Let Jesus See Your Faith

“Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.” - Psalm 119:18.

Date: Monday, October 13, 2014
Today's Chapters: Mark 1-3
Message Title: Let Jesus See Your Faith

Hello My Friend,

The Gospel of Mark is the second book of the New Testament, the forty-first book of the Bible, and contains sixteen chapters. The Author of the book is Mark and it was written to all believers, but was particularly intended to get the attention of the Romans, the Gentiles, whom represented Jesus as a servant of God. The timeline for these events is approximately between 30AD-33AD. The purpose of the book was to present the ministry of Jesus, stressing His role as a servant and the Son of man. What we are to learn from the book is that we should seek to minister or serve others. The purpose for all four Gospels was to present the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ to both Jew and Gentile and to show all that we who receive the Gospel are to ministerit to everyone. “And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” - Mark 16:15. 

The Book of Mark, unlike Matthew, begins when Jesus began His earthly ministry, He walked the earth approximately thirty years before He began to preach the Gospel. Amazingly, even though multitudes saw Jesus' miracles in the flesh, not all believed in Him, in fact, many believed Him to be of the devil, but even the devil's people knew who Jesus was. 

“And they went into Capernaum; and straightway on the sabbath day he entered into the synagogue, and taught. And they were astonished at his doctrine: for he taught them as one that had authority, and not as the scribes. And there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit; and he cried out, Saying, Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art, the Holy One of God. And Jesus rebuked him, saying, Hold thy peace, and come out of him. And when the unclean spirit had torn him, and cried with a loud voice, he came out of him. And they were all amazed, insomuch that they questioned among themselves, saying, What thing is this? what new doctrine is this? for with authority commandeth he even the unclean spirits, and they do obey him.And he healed many that were sick of divers diseases, and cast out many devils; and suffered not the devils to speak, because they knew him.” - Mark 1:21-27,34.

Yes, even the devil has to obey God, he might be allowed to tempt and afflict us, but when He tells him to stop he must obey. It's pretty sad that the devil knows more about Jesus than some people who claim to be Christians, if we truly want God in our lives, we humble ourselves before Jesus. “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.” - James 4:7-10.

It is important that we who have faith never stop living by faith, because sometimes it is only by our faith that encourages others to have faith. Four men, bound and determined to get their friend to Jesus, did the unthinkable to get this man to Him.“And again he entered into Capernaum after some days; and it was noised that he was in the house. And straightway many were gathered together, insomuch that there was no room to receive them, no, not so much as about the door: and he preached the word unto them. And they come unto him, bringing one sick of the palsy, which was borne of four. And when they could not come nigh unto him for the press, they uncovered the roof where he was: and when they had broken it up, they let down the bed wherein the sick of the palsy lay. When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee.” -Mark 2:1-5.

These four men had so much faith in Jesus that they knew He would cure this man, it wasn't enough for their faith, the man they carried had to have faith also. Our faith alone in Jesus cannot save others, they too must believe. We cannot pray someone to get saved, but we can pray that their hearts would open to Jesus, they must receive Him personally to get saved. “For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” - Romans 10:10.

The Pharisees claimed to live by faith, but they hated seeing Jesus around, they sought every opportunity to catch Him doing something that would discredit Him, they tried to condemn Him for healing people on the Sabbath. “And he entered again into the synagogue; and there was a man there which had a withered hand. And they watched him, whether he would heal him on the sabbath day; that they might accuse him. And he saith unto the man which had the withered hand, Stand forth. And he saith unto them, Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath days, or to do evil? to save life, or to kill?But they held their peace. And when he had looked round about on them with anger, being grieved for the hardness of their hearts, he saith unto the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it out: and his hand was restored whole as the other. And the Pharisees went forth, and straightway took counsel with the Herodians against him, how they might destroy him.” - Mark 3:1-6.

Just as Jesus sees our faith, He also sees the bitterness and anger of those who have hardened their hearts to the truth. While He wants everyone to have faith in the Gospel, He knows that is not going to happen, but He gives everyone the opportunity to accept Him. And those who do not will not get eternal life. “He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son. And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.” -1 John 5:10-12. 

Today's Prayer: God, It is only by our faith in You that we can please You. Help us to run this crazy race of life with patience, by faith, and looking for the blessed hope that only You can give us. Give us Your power to look to You through all our joys and sorrows and to be a witness of just how much believing in the Gospel has changed my life. In Jesus' name. Amen. 

God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina

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The True Threat To Man

“Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.” - Psalm 119:18.

Date: Sunday, October 12, 2014
Today's Chapters: Matthew 27-28
Message Title: The True Threat To Man

Hello My Friend, 

Earlier this year there was a debate about creation versus evolution, Bill Nye did everything he could to discredit God's existence, standing by his belief that if you cannot see it it does not exist. During the debate he showed several pictures trying to prove his point, but Ken Ham was able to use those same pictures to prove that he was incorrect. There are all sorts of people out there, believers, unbelievers, skeptics, but the ones who are truly a threat to man are not the ones who simply deny the existence of God, it is the ones who do every unimaginable thing possible to try prove their point.“Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.” - Romans 1:22-25.

The chief priests and scribes could not stand Jesus simply for the fact they they no longer had control over the people. From the start they plotted to have Him legally killed, but there was no possible way that could happen because He never did anything wrong. Their only option was to falsely accuse Him. Now, Jesus is awaiting His judgment, the governor wanted nothing to do with, in fact, he tried to have Him freed, but to no avail. “But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitude that they should ask Barabbas, and destroy Jesus. The governor answered and said unto them, Whether of the twain will ye that I release unto you? They said, Barabbas. Pilate saith unto them, What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ? They all say unto him, Let him be crucified. And the governor said, Why, what evil hath he done? But they cried out the more, saying, Let him be crucified. When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye to it. Then answered all the people, and said, His blood be on us, and on our children.” - Matthew 27:20-25.

The sad thing about all this is that these people do not just drag themselves down, but everyone else they can with them. So many false religions take innocent lives to hell with them because they refuse to accept Jesus Christ, by the way, to deny Christ is to deny God, to deny God is death upon ourselves. “It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him: If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us: If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.” - 2 Timothy 2:11-13.

They could not wait to crucify Jesus, even getting the Romans involved, while He was hanging on the cross they provoked and mocked Him, holding on to their belief that He was the hypocrite that they truly were. “And they crucified him, and parted his garments, casting lots: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, They parted my garments among them, and upon my vesture did they cast lots. And they that passed by reviled him, wagging their heads, And saying, Thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, save thyself. If thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross. Likewise also the chief priests mocking him, with the scribes and elders, said, He saved others; himself he cannot save. If he be the King of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe him. He trusted in God; let him deliver him now, if he will have him: for he said, I am the Son of God.” - Matthew 27:35,39-43.

Jesus, could have at any time come down from there, but what would that have proved, they would have still found something to discredit Him. If you think that the chief priests and scribes did not know Scripture, think again, they were just a few who ignored the Word of God, and in fact, try to change it to prove their point. They knew that Jesus would raise on the third day, and they did everything possible to keep that from happening. “Now the next day, that followed the day of the preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees came together unto Pilate, Saying, Sir, we remember that that deceiver said, while he was yet alive, After three days I will rise again. Command therefore that the sepulchre be made sure until the third day, lest his disciples come by night, and steal him away, and say unto the people, He is risen from the dead: so the last error shall be worse than the first. Pilate said unto them, Ye have a watch: go your way, make it as sure as ye can. So they went, and made the sepulchre sure, sealing the stone, and setting a watch.” - Matthew 27:62-66.

Jesus was tried, died, buried, and did in fact raise from the dead on the third day, many saw Him after the resurrection, and yet they still denied Him. They even paid the soldiers to say that the disciples took Him. “Then said Jesus unto them, Be not afraid: go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me. Now when they were going, behold, some of the watch came into the city, and shewed unto the chief priests all the things that were done. And when they were assembled with the elders, and had taken counsel, they gave large money unto the soldiers, Saying, Say ye, His disciples came by night, and stole him away while we slept. And if this come to the governor's ears, we will persuade him, and secure you. So they took the money, and did as they were taught: and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day.” - Matthew 28:10-15.

The wicked unbelievers will do anything to try and discredit Jesus, and right now they may seem to have the last laugh, but there will come a day when every knee will bow to Him, and then where will they be. Our only defense is to get in the Word of God and show them that we will not give up on our God. “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness. And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus; Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some. Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.” - 2 Timothy 2:15-19.

Today's Prayer: God, I understand that not by my works of righteousness I am saved, but by my believing in what Your Son did for me and receiving Him as my Savior I am saved. I am trusting only in You Jesus to keep me out of hell and I know that no matter what I have done or will do I am forgiven and that You will never leave nor forsake me. To show my appreciation and love for You I want to live my life with You in it. Lead me and guide me in Your will and Your way, help me to be a witness and a testimony to the amazing life that I now live. I love You, Lord and pray in Jesus' name. Amen. 

God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina

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The Lamb

“Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.” - Psalm 119:18.

Date: Saturday, October 11, 2014
Today's Chapters: Matthew 25-26
Message Title: The Lamb

Hello My Friend, 

Three times today I began to tear up, being reminded of how great and merciful God is, even when I am not 100% focused on Him. There is a song that I love called, “He's Still On The Throne”, The first verse says, “A sinner now saved, blood washed by the Lamb, my brother's a King, the Son of I Am. Sometimes I forget to whom I belong, then the sweet Spirit cries, my child, He's Still On The Throne.” No matter where you are in your life, if you a sinner, saved by the blood of the Lamb, praise God that you are saved.He's Still On The Throne, and He will never leave nor forsake you, no matter what you have done. “But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:” - Ephesians 2:4-6.

One day Jesus will sit on a throne here on earth, when that day comes all will bow to Him, but not all will join Him in His Kingdom. Jesus gives the disciples a glimpse as to what it will be like when He returns to earth after His passion. “When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.” - Matthew 25:31-34,41,46.

The sheep and the goats, did you know that goats will get into just about anything? They look cute, but they are very destructive. We must remember, that while we might find some enjoyment in the world for a little while, it always brings destruction. Thankfully, we have a Saviour who holds on to us, even if we have behaved like goats for a while. In the end, only those who are washed by the blood of Christ will be saved from everlasting fire and punishment. “Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.” - 1 Corinthians 6:9-11.

Jesus knew the time was near that He would be captured, before things began to happen He goes up to Gethsemane and begins to pray. Even though He knows what must happen, He still has a heavy heart knowing that He will soon be captured and sacrificed. “Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder. And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy. Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me. And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.” - Matthew 26:36-39.

Jesus, at any time He could have intervened and God could have chosen another way to save mankind, but He chose to be the Lamb, the pure, unblemished sacrifice needed toredeem a soul permanently. “And, behold, one of them which were with Jesus stretched out his hand, and drew his sword, and struck a servant of the high priest's, and smote off his ear. Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword. Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels? But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be? In that same hour said Jesus to the multitudes, Are ye come out as against a thief with swords and staves for to take me? I sat daily with you teaching in the temple, and ye laid no hold on me. But all this was done, that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then all the disciples forsook him, and fled.” - Matthew 26:51-56.

Sometimes, the will of God takes us to places we cannot imagine, if not for the power of God we would never get through them. While He would rather see us receive His Sonand trust Him with all things without any pain and agony in our lives, the majority of the time people do not understand the purpose of having received Him until they are faced with pain and agony. It is the pains and agony’s of life that not only bring us closer to God, but a deeper understanding of where He wants us to be in this life. “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.” - 1 Peter 5:8-10.

Today's Prayer: God, I have chosen today to stand by You, when things are going great, I will stand by You, when I am being persecuted, I will stand by You, when I feel all alone and it seems like life is falling apart, I will stand by You. Nothing gives me more comfort, hope, and peace than when I remind myself that You are with me. And although I know my works do not save me, I know that my faith and acceptance of Your Son in my life does. Let me never lose the joy of my salvation and let me never forget that You love me and that Christ lives in me. In Jesus' name. Amen.

God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina

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One Simple Plan

“Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.” - Psalm 119:18. Date: Friday, October 10, 2014 Today's Chapters: Matthew 23-24 Message Title: One Simple Plan Hello My Friend,  The more you read through the Bible the more you can understand the events that are taking place as we speak. False prophets everywhere, people all over the world claiming they know theWord of God, but their lifestyles teach something completely different. The problem with this is that people are dying and in hell right now because they followed the advice of some person, god, or religion that told them to act and follow specific rules. God has one rule to save man from hell, believe in my Son, and anyone who refuses to believe that or adds to that has God to answer to. Ignorance does not save us, and neither does believing in someone who deceived us.“Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. Be not ye therefore partakers with them. For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.” - Ephesians 5:6-8,11. The scribes and Pharisees ran the temple, they were the most influential people in Jerusalem,and they were proud of it. They appeared to run the temple as God would have it, but something was going on that the people were unaware of. They made up all sorts of rules, that even they could not follow, but enforced them on the people. Jesus turns to the people, and His disciples,and warns them to observe and follow the Law of God, not the men who make up their own and do not follow them. “Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to his disciples, Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat: All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not. For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers. But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in.” - Matthew 23:1-4,13. It does not matter what church you go to, every one of them have their own set of rules needed in order to be a member, and let me tell you, there can be some pretty strict rules to follow. There really is only one church that we are to follow, and that is the one in which Jesus Christ Himself is the head of. If He is not the authority of the church than find a new church. “There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:” - Ephesians 4:4-7,13-15. Do you know how many people try to convince me that I am not saved because I am only trusting Christ as my Saviour and not my works as well to save me from hell. They will even throw in some Scripture to try to prove their point, I have responded with Scripture as well, only to no avail. This is exactly what Jesus does not want us to do, and why He was warning them not to trust in these men, but Him alone. “Verily I say unto you, All these things shall come upon this generation. O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not! Behold, your house is left unto you desolate. For I say unto you, Ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.” - Matthew 23:36-39. Until we are willing to open our heart as see Jesus for who he really is there is no hope. This ishow false regions and different Bible versions show up, let me tell you, many people know a little bit of Scripture, even the devil himself, it's all a scheme to get those who are truly living by the Word of God doubting their salvation and stop telling the truth to others. Jesus warns His disciples not to trust these false religions or prophets. “And Jesus went out, and departed from the temple: and his disciples came to him for to shew him the buildings of the temple. And Jesus said unto them, See ye not all these things? verily I say unto you, There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down. And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world? And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.” - Matthew 24:1-5. I grew up Catholic, and we too had all sorts of rules to follow from that religion. I know how upsetting it is to realize that you have been lied to all these years, it's okay to be angry, but we cannot walk away from God or blame Him because He finally found us. We cannot change the past, but we can do something about today, we can prepare ourselves and be ready for when Jesus does return. “But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up. Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh. Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season? Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.” - Matthew 24:43-46. Our works, or all the good that we do does not, and will not save us from hell, only Jesus does that. We can choose to believe that simple truth, or we can believe the lies, follow their rules and spend eternity with the devil. That does not mean that we are free to live every immoral way possible, if we really want to show Jesus our thanks for being our sacrifice than we ought to live according to His rules, not our own. “Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.” - Galatians 2:16.  Today's Prayer: God, I know I am not perfect, I know that I am going to mess up, even trying tolive in Your will, but I also know that You are always with me to pick me up and dust me off. I don't even have to try and do it over again because You teach me to do things a different way.Lord, give me Your power as I read Your Word, teach me, and help me understand what You are tying to tell me. Let me not be deceived by those trying to get me to believe their lies over Your truths. Let me be a witness, and give me Your strength to serve You faithfully. 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