The Bible is God's Letter to You

I know this is a stretch but I really like this song and I was wondering why. A couple of scriptures came to mind. They are Jeremiah 29:11-13 in the NIV and Isaiah 46:10 NKJ

11 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

10 Declaring the end from the beginning, And from ancient times things that are not yet done, Saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, And I will do all My pleasure,’ (Emphasis mine)

Listen to the words of this song and think about the promises God has written to each of us in His word. Isn't the Bible a letter He has written to you? Or, maybe I just like country music. Either way, I hope you enjoy my video pick this week.

Are You Walking in God's Will?

Are you walking in God's will or running on Satan's treadmill?

There are days when I actually slow down and enjoy the things God has given me. Today is that day. The most important things in my life are family, friends, and home.

Things that while I run after life, (because I feel like it is passing me by) I tend to take for granted. I rarely take time to enjoy the world around me. I am not attentive to details. (As you have probably noticed)

Satan wants you distracted, God wants your attention. Make time to spend with the Lord today and everyday, you will be glad you did.

New Again-Passion of the Christ Video

Friday is video day, so in keeping with the season and my posts earlier on The Passion Week and Good Friday, I wanted to show a video about the price Jesus paid for you and I.

There are so many videos to choose from about the crucifixion, I choose a song I had never heard, this song is by Brad Paisley and Sara Evans, I thought you would enjoy it.

Remember Jesus paid this price for you.

What so Good about Good Friday?

It took me almost 30 years to confess with my mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in my heart God raised Him from the dead. Jesus Christ is my Lord and Savior but I have not always been a follower. With that said, I sometimes have a different perspective on Biblical teachings and events.

I always wondered why the church called if Good Friday if Jesus died. What was so good about death, I thought. To an outsider, it sure seemed silly but I didn't mind Easter because we had lots of chocolate and a big dinner.

But now Good Friday is special to me. After watching the Passion of the Christ I have a new visual playing in my head. Reading and meditating on Isaiah 52 and 53 I believe Mel Gibson went light on the way Christ looked. Mr. Gibson even said so in an interview. So what does this all mean?

Good Friday is followed by Easter and that is when the celebration begins but Jesus' sacrifice on Good Friday paid for everything. When I say everything I mean a complete work, lacking nothing. Read 1 John 2:2

And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world.

All sin past, present and future were paid on Good Friday. What about sickness? Great question, Isaiah prophesied about this before it happened in 53:5

But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities;
The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed. (Emphasis mine)

Peter wrote about this in a different tense in 1 Peter 2:24

who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed. (Emphasis mine)

Isaiah wrote "You are healed" and Peter wrote "You were healed", same stripes, the only difference is one man saw into the future and the other looked back in the past. Why would God write this in His book? Because you are healed! It is a done deal just like salvation.

All sickness, like all sin, was also taken care of past, present and future. Jesus paid it all Good Friday. There is so much more He accomplished for you and I but time and space do not permit me to continue.

Meditate on Isaiah 52 and 53, and watch the Passion of the Christ. Jesus died for the whole world. This is the Atonement, it is the completed work. What a great God we serve.

One Drop of Blood- Ray Boltz

Here is the song by Ray Boltz that started all of this for me. Ray Boltz is one of my favorite artists. He can sing a song, tell a story and help you better understand God's word all at the same time.

I was listening to this song when I asked God for help with an idea of something I could put on my shirt to be a better witness for Jesus. This is a powerful song and video. Enjoy!

Sit Down Jesus!

In a previous post, Am I the Only One? I quoted a scripture spoken through the prophet David in Psalms 110:1, Here it is again:

..."Sit at my Right hand, till I make Your enemies Your footstool."

Now read what Jesus said to the religious leaders (Sanhedrin) in Luke 23:67-70

67 “If You are the Christ, tell us.” But He said to them, “If I tell you, you will by no means believe. 68 And if I also ask you, you will by no means answer Me or let Me go. 69 Hereafter the Son of Man will sit on the right hand of the power of God.” 70 Then they all said, “Are You then the Son of God?” So He said to them, “You rightly say that I am.” (Emphasis mine)

Jesus tells them and us where He is going. This is great news because of the promise He made earlier in John 14:12-14. Again let's look at that scripture

12 “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. 13 And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If you ask anything in My name, I will do it. (Emphasis mine)

One last scripture reading to tie all this together, Ephesians 1:17-23 (I know it is a lot but it will do you good to read the word of God.)

17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, 18 the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints,

19 and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power 20 which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come. 22 And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, 23 which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all. (Again, emphasis mine)

Notice it is God's power that He worked in Christ. The same power that raised Jesus Christ from the dead is living on the inside of every believer. If you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior you are part of His body. He is the head, we are His body of believers. The body is what will destroy the works of the Satan being guided by Jesus (The head of the body).

We can do all things through Christ, but we must be lead by Jesus.

Unity of the body is what is needed in the church today to overcome the enemies of Christ. In order to make Jesus enemies His footstool, we must come together as His body. Without the word of God and the leading of the Holy Spirit, unity of the body will be impossible. Why, because we have an enemy that knows he will be defeated when the church comes together again.

Think about it, if you were the devil, wouldn't you do everything in your power to keep the church fighting against itself? I know I would, and I believe that is what Satan is doing with his "tares" in the church. More on this later.

By His Word and In His Name

To continue the thought of my last entry. How is the church going to defeat the enemies of Jesus? I believe it is only possible by using the word of God and the name of Jesus. Read John 14:12-14

12 “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. 13 And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If you ask anything in My name, I will do it. (Emphasis mine)

Jesus Himself tells us we will do greater works than He did because He was going to His Father and sending His Spirit. Now Jesus, by His Spirit, could be everywhere, all at the same time. Now that is power!

I love the book of Acts; it is a picture of the early church learning and using the power of God. Look at Acts 3:1-10 this is where Peter healed the lame beggar. Notice Peter's words and where his power came from for the healing. (I know he was baptized in the Holy Spirit earlier.)

6 Then Peter said, “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.” 7 And he took him by the right hand and lifted him up, and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength.

8 So he, leaping up, stood and walked and entered the temple with them—walking, leaping, and praising God. 9 And all the people saw him walking and praising God. 10 Then they knew that it was he who sat begging alms at the Beautiful Gate of the temple; and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him. (Emphasis mine)

Peter healed this man by using the name of Jesus. This is exactly what Jesus said would happen after He went to the Father.

How do we get this kind of power? It will only come when you plant the Word of God in your heart and let it take control of your life. I do not want this teaching to go on and on, but there is a lot here. Read Psalm 138:2:

I will worship toward Your holy temple, And praise Your name For Your lovingkindness and Your truth; For You have magnified Your word above all Your name. (Emphasis mine)

At the name of Jesus all things are possible and God has elevated His word above His Name. Again I am going to let that sink in, meditate on that and I will continue next post.

Am I the Only One?

Have you ever asked yourself the question, "Am I the only one ..." You fill in the blank.

As I read the Bible, and observe "Christians", I wonder, am I reading the same book they are?

What does the following verse mean to you?

"Sit at My right hand,

Till I make Your enemies Your footstool."

I am no theologian but I think God is trying to teach us something. We find this verse in Psalms, Matthew, Mark, Luke, Acts, and Hebrews. What does this say to you? Think about where Jesus is and what He has done.

Jesus is back in Heaven. He has come from the cross, the grave, He left His disciples back on earth and now God says, "sit down at my right hand, until I make everyone against You, Your footstool."

Wow! This will happen. But how is this going to happen? I believe it will be His church, but not in its current state. Stay tuned for more.

Who Am I Casting Crowns

Just wanted to share this, I really like this song and the video adds to it. You may have already seen this but I think it is worth watching again. Enjoy!