The Power of Jesus and the People

“And He withdrew Himself into the wilderness, and prayed. And it came to pass on a certain day, as He was teaching, that there were Pharisees and doctors of the law sitting by, which were come out of every town of Galilee, and Judaea, and Jerusalem: and the power of the Lord was present to heal them.”  Luke 5:16-17

I heard a quote which was attributed to Charles H. Spurgeon where he had been asked the question: “Which is more important, the reading and study of Scripture or prayer?” and his answer was another question; “Which is more important, breathing out or breathing in?”

One is important for the other. Jesus loved the word of God, and He loved fulfilling the word of God. So should all who love Him.

We should also love to spend time with Him in prayer. If the Son of God, the Son of Man, the God-Man, who is God the Son saw the necessity and need of prayer then every one of us who are redeemed through His shed blood need to pray.

I wonder sometimes why I do not seem to have power with God, and I know the answer is that I am not as committed to the Lord in prayer as I am in breathing in – the reading and study of Scripture.

Lord, by Your grace and power help me to be a man of prayer as well as a man of Your word. May many come to You for the healing of their lives and souls through Your death, burial, and resurrection.

My Eyes Have Seen Your Salvation

“Then took he Him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said,
‘Lord, now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace, according to Thy word: for mine eyes have seen Thy salvation, which Thou hast prepared before the face of all people; a light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of Thy people Israel.’
And Joseph and His mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him. And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary His mother,
‘Behold, this Child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against; (yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.’ ”  Luke 2:28-35

The man speaking is Simeon. A man who had waited for the Redeemer of Israel for many years. I have never heard much on the words which he speaks but they are definitely from the Lord, and dealing with the life of the new born Son of God.

My thoughts on this man are these. If Simeon was believing the word of the Lord, that he would not die until he had seen the coming of Messiah, then how can we lose heart concerning the second coming of our Lord, the Messiah, who is Jesus Christ?

Jesus came the first time as a baby, born of a virgin, and His bed was on straw in a feed trough for cattle. He grew into manhood, lived a holy, undefiled life, then laid His own life down on that wooden cross, was nailed to it through His hands and feet, they dropped that cross into a hole with a resounding thud, and He died there. He was taken down from that cross, and was buried showing clearly that He was dead taking away our sin; then He arose bodily from that grave. He forever lives and is calling all who will hear to come to Him.

Believe Him and live with Him forever, free from sin, shame, guilt and condemnation.

The Door Is Open…

“And Jesus cried with a loud voice, and gave up the ghost. And the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom.”  Mark 15:37-38

Jesus’s last words were spoken, “It is finished” and then something awesome and heavenly happened. The veil of the temple which was supposed to conceal the ark of the covenant, was torn in two.

It was torn from the top signifying that it was definitely the hand of God that tore it. What did this mean?

The old was being torn away, and the new was beginning. God was saying to one and to all who would hear Him, and receive the gift of He and His Son Jesus could come to Him. He is basically saying, “The door is open. Come on in.”

The door is opened by the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Will you hear His voice and enter into His peace and rest? It is your call.

Have You Not Read The Scripture?

After the parable of Mark 12:1-9 Jesus said,
“And have ye not read this Scripture; ‘The stone which the builders rejected is become the head of the corner: this was the Lord’s doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes?’ “  Mark 12:10-11

.Jesus always has a good, even a great question or questions for His accusers. Jesus knows the Scriptures. He is the One who inspired, and gave the Scriptures. Since He gave them to us it is fitting and very proper and a means of the Christian’s growth in the faith of Christ to read them, hear them and do them for His glory.

The parable in verses 1 through 9 is a parable of those who rejected a land owners son, killing him, so that they might be the ones who would inherit the land, since the land owner only had one son.

The scribes and Pharisees, the hypocrites did have the sense to realize the parable was about them, and their rejection of God’s Son who was speaking to them – though they were too blind to see Him as the Son of God.

Do you read the Scriptures? If you are a Christian they are for you and your growing; being conformed into the image of Jesus Christ (Romans 8:29). When you know and love Jesus you will read, know, and love His word. You will also see that His word reads you.

Jesus is the “Cornerstone” which the builders rejected. He is rejected by them so that others might be saved and come to the truth of who Jesus is. He is the Son of Man, the Son of God and God the Son who willingly laid His own life down on the cross and was crucified, dying for our sins, was buried, and three days later He rose again and is calling you to Himself. Call out to Him turning from your sins to the Lord Jesus Christ, and He will hear, and He will save you giving you eternal life.

Death and Resurrection

“And He began to teach them, that the Son of Man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders, and of the chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again.”  Mark 8:31
“And as they came down from the mountain, He charged them that they should tell no man what things they had seen, till the Son of Man were risen from the dead.”  Mark 9:9
“For He taught His disciples, and said unto them, ‘The Son of Man is delivered into the hands of men, and they shall kill Him; and after that He is killed, He shall rise the third day.’ ”   Mark 9:31

Three times in two chapters Jesus tells them. How could they have missed it? There is one way and maybe two or three, but Jesus taught the disciples clearly that He was going to die at the hands of evil, and that on the third day He would rise again.

The first way they could have missed is because of their preconceived ideas of what the Messiah was supposed to do. The second way it was missed; not by the disciples but by the religious leaders was their unbelief. The third way it was missed by many, and this would include Judas Iscariot, just plain ole selfishness and greed.

Do not miss the fact, the truth of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. He was and is the Messiah of Israel and of the whole earth. If you miss this truth, you will miss out on eternity with Him.

Demons and Swine

“And they came over unto the other side of the sea, into the country of the Gadarenes. And when He was come out of the ship, immediately there met Him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit, who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no man could bind him, no, not with chains: because that he had been often bound with fetters and chains, and the chains had been plucked asunder by him, and the fetters broken in pieces: neither could any tame him. And always, night and day, he was in the mountains, and in the tombs, crying, and cutting himself with stones. But when he saw Jesus afar off, he ran and worshipped Him, and cried with a loud voice, and said, ‘What have I to do with thee, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I adjure thee by God, that Thou torment me not.’ For He said unto him,
‘Come out of the man, unclean spirit.’
And He asked him,
‘What is thy name?’
And he answered, saying, ‘My name is Legion: for we are many.’ And he besought Him much that He would not send them away out of the country.
Now there was there nigh unto the mountains a great herd of swine feeding. And all the devils besought Him, saying, ‘Send us into the swine, that we may enter into them.’ And forthwith Jesus gave them leave. And the unclean spirits went out, and entered into the swine: and the herd ran violently down a steep place into the sea, (they were about two thousand;) and were choked in the sea.
And they that fed the swine fled, and told it in the city, and in the country. And they went out to see what it was that was done. And they come to Jesus, and see him that was possessed with the devil, and had the legion, sitting, and clothed, and in his right mind: and they were afraid. And they that saw it told them how it befell to him that was possessed with the devil, and also concerning the swine. And they began to pray Him to depart out of their coasts. And when He was come into the ship, he that had been possessed with the devil prayed Him that he might be with Him. Howbeit Jesus suffered him not, but saith unto him,
‘Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee.’
And he departed, and began to publish in Decapolis how great things Jesus had done for him: and all men did marvel.”  Mark 5:1-20

I believe that Jesus Christ had the power to cast demons into swine; and that He has the power to do so today. As He has said many times,

“He that has ears to hear, let him hear.”

Jesus, Anger, and the Sabbath

“And He entered again into the synagogue; and there was a man there which had a withered hand. And they watched Him, whether He would heal him on the Sabbath day; that they might accuse Him. And He saith unto the man which had the withered hand,
‘Stand forth.’
And He saith unto them,
‘Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath days, or to do evil? To save life, or to kill?’
But they held their peace. And when He had looked round about on them with anger, being grieved for the hardness of their hearts, He saith unto the man,
‘Stretch forth thine hand.’
And he stretched it out: and his hand was restored whole as the other.”   Mark 3:1-5

The skill and wisdom of Jesus always amazes me. The way He challenges His challengers; the hostile challengers; of His words and life is truly awesome. Just because someone does not like what He says or does, does not deter Him from going ahead and doing what He was going to do in the first place; and He does it with authority and power.

I always take note of verses, also that tell of Jesus having anger, and of those where the word is not used, but also where He displays anger; for instance the two times He drives the money changers out of the Temple with a whip He made Himself. They had defiled His house.

Anger is not always a bad emotion. What makes you angry? That guy or gal that cut you off in traffic? That one in the check-out at Walmart that was rude and nasty to the associated checking them out? Is that really a good anger? Not at all. If it makes us angry to see someone rudely treated, then let’s compliment the one that was just treated that way.

Jesus had earlier in chapter 2 of Mark said the Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. I suppose that is for all the laws of God. They are given to aid and to help us realize our evil plight in life, not to provide hindrances for good deeds.

When we come to Jesus, trusting Him as our Lord and Savior all the law is fulfilled in Him. We are saved by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8-10). It was provided for us by the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. Call on the name of the Lord Jesus, believing that God has raised Him from the dead, and you shall be saved (Romans 10:9-10).

A Set Mind On His Destination

“And Jesus going up to Jerusalem took the twelve disciples apart in the way, and said unto them,
‘Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of Man shall be betrayed unto the chief priests and unto the scribes, and they shall condemn Him to death, and shall deliver Him to the Gentiles to mock, and to scourge, and to crucify, and the third day He shall rise again.’ ”   Matthew 20:17-19

Many of us when we are going on a trip in our cars or trucks have a destination; a certain place we are going. There are times on vacation traveling especially when we set out for that destination and do not want to stop until we get there. It is, however, a good thing for us to take in some of the sights, and visit other things as we go.

Jesus came into the world; He came unto us with one set destination in His heart and mind. What was that destination? It was to glorify the Father by fulfilling all the things concerning Himself in Scripture. To begin with that was to go to Jerusalem and die for the sins of the world, upon  a cruel, old rugged cross; taking the sins of the world upon Himself, becoming sin for us (2 Corinthians 5:21), and taking the judgment from Holy God that should have been our own.

Before the cross He shares at least three times with His disciples that He must die, and that He will rise again. He did. He is alive forever more.

Call on the One and the only One who can redeem you from your sins. Call on the name of the Lord, confessing Him believing that God has raised Him from the dead, and you will be saved (Romans 10:9-10). Make this your destination – eternal life.

Loosing and Binding

“Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”  Matthew 18:18

To be honest with you, I am not real sure of the power of these words and the authority that goes with it. It does seem greatly connected to prayer because the verse following has Jesus saying, “That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.”

Jesus also gives to Peter this same authority in chapter sixteen when Peter tells Jesus, “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God.” What He gave to Peter He gives to all who follow Him here  in these verses. That is also Christians for this generation of 2021.

I remember a few years ago when I was still driving a school bus, as I was nearing my first pick up; I was greatly burdened for my wife. She was sick, with a fever, a cough, and she had just a few years previously recovered from heart aorta surgery, and gave us a scare in the hospital.

I began to pray out loud, verbally and with great authority, that came only from the Holy Spirit,  and I was really overwhelmed by the power of the Spirit. The prayer was a short one, and I do not remember the words that were said, but I do remember saying something about binding her sickness and casting it from her. When I closed the prayer I had a great peace. I made it to my first stop, picked up the students and took them to school.

When I got home my wife was recovered. No more fever, and no more cough. I thanked and praised the Lord.

I still am not sure of the power and the authority of those words to bind and loose, but I still want to learn, and practice the works of the Spirit of God, and give Him all the glory.

That Which Defiles

“And He called the multitude, and said unto them,
‘Hear, and understand: Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man.’ ” Matthew 15:10-11

When Jesus said this He was addressing the hypocrisy of the religious leaders who had no heart to do His will, but their own. They knew the law but used it for their own ends and means.

Jesus was really revealing their hearts. Their hearts were vile, and evil, and with their mouths they defiled themselves. Further on in chapter 10 and in verses 16 – 20 Jesus explains His words above. All that is evil comes from the heart and is greatly expressed and exposed by the mouth.

Let us be swift to hear the word of the Lord, and in hearing it apply it to our lives beginning with the gospel of Jesus Christ and His death, burial, and resurrection; and receiving the change of heart that comes only through the new birth.

With the new birth of the Spirit we receive a new view of life and living, and an ever increasing faith in Him. With the new birth we also receive a new mouth or new vocabulary; if you will.

Knowing Jesus and His Father

“At that time Jesus answered and said, ‘I thank Thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because Thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes. Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in Thy sight. All things are delivered unto Me of My Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and to whomsoever the Son will reveal Him.’ ”  Matthew 11:25-27

It is a blessed thing to know Jesus and the Father, His Father. If you know the Father you know the Son, who is Jesus Christ. If you know the Son you know the Father. You cannot know One and not know the other.

The Father reveals to those who will receive Him with that child like faith, that Jesus is the Son of God. The Son reveals the Father to those who receive Him.

Let me leave some references: 2 John verses 8-9;  1 John 5:1, 10-12.

You can say that you love God, believe in God, and shout it from the highest mountain, yet die in your sins and perish if you deny that Jesus is God Incarnate. He is of the Father, loved by the Father, and through Him we love the Father.

Jesus died for us, was buried, and He rose again. He loves you and is calling you to Himself. Repent of your sins calling on the name of Jesus and He will hear you and He will deliver you giving you eternal life.

The Rejects of Society

“And as Jesus passed forth from thence, He saw a man, named Matthew, sitting at the receipt of custom: and He saith unto him,
‘Follow Me.’
And he arose, and followed Him. And it came to pass, as Jesus sat at meat in the house, behold, many publicans and sinners came and sat down with Him and His disciples. And when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto his disciples,
‘Why eateth your Master with publicans and sinners?’
But when Jesus heard that, He said unto them,
‘They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick. But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.’ ” Matthew 9:9-13

I am so grateful to the Lord for His bountiful love, mercy, and grace. He accepts those who are rejected by the elite, the powerful, and the popular, and saves all those who will come to Him and follow Him. I am grateful for that because I am one of those rejects of society.

The religious elite would not accept these tax collectors and sinners into their midst, but Jesus did. Jesus still does. He did not come to save those who are secure in themselves and their power and prestige. He came to save those who need Him. He came to save the sin sick, the lost, the dying the hurting.

If you fit into the category of one who is sin sick, lost, dying and hurting then there is forgiveness, there is healing, there is resurrection for you by calling on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ who died on the cross for your sins, our sins, and He was buried, and He rose again.

Will you call on the name of the Lord Jesus today?

The Presence

“And Jesus, when He was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon Him: and lo a voice from heaven, saying, ‘This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.’ ”  Matthew 3:16-17

Jesus, the Christ of God; and there is no other, and never will be. There is only One Messiah, and His name is Jesus.

This is shown with great display as Jesus comes and presents Himself for baptism to fulfill Righteousness. Notice that His baptism was by immersion He “Went up straightway out of the water”. When He rose up there was the presence of the Holy Spirit of God in the form of a dove coming to Him “Lighting on Him” and there was the voice of the Father from heaven. The holy, holy, holy Three in One.

Notice also the Father makes it known to all who will hear, “This is My beloved Son” and He has no other only begotten Son but Jesus. If Jesus the Messiah is the Son of God, He is the Incarnation of of God – God in flesh. The God – Man.

Jesus came to die for the sins of the world; mine and yours. He died on the cross taking all sin upon Himself; even becoming sin for us (2 Corinthians 5:21) dying in our place; He was buried, and He rose from the grave justifying forever those who will call on His name.

Will you call on the name of Jesus Christ today and be saved?

Sharing What We Know

“A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards.”  Proverbs 29:11

“For this cause therefore have I called for you, to see you, and to speak with you: because that for the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain.”  Acts 28:20

May we as Christians learn when to speak what we know, and the right time to speak it; and to speak with it seasoned with salt and filled with love, mercy and grace.

What the Christ must know most is that Jesus died on the cross, was buried, and that He rose again. We must also be faithful in proclaiming the whole counsel of God – that is the whole of the word of God; believing and trusting that what God has said will come to pass just as He said it. His word is inerrant and infallible.

Endangered Living to Save Others

“Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, and let not thine heart be glad when he stumbleth: lest the LORD see it, and it displease Him, and He turn away His wrath from him.”   Proverbs 24:17-18

“Then Paul answered, What mean ye to weep and to break mine heart? for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.”  Acts 21:13

As Christians we can not rejoice at the fall of someone who hates us. We are to love our enemies, and pray for them who despitefully use us.

Let us be like the apostle Paul who obeying the words of the Lord Jesus risked his life in Jerusalem, knowing his life was in danger, “Loved not his life, unto death” and went to the city with the gospel of Jesus Christ anyway.

Do you love the Lord Jesus today. The Father loved you so much that he gave us His only begotten Son – Jesus Christ. That whosoever believes in Him would not perish, but have eternal life. He died for you, was buried, and He rose again.

Landmarks and the Gospel of Grace

“Remove not the old landmark; and enter not into the fields of the fatherless: for their Redeemer is mighty; He shall plead their cause with thee.”  Proverbs 23:10-11

“But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.”  Acts 20:24

Pray that we as Christians always deal faithfully with those who have no father or mother. That we respect the things that are theirs as we respect what is in our own possession. Remember that the One who has redeemed us is also their Redeemer.

Let us have a heart like the apostle Paul that no matter what comes into our path of life, that we consider none of those things; even our lives; are worthy of our concern: nothing but the gospel of Jesus Christ which is the gospel of grace.

If you have not experienced the gospel of grace you can call on the One who provides it by His death on the cross, His burial and resurrection. “Whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

Established Churches in the Faith

“The sacrifice of the wicked is abomination: how much more, when he bringeth it with a wicked mind!”  Proverbs 21:27

“And as they went through the cities, they delivered them the decrees for to keep, that were ordained of the apostles and elders which were at Jerusalem. And so were the churches established in the faith, and increased in number daily.”  Acts 16:4-5

Seeing that God’s word tells us that the mind of Adam’s race is wicked continually and a sacrifice with wicked intent can only be further abomination, then let us pray that we come to God only through the sacrifice on God’s only begotten Son Jesus Christ. Let those who profess His name believe His word, proclaim His word, and live His word by the power of the Holy Spirit within and glorify His name. No sacrifice we offer can ever bring glory to God.

Let us pray for the continuing establishment of the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ through the Scriptures, teaching them, living out our lives for the glory of His name.

Come today to the One, the only One who can redeem You. He died on the cross for our sins (your sins and mine), He was buried taking away all our sins, shame and condemnation, and three days later He came out of that grave alive forever more. Call on His name today.

Open Door of Faith

“Divers weights, and divers measures, both of them are alike abomination to the LORD.”  Proverbs 20:10

“And when they were come, and had gathered the church together, they rehearsed all that God had done with them, and how He had opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles.”  Acts 14:27

Pray that we who name the name of Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior always be just, equitable, and righteous to all people with whom we speak, and with whom we do business.

We must also pray that we always in our gatherings together tell of all that God has done; of His Son Jesus, and His mighty works of grace and mercy in salvation of all who will call on His name.

Will you call on the name that is above every name – the name of Jesus Christ who died for us on the cross, was buried and He rose from the grave and forever lives interceeding for all who have come to Him calling on His name.

The Safe Place

“The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe. ‘  Proverbs 18:10

“And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, ‘Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.’ And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized.”  Acts 9:17-18

Let us always remember the safe place for anyone to be is in the name of the LORD, trusting Him, and growing in His love, mercy, grace, and His correction as well.

Remember the tormentor Saul sought to destroy the safe place of the LORD, which is in the name of the LORD, and he had an encounter with the Lord Jesus Christ, and bowed before Him. When Saul had met the LORD and humbled himself before Him he was filled with the Holy Spirit and the LORD used him mightily for the glory of His name. Let us pray to do likewise in the power of the Holy Spirit.

Let me tell you that Jesus Christ the Son of the Living God died on the cross for your sins, He was buried, and He rose again to justify forever those who will call on His name. If you will call on Him today, right now, He will hear you and will give you eternal life.

Speaking with Wisdom from Knowledge

“He that hath knowledge spareth his words: and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit.”  Proverbs 17:27

“And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake.”  Acts 6:10

In the fifty five years that I have been a born again believer in Jesus Christ I have learned this one thing; “The more I know, the more I realize that I do not know”.

I pray that I will increase in wisdom, knowledge, and understanding and that all those who are born again through the blood of Jesus Christ have the same.

I pray that when we speak that we speak with wisdom and grace. That we will realize that all who hear us when we speak with the wisdom, knowledge, and understanding in the grace and mercy of God through the Spirit of God will be recognized as being from God; but that some will hate us for it. Yet some will receive it and lives will be changed.

Join with me in praying daily for the filling of the Holy Spirit.

The Father’s Instruction and The Prince of Life

“A fool despiseth his father’s instruction: but he that regardeth reproof is prudent.”  Proverbs 15:5

“The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, hath glorified His Son Jesus; whom ye delivered up, and denied Him in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let Him go. But ye denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be granted unto you; and killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses.”  Acts 3:13-15

May we always follow the instruction of wisdom that our earthly fathers have given us; and the instruction and commandments our heavenly Father has given us that we might be wise and clear minded in living life.

Since we know that Jesus was rejected by His own, and was crucified for our sins and the sins of the whole world; let us be faithful to Him, because He was buried, and He rose again and has redeemed us from our sins. May our lives be a testimony and a witness of His love, mercy and grace.

Words of Wisdom

“Receive my instruction, and not silver; and knowledge rather than choice gold. For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it.”  Proverbs 8:10-11
“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me: and I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any pluck them out of My hand. My Father, which gave them Me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of My Father’s hand. I and My Father are one.”  John 10:27-30

We need to ask wisdom for those who are lost and perishing in sin so that they might hear the words of Truth which our Lord speaks and that they will hear and believe unto salvation.

Discretion and Knowledge; Sowing and Reaping

“My son, attend unto my wisdom, and bow thine ear to my understanding: that thou mayest regard discretion, and that thy lips may keep knowledge.”  Proverbs 5:1-2
“Say not ye, ‘There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest?’ Behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest. And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together. And herein is that saying true, ‘One soweth, and another reapeth.’
I sent you to reap that whereon ye bestowed no labour: other men laboured, and ye are entered into their labours.”
  John 4:35-38

We need to ask the Lord to give us always the heart and mind for sound judgment; that requires wisdom, understanding and knowledge. That also requires us listening to others – even those we disagree with on certain things that we might grow in knowledge.

Since Jesus tells us that the harvest is already ready, then we need to see the great need for telling the lost and the condemned and the perishing that Jesus Christ the Son of the Living God gave His life on the cross for our sins, He was buried carrying away all our sin, guilt and condemnation, then He rose and came out of that grave alive justifying those who will believe, forever. O what a glorious harvest Jesus is reaping.

Get Wisdom; He Who Made the World

“Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth. Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee: love her, and she shall keep thee.”  Proverbs 4:5-6
“He was in the world, and the world was made by Him, and the world knew Him not. He came unto His own, and His own received Him not.” John 1:10-11

We do need wisdom, especially for the war of the culture, the spiritual battles that we face where good has been declared evil; and evil has been declared as good.

We also need to return to the One who has made all things; to believe Him and to trust that He went to the cross, died for the sins of the world, was buried and He rose up bodily and came alive out of that grave, and He forever lives. May we be ever diligent and faithful to the One who gives us His grace; His name is Jesus Christ. There is no other Savior.

Prayer for this Lord’s Day January 31, In the year of our Lord 2021

“Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy. ”  Proverbs 31:9
“So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, ‘We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do.'”   Luke 17:10

Our Lord God, Father and Savior we worship and adore You. We come to You through the glorious name of Jesus Christ  Your holy and only begotten Son who is with You in all eternity, past and present.

By the power of Your Spirit we will judge righteously and plead the cause of the poor and the innocent who cannot plead for themselves. Forgive our sin of being respecter of persons, because You are not; neither should one of Your children be.

Also, Lord by the power of Your Spirit who is given us at that moment we call on the name of Jesus, Your Son for salvation and the receipt of Your grace and faith we will be faithful to live by faith, and do that which is our duty to do.

Thank You for Your multitude of blessings. Thank You for Your love, mercy and grace that saves. Amen.