Author: rerj56

One day when heaven was filled with his praises, One day when sin was as black as could be, Jesus came forth to be born of a virgin, Lived among men my Redeemer is he. Living he loved me, Dying he saved me, Buried he carried my sins far away. Rising he justified _______ forever. One day he’s coming. O glorious day.

If you are at peace with your past life and if you are pleased with your life as lived today and if you have no question about what would happen if you were to die right now, then you need read no further.

However, if events in the past trouble you, and if you have present issues in your life that trouble you. and if you are troubled at the future thought of dying, then read very carefully the song quoted above, note the blank space. Then read what the Bible says in Hebrews 9: 27,28.

” And just as it is appointed for man to die once and after that comes judgment, so Christ having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.”

You may eagerly await him, if you follow the instructions in Romans 10:9,10.

“…. Because if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart, one believes and is justified and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.”

When you believe and confess you may go back to the opening Paragraph and write your name in the blank space provided. Then go to your pastor or close Christian friend and share with them what you have just done. And the Lord will bless you as you walk with Him by faith each day.

Napoleon Bonaparte was crowned Emperor of France in 18O4 and went on to create an empire that covered most of western and central Europe. His armies crushed one foe after another and seemed invincible.

What did this military genius have to say about the Bible? He said: “It is no mere book, but a living creature, with a power that conquers all that oppose it.” Napoleon Bonaparte was correct in his assessment of the Bible the Word of God.

The Bible says of itself that it is “…. living and active. sharper than any double-edged sword….” (Hebrews 4:12)

The apostle Peter wrote that we “… have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God.” (1 Peter 1:23)

Jesus said: ” Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will never pass away ” (Matthew 24:35)

The Bible was spoken of by the Apostle Paul when he wrote: ” All scripture is God inspired and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness …” (11Timothy 3:16)

The Bible tells us about Jesus, who He was, what He did, and what He wants us to do.

Who was he? “Surely, He was the Son of God” (Matthew 27-54).

What did he do? ” He died for our sins” (1st Corinthians 15:3).

What does he want us to do? ” Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is new creation; the old has gone, the new had come! ” (2nd Corinthians 5:17)

The living, imperishable, God-breathed Word of God will make you into a new person when you by faith receive Jesus into your heart and your life.

The word of God is the necessary food for the one who had made this choice. If you have not made this decision my prayer is that you will make it today.

The Frenchman was correct when he said the Bible was no mere book but living and powerful.

Easter is a remembrance and celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is recorded in the four Gospels: Matthew 28: 1-16, Mark 16:1-20, Luke 24:1-12 and John 20:1-29. Also, remember again this principle in a study of the Bible, anything that is repeated two or more times, demands attention.

The facts of the resurrection are very clear as recorded in 1st Corinthians 15:3,4:

” For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance (1) that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, (2) that He was buried, (3) that He was raised on the 3rd day according to the scriptures.”

The significance of the resurrection is also very clear: 1st Corinthians 15:17 ,20:

1. ” And if Christ has not been raised (1) your faith is futile; (2) you are still in your sins.”

2 ” But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead,

3. the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep.”

Easter is also a remembrance and celebration of the believer’s resurrection.

1. The believer is made alive in Christ (Ephesians 2: 4-5)

“But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions………”

2. The believer is made a new person in Christ. (2nd Corinthians 5:17)

” Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!”

Nature itself has, since the beginning of time, prepared people for the resurrection of Jesus Christ. God has put within the heart of every person a desire for a new life-— a resurrection to a new and better life. Unlike nature which experiences a new birth each year you and I must choose to participate in the resurrection of Jesus Christ, and this is necessary only one time.

John 1:12,13 “But as many as received him to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: which were born not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.“

Once you are born again you cannot be unborn!

If this makes sense to you, I encourage you to seek out a Christian friend or go to your pastor and make this simple request: I want to be born again.

It is so easy to plan activities. present and future and then ask God to bless them.

There are many ways we do this: we read a book and are challenged; we hear a speaker tell of God’s call; we listen to a counselor who assures us that we are gifted; we have an older brother or sister whose success inspires us. Each has value. However, God may have a different path for you.

One thing we know for certain: God wants to direct our steps. In the midst of all these good goals, the Lord may have a better one for you. If you will prayerfully ask Him to direct you, He will. But you must be sensitive to God’s voice and willing to follow His directions.

The following verses in Psalm 123:2,3 give a very clear picture of how we should discern the plan the Father has for us:

” Behold as the eyes of servants look to the hand of their masters, and as the eyes of a maiden unto the eyes of her mistress; so, our eyes wait upon the Lord our God until that he has mercy upon us.“

Now notice the setting for this. You are a servant in a large, crowded and noisy dining room. The guests are laughing and visiting with one another. The meal is half over, and you are now standing at a short distance from your employer. You have been trained to be alert and to watch him. If he needs something from you, he will simply raise a hand, which is seen only by you. You immediately go to him, and he whispers to you what he wants you to do.

One application of this is found in First Kings 19: 9-15. In this passage Elijah Is it running for his life and ready to give up and die. But God speaks to the prophet: first, in a great and strong wind, then in an earthquake, next in a fire and finally the sound of a low whisper. If God wants your attention and to give you instructions, but you must listen for his voice.

God loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life. But you must lay it all on the line before Him, and when you hear his voice, you must listen and follow Him. How do we hear his voice? by having a personal quiet time with the Lord, by hearing the Bible preached by a faithful servant and especially by a personal study of the word of God!

Jesus said:” My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.” (John 10:27)

If you are facing a decision or are in a difficult situation don’t wait for the wind, the earthquake or the fire, but take the initiative and listen for that whisper: the voice of the Lord Jesus. As you follow the personal steps noted above, and should you need confirmation seek council from your pastor or a brother or sister in the Lord.

I love that old song which says trust and obey for there is no other way to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.

How sensitive are you to God’s plan for your life?

A young man came to Jesus and asked a question. It was a good question, very clear, precise and thought through, and he wanted an answer.

He asked, “….. what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?” (Matthew 19:16)

Now, this is a question that has been asked all through the centuries by those who realize that though having and doing everything, something is missing.

The answer Jesus gave was very clear: keep the commandments of God and then he quoted six of the ten: do not kill, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not lie, honor your parents and love your neighbor. Notice also that these six are easily observable.

The answer the man gave to Jesus was also very clear. Apparently, he had kept all six since childhood. He then rephrased his question from what I must do to what I am lacking. He was very sincere in his question. He was a good man, but to have eternal life one must be more than a good man. One must be a perfect man, a new man in Christ.

Jesus then told him, “If You want to be perfect, go now and sell your possessions and give the money to the poor— You will have riches in heaven. Then come and follow me! When the young man heard that he sadly turned away for he was very wealthy (Matthew 19: 21, 22)

Jesus spoke to this also in Luke 9: 23- 25. ” And he said to them all, if any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever will save his life shall lose it, but whoever will lose his life for my sake, the same will save it, for what is a man advantaged if he gained the whole world and lose himself, or be cast away?”

The man lacked that one thing, and he knew immediately what it was, and he went away from Jesus, very sad.

My question for the reader: what is one thing you lack, that prevents you from living a fruitful life for Jesus? (By fruitful life I am referring to John chapter 15)

Let me encourage you to first make sure that you belong to Jesus. Then (1) do your own assessment of your life, (2) deal with what needs to be changed and (3) rejoice and be fruitful.

Are you ever afraid? In today’s world there are so many things that can cause fear: war terrorism, earthquakes, illness, uncertainty over the future and the unknown.

In Matthew 14 Jesus’ disciples were in a boat on a lake. A strong wind had come up and they were having trouble rowing the boat. Jesus came toward them, walking on the water. When they saw Him, they were terribly frightened.

In verse 27 Jesus said to them: ” It’s all right. I am here! Don’t be afraid.”

And when He got into the boat with them, the wind stopped, and all was calm.

As believers we can know that Jesus is with us, and we do not have to be afraid. He gives peace and calm in the midst of any storm.

In Isaiah 41 10 God tells us: ” Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you. I will help you. I will hold you with my victorious right hand.”

Also, we read in Joshua 1:9 ” Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

And in Hebrews 13: 5,6: We read: For God has said,” I will never fail you. I will never forsake you.” (That is why we can say with confidence), ” The Lord is my helper so I will not be afraid. What can mere men do to me?”

In whatever storm you’re in, you can look to God for help. When you invite Him Into your life you can know He will take care of you.

In times of fear, you need to remember “It’s all right. I am with you! Don’t be afraid.”

We go to work in the morning and work all day to earn money to pay for clothes, food, and a place to live. Some people work six days a week and some seven— all day long, every day.

We work long hours, often to neglect of family, and our reward comes in the form of a paycheck, which often is not enough to do all we want or need it to do.

And, all of this is necessary, if we are to live a responsible life. In fact, the Bible teaches that ” if a man does not take care of his family, he is worse than an infidel.” (1 Timothy 1:5)

But is this all there is to life? Isn’t there something more? Jesus asked the question:

” What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?” (Mark 8:36)

Yes, we are to work to provide for our families, but not to the neglect of our relationship with God.

Jesus said: ” Is not life more important than food and the body more important than clothes?” (Matthew 6:25)

And again, Hè said: ” Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven…….” (Matthew 6 :19,20)

He also instructed us to: “…… seek “first“ “His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these “things” will be given to you as well.” (Matthew 6 :33)

The responsible person will work and provide for family. However, for life to have meaning, we must first establish a meaningful relationship with God through faith in Jesus Christ. So, where, what or who is your priority? Take time today from your busy schedule and seek God as He is revealed in the Bible. If you need help, make an appointment with your Pastor or a Christian friend.

Seek Him and He will bless you and your family.

And remember:” Is” is, only as “Is” does. (James 2:20)

1954 A popular singer, Kitty Fallen, recorded a song that was instantly loved. It was entitled Little Things Mean a Lot. It was a touching song of love and the need for love. While this is a secular song, I realized a very significant spiritual parallel.

The song speaks of a love that transcends the” big” and focuses completely on the “small.” Little things do mean a lot! However, our heavenly Father blesses us daily with the big and the small.

Here are a few stanzas of the song that may be interpreted in a spiritual sense as a prayer for love and an assurance:

Give me your hand when I have lost the way. Give me your”shoulder”to cry on. Whether the day is bright or gray, give me your “heart” to rest on. Send me the warmth of a “Secret smile”, to show me you haven’t forgot. Forever and ever, now and forever, “little things” mean a lot.

As believers we are too prone to focus our attention on the big-ticket items and to overlook the small…. the last car payment-— the mortgage — the cost of last year’s vacation — junior’s braces— mother’s surgery. All provided for by our Heavenly Father.

But what about the small things that you take for granted?…… the motorists that stopped to help you when you had a flat tire— the note your daughter left for you that said, “I love you”—- when you were hurting the boss said,” take the day off”— the phone call from a friend that encouraged you. Be thankful for the big-ticket items, but it is the small things, the unexpected, that brighten the day.

The Bible is very clear on this issue: ” In” everything” give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” (First Thessalonians 5-18)

Did you know that it takes a minimum of 10 muscles to produce a smile, but it takes only 6 muscles to produce a frown. This is one instance where greater is better than lessor.

Take a moment now and think about the little things that mean a lot to you, thank your Heavenly Father for them and then share them with someone who needs encouragement.

Kitty Fallon was correct, little things do mean a lot.

” My son, give me your heart, and let your eyes observe My ways” (Proverbs 23:26)

Satan says to you, ” My son Give me your heart and do what I say.”

Apparently, the heart is the source of our thoughts, and the mind is the executor. What then does Satan want us to do? He wants to deceive us precisely the way he deceived Eve way back there in the Garden of Eden. He enticed her with that which was good, but which God had forbidden.

Satan will encourage you to get a good job, get a good education, buy a home, start a business, stay healthy and I could go on and on.

These are all good things for us to desire and to pursue. And the evil one will not hinder you. Actually, he will encourage you, and he will give you success.

What then is the issue? The issue is a matter of priority and Satan will not discuss this with you. Each time you turn away from him and try to be what God wants you to be; he will distract you. He will encourage you to do good and dissuade you from doing the best.

Jesus said, ” But seek you “first” the kingdom of God, and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you. ” (Matthew 6:33)

And let me emphasize the word “first” for God has given you the responsibility and the privilege of determining what is first in your life.

Do an inventory of your life and put pursuit of God at the top of the list and just watch the other “things” noted above fall into place.

Simply put, just obey the voice of the One who loves you and tell Satan to get lost.