Genesis 1: 1-26
As we begin the New Year we will witness history being made in our government and many other history making events will occur with less notoriety and many of us will make New Year’s resolutions. As we begin the New Year, let us reflect on the events that occurred in our scripture verses and remember who created and sustains all creations, and then recognized that our creator is worthy of our renewed commitment to Him and His moral laws.
What are some of the ways we can renew our commitment to the Lord? We can renew our commitment to the Lord by (a) being a follower of Christ, (b) being an ambassador for the Lord, (c) obeying the great commission as recorded in Matthew 28:19-20 making other disciples, and (d) letting our light shine in a sin darken world so men will see Christ magnified our daily lives.
Let us look at our renewed commitment to God from a grace perspective and what “GRACE” has wrought in our lives. If we gave a definition of grace it would be humanity’s “unearned favor” from God. Let’s look at some scriptures that tells why God is worthy of our renewed commitment. Is it because of His grace? Romans 11:6 tell us that we are saved by God’s grace not our works. In 1 Peter 4:10 we are saved by God’s grace (paraphrased), and then in 1 John 1:9 can be interpreted to say that it was God’s grace to send His Son Jesus Christ into the world to die for our sins. In Ephesians 1:3-5 we have further authentication that it was by God’s grace that He chose us and by doing so we have a mission, which is to point others to Christ. By accepting His Son Jesus Christ believers become part of God’s election. Let’s look at election from a cruise ship analogy; many of us have taken a cruise where there is only one captain, crew, and then passengers; while on the ship we have everything we need to make our journey delightful. In our spiritual election (accepting Jesus Christ as our personal Saviour) Christ is the captain, the church is the ship and believers are the passengers and crew. While on this ship, God by His grace provides everything we need (2 Corinthians 9:6-8; Philippians 4:19), and our final destination is heaven where there will be a never ending praise and worship service. Get on board!
God in His infinite wisdom, while giving grace, He gave each of us spiritual gifts to edify His body (Romans 12:6-8) and to serve Him (Galatians 1:1-6). Finally, if we experience suffering we can endure with God’s grace as recorded in 2 Corinthians 12:8-9. It matters not if our suffering is in serving the Lord or in our secular lives, we know for certain God’s “grace is sufficient” (v 9).
In closing, let’s begin anew in Christ in the New Year. Happy New Year!
Author’s contact:
Email:white3285@sbcglobal.net, wwhite@goodshepherdwritingandpublishing.com
Blog: http://willie-writing.blogspot.com
Website: www.goodshepherdwritingandpublsihing.com
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Glorifying the borth of Christ
Matthew 2:1-12
“Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the King, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem” (KJV). Our scripture verse tell us who came to worship the baby Jesus and where these men came from; history also tell these were religious learned men who specialized in astrology, medicine and natural science who came to praise and worship the new born king. Another gospel writer (Luke 2:8-20) tells of shepherds who were abiding in their fields tending their flock came to worship and glorify Jesus. Also, scripture tell us of the angelic announcement of Jesus’ birth and the heavenly host who joined the shepherds praising God.
Reflecting on recorded scripture of the praise and worship rendered to baby Jesus, we see from religious leaders, to the lowly shepherds coming to praise the Saviour, Jesus Christ and even a King (Herod) inquired where was the baby Jesus. This brings a question to mind, what does this say about Christ’s worthiness of all praises? His is worthy because (a) He is the promised Messiah fulfilling all prophecy, (b) He is God’s Son and (c) He is the Saviour of the world bringing salvation to mankind.
We will close this brief dialog with a question; if the heavenly host can worship and praise God, why can’t you and I? He is worthy!
Author's contact:
Email: wwhite@goodshepherdwritingandpublishing.com
white32852sbcglobal.net
Blog:http://willie-writing.blogspot.com
Website: www.goodshepherdwritingandpublishing.com
“Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the King, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem” (KJV). Our scripture verse tell us who came to worship the baby Jesus and where these men came from; history also tell these were religious learned men who specialized in astrology, medicine and natural science who came to praise and worship the new born king. Another gospel writer (Luke 2:8-20) tells of shepherds who were abiding in their fields tending their flock came to worship and glorify Jesus. Also, scripture tell us of the angelic announcement of Jesus’ birth and the heavenly host who joined the shepherds praising God.
Reflecting on recorded scripture of the praise and worship rendered to baby Jesus, we see from religious leaders, to the lowly shepherds coming to praise the Saviour, Jesus Christ and even a King (Herod) inquired where was the baby Jesus. This brings a question to mind, what does this say about Christ’s worthiness of all praises? His is worthy because (a) He is the promised Messiah fulfilling all prophecy, (b) He is God’s Son and (c) He is the Saviour of the world bringing salvation to mankind.
We will close this brief dialog with a question; if the heavenly host can worship and praise God, why can’t you and I? He is worthy!
Author's contact:
Email: wwhite@goodshepherdwritingandpublishing.com
white32852sbcglobal.net
Blog:http://willie-writing.blogspot.com
Website: www.goodshepherdwritingandpublishing.com
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
His Name is Jesus
Matthew 1:21; 23
As we approach the birth of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, scripture tell us that Mary was engaged (espoused) to Joseph and before they were married, Mary was visited by the Holy Spirit (partial paraphrased) rendering her pregnant with Jesus. This became a problem for Joseph because in his humaneness, he felt maybe Mary had been unfaithful to him. Joseph was planning to call of the wedding, but an “angel of the Lord” calmed his fears by telling Joseph that the child Mary was carrying was the work of the Holy Spirit. What is occurring is the Old Testament prophecy (Isaiah 7:14) being fulfilled in that “a Virgin shall bring forth a son and thou shalt call his name JESUS”. In verse 23 the phrase is “and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us”. If we look at the Greek equivalent of the Hebrew word Yeshua (Joshua) means Yahweh saves or is salvation, and then combining the two we see that Jesus’ mission was to save humanity from the bondage of sin as He was God in the flesh.
Who do we have? We have Jesus being named before His birth signifying His mission and who He is; God’s Son.
As we approach the birth of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, scripture tell us that Mary was engaged (espoused) to Joseph and before they were married, Mary was visited by the Holy Spirit (partial paraphrased) rendering her pregnant with Jesus. This became a problem for Joseph because in his humaneness, he felt maybe Mary had been unfaithful to him. Joseph was planning to call of the wedding, but an “angel of the Lord” calmed his fears by telling Joseph that the child Mary was carrying was the work of the Holy Spirit. What is occurring is the Old Testament prophecy (Isaiah 7:14) being fulfilled in that “a Virgin shall bring forth a son and thou shalt call his name JESUS”. In verse 23 the phrase is “and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us”. If we look at the Greek equivalent of the Hebrew word Yeshua (Joshua) means Yahweh saves or is salvation, and then combining the two we see that Jesus’ mission was to save humanity from the bondage of sin as He was God in the flesh.
Who do we have? We have Jesus being named before His birth signifying His mission and who He is; God’s Son.
Thursday, December 11, 2008
The Redeemed
Luke 1:68
Let’s begin this topical discussion with three questions, how do you define redeemed, who are the redeemed, and who is the redeemer? According to Merriam-School Dictionary (p 750) redeem is “to buy back: repurchase, to get or win back, to free from captivity usually by paying a ransom, to free from the bondage of sin, to atone for: EXPIATE”. Zondervan’s Pictorial Dictionary agrees with Webster and the writer on the definition of redeem as it means “to by back”.
Let’s answer the question of who are the redeemed? Our scripture verse was speaking of the nation of Israel, but “the redeemed” can be categorized as all believers who have accepted the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ as their personal Savior. As we celebrate this holiday season, Christmas, which is Christ’s birth, the Savior was born to die; meaning His mission was to become the atoner for humanity’s sins. On this glorious day, Jesus knew His date with destiny at Calvary in complete obedience to the Father in an effort to restore man’s fellowship with God. Yes, all believers can join Zacharias (Luke 1:68) in saying “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel for he hath visited and redeemed his people.” Who are the blessed? All believers and why are we blessed, because God in the form of Jesus Christ came to earth. God kept His promise in sending the Messiah, Jesus Christ as our redeemer. Now that we have answered the two remaining questions, this brings another question to mind, which is why did humanity need a redeemer? Man needed redeeming because of a broken fellowship with God and there were no one on earth worthy to pay the penalty of sin. Therefore, to be the perfect sacrifice required someone free of sin and could keep God’s moral laws and this person was Jesus Christ.
Concluding this dialog, all believers are blessed because we believe in Jesus Christ, and thank God for sending His Son to be our redeemer. We are “the redeemed” because of God’s love. We have witnessed His love on two occasions, first, when God breathed the breath of life into man, He gave man part of Himself, second, by giving His Son as atonement for man’s sins, and Jesus gave His life for humanity. What love? See, Christ’s birth was no accident, this was a planned event. He is our redeemer -- we are the redeemed.
Author’s contact: blog: http://willie-writing.blogspot.om/, email: white3285@sbcglobal.net, wwhite@goodshepherdwritingandpublishing.com, http://www.goodshpeherdwritingandpublishing.com/.
Let’s begin this topical discussion with three questions, how do you define redeemed, who are the redeemed, and who is the redeemer? According to Merriam-School Dictionary (p 750) redeem is “to buy back: repurchase, to get or win back, to free from captivity usually by paying a ransom, to free from the bondage of sin, to atone for: EXPIATE”. Zondervan’s Pictorial Dictionary agrees with Webster and the writer on the definition of redeem as it means “to by back”.
Let’s answer the question of who are the redeemed? Our scripture verse was speaking of the nation of Israel, but “the redeemed” can be categorized as all believers who have accepted the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ as their personal Savior. As we celebrate this holiday season, Christmas, which is Christ’s birth, the Savior was born to die; meaning His mission was to become the atoner for humanity’s sins. On this glorious day, Jesus knew His date with destiny at Calvary in complete obedience to the Father in an effort to restore man’s fellowship with God. Yes, all believers can join Zacharias (Luke 1:68) in saying “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel for he hath visited and redeemed his people.” Who are the blessed? All believers and why are we blessed, because God in the form of Jesus Christ came to earth. God kept His promise in sending the Messiah, Jesus Christ as our redeemer. Now that we have answered the two remaining questions, this brings another question to mind, which is why did humanity need a redeemer? Man needed redeeming because of a broken fellowship with God and there were no one on earth worthy to pay the penalty of sin. Therefore, to be the perfect sacrifice required someone free of sin and could keep God’s moral laws and this person was Jesus Christ.
Concluding this dialog, all believers are blessed because we believe in Jesus Christ, and thank God for sending His Son to be our redeemer. We are “the redeemed” because of God’s love. We have witnessed His love on two occasions, first, when God breathed the breath of life into man, He gave man part of Himself, second, by giving His Son as atonement for man’s sins, and Jesus gave His life for humanity. What love? See, Christ’s birth was no accident, this was a planned event. He is our redeemer -- we are the redeemed.
Author’s contact: blog: http://willie-writing.blogspot.om/, email: white3285@sbcglobal.net, wwhite@goodshepherdwritingandpublishing.com, http://www.goodshpeherdwritingandpublishing.com/.
Friday, December 5, 2008
Reflections
II Chronicles 7:14
Some time ago I wrote an article “How do we heal our land”; today let’s reflect on some things. First we see this great nation of ours is standing on the brink of a financial melt down. Reflect with me on the large corporations that Congress has had to bail out within the last few months. Many of these companies were icons for many years now no longer exist as they once did or is being backed with government funds; AIG, CITI group, and Lehman Brothers just to name a few. Who would have ever thought the “Big three” would be in such financial distress and especially General Motors.
What does this situation really say about who we place our trust in and what does it say about the leadership of each corporation and our government? If I could reflect on scripture reading where a proud nation was powerful and felt it didn’t need God, and was spreading itself with prowness what the author referred to as spreading her wings as the bay leaf tree (Psalm 37:35 paraphrased). Well, look at these corporations they stood tall as giants among many spread out over the world, but one thing they forgot was who allowed them to achieve such status. These things happen when you take your eyes off God.
The question now becomes how to we get back to God? Our scripture verse makes it plain what is needed, first, we must humble ourselves, second, pray, third, seek God’s face, and fourth, turn from our wicked ways. If America do these four things God promised that He would (a) hear, (b) forgive, and (c) heal this land. We as believers understand this concept, we recognize where our blessings come from. Join with me in praying that our leaders political, heads of states and corporate, redirect their focus and recognize who has the real power, and that is God.
In closing, O, Lord my God in thee do I put my trust (Psalm 7:1) because like Job 19:25 “I know My Redeemer LIVETH”.
Some time ago I wrote an article “How do we heal our land”; today let’s reflect on some things. First we see this great nation of ours is standing on the brink of a financial melt down. Reflect with me on the large corporations that Congress has had to bail out within the last few months. Many of these companies were icons for many years now no longer exist as they once did or is being backed with government funds; AIG, CITI group, and Lehman Brothers just to name a few. Who would have ever thought the “Big three” would be in such financial distress and especially General Motors.
What does this situation really say about who we place our trust in and what does it say about the leadership of each corporation and our government? If I could reflect on scripture reading where a proud nation was powerful and felt it didn’t need God, and was spreading itself with prowness what the author referred to as spreading her wings as the bay leaf tree (Psalm 37:35 paraphrased). Well, look at these corporations they stood tall as giants among many spread out over the world, but one thing they forgot was who allowed them to achieve such status. These things happen when you take your eyes off God.
The question now becomes how to we get back to God? Our scripture verse makes it plain what is needed, first, we must humble ourselves, second, pray, third, seek God’s face, and fourth, turn from our wicked ways. If America do these four things God promised that He would (a) hear, (b) forgive, and (c) heal this land. We as believers understand this concept, we recognize where our blessings come from. Join with me in praying that our leaders political, heads of states and corporate, redirect their focus and recognize who has the real power, and that is God.
In closing, O, Lord my God in thee do I put my trust (Psalm 7:1) because like Job 19:25 “I know My Redeemer LIVETH”.
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