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Taking Up the Cross! Lk. 9:51-62

Lk. 9:23 “And he said to all, ‘If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.’” There are many reasons that people do not welcome, receive or follow Jesus. We think the cost is too high and the pain is too great to follow Jesus. Let us not forget the words of our Lord. Lk. 9:24-25 “For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself?” Jesus “steadfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem.” vs.51 Jesus set His face to go to the cross. If we would follow Him; it will require a cross! We must keep looking to Jesus. We must follow Him. Heb.12:2 “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” By God’s grace and power let us embrace the cross so that we may receive the crown!Today we look at some who did not welcome Jesus. The Samaritans of a certain village refused to welcome Jesus because of religion and cultural prejudice. Many today because they are raised in false religions refuse to welcome Jesus or to even consider His love and sacrifice for them. They are kept in darkness because of hatred and fear. Some will not follow Jesus because to follow Jesus we must love those whom He loves. James and John wanted to call down fire from heaven on these Samaritans. Jesus was patient with them. One day many of them would see the light of His love and believe. Act 8:12 “But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.” Act 8:25 “And they, when they had testified and preached the word of the Lord, returned to Jerusalem, and preached the gospel in many villages of the Samaritans.”

Next we see a man who would follow Jesus wherever He went - as long as it did not cost him too much and he did not have to give up much. vs.58 And Jesus said unto him, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.” This is the last we hear of this would be disciple!

We meet another who would answer the call to follow Jesus but not just yet! He said to Jesus, Lord permit me first to take care of my business then when that is over I will come and follow you. Many say I want to follow Jesus but not yet. The call to salvation comes today. The call to discipleship comes today. Most who harden their heart and say later, not now, will not come to Christ!

We see one more who would not follow Jesus. He loved the things of this world more than Jesus. vs.62 Jesus answered, “Anyone who starts plowing and keeps looking back isn’t worth a thing to God’s kingdom!” To follow Jesus we must fix our eyes on Him. We must come to love the ones He loves. We must be willing to leave those closest to us. We must love Him first. Because He first loved us. We can’t keep looking back. We must look forward to the cross and the crown!

Drop your prejudice, hatreds and fears. Look to Jesus. Fear not the cross with its high cost. Look to the eternal reward. Think not to follow Christ later. Today is the day of salvation! Do not look back to the things of this world. They are all passing away. Fix your eyes on Jesus! Take up the cross daily! Follow Him! Ph. 1:6 “Being confident of this very thing, that he who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Jesus Christ:” To God be all the glory. Amen.

Father’s in Demand! Luke 8:26-39

Happy Father’s Day! Godly men who have experienced the grace of God through Jesus Christ are “father’s in demand.” How would you describe such a man? He is a man who has Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. He knows the transforming power of God’s saving grace. He is a disciple of Jesus Christ. He knows what it is to sit at the feet of Jesus and learn of Him. He is a man with godly moral character. A man at peace with God, himself and others. He is a man who is self controlled because He is filled with the Spirit of God. He is a man who wants to be with Jesus and is willing to follow Him wherever He might lead. But He also is obediant and willing to stay right where He is and to live and speak for Jesus in his home, his community and in his local district. By God’s grace you can be such a man! You can be such a person!

But you say, “I fall so far short. I have some things in my life that are so out of control. How can I be such a man? Such a person? I’m too far gone! There is no hope for me!” Wrong! Wrong! Jesus specializes in impossible cases. Let us meet such an impossible case from the Bible. Now read Luke 8:26-39. He said, My name is Legion because many demons had entered him. Everyone, including himself, said, He was a hopeless case! How can we describe such a man? Uncontrollable, driven by demons, tormented, and self destructive. He could not abide human companionship and lived among the tombs. He was completely without modesty and decency. What an impossible case! But let us not forget Matthew 19:26. “With people this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” vs.29 “For He had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man.” vs.33 “And the demons came out of the man.” vs,35 “They came to Jesus, and found the man from whom the demons had gone out, sitting down at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind; and they became frightened.”

What a difference Jesus makes! The difference between life and death, bondage and true freedom. The difference between peace and torment, despair and hope. The difference between heaven and hell. Notice the reaction of the people. vs.35 “They became frightened.” vs.37 “All the people … asked Him to leave them, for they were gripped with great fear;” They also had come face to face with “Jesus, Son of the Most High God!” “The Holy One of God!” He had authority to set this man free and transform his life. They must of realized Jesus, Son of the Most High God also would have authority over their lives. He is the rightful authority over your life today! Will you submit to His authority or will you also send Him away? Jesus wants to save your soul. Set you free from the bondage and torment of the world, the flesh, and the devil. He wants you to sit at His feet, as a disciple. He wants to transform all of our lives. He has a mission for you to fulfill. He is calling you today. Allow Him to set you free. Make you a godly man or woman. A man or woman that is in demand in the family, the church, the community and in the kingdom of God. Father’s, May you be a man in demand! Happy Father’s Day!

Jesus is a Great Savior! Lk.7:36-50“And there was a woman in the city who was a sinner; and when she learned that He was reclining at the table in the Pharisee’s house, she brought an alabaster vial of perfume, and standing behind Him at His feet, weeping, she began to wet His feet with her tears, and kept wiping them with the hair of her head, and kissing His feet and anointing them with the perfume.” vs.37, 38 Jesus said to this woman; “Your sins have been forgiven.” “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.” vs.48, 50

The Dead Can Hear the Voice of Christ!Luke 7:11-17  John 5:24-29

Jesus speaks to a young dead man. This man hears and obeys the comand of Jesus to raise up! In a like manner Jesus called Jairus’ daughter and Lazarus from death to life. Mk.5; Jn.11 What is the purpose of these miracles of Jesus? This miracle shows us Jesus has authority over life and death. Just before this miracle Jesus had healed the centurion’s servant. The centurion said, “Say the word, and let my servant be healed.” Lk. 7:8 “For I too am a man set under authority, with soldiers under me: and I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” He understood Jesus had authority over sickness and disease. Now Jesus wants us to also know He has authority over life and death. Some disciples of John the Baptist came to Jesus with a question. Lk. 7:20-22 “Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?’” … 22 And he answered them, “Go and tell John what you have seen and heard: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, the poor have good news preached to them.” Jesus has the authority to give you life. He has authority to forgive your sins. He has the power and authority to set men free. Glory to God!Jn. 5:24-27 “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life. 25 “Truly, truly, I say to you, an hour is coming, and is now here, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live. 26 For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself. 27 And he has given him authority to execute judgment, because he is the Son of Man.” The time is now here, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live! Right now, Jesus speaks to us through His word. Jesus speaks to those who are dead in trespasses and sins. If we hear and respond to His word; we will be saved! And it is He who gives those who are spiritual dead the power to hear and respond to His word. Eph. 2:4-5 “But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ–by grace you have been saved.” Read Eph. 2:8-10. Today if God is speaking to you. “Hear His voice and live!” He has the power and authority to speak to the spiritual dead and call them to life. He has the power to forgive your sins and set you free.

If you refuse to listen to the voice of Christ; you will be lost in your sins and darkness forever. Heb 9:27 “It is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment.” One day you will hear His voice in judgement! Mat 25:41 “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.” One day the time will come when all people will obey His voice. 28″Do not marvel at this; for an hour is coming, in which all who are in the tombs will hear His voice, 29 and will come forth; those who did the good deeds to a resurrection of life, those who committed the evil deeds to a resurrection of judgment.” If we hear His voice now we will not come into Judgment. We will pass from death to life! If we refuse Him in this life; He will call us from the tomb to judgment! The day of His coming is drawing near. Hear Jesus today as He calls you to repentance and faith. Hear Jesus today as He calls you to eternal life. “The time is now here, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live!” Rev 22:12-14 “Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay everyone for what he has done. 13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.” 14 Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life and that they may enter the city by the gates.” … “The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen.”

God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified! What were they to do? What are we to do? The One we crucified, the One we put to death is Lord and Christ! He is the King to whom we would not surrender. He is the lawgiver and judge whom we would not obey. He is the refuge to whom we would not run. He is the provider whom we would not trust. “Now when they heard this they were stabbed in the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” vs. 37 May we here today be stabbed in the heart by God . We we also ask; What shall we do? The answer for this question is clear. “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” vs. 38 Repent, turn from your sins and rebellion. Turn to Jesus Christ and trust in Him. Be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus. Confess Christ publicly in baptism. Rom 10:9-10 “Because if you confess the Lord Jesus with your mouth, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth one confesses unto salvation.” When you repent and confess Christ as your Savior in baptism many wonderful things happen. You are born again, born of the spirit. Your sins are forgiven. You have eternal life. You receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. And this wonderful gift of salvation is not just for you! “For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.” vs. 39 May the Lord call you and your children and many who are far off to Himself today. May you receive His glorious gift of repentance, faith and salvation today! To God be all the glory. Amen.

“Then He said to me, “It is done I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end I will give to the one who thirsts from the spring of the water of life without cost.” Jesus Christ is the beginning and the end to which this world, this age is rushing! This vision of the great white throne and the new heaven and the new earth is the future to which all the world is running. Jn. 5:28-29 “Do not marvel at this, for an hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice and come out, those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment.” Mt. 25:31-34 “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. 32 Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. 34 Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.’” Mat 25:41 “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.” 2Cor. 5:10 “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.”

Think what it must of been like in the first century to hear this book read in the catacombs where the christians gathered to worship. Or think what it is like in the persecuted church of today! The Apostle John has seen our future! Before the invention of television or the computer John saw your future and mine on an interactive screen. He stood before the throne of God! He asked questions and interacted with the angel who told Him to write this down for you and me. One day soon those who reject Christ will be judged! One day those who have killed believers and have hated the name of Christ will have their part in the lake of fire and brimstone that has been prepared for the devil and his angels. One day soon we will receive our reward and inheritance. One day soon; “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.” 21:4

When the great separation is made will you be with the saints? “And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne, and books were opened; and another book was opened, which is the book of life; and the dead were judged from the things which were written in the books, according to their deeds.” 20:12 The deeds or works of a christian come from the Spirit, from a Christ changed heart. The christian loves God and loves his neighbor. Jn. 6:27-29 “Do not labor for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you.” 28 Then they said to him, “What must we do, to be doing the works of God?” 29 Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.” Our sin will keep us out of heaven if we do not repent and trust in Jesus for His mercy, grace and forgiveness. 1Cor 6:9-11 “Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.” Have you been washed, sanctified and justified? This is God’s gift for you in Christ! Do not reject Him! Do not reject so great a salvation! To God be the glory. Amen.

Mother For Such a Time!

Mothers are you looking for hope and encouragement today? You have come to the right place at the right time! We want to encourage you! We want you to have hope! The very important work that you are doing is of the greatest value. You can and should have a tremendous influence for good and for God. Hannah was a woman much like you. She lived in evil times much like today. Her family life and situation was certainly not perfect. Her son, Samuel, was not even able to live with her most of the time. Yet God used Hannah to make a tremendous difference for the Kingdom of God.

Hannah lived in a time when most people lived however they pleased. Jdg 21:25 “In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes.” 1Sam. 3:1 “And the word of the LORD was rare in those days; there was no frequent vision.” Not only was God’s word rare in Israel everyone was living according to their own desires. Hannah’s husband had two wives! This rival for her husband’s affection lived right in the home and she did not let Hannah forget that she had children and Hannah did not. “And her rival used to provoke her grievously to irritate her, because the LORD had closed her womb.” How did Hannah overcome all these things and become a godly mother of six? How did she influence her firstborn to become the great judge, priest and prophet in Israel? How was it possible that she could have such an influence when her son was not even living with her?

I believe the key is her love and devotion to God. This devotion can be seen in the fact that she took her problems and her broken heart to the Lord. “No, my lord, I am a woman troubled in spirit. I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but I have been pouring out my soul before the LORD.” vs. 15 She was a woman of faith in the word of God. 17 “Then Eli answered, “Go in peace, and the God of Israel grant your petition that you have made to him.” 18 And she said, “Let your servant find favor in your eyes.” Then the woman went her way and ate, and her face was no longer sad.” She heard the word of God spoken by Eli and believed the word of God. She was a woman of truth and obedience. 26 And she said, “Oh, my lord! As you live, my lord, I am the woman who was standing here in your presence, praying to the LORD. 27 For this child I prayed, and the LORD has granted me my petition that I made to him. 28 Therefore I have lent him to the LORD. As long as he lives, he is lent to the LORD.” And he worshiped the LORD there.” Not only did she love God but she had great faith and trust in God. She believed God would take care of her son and that he would be a great servant of God. She also loved her son and found a way to let him know of her love for him. 1Sam. 2:18-19 “Samuel was ministering before the LORD, a boy clothed with a linen ephod. 19 And his mother used to make for him a little robe and take it to him each year when she went up with her husband to offer the yearly sacrifice.”

Do you have a life of true devotion to God? Do you honestly pour out your soul before the Lord? Do you love God’s word and trust by faith in God’s promises? Are you expressing your love and faith in God to you children? Do you find ways to show your children your special love for each of them? If your answer is yes to these questions; You will have an influence on your children for God and for good. Your children with rise up to bless you and to serve the living God. “Prov. 31:28-29 Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: 29 “Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all.” May you be a great mother for the kingdom of God! You have the greatest potential to influence your children to serve the Living God. Happy Mother’s Day! To God be the glory. Amen.

The Marriage of the Lamb is Come!

Revelation 19:5-16

The marriage celebration is a time of great joy and rejoicing. Marriage is also a time of consummation and a new beginning. There have been some grand marriage celebrations in this world. However the greatest marriage celebration of all time is yet to come. The Bride will be the church and the Groom will be the Lamb. The wedding celebration will take place at the end of this present age and at the beginning of the age to come. The witnesses will be the heavenly hosts.

The Bride is the church of the living God. The ones redeemed by the blood of the Lamb and washed clean from every sin and stain. “Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready; it was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure”– for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints.” vs.7,8 The righteousness of the saints is first of all the righteousness of Christ we have been given in Him. Secondly it is the gold, silver and precious stones that proceed out of His righteousness and His Holy Spirit. His righteousness is the soil out of which our good works grow. 1Cor 3:11-14 “For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw– each one’s work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward.” The Bride will be beautiful dressed in the righteousness of Christ adorned with the good works, the precious jewels of a spirit-filled life. But the focus of this wedding celebration is on the Groom!

This is the marriage of the Lamb! He is bringing His bride home to be with Him forever. The Lamb has given His life to redeem His bride. Rev 5:9 “You were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation.” He has clothed His bride in His righteousness! His bride will be one with Him throughout eternity. How will the Groom look when He comes to the wedding celebration. He will come as King of kings and Lord of lords. He will come as a King in great power and glory leading the heavenly hosts. He will come as the Word of God. He will come as the Faithful and True One. He will come as the Judge of those who reject Him and as the Savior of His Bride the church. “Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war. His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems, and he has a name written that no one knows but himself. He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God. And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses. From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.” vs. 11-16

“Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready.” vs.7 Are you ready for His coming? The Groom may tarry yet He will come. When the shout comes may we all be ready to go out to meet Him. Mat 25:6 “Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.” “Surely I come quickly. Amen.” Even so, come, Lord Jesus. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

The Lamb Will Shepherd Them!

Revelation 7:9-17

In “the Revelation of Jesus Christ,” we see Jesus the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, the Almighty, coming on the clouds; and every eye will see Him. We see Jesus walking among the seven golden candlesticks with seven stars in His hand. We see Him as the Lion of the tribe of Judah who has overcome and is worthy of the same honor and glory as the Father. This Lion who appears as a Lamb that had been slain is worthy of the worship of all creation. Now we look at another view of Jesus! Jesus the Lamb who shepherds His flock and leads them to the springs of living water.

The believers of the Apostle John’s day were suffering great persecution just like most of the church today. John’s vision is of a day when all the sufferings will be over! From every nation, tribe, people and language, people were robed in white with palm branches in their hands worshiping the Father and the Son. “And they cried out in a loud voice: ‘Salvation belongs to our God, who is seated on the throne, and to the Lamb!’” vs.10 The angels, elders and the four living creatures join in the worship as they fall on their faces before the throne and worship God saying: “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and strength, be to our God forever and ever. Amen.” vs.12 One of the elders reveals the idenity of the vast multitude. “These are the ones coming out of the great tribulation. They washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.” These will serve before the throne day and night and God will extend His “tent” over them and they will hunger no more and thirst no more and the sun and heat will not beat down on them anymore. “The Lamb who is at the center of the throne will shepherd them!

Let us focus on this picture. “The One seated on the throne will shelter them: no longer will they hunger; no longer will they thirst; no longer will the sun strike them, or any heat. Because the Lamb who is at the center of the throne will shepherd them; He will guide them to springs of living waters, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.” vs. 15-17 This is what God wants us to see! The Lamb on the throne will shepherd the saints forever! He will feed them! We will give them water from the springs of the water of life! He will protect them forever from any harm “and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.” vs. 17 “Surely I come quickly!” Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.