“It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.” [Jesus Christ] Matthew 4:7 (KJV)
What do I want for Christmas?
I want to have the wisdom of God, the knowledge of God and His Word to be able to tell the devil when I am tempted to test the LORD, because of some foolish deed, what the Scripture says, and to watch him flee.
“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” James 4:7
What do I want for Christmas?
I want the Word of God, and God the Son to be my only fuel/food for defense against the wiles of the enemy, when he endeavors to distract me from the work of God; and to like Jesus stand upon the power of His Word.
“It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.” [Jesus Christ] Matthew 4:4
I have started reading the words of Jesus; you know the ones in red; and my wants for Christmas are going to be based on these.
What do I want for Christmas?
I want righteousness to be fulfilled in me, and in all who name the name of Jesus Christ.
But Jesus answered and said to him, “Permit it to be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he allowed Him.” Matthew 3:15
What do I want for Christmas?
It really alarms me that those of us who live in the land of the free and the home of the brave are growing so limited in our freedoms; with firefighters in one city who have been ordered not to fly Old Glory on their fire trucks, because it looks like ISIS terrorism. Really?
I want us to be free to fly the flag of of the United States of America when ever and where ever we choose to fly it in a proper fashion, always honoring the sacrifice of those who have fought for our freedoms. I want God to bless the United States of America.
Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; and the people whom He hath chosen for His own inheritance. The LORD looketh from heaven; He beholdeth all the sons of men. From the place of his habitation He looketh upon all the inhabitants of the earth. He fashioneth their hearts alike; He considereth all their works. There is no king saved by the multitude of an host: a mighty man is not delivered by much strength.” Psalm 33:12-16 (KJV)
Many years I have heard sermons, Bible lessons, and teachings on the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, but it seems the Bible deals with the death, burial and resurrection; and usually in concert with one another.
Maybe I am off track on this, but I have had this on my heart and mind quite often in the past year or two; so today I write dealing with the subject of “The Burial of Christ”. The burial of Christ proves that He was dead; not swooning or faking death. I do believe the Roman guards knew death when they saw it. Thus, He was buried.
Now reading in 1 Corinthians we read…
“Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; by which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. 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 15:1-4 (KJV)
When we read the accounts of the Gospels we read of His burial, not just His death and resurrection. So why is it so important to remember His burial as part of the presentation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ?
It is in its very meaning a necessity of our salvation, our living now, and for eternity.
Here is one place I get my meaning for the need of the burial. In the book of Leviticus and chapter sixteen is the ceremony on the day of Atonement, and the lesson of the scapegoat. One goat is taken, the hands of the priest is laid on the goat representing the sins of the people placed on it, then that goat is slain, and its blood is taken and poured on the mercy seat in the tent of meeting. We must understand that all of Scripture points to Jesus, and that all is saying that there is one way to God, and that is through the blood of His Son Jesus the Christ.
Just for note: I will not cover every detail of the scapegoat ceremony, but the scapegoat is the one which lives; chosen by lot; and then taken, and released in the wilderness, and some believe maybe slain in the desert; never to return again.
Let us for a moment think on the death, burial and resurrection of Christ like this; 1. The death of Christ is our past; 2. the burial of Christ is our present; and 3. the resurrection of Christ is our future.
Those who believe in Him are saved from sin, and its eternal torment. That leads us to the “burial of Christ” and the present. When Jesus died and was buried He carried all our sins, shames, condemnations, guilt, and death on the cross, and to the grave. He carried them away; like the scapegoat -into the wilderness; never to be seen again.
He left all that baggage of sin, shame, condemnation, guilt and death in the grave. He came out alive.
Knowing that He carried all of that away, and left it there should cause us; the Christian; to live without that baggage in our lives – once we have asked for His cleansing and forgiveness.
Because He was buried and risen we need not live in fear of His appearing, but with joy we do look for Him.
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)
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)
What do I want for Christmas?
I want the Camp Cooks, Bible Teachers and CGL’s [Cabin Group Leaders] to dedicate themselves to the work of the Lord, work for Him and to be the witnesses of Jesus Christ that we should be.
Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And ye are witnesses of these things. And, behold, I send the promise of My Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.” [Jesus Christ] Luke 24:46-49 (KJV)
What do I want for Christmas?
I want the first day of Barry County Baptist Association Youth Camp at Baptist Hill, Mt. Vernon, Missouri to be a fruitful, spiritually rewarding one where Christian youth are inspired, encouraged, filled with the Spirit of Christ, and grow in love with Jesus during this week.
Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.” 2 Timothy 2:22 (KJV)
“Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.” 1 Timothy 4:12
What do I want for Christmas?
I want my family, friends, neighbors, and U. S. of A. citizens to remember those who died for the freedoms that we have today; and to drive carefully as you travel back to your homes.
Have a blessed and safe Memorial Day, and remember everyday the One who died to free you from sin, and death; Jesus Christ.
Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.” 2 Corinthians 3:17 (KJV)
“Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.” Galations 5:1
What do I want for Christmas?
This is the weekend for remembering. It is Memorial Day weekend, remembering the ones who died in service to our Nation defending, and fighting for our freedom.
I want us to remember most of all today that Jesus Christ died on the cross, was buried, and rose again giving all who will call on Him, freedom from sin, bondage and death.
And He took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, Take this, and divide it among yourselves: for I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come. And He took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is My body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of Me. Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in My blood, which is shed for you.” Luke 22:17-20 (KJV)
I just love hearing this kind of news. The glorious power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ is the only hope and power that saves you, me and the world.
(Washington, D.C.) — An unprecedented spiritual revolution is underway in the Islamic world.
From 1960 to 2010, the number of Muslims who have converted away from Islam and become true followers of Jesus Christ has skyrocketed, from fewer than 200,000 to some 10 million people. Amidst persecution and even genocide, the Church in the Middle East is growing in ways never seen in fourteen centuries of Islam. And there is now scholarly documentation backing up these numbers.
Yesterday, I had the honor of addressing the pastors at the “Watchmen on the Wall” conference organized by the Family Research Council. Tony Perkins, president of FRC, asked me to brief the gathering on the latest on the persecuted Church in the Middle East and it was my joy to do so — especially to share this exciting news.
Here are notes I used for my presentation. You’ll find details regarding the soaring number of Muslim conversions under point…
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What do I want for Christmas?
Since this is Memorial Day weekend I want us to remember all those who gave their lives protecting this nation, and our freedom, beginning with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ – the Ultimate Freedom giver who willingly went to the cross to pay our sin debt, who was buried carrying all of our sin, iniquities, transgressions, shame, guilt, condemnation away; then rising bodily, victorious over sin, death, hell and the grave.
For it pleased the Father that in Him should all fulness dwell; and, having made peace through the blood of His cross, by Him to reconcile all things unto Himself; by Him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.” Colossians 1:19-20 (KJV)
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)
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)
What do I want for Christmas?
I want to think, and I want every man who aspires to be godly; to think on the LORD and His Word, to love his wife, and children; and to care for them as a husband and father ought; and to put the things of this world on the back burner; and to thank God every day for His blessings on us.
Eat thou not the bread of him that hath an evil eye, neither desire thou his dainty meats: for as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee. The morsel which thou hast eaten shalt thou vomit up, and lose thy sweet words.” Proverbs 23:6-8 (KJV)
“But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man. For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies: these are the things which defile a man: but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man.” [Jesus Christ] Matthew 15:18-20
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
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
My wife and I went to spend some time with our son in Arkansas, and to celebrate the fifth birthday of their youngest daughter. I had intended to do some post automatically, but I went off and forgot; so that is why there has been no Christmas countdown on Friday May 20, or Saturday May 21. Back to the countdown.
What do I want for Christmas?
This is another LORD’S Day; so I want Jesus to always be my treasure, and for nothing to come between my love for Him.
There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spendeth it up.” Proverbs 21:20 (KJV)
“For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” [Jesus] Matthew 6:21
Recently, Lynn and I had the opportunity to have dinner in Jerusalem with our good friends, Tom and JoAnn Doyle. Among other things we talked about two important trend lines in the world of Gospel ministry to Muslims — persecution and harvest.
Below is an article on this subject that I asked Tom to write specifically for this blog. It’s very informative and encouraging. I hope you’ll not only read it but share it with others.
By way of context, Tom was a senior pastor in New Mexico and Colorado for more than two decades. Then, in the summer of 2001, the Lord called he and JoAnn to serve the persecuted Church in the Middle East, North Africa and Central Asia. Little did they know the horrific events of 9/11 were coming. Nor could they have possibly imagined that the greatest era of church growth in the Muslim world in fourteen centuries…
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What do I want for Christmas?
I want the LORD God of all creation to comfort, encourage, and give strength to the families of the Egypt Air flight 804 into the Mediterranean Sea; and that they will find peace through the Son Jesus Christ, and eternal life in Him.
The LORD bless thee, and keep thee: the LORD make His face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: the LORD lift up His countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.” Numbers 6:24-25 (KJV)
“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
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)
What do I want for Christmas?
I want to be a Holy Spirit filled pastor, undershepherd in Christ Jesus to the people I preach to each Sunday at Shiloah Baptist Church, and minister to the people of Jenkins, Missouri; to lead them in the way of Scripture, God’s Son Jesus Christ, His cross, burial and resurrection.
And when they were come to him, he said unto them, ‘Ye know, from the first day that I came into Asia, after what manner I have been with you at all seasons, serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations, which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews: and how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you publickly, and from house to house, testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.” Acts 20:18-21 (KJV)
“Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which He hath purchased with His own blood. For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.” Acts 20:28-30
A Perfect Heart with GOD
The Fire and Hammer 