Tag Archives: Jesus

Update: Fighting a Headache

Posted on by
Reply

I have been fighting a headache for almost three weeks. I’m waiting on an MRI report—but I don’t think it will show anything. I have a feeling that I have nitrates in my body from the packaged meats that I have been eating lately. Sometimes we do things, stupid things, without thinking about it. Packaged meats are loaded with preservatives.

Well, anyway, I have decided to take some steps to cleanse my body starting today. I will also start a juice fast. I have a juicer. The right away to do it is to juice mostly green veggies with an apple and also dilute it with one-third water. I hope and pray this will work to stop my headache.

Satan blinds the minds of the unsaved to the truth. In 2 Corinthians 4:3-4 it says, “But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, 4 whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them.”

If you are a Christian and wonder why your witness is not effective, this is one reason why. They just can’t understand the truth of the gospel, because Satan is blinding them from it. They think it is foolish or extreme! But if we understand that, and keep preaching the truth to them, some day it will hopefully break through. We all have see it. We must not give up!  

Over the years I have been discouraged over this—that people are so obstinate toward the gospel. But I’m starting to see now that it is all because of this work of Satan, and so we just have to work harder at it—to rip that blindfold off and to flood in the gospel and to pray.

I’m believing in prayer for everyone I encounter. I have started keeping track of everyone I run into and say a few words to during the day. At the end of each day, I record their names and pray for them. I am believing that they will see my life and witness and that God will open the truth to them. I think the more I do this the more I will see God work and also the more I will be encouraged. You know, all Christians who are walking in the Spirit are an aroma of Christ (2 Cor. 2:14-16). We make manifest to them who His.

Laying aside every weight (from Hebrews 12:1). I’m sure you know that when you run in a race, to have your best performance you should not wear a lot of clothing. It will weigh you down and slow you down. In the Christian life any sin and anything not committed to God in prayer is a weight; and anything you do that is not of the truth is a weight. What weight is holding you back? Get rid of it. Strip if off. And keep looking to Jesus who is the author and finisher of faith (v. 2).

The Lord’s Prayer: Its Two Settings

Posted on by
Reply

Prayer A to Z

The study of prayer would not be complete without examining the Lord’s Prayer. It is no doubt the most comprehensive piece of work on prayer ever composed.  Here in this very short prayer Jesus has woven every possible principle of prayer together and has given it to us to show us how to pray.  It is the best and simplest prayer tool we could possibly have.  John MacArthur, in his book, Jesus’ Pattern of Prayer, said, “It [The Lord’s Prayer] is an absolute masterpiece of God’s infinite wisdom to somehow encompass every conceivable element in prayer and reduce it to one simple pattern.”1

In this first blog on the Lord’s Prayer, as an introduction, I want to talk about its settings. In upcoming blogs we will talk about its sources, its form, and generally what it teaches us about prayer.

The Two Settings of the Prayer 

 Since…

View original post 815 more words

When Good and Bad Clash

Posted on by
1

It seems that, with this new abortion ruling, we are seeing new extremes for good and for bad. The abortionists are venting their anger and the pro-lifers are venting their joy. I just hope we pro-lifers will not feel sorry for the sad abortionists. They have been guilty of sin too long. Their time has come. Let them meet God.

Similarly, let all Christians see sin and evil for what it is. If there are evil spirits and demons, let them be called out in Jesus’ name. If there is ongoing sin, let it be quickly rejected. It is time now to stand strong for Jesus.

There will soon be coming on the earth the ultimate stand-off between good and evil. It will happen after the Rapture—so we might see it from heaven. It will be the battle between the two witnesses who will preach the truth, and the Antichrist who is full of lies and deceit. This battle will go on for three and a half years until God’s restraints are lifted off of the Antichrist, and he will kill the witnesses. Then we will see how evil the world is. They will rejoice over their death. And will let them lie dead for three and a half days. Then when God raises them to life and takes them to heaven, we will see the good and godly ones rejoice. (Revelation 11)

So, make no mistake, there is now good and evil, and we all live and work together. We very often smile at each other and try to be at peace. But at other times, we see the differences and we clash. Sometimes it is hard to see who people are. But Jesus has said, one lives for God, the other for the devil. I think it is best that the truth be known. It is never good to live in deception. Let the truth set you free.

Now let me be clear, those who speak against the six Supreme Court justices that ruled against abortion and against all pro-life people, those are on the side of evil! Their father is the devil! Jesus said in Luke 17:1-2,

It is inevitable that stumbling blocks should come, but woe to him through whom they come! 2 It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck and he were thrown into the sea, than that he should cause one of these little ones to stumble.

Hence, let the battle continue, good against evil, until finally God overcomes all evil and Jesus reigns over all.

Jesus and the Pharisees: John 12:42-43

Posted on by
1

This is our fortieth and last study. Please click HERE for an introduction to this study.

John 12:42-43

Yet at the same time many even among the leaders believed in him. But because of the Pharisees they would not confess their faith for fear they would be put out of the synagogue; 43 for they loved praise from men more than praise from God.

Observations

There was a great tension among the Jewish leaders. Those who believed secretly dared not speak up openly because of the stricter Pharisees. So it seemed that they valued there job and position more than their faith. Their faith was weak; they still loved the praise of men more than how God regarded them.

Application

We ought to always evaluate what is more important. If we truly believe in God, we ought to show it and not be ashamed. We ought to believe as Paul did when he said, “For a I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation…”

Jesus and the Pharisees: John 12:17-19

Posted on by
1

This is our thirty-ninth study. Please click HERE for an introduction to this study.

John 12:17-19

Now the crowd that was with him when he called Lazarus from the tomb and raised him from the dead continued to spread the word. 18 Many people, because they had heard that he had given this miraculous sign, went out to meet him. 19 So the Pharisees said to one another, “See, this is getting us nowhere. Look how the whole world has gone after him!”

Observations

The common people were amazed at Jesus’ miracles and wanted to meet Him. In contrast, the Pharisees wanted to kill Him. They were so discouraged that Jesus was taking away their popularity.

Application

Beware if those who are discouraged at people who are doing good things. For some of our leaders, it matters not what good they do. It only matters to them whether they are profiting from it.

Jesus and the Pharisees: John 11:55-57

Posted on by
3

This is our thirty-eighth study. Please click HERE for an introduction to this study.

John 11:55-57

When it was almost time for the Jewish Passover, many went up from the country to Jerusalem for their ceremonial cleansing before the Passover. 56 They kept looking for Jesus, and as they stood in the temple area they asked one another, “What do you think? Isn’t he coming to the Feast at all?” 57 But the chief priests and Pharisees had given orders that if anyone found out where Jesus was, he should report it so that they might arrest him.

Observations

The people wanted to see Jesus because of His good words and miracles. The Pharisees wanted to arrest Him and kill Him. Why? Because they were jealous of His popularity among the people.

Application

Beware of the jealousy of religious leaders. Know that there is competition even among religious and Christian leaders. If you see it pray against it. It is a terrible evil.

Jesus and the Pharisees: The Raising of Lazarus, John 11:44-48

Posted on by
1

This is our thirty-seventh study. Please click HERE for an introduction to this study.

John 11:44-48

The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face.

Jesus said to them, “Take off the grave clothes and let him go.”

45 Therefore many of the Jews who had come to visit Mary, and had seen what Jesus did, put their faith in him. 46 But some of them went to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done. 47 Then the chief priests and the Pharisees called a meeting of the Sanhedrin.

“What are we accomplishing?” they asked. “Here is this man performing many miraculous signs. 48 If we let him go on like this, everyone will believe in him, and then the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation.”

Observations

This passage, the raising of Lazarus, reveals much about the Pharisees. It tells us that they were only interested in their high place in society and their popularity among the people. They needed the people to believe in them. It also tells us that they knew that Jesus was doing miraculous works, and in that they must stop Him so that they would maintain power. So it was all about their standing and power. They had to be number one. Jesus was a great threat to them.

Application

Be on the lookout for those in authority who seek power for themselves. Avoid them and confront them if you can.

Jesus and the Pharisees: Luke 19:38-40

Posted on by
1

This is our thirty-second study. Please click HERE for an introduction to this study.

Luke 19:38-40

38 “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!”

“Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!”

39 Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples!”

40 “I tell you,” he replied, “if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.”

Observations

When Jesus’ followers were praising Him as they came to Jerusalem, the Pharisees were offended. They didn’t think He deserved praise because they didn’t think He was the Messiah. But Jesus rightly did not stop their praise. He instead referred to the Psalms, saying that even the stones will praise Him (see Ps 96:11 and 98:7-9).

Application

Those that don’t believe will naturally be offended when believers praise Him. But all those who truly believe will be joyful and join the praises.

Jesus and the Pharisees: No servant can serve two masters (Luke 16:13-15)

Posted on by
Reply

This is our thirtieth study. Please click HERE for an introduction to this study.

Luke 16:13-15

13 “No servant can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.”

14 The Pharisees, who loved money, heard all this and were sneering at Jesus. 15 He said to them, “You are the ones who justify yourselves in the eyes of men, but God knows your hearts. What is highly valued among men is detestable in God’s sight.

Observations

When Jesus set forth the principle, you cannot serve God and money, the Pharisees sneered at Jesus, because they believed that their own riches justified themselves before God. And this, their self-righteousness, was their downfall.

Application

The love of money is idolatry. Money is useful only if it is used to benefit His kingdom—otherwise it will be our downfall. Therefore, let us stay away from any thought of getting rich for our own good. Let us despise that idea.

Jesus and the Pharisees: from Luke 15:1-7

Posted on by
1

This is our twenty-ninth study. Please click HERE for an introduction to this study.

Luke 15:1-7

Now the tax collectors and “sinners” were all gathering around to hear him. 2 But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.”

3 Then Jesus told them this parable: 4 “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Does he not leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? 5 And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders 6 and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ 7 I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.

Observations

In this parable the Pharisees though that the sinner had to seek God and His forgiveness—to earn the right to be in His presence. But God turns it all around. He is the one who reaches out to the sinner, to befriend the sinner in order to save him. God loves every one of his created ones, even those who are not yet found (saved).

Application

We all have a lot of work to do to bring the lost back into the fold. We must do whatever it takes to bring them to salvation. We must be a friend to them.