough. The real burden on my heart this morning as I think about the wickedness that surrounds our communities today is this: Why will you not listen when I and other Christians tell you that you need Jesus Christ in your life? The Bible is still true when it says, "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new" (II Corinthians 5:17). When a person gets genuinely saved, he is "born again" (John 3:3, "Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God") and that is when he becomes a new creature in Christ. The drugs and the murders are going to continue until those of us that are saved get busy and tell others about His saving grace! The sad part is that when we do, the people will not listen. WHY WILL YOU NOT LISTEN? If you are saved, get busy praying and telling others about Jesus Christ. If you have never been saved, get saved today because you never know when YOU will be the one that is murdered as you are simply standing at the gas pumps putting gas into your vehicle. You WILL die one day, please be ready!!
Rev. AS
Sunday, October 8, 2017
Wake up America
If the people just new how much power we have over these celebrity and Athlete protesters and would start to use that power you would see things change. It's time you stop watching the games buying there merchandise, and the merchandise of there sponsors. The problem is we are so engulfed with selfishness that regardless of what most any one does or who they do it to as long as it does not mess up your world you don't care, but by the time it starts effecting you directly it's usually to late do anything about it. So I submit this unto you, if you truly care about your Country then stand for your Country and everything that it took to make it great, be thankful for your freedom and do not give into rebellious freedom.
Let me explain as a Christian born again by the Grace of God thru Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior I am free from the bondage of sin, and have the right because of the freedom that was paid for by a sacrifice that was freely given, I can do whatever I please but when I exercise a will that goes against all that sacrifice cost then it is no longer me exercising free will but a rebellion against that free will.
Let's stand for the men and woman that fought and gave there lives for this great country and freedom and let's stand against the ones that oppose it, stop watching there movies stop buying there products and merchandise we do not need them they need us to continue that life style, we are the majority not them, for to long we have catered to these money hungry, glory grabbing, spoiled brats that where raised in homes by parents that because they play better, sing better, talk and walk and think better, that they are better, there NOT!
Wake up America before there is no America left.
Rev. RF
Let me explain as a Christian born again by the Grace of God thru Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior I am free from the bondage of sin, and have the right because of the freedom that was paid for by a sacrifice that was freely given, I can do whatever I please but when I exercise a will that goes against all that sacrifice cost then it is no longer me exercising free will but a rebellion against that free will.
Let's stand for the men and woman that fought and gave there lives for this great country and freedom and let's stand against the ones that oppose it, stop watching there movies stop buying there products and merchandise we do not need them they need us to continue that life style, we are the majority not them, for to long we have catered to these money hungry, glory grabbing, spoiled brats that where raised in homes by parents that because they play better, sing better, talk and walk and think better, that they are better, there NOT!
Wake up America before there is no America left.
Rev. RF
Prayer and fasting
And he said unto them, This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting. Mark 9:29
When you see and hear of the evil in the world, do you ever feel helpless? You want to do something, but what? A father had brought his son to the disciples for healing. The disciples had been unable to help the young man. But Jesus did. When the disciples ask Jesus why they had failed, he told them this kind of deliverance comes only by prayer and fasting.
In the world of today, our greatest need is for a spiritual revival. All of our programs and projects are important, but they will not bring deliverance to a lost and dying world.
Only as God’s people sincerely turn to Him in prayer and fasting can we impact our world for Christ.
Rev. DB
When you see and hear of the evil in the world, do you ever feel helpless? You want to do something, but what? A father had brought his son to the disciples for healing. The disciples had been unable to help the young man. But Jesus did. When the disciples ask Jesus why they had failed, he told them this kind of deliverance comes only by prayer and fasting.
In the world of today, our greatest need is for a spiritual revival. All of our programs and projects are important, but they will not bring deliverance to a lost and dying world.
Only as God’s people sincerely turn to Him in prayer and fasting can we impact our world for Christ.
Rev. DB
the Will of God
Today's TEXT FROM THE SACRED TEXT:
Ephesians 5:17,
Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.
Seven things for us to understand about the Will of God. (Taken from the latest book I am writing.)
1. The will of God is not something that is just for the super spiritual
2. The will of God is not something that is just for the preachers
3. The will of God is not some super-secret that God is hiding for you
4. The will of God is not something that is beyond your comprehension
5. The will of God will never take you away from the Word of God
6. The will of God will never lead you contrary to the Word of God
7. The will of God will never take you farther than the sufficiency of the grace of God
Rev. SB
Ephesians 5:17,
Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.
Seven things for us to understand about the Will of God. (Taken from the latest book I am writing.)
1. The will of God is not something that is just for the super spiritual
2. The will of God is not something that is just for the preachers
3. The will of God is not some super-secret that God is hiding for you
4. The will of God is not something that is beyond your comprehension
5. The will of God will never take you away from the Word of God
6. The will of God will never lead you contrary to the Word of God
7. The will of God will never take you farther than the sufficiency of the grace of God
Rev. SB
Saturday, September 30, 2017
No peace for unbelievers
No peace for unbelievers
Isaiah 48:22 There is no peace, saith the LORD, unto the wicked.
Do you know who the wicked are? They are not those that do wicked things like sin. The wicked are those that have not trusted Jesus Christ and His finished work on the cross. They still live in their own strength. They feel like they can get it done. They do not need God, they think! They live by their own means.
The problem is that all of sinned. All have fallen short of what is needed to be a complete, full, satisfied, content human. You were meant to walk with God. You were meant to know Him. You were meant to live in faith.
When you decide to live your own life, your own way then you are left to your own means. That means that you will not have real peace. The best you will have is a simulated peace. You will pretend. You will tell people you have peace but in your innermost being you know that things aren’t quite right.
You will deny that truth. You will say that everything is good but one day, when you are hurting you will have to admit your need. Know this, that you will be able to then know that He loves you. If you will simply quit trusting you and start trusting Him you will have that peace.
Believe that God loves you, that Jesus died for you and your sins, that you can have eternal life and peace right now and He will do all that for you!
Rev AG
Isaiah 48:22 There is no peace, saith the LORD, unto the wicked.
Do you know who the wicked are? They are not those that do wicked things like sin. The wicked are those that have not trusted Jesus Christ and His finished work on the cross. They still live in their own strength. They feel like they can get it done. They do not need God, they think! They live by their own means.
The problem is that all of sinned. All have fallen short of what is needed to be a complete, full, satisfied, content human. You were meant to walk with God. You were meant to know Him. You were meant to live in faith.
When you decide to live your own life, your own way then you are left to your own means. That means that you will not have real peace. The best you will have is a simulated peace. You will pretend. You will tell people you have peace but in your innermost being you know that things aren’t quite right.
You will deny that truth. You will say that everything is good but one day, when you are hurting you will have to admit your need. Know this, that you will be able to then know that He loves you. If you will simply quit trusting you and start trusting Him you will have that peace.
Believe that God loves you, that Jesus died for you and your sins, that you can have eternal life and peace right now and He will do all that for you!
Rev AG
A promise for you
For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. Rom. 10:13
One of the most important promises God has made to us is His promise regarding salvation. In scripture, salvation refers to our deliverance from the penalty and power of sin - to be saved from eternal death in Hell and given eternal life in Heaven. Jesus paid the penalty for our sin on the cross and broke the power of sin over us by His resurrection.
The Bible tells us we are saved by grace, through faith in Jesus. Salvation is a gift of God. If we confess with our mouth and believe with our heart that God has raised Jesus from the dead we shall be saved. Jesus said, “Whosoever believeth in him shall not perish, but have eternal life.”
This promise is for you. Call upon the name of the Lord in faith and you shall be saved.
Rev DB
One of the most important promises God has made to us is His promise regarding salvation. In scripture, salvation refers to our deliverance from the penalty and power of sin - to be saved from eternal death in Hell and given eternal life in Heaven. Jesus paid the penalty for our sin on the cross and broke the power of sin over us by His resurrection.
The Bible tells us we are saved by grace, through faith in Jesus. Salvation is a gift of God. If we confess with our mouth and believe with our heart that God has raised Jesus from the dead we shall be saved. Jesus said, “Whosoever believeth in him shall not perish, but have eternal life.”
This promise is for you. Call upon the name of the Lord in faith and you shall be saved.
Rev DB
Bringing Others to Jesus
Bringing Others to Jesus
Andrew is the disciple known for bringing people to Jesus. Immediately after meeting the Lord, he introduced his brother Simon to the Messiah. Another time, when a great multitude was hungry, he found a boy with five loaves and two fishes and brought him to Jesus (John 6:8-9). When some Greeks wanted to meet Christ, Andrew and Philip made the introductions (12:20-22). This disciple never lost his enthusiasm for the Savior.
Andrew's own conversion experience motivated him to let others know about the One who'd changed his life (1:36-37). How about you--have you lost the joy of your salvation? If your Christian life has become stale and musty, it's time to remember what Christ has done for you and to ask that He restore your excitement.
In addition, Andrew longed to know the Savior and spend time with Him (vv. 38-39). The disciple's example is a good reminder that sweet fellowship with the Lord isn't supposed to end with devotional times. It should also stimulate a desire to share with others the joy we find in our relationship with Christ.
Finally, Andrew was motivated by his conviction that Jesus was the Messiah (v. 41). He'd found the answer for a lost and hurting world and wanted others to know.
When Andrew answered the call to discipleship, Jesus told him he'd be "catching men" instead of fish (Luke 5:10). Since we, too, are followers of Christ, we have this same assignment. Our styles and opportunities vary, but we're each responsible to develop a lifelong habit of bringing others to Jesus.
Rev CS
Saturday, September 23, 2017
Our Hope
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. 1 Peter 1:3
To be without hope may be the worst condition a person can have. No doubt, there are many people today who are facing very difficult circumstances without any hope for the future. A Christian is never without hope no matter what he or she may face. Peter calls it a “lively hope.” A hope that even death cannot destroy.
No wonder Peter praises God for what He has done for us. By His abundant mercy we are born again unto eternal life. We have the hope of the resurrection because Jesus rose and conquered death. We have a living hope that sustains us in life and in death.
A hope that allows us to look beyond what we see to what we know awaits us when we rest in His presence.
RevDB
Tuesday, September 19, 2017
No pain, no gain
A brief thought today,
In the athletic realm, a popular statement believed by the fittest is;
"No pain no gain".
When reading the Scriptures, I am finding this to be a principle of the Christian's life and walk with Christ.
The Lord said, if you are to follow me, there is a self to deny and a cross to bear.
Paul said, if you will know him (CHRIST) the power of his resurrection, there is a fellowship of his sufferings.
J. R. Miller said, There are many blessings we will never receive until we are ready to pay the price of pain, for the path of suffering is the only way to reach them.
I walked a mile with Pleasure,
She chattered all the way;
But left me none the wiser
For all she had to say.
I walked a mile with Sorrow,
And ne'er a word said she;
But oh, the things I learned from her
When Sorrow walked with me.
RevDN
In the athletic realm, a popular statement believed by the fittest is;
"No pain no gain".
When reading the Scriptures, I am finding this to be a principle of the Christian's life and walk with Christ.
The Lord said, if you are to follow me, there is a self to deny and a cross to bear.
Paul said, if you will know him (CHRIST) the power of his resurrection, there is a fellowship of his sufferings.
J. R. Miller said, There are many blessings we will never receive until we are ready to pay the price of pain, for the path of suffering is the only way to reach them.
I walked a mile with Pleasure,
She chattered all the way;
But left me none the wiser
For all she had to say.
I walked a mile with Sorrow,
And ne'er a word said she;
But oh, the things I learned from her
When Sorrow walked with me.
RevDN
Sunday, September 17, 2017
David was
David Was a man that was
1) Saved
2) Surrendered
3) Sanctified
4) Serving
5) Shouting
6) Standing
I Samuel 16-17
RevDB
1) Saved
2) Surrendered
3) Sanctified
4) Serving
5) Shouting
6) Standing
I Samuel 16-17
RevDB
What the Word does
What the Word does
Proverbs 6:23 For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; And reproofs of instruction are the way of life:
The Word of God casts light on all that you are doing or thinking. The Word of God is light. God’s Word often scolds us or reproves us by its teachings. These reproofs are for our own good and so that we can live without being hurt.
Solomon was telling his son this so that he could see how truth would keep him from sexual sin. We live in a world where sexual sin is destroying us. Pornography is on the rise. People are getting addicted. The reason porn has the power it does is because we do not have enough light from the Word of God to see it for what it is.
The Bible tells us all we need to know. There is plenty of light but we are so foolish that we do not dig into the Bible to see what God says.
Get into the Word of God. Let God give you the light you need to live and not be hurt. He cares enough about you to give you truth so that you will not be hurt.
Do not choose darkness when you have the light right there beside you!
RevAG
Proverbs 6:23 For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; And reproofs of instruction are the way of life:
The Word of God casts light on all that you are doing or thinking. The Word of God is light. God’s Word often scolds us or reproves us by its teachings. These reproofs are for our own good and so that we can live without being hurt.
Solomon was telling his son this so that he could see how truth would keep him from sexual sin. We live in a world where sexual sin is destroying us. Pornography is on the rise. People are getting addicted. The reason porn has the power it does is because we do not have enough light from the Word of God to see it for what it is.
The Bible tells us all we need to know. There is plenty of light but we are so foolish that we do not dig into the Bible to see what God says.
Get into the Word of God. Let God give you the light you need to live and not be hurt. He cares enough about you to give you truth so that you will not be hurt.
Do not choose darkness when you have the light right there beside you!
RevAG
Saturday, September 16, 2017
God’s Word gives freedom
God’s Word gives freedom
Psalm 119:45 And I will walk at liberty: For I seek thy precepts.
Most people want to think that the Bible, God, God’s Word limit real living. They want to think of the Bible as restricting, as taking away freedom but that is not the lesson the Bible teaches about itself. God’s Word gives freedom. When I want to please God, do things the way He wants me to then I walk at liberty. Real life is found in Christ. Read freedom is found in knowing God and His Word.
Do not let Satan or anyone else make you think less of God or His Word. Do not let them think of God taking away but rather know that He adds to life.
RevAG
Psalm 119:45 And I will walk at liberty: For I seek thy precepts.
Most people want to think that the Bible, God, God’s Word limit real living. They want to think of the Bible as restricting, as taking away freedom but that is not the lesson the Bible teaches about itself. God’s Word gives freedom. When I want to please God, do things the way He wants me to then I walk at liberty. Real life is found in Christ. Read freedom is found in knowing God and His Word.
Do not let Satan or anyone else make you think less of God or His Word. Do not let them think of God taking away but rather know that He adds to life.
RevAG
How did Noah exercise his faith in God?
Hebrews 11:7 How did Noah exercise his faith in God?
“By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.”
Noah’s example of Faith has very distinct and easily identifiable markers. The first marker was that he believed God’s Word when all the world around him believed the opposite. Everyone in Noah’s world had the Word of God from Adam and Seth up to the times of Noah, but they rejected God’s Word and lived a lifestyle that was opposed to God. Second, Noah preached righteousness for an entire centennial. That Preaching was not just on Saturday, but everyday. He preached a message that was directly and contradictory to the lifestyles of those he was preaching to. Thirdly, Noah lived a Godly life and his family did the same. He had a Biblical family which was in the face of all those around him. He did not just live somewhat differently from his neighbors and town; he lived Biblically. Fourthly, Noah exercised his faith by building the Ark. If you have the chance to visit the Ark Encounter in Kentucky, you will see the Biblical proportions of the Ark. But imagine that being on the landscape outside the city. Noah begins his 100 year series of messages on the coming Judgment of God. I just imagine he walked the streets clothed in different style dress from the people around him and preached “Repent for the Judgment of God is at hand.” God is merciful and will forgive your sins and heal our land”. Can you hear the jeers and mockery that must have been hurled toward the man of God. “Ha, Ha, Ha, Look at how he is dressed, he is a real drag, listen to his hate speech, he just hates us and wants to control our lives….” And on and on it goes. But Noah’s Faith was greater. To his credit, he won 7 souls. His wife, His sons, and three girls who became the son’s wives. Seven began to call upon the name of the Lord like Noah. The greatest exercise of Noah’s faith was not the building of the ark, nor the naming the animals or preparing the resources for their voyage. It was when he gathered his family and said, it is time to go into the ark.
That one act saved their lives and fulfilled God’s eternal plan of salvation for all the people that would be born so that “whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved!”
RevTC
“By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.”
Noah’s example of Faith has very distinct and easily identifiable markers. The first marker was that he believed God’s Word when all the world around him believed the opposite. Everyone in Noah’s world had the Word of God from Adam and Seth up to the times of Noah, but they rejected God’s Word and lived a lifestyle that was opposed to God. Second, Noah preached righteousness for an entire centennial. That Preaching was not just on Saturday, but everyday. He preached a message that was directly and contradictory to the lifestyles of those he was preaching to. Thirdly, Noah lived a Godly life and his family did the same. He had a Biblical family which was in the face of all those around him. He did not just live somewhat differently from his neighbors and town; he lived Biblically. Fourthly, Noah exercised his faith by building the Ark. If you have the chance to visit the Ark Encounter in Kentucky, you will see the Biblical proportions of the Ark. But imagine that being on the landscape outside the city. Noah begins his 100 year series of messages on the coming Judgment of God. I just imagine he walked the streets clothed in different style dress from the people around him and preached “Repent for the Judgment of God is at hand.” God is merciful and will forgive your sins and heal our land”. Can you hear the jeers and mockery that must have been hurled toward the man of God. “Ha, Ha, Ha, Look at how he is dressed, he is a real drag, listen to his hate speech, he just hates us and wants to control our lives….” And on and on it goes. But Noah’s Faith was greater. To his credit, he won 7 souls. His wife, His sons, and three girls who became the son’s wives. Seven began to call upon the name of the Lord like Noah. The greatest exercise of Noah’s faith was not the building of the ark, nor the naming the animals or preparing the resources for their voyage. It was when he gathered his family and said, it is time to go into the ark.
That one act saved their lives and fulfilled God’s eternal plan of salvation for all the people that would be born so that “whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved!”
RevTC
Thursday, September 7, 2017
Idol worshippers
Idol worshippers
Psalm 97:7 Confounded be all they that serve graven images, That boast themselves of idols: Worship him, all ye gods.
As I read this verse I am thinking about all I saw in Nepal. Idols on every corner, scary idols. People turning prayer wheels and lighting incense. People putting red ashes on their forehead as a sign of their devotion.
It was so obvious that the gods they serves were but images made with men’s hands. They were very proud of their images. They are proud of their worship of their images. They ring bells and find other ways to try to call their gods.
The truth is that there is only one God and He made you not the other way around. It is time for you to worship God, the creator.
It is time to know you need the God who made you, turn to Him today.
RevAG
Psalm 97:7 Confounded be all they that serve graven images, That boast themselves of idols: Worship him, all ye gods.
As I read this verse I am thinking about all I saw in Nepal. Idols on every corner, scary idols. People turning prayer wheels and lighting incense. People putting red ashes on their forehead as a sign of their devotion.
It was so obvious that the gods they serves were but images made with men’s hands. They were very proud of their images. They are proud of their worship of their images. They ring bells and find other ways to try to call their gods.
The truth is that there is only one God and He made you not the other way around. It is time for you to worship God, the creator.
It is time to know you need the God who made you, turn to Him today.
RevAG
Wednesday, September 6, 2017
Finish the work
I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do. John 17:4
On the night of his arrest, Jesus lifted his eyes toward heaven and prayed. In His prayer, He was able to say that He had glorified His Heavenly Father on earth and finished the work given Him to do. It should be our desire to leave behind a testimony of our faithfulness to God.
When Jesus died on the cross, one of His last statements was: “It is finished.” The work of salvation was complete. Only Jesus, the perfect Lamb of God, could pay the penalty for our sins. But God has a work for each of us to do.
Let us continue our work for the Lord until our task is finished and He calls us home.
RevDB
On the night of his arrest, Jesus lifted his eyes toward heaven and prayed. In His prayer, He was able to say that He had glorified His Heavenly Father on earth and finished the work given Him to do. It should be our desire to leave behind a testimony of our faithfulness to God.
When Jesus died on the cross, one of His last statements was: “It is finished.” The work of salvation was complete. Only Jesus, the perfect Lamb of God, could pay the penalty for our sins. But God has a work for each of us to do.
Let us continue our work for the Lord until our task is finished and He calls us home.
RevDB
Tuesday, September 5, 2017
Our Hope in Christ
Hebrews 6 Why is our hope in Christ better?
Verse one of this chapter speaks volumes about our hope in Christ. Hope in the Old Testament Law and Prophets only pointed toward the coming Christ. Live live in the times when “a greater than Solomon is here!” We not only have salvation in Christ that is eternally secure, but we also have the work of the Holy Spirit in us perfecting the saints according to the will of God! In our Better Christ and His marvelous salvation, we are getting better day by day as we allow the Spirit to change us to be like Him. Verse 9 reveals that there are even better things that accompany salvation. There are many things that the gift of salvation brings with it. You can no doubt name many without much deliberation. Verse 10 reveals that not only are we given better things in salvation, but we have a better ministry for the Lord on this earth.
The Old Testament Saints served God by Faith and passed on to us a goodly heritage. Christ did many things while He walked in the flesh on this earth. But Jesus told His disciples that they would do greater things. That is because we have a Better Hope, and by the power of the resurrection of Christ from the dead, we have a lively hope in Christ. Verse 19 tops them all when we see hope in Christ is the anchor of the soul. This hope never changes and is paramount to all other hope in this world. This hope is anchored within the veil. The Holiest Place in the temple was the Holy of Holies. Our Savior anchored our souls though His salvation in the Holy of Holies in Heaven. Safe and secure is that hope of our soul forever.
Our Hope in Christ is better and the longer we live, the better it becomes!
RevTC
Verse one of this chapter speaks volumes about our hope in Christ. Hope in the Old Testament Law and Prophets only pointed toward the coming Christ. Live live in the times when “a greater than Solomon is here!” We not only have salvation in Christ that is eternally secure, but we also have the work of the Holy Spirit in us perfecting the saints according to the will of God! In our Better Christ and His marvelous salvation, we are getting better day by day as we allow the Spirit to change us to be like Him. Verse 9 reveals that there are even better things that accompany salvation. There are many things that the gift of salvation brings with it. You can no doubt name many without much deliberation. Verse 10 reveals that not only are we given better things in salvation, but we have a better ministry for the Lord on this earth.
The Old Testament Saints served God by Faith and passed on to us a goodly heritage. Christ did many things while He walked in the flesh on this earth. But Jesus told His disciples that they would do greater things. That is because we have a Better Hope, and by the power of the resurrection of Christ from the dead, we have a lively hope in Christ. Verse 19 tops them all when we see hope in Christ is the anchor of the soul. This hope never changes and is paramount to all other hope in this world. This hope is anchored within the veil. The Holiest Place in the temple was the Holy of Holies. Our Savior anchored our souls though His salvation in the Holy of Holies in Heaven. Safe and secure is that hope of our soul forever.
Our Hope in Christ is better and the longer we live, the better it becomes!
RevTC
God doesn’t hold back the good
Psalm 84:11 For the LORD God is a sun and shield: The LORD will give grace and glory: No good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.
Can you believe this verse. God is our sun, our life giver. He is our shield or protector. He gives us grace meaning that He loves us when we do not deserve it. He gives us glory. He is good to us.
The sweetest part of this verse seems to be that He will just give us any and everything as we are His. He will not withhold good things from us. We think He is holding out but to think that is to believe a lie of the devil.
Here you see what God, Himself, said about His character and how He treats us.
RevAG
Send Them Away
Musing Through Matthew- Send Them Away
In the midst of all our hopeless situations may they find us at Jesus feet.
RevTG.
Monday, September 4, 2017
Daily
Daily
Psalm 68:19 Blessed be the Lord, Who daily loadeth us with benefits, Even the God of our salvation. Selah.
I love that word, daily. He is the God of our salvation but He didn’t just save us and leave us. He didn’t just meet our needs one time. He meets our needs daily. He does more than just meet our needs. He loads us down. He pours it out on us. He pours out benefits.
He carries us through life. He sustains our life. He is our life. He is involved in our lives on a daily basis. No wonder we love and praise Him.
He is so good we can’t imagine anything else but that.
RevAG
Psalm 68:19 Blessed be the Lord, Who daily loadeth us with benefits, Even the God of our salvation. Selah.
I love that word, daily. He is the God of our salvation but He didn’t just save us and leave us. He didn’t just meet our needs one time. He meets our needs daily. He does more than just meet our needs. He loads us down. He pours it out on us. He pours out benefits.
He carries us through life. He sustains our life. He is our life. He is involved in our lives on a daily basis. No wonder we love and praise Him.
He is so good we can’t imagine anything else but that.
RevAG
Labor Day
Let him that stole steal no more; but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth. Eph. 4:28
Thank God for His grace! The thief can find forgiveness. He can also find new purpose and meaning for life. As a forgiven child of God, I am to leave my sins behind and become a productive member of society. One of the ways we do that is by finding meaningful work to provide for ourselves and those in need.
Today is Labor Day. An official Labor Day website describes the holiday as “a yearly national tribute to the contribution workers have made to the strength, prosperity and well-being of our country.”
Thank God for His grace and the health and strength to work that we can give back for all He has given to us.
RevDB
Thank God for His grace! The thief can find forgiveness. He can also find new purpose and meaning for life. As a forgiven child of God, I am to leave my sins behind and become a productive member of society. One of the ways we do that is by finding meaningful work to provide for ourselves and those in need.
Today is Labor Day. An official Labor Day website describes the holiday as “a yearly national tribute to the contribution workers have made to the strength, prosperity and well-being of our country.”
Thank God for His grace and the health and strength to work that we can give back for all He has given to us.
RevDB
Sunday, September 3, 2017
God hears and meets needs
Psalm 57:2 I will cry unto God most high; Unto God that performeth all things for me.
We serve a God that you can cry out to in your time of need. He is a God that works in your life. He will do for you what you need done. He is the great, almighty God. He is not a god you made with your hands but the God of all creation.
What is so beautiful in this verse is that He is the One holding you together. He is the One answering your prayer. He is the One meeting your needs.
He is a personal God doing things for me. He is God that I can cry out to in prayer and expect Him to meet my need. Who has a God like the God of Heaven.
RevAG
Our Work
The sleep of a laboring man is sweet, whether he eat little or much. Ec. 5:12
There is something good about doing an honest day’s work. It brings a sense of accomplishment and adds meaning and purpose to our life. This is especially true if we enjoy our work. When they ask the Amish farmer if he didn’t get tired of working so hard, he replied, “It’s not really work if you enjoy what you do.”
Work is not a punishment from God. Even in the garden before sin, man was giving the task of taking care of God’s creation. If you are able to get up this morning and go to work, you are a blessed individual.
Work hard and enjoy it. Then go home to your family and enjoy the fruits of your labor.
RevDB
There is something good about doing an honest day’s work. It brings a sense of accomplishment and adds meaning and purpose to our life. This is especially true if we enjoy our work. When they ask the Amish farmer if he didn’t get tired of working so hard, he replied, “It’s not really work if you enjoy what you do.”
Work is not a punishment from God. Even in the garden before sin, man was giving the task of taking care of God’s creation. If you are able to get up this morning and go to work, you are a blessed individual.
Work hard and enjoy it. Then go home to your family and enjoy the fruits of your labor.
RevDB
Saturday, September 2, 2017
Christian Vocation
Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit, serving the Lord. Ro. 12:11
Did you know that every Christian is in full time Christian service? I am not just a Christian on Sunday when I attend Church, but I am a Christian every moment of every day. Being a Christian is not something I do, it is who I am in Christ. I may be a good Christian or a bad one, but I am always a Christian.
Whatever vocation a Christian may be in, it is a Christian vocation. We are to approach our work with zeal as being in service to the Lord. The world does not see us at church, but at work, on the ball field and in our everyday lives.
The question is not “Do they see a Christian?” but rather, “Do they see a good one?”
REV DB
Did you know that every Christian is in full time Christian service? I am not just a Christian on Sunday when I attend Church, but I am a Christian every moment of every day. Being a Christian is not something I do, it is who I am in Christ. I may be a good Christian or a bad one, but I am always a Christian.
Whatever vocation a Christian may be in, it is a Christian vocation. We are to approach our work with zeal as being in service to the Lord. The world does not see us at church, but at work, on the ball field and in our everyday lives.
The question is not “Do they see a Christian?” but rather, “Do they see a good one?”
REV DB
Wednesday, August 30, 2017
His creation speaks
For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse. Rom: 1:20
God speaks to us through His creation. Yesterday, He shouted! He reminded us He is there and He created the heavens and the earth. His creation is so marvelous we cannot comprehend its size and complexity; yet, it is so ordered that we can calculate to the minute where and when a solar eclipse will occur.
Sometimes an unusual event like the eclipse, causes us to take notice of things we otherwise take for granted. Yesterday, we were made to consider the sun that gives us light and brings life to the earth.
Today, let us consider Jesus, the Son of God, who is the light of men and who gives to us eternal life.
REVDB
God speaks to us through His creation. Yesterday, He shouted! He reminded us He is there and He created the heavens and the earth. His creation is so marvelous we cannot comprehend its size and complexity; yet, it is so ordered that we can calculate to the minute where and when a solar eclipse will occur.
Sometimes an unusual event like the eclipse, causes us to take notice of things we otherwise take for granted. Yesterday, we were made to consider the sun that gives us light and brings life to the earth.
Today, let us consider Jesus, the Son of God, who is the light of men and who gives to us eternal life.
REVDB
Weeping
Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning. Psalm 30:5
We all face those times in life when we feel great sorrow: the death of a love one; the suffering of a friend; the loss of something precious to us. These are events common to the human experience and so is our emotional response to loss and pain.
As a Christian, we have the assurance that while weeping may endure for a time, joy cometh in the morning. When Jesus arose, he won the victory over death, hell and the grave. For a Christian, there is life after death and ultimate victory.
There will be joy eternal for those who place their faith in Him.
REV DB
We all face those times in life when we feel great sorrow: the death of a love one; the suffering of a friend; the loss of something precious to us. These are events common to the human experience and so is our emotional response to loss and pain.
As a Christian, we have the assurance that while weeping may endure for a time, joy cometh in the morning. When Jesus arose, he won the victory over death, hell and the grave. For a Christian, there is life after death and ultimate victory.
There will be joy eternal for those who place their faith in Him.
REV DB
A Steward
Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful. 1 Cor. 4:2
A steward is someone entrusted to manage the property or affairs of another. Such a trusted position requires that the steward be found faithful. A dishonest steward would soon be unemployed. As a Christian, other people should be able to trust what we say and do.
The Bible teaches us everything belongs to God and we are His stewards. This includes our resources, our time and talents. We are to use what He has given us for His honor and glory.
May we found faithful today with all that God has entrusted to us.
REVDB
A steward is someone entrusted to manage the property or affairs of another. Such a trusted position requires that the steward be found faithful. A dishonest steward would soon be unemployed. As a Christian, other people should be able to trust what we say and do.
The Bible teaches us everything belongs to God and we are His stewards. This includes our resources, our time and talents. We are to use what He has given us for His honor and glory.
May we found faithful today with all that God has entrusted to us.
REVDB
Tuesday, August 29, 2017
Moved By The Multitude
Musing Through Matthew- Moved By The Multitude
Let us muse again today from Matthew 14:14 and the theme of Jesus the king. In our text today we see our Lord is moved by the multitude. Our Lord has gone by boat to a desert place to be alone but when He embarks from the boat He sees the multitude. He immediately is moved with compassion and begins to meet their greatest needs. He puts all of His needs to the side and begins to meet the needs of others.
How can we as His servants do less than our Master.
Rev TG
How can we as His servants do less than our Master.
Rev TG
Saturday, August 19, 2017
Christian love
WHAT IS CHRISTIAN LOVE ?
L-Labor FOR Christ
O-Obedience TO Christ
V-Victory IN Christ
E-Evidence is LIKE Christ
Let's SHOW it & SHARE it
L-Labor FOR Christ
O-Obedience TO Christ
V-Victory IN Christ
E-Evidence is LIKE Christ
Let's SHOW it & SHARE it
Monday, July 24, 2017
think much of Christ
I would like to encourage the church today to think much of Christ and think of Christ much! Through the ebb and flow of routine, in the hustle and bustle of highways, in the requirements of your responsibilities, think much of Christ and think of Christ much! In the midst of your affliction, in the heat of your temptation, in the conquest of your victories, think much of Christ and think of Christ much! Though your body be afflicted, though your spirit be weak, though your mind be troubled, think much of Christ and think of Christ much. In your joy, in your abundance, in your multiplied blessings, think much of Christ and think of Christ much.
Think of His advent, His miracles, His words, His compassion, His provision, His love. Meditate upon His vicarious death, His atoning sacrifice, His substitionary work on the cross. Consider His dying words, His priestly prayer, His bleeding side. Allow your mind to visit the grave where the stone was rolled away. Ponder His glory, His power, His might over death and sin. Think of His resurrection, His ascension, His glorious throne and His incomparable holiness. Imagine if He came today, think of that rapturous moment, consider being with Him forever. Think much of Christ and think of Christ much!
Think of His heaven, His angels, His city, His crown, His name, His majesty. Imagine seeing Him in all of His glory, in His everlasting dominion, with His vesture dipped in blood. Think of what it will be like to sit at His table during the marriage supper of the Lamb. Think of the communion, the fellowship, the divine meal spread before God's people. Think much of Christ and think of Christ much!
Think of that hour when you met Him, you trusted Him, and you called on Him for forgiveness. Remember the cleansing water that took away the stains, the matchless price that eradicated the debt, and the victorious deliverance that released you from the bondage of sin. Go back to that place, that hour, that moment when you met the Savior of your soul. Yes! and thousand times, think of Christ and think of Christ much!
To think on things that are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, of a good report, virtuous, and praise-worthy (Philippians 4:8), can only be accomplished when we consider the One Who bore the cross, took the shame, and now lives as our reigning King.
Therefore, beloved, fill your mind with His light, His life, His love. In this day, think much of Christ and think of Christ much!
Rev. KK
Think of His advent, His miracles, His words, His compassion, His provision, His love. Meditate upon His vicarious death, His atoning sacrifice, His substitionary work on the cross. Consider His dying words, His priestly prayer, His bleeding side. Allow your mind to visit the grave where the stone was rolled away. Ponder His glory, His power, His might over death and sin. Think of His resurrection, His ascension, His glorious throne and His incomparable holiness. Imagine if He came today, think of that rapturous moment, consider being with Him forever. Think much of Christ and think of Christ much!
Think of His heaven, His angels, His city, His crown, His name, His majesty. Imagine seeing Him in all of His glory, in His everlasting dominion, with His vesture dipped in blood. Think of what it will be like to sit at His table during the marriage supper of the Lamb. Think of the communion, the fellowship, the divine meal spread before God's people. Think much of Christ and think of Christ much!
Think of that hour when you met Him, you trusted Him, and you called on Him for forgiveness. Remember the cleansing water that took away the stains, the matchless price that eradicated the debt, and the victorious deliverance that released you from the bondage of sin. Go back to that place, that hour, that moment when you met the Savior of your soul. Yes! and thousand times, think of Christ and think of Christ much!
To think on things that are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, of a good report, virtuous, and praise-worthy (Philippians 4:8), can only be accomplished when we consider the One Who bore the cross, took the shame, and now lives as our reigning King.
Therefore, beloved, fill your mind with His light, His life, His love. In this day, think much of Christ and think of Christ much!
Rev. KK
Saturday, July 1, 2017
But Thomas
But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came. John 20:24
It was the evening of the day Christ arose. Jesus’ disciples were all gathered together. Everyone but Thomas. Suddenly, Jesus came into their presence. In an instant, their fears turn to joy, their defeat into victory. The blessing of being in His presence changed everything.
We do not know where Thomas was. We only know he had not gathered with the other disciples. By being absent, Thomas missed the blessing of being with Jesus. Whenever believers meet together we have the promise of His presence. Tomorrow is Sunday. Will you be gathered will your fellow believers?
If not, you may miss the blessing of being in His presence.
Rev DB
It was the evening of the day Christ arose. Jesus’ disciples were all gathered together. Everyone but Thomas. Suddenly, Jesus came into their presence. In an instant, their fears turn to joy, their defeat into victory. The blessing of being in His presence changed everything.
We do not know where Thomas was. We only know he had not gathered with the other disciples. By being absent, Thomas missed the blessing of being with Jesus. Whenever believers meet together we have the promise of His presence. Tomorrow is Sunday. Will you be gathered will your fellow believers?
If not, you may miss the blessing of being in His presence.
Rev DB
Our needed foundation
For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 1 Cor. 3:11
The construction of a home begins with the foundation. A poor foundation spells trouble for anything built on it. The integrity of the home is no better than the strength of its foundation. Similarly, we build our lives on foundational principles - how we see the world and our place in it.
If we see the world as a random place without meaning or purpose, then we will construct our lives differently than if we see the world as a place created for the benefit of man and the glory of God.
To build our life upon Jesus Christ, is to build a life on the foundation that God loves us and cares about us.
Rev DB
The construction of a home begins with the foundation. A poor foundation spells trouble for anything built on it. The integrity of the home is no better than the strength of its foundation. Similarly, we build our lives on foundational principles - how we see the world and our place in it.
If we see the world as a random place without meaning or purpose, then we will construct our lives differently than if we see the world as a place created for the benefit of man and the glory of God.
To build our life upon Jesus Christ, is to build a life on the foundation that God loves us and cares about us.
Rev DB
- How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord,Is laid for your faith in His excellent word!
What more can He say than to you He hath said— To you who for refuge to Jesus have fled?
Waiting on God
Waiting on God is an important spiritual discipline in our walk of faith. King David’s life teaches us about the value of following the Lord’s plan and the danger in moving ahead of Him.
When David was a young shepherd boy, the prophet Samuel anointed him as Israel’s next king. Yet he did not become the ruler for many years. Waiting for the Lord to place him on the throne was made more difficult because the current king, Saul, turned against David and repeatedly tried to take his life. Despite the opportunity to take matters into his own hands and kill his enemy, David held back. He wouldn’t allow anyone else to attack Saul either (1 Sam. 24:1-7). He waited on God and was greatly blessed for his obedience.
King David also knew what it was like to move ahead without the Lord. One year he chose not to join his troops in battle, even though that was one of his duties (2 Sam. 11:1). During the time he stayed home, he noticed Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah, and he coveted her. Acting upon his desires, he conceived a child with her and then tried to cover up his sin. What a mess he made of his life. Instead of following the Lord’s plan and being blessed, he experienced divine chastisement and much heartache.
As believers, we want to obey the Lord, but there may be situations when intense desire propels us forward without waiting for His direction. Like David, we will experience the blessing of obedience or the heartache of disobedience.
Be sure to seek out God’s plan before you act.
Rev. CS
Thursday, June 29, 2017
Strength in Waiting
Strength in Waiting
Isaiah 40:28-31
God has a purpose and plan for your life, and His timing is perfect. Sometimes He answers our prayers with "yes" or "no." But at other times, He says "not now"--when that is the case, we can avail ourselves of the rich rewards that come when we wait.
One very practical blessing is that God strengthens us as we lean on Him during delays. Isaiah 40:31 tells us that "those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength." We are given the metaphor of an eagle with wind beneath his wings. It is interesting to note that the words "wind" and "spirit" come from the same Greek word--pneuma. The spirit of God lifts us up, and His energy and strength sustain us as we abide in Him.
When we are facing a difficult decision, the real key is learning to wait. There is no verse of Scripture that tells us to take control and fight our own battles. God is the one who fights them on our behalf (2 Chron. 20:15). We are to be patient and trust in Him.
When David faced his greatest battles, he waited upon the Lord. God delivered him from destruction and set his feet on solid ground. (Ps. 40:1-3) He will do the same for you. When you abide in Him, He gives supernatural energy to accomplish the things He requires of you--His Spirit does for you what you cannot do for yourself.
In reading through the Scriptures, we see that every time one of God's saints gains a victory, he or she is waiting and trusting in the Lord. You can likewise experience triumph in your life.
When you have the omnipotent Creator of the universe acting on your behalf, you can't lose.
RevCS
Isaiah 40:28-31
God has a purpose and plan for your life, and His timing is perfect. Sometimes He answers our prayers with "yes" or "no." But at other times, He says "not now"--when that is the case, we can avail ourselves of the rich rewards that come when we wait.
One very practical blessing is that God strengthens us as we lean on Him during delays. Isaiah 40:31 tells us that "those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength." We are given the metaphor of an eagle with wind beneath his wings. It is interesting to note that the words "wind" and "spirit" come from the same Greek word--pneuma. The spirit of God lifts us up, and His energy and strength sustain us as we abide in Him.
When we are facing a difficult decision, the real key is learning to wait. There is no verse of Scripture that tells us to take control and fight our own battles. God is the one who fights them on our behalf (2 Chron. 20:15). We are to be patient and trust in Him.
When David faced his greatest battles, he waited upon the Lord. God delivered him from destruction and set his feet on solid ground. (Ps. 40:1-3) He will do the same for you. When you abide in Him, He gives supernatural energy to accomplish the things He requires of you--His Spirit does for you what you cannot do for yourself.
In reading through the Scriptures, we see that every time one of God's saints gains a victory, he or she is waiting and trusting in the Lord. You can likewise experience triumph in your life.
When you have the omnipotent Creator of the universe acting on your behalf, you can't lose.
RevCS
Tuesday, June 27, 2017
Requirements of Waiting
Requirements of Waiting
Psalms 25:3-5
Waiting for God's timing is neither passive nor idle--it takes discipline and commitment. I can think of four basic requirements for successful waiting.
Faith. The Lord's ways and timing are nothing like ours (Isa. 55:8-9). From a human standpoint, He usually does things in a totally different way than we expect. But as we trust Him more, we'll discover that His approach isn't so strange after all. And when we live in harmony with God's will, His timing starts to make sense.
Humility. To wait for the Lord, you must be convinced of your need for Him. Submission to His divine will requires humility--you cannot charge ahead with your own plans and at the same time be fully surrendered to God.
Patience. Are you willing to remain in your current position until you receive clear divine direction? Pausing for clarity from God does not mean that you disengage and allow circumstances to fall apart around you. Waiting upon the Lord is a deliberate decision that requires patience.
Courage. Waiting for God often takes courage, especially when there is pressure to act. If you're not careful, you might stop listening to the Lord and follow other advice. So keep your ear attuned to the voice of Almighty God, and you won t go wrong.
Waiting upon the Lord is one of the wisest, most important decisions we make in life. And contrary to popular assumptions, it is an active endeavor that requires faith, humility, patience, and courage.
When you rely upon God and wait for His timing, the various facets of life fall into place.
Rev. CS
Psalms 25:3-5
Waiting for God's timing is neither passive nor idle--it takes discipline and commitment. I can think of four basic requirements for successful waiting.
Faith. The Lord's ways and timing are nothing like ours (Isa. 55:8-9). From a human standpoint, He usually does things in a totally different way than we expect. But as we trust Him more, we'll discover that His approach isn't so strange after all. And when we live in harmony with God's will, His timing starts to make sense.
Humility. To wait for the Lord, you must be convinced of your need for Him. Submission to His divine will requires humility--you cannot charge ahead with your own plans and at the same time be fully surrendered to God.
Patience. Are you willing to remain in your current position until you receive clear divine direction? Pausing for clarity from God does not mean that you disengage and allow circumstances to fall apart around you. Waiting upon the Lord is a deliberate decision that requires patience.
Courage. Waiting for God often takes courage, especially when there is pressure to act. If you're not careful, you might stop listening to the Lord and follow other advice. So keep your ear attuned to the voice of Almighty God, and you won t go wrong.
Waiting upon the Lord is one of the wisest, most important decisions we make in life. And contrary to popular assumptions, it is an active endeavor that requires faith, humility, patience, and courage.
When you rely upon God and wait for His timing, the various facets of life fall into place.
Rev. CS
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