The Gospel and Power!

Click here to listen to blog.

As they came near the gate of the town, they saw people carrying out the body of a widow's only son. Many people from the town were walking along with her.  When the Lord saw the woman, he felt sorry for her and said, "Don't cry!"  Jesus went over and touched the stretcher on which the people were carrying the dead boy. They stopped, and Jesus said, "Young man, get up!"  The boy sat up and began to speak. Jesus then gave him back to his mother.  Everyone was frightened and praised God. They said, "A great prophet is here with us! God has come to his people."  News about Jesus spread all over Judea and everywhere else in that part of the country.

Luke 7: 12 - 17

The news about Jesus spread all over the country, not because of the wonderful words that He spoke.  Jesus words were amazing, but healing the sick and raising the dead astonished and caught the attention of the people!  When men and women see the undeniable power of God working in the lives of people around them, they will certainly tell others about Jesus.  

Telling the story of Jesus without the Power of God being evidenced, is like demonstrating a new car without any gas in the tank!  It may be the most beautiful automobile ever made, but without fuel it will not take you anywhere!

So, tell me the Story of Jesus, and show me the Power of God when you do!  Remember, faith is not simply believing what has already happened, it is rather the evidence of things not yet seen!  Believe that God will show His power to confirm the Gospel.  That is what He did and demonstrating His power is what He will do again!  

“Thank You Jesus, for being the same today, yesterday and forever!  Amen.”

Deceived by Satan!

Click here to listen to blog

I saw an angel come down from heaven, carrying the key to the deep pit and a big chain.  He chained the dragon for a thousand years. It is that old snake, who is also known as the devil and Satan.  Then the angel threw the dragon into the pit. He locked and sealed it, so that a thousand years would go by before the dragon could fool the nations again. But after that, it would have to be set free for a little while.

Revelation 20: 1 - 3

These verses often spark a debate about when and exactly how long the time of Satan’s incarceration will be.  That discussion can be a distraction from the clear truth that Satan deceives entire nations and of course the Devil wants to deceive you!  

The very nature of being deceived is that you think you are believing and doing the right thing, when you actually are believing and acting upon a lie!  There is no valid defense before God that “Satan deceived me!”  Eve tried that one after the original sin and it did not work!  

And of course when a person is deceived he or she does not know it!  That is the nature of believing a lie!  You don’t know that what you believe is not true!  

That is where the Word of God enters your life.  When you consume the Bible with an open heart you will see what is truth and what is a lie in your belief system!  Nothing is  more reliable in checking your heart than God’s written Word!  

“Lord Jesus, help me to see You in everything around me and hear Your voice, even in the gentle breeze!  But filter my heart with Your Word and keep me from believing the lie of Satan!  Praise Your Holy Name now and forever.  Amen.”  

Jesus is the Door!

Click here to listen to blog.

After this, I looked and saw a door that opened into heaven. Then the voice that had spoken to me at first and that sounded like a trumpet said, "Come up here! I will show you what must happen next."  Right then the Spirit took control of me, and there in heaven I saw a throne and someone sitting on it.  The one who was sitting there sparkled like precious stones of jasper and carnelian. A rainbow that looked like an emerald surrounded the throne.  Twenty-four other thrones were in a circle around that throne. And on each of these thrones there was an elder dressed in white clothes and wearing a gold crown.  Flashes of lightning and roars of thunder came out from the throne in the center of the circle. Seven torches, which are the seven spirits of God, were burning in front of the throne.  Also in front of the throne was something that looked like a glass sea, clear as crystal.  Around the throne in the center were four living creatures covered front and back with eyes.  The first creature was like a lion, the second one was like a bull, the third one had the face of a human, and the fourth was like a flying eagle.  Each of the four living creatures had six wings, and their bodies were covered with eyes. Day and night they never stopped singing, "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord, the all-powerful God, who was and is and is coming!" The living creatures kept praising, honoring, and thanking the one who sits on the throne and who lives forever and ever.  At the same time the twenty-four elders knelt down before the one sitting on the throne. And as they worshiped the one who lives forever, they placed their crowns in front of the throne and said,  "Our Lord and God, you are worthy to receive glory, honor, and power. You created all things, and by your decision they are and were created."

Revelation 4

Did you know that there really is a Door that opens into Heaven?  This description of Heaven in Revelation 4 is not an imaginary one!  The Apostle John was allowed to visit Heaven before he died on this earth.  John says he was there in Heaven and saw the Throne of God!  He then goes on to describe the scene in great detail!

Why did Jesus not simply tell John what the Throne of God is like, rather than brining John to Heaven and letting him see it for himself?  Frankly, I don’t the answer to that question, but I do know that the Bible is not a “make believe” story.  If John says that he was taken into Heaven and saw the Throne of God, then that is exactly what happened!  

So when you read the Bible, don’t ask yourself the question “is this real?”  But rather, ask the question, “do I believe it?”  If you believe what God has said, He will show you things you cannot even imagine!  

“Lord Jesus, help me today to believe every Word  in the Bible.  And Jesus I know for certain that You are the Door to Heaven!  May Your Name be praised now and forever.  Amen.”

Lord Rescue Me!

Click here to listen to blog.

The Law has shown me that something in me keeps me from doing what I know is right.  With my whole heart I agree with the Law of God.  But in every part of me I discover something fighting against my mind, and it makes me a prisoner of sin that controls everything I do.  What a miserable person I am. Who will rescue me from this body that is doomed to die?  Thank God! Jesus Christ will rescue me.

Romans 7: 21 - 25a

Have you discovered that something inside you is fighting against doing the right thing?  It is not just you!  Every man and woman ever born to live on this earth experiences the same difficulty.  You may want to do the right thing, but the desires of your own flesh push and pull you in the wrong direction! 

Self discipline and motivational books and speakers can help some in your war against yourself, but there is only one way to have complete victory in the battle with own body! That Way is Jesus Christ!   

Jesus will rescue you from yourself!  

“Lord Jesus, I need to be rescued from myself!  I am my own greatest enemy and I confess that I cannot change myself.  I have tried but failed and  I need You to do it!  So come Lord Jesus and apply Your saving power to my rebellious and sinful flesh!  Lord, Rescue Me! I Praise Your Holy Name, now and forever.  Amen.”

Dream Home in Heaven!

Click here to listen to blog.

Jesus said to his disciples, "Don't be worried! Have faith in God and have faith in me.  There are many rooms in my Father's house. I wouldn't tell you this, unless it was true. I am going there to prepare a place for each of you.  After I have done this, I will come back and take you with me. Then we will be together.  You know the way to where I am going."  Thomas said, "Lord, we don't even know where you are going! How can we know the way?"  "I am the way, the truth, and the life!" Jesus answered. "Without me, no one can go to the Father.

John 14: 1 - 6

I don’t know if any of the home renovation television shows are broadcast internationally, but I’m sure you can see some of them on the internet.  Usually, near the beginning of the program a couple is explaining what their idea of a “dream home” would be.  By the end of the show you have seen their new home become everything they had ever imagined and more!  

It is totally appropriate that Jesus was a carpenter here on this earth, because right now He is preparing a place for you and me in Heaven!  The One who is decorating your home in Heaven is the same One who designed Roses and Lillies, sunsets and gentle rains, moon lite nights and hypnotizing waves rolling in on the beach!  He created everything beautiful that there is and is not done yet!  

The splendor and beauty of your new home will not even compare to the splendor and beauty of the Carpenter who is making it ready for you! 

If you have not yet given your heart to Jesus Christ, you literally don’t know what you will be missing!  

“Lord Jesus, help me today to be even more excited about the Day that may soon come, the Day when I will see my Eternal Home forever!  Praise Your Holy Name.  Amen.” 

My Weakness His Glory!

Click here to listen to blog.

The leaders told the man, "You have been a sinner since the day you were born! Do you think you can teach us anything?" Then they said, "You can never come back into any of our meeting places!"  When Jesus heard what had happened, he went and found the man. Then Jesus asked, "Do you have faith in the Son of Man?"  He replied, "Sir, if you will tell me who he is, I will put my faith in him."  "You have already seen him," Jesus answered, "and right now he is talking with you."  The man said, "Lord, I put my faith in you!" Then he worshiped Jesus.  Jesus told him, "I came to judge the people of this world. I am here to give sight to the blind and to make blind everyone who can see."

John 9: 34 - 39

All of chapter 9 in the Gospel of John is devoted to the story of a man who was born blind, but was healed by Jesus!  The religious leaders threw the man out of the synagogue because Jesus had revealed His power in giving him sight for the first time in his life!  

Jesus said the man was born blind so that others would see God work a miracle for him!

If you have a “disability,” and we all do to some extent, how has God been glorified through your weakness?  Does your lack of ability in some area of your life discourage you or do you see it as an opportunity for God to point others to Him by displaying His power in your life?

He may show His greatness by healing you, or He may show it in some other way.  But God will use everything about your life for His purpose!  You have the choice of letting Him use you as you willingly give it all to Jesus, or you can refuse to be His obedient  servant and God will still use you like He did Pharaoh in Egypt!

"Lord Jesus, I want to be Your willing servant.  I give You my weakness today so that You may be glorified even in my disability.  Praise Your Holy Name now and forever.  Amen.” 

GOOD NEWS OR FAKE NEWS!

Click here to listen to blog.

Your father is the devil, and you do exactly what he wants. He has always been a murderer and a liar. There is nothing truthful about him. He speaks on his own, and everything he says is a lie. Not only is he a liar himself, but he is also the father of all lies.  Everything I have told you is true, and you still refuse to have faith in me.  Can any of you accuse me of sin? If you cannot, why won't you have faith in me? After all, I am telling you the truth.

John 8: 44 - 46

The term “FAKE NEWS” is commonly used today to mean that a news story is really a lie!  Jesus came to earth to bring us the “GOOD NEWS” that we can be saved from the consequences of our sin and rebellion against God!  The Good News is always true and is not a lie!

But the Devil is the father of lies and is in the business today of spreading lies, especially lies about Jesus and the Gospel!  

Satan says there are many ways to get to Heaven, but Jesus says there is only one way!

Satan says that Jesus was a good man, but certainly not the Son of God!

And the list goes on and on!  God says one thing, and the Devil declares just the opposite.  Let the Holy Spirit and His Sword, which is the Word of God help you know the difference between the Good News and the Fake News!

“Lord Jesus, help me today to know the difference between Your Truth and Satan’s lie.  May Your Name be praised now and forever.  Amen.”

Knowing Christ is the Prize!

Click here to listen to blog.

But Christ has shown me that what I once thought was valuable is worthless.  Nothing is as wonderful as knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. I have given up everything else and count it all as garbage. All I want is Christ and to know that I belong to him. I could not make myself acceptable to God by obeying the Law of Moses. God accepted me simply because of my faith in Christ.  All I want is to know Christ and the power that raised him to life. I want to suffer and die as he did, so that somehow I also may be raised to life.  I have not yet reached my goal, and I am not perfect. But Christ has taken hold of me. So I keep on running and struggling to take hold of the prize.

Philippians 3: 7 - 12

I think some followers of Jesus Christ today would judge the Apostle Paul as one who was “weak in faith” because he said he had not yet reached his goal!  They might say that Paul was not certain of his Salvation!  But that is not what this is saying at all!  

I think that the Prize Paul was talking about was simply this: Paul wanted to know Christ better!  So, after you are “Saved” you don’t just sit down, relax and wait for the return of Jesus.  After you are saved, you “Struggle and Run” to know Jesus and the power that raised Him to life!  

Knowing Christ is not just sweet fellowship with the Lord.  It is also suffering and dying as He did.  Knowing Christ is being raised to life even as He was three days after His crucifixion.  

“Lord Jesus, You are the Prize for those who are saved from the fires of Hell. You are all I need or will ever need.  Praise Your Holy Name now and forever.  Amen.”

Don't Wait for the Trumpet!

Click here to listen to blog.

Every time I think of you, I thank my God.  And whenever I mention you in my prayers, it makes me happy.  This is because you have taken part with me in spreading the good news from the first day you heard about it.   God is the one who began this good work in you, and I am certain that he won't stop before it is complete on the day that Christ Jesus returns.

Philippians 1: 3 - 6

Spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ will not be finished until the day of His return!  That means simply this: If today is the day of the return of Jesus Christ, there may still time for you to tell someone about Jesus and for that someone to turn their heart to Him! 

Hopefully, there will be those who hear about the saving power of Jesus Christ and give themselves to Him, and as they “rise out of the grave” of the old life, they will see Him coming on the clouds!   

If you see the signs of the return of Jesus Christ, know this: It is time for you to tell everyone you meet this day about what Jesus did for them on the Cross!  Will you be embarrassed for being so bold?  Perhaps you will, but you will be even more distraught if you have opportunity to bring one more lost soul to Jesus before His return and you refuse to do so!

Don’t wait for the trumpet!  Then it will be too late!

“Lord Jesus, give me a heart of urgency about spreading the Good News about You to everyone I meet today.  Praise Your Holy Name, now and forever.  Amen.” 

The Sin Option!

Click here to listen to blog.

Jesus understands every weakness of ours, because he was tempted in every way that we are. But he did not sin! So whenever we are in need, we should come bravely before the throne of our merciful God. There we will be treated with undeserved kindness, and we will find help.

Hebrews 4: 15 - 16

Do you take pride in the fact that you are not tempted in a certain area?  There are sins which are so “terrible” in our eyes, that we believe even to be tempted in that way is disgraceful and maybe even a sin itself!  

So what do these verses mean when they say that Jesus was tempted in “every way we are?”  I don’t believe that Jesus was “overwhelmed” with the desire to do something that would displease the Father.   But, I do believe that Jesus, because He was human, was fully capable of choosing the sin option in every situation in His life, and was confronted with situations that presented Him with the opportunity to reject every sin known to man!

You cannot call out to Jesus when you are tempted and have the Lord tell you that He doesn’t know how you feel in confronting that temptation!  

So, follow the example of Joseph and run away from Potiphar’s wife, but hold on tightly to Jesus who knows exactly how you feel!

“Lord Jesus, help me to meet every temptation in life today with the same success You had with that very invitation to sin.  Praise Your Holy Name now and forever.  Amen.”

Black Hole of Human Pride!

Click here to listen to blog.

Who can measure the wealth and wisdom and knowledge of God? Who can understand his decisions or explain what he does? “Has anyone known the thoughts of the Lord or given him advice?"

Romans 11:33-34

Human beings like to measure the wealth, wisdom and knowledge of others!   We use the measuring stick of our own wealth, wisdom and knowledge to see if we are richer, wiser and smarter than other people.   Usually we put that stick away until it appears that we will win the comparison.

But when you try to measure God's wisdom, knowledge and wealth you will always find that your measuring stick is not long enough to even begin!   One of Satan's fundamental temptations is to tell you that you can be wiser, smarter, and even wealthier than God!   

And of course, the Enemy of God would have you believe that you can, without the help of Scripture or the Holy Spirit understand God's decisions or explain what He does!    It is then you take the final foolish step of trying to give God advice!

Certainly, it is fine to seek to understand God's decisions, but when brining your requests to God crosses over into the realm of pitting your wisdom against His, you step into a black hole of human pride!   When you come to God, always stay on your knees!

"Lord Jesus, I do want to know more and more about You, but I know that Your Wisdom, Wealth and Knowledge are beyond anything I could ever imagine.   Praise Your Holy Name, now and forever.   Amen."

My Heart but His Image!

Click here to listen to blog

The Pharisees got together and planned how they could trick Jesus into saying something wrong.  They sent some of their followers and some of Herod’s followers to say to him, “Teacher, we know that you are honest. You teach the truth about what God wants people to do. And you treat everyone with the same respect, no matter who they are.  Tell us what you think! Should we pay taxes to the Emperor or not?”

Jesus knew their evil thoughts and said, “Why are you trying to test me? You show-offs!  Let me see one of the coins used for paying taxes.” They brought him a silver coin, and he asked, “Whose picture and name are on it?”

“The Emperor’s,” they answered.

Then Jesus told them, “Give the Emperor what belongs to him and give God what belongs to God.”

Matthew 22:15-21

Jesus was not a politician, but like political leaders even today, there were attempts to get Jesus to say some something wrong in public!  An upsetting "sound bite" is perhaps the best way to put yourself at the head of the media wolf pack!  

And the question they asked the Lord was about as political a question you could contrive.  They asked Jesus if they should pay taxes to Caesar.  His answer was simple and profound at the same time.  He asked for a coin and pointed out that the picture on the coin was a picture of the Emperor.  The Jesus said, "Give the Emperor what belongs to him and give God what belongs to God."  

Caesar's picture was on the coin, but God's image is on the heart of every man ever born!  You are made in God's image and, consequently, you belong to God!  When you give your heart to Jesus, you are giving the Lord a "Coin" with the image of Jesus deeply inscribed on it!

"Lord Jesus, every human being ever born into this world was Created in your image!  So, I give You today the one thing that I have that is rightly Yours, my heart!  Praise Your Holy Name, now and forever.  Amen."

Think About Jesus Before You Sleep!

Click here to listen to blog.

You are my God. I worship you. In my heart, I long for you, as I would long for a stream in a scorching desert.

I have seen your power and your glory in the place of worship. Your love means more than life to me, and I praise you. As long as I live, I will pray to you.  I will sing joyful praises and be filled with excitement like a guest at a banquet.

I think about you before I go to sleep, and my thoughts turn to you during the night. 

Psalm 63:1-6

What do you think about before you go to sleep each night?  Many people fall asleep thinking about the regrets of that day.  The things that you did, but you wish you had not done can run over and over through your mind like a "broken record." Those are thoughts that can in fact keep you from sleeping and you wonder if the night is ever going to end!

King David had a difficult life, to say the least, but he tells us in Psalm 63 how he quieted his mind and slept peacefully through the night!  David thought about God before he went to sleep, and his thoughts turned to God during the night!  

The Bible tells us that we should think about good things.  What is better to think about than God Himself?  And, I believe the most amazing thought about God is this: Jesus loves me!  The Creator of all there is, the One who rules the universe and all Eternity, loves me, and He loves you!  That one thought, if you truly believe it, will drive all the worries from your heart and mind and let you rest in peace!

"Lord Jesus, show me how to think about You before I sleep at night.  And may thoughts of You fill my dreams as I sleep!  Praise Your Holy Name, now and forever.  Amen."

God's Power Class!

Click here to listen to blog.

I prayed to the Lord:

Our Lord, you are the one

    who gives me strength

and protects me like a fortress

    when I am in trouble.

People will come to you

    from distant nations and say,

“Our ancestors worshiped

    false and useless gods,

worthless idols

    made by human hands.”

Then the Lord replied,

“That’s why I will teach them

    about my power,

and they will know

    that I am the true God.”

Jeremiah 16:19-21

How do people come to know that God is the only true God?  Of course, there are many answers to that question but these verses in Jeremiah 16 say that people will know that He is the "true God" when He teaches them about His power!  

When a man or woman comes face to face with the undeniable Power of God in their life, they have only two choices.  They could turn and run away from God or they could run toward Him.  No one is touched by the Power of God and simply ignores the reality of God.

When God's Power touches you, you will not stand still.  You will move either away from God or leap into His arms!

That is why Satan wants you to believe that God's Power is no longer seen in the world today.  So if you are praying that someone enter into a saving relationship with Jesus Christ, ask God to teach them about His Power!  Seeing the undeniable Power of God will bring anyone to a point of decision about the Lord!

"Lord Jesus, teach me more about Your Power today.  And when I see Your Power may I run to You, and always rest in Your love! Praise Your Holy Name, now and forever!  Amen."

Unimportant People!

Click here to listen to blog.

When the Son of Man comes in his glory with all of his angels, he will sit on his royal throne.  The people of all nations will be brought before him, and he will separate them, as shepherds separate their sheep from their goats.

He will place the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.  Then the king will say to those on his right, “My father has blessed you! Come and receive the kingdom that was prepared for you before the world was created.  When I was hungry, you gave me something to eat, and when I was thirsty, you gave me something to drink. When I was a stranger, you welcomed me, and when I was naked, you gave me clothes to wear. When I was sick, you took care of me, and when I was in jail, you visited me.”

Then the ones who pleased the Lord will ask, “When did we give you something to eat or drink?  When did we welcome you as a stranger or give you clothes to wear or visit you while you were sick or in jail?”

The king will answer, “Whenever you did it for any of my people, no matter how unimportant they seemed, you did it for me.”

Matthew 25:31-40

Certainly, we are saved by faith and not by works, but when Jesus comes and brings everyone before Him, according to these verses He will not mention your faith, or your church, or how accurately you understood the doctrines of the Bible!  What He will focus on is this: Did you minister to Him by responding to the needs of others?  

You may be the greatest theologian who ever lived, but if you ignore the needs of seemingly "unimportant people" your prospect for Eternity is not good to say the least!  You see, extensive Bible study, and even seminary training is no substitute for doing the things that the Holy Spirit wants to lead you to do in your daily walk with Jesus!

So you are saved by the Blood of Jesus and not saved by works, but at the same time, you are not saved without them!   

"Lord Jesus, help me today to reach out to all the "unimportant people" you have put before me!  Praise Your Holy Name, now and forever.  Amen."