The devil thought he’d won it when they laid Christ in the tomb,
His plot to kill Messiah and to spread hate, death, and gloom.
But God Almighty had a plan, and to our foe’s surprise,
Our lord got up in glory, out of the grave to rise!
I went for a beautiful walk this week up the hill from where we live. After plentiful rains, the literally acres upon acres of yellow-green mustard plants glistened in the sun. Bright golden fields of Brown-eyed Susans were punctuated by the royal purple of lupine and phacelia. I looked for my favorite—mariposa lilies—on the way up to the top, but did not find them in their haunt from two years before when rains were also abundant.
Simon Peter was one of Jesus Christ’s most intimate friends and co-workers. He knew what he was talking about when he spoke to Cornelius and his household.
Acts 10:38:
How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.
I remember spending countless hours in front of the mirror during my teen years. To me, so much of my life depended on my current hair style, the clothes I wore, or the state of my acne. I was constantly worried about what other people, especially my “friends,” thought of me. And the whole basis for my self-evaluation was my outward appearance.
I also remember during that time trying to know more about God. Books on Zen Buddhism and other Eastern thought were popular in the early 1970s. I vividly recall sitting in the rocking chair in our basement wondering about my destiny. I even tried to read our Jerusalem Bible, but gave up in the genealogies at the beginning of Genesis. I deeply worried about my future. I was taught that if I committed even one mortal sin before death, I was doomed to a fiery eternity in hell. I did not know the Creator as a personal Father. I did not realize how much He knew about me!
At times, born-again believers need to speak for God, to help others learn to worship Him, and to lead them into practically walking with the Father. Those three jobs are similar to what an Old Testament prophet, priest, and king would do. God prophetically foretold that the coming Messiah would be a prophet like Moses, a priest like Melchizedek, and a king like David. Jesus Christ was all three!
Sherry and I love to go out to eat. A good restaurant offers a win-win situation for all involved. The diners receive a delicious meal in a delightful atmosphere. The owner receives payment and offers a valuable service to his customers. And between the two, the waiting staff has the joy of serving both the owner and his guests, and receiving rewards from both.
Similarly, we have the joy of service and receive rich rewards as we work with our heavenly Father to serve the bread of life to those who are spiritually hungry!
Life Lesson #3: God’s love is what gives me the strength to love myself and others. Over time, responsibilities in life can pile up. The free time once available to take care of personal needs can grow sparse. But even when the pressure is on, God’s people still have needs and God will take care of me as I minister to His chosen.
The second life lesson I’ve learned is instrumentally woven in with humility (Life Lesson #1)—that I must prove everything by the Word of God. The apostle Paul emphasized to the Thessalonians, “Prove all things. Hold fast to the good” (I Thessalonians 5:21).
Happy New Year! The attached PDF file is the result of more than 15 years of study and examination. My goal and desire is that it will serve you as a helpful tool in studying the New Testament. It shows one way that God emphasizes certain truths, and includes many familiar scripture verses regarding fundamental Biblical truths. Enjoy!
Angels know what they are talking about, because they speak what God wants them to announce. Here, the Father is announcing the birth of His Son. This birth announcement is good tidings—wonderful news! And it brings great joy, not just for the shepherds who heard it, but for ALL people!
Luke 2:10,11: And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
Jesus Christ was sent to minister to Israel while on earth.
Matthew 15:24: But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
But Jesus Christ’s life, death, resurrection, ascension, and making available the gift of holy spirit has far-reaching blessings for ALL people. Today, we can be born-again sons of God with “Christ in” us, the hope of glory!
I John 3:1,2: Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God….
Beloved, now are we the sons of God.
Colossians 1:27: To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.
Why are these glad tidings to all people? Because they announce the fulfillment of God’s plan to redeem mankind through the accomplishments of His only-begotten Son. Our loving heavenly Father wants all people to be saved and know the truth. Jesus Christ is the mediator between God and mankind, the savior of the world!
I Timothy 2:4-6:[God] Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.
For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;
Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.
These glad tidings of great joy are the “game changer.” What Adam lost for all mankind, Jesus Christ got back—and much more!
I Corinthians 15:22: For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.
Romans 5:19-21: For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.
…But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:
That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.
By Jesus Christ’s sacrifice, God’s grace abounds to us today. We are saved by grace.
Ephesians 2:8: For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God.
We receive eternal life when we believe on Jesus Christ.
Romans 10:9,10: That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
Let’s have a wonderful holiday season, rejoicing in the glad tidings of great joy that our heavenly Father sent to announce the birth of His Son, our lord and savior Jesus Christ! This is the greatest blessing and good news to ALL PEOPLE!