Tag: Jesus is coming.
Persevere in prayer!
Scripture reading for March 28th: Luke 18
Key scriptures for over-comers: Luke 18:1, 6-7 “Then Jesus told His disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. . . . And the Lord said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says. And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to Him day and night? Will He keep putting them off? I tell you, He will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?””
Jesus wanted to encourage His disciples to persevere in prayer so He told them a story about an unjust judge who neither feared God nor cared about men. A widow came to him seeking justice and would not give up until finally the judge gave in because she was wearing him out. The point of the story was that God’s people should more persistently pray and seek out the Judge of all the Earth who always does right! Would Jesus find that kind of faith on earth when He comes again? Disciples know that their highest privilege is to seek help from a God who is just and answers prayer and they apply themselves by faith!
Observations for over-comers: Over-comers will always pray and never give up, knowing that Jesus will hear and answer! “O Lord, I call to You; come quickly to me. Hear my voice when I call to You. May my prayer be set before you like incense; may the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice.” (Psalm 141:1-2)
Jesus Christ: The Believer’s Confidence!
Scripture reading for October 27th: Hebrews 10
Jesus Christ came into the world to do the will of God. God knew that sacrifices of bulls and goats did not meet the deeper inner needs of man for cleansing and for a relationship with Him. He sent His Son to earth in a human body to meet man where he was and to identify with him. Jesus did the will of God by completely obeying His Father while in a human body. He perfectly kept God’s law and then willingly offered Himself, His own body and blood, as a sacrifice for man’s breaking of God’s law. Under that Old Covenant, sin was punishable by death. “Then He said, “Here I am, I have come to do Your will.” He set aside the first(will or covenant) to establish the second (New Covenant). And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.” (Hebrews 10:10)
Because Jesus is now alive and seated at God’s right hand, we who believe in Christ are now made holy by Christ’ sacrifice. He offered His body and blood once for all men and sat down. He is waiting for His enemies to be made a footstool for His feet. (Psalm 110:1) We can have strong confidence to enter the Most Holy Place through the blood of Jesus and through the curtain, which is His body! (Hebrews 10:19-23) We can now draw near to God without guilt or shame. Our sins are forgiven and washed away! We must gather together and encourage each other. We must hold these truths as present reality because God, Himself is faithful to His Word! “So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded!” (Hebrews 10:35) Jesus is coming soon!
Blameless and holy when Jesus comes!
Scripture reading for September 16th: 1st Thessalonians 3
Paul was concerned about the new believers he had abruptly left because of persecution in Thessalonian. That persecution had continued against the newly founded church. Paul was afraid that their enemy, Satan, would tempt the new believers to leave the faith and that his work would be in vain. (1st Thessalonians 3:5) He sent his young helper Timothy to find out about the church and to strengthen and encourage them in the faith.
Timothy had brought back to Paul a glowing report about the believers there. “But Timothy has just now come to us from you and has brought good news about your faith and love. He has told us that you always have pleasant memories of us and that you long to see us, just as we also long to see you.. . . For now we really live, since you are standing firm in the Lord.” (1st Thessalonians 3:6-8) God had been faithful and the believers were growing in faith and showing love in the midst of severe persecution. Paul, also in persecution, was encouraged and rejoiced at this good news!
” Now may our God and Father, Himself and our Lord Jesus clear the way for us to come to you. May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you. May He strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones.” (1st Thessalonians 3:11-13) Paul knew the value of prayer and was always aware that Jesus was coming back for those who were eagerly awaiting Him. He encouraged the believers there by his prayers for them and for us today! Jesus is coming soon!
Sunday rest and reflection!
Sunday October 5th, 2014
Dear Friends,
Greetings in the Wonderful Name of Jesus Christ, our Messiah!
Israel is the nation that brought forth the Messiah. God made a covenant with Abraham and has promised to bless those who bless Israel, and to curse those who curse Israel. (Genesis 12:3) He has told us in His Word to pray for the peace of Jerusalem and seek its prosperity. (Psalm 122:6-9) Jesus will return to Jerusalem and set up His millennial reign in Jerusalem!
Each year churches around the world join together on the first Sunday of October to pray for Israel. Join us Today as we join others in prayer! Let’s give ourselves to worship like never before! Jesus is coming soon!
In His Love, Pastor John and Mary
The Revelation of Jesus Christ!
Scripture Reading for December 9, 2013: Revelation 1:1-20
John was imprisoned on Patmos for preaching the Gospel. Patmos was a rocky island in the Mediterranean Sea that served as a penal colony for Roman prisoners. John was probably in his 80’s or 90’s when he was sent there and maintained a strong personal devotional life and worship time. He serves as an example of a true disciple for every generation and was commanded to write this letter by Christ Himself.
“The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show servants what must soon take place. He made it known by sending His angel to His servant John, who testifies to everything he saw–that is, the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ. Blessed is the one who reads the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it because the time is near.” (Revelation 1:1-3) All who read and heed this letter’s truth will receive a blessing. This blessing is promised to all who by faith will receive it!
“Look, He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him; and all the people of the earth will mourn because of Him. So shall it be! Amen!” (Revelation 1:7) John was immersed in a vision of the coming of Jesus Christ and wrote urgently to the church concerning the need to be prepared. All the earth would see Jesus Christ but many would mourn because of Him because His return would bring judgment. Those who by faith had taken to heart the words of Jesus would be ready and joyfully meet Him!
“On the Lord’s day, I was in the Spirit, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet, which said: “Write on a scroll what you see and send it to the seven churches: to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea.” (Revelation 1:9-11) As John worshiped, he heard a voice speaking to him. He saw Jesus Christ in all His glory. John was so overcome that he fell down as a dead man. Jesus placed his hand on him and encouraged him not to fear, but to write about the past, present and future. This amazing ‘revelation’ of Jesus Christ is what John saw! We are blessed to read it for the time is nearer now than ever!
A Revelation of Jesus Christ!
Scripture reading for December 9th: Revelation 1:1-20
John was imprisoned on Patmos for preaching the Gospel. Patmos was a rocky island in the Mediterranean Sea that served as a penal colony for Roman prisoners. John was probably in his 80’s or 90’s when he was sent there and maintained a strong personal devotional life and worship time. He serves as an example of a true disciple for every generation and was commanded to write this letter by Christ Himself.
“The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show servants what must soon take place. He made it known by sending His angel to His servant John, who testifies to everything he saw–that is, the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ. Blessed is the one who reads the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it because the time is near.” (Revelation 1:1-3) All who read and heed this letter’s truth will receive a blessing. This blessing is promised to all who by faith will receive it!
“Look, He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him; and all the people of the earth will mourn because of Him. So shall it be! Amen!” (Revelation 1:7) John was immersed in a vision of the coming of Jesus Christ and wrote urgently to the church concerning the need to be prepared. All the earth would see Jesus Christ but many would mourn because of Him because His return would bring judgment. Those who by faith had taken to heart the words of Jesus would be ready and joyfully meet Him!
“On the Lord’s day, I was in the Spirit, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet, which said: “Write on a scroll what you see and send it to the seven churches: to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea.” (Revelation 1:9-11) As John worshiped, he heard a voice speaking to him. He then looked and saw Jesus Christ in all His glory. John was so overcome that he fell down as a dead man. Jesus placed his hand on him and encouraged him not to fear, but to write about the past, present and future. This amazing ‘revelation’ of Jesus Christ is what John saw! We are blessed to read it for the time is near!
Unashamed at His Coming!
Scripture reading for December 20th: 1st John 1-5
I find it interesting that so many of the Apostles who walked with Jesus wrote so often about Jesus’ return. They evidently heard something from the heart of Jesus that made a deep impression. They were willing to suffer and die, many of them martyred for preaching the Gospel. John the Apostle is another of Jesus’ inner circle who wrote about Jesus’ return and encouraged the church to be ready!
“How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called the children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know Him. Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when He appears, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. Everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself, just as He is pure.” (1st John 3:1-3)
John is the apostle of love. He is always talking about the love of God and how God has lavished His love on us as human beings. Through Jesus Christ, we are now adopted into God’s family and have the privilege of being called His children. To the world, we look no different than anyone else. The people of the world don’t recognize us as children of God because they do not know Jesus.
But when Jesus returns, things will change in an instant. We will be instantly made to be like Him in His glorified body. We will see Him in all His glory and be transformed. Those who have faith in Christ, have this hope in their hearts and it causes a change in behavior and attitude. We separate ourselves from the sins of the world and the flesh and live a pure life by faith in Christ. We prepare for Christ’s sudden return and our transformation!
John stresses that those born of God will not continue to sin because God’s seed (sperm–the living word of God) dwells in him. (1st John 3:9-10) We who are born again love others and choose to do what is right according to God’s word. There are only two types of people in the world: those born of God and those who are children of the devil. Are you ready for His coming?
Active Waiting!
Scripture reading for December 5th: 1st Thessalonians 1-5
Dear Friends,
Another day of rest is here! We are all waiting for Jesus Christ to return and celebrate His resurrection with each Sunday! In order to finish our journey on the last day of December, we must again read on Sunday. Please join with a body of believers today and worship! Don’t forsake the assembling of yourselves, as you see the end approaching! (No pun intended!)
The letter to Thessalonians is unique in that each chapter contains a reference to the second coming of Christ! The believers in Thessalonica were really excited about this event. Paul had to write to them to help them out of some wrong thinking concerning how to prepare and wait for Christ’s return. As we read this, let’s check our thinking to be sure we are on the right track!
Paul greeted this church, thanking God for their work produced by their faith in Jesus Christ. This church worked to help others know the Lord. They had great hope in Jesus Christ’s return which inspired endurance. (1st Thessalonians 1:2-3) Paul knew their background of idolatry and how they responded to the Gospel by truly turning to the living and to God and to wait for Jesus Christ from heaven. (1st Thessalonians 1:9-10)
Paul recounted how he and the other brothers had worked among them sharing the gospel. They had been very gentle and shared their lives as well as the message because of the love they had for these dear people. They also set a holy and pure example of what being a Christian looked like and worked hard so as not to be a burden on these new believers. The Thessalonians had received the word and had become imitators of God’s churches. (1st Thessalonians 2:7-12, 19-20) These believers would be the apostles joy, hope and crown when Christ appeared!
Paul encouraged these believers to wait for Christ actively. They must live holy lives by avoiding sexual immorality. They must love each other and respect each person. They must also work and mind their own business. Christ is coming back suddenly for those who are waiting actively. (1st Thessalonians 4:1-12) Jesus will come Himself, with a trumpet call and loud command. The dead in Christ will rise first, followed by those who are alive and ready to meet Jesus in the clouds! Take care of any unfinished business today!
In His Love, Pastor John
The Keeper of the Keys!
Scripture reading for December 23rd: Revelation 1-3
Today we come to the last book of the Bible on our journey through Scripture. Our goal has been to encounter Jesus in each book or letter and gain an understanding of Him that equips us to live out our faith in an authentic manner. The opening words “The revelation of Jesus Christ” give us an immediate understanding that this last book is all about Jesus Christ! It was written by one of the twelve disciples, John the beloved, while he was imprisoned on the island of Patmos. (Revelation 1:9) He was worshiping the Lord on a Sunday when he heard a voice speaking to him. Upon looking, he saw Jesus and heard Him speak to him a message that was to be written down for the churches that John served.
John describes the vision of Jesus in this first chapter of Revelation. Jesus appeared in such glory and power that John fell down as a dead man. (Revelation 1:17) We who are pentecostal might say that John was slain in the Spirit! Jesus touched John and spoke again. “Then He placed His right hand on me and said: “do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.” (Revelation 1:17b-18)
John was imprisoned for preaching the Gospel. He and probably many others were suffering for their faith in Jesus. Some had already died, quite probably all the other disciples who walked with Jesus as John did. During this special worship time, Jesus came in visible form and then spoke words of faith and encouragement to this special apostle.
Jesus is the keeper of the keys of death and Hades! Satan was not in control and neither was Rome! Human authorities and governments have no power except that granted by our Lord for His purposes. Even though death looks permanent to us, Jesus conquered death and Hades and rose from the dead. He took the keys from Satan and holds the key for our deliverance from there as well! By faith in Jesus Christ, we are freed from our sins and their power to hold us in Satan’s abode. Jesus was dead and now lives forever as the first fruits of them that will live forever! What encouragement this truth gives to us!
Christians rejoice in this truth! Death has no power over us and the grave is not to be feared! Faith is the victory and we can rest assured without fear of what is to come! We know the one who is alive forever and has the keys!