Mercy Seat

Jesus has many titles. Perhaps the two most distant titles from each other are brought together at the mercy seat.

John 1:29  The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. 


John 1:34  And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God. 

Jesus The Lamb of God and Jesus, Son of God are two distant names that came together as our atonement for sins. God came down in a human, to be the sacrifice, the Lamb of God for our sins; His blood applied to the mercy seat. This blood was received by God the Father as the atonement for our sins. Jesus has been called the Mercy Seat, the propitiation. He is the atonement, the sacrifice, and the sin forgiver as God the Son. Mercy grew to bring to us grace. We who receive Jesus by faith are adopted sons of God. Only a perfect sacrifice and our perfect loving and just God could do this for us.

Rom 3:23  For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; 
Rom 3:24  Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: 
Rom 3:25  Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; 

Rom 3:26  To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. 

Eaglewings Ministries

Turning again to the way

John 14:6  Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. 

I took a wrong turn in the car three different times today. I had to backtrack and get on the right way again. The last time made me a few minutes late for our rest home service. What a wonderful group of people were there waiting for us. They truly enjoy our time together as do we. The Lord is there; as one friend said, this is as the gates of hell or of heaven, a last chance to make a decision. We have the opportunity to point them towards Jesus and everlasting life. They hear us each week giving them the way.  We all were lost at one time, heading the wrong way. It just took correction, turning or repentance and accepting Jesus as the way to the Father. By loving them, by worshiping together we point the way. Maybe some have never heard the gospel message? They are given an opportunity before stepping into eternity. Lord save our rest home friends.

Act 2:36  Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ. 

Act 2:37  Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? 

Act 2:38  Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. 

Act 2:39  For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. 

Red and white

Isa 1:18  Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.
Isa 1:19  If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land:
Isa 1:20  But if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.

Sit down and listen, stop running around and take heed to God's word. If you repent and believe in His promises, (Receive Jesus as savior); though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. This is a beautiful promise of what Jesus has done for us. But if we refuse God in our lives and rebel against him he will back off when we are in need. Let us be determined to stay close to God for we must have His presence. In His presence there is peace.

? In His Presence - YouTube

Bringing gifts

A Christmas lawn light display honors the birth of Jesus. Included in the manger scene are the wise men who brought gifts. In the Bible it says that they came to the house, so they came later to see Jesus. We often hear of things in the Bible with traditions instead of truth. The important thing here is that Jesus came as a babe and he was honored by the wise men bringing him gifts. This is the season for gift giving. I am amazed by some who give so generously, I suppose it is a gift, to be able to give. 

Last night our church blessed us with a wonderful dinner. After the dinner we were given gifts, I did nothing to deserve being gifted by the pastor or by a friend, but I suppose that is what giving is about. Jesus was the greatest gift ever given. We were unworthy but he gave himself to us to pay the price for our freedom. He made us to be children of God so that we may continue to live forever with him. How could we refuse such a gift? The greatest evil is to refuse this free gift and to forbid others from hearing the gospel so that they too may receive the gift.

We may think we have little to give, but we can share the greatest gift to others, the good news that Jesus has come and that through him our sins are forgiven. Go tell others of this wonderful gift, it is the greatest gift that anyone can receive; salvation by grace,through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. 

Eph 2:4  But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 
Eph 2:5  Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) 
Eph 2:6  And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: 
Eph 2:7  That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. 
Eph 2:8  For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 
Eph 2:9  Not of works, lest any man should boast. 
Eph 2:10  For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. 

Images and Imagination

The Mallard duck was preening itself. What a lovely design of feathers and beak on this creation of the LORD.

Gen 1:21  And God created great whales, and every living creature that moveth, which the waters brought forth abundantly, after their kind, and every winged fowl after his kind: and God saw that it was good. 

Ducks love water and they are fun to watch as they splash and bathe in the water. Bathing in water is how we become clean.

Isa 1:16  Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil;
Isa 1:17  Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow.
Isa 1:18  Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. 

Are you watching me? The lovely "Common" Egret, is common in that they are numerous, but their design is wonderfully made; pure white. They stand out wherever they are, but from a fishes eye view they blend in with the bright sun, making them almost invisible.

Mar 12:36  For David himself said by the Holy Ghost, The LORD said to my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool.
Mar 12:37  David therefore himself calleth him Lord; and whence is he then his son? And the common people heard him gladly.
Mar 12:38  And he said unto them in his doctrine, Beware of the scribes, which love to go in long clothing, and love salutations in the marketplaces,
Mar 12:39  And the chief seats in the synagogues, and the uppermost rooms at feasts:
Mar 12:40  Which devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayers: these shall receive greater damnation. 

I see images in nature in old trees. This looks like an old owl sitting on an arm with open hand. An owl sitting on Cecil? God gave us imaginations, but we are to separate truth from untruth.

Rom 1:21  Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
Rom 1:22  Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,
Rom 1:23  And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. 

I have photographed this old oak tree from many angles.
 This view looks to me like an elephant. I suppose the first idols were objects found that resembled birds or animals. We are not to worship these above God who created them. Can you imagine all of the creation just happening by chance? They call that evolution. The truth is that God created all there is and he loves us, wanting us to come to him through Jesus his Son.

1Pe 4:17  For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?
1Pe 4:18  And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?
1Pe 4:19  Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator. 

Humble Confession

Neh 9:1  Now in the twenty and fourth day of this month the children of Israel were assembled with fasting, and with sackclothes, and earth upon them.
Neh 9:2  And the seed of Israel separated themselves from all strangers, and stood and confessed their sins, and the iniquities of their fathers.
Neh 9:3  And they stood up in their place, and read in the book of the law of the LORD their God one fourth part of the day; and another fourth part they confessed, and worshipped the LORD their God.

Neh 9:32  Now therefore, our God, the great, the mighty, and the terrible God, who keepest covenant and mercy, let not all the trouble seem little before thee, that hath come upon us, on our kings, on our princes, and on our priests, and on our prophets, and on our fathers, and on all thy people, since the time of the kings of Assyria unto this day.
Neh 9:33  Howbeit thou art just in all that is brought upon us; for thou hast done right, but we have done wickedly:

If there is one sin that is the greatest sin, it would be the sin of idolatry. To worship and serve a false god. A people who have turned from God's laws will allow every evil. This is the spirit of anti Christ that is now in the world. Allah is not the God of Israel and political correctness will destroy our nation. America needs to repent to the God of Israel and humble ourselves before him for the sins of our nation. We need to return to the reading of the Bible and stop all the lying and deceit. If we do not repent, the long suffering God of Israel will destroy our nation. We who are Christians must pray for our nation that God's righteousness will be honoured. We repent for our sins and lift up the name of Jesus. We belong to the God of Israel. Praise be to Him.

Healing power

Mar 2:5 When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee. 

Mar 2:6 But there were certain of the scribes sitting there, and reasoning in their hearts, 

Mar 2:7 Why doth this man thus speak blasphemies? who can forgive sins but God only?
Mar 2:8 And immediately when Jesus perceived in his spirit that they so reasoned within themselves, he said unto them, Why reason ye these things in your hearts?
Mar 2:9 Whether is it easier to say to the sick of the palsy, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and take up thy bed, and walk?
Mar 2:10 But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (he saith to the sick of the palsy,)
Mar 2:11 I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy bed, and go thy way into thine house.
Mar 2:12 And immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went forth before them all; insomuch that they were all amazed, and glorified God, saying, We never saw it on this fashion.

In the presence of Jesus, there is power and there is healing. Most churches believe that Jesus saves. That is the mission of the church, to teach the world that Jesus saves us from our sins. When it comes to whether Jesus heals now, then their is not as much unity in the churches. Jesus saves and he heals. Are all saved? Are all healed? No, the churches have many who say they are Christian, but have never really been converted. Not all have a new heart, a new presence of the Holy Spirit. When Jesus said "Ye must be born again", he was referring to the experience of accepting him with the evidence of the Holy Spirit; A new life in His Spirit.

In the scripture story, the sick man had friends that carried him and opened up the clay roof in the crowded building where Jesus was teaching a big group of people, including certain scribes, and they let him down in the presence of Jesus. When he saw their faith he forgave the sick man's sins. When we are sick have others pray for you, it was the combined faith that moved Jesus to heal the man in this story. The scribes were angry at this, because only God can forgive sins. Jesus is God the Son. Jesus asked them which was the easiest to say, your sins are forgiven or get up and walk? Both of these require evidence. All, yes all who saw the man healed were amazed and glorified God.

In our church several came to the altar seeking healing. They were prayed for, but another came for salvation. All these are given in the presence of Jesus. Have faith, and let others pray for you and with you. Jesus has power to heal and to make whole. Jesus healed all who came to him, but it doesn't say that he forgave the sins of all who came to him. Which is the greater need? Many seek healing of their bodies, but neglect to ask Jesus for salvation. Jesus saw the greater need of forgiveness of sins and then he healed the body.

Mar 16:20 And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.