God's Glory Revealed

1 Corinthians 2:8; John 1:14

And the Word was made flesh dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth (John 1:14). Which none of the princes of this world knew; for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory (1 Corinthians 2:8).

Today's lesson study focus is on the glory of God, which is glorified through His Son Jesus Christ. Our first scripture describes Jesus being the Word of God who was made of flesh as He walked the earth. His disciples traveled with Jesus and witnessed the many signs and wonders He performed authenticating His deity; yet many failed to recognize Him as the begotten Son of God the Father.

When did Jesus existence begin? Jesus was there in the beginning with His Father and upon His earthly arrival was the final revelation of God as His sole purpose was to bring salvation to the world. Therefore, Paul in our second lesson study text answers an implied question would the princes/rulers of this would have crucified our Lord? Hopefully, the answer would have been no, because after the events that occurred on that Friday, many recognized Jesus as Lord. Prophecy had to be fulfilled and His death was eminent as He had to die only to rise again on Sunday morning.

With that being said, God continues to reveal His glory in many ways; the rising and setting of the sun daily, the moon and stars performing their task on schedule, nature obeying His commands and the seasons changing without any delay. Each time we look at our self and our fellow man we see the glory of God and as each believer witness and live holy lives, His glory is manifested even more.
Look around you and see God's glory-it is everywhere.
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Author's contact:
wwhite@goodshepherdwritingandpublishing.com
http://willie-writing.blogspot.com
Today's discussion is taken from my devotional "Heavenly Bread", which is available through Amazon.com and the author.

Blessings of Salvation

Romans 1:16

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

Salvation carries blessings that all believers receive upon accepting Jesus Christ as his or her personal Savior, and they are:
a) Redemption is that all believers have been ransomed (bought/redeemed) with the blood of Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ paid our sin debt. This gives each believer the blood bought right to come boldly to God in prayer with supplication and thanksgiving.

b) Justification is that believers have been justified (acquitted of all sins), or declared righteous in the sight of God. Justification is the finished work of Jesus Christ (Romans 3:24; Ephesians 2:8).

c) Regeneration is the believer's new birth (John 3:3). This is taking on the life of Christ as the Holy Spirit abides in each believer (Romans 8:9). Believers become new creatures in Christ.

d) Sanctification is each believer being set apart from sin so that all believers may have an intimate relationship with God to serve Him. Sanctification comes by faith in God (Acts 26:18), union with Christ in His death and resurrection (John 15:4-10; Romans 6:1-11; 1 Corinthians 1:30), by Christ's blood (1 John 1:7-9), by the Word (John 17:17), and the regenerating and sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit in the believer's heart (Jeremiah 31:31-34; Romans 8:13; 1 Corinthians 6:11; Philippians 2:12-13; 2 Thessalonians 2:13).

Given the overall sin cleansing process and the blessings received who wouldn't want to be saved?

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Author's contact:
wwhite@goodshepherdwritingandpublishing.com
http://willie-writing.blogspot.com

Jesus' Seven last Words

Luke 23:34; John 19:26-30, Mark 15:34

Today being what is commonly referred to as Good Friday; however, I prefer to refer to this day as the day my Lord was crucified fulfilling prophecy. Reflect with me if you will on the last seven words Jesus spoke and consider what they mean to each of us.

Let’s begin with the phrase “Father, forgive them”, Jesus is asking His father to forgive the persons carrying out this treacherous act. Consider this thought for a moment, Jesus asking the Father to forgive all humanity for our sins. What love! Jesus was nailed to the cross from 9AM to noon suffering excruciating pain while bearing the sins of the world expresses pure love. His second words “To day shalt thou be with me in paradise” (v 43) speaks of salvation to all who trust Him as Lord and Saviour. This peak to the issue of some will recognize Jesus for who He really is and accept Him while desiring to spend eternity with Him while others will not make the connection or refuse to accept Him as Lord and Saviour. Jesus’ third words speak of love when He utters “Woman, behold thy son…Behold thy mother” (John 19:26-27). What is being displayed during His dying hours is Jesus expressing concerns for the welfare of His mother while leaving her in the trusted hands of someone who would care for her every need. Also, these words give children the responsibility caring for their dependent parents.

According to scripture during the three hours of darkness from noon until 3 PM Jesus spoke no words. During those hours of darkness history records that all of the elements of nature went out of control as we know them to operate. The earth acted as if it was drunk, the sun refused to shine; you could say it turned its face toward heaven and looked at the Father, saying “I cannot watch Your Son die.” The moon hid itself. About 3 o’clock Jesus began to speak what is considered spiritual words on this order, “My God, My God, why hast thou forsaken me? (Mark 15:34; Matthew 27:46). This phrase depicts the separation Jesus experienced from His father as the sinner’s substitute. These words can be looked upon as the apex of Christ’s suffering for a lost world and the Father could not look on His Son dying for all humanity’s sins. The thought of Christ dying forsaken so mankind would never be forsaken should make us all shout Hallelujah! Thank God for Jesus! Next Christ addresses His physical need, again fulfilling scripture by saying “I thirst” (John 19:28); they gave Jesus vinegar to quench His thirst. From this we see again prophecy being fulfilled according to Psalm 69:21. Christ’s victory/triumph over death and sin states “It is finished” (John19:30). This phrase states that Christ’s earthly mission was complete. He had fulfilled all prophecies. He had completed the redemptive work as the sacrificial Lamb of God by shedding His blood as atonement for sin. He had won a decisive victory over Satan. He had reconciled man back to God bridging the spiritual divide that once existed between humanity and God. Finally, when Christ stated “It is finished”, He committed Himself to the Father when He stated “Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit” (Luke 23:46). At this point Jesus gave His life over to death and His spirit went home to the Father (Psalm 31:5). Therefore, no one can say that they took Jesus’ life because He came to earth to give His life as a ransom for humanity and through all the physical agony He experienced Christ remained on the cross until the end. Jesus may have died on Friday, but the Saviour Jesus Christ rose on Sunday (Resurrection) morning with all power. I am glad He did what He did! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
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Jesus' Blood The Cross and Salvation

Romans 3:23-27

For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that past, through the forbearance of God;

Today's discussion is designed to raise several thought provoking questions to rekindle our appreciation for the price Jesus paid for our salvation. The first question that come to mind is, When you look at the cross what do you see? Do you see just a man or our Saviour, God's Son being crucified for the sins of the world as God the Father pronounced the whole guilty before Him? Do you see salvation through Christ's sacrificial death and through His shed blood salvation is made available to all who believe in Him? Do you see Christ's death as our substitute as mankind lacked the ability to pay his own sin debt? Do you see that by Christ's death guilt and the power of sin being annulled and man being reconciled back to God? Do you see through the propitiation by Christ's blood God's holiness remaining uncompromised and His love, grace and mercy on display? Do you see Christ's victory over sin, death and Satan, and all who believe in Him being liberated and are now free to serve God with all our being?

In the redemptive process the most important component is faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. This is the only requirement that God has for our salvation (Romans 3:22).

Without faith there is no salvation.

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Author's contact:
wwhite@goodshepherdwritingandpublishing.com
http://willie-writing.blogspot.com.
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Passion Week

Luke 19:28-44

In today's topical discussion we will reflect on the events that occurred leading to Jesus' Crucifixion and Resurrection.

On Friday Jesus arrives in Bethany which was six days before the Passover celebration to spend time with Mary, Martha and Lazarus His friends (John 12:1). It was during this visit that Mary anointed Jesus' feet with her expensive perfume as an act of humility and expressing her willingness to serve Him.

Saturday Jesus spent time resting as this day is the Day of Rest-Sabbath, as there is no mention of activities except rest in the Gospels.

On Sunday Jesus made His triumphal entry into Jerusalem (Matthew 21:1-11, Mark 11:1-11; Luke 19:28-44; John 12:12-19). The crowd cried Hosanna and laid Psalm branches down before Him.

Monday He cleansed the temple of money changers, drove out the crowd and turned over the tables (Matthew 21:10-17; Mark 11:15-18; Luke 19:45-48).

Tuesday the Gospels records this day as one of Controversy and Parables because of the events that occurred. The priest tried to trap Jesus, but He evaded their traps. He taught the people warning them against the Pharisees and their tactics. Jesus predicted the destruction of Herod's temples and taught His disciples about His return and other future events.

Wednesday. This can be seen as a another Day of Rest, because the Gospels records no events occurring. Mark 14:1 does records this, "After two days was the feast of the Passover, and of unleavened bread: and the chief priests and the scribes sought how they might take him by craft, and put him to death." The religious leaders plotting to kill our Savior. However, everything worked according to God's divine plan.

Thursday-Passover Last Supper (Matthew 26:17-30; Mark 14:12-26; Luke 22:7-23; John 13:1-30). This meal took place in the Upper Room with Jesus and His disciples this is where He gave new meaning to Passover. The bread represented His broken body and the wine represented His shed blood for all humanity's sins. Jesus and His disciples sang hymns after which they went into the Garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus prayed because He knew His hour was at hand. He was arrested by the Romans soldiers.

Friday-Crucifixion (Matthew 27:1-66; Mark 15:1-47; Luke 22:66-23:556; John 18:28-19:37). Jesus was hung on the cross between two thieves, where one asked for remembrance while the other failed to recognize Jesus as Lord and Savior. Jesus endured horrendous pain during His hours of crucifixion. Several dramatic events took place during those hours. The earth reeled and rocked like a drunken man, the sun refused to shine, the moon hid itself. The veil in the temple tore from top to bottom, and the earth became dark as night at mid-day.

Friday Evening Jesus was placed in a borrowed Tomb. It was the Jewish custom His body be placed in the tomb before 6: PM Friday night because it was the beginning of the Sabbath and all work ceased. Jesus lay in the tomb Friday night and Saturday, but O! Sunday morning! Thank God for Sunday morning and the empty tomb.

Resurrection Sunday (Matthew 28:1-13; Mark 16: 1-20; Luke 23:50-56; John 19:38-42). When the women arrived at Jesus' tomb prepared to anoint His body, they found an empty tomb and the angel told them that Jesus was alive and instructed them what to tell His disciples.

Study resource: Life in the Spirit Study Bible, King James Version

Comments are welcome.

Author's contact: wwhite@goodshepherdwritingandpublishing.com, http://willie-writing.blogspot.com/.

Hosanna

Mark 11:1-11; Psalm 118:25-26; Matthew 21:9, 15; John 12:13

The term "Hosanna" means save now and is derived from the Greek form of the Hebrew phrase "hoshana" or "hosanna" (Zondervan's Pictorial Dictionary P. 861). In Psalm 118:25, the term "Hosanna" save now is a prophecy of salvation through Christ's sacrificial death. This prophecy was fulfilled on Calvary's cross. The term later became an expression of praise which is what the people were shouting.

During Jesus' triumphal entry into to Jerusalem He was met by a throng of people saying, "Hosanna; Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord: Blessed be the kingdom of our father David, that cometh in the name of our Lord: Hosanna in the highest" (vv 9-10). The crowd failed to understand the purpose of Jesus coming to earth, which was to provide salvation through His death and Resurrection. The crowd wanted Jesus to restore Israel to national prominence and rule the nation, but this wasn't His time to establish His earthly kingdom. This same crowd turned on Jesus and cried "Crucify him" when their wishes weren't fulfilled. One week they praised Jesus and days later they pleaded for Pilate to kill Him-our Savior (Mark 15:12-14). Man's fickleness is unlike God's faithfulness. Christ is worthy of continued praise.

Comments are welcome Author's contact: wwhite@goodshepherdwritingandpublishing.com http://willie-writing.blogspot.com Follow me on Twitter and Facebook.com

An Everlasting God

Psalm 90:1-4 Lord, thou hast been our dwelling place in all generations. Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God. For a thousand years in thy sight are but as yesterday when it is past, and as a watch in the night.

Many nay sayers have been trying to refute the existence of the true and living God for many years, but in their noblest effort they have failed. This is because the only justification for all of creation is the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. He is the only God that has existed since the beginning of time and will exist forever. Isn't it a blessing to know that the God of the universe lives for all the ages and has been present and will continue to be until eternity?

There are many gods, but there is only one God, who creates, sustains, protects, provides for and saves His prized creation. Our everlasting Triune God sent His Son Jesus Christ to die for the sins of the world so that the broken fellowship is restored. What a mighty God?

Verse 2 gives insight into the infinite of our everlasting God, which states that God existed before the mountains, earth and the world were formed, He was in existence.

Only the Triune God can make such declaration of His existence. Which God do you acknowledge and serve? The Almighty God!

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Author's contact wwhite@goodshepherdwritingandpublishing.com http://willie-writing.blogspot.com Author's works can be purchased from Amazon.com, major book store, Christian bookstore, author's website and contacting the author directly.

The Works of God

Psalm 66:1-20 All the earth shall worship thee, and shall sing unto thee; they shall sing to thy name. Come and see the works of God: he is terrible in his doing toward the children of men. He turned the sea into dry land; they went through the flood on foot; there did we rejoice in him.

What are these verses saying? First, the writer is speaking to a community of believers who must have the manifestation of the Holy Spirit in their midst in order for them to glorify God. This is because believers have experience in the convicting work of the Holy Spirit and can recognize the powerful works of God. Believers recognize the majestic beauty of God in every aspect of life as nature beholds His wonders and powers. Nature worships God in its own way and so must believers worship God as He has set forth.

When believers recognize and reverence the terrible (magnificent) works of God then they can say to other "come and see the works of God" it is then that the unsaved will believe because they too will see His mighty works. This includes believers giving personal testimony of God's saving powers through His grace and mercy at work in our lives (v 16).

Verse 6 alludes to the mighty works of God when He made a highway through the Red Sea and the nation of Israel walked through on dry land. God will wall partition the trouble waters in your life if you trust in Him and cast all your cares upon Him (1 Peter 5:7).

Lastly, sharing the gospel of Christ we are never alone as Christ promised His presence, authority and power to accompany us when we witness Him to the lost souls of this world. The mighty works of God is still being manifested today.

Please note today's topical discussion is taken from my monthly devotional Heavenly Bread which can be purchased from the author and amazon.com. Comments are welcome Author's contact wwhite@goodshepherdwritingandpublishing.com http://willie-writing.blogspot.com

The Presence of God

Psalm 46:1-7 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. The Lord of host is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge.

The essence of this psalm is to provide comfort in the time of trials and tribulations, because at some point in our lives we will experience stress, anxiety, and spiritual barrenness (psalm 44). What one must do in these times is to remember these are not normal times and it is God's desire for His people to be near Him for He is there with help and comfort. We must put our complete trust in God with confidence that He will and we know that He is able to deliver us from all anxieties and or troubles. Our scripture verse provides all the encouragement needed by stating that He is our refuge. Refuge is a place of shelter which protects from all danger as it provides security during the storms of life. Regarding "strength" it is God's might when we are battling life's storms, which also includes His power to work in us that enables us to conquer or overcome all of life's obstacles. If the question were raised, What is the end result? The end result is God is present and available to His people, but He wants us to call on Him for help in the time of need. He answers sincere faithful prayers. We need not fear for He is sufficient. The presence of an All Mighty God, what a blessing!

Comments are welcome Author's contact wwhite@goodshepherdwritingandpublishing.com http://willie-writing.blogspot.com/