Category Archives: Forgive Others / Seek Forgiveness

Discerning / Judging, Encouragement, Forgive Others / Seek Forgiveness, Help / Serve Others, Share the Good News

Surely It Can’t Be True That He Is Preaching Christ

Sometimes it is those who were most convinced to oppose Yeshua HaMashiach (the Messiah) and persecute His followers that have the opportunity to become the greatest disciples. Saul had such enthusiasm to persecute disciples of Yeshua that even the apostles avoided him. They were hesitant to even take a chance to meet him. Give Barnabas his due credit for bringing Saul to the apostles. He saw the change in Saul and was able to bring a new believer with great potential as a disciple to connect with the other leading followers of Yeshua.

Saul, of course, is a wonder to watch in this scripture as well. Once Yeshua opened his eyes to the truth, he realized he already knew all that he needed to in order to prove that Yeshua was the Messiah! Saul had just not allowed himself to honestly consider the evidence of Yeshua as Messiah before his encounter with Yeshua on the road to Damascus. Now, in reflection, Saul clearly sees and can prove to others that Yeshua was Messiah all along!

Acts 9:19b-31

Saul Begins to Preach Christ

       Now for several days he was with the disciples who were at Damascus, 20and immediately he began to proclaim Jesus in the synagogues, saying, “He is the Son of God.” 21All those hearing him continued to be amazed, and were saying, “Is this not he who in Jerusalem destroyed those who called on this name, and who had come here for the purpose of bringing them bound before the chief priests?” 22But Saul kept increasing in strength and confounding the Jews who lived at Damascus by proving that this Jesus is the Christ.

      23When many days had elapsed, the Jews plotted together to do away with him, 24but their plot became known to Saul. They were also watching the gates day and night so that they might put him to death; 25but his disciples took him by night and let him down through an opening in the wall, lowering him in a large basket.

      26When he came to Jerusalem, he was trying to associate with the disciples; but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he was a disciple. 27But Barnabas took hold of him and brought him to the apostles and described to them how he had seen the Lord on the road, and that He had talked to him, and how at Damascus he had spoken out boldly in the name of Jesus. 28And he was with them, moving about freely in Jerusalem, speaking out boldly in the name of the Lord. 29And he was talking and arguing with the Hellenistic Jews; but they were attempting to put him to death. 30But when the brethren learned of it, they brought him down to Caesarea and sent him away to Tarsus.

      31So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria enjoyed peace, being built up; and going on in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it continued to increase.

Keep your eyes open for those you least expect to follow Yeshua! You may have a wonderful opportunity to encourage and support them in their new-found faith, as Barnabas was able to help Saul. We must always at least be open to the possibility of even the enemies of Yeshua repenting and turning to become followers themselves.  Take care, though, to use wisdom and discernment. Barnabas did not blindly accept Saul on a word alone, but based on the fruit of Saul’s life demonstrated by his risking his own life to preach the truth.

What an opportunity! Pray God would prepare you for such a time when the world and even many disciples of Yeshua would tell you to keep your distance… and God wants you to draw near to that person.

Perhaps, instead, as you read this you identify more with Saul… persecuting disciples of Yeshua and rebelling against and rejecting Yeshua? Be encouraged… if Yeshua can forgive Saul and make him a chosen instrument for Yahweh to use in spreading the gospel, He can do so for you as well! Turn from your wrong behaviors and thoughts. Ask forgiveness of Yeshua. Submit to and follow Him in your life, even when it is tough… like Saul, when he started preaching the gospel even to the point of receiving persecution himself. Also, seek out mature followers of Yeshua and celebrate for they are your new brothers and sisters!

I invite you to pray with me:

Father, please help me to have discernment towards those who claim to follow Yeshua. Help me to encourage and support those who have genuinely turned away from opposing You and are now supporting You. Help all Your people to pull together as a body and support one another in faith and in action. Help us have clarity for who is genuine and who is fraud. Amen.

Shalom. Devotion by John in service to Christ

—-

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Church / Body of Christ, Consequences of Sin, Discipline / Correction, Discipline / Guidance From God, Forgive Others / Seek Forgiveness, Grace / Patience, Humility, Interceding for Others, Learning To Pray Effectively, Repenting from Sin, Worthy of Fear / Reverence

Accept Correction, Change Behavior, and Seek Forgiveness

Simon was a man who was used to being the center of attention. He had grown accustomed to people being impressed by his tricks… his slights of hand or “magic arts”. When he met Philip and saw the people being baptized in the name of Yeshua and witnessed great signs and miracles… Simon believed.

As a new believer, Simon continued to witness the signs and wonders and was particularly impressed when the apostles laid hands on people and the Holy Spirit was bestowed on them.

Simon made a significant mistake and was rebuked for it by the apostles. He was so impressed by the acts of the apostles that he perhaps slipped back into his typical mindset of making a deal to buy the power of God he saw in front of him. Perhaps he was drawn to being the center of attention again or just excited as a new follower of Christ and he approached the situation from his selfish nature or glorifying himself rather than the selfless nature of glorifying God.

The message of the apostles to Simon was simple and consistent with the ways of Yeshua, turn to Yahweh in repentance and ask for forgiveness. Simon’s response was equally consistent with the ways of Yeshua, please pray for me.

Acts 8:9-24

     9Now there was a man named Simon, who formerly was practicing magic in the city and astonishing the people of Samaria, claiming to be someone great; 10and they all, from smallest to greatest, were giving attention to him, saying, “This man is what is called the Great Power of God.” 11And they were giving him attention because he had for a long time astonished them with his magic arts. 12But when they believed Philip preaching the good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were being baptized, men and women alike. 13Even Simon himself believed; and after being baptized, he continued on with Philip, and as he observed signs and great miracles taking place, he was constantly amazed.

      14Now when the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent them Peter and John, 15who came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit. 16For He had not yet fallen upon any of them; they had simply been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 17Then they began laying their hands on them, and they were receiving the Holy Spirit. 18Now when Simon saw that the Spirit was bestowed through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money, 19saying, “Give this authority to me as well, so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.” 20But Peter said to him, “May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money! 21“You have no part or portion in this matter, for your heart is not right before God. 22“Therefore repent of this wickedness of yours, and pray the Lord that, if possible, the intention of your heart may be forgiven you. 23“For I see that you are in the gall of bitterness and in the bondage of iniquity.” 24But Simon answered and said, “Pray to the Lord for me yourselves, so that nothing of what you have said may come upon me.”

New believers are not instantly changed into mature believers when they say “yes” to Christ for the first time. It is typical that they need love, patience, support, and prayer from more mature believers around them. They are still learning how to follow Yeshua, and do so for His glory rather than their own. They will make mistakes. What we see in Simon though is what appears to be genuine concern for his mistake and a genuine desire to ask forgiveness and receive support in prayer form the apostles.

More mature Christians we can make a point to reach out to and support new Christians… and absolutely to rebuke them and pray for them to help them stay on the right path to relationship with God. New Christians should allow themselves to be humble when they make mistakes… not to get defensive, but rather accept counsel, repent of the wrong behavior, ask forgiveness from God and ask others to pray for them and with them.

Our journey to become more like Yeshua and less like our own selfish nature is a journey that lasts a lifetime… we are never done, but it transforms us along the way. Those who accept correction will grow in wisdom and progress faster and further on the journey toward close relationship with Yeshua.

I invite you to pray with me:

Father, please help me to have a right heart toward You. Help me to focus on bringing glory and honor to You. Give me a spirit that is ready to accept correction (or give it appropriately). Amen.

 Shalom

Devotion by John in service to Christ

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Forgive Others / Seek Forgiveness, Grace / Forgiveness, Repenting from Sin, Teachable

I Am Sure That God Can’t Use Me. How Can He Even Forgive Me?

All of us have made mistakes and rebelled against God at one point or another… choosing our own way over His. Sometimes we can rationalize that it was only a “small” rebellion and can be forgiven. Other times, we have done such terrible things we feel we cannot even be forgiven by God, let alone used for His glory. Without realizing it we are putting limits on God’s forgiveness and reconciliation through Christ.

Let us explore what the Bible has to say about Paul… easily one of the most influential Christians to ever follow and serve Yeshua. The Bible introduces us to Paul, while he is still going by the name of Saul. We can hardly recognize the Saul we meet early in the book of Acts as the Paul who writes so much of the New Testament and influenced so many in his time and for centuries after.

Acts 8:1-3

Saul Persecutes the Church

      1Saul was in hearty agreement with putting [Stephen] to death. And on that day a great persecution began against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. 2Some devout men buried Stephen, and made loud lamentation over him. 3But Saul began ravaging the church, entering house after house, and dragging off men and women, he would put them in prison.

We meet Saul as he helps to execute Stephen. Exploring further back in Acts 6, we see why Stephen was executed… simply because he was so filled with the grace and power of the Holy Spirit that those who rejected Yeshua could not handle it. They had to destroy Him because they were unwilling to change their hearts and their lives to follow Christ.

Acts 6:8-10

     8And Stephen, full of grace and power, was performing great wonders and signs among the people. 9But some men from what was called the Synagogue of the Freedmen, including both Cyrenians and Alexandrians, and some from Cilicia and Asia, rose up and argued with Stephen. 10But they were unable to cope with the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking.

We can only sit back in awe and wonder that our God has made so much forgiveness available to us as His people that someone like Saul, persecuting the followers of Christ zealously, could be turned from that path and toward the path of lifelong servant to Christ.

The truth about forgiveness through Jesus Christ is that there is no sin too great for God to forgive, if we come to Him with repentant spirit. We must be sorry for what we have done and turn away from repeating that behavior and turn toward living the way God says.

It is also true that to continue willingly disregarding God’s commands in any area, no matter how “small” we think it may be, leads to separation between us and God. God cannot have a close relationship with someone who consistently chooses rebellion and their own way over His way.

It is not the “size” of the sin… Yeshua died for all our sins and He is sufficient to cover them no matter what they are… but rather the genuine repentance in our hearts as we come before God that leads to forgiveness and reconciliation with God. God can use each of us as He used Paul… who started persecuting Christians and ended up profoundly serving Christ by teaching others about Him. Praise to God for making a way for us to be forgiven!

I invite you to pray with me:

Father, thank You for Your forgiveness and grace through Yeshua. Please open my eyes to any areas of spiritual blindness or sin that I need to repent of. Please help me have courage to do so. Please help Your people everywhere to totally submit to You and turn toward Your ways. Please influence many who are currently persecuting Your people in positions of authority (government, business, healthcare, education, news media, social media, technology companies, and other areas) to open their eyes and see the truth of Your word and Your spirit, that they would turn from persecuting to proclaiming the gospel as Paul did. Amen. 

 Shalom

Devotion by John in service to Christ

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Forgive Others / Seek Forgiveness, Holy Spirit / Ruach HaKodesh, Interceding for Others, Persecution / Glorifying God, Purposeful / Intentional

A Model of Grace and Forgiveness Under Persecution

We previously discussed the courage and faith of Stephen as demonstrated in Acts 7 in a separate article. Today we are focusing on the same scripture with a different perspective.  Stephen modeled his grace and forgiveness after that shown by Yeshua on the cross. It is a powerful scene.

Stephen was filled with the Holy Spirit. He made a strong, biblical defense stating clearly that he was not teaching against the Law, the temple or Moses, and that Yeshua was the promised Messiah consistent with the Law and teachings of Moses. He directly addressed the history in the leadership of Israel in missing and persecuting Yahweh’s prophets and messengers. His point was that they were likewise missing Messiah in Yeshua. Ultimately, Stephen was taken away (unjustly) and stoned to death.

Acts 7:54-60

Stephen Put to Death

      54Now when they heard this, they were cut to the quick, and they began gnashing their teeth at him. 55But being full of the Holy Spirit, he gazed intently into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God; 56and he said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened up and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” 57But they cried out with a loud voice, and covered their ears and rushed at him with one impulse. 58When they had driven him out of the city, they began stoning him; and the witnesses laid aside their robes at the feet of a young man named Saul. 59They went on stoning Stephen as he called on the Lord and said, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit!” 60Then falling on his knees, he cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them!” Having said this, he fell asleep.

The manner in which Stephen faced his execution is a model to reflect on. He did not just accept it quietly. He made a strong scriptural, Spirit-filled defense filled with boldness and truth. He confronted those who would deny Yeshua even in the face of death. Then, as he was executed, he turned to the LORD and even asked forgiveness for those who were killing him.

I will be the first to admit that I do not do this as well as Stephen even with minor adversarial encounters, and I have never faced what he did.

I invite you to pray with me:

Father, please fill us with Your Holy Spirit so that we may truly and boldly stand for You against those who would come against You. Help us be strong even in the face of personal threats and pressure. Fill us with grace and forgiveness. Amen.

Shalom

Devotion by John in service to Christ

—-

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Courage / Fear, Disobeying, Rebelling Against, Ignoring God, Faith / Trusting God, Forgive Others / Seek Forgiveness, Holy Spirit / Ruach HaKodesh, Persecution / Glorifying God, Purposeful / Intentional, Submitted / Servant, Unteachable / Foolish

The Courage and Faith of Stephen

All too often Christians think of the earthly ministry of Yeshua as the start of the history of their faith.  At the risk of startling some, I must emphasize that this is most certainly not the case.  Clearly understanding the history of God’s people and His relationship with them is important for understanding and applying God’s word even today and in the future.  Stephen understood clearly and demonstrated his knowledge in addressing the religious leaders of the day in Acts 7 in regards to accusations that he was a heretic for proclaiming Yeshua.  It is just as important today for us to study and understand the full history of God’s people including the whole of the Old Testament as foundational for Biblical interpretation and Christianity itself.

Stephen points out that many of the religious leaders and God’s people have consistently rejected those whom God chooses to lead throughout time… even those that later generations would praise and hold up as “patriarchs” and leaders of faith. Stephen highlights Joseph, Moses, and of course Yeshua is the most recent example Stephen points to as he confronts those who reject Him. It is quite ironic that Stephen was being accused for teaching against the ways of Moses and God, and in his defense, he defended both Moses and God (in the person of Yeshua) and it only angered his accusers even more. Those who accused him were not able to see the truth, as many who have come before and after them.

Surely Stephen understood that a direct confrontation with the religious leaders would result in his likely execution and it did. Stephen stood courageously on the truth and laid out his life as an offering and sacrifice to God.

Demonstrating an attitude of love and forgiveness in the model of Yeshua, Stephen even prays for God to forgive them as the stone him. What a powerful witness that must have been to those watching. We cannot fully know who that influenced and how, but we know that God was pleased and now Stephen is spending eternity with our Creator.

Acts 7

Stephen’s Defense

      1The high priest said, “Are these things so?”

      2And he said, “Hear me, brethren and fathers! The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham when he was in Mesopotamia, before he lived in Haran, 3and said to him, ‘LEAVE YOUR COUNTRY AND YOUR RELATIVES, AND COME INTO THE LAND THAT I WILL SHOW YOU.’ 4“Then he left the land of the Chaldeans and settled in Haran. From there, after his father died, God had him move to this country in which you are now living. 5“But He gave him no inheritance in it, not even a foot of ground, and yet, even when he had no child, He promised that HE WOULD GIVE IT TO HIM AS A POSSESSION, AND TO HIS DESCENDANTS AFTER HIM. 6“But God spoke to this effect, that his DESCENDANTS WOULD BE ALIENS IN A FOREIGN LAND, AND THAT THEY WOULD BE ENSLAVED AND MISTREATED FOR FOUR HUNDRED YEARS. 7“ ‘AND WHATEVER NATION TO WHICH THEY WILL BE IN BONDAGE I MYSELF WILL JUDGE,’ said God, ‘AND AFTER THAT THEY WILL COME OUT AND SERVE ME IN THIS PLACE.’ 8“And He gave him the covenant of circumcision; and so Abraham became the father of Isaac, and circumcised him on the eighth day; and Isaac became the father of Jacob, and Jacob of the twelve patriarchs.

      9“The patriarchs became jealous of Joseph and sold him into Egypt. Yet God was with him, 10and rescued him from all his afflictions, and granted him favor and wisdom in the sight of Pharaoh, king of Egypt, and he made him governor over Egypt and all his household.

      11“Now a famine came over all Egypt and Canaan, and great affliction with it, and our fathers could find no food. 12“But when Jacob heard that there was grain in Egypt, he sent our fathers there the first time. 13“On the second visit Joseph made himself known to his brothers, and Joseph’s family was disclosed to Pharaoh. 14“Then Joseph sent word and invited Jacob his father and all his relatives to come to him, seventy-five persons in all. 15“And Jacob went down to Egypt and there he and our fathers died. 16“From there they were removed to Shechem and laid in the tomb which Abraham had purchased for a sum of money from the sons of Hamor in Shechem.

      17“But as the time of the promise was approaching which God had assured to Abraham, the people increased and multiplied in Egypt, 18until THERE AROSE ANOTHER KING OVER EGYPT WHO KNEW NOTHING ABOUT JOSEPH. 19“It was he who took shrewd advantage of our race and mistreated our fathers so that they would expose their infants and they would not survive. 20“It was at this time that Moses was born; and he was lovely in the sight of God, and he was nurtured three months in his father’s home. 21“And after he had been set outside, Pharaoh’s daughter took him away and nurtured him as her own son. 22“Moses was educated in all the learning of the Egyptians, and he was a man of power in words and deeds. 23“But when he was approaching the age of forty, it entered his mind to visit his brethren, the sons of Israel. 24“And when he saw one of them being treated unjustly, he defended him and took vengeance for the oppressed by striking down the Egyptian. 25“And he supposed that his brethren understood that God was granting them deliverance through him, but they did not understand. 26“On the following day he appeared to them as they were fighting together, and he tried to reconcile them in peace, saying, ‘Men, you are brethren, why do you injure one another?’ 27“But the one who was injuring his neighbor pushed him away, saying, ‘WHO MADE YOU A RULER AND JUDGE OVER US? 28‘YOU DO NOT MEAN TO KILL ME AS YOU KILLED THE EGYPTIAN YESTERDAY, DO YOU?’ 29“At this remark, MOSES FLED AND BECAME AN ALIEN IN THE LAND OF MIDIAN, where he became the father of two sons.

      30“After forty years had passed, AN ANGEL APPEARED TO HIM IN THE WILDERNESS OF MOUNT Sinai, IN THE FLAME OF A BURNING THORN BUSH. 31“When Moses saw it, he marveled at the sight; and as he approached to look more closely, there came the voice of the Lord: 32‘I AM THE GOD OF YOUR FATHERS, THE GOD OF ABRAHAM AND ISAAC AND JACOB.’ Moses shook with fear and would not venture to look. 33“BUT THE LORD SAID TO HIM, ‘TAKE OFF THE SANDALS FROM YOUR FEET, FOR THE PLACE ON WHICH YOU ARE STANDING IS HOLY GROUND. 34‘I HAVE CERTAINLY SEEN THE OPPRESSION OF MY PEOPLE IN EGYPT AND HAVE HEARD THEIR GROANS, AND I HAVE COME DOWN TO RESCUE THEM; COME NOW, AND I WILL SEND YOU TO EGYPT.’

      35“This Moses whom they disowned, saying, ‘WHO MADE YOU A RULER AND A JUDGE?’ is the one whom God sent to be both a ruler and a deliverer with the help of the angel who appeared to him in the thorn bush. 36“This man led them out, performing wonders and signs in the land of Egypt and in the Red Sea and in the wilderness for forty years. 37“This is the Moses who said to the sons of Israel, ‘GOD WILL RAISE UP FOR YOU A PROPHET LIKE ME FROM YOUR BRETHREN.’ 38“This is the one who was in the congregation in the wilderness together with the angel who was speaking to him on Mount Sinai, and who was with our fathers; and he received living oracles to pass on to you. 39“Our fathers were unwilling to be obedient to him, but repudiated him and in their hearts turned back to Egypt, 40SAYING TO AARON, ‘MAKE FOR US GODS WHO WILL GO BEFORE US; FOR THIS MOSES WHO LED US OUT OF THE LAND OF EGYPT—WE DO NOT KNOW WHAT HAPPENED TO HIM.’ 41“At that time they made a calf and brought a sacrifice to the idol, and were rejoicing in the works of their hands. 42“But God turned away and delivered them up to serve the host of heaven; as it is written in the book of the prophets, ‘IT WAS NOT TO ME THAT YOU OFFERED VICTIMS AND SACRIFICES FORTY YEARS IN THE WILDERNESS, WAS IT, O HOUSE OF ISRAEL? 43‘YOU ALSO TOOK ALONG THE TABERNACLE OF MOLOCH AND THE STAR OF THE GOD ROMPHA, THE IMAGES WHICH YOU MADE TO WORSHIP. I ALSO WILL REMOVE YOU BEYOND BABYLON.’

      44“Our fathers had the tabernacle of testimony in the wilderness, just as He who spoke to Moses directed him to make it according to the pattern which he had seen. 45“And having received it in their turn, our fathers brought it in with Joshua upon dispossessing the nations whom God drove out before our fathers, until the time of David. 46“David found favor in God’s sight, and asked that he might find a dwelling place for the God of Jacob. 47“But it was Solomon who built a house for Him. 48“However, the Most High does not dwell in houses made by human hands; as the prophet says:

      49‘HEAVEN IS MY THRONE,
AND EARTH IS THE FOOTSTOOL OF MY FEET;
WHAT KIND OF HOUSE WILL YOU BUILD FOR ME?’ says the Lord,
‘OR WHAT PLACE IS THERE FOR MY REPOSE?

      50‘WAS IT NOT MY HAND WHICH MADE ALL THESE THINGS?’

      51“You men who are stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears are always resisting the Holy Spirit; you are doing just as your fathers did. 52“Which one of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? They killed those who had previously announced the coming of the Righteous One, whose betrayers and murderers you have now become; 53you who received the law as ordained by angels, and yet did not keep it.”

 Stephen Put to Death

      54Now when they heard this, they were cut to the quick, and they began gnashing their teeth at him. 55But being full of the Holy Spirit, he gazed intently into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God; 56and he said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened up and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” 57But they cried out with a loud voice, and covered their ears and rushed at him with one impulse. 58When they had driven him out of the city, they began stoning him; and the witnesses laid aside their robes at the feet of a young man named Saul. 59They went on stoning Stephen as he called on the Lord and said, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit!” 60Then falling on his knees, he cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them!” Having said this, he fell asleep.

Do you want faith and courage like that of Stephen? I certainly do!

I invite you to pray with me:

Father, please guide Your people in the Holy Spirit and fill us with courage to stand boldly to proclaim the good news of our Messiah no matter who the audience may be. Please strengthen my faith so that I stand my ground on the truth of Your revelation in scripture and in the earthly ministry of Yeshua even if it costs me my life. May my life bring glory and honor to You and Your name rather than comfort to me. Amen.

Those who truly believe in Christ and submit to Him have the hope of everlasting life with Him in Heaven even after we “fall asleep” in this life.

Shalom

Devotion by John in service to Christ

—-

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Courage / Fear, Faith / Trusting God, Forgive Others / Seek Forgiveness, Purposeful / Intentional, Share the Good News, Submitted / Servant

Everyone Who Does Evil Hates The Light

Stephen, full of grace and power, was performing great wonders and signs among the people. For many, this wonderful evidence of God likely led them to accept Yeshua as Lord, for others it truly helped them grow stronger in their faith, but for others who dwell in darkness… they hate the light and they will rise up to attack those who genuinely stand for God.

John 3:19  19“This is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil. 20“For everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come to the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. 21“But he who practices the truth comes to the Light, so that his deeds may be manifested as having been wrought in God.”

Wicked men, who love to do evil will always come against those who bring the light of Yeshua to the spiritually dark places throughout this world. It is not enough for them to choose to live in darkness, they feel driven to extinguish the light.

Acts 6:8-15  8And Stephen, full of grace and power, was performing great wonders and signs among the people. 9But some men from what was called the Synagogue of the Freedmen, including both Cyrenians and Alexandrians, and some from Cilicia and Asia, rose up and argued with Stephen. 10But they were unable to cope with the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking. 11Then they secretly induced men to say, “We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and against God.” 12And they stirred up the people, the elders and the scribes, and they came up to him and dragged him away and brought him before the Council. 13They put forward false witnesses who said, “This man incessantly speaks against this holy place and the Law; 14for we have heard him say that this Nazarene, Jesus, will destroy this place and alter the customs which Moses handed down to us.” 15And fixing their gaze on him, all who were sitting in the Council saw his face like the face of an angel.

We must remember and prepare to face persecution when we stand boldly for God and proclaim the truth of the gospel. Prepare by daily study of God’s word in the Bible and through daily prayer time with Yahweh. Ask the LORD to work through You in the power of the Holy Spirit, which is available to us as followers of Yeshua. Prepare for Spiritual battle, for it will come when we stand for Christ. Pray for Yahweh’s help that you stand strong when the persecution comes, as Stephen did. Do not apologize for or water down the true gospel to make it more acceptable to the wicked and worldly… for this would essentially be dimming the light ourselves to blend with darkness and shadow. A dim light is of little use to anyone.

I invite you to pray with me:

Father, please help the righteous stand strong against the wicked. Help the light overpower the darkness and bring honor and glory to Your name. Thank You for Your Spirit and Your word to strengthen us. Thank You for sending Messiah that we may be reconciled to You despite our sin. Help prepare us for any confrontations we may face, even though they likely will not be as severe as what Stephen faced. Help remind us to pray for those who do face that kind of persecution around the world. Amen. 

We encourage you to review the following teachings as part of basic preparation.

Shalom

Devotion by John in service to Christ

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Forgive Others / Seek Forgiveness, Grace / Forgiveness, Learning To Pray Effectively, Loving / Kind, Merciful, Repenting from Sin, Salvation, Seeking God, Submitted / Servant

Steps to Peace with Yahweh

Do you experience peace and joy in your life based on a foundation of your relationship with our Creator, Yahweh? Do you want to share your faith more confidently and effectively with others?  Please consider the following resource from the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association.

The Christian Life and Witness Course is a course that is designed to help provide people with a basic foundation of living for Christ and also how to witness and share their faith with others effectively. The material is good, even if ordered off the BGEA association website and conducted offline personally via DVD training instead of face-to-face training. I recommend it and there is much more to it than what I share here in this article. Please click on the link above in this article to check it out in more detail.

I will highlight in today’s article just one of the summary resources to help communicate key concepts and peak your interest. There is a very nice summary booklet to guide a discussion with non believers about your faith in Christ and also to check your own relationship with Christ along the way. It is a booklet titled Steps To Peace With God.

Step 1: God’s Purpose: Peace and Life

God loves you and wants you to experience peace and life – abundant and eternal.

“We have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Romans 5:1

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16

“I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” John 10:10

We must ask ourselves… “Why don’t most people have this peace and abundant life that God planned for us to have?” Even most of us who identify as Christians do not have this peace and abundant life!

Step 2: The Problem: Our Separation

God created us in His own image to have an abundant life. He did not make us as robots to automatically love and obey Him. God gave us a will and freedom of choice.

We choose to disobey God and go our own willful way. We still make this choice today. This results in separation from God.

“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23

“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:23

Our choice (sin) results in separation from God (holy).

Our Attempts To Reach God

People have tried in many ways to bridge this gap between themselves and God…

“There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.” Proverbs 14:12

“But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear.” Isaiah 59:2

No bridge made by man can reach God… not good works, not religion, not philosophy, not morality. Only one bridge can reach God.

Step 3: God’s Bridge – The Cross

Jesus Christ died on the cross and rose from the grave. He paid the penalty for our sin and bridged the gap between God and people.

“For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.” 1 Timothy 2:5

“For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God.” 1 Peter 3:18

“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8

God has provided the only way… Each person must make a choice…

Step 4: Our Response – Receive Christ

We must trust Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and receive Him by personal invitation.

“Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.” Revelation 3:20

“Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.” John 1:12

“That if you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” Romans 10:9

Where are you? Are you separated from God, in sin, rebellion, and separation? or have you received Jesus as a bridge to be reconciled with God and now experiencing peace, forgiveness, abundant life, and eternal life?

Will you receive Jesus Christ right now?

    1. Admit your need. (I am a sinner).
    2. Be willing to turn from your sins (repent).
    3. Believe that Jesus Christ died for you on the cross and rose from the grave.
    4. Through prayer, invite Jesus Christ to come in and control your life through the Holy Spirit. (Receive Him as Lord and Savior.)

An example of how to pray

Dear Lord Jesus,

I know that I am a sinner, and I ask for Your forgiveness. I believe You died for my sins and rose from the dead. I turn from my sins and invite You to come into my heart and life. I want to trust and follow You as my Lord and Savior.

In Jesus name, Amen.

God’s Assurance: His Word

“Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Romans 10:13

Did you sincerely ask Jesus Christ to come into your life? Where is He right now? What has He given you?

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9

Receiving Christ, we are born into God’s family through the supernatural work of the Holy Spirit who indwells every believer. This is called regeneration, or the “new birth.”

“He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.” 1 John 5:12-13

This is just the beginning of a wonderful new life in Christ. To deepen this relationship you should:

  1. Read your Bible every day to know Christ better.
  2. Talk to God in prayer every day.
  3. Tell others about Christ.
  4. Worship, fellowship, and serve with other Christians where Christ is preached according to the Bible.
  5. As Christ’s representative in a needy world, demonstrate your new life by your love and concern for others.

I encourage you again to consider reviewing the full training course material from BGEA using the link at the beginning of the article. May the grace and peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

—-

Have you submitted your life to Jesus Christ? If you die today, do you know for sure that you would be with God in heaven? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

WIN_20160727_20_38_34_Pro

WIN_20160727_20_35_17_Pro

*Pictures and much of the content shared is from BGEA Steps to Peace With God booklet.

Disobeying, Rebelling Against, Ignoring God, Envy / Jealousy / Coveting, False Prophets / Teachers, Forgive Others / Seek Forgiveness, Loving / Kind, Salvation

Yeshua Is The Christ, Not Just a Teacher or Prophet

Those who claim to be holy, set apart for service to Yahweh, are not always what they pretend to be. Certainly this is true today, but we see a dramatic example of this principle in Mark 14.  The chief priests plotted with Judas to betray Yeshua in exchange for money in Mark 14:10-11. Now, later in Mark 14, we see the chief priests with elders and scribes gathered against Him. They are not interested in justice or carrying out Yahweh’s will. They are jealous of Yeshua’s influence and concerned that it challenges their authority. They are willing to murder Him unjustly, but they will make a show of it so they have “cover”.

Even these same priests, who no doubt helped provide the false witnesses to testify against Yeshua, could not find enough consistency in the lies to convict Him. It is only when Yeshua chooses to no longer remain silent that they are able to proceed with their plans.

In no uncertain terms, Yeshua here claims that He is the Son of Yahweh and not simply a teacher or prophet. How interesting that the chief priests, who claim to believe that they are waiting for the coming of the Christ, so quickly convict Yeshua because He admits to being the Christ. They never even considered the evidence that He may be the one they claim to be waiting for!

Mark 14:53-65

Jesus before His Accusers

      53They led Jesus away to the high priest; and all the chief priests and the elders and the scribes gathered together. 54Peter had followed Him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest; and he was sitting with the officers and warming himself at the fire. 55Now the chief priests and the whole Council kept trying to obtain testimony against Jesus to put Him to death, and they were not finding any. 56For many were giving false testimony against Him, but their testimony was not consistent. 57Some stood up and began to give false testimony against Him, saying, 58“We heard Him say, ‘I will destroy this temple made with hands, and in three days I will build another made without hands.’” 59Not even in this respect was their testimony consistent. 60The high priest stood up and came forward and questioned Jesus, saying, “Do You not answer? What is it that these men are testifying against You?” 61But He kept silent and did not answer. Again the high priest was questioning Him, and saying to Him, “Are You the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One?” 62And Jesus said, “I am; and you shall see THE SON OF MAN SITTING AT THE RIGHT HAND OF POWER, and COMING WITH THE CLOUDS OF HEAVEN.” 63Tearing his clothes, the high priest said, “What further need do we have of witnesses? 64“You have heard the blasphemy; how does it seem to you?” And they all condemned Him to be deserving of death. 65Some began to spit at Him, and to blindfold Him, and to beat Him with their fists, and to say to Him, “Prophesy!” And the officers received Him with slaps in the face.

The hypocrisy is sickening. Pure theater by the religious elite. They were not having a trial, they were murdering someone to silence a voice that taught scripture more effectively and truthfully than their man made complex set of requirements no one could follow. This is not unique to Jewish leaders, as it has played out through history also with the Catholic church as well. There are plenty today that teach false, man made doctrine as well.

Watch how they are unable to convict Yeshua without His own testimony! He was so innocent of real sin they could not charge Him on the basis of accurate witnesses. They could not even stage people competently to lie about Him. Continuing in His selfless act of love, Yeshua knew what must come to pass. He speaks the truth, giving the chief priests what they need to condemn Him and execute Him. They waste no time mistreating and brutalizing Him.

Yeshua was innocent of sin. He suffered and died willingly to be a sacrifice for my sin and yours. Picture it as yourself on trial, only we have all done enough wrong they would not need false witnesses. We deserve death as penalty for sin. Yeshua spares us, if we choose Him as Lord and follow Him.

Praise the Father for His plan of salvation for us. Praise to Yeshua for dying for us. What a wonderful act of love!

John 15:13-14

13“Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends. 14“You are My friends if you do what I command you.

I invite you to pray with me:

Father, thank You for Yeshua, who died for our sins, so we could be reconciled. Give us as Your people that same kind of courage to stand up for You and Your ways. Let us stand in truth even when it is hard. Help guide us and give us the words to say when we are persecuted for our faith and refuse to accept the wicked ways of man. Amen.

Have you submitted your life to Jesus Christ? Are you living today filled with the peace and joy of truly knowing and following Jesus Christ? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Consequences of Sin, Fear / Reverence for God, Forgive Others / Seek Forgiveness, Grace / Forgiveness, Holy, Justice / Judgment, Obeying God, Submitted / Servant, Worthy of Fear / Reverence

God Is a Consuming Fire

Yahweh is often represented as some kind of pushover or marshmallow who is happy with any who even sort of identify with Him even if they are not really submitted to Him. No one says it as directly as this, but we should reflect on how we compromise with the culture and world around us as an indicator. Yah calls us to be a set apart people, holy, for His purposes. We should not put other gods or focus areas in our lives competing with Him or sharing our priority with Him. This could be work, golf, power, money, sports, and literally accepting other gods as another way to salvation, even if we don’t follow them. It could be putting government on God’s place as our father and provider. It could be many things.

What is more direct is those that outright oppose God. This could be in choices like abortion, taking God out of school and government, persecuting those who do follow Yah and many others.

God is a consuming fire, not a marshmallow. He is not insecure and desperately seeking any type of friendship, even half hearted. He expects all of us!

I am sharing the below article from GotQuestions.org.

—-

What Does it Mean That God Is a Consuming Fire?

God is first identified as a “consuming fire” in Deuteronomy 4:24 and 9:3. The writer to the Hebrews reiterates, warning the Hebrews to worship God with reverence and awe “for our God is a consuming fire.” There is nothing mysterious about the Hebrew and Greek words translated “consuming fire.” They mean exactly that—a fire that utterly consumes or destroys. How, then, can a loving and merciful God also be a consuming fire that utterly destroys?

In both Deuteronomy passages in which God is called a consuming fire, Moses is speaking first to warn the Israelites against idolatry (Deuteronomy 4:23-25) because God is a “jealous God” and will not share His glory with worthless idols. Idolatry provokes Him to a righteous anger which is justified when His holiness is disrespected. In Deuteronomy 9:3, Moses again refers to God as a consuming (or devouring) fire who would go ahead of the Israelites into the Promised Land, destroying and subduing their enemies before them. Here again we see God’s wrath against those who oppose Him depicted as fire that utterly consumes and destroys anything in His path.

There are several incidents in which God’s wrath, judgment, holiness or power are displayed by fire from heaven. Aaron’s sons Abihu and Nadab were destroyed by fire when they offered a profane sacrifice, “strange fire,” in the tabernacle, a sign of their disregard for the utter holiness of God and the need to honor Him in solemn and holy fear. The confrontation between Elijah and the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel is another example of consuming fire from God. The prophets of Baal called upon their god all day long to rain fire from heaven to no avail. Then Elijah built an altar of stones, dug a ditch around it, put the sacrifice on the top of wood and called for water to be poured over his sacrifice three times. Elijah called upon God, and God sent fire down from heaven, completely consuming the sacrifice, the wood, and the stones and licked up the water in the ditch. Then His anger turned against the false prophets, and they were all killed. When prophesying the destruction of the Assyrians, who resisted the true and living God and warred against His people, Isaiah refers to the tongue of the Lord as a consuming fire and His “arm coming down with raging anger and consuming fire” (Isaiah 30:27-30).

God’s holiness is the reason for His being a consuming fire, and it burns up anything unholy. The holiness of God is that part of His nature that most separates Him from sinful man. The godless, Isaiah writes, tremble before Him: “Who of us can dwell with the consuming fire? Who of us can dwell with everlasting burning?” Isaiah answers this by saying that only the righteous can withstand the consuming fire of God’s wrath against sin, because sin is an offense to God’s holiness. But Isaiah also assures us that no amount of our own righteousness is sufficient (Isaiah 64:6).

Fortunately, God has provided the righteousness we need by sending Jesus Christ to die on the cross for the sins of all who would ever believe in Him. In that one act, Christ mitigates God’s wrath, exchanging His perfect righteousness for our sin. “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Corinthians 5:21). All the wrath of God was poured out on Jesus, so that those who belong to Him would not have to suffer the same fate as the Assyrians. “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (Hebrews 10:31), but we need not fear the consuming fire of God’s wrath if we are covered by the purifying blood of Christ.

—-

I invite you to pray with me:

Father, please help me be fully submitted and devoted to You. Let me not try to be in relationship and submission to You half hearted. I want to be all in. Please forgive me for my sins and failures through the blood of Christ. Thank You for Your Grace and mercy. Amen.

Shalom

Devotion by John in service to Christ

—-

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

 

 

Forgive Others / Seek Forgiveness, Grace / Forgiveness

If You Do Not Forgive, Your Father Will Not Forgive You

Scripture today is short on length, but long on meaning. Take time to really reflect on forgiveness. Mark 11 is one of many places this is addressed. Do not breeze over it. We are all guilty before God. We all need forgiveness. Thus we should pay attention to anything which may get in the way of that.

Mark 11:25-26

25“Whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father who is in heaven will also forgive you your transgressions. 26[“But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father who is in heaven forgive your transgressions.”]

Forgiveness is quite interesting in another perspective as well. If we don’t forgive, if we instead hold bitterness… we hurt ourselves. It affects us even if the other person is totally unaware or does not care. We actually help ourselves in more ways than one to embrace forgiveness. I recognize that it is harder for some, so ask for His help!

I invite you to pray with me:

Father, thank You for Your forgiveness of my sins. I pray You would help me to forgive others quickly and for Your glory. Let my life and the lives of Your people be characterized by forgiveness and being forgiven. Amen.

 Shalom

Devotion by John in service to Christ

—-

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.