Prophecies of Jesus--
*******
Heralded by the messenger of the Lord (John the Baptist) (Isaiah 40:3-5; Malachi 3:1; Matthew 3:1-3)
Isa.{40:3} The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness,
Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert
a highway for our God. {40:4} Every valley shall be
exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and
the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places
plain: {40:5} And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed,
and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the
LORD hath spoken it.
Mal.{3:1} Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall
prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek,
shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of
the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come,
saith the LORD of hosts.
Matt. {3:1} In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in
the wilderness of Judaea, {3:2} And saying, Repent ye: for
the kingdom of heaven is at hand. {3:3} For this is he that
was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of
one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the
Lord, make his paths straight.
*******
Would perform miracles (Isaiah 35:5-6; Matthew 9:35)
Isa. {35:5} Then the eyes of the blind shall
be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped.
{35:6} Then shall the lame [man] leap as an hart, and the
tongue of the dumb sing: for in the wilderness shall waters
break out, and streams in the desert.
Matt. {9:35} And Jesus went about all the cities and
villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the
gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and
every disease among the people.
*******
Would preach good news (Isaiah 61:1; Luke 4:14-21)
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.
Luke {4:14} And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into
Galilee: and there went out a fame of him through all the
region round about. {4:15} And he taught in their
synagogues, being glorified of all.
{4:16} And he came to Nazareth, where he had been
brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the
synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read.
{4:17} And there was delivered unto him the book of the
prophet Esaias. And when he had opened the book, he
found the place where it was written, {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, {4:19} To preach the acceptable year of the
Lord. {4:20} And he closed the book, and he gave [it] again
to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all them that
were in the synagogue were fastened on him. {4:21} And he
began to say unto them, This day is this scripture fulfilled in
your ears.
*******
Would minister in Galilee (Isaiah 9:1; Matthew 4:12-16)
Isa. {9:1} Nevertheless the dimness [shall] not [be] such as
[was] in her vexation, when at the first he lightly afflicted
the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, and afterward
did more grievously afflict [her by] the way of the sea,
beyond Jordan, in Galilee of the nations.
Matt. {4:12} Now when Jesus had heard that John was cast into
prison, he departed into Galilee; {4:13} And leaving
Nazareth, he came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is upon
the sea coast, in the borders of Zabulon and Nephthalim:
{4:14} That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by
Esaias the prophet, saying, {4:15} The land of Zabulon, and
the land of Nephthalim, [by] the way of the sea, beyond
Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles; {4:16} The people which
sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the
region and shadow of death light is sprung up. {4:17} From
that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the
kingdom of heaven is at hand.
*******
Would cleanse the Temple (Malachi 3:1; Matthew 21:12-13)
Mal. {3:1} Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall
prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek,
shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of
the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come,
saith the LORD of hosts.
Matt. {21:12} And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast
out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and
overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of
them that sold doves, {21:13} And said unto them, It is
written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye
have made it a den of thieves.
*******
No, the people of Israel, God's chosen people did not want Jesus to come meekly, lowly, in such a way they couldn't hold Him up as king and revere Him. The idea of Him as their Messiah just didn't fit with the reality. They still look for their Messiah and they look for Him as one who will be stately, kingly in all ways. There is so much hype over expectations. Holding fast to expectations as if the expectations hold a greater satisfaction than the reality.
It's something we all can understand though isn't it? We've all had our hopes up for one thing or another and then had them dashed more by the reality of the thing hoped for than the thing not happening. Meaning sometimes the hope brings more excitement and we are loathed to give up that hope for something less than the expectation. Then again sometimes we have to declare things were better than what we ever dreamed they'd be. The reality exceeds the expectation. I've heard people say they don't get their hopes up because they don't want to face that disappointment. They do away with the hope while mostly secretly harboring the hope still but trying to keep it tempered so the let down isn't too great.
One thing we have to agree upon is situations occur that lend themselves towards expectation and they occur fairly regular. Some situations are of greater anticipation than others. We have great expectations for our weddings, our first child, various parties, graduations, new jobs, holidays, lovers. Sometime young women dream of their wedding day from a young age on up until adulthood. Boys with dreams of owning a new car, a house. These dreams and expectations are normal and yes... most of them happen to us all.
When you have hope in a Messiah this is something amazing, something totally different than that wedding, that job, that car. Having hope in an idea that has yet to be realized, an idea that is unique, well it is easy to understand why it could be wrapped up in layer after layer of idealism until the realization of it far surpasses the reality.
The people of Israel rejected Jesus, He fell far short of their expectations. They didn't want a common born man, a mere carpenter's son, a man they'd known as normal to be suddenly special-- let alone be God's Only Son, their Messiah. They believed He was manufacturing situations to suit Himself to make his commoness into something special.
Today they still await their Messiah, while we who believe Jesus fulfilled that role await Jesus' second coming.
There is no danger for us who look to Jesus to return though, no danger of 'missing' Him, of rejecting Him. When Jesus comes again it will be like this--
Rev. {1:7} Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye
shall see him, and they [also] which pierced him: and all
kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so,
Amen
2 Thess. {2:8} And then shall that Wicked be
revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of
his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his
coming
1 Thess. {4:16} For the Lord himself shall descend
from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel,
and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise
first: {4:17} Then we which are alive [and] remain shall be
caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord
in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord
No, He will not come quietly, He will not return secretly, He will not come up from obscurity. He will come with clouds EVERY eye shall see him. The BRIGHTNESS of his coming will be deadly. The DEAD in Christ shall rise! We which are alive shall be CAUGHT UP together with them in the clouds- to MEET THE LORD IN THE AIR!
Praise and glory to God our Heavenly Father, all mercy and grace through Jesus Christ our Savior. May we be among those waiting and ready when Christ returns, knowing that He will do so in such an amazing way that there is NO question at all that our Savior has returned for us. While others might be looking for Him to rise up quietly on earth to bring a following to Him again, the Bible tells us differently and we have to hold fast to the Word of God.
Thank you Lord, all glory unto you!
Amen.
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
The Messiah would be cut off- but not for himself.
Dan. {9:26} And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself
The Messiah would be cut off- but not for himself.
This was foretold many years before Christ came. Jesus was cut off... Jesus' life was cut short and why? Not for himself, but us, for all others.
I looked it up- the predictions of Christ in the Old Testament, fulfilled in the New Testament and I want to go through them one by one.
Born of a virgin (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:21-23)
Isa. {7:14} Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign;
Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall
call his name Immanuel.
Matt. {1:21} And she shall bring forth
a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save
his people from their sins. {1:22} Now all this was done,
that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by
the prophet, saying, {1:23} Behold, a virgin shall be with
child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his
name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
(A sign from the Lord himself. Could there be a greater sign? The Lord God created man who better to create a child in the womb of a virgin? God is a creator, the Creator. All that is create has been so by the Lord. We live in a world we tend to take for granted, a world we say just is, but the very ground we walk upon was created. The air we breathe was created. The sun, the moon, the stars were created. We are surrounded by God's majesty and we have the audacity to proclaim it has all just become in a mystery by itself that there is no God. Things just are. We just are. We believe we always have been and yet that isn't true. We measure things in a time frame that has no real basis because we didn't even creat time. Yes, we say the words scientifically and yet all things scientific are formulated by man with limited knowledge trying to put pieces together, to make them fit in a way that doesn't call for faith. It's ludicrous and yet accepted. Those who don't accept it are told they are dense, told they are ignorant, told they don't have the brains to comprehend. People call God mere fantasy and fairy tale, and cling to their own suppositions.
How can man look to the sky and not believe? And yet, so many don't believe.
How can people look into the face of a newborn babe, a life created, a miracle, and not believe?
'A virgin shall be with child.'
'...a sign, behold a virgin shall conceieve.'
God, our creator, created life within a virgin womb. Truly a sign of His majesty. God would be with us and He chose the vessel of a human to do so, taking on humanity, to become like us those created. The Uncreated One became Created in Jesus.
God is love, such amazing love, love beyond our comprehension.
May the Lord open our hearts to His amazing love, His sacrifice.
When the world insists to believe is to be deceived, may we continue to believe knowing those with delusions are those who won't believe.
*******
A descendant of Abraham (Genesis 12:1-3; 22:18; Matthew 1:1; Galatians 3:16)
Gen. {12:1} Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out
of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s
house, unto a land that I will shew thee: {12:2} And I will
make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make
thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: {12:3} And I
will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth
thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.
Gen. {22:18} And
in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed;
because thou hast obeyed my voice.
Matt. {1:1} The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son
of David, the son of Abraham.
Gal. {3:16} Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises
made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one,
And to thy seed, which is Christ
*******
Of the tribe of Judah (Genesis 49:10; Luke 3:23, 33; Hebrews 7:14)
Gen. {49:10} The sceptre shall not
depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet,
until Shiloh come; and unto him [shall] the gathering of the
people [be.]
Luke {3:23} And Jesus himself began to be about thirty
years of age, being (as was supposed) the son of Joseph,
which was [the son] of Heli.
Luke {3:33} Which was [the son] of Aminadab, which was [the
son] of Aram, which was [the son] of Esrom, which was
[the son] of Phares, which was [the son] of Juda.
Heb. {7:14} For [it is]
evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda; of which tribe
Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood.
*******
Of the house of David (2 Samuel 7:12-16; Matthew 1:1)
2 Sam. {7:12} And when thy days be fulfilled, and thou shalt
sleep with thy fathers, I will set up thy seed after thee,
which shall proceed out of thy bowels, and I will establish
his kingdom. {7:13} He shall build an house for my name,
and I will stablish the throne of his kingdom for ever.
{7:14} I will be his father, and he shall be my son. If he
commit iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men, and
with the stripes of the children of men: {7:15} But my
mercy shall not depart away from him, as I took [it] from
Saul, whom I put away before thee. {7:16} And thine house
and thy kingdom shall be established for ever before thee:
thy throne shall be established for ever.
Matt. {1:1} The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son
of David, the son of Abraham.
*******
Born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2, Matthew 2:1; Luke 2:4-7)
Micah {5:2} But thou, Bethlehem
Ephratah, [though] thou be little among the thousands of
Judah, [yet] out of thee shall he come forth unto me [that is]
to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth [have been] from of
old, from everlasting.
Matt. {2:1} Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea
in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men
from the east to Jerusalem
Luke {2:4} And Joseph
also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into
Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem;
(because he was of the house and lineage of David:) {2:5}
To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with
child. {2:6} And so it was, that, while they were there, the
days were accomplished that she should be delivered. {2:7}
And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in
swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there
was no room for them in the inn.
*******
Taken to Egypt (Hosea 11:1; Matthew 2:14-15)
Hos. {11:1} When Israel [was] a child, then I loved him, and
called my son out of Egypt.
Matt. {2:14} When he arose, he took
the young child and his mother by night, and departed into
Egypt: {2:15} And was there until the death of Herod: that
it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the
prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son.
*******
Herod´s killing of the infants (Jeremiah 31:15; Matthew 2:16-18)
Jeremiah {31:15} Thus saith the LORD; A voice was heard in
Ramah, lamentation, [and] bitter weeping; Rahel weeping
for her children refused to be comforted for her children,
because they [were] not.
Matt. {2:16} Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of
the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and
slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the
coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to
the time which he had diligently enquired of the wise men.
{2:17} Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy
the prophet, saying, {2:18} In Rama was there a voice
heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning,
Rachel weeping [for] her children, and would not be
comforted, because they are not.
*******
Anointed by the Holy Spirit (Isaiah 11:2; Matthew 3:16-17)
Isaiah {11:2} And
the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of
wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might,
the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD
{3:16} And Jesus,
when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the
water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he
saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting
upon him: {3:17} And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This
is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
*******
Praise the Lord!
More to come...
By the mercy and grace of our Savior, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
The Messiah would be cut off- but not for himself.
This was foretold many years before Christ came. Jesus was cut off... Jesus' life was cut short and why? Not for himself, but us, for all others.
I looked it up- the predictions of Christ in the Old Testament, fulfilled in the New Testament and I want to go through them one by one.
Born of a virgin (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:21-23)
Isa. {7:14} Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign;
Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall
call his name Immanuel.
Matt. {1:21} And she shall bring forth
a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save
his people from their sins. {1:22} Now all this was done,
that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by
the prophet, saying, {1:23} Behold, a virgin shall be with
child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his
name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
(A sign from the Lord himself. Could there be a greater sign? The Lord God created man who better to create a child in the womb of a virgin? God is a creator, the Creator. All that is create has been so by the Lord. We live in a world we tend to take for granted, a world we say just is, but the very ground we walk upon was created. The air we breathe was created. The sun, the moon, the stars were created. We are surrounded by God's majesty and we have the audacity to proclaim it has all just become in a mystery by itself that there is no God. Things just are. We just are. We believe we always have been and yet that isn't true. We measure things in a time frame that has no real basis because we didn't even creat time. Yes, we say the words scientifically and yet all things scientific are formulated by man with limited knowledge trying to put pieces together, to make them fit in a way that doesn't call for faith. It's ludicrous and yet accepted. Those who don't accept it are told they are dense, told they are ignorant, told they don't have the brains to comprehend. People call God mere fantasy and fairy tale, and cling to their own suppositions.
How can man look to the sky and not believe? And yet, so many don't believe.
How can people look into the face of a newborn babe, a life created, a miracle, and not believe?
'A virgin shall be with child.'
'...a sign, behold a virgin shall conceieve.'
God, our creator, created life within a virgin womb. Truly a sign of His majesty. God would be with us and He chose the vessel of a human to do so, taking on humanity, to become like us those created. The Uncreated One became Created in Jesus.
God is love, such amazing love, love beyond our comprehension.
May the Lord open our hearts to His amazing love, His sacrifice.
When the world insists to believe is to be deceived, may we continue to believe knowing those with delusions are those who won't believe.
*******
A descendant of Abraham (Genesis 12:1-3; 22:18; Matthew 1:1; Galatians 3:16)
Gen. {12:1} Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out
of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s
house, unto a land that I will shew thee: {12:2} And I will
make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make
thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: {12:3} And I
will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth
thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.
Gen. {22:18} And
in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed;
because thou hast obeyed my voice.
Matt. {1:1} The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son
of David, the son of Abraham.
Gal. {3:16} Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises
made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one,
And to thy seed, which is Christ
*******
Of the tribe of Judah (Genesis 49:10; Luke 3:23, 33; Hebrews 7:14)
Gen. {49:10} The sceptre shall not
depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet,
until Shiloh come; and unto him [shall] the gathering of the
people [be.]
Luke {3:23} And Jesus himself began to be about thirty
years of age, being (as was supposed) the son of Joseph,
which was [the son] of Heli.
Luke {3:33} Which was [the son] of Aminadab, which was [the
son] of Aram, which was [the son] of Esrom, which was
[the son] of Phares, which was [the son] of Juda.
Heb. {7:14} For [it is]
evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda; of which tribe
Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood.
*******
Of the house of David (2 Samuel 7:12-16; Matthew 1:1)
2 Sam. {7:12} And when thy days be fulfilled, and thou shalt
sleep with thy fathers, I will set up thy seed after thee,
which shall proceed out of thy bowels, and I will establish
his kingdom. {7:13} He shall build an house for my name,
and I will stablish the throne of his kingdom for ever.
{7:14} I will be his father, and he shall be my son. If he
commit iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men, and
with the stripes of the children of men: {7:15} But my
mercy shall not depart away from him, as I took [it] from
Saul, whom I put away before thee. {7:16} And thine house
and thy kingdom shall be established for ever before thee:
thy throne shall be established for ever.
Matt. {1:1} The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son
of David, the son of Abraham.
*******
Born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2, Matthew 2:1; Luke 2:4-7)
Micah {5:2} But thou, Bethlehem
Ephratah, [though] thou be little among the thousands of
Judah, [yet] out of thee shall he come forth unto me [that is]
to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth [have been] from of
old, from everlasting.
Matt. {2:1} Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea
in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men
from the east to Jerusalem
Luke {2:4} And Joseph
also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into
Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem;
(because he was of the house and lineage of David:) {2:5}
To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with
child. {2:6} And so it was, that, while they were there, the
days were accomplished that she should be delivered. {2:7}
And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in
swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there
was no room for them in the inn.
*******
Taken to Egypt (Hosea 11:1; Matthew 2:14-15)
Hos. {11:1} When Israel [was] a child, then I loved him, and
called my son out of Egypt.
Matt. {2:14} When he arose, he took
the young child and his mother by night, and departed into
Egypt: {2:15} And was there until the death of Herod: that
it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the
prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son.
*******
Herod´s killing of the infants (Jeremiah 31:15; Matthew 2:16-18)
Jeremiah {31:15} Thus saith the LORD; A voice was heard in
Ramah, lamentation, [and] bitter weeping; Rahel weeping
for her children refused to be comforted for her children,
because they [were] not.
Matt. {2:16} Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of
the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and
slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the
coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to
the time which he had diligently enquired of the wise men.
{2:17} Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy
the prophet, saying, {2:18} In Rama was there a voice
heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning,
Rachel weeping [for] her children, and would not be
comforted, because they are not.
*******
Anointed by the Holy Spirit (Isaiah 11:2; Matthew 3:16-17)
Isaiah {11:2} And
the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of
wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might,
the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD
{3:16} And Jesus,
when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the
water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he
saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting
upon him: {3:17} And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This
is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
*******
Praise the Lord!
More to come...
By the mercy and grace of our Savior, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Monday, April 6, 2009
He had compassion on her
God of wonders!
Luke
{7:11} And it came to pass the day after, that he went into a city called Nain; and many of his disciples went with him, and much people. {7:12} Now when he came nigh to the gate of the city, behold, there was a dead man carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow: and much people of the city was with her.
{7:13} And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said unto her, Weep not.
{7:14} And he came and touched the bier: and they that bare [him] stood still. And he said, Young man, I say unto thee, Arise.
{7:15} And he that was dead sat up, and began to speak. And he delivered him to his mother.
{7:16} And there came a fear on all: and they glorified God, saying, That a great prophet is risen up among us; and, That God hath visited his people.
{7:17} And this rumour of him went forth throughout all Judaea, and throughout all the region round about.
When the Lord saw her he had compassion on her.
Weep not.
The Lord was moved by the grief of the mother who had lost her only son.
Jesus understood the love of a mother, he understood the heartache a mother felt when she lost her son. Jesus' mother would lose her son. The pain of grief, the overwhelming agony of loss, it can be all consuming and Jesus' heart was torn by the grief he was witnessing. He could have walked by. The woman didn't go to him, the woman didn't beg him, the woman was lost to her pain. When Jesus saw her he had compassion on her. He went to her, he told her to weep not.
Upon hearing those words what do we suppose the woman thought?
Weep not.
But the pain was so intense. The grief so raw.
Do you suppose she looked up with her tear-filled eyes and saw His compassion and something in her instantly believed Him, believed that she should no longer weep, believed that when he said to 'weep not' that she could trust Him, that she should stop the tears, that He would take care of her pain?
I like to think it happened just like that. She turned her gaze up to Him and she believed, she knew, there was something in His eyes, His voice that told her here was someone to believe, someone she could trust even though she'd never met Him before.
That gaze probably lasted all of a few long moments and the Jesus was moving to the bier.
He went to where the woman's son was laid out in his burial shroud. He saw the dead man there upon the bier that was carrying him off to his grave where he'd be buried. Dead. The young man was dead and Jesus moved over to where the dead boy lay and touched the moving bier and all the men carrying him stopped. Jesus then spoke to the dead man, not to those carrying him. He spoke to the dead. He said, 'Young man, I say unto thee, Arise.'
Arise.
Jesus said...
'I say unto thee, arise.'
Arise.
Jesus' power flowed through His words bringing life to the dead. Jesus commanded the dead man to rise.
The dead had no choice but to listen, none. Jesus' word brought life and the compassion He felt for the mother was realized in the act He performed on her son. Life. Sorrows abated. Death defeated.
God of wonders!
What person who has ever lost a loved one to death wouldn't do all they could to bring the loved one back. Their heart is aching, their grief raw, the loss overwhelming and it could all be wiped away, all of it.
Miracles of miracles! The impossible wrought by the compassion of the Lord.
Death has no power over the Lord, none.
Death cannot win over Him.
Death, something none of us can defeat. Death that none have power over, none save the Lord. There isn't a single other entity that can bring the dead to life. I'm not talking cpr type dead to life, the dead who are way past the possibility of being brought back to life, the dead who are cold skin and long past revival. Jesus has the power of the creator and bringing life to the dead is another form of creation.
There is no other God before God, none!
Jesus, our Lord.
Jesus, our Savior.
The wonders of God. So amazing!
Our Creator, our Redeemer!
The compassion Jesus has towards that woman's pain, that woman's loss. He has the same compassion towards us all. He promises to ease our pain, promises to bring life to those we love, to us and what does He ask for in return? Our love. And how, how can we not love someone that embodies all love is?
God is love.
Praise and glory to God, now and forever.
All mercy, all grace, flows from God.
Please Lord, have compassion upon us all by your grace.
Amen.
Luke
{7:11} And it came to pass the day after, that he went into a city called Nain; and many of his disciples went with him, and much people. {7:12} Now when he came nigh to the gate of the city, behold, there was a dead man carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow: and much people of the city was with her.
{7:13} And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said unto her, Weep not.
{7:14} And he came and touched the bier: and they that bare [him] stood still. And he said, Young man, I say unto thee, Arise.
{7:15} And he that was dead sat up, and began to speak. And he delivered him to his mother.
{7:16} And there came a fear on all: and they glorified God, saying, That a great prophet is risen up among us; and, That God hath visited his people.
{7:17} And this rumour of him went forth throughout all Judaea, and throughout all the region round about.
When the Lord saw her he had compassion on her.
Weep not.
The Lord was moved by the grief of the mother who had lost her only son.
Jesus understood the love of a mother, he understood the heartache a mother felt when she lost her son. Jesus' mother would lose her son. The pain of grief, the overwhelming agony of loss, it can be all consuming and Jesus' heart was torn by the grief he was witnessing. He could have walked by. The woman didn't go to him, the woman didn't beg him, the woman was lost to her pain. When Jesus saw her he had compassion on her. He went to her, he told her to weep not.
Upon hearing those words what do we suppose the woman thought?
Weep not.
But the pain was so intense. The grief so raw.
Do you suppose she looked up with her tear-filled eyes and saw His compassion and something in her instantly believed Him, believed that she should no longer weep, believed that when he said to 'weep not' that she could trust Him, that she should stop the tears, that He would take care of her pain?
I like to think it happened just like that. She turned her gaze up to Him and she believed, she knew, there was something in His eyes, His voice that told her here was someone to believe, someone she could trust even though she'd never met Him before.
That gaze probably lasted all of a few long moments and the Jesus was moving to the bier.
He went to where the woman's son was laid out in his burial shroud. He saw the dead man there upon the bier that was carrying him off to his grave where he'd be buried. Dead. The young man was dead and Jesus moved over to where the dead boy lay and touched the moving bier and all the men carrying him stopped. Jesus then spoke to the dead man, not to those carrying him. He spoke to the dead. He said, 'Young man, I say unto thee, Arise.'
Arise.
Jesus said...
'I say unto thee, arise.'
Arise.
Jesus' power flowed through His words bringing life to the dead. Jesus commanded the dead man to rise.
The dead had no choice but to listen, none. Jesus' word brought life and the compassion He felt for the mother was realized in the act He performed on her son. Life. Sorrows abated. Death defeated.
God of wonders!
What person who has ever lost a loved one to death wouldn't do all they could to bring the loved one back. Their heart is aching, their grief raw, the loss overwhelming and it could all be wiped away, all of it.
Miracles of miracles! The impossible wrought by the compassion of the Lord.
Death has no power over the Lord, none.
Death cannot win over Him.
Death, something none of us can defeat. Death that none have power over, none save the Lord. There isn't a single other entity that can bring the dead to life. I'm not talking cpr type dead to life, the dead who are way past the possibility of being brought back to life, the dead who are cold skin and long past revival. Jesus has the power of the creator and bringing life to the dead is another form of creation.
There is no other God before God, none!
Jesus, our Lord.
Jesus, our Savior.
The wonders of God. So amazing!
Our Creator, our Redeemer!
The compassion Jesus has towards that woman's pain, that woman's loss. He has the same compassion towards us all. He promises to ease our pain, promises to bring life to those we love, to us and what does He ask for in return? Our love. And how, how can we not love someone that embodies all love is?
God is love.
Praise and glory to God, now and forever.
All mercy, all grace, flows from God.
Please Lord, have compassion upon us all by your grace.
Amen.
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Revelation of the mystery
Romans
{16:25} Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began
{16:26} But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith
{16:27} To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen.
According to the revelation of the mystery which was kept secret since the world began.
The mystery revealed.
The secret revealed.
The preaching of Jesus Christ.
Until the Messiah came, there was the looking for the Messiah. The mystery of His coming was unrevealed. The prophets spoke of His coming and men envisioned it as men do. We tend to add our own interpretation of things to the unknown, it's all we have to do right? Use our imaginations to envision situations presented to us. Sometimes the things we imagine come to pass just as we picture them, but most times they don't. We get things wrong, we skew them and then we either try to save face by changing our tune and calling our former beliefs still true and the actual facts wrong, or we accept them. It's harder to accept when we are wrong about something so vital to our future. It's hard to admit that we could have facts so confused. Yes, sometimes it's hard for us to break down our own self importance and we condemn ourselves because we can't admit we could be so amazingly wrong.
The future holds many things and the one thing we have to look to above all else, is Jesus. Without envisioning it all we have to cling to the hope in him. We have to cling to salvation through Him.
The mystery was revealed, the secret unfolded and Jesus Christ, the Son of God appeared, the Messiah came to bring salvation to all who would believe in him.
Jesus alone has the power to establish us according to His words.
The obedience of faith.
And yes... to God only wise be the glory through Jesus Christ forever.
By His grace and His mercy.
Amen.
{16:25} Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began
{16:26} But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith
{16:27} To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen.
According to the revelation of the mystery which was kept secret since the world began.
The mystery revealed.
The secret revealed.
The preaching of Jesus Christ.
Until the Messiah came, there was the looking for the Messiah. The mystery of His coming was unrevealed. The prophets spoke of His coming and men envisioned it as men do. We tend to add our own interpretation of things to the unknown, it's all we have to do right? Use our imaginations to envision situations presented to us. Sometimes the things we imagine come to pass just as we picture them, but most times they don't. We get things wrong, we skew them and then we either try to save face by changing our tune and calling our former beliefs still true and the actual facts wrong, or we accept them. It's harder to accept when we are wrong about something so vital to our future. It's hard to admit that we could have facts so confused. Yes, sometimes it's hard for us to break down our own self importance and we condemn ourselves because we can't admit we could be so amazingly wrong.
The future holds many things and the one thing we have to look to above all else, is Jesus. Without envisioning it all we have to cling to the hope in him. We have to cling to salvation through Him.
The mystery was revealed, the secret unfolded and Jesus Christ, the Son of God appeared, the Messiah came to bring salvation to all who would believe in him.
Jesus alone has the power to establish us according to His words.
The obedience of faith.
And yes... to God only wise be the glory through Jesus Christ forever.
By His grace and His mercy.
Amen.
Saturday, April 4, 2009
Ourselves being our biggest obstacle.
All puffed up with our selfish desires to put ourselves first and foremost in all things we are quick to see where we are offended by others. We note right off when others aren't being considerate of our needs, of our right to have things just so. We feel put upon when we do give to others only to be given no gratitude for all we do for them. We feel sorry for ourselves and we're quick to tell others when we've been slighted so they can feed into our selfishness by commisserating with us. We don't want to hear that we might be at fault we only want others to agree that we've been slighted and therefore deserving of pity or at least recognition that in some way we are the downtrodden not the one doing the downtrodding. When we see the subservient ones, when we hear of one allowing themselves to be badly used we shudder and wonder why they're not standing up for their rights, standing up for themselves against such abuse. We don't consider that it might not be abuse in the sense we believe. We are just so warped in our thinking by all these 'rights' people have that we are blinded to the truth. We don't want to be told that love is being selfless, not when the world is telling us to think of ourselves first and not let anyone step on our feelings in any way.
People want to know how they as Christians should be and all the while they cling to the bumper sticker saying that shouts, Christians aren't perfect just forgiven. Yes, that's the sort of Christian I am. That gives me the license to do as I'm inclined by my warped nature rather than hold myself accountable for my actions. Instead of repenting and by the grace of God putting off the old man and taking on the new, I can keep the old man and just keep asking for forgiveness without true repentance. This what people want.
Then we get the hounding from the devil that we don't even want to acknowledge as being hounding because it's thoughts we are thinking, so it makes it even worse when we hound ourselves with the thought that it's all too hard, too much, impossible for us to attain and well, just not going to happen. The despair quickly sets in and rather than cling tighter to Christ we loosen our hold letting it slip away as we condemn ourselves by saying it's just too hard, we're too weak. We don't realize that it is that very weakness we are proclaiming that brings the realization home that we need to be closer to Christ than ever, clinging to His love, His salvation, love and salvation we can never produce on our own.
The Bible tells us...
Romans 12:9-12:21
Let love be without dissimulation. ((dissimulation meaning- not being feigned, not pretended, not hidden, not diguised))
Abhor that which is evil.
Cleave to that which is good.
Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love.
In honour preferring one another.
Not slothful in business.
Fervent in spirit.
Serving the Lord.
Rejoicing in hope.
Patient in tribulation.
Continuing instant in prayer.
Distributing to the necessity of saints.
Given to hospitality.
Bless them which persecute you.
Bless, and curse not.
Rejoice with them that do rejoice.
And weep with them that weep.
Be of the same mind one toward another.
Mind not high things.
But condescend to men of low estate.
Be not wise in your own conceits.
Recompense to no man evil for evil.
Provide things honest in the sight of all men.
If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.
Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves.
But rather give place unto wrath.
For it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.
Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him.
If he thirst, give him drink.
For in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.
Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.
We justify our anger, our upset, our wrath by feeling put upon and pointing our fingers at those who have caused this in us, not realizing that they don't cause it at all. Our reactions are not determined by anyone's behavior. We determine our own reactions and if they are less than charitable it's not because anyone else has caused them to be so but rather our own failings have. Instead of pointing our finger and making excuses we need to ask for forgiveness for our responses no matter how much the world tries to convince us that we are justified in our anger, our upset, our vengence.
Please Lord, we would be Yours.
We know how unworthy we are and how Satan would have us ever despair of being truly Yours.
We cling to You Lord! We cling to You! You're our only hope!
By Your grace Lord, by Your mercy!
Save us!
Help us!
Ourselves being our biggest obstacle.
Help us!
By Your Love, Your Grace and Mercy, we cling to You Lord!
By Your Will now and forever!
Amen.
People want to know how they as Christians should be and all the while they cling to the bumper sticker saying that shouts, Christians aren't perfect just forgiven. Yes, that's the sort of Christian I am. That gives me the license to do as I'm inclined by my warped nature rather than hold myself accountable for my actions. Instead of repenting and by the grace of God putting off the old man and taking on the new, I can keep the old man and just keep asking for forgiveness without true repentance. This what people want.
Then we get the hounding from the devil that we don't even want to acknowledge as being hounding because it's thoughts we are thinking, so it makes it even worse when we hound ourselves with the thought that it's all too hard, too much, impossible for us to attain and well, just not going to happen. The despair quickly sets in and rather than cling tighter to Christ we loosen our hold letting it slip away as we condemn ourselves by saying it's just too hard, we're too weak. We don't realize that it is that very weakness we are proclaiming that brings the realization home that we need to be closer to Christ than ever, clinging to His love, His salvation, love and salvation we can never produce on our own.
The Bible tells us...
Romans 12:9-12:21
Let love be without dissimulation. ((dissimulation meaning- not being feigned, not pretended, not hidden, not diguised))
Abhor that which is evil.
Cleave to that which is good.
Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love.
In honour preferring one another.
Not slothful in business.
Fervent in spirit.
Serving the Lord.
Rejoicing in hope.
Patient in tribulation.
Continuing instant in prayer.
Distributing to the necessity of saints.
Given to hospitality.
Bless them which persecute you.
Bless, and curse not.
Rejoice with them that do rejoice.
And weep with them that weep.
Be of the same mind one toward another.
Mind not high things.
But condescend to men of low estate.
Be not wise in your own conceits.
Recompense to no man evil for evil.
Provide things honest in the sight of all men.
If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.
Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves.
But rather give place unto wrath.
For it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.
Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him.
If he thirst, give him drink.
For in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.
Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.
We justify our anger, our upset, our wrath by feeling put upon and pointing our fingers at those who have caused this in us, not realizing that they don't cause it at all. Our reactions are not determined by anyone's behavior. We determine our own reactions and if they are less than charitable it's not because anyone else has caused them to be so but rather our own failings have. Instead of pointing our finger and making excuses we need to ask for forgiveness for our responses no matter how much the world tries to convince us that we are justified in our anger, our upset, our vengence.
Please Lord, we would be Yours.
We know how unworthy we are and how Satan would have us ever despair of being truly Yours.
We cling to You Lord! We cling to You! You're our only hope!
By Your grace Lord, by Your mercy!
Save us!
Help us!
Ourselves being our biggest obstacle.
Help us!
By Your Love, Your Grace and Mercy, we cling to You Lord!
By Your Will now and forever!
Amen.
Friday, April 3, 2009
Wake Up! Wake Up!
Romans
{13:11} And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we
believed.
{13:12} The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.
{13:13} Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. {13:14} But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.
Knowing the time.
That now it is high time.
High time to awake out of sleep.
For now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.
Salvation is close, always close, just hope away. No one can wait. No one is safe in waiting. If we wait for a certain time it could be too late. Thinking that salvation is nearer than when we believed. Thinking that the time is now, high time to wake up from our slumbers that keep us from salvation, is a bit frightening and a bit worrisome.
We're like children who are playing grown ups and getting all mixed up in our grownup things, we have momma's fun make up to wear, daddy's suit coat and we're prancing around playing our game not wanting our real momma or daddy to come home to spoil our fun. We watch the clock and we get a call that tells us that they'll be home soon but we still don't know exactly when. Are we wise? If we are wise we'd quickly put up those things we were playing with and prepare for their homecoming. If we're not wise we'll keep playing and take the risk of facing the wrath of our parents when they find us having toyed with their belongings.
We are told to prepare. We are told to accept. We are told today is the day of salvation and yet the devil fools us into believing that we have time to accept later because now is the time to play, have fun, not think of anything beyond our carnal existence and making it as pleasurable as we can.
Hope and faith grasp hold of the eternal, of the unseen, while the principalities and powers in high places keep us focused on now, and our immediate future, at most a few years, maybe several of them with the intention of keeping us earth bound, devil bound.
Knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep. For now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.
If you're hearing the call to wake up out of sleep you need to obey it. You need to push aside the foul dreams that cloud your sleep and try to trap you there in your slumbering. Salvation is now. You may not have tomorrow. Salvation is now. Developing our spiritual life now is necessary if we are to live eternally. Spiritual things with spiritual things.
Romans
{13:12} The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.
{13:13} Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. {13:14} But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.
The night is far spent. The day is at hand.
Let us therefore cast off the works of darkness.
Let us put on the armour of light.
We are covered in the works of darkness aren't we? We cling to them. We use them as security, they're the familiar things we've lived with for so long. We can cast them off, we don't have to keep them upon us. In fact we need to cast them off and we need to put on the armour of light. Christ's armour, Christ's ways.
Let us walk honestly as in the day.
Not in rioting and drunkeness, not in chambering and wantoness, not in strife and enyving.
All that -- the rioting, drunkeness, chambering, wantoness, strife and envying are works of darkness.
We need to put on the Lord Jesus Christ and make not provision for our flesh to fulfil the lusts thereof.
We need stop making provisions for our flesh. Stop making excuses to keep the dark ways in our lives.
We need to walk in Christ now and forever.
By the mercy and grace of our Lord, and of our Savior we can live, only by the mercy and grace of our Lord.
Let us determine to grow closer to Christ.
Now is the day of Salvation!
The hour is at hand, it is high time to wake out of our sleep.
Wake up! Wake up!
In Christ's love.
Amen.
{13:11} And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we
believed.
{13:12} The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.
{13:13} Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. {13:14} But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.
Knowing the time.
That now it is high time.
High time to awake out of sleep.
For now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.
Salvation is close, always close, just hope away. No one can wait. No one is safe in waiting. If we wait for a certain time it could be too late. Thinking that salvation is nearer than when we believed. Thinking that the time is now, high time to wake up from our slumbers that keep us from salvation, is a bit frightening and a bit worrisome.
We're like children who are playing grown ups and getting all mixed up in our grownup things, we have momma's fun make up to wear, daddy's suit coat and we're prancing around playing our game not wanting our real momma or daddy to come home to spoil our fun. We watch the clock and we get a call that tells us that they'll be home soon but we still don't know exactly when. Are we wise? If we are wise we'd quickly put up those things we were playing with and prepare for their homecoming. If we're not wise we'll keep playing and take the risk of facing the wrath of our parents when they find us having toyed with their belongings.
We are told to prepare. We are told to accept. We are told today is the day of salvation and yet the devil fools us into believing that we have time to accept later because now is the time to play, have fun, not think of anything beyond our carnal existence and making it as pleasurable as we can.
Hope and faith grasp hold of the eternal, of the unseen, while the principalities and powers in high places keep us focused on now, and our immediate future, at most a few years, maybe several of them with the intention of keeping us earth bound, devil bound.
Knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep. For now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.
If you're hearing the call to wake up out of sleep you need to obey it. You need to push aside the foul dreams that cloud your sleep and try to trap you there in your slumbering. Salvation is now. You may not have tomorrow. Salvation is now. Developing our spiritual life now is necessary if we are to live eternally. Spiritual things with spiritual things.
Romans
{13:12} The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.
{13:13} Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. {13:14} But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.
The night is far spent. The day is at hand.
Let us therefore cast off the works of darkness.
Let us put on the armour of light.
We are covered in the works of darkness aren't we? We cling to them. We use them as security, they're the familiar things we've lived with for so long. We can cast them off, we don't have to keep them upon us. In fact we need to cast them off and we need to put on the armour of light. Christ's armour, Christ's ways.
Let us walk honestly as in the day.
Not in rioting and drunkeness, not in chambering and wantoness, not in strife and enyving.
All that -- the rioting, drunkeness, chambering, wantoness, strife and envying are works of darkness.
We need to put on the Lord Jesus Christ and make not provision for our flesh to fulfil the lusts thereof.
We need stop making provisions for our flesh. Stop making excuses to keep the dark ways in our lives.
We need to walk in Christ now and forever.
By the mercy and grace of our Lord, and of our Savior we can live, only by the mercy and grace of our Lord.
Let us determine to grow closer to Christ.
Now is the day of Salvation!
The hour is at hand, it is high time to wake out of our sleep.
Wake up! Wake up!
In Christ's love.
Amen.
Thursday, April 2, 2009
...The Sciptures Might Have Hope
Romans {15:4} For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.
Hope is something we need.
Faith is the substance of things hoped for.
Hope, we can get hope through the patience and comfort of the scriptures.
Things written aforetimes were written for our learning.
When this was said the writer was speaking of the Old Testament writings.
A lot of times people today tend to lean towards the New Testament. I can understand it. The Old Testament writings speak of the Messiah to come, the New Testament has the words of Jesus in them, the words of God's Son as a man on earth. There are whole groups that use only the New Testament doing away with the Old. Yet we are told that through patience and comfort of the scriptures we might have hope.
Ps. {31:24} Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the LORD.
Ps. {33:22} Let thy mercy, O LORD, be upon us, according as we hope in thee.
We need hope.
Heb. {11:6} But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a
rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
Faith is hope.
Romans {15:4} For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.
We get hope through the scriptures. We can't keep ourselves from the scriptures and expect to keep hopeful. Cut off the source of hope and what is left?
Once again it just hits home how many people have died for the Word of God.
We take if for granted, we so take if for granted. What people hide and sneak to read, what people risk their lives for just to hear, we have at our fingertips and neglect so. We ought to be ashamed of ourselves really. Deeply ashamed. We wonder why our hope slips away and our lives seem to have a hopeless to them, meaningless because of our inability to keep close to God, and yet we neglect the one thing that can give us hope and keep us close to God- His word.
May the Lord help us, may the Lord show us mercy! Mercy Lord. Forgive us our neglect. Help us, Lord. Help us.
By the mercy and grace of Our Lord and Savior.
Amen.
Hope is something we need.
Faith is the substance of things hoped for.
Hope, we can get hope through the patience and comfort of the scriptures.
Things written aforetimes were written for our learning.
When this was said the writer was speaking of the Old Testament writings.
A lot of times people today tend to lean towards the New Testament. I can understand it. The Old Testament writings speak of the Messiah to come, the New Testament has the words of Jesus in them, the words of God's Son as a man on earth. There are whole groups that use only the New Testament doing away with the Old. Yet we are told that through patience and comfort of the scriptures we might have hope.
Ps. {31:24} Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the LORD.
Ps. {33:22} Let thy mercy, O LORD, be upon us, according as we hope in thee.
We need hope.
Heb. {11:6} But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a
rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
Faith is hope.
Romans {15:4} For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.
We get hope through the scriptures. We can't keep ourselves from the scriptures and expect to keep hopeful. Cut off the source of hope and what is left?
Once again it just hits home how many people have died for the Word of God.
We take if for granted, we so take if for granted. What people hide and sneak to read, what people risk their lives for just to hear, we have at our fingertips and neglect so. We ought to be ashamed of ourselves really. Deeply ashamed. We wonder why our hope slips away and our lives seem to have a hopeless to them, meaningless because of our inability to keep close to God, and yet we neglect the one thing that can give us hope and keep us close to God- His word.
May the Lord help us, may the Lord show us mercy! Mercy Lord. Forgive us our neglect. Help us, Lord. Help us.
By the mercy and grace of Our Lord and Savior.
Amen.
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