Visitation…

Visitation…

Now as Jesus drew near, He saw the city and wept over it, saying, “If you had known, even you, especially in this your day, the things that make for your peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes. For days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment around you, surround you and close you in on every side, and level you, and your children within you, to the ground; and they will not leave in you one stone upon another, because you did not know the time of your visitation.”~ Luke 19:41-44

Today we commemorate Palm Sunday – a day we ascribe as the beginning of the Holy Week leading to Easter Sunday when we celebrate the Resurrection of our Lord and Savior. On this day, we recount the Triumphal Entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. He rode upon a donkey, and a very great multitude spread their clothes on the road while others cut down palm branches from the trees and spread them on the road. Then the multitudes who went before and those who followed cried out, saying: “Hosanna to the Son of David! ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’ Hosanna in the Highest!” (Cf. Matthew 21:1-17)

Yet, it was a solemn time of reflection for Jesus … knowing His impending death at the hands of those who had rejected Him. He saw the city and wept over it, saying, “If you had known … the time of your visitation.” Matthew recorded His lament as well: “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing!” (Matthew 23:37)

Indeed, Jerusalem was left desolate … the temple without one stone left upon another. Yes, judgement came to the people and the city because they did not recognize their time of visitation. Their Messiah … their King … sent by Father God to rescue them – but not from Imperial Rome but from their iniquities and sins. He came as Savior:

John 1:10-13 (NKJV)

He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

Oh, my friend, have you too missed His visitation? Has Jesus come to you and you did not recognize Him? Perhaps, like the Jewish people of His day, Jesus was not what you were expecting Him to be. Maybe you missed the Jesus who said, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.” (Matthew 16:24) Or maybe in your life of abundance, you too walked away sorrowful when Jesus said, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” (Matthew 19:21) As John articulated, “This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil.” (John 3:19)

I believe those who missed His visitation did not receive Jesus because He was not what they wanted Him to be … a Great Warrior King … a 5-Star General … to defeat the oppressive Roman government ruling over them. Although, Jesus did come as a King to usher in the Kingdom of God, He did not fit their ideas of what Messiah ought to be. His Kingdom is not of this world. (John 18:36) Rather, Jesus is a ruler of hearts … a mighty warrior who has defeated the oppression of sin in the human heart.

Reader, I encourage you to consider His visitation. Perhaps, Jesus is knocking on the door of your heart right now. Would you invite Him in for a visit? I pray you will not send Him away weeping or lamenting: “If you had known, even you, especially in this your day, the things that make for your peace.”

Have a Blessed Day!

Condemn…

Condemn…

For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him. ~ John 3:17

I have read the discourse between Jesus and Nicodemus many times in this chapter of the Gospel of John; and the clarity of what Jesus said … the powerful implication of His words … continue to penetrate my soul. The mission and purpose of the Son of Man … the Messiah of God … the One and Only Son of God … is presented with complete translucence, and we would be wise to meditate upon these truths.

John 3:14-21 (CSB)

“Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, so that everyone who believes in Him may not perish, but have eternal life. For God loved the world in this way: He gave His one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him. Anyone who believes in Him is not condemned, but anyone who does not believe is already condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the one and only Son of God. This is the judgment: Light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than the light because their deeds were evil. For everyone who does not come to the light, so that his deeds may not be exposed. But anyone who lives by the truth comes to the light, so that his works may be shown to be accomplished by God.”

I encourage you to read Numbers 21:4-9, to see the Scripture Jesus referenced with Nicodemus. In this story we see the mercy of God toward those who exercised a simple action of faith to avoid death from the bite of a venomous serpent. Jesus points Nicodemus to Himself and explains that he, too, should believe in Him (the one who would be lifted up on cross) to avoid the penalty of death (condemnation) for rejecting the love and mercy of God. Indeed, this is the message of Jesus and the reason He was hung upon a cross. Those who look to Him … those who believe in His name … are no longer condemned for their rebellion against God. In Jesus, through His blood, atonement has been made. “It is finished.” (John 19:30)

Some of the sweetest words ever spoken were those of Jesus to a woman caught in the act of adultery. The account is found in John 8:1-11 when those who accused her of sin were convicted by their own. Jesus asked her, “Where are your accusers. Has no one condemned you?” She answered, “No one, Lord.” Then Jesus replied, “Neither do I condemn you. Go, and from now on do not sin anymore.” My friend, when you put your faith in Jesus, He will not condemn you; rather, He will set you free! He is the only assurance for eternal life!

In Romans 8:1-4, Paul reminds us: “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering. And so, He condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.”

Paul asked and answered a rhetorical question: “Who then is the one who condemns? No one! Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.” (Romans 8:34) Yes, God sent Jesus to save people from their sins … not to condemn them for their sins. Yet, let us remember that anyone who does not believe in Jesus remains in condemnation and judgment for their sin. Indeed, “If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. But if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:8-9)

1 John 3:19-24 (NIV)

This is how we know that we belong to the truth and how we set our hearts at rest in His presence: If our hearts condemn us, we know that God is greater than our hearts, and He knows everything. Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God and receive from Him anything we ask, because we keep His commands and do what pleases Him. And this is His command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us. The one who keeps God’s commands lives in Him, and He in them. And this is how we know that He lives in us: We know it by the Spirit He gave us.

Have a Blessed Day!

Savior…

Savior…

And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent His Son to be the Savior of the world. ~ 1 John 4:14

There are many nights that I have pondered this verse … praising God for the Apostles who were faithful witnesses of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ! And the Beloved John had a special gift of articulating the intensity of all he experienced in the presence of Jesus. John saw the eternal being of Jesus – He who was, and is, and is to come….

That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of Life. The Life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us. We proclaim to you that we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. We write this to make your joy complete. (1 John 1:1-4)

The Good News … the Gospel … could not be clearer than what John composed for us. The Father sent His Son to be the Savior of the world! It was His great love that compelled the Father to do so. (John 3:16) Indeed, “This is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.” (1 John 4:10) This is so difficult to understand when we consider ourselves and our sinful nature. But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8)

Savior. The word resounds with joy! There is a reason for hope! Paul reminds us:

At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by His grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. (Titus 3:3-7)

So, I join with John and proclaim to you – Jesus Our Savior!

He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to Him. Yet He is the image of the invisible God. (Colossians 1:15)

There was nothing in His appearance that we should desire Him. Yet no one ever spoke the way this man does. (John 7:46)

He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain. Yet to all who did receive Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God. (John 1:12)

Like one from whom people hide their faces He was despised, and we held Him in low esteem. Yet God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name that is above every name, at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:9-11)

Surely, He took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered Him punished by God, stricken by Him, and afflicted. Yet for the joy set before Him He endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:2)

But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on Him, and by His wounds we are healed. Yes, He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness. (1 Peter 2:24)

We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all. Yes, Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! (John 1:29)

My friends, we have a perfect Savior! Let us give thanks and praise to Him! Let us proclaim Him to those around us!

Have a Blessed Day!

Deliver…

Deliver…

Look on my suffering and deliver me, for I have not forgotten your law. Defend my cause and redeem me; preserve my life according to your promise. ~ Psalm 119:153-154

King David penned some wonderful words for those who are suffering in affliction and hardship; and I feel led to share them this morning:

Psalm 34:15-20 (NIV)

The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are attentive to their cry; but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil, to blot out their name from the earth. The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; He delivers them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. The righteous person may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all; He protects all his bones, not one of them will be broken.

We can look back through the OT Scriptures and see the hand of God Almighty deliver His people … His treasured possession … from those who would oppress them with hardship and afflict them with injustice. Yes, the righteous cry out for the tender mercies of God to deliver them from their troubles, and His ear is attentive to their sighs and prayers. Have you ever prayed like David did?

Psalm 31:2-5 (NIV)

Turn Your ear to me, come quickly to my rescue; be my rock of refuge, a strong fortress to save me. Since You are my rock and my fortress, for the sake of your name lead and guide me. Keep me free from the trap that is set for me, for You are my refuge. Into Your hands I commit my spirit; deliver me, Lord, my faithful God.

Psalm 18:1-2 (NIV)

I love you, Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my sovereign shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.

Oh, my friend, do you not know today that the Lord is the Mighty God who delivers you? It is He who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases. (Psalm 103:3) The Lord heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. (Psalm 147:3) And Jesus is calling you today to come to Him. For He will deliver you! He will heal you! He will set you free! Jesus asks you to trust Him and to believe. For He is full of compassion and ready to deliver you from all your affliction. Yes, He says: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28)

Seek the Lord this morning … while He may be found. He is your refuge and strength; an ever-present help in times of trouble. (Psalm 46:1) He declares to you: “Even to your old age and gray hairs I am He, I am He who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you. (Isaiah 46:4) Indeed, “Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all His benefits.” (Psalm 103:2) Amen.

Have a Blessed Day!

Affliction…

Affliction…

But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. ~ 2 Timothy 4:5

Affliction … a cause of persistent pain or distress. It can be the source of hardship or great suffering. We associate it with difficulty, trouble, trial, tribulation, agony, and travail. In other words, affliction is most uncomfortable and we desire to avoid it at all costs. And yet, for believers, affliction and hardship … trial and tribulation … serve a purpose in the development and growth of our faith.

As Paul and Barnabas made their missionary rounds, they spent time strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. They reminded new converts and local leadership, “We must go through many hardships to enter the Kingdom of God.” (Acts 14:22) Indeed, a follower of Christ should expect to endure afflictions of all kinds is their service to Him. As Jesus taught: “Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.” (Matthew 5:10)

Jesus said in the end times His followers would be not only persecuted but put to death … hated by all nations because of Him. (Matthew 24:9) Yet, Paul would later pose: “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?” (Romans 8:35) No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. Indeed, many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all. (Psalm 34:19) And we would do well to remember the afflictions we suffer are often used by the Lord to correct and discipline us. (Hebrews 12:4-8)

James advised: “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” (James 1:2-4) This is easier said than done; however, the end result will be worth it. As Peter encouraged: “In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.” (1 Peter:6-7)

My friends, do not loose heart as you endure affliction in this life. “Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory. So, we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.” (2 Corinthians 4:16-18)

This is my comfort in my affliction: Your word has revived me and given me life. ~ Psalm 119:50 (Amplified)

Have a Blessed Day!

Consider…

Consider…

But be sure to fear the Lord and serve Him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things He has done for you. ~ 1 Samuel 12:24

The Word of the Lord came to Ezekiel: “Son of man, how is the wood of a vine different from that of a branch from any of the trees in the forest?” (Ezekiel 15:1) It is an interesting question to consider given that the nation of Israel was viewed as the vineyard of the Lord Almighty, and the people of Judah His delighted vines. (Cf. Isaiah 5:7) So, is there anything different about the composition of the wood in a vine than that of a tree?

I believe there is only one thing that distinguishes the vine from the tree. What makes believers different from world is the kindness and grace of God Himself. There is nothing different in our own nature than any other woody plant. But God, who is rich in mercy, uprooted us from the world and made us alive with Christ. (Ephesians 2:1-5) He cultivated the soil of our hearts; planted the seed of His Word; and nurtured us into a productive, fruitful vine. Jesus affirmed this familiar metaphor when He declared: “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener.” (John 15:1) He said, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5)

Are you humbled by these words? Do you ever take time to consider what your life might have been had God not redeemed you from the forest of this world and planted you in His vineyard? What would you be without the life-giving sap of God flowing within you? Would you be able to bear any fruit if the Holy Spirit were not abiding in you? Take a moment to look back on who you once were. Consider what you would have been had the grace of God not encountered you and brought you to the true vine. “For who makes you different from anyone else? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not?” (1 Corinthians 4:7)

My friend, let us remember the days of long ago; meditate on all the works of God, and consider what His mighty hand has done for those who believe. (Psalm 145:5) “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (Ephesians 2:8-10) Indeed, there is no place for pride to be rooted in our hearts; rather, let us consider with deep humility that our names have been written in the Lamb’s Book of Life. (Revelation 21:27) Amen.

Have a Blessed Day!

Crown…

Crown…

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize! Everyone who competes in athletic competitions will exercise strict self-discipline. They do it to obtain a crown that will perish, but we do it to receive a crown that will last forever. ~ 1 Corinthians 9:24-25

A crown is the reward for victory! It is the mark of honor! A gold or ornate crown is often worn by royalty as a symbol of their sovereignty and authority. A crown represents the highest position … the zenith of accomplishment! And yet, all the crowns that might be achieved in this world are temporal. Like the laurel wreaths awarded to the winners of the Olympic Games of old, they will wither and perish. Their accolades will soon fade and be remembered no more….

I love the metaphor that Paul used here to compare the marathon of faith with the athletic competitions of the ancient world. He observes the determination of the competitors … their strict training and self-discipline to master their physical conditions. All of the energy and preparation is focused on one goal: winning the race. His analogy is worth pondering because the same principles of winning an earthly reward can be applied to the self-denial required to pick up our crosses daily and to follow Jesus for the long run. (Cf. Luke 9:23)

Our God is a most gracious God; and He adorns us with various crowns as we walk with Him during our journey of faith. Human beings were made a little lower than the angels; and yet, God crowns us with glory and honor … to exercise dominion over the earth. (Cf. Psalm 8:5-6) The humble He rewards with a crown of victory. (Psalm 149:4) Those who attain wisdom, He presents with the crown of knowledge. (Proverbs 4:9) Those who practice righteousness, He crowns with blessings. (Proverbs 10:6) Indeed, the wealth of the wise is their crown; gray hair is a crown of splendor; and grandchildren are a crown to the aged. (Proverbs 14:24; 16:31; 17:6)

My friend, what crown are you pursuing in this life? The crown of wealth or fame? The crown of power or preeminence? Do you chase after the things of this world, but neglect the crown of redemption God has provided for you? Have you so soon forgotten that the One who has bestowed so many gracious crowns upon you wore a crown of thorns upon His own head? Does the blood that oozed from each pierce of His brow not penetrate your very soul as well?

It is my prayer that we will exercise self-discipline and persevere in faith to receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love Him. (James 1:12) Indeed, all those who long for His appearing will be awarded the crown of righteousness on that Day. (2 Timothy 4:8) And when He appears, believers will receive the crown of glory! (1 Peter 5:4) Therefore, let us be faithful to the Lord Jesus, even to the point of death, for we will receive eternal life as our victor’s crown. (Revelation 2:10)

Have a Blessed Day!

Mighty…

Mighty…

The Lord did not set His love on you nor choose you because you were more in number than any other people, for you were the least of all peoples; but because the Lord loves you, and because He would keep the oath which He swore to your fathers, the Lord has brought you out with a mighty hand, and redeemed you from the house of bondage….” ~ Deuteronomy 7:7-8

Mighty! It means possessing great or overwhelming power and strength. The Lord revealed Himself to Abraham as El Shaddai – God Almighty. (Genesis 17:1) Yes, He is the all-powerful One who reigns over all creation! And it is this attribute of our God that comes into focus as He draws unto Himself a people for His treasured possession and inheritance….

With a mighty hand and outstretched arm, God manifested His power to bring salvation for His people. Indeed, “When the Israelites saw the mighty hand of the Lord displayed against the Egyptians, the people feared the Lord and put their trust in Him and in Moses His servant.” (Exodus 14:31) As Moses attested: “Sovereign Lord, you have begun to show to your servant your greatness and your mighty hand. For what god is there in heaven or on earth who can do the deeds and mighty works you do? (Deuteronomy 3:24)

King David, a man who sought the heart of God, would exclaim: “Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle.” (Psalm 24:8) And, “My salvation and my honor depend on God; He is my mighty rock, my refuge.” (Psalm 62:7) Indeed, “Who is like you, Lord God Almighty? You, Lord, are mighty, and your faithfulness surrounds you.” (Psalm 89:8) Isaiah resounded: “I, the Lord, am your Savior, your Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob. (Isaiah 60:16) Jeremiah reflected, “No one is like you, Lord; you are great, and your name is mighty in power. (Jeremiah 10:6)

One of my favorite verses is Zephaniah 3:17 – which reads: “The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in His love He will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.” Oh, how I pray all people would see that our God is mighty to save! (Isaiah 63:1) Indeed, Jesus is not only mighty to redeem us, but He is mighty to preserve His people in sanctification and holiness. As Paul expressed it: “He who began a good work in you will carry it one to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 1:6)

“I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which He has called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance in His holy people, and His incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength He exerted when He raised Christ from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly realms…. (Ephesians 1:18-20) Oh, my friends, let us to be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power! Amen.

Have a Blessed Day!

Grow…

Grow…

But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be glory both now and forever! Amen.” ~ 2 Peter 3:18

In his second epistle, Peter exhorts believers to live holy and godly lives in light of the return of our Lord Jesus:

2 Peter 3:8-14 (NIV)

But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness. Instead, He is patient with you – not wanting anyone to perish but everyone to come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare. Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you wait eagerly for that Day of God to come. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. But in keeping with His promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells. So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with Him.

Now, more than ever, we need to be growing in our knowledge of the Lord Jesus … increasing in all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives … abounding in the grace that produced our faith through the Word of God … living lives worthy of the callings we have received. Oh, yes! Each one of us needs to find and take our place in the Body of Christ so that we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of Him who is the head, that is, Christ. From Him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work. (Cf. Ephesians 4:1-16)

Growth is a natural process both physically and spiritually. It is the readily seen in our human maturation process; and we can certainly ascertain if our spiritual growth has been stunted or not. Our Lord Jesus has called us to flourish in body, soul, and spirit! We are fashioned for growth through the exercising of our roles within the Church … doing the good works that Father God ordained for us in advance for us to do. (Ephesians 2:10) Yes, let us grow up in our salvation! (1 Peter 2:2)

My friends, I pray that we will always be diligent and passionate in our pursuit of Kingdom-minded growth! Let us persevere and not grow weary for the sake of Christ Jesus and His glorious Name! Amen….

Have a Blessed Day!

Live…

Live…

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?” ~ John 11:25-26

I often wonder if we truly understand what it means to live … to be alive. Do we consider that man was formed of the dust of ground and that God breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and became a living being? (Genesis 2:7) Can we truly comprehend how God fashioned and formed us in the womb? (Ecclesiastes 11:5) Do we embrace that humans are fearfully and wonderfully made? (Psalm 139:14)

We live because God is sovereign over the work of His hands! He created and ordained for living creatures to fill the earth … and for man to have dominion over them. These truths have not changed since the beginning of creation. But it is apparent that when sin entered the world through man, we lost intimate communion with our Creator and source of life. We lost our breath … so to speak. And God has been calling out to us ever since: “Seek Me and Live!” (Amos 5:4)

Moses exhorted the children of Israel to follow the commandments of God. They were tested in the wilderness and taught that man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God. (Deuteronomy 8:3) Jesus affirmed this scripture during His own wilderness temptation; and He would use the metaphor to reveal His identity to those who believe:

John 5:48-51 (NIV)

I am the bread of life. Your ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness, yet they died. But here is the bread that comes down from heaven, which anyone may eat and not die. I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats this bread will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.”

My friends, to believe in Jesus is to abide in Him … to be united with Him forever! He declared, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die.” Truly, Jesus is our breath of life! Think about these words Jesus shared with His disciples: “Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live.” (John 14:19)

In Galatians 2:19-20, Paul shared some profound insight for us to ponder: “For through the law I died to the law so that I might live for God. I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” Indeed, let us live a life worthy of the calling we have received. (Ephesians 4:1) For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life. (1 Thessalonians 4:7) Yes, whoever claims to live in Him must live as Jesus did. (1 John 2:6) And I pray we will live in this light…. Amen!

Have a Blessed Day!