Purpose Fulfilled

 Father God, open our eyes and ears to receive into our minds, to know and understand the work of your Son Jesus Christ.  Open our hearts to willingly obey and to be touched by your message and actions of love for each and every one who will read this blog entry.  I ask in Jesus name.

The purpose for Jesus' birth as a human baby into this world was not so Christains could celebrate Christmas.  The fact of the matter is that the angel who spoke to Joseph in a dream told him the purpose was to

"save His people from their sins" (Matthew 1:21).

Joseph was also to name this baby of Mary's, 'Jesus'.

As an aside here from the main topic of the work of Jesus Christ, I wish to share that I like the idea that it was the 'father' (as was supposed by the people - to be Joseph) who was told the name and to name this coming baby, Jesus.  His confirmation is that this information tallied with what Mary had been told earlier - "You are to give Him the name Jesus" (Luke 1:29-33).

In the Bible, even though I haven't fully researched the thought, it appears that it's the father who got to decleare what a baby's name was to be.  We see this in Zechariah and Elizabeth's case with John (the Baptizer).  When it came to naming day the people were very surprized that Zechariah would give this name as they said, 

"There is no one among your relatives who has that name" (Luke 1:6).

Zechariah, who'd been struck mute for nine months, wrote on a tablet, 

"His name is John" (Luke 1:63 NIV).

The people were astonished and what's more, Zechariah's

 "tongue was loosed"

so that he 

"began to speak" (Luke 1:64).

God had entrusted Jesus into Joseph's care, yet the name 'Jesus' came from God the Father to be upon His one and only Son Jesus - the Son of God.  Father's have important roles in the life of their children, naming them is one.

Jesus grew in wisdom and stature and when He was about 30 years old He actively began His ministry.  For about three years He walked the dusty roads preaching the Kingdom of God, healing, casting out demons, and doing miracles.  These were all signs pointing to this "fully man" Man being "fully God," their Messiah.

However, steer your attention to His purpose for coming to Earth.  He talked about His coming suffering, death, and resurrection with His disciples.  The disciples were His inner circle of friends and followers.  For those three years of walkabout, these 12 men stayed faithfully with Him hearing His teachings and seeing Him connect with the people with signs and wonders.  It was to them He told 'His secrets" (Matthew 16:21).

Along with this secret, as with most secret telling, came the injunction to tell no one.  They were especially not to tell anyone that He was the Messiah - the One who all the Jewish people looked for since 100's of years earlier when the Messiah had been prophesied about (Matthew 15:13-21).

The question was raised, "Why?  Why wouldn't Jesus want this information to be leaked out?"  You would think it was very important and good news to spread far and wide.

One person answered it was because of the general unbelief of the crowds and especially of the Jewish leaders.  The Messiah was to be the King of kings according to prophecy and to save His people.  A king would be richly attired and grand but Jesus grew up in very poor circumstances and was an ordinary-looking man, in their perspectve.  He could not be their Messiah!

Review the difference between the disciples response of having Jesus walk on the water towards them in the boat, already having struggled against the stormy seas for hours.  Then, as soon as Jesus got into the boat, they were immediately at the side of the lake they wanted to be.  The cumulative response effect - they worshiped Jesus.

On the other hand, when the crowds found Jesus again after having been fed and filled earlier by the multiplying of the five loaves and two fish, they did not seek Him out to give thanks or worship.  No, they were there for the handouts - the benefits.  There was no recognizing Him as their Messiah - the Son of God.

Another person answered that she thought that if the people did realize and know Jesus was the Messiah, that they'd forcefully put Him up as their leader, to lead them in revolt and to conquer the Romans under whose yoke they were in captivity.  They would want Him to set up His kingdom on earth.  It was not God's timing.  In so doing, this would set aside Jesus' purpose of coming to earth to save His people, not from the Romans, but from their sins.

Jesus was always determined to fulfill His purpose according to His Father, God's, plan.  Sin had separated mankind from God.  Jesus was His rescue plan to redeem His people, providing salvation and atonement for their sins.  Jesus was not going to sabotage His Father's plan.  No, His work must move forward determinedly and unhindered.

I believe these two reasons do dovetail as, because of unbelief, the people didn't really undersand that God had something better planned for them.  We too could misinterpret God's will for us so we must read His word and ask for understanding and wisdom to discern more correctly.

Matthew 27:26 tells us that the kind of death Jesus was to die was... 

"to be crucified."  

To be crucified was one of the worst and cruelest forms of Roman punishment.  It was reserved for such serious crimes as revolt against the Empire.  It was humiliating and also reserved for errant servants and for all segments of society they especially despised.

If you recall when Jesus was crucified, there were two other men, one on either side of Him.  These men were robbers and had led an insurrection so were 'rightly' crucified according to the Roman Empire law (Luke 23:32-4e; Mark 15:27; Matthew 27:38 and Mark 15:7).

Barabbas was a "notorious prisoner" (Matthew 27:16 NIV).  Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor in charge of Jesus' 'trial' gave a choice to the Jewish leaders and people.  He asked,

"Which one do you want me to release to you:  Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ" (Matthew 27:16).  

Pilate was taunting them actually, as he knew they wanted rid of Jesus out of envy (see Matthew 17:18).

You see, it was a custom of the times to release one prisoner at the Jewish Feast of Passover (Mark 15:6) - an act of goodwill between the Romans and Jews because the Passover time was a very special time for them. 

Ironically, they chose Barabbas.  Some commentators say that some people beleive Barabbas was the ringleader for the other two men crucified with Jesus that day and he should have been the one on the middle cross.*2

So the choice - a robber, insurrectionist and murderer OR Jesus the giver of life, healing and love?  The crowds angrily chose Barabbas!

It is ironic, as at the Passover feast, the Jews would sacrifice a lamb for a burnt offering.  They commemorated their escape from Egypt so long ago with Moses at the helm, leading the way.  God had helped them escape - thousands of them (sources vary in their 'guesstimate' from 30,000 to 140,000 and other places I read, into the millions).

Now here was Jesus, their Messiah, who would become their 'Lamb,' dying at Passover time for their sins and the sins of all humanity.  They failed to recognize Him.

As Isaiah 53:7 states,

"He was oppressed and afflicted, yet He did not open His mouth; He was led like a lamb to the slaugher, and as a sheep before her shearers, is silent, He did not open His mouth."

He still went through with it because it was His mission. The prophecy was fulfilled.  Take a look at Matthew 27:14 NIV,

"But Jesus made no reply not even to a single charge to the great amazement of the governor."

This was Jesus very unfair trial.  But He went through it all, quietly, not only because it was His mission but also out of His great love for you.  His love for you and me was a big part of His motivation.

Generally, before being crucified, the prisoner would be flogged or scourged.  A 'cat o' nine tails' was likely used to inflice severe whippping of the back of criminals.  This whip has nine knotted cords, often with sharp objects strategically placed along these cords, for maximun punishment.

This was likely used upon Jesus' back, as well as the crown of thorns, which was mockingly placed upon His head.  After these punishments, came the ultimate - crucifixion.  Jesus bled and died for me, for you and for the benefit of all mankind.  What was Jesus' purpose for coming to earth?

"To save His people from their sins."

He willingly did this upon the cross at Calvary's Hill. 

At this juncture, the question turned to, "Why did Jesus have to die on the cross?  Couldn't He have saved us without having to go through such drastic measure?"

God made us.  He is our Creator, much like a potter is the creator of clay pots.  The potter can do as he or she wishes in molding and making the vessels.  Our Creator, God, is omniscient - all knowing.  His thoughts are not what ours are.  Isaiah remarked in Isaiah 55:8-9,

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD.  For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts" (NIV).

God's IQ, if you will, is out of this world - off the charts.  For your information, the highest human IQ I saw listed was 220.  Many world leaders have high IQ upwards of the 130-160 range.  God's all-knowingness is because that is who He is, God.  We cannot ever fully fathom His ways, why's and wherefore's, so I don't have a deep theological answer for this question.  I will say, what Scripture says,

"Without the shedding of blood there is no remission for sin" (Hebrews 9:22).

Partly, we can add the following explanation.

Briefly,

"covenants in the ancient world typically involved the shedding of blood...it literally mingled the blood of two people, making them one.  They cut their palms and shake hands." *1

God used the culture of the time with Abraham when He made a covenant promise with him. (Note that covenants are based on trust in contrast to contracts based on distrust.) God did not use human blood, rather the blood of animals in sacrifice to 'sign and seal' the covenant between them and Abraham's myriad of decendants until we reach the New Testament times, where God used the blood of His Son Jesus Christ which was shed upon the cross.  This is God's new covenant 'signed and sealed' between Him and all mankind.  This includes you and me.

"The blood of Jesus, His Son, purifies us from all sin" (1 John 1:7).

From the Old Testament we read the reason that the Israelites, and for us today, are not supposed to eat the blood of animals.  God told them in Leviticus 17:11,

"For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I give it for you on the altar to make atonement for your souls, for it is the blood that makes atonement by the life."

Jesus shedding His blood for our sins, made atonement for us, and we need to receive - enter into - this covenant with Him by faith, belief and acceptance.  In this we will have forgiveness of sins.

Jesus instituted then, what people now call, "The Lord's Supper" or "Holy Communion".  Look at Matthew 26:26-28 to see where Jesus asked His disciples to commemorate it with bread and wine.  See especially, verses 27-28.

"And He took the cup, and when He had given thanks He gave it to them, saying, "Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins."

In my church, we do this on a weekly basis - on Lord's Day.  We say we are remembering Jesus' death and resurrection.  The bread and wine are symbols:  the bread of His body, which was broken for us and the wine, symbolic of His blood, which Jesus shed for us - for the forgiveness of our sins.

First Corinthians 11:26 if oft quoted in regards to this remembrance,

"For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until He comes."

I like the "as often as you eat" part.  We do this in gratitude and thanksgiving to God showing our appreciation and that we have accepted His gift of salvation by faith, and so proclaim Jesus' work on the cross as often as we can, in this manner.

There's one more thing to add here that in the Old Testament, the Israelites were supposed to atone for every single sin by sacrificing an animal.  One sin, one sacrifice, many, many times over and over again and it was tedious and costly.  In the new covenant  we find the cost was all God's because He gave His one and only Son.  This sacrifice was a one time thing, for all people, for all time and for all sin.  Never again will Jesus need to die for our sins nor does mankind have to sacrifice animals nor work in any way to earn salvation.  Jesus did it all, paid for it all.

"For Christ died for sins once for all..." (1 Peter 3:18).

See also Hebrews 10:1-18 but especially note verses 14 and 18, which read,

"For by a single offereing He has perfected for all time those who are sanctified...where there is forgivieness of these [lawless deeds aka sins], there is no longer any offering for sin".

This was once, for all.

As this is quite long already, I'll look at some of the other questions in another blog entry.  Think on what has been written herein first.  My prayer is that if anyone reading has not yet accepted Christ as Savior, not having entered into this covenant with God through Jesus, that you will do so today.  By faith, you can accept this offer of salvation.  Jesus has done all the work for you, fulfilling His purpose.

                                                   ~ERC March 2023~

Based on Navigators's Ministeries Book 1 - Knowing Jesus Christ, Chapter 2 - The Work of Christ:  His Death, Questions 1-3.

Please be sure to refer to all the Bible references given for greater understanding.

References:

*1 Coverview of the Blood Covenant - Common Steps www.csmedia.com and Got Questions - What was a blood covenant? (Genesis 15:9-21)? gotquestions.org

*2 www.gotquestions Who Was Barabbas in the Bible?

Jesus' Voice

 

The wind was blowing a gale, the waves were rough and it was dark, as night had come.  The disciples toiled and struggled to get their boat to Capernaum.  They'd gotten part way across after many hours of buffet and struggle against the wind, when they saw someone or something coming towards them.  These grown men grew terrified.

It was no bird or plane!  They thought it was a ghost.  Until 'the voice' sounded - 

"Take courage" 

and 

"It is I...Don't be afraid".  

Imagine their relief.  It was Jesus' voice.  It was Jesus coming towards them.  

"But wait...what?  He's walking on the water."  

"Say what?"  

"You heard correctly - He's walking on the water!"

The voice of the Lord calmed the turbulent emotions that coursed through them from the supposed ghost sighting more than the mirrored fright of the rough sea.  Does His voice calm you?   It can as we read His word, as we listen for His voice through the Holy Spirit's guidance - even in the midst of the wildest storms of life we toil through.

How gracious of Jesus, but this is what He does.  This is one of His many specialties.

There were some serious miracles going on here too!  One, Jesus was walking on the water.

No wonder the disciples were startled out of their wits.  In all their life and times as fishermen, not in their foggiest of imaginations had they ever thought of or seen such a happening.

Today's illustionists try to recreate walking on water but they need to go through elaborate shenanigans to do so.  Jesus' true miracle was all, shall we say, "organic."  It was just Jesus and the water; no illusions, only truth.

This helps to partly explain why Peter began to sink.  There were no optical tricks involved.  Peter knew what to do though.  He cried out, Jesus reached out to grab him and then into the boat they climbed.  The crux of the near drowning was that Peter had taken his eyes off Jesus, and despite being a seasoned fisherman out in all kinds of weather,  becoming afraid of the boisterious waves and going for a dunk-drenching drowning scare.  I think I'd have felt the same.

Jesus asked, 

"Why did you doubt?"

Ahh.  Peter had doubted Jesus' ability to maintain the water walk on sea level.  This was NOT seabed walking with needed scuba equipment.  This was authentic 'walking on water'!  This was a miracle.

The second astonishing miracle happened when Jesus got into the boat.  Did you catch what happened?  Look at John 6:21 NIV.  

"Then they were willing to take him into the boat..."

Here it comes, take further note...

"...and immediately the boat reached the shore where they were heading" (John 6:21).

Isn't that marvelous!!

In this instance, the sea was not calmed by Jesus.  The disciples would still have had to strive more hours to plough through those rough waves to Capernaum but Jesus fast-tracked them to shore.

Wouldn't you be stunned?  

This account can be read both in Matthew (14:22-33) and John (6:16-21).  In Matthew we find that,

"Then those who were in the boat worshiped Him" (v. 33).

This man Jesus was no ordinary man, could be the only explanation!  This was Jesus their Messiah, the Son of God!  He was the true God and must be worshiped - the compellings of their hearts brought out worship.  

So the disciples worshiped Him.  They knew this fully Man who could do miracles and recognized His fully God divinity.  Do you feel like worshiping Him?  Are you willing to take Him into your boat of life, stopping a few minutes to give Him your praise and adoration?  Sing, Amazing Grace.  That's the song I'm listening to at the moment while typing.  We will sing His praise so much in time to come but we can start now.

They did not broadcast to their town criers to gain attention.  No, they worshiped Jesus, then and there.  May our hearts be warmed by this, may we fall on our knees and give Jesus the glory and honor due to Him.

Contrast this with the crowds who, yes, were clamouring to find Jesus but their hearts were not in a right place.  They did not seek Him in order to worship Him.  Jesus remarked that they sought Him because of the miracle of the loaves of bread and few fish with which He'd fed them earlier.  They were looking for the benefits but not the Benefit-er.  They were not seeing WHO He was.

Brothers and sisters-in-Christ, listen for Jesus' voice.  Let's examine our hearts to see just what exactly we come to Jesus for and what He is saying to us.  Do we ignore His voice?  Is it only for the benefits or to give sincere praise and adoration - the worship due to His name and being.

He deserves it!

                                                  ~ERC  March 2023~

Based on Matthew 14:22-33 and John 6:16-21.

Sing, All the Praise Belongs to You, along with Maranatha Music.

Photo credit:  Lois.  Taken at Bottle Cove, NFLD, Canada.  1970's.

Prayer - Meaninglessness

 Lord, the days under the sun for folks are so few!  We toil and task, we have our routines but often it feels like we're whirling on a hamster wheel of meaninglessness.

What can put meaning into this life we human beings live?

Words?

Solomon said,

"The more words, the less meaning..."

Then he asks, 

"...and how does it profit anyone" (Ecclesiastes 6:11).

Lord, that cuts because I write so many words.  Truth be told, not many read them.  So why should I bother?

Soon - the days are fleeting - I'll be gone and forgotten by the next generations, so again, why should I have bothered?  Why do I still add words?

King Solomon also felt the meaninglessness of life.  He tried to find happiness and fulfilment by turning his hand to many 'trial' experiments.  He found them meaningless.  What was the point?  Everyone ends up the same - dead.

Yet he did find some things were better than others to get folks through life.  Strangely he lists "a sad face," "house of mouring," "heeding a rebuke," "the end of a matter" and "patience".  Not what I would have expected and some of these still feel depressing, Lord.

Even though Solomon states that wisdom was meaningless, he still said it was a good thing to have, its beneficial, a shelter and a preservative - at least to those who have wisdom.

Considering you Father and all your have done.  You, the One who gave Solomon his great wisdom - now wisely directs his reader of words to consider You and the unfathomable things you do and have done.  How great Thou art!

"Wisdom makes one wise person more powerful than ten rulers in a city"         (Ecclesiastes 7:19).

A wise person still needs wisdom said Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived.  Ironic statement from him but he was wise enough and humble enough to realize he still needed Your wisdom.

Father, I still lack big time in this area:  yes, wisdom as well as humility.  These qualities in quantity would be good and Solomon seems to be understanding this.  He knew his help came from You, Father God.  So this is something we human beings can hook our thoughts into even now to put some meaning into our life.

God, you created mankind upright but we blew it, turning meaningful into meaninglessness by our constant schemes, searching, searching for meaning in the wrong places.  Such misery to be ever seeking and never finding.

When one seeks you though, Lord, one will find you and this brings meaning to the sorry life.  I fear you God and try to be reverent before you.  This was  one of Solomon's sayings and that he knew it goes better for the one who does.

In this we can continue to toil all the days God has given us under the sun.  Note that.  Even in this rather depressing book of Solomon's musings and conclusions from his life's experiments he doesn't talk about taking his own life or wishing God would take it for him.  No death wishes but a living out of his life until the end of the days You have given, Father.

Even though he felt 

"no one can discover [life's] meaning nor understand it".  

Life is in Your hands Father, especially when a person is righteous and wise.  This is helpful and gives hope.  No matter our state we are better off alive than dead.

"Anyone who is among the living has hope" (Ecclesiastes 9:4).

I find this statement amazing.  I like how Solomon amusingly tacks on,

"- even a live dog is better off than a dead lion" (Ecclesiastes 9:4).

True enough isn't it?  Yet many feel quite the opposite.  Father give us hope and reason to live - not just in platonic mundane existence but for purposeful purpose.

As a follower of Jesus Christ, you have given a Great Commission.  This puts much meaning into our lives.  This is what it boils down to - what you wanted us human beings to understand and to do.

This is wisdom.  In this day of so many wars, as there must have been all around Israel at the time, although not for Israel when King Solom reigned, he still declared wisdom to be better than weapons of war.

Still Lord, each of us sinners do destroy much good.  Help me to build up and not tear others down.  These are my pleas-of-the-day.  

May battles of words be fought with calm against the great offences.  May the many offenses be laid to rest.  May the words I say and write become more gracious.  Let them be wise words and accepted with grace.  May these words belong to You!

Let them have meaning for someone.  May Your work, O Lord, Maker of Heaven and Earth and all that in them are, let the sowing of my word seeds not be idle or in vain, make them sprout, grow and succeed.  May they be a pleasing offering in Your sight; pleasing and fragrant to You, bearing fruit for Your kingdom.

Throughout all this 'meaningless life" Lord, I want to fear You and obey Your Word.  It is my duty and the duty of all mankind (Ecclesiastes 12:13).  May my life be to do what is right in your sight all my days.

Thank you for the joy you bring through Jesus and the life I live hidden in Christ.  Thank You for bringing meaning and purpose.  Help me not to forget this.  

In Jesus name I ask and give you praise.

                                               ~ERC March 2023~

Based on Ecclesiastes 1-12 NIV.

Sing, Meaningless, along with Anthony Evans; vocal and sign language.

Jesus, Fully Man

 Ever wonder why Christians say Jesus is fully God and fully man?  When we look at the Scriptures, they leave us many clues to both, this is why we make such a statement.  You can have a look at the 'fully God' aspect from the link provided.  Herein, we will focus on Jesus being 'fully man'.

Simply put, Jesus got tired after a long dusty journey on foot (see John 4:6).  He wept at Lazarus' grave, joining in the sadness and loss with Mary and Martha and those who had loved Lazarus (see John 11:35).  The power of death was overwhelming as many of us can attest to firsthand when one of our loved ones depart from this world.  In another passage we discover that Jesus was thirsty - He said, 

"I am thirsty" (John 19:28).  

He had been hanging on the cross of Calvary when He uttered these words.  He was definitely feeling His humanity in a very poignant way.

There are other portions that show that Jesus could get hungry, sleepy, emotionally upset at stubborn people, and He even got angry (see Matthew 4:1-2; 8:23-27; Luke 19:41-44; Luke 19:45-46; and John 2:12-17).

Just a bit of an off tangent here.  I like to think of Jesus' anger as "righteous anger".  The things that make God angry are not petty.  If you read the account in John 2:12-17, you will see that what made Jesus angry was that the temple court, which was supposed to be used for a place of prayer, had been turned into a noisy marketplace where the hawkers would even cheat the customers.  This was Jesus' Father's house of prayer and worship!!  How dare they do this!!? (see also Luke 19:41-45).

If you are a follower of Jesus Christ, are you imitating Him?  Do such things as abortion, gambling, drunkenness, or bullying appall you?  Do you intervene and lovingly confront a fellow believer-in-Christ that is engaging in such things?  Do we help to convince even non-believers that abortion is a sin and help the person out to full-term delivery and/or to find help and support for the person, even to legally finding an adoptive couple if the mother truly does not want to keep the baby?  Think about such things and compare to what you get angry at.

Anger is a legitimate emotion but as was mentioned in our study class the other night, we must control our anger as it could lead to violence such as murder, or even affect our health.  As a believer in Jesus Christ we have the help of the Holy Spirit who indwells us.  When we see or have a situation that makes us angry, see it as an opportunity to develop the fruit of the Spirit, one aspect thereof is patience and another is self-control.  Ask the Lord for His help in activating these qualities within us and to allow them to grow stronger.  This is the power of God within us.  We can overcome and have victory over the power of the evil one who may be purposefully goading us to do otherwise.

Jesus had been very self-controlled in regards to the temple incident.  He must have been seeing this 'marketplace' for many years already.  One evening He'd had enough.  He went away and made a whip.  That would have taken some time, and then off to the temple He went to clear it.  He was not on an uncontrolled rampage.  We do not read that He injured or killed anyone in His clearing.  He did make His point very clear as to why He was doing what He was doing.  You and I must think clearly too and not let our anger get out of hand.  Be self-controlled by the dynamic power of the Holy Spirit of God.

One further remark here before we go back to our main topic.  I recently listened to a YouTube video of a fellow who is righteously angry at abortion.  He often stations himself outside abortion clinics in the USA and he tries to persuade the mostly young and unwed mothers to decisions other than to have an abortion.  He explains well AND he offers them care, support and shelter through the process.  The church he attends is behind him on this and part of the solution for these mothers.  This is his way of 'clearing the temple', so to speak.  

Back on track now, let me ask, 'So what was the point of Jesus being sent to earth as 'fully man?'  It was because human beings also have "flesh and blood".  I love how this verse is worded,

"Since the children have flesh and blood, He too shared in their humanity so that by His death He might break the power of him who holds the power of death - that is, the devil -" (Hebrews 2:14 NIV).

If you want to give an important message to a flock of birds or a pod of whales, for instance, you will need to become either a bird or a whale in order to respectively approach them.  If you don't you will frighten them away or they may just simply ignore the 'frogman' scuba diving among them.

Jesus had, and still has, a very important message to give us human beings.  God loves you and wants a relationship with you through 'buying you back' from Satan.  He wanted Jesus to be able to provide the way to make this possible ever since Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden of Eden.

Sin separted mankind from God because God is holy and cannot have sin in His presence.  Our sin also gave Satan a hold and power over us.  The consequence of sin is death as well as separation from God.  That's why the Hebrews 2 verse talks about "the power of death" and that it's the devil who holds that power.  

Mankind cannot climb, claw or work their own way out from under this dark power.  We cannot go on pilgrimages, crawling along 100's of kilometers of road or do charity work to gain merit points with God.  It is only through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, showing God's love in action, on our behalf.  You and I need to accept this and give credit and praise to Jesus.  He is the only One who can extricate us from Satan's power and enable us to live by the power and authority of Jesus Christ and His Holy Spirit who indwells us when we do.  Jesus has freed us from living under the slavery of Satan's grip.

The only one who could do this for us was Jesus as He was, and still is, the only sinless one - ever.

At Christmas time, remember, Jesus wasn't born just so we could celebrate His birth.  NO - it was way more than that!  He was born to die and He didn't flinch despite the pain and agony He endured while nailed to the cross.  He had been determined to fulfil all His Father God had sent Him to do and He did it.  The message was delivered - in full.

Praise the Lord, the One who died for me!  For you!  Give your thanks to Jesus.

Because Jesus was fully man He could feel all the passions we have, understand and sympathize with us.  He was tempted but did no succumb to Satan's wiles and sin.  He is sinless as was mentioned earlier.  That is the BIG difference between us ordinary human beings and Jesus' manhood.  We sin, He never sinned.  As Hebrews 4:14-15 states, Jesus...

"...was without sin..."

In closing, briefly look at the whole picture of Jesus.  Realize He is fully God as well as fully man.  Being fully God - we know He is the only'god' that is alive - living for us in Heaven.  He gives life - the best being 'eternal life'.  He heals, raises people from the dead and redeemed us back to God through His death and resurrection.  Being fully man, Jesus got tired, thirsty, was tempted, and is flesh and blood, yet without sin; the perfect, sinless, spotless one.

This is my awesome God!

When you know who Jesus is you must respond to Him.  Either you accept or reject who He said He was/is.  When you accept the fact, what will you do about it?  

Jesus' offer of salvation is freely offered and freely given to those who accept.

Do choose to accept.

That is my prayer for you, which I pray in Jesus' name.

                                                     ~ERC  March 2023~

Based on Navigator's Ministries, Inc.; Book 1 Knowing Jesus Christ, Chapter 1 Who is Jesus Christ?; Questions 11-13.   Also based on the Bible study class discussion based on these questions.

See all Scriptures as posted throughout the article but you can refer to the basics:  John 4:16; 11:35; 19:28,; Hebrews 2:14; and 4:14-15 NIV.

Sing, Fully God, Fully Man, along with David Hill.

Lord's Day Devotion - Out of the Ashes

 Out of the ashes we rise Father God, because there is none like You for raising us up.  Helpless and hopeless we were but You brought us the hope of Jesus and the Holy Spirit Comforter.

So many poor, blind, lame, demon possessed; those being harassed and discriminated against - You raised them up.  You let them know You loved them, that You SEE them and care about their plight.  You brought us Jesus to show us Your love in action.  You let us know You are on our side.

Even in simple unobtrusive ways like turning water into wine at the wedding in Cana of Galilee.  The groom didn't know they'd run out of wine, neither did the MC.  The servants did though.  Perhaps Jesus even averted a scolding aimed at said servants.  How in the world could they have run out of wine?!  How is it they didn't order in enough?  How were the miscalculations made?

Jesus quietly and calmly told them to fill the water jars with water and then dip out and pour it out for the guests.  The water came out as wine - the best ever variety at that!  He is so amazing, Father!

It was a miracle.  A sign.  A sign of His glory and divinity, that He is God, their Messiah come in the flesh.  Yet few knew of this first public sign.  Just the disciples, Jesus' mother and the servants knew where it had come from.  This thing had been done 'in a corner' so to speak but we know about it today.  Jesus' power and might evidence shown.  He is on my side today too.  

Thank-You Father God, that You indeed raise people up, giving us joy, putting praise in our mouths, even mine.  I love You Lord, as you lift my heart up to You because You first loved me.

In thanksgiving and in blessing and remembering of Jesus' most profound 'raising up,' that is His death and resurrection on all believers' behalf, I partake of the bread and drink of the wine this Lord's Day.  All Your children cannot thank You enough.  

In Jesus' name I give You thanks and praise.

                                                 ~ERC  March 2023~

Based on Isaiah 61:3 and John 2:1-11 NIV.

Sing - Our God, along with Chris Tomlin.

                    

Think About...

 

Thinking on good positive things can help our minds overcome a whole host of negatives.  We may need to agressively train and discipline, or even, retrain, our focus in order to lead ourselves away from harmful outcomes such as suicide, panic attacks, or even revenge.  I don't mean to sweep all the pain under the carpet, one still needs to address the root causes for how one has come to such a desparate measure.   Yet it is helpful to put greater focus on the positives to help ourselves sort through those causes.

Here's some ways towards the positive,

"Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things" (Philippians 4:8 NIV).

May the peace of God, guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus (see Philippians 4:7 NIV).

What is true?  Its true you were made 'in the image of God' (see Genesis 1:27).  If you are a follower of Jesus Christ, then you are also a child of God (see John 1:12).  You are a jewel to Him (see Malachi 3:16 KJV; Zechariah 9:16 NIV).  He is your Creator.  He's gonna take extra good care of you because He loves you.  You are priceless and precious to Him.

How about noble, what does that mean?  Literally, you have rank, title, or birth in aristocracy.  Additionally, having or showing fine personal qualities of high moral principles (see Oxford Languages Dictionary online).

Well, Jesus is our King of kings.  We belong to Him, therefore are a child of God - royalty.   When we produce the fruit of the Spirit and live holy lives, we will exhibit 'fine qualities and high moral principles'.  Think on these, fill your mind with them, train your mind with them and then obey them.

Christian living entails purity.  Holy living.  Think about what holiness is to God.  Read the Scriptures to find out more.  Being pure spiritually will help the mental, emotional and physical well-being of a person to live and exude a pure life with pure thoughts.

Think of lovely things.  What movies, books, newspaper articles, newscasts do you watch and/or listen to or read?  A constant diet of crudeness, violence, wars and such are not lovely.  Think of lovely things like how missionaries or support groups for them minister to the people they go to - not just to preach the word but in helping out health wise and/or finding ways to improve their quality of life.  A big example I read about recently is of the man who made wheelchairs he calls 'Miracle Wheels' and provides them to people in third world countries.  A wheelchair for a person who cannot walk is a total godsend in getting the person's life up off the ground, away from the dust and dirt and shame.  It's rather like Jesus had reached out and touched them.  Think of the profound and lovely difference that would make!

In many so-called, 'advanced countries' we take such a thing for granted and want state-of-art equipment and holler if we don't get it.  Therefore, maybe we cannot conceive of the profound positive effect such a gift would make.  (Note here that I mean no offense especially not to those who need such equipment.  All is helpful and needful.  I just want folks to see the stark contrast.)  Think about the lovely actions.

Many missionaries are admirable.  They often leave home, family, friends, culture and language for years on end.  They come up with ways to treat and help people.  Using our strength, knowledge and abilities to help others who don't have as many of so-called advantages as we do is admirable.  How Jesus Himself helped so many during His tenure on earth is extremely admirable.  Think about all that!

Excellent and praiseworthy stories abound.  Find them.  Think about them.  Create some of your own.

We can do all these things through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ as He give us the strength to retrain our minds into better thought patterns (see Philippians 4:13).  I hear it takes about 40 days to learn a new habit.  Start today.

Rejoice in the Lord, be gentle, and don't be anxious about anything.  Think on the positives.  Pray and petition the Lord to help you.  It is often not a quick fix but a process over time, yet a process towards better thinking.  Guard your hearts and minds by choosing, that's right, choosing - it's an act of the will - to think of that which is of good report.

Think about it, then put it into practice.

My prayer is that anyone with an anxious mind will find the peace of God.  In general and when 'attacks'  of doubts, fears, and turmoil chase each other around like a whirlwind in your minds, that the guardrails and wind breaks are in place and will keep you grounded and safe.  In Jesus' name I ask.

                                                 ~ERC  March 2023~

Based on Philippians 4 especially 4-9 NIV.

Sing, Think About It, along with Steven Green.

Book Review - Josephine and Her Dishwashing Machine - By Kate Hannigan - Publication Date: 14 March 2023

 Female inventors were frowned upon and disavowed back in the 1800's when Josephine Cochrane had a problem with washing dishes by hand.  It didn't stop her from persevering and finding her own solution in solving it.   The big reveal - a dishwashing machine, of course!  Many households today have her to thank.  

The story line is short, sweet and to the point.  I love the illustrations of beautiful tea cups and saucers; and of her inventions' sketches and diagrams.  Even though Josephine is long gone, I could still feel excitement she must have had in realizing her idea was working and that she, a woman, was vindicated and taken seriously - quite an achievement, all round.  

I feel that children, especially girls, with similar drives, dreams and perseverence will be thrilled with this story and perhaps even be motivated to tinker with their own potential creations.  After all, there is much less flak and prejudice against female inventors nowadays.

                                           ~Eunice C.,  Reviewer/Blogger~

                                                        December 2022

Disclaimer:  This is my honest opinion based on the complimentary review copy sent by NetGalley and the publisher.

Read review on Goodreads.