I am the resurrection and the life: he that believeth in me ,though he were dead, yet shall he live.
And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this? John 11:25, 26.
I am the way, the truth and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. John 14:6.
Jesus lives! The power of his Resurrection makes us ALIVE;
in every sense of the word .
The finished work of Jesus has made us as LIVELY STONES,a built up SPIRITUAL HOUSE , A HOLY PRIESTHOOD qualified to enter the inner sanctum of his presence to offer up spiritual sacrifices , acceptable unto God by Jesus Christ.
To us Believers, because of what Jesus has done for us; the name of Jesus Christ , his person and his words are sweeter and more desirable than the honey comb.
They are more fragrant than a garden of spring roses and lavender!
6.Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture , Behold,I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect , precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.
7.Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient,the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner,
8 And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, [even to them] which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.
9 But ye [are] a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:
10 Which in time past [were] not a people, but [are] now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.1 Peter 2: 6-10.
From the time his birth was announced and throughout his dramatic but brief stay on earth, people who hated the SIGHT and SOUND of him; people who seethed with anger and envy against Jesus and his disciples; have always conspired together. They were ever trying but always failing to put a stop to what they saw as "ridiculous claims about his virgin birth and being the "Son of God"!
He was reviled ,threatened, thrown out of the temple and called all sorts of names .
When those tactics failed , the enemies of righteousness decided that Jesus had to be stopped by putting him to death !
But how could they succeed to discredit and destroy a very popular and successful teacher and deliverer of men?
Especially THIS MAN called Jesus Christ; whose words and miracles were highly sought after?
The news of him and his good works was spreading like a dried thorn-bush fire and thousands were being converted , daily !
What did he ever do wrong to anybody?
They reasoned in their envious minds that death was the solution to the "problem" of this massive-crowd puller; who was much more successful and popular than them.
There was a finality about death because NOBODY had ever defeated death!
Before Jesus resurrection , nobody had ever resurrected.
Dead men stayed dead.
"Silence that impostor and his followers would flee!"
They had their way.Jesus Christ was put to death in the most cruel way.
He was buried and a huge stone was placed to seal his tomb.
Not only was the tomb sealed , armed guards were positioned to guard his tomb; to prevent "any future false claims of his resurrection"!
"He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have
them in derision". Psalm 2:4.
On that glorious Resurrection morning ,the bands of death and the fortress of a man-made tomb could not hold Jesus captive.
The angel of Death obeyed the command of the Master of Life and Death.
Jesus rose from the dead. The tomb was shattered and he came out and was seen by many witnesses. The tomb is empty!
When they failed to prevent his resurrection they gave bribes to spread lies and to discredit his resurrection; in order to stop the spread of his gospel.
No human being had the power to kill Jesus ,the Son of the Living God.
Jesus died because he CHOSE TO die , in fulfillment of God's plan.
No death on the cross ; no atonement for sins for you and me.
Isaiah 53 :10-12.
No resurrection ; no victory over death for us.
Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life , that I might take it again.
No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.
John 10:17,18
People who are consumed by envy and hatred , and are driven to do evil against an innocent person,usually, end up shooting themselves in the foot!
Unknown to them ,the enemies of Jesus Christ had inadvertently became instruments in God's hand to execute his Salvation plan for all mankind .
They helped to establish the Kingdom which they had plotted to destroy!
PRAISE THE LORD , HALLELUJAH !
Him , being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God , ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain:
Whom God has raised up, having loosed the pains of death:
because it was not possible that he should be holden of it. Acts 2:23-24.
They failed to kill or silence the King of glory. His Gospel continues to spread to the four corners of the earth. His disciples have continued to thrive and increase in their millions daily.
As it was, before and after Jesus'crucifixion and resurrection, so it is even today. Satan, the "god of this world" has continued to blind men and women and to use them.The lies, doubts and antagonism against the Lord Jesus Christ remain.
A lot has been said , written and done to discredit and to hinder the work of God.The enemies of the Gospel expend time and resources to debate and analyse; even to "thrash" the veracity of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.
These have been futile efforts.
For me and millions of Christian , there is no controversy ,at all,
about the Son ship and Lordship of Jesus Christ.
Christians who spent valuable time at Easter ,debating with and attempting to convince "doubting Thomases" needn't have bothered.
The battle is not ours. We have the Almighty God on our side and our weapons are not carnal but mighty unto pulling down strongholds.
The Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Truth will glorify Jesus and convict all mockers and doubters of their sin. The sin of rejecting the Lord Jesus.John 16:7-16.
The enduring facts and the Truth of his virgin birth and his glorious life ; of his crucifixion , death and resurrection are ETERNAL.
The certainty and continuity of these facts and Truth DO NOT DEPEND ON whether some people doubt,ridicule,abhor and hate to hear them being preached.
Jesus and his bride( his church )will always triumph and have the last laugh.
Jesus is alive. He is Lord and he rules and reigns in the affairs of men!
May be you say:
"People should shut it and go away. They should stop preaching !?" It offends you?
Well, my darling(s) , you are entitled to your opinions and feelings of offence.
"Shutting it" is not an option .I assure you that's not gonna happen.
This Gospel has not "gone away", for over two thousand years and it won't go away for as long as the earth remains .
Jesus is the Truth and the Truth goes marching on.
Nothing and nobody can stop the Truth.(Acts 5:33-42)
You reject him , hate him and fight against him to your own loss and peril.
No human being can fight against God and overcome him.
You had better believe it.
And he said who art thou ,Lord?
And the Lord said to him ,I am Jesus whom thou persecutest:
it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. Acts 9:5.
Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof.
And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken; but on whomsoever it shall fall,it will ground him to powder. Matthew 21:43-45
Showing posts with label Jesus Lifted High. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Jesus Lifted High. Show all posts
Tuesday, 21 April 2009
Saturday, 18 April 2009
LOOK AND LIVE !
"And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up .That whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have eternal life ". John 3 : 14 ,15.
It started as just another normal economic hiccup , but before we could blink ,a way of life which millions of people had enjoyed and taken for granted for decades , had simply vanished .
Gone with the wind!
The wind of change is here; the tsunami of failed businesses and failed expectations is ravaging everywhere.
This time last year, who could have thought that things will come to this state of affairs?
That"Woollies"(WOOLWORTH STORES ),of all businesses, would be wound up ,under lock and key, permanently?!
We had enjoyed a life of affluence. Affluence, based on sound national economies, enviable welfare systems, fat pay packets and most of all, incredibly easy access to credit facilities.
Easy credit which oiled the nations' economies and encouraged constant and excessive demand for luxury goods ,consumer goods and expensive holidays abroad.
Mortgages , loans , credit cards and store cards were offered freely; even to those who were unqualified to even apply for such loans and mortgages!
Free Credit facilities, some given at 0% interest rate, were received eagerly and spent lavishly by millions of people; without a second thought for the consequences.
We had become used to easy,laid back lifestyles as a result of a sound Welfare System which promised us a superb quality life from cradle to grave; whether we went out to WORK or not!
Those of us who bothered to work , took it for granted that after working for decades, an adequate and enviable pension will be our entitlement.
Now, NOTHING can be taken for granted any more.
Approval of credit facilities are now strictly vetted and controlled
This refusal of credit is biting very hard. Especially for people who had been living false lives by spending borrowed money.
Today, many people are are bent double , under the burden of huge debts.The pains of the recession are felt by millions.
Pain and death is ravaging the land. Death of a way of life; of a set of values.
I believe that God has a purpose for bringing this plague upon the earth.
No pain, no palm
No thorns, no throne
No gall, no glory
No cross, no crown
William Penn .
This pain and death can be likened to the devastation of the fiery serpents unleashed on the disobedient Israelites.
As Israelites cried out to God when they were bitten by the fiery serpents , so also the whole world is now crying out to God for mercy and for deliverance from the bite of economic fiery serpents!
On one side of this coin there is deliverance , on the flip side there is destruction.
In times of perplexity like this present time,I have learnt to look unto Jesus. To encourage myself in the Lord my God who is forever good and faithful.
Like David did .1 Samuel 30:6.
I encourage myself and others because I know that Jesus, the Son of God was the Fourth Man; the Mighty Deliverer and the Cooling Presence in the burning fiery furnace which had been heated seven times more than necessary !(Daniel 3 :19).
He answered and said, Lo,I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have NO HURT ;
and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God. Daniel 3:25.
Jesus Christ , the Son of God is ever-present, mighty to deliver , mighty to save in the midst of those who trust in him.
The God who rained manna and quails from heaven on Israel is the same God who sent the fiery serpents.
He chooses to send sustenance or evil; as and when he deems necessary.
He sends his sun and his rain ;sent his manna and quails on the just and the unjust ; even as he sends evil serpents to both the just and the unjust.
God knows that there is a difference between his church and the world .God' s message to his people in times like this is:
"Believe,that I the Lord your God,am mighty in the midst of you ; to rejoice over your to do good. Rejoice with violent praise , all the time!"
14.Sing O daughter of Zion; shout , O Israel;
be glad and rejoice with all the heart, O daughter of Jerusalem....
16 In that day , it shall be said to Jerusalem (his church),
Fear thou not:and to Zion( his city), Let not thine hands be slack.
17 The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty;
he will save , he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing. Zephaniah 3: 14-17
Amongst the Israelites there were just men and women, yet they all faced the attack of the fiery serpents.God delivered them from the fiery onslaught.
How did God deliver his elect from amongst the multitudes bitten by the fiery serpents ? Through the weapon of faith and the weapon of obedience. His command then was simple :
LOOK AND LIVE ! Look at the serpent lifted high.
How can we survive until this present evil passes away from the earth?
What is the Almighty God saying to the stricken nations of the earth , today?
Look at Jesus , lifted high and glorious! Look at Jesus and live!
Prevailing faith in the finished work of Jesus is the solution to the serpent's poison .
To survive this raging fire, we must look up; look unto Jesus the Author and Finisher of our faith.
*This message has been published as a Bible tract
by Pneumalithos Publications.UK.Co.
Bible tract-"LOOK & LIVE". by Tina Edgal
Other tracts by Tina .
Bibles tracts written by Tina Edgal are:
* I WILL ARISE..!
* WARTS AND ALL
* SHADOWS
* LIKE HIND'S FEET
* SAMPLES
* BORN OF LOVE
* MONKEY WAHWAH BUT..
* COMPLETE IN HIM
* REJOICE!
* ABIDE IN THE VINE
* LEGAL CAPTIVITY
* LOOK & LIVE
* JUST DO IT?
* ONE & ONLY CHANCE
* WORSHIP HIM
* LOVE YOU LOADS
* THIS IS YOUR LIFE
* GET ALL YOU CAN
* FLEETING GLORY
* WHICH WAY?
* THE REASON FOR THE SEASON
* REALLY ?
* MARANATHA!
* CROWN HIM LORD
Translations of these tracts are available in 8 major Languages.
It started as just another normal economic hiccup , but before we could blink ,a way of life which millions of people had enjoyed and taken for granted for decades , had simply vanished .
Gone with the wind!
The wind of change is here; the tsunami of failed businesses and failed expectations is ravaging everywhere.
This time last year, who could have thought that things will come to this state of affairs?
That"Woollies"(WOOLWORTH STORES ),of all businesses, would be wound up ,under lock and key, permanently?!
We had enjoyed a life of affluence. Affluence, based on sound national economies, enviable welfare systems, fat pay packets and most of all, incredibly easy access to credit facilities.
Easy credit which oiled the nations' economies and encouraged constant and excessive demand for luxury goods ,consumer goods and expensive holidays abroad.
Mortgages , loans , credit cards and store cards were offered freely; even to those who were unqualified to even apply for such loans and mortgages!
Free Credit facilities, some given at 0% interest rate, were received eagerly and spent lavishly by millions of people; without a second thought for the consequences.
We had become used to easy,laid back lifestyles as a result of a sound Welfare System which promised us a superb quality life from cradle to grave; whether we went out to WORK or not!
Those of us who bothered to work , took it for granted that after working for decades, an adequate and enviable pension will be our entitlement.
Now, NOTHING can be taken for granted any more.
Approval of credit facilities are now strictly vetted and controlled
This refusal of credit is biting very hard. Especially for people who had been living false lives by spending borrowed money.
Today, many people are are bent double , under the burden of huge debts.The pains of the recession are felt by millions.
Pain and death is ravaging the land. Death of a way of life; of a set of values.
I believe that God has a purpose for bringing this plague upon the earth.
No pain, no palm
No thorns, no throne
No gall, no glory
No cross, no crown
William Penn .
This pain and death can be likened to the devastation of the fiery serpents unleashed on the disobedient Israelites.
As Israelites cried out to God when they were bitten by the fiery serpents , so also the whole world is now crying out to God for mercy and for deliverance from the bite of economic fiery serpents!
On one side of this coin there is deliverance , on the flip side there is destruction.
In times of perplexity like this present time,I have learnt to look unto Jesus. To encourage myself in the Lord my God who is forever good and faithful.
Like David did .1 Samuel 30:6.
I encourage myself and others because I know that Jesus, the Son of God was the Fourth Man; the Mighty Deliverer and the Cooling Presence in the burning fiery furnace which had been heated seven times more than necessary !(Daniel 3 :19).
He answered and said, Lo,I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have NO HURT ;
and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God. Daniel 3:25.
Jesus Christ , the Son of God is ever-present, mighty to deliver , mighty to save in the midst of those who trust in him.
The God who rained manna and quails from heaven on Israel is the same God who sent the fiery serpents.
He chooses to send sustenance or evil; as and when he deems necessary.
He sends his sun and his rain ;sent his manna and quails on the just and the unjust ; even as he sends evil serpents to both the just and the unjust.
God knows that there is a difference between his church and the world .God' s message to his people in times like this is:
"Believe,that I the Lord your God,am mighty in the midst of you ; to rejoice over your to do good. Rejoice with violent praise , all the time!"
14.Sing O daughter of Zion; shout , O Israel;
be glad and rejoice with all the heart, O daughter of Jerusalem....
16 In that day , it shall be said to Jerusalem (his church),
Fear thou not:and to Zion( his city), Let not thine hands be slack.
17 The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty;
he will save , he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing. Zephaniah 3: 14-17
Amongst the Israelites there were just men and women, yet they all faced the attack of the fiery serpents.God delivered them from the fiery onslaught.
How did God deliver his elect from amongst the multitudes bitten by the fiery serpents ? Through the weapon of faith and the weapon of obedience. His command then was simple :
LOOK AND LIVE ! Look at the serpent lifted high.
How can we survive until this present evil passes away from the earth?
What is the Almighty God saying to the stricken nations of the earth , today?
Look at Jesus , lifted high and glorious! Look at Jesus and live!
Prevailing faith in the finished work of Jesus is the solution to the serpent's poison .
To survive this raging fire, we must look up; look unto Jesus the Author and Finisher of our faith.
*This message has been published as a Bible tract
by Pneumalithos Publications.UK.Co.
Bible tract-"LOOK & LIVE". by Tina Edgal
Other tracts by Tina .
Bibles tracts written by Tina Edgal are:
* I WILL ARISE..!
* WARTS AND ALL
* SHADOWS
* LIKE HIND'S FEET
* SAMPLES
* BORN OF LOVE
* MONKEY WAHWAH BUT..
* COMPLETE IN HIM
* REJOICE!
* ABIDE IN THE VINE
* LEGAL CAPTIVITY
* LOOK & LIVE
* JUST DO IT?
* ONE & ONLY CHANCE
* WORSHIP HIM
* LOVE YOU LOADS
* THIS IS YOUR LIFE
* GET ALL YOU CAN
* FLEETING GLORY
* WHICH WAY?
* THE REASON FOR THE SEASON
* REALLY ?
* MARANATHA!
* CROWN HIM LORD
Translations of these tracts are available in 8 major Languages.
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