Joh 5:6 When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, he saith unto him, Wilt thou be made whole?
Wilt thou be made whole?
The man had no hope of being made whole, or rather he had little hope. He had just enough hope that he came to the pool of Bethesda. This pool was a healing pool but a conditional healing pool. Not just anyone could be healed but the first to make it in the pool when the healing angel troubled the water.
Joh 5:4 For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had.
A pool of miracles. If such a pool existed today people would be overwhelming the place fighting to be the first. With no time table and no telling when the water would be troubled it's possible it was one time a year, right? Or maybe once every six months? There's no way of knowing and because of that people had to stay by the pool possibly for long periods of time just watching the water maybe afraid to even sleep because they'd miss the troubling of the water.
Here was a man lame for 38 years! 38 years unable to walk and who knows how often he stayed by the pool of water. Who knows how often he witnessed the troubling of the water only to watch another go down into the pool and be healed. He stayed by the pool with that little bit of hope or else he wouldn't have wasted his time being near it at all. The hope he had was so small though that he told Jesus this when asked if he'd be made whole...
Joh 5:7 The impotent man answered him, Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another steppeth down before me.
The man would try to make his way there but each time he tried another moved into the water before him reaping the benefits. How many times had he seen it happen? How many times had he watched another be healed? Was he hoping Jesus would offer to put him in the pool? But that would mean Jesus staying near him and waiting until the angel troubling the water made their appearance. The man wanted to be healed of his infirmity he stayed near the pool. Jesus knew of his longing, Jesus knew that the man spoke truthfully. Jesus loved this man, Jesus had pity on this man, Jesus' compassion was roused for this poor man and so he healed him right then and there.
Joh 5:8 Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk.
Joh 5:9 And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked
Immediately the man was made whole! To be made whole meant that he wasn't whole. His infirmity, his unwholeness was taken away, he was healed.
Later Jesus said this to that man--
Joh 5:14 Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple, and said unto him, Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee.
Jesus told him to 'sin no more' if he sinned a worse thing would come on him. Can you imagine having an infirmity that made you lame for 38 years and then being told something worse could come upon you if you sinned? We are sinners by nature, was this a trap for the man? Sinning is a WILLFUL act, a heart set to do evil, to disobey God. If this man set his heart to oppose God, to do evil to God, to break the laws of God he would receive something worse than being lame for 38 years. It makes you wonder about something... how old was this man made whole? What sins had he committed before? We, in our enlightened ways don't believe at all that our illnesses and infirmities are a result of any sinning, that's like supernatural stuff, right? Yet from Jesus' own mouth came those words. Do we believe in Jesus? Do we really? Can we believe that sinning would have the result of an illnesses, or infirmities, of bad luck? We don't want to believe that because it leaves us feeling hopeless because we know how much we sin. We want to believe our illnesses are just part of life and anything else is just nonsense, germs are germs, diseases are diseases and whether or not we sin means very little. Is it true? No way a baby born with a disease is guilty...but perhaps the sins of the parents or their parents or...well you get the picture. We don't know beyond any doubt, the things of God are His, what we need to know we can know. Is sinning ever good? No, sinning is NEVER good. By the mercy of our Lord and Savior we can be forgiven of our sins, we can live with His righteousness it's the only way to really live-- in Him.
Wilt we be made whole?
In Christ.
Amen.
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Saturday, May 8, 2010
Ye shall afflict your souls and do no work.
An atonement is a cleansing from all sin.
An atonement for the holy sanctuary- a cleansing of all the sins attached to the holy sanctuary.
An atonement for the tabernacle of the congregation and the alter - a cleansing of all sin in places of worship.
An atonement for the priest- a cleansing of all sin for those who serve the people for God.
An atonement for all the people of the congregation- a cleansing of all sin for all God's people.
With the tabernacle on earth an example of the heavenly we know the temple service on earth foreshadowed Christ's life and death. The temple was a place for people to go to offering sacifices for their sins, a place to worship God, a place where God was to dwell when on earth. Christ, God's Son uniquely begotten on earth, God's Son who lived and died offering Himself as the only sacrifice needed for our sins. No building can truly compare to God fully realized on earth in Jesus. All the services of the temple pointed to the Messiah's life and death and life again. The once yearly full cleansing points to the once only cleansing we will have before Christ returns. Think about it... nothing unclean, nothing with sin, will enter heaven, nothing with sin will go with Christ upon His return. To be Christ's is to be His fully claiming His righteousness as ours, trusting in His righteousness, His forgiveness, His cleansing of us.
If the temple served as an example of the heavenly truly the day of atonement serves as an example of the earth's final cleansing.
Ye shall afflict your souls and do no work.
We can only fall at the feet of Jesus in soul affliction as we realize our helpless, sinless state. We cannot do any work to save ourselves, none. We have to believe that the Messiah will cleanse us of all our sins before the Lord.
Php 2:12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
Fear and trembling, afflicted souls. We work out our own salvation WITH fear and trembling. We fall before the feet of our Savior knowing that in our own unworthiness it's all we can possibly do, it's the only work we can possibly perform.
Lev 16:33 And he shall make an atonement for the holy sanctuary, and he shall make an atonement for the tabernacle of the congregation, and for the altar, and he shall make an atonement for the priests, and for all the people of the congregation.
Lev 16:34 And this shall be an everlasting statute unto you, to make an atonement for the children of Israel for all their sins once a year. And he did as the LORD commanded Moses.
Lev 16:29 And this shall be a statute for ever unto you: that in the seventh month, on the tenth day of the month, ye shall afflict your souls, and do no work at all, whether it be one of your own country, or a stranger that sojourneth among you:
Lev 16:30 For on that day shall the priest make an atonement for you, to cleanse you, that ye may be clean from all your sins before the LORD.
Lev 23:27 Also on the tenth day of this seventh month there shall be a day of atonement: it shall be an holy convocation unto you; and ye shall afflict your souls, and offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD.
Lev 23:28 And ye shall do no work in that same day: for it is a day of atonement, to make an atonement for you before the LORD your God.
Lev 23:29 For whatsoever soul it be that shall not be afflicted in that same day, he shall be cut off from among his people.
Lev 23:30 And whatsoever soul it be that doeth any work in that same day, the same soul will I destroy from among his people.
*******
May we afflict our souls with fear and trembling as we seek salvation in our Lord and Savior the Son of God, our Messiah, the only place salvation is found.
Amen
An atonement for the holy sanctuary- a cleansing of all the sins attached to the holy sanctuary.
An atonement for the tabernacle of the congregation and the alter - a cleansing of all sin in places of worship.
An atonement for the priest- a cleansing of all sin for those who serve the people for God.
An atonement for all the people of the congregation- a cleansing of all sin for all God's people.
With the tabernacle on earth an example of the heavenly we know the temple service on earth foreshadowed Christ's life and death. The temple was a place for people to go to offering sacifices for their sins, a place to worship God, a place where God was to dwell when on earth. Christ, God's Son uniquely begotten on earth, God's Son who lived and died offering Himself as the only sacrifice needed for our sins. No building can truly compare to God fully realized on earth in Jesus. All the services of the temple pointed to the Messiah's life and death and life again. The once yearly full cleansing points to the once only cleansing we will have before Christ returns. Think about it... nothing unclean, nothing with sin, will enter heaven, nothing with sin will go with Christ upon His return. To be Christ's is to be His fully claiming His righteousness as ours, trusting in His righteousness, His forgiveness, His cleansing of us.
If the temple served as an example of the heavenly truly the day of atonement serves as an example of the earth's final cleansing.
Ye shall afflict your souls and do no work.
We can only fall at the feet of Jesus in soul affliction as we realize our helpless, sinless state. We cannot do any work to save ourselves, none. We have to believe that the Messiah will cleanse us of all our sins before the Lord.
Php 2:12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
Fear and trembling, afflicted souls. We work out our own salvation WITH fear and trembling. We fall before the feet of our Savior knowing that in our own unworthiness it's all we can possibly do, it's the only work we can possibly perform.
Lev 16:33 And he shall make an atonement for the holy sanctuary, and he shall make an atonement for the tabernacle of the congregation, and for the altar, and he shall make an atonement for the priests, and for all the people of the congregation.
Lev 16:34 And this shall be an everlasting statute unto you, to make an atonement for the children of Israel for all their sins once a year. And he did as the LORD commanded Moses.
Lev 16:29 And this shall be a statute for ever unto you: that in the seventh month, on the tenth day of the month, ye shall afflict your souls, and do no work at all, whether it be one of your own country, or a stranger that sojourneth among you:
Lev 16:30 For on that day shall the priest make an atonement for you, to cleanse you, that ye may be clean from all your sins before the LORD.
Lev 23:27 Also on the tenth day of this seventh month there shall be a day of atonement: it shall be an holy convocation unto you; and ye shall afflict your souls, and offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD.
Lev 23:28 And ye shall do no work in that same day: for it is a day of atonement, to make an atonement for you before the LORD your God.
Lev 23:29 For whatsoever soul it be that shall not be afflicted in that same day, he shall be cut off from among his people.
Lev 23:30 And whatsoever soul it be that doeth any work in that same day, the same soul will I destroy from among his people.
*******
May we afflict our souls with fear and trembling as we seek salvation in our Lord and Savior the Son of God, our Messiah, the only place salvation is found.
Amen
Friday, May 7, 2010
Jesus Kingdom
What is the gospel of the kingdom?
Mat 4:23 And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people.
Preaching the gospel of the kingdom.
Mar 1:14 Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God,
Mar 1:15 And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.
The kingdom of God is at hand.
Mat 12:28 But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you.
The kingdom of God is come unto you.
Jesus was come unto us. Jesus said...
Mar 4:26 And he said, So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed into the ground;
Mar 4:27 And should sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed should spring and grow up, he knoweth not how.
Mar 4:28 For the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear.
Mar 4:29 But when the fruit is brought forth, immediately he putteth in the sickle, because the harvest is come.
Mar 4:30 And he said, Whereunto shall we liken the kingdom of God? or with what comparison shall we compare it?
Mar 4:31 It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when it is sown in the earth, is less than all the seeds that be in the earth:
Mar 4:32 But when it is sown, it groweth up, and becometh greater than all herbs, and shooteth out great branches; so that the fowls of the air may lodge under the shadow of it.
A miracle.
The greatest thing in all the world is Jesus, there is nothing greater, nothing. He is everything we need. We are so busy trying to find the answers to life we often overlook the only answer that means anything at all, Jesus. He is the gospel, He is the kingdom of God. How many people believe in Jesus as their Lord and Savior? How many kneel before Him surrendering all they are to Him? How many plead for forgiveness? Jesus is the only answer and we should never get tired of proclaiming Him as the All in All! Others might get tired of hearing but we should never tire of proclaiming Him living, dying, and living again for us. All praise and honor, all glory to our Lord, our Creator, our Savior.
By the grace and mercy of our Lord, through the Holy Spirit, in the Father's love now and forever.
Amen.
Mat 4:23 And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people.
Preaching the gospel of the kingdom.
Mar 1:14 Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God,
Mar 1:15 And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.
The kingdom of God is at hand.
Mat 12:28 But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you.
The kingdom of God is come unto you.
Jesus was come unto us. Jesus said...
Mar 4:26 And he said, So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed into the ground;
Mar 4:27 And should sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed should spring and grow up, he knoweth not how.
Mar 4:28 For the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear.
Mar 4:29 But when the fruit is brought forth, immediately he putteth in the sickle, because the harvest is come.
Mar 4:30 And he said, Whereunto shall we liken the kingdom of God? or with what comparison shall we compare it?
Mar 4:31 It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when it is sown in the earth, is less than all the seeds that be in the earth:
Mar 4:32 But when it is sown, it groweth up, and becometh greater than all herbs, and shooteth out great branches; so that the fowls of the air may lodge under the shadow of it.
A miracle.
The greatest thing in all the world is Jesus, there is nothing greater, nothing. He is everything we need. We are so busy trying to find the answers to life we often overlook the only answer that means anything at all, Jesus. He is the gospel, He is the kingdom of God. How many people believe in Jesus as their Lord and Savior? How many kneel before Him surrendering all they are to Him? How many plead for forgiveness? Jesus is the only answer and we should never get tired of proclaiming Him as the All in All! Others might get tired of hearing but we should never tire of proclaiming Him living, dying, and living again for us. All praise and honor, all glory to our Lord, our Creator, our Savior.
By the grace and mercy of our Lord, through the Holy Spirit, in the Father's love now and forever.
Amen.
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Whether in pretence or in truth-- Christ is preached.
Php 1:12 But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel
The things that happened to Paul- ridiculed, jailed, set on trial for his faith in Jesus Christ, and all the hardships, beatened, bruised, abraded, all these things happened to further the message of the gospel to others, to spread the good news of salvation in Jesus Christ.
Php 1:13 So that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace, and in all other places
Because of those bonds he was placed in Christ's message was manifested to the palace, and in other places! His tragedy was used to further God's plan.
Php 1:14 And many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.
Others when they witness Paul's persecution and the way he holds fast to the message of Christ are emboldened by his example to speak the gospel without fear!
Php 1:15 Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will:
Php 1:16 The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds
Some people preached Christ wrongly yet Paul says here that even those that did that thinking they'd heap more harm upon him instead gained more interest for Christ and Hisw word, His gospel.
Php 1:17 But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel.
Php 1:18 What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.
Php 1:19 For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ
Whether in pretence or in truth-- Christ is preached.
We don't know who might hear something to spike the interest of another, a genuine interest, a real love for Christ can come from something even preached wrongly. It's not up to us to convict a heart it's the Holy Spirit who convicts, we can spread the word, we can preach what we know but in the end the Holy Spirit is the force used by God to bring Christ into hearts opened to Him
By His grace and mercy always and forever, in His righteousness.
Amen.
The things that happened to Paul- ridiculed, jailed, set on trial for his faith in Jesus Christ, and all the hardships, beatened, bruised, abraded, all these things happened to further the message of the gospel to others, to spread the good news of salvation in Jesus Christ.
Php 1:13 So that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace, and in all other places
Because of those bonds he was placed in Christ's message was manifested to the palace, and in other places! His tragedy was used to further God's plan.
Php 1:14 And many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.
Others when they witness Paul's persecution and the way he holds fast to the message of Christ are emboldened by his example to speak the gospel without fear!
Php 1:15 Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will:
Php 1:16 The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds
Some people preached Christ wrongly yet Paul says here that even those that did that thinking they'd heap more harm upon him instead gained more interest for Christ and Hisw word, His gospel.
Php 1:17 But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel.
Php 1:18 What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.
Php 1:19 For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ
Whether in pretence or in truth-- Christ is preached.
We don't know who might hear something to spike the interest of another, a genuine interest, a real love for Christ can come from something even preached wrongly. It's not up to us to convict a heart it's the Holy Spirit who convicts, we can spread the word, we can preach what we know but in the end the Holy Spirit is the force used by God to bring Christ into hearts opened to Him
By His grace and mercy always and forever, in His righteousness.
Amen.
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
May God who has performed a good work in us do so until the day of Jesus Christ.
Php 1:3 I thank my God upon every remembrance of you,
Php 1:4 Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy,
Php 1:5 For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now;
Php 1:6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ
May God who has performed a good work in us do so until the day of Jesus Christ.
Is there anyone you thank God for upon remembering them? Do you pray for others with joy?
All too often we get caught up in praying with despair in our hearts, pain wracking us deeply as we feel for the trials and tribulations those we are praying for are going through. Our hearts get heavy with grief for others but we need to allow joy in our hearts as well. Make requests with joy. Jesus has conquered the worst there is in life and He's done if for us. We will suffer but it is only temporary. We should rejoice in the gospel, in the message of salvation through our Lord and Savior. Joy should fill us as we believe in His return.
The other day I was waiting in a doctor's waiting room and I couldn't help but think about Jesus and wonder how many of them knew of His plan of salvation. Not being the type to strike up conversations with anyone at all, I couldn't very well even consider finding out. It brought to mind the striking contrast of the disciples of Christ preaching His word, spreading the gospel far and wide. There are a few religions that go about to spread the word but it's a VERY rare occurance to find someone preaching the gospel outside of a church setting or function. People usually seek to find someone to share the word and it's not readily given otherwise in my personal experience.
With the joy of Christ in our lives we need to reflect Him and if we don't... why don't we.
May God help us to live in His joy, in His love, and help us to share the love of the gospel of Jesus Christ with others.
Amen.
Php 1:4 Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy,
Php 1:5 For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now;
Php 1:6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ
May God who has performed a good work in us do so until the day of Jesus Christ.
Is there anyone you thank God for upon remembering them? Do you pray for others with joy?
All too often we get caught up in praying with despair in our hearts, pain wracking us deeply as we feel for the trials and tribulations those we are praying for are going through. Our hearts get heavy with grief for others but we need to allow joy in our hearts as well. Make requests with joy. Jesus has conquered the worst there is in life and He's done if for us. We will suffer but it is only temporary. We should rejoice in the gospel, in the message of salvation through our Lord and Savior. Joy should fill us as we believe in His return.
The other day I was waiting in a doctor's waiting room and I couldn't help but think about Jesus and wonder how many of them knew of His plan of salvation. Not being the type to strike up conversations with anyone at all, I couldn't very well even consider finding out. It brought to mind the striking contrast of the disciples of Christ preaching His word, spreading the gospel far and wide. There are a few religions that go about to spread the word but it's a VERY rare occurance to find someone preaching the gospel outside of a church setting or function. People usually seek to find someone to share the word and it's not readily given otherwise in my personal experience.
With the joy of Christ in our lives we need to reflect Him and if we don't... why don't we.
May God help us to live in His joy, in His love, and help us to share the love of the gospel of Jesus Christ with others.
Amen.
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Jesus Christ in Sincerity
Eph 6:24 Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity.
In Sincerity.
Loving our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity.
Are you sincere in your love for Jesus Christ?
sincere (sîn-sîr´) adjective
sincerer, sincerest
1. Not feigned or affected; genuine: sincere indignation.
2. Being without hypocrisy or pretense; true: a sincere friend.
3. Archaic. Pure; unadulterated.
Do you love Jesus with a genuine love?
Do you love Jesus without any pretense?
Do you love Jesus unfeigned?
How is a sincere love revealed?
1Co 8:3 But if any man love God, the same is known of him.
If you love God... people will know. Loving God isn't something you keep a secret it's something you share. Not everyone can share in all ways but if you love God people will know. We have a light and we can't hide it but we have to let it shine. Maybe we aren't going to climb on a soapbox and preach but there are other ways aren't there? There is NO shame in being a Christian. So many have no problem showing that they're goth, or hiphop, cool, cold, classy, divas, jocks, business-like. We can look at people and generally get a little idea about them. Of course we can't know everything in a glance and there are a lot of people who don't reveal anything other than what we might term - ordinary. But when someone is quite passionate about their beliefs they let people know, don't they? Do we have passion for our Lord and Savior? Do we love the Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity?
May God bless and keep us in Him, loving Him, sharing Him, with a true sincerity through the righteousness, through the grace of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, now and forever!
Amen.
In Sincerity.
Loving our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity.
Are you sincere in your love for Jesus Christ?
sincere (sîn-sîr´) adjective
sincerer, sincerest
1. Not feigned or affected; genuine: sincere indignation.
2. Being without hypocrisy or pretense; true: a sincere friend.
3. Archaic. Pure; unadulterated.
Do you love Jesus with a genuine love?
Do you love Jesus without any pretense?
Do you love Jesus unfeigned?
How is a sincere love revealed?
1Co 8:3 But if any man love God, the same is known of him.
If you love God... people will know. Loving God isn't something you keep a secret it's something you share. Not everyone can share in all ways but if you love God people will know. We have a light and we can't hide it but we have to let it shine. Maybe we aren't going to climb on a soapbox and preach but there are other ways aren't there? There is NO shame in being a Christian. So many have no problem showing that they're goth, or hiphop, cool, cold, classy, divas, jocks, business-like. We can look at people and generally get a little idea about them. Of course we can't know everything in a glance and there are a lot of people who don't reveal anything other than what we might term - ordinary. But when someone is quite passionate about their beliefs they let people know, don't they? Do we have passion for our Lord and Savior? Do we love the Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity?
May God bless and keep us in Him, loving Him, sharing Him, with a true sincerity through the righteousness, through the grace of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, now and forever!
Amen.
Monday, May 3, 2010
Beauty for Ashes
The promises of God to His people are many. Promises of a future with Him. Promises of a life in Him with great eternal rewards. 'Beauty for ashes'
We mourn now and rightly so. We mourn with a great heaviness of heart, with a spirit heavy with grief, because we live in a world that offers us so much pain. We lay off the mourning and feel joy, we begin to praise rather than dwell in the heaviness of a broken spirit. We can only do that when we are freed from the captivity of sin that threatens to have us drown in our sins, die in our pain. We live in a world that isn't right for us, trying to fit in and failing because all the superficial trappings that we suppose might make us happy fail us. We turn to one thing after the other trying to fill the emptiness, the pain of life and disappointment still finds us. Some people settle for mediocre existence, not seeking happiness but rather becoming content with what life throws their way, making the best of whatever befalls them- not realizing that they are truly captives in another way. It's good when we mourn, when we weep, when we feel that spirit of heaviness because then we can realize there is something wrong. Seeking relief from pain whether emotional or physical is a natural response and the true life pain reliever is faith in Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior and the world He offers, salvation in Him.
Salvation.
Salvation isn't just a promise for life hereafter, it's a promise for life now.
How would you act if you were promised 100,000,000 dollars? You would feel rich even before that money was realized. The promise of it enough to give you the thrill of that richness.
We are promised salvation and we can grasp hold of that thrill now.
Just as someone promised a great amount of money has to count their pennies until it's in their hands, living in their means until it's a reality- those promised salvation have to continue to live in a life that warrants mourning, brings them pain, and causes heartache. The joy of the promise makes life bearable. The promise needs to be real to us though. We have to believe in the promise. If we fail to believe in the promise then we lose hope and begin to live in despair. Without a promise, without hope we might settle for life with no future salvation.
May God help us to claim the promise of salvation in Christ now and live with the promise real in our lives believing its truthfulness, believing in the reality as if we've won the race, the prize before us is real.
By the mercy and the grace of our Lord and Savior through His righteousness now and forever! Amen.
Isa 61:1 The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;
Isa 61:2 To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn;
Isa 61:3 To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.
Isa 61:4 And they shall build the old wastes, they shall raise up the former desolations, and they shall repair the waste cities, the desolations of many generations.
Isa 61:5 And strangers shall stand and feed your flocks, and the sons of the alien shall be your plowmen and your vinedressers.
Isa 61:6 But ye shall be named the Priests of the LORD: men shall call you the Ministers of our God: ye shall eat the riches of the Gentiles, and in their glory shall ye boast yourselves.
Isa 61:7 For your shame ye shall have double; and for confusion they shall rejoice in their portion: therefore in their land they shall possess the double: everlasting joy shall be unto them.
Isa 61:8 For I the LORD love judgment, I hate robbery for burnt offering; and I will direct their work in truth, and I will make an everlasting covenant with them.
Isa 61:9 And their seed shall be known among the Gentiles, and their offspring among the people: all that see them shall acknowledge them, that they are the seed which the LORD hath blessed.
Isa 61:10 I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.
Isa 61:11 For as the earth bringeth forth her bud, and as the garden causeth the things that are sown in it to spring forth; so the Lord GOD will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nations.
Luk 2:10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
Luk 4:18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,
Luk 4:19 To preach the acceptable year of the Lord
Mat 5:3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Mat 5:4 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
Mat 5:5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
Mat 5:6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
Mat 5:7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
Mat 5:8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
Mat 5:9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
Mat 5:10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Mat 5:11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
Mat 5:12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
Eph 6:13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Eph 6:14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
Eph 6:15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
Eph 6:16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
Eph 6:17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
Eph 6:18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints
We mourn now and rightly so. We mourn with a great heaviness of heart, with a spirit heavy with grief, because we live in a world that offers us so much pain. We lay off the mourning and feel joy, we begin to praise rather than dwell in the heaviness of a broken spirit. We can only do that when we are freed from the captivity of sin that threatens to have us drown in our sins, die in our pain. We live in a world that isn't right for us, trying to fit in and failing because all the superficial trappings that we suppose might make us happy fail us. We turn to one thing after the other trying to fill the emptiness, the pain of life and disappointment still finds us. Some people settle for mediocre existence, not seeking happiness but rather becoming content with what life throws their way, making the best of whatever befalls them- not realizing that they are truly captives in another way. It's good when we mourn, when we weep, when we feel that spirit of heaviness because then we can realize there is something wrong. Seeking relief from pain whether emotional or physical is a natural response and the true life pain reliever is faith in Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior and the world He offers, salvation in Him.
Salvation.
Salvation isn't just a promise for life hereafter, it's a promise for life now.
How would you act if you were promised 100,000,000 dollars? You would feel rich even before that money was realized. The promise of it enough to give you the thrill of that richness.
We are promised salvation and we can grasp hold of that thrill now.
Just as someone promised a great amount of money has to count their pennies until it's in their hands, living in their means until it's a reality- those promised salvation have to continue to live in a life that warrants mourning, brings them pain, and causes heartache. The joy of the promise makes life bearable. The promise needs to be real to us though. We have to believe in the promise. If we fail to believe in the promise then we lose hope and begin to live in despair. Without a promise, without hope we might settle for life with no future salvation.
May God help us to claim the promise of salvation in Christ now and live with the promise real in our lives believing its truthfulness, believing in the reality as if we've won the race, the prize before us is real.
By the mercy and the grace of our Lord and Savior through His righteousness now and forever! Amen.
Isa 61:1 The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;
Isa 61:2 To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn;
Isa 61:3 To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.
Isa 61:4 And they shall build the old wastes, they shall raise up the former desolations, and they shall repair the waste cities, the desolations of many generations.
Isa 61:5 And strangers shall stand and feed your flocks, and the sons of the alien shall be your plowmen and your vinedressers.
Isa 61:6 But ye shall be named the Priests of the LORD: men shall call you the Ministers of our God: ye shall eat the riches of the Gentiles, and in their glory shall ye boast yourselves.
Isa 61:7 For your shame ye shall have double; and for confusion they shall rejoice in their portion: therefore in their land they shall possess the double: everlasting joy shall be unto them.
Isa 61:8 For I the LORD love judgment, I hate robbery for burnt offering; and I will direct their work in truth, and I will make an everlasting covenant with them.
Isa 61:9 And their seed shall be known among the Gentiles, and their offspring among the people: all that see them shall acknowledge them, that they are the seed which the LORD hath blessed.
Isa 61:10 I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.
Isa 61:11 For as the earth bringeth forth her bud, and as the garden causeth the things that are sown in it to spring forth; so the Lord GOD will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nations.
Luk 2:10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
Luk 4:18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,
Luk 4:19 To preach the acceptable year of the Lord
Mat 5:3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Mat 5:4 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
Mat 5:5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
Mat 5:6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
Mat 5:7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
Mat 5:8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
Mat 5:9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
Mat 5:10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Mat 5:11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
Mat 5:12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
Eph 6:13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Eph 6:14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
Eph 6:15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
Eph 6:16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
Eph 6:17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
Eph 6:18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints
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