John

Loving the Father and the Son

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I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. Yet a little while, and the world seeth Me no more; but ye see Me: because I live, ye shall live also. At that day ye shall know that I am in My Father, and ye in Me, and I in you. He that hath My commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth Me: and he that loveth Me shall be loved of My Father, and I will love him, and will manifest Myself to him. Judas saith unto Him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that Thou wilt manifest Thyself unto us, and not unto the world? Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love Me, he will keep My words: and My Father will love him, and We will come unto him, and make Our abode with him. He that loveth Me not keepeth not My sayings: and the word which ye hear is not Mine, but the Father’s which sent Me. John 14:18-24 (KJV)

Loving God the Father means loving God the Son who is Jesus the Christ who died on the cross for our sins, was buried, and rose again.  The resurrection is evidence of the truth Jesus spoke while walking among men on earth.  May I say too, that there is absolutely no evidence that Jesus ever came as a man to any other part of the earth, except to Jerusalem, the land of Palestine.

We who are the redeemed of the Lord; redeemed through His sacrifice; have His commandments and we will keep them because we love Him.  Because of the gift of the life of Jesus we love the Father and the Son.

Love God.  Love one another.  Do those sound familiar?  That is two of them.  How are we doing?

 

The Great Attraction…

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The following is a portion from a sermon preached by Reuben Archer Torrey titled “THE GREAT ATTRACTION: THE UPLIFTED CHRIST”.

“And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto Me.” John 12:32 (KJV)

“Note, in the third place, the words, ‘Draw all men.’

Does “all men” mean all individuals or men of all races? Did Jesus mean that every man and woman who lived on this earth would be drawn to Him, or did He mean that men of all races would be drawn to Him?  The context  answers the question.  The Greeks, as we have seen, came to one of the apostles, Philip, and said, ‘We would see Jesus,’ and Philip had gone and told Andrew, and Andrew and Philip had gone and told Jesus.  Our Lord’s ministry during His earthly life was  to Jews only, and in coming of these Greeks so soon before His death, our Lord saw the presage of the coming days when by His death on the cross the barrier between Jews and Gentiles would be broken down and all nations would have their opportunity equally with the Jews, when by His atoning death on the cross men of all nations would be drawn to Him. He did not say that He would draw every individual, but that all races of men: Greeks as well as Jews, Romans, Scythians, French, English, Germans, Japanese, Americans, and mean of all nations.  He is a universal Savior, and true Christianity is a universal religion.  Mohammedanism, Buddhism, Confucianism, and all other religions of a restricted application. Christianity, with a crucified Christ as its center, is a universal religion that meets the needs of all mankind.  It meets the needs of the European as well as the needs of the Asiatic, the needs of the Occident as well as the needs of the Orient, the needs of the American Indian and the needs of the African Negro; and so our Lord said,

‘And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto Myself.’“

Christmas Day 5

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What do I want for Christmas today?

I want you to be reminded today, and the following four days that Christmas is about the incarnation of Jesus Christ; God becoming flesh and dwelling among us; that the Son of God became the Son of Man, so that the sons of men might become the sons of God.

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

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Christmas Day Ten and Five

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What do I want for Christmas today?

I want to call on every Christian to hear, receive and believe the word of God today that is written in the Bible; will be spoken from every Christian pulpit around the world; hear it, and put it to work in our lives, because it is powerful, to rid us of evil in our own  hearts, minds and lives, to set us apart from the world, to empower us as the witnesses of our Lord and God Jesus Christ who came as a baby in a manger, grew into a man, and gave His life as a ransom payment for our sin, was buried, and He arose from the grave, ascended into heaven; and soon will be returning.

“Sanctify them through Thy truth: Thy word is truth.” [Jesus’s prayer] John 17:17 (KJV)

Christmas Day Ten and Six

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What do I want for Christmas today?

I want to always remember that Christmas is about Jesus coming to dwell among mankind, as one of us, that He might die for our sins; and set us free from the chains of sin, death and eternal death; to give us life eternal.

“Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth My word, and believeth on Him that sent Me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live. For as the Father hath life in Himself; so hath He given to the Son to have life in Himself; and hath given Him authority to execute judgment also, because He is the Son of Man. Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear His voice, and shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.” [Jesus] John 5:24-29 (KJV)

Christmas Day Ten and Eight

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What do I want for Christmas today?

I want to grasp and hold more firmly to the faith that is in Christ Jesus; knowing more fully that faith is substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen; that faith is not a leap at all, but trusting in what is Truth; that what is truth will always be truth; and what is truth for one is truth for all.

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Hebrews 11:1 (KJV)

“Pilate therefore said unto Him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth My voice.” John 18:37

Christmas Day 20

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Wow!  Just 20 days until Christmas – with Day 1 being Christmas Day.

What do I want for Christmas today?

I want to see Jesus the Christ, Son of the Living God, and God the Living Son; today; and want all my family, friends, neighbors, to desire to see Him as well.

For those of you who might just think that I need help with my mind.  I have a clear mind, and it has been best when I desire to see Jesus the most.  This is not a death wish; but a life hope, and promise of God.

“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.” Revelation 1:7 (KJV)

Christmas Day Twenty and Four

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What do I want for Christmas today?

I want people everywhere to know and to remember that this season of the year is about God loving us so much that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever will believe in Him shall not perish but will have everlasting life.

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved. He that believeth on Him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” John 3:16-18 (KJV)

Jesus Speaks – Christmas Day One Hundred Seventy and Two

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Not every one that saith unto Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of My Father which is in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Thy name, and in Thy name have cast out devils, and in Thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from Me, ye that work iniquity.” Matthew 7:21-23 (KJV)

Please note that these are the words of Jesus.  Those who do the will of His Father are those who will enter the kingdom of heaven.

What do I want for Christmas?

I want you to do the will of God in Christ Jesus, and that is to believe on Him whom the Father has sent.

“Then said they unto Him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on Him whom He hath sent.” John 6:28-29

Jesus Speaks – Christmas Day One Hundred Seventy and Three

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Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?” Matthew 7:15-16 (KJV)

It should be apparent to every Christian that there are false teachers and false prophets in our Nation, and in the world; espousing health and wealth, security, safety, and power even when there is unconfessed, unrepented sin.

What do I want for Christmas?

I want the words that I speak and preach to confront and expose evil, and all unrighteous behavior; to call for repentance and faith toward Jesus Christ, His death, burial and resurrection; and to remind all that Jesus is coming again; and to be ready for His return.

“Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is. And every man that hath this hope in Him purifieth himself, even as He is pure.” 1 John 3:2-3

Jesus Speaks – Christmas Day One Hundred Ninety and Three

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Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.” Matthew 5:8 (KJV)

One of the meanings of the word “Blessed” is ‘happy’.  True happiness comes only from God, and doing His will; not our own.

Having a “Pure” heart and mind is also a work of God.  “Purity” comes from cleansing, pruning away the dead unfruitful parts of our lives.

What do I want for Christmas?

I want God to work in me, pruning away all that is unclean, unrighteous, and unholy; so that I can see God.  Yes I know the Lord as my Lord and Savior, but I want You Lord to do Your work in me, make me pure, and clean of heart, soul and mind.

“Every branch in Me that beareth not fruit He taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, He purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.” John 15:2-3

Camp Delight – Christmas Day Two Hundred and Six

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What do I want for Christmas?

Today being the final day of Youth Camp at Baptist Hill in Mt. Vernon, Missouri; I want the Camp Cooks to continue to be blessed through this day, and they are being; and that the youth at camp have been brought nearer to Jesus than they were previously, and all who will might find faith in Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior.

Jesus therefore answered and said unto them, Murmur not among yourselves. No man can come to Me, except the Father which hath sent Me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day. It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me. Not that any man hath seen the Father, save He which is of God, He hath seen the Father. Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on Me hath everlasting life. I am that bread of life. Your fathers did eat manna in the wilderness, and are dead. This is the bread which cometh down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die. I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is My flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.” John 6:43-51 (KJV)

Camp Delight – Christmas Day Two Hundred and Seven

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What do I want for Christmas?

I want the Youth at camp to hear the clear presentation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and that the Holy Spirit would speak to their hearts and minds to understand, know and believe that Jesus is the Christ the Son of the Living God who died on the cross, was buried and rose bodily from the grave; and is to return to take us to Himself.

And He said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto Me, except it were given unto him of My Father. From that time many of His disciples went back, and walked no more with Him. Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away? Then Simon Peter answered Him, Lord, to whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life. And we believe and are sure that Thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.” John 6:65-69 (KJV)

 

The Word of Jesus Christ – Christmas Day Two Hundred and Thirteen

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What do I want for Christmas?

When I wrote yesterday of the Exclusiveness of Christ; I noted that the numbers of readings and likes from the day before was considerably less.  I pray that was because the readers did not come rather than they did not like the teaching.

I want today for you to realize that if the exclusiveness of Christ is not so, then the words of Jesus in John 14:6 – 7 are not true, that Jesus would be a liar, and could not be trusted; then, He would not be a good teacher, a good man, but a deceiver; and no one would then have any hope.

I want you to know today, that Jesus is everything He claimed to be.  He is the Son of God, and God the Son.  Every word He has spoken and speaks is Truth.

He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.” John 3:36 (KJV)

“Then Jesus cried out and said, “He who believes in Me, believes not in Me but in Him who sent Me. And he who sees Me sees Him who sent Me. I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness. And if anyone hears My words and does not believe, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world. He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him— the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day. For I have not spoken on My own authority; but the Father who sent Me gave Me a command, what I should say and what I should speak. And I know that His command is everlasting life. Therefore, whatever I speak, just as the Father has told Me, so I speak.” John 12:44-50 (NKJV)

The Exclusive Christ Jesus – Christmas Day Two Hundred and Fourteen

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What do I want for Christmas?

And this is for everyday.

I want all those who profess to be Christian to realize, and to know that the faith of Jesus Christ is exclusive; meaning that He is the only way to God and Heaven; that there is no other way, but the death, the burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ; that those who do not believe in Him will perish (John 3:16), and there is no other hope, salvation, redemption, or eternal life, except Him.

Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me. If ye had known Me, ye should have known My Father also: and from henceforth ye know Him, and have seen Him.” John 14:6-7 (KJV)

Christmas Day Two Hundred and Sixteen

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What do I want for Christmas?

I want to love what God loves, and to hate what God hates.

I hate, I despise your feast days, and I will not smell in your solemn assemblies.” Amos 5:21 (KJV)

“But whoso keepeth His word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in Him. He that saith he abideth in Him ought himself also so to walk, even as He walked.” 1 John 2:5-6

“Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as He is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. We love Him, because He first loved us. If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? And this commandment have we from Him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.” 1 John 4:17-21

Christmas Day Two Hundred and Seventeen

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What do I want for Christmas?

I want always when I have a feeling of fear to go to my Lord and Savior and find rest and peace in Him; and to no longer fear, anything but Him.

What time I am afraid, I will trust in Thee.” Psalm 56:3 (KJV)
“In God have I put my trust: I will not be afraid what man can do unto me.” Psalm 56:11

“But he saith unto them, It is I; be not afraid.”  [Jesus Christ] John 6:20

Christmas Day Two Hundred Twenty and Two

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What do I want for Christmas?

I want Jesus Christ to be Christmas every day of the year, all year long; because He is the greatest Gift of Christmas.

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16 (KJV)

Christmas Day Two Hundred Forty and Five

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What do I want for Christmas?

I want to be more aware of what is true, and what is false; to expose what is false from what is true for my life, my family, friends, neighbors, and the world.

And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know. Thomas saith unto Him, Lord, we know not whither Thou goest; and how can we know the way? Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me. If ye had known Me, ye should have known My Father also: and from henceforth ye know Him, and have seen Him.” John 14:4-7 (KJV)

“Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on Him, If ye continue in My word, then are ye My disciples indeed; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” John 8:31-32

Christmas Day Two Hundred Forty and Six

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What do I want for Christmas?

I want the hopeless, the poor, the orphan, the widow, and every lost soul to know that God loves you; and that He has provided a way that all may come to know Him; and that way is through the cross of Jesus – His death, burial and resurrection.

Thus will I magnify Myself, and sanctify Myself; and I will be known in the eyes of many nations, and they shall know that I am the LORD.” Ezekiel 38:23 (KJV)

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16

“For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures; and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures…” 1 Corinthians 15:3-4

Christmas Day Two Hundred Fifty and Three

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What do I want for Christmas?

It is the wonderful LORD’S Day once again.  I want to worship God in Spirit and in Truth, that He truly might be glorified in our worship today; and everyday. May my life; the way I walk, the way I talk, be seen as worshiping Him.

But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship Him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth.” John 4:23-24 (KJV)

Christmas Day Two Hundred Fifty and Four

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Christmas day is always a special day, and over the years the celebration of Christmas has grown to last for over a month, with people deciding to be more loving, more gracious to others, giving to charitable organizations even more than usual.  When I started doing this Christmas day everyday, up until Christmas day of 2016 I wanted to present the idea of living each day as though it was Christmas, honoring the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ;

So What do I want for Christmas?

I want every day to be a day of giving; giving the word of God to others that they might hear, and leave it up to you to either receive and believe, or reject and perish in your unbelief; giving you hope for tomorrow; hope that only comes through the love of God shown in the cross of Jesus Christ, His burial and bodily resurrection.

I realize there are other ways of giving; and that is probably what most think of; but giving involves so much more than things; He is  the Giver of all things.

“The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into His hand. He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.” John 3:35-36 (KJV)

Day Two Hundred Fifty and Nine

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In continuing my “What do I want for Christmas?” daily question; I want for everyone reading this today; and all who are are not reading it to have a day, and week where their hearts and minds are directed to the LORD or all people; His name is Jesus.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by Him; and without Him was not any thing made that was made. In Him was life; and the life was the light of men.” John 1:1-3 (KJV)

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

“Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of His dear Son: in whom we have redemption through His blood, even the forgiveness of sins: who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: for by Him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by Him, and for Him: and He is before all things, and by Him all things consist.” Colossians 1:12-17

Day Two Hundred Sixty and One

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What do I want for Christmas?

I want the whole world; I want you to know that God loves you despite the way you are; and that He loves you too much to leave you the way you are.

That whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved. He that believeth on Him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” John 3:15-18 (KJV)

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:8-10

Day Two Hundred Sixty and Two

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There are many Christians who have come to believe that the United States of America has been given promises from God that He will never let her fall.  Contrary to that:

I want Christians in the U. S. of A. to know that there are no promises to this nation of continuity, or perpetuity.

The promises given in the Old Testament are to the nation of Israel as a nation; and we have promises to those who are Christian through faith in Christ Jesus who bled and died on the cross, was buried, and bodily arose from the grave.

We  have the promise of Jesus that He will come again; and that is a  promise we can believe.

And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto Myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.” John 14:3 (KJV)

“Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah: not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which My covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the LORD: but this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; after those days, saith the LORD, I will put My law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be My people. And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know Me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.” Jeremiah 31:31-34