Think about the following passage, and let what it has to say soak in.
When I read this passage, it makes me think of God's plan for mankind. You see God didn't plan for us to be in subjection the world, but for the world to be under our authority. Many people think that the devil has more power than man, but in reality He only has what power we give him.
In the beginning, God said man would have dominion over the earth, and after Jesus resurrection, the Holy Spirit gives us back, through Jesus Christ, the authority and dominion we, as born again believers, once had while in the garden.
So "What is man that you are mindful of him?" Just God's crowning creation!
Hebrews 2:5-9
5 For He has not put the world to come, of which we speak, in subjection to angels. 6 But one testified in a certain place, saying:
“What is man that You are mindful of him,
Or the son of man that You take care of him?
7 You have made him a little lower than the angels;
You have crowned him with glory and honor,
And set him over the works of Your hands.
8 You have put all things in subjection under his feet.”
For in that He put all in subjection under him, He left nothing that is not put under him. But now we do not yet see all things put under him. 9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that He, by the grace of God, might taste death for everyone.
Wednesday, April 23, 2014
Tuesday, April 22, 2014
He has recieved His inheritance!
Just a few days ago we celebrated Resurrection Sunday, the day Christ came forth from the tomb, showing all of mankind that He indeed had conquered death.
It is fitting that we finished the book of John on Sunday, and now we are starting Hebrews, as Hebrews opening verse tells us who the Son of Man truly is, and of His inheritance as the son of God.
It is so refreshing to know that through Christ, we are given the same inheritance, and all of the promises of the old testament are fulfilled through Him.
Hebrews 1:1-4
1God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, 2 has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds; 3 who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, 4 having become so much better than the angels, as He has by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.
It is fitting that we finished the book of John on Sunday, and now we are starting Hebrews, as Hebrews opening verse tells us who the Son of Man truly is, and of His inheritance as the son of God.
It is so refreshing to know that through Christ, we are given the same inheritance, and all of the promises of the old testament are fulfilled through Him.
Hebrews 1:1-4
1God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, 2 has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds; 3 who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, 4 having become so much better than the angels, as He has by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.
Monday, April 21, 2014
Do you love Him?
The following passage is out of the last chapter of the book of John. John didn't finish his gospel account speaking of himself, like you would find today, he finished his account speaking about Peter.
In the passage Jesus is asking Peter a very pointed question, that hurt Peter to begin with, but by the end, reassured him of his relationship with Jesus.
It made me think, if Peter was hurt by Jesus questioning his love, when Jesus knew that Peter loved Him, then how does it make God feel when we question His love for us, when we know how much He loves us, so much that He gave His Son to save us.
John 21:15-18
15 So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?”
He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.”
He said to him, “Feed My lambs.”
16 He said to him again a second time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?”
He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.”
He said to him, “Tend My sheep.”
17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you love Me?”
And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.”
Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep. 18 Most assuredly, I say to you, when you were younger, you girded yourself and walked where you wished; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish.” 19 This He spoke, signifying by what death he would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He said to him, “Follow Me.”
In the passage Jesus is asking Peter a very pointed question, that hurt Peter to begin with, but by the end, reassured him of his relationship with Jesus.
It made me think, if Peter was hurt by Jesus questioning his love, when Jesus knew that Peter loved Him, then how does it make God feel when we question His love for us, when we know how much He loves us, so much that He gave His Son to save us.
John 21:15-18
15 So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?”
He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.”
He said to him, “Feed My lambs.”
16 He said to him again a second time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?”
He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.”
He said to him, “Tend My sheep.”
17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you love Me?”
And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.”
Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep. 18 Most assuredly, I say to you, when you were younger, you girded yourself and walked where you wished; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish.” 19 This He spoke, signifying by what death he would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He said to him, “Follow Me.”
Sunday, April 20, 2014
The unexpected gardener
John 20:11-16
11 But Mary stood outside by the tomb weeping, and as she wept she stooped down and looked into the tomb. 12 And she saw two angels in white sitting, one at the head and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. 13 Then they said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?”
She said to them, “Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him.”
14 Now when she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, and did not know that it was Jesus. 15 Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?”
She, supposing Him to be the gardener, said to Him, “Sir, if You have carried Him away, tell me where You have laid Him, and I will take Him away.”
16 Jesus said to her, “Mary!”
She turned and said to Him, “Rabboni!” (which is to say, Teacher).
How many gardeners have you passed by this week?
I point this out as Mary almost passed up an encounter with the Risen Lord, because she mis-took Him for the gardener. Also Jesus tells us "‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.’
We need to expect to see Jesus in the most unexpected people in our lives. We never know who we are greeting, or who we may be ministering to.
As we celebrate the Resurrection, we must realize, that Jesus came to earth as a man, He being holy, could have come down as King from the very start, but didn't so He could experience life as the Son of Man.
Look for Him in everyone you meet, do not miss out on the opportunity to greet the unexpected gardener.
11 But Mary stood outside by the tomb weeping, and as she wept she stooped down and looked into the tomb. 12 And she saw two angels in white sitting, one at the head and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. 13 Then they said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?”
She said to them, “Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him.”
14 Now when she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, and did not know that it was Jesus. 15 Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?”
She, supposing Him to be the gardener, said to Him, “Sir, if You have carried Him away, tell me where You have laid Him, and I will take Him away.”
16 Jesus said to her, “Mary!”
She turned and said to Him, “Rabboni!” (which is to say, Teacher).
How many gardeners have you passed by this week?
I point this out as Mary almost passed up an encounter with the Risen Lord, because she mis-took Him for the gardener. Also Jesus tells us "‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.’
We need to expect to see Jesus in the most unexpected people in our lives. We never know who we are greeting, or who we may be ministering to.
As we celebrate the Resurrection, we must realize, that Jesus came to earth as a man, He being holy, could have come down as King from the very start, but didn't so He could experience life as the Son of Man.
Look for Him in everyone you meet, do not miss out on the opportunity to greet the unexpected gardener.
Saturday, April 19, 2014
Looking out for #1
Reading the following passage makes me think of how the world has us trained to self. There are many sayings about this in society today, but one rings out more than others.
"Look out for #1"
You see Pilate knew and admitted that Jesus was innocent, but was worried about his job as governor, and what a revolt would do to him. So instead of doing what is right, he did what the crowd and the Jewish leaders wanted, and what benefitted him.
Jesus on the other hand, knew what was ahead of him, and instead of running, was in the garden where they knew He would be. He even prayed, “Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.” After praying this He followed the Father's will and was taken away by the Roman soldiers.
We have a choice, to live selfish lives, like Pilate, and think only of ourselves when making decisions in all aspects of our lives, or be like Jesus, and think much bigger when choices come our way.
John 18:28-40
28 Then they led Jesus from Caiaphas to the Praetorium, and it was early morning. But they themselves did not go into the Praetorium, lest they should be defiled, but that they might eat the Passover. 29 Pilate then went out to them and said, “What accusation do you bring against this Man?”
30 They answered and said to him, “If He were not an evildoer, we would not have delivered Him up to you.”
31 Then Pilate said to them, “You take Him and judge Him according to your law.”
Therefore the Jews said to him, “It is not lawful for us to put anyone to death,” 32 that the saying of Jesus might be fulfilled which He spoke, signifying by what death He would die.
33 Then Pilate entered the Praetorium again, called Jesus, and said to Him, “Are You the King of the Jews?”
34 Jesus answered him, “Are you speaking for yourself about this, or did others tell you this concerning Me?”
35 Pilate answered, “Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the chief priests have delivered You to me. What have You done?”
36 Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here.”
37 Pilate therefore said to Him, “Are You a king then?”
Jesus answered, “You say rightly that I am a king. For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.”
38 Pilate said to Him, “What is truth?” And when he had said this, he went out again to the Jews, and said to them, “I find no fault in Him at all.
39 “But you have a custom that I should release someone to you at the Passover. Do you therefore want me to release to you the King of the Jews?”
40 Then they all cried again, saying, “Not this Man, but Barabbas!” Now Barabbas was a robber.
"Look out for #1"
You see Pilate knew and admitted that Jesus was innocent, but was worried about his job as governor, and what a revolt would do to him. So instead of doing what is right, he did what the crowd and the Jewish leaders wanted, and what benefitted him.
Jesus on the other hand, knew what was ahead of him, and instead of running, was in the garden where they knew He would be. He even prayed, “Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.” After praying this He followed the Father's will and was taken away by the Roman soldiers.
We have a choice, to live selfish lives, like Pilate, and think only of ourselves when making decisions in all aspects of our lives, or be like Jesus, and think much bigger when choices come our way.
John 18:28-40
28 Then they led Jesus from Caiaphas to the Praetorium, and it was early morning. But they themselves did not go into the Praetorium, lest they should be defiled, but that they might eat the Passover. 29 Pilate then went out to them and said, “What accusation do you bring against this Man?”
30 They answered and said to him, “If He were not an evildoer, we would not have delivered Him up to you.”
31 Then Pilate said to them, “You take Him and judge Him according to your law.”
Therefore the Jews said to him, “It is not lawful for us to put anyone to death,” 32 that the saying of Jesus might be fulfilled which He spoke, signifying by what death He would die.
33 Then Pilate entered the Praetorium again, called Jesus, and said to Him, “Are You the King of the Jews?”
34 Jesus answered him, “Are you speaking for yourself about this, or did others tell you this concerning Me?”
35 Pilate answered, “Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the chief priests have delivered You to me. What have You done?”
36 Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here.”
37 Pilate therefore said to Him, “Are You a king then?”
Jesus answered, “You say rightly that I am a king. For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.”
38 Pilate said to Him, “What is truth?” And when he had said this, he went out again to the Jews, and said to them, “I find no fault in Him at all.
39 “But you have a custom that I should release someone to you at the Passover. Do you therefore want me to release to you the King of the Jews?”
40 Then they all cried again, saying, “Not this Man, but Barabbas!” Now Barabbas was a robber.
Friday, April 18, 2014
Jesus Prays!
On this day, which to us is known as good Friday, I wanted to share one of Jesus' last prayers. This prayer was for Himself, as He was praying to the Father, but it wasn't just a prayer, but a message to all of mankind, letting them know the only way to inherit eternal life was through Him.
As we start the weekend of the crucifixion and resurrection, take the time to thank the Father for His holiness, thank the Son for His sacrifice, and open you hearts to the Holy Spirit, that He may come and reside in you through Christ.
John 17:1-5 NKJV
1Jesus spoke these words, lifted up His eyes to heaven, and said: “Father, the hour has come. Glorify Your Son, that Your Son also may glorify You, 2 as You have given Him authority over all flesh, that He should give eternal life to as many as You have given Him. 3 And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. 4 I have glorified You on the earth. I have finished the work which You have given Me to do. 5 And now, O Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was.
As we start the weekend of the crucifixion and resurrection, take the time to thank the Father for His holiness, thank the Son for His sacrifice, and open you hearts to the Holy Spirit, that He may come and reside in you through Christ.
John 17:1-5 NKJV
1Jesus spoke these words, lifted up His eyes to heaven, and said: “Father, the hour has come. Glorify Your Son, that Your Son also may glorify You, 2 as You have given Him authority over all flesh, that He should give eternal life to as many as You have given Him. 3 And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. 4 I have glorified You on the earth. I have finished the work which You have given Me to do. 5 And now, O Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was.
Thursday, April 17, 2014
Speak to the Father; He is waiting to hear from you
In Old Testament times, people had to speak to God through a priest, and then, only with an offering, or sacrifice. After Jesus came as the sacrifice, for not only our own personal sins, but the sins of the world, we are able to speak directly to the Father, through the blood of Christ.
Many people and religions today, point people to a priest as their way to speak to God. That is not what Jesus is telling us, He tells us that, WE, will ask the Father, in His name, and because of Him the Father will answer us.
We as believers have to stop relying on man, and start relying on the Word to show us how we are to live. Today, tonight, this weekend, sit down and speak to God, speak to Him in a way that you would a friend, or your own Father. He is waiting to hear from you.
John :25-31
25 “I have spoken of these matters in figures of speech, but soon I will stop speaking figuratively and will tell you plainly all about the Father. 26 Then you will ask in my name. I’m not saying I will ask the Father on your behalf, 27 for the Father himself loves you dearly because you love me and believe that I came from God. 28 Yes, I came from the Father into the world, and now I will leave the world and return to the Father.”
29 Then his disciples said, “At last you are speaking plainly and not figuratively. 30 Now we understand that you know everything, and there’s no need to question you. From this we believe that you came from God.”
31 Jesus asked, “Do you finally believe? 32 But the time is coming—indeed it’s here now—when you will be scattered, each one going his own way, leaving me alone. Yet I am not alone because the Father is with me. 33 I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”
Many people and religions today, point people to a priest as their way to speak to God. That is not what Jesus is telling us, He tells us that, WE, will ask the Father, in His name, and because of Him the Father will answer us.
We as believers have to stop relying on man, and start relying on the Word to show us how we are to live. Today, tonight, this weekend, sit down and speak to God, speak to Him in a way that you would a friend, or your own Father. He is waiting to hear from you.
John :25-31
25 “I have spoken of these matters in figures of speech, but soon I will stop speaking figuratively and will tell you plainly all about the Father. 26 Then you will ask in my name. I’m not saying I will ask the Father on your behalf, 27 for the Father himself loves you dearly because you love me and believe that I came from God. 28 Yes, I came from the Father into the world, and now I will leave the world and return to the Father.”
29 Then his disciples said, “At last you are speaking plainly and not figuratively. 30 Now we understand that you know everything, and there’s no need to question you. From this we believe that you came from God.”
31 Jesus asked, “Do you finally believe? 32 But the time is coming—indeed it’s here now—when you will be scattered, each one going his own way, leaving me alone. Yet I am not alone because the Father is with me. 33 I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”
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