Blind Trust

I can remember as a child growing up how much I trusted my dad. I trusted him to; hold onto my bike while learning how to ride, to catch me when learning how to swim or jumping into the deep end. There is nothing I would not try as a child, if my dad said that he would be there for me. The best way I can describe this is, “Blind Trust.”

Blind trust is a type of faith that obeys regardless of personal understanding. (Chuck Smith)

The Gospel of Matthew describes the blind faith of the Centurion in Capernaum who asked Jesus, “just speak a word, and my servant will be healed.” (Matthew 8:8) Another example can be found in Luke’s Gospel. There Simon Peter, after fishing all night and catching nothing, at the word of Jesus, let down the nets for a catch. (Luke 5:5) Because both of these men believed blindly and did not stumble at the promise of our Lord, they found success.

This is a beautiful blueprint for us to follow. In both cases faith is follow by obedience. The Centurion was told, “go your way; and as you have believed, so let it be done for you.” He went his way and his servant was healed that very hour.(Matthew 8:13) Simon Peter also obeyed blindly (not because the request was logical but because it came from Jesus) and at His word, pulled up a net so full of fish that it nearly broke. (Luke 5:6)

What is God asking you to blindly trust Him about? Whatever it may be, I strongly suggest that you...Trust - Believe - Obey!

The Truth
"Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will direct your path." (Proverbs 3: 5-6)

A Time for Every Season Under Heaven

How often have you said, The Lords' Prayer? Now, how often have you stopped to think about the words, "Thy will be done?" Those are some tough words to pray at times.

My wife lost her brother to lung cancer a few years back. We prayed for healing and cried out for a healing touch all through his illness but, Gods' will was not to heal him on earth and that's OK. Even though as Christains we are told to, "make our requests known to God," He is under no obligation take our direction. Who are we to direct or council God.

Jesus, the night before His crucifixtion prayed, "Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will. (Matthew 26:39) The Bible also speaks of Jesus being in so much agony at this point, that His sweat became like great drops of blood falling to the ground. (Luke 22:44) This request must have been difficult for the Father not to grant seeing both the current and future pain of His Son. However, God had a greater purpose, the salvation of man.

Therefore, do not be discouraged by what seems to be unanswered prayer. Understand our Father has a heavenly purpose that is far beyond our current understanding - and that some day, we will see it clearly.

The Truth
"To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven." (Ecclesiastes 3:1)

In My Father's House Are Many Mansions

The Bible tells us that, "it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment." (Hebrews 9:27) This means we all have that appointment - Death is a certainty. The statistics are unchangeable; 100 out of every 100 have died....which makes some people fearful of death because of the unknown - their eternal location.

The child of God knows what to expect at life's end. At our physical death, we will be changed. Our physical body will die and decay into dust because we live in corruptible bodies - but, as the apostle Paul wrote, "This corruption must put on in-corruption, and this mortal must put on immortality." (1 Cor. 15:51) We will be changed! As the bible says, "it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him." (1 John 3:2)

Jesus said, "In my house are many mansions. I go to prepare a place for you, that where I am, there you may be also." (John 14:2-3) Here Jesus is telling the believer that they will enter into the eternal existence with God.

For the the carnal man death is just as certain but, the location of eternity is different. The Bible says this concerning the unbeliever, "The angels will come forth, and separate the wicked from among the just, and cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth." (Matthew 13:49-50) Yikes! Hell is a real place and is reserved for the unbeliever. Revelation 20:15 says, "And anyone not found written in the Book of Life, will be cast into the lake of fire."

There is no escaping death nor the events that will follow for your soul. The only question is, Where will your soul spend eternity?

The Truth
"He that believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him." (John 3:36)

"Truly This Was The Son of God"

The Roman Centurion standing guard at the cross witnessing the slow and agonizing death of Jesus, and upon seeing the events which took place immediately after Jesus breathed His last, (the veil of the temple being torn from top to bottom; the earth shaking and rocks splitting; tombs opening)  became filled with fear and stated, “Truly this was the Son of God.” (Matthew 27:50-54)

Jesus was crucified because of the accusations by the very people who should have recognized Him as the Son of God more than anyone else; the Pharisees (Mark 3:6), Scribes and even the Chief Priests (Mark 11:18) of Jerusalem. They were the historians, the educated, the very voice of the scriptures to the people. Instead, they handed Jesus over to Pilate to be put to death. What was their case that warranted death by crucifixion? Pontius Pilate wondered the same thing. The Bible tells us that Pilate knew the chief priests handed Him over because of “envy“ (Mark 15:10) and that he found no fault in Him. (Luke 23:14)

Because Jesus forgave people of their sins and made statements like, “If you have seen Me, you have seen the Father” (John 14:9) - they (chief priests) saw this as blasphemy, for only God alone can forgive people for their sins. Therefore, these acts put Jesus on the same level as God. However, if you are the Son of God, where is the blasphemy? Even one of the two criminals crucified with Jesus recognized His ability to forgive him of his sins stating, “Lord remember me when you come into your kingdom.” (Luke 23:42)

So, the question to us remains the same as it was to His disciples, “Who do you say that I am?” (Matthew 16:15) A good man? A teacher? A prophet? Or like Peter stated, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." The Roman Centurion standing guard at the foot of His cross gave his answer, and it was recorded in Scripture as a testament from the mouth of one who doubted. What's you answer to the question?    

The Truth
“After being baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened, and he (John) saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove and lighting on Him (Jesus) and behold , a voice out of the heavens said, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” (Matthew 3:17 and 2 Peter 1:17)

Born To Die - That All Might Live

Jesus came to this earth, by Gods' plan and design.
The place of His birth, marked - by a heavenly sign.
A new star above, showed the place where He lay.
The Fathers' gift, sound asleep on the hay.

So innocent and pure, this gift to man.
Would soon receive, Roman nails in His hands.
He was born to die, His life He gave.
So all might live, and their souls be saved.

One day all will answer, for what they have done.
With Gods' gift to the world, His only Son.
So accept His gift, and your soul you will save.
From the wages of sin, and the death of the grave.

What you do with Gods' gift will determine your eternal future. By accepting it, you will find eternal life. If you reject it, you will find eternal darkness.

The Truth
"For by grace you have been saved, through faith, and that not of yourselves: it is a "gift of God." (Ephesians 2:8)

Death, Burial and Resurrection

The death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ are fundamental to Christianity. If Christ did not rise from the dead, then there is no victory over sin - no victory over the grave - no hope in life after dead - the Bible itself then is a lie - and our faith is in vain. However, the scriptures not only predict and record the death of Jesus, but, they also predict and record His burial and resurrection.

The death of Jesus Christ was predicted in the OT in Isaiah 53:5-6 in about 500‘s B.C., and recorded in the NT gospels. (Matt.27:35; Mark 15:24; Luke 23:33; John 19:18) His crime was that He claimed to be the Son of God, an accusation He did not recount even after a very brutal scourging. Jesus Christ died on the cross for our sins, to pay the penalty that our sins deserved.

The burial of Jesus Christ was prophesied in Isaiah 53:9 and recorded (among others) in the gospel of Matthew 27:57-61 - His resurrection prophesied in Psalm 16:9-10 and also recorded in 1 Corinthians 15:5-8. In these verses, the Apostle Paul records a list of the eyewitnesses of the resurrection - Peter, the twelve disciples, over 500 brethren in Galilee, James (the half brother of Jesus), all the Apostles and then Paul himself. These all remained united in their testimony as to the resurrection, even unto death. (violent)

Therefore, since Christ is risen from the dead, He has become the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep. It was by man that death first came into the world, through Adam to all men. But, praise be to God, who sent His Son into the world as a Man, in order to undo the work of the first man. (John 3:16) Thus, by the Man Christ Jesus, came the resurrection from the dead and the hope of eternal life.

This is not however a universal salvation to all men from death. Adam and Jesus Christ are presented as federal heads, this means they acted for other people. All who are descended from Adam die, so in Christ all shall be made alive. (1 Corinthians 15:23) Meaning, only believers in Jesus Christ will be raised from the dead to dwell forever with Him.

So how then are we to live? The apostle Paul says, “If the dead do not rise, let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.” (1 Corinthians 15:32) He testifies here that - if there is no resurrection - we all would be better off by making the most out of life. However, since there is a resurrection, Paul suggests we should not spend our lives on passing interests. We must live for “then” (resurrection) not for “now.” (pleasures)

He closes the letter to the church at Corinth with an appeal to, “Awake to righteousness and not sin.(1 Corinthians 15:34) This is just as relevant to the church today as it was back then. Awake! Read the times and the seasons - the day of the Lord will soon be at hand.

The Truth
“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” (1 Corinthians 15:58)

By His Stripes - We Are Healed

"So, Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, released to them Barabbas; but Jesus he scourged and delivered to be crucified." - Mark 15:15

The Romans would, according to custom, scourge a condemned criminal before he was put to death. The Roman scourge, also called the "flagrum" or "flagellum" was a short whip made of two or three leather (ox-hide) thongs or ropes connected to a handle. The leather thongs were knotted with a number of small pieces of metal, zinc, iron or heavy indented pieces of bronze. Bone was often added to help rip off the skin. Sometimes the Roman scourge contained a hook at the end and was given the terrifying name "scorpion."

The criminal was lashed to a flogging post which would help the "lictors" make deeper cuts into the shoulders, waist and legs. According to Jewish law (discipline of the synagogue) the number of stripes was forty less one (Deut. 25:3) however, scourging among the Romans was a more severe form of punishment and there was no legal limit to the number of blows, as with the Jews.

Deep lacerations, torn flesh, exposed muscles and excessive bleeding would leave the criminal "half-dead." Death was often the result of this cruel form of punishment though it was necessary to keep the criminal alive to be brought to public subjugation on the cross. Therefore, the Centurion in charge would order the "lictors" to halt the flogging when the criminal was near death.

The severe scourging of Jesus (1 Peter 2:24), with its intense pain and appreciable blood loss, most probably left Him in a pre-shock state. The physical and mental abuse meted out by the Jews and the Romans, as well as the lack of food, water, and sleep, also contributed to His generally weakened state. Therefore, even before the actual crucifixion, Jesus' physical condition was at the very least serious and possibly critical. (Isaiah 50:6)

After the scourging, the Roman soldiers began to mock him by placing a robe on his shoulders, a crown of thorns on his head, and a wooden staff as a scepter in his right hand. Next, they spat on Jesus and struck him on the head with the wooden staff which made Him, unrecognizable. (Isaiah 52:14)

This voluntary, loving act was only the beginning of the pain He would endure for us, as the cross still awaits Him.

The Truth
"But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all." - (Isaiah 53:5-6)

Two Thieves

I thought I would repost this in light of the coming Easter Celebration.

In Luke’s Gospel account of the crucifixion of Jesus, he records some of the conversation between the "two thieves" who were crucified along with Jesus. One blasphemes and mocks Jesus (Luke 23:39) while the other comes to believe in Him. (Luke 23:40)

Two thieves, aware of their crimes and their guilt and just as aware of His innocences. (Luke 23:41) Two thieves, in the same proximity of Jesus - at the same time - hearing and observing the same things - arrived at two different conclusions. One thief verbally rejects Jesus for what He would not do, give into Satan and save himself and them; the other thief comes to a belief in Jesus for what He did do, die willingly a sacrificial death for all who would believe. (Luke 23:42) These two thieves represent the struggle for mans heart and soul still today. One willing to believe while the other, denies Jesus right up to his last breath on the cross.

Luke goes on to record the salvation of the thief who believed at death’s door. “Lord remember me when you come into Your kingdom." To which Jesus responded, "Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in “Paradise.” (Luke 23:42-43) Confirming there is life after death in Heaven (paradise) for all who believe. Which now begs the question, "What if I don't believe?" Well, just assuredly as there is a heaven, there is also a hell. (Matthew 13:42) And if all one has to do to go to heaven is believe in Jesus - then all one has to do to spend eternity in hell is not believe in Jesus. (John 3:36)

End your fear of death today and be ready to move on with peace in your heart. How? The Apostle Paul wrote in his letter to the Romans, "if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved." (Romans 10:9)

The Truth
"He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God." (John 3:18)