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Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Being God’s Man – Faith in the Tuff Times

The Childless Will Have a Child! - 004
Being God’s Man – Faith in the Tuff Times
Sometimes it seems that everyone is talking about having a baby. If my wife is expecting, I’m calling Abraham to try to find out what to do next! She’ll be calling Sarah or Elizabeth! Actually, we’re content to be grandparents! Are you childless and wanting to have one? Do you know a married couple that wants to have a child of their own and has not been able to? Do you have faith that God can do the impossible, even in your life? We are in Luke 1:5-25.

1. Live a Righteous LifeLuke 1:5-6
Herod “the Great,” is another man with a big ego. Just because you call yourself some sort of title doesn’t mean you measure up! He is a powerful, ruthless, ungodly and murdering ruler! It is a sad day when a leader is not humble, but flaunts his power!

Zechariah & Elizabeth are righteous followers of God who have no children. Good people. Sometimes bad things happen to good people! Zechariah is a priest (one who is still serious about serving God). Not all priests are hypocrites! This is a statement of the importance of maintaining your integrity.

To be truly pleasing to God, we must do what is right by God’s standards, not by our own. We can’t make up our own rules as we go along without reaping painful consequences for our choices. Having faith in tough time’s means trusting that by doing what is right, we will reap God’s rewards, not the world’s consequences for wrong behavior.

2. Continue Your Daily ResponsibilitiesLuke 1:8-10
Zechariah is praying in the temple for all of the people, which is a rare opportunity. Since each priest took turns doing this, once per year, it is possible that this was the only time he ever did this. He enters the Holy of Holies to make intercession for the people, and while performing his duties, an angel comes to tell him that he is going to be a father. (Interlude) Jews are expecting the Messiah. Signs of the times tell them it is near! Don’t stop living because some “sign” of the future is evident.

We don’t have to break routine or do something special to get God’s attention. God is not manipulated by religious behavior or actions. If we are walking in faith, we can proceed with our daily duties and know that God will accomplish His plans for our life. Just make sure what you are doing is in agreement with what the Bible teaches and you will have God’s blessing.

3. Pray Concerning Your SituationLuke 1:11-17
We gather by the nature of the conversation that Zechariah and Elizabeth are still praying for a child. Because of their prayers and faith, they are told that they going to have a baby boy! He will be healthy, grow to be a man who will be faithful in serving God! Don’t stop praying until God answers your prayer! Many babies die, but Zechariah is assured that his baby is going to live to adult hood and do something great for God. People are proud to claim a son, daughter, brother, sister or relative who is in ministry!

How would you feel if you and your spouse were childless and had almost given up on having a child and you got news like that? The angel gives Zechariah some strong instructions about the upbringing of this child! All parents should have some serious instructions (possible restrictions) in the upbringing of their children! It is no secret what God can do for those who are truly seeking to follow Him and trusting in His guidance and provision.

4. Don’t Doubt GodLuke 1:18-23
Zechariah doesn’t disbelieve the angel’s message, but he does seek a “sign” as proof that this is from God. He is introduced to the meaning of speechless! Gabriel Calling! Gabriel means “God’s Power.” This is only the start of God manifesting His power among men. We will see another example of that power in the next lesson! Don’t challenge God’s authority. HE WILL WIN!

Meanwhile, the crowd is waiting for a “final blessing” and wonders why Zechariah is taking so long. Don’t leave without your blessing or you won’t be blessed! Sometimes God may be slow according to our wishes and we may think we have been waiting forever, but Like Zechariah and Elizabeth, we never want to doubt God or give up on what we sincerely and Scripturally believe that He is going to do. God is constantly looking for and testing His servants to see who is faithful, trusting and ready to serve Him.

5. Praise God for the ResultsLuke 1:24-25
When Zechariah finally exits the Temple, the people perceive that something extraordinary has happened to him while he was in there. Now, for them to hear what has happened is more important than leaving! What’s Elizabeth going to think when Zechariah gets home? She can talk all she wants and he can’t interrupt! It’s going to get very interesting as her pregnancy starts to show.

God has given you special talents and abilities. He also has a job tailored just for you and will bless you as you do it. There may be testing or disciplining to prepare you for the job, but as you truly believe in and trust God, you are going to have more opportunity to praise Him for His faithfulness and blessings than you will have time to do it. God likes to reward those who are sincerely faithful to Him.




Monday, November 22, 2010

Can You Imagine…?

Can You Imagine…?
Some people think they know Jesus well enough that they don’t need to know Him more?

Can You Imagine…?
Some people would not even consider embarking on a weekly Bible Study of every event in the life and teachings of Jesus that takes three years to complete (just like Jesus took three years to start His Kingdom) because three years is too long a commitment to make? I wonder how long they want God to be committed to saving them from their sins or how long they want to commit to dwelling in eternity!

Can You Imagine…?
Some people believe they are following Jesus even though they have never looked at what He taught and did to see if they are really following?

Can You Imagine…?
Some people complain that, “The church has gotten away from following the Gospel”, but they never think that they are a part of that “church”?

Can You Imagine…?
Some people think that they know Jesus but they still justify living together, having sex outside of marriage, cheating on their taxes, stealing from their employer or getting violently angry with another family member (spouse, parent or child)?

Shouldn’t you start a Getting To Know Jesus Bible study group with your friends and neighbors so none of them will fit the above descriptions? Jesus has experienced everything you have to deal with. He has compassion and solutions to all of the problems you are facing. Jesus changes lives from the inside out. Jesus shows us how God would want us to live.

What is one reason that you would give God, if you were face to face with Him, for not starting a Getting To Know Jesus Bible study group at our church or home? No good reason? Then contact us and let us help you get your Getting To Know Jesus Bible Study started. It will change your life and the lives of everyone who joins with you.

Can You Imagine…?
What this nation will be like when Christians start acting more like Christians instead of like the world?

Can You Imagine…?
How much better our government would be and how much more freedom we would have if we elected officials who had been Getting To Know Jesus prior to their election?

Can You Imagine…?
I would like to! How about starting our Getting To Know Jesus Bible Study and let’s turn this nation back to being “One Nation Under God”! Contact us today at www.gettingtoknowjesus.org or info@gettingtoknowjesus.org.

Saturday, November 20, 2010

Streets of Gold or Presence of God

Streets of Gold or Presence of God
I was thinking earlier today about the streets of gold that pave the pathways of heaven. A couple of thoughts came to mind. You might want to read Revelation 21:9—22:5.

First, why would God describe heaven as paved with Gold? The answer is because we humans do not comprehend the magnificence and beauty of eternity with God and Jesus Christ. For that reason, God has to describe something that is not physical (heaven is a spiritual kingdom) in physical terms because our finite minds have a very hard time comprehending the spiritual Kingdom God has prepared for us. By using such grandeur as gold, pearls and precious gemstones, we get the idea that this is luxury beyond our earthly understanding and something that we all can have, regardless of our past, if we simply believe that Jesus Christ is God’s Son and our Lord and Savior.

Another thought is “Why did God choose to use gold?” Why are the streets of heaven paved with gold? The reason is that bricks, pavement or dirt would not adequately convey the beauty, splendor and wonder of God’s Kingdom. Heaven is such a beautiful place that God chooses to use what mankind would consider as beautiful and desirable to attract us to such a place. Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN) headquarters in Costa Mesa, California are located in a building that is white as pearl and trimmed extensively with gold filigree. It is a beautiful sight to behold, an attempt to communicate the splendor of Heaven, but it is still nothing like what is waiting for us in Heaven.

Another reason that Heaven is paved with Gold is because God would never do anything less than His best. In describing Heaven in the book of Revelation, God is trying to communicate that Heaven is built of His best materials for all to enjoy who enter His rest. Heaven is such a desirable place that nothing less than God’s best will do in regards to its construction, design, appointments and the treatment of its guests. Truly, when you and I arrive at Heaven’s door, you are going to be privileged to see and experience the absolute best our Creator has for us. God will give nothing less than the best for those who believe that Jesus is the Christ who died on the cross for their sins and have declared Him as their Lord and Savior. That is how much He loves you and wants to bless you.

One more thought. Even if heaven were a dirt road in a rundown neighborhood, just being in the presence of God and His Son, Jesus Christ, along with the Holy Spirit would be far better than any gold paved street anywhere on this earth or in Heaven. God’s presence is better than anything we could ever begin to imagine.

Oh, how my heart yearns for the realization of the eternal presence that is so clear to all present that there is no doubt that we are in the presence of the God who created us for a love relationship with Him. As the old hymn says:

I’d rather have Jesus than houses or land.
I’d rather be led by His nail pierced hand.
I’d rather have Jesus than anything this world affords today.
Than to be the king of a vast domain,
Or be held in sin’s dread sway.
I’d rather have Jesus than anything,
This world affords today.

How about you?





Thursday, November 18, 2010

What Matters Most?

What Matters Most?


I just got news that a good friend, a year younger than myself, went to be with the Lord. As I look at my life and the lives of those around me, it causes me to ponder What Matters Most. What is the most important part of my life? Answering that for your life will help you focus your priorities and establish the legacy by which you will be remembered after you die.

I have said for many years that when I die, I pray that people will say of me: “He showed us Jesus”. With that legacy in mind, I have focused all of my energy and my our resources on writing, promoting and sharing the Getting To Know Jesus Bible Study Series. We have invested all we have and are now totally dependent upon donations, sales of the Getting To Know Jesus books and CD’s for our earthly needs.

As I look at this world, I see people that look lost, aimless, forsaken, lonely, hopeless and in despair. I see a world that needs to know who Jesus is, what He taught and did and how we can become more like Him. Getting To Know Jesus is a tool to accomplish that goal. We have already sent Getting To Know Jesus Bible study CD's to over 150 ministries in 37 foreign countries. We are constantly getting requests from foreign ministries for the CD's. (For a donation of $100.00, we will send a CD to a ministry in your name and send you contact info so you can see how this ministry is reaching people for Christ.)
I have observed how the United States has faltered over the last fifty plus years as we took prayer, the Ten Commandments and the Bible out of our schools and replaced them with empty secular relativism and “you decide for yourself what is right or wrong”. I have watched as many churches have gotten soft on standing for what Jesus taught us and compromised in fear of offending someone or being threatened by the IRS. I’ve watched state and local governments and even national organizations bow to threats from the ACLU and other anti-Christian groups threatening to sue if they dare to stand up for Jesus Christ and the teachings of the Bible.

As I have already stated, I have committed the rest of my life to teach anyone and everyone about the life of Christ so people will reconnect with Him, change their lives to act like Christians and tell others about Jesus so we can become a Christian nation again. I ask for your help.

Friday, November 12, 2010

In The Fullness of Time

In The Fullness of Time
There are some things that we only want to happen until it is the right time! Having a baby too soon or past due, being too young or too old to safely carry a baby to full term. – There is a time and a season. Being ready for a particular career or assignment in your career and being in the right place to accept it when it is time!

There is some discussion over whether God causes things to happen or simply knows when they will happen. The point of our focus is that Jesus did not come until it was time for him to appear!

Almost every book, movie or story has an introduction. This is the introduction to the Getting To Know Jesus Bible study series.

In the fullness of time – It is interesting to observe how God works in the background preparing an individual, a culture, a local or the world for an event and then, when it is time, He watches it unfold according to His divine foreknowledge and plan.

1. IN THE FULLNESS OF TIME POLITICALLY
Inter-testament period from around 400 B.C. to the ministry of John the Baptist, the Jews had no prophet, no communication from God! But God was working (watching) in the background as the world prepared for the arrival of His Son.

Persian Rule from 539-331 BC was best known for the rebuilding of the Temple under Nehemiah, one of the last of the prophets. This temple was later expanded by Herod. It was a time when the Jews were scattered all over the known world. Many longed to be a nation again in their homeland.

TODAY is the fullness of time POLITICALLY.
A one world government is shaping up that is against the Christ and His Church. Mankind has tried for centuries to exist without allegiance to God and the crime and problems of the world reflect that disregard. Many people are searching for that absolute truth and divine power in which we can all find security and safety.

2. IN THE FULLNESS OF ECONOMICALLY
In the Jewish world, there is constant talk about pending Depression. They are finding out that they can’t rely on financial prosperity for their security. Heavy taxes are taking more of their freedoms away from them.

Greek Rule – 331-167 BC – Alexander the Great conquers the known world before he dies of sexually transmitted disease at age 33. Egypt rules Judea from 331-198 BC. (Cleopatra lived during this era.) Alexander is successful in conquering the world by teaching Greek language and culture to those who are conquered. He also helped to scatter the Jews even more.

TODAY is the fullness of time ECONOMICALLY
We are constantly reminded that our money cannot buy safety, freedom, hope and real life! The world today is looking for something more stable and secure than their wealth for their peace of mind. Jesus is the only solution to that need.

3. IN THE FULLNESS OF MORALLY
The Jews are feeling that God doesn’t love them anymore. They have strayed away so far, for so long that they don’t have any hope or peace. They engage in sin like it doesn’t matter. They are full of moral decay and corruption!

Maccabean Rule – 167-63 BC – Maccabeans, in an attempt to find some freedom, rebel from Greek/Egyptian rule and experience some degree of independence. The Qumran caves and Dead Sea Scrolls belong to this era.

TODAY is the fullness of time MORALLY
The sexual immorality and moral decay that we are seeing today is setting us up for something far worse than Sodom and Gomorrah. More and more, people are choosing the pleasures of the moment, ignoring and then complaining about the consequences of their sin and wondering why they feel so guilty and hopeless.

4. IN THE FULLNESS OF RELIGIOUSLY
Many Jews see the signs coming that God foretold in the Old Testament. They know that the time for the Messiah to appear is eminent. Already, many have claimed to be the Messiah only to be proven false. When is the true Messiah going to come and restore them to their former greatness?

Roman Rule – 63 BC-70 AD – Romans conquer a larger area than the Greeks held. Augustus and Tiberius Caesar reign during this era. They build roads, encourage travel and commerce. They also scatter the Jews.

Romans have provided Ease of Travel. They built roads and encouraged commerce and travel. This helped establish trade between nations and contributed to the easy spread of the Gospel after the Church was established.

TODAY is the fullness of time RELIGIOUSLY
After neglecting God, more people are finding that Jesus is the only one who has the real answers to life, its purpose and significance. When they put their faith in Him, they find what the world has been looking for from the days of Adam and Eve. They find God’s forgiving love and a hope of eternal life with Him.

The Persians, Greeks and Romans had Scattered the Jews all over the world. The Greeks gave the known world a Common Language. Everyone spoke and understood Greek. Romans gave the world a Common Government. Roman rule during the time Christ was on earth was the only time this earth was free of war. However, during this time, the Jews are fear ridden, insecure, looking for something to hold on to. Into this world, God sends His Son bringing hope, salvation and a better way of living for all.

Throughout this life, all that matters is Getting To Know Jesus! We are here to walk with you on a journey through His life and teachings.

God Bless and have a great week.






Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Greatest Need in America

What do the following have in common?
George Soros
Barak Obama
Al Qaeda
Homosexual activists
American Civil Liberties Union
Americans for the Separation of Church and State
Liberal Progressives

They all are opposed to the life and teachings of Jesus Christ and the Bible. They also want to take away the freedoms and foundations on which this nation was established.

Some actually believe that the government knows better how to run our lives than we do. If that be the case, then how is it that so many (not all) of the government leaders are incapable of managing their own lives? Reports of sexual immorality, illegal campaign fund raising, not paying income taxes, awarding illegal contracts or pork barrel projects without going through the proper bid process and more are rampant among politicians from the White House, Congress, Senate, judiciary down to state, county and city governments.

Others want to abridge our freedom of speech and freedom to believe in God and the teachings of the Bible in an effort to stop us from telling them that what they are doing is wrong. They cry “tolerance”, but they do not respect the legal definition of the word. What they are wanting is censorship. They want to censor the Christian’s right to stand for what is right and they want the “tolerance” to allow them to promote their immorality. Something is not right here.

There is one more problem with some in this group. They have decided that they don’t want to follow the principles on which our nation was founded. They treat the United States as some evil empire that must be destroyed, not realizing that in so doing, they will remove the freedoms that give them the right to voice this selfish and irrational dissent. They want to disregard the Constitution, Bill of Rights and establish a rule in which they make the rules and can change them to suit their latest whim.

Oh yes, here’s another issue: Some of the people actually believe they can establish a One World Government. They really think that they can make all people in all nations obey and get along under one system of rule. What they haven’t thought about is: who is going to decide which system of rule the world is to live under. Christians, Jews, Hindus, Buddhists, Muslims and many other religions will each want their view respected and to be the rule of law. There will be many who will fight before they give in to someone else’s religion.

All of this comes down to one point. The problem with this entire picture is that these and many other people have taken their eyes off of following the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. Some have never believed in Him in the first place so they engage in sin, corruption, violence, especially against Christians.

If God isn’t the supreme ruler, there will never be a “one world government”. None of the major religions will allow it unless they are the only religion in that government.

Look at it another way, we already have a “One World Government”. That is the Kingdom of Christ – the Church which exists around the world and is one with every other Christian around the world. No government, man or other religion can make that claim. Jesus Christ is our King. The church is His Kingdom and no nation on earth has been successful in stopping it.

Jesus’ government is a government of love, not hatred. Christians allow other religions to exist. Christians don’t engage in, condone or tolerate violence against another religion simply because we don’t like them. Instead, Christians establish that our government is superior by loving persuasion in which a person is free to chose to follow or not follow Jesus Christ. Show me any other religion that allows such freedom, forgiveness of sin based on grace, not on how good you are, has a risen savior and can promise and deliver eternal life.

Show me this kind of freedom in a Muslim controlled country. Where are Christians terrorizing or bombing those who don’t subscribe to Christianity? In a Muslim controlled country, if you are a Christian, you are at serious risk of losing your life if they find out. Women in a Muslim country have no freedom. Some are killed without even a trial because of some trumped up accusation that they violated Sharia Law. What “tolerance” or “freedom” is that?

It is time for Christians to stand up and speak out against those who threaten our Christian rights and freedoms. We must show the world that our “religion” is far superior than anyone else’s. We must also not allow anyone to take our freedom away from us by taking over our government, throwing out the Constitution and restricting what we can believe, say or practice as American citizens and especially as Christians.

God bless America


Friday, November 5, 2010

Who Makes the Rules?

Who Makes the Rules?
Have you ever played tag or hide-and-seek and changed the rules in the middle of the game? (Maybe you weren’t the one who instigated the rule change every time, but you probably did it at least once!) How often do you get into a situation today where you want to change the rules to fit your current circumstances? Did you notice how, as people kept changing the rules, that the game no longer became fun to play?

There is a lot of discussion going on these days about a group who would fit a definition of “secular progressives”. One of their root tenants is that each person makes their own rules as they go along and what’s right for me may not be what is right for you. One of their problems is that they don’t want to play by God’s rules. Another is that they often want to force me to play by their rules whether those are my rules or not.

In Matthew 15:1-20; and Mark 7:1-23, Jesus is challenged by some Pharisees who think He is not playing by the rules. He advises them that they don’t make the rules and they are not playing by God’s rules!

Pharisees Think They Make the Rules!Matthew 15:1-2; Mark 7:1-5
Like many people today (secular progressives and immature Christians) the Pharisees challenge Jesus because He isn’t playing by their rules. They have found some trivial matter (how they wash their hands) that Jesus doesn’t do like they think He should and they are trying to force their standards on Him. The real point is that they are looking to find fault with Jesus so they can excuse themselves from believing in Him as God’s Son, the promised Messiah.

The world often makes rules that do not respect Christian values, but are resistant to God’s rules! They want to force us to live by or accept their (immoral and unchristian) standards, but are unwilling to allow us to influence them to live by our standards. Isn’t that hypocrisy? They want to justify their sin and keep us from telling them that it is wrong.

How many times have you tried to tell someone else how to live their life or handle a situation? How many times have others tried to tell you how to live your life? Even though we may be Christians, we still often get caught up in deciding for others about how they should live. Often times, our “rules” are beyond what the Scriptures teach.

Jesus Says God Makes the Rules!Matthew 15:3; Mark 7:6-9
Jesus answers the Pharisees by quoting from the prophet Isaiah. He accuses them of breaking God’s rules and substituting their own. They get offended at Jesus’ reply because to them, their traditions are more important than what God’s Word teaches. They have conveniently packaged the Mosaical Law with all sorts of additional interpretations so they won’t have to obey it the way it is written. Sounds like some Christians today who want to re-write the Bible to make it gender neutral or take out the miracles of Jesus.

How often do we conveniently justify our divorce, anger, hatred, judging of others, breaking a traffic law, etc. just because we don’t want to admit our sin? What kind of witness are we for Christ when we make the rules instead of seeking to follow His? If we act just like the world, then why should they want to believe in our Jesus?

Jesus Proves His Point!Matthew 15:4-9; Mark 7:10-13
Before the Pharisees can say anything to defend their errant behavior, Jesus cites one of traditions that the Pharisees use to justify their being disrespectful of their parents that are in total disregard to God’s Law. They have created a loophole where they don’t have to obey the Mosaical Law (which was given by God)! They think that they can make the rules!

As Christians, we want to be right before God. Often, in our sincerity, we will discover some point and immediately take it to others as though salvation is based on compliance to this newly discovered behavior. Or we will judge another person’s behavior simply because it is different than our own. Though we are well meaning, we have stepped beyond God’s Word to impose our standards on others.

Jesus Says All Sin is Self-Centered!Matthew 15:10-20; Mark 7:14-23
Sin originates from temptations that occur in our minds. That doesn’t mean that the mere thought is sinful unless you dwell on it. However, the temptation passes through the mind before the body acts on it. Hence, Jesus’ point! We don’t sin by eating because that is processed and passed through. However,

Have you ever noticed what is in the middle of sIn? I have yet to find a sin that is not selfish. If you find one, let me know (and I’ll probably prove to you that it is as selfish as all other sin.) When we get self-centered, we will justify our actions every time. How does God view your actions?

“Getting To Know Jesus” will help you get through the trials and hard times of live as you see what Jesus went through and how much He cares about you. Call, email or write and let us tell you how you can start a “Getting To Know Jesus” Bible study group in your home or church.






Thursday, November 4, 2010

The Power of Jesus' Healing

Jesus arrives in Galilee
The Power of Jesus' Healing

Getting To Know Jesus - 023 - Volume 02
Next time you become ill and need surgery or serious medical attention, wouldn’t it be nice if you could get that help without having to go to the doctor’s office? Just make a phone call and he you would not have to be exposed to other people’s illnesses. Doctor would not have to come visit!
Jesus gets news that John the Baptist has been put in prison because he spoke against Herod marrying his brother’s wife (we’ll cover this in a future lesson). Jesus now arrives in Galilee some six months after the Feast of the Passover. This is where He will spend most of the remainder of His ministry.

Jesus has to protect Himself!Matthew 4:12; Mark 1:14a; Luke 4:14-15; John 4:43-45
Jesus’ return after John’s arrest suggests that He wants to make Himself less available to Herod less His purpose is interrupted. Luke suggests that it is the Holy Spirit who motivates Jesus to go to Galilee. Have you ever felt a strong urging to go somewhere or do something? Could that urging have been the Holy Spirit working in your life? Jesus is in the life-changing business. How has He changed your life?

John mentions that a prophet is seldom accepted in his own neighborhood. This is most likely a reference to the resistance that Jesus experienced when in Jerusalem. Jesus will later make this same observation of His reception in Nazareth where He grew up. It is a sad commentary when we reject someone because we knew him or her when (in the past) instead of accepting him or her now! Most of the prophets and Apostles were rejected in their home communities.

The Galileans welcome Jesus because many of them saw what He did in Jerusalem at the Passover and have told others about Him. Jesus is now able to go and teach in all of their synagogues because He has championed an injustice that especially affected Galilean Jews. He confronted the priests with their greed and price gouging in the selling of animals for the sacrifices.

Wealth cannot buy health!John 4:46-47
Ah, Jesus returns to Cana of Galilee, where He had changed the water into wine at a wedding recently! Word has gotten around the region that Jesus is in the area. A royal official from Capernaum whose son is sick, hears about Jesus and goes to Cana to ask Jesus to heal his son. The road from Capernaum to Cana is 18 to 25 miles uphill (2,000+ ft. change in elevation)! 6-8 hours by foot.

At first, Jesus balks at the request because many people are more impressed with sensationalism and want a miracle instead of enduing the hard labor that makes for success. Jesus’ hesitancy has nothing to do with this man’s position, popularity or power. Can you accept people regardless of their race, vocation, social status or wealth?

At this point in His life, Jesus’ popularity is more for what He has done than for who He is. Faith in Jesus as a miracle worker is not the same as faith in Him as the Son of God, our Lord and Savior. Sometimes Jesus has to work on us before He can work for us!

Jesus can heal without being there!John 4:48-50
The official came to Jesus because he believes that Jesus can heal his son. He continues to plead with Jesus to come to Capernaum and heal his son. He is persuaded that the only hope for His son is a miracle for healing by Jesus. He has ample access to doctors and they have been unsuccessful.

Jesus’ reply is for him to go home, his son will be okay. He trusts Jesus (a step of faith) and leaves. Faith = key, trust = lock, obedience = turning the key in the lock. Even the noblest leaders and the most affluent or powerful are reduced to beggars in the presence of Jesus. There are some situations that only God can heal but most of the time He uses doctors and medicine to do it!

Proof of Jesus’ power!John 4:51-54
As the royal official from Capernaum is returning home, some of his servants are traveling to Cana to tell him that the boy is okay. The life-threatening fever is gone and the child is back to normal. The official inquires about when the boy got better and they tell him. He recalls that this s the same time that Jesus told him to go home, the boy will be okay.
This is the second miracle recorded by John and done by Jesus in Galilee. Jesus did some miracles in Jerusalem, but no others in Galilee until now.

CONCLUSION
Have you ever been seriously ill or had someone in your family that survived an illness that could have been fatal? How did you feel upon your or their recovery? Did you see God’s hand in their recovery? Did you want to tell others what God did and praise Him for His mercy and grace in bringing about healing?

It isn’t the miracles in your life that matter, but who Jesus is! What are you doing to build that relationship with Him?

God Bless and have a great week.




Monday, November 1, 2010

Jesus Says...

Jesus is the Son of God. He is equal with God and receives His authority from His Father
“Then they all said, ‘Are You then the Son of God?’ So He said to them, ‘You rightly say that I am’” (Luke 22:70).

“For whoever does the will of My Father in heaven is My brother and sister and mother" (Matthew 12:50).

“Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, ‘All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth’” (Matthew 28:18).

“Therefore the Jews sought all the more to kill Him, because He not only broke the Sabbath, but also said that God was His Father, making Himself equal with God” (John 5:17-22).

Jesus lived a sinless life
“Can any one of you convict me of a single misleading word, a single sinful act? But if I'm telling the truth, why don't you believe me?” (John 8:46, The Message).

Jesus had the ability to sin; if He weren’t able to sin, He could not have been tempted genuinely and would be unable to be our sympathetic High Priest (Hebrews 4:15). When He was tempted,

He always rebuked the thought with scripture (Luke 4:1-13).

Because He didn’t sin, God was able to accept His sacrifice. 1 Peter 3:18 says, “Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit.”

Jesus said that He is the one and only way to God
“I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father but by me” (John 14:6).

It’s also interesting to note that Jesus did not call himself the destination, but the way, indicating that while salvation is immediate for the confessed and forgiven sinner, our Christian walk is a journey.

Jesus had the power to forgive sins and provide everlasting life
“Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die” (John 11:25).

“When Jesus saw their faith, He said, ‘Friend, your sins are forgiven.’ The Pharisees and the teachers of the law began thinking to themselves, ‘Who is this fellow who speaks blasphemy? Who can forgive sins but God alone?’” (Luke 5:20-21).

"For my Father's will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in Him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day" (John 6:40).

“I tell you the truth, he who believes has everlasting life.” (John 6:47).

Jesus predicted and orchestrated His own death and resurrection
“Jesus took the Twelve aside and told them, ‘We are going up into Jerusalem, and everything that is written by the prophets about the Son of Man will be fulfilled. He will be handed over to the Gentiles. They will mock him, insult him, spit on him, flog him and kill him. On the third day he will rise again’” (Luke 18:31-33).

Jesus said He would rise from the dead and return
Matthew 24:27-30 "So as the lightening comes from the east and flashes to the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man... At that time the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and all the nations of the earth will mourn. They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky, with power and great glory."

Mark 14:61-62 "Again the high priest asked him, 'Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One?' 'I am,' said Jesus. 'And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.'"

Jesus clearly knew He was the Lamb of God, the Messiah spoken of in the Old Testament. He knew He had to live a life without sin, no matter what. When He returns, He will judge the sins of the world… except for those who have already acknowledged conviction, entered a plea of guilty, and sought His mercy by believing on Christ.