Who is JESUS?

Who is JESUS?

The most important thing about you is what you think of JESUS.  It is a life and death matter.

At JESUS trial Pontius Pilate the governor asked JESUS, “Are YOU king of the Jews? (John 18:33).

Earlier JESUS had asked HIS disciples, saying, Who do men say that I the Son of man am? 

Answering they said, Some say that YOU art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.

HE said to them, But, who do you say that I am?  Simon Peter answered and said, YOU are the CHRIST (Messiah), the SON of the living GOD.

JESUS answered and said unto him, Blessed are you, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood has not revealed it unto you, but my FATHER which is in heaven (Matthew 16:13-17).

JESUS saith unto him, I AM the way, the truth, and the life: no man comes unto the FATHER, but by ME (John 14:6).

JESUS said: I AM the door: by ME if any man enter in, he shall be saved…(John 10:9).

For whosoever shall call upon the name of the LORD shall be saved (Romans 10:13).

JESUS said man shall not live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of GOD (Matthew 4:4). JESUS said, “I AM the bread of life: he that comes to ME shall never hunger; and he that believes on ME shall never thirst” (John 6:35).

When HE appeared to John years after HIS resurrection JESUS said: I AM Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, says the LORD (JESUS), which is, and which was, and which is to come, the ALMIGHTY (Revelation 1:8). (4 times in the book of revelation JESUS tells of HIS eternal existence and equality with GOD the FATHER and GOD the HOLY SPIRIT by saying I AM the Alpha and Omega followed with the terms either the beginning and the ending or the first and the last).

JESUS said, I AM the resurrection, and the life: he that believes in ME, though he were dead, yet shall he live: (John 11:25).

JESUS said, I AM: and you shall see the SON of man sitting on the right hand of Power and coming in the clouds of heaven.

Are you ready?

For GOD so loved the world, that HE gave HIS only begotten SON, that whosoever believes in HIM should not perish, but have everlasting life (John 3:16). The FATHER loves the SON and has given all things into HIS hand.  He that believes on the SON has everlasting life: and he that believes not the SON shall not see life; but the wrath of GOD abides (stays) on him (John 3:35-36).

Who do you say JESUS is?

Hugs

Sharon

What did JESUS call Peter?

Why did JESUS call one of HIS closest disciples ‘Satan’? 

JESUS had just told his disciples, how that HE must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day (Matthew 16:21).

Then Peter took JESUS, and began to rebuke JESUS, saying, Be it far from YOU, LORD: this shall not happen to YOU!

Listen as JESUS responds to Peter.

But HE turned, and said unto Peter, Get behind me, Satan: you are an offence/temptation to me: for you savor (value, delight in) not the things that be of GOD, but those that be of men (Matthew 16:23).

Then again in Ephesians 2:2-3 “…you walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air (Satan), the spirit that now works in the children of disobedience:

Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.

Peter learned that once we come to JESUS and are saved by calling on the name of the LORD (Romans 10:13), we have just begun a journey.  Just as a tiny newborn baby must slowly grow and develop so “As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that you may grow thereby” (1 Peter 2:2).

Are you savoring the things of this world instead of the things of GOD?

Are walking according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air (Satan)?

Or are you devouring the Word of GOD hungry to know HIM and growing thereby?

Hmmm

Hugs

Sharon

On the back of a donkey

Today, was Palm Sunday when JESUS rode a donkey, usually HE walked.

“Tell the people of Israel look your King is coming to you, HE is humble, riding on a donkey even on a donkey’s colt.” Matthew 21:5

Donkeys are sturdy, surefooted and have larger ears than horses and can be ridden. Although donkeys are more laid back than a horse, they are also self-preserving in nature. They prefer to do what is good for the donkey, which is not always what the human thinks is best so are known to be stubborn. Donkeys can also make wonderful guard animals.

The Bible is replete of donkeys from beginning to end. I always love the true story of Balaams’s donkey that refused to go because he saw the angel and also was given words to speak. (Numbers 22:21-33) and then there is the story of the prophet’s donkey… a lion came and killed the prophet but did not eat him or harm the donkey. Both the donkey and the lion stood by the side of the road together being a silent witness, testifying that what had happed was from GOD (I Kings 13:23-29) But my favorite of all is how JESUS while walking toward Jerusalem from Bethany told 2 of his disciples to go in the village of Bethpage and that they would see a donkey tied with its colt beside it. “Untie it and bring it here and if anyone asks what you are doing say the LORD needs them and he will send them.” And it happened just as HE said. Then they threw garments over the colt and HE sat on it. This happened so that OT scripture would be fulfilled (Matthew 21:1-7).

You must give the disciples credit for their blind obedience to JESUS.  Can you imagine how the disciples must have felt? Literally, JESUS told them to go steal a donkey. A horse thief was hung in the early west.

….a large crowd who had come to Jerusalem for the Passover feast, when they heard that JESUS was coming to Jerusalem took branches of palm trees and went out to meet JESUS and began shouting, Hosanna, (GOD saves) blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD even the King of Israel. And JESUS finding a young donkey sat on it (John 12:12-14).

A donkey is used as a symbol of peace-times while the horse usually symbolizes times of war. This time JESUS came on a donkey which fulfilled prophecy.

Zechariah 9:9 Rejoice greatly o daughter of Zion; shout O daughter of Jerusalem: behold your King has come unto you, HE is just and having salvation; lowly, and riding a donkey, even on a colt the foal of a donkey.

JESUS came that day to make peace between GOD and man by giving HIMSELF as a Ransom for all sin and all who would believe in HIM and call on HIS name would receive forgiveness and eternal life.

JESUS came riding a donkey on Palm Sunday for HE was coming as the Prince of Peace.

One day, maybe soon, JESUS will call to Believers in HIM from up in the sky and HE will catch us up to meet HIM in the air that we might be with HIM.  It will be to protect us from what is coming on the earth.

Then 7 years later JESUS is coming again. The next time HE comes JESUS will be riding a white horse followed by the armies of heaven on white horses for HE then will come as the KING of kings and the LORD of lords and will end the battle of Armeggedon. (Revelations 19:11-16).

Be ready, for the son of man is coming at an hour you do not expect! (Luke 12:40).

hugs

Sharon

Not a simple fix

This morning the faucet was broken in the bathtub and Mac had to go to the hardware store to get parts so he could fix it. It didn’t take him long and again we have water!

When something is wrong you have to fix it. But not all things are an easy fix.

I enjoy the fellowship of sitting around the table with friends eating together or just talking.  Best of all is when we discuss the Bible. Fellowship is a mutual sharing of interests and goals.  But since our thoughts are not GOD thoughts and our ways are not HIS ways (Isaiah 55:8-9) in order for GOD to have fellowship with mankind something had to change.

It wasn’t a simple fix, but to begin the process JESUS the eternal SON of GOD took on human body so HE could suffer (Hebrews 2:9). The eternal SON of GOD- the ONE through whom all things were made, got a human body formed in the womb just as all humans.  HE was unique in that HE had no human father, but GOD placed the eternal SPIRIT of GOD the SON/ JESUS within Mary’s womb.

JESUS had to have a human body so HE could suffer. Although so wonderfully great and earth-shatteringly crucial HIS death on the cross which paid for the sins of the world (Revelations 1:5) and disarmed the evil principalities and powers (Colossians 2:15) was just the conclusion of a life of suffering. For as we see in the wilderness at the beginning of HIS ministry (Mathew 4:1-11), during HIS life’s work enduring attacks, rebukes, insults, and then in the garden the night before HIS death (Luke 22:41-45) JESUS also suffered temptations of every kind.

Hebrews 4:14-15 Seeing then that we have a great high priest (JESUS), that is passed into the heavens, JESUS the SON of GOD, let us hold fast our profession (of faith in HIS finished work).  For we have not a high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points (JESUS was) tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

But WHY?

Hebrews 2:10-11 For it became HIM (it was a fitting according to GOD’s divine nature), for Whom are all things, and by Whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the Captain (leader) of their salvation perfect (ready for the work HE was to do) through sufferings.  For both HE (JESUS) that sanctifies (sets apart and makes holy) and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause HE (JESUS) is not ashamed to call them brethren,(fellowship).

Although I don’t know all the ends and outs of why JESUS had to have so many sufferings.  The verses we see here show us it was: 1-to pay for our sins so we could be reconciled (have fellowship with) to GOD 2-so we could see JESUS understands us in our weaknesses and so can help us when we are troubled or tempted 3-shows us that it is through suffering that we become perfect (made complete and ready for every good work).

#3 is what caught my eye as I read in Hebrews 2:14-17 this morning. JESUS (the ONE leading believers/ that is bringing many sons to GOD-sanctifying us) was made perfect (ready to help us) through sufferings (notice that is plural) so that we could see that suffering is a necessary part to get us ready (sanctify us) for whatever GOD has for us to do.

Like in the game ‘follow the leader’ the ones following are to do what the leader does.  In the same way we are to follow our leader JESUS in how HE lived and what HE endured (Hebrews 12:2-3).

Hebrews 12:2 Looking unto JESUS the author and finisher of our faith (Romans 10:17); who for the joy that was set before HIM endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of GOD.

Hebrews 4:16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace (to JESUS our High priest), that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

hugs

Sharon

Blood, sweat and tears

We know that JESUS is GOD the SON who was in the beginning and made heaven and earth (John 1:1-3, 14) and so if you are like me, you probably don’t often take into account that when HE took the form of man (Philippians 2:6-8) HE became truly human as well.

Now we have all heard of the tremendous damage that stress can have on our bodies.  It can cause all kinds of ailments from arthritis to deathly heart attacks. But have you ever considered the immense stress of our LORD and Savior JESUS CHRIST endured the night HE prayed in the garden?

HIS (JESUS) sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground (Luke 22:44).

The mental pressure/ the stress occurring as our LORD struggled with temptation was so great it caused HIS frame such severe strain that force HIS pores to send forth, as it were, great drops of blood which fell down to the ground.

This clearly demonstrates how tremendously heavy the weight of even the thought of bearing the sins of the world was to JESUS.  The stress was able to crush our Savior until blood came from HIS pores.

Yet, as horrible the very thought was, still JESUS of HIS own free will allowed HIMSELF to be crucified so that we could live eternally with HIM. That shouts to the heavens of the mighty power of HIS love for us.

Oh LORD, we don’t deserve YOUR love and there are no words to express how thankful I am for YOUR love and YOUR sacrifice.  All I can do is bow before YOU and worship for YOU LORD are worthy. AMEN

Hugs

Sharon

Praising the LORD

I want to praise the LORD and tell everyone of HIS kindness to me!

I had a major problem and had been struggling with how to solve it for several days. Today, after I decided to check with my computer savvy grandson the LORD whispered for me to try something 1st.

I did and it worked. Thank YOU LORD!

I had asked the LORD what to do from the beginning, but GOD waited to answer until I was desperate for an answer. For the LORD was using waiting for HIS purposes in my life (James 1:2-4)

Therefore I will look unto the LORD; I will wait for the GOD of my salvation: my GOD will hear me. (Micah 7:7).  

Look unto the LORD and wait patiently for HIM. GOD is never late! (2 Peter 3:9).

Always listen to that still small voice, GOD will never fail you.

hugs

Sharon

On Hold?

Standing in line or being put on hold when trying to resolve an issue on the phone can be frustrating.  It is the same with promises.  GOD gave me a promise years ago that I know HE will perform.  Every so often the enemy will bring fear into my heart concerning what GOD said.  If I run to the LORD HE will answer me.  One time HE answered by bringing scripture to mind.

“Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward. For you have need of patience, that, after you have done the will of GOD, you might receive the promise” (Hebrews 10:35-36).   

Those words reminded me that waiting is often part of GOD’s plan of completing HIS work in us! (James 1:2-4). All is in GOD’s time not mine and that GOD is never late (2 Peter 3:9).

Like many of us, a dear friend of mine has a serious situation brewing concerning one of her children and she is feeling overwhelmed as a resolving of the problem has been delayed over and over. It’s like she has been put on hold. As I was talking to the LORD regarding the situation and interceding for my friend and her family the following 2 verses came to mind along with a name.

Now all these things happened unto them for examples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come (1 Corinthians 10:11).

For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope (Romans 15:4).

The name of the one who it Happened to==that came to mind was Abraham.  The 1^st verse says. “these things happened to them as examples for us and were written for our instruction”.  Abraham was an idol worshippping pagan at the age of 75 when GOD called to go to a place without telling Abe where he was going.  GOD promised that HE would give Abe’s descendants a grand inheritance and possession of a land of milk and honey.  But Abraham was 75 years old at the time and had no children and his wife was 65 years old and barren.  But Abraham believed GOD and it was counted to him as righteousness (Genesis 15:6).

Now Abraham believed GOD, but year after year went by.  GOD’s timing to fulfill HIS word was long and it was 25 years later when Abraham was 100 and Sarah was 90 when their biological son was born. 

How could Abraham hold on to a promise for that long? “And being fully persuaded that, what HE (GOD) had promised, HE was able also to perform (Romans 4:21). 

Abraham is call the father of all who believe (Romans 4:12) because he simply believed GOD’s word.

That demonstrates that nothing is impossible for GOD and waiting is often part of HIS plan as well as the means GOD uses to prepare us for what we are to do (see James 1:2-4).

Do you feel like you have been put on hold? You are in good company.  But, do you believe what GOD said HE will do?  Never lose sight of the fact GOD can be trusted.  If HE says it HE will do it!

So, don’t throw away your confidence in what the LORD GOD ALMIGHY has said.

Hugs

Sharon

Learning to walk

Learning to walk.

Even through intense pain my youngest grandson learned to walk.  Though bones and parts were missing, we couldn’t keep him still.  I nicknamed him ‘Taz’ after the spinning dirt devil because he would zip around so terribly fast.  Then as bones were coming through the skin, my grandson Zachary had to have his feet amputated and it wasn’t long before he took off the casts on his legs he felt kept him from moving around.  This called for many trips to Denver to recast.  Finally, we found a way to dress him to keep on the casts and he discovered he could get around in them and even fought when the time came to remove them.  Then Zachary was fitted with prosthesis and he had to learn to walk all over again.

When you believed in JESUS and chose to call on HIM to save you, lots happened in the spirit realm but like me I imagine that you have found your old sin nature still is lurking around with its pride, wanting to do things its own way and its old habits calling to you.  So, often you act like you did before you were saved.

But to teach and enable us to learn to walk as we should as HIS children, GOD in HIS great love and mercy gave us the HOLY SPIRIT when we believed in JESUS (Ephesians 1:13-14).

Although our human nature didn’t have the ability to overcome sin’s lure, the HOLY SPIRIT living inside of us, speaking to us (Philippians 2:13, Hebrews 10:15-16), guiding us with nudges and checks in our spirit, reminding us of scripture (John 14:26), helping us to know our GOD and our Savior (1 Corinthians 2:10, 2 Corinthians 3:15, 2 Peter 1:1-4) and energizing us with HIS unlimited power (Ephesians 1:19) enables us to change and grow (but it is a process and doesn’t happen overnight but increasingly) into the likeness of JESUS (Romans 8:29) so we actually can partake of the divine nature (2 Peter 1:4).

That is IF we choose. 

Many times each and everyday we choose IF we will listen to the prodding of the HOLY SPIRIT within us or direct our attention to the luring lies of the evil one who influences the world’s thinking (Ephesians 2:2-3, 1 John 5:19).

It is all a matter of our focus.  IF we seek the things of GOD and allow the HOLY SPIRIT to direct our thoughts and actions, we will be empowered to do what GOD desires.  But IF we choose to listen to the snide remarks, insinuations, accusations and enticements of the evil one we again become ensnared to do the will of our enemy (2 Timothy 2:25-26).

LORD GOD ALMIGHTY, thank YOU for loving us and sending JESUS to save us.  Thank YOU for giving us the HOLY SPIRIT to seal and teach us. Thank YOU for YOUR longsuffering with us. We come now to YOUR throne of grace for mercy and grace to help us in our times of need (Hebrews 4:16).  Please redirect us from our old patterns that lead nowhere that we may walk in step with the HOLY SPIRIT of power (Galatians 5:26) I ask in the precious name of JESUS my LORD and Savior.

Hugs

Sharon

What does it mean?

Different people attach different meanings to terms which only leads to confusion.  I want to share the biblical definition of several terms that speak about the HOLY SPIRIT of GOD.  I have put Bible verses near the statements for you to search it out for yourself.

JESUS tells us we must be born of the SPIRIT to enter the kingdom of GOD (John 3:5). It is the HOLY SPIRIT who gives new life (John 6:63) and HE enters the new Christian to live within him permanently the moment a person believes in the saving work of JESUS and calls on the name of the LORD. 

However, this indwelling of the SPIRIT is not the filling of the HOLY SPIRIT.  Although throughout the Old Testament we can see that even an unbeliever can be moved to act by the SPIRIT, one cannot be filled with the HOLY SPIRIT unless that one believes and is indwelt.

JESUS is the one who baptizes with the HOLY SPIRIT (Mark 1:7-8, Luke 3:16).  That means the HOLY SPIRIT is poured out on a person when he believes in JESUS (John 8:38-39).  Then comes the baptism of the HOLY SPIRIT  where the HOLY SPIRIT places a person into the Church, the body of CHRIST. 

“By one SPIRIT we were all baptized into one body” (1 Corinthians 12:13, 27).

But what does it mean to be filled with the HOLY SPIRIT?

The prerequisite to be filled with the HOLY SPIRIT is to believe in JESUS and at that time one is sealed and indwelt by the HOLY SPIRIT (Ephesians 1:13-14).

But only the Christians who want to be filled with the SPIRIT will be filled for one must be willing to let the SPIRIT control what he does and says.  When someone submits to the HOLY SPIRIT’s nudges he is asking the SPIRIT to take control- that is fill him so his thoughts and actions are in line with what GOD wants.

Luke 4:1-2 tells us that JESUS was filled with the HOLY SPIRIT when HE was tempted in the wilderness.  In response to each temptation JESUS spoke scripture.   This shows us that the HOLY SPIRIT will remind us of scripture (John 14:26), but it is our job to learn scripture by reading it.

If we want to be consistent SPIRIT-filled Christians, we must be in the Bible. It is essential to read the Bible, study it, reflect on it, and let it correct us. Scripture has been given to make us complete, well‑equipped for everything GOD wants us to do (2 Timothy 3:16). The Word of GOD reveals the nature of GOD our Heavenly FATHER and JESUS CHRIST our LORD and changes us (2 Peter 1:1-4). We cannot be SPIRIT-filled without it.

Another aspect in being filled with the SPIRIT is seeking HIS counsel by asking for HIS guidance in what to do or to explain what Scripture means.

When Paul described the results/ or effects of being filled with the HOLY SPIRIT, he didn’t mention tongues-speaking or feelings. But he did mention “speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the LORD, giving thanks always for all things to GOD the FATHER in the name of our LORD JESUS CHRIST, submitting to one another in the fear of GOD” (Ephesians 5:19–21). He also listed nine fruits of the SPIRIT as evidence (Galatians 5:22–23).

Evidences of being filled with the HOLY SPIRIT are joyful fellowship; heartfelt praise, thankfulness and submission to GOD and others as well as the fruit of the SPIRIT flowing from us.

Love: An attitude that moves us to put GOD and others ahead of ourselves; a spirit that impels us to give, to serve, and to forgive.

Joy: A spirit of gladness rooted in our faith, expressed through song, and accompanied by an optimistic spirit.

Peace: Inner serenity derived from GOD and based on the reality of our peace with GOD through CHRIST’s sacrifice.

Longsuffering: Patience in the middle of difficult circumstances and in our relationships with difficult people.

Kindness: Treating others as we want them to treat us.

Goodness: Open, honest, pure, and generous behavior.

Faithfulness: Trustworthiness and dependability in all our relationships.

Gentleness: A tenderness of spirit that enables us to lead others and discipline those we are in charge of with graciousness.

Self-control: The quality that gives us control over our desires, especially those that relate to the body.

If the HOLY SPIRIT is producing these qualities in your life, you are SPIRIT-filled.  It is a process and these characteristics of the divine nature should be seen in an increasingly as the HOLY SPIRIT teaches us.

Are you, am I displaying these qualities?  Hmmmm

Is it really important to be filled with the SPIRIT?

Romans 8:1–11 declares that freedom from the power of sin comes to those who walk “according to the SPIRIT” (those who allow the HOLY SPIRIT to lead them)  Galatians 5:16-25 says if we live by the SPIRIT (obeying HIS nudges or checks in our spirit) we will not indulge in the lusts of the flesh. It also urges us who have the HOLY SPIRIT through believing in JESUS to walk in step with HIM.

hugs

Sharon

What HE says

1 Corinthians 1:2 gives us insight into how one is called when it says that if you have called on the name of the LORD (Romans 10:13) you are called. In a like manner, 1 Peter 1:2 shows us how GOD can make promises and still allow each of us the ability to choose. Being GOD knows all things, past, present and future (which includes what choices we will make) when HE makes an unconditional promise HE does so on clear knowledge and you can be sure it will come to be.

GOD told Jeremiah that after 70 years of exile that the Jews could return to Jerusalem. Ezra 1:1 “…that the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled the LORD STIRRED UP the spirit of Cyrus.  Cyrus said, ‘All the kingdoms of the earth the LORD GOD of heaven has given to me. HE has commanded me to build HIM a house in Jerusalem’ ” (so he let the exiles who chose to return to go to Jerusalem to build the temple and Cyrus also gave supply and encouraged others to give to those returning to Jerusalem). Ezra 1:5”all those whose spirits the LORD moved went.”

We see clearly that just as with salvation GOD moved and stirred up hearts but each still had to choose to do what GOD placed in their hearts or to refuse (Philippians 2:12-13).

THE LORD GOD took the grumbling Jews out of Egypt and put up with their whining and shenanigans for 40 years in the wilderness and eventually brought them into the Promise land and gave them an inheritance there.  Why? Yes, it was part of HIS plan, but also it is very important to see it was to fulfill HIS word to Abraham (Acts 7:5).

Because of GOD’s faithfulness to keep HIS word I rest assured that HE will be faithful to keep HIS word to me to save all my children.  Now the spiritual condition and values of several of my grandchildren and even a great-grandchild are in accordance with the world’s standards and lies.

GOD was fully aware what path they would be lured to when HE made that promise to me.  Nonetheless HE could give me HIS word for HE knows their hearts and what they will choose (1 Samuel 16:7) and HE is able to open their hearts to see and acknowledge the truth so that they can escape the snare of the evil one (2 Timothy 2:25-26).

Speaking of Abraham it is written, Romans 4:19-21 And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sarah’s womb: He staggered not at the promise of GOD through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to GOD; And being fully persuaded that, what HE (the LORD) had promised, HE was able also to perform.

I too believe and am fully persuaded that what the LORD has promised HE is able also to perform. So I rest in the power and faithfulness of GOD.

How about you?  Has GOD stirred your heart to believe HE will do something?  If so hold tight to that promise, especially if it looks humanly impossible.  Remember that nothing is impossible to GOD (Luke 1:37).

Hugs

Sharon