Jesus is Lord

As I came out of the post office this morning, there were two Jehovah witness women with Watchtower tracts. The older woman asked if I would like a message about God? I said to her "Jesus is Lord". She replied, oh no he is not, Jehovah is LORD. He is the son. I insisted that he was the Lord Jesus Christ, the son of God who sits on the right hand of the Father. The Father and the Son (Lamb) will be the light of the kingdom to come. After a few more words she said you need to read your Bible. I left them, but the other woman looked a little shaken. There are so many distractions in the nation; atheists, activists, liberals and Muslims and a press that is hostile to Christian values., Will we join them? No way, we must speak up for Jesus. What does the Bible say? Is Jesus Lord?

You must confess that Jesus is Lord to be saved.

Rom 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
Rom 10:10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

You cannot work your way to heaven. All people have sins.

Rom 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

You must be born again of the Holy Spirit.

1Co 12:3 Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.

We do not honor God to say that his son is not the Lord.

Php 2:10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
Php 2:11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Joh 8:54 Jesus answered, If I honour myself, my honour is nothing: it is my Father that honoureth me; of whom ye say, that he is your God:
Joh 8:55 Yet ye have not known him; but I know him: and if I should say, I know him not, I shall be a liar like unto you: but I know him, and keep his saying.
Joh 8:56 Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad.
Joh 8:57 Then said the Jews unto him, Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast thou seen Abraham?
Joh 8:58 Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.

Jesus is the Living word that was with God creating the worlds. The Word is God.

Joh 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

If you know the Father, you will know the Son. The cults pretend to serve Jehovah, but do not believe.

Mat 16:15 He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?
Mat 16:16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.
Mat 16:17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.

Jesus is Lord and God

Joh 20:28 And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.
Joh 20:29 Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.

I believe that Jesus is Lord and God.

Your Salvation

Having come to Jesus, with godly sorrow and repentance; He removes our sins and we are born again of his Spirit. Jesus explains this in John chapter three.

Joh 3:15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
Joh 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Joh 3:17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
Joh 3:18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

Now we need to grow closer to him, reading his word , praying, and using the gifts that he has given to us. Let no one put you in bondage again to their version of salvation. Many denominations want to add things to your trust in Jesus, you know what things they are. We are not to be put under bondage to another's ideas about being saved in Jesus. The Bible is your guide and the Holy Spirit will show you all truth.

This is not to mean that we are not to assemble together in a church and in other gatherings. We are part of the body of Christ and need the other gifts to be his complete body in a sin darkened world. We are one body together in unity. Unity is important and we should avoid things that divide the church. Let's not get off track, fearing we are not saved because we do not add certain things to our faith. Paul showed us the way of grace through faith.

Eph 2:1 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;
Eph 2:2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:
Eph 2:3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
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.

Many fear losing their salvation and try to earn it. Salvation is not by our efforts, it is by faith and trust in Jesus Christ. Our faith can be shaken by events and afflictions, do not worry. He has you in his hand through it all, just hold on and be at peace. He loves you.

Heb 13:5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
Heb 13:6 So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.

You are safe in Jesus, fear not and hold onto His hand.

Seasons

2Ti 4:1 I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;
2Ti 4:2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
2Ti 4:3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
2Ti 4:4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
2Ti 4:5 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.

We do not know who will be saved. God knows, but we do not. Some believe that God chooses and so we do not need to witness. That is wrong, for we are called to be witnesses. Others say that all are saved; why witness if all are saved? Some say that there are many ways to God, but Jesus says that he is the way, the truth and the life. (John 14:6) Other preachers do not want to offend so they always teach soft easy to hear messages, but where then is the conviction of sins? How will the hearers know that they need to repent? There are many wrong teachings and beliefs and they will get worse as the end approaches. We are to preach the word of God, in season and out of season. It may not be convenient for us, but it may be another's season to receive the Lord Jesus Christ. Preach the word.

Rom 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

You must have faith to believe. You must hear and hear again the gospel message.

Rom 10:13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
Rom 10:14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?
Rom 10:15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!

It is time to preach the gospel it is time for the world to hear the truth, to repent and to turn to God for salvation in our Lord Jesus Christ. Preach the truth of God's word! Now is the season to preach the word.


2Co 6:2  (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.) 
2Co 6:3  Giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed: 

Do all things in the love of God so that he is glorified.

Sour Grapes

Lam 5:7 Our fathers have sinned, and are not; and we have borne their iniquities.

Eze 18:1 The word of the LORD came unto me again, saying,
Eze 18:2 What mean ye, that ye use this proverb concerning the land of Israel, saying, The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children's teeth are set on edge?

Jer 31:29 In those days they shall say no more, The fathers have eaten a sour grape, and the children's teeth are set on edge.
Jer 31:30 But every one shall die for his own iniquity: every man that eateth the sour grape, his teeth shall be set on edge.

The LORD says that each will be judged for their own behavior and choices. This puts to rest the proverb that says that you cannot escape judgement because of your father's sins.

Eze 18:3 As I live, saith the Lord GOD, ye shall not have occasion any more to use this proverb in Israel.
Eze 18:4  Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die.

sinneth, the continuous tense of the verb; sin brings forth death. Repent and come to Jesus for forgiveness of sins and a new life.

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.

I believe the Bible teaches that we have free will. Free to choose from obedience or disobedience. We have free will to receive Christ in season, that is, when God is drawing you to him, you have a choice. I see this free will as similar to a man who wills to pick fruit. He must be in season, for their is no fruit out of season. If God is not in it, we cannot come to Jesus. If the Father is drawing you to Jesus, then you had better make up your mind to come to him. I think many have missed out because they missed their seasons of opportunity. They feast on sour grapes and bitterness. Only they are responsible and no one else. God holds each one accountable for their  choices.

I got your back

The Bible has a word for watching your back, or being a rear guard, the word is rereward. The word has other meanings, such as "bringing up the rear," but within the context of the verses there are two places where it is used and both places it is God who watches our back. God is not going to watch your back if you are evil and do evil things. He watches the back of his holy ones. In the first use of the word rereward it refers to the first coming of the Messiah.

Isa 52:6 Therefore my people shall know my name: therefore they shall know in that day that I am he that doth speak: behold, it is I.
Isa 52:7 How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!
Isa 52:8 Thy watchmen shall lift up the voice; with the voice together shall they sing: for they shall see eye to eye, when the LORD shall bring again Zion.

Isa 52:9 Break forth into joy, sing together, ye waste places of Jerusalem: for the LORD hath comforted his people, he hath redeemed Jerusalem.
Isa 52:10 The LORD hath made bare his holy arm in the eyes of all the nations; and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God.
Isa 52:11 Depart ye, depart ye, go ye out from thence, touch no unclean thing; go ye out of the midst of her; be ye clean, that bear the vessels of the LORD.
Isa 52:12 For ye shall not go out with haste, nor go by flight: for the LORD will go before you; and the God of Israel will be your rereward.
Isa 52:13 Behold, my servant shall deal prudently, he shall be exalted and extolled, and be very high.
Isa 52:14 As many were astonied at thee; his visage was so marred more than any man, and his form more than the sons of men:
Isa 52:15 So shall he sprinkle many nations; the kings shall shut their mouths at him: for that which had not been told them shall they see; and that which they had not heard shall they consider.

Isa 53:1 Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed?

God covered the back of Jesus and he was led by the Spirit. Nothing could touch him before the time of his suffering and death for our sins. The second place where rereward is used as a rear guard is for those who do his work. This describes what a fast should be before the LORD.

Isa 58:4 Behold, ye fast for strife and debate, and to smite with the fist of wickedness: ye shall not fast as ye do this day, to make your voice to be heard on high.
Isa 58:5 Is it such a fast that I have chosen? a day for a man to afflict his soul? is it to bow down his head as a bulrush, and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him? wilt thou call this a fast, and an acceptable day to the LORD?
Isa 58:6 Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?
Isa 58:7 Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh?
Isa 58:8 Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the LORD shall be thy rereward.
Isa 58:9 Then shalt thou call, and the LORD shall answer; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I am. If thou take away from the midst of thee the yoke, the putting forth of the finger, and speaking vanity;
Isa 58:10 And if thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul; then shall thy light rise in obscurity, and thy darkness be as the noonday:
Isa 58:11 And the LORD shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not.
Isa 58:12 And they that shall be of thee shall build the old waste places: thou shalt raise up the foundations of many generations; and thou shalt be called, The repairer of the breach, The restorer of paths to dwell in.
Isa 58:13 If thou turn away thy foot from the sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call the sabbath a delight, the holy of the LORD, honourable; and shalt honour him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words:
Isa 58:14 Then shalt thou delight thyself in the LORD; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.

Again, God covers the backs of his Holy Remnant, those who are in Christ Jesus and do his will. Those who are led to do his work in an evil world. We too are led by his Spirit and our backs are guarded until our work is over. Be bold and proclaim the good news and meet needs as you are led to see them. Be not afraid, for you are under the escort of the Almighty God. Front and back, He has got you covered.

That's The Truth

Recently a man who owns a business was asked what he thought of gay marriage. He spoke the truth of the Bible, that marriage is between one man and one woman. This brought condemnation against him because it was against the current spirit of the world. God's people came to support this business and they are blessing it. He did no wrong, he only spoke the Bible truth. Those who walk in the light were with him. I believe that there are dark days ahead, even persecution of God's people. We must walk in the truth and trust our Lord. We are to be his light in this world.

When bringing his family into Egypt, Joseph cautioned his father and brothers before they were to meet the worldly king of Egypt. They were told what was "politically correct".

Mat 10:16  Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. 

  

Gen 46:33 And it shall come to pass, when Pharaoh shall call you, and shall say, What is your occupation?
Gen 46:34 That ye shall say, Thy servants' trade hath been about cattle from our youth even until now, both we, and also our fathers: that ye may dwell in the land of Goshen; for every shepherd is an abomination unto the Egyptians.

Every shepherd is an abomination to an Egyptian; be careful to not claim that title. Remember also that the Egyptians are racists; they consider themselves as gods and the foreigners as abominations. So Israel in the natural had two strikes against them. 

Gen 47:3 And Pharaoh said unto his brethren, What is your occupation? And they said unto Pharaoh, Thy servants are shepherds, both we, and also our fathers.

Wait! Did not Joseph warn his family to not mention that they were shepherds? Now what would happen to them for telling the truth? We must be truthful and with wisdom as to when to speak. Do people need to ask us if we are Christians? Or do they know by our manner of life? Some cult people have good works too. We should speak truth, standing up for Jesus and the Word of God. We should always speak the truth, trying not to offend others. The cross is an offense to many, but to the saved it is the way of eternal life. We are to speak the truth. I believe that God will honor us if we continue in truth. Pharaoh blessed Isreal with the very best land in the land of Goshen.  God will bless us too, and there will be some persecution.

2Ti 3:12  Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. 

My old flesh man can be stubborn. LORD turn this stubborn nature into unyielding faith and obedience. May you be glorified in my life and in the Lives of those who are called by your name. Amen