Powerless

In the early days of AOL chats there were many chats on many topics. Some rooms were about accusations and debates. One type of room was called Christians vs Atheists. I don't think there were any winners in that room. It was a place to argue and I do not enjoy arguing. One night when I was in one of our ministry rooms, a teenager that I knew from our church came in the room in a panic followed by several who were chasing him. He had entered a demonic chat room of some sort and wanted to debate them and confront them. He was way over his head. We do not debate with demonic people, we speak the word of God with his power. You must have the Holy Spirit and be led to speak his word. It is not wise to chase after demons, they will find you if you witness the gospel truth. Here in Acts 19 is an example of people pretending to have the power of God who were taught a lesson.

Act 19:11  And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul: 
Act 19:12  So that from his body were brought unto the sick handkerchiefs or aprons, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits went out of them. 
Act 19:13  Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, took upon them to call over them which had evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth. 
Act 19:14  And there were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jew, and chief of the priests, which did so. 
Act 19:15  And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye? 
Act 19:16  And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and overcame them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded. 
Act 19:17  And this was known to all the Jews and Greeks also dwelling at Ephesus; and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified. 
Act 19:18  And many that believed came, and confessed, and shewed their deeds. 
Act 19:19  Many of them also which used curious arts brought their books together, and burned them before all men: and they counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver. 
Act 19:20  So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed. 

The seven son's of Sceva were vagabond Jews. They were wandering around  claiming to be exorcists, who bind spirits by some kind of spell. They saw what Paul was doing and wanted to be like him, casting out demons. They tried to cast out demons by the name of the Jesus that Paul preached. They spoke of the Jesus that Paul preached; a second hand knowledge of Jesus. They were overcome, beaten and they ran away naked and shamed.  Do we use someone else's Jesus, or our our own personal relationship with him?  I have heard  second hand preachers, but to witness, to heal and to cast out demons we need to know Jesus and the power of his indwelling Holy Spirit. 

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Unknown Revealed

In Arlington Cemetery there is a tomb of the unknown soldier. He represents all the men and women who were missing in service to their country. With today's technology the soldier in the tomb may be known by examining the DNA. This would be welcomed by his descendants, but still the tomb is needed to as a memorial to those lost in service.

Paul and Silas were in Lystra where they first met Timothy whose mother was a Jew and his father a Greek. Timothy was invited to journey with them, but first he was to be circumcised as a Jew, which was still the custom for the Jews, but not necessary for the Gentiles.  Paul was called to Athens and left ahead of his partners. Athens Greece was the place that philosophers gathered to discuss ideas and new thoughts. While there Paul noticed that there were memorials to many gods, including one to the unknown God. Paul used this unknown god's memorial to tell them about the Almighty God.

Act 17:22  Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars' hill, and said, Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious. 
Act 17:23  For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you. 
Act 17:24  God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands; 
Act 17:25  Neither is worshipped with men's hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things; 
Act 17:26  And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation; 
Act 17:27  That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us: 
Act 17:28  For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring. 
Act 17:29  Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man's device. 
Act 17:30  And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: 
Act 17:31  Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead. 
Act 17:32  And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked: and others said, We will hear thee again of this matter. 
Act 17:33  So Paul departed from among them. 
Act 17:34  Howbeit certain men clave unto him, and believed: among the which was Dionysius the Areopagite, and a woman named Damaris, and others with them. 

Some were interested in Paul's God, others wanted to hear more later and there were always those who mocked him in unbelief. Some receive the good report while others mock and seek to destroy the message and the messenger. Willfully opposing the truth will not remove the truth, it will just leave the unknown unknown to them. They will know the truth, but it will be too late at the judgement seat of God. Let us make the unknown God known to those who are seeking him. Jesus is the way to eternal life with the God who knows you and loves you.

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Praise and Persecution

If you are seeking to please people, just know that they can easily be turned against you, especially if you are witnessing about the new life in Jesus. There is one Christian chat room now on AOL and still there are those who come in it to turn others against the word of God. This is not anything new. The crowd yelled hosanna to the Lord as he rode into Jerusalem and not many days after this they were yelling "crucify him". (Mark 11:9 and Mark 15:13)

Paul and Barnabas were witnessing in Lystra, which is located in Turkey. As he was speaking a man who was crippled from birth was seated near him. Paul, by the Holy Spirit perceived that the man had faith to be healed, He commanded him to stand up. And the man leaped up and walked. The people who saw this were amazed and they had supposed that Barnabas was the god, Jupiter and they thought that Paul was the god, Mercury.  The people brought garlands to celebrate and oxen as sacrifices. Paul said no to them, for they were men as they were. (Acts 4:8-18) 

Now come the mockers and accusers from previous cities where they had witnessed.

Act 14:19  And there came thither certain Jews from Antioch and Iconium, who persuaded the people, and, having stoned Paul, drew him out of the city, supposing he had been dead. 
Act 14:20  Howbeit, as the disciples stood round about him, he rose up, and came into the city: and the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe. 

They went from being called gods to being stoned and left for dead. Hopefully we will not be stoned for our witness, but we will have persecution.

Act 14:21  And when they had preached the gospel to that city, and had taught many, they returned again to Lystra, and to Iconium, and Antioch, 
Act 14:22  Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God. 

We are not in a perfect and peaceful world yet. Satan is at war against God and his people. Jesus won the war; it is a spiritual war. Resist by the power of God's word and the devil will flee you. If mockers continue against you, then remove yourselves from them. Paul continued to witness in other places and so can we. We offer God's promise of eternal life in heaven, if they refuse then satan will drag them to the hell that was created for him. We witness because we care about their eternal souls

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The Good News

Billy Graham told a story of how he preached and few responded. He wanted to know what he had done wrong and concluded that he had not preached the cross. This is the gospel power of God that Jesus went to the cross to remove our sins and that he has risen from the grave to show that in him, the Son of God there is everlasting life. 

"1Cor 9:16  For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!"

The cross must be preached. Paul spoke this good news to the people of Antioch. 

Act 13:32  And we bring you the good news that what God promised to the fathers, 
Act 13:33  this he has fulfilled to us their children by raising Jesus, as also it is written in the second Psalm, “‘You are my Son, today I have begotten you.’ 
Act 13:34  And as for the fact that he raised him from the dead, no more to return to corruption, he has spoken in this way, “‘I will give you the holy and sure blessings of David.’ 
Act 13:35  Therefore he says also in another psalm, “‘You will not let your Holy One see corruption.’ 
Act 13:36  For David, after he had served the purpose of God in his own generation, fell asleep and was laid with his fathers and saw corruption, 
Act 13:37  but he whom God raised up did not see corruption. 
Act 13:38  Let it be known to you therefore, brothers, that through this man forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, 
Act 13:39  and by him everyone who believes is freed from everything from which you could not be freed by the law of Moses. 

Jesus overcame sin and death and the power of the devil. Our corruptible body shall be raised in incorruption.

1Co 15:42  So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption: 
1Co 15:43  It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power: 
1Co 15:44  It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body. 

The good news is there is more than this short life. We shall be immortal with new spiritual bodies with God forever. The way is by believing in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Rom 1:16  For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. 

Rom 1:17  For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. 

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Blinded for a time

Act 13:6  When they had gone through the whole island as far as Paphos, they came upon a certain magician, a Jewish false prophet named Bar-Jesus. 
Act 13:7  He was with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, a man of intelligence, who summoned Barnabas and Saul and sought to hear the word of God. 
Act 13:8  But Elymas the magician (for that is the meaning of his name) opposed them, seeking to turn the proconsul away from the faith. 
Act 13:9  But Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked intently at him 
Act 13:10  and said, “You son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, full of all deceit and villainy, will you not stop making crooked the straight paths of the Lord? 
Act 13:11  And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you will be blind and unable to see the sun for a time.” Immediately mist and darkness fell upon him, and he went about seeking people to lead him by the hand. 
Act 13:12  Then the proconsul believed, when he saw what had occurred, for he was astonished at the teaching of the Lord. 

Barnabas and Paul were hampered by a magician and false prophet who opposed him, and who tried to block the proconsul  from hearing the truth. Paul rebuked the false prophet and by the power of God blinded him for a time.  Saul had been blinded by the Lord for a time so that when he was able to see the light again that he saw the truth that Jesus is Lord. Saul was converted and he became the apostle Paul. By blinding the false prophet the proconsul believed

We were all blinded by false belief for a time, but when we came to Jesus we were able to see him as who he is. The hymn "Amazing Grace", speaks of this. 

Amazing Grace, How sweet the sound 

That saved a wretch like me 

I once was lost, but now am found 

T'was blind but now I see...

Isa 60:1  Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD has risen upon you. 
Isa 60:2  For behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the LORD will arise upon you, and his glory will be seen upon you. 
Isa 60:3  And nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising. 

Isa 60:4  Lift up your eyes all around, and see; they all gather together, they come to you; your sons shall come from afar, and your daughters shall be carried on the hip. 

The world around us is full of false teachings, false news, false idols and gods. Let us pray that the light of God's grace be shown forth to open the eyes of the lost souls who are blind to the good news that God has sent his son to bring us to himself. Thank you God for all your blessings.

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Be Ready For Anything

Col 4:2  Never stop praying. Be ready for anything by praying and being thankful. 

Keep praying, keep in contact with the LORD. Be ready for anything and be thankful for everything.  We are alive for His purpose and what comes our way is an opportunity, a divine appointment. I  had a phone call from an old friend who is my age. He was lamenting that so many of his friends have passed away and one dear friend of his has heart trouble. He was just needing to know that I was still alive and well.  He did most of the talking and it was good to be in contact.  It is good advice to stay in contact with special friends and to tell them that they are special to us.

Col 4:3  Also pray for us. Pray that God will give us an opportunity to tell people his message. I am in prison for doing this. But pray that we can continue to tell people the secret truth that God has made known about Christ. 
Col 4:4  Pray that I will say what is necessary to make this truth clear to everyone. 

We can learn from the example of the apostle Paul. Even under house arrest he wrote letters, epistles that are inspired and part of our Bible. He witnessed to the Roman guards and they shared the message of Jesus even in Nero's palace, with people receiving new life. His word was for everyone. All this was through prayer and  the grace of God. For those confined because of an infirmity, keep praying, for prayer is needed.

Col 4:5  Be wise in the way you act with those who are not believers. Use your time in the best way you can. 
Col 4:6  When you talk, you should always be kind and wise. Then you will be able to answer everyone in the way you should. 

Be kind and wise to everyone. Being kind also means that we are not easily offended. Seek the good of others from the wisdom of God. There are times when I am not sure of the future, but we know that Jesus is in the future and guiding us each day. It is wise to keep in prayer, keep in contact with the LORD and be kind to all people. Do not close doors that God has left open for you. Expect an opportunity, be blessed and a blessing.

Yesterday I was wondering how long I could keep playing my trombone. Last night I drove twenty miles to a band rehearsal for a coming Christmas program. I was the only trombone player that showed up. I had a grand time blending my part to the whole of the orchestra. I even received compliments. The Lord has given me grace and the door remains open for this. Thank you Lord. We each have a part to play in the orchestra of the family of God. Keep doing what he has you to do.

I used the easy read Bible, (ERV) version for todays journal entry. 

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Not Ashamed

Act 5:34  Then stood there up one in the council, a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, had in reputation among all the people, and commanded to put the apostles forth a little space;

Act 5:38  And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought: 
Act 5:39  But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God. 
Act 5:40  And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. 
Act 5:41  And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name. 
Act 5:42  And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ. 

I like this story. The apostles had been commanded to not witness of the power of Jesus to give eternal life to those who receive him. They continued to share the good news, and they were beaten, cast into prison and an angel of God released them. Yes, angels are real. They are spiritual beings usually not seen, but when they appear to us they look like men.  They are sent to help God's people. The apostles continued to speak that Jesus forgives sin and gives his life to us, a new Spirit filled life. they were not ashamed to teach that Jesus is the Savior and when they suffered because of this, they rejoiced to have suffered for the name of Jesus. They continued to witness for Jesus.

It is a time of decision. No longer can people sit on the fence. If you love Jesus , share his good news to the lost. Are you empty? Let him fill you. Lord, fill me with your spirit so that I may serve you boldly, I ask this in Jesus' name. On the other side of the fence the devil is seeking to kill and to destroy. Come and be as the apostles, sharing the good news. Receive Jesus, be filled with His Spirit and come be his witness. I pray for you to choose this way of life in the name of Jesus, amen.

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More than a Prophet

Act 3:22  For Moses truly said unto the fathers, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you.

Jesus fulfilled this prophecy. He was a prophet and also the Messiah and the only begotten Son of God. Peter had spoken earlier to the crowd that Jesus is both Lord and Christ.

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.

Mat 16:13  When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? 
Mat 16:14  And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets. 
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. 

 Only by believing in Jesus will your sins be forgiven. When I first began attending a church where I would be baptized, the associate pastor was fresh out of a liberal theological seminary. I was with him outside of the church observing a nativity scene of Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus. He shook his head and turned to me saying, Joseph was the real father of Jesus. After many years I can look back at this and say, no, you were very wrong. Jesus was conceived through the virgin Mary by the Holy Spirit and God is His Father.  So many do not understand who Jesus really is, We must sometimes unlearn some things in order to grow our faith in the truth of God. Lord God, give those who read this a desire for more of you. Let us see what you have for us, in Jesus name.

Touch me not

I remember in my mother's garden a flower that was called Touch me not or Impatiens. The flower got it's name from it's seed pods that when dried would explode to the touch, sending the seeds out as projectiles.

John 20:15  Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away. 
John 20:16  Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master. 
John 20:17  Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God. 
John 20:18  Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that he had spoken these things unto her.

I doubt if anyone completely understands this section of scripture. The resurrected Jesus appeared to Mary Magdalene, the Mary from which  he had cast out seven demons. At first she did not recognize him, but he called her by name; Mary. One commentator said that she knew the voice of the Shepherd and that when we are in heaven we will see again our loved ones and hear their voices. She called him master and apparently she fell to his feet and clung to him. He said, touch me not for I am not yet ascended to my Father (he will not yet leave.) Mary was to deliver the good seed of his word to the disciples. Jesus still calls his disciples brethren, identifying with them. He also shares that they have the same heavenly Father and God. "I ascend unto my Father and your Father; and unto my God and your God." Mary, the first evangelist of his resurrection came to the disciples and shared the good news.

Jesus was touchable in a real body, not as a spirit. Later he came and asked his disciples to see and to touch his wounds as proof of his resurrection.  We are blessed to believe the good news that Jesus has overcome death with eternal life. We need not touch his physical body to believe him. He said to us, blessed are those who not seeing believe in him. 

John 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. 

We see him now by faith and touch him by prayers and worship.

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Thy word is truth

The world hides from God, and God's word the Bible is truth. If the world acknowledged God and His word a lot of hatred and confusion would go away. They would understand that God created everything with Jesus, his son who is the Living Word.  They would obey his word by receiving Jesus as their savior from sins punishment. They would receive eternal life and they would love God with all their heart and their neighbors as themselves. That is the good news that most hide from.

John 17:14  I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. 
John 17:15  I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. 
John 17:16  They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. 
John 17:17  Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. 

My words are awkward, so listen closely. So, we can expect the world's people to hate us if they see that we are Christians?  Is that why so many hide their faith?  Do we fear people more than God? Lots of questions for you and for me. The truth is, that the world needs Jesus. Lord you have sanctified us, made us your people for your service. Holy God draw the lost souls to you and receive them. May we be used for this purpose, in Jesus name, amen.

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Free From Fear

I was asked by an acquaintance who does counseling and was preparing to share at our prayer breakfast,  "do you have fear?" I replied no, because Jesus has given us his peace. We have peace and the assurance of everlasting life.

John 14:1  Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. 
John 14:2  In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 
John 14:3  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. 

The Greek translation for mansions can be rendered "a place to stay."  The importance is not how fancy our dwelling place is but who our neighbors are. We will be with Jesus! Also, we will see our loved ones again.

John 14:23  Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. 

God dwells with us, we are to love him and love one another.  When we leave this body, he will remain with us and we shall see Jesus face to face. We see Jesus now through His Holy Spirit, the Comforter that he sent to us who believe in him. 

John 14:25  These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you. 
John 14:26  But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. 

John 14:27  Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. 

John 14:28  Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I. 

That peace of God keeps us going. Sure, I have doubts about my human frailties and the condition of the world around me, but if we abide in Jesus he loves us and his peace keeps us free from fear. 

1Jn 4:18  There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. 

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Tears of Forgiveness

Luk 7:36  And one of the Pharisees desired him that he would eat with him. And he went into the Pharisee's house, and sat down to meat. 
Luk 7:37  And, behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster box of ointment, 
Luk 7:38  And stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment. 

Luk 7:44  And he turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head. 
Luk 7:45  Thou gavest me no kiss: but this woman since the time I came in hath not ceased to kiss my feet. 
Luk 7:46  My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment. 
Luk 7:47  Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little. 
Luk 7:48  And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven. 

A woman who comes to our prayer breakfast often cries. When a hymn touches her heart, she cries. When we share about Jesus she cries. She cries because her sins are forgiven. When there is good news, she cries. I spoke to her that her tears were like this lady who washed the feet of Jesus with tears; she liked that. I am thinking that Jesus loved women who openly loved and cared for him. He chose women first to deliver the good news that he was the Messiah and again, when he was risen from the grave, it was a woman who he asked to share the good news with his disciples. No, he had no girlfriend or wife, but I think that God made women with outward showing of emotions because men so often can not show them. Men and women are made to complement one another, and they achieve their best as disciples of Jesus.

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Before Abraham, I Am

There is the expression "seeing is believing."  But that is not necessarily so. To see the things of God we need his spiritual eyes. To hear his word we need his spirit. Living by faith in the word of God is better than living with our natural understanding. Blessed are you if you can see and hear the truth and respond to it by faith.

John 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: 
John 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. 
John 8:56  Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad. 
John 8:57  Then said the Jews unto him, Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast thou seen Abraham? 
John 8:58  Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am. 

The Son of God existed before Abraham. He spoke to Moses in the burning bush as the "I AM."

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

John 1:14  And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. 

By faith Abraham saw the Messiah, Jesus. 

(Abraham) saw it and was glad; he saw it with an eye of faith, he saw it in the promise, that in his seed all the nations of the earth should be blessed; and when it was promised him he should have a son, which was the beginning of the fulfilment of the other, he laughed, and therefore his son was called Isaac, to which some reference is here made; he saw him in the birth of his son Isaac and rejoiced, and therefore called his name Isaac, that is, "laughter": he saw also Christ and his day, his sufferings, death, and resurrection from the dead, in a figure; in the binding of Isaac, in the sacrifice of the ram, and in the receiving of Isaac, as from the dead; and he not only saw the Messiah in his type Melchizedek, and who some think was the Son of God himself, but he saw the second person, the promised Messiah, in an human form, Gen_18:2; and all this was matter of joy and gladness to him. (John Gill)

We must see Jesus by faith. Many who saw him as a man, could not see him as he was "the Son of God." Many now see him by faith.

John 8:42  Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me. 
John 8:43  Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word. 

Do you see who Jesus is? 

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Doing the Work of God

John 6:27  Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed. 
John 6:28  Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? 
John 6:29  Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.

John 6:39  And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. 
John 6:40  And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day. 

John 6:47  Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.

The work of God is that we believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God. 

John 1:12  But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: 
John 1:13  Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. 

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Everlasting Life

John 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. 
John 3:17  For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 

Whosoever believes in Jesus; whosoever, any, all, the whole of who will believe in Jesus, shall have everlasting life with him. These will not perish. The word translated perish means to lose, destroy,  die, mar, perish, lost. The Scofield Bible says that "In no instance does it signify cessation of conscious suffering which continues eternally and is the inevitable result of sin."

John 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. 

He or she that believes in Jesus is not condemned. Do you hear? Do you understand? Do you want eternal life with God's family? Turn to Jesus and ask him to save you. He wants good for you. You were made to fellowship with God and his eternal family. Come to Jesus now and be saved. Thank you Jesus for saving my soul.

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Nathanael

In a time of fake news and deception, it is hard not to be cynical. Being able to see what is really good news and the truth, is a gift from God. Nathanael was a man who was able to see and to believe the real good news.

Joh 1:45  Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph. 
Joh 1:46  And Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see. 
Joh 1:47  Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile! 
Joh 1:48  Nathanael saith unto him, Whence knowest thou me? Jesus answered and said unto him, Before that Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig tree, I saw thee. 
Joh 1:49  Nathanael answered and saith unto him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel. 
Joh 1:50  Jesus answered and said unto him, Because I said unto thee, I saw thee under the fig tree, believest thou? thou shalt see greater things than these. 
Joh 1:51  And he saith unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Hereafter ye shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man. 

What an honor for Nathanael to have the Lord to say, "Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!" Just what is guile? The word for guile comes from the word decoy. Other translations for guile are subtilty (2x), deceit (2x), craft (1x). These meanings are associated with the devil, he is deceitful, subtle and crafty. Most of the Scribes and Pharisees had guille, appearing to be something they were not, they were hypocrites. Hunters put duck decoys in the lake to lure down ducks to be killed by their rifle bullets. How many times in our lives have we been lured by false words, by decoys? 

Although perhaps from past experience Nathanael did not think that Nazarenes were trustworthy, he did trust Jesus the Nazarene. Nathanael immediately believed that Jesus was and is the Son of God and the King of Israel and he was chosen as one of the twelve disciples. 

Psa 32:2  Blessed is the man unto whom the LORD imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile. 

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Lost and Found again

About a month ago I saw that my Fire tablet was missing. I had assumed that it was stolen from my car when I was at a restaurant. Recently I found the tablet in a bird feeder in a tree in my front yard. I remember that a limb had broken off of the pecan tree and I had dragged it closer to the garage where I could cut it with my electric chain saw. Apparently I had set the tablet in the tree at that time. I opened it up and it worked, only 50% discharged. Praise the Lord.

Yesterday I was shopping at a supermarket and when I arrived at the car to put away the groceries, I could not find my keys. Returning to the market, I walked through the path that I had previously taken, but I found no keys. I went to customer service where lost and found items were stored and the woman at the counter checked in her drawer and there were my keys, praise the Lord. I found that there was a hole in my pocket. From this I learned how to sew my pocket hole closed.  Two blessings and even more so when I see that by not having my tablet that I got back into reading my old Bible and was getting more from my reading. I learned to sew a little, but not enough to make it a habit.

I like that Jesus knows our future and that he does not discard us when we fail him. Like Peter when he denied the Lord three times, even before he failed the Lord showed him that afterwards he had a purpose for Peter to fulfill. He was not going to discard Peter, even though Peter was greatly troubled.

Luk 22:31  “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, 
Luk 22:32  but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.” 
Luk 22:33  Peter said to him, “Lord, I am ready to go with you both to prison and to death.” 
Luk 22:34  Jesus said, “I tell you, Peter, the rooster will not crow this day, until you deny three times that you know me.” 

Verse 32 is where Jesus looked beyond Peter's failing and had given him a purpose to fulfill. "When you have turned again", the KJV says when you are converted, strengthen your brothers. He was to encourage his brothers. When we fail and return again, we are to encourage others to not fail, to not give up.  Peter became a bold witness after receiving the Holy Spirit at Pentecost.

Act 2:38  And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 
Act 2:39  For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.” 
Act 2:40  And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation.” 
Act 2:41  So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls. 

Peter thought that he had been lost to Jesus, but Jesus saw ahead that Peter would be an encourager and a great witness for the Lord. We never lose out in Jesus, in all things we are blessed for there is more for us ahead.

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Battle Scars

The late Lucky Hope recounted to me a story of having been a missionary aircraft mechanic in Africa after WW2. His face had been severely burned and scarred from a gasoline fire. By faith he had told the natives that in two weeks that he would be healed. His face was badly scarred and covered with scabs until the final day when he awoke to find scabs on his bed sheet. Looking in the mirror his face was as smooth as a babies skin. God chose to remove his scabs as a testimony. When Jesus was seen after the resurrection, some did not recognize him. On the cross he had been unrecognizable being torn apart by whips and beaten with fists. The Bible does not say that he was risen bloodied and battered as a resurrected Savior.

Jesus walked with two men on the road to Emmaus. They did not recognize that it was Jesus. It was the third day and getting late as they explained the events surrounding the crucifixion of Jesus to this stranger walking with them.  Jesus expounded to them the scriptural references concerning the Messiah.To expound means to stay close to the scriptures and to thoroughly explain them. 

Luk 24:27  And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself. 
Luk 24:28  And they drew nigh unto the village, whither they went: and he made as though he would have gone further. 
Luk 24:29  But they constrained him, saying, Abide with us: for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent. And he went in to tarry with them. 
Luk 24:30  And it came to pass, as he sat at meat with them, he took bread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them. 
Luk 24:31  And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight. 

What was it that opened the eyes of the two men that the man was Jesus? When he broke bread, they probably saw the nail scars in his hands that were retained as an identifying testimony. Jesus had risen with flesh and blood to show that it was he and then he suddenly vanished from their sight.  

Luk 24:32  And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures? 

Our hearts burn as well, when we read the scriptures and feel the presence of the Lord. Man's words do not move us as do the words of the Holy Bible when the Holy Spirit makes them come alive.

Luk 24:33  And they rose up the same hour, and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and them that were with them, 
Luk 24:34  Saying, The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon. 
Luk 24:35  And they told what things were done in the way, and how he was known of them in breaking of bread. 

Jesus Appears to His Disciples

Luk 24:36  And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. 
Luk 24:37  But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit. 

He miraculously appeared in the room in a flesh and blood body. They still did not understand that he was to rise on the third day; they were terrified.

Luk 24:38  And he said unto them, Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts? 
Luk 24:39  Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have. 
Luk 24:40  And when he had thus spoken, he shewed them his hands and his feet. 

I do not know if his wounds in his hands and feet and in his side were kept only to validate that he had indeed risen. I see no reason for him to keep the wounds in heaven.  I see a glorified Jesus without wounds in purity and glory. By faith I see soldiers who were blown apart healed in glorified bodies in Heaven. Most importantly we will be like him and will see him face to face as he welcomes us to our new spiritual dwelling places.

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