Signs & Wonders of Christ's Arrival - - He Is Called Jesus

Luke 2:21

And at the end of eight days, when He was circumcised, He was called JESUS, the name given by the angel before He was conceived in the womb.

*Strong's Ex. Conc. No. 4059

Circumcise: to cut around, I cut around

From the Greek word 'peritemnó' (pronounced per-ee-tem'-no). 

Figuratively speaking, this means "Cutting off the "old life," in favor of the new which is in Christ (the Seed). This starts with being born again into God's family (personally entering His covenant)."

THE CIRCUMCISED FLESH

Genesis 17:12

Generation after generation, every male must be circumcised when he is eight days old, including those born in your household and those purchased from a foreigner--even those who are not your offspring.

*Strong's Ex. Conc. No. 4135

Circumcise: to cut off (the foreskin)

From the Hebrew word 'mul' (pronounced mool)

Being born of  woman, Christ is born under the Law. The Law requires all males to be circumcised on the eighth day. This is both a mandatory requirement to fulfill The Law of Circumcision and a shadow of things to come under The Grace of Christ. 

At the time of Abraham, when circumcision is first introduced, it is covenant between God and Abraham, Abraham's household, Abraham's seed. 

THE CIRCUMCISED HEART

However, there is another circumcision which takes place in our hearts, a circumcision which can only be done by God. A clean, pure heart from God leads to an eternity spent in His presence.

Deuteronomy 30:6

The LORD your God will circumcise your hearts and the hearts of your descendants, and you will love Him with all your heart and with all your soul, so that you may live.

Jeremiah 24:7

I will give them a heart to know Me, that I am the LORD. They will be My people, and I will be their God, for they will return to Me with all their heart.

Ezekiel 36:26, 27

36. I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will remove your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.

37. And I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes and to carefully observe My ordinances.

THE NEW HEART

John 3:3, 5

3. Jesus replied, "Truly, truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again."

5. Jesus answered, "Truly, truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit."

2 Corinthians 5:17

Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away. Behold, the new has come!

Matthew 5:8

Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.

Psalm 24:3-5

3. Who may ascend the hill of the LORD? Who may stand in His holy place? 

4. He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to an idol or swear deceitfully.

5. He will receive blessing from the LORD and vindication from the God of his salvation. 

NEW HEART, NEW NAME

With a new heart comes a new name. Though the male infants were given their new names on the day of circumcision, the born again believer receives their new name from God. While we do not yet know our new name, God has one prepared for us. In addition to that name, His Name will be written on us.

Revelation 2:17

He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who overcomes, I will give the hidden manna. I will also give him a white stone inscribed with a new name, known only to the one who receives it.

Revelation 3:12

The one who overcomes I will make a pillar in the temple of My God, and he will never again leave it. Upon him I will write the name of My God, and the name of the city of My God (the new Jerusalem that comes down out of heaven from My God), and My new name.

 

As the psalmist has written, millenia before us, let this be our prayer today, as well, "Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me."

HE IS CALLED JESUS by Todd Agnew (Do You See What I See? album)

CREATE IN ME A CLEAN HEART by Keith Green

REFINER'S FIRE by Jeremy Riddle

HE LIVES classic hymn

Thanks Be To God - - For The Extension of Grace

 

2 Corinthians 4:15

All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is extending to more and more people may overflow in thanksgiving, to the glory of God.

*Strong's Ex. Conc. No. 5485

Grace: kindness

God freely extending Himself, His favor, His lovingkindess, to the people He wants to bless with His presence;

a gift or blessing brought to man by Jesus Christ

From the Greek word 'charis' (pronounced khar'-ece)

*Strong's Ex. Conc. No. 4121

Extending: Existing in Abundance, Multiplication, Causing to Increase

From the Greek word 'pleonazó' (pronounced pleh-on-ad'-zo), used on a personal level: I have more than enough; I abound, increase

FAVOR OF GOD

Genesis 6:8

Noah, however, found favor in the eyes of the LORD.

Luke 1:30

And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for you have found favor with God.

GRACE INCREASED

Romans 5:19-21

(19) For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous.

(20) The law came in so that the trespass would increase; but where sin increased, grace increased all the more,

(21) so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

1 Timothy 1:13-14

(13) I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and a violent man; yet because I had acted in ignorance and unbelief, I was shown mercy. 

(14) And the grace of our Lord overflowed to me, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.

Grace still overflows to us all. For Christ has only walked this earth once, on His arrival in the flesh and during His ministry; also, after His resurrection. Then He ascended into heaven to be with His Father until such time as *God sends His Son back to earth, *in the twinkling of an eye, *to gather up the faithful and bring them back to His heavenly home. 

*God will send Jesus back briefly: Matthew 24:36 "But concerning that day and hour, no one knows, not even the angels of the heavens, nor the Son, except the Father only."

*In the twinkling of an eye: 1 Corinthians 15:52 "In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed."

*Gathering the faithful: 1 Thessalonians 4:15 "By the Word of the Lord, we declare to you that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who have fallen asleep."

 What Is Grace To Us?

Grace is unmerited favor. We have done nothing to deserve God's grace. No matter how good we think we are, regardless of our church attendance, the number of times we are kind to one another, nor when retreated from the noise of the world to a contemplative lifestyle, we will not enter God's grace. 

For His Grace is an extension of Himself to a people He calls to His side. If the people He calls to be near Him, don't want to be near Him, then they will not receive His Grace. And without His Grace it will be impossible to be in His eternal presence for any length of time. 

God's Grace is Jesus Christ. It is the power of God flowing through the faith of we who believe in the Name of Jesus Christ for our salvation. 

GRACE IS THE GIFT OF GOD

Ephesians 2:8-10

(8) For by grace are you saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 

(9) not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.

(10) For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.

GRACE IS UNDESERVED FAVOR

Romans 5:6, 8

(6) For at just the right time, while we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.

(8) But God proves His love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

GRACE IS SALVATION APPLIED

Psalm 85:9

Surely His salvation is near to those who fear Him, that His glory may dwell in our land.

John 3:17, 18

For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. Whoever believes in Him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe has already been condemned, because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.

GRACE ALLOWS US TO LOVE THE UNLOVABLE

Luke 6:31-35

(31) Do to others as you would have them do to you.

(32) If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them.

(33) If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do the same.

(34) And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in full.

(35) But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them, expecting nothing in return. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He is kind to the ungrateful and wicked.

Luke 6:36

Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.

Dear God, my heavenly Father,

Thank You for showing me Your Grace. Cleanse me from all unrighteousness that I may be found worthy in Your sight. Fill me with more of Your Holy Spirit that there may be room for no one and nothing else but You. 

Continue to fill me with Your Love & Mercy that I may be filled to overflowing and bless those around me wherever I may be or however far my feet may take me. May I forgive as freely as You forgive. Shine Your Light through me so that all who look towards me see only You. 

I pray, Lord, that Your Grace may abound within me, pouring out from heart, through my mouth and into the hearing and sight of anyone I may come into contact with. 

Be glorified, Lord, by my doings and my words. 

In Jesus' Beautiful Name, I pray,

Amen

His Indescribable Gift

 

2 Corinthians 9:15

Thanks be to God for His Indescribable gift!

*Strong's Ex. Conc. No. 411

Indescribable: inexpressible (beyond words); indescribable (inexplicable), impossible to estimate

*Strong's Ex. Conc. No. 1431

Gift: freely given, not acquired by merit or "entitlement."; expresses a brand of giving that highlights the beneficent desire of the giver

INDESCRIBABLE

This word 'indescribable' is used only once and that is here in 2 Corinthians 9:15. The King James Version (KJV) renders it 'unspeakable'. The English Standard Version (ESV) reads as 'inexpressible', while the New Living Translation (NLT) says 'too wonderful for words'. 

Indescribable by Chris Tomlin

HIS GIFT

Romans 5:12, 15, 17-19

(12) Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, so also death was passed on to all men, because all sinned.

(15) But the gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died by the trespass of the one man, how much more did God’s grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, abound to the many!

(17) For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive an abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ!

(18) So then, just as one trespass brought condemnation for all men, so also one act of righteousness brought justification and life for all men.

(19) For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous.

Acts 15:11

On the contrary, we believe it is through the grace of the Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are.

Ephesians 2:8-10

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God; Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance as our way of life.

Romans 9:16

So then, it does not depend on man's desire or effort, but on God's mercy.

Romans 6:23

For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

THANK YOU JESUS FOR THE BLOOD by Charity Gayle

     BORN AGAIN

     In life, gifts are handed out either individually or jointly, like birthday presents (to the individual) or wedding presents (to the couple) or corporately (to the company). But the gift must be received on an individual basis, as well. We don't always receive the gifts given to us well. "I don't like this gift as much as I liked that other gift." "Do I have to participate?" 

    This applies Scripturally and spiritually, too. The gift of grace is given to everyone, but everyone must accept it on an individual basis. As Jesus explained to Nicodemus, "Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” (John 3:3)

    Ezekiel 36:26 wrote, "I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will remove your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh." That is what happens when we believe that Jesus Christ is Lord. God gives us a new heart when He applies the blood of His Son to our hearts. He puts a new Spirit in us when we receive the baptism of His Holy Spirit. Both Grace and Power are the gift from God. To receive only half of the gift is to cripple one's self spiritually. We need both to fulfill God's purpose, God's will, in our life.

     John 3:4, 5 

(4) “How can a man be born when he is old?” Nicodemus asked. “Can he enter his mother’s womb a second time to be born?”

(5) Jesus answered, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless anyone be born of water and of the Spirit, he is not able to enter into the kingdom of God.

(6) That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit."

INDIVIDUAL ACCEPTANCE

John 1:12. 13

But to all who did receive Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God—children born not of blood, nor of the desire or will of man, but born of God.

     

     To 'all who did receive' shows us that not all will receive the gift of God. Only the people who believe in His Name will receive the gift of God: Jesus Christ His only begotten Son. 

1 John 3:8-10

(8) The one who practices sin is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the very start. This is why the Son of God was revealed, to destroy the works of the devil.

(9) Anyone born of God refuses to practice sin, because God's seed abides in him; he cannot go on sinning, because he has been born of God.

(10) By this the children of God are distinguished from the children of the devil: Anyone who does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is anyone who does not love his brother.

John 1:16

From His fullness we have all received grace upon grace.

Dear Lord,

I recognize that I am a sinner, that I have sinned against You and broken Your laws. Forgive me of my sins and make me Your child. You are so good to me. Thank You for Your grace on me, for saving me. Thank You for this Indescribable Gift which You have given me. Thank You for removing my hardened heart and replacing it with a new heart: a heart that loves You and wants to serve You; a heart which rejoices in Your Word and Your presence; a heart that wants to share You with everyone I meet. 

Thank You, Lord, for giving me Your precious Holy Spirit, Who empowers me with boldness to speak Your Word. Help me to be more gracious, more loving, more merciful to those around me, to shine Your Light and Your Love into a dark and dying world. Give me words to speak. Open my mouth and fill it with Your Word.

In Jesus' Name, I pray

Amen.

Here I Am To Worship by Tim Hughes

Arming The Spiritual Warrior -- More Than Gratitude

 1 Thessalonians 5:18

in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

*Strong's Ex. Conc. No. 2168

acknowledging that "God's grace works well," i.e. for our eternal gain and His glory; to give thanks – literally, "thankful for God's good grace."

I love that definition. So much more than gratitude. More than a simple whispered, "Thank You." It is to say, "THANK YOU, GOD, FOR SAVING ME BY YOUR GRACE. For LOVING ME BEYOND WHAT I CAN EXPRESS. THANK YOU GOD, FOR YOUR MERCIES ON ME. THANK YOU GOD, FOR MEETING MY NEEDS WHEN I COULDN'T."

It is the expression of thankfulness which the Samaritan leper gave Jesus when Jesus healed him. Luke 17:16 "When one of them saw that he was healed, he came back, praising God in a loud voice. And fell down on his face at His feet, giving Him thanks: and he was a Samaritan." 

Of the ten leprotic men, nine were happy to be healed, but only one was overjoyed and ran back to the One Who had healed them, falling down at Jesus' feet and worshiping Him. In Luke 17:19 Jesus tells him, "Then Jesus said to him, “ Arise, go your way: your faith has made you whole.” It was the man's faith in God, in the Word spoken by The WORD, that made him whole, complete. It was this faith that brought him running back to Jesus to give Him thanks. Being more than healed, he was filled with more than just a simple, Thank you, but THANK YOU, LORD!

It is more than gratitude, it is abundant gratitude, overwhelming gratitude. It is a thankfulness that cannot be measured by mere words but must be accompanied by thankful actions. 

Saying grace at mealtimes is more than thanking God for the food; it is THANKING GOD FOR HIS ABUNDANT BLESSINGS. Even when we have but a little on our plate. Even when we have nothing. We are THANKING GOD IN FAITH FOR HIS PROVISION. 

Even when we know what is about to happen to us, we BLESS GOD, we THANK GOD, for more than the meal that is at hand. In Mark 14:22-25 Jesus institutes the breaking of bread and the drinking of wine in remembrance of Him. It symbolizes the breaking of His body, when He was tortured and nailed to the cross and the pouring out of His blood, which would be shed for the sins of the whole world (from Adam and Eve to the last man or woman who would believe in the name of the LORD JESUS CHRIST for their salvation).

Mark 14:22-25

And as they did eat, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and brake it, and gave to them, and said, Take, eat: this is My body. And He took the cup, and when He had given thanks, He gave it to them: and they all drank of it. And He said unto them, This is My blood of the new testament, which is shed for many. " (cf. Matthew 26:26-29; Luke 22:14-20; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26)

And why are to we to GIVE THANKS in such a way? Because it is GOD'S WILL FOR US IN CHRIST JESUS. Many a seeker has asked, What is God's will for me, for my life? Well, here is one part of God's Will for our lives: A HEART FILLED WITH OVERFLOWING FAITH IN GOD'S GRACE. 

Only a born again believer can offer this thanks, for that person is IN CHRIST JESUS and CHRIST JESUS IS IN US. Though God's will is for everyone, not everyone will want to live it; therefore, they cannot give thanks to God for His grace. 

Overflowing THANKS TO GOD comes from a heart that believes in the GRACE which GOD has offered through His only begotten Son Jesus Christ. He Who died on the cross, rose from the dead and sits at the right hand of the Father died for you and for me. All we have to do is believe this. Speak what we believe out loud for all to hear and we are now IN CHRIST and CHRIST IS IN US. (John 17:20, 21)

As Paul writes to the church in Galatia, Galatians 2:20 "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ lives in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, Who loved me, and gave Himself for me."

Hallelujah! Praise The Lord! Rejoice! How can we not have a Thankful spirit? Our hearts should be doing cartwheels, jumping for joy; it's that smile on our faces that reaches to our eyes. JESUS CHRIST LIVES and HE LIVES IN ME! 

HE LIVES 

by Alfred H. Ackley

(1)

I serve a risen Saviour, He's in the world today

I know that He is living, whatever men may say

I see His hand of mercy, I hear His voice of cheer

And just the time I need Him He's always near.

--chorus--

He lives (He lives), He lives (He lives), Christ Jesus lives today

He walks with me and talks with me

Along life's narrow way

He lives (He lives), He lives (He lives), Salvation to impart

You ask me how I know He lives?

He lives within my heart!

(2)

In all the world around me I see His loving care

And though my heart grows weary I never will despair

I know that He is leading, through all the stormy blast

The day of His appearing will come at last!

--chorus--

He lives (He lives), He lives (He lives), Christ Jesus lives today

He walks with me and talks with me

Along life's narrow way

He lives (He lives), He lives (He lives), Salvation to impart

You ask me how I know He lives?

He lives within my heart!

(3)

Rejoice, rejoice, O Christian Lift up your voice and sing

Eternal hallelujahs to Jesus Christ, the King

The Hope of all who seek Him, the Help of all who find

None other is so loving, so good and kind!

--chorus--

He lives (He lives), He lives (He lives), Christ Jesus lives today

He walks with me and talks with me

Along life's narrow way

He lives (He lives), He lives (He lives), Salvation to impart

You ask me how I know He lives?

He lives within my heart!

Arming The Spiritual Warrior -- Rejoice Always

 1 Thessalonians 5:16

Rejoice evermore.

*Strong's No 5463

REJOICE: to delight in God's grace; to experience God's grace (favor); to be consciously glad of God's grace

One cannot unconsciously rejoice, nor can a person subconsciously rejoice in God's grace. We must be cognate, aware, of God's grace. For we cannot obtain what we cannot even be aware of. 

It is why so many die in their sins. If they are not aware they are sinners, then they cannot be saved; especially after death. We must realize in this life we are given that not only God Is, but that God Is Savior. That He is Savior through His only begotten Son Jesus Christ, through the blood which Christ shed on the cross, which takes away the sins of the world: John 1:29 "The next day John sees Jesus coming unto him, and says, Behold the Lamb of God, which takes away the sin of the world."

Realization of this as fact must come through an awareness of wrongdoing, which is followed by repentance (a confession of and turning away from sins). Then our hearts are filled with God's grace and we begin to live a disciplined, godly lifestyle.   

Philippians 4:4

 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 

Psalm 37:4

Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.

Psalm 94:19

In the multitude of my thoughts within me (anxieties, cares) Your comforts delight my soul.

Psalm 104:34

My meditation of him shall be sweet: I will be glad in the LORD.

Always. Evermore. At all times. Regardless of the circumstances in which we find ourselves, we are to rejoice in the Lord. Our joy must begin in God and be fulfilled by God. Without a relationship with God there can be no joy, no reason to rejoice. But in God, in His name, in His character, in His power we can have joy. It helps us to think on God's Word, thereby getting into our thoughts. It helps us to read God's Word, getting it into our hearts. We must believe God's Word is Faithful & True, that the Holy Spirit may be able to bring it to our lips to speak God's Word God's Power with God's Love. 

2 Corinthians 6:10

As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.

Matthew 5:12

Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

We will know sorrow, pain and grief in this life. We will suffer for our faith. Some of us will die for what we believe. Yet, we are rejoicing. Joy is not an opposite of sorrow, it complements it. When we know what we know what we know, we can truly Rejoice! in the Lord for we are confident that He will keep His promises. For God cannot lie. 

As Job has said, "Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him: but I will maintain (prove) mine own ways before Him." (Job 13:15) 

We are confident that our testimony, our faith in our Redeemer, Who has purchased us with His own blood, will stand as our witness when we are judged by God. 

If you have not this confidence, there is still time. Even now, your heart tells you that what I speak of God's Word is True. Even now, the Holy Spirit convicts your hearts and you feel a pinch in your spirit. May you surrender your hearts and your lives to Jesus Christ as the Word flows over you, may it also enter you. 

Today's Word -- Sufficient

 2 Corinthians 12:9

And He said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for My strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

SUFFICIENT: adequate for the purpose; enough 

(synonyms for 'sufficient': acceptable, plentiful, ample, proportionate, satisfactory)

YOUR GRACE IS ENOUGH by Chris Tomlin

Ephesians 3:16-19

I ask that out of the riches of His glory He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. Then you, being rooted and grounded in love, will have power, together with all the saints, to comprehend the length and width and height and depth of the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

Romans 8:35-37

Who is there to condemn us? For Christ Jesus, who died, and more than that was raised to life, is at the right hand of God—and He is interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or distress or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: “For Your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”

Philippians 1:20

According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death.

THIS IS AMAZING GRACE by Phil Wickham

GRACE THAT IS GREATER THAN ALL OUR SIN by Sovereign Grace Music

Regardless of the trials, the tests, the afflictions we suffer, God's GRACE is SUFFICIENT for us, His children, for the GRACE of CHRIST rests on us, on we who are born again into His Kingdom by the blood of Jesus Christ His only begotten Son. His Grace is truly enough, His Strength is our strength, His Peace is our peace. 

As the verse reminds us, in Acts 17:28 "For in Him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also His offspring." 

The Repentant Heart

 

REPENTANT HEART

Psalm 25:17-18

The troubles of my heart increase; free me from my distress.

Consider my affliction and trouble, and take away all my sins.

The Spirit of God is evident in the Old Testament as well as the New Testament, for it is the Spirit of God that convicts a person of the sins in their heart. It is the hardened heart, the heart which refuses to acknowledge the Holy God and God's Holy Word, that turns away from God. Only the repentant heart listens to the Holy Spirit of God and turns to Him in distress, seeking forgiveness and mercy.  

It is the Spirit of God who turns a sinner's heart to God. It is the Spirit of God who leads a person to see God and God's Son. It is the transformative power of God by His Holy Spirit through His Holy Son which changes the heart of the sinner into the heart of the redeemed. This is amazing Grace. 

Listen to that Spirit and turn to God this day. 

Amazing Grace-Hymn

Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound

That saved a wretch like me! 

I once was lost but now am found,

Was blind but now I see.

'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,

And grace my fears relieved;

How precious did that grace appear

The hour I first believed.

Through many dangers, toils and snares

I have already come;

'Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far,

And grace will lead me home.

When we've been there ten thousand years,

Bright shining as the sun,

We've no less days to sing God's praise

Than when we first begun.

The Lord has promised good to me,

His Word my hope secures;

He will my shield and portion be 

As long as life endures.

Yes, when this heart and flesh shall fail,

And mortal life shall cease,

I shall possess within the veil, 

A life of joy and peace.

The earth shall soon dissolve like snow,

The sun forbear to shine;

But God, who called me here below,

Will be forever mine.

 by John Newton, 1725-1807

Blessed Who Wait For Him

Isaiah 30:18
Therefore the LORD longs to be gracious to you; therefore He rises to show you compassion, for the LORD is a just God. Blessed are all who wait for Him.

2 Peter 3:9
The Lord is not slow to fulfill His promise as some understand slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish but everyone to come to repentance.

2 Peter 3:15
Consider also that our Lord's patience brings salvation, just as our beloved brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom God gave him.


Isaiah 26:8
Yes, we wait for You, O LORD; we walk in the path of Your judgments. Your name and renown are the desire of our souls.

I used this shade of blue as it was the closest to sapphire blue I could make. There are two verses in Ezekiel that describe the throne of the LORD as being sapphire or lapis lazuli (depending on which version of the Bible you read). And while sapphire comes in more colors than blue, I have always been drawn to blue sapphires. 
Ezekiel 10:1 Then I looked, and, behold, in the firmament that was above the head of the cherubims there appeared over them as it were a sapphire stone, as the appearance of the likeness of a throne. And, again, in Ezekiel 1:26 And above the firmament that was over their heads was the likeness of a throne, as the appearance of a sapphire stone: and upon the likeness of the throne was the likeness as the appearance of a man above upon it.

Blue is the color of grace. It is the shade of bruising upon Christ's body and face as He was beaten in the courtyards before being whipped 39 times across His back. Blue, cerulean blue, is one of the colors of thread used in the curtains in the tabernacle which separated the holy of holies from the rest of the tabernacle rooms. 

So, when I picture a sapphire throne on which The LORD sits, that is the color I see. And why does He sit on that particular throne at this time? He is seated at the right hand of The Father, interceding on behalf of His people. Why do we need interceding? We are not perfect, we are sinners, all of us. We make mistakes, errors in judgment and fall short of the glory of God. 

We needed a Savior who would know that we are feeble and unable to make it on our own, so God sent us His only begotten Son Jesus Christ to live and example for us, and die in our stead that we would not die in our sins. After Jesus defeated death, hell and the grave in that two day period in which He was sealed in the tomb, God rolled away the stone and Jesus walked out of the grave, having risen from the dead, giving all who believe this eternal life through Him. 

And after a few days, Jesus ascended into heaven to be with His Father again, waiting until that day when God says, "Go". "Go get Your church, Your people and bring her home." 

Isaiah 25:9


And in that day it will be said, "Surely this is our God; we have waited for Him, and He has saved us. This is the LORD for whom we have waited. Let us rejoice and be glad in His salvation."

Blessed Instruction_Psalms

The King James Version reads the word instruct as chastisement, which by implication means severe criticism, harsh rebuke, as well as corporal punishment. This is not how the Word is to be applied. For the Word of God is Jesus Christ, and He is to be applied willingly to the heart, not forcefully. God's Love is Mercy and Grace; Patience and Strength. We are not to wield such Love as if it were a paddle board, nor should we be meanly spoken with it or by it.

Now, don't get me wrong. I love studying with my KJV Bible and I love reading it because I know that the Holy Spirit will reveal to me what I need to know when I need to know it. But I love studying with the Interlinear Bible, too. It tells me the Hebraic word and pronunciation, as well as the Strong's reference, and specific meaning for a word in any verse, not just a general definition or description. 

Knowing also that "blessed" when referring to man means "happy" and "to be envied", we read with a better understanding the verses in which we are to be blessed. 

Psalm 94:12 Happy and to be envied is the man whom You instruct, LORD, and out of Your law teach. 

And don't be getting all feminist on me, either. When God's Word speaks of 'man' in general, He is not excluding women: it is mankind, or man-kind (Genesis 1:27): male and female. But the Word must be applied individually. While all blessings from God to us are for each of us and all of us, we must first believe not only that God is, but that His Word is Faithful and True. Only then can we seek, search out and find how God wants to bless us. 

Once we are living the blessing life, those around us will see the difference in us. Our blessings will indeed be enviable to those folks who are in our daily lives; they're going to wonder why we are like we are and what brought about this change in us. A few may even decide they want these blessings, too. That's when we tell them about our Jesus, the Savior of all mankind, who died on the cross for our sins and rose from the dead. Who even now is interceding on our behalf to His Father. 

Do you know what the Holy Spirit tells me, when I begin to judge the surface of a person? "I love them, too." Only God knows the heart of an individual, only God knows whether or not a person is truly saved when that person dies. It's not my place to know and I should be content with that knowledge. And, yet, occasionally I still hear the Spirit say, "I love that person, too". Contrition and humility are the catch words of the moment. I repent, am forgiven and move on. 

The second part of this verse "out of Your law to teach" means more than expounding the verse, whether personal study or teaching another. It is accusative. The Law of God reveals sin and shows us in it that it is impossible to obey said laws without the strength of God aiding us. We are taught by God that we need Him to help us obey Him. And we do. For our God is a holy God and demands us to be holy, too (Leviticus 20:7; 1 Peter 1:16).

Jesus did not abolish the law of God, He fulfilled it (Matthew 5:17). In Romans 3:31 Paul writes to the church at Rome the question of faith vs law and reminds them, and us, that our faith in Christ establishes, fulfills, upholds the law of God. Through our faith in Christ we recognize that the law of God reveals our sin and that without Him we are lost and undone. I would be lost, undone, alone and miserable if I did not know Jesus as my Lord and Savior. 

If you are lost, undone, alone and miserable I know Who can save you, keep you, befriend you and love you. His name is Jesus Christ. He died for you, fought death, hell and the grave for you, rose from the dead for you. And is seated at the right hand of the Father waiting to intercede for you. "I love the person reading this, too". 

Dear Jesus, 
I recognize that I am lost without You. Please forgive me of my sins, come into my heart and be Lord of my life. Guide me through Your Word as I read and study it. Holy Spirit fill me with Yourself and help me be who God wants me to be. 
In Jesus' Name,
Amen. 

Grace Reasoned

I am still going through all my journals, finding tidbits and nuggets, before I decide if I am going to throw them out. Like this one, for instance, sandwiched between empty pages:

REASON

One day I went to Jesus,

Finally face to face.

He looked me right in the eye

And said, "What do ya think about grace?"

And I said,

"Cover me, Lord,

Wash away my sin;

Pardon me, Lord,

I am a sinful man.

Cover me, Lord, 

Make me whiter than snow.

That's what I think about 

Grace, Lord,

Living this life here below."

Also written is the day/night: Wednesday evening at 9:30 p.m. So, I am thinking that perhaps I wrote this after a Wednesday evening Bible Study. I don't remember the lesson, but it must have made an impact on me in such a way, that The Holy Spirit gave me this to write. The timing is right to reveal it, as the subject of Grace and what it is has been on my heart.

What's So Amazing About Grace?

1. We don't deserve it.
     Romans 3:23 "For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God."
    Romans 5:8 "But God commended (established) His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."
2. We can't earn it.
    Ephesians 2:8,9 "For by grace are you saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast." 
 3. Obtained by Faith in Jesus Christ.
    As stated in the above verse, Faith is a Gift from God. It is the first gift we are given when we believe that Jesus Christ is Lord. 
     Romans 3:22 "Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe for there is no difference. 
    Romans 4:16 "Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham, ; who is the father of us all."

But, what is Grace that we should desire it so? 

Strong's defines it as such: The Lord's favor, freely extended to give Himself away to people, inclined towards, reaching out to people: because He is disposed to bless (be near) them. 

There you go, then. The Grace of God is God reaching out to people with Himself and His great love. And just how did He does do that? Through His only begotten Son Jesus Christ. John 3:16 is God's Grace demonstrated: "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son Jesus Christ, that whosoever believes on Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." 

Why should we want Grace?

God wants you and I saved from the eternal punishment of sin, but the only way that is going to happen is if you and I choose to believe that Jesus Christ is the only way to God. 
Grace is His Kindness and Love, as written in Titus 3:4-6 "But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which He shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior."

Ephesians 2:4, 5 It is only through Grace of God that we are saved. 
"But God, who is rich in mercy, for His great love wherewith He loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, has quickened us together with Christ, {by grace are we saved}."
Titus 3:7 "That being justified by His Grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life." 

Without that 'hope of eternal life' through belief in the name of The Lord Jesus Christ in this life we live, there is no hope after we die. For if a person dies who does not believe, nor accept God's Grace, while there is breath in the body, then there is no chance for life eternal after breath leaves this body. 

Romans 9:27, 28 "And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for Him shall He appear the second time without sin unto salvation." 

To day is the day of salvation. Today is the now opportunity to accept the Grace of God through His extended right arm of salvation: Jesus Christ. "There is no other name under heaven by which men can be saved." Acts 4:12 

How do we accept so great a gift as Grace? 

Romans 10:9, 10 "If you confess with your mouth The Lord Jesus,  AND believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved. 
For with the heart we believe unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is mad unto salvation."
Romans 10:13 "For whosoever shall call upon the name of The Lord shall be saved."

Even Now

1. ain't no baby in the manger                                3.it is Joy that filled the manger
ain't no Jesus on the cross                                        it is Love that drenched the cross
ain't no body in the graveyard                                   it is Hope that lies in the graveyard
even now, He isn't there!                                          it is Faith that carries me on
                                                                                                         to only Jesus!
2.there's only Joy Grace and Mercy                                                
there's only Faith Hope and Love                             4. even now, there's only Jesus
there's only Jesus in this song now                                 even now, there's only Jesus
even now, there's only Jesus                                          there's only Jesus in this song now
even now, there's only Jesus                                          there's only Jesus in this place
even now, even now                                                      there's only Jesus in my heart now
there's only Jesus....                                                        in my thoughts, in my life
only Jesus.......only Jesus                                                 even now
even now.                                                                        there's only Jesus
                                                                                        even now
                                                                                        there's only Jesus
                                                                                         even now
                                                                                         there's only Jesus
                                                                                                       

                                                                                        5. only Jesus, only Jesus
                                                                                          even now, there's only Jesus
                                                                                          Jesus. Jesus.   even now.....