“Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.” - Psalm 119:18.
Date: Wednesday, October 1, 2014
Today's Chapters: Matthew 1-3
Message Title: Follow By Example
Hello My Friend,
The Book of Matthew is the first book of the New Testament, the fortieth book of the Bible and it contains twenty-eight chapters. The author of the book is Matthew and it was written to all believers, it was directed to the Jews to whom Jesus was presented as the Messiah, the Son of David. The timeline for these events took place approximately between 4BC and 33AD. The purpose of the book was to present the ministry of Jesus, stressing His role as King of the Jws. What we are to learn from the book is the Gospel of Christ and that it is to be preached in all the world until He returns. “And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.” - Matthew 24:14.
After all the centuries, and millenniums, the prophecies concerning the long awaited Messiah were about to come to pass. Joseph, a descendant of David, was betrothed to marry a young woman named Mary, but something happened that made him question whether he should marry her, she became pregnant. Now, anyone would question such a thing, but this was no ordinary act of conception, this was done by none other than the Almighty God Himself. He comforted Joseph, and encouraged him.
“But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.” - Matthew 1:20-25.
One of the hardest things for people to believe is that Mary was a virgin, unbelievers love to discredit this miracle because they refuse to believe that anything that supernatural can occur by an all powerful God. It's easier to believe that life just evolved over billions of years ago than in a Creator who put His seed inside of a woman. Go figure? Jesus could have come any other way, but it was very important that God send Him this way so that He would not be born with the sin nature the rest of us are born with. Isaiah confirmed this also, “Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. Butter and honey shall he eat, that he may know to refuse the evil, and choose the good. For before the child shall know to refuse the evil, and choose the good, the land that thou abhorrest shall be forsaken of both her kings.” - Isaiah 7:14-16.
Now, after Jesus was born, men from all over the world followed the star that would lead them to their King, some ended up in Jerusalem, asking king Herod where He was. This did not go well with Herod, in fact, he was so worried that a new King would take the throne over him that he ordered all the males in Bethlehem under the age of two to be killed. God sent Joseph, Mary, and Jesus to Egypt until Herod died.
“And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way. And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him. When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt: And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son. Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently enquired of the wise men.” - Matthew 2:12-16.
Another thing that unbelievers love to do to discredit God is destroy any proof that they have on His existence. They should know by now that when God says something will happen, it will happen, and no one can stop Him. I love the way people scramble for scientific proof of strange occurrences, and the stupid answers they give instead of acknowledging it as something from God. By the way, nothing happens without God knowing it, while it is sad that all those babies had to die under a ruthless killer, the person to blame is not God, it's the person. Evil happens because of the sin nature we have all been born with, Herod's be fat ego refused to submit himself to an all powerful King. “Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.” - James 1:13,14.
Jesus spent thirty years on earth as an ordinary man, He knew that God was His Father, but still obeyed His mother and Joseph, just as any other godly child would do. He went to see John the Baptist, in the Book of Malachi, we learn that he was the forerunner that God would send to the Jews. God used him to show them that even though they were of Abraham's seed, they too were under the same judgment as everyone else in the world, but can be saved. “But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance: And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham. And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:” - Matthew 3:7-11.
I had a person ask me why I follow a religion that was initiated by John the Baptist. I honestly did not know how to answer that question, but as I studied the Scriptures I learned why John was named the Baptist (one who administers baptism), and it has nothing to do with religion.John got his title because he baptized (immersed in water) any person who repented (turn away from sin) and turned to Jesus. Baptism was and still is a symbol of a person turning away fromsin and publicly acknowledging they believe in Jesus.
Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him. But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me? And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him. And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” - Matthew 3:13-17.
Baptism is not to be saved, it is a public profession of faith in believing in Jesus. Jesus went to John to be baptized not for repentance of sin, but that He might show that the Holy Spirit fully emerges in all who believe in and receive Him. It is also a symbol of His death, burial, and resurrection, and how we were once dead to sin, were buried in the Living water of Christ, and resurrected into everlasting life through Him. “Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.” - Colossians 2:12.
Today's Prayer: God, You have called all Your people to warn others of the judgment placed upon them for their sins and to also show them the way to escape that judgment. Lord, Thank You for finding us and saving us, let us not take our salvation in vain by ignoring Your call to tell the lost about Your Son. Give us Your power, wisdom, and the boldness to speak the truth about the Gospel and tell whoever You put on our heart to do so. Let us be the example You need us to be as Jesus is for us. In Jesus' name. Amen.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
Are You 100% Sure That You Are Going To Heaven? Visit: God's Price
Like Us On Facebook: I'm Following Jesus
©2014 I'm Following Jesus
Today's Chapters: Matthew 1-3
Message Title: Follow By Example
Hello My Friend,
The Book of Matthew is the first book of the New Testament, the fortieth book of the Bible and it contains twenty-eight chapters. The author of the book is Matthew and it was written to all believers, it was directed to the Jews to whom Jesus was presented as the Messiah, the Son of David. The timeline for these events took place approximately between 4BC and 33AD. The purpose of the book was to present the ministry of Jesus, stressing His role as King of the Jws. What we are to learn from the book is the Gospel of Christ and that it is to be preached in all the world until He returns. “And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.” - Matthew 24:14.
After all the centuries, and millenniums, the prophecies concerning the long awaited Messiah were about to come to pass. Joseph, a descendant of David, was betrothed to marry a young woman named Mary, but something happened that made him question whether he should marry her, she became pregnant. Now, anyone would question such a thing, but this was no ordinary act of conception, this was done by none other than the Almighty God Himself. He comforted Joseph, and encouraged him.
“But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.” - Matthew 1:20-25.
One of the hardest things for people to believe is that Mary was a virgin, unbelievers love to discredit this miracle because they refuse to believe that anything that supernatural can occur by an all powerful God. It's easier to believe that life just evolved over billions of years ago than in a Creator who put His seed inside of a woman. Go figure? Jesus could have come any other way, but it was very important that God send Him this way so that He would not be born with the sin nature the rest of us are born with. Isaiah confirmed this also, “Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. Butter and honey shall he eat, that he may know to refuse the evil, and choose the good. For before the child shall know to refuse the evil, and choose the good, the land that thou abhorrest shall be forsaken of both her kings.” - Isaiah 7:14-16.
Now, after Jesus was born, men from all over the world followed the star that would lead them to their King, some ended up in Jerusalem, asking king Herod where He was. This did not go well with Herod, in fact, he was so worried that a new King would take the throne over him that he ordered all the males in Bethlehem under the age of two to be killed. God sent Joseph, Mary, and Jesus to Egypt until Herod died.
“And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way. And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him. When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt: And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son. Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently enquired of the wise men.” - Matthew 2:12-16.
Another thing that unbelievers love to do to discredit God is destroy any proof that they have on His existence. They should know by now that when God says something will happen, it will happen, and no one can stop Him. I love the way people scramble for scientific proof of strange occurrences, and the stupid answers they give instead of acknowledging it as something from God. By the way, nothing happens without God knowing it, while it is sad that all those babies had to die under a ruthless killer, the person to blame is not God, it's the person. Evil happens because of the sin nature we have all been born with, Herod's be fat ego refused to submit himself to an all powerful King. “Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.” - James 1:13,14.
Jesus spent thirty years on earth as an ordinary man, He knew that God was His Father, but still obeyed His mother and Joseph, just as any other godly child would do. He went to see John the Baptist, in the Book of Malachi, we learn that he was the forerunner that God would send to the Jews. God used him to show them that even though they were of Abraham's seed, they too were under the same judgment as everyone else in the world, but can be saved. “But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance: And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham. And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:” - Matthew 3:7-11.
I had a person ask me why I follow a religion that was initiated by John the Baptist. I honestly did not know how to answer that question, but as I studied the Scriptures I learned why John was named the Baptist (one who administers baptism), and it has nothing to do with religion.John got his title because he baptized (immersed in water) any person who repented (turn away from sin) and turned to Jesus. Baptism was and still is a symbol of a person turning away fromsin and publicly acknowledging they believe in Jesus.
Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him. But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me? And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him. And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” - Matthew 3:13-17.
Baptism is not to be saved, it is a public profession of faith in believing in Jesus. Jesus went to John to be baptized not for repentance of sin, but that He might show that the Holy Spirit fully emerges in all who believe in and receive Him. It is also a symbol of His death, burial, and resurrection, and how we were once dead to sin, were buried in the Living water of Christ, and resurrected into everlasting life through Him. “Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.” - Colossians 2:12.
Today's Prayer: God, You have called all Your people to warn others of the judgment placed upon them for their sins and to also show them the way to escape that judgment. Lord, Thank You for finding us and saving us, let us not take our salvation in vain by ignoring Your call to tell the lost about Your Son. Give us Your power, wisdom, and the boldness to speak the truth about the Gospel and tell whoever You put on our heart to do so. Let us be the example You need us to be as Jesus is for us. In Jesus' name. Amen.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
Are You 100% Sure That You Are Going To Heaven? Visit: God's Price
Like Us On Facebook: I'm Following Jesus
©2014 I'm Following Jesus
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