Category: The Resurrection

For September 18, 2022
A typical human responses to conflict is to fight, flight, or avoid (suppress). However, Jesus Christ instituted a higher standard that we as Christians are to follow,

Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. Matthew 5:10-12 (NKJV)

Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior lived a life that fulfilled God’s Law and introduced faith principles that both separate and distinguish His Followers from the world. They also answer these five essential questions,

1. 1. How unshakable is my faith in Jesus Christ?
   2. How important is my relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ and my love for God?
   3. Since I have accepted Christ as my Savior, have I made Him my life’s priority?
   4. Am I willing to surrender all my worldly pursuits and possessions to Him?
   5. Am I willing to obey God’s Word (the Bible), and use it as the standard governing my life?

Jesus tells us to turn the other cheek when challenged and not to resist evil. We also go the extra mile, extend ourselves to those in need, love our enemies, and forgive “seventy times seven” even if the offending person does not ask for forgiveness. (cf., Matthew 5:38-48; 6:14-15, 18:21-22) Instead of retaliation, we trust the Lord for justice, since vengeance is His, and He will repay. (Romans 12:19)

Jesus Christ is our supreme role model for expressing these remarkable characteristics our broken world deems as “abnormal.” As the “Body of Christ” (1 Corinthians 12:27), we function at various levels of similitude because of our vastly different levels of spiritual growth. We do not have His innate moral and spiritual perfection, for if we were perfect, we’d have no need for Him as our Savior.

The Book of Acts offers a snapshot of the Christian Church’s formation through the evangelistic work of the Apostles and other First Century Christians. Even the most casual reader must acknowledge the global spiritual, moral, social, and historical impact they made under the Lord’s authority,

And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen. Matthew 28:18-20 (NKJV)

Acts begins with the Lord instructing His Followers to wait in Jerusalem until they receive the promise of the Holy Spirit. Then, it tells how, on the Day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit descended on them while they were in the upper room, praying in one accord, and waiting for God’s manifestation to appear.

All at once, they proclaimed the message of Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection for the forgiveness of sins and the gift of eternal life under the Holy Spirit’s power with great boldness, conviction, and courage. Almost overnight, the Gospel or “Good News” of Jesus Christ spread from Jerusalem to every remote corner of the world.

Miraculous signs and wonders followed these Spirit-powered men and women as they shared how they encountered the living Christ individually. His tomb was empty; He was no longer dead, but alive and seated at the right hand of God. Their message “turned the world upside down.” (Acts 17:6)

They encountered severe backlash, as they became a threat to established faith groups and the Roman government. When challenged today, we often become combatant and organize a protest campaign, but not so with these First Century Followers of Christ. As the world ridiculed, criticized, persecuted, imprisoned, condemned, and martyred them, the Christian movement or The Way continued to grow exponentially and flourish spiritually. (cf., Acts 9:2; 22:4)

People noticed how Jesus Christ was with them and that He gave them an unnatural response to hostility (my emphasis),

Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus. (Acts 4:13)

Further,

So they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name. (Acts 5:41)

They didn’t evade pressure, run from conflict, hide from their persecutors, or conform to the secular societal demands their enemies had imposed on them. They understood that our battle is not against physical foes, it’s against sinister spiritual ones. (cf., John 18:36, 1 Corinthians 10:3-6, Ephesians 6:10-18) Therefore, they welcomed trials and rejoiced through them, knowing that although we are in the world, we are not of it. As our Master suffered, we too must suffer, just as He forewarned,

If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also. John 15:18-20 (NKJV)

They resolved to endure all things for their Savior. Standing firm in their convictions, they continued their normal, day-to-day activities by preaching, teaching, and living out their faith in Christ. Each day they grew more resolute for Christ, fully persuaded that whatever the outcome—good or bad—He was with them, and He was preparing a glorious Heavenly home for them as well. His shed blood and physical resurrection, along with the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, made their eternal destiny certain.

This is the core of our compelling Christian witness: Jesus Christ has given us the victory over sin and death,

These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world. John 16:33 (NKJV)

Also,

But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord. 1 Corinthians 15:57-58 (NKJV)

While we tarry in this sin-broken world, we will not triumph over all the conflicts we face. Yet, our Lord will never to leave or forsake us, even in difficult and uncertain times, and whatever trial we face, He will not let us suffer more than we can bear. Instead, He makes the way of escape so we can endure it. (cf., Deuteronomy 31:8, Psalm 23:4, 1 Corinthians 10:12-13)

The Spirit of our living, reigning Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, Who subjected Himself to every human affliction and overcame, abides within us, and He gives us the ability to rejoice or glory, Greek kauchaomai (Strong-G2744)¹, in our tribulations.

Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, today, and forever. (Hebrews 13:8) Won’t you give Him your heart today so that you can experience His victory over sin and death?

What a Wonderful Savior!

For September 4, 2022
When someone acknowledges that they have accepted Christ as their personal Savior, their moral and spiritual dimensions improve drastically as they become new creatures in Christ. No longer bound by sin, we live a life free to choose God’s best for us without the influence of sin and self to distract us,

Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave of sin. A slave is not a permanent member of the family, but a son is part of the family forever. So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free.” John 8:34-36 (NLT)

When we put our faith in Jesus as our personal Lord and Savior, we become Born Again. His Holy Spirit enlivens us; just as if He turns on the “no longer dead” switch inside us. We come to know His deep, lasting peace, joy and fulfillment. And when God looks at us, He does not see our sin. He sees Jesus’ righteousness.

Our spiritual transformation is unlike anything we could ever know or experience in this life. For the first time, we can know and love Him as our merciful Redeemer. We are His offspring, and like newborn babes, we yearn for more of His presence and intimacy. Christ in us becomes our hope of glory and power over sin,

What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his. For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin—because anyone who has died has been set free from sin. Romans 6:1-7 (NIV)

There are people who claim to know Jesus, and yet they have no desire to know Him. They are the professors whose god is the self. Their life’s mission is to get all they can with little or no consideration for God or the welfare of others.

On the other hand, possessors need the Lord Jesus Christ, and they invite Him to live and reign in their hearts. They earnestly seek Him as He satisfies their every desire and meets their needs.

We can be forever grateful to the Lord Jesus Christ for the everlasting life we have received and will soon experience. To secure this eternal and amazing gift of God’s grace and love, He performed a wonderful sacrifice on Calvary’s Cross on our behalf we were unwilling and incapable of performing for ourselves. Since He rose from the dead, we know for certain that we too will triumph over death,

And if Christ has not been raised, then your faith is useless and you are still guilty of your sins. In that case, all who have died believing in Christ are lost! And if our hope in Christ is only for this life, we are more to be pitied than anyone in the world. But in fact, Christ has been raised from the dead. He is the first of a great harvest of all who have died… But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:17-20, 57 (NLT)

Proverbs 4:18 (NIV) reads: “The path of the righteous is like the morning sun, shining ever brighter till the full light of day.” As we walk in the power of the Holy Spirit, we become His resplendent witnesses who glorify the Lord while blessing others and ourselves in the process. Won’t you try Jesus and let Him give you the victory over sin and death today?

What a Wonderful Savior!

For August 28, 2022
It is amazing how fallible, finite human beings can live as though they will never have to face the consequences of their actions. We did not create the heavens and the earth. God did, and He continues to guard what is His with all power and authority.

Thus, those who believe they can engage in human trafficking, abuse innocent children, terrorize the weak, or intimidate or bully the defenseless—with impunity—are deceiving themselves. For God is taking notice, as the Ancient King Solomon warns (my emphasis),

Don’t rob the poor just because you can, or exploit the needy in court. For the LORD is their defender. He will ruin anyone who ruins them. Proverbs 22:22-23 (NLT)

Our Lord Jesus Christ also poses a severe warning to anyone who afflicts His precious “Little Ones,”

But if you cause one of these little ones who trusts in me to fall into sin, it would be better for you to have a large millstone tied around your neck and be drowned in the depths of the sea. What sorrow awaits the world, because it tempts people to sin. Temptations are inevitable, but what sorrow awaits the person who does the tempting… Beware that you don’t look down on any of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels are always in the presence of my heavenly Father. Matthew 18:6-7, 10 (NLT)

Because of human depravity, sin flourishes in our world as human hearts and minds will choose to sin without concern for the safety and well being of our neighbor, just as Psalm 37:32 (NLT) teaches,

The wicked wait in ambush for the godly, looking for an excuse to kill them.

Such was the Old Testament Cain’s demeanor, whose feelings of guilt and shame prompted him to set an ambush to murder Abel, his brother, after God rebuked him for his flawed conduct. God chastened Cain for not offering his “sacrificial best” to the Lord. Instead, he presented an “insulting tip” to God with what was of minimal value, which is never an equitable or proper response to the goodness and bounty that God bestows to us.

Yet, God is still loving and patient—even in our sin. Cain disrespected God, and instead of chiding Cain for his substandard conduct, God challenges him to acknowledge his sin, repent, and get his mind and heart right,

“Why are you so angry?” the LORD asked Cain. “Why do you look so dejected? You will be accepted if you do what is right. But if you refuse to do what is right, then watch out! Sin is crouching at the door, eager to control you. But you must subdue it and be its master.” Genesis 4:6-7 (NLT)

As God saw Cain’s true motives and despicable behavior back then, He sees our motives and behavior today. We cannot hide from His observation as the Psalmist attests,

I can never escape from your Spirit! I can never get away from your presence! If I go up to heaven, you are there; if I go down to the grave, you are there. If I ride the wings of the morning, if I dwell by the farthest oceans, even there your hand will guide me, and your strength will support me. I could ask the darkness to hide me and the light around me to become night—but even in darkness I cannot hide from you. To you the night shines as bright as day. Darkness and light are the same to you. Psalm 139:7-12 (NLT)

Moreover, God has chosen us—individually and specifically—to accomplish His mission and purpose for the world and ourselves. There’s no other person on this earth quite like us. The Bible tells us we are fearfully and wonderfully made in His image. (cf., Genesis 1:27, Psalm 139:14) Thus, we should never feel that we are mistakes or afterthoughts to God.

He created us as male and female to be unique individuals who fulfill His perfect, eternal design for all humanity. He made us, with all our complexities, to bring Him honor, and not the Enemy. Our bodies are His extensions of love and goodness and should never be the Enemy’s weapons for destruction and death. As His crowning achievements of creation and grace, we live out His perfect plan He imparted to us before we were born,

You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you. John 15:16 (NKJV)

…According to the power of God, who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began. I Timothy 1:8b-9 (NKJV)

Through Christ, we can know God’s perfect plan for redemption as we surrender to Him and make Him, who died for our sins and rose for our justification, our personal Lord and Savior.

Breaking News! God is not dead, and He is watching us …right now! Soon He will return for a reckoning of our righteousness and wickedness. Won’t you surrender your heart to Him so that He can use you for His glory today?

What a Wonderful Savior!

For August 21, 2022
The casual observer might take one look at the world’s events today; the overt domestic hostility, proliferation of armed conflict; pestilence, disease, drought, famine; social/political uncertainty and upheaval; rampant sin, self-serving interests, and contemptible behavior, and conclude that it’s out of control. I do not.

When ancient Judah experienced political and social uncertainty with the pending invasion of Babylonian forces, God reminded them of His control,

“To whom will you compare me? Who is my equal?” asks the Holy One. Look up into the heavens. Who created all the stars? He brings them out like an army, one after another, calling each by its name. Because of his great power and incomparable strength, not a single one is missing. O Jacob, how can you say the LORD does not see your troubles? O Israel, how can you say God ignores your rights? Have you never heard? Have you never understood? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of all the earth. He never grows weak or weary. No one can measure the depths of his understanding. He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless. Even youths will become weak and tired, and young men will fall in exhaustion. But those who trust in the LORD will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:25-31 (NLT)

We have the assurance that our God, who created the heavens and the earth does in fact care for us continually. He provides us with a reasonable portion of health, strength, and sustenance we need to face today’s challenges. Then He supplies us with the strength to engage and overcome those challenges successfully in a way that gives Him the credit for the victory, just as He promises,

No weapon formed against you shall prosper, And every tongue which rises against you in judgment You shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, And their righteousness is from Me,” Says the LORD. Isaiah 54:17 (NKJV)

Also,

But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. I Corinthians 15:57-58 (NIV)

Before ascending into Heaven, Jesus warned His Disciples, and us, that in the Last Days (or in today’s world), we would face challenges and adversity for the cause of Jesus Christ. Our faith in Him would be the basis of much of the conflict since the world does not accept His message of faith and redemption. Yet He promises to remain with us throughout our pilgrimage (my emphasis),

All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. Matthew 28:18-20 (NIV)

The Lord is with us today. He will never leave nor forsake us, and He’s got our backs! Won’t you trust in Him and give Him your heart today?

What a Wonderful Savior!