The End of the Lord

by Mac Hammond 

The book of Job is the most concentrated example of suffering we have in the entire Bible, yet to the frustration of many theologians, the “whys” of his suffering are never really answered.

Perhaps it is because God wants us to learn from something else. James 5:11 says:

Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy. (KJV)

God uses the story of Job to tell us that it doesn’t matter what you’re going through or the nature of the challenges you are facing; the principles are the same for all adversity. What matters is that you understand how to be patient like Job—you could also say his endurance—and something called the “end of the Lord.”

Greg Laurie: How to Get a 'New' Husband

By Anugrah Kumar , Christian Post Contributor

Greg Laurie and his wife, Cathe, speak
during a sermon at Harvest Church in
Riverside, Calif., about how to get a
"new" husband on Sunday, June 2, 2013.

After messages directed towards men in the previous weeks, Pastor Greg Laurie of Harvest Church in Riverside, Calif., turned to women on Sunday, speaking to them about how they can get a "new" husband if they heed advice by Apostle Peter. Laurie's wife joined him on stage.

As most Americans like "new and improved" version of everything, Laurie said the women of his church could get a new husband. But it's also about how to be a new wife, he added.

"Let's talk about women, what qualities they should have, and the biblical secret to reaching the non-believing or nominally believing husband," the pastor said, and quoted 1 Peter 3:1-4 (New Living Translation).

How Did Jesus’ Actions Support His Claims of Divinity?

Matthew 14:22–33

Jesus’ words, although impressive, were sometimes ignored or dismissed; however, the miracles he performed were difficult to discount or dispute. Among Jesus’ many extraordinary powers was his authority over the natural world.

Matthew 14:22–33 records the miraculous event of Jesus walking on the windy surface of a stormy lake to reach his disciples. In addition, with Jesus’ urging, Peter was miraculously empowered to also walk on the water. When Jesus and Peter climbed into the boat, the wind immediately became still, which caused the disciples aboard the boat to exclaim, “Truly you are the Son of God” (Matthew 14:33). 

FAITH THAT IS SEEN

Mark 2:5, "When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee."

MATTHEW 9: 1-8, MARK 2: 1-12, LUKE 5: 17-26

Faith can be seen. Just as Jesus explained to Nicodemus in John 3:8, faith is like the wind. Faith itself is invisible, but saving faith is always accompanied by corresponding actions which can be seen (Jas. 2:17-26).

It was not only the faith of the paralytic that Jesus saw, but also that of his four friends (Mk. 2:3). This demonstrates the effect our intercession in faith can have upon others. Jesus saw their faith. However, although our faith released on behalf of others is powerful, it is not a substitute for their faith. It is simply a help. The person who is to receive the miracle must have some degree of faith, also. 

God's Word Will Transform Your Life

by Rick Warren

“If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (John 8:31b-32 NKJV)

Nothing can change the lives of people like the Bible. I’ve seen alcoholics and addicts get their lives sober and clean because they started reading the Bible. I’ve seen God’s Word change self-centered, narcissistic men who abuse and misuse women into godly husbands, wonderful dads, and upstanding citizens in the community.

Under Your Feet

"The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, Until I make thy foes thy footstool." (Acts 2:34-35)

Even though Satan lost all his authority on this earth the day Jesus rose from the dead, for the past 2,000 years he's been running around as a spiritual outlaw--continuing to kill, steal from, and destroy all who will let him. But, he's not going to be able to do that much longer. 

There's coming a day when he's going to be put out of business completely. There's coming a day when the evil he's done here on earth will be put totally underfoot by the power of God.

Don't Play the Game!

Written by Kenneth Copeland


"I receive not honour from men. But I know you, that ye have not the love of God in you. I am come in my Father's name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive. How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that cometh from God only?" (John 5:41-44).

Honor. Godly honor. It's the kind of honor that keeps its word and standard of integrity no matter what. It never fails—it always succeeds.

Every day, commitments of honor are required of you. You have choices to make regarding ethics in your job, disciplining your children, keeping your marriage strong—and it's hard.

See Yourself Risen With Jesus

"Constantly keep in mind Jesus Christ, the Messiah, [as] risen from the dead." (2 Timothy 2:8, The Amplified Bible)

This is the key to holding onto the blessings of God. When pressure comes, when troubles and trials are bearing down on you, remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead!

Remember that when Jesus arose, you arose. When He came out of hell and defeated the enemy, you came out of hell and defeated the enemy. His victory is your victory because you're in Him.

In the hard places, remember that. When the devil tells you you're not going to get your answer this time, remember that. When he tells you there's no way out, you remember Christ, the Anointed One, the Victorious Conqueror, risen from the dead and seated at the right hand of the Father!

If there's an image Satan hates more than any other, it must be that image of Jesus, rising from the dead, stripping him forever of his authority, and openly displaying his defeat to all of heaven and hell. That's the picture you need to keep in the forefront of your mind. Think about it until it's etched into your heart so deeply that nothing Satan says or does can get it out of you.

That's when the gifts of God will be established in your life. That's when the devil won't be able to talk you out of your inheritance with trials and tribulations. Keep in mind Jesus Christ, risen from the dead!

Scripture quotations taken from the Amplified Bible.

Scripture Reading: Hebrews 12:1-13

Are you looking around for an unused basin?

Word from Scotland: 

In John Chapter 13, where Jesus has stooped so low to wash the disciple’s feet we have that profound conversation between Jesus and Peter, where Jesus explains to Peter that what he wants is not necessary. Peter does not need to be washed from head to toe, but that desire and longing too has its significance. Peter wanted to be totally committed to Jesus Christ.

Jesus explains further. As I wash you in this way, you will be clean, but Peter, there is somebody else here who is not clean and he is so dirty that washing his feet will not do much good. Not only are his feet dirty Peter, but unlike you, his hands are dirty and his head is dirty. Judas had already agreed to sell Christ.

Jesus wants to come and wash us – clean our hearts and thoughts and minds – so that what we say and do will be worthy in His presence and sight. We need to know that deep within our hearts and minds and we also need to be reminded of it frequently.

Did Jesus Evade the Leaders' Question?

J.C. Ryle

Note the consummate wisdom with which Jesus replied to the question put to Him (Matthew 21:23-27). 

His enemies had asked Him for His authority for doing what He did. They intended to make His answer a handle for accusing Him. He knew the drift of their inquiry and said, "I also will ask you one question, which if you tell me, I likewise will tell you by what authority I do these things. The baptism of John, where was it from? From heaven or from men?"

We must understand that in this answer of our Lord's there was no evasion. To suppose this is a great mistake. The counter question He asked was in reality an answer to His enemies' inquiry. He knew they dared not deny that John the Baptist was a man sent from God. He knew that, this being granted, he needed only to remind them of John's testimony to Himself. 

The Forgiveness God Offers

Written by Dr. Bill Bright

This is part 1 of a 6 part series – The Forgiveness God Offers

Do you sometimes find it difficult to believe that you have total forgiveness for your sins in Jesus Christ? Intellectually you believe it, but how about deep within your heart?

Imagine yourself in the crowd as this story takes place as recorded in the Book of Luke:

Some men came carrying a paralyzed man on a sleeping mat. Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the man, “My friend, your sins are forgiven!”

“Who does this fellow think he is?” the Pharisees and teachers of the Law exclaimed among themselves. “This is blasphemy! Who but God can forgive sins?”

Free From the Curse

"Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree." (Galatians 3:13)

You know the story. Satan came to Adam's wife in the form of a serpent and deceived her into disobeying God. Adam, although he was not deceived, followed suit.

When Satan came into the Garden that day, he didn't have any power at all. He had to come in like a sneak, not even talking to Adam directly but talking to his wife.

Now Adam was standing there, and he should have kicked him out right then. But he didn't. Instead, he set aside the command God had given him and did what Satan told him to do instead...and when he did that, he made Satan his lord.

In bowing his knee to Satan, Adam gave Satan the authority that God had given man. He made Satan the illegitimate ruler of the earth. Immediately things changed. Through one man's trespass, death passed to all men (Rom. 5:12).

The earth and everything in it was suddenly cursed.

Does God prohibit space travel?

by Troy Lacey, AiG–U.S.

A: Psalm 115:16 says, “The heaven, even the heavens, are the Lord’s; but the earth He has given to the children of men.” But does that mean mankind’s biblical dominion is limited to the earth?

The context reveals that the passage has nothing to do with space exploration, and nowhere else in Scripture is the concept spoken of in a negative light. Remember that the Psalms are poetic literature, and sometimes they conceptually portray people or angels in heaven worshipping God.

The essence of the passage is that heaven is where the throne of God is, and He alone controls heaven and the rest of the universe. Even if the Hebrew word is extended to include the atmospheric and interstellar heavens (as it often does), this still does not mean that God is prohibiting men from flying in airplanes or rockets, but rather that He is in control of these places as well as earth.

How To Be Really Free

Written by Helen Grace Lescheid

How can we pray for you today? 

“Jesus replied, ‘…So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.’” (John 8:34a, 36)

“Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” (2 Corinthians 3:17).

How do you feel about the word “surrender”? It’s not a popular word in our culture. We are afraid that if we surrender we’ll be oppressed. Maybe a person in authority has abused us and colored our concept of surrender.

I have a friend who spent three years in a Japanese prison camp. He witnessed cruel beatings and insults on a daily basis.  Even now, many years later, he is afraid to give himself to God. He thinks he’ll lose his freedom.

Family Problems : Cain And Abel

Scripture Passage   :   Genesis 4:1-12

INTRODUCTION: Many families have problems with one member turning against another. This is the direct result of the coming of sin into the world. These problems began with the first family and they continue to this day. In fact, Jesus prophesied that a man’s foes would often be those of his own household (Matthew 10:34-36).

1. THE PROMISE OF A SEED (Genesis 3:15
   )
1. The Judgment for Sin was Great
2. But God Promised a Seed of a Woman that would Defeat Satan
2. THE BIRTH OF TWO BROTHERS (Genesis 4:1-2[1] And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bare Cain, and said, I have gotten a man from the LORD.[2] And she again bare his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground.)
1. Eve Bore Cain and Abel
2. She Evidently Thought Cain was the Chosen Seed – “I have gotten a man from the LORD”
3. THE LIFE OF THE BROTHERS (Genesis 4:2
   )
1. Abel was a Keeper of Sheep
2. Cain was a Tiller of the Ground
3. Application: Family interests are varied. It is best to help children follow after occupations that fit their interests and abilities, for these are from the Lord.
4. THE OFFERINGS OF THE BROTHERS (Genesis 4:3-5)
1. Cain Brought an Offering
1. Of the fruit of his labors (Genesis 4:3
   )
2. The Lord did not respect his offering (Genesis 4:5
   )
2. Abel Brought an Offering (Genesis 4:4
   )
1. Of his flock of sheep
1. Of the firstlings
2. Of the fat
2. The Lord had respect unto his offering
3. Note: although we are not specifically told here, God usually showed His pleasure (respect) for an offering by sending fire from heaven to consume it. This probably happened with Abel’s offering but not with Cain’s.
4. Note: here we find that Cain and Abel were not only separated by interests and occupations, but also by spiritual perception. This often happens in families and is one of the most difficult problems in families.
5. THE HEART OF CAIN (Genesis 4:5-7)
1. He Did Not Repent of his Sin
2. He Blamed Others for his Rejection
1. He blamed God
2. He blamed Abel
3. He Rejected the Warning of the Lord (Genesis 4:7
   )
1. Well-doing will be accepted
2. Rebellion puts sin in charge
3. Obedience gives strength and authority (probably a reference to Abel)
1. His desire will submit to you
2. You will rule over him
6. THE HATRED OF CAIN (Genesis 4:8-9)
1. Cain Confronted his Brother (Genesis 4:8
   )
2. Cain Killed his Brother (Genesis 4:8
   )
3. Cain Denied Responsibility for his Brother (Genesis 4:9
   )
7. THE PUNISHMENT OF CAIN (Genesis 4:10-12)
1. He Bore the Guilt of his Brother’s Blood (Genesis 4:10
   )
2. He Could Not Pursue his Occupation (Genesis 4:11
   )
3. He Could Not Live in his Home Town (Genesis 4:12
   )
8. THE REPLACEMENT OF CAIN (Genesis 4:25-26)
1. God Gave Seth to Adam and Eve (Genesis 4:25
   )
2. Seth Replaced Abel who was Killed (Genesis 4:26
   )
3. Note: tragedies will occur in our families, but those who trust in the Lord and follow Him will be rewarded. Even Abel was used of God to give us a great message of truth (Hebrews 11:4
   ).

CONCLUSION: We are to love our family members and seek to lead them to the Lord. However, we are not told that they will understand our devotion to the Lord or that they will support our service to Him. However, God will give us new family in the Lord (Matthew 12:47-49; Ephesians 3:15
). We can serve with them while we continue to love our physical family.

David Reagan

http://www.learnthebible.org/sermon-outlines/family-problems.html

What Is Jesus Doing Now?

Pastor Colin Smith

  

He is able to save completely those who come to God through Him, because... Hebrews 7:25

Many Christians have a good understanding of what Christ has done for us in the past through His death on the cross, and of what He will do for us in the future when He comes again in power and in glory. They are clear about what Christ has done for us yesterday, confident about what He will do for us tomorrow, but confused about what He is doing for us today.

Christ died to save you, but He also lives to keep you. It is through Christ's continuing work of intercession that we are sustained through every pressure, kept through every temptation and eventually brought into glory.

Christ prays for you

He always lives to intercede... Hebrews 7:25

This means that Jesus speaks to the Father on your behalf. He represents you and brings the specific needs that you have, and the particular situations that you are facing, before the Father.

There is a beautiful illustration of this in the Gospels. Jesus knew that Peter was going to come under great pressure after He was arrested. He had already told Peter, "Before the cock crows, you will deny me three times." But Peter was sure that he was up to the challenge, confident that he could rise above that kind of failure.

Then Jesus said to Peter, "Satan has asked to sift you as wheat, but I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail" (Luke 22:31). Notice Jesus didn't say He had prayed that Peter would not fail, but that Peter's faith would not fail. God can use our failures as well as our triumphs. Jesus was saying, "Peter, you are going to come under great pressure. The enemy is going to attack you. But I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail."

That's exactly what happened. Jesus was arrested, and Peter was afraid and embarrassed. Satan really worked him over, and he failed big time. That might have been the end of Peter's story, but it wasn't. The reason? Christ had prayed for him, and His prayers always get answered.

That's why when Peter hit his lowest point and blew his testimony, his failure becomes an opportunity to discover the mercy of God. On the third day, Peter was among those who came to the tomb and discovered the risen Lord. A few days later, his faith renewed, the Lord restored Peter and commissioned him for ministry.

Seated on the throne

Such a high priest meets our need-one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens. Hebrews 7:26

Now we are not to think of Jesus on His knees in heaven, agonizing in prayer on our behalf, as He did in the Garden of Gethsemane. He is seated on the throne in the position of authority, and His word is the angels' command.

Jesus Christ, your great High Priest, is aware of every circumstance of your life. Nothing escapes His attention. He speaks with authority in the presence of the Father, and His word releases the resources of heaven for the pressures and temptations you face today.

I wonder what Jesus is praying for you right now... That your faith may not fail? That you will be sustained under a great burden? That you will face up to an issue of sin and deal with it? It is marvelous to know that Christ intercedes for you. He will bring you through every circumstance of life. He lives for that very purpose.

That's this week's LifeKEY!

Colin S. Smith

This LifeKey is based on the message "Intercession," from the series, "Unlocking the Bible in Hebrews & James," preached on November 18, 2001.  

gotquestions  lifekeys@unlockingthebible.org

Resurrection Power

1

by: Alan Bullock

 

It is important to know that the Bible bases all its spiritual truths on historical facts. God’s Word, the Bible, does not proliferate ill-defined abstract theoretical ideas but irrefutable historical facts. The evidence in favor of the Resurrection of Jesus is as strong and conclusive as any historical fact established in the scriptures. It is evidence grounded in prophecy and confirmed by a great number of witnesses including devoutly virtuous women, many of His apostles and then by five hundred brethren at once. His resurrection was further confirmed by the vision and voice of angelic beings. Lifted by Love
Hung on an old rugged cross  to die
The homeless Jew His blood did supply;
Thus pardoning mankind for one and all,
Our uncancelled debt paid with bitter gall.
A stumbling block for the unbelieving,
A pardoning Savior for those receiving.
The lovely face, the tender heart,
A light of grace He did impart.
A vessel of love poured out again and again;
His Resurrection power freeing us from sin.
We remember with joy the conflicts He won,
A fiery Cherub — God’s holy Son.
Against the slings and taunts and jeers,
He sends us joy to calm our fears.
He’s sees our sadness from above
And sends us hope in the form of love.The resurrection of Jesus is important for many reasons. It witnesses to the immeasurable authority and supremacy of God. At His command, dead circumstances come back to life. If our spiritual experience with God is dead, He has the power to resurrect it if only we become a willing vessel. Leonard Ravenhill said, “Calvary expresses the love of God while the resurrection explains the power of God.” What a powerful statement! God can resurrect your broken dreams, hopes and aspirations.After Lazarus died, his body lied cold and decomposing, but our Lord has power over death. Imagine Lazarus lying in a cold tomb. Not a sound. No movement. Then he hears the voice of God — a voice so powerful that his hands and feet began to move. His mind begins to function and his faculties begin to obey God’s command. In an instant, in a mili-second of time, He felt the power of God. Those standing by heard Christ speak and say, “Lazarus, come forth!” It was then that they saw the power of our Lord. That same voice calls us today to abandon our dead spiritual relationship with both God and man. Let the resurrection power of God lift you out of life’s sorrows and bring you renewed hope, joy and power!And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you (Romans 8:11).Hope and faith lead the believer to a path of joy and fulfillment and, when fully realized, bring new life to all who trust in the Lord.

MEET THE AUTHOR

ALAN BULLOCK

Alan has pioneered several churches and has also been blessed to travel the world preaching and teaching in churches and conferences as a missionary evangelist for over thirty two years.

Copyright © 2011 by Alan Bullock

http://www.daystar.com/devotions/resurrection-power/