I’ll be the first to admit that Winter is probably my least favorite Season of the year. Which is really funny, since I’ve lived all my life in areas where Winter isn’t just a word but a harsh reality. But as I look at the pristine blanket of snow sparkling in the sub-zero sunshine, I think to myself, Winter isn’t that bad…especially from my toasty warm vantage point here in front of the fire. Yes Lord, You’ve made all the Seasons for us to enjoy…Thank You for each one!
Tag: blood of jesus
Revelation 14: 6-7 ” Then I saw another angel flying in midair, and he had the eternal gospel to proclaim to those who live on the earth – to every nation, tribe, language, and people. He said in a loud voice, ‘Fear God and give Him glory, because the hour of His judgment has come. Worship Him who made the heavens, the earth, the sea, and the springs of water.’ “
The Gospel knows no boundaries…it is not limited by time, place, or person. The Gospel message is forever…the Good News of the Kingdom of God and salvation through Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection is timeless, perfect, and fundamental.
Jeremiah 51:15 ” He made the earth by His power; He founded the world by His wisdom and stretched out the heavens by His understanding.”
At that pivotal moment…at the beginning of time…God brought into existence the heavens and earth. He created the world and everything within it, and stretched out the heavens like a tent across the sky. In God’s infinite intelligence and knowledge, all was called into being…where there had been nothing before.
I Peter 1: 18-19 ” For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.”
There is absolutely nothing you can ever do to bring about your own spiritual salvation. No amount of money, fame or power will get you saved, for it’s only by the blood of Jesus that you can be saved. Jesus paid the debt of sin and purchased your salvation when He died on the Cross.
Philippians 1: 12-13 ” Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel. As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ.”
We see religious persecution…but Paul saw only the good that was coming from his imprisonment. We see oppression and cruel treatment…but he only saw the furtherance of the Gospel. Paul saw prison as the means of advancing Jesus despite all the hardships he went through…and to him, it was well worth it.
Judges 6:12 ” When the angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon, he said, ‘ The Lord is with you mighty warrior.’ “
On hearing himself called a powerful and brave warrior, Gideon responded as most of us would. In verse 15 he whimpered, ” But Lord, Gideon asked, how can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family.” But God saw past this scrawny young man filled with doubt…and instead spoke His vision into Gideon’s life. And so it happens when God speaks His vision into your life…you will take on and become that vision, through His work in you.
Matthew 24: 6 ” You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed.”
What was Jesus trying to tell us in this passage? In this broken world, Nation will rise up against Nation…hostilities and conflict will erupt more and more in the world. But the Lord also instructed us here…as you see this, be careful not to be afraid. Lift your eyes up from the carnage and devastation and look to Me, for I am the answer. Keep your eyes on Me, and you will find peace.
Numbers 14:24 ” But because My servant Caleb has a different spirit and follows Me wholeheartedly, I will bring him into the land he went to, and his descendants will inherit it.”
When you look at an obstacle or challenge in your life – do you view it through your vision or God’s? When we ask God to give us His vision in the matter…suddenly we can see opportunities in place of those obstacles, and cooperation in place of challenges…for our vision is so small. And when we have grasped God’s vision, we can move forward without doubts or reservations, totally confident in Him.
Mark 3: 4-5 ” Then Jesus asked them, ‘ Which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill? ‘ But they remained silent. He looked around at them in anger and deeply distressed at their stubborn hearts. He said to the man, ‘ Stretch out your hand. ‘ He stretched it out, and his hand was completely restored.”
Jesus was in the Synagogue on the Sabbath when He came upon a man with a shriveled, deformed hand. The questions He posed to the Pharisees were simple and to the point…what is more important – the Sabbath’s laws and rituals or human life? No wonder Jesus was so exasperated at their callous and insensitive silence. For all the Pharisees saw was the Law, while all Jesus saw was the suffering.
Matthew 15:32 ” Jesus called His disciples to Him and said, ‘ I have compassion for these people; they have already been with Me three days and have nothing to eat. I do not want to send them away hungry, or they may collapse on the way.’ “
Along the shore of the Sea of Galilee people had brought the lame, blind, and crippled for Jesus to touch. In the midst of this healing service, Jesus was giving them spiritual food…but now the Lord was looking very practically at the needs of their physical bodies. Meeting the basic needs of a person – food, shelter, or clothing – was an essential part of the Gospel Jesus taught. No one can listen if their stomach is growling loudly and they’re shivering from cold.
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