Salvation

Forgiving Forgiveness

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Then came Peter to Him, and said, “Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Till seven times?” Jesus saith unto him,
“I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.
Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants. And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents. But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made.
The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, ‘Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.’ Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt. But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, ‘Pay me that thou owest.’ And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.’ And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt.
So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done. Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, ‘O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me: shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee?’ And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him.
So likewise shall My heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.”                Matthew 18:21-35

When I have been forgiven all my debts – my sin debt; how can I not forgive those who have wronged me? Even those I have the perception of doing wrong to me? I can, and will forgive, because I have been forgiven so much more than any debt owed to me.

The wonderful grace of God in His Son Jesus paying my sin debt, and yours, dying on the cross for our sins, in His burial, and in His resurrection. Receive His forgiveness and receive that forgiveness that forgives.

Hold to One

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“No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.”                                           Matthew 6:24

What is it about “Mammon”; money, or material things; that is so quick at drawing our hearts away from God? Jesus has said, “Where your treasure is there will your heart be also” (verse 21). So it is a matter of the heart.

Let me give a couple of other verses that address this situation too many of us find ourselves in from time to time; and maybe some who are reading this has there lives tied up in the material, financial part of life so much that they are not at peace with God, themselves, and of course not with others.

First, the apostle Paul writing to the young pastor Timothy wrote, “For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.” (1 Timothy 6:10). It is not the lack of money, but the love of money that is the root of all evil, and it comes from the heart. If one loves money then they cannot and will not love God or others.

Second, let’s look at what James wrote, “A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.” (James 1:8).

The question comes down to this – Do we love God? or Do we love money and things? We do have a choice. If we see money as a tool, and learn to use it wisely for the honor and glory of our God and Savior Jesus Christ, then we will be at peace with God and with our fellow man.

Knowing Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior of our lives gives us a life of love for God, and our brothers and sisters in Christ as well as peace and love for our neighbors. Remember this use money; rightly received; as a tool for living a modest and good and holy life, and helping others. Love God, and in loving others we show our love for God.

To Fulfill Righteousness

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Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him. But John forbad Him, saying, “I have need to be baptized of Thee, and comest Thou to me?” And Jesus answering said unto him,
“Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness.”
Then he suffered Him.                               Matthew 3:13-15

It was the ministry of John the Baptist to introduce the Messiah to the people of Judea and the area. He was preaching repentance and calling the people to be baptized, turning from their sin (Matthew 3:7-10).

Then, came Jesus, the One who would fulfill all righteousness, because He is the Righteous One. Since He was God in flesh, and as a Man He needed to show that He was complying with the laws of Judaism and of God, thus in presenting Himself as a candidate for baptism He was fulfilling righteousness and His call to ministry and was ministering to others as well. It was also the fulfilling of John’s ministry as a prophet of God.

Since Jesus presented Himself for baptism, then it behooves every one who turns from their sins in repentance and believes Jesus as their crucified, buried, and resurrected Lord and Savior to present themselves for baptism by immersion. Immersion showing the death, burial, and resurrection, and is a public testimony of one’s faith in Jesus Christ.

Will you repent of your sins today and believe Jesus died for your sins, was buried, and rose again?

Dead On The Cross

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All Thy works shall praise Thee, O LORD; and Thy saints shall bless Thee. They shall speak of the glory of Thy kingdom, and talk of Thy power; to make known to the sons of men His mighty acts, and the glorious majesty of His kingdom.
Thy kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and Thy dominion endureth throughout all generations.  Psalm 145:10-13

But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced His side, and forthwith came there out blood and water.  And he that saw it bare record, and his record is true: and he knoweth that he saith true, that ye might believe.  For these things were done, that the Scripture should be fulfilled, “A bone of Him shall not be broken.”  And again another Scripture saith, “They shall look on Him whom they pierced.”        John 19:34-37

The Psalm tells us that the works of God shall praise Him. As far as Adam’s race is concerned the great gift of God, the great work of God is the sending of His Son Jesus to be the  propitiation for the sins of Adam kind. Jesus said it, “This is the work of God, that ye believe on Him whom He hath sent”  (John 6:29). This is the great work or God that ought, I say, that ought to get our attention; and partly because of the above verses of John 19:34-37.

The verses of John prove that Jesus was dead. He was not faking His death; not swooning as some call it. He died. He was dead on the cross. He showed that His death was under the power of His Father, that no man could take His life from Him; He gave it Himself. Why do I say that? His legs did not get broken a fulfillment of Psalm 34:20. The two who were crucified with Him had their legs broken to cause their near immediate death; but the death of Jesus was in the Father’s power.

They did not break His legs because He was already dead. Romans knew dead when they seen it. The one soldier took his spear and pierced the side of Jesus and out flowed blood and water fulfilling another Scripture prophecy in Zechariah 12:10; also see The Revelation 1:7.

John wrote this as he was witness to the death of Jesus. His testimony was true when he wrote it, and it is true today and for all eternity. He tells us why he wrote it as well. He wrote this testimony that we might believe.

The death of Jesus on the cross was the payment for our sins, Jesus becoming sin for us (2 Corinthians 5:21); His burial was another evidence that He was dead and that He took our sins far away; and His resurrection was for our justification and evidence that all the words that Jesus had spoken were indeed truth and power of who He is.

Believe Him today.

Peace

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“These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you. But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in My name, He shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. Ye have heard how I said unto you, ‘I go away, and come again unto you.’ If ye loved Me, ye would rejoice, because I said, ‘I go unto the Father:’ for My Father is greater than I.”                          John 14:25-28

There is a peace that this world system knows nothing about. The god of this world (Satan) has deceived, and distracted the hearts and minds of the intelligent, highly educated, the wealthy, the middle income, and many a poor man and woman on the streets and poverty inflicted areas with lies. And they have no peace.

Jesus Christ is the Prince of Peace, and through Him all can be at peace with Him, with the Father, and be able to sleep at night no matter what this world may do. Peace is not always thee absence of conflict. It is also resting in the midst of conflict. This is the peace that God gives through His Son Jesus Christ. It is the Holy Spirit residing, abiding in those who are His.

Paul the apostle wrote, “Being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” Romans 5:1. He also wrote, “…And the peace of God, which passes all understanding shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” Philippians 4:7.

If you do not have this peace it is available to you by calling out to Him in repentance and faith. He will hear you and give you peace.

Receiving Jesus

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“I speak not of you all: I know whom I have chosen: but that the Scripture may be fulfilled, ‘He that eateth bread with me hath lifted up his heel against Me.’ Now I tell you before it come, that, when it is come to pass, ye may believe that I am.
Verily, verily, I say unto you, ‘He that receiveth whomsoever I send receiveth Me; and he that receiveth Me receiveth Him that sent Me.”    John 13:18-20

One would betray Him. Jesus knew the hearts of those who were with Him at the Passover meal, and He instituted the Supper. He also knew they would all flees from Him, and one would even deny Him.

Scripture was fulfilled. What God has spoken God will bring to pass. Its coming to pass does not, however, negate the responsibility of those who come out on the wrong end of the fulfillment.

When an individual receives Jesus Christ they also receive the Father (the One who sent Him), and Jesus even tells us above, “He that receives whomsoever I send receives Me…”  If you have received Jesus Christ then you will also receive those who He sends; whether it be pastor, preacher, missionary or and brother or sister in Christ.

Where do you stand in position with Christ Jesus? Are you in receipt of His word and doing it?

Jesus – The Door

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Then said Jesus unto them again,
“Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. All that ever came before Me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them.
I am the door: by Me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.”                               John 10:7-10

Jesus tells us that He is the door of the sheep. He tells us in other verses that His sheep hear His voice and they know His voice. Those of us who hear His voice through the Scriptures, and the Holy Spirit are His sheep. The one’s who hear Him and follow Him.

Jesus also mentions that all who came before Him; and He is not referring to the likes of Moses, and the prophets who spoke His truth; He is speaking of those like the false prophet Balaam showed the enemy how to lead Israel into sin, and many others like him.

So, the “thieves and robbers” are those who are leading others astray. There are men and women in our world today who are attempting to make the word of God fit with the culture of the day; rather than calling people to conform with what God says. These are the false teachers and prophets of 2021 and any era of time.

Those who are following Jesus Christ will not hear the false teachers and pastors. Hear Jesus. Hear the word of God. It is relevant for today. All men and women everywhere need to repent, turning from their sin, and trust in Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior. That includes you. I already have.

He will give you abundant life of peace and joy, and eternal life.

Bread of Life

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And Jesus said unto them,
“I am the bread of life: he that cometh to Me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on Me shall never thirst. But I said unto you, That ye also have seen Me, and believe not.
All that the Father giveth Me shall come to Me; and him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out. For I came down from heaven, not to do Mine own will, but the will of Him that sent Me.      John 6:35-38

On this Thanksgiving Day, in the United States of America, let us first give thanks for the “Bread of Life” who is none other than the Lord Jesus Christ. By Him all things were made (Genesis 1:1-3; John 1:1-5; Colossians 1:16-17). It is also by Him that all who believe Him have everlasting life (John 3:16).

He Himself said above, “I am the bread of life” and all who come to Him shall never be in want (Psalm 23:1). There is an endless supply of the bread of life. The thing about this bread is the more you eat the more you desire it. Or to put it another way, the more you get of Jesus, the closer you get to Him in fellowship and worship, the more you desire Him. You are never lacking, never wanting, and He is always present.

Another thing to thank Him for is that any one who comes to Him He will never cast out. That includes you. When you come to Him trusting in His finished work on the cross of death, burial, and resurrection, then You are His for all time and eternity.

Have a great and blessed Thanksgiving Day and let us be thankful every day of our lives.

Miracles or Him?

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Now when He was in Jerusalem at the passover, in the feast day, many believed in His name, when they saw the miracles which he did.  But Jesus did not commit Himself unto them, because He knew all men, and needed not that any should testify of man: for He knew what was in man. John 2:23-25

Jesus had a following of the mass number of people, who saw what miracles He did. In this chapter of John’s gospel we see Him turn water to wine and provides the host of the wedding the best wine ever drank by Adam’s race.

They were following Jesus because they saw the miracles that He did. Jesus knew their hearts and their thinking. Please note, that, He “Did not commit Himself to them”. Just because someone believes Jesus for a miracle does not mean they are delivered from their sin.

When one follows Jesus for salvation through faith in Him, we know He does miracles, and believe Him even when He does not do miracles for us. We do not just stop believing Him because we think He is not hearing our prayers, or doing what we had hoped He would do for us.

Jesus has committed Himself to those with that kind of faith. Faith that believes in the dark what has been revealed in the light.

There are many who profess to having followed Jesus at one time or another in their lives; only to fall away. You were drawn to Him because of a healing, or the need for healing, or a great need, and maybe it did not come as you had hoped. You were following the miracle, but not following the person of Jesus Christ.

Jesus died for your sins (our sins), He was buried, and He rose again. You need to trust solely in Him no matter what. The greatest miracle He does is change of heart, mind and life.

When the Light Went Out

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And it was about the sixth hour, and there was a darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour. And the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was rent in the midst. And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, He said,
“Father, into Thy hands I commend My spirit:”
and having said thus, He gave up the ghost.                        Luke 23:44-46

This event of the darkness happened around noon. Some commentators say that this was and solar eclipse. I tend to disagree, but cannot prove or disprove either way. I think the darkness was world wide; not just a local event, thus it would be a supernatural event. The Light of the world had just became sin for us (John 9:5; 2 Corinthians 5:21). He was taking the wrath of God upon Himself, for the sins of the world.

When the veil of the temple was torn in two, and right  down the middle from the top to the bottom God was showing that the way into the holiest of all places; the very throne of God was open for all who would believe coming to Him through the death of His Son on the cross, His burial, and resurrection.

Jesus in commending His spirit to the Father is not sending the Holy Spirit (though the spirit of Jesus Christ is holy), but His own human spirit. In His living spirit throughout His life as a Man He has been faithful to do His Father’s will, being sinless, spotless, without blot or blemish; holy unto the Holy One. In His spirit He has gone all the way to the sacrifice of Himself for sin, in obedience to His Father. Now, as He is near to death of the body, He sends His eternal spirit back to the Father who gives spirit to all of Adam’s race.

When we realize our lostness, our condemnation, the guilt of our sins and realize that we need a Savior, and only Jesus Christ can save us; we can call out to Him in faith, believing Him, asking forgiveness, and He hears, He saves and gives us eternal life.

When You Find Yourself Up A Tree

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And Jesus entered and passed through Jericho. And, behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich. And he sought to see Jesus who He was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature. And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycomore tree to see Him: for He was to pass that way. And when Jesus came to the place, He looked up, and saw him, and said unto him,
“Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house.”
And he made haste, and came down, and received Him joyfully. And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, “That He was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner.” And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; “Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold.” And Jesus said unto him,
“This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.”            Luke 19:1-10

When I was in High School I had a Vocational Agriculture teacher who would take some of us coon hunting in the Ozark hills here in southwest Missouri. It was beautiful walking and often running through the woods in the darkness, and listening to the dogs as they got on the trail of a racoon and then know that certain baying sound when they had one up a tree. That was several years ago; probably 44 to 47 years ago.

When those coons were up a tree they were not always caught or killed. Sometimes they got away.

Zacchaeus found himself up a tree. Of course, it was not for the same reason of those coons; or was it? He was wanting to see Jesus. We are not told that he was seeking Jesus, but that, “He sought to see Jesus who He was.” We are told that Jesus was seeking Zacchaeus. Zacchaeus found himself up a tree because he was not a very tall man.

Jesus does not seek one because of one’s stature, their beauty or lack thereof. He seeks those who are lost. He seeks those who are lost in the depths and darkness of sin. Do you find yourself up a tree today looking, wondering who Jesus is?

Jesus is the Son of God, the Son of Man, and He has come and died for our sins, was buried and He rose again. Just like Zacchaeus, when Jesus comes into your house He will make a change in your heart, mind and life. Believe Him.

Persistent Praying

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And He said unto them,
“Which of you shall have a friend, and shall go unto him at midnight, and say unto him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves; for a friend of mine in his journey is come to me, and I have nothing to set before him?’ And he from within shall answer and say, ‘Trouble me not: the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give thee.’ I say unto you, ‘Though he will not rise and give him, because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him as many as he needeth.'”                                            Luke 11:5-8

In this short illustrative story Jesus is teaching us about persistent prayer. Persistence is related to having a burden, a need so great that you will not give up on seeing that it comes to pass.

Please note that I said “Need” not “want”. For the child of God the greatest need we see in our families, and  for our neighbors, and for strangers is that they need to recognize their lostness, their great need to turn from their sin, and to trust Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.

In Jesus’s story it is of a friend who goes to a neighbor at midnight. The man has had a guest show up and he does not have the means of feeding and being a proper host to that friend. In his “troubling” his neighbor he awakens him from sleep to ask for help. It was a shame to a family in that day for a hosting family not to care for their guest by feeding them, even washing their feet. The man persist with his neighbor and finally wins out, because of his need and his persistence.

Now God our Father in Jesus Christ never sleeps, and He is never disturbed by our prayers. He is more disturbed by our lack of prayer, and especially our lack of persisting in prayer. If we have a great need, we ought to desire it so much; in His name; that we keep asking until God answers. We must remember it will be according to His will and in His time.

Do you have a lost friend, family member, neighbor? Are you continuing in prayer for them? Do not give up and quit. Keep on praying. Do you have a health need, or know someone who has a great health need? Keep praying, and be persistent in praying.

Read verses 9 through 13 as well.

Those Who Hear the Word of God, and Do It

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Then came to Him His mother and His brethren, and could not come at Him for the press. And it was told Him by certain which said, “Thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to see thee.” And He answered and said unto them,
“My mother and My brethren are these which hear the word of God, and do it.”                                                                           Luke 8:19-21

It was not the news media of the day that kept Mary and Jesus’s brethren from seeing Jesus; it was the great number of people who was there.

Jesus is making it clear that one’s who were hearing the word of God and doing it; applying what He said to their lives; these were the ones who were and are His brethren.

This should cause those who put Mary on a higher plain, or a place of veneration, or a place of intercession to have access to Jesus Himself is moot, and completely idolatrous worship. A place that Mary did, neither does not deserve.

Jesus is our Intercessor, our Mediator between God and Adam’s race (1 Timothy 2:5).

If you desire to know Jesus, then call out to Him in repentance and faith for forgiveness of sin, and He will hear you and He will save you. Then do what He says.

Two Foundations

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And why call ye Me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say? Whosoever cometh to Me, and heareth My sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like: he is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock. But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that without a foundation built an house upon the earth; against which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell; and the ruin of that house was great.                                                         Luke 6:46-49

Jesus is speaking of two different hearts.  Everyone who says, “Lord, Lord” will not enter His kingdom (Matthew 7:21). Just because one professes “Jesus is Lord” does not make it so.

Doing what He says is the fruit of our confession of Jesus. Believing Him and doing is the work of God which brings forth fruit of salvation, and Jesus is Lord of one’s life.

The one who lays the foundation of faith in Him, plus nothing, minus nothing, will have the faith that stands the test and trials of every storm, wind and rain, and flood.

If we say “Jesus is Lord” then let us build on that foundation (1 Corinthians 3:11). He is the exclusive way, the only way to God the Father, eternal life, peace and joy (John 14:6; Acts 4:12).

Believe and Tremble

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Now when the sun was setting, all they that had any sick with divers diseases brought them unto Him; and He laid His hands on every one of them, and healed them. And devils also came out of many, crying out, and saying, “Thou art Christ the Son of God.” And He rebuking them suffered them not to speak: for they knew that He was Christ.           Luke 4:40-41

Healing was given by Jesus Messiah the Anointed One of God. As He healed many people He also cast out demons. These evil beings recognized Jesus and His authority.

There are many in the world, that when they are asked, “Do you believe in God?” will give the answer of “Yes! I do,” but they do not believe in the Jesus the Christ/Messiah, and do not tremble before Him even as do the demons of hell.

In the epistle of James, it is written, “Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.” (James 2:19). The fear the demons have of Jesus is evident. They know He is their Creator, and the along with their leader [Satan] know that they have only a limited amount of time before they are eternally consigned to the lake of fire.

Jesus would not allow the unholy to mention His holy name before the masses of people to whom He was ministering.

The question for you today is this, Have you trusted Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior? If not, you do not trust, neither do you believe in God. The only way to God is through the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Remember the demons believe and tremble, because they know their time is limited. So is yours.

How the Wicked Respond to Jesus Christ

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And they that passed by railed on Him, wagging their heads, and saying, “Ah, Thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, save Thyself, and come down from the cross.”
Likewise also the chief priests mocking said among themselves with the scribes, “He saved others; Himself He cannot save. Let Christ the King of Israel descend now from the cross, that we may see and believe.” And they that were crucified with Him reviled Him.                  Mark 15:29-32

We have three examples in the text above of how the wicked responded to the death of Jesus on the cross.

Number one, was those who passed by.

Number two, was those who were the priests and religious leaders in Israel.

Number three, was those other two men who were crucified with Him; one on His right, and the other on His left.

Will you just continue on your way passing by the One who was nailed to that cross for the forgiveness of your sin? Will you continue in your sin of rejection of your only hope for eternity?

Will you, O you who have great educational degrees; PHD’s and MDivs; or whatever degree you may have; thinking you are more intelligent than our Creator;  will continue to mock and blaspheme His name and then burn in Hell?

Will you who are condemned to die deride, continue in your blasphemy and ridicule of the name of the One who died for you? One of the men who died with Jesus on the cross, awhile later cried out to Jesus, “Remember me when You come into Your kingdom.” Jesus responded and said, “Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.”  Luke 23:42-43

What is your response to the death of Jesus? Will you respond to His love and grace, or will you continue in your wicked, evil way?

No Need of the Physician

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And when the scribes and Pharisees saw Him eat with publicans and sinners, they said unto His disciples, “How is it that He eateth and drinketh with publicans and sinners?” When Jesus heard it, He saith unto them,
“They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”      Mark 2:16-17

Who is in need of a physician? Any who are sick. Who is in need of healing? The cripple, the blind, the leper. Who is in need of the Savior? All who are lost in the black darkness of sin and its condemnation, and shame.

Jesus is addressing people in the text above who considered themselves already righteous. It is quite obvious they considered themselves so because of their judgment against “Publicans and sinners”.

The publicans were the tax collectors of Israel, who were Jewish collecting taxes for the Roman government. So they were hated and despised because the Jewish leaders and people considered them as betrayers of Judaism. Sinners was those who were prostitutes, thieves, murderers, and ruffians who did not obey the laws of God and in particular the religious leaders definition of the law.

Who is in need of salvation? The point blank answer is all who are of Adam’s race. There are none of us who are righteous in the eyes of God. Those who see themselves as righteous cannot be saved. Not until they have their eyes open to the truth that they need the righteousness of God Himself.

The Bible clearly tells us, “There is none who are righteous; no not one” (Romans 3:10); and that, “All have sinned and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).

So, no matter who you are, you are unrighteous before God, until He gives to You His own righteousness; and that is through the death of Jesus Christ His Son on the cross, His burial, and His resurrection from the dead.

By calling on the name of the Lord in repentance (turning from your sin to the Savior), and calling on His name you will be saved. “There is no other name by which we can be saved” (Acts 4:12).

 

An Eternal Decision

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I will make Thy name to be remembered in all generations: therefore shall the people praise Thee for ever and ever.                            Psalm 45:17

But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitude that they should ask Barabbas, and destroy Jesus. The governor answered and said unto them, “Whether of the twain will ye that I release unto you?” They said, “Barabbas.”
Pilate saith unto them, “What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ?” They all say unto him, “Let him be crucified.” And the governor said, “Why, what evil hath he done?” But they cried out the more, saying, “Let him be crucified.”                                    Matthew 27:20-23

It would be the last day of Jesus’s ministry in His physical body on earth. It was why He had came. Yet this was done by evil hearts and minds of individuals who hated Him and the light which He had brought into this world. The light that would drive away the black of the night of sin.

It was the last moments of His trial. The governor Pilate had given them a question, “Who do you want me to release to you? Barabbas or Jesus?” Now Barabbas was a murderer, of which there was no doubt. Jesus was innocent, pure, spotless, and clean with absolutely no sin in His life. And the crowd yells, “Give us Barabbas.”

Now Pilate gives the people another question, “What shall I do then with Jesus who is called Christ?” This is and eternal question that still rings through every hill, mountain and valley around the world. It is a question every man, woman and child must answer, and the answer is an eternal decision we must make.

If we deny Jesus when He says, “I am the way, the truth and the life, no one comes to the Father, except through Me” then we are saying with the above crowd, “Give us Barabbas, and crucify Jesus.” If we deny the Son we deny the Father and there is no truth in us.

I have made the decision. I choose Jesus as my Lord and Savior. He is the only way of salvation. Those who make claims of there being other ways deny the truth of Christ Jesus, deny His word, and deny the Father God.

Your decision is an eternal decision.

The Kingdom Closed Up

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But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in.                             Matthew 23:13

Jesus gave many words of rebuke to the religious leaders. They were leaders who were not entering the kingdom, and they were working in preventing others from entering it.

We could ask, “How were these men preventing others from entering the kingdom?” and that is a good question.

One of the most notable ways was they were making doctrines of the traditions of men. They were really the one’s profaning the Sabbath day by not allowing healing of another member of Adam’s race; or simply by walking through a wheat field and with their hands plucking the grain, blowing the chaff away, and eating it.

I pray that I do not mess with the word of God, and make it a document of condemnation; but will rather declare and show the goodness, grace, mercy, peace, and justice of a holy, righteous and just God.

Yes! The Bible shows us our heart, our condemnation, our sentence in eternity as being the eternal fires of Hell. The Bible also shows us the way of deliverance from such an eternity.

That deliverance is through the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ; the One who spoke those words of rebuke. Will you repent of your sins today, and call on the name of Jesus Christ as Your Lord and Savior?

Which Ones?

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And, behold, one came and said unto Him, “Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?” And He said unto him,
“Why callest thou Me good? There is none good but One, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.”
He saith unto him, “Which?” Jesus said,
“Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.”
The young man saith unto Him, “All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?” Jesus said unto him,
“If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow Me.”
But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.                                              Matthew 19:16-22

There is an eternal peril who have possession of great riches, in material things. There is also eternal peril to those who do not have those possessions.

The “rich young ruler” who came to Jesus supposed that he could have eternal life by doing something good. He asked Jesus, “…What good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?” That is an assumption that most people make; that eternal life is attainable by some good deed.

If we look at the commandments Jesus gave to the young man, they are four of the final six of the Ten Commandments, and all have to do with how we treat our neighbor. The rich young man believes he has been obedient to all those Jesus has mentioned; and Jesus has not mentioned the first of the Commandments which have to do with our relationship to God.

This young man’s relationship with God was not what it ought to be. He had riches which blinded his eyes to God and to seeing Jesus for who He truly is.

We of Adam’s race must realize that all things are God’s. What we have in our possession, and under our feet is not ours. No matter whether you are a believer, a follower of Jesus Christ or an non theist – All Things are God’s.

Would you like to have eternal life? Then be perfect. That is not going to happen except by realizing you are imperfect, lost, dying in sin, and calling on the name of Jesus Christ who died on the cross  for our sins, was buried, and He rose again; and in doing so gives eternal life to all who have received Him.

Compassion for the Multitude

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Then Jesus called His disciples, and said,
“I have compassion on the multitude, because they continue with Me now three days, and have nothing to eat: and I will not send them away fasting, lest they faint in the way.”
And His disciples say unto Him, “Whence should we have so much bread in the wilderness, as to fill so great a multitude?” And Jesus saith unto them,
“How many loaves have ye?”
And they said, “Seven, and a few little fishes.” And He commanded the multitude to sit down on the ground. And He took the seven loaves and the fishes, and gave thanks, and brake them, and gave to His disciples, and the disciples to the multitude. And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the broken meat that was left seven baskets full. And they that did eat were four thousand men, beside women and children. Matthew 15:32-38

Matthew 14:13-21 gives a similar miracle of Jesus but it is in fact and truth a different miracle. For instance, in Matthew 14 the number of men is clearly 5,000; in chapter15 it is 4,000. The numbers of fish and loaves of bread is different; 5 loaves and two fish verses 7 loaves and a few fish. A “few” being more than two.

One thing that surprises me in this event in a day, and the life of Jesus and His disciples is that they had just recently seen the earlier feeding of more people, and they ask Jesus, “Whence should we have so much bread in the wilderness, as to fill so great a multitude?”

Now, about the numbers; 4,000 men, because the women and children were not counted. Many have commented on this I am fairly sure; but think of this; since there was 4,000 men there is a great probability that there could have been a total of 12,000 or more. That is in figuring a wife, and one child for each man. The Scriptures ends this account, and the one in chapter 14 with the phrase, “beside women and children”.

The point is that many of these people had followed Jesus for receiving healing for various sicknesses, diseases, deliverance from demons, etc.. He looks at them having been with them three days and without food. Now He feeds them without any worry or  fear, but faith in the power of His Father to provide.

For the Christian today, we should be able to see Jesus’s compassion for the multitudes and be convinced that He is compassionate toward us as well. He will also supply and meet the individual needs as well.

Trust the work of Jesus, especially His work on the cross dying for our sins, His burial, and resurrection. The greatest miracle of Jesus, is the power of His grace to save a wretch like me.

 

Touching the Untouchable

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When He was come down from the mountain, great multitudes followed Him. And, behold, there came a leper and worshipped Him, saying, “Lord, if Thou wilt, Thou canst make me clean.” And Jesus put forth His hand, and touched him, saying,
“I will; be thou clean.”
And immediately his leprosy was cleansed. And Jesus saith unto him,
“See thou tell no man; but go thy way, shew thyself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them.”           Matthew 8:1-4

The leper was one of the most untouchable people in the Jewish culture, and according to law. The leper was without family touch, and would have been such a lonely, painful, and debilitating existence.

The leper who came to Jesus had simple asked Jesus to make him clean. Jesus did something much more than cleanse him; Jesus touched him. Note the words in the text, “…Jesus put forth His hand and touched him…”  That touch, was a personal touch, a touch of caring, a touch of loving, and Jesus healed the man too.

That is just like Jesus, and like those who love Him and follow Him. Touching the untouchables is from God. Touching without fear. Touching without judgment or judging them knowing that they need that special care.

Jesus later went to the cross bearing our afflictions, our sins, and infirmities; becoming sin for us; and receiving the judgment, the wrath of Holy God, that should have been ours to bear. He carried our sins away in His burial. He rose again from the grave proving that all He had said was true. Proving that He died to put away sin, fulfilling all the law and prophets.

He wants to touch you today. Call on His name, and He will hear, He will heal you with His touch.

Out of Egypt

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And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, “Arise, and take the young Child and His mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young Child to destroy Him.”
When he arose, he took the young Child and His mother by night, and departed into Egypt: 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.”                                       Matthew 2:13-15

Matthew tells us of the angel of the Lord coming to Joseph in a dream saying, “Take the young Child and flee into Egypt” and it was because of Herod. All of this was the fulfilling of Old Testament prophecies concerning the killing of the innocents in verse 18 of this chapter; a prophecy of the prophet Jeremiah chapter 31 and verse 15.

It is also referring to a prophecy of Hosea 11:1, “When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt.” Though this prophecy is related to God’s gracious deliverance of Israel out of Egyptian bondage it is also pointing to God’s fulfilling His promise to save out of the world all who would come to Him through His Son Jesus.

Egypt is a picture of the world and the wickedness within it. God sent His Son Jesus into the world to show His love for the world, and to deliver out of the world all who would turn from their sin to Him.

It was the wicked world who crucified the perfect Lamb of God, giving Himself willingly dying for our sins, He was buried not only proving His death but also carrying away all our sin, shame and condemnation (Leviticus 16 the scapegoat taken into the wilderness never to be seen again), then on the first day of the week (Sunday) Jesus came out of the grave alive forever more.

He is calling all who will hear Him, out of Egypt. Do you hear. Believe Him

Remember the Words of the Apostles

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“Remember the words…by the apostles… How they told you that there would be mockers in the last time who would walk according to their own ungodly lusts. These are sensual persons, who cause divisions, not having the Spirit.” Jude 18-19 (NKJV).

A continual warning, and caveat’ to stand your ground, be faithful, follow the teachings of the apostles, etc.; is much needed, but too many of our minds can become redundant. We need to be encouraged by the words of Jude and the words of any preacher who is teaching us to stand guard over our heart, and against the teachings and teachers which would lead us away from the truth.

These apostates are actually haters of God; yet use the name of God to have their way in Christian circles. Jude in no way is saying to us that all true teachers of God’s Word are infallible, but that they will be faithful to proclaiming the truth of God. We can all make mistakes. It seems that we, in our humanity are almost prone to make one now and then, just to remind us that we are still, in fact, fallen creatures; who have been redeemed by the perfect Savior.

However, these apostate heretics, are those who purposely teach doctrines contrary to God and His Word to draw a following for themselves, put their fleeced flocks money in their own pockets, and live in lavish homes, and estates. Now, before any one flies off the proverbial handle, let me add that there is nothing wrong with having or gaining wealth; as long as it has been done by hard work and labor; without taking advantage of the weak; and God is given all the glory for it. God gives wealth to enable those with it to be stewards and help the weak; and that includes the widow, the orphan, the poor, and downtrodden. These take no thought of others, however. The lavish homes and estates are almost their personal trademarks.

They are “sensual”, and that can be greedy, filled with lusts; and lusts can be for anything including power, position, popularity, and pomp. When the truth is not proclaimed, the one proclaiming that which is contrary to the truth are the dividers. That is something we always need to remember.

One of the teachings which is popular among many churches and pastors is the teaching about sex, using Scripture, but using the most lewd, crude, and shocking forms of “language” that can be heard today. “It’s part of our culture” those using it say. “They will not listen unless we speak that way”, they continue. We are always to speak the language which will glorify our Lord, and His language is not lewd, crude, or “shock jock” style. The Bible deals with sexual matters many times, but always treating it with respect, and even mystery; and so should those who are supposedly trying to teach people. In many cases using sensual language which inspires lust, rather than genuine love; they destroy the purity of God’s Word and its teaching. These are sensual dividers.

These types of talks draw the crowds; just as motor crosses, NASCAR, boxing, wrestling and the Olympics. Little for the glory of God is done in any of the these events. They are for some to make money, and others to spend and or lose it. It may be popular, but popular does not make it holy or right.

Many times, when the one who comes in exposing the lies for what they are, they are always the one who is accused of causing division. It is the one’s who are teaching and preaching the lies who are the dividers. The division-makers do not have the Spirit of God, and if not dealt with by the truth, and with firmness, will themselves be inhabitants of hell. They must be confronted, and given the opportunity of repentance, and finding genuine peace with God.

Be strong in the faith. Grow in the Spirit of Jesus Christ. Confront and hate the evil, and expose it. Love the good, and the godly. Love God with all of your heart, soul, mind and strength.

Invitation

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Jesus saith unto them,
“Come and dine.”
And none of the disciples durst ask Him, “Who art Thou?” knowing that it was the Lord. Jesus then cometh, and taketh bread, and giveth them, and fish likewise.
This is now the third time that Jesus shewed himself to his disciples, after that he was risen from the dead.                                              John 21:12-14

How marvelous it is to hear our Savior invite is to come to Him. How sweet it must have been for the disciples, after the Lord had revealed Himself, after His resurrection; to hear Him say, “Come and dine.”

Since the fishermen had decided to go back to fishing; probably due to their not knowing what to do; they did what they knew.

When they have gotten back near the shore they see a man, not knowing yet that it was the risen Jesus, and He has told them to cast their net on the right side. They did and caught a great number of fish (153).

Jesus has got them to come ashore, hauling in the great catch, and He has fish cooking on the coals of fire, and gives them a call to come and dine.

When we are busy about our tasks in life, and at times do not think about the Lord, we come to realize the Lord is there waiting for us, and He has the meal, the meat, the grace, the love and mercy already for us to partake.

Hear Him when He says, “Come and dine.”