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: jesus christ
Isaiah 13: 11 ” I will punish the world for its evil, the wicked for their sins. I will put an end to the arrogance of the haughty and will humble the pride of the ruthless.”
The day of the Lord is coming, and with it, judgment. The proud will be brought low, the cruel will be stopped in their tracks. The Lord’s fierce anger and wrath will not be held back from the unrighteous. The day of the Lord is coming.
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.
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.
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.
II Corinthians 3: 14-16 ” But their minds were made dull, for to this day the same veil remains when the old covenant is read. It has not been removed, because only in Christ is it taken away. Even to this day when Moses is read, a veil covers their hearts. But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away.”
When we turn and embrace Jesus, the scales fall off our eyes and we’re able to see the truth. The light invades our minds, and we are then able understand with clarity and certainty the new covenant offered to us by Jesus Christ. When we say yes to the Lord, the shroud is lifted up and removed from our hearts, minds, and souls…and we are finally set free.
Romans 12:21 ” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
While Jesus walked this earth He had many enemies who hated and despised Him…but He never returned that anger with rage of His own. We need to look at His example daily as we deal with unlovable people around us. People may be hostile, but we don’t need to have hostility against them. We may be hated, but we don’t need to be hateful back. Anger will never be calmed by more anger.
Deuteronomy 4:24 ” For the Lord your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God.”
The Lord allows no rivals…He is the only One worthy of our worship. His protective intolerance towards idolatry is for our own good, but also realize, He will never tolerate glib lip-service of faux reverence. As Exodus 15:7 states, ” In the greatness of Your majesty You threw down those who opposed You. You unleashed Your burning anger; it consumed them like stubble.”
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