Turn to God's Holy Word

The Lord wants me to continue in relationship with Him through His Word, however, for the time being, He wants me to discontinue writing this blog.  Christ's Word stands for all of us in the Bible.  Amen!

Walk Continued through the Book of Matthew

We are all faced with good and evil everyday.  In His Sermon on the Mount, Jesus expands on the laws of the Old Testament to help us overcome evil.  We must always keep alert to avoid Satan's subtle snare.  Search and you will find ways to overcome evil in Jesus' teachings.  Through Jesus we will overcome!  Matthew 5:21-48 and Matthew 6 and 7 continues the walk through the gospel of Matthew.

Moving Forward Through Jesus

Matthew 5:17-20 (KJV): Words of Jesus

17) Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.
18) For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.
19) Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
20) For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.

Jesus came to fulfill the law, not to destroy it.  It is through Jesus that believers in Him will move forward from the law to surpass the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees to enter the kingdom of heaven.

Our Lord Teaches, Preaches and Heals

Teaching, preaching and healing take place in the presence of the Lord (Matthew 4:23-25).  Today, we can have Jesus to come into our presence through praying, reading His Word and/or worshipping Him.  Recently, He visited me through tears of joy as I humbly praised Him through a version of the above song.  Maybe you have encountered the Lord in the same way.  Glory to God! Amen!

We are the 'salt of the earth'; the 'light of the world'

I believe this song and video are a great representation of Matthew 5:13-16 (KJV):

13) Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.
14) Ye are the light of the world.  A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
15) Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
16) Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

The righteousness that we do to serve God through our good works is for the glory of God (Matthew 5:16).  When others persecute us for righteousness' sake, we are blessed by God (Matthew 5:10,11).  We are to rejoice and be glad (v. 12).

When we rejoice as the 'salt of the earth' and 'the light of the world' (vs. 13, 14), we keep our salt savory and our light shining to overcome evil.  God, our Father in heaven, will be glorified.

Blessedness

A number of years ago I worked in an area of the city known as the 'Hilltop.'  Stories were certainly circulating about the criminal activity of the area.  Considering the reputation of drugs and gangs in the area, though, many of the people were 'happy.'  This 'happy' was not the kind of happy you might associate with drugs or drinking, but the kind of 'happy' associated with being blessed by God.  I would ask the people--"How are you?" Some replied--"I am blessed."  Some would respond--"I am blessed.  Blessed means happy."

The peoples' use of 'blessed' in their greeting response was unique to me because where I moved from in Northeast Tennessee, I often heard the phrase "Bless your heart" or the common "Bless you" after a sneeze, but I do not recall anyone saying they were blessed when asked, "How are you?" Most often I had heard the word used in a church setting, not in a retail setting.

Despite all the Hilltop crime that many of the citizens had lived around or were living through, they were set apart in their blessedness.  This was a good thing.  To me, those who were 'blessed' stood out like beacons on the Hilltop.  Their countenance radiated happiness.

In the opening words of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus bestowed happiness and rewards upon His followers who produced the good fruit of His teachings.  These teachings are known as the beatitudes in Matthew 5:3-12:

3) Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4) Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
5) Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
6) Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
7) Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
8) Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
9) Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
10) Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11) Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil agaist you falsely, for my sake.
12) Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

As we are blessed by God, we have the opportunity to bless or praise God in return.  This exchange of blessings is exactly what is shown in the praise song--"Blessed Be Your Name" by Matt Redman.

Praise God through the good times and the bad! Amen!

Jesus' Ministry Begins

When Jesus heard that John the Baptist was imprisoned, He left Nazareth to live on the coast of the Sea of Galilee in Capernaum which was bordered by Zabulon and Nephthalim.  This move by Jesus fulfilled the prophesy of Isaiah--"The land of Zabulon, and the land of Nephthalim, by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles; The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up" (Matthew 4:15,16).  Thus, Jesus' ministry began.  He preached and said, "Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand" (v.17).

While walking the shores of the Sea of Galilee, Jesus came upon two brothers, Simon called Peter and Andrew, who were 'casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers' (v. 18).  Jesus said to them, "Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men" (v.19).  "And they [immediately] left their nets, and followed him" (v. 20). 

After calling Simon Peter and Andrew, Jesus called two other brothers, James and John, who he saw in a ship with their father, Zebedee.  James and John were repairing their nets.  "And they immediately left the ship and their father, and followed [Jesus]" (v.22).

"And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people.  And his fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatick, and those that had the palsy; and he healed them.  And there followed him great multitudes of people from Galilee, and from Decapolis, and from Jerusalem, and from Judea, and from beyond Jordan" (vs.23-25).

Ministering Angels

In an attempt to put God to the test, Satan tried to work through Jesus to have Him to intentionally throw Himself off the top of the temple for angels to come to the rescue.  Satan said to Jesus, "If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone" (Matthew 4:6).  Jesus immediately stymied Satan's motive with the Word of God--"Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God" (v. 7).

It turns out that after the confrontation with Satan in the wilderness that, in His humanness, Jesus had 'dash[ed] [His] foot against a stone (v. 6).  It is in this respect that angels came to minister to Jesus.  The angels came to 'bear [Him] up' (v. 6).

We have angels watching over us as well.  Listen carefully to the words of 'Angels Watching Over Me' by Amy Grant.  The above 1984 video depicts the work of angels.

Jesus Tempted in the Wilderness

Matthew 4:1-11 (KJV)

After Jesus was baptized, He was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by Satan.  Jesus was hungry for he had fasted forty days and forty nights.

On two occasions, Satan confronted Jesus with the words--"If thou be the Son of God" in an attempt to get Him to prove that He is the Son of God.  Satan wanted miracles from Jesus for proof.  Instead of resorting to performing the miracles that Satan wanted, Jesus turned to the Word of God.

Satan wanted Jesus to command stones to be made into bread.  Jesus said, "It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God."  Jesus could have given in to temptation so easily since He was hungry; however, He followed His own wise words and lived by the Word of God to ultimately overcome Satan in the wilderness.

Satan took Jesus to Jerusalem to set Him on 'a pinnacle of the temple' (v. 5).  Satan said to Jesus, "...[C]ast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone" (v.6).  Jesus replied, "It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God" (v. 7).

You can see how important it is for us to study and "[l]et the word of Christ dwell in [us] richly..." (Colossians 3:16) because Satan knows the Word also and will attempt to get us to use the Word of God unwisely against God.  From verses six and seven, we realize that we are to never intentionally place ourselves in harm's way to test God.

Satan finally took Jesus to "...an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and glory of them; [Satan said,] All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.... [Jesus said,] Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God and him only shalt thou serve" (vs. 8-10).  After these words, the devil departed and angels came to minister unto Jesus.

Hymn: If My People's Hearts Are Humbled

Here are words to a song called "If My People's Hearts Are Humbled."  It is from the Hymnal for Worship and Celebration based on 2 Chronicles 7:14.  I hope you are touched by the words in such a way that you humble your heart and repent of yours sins!

Verse 1:
If My peo-ple's hearts are humbled, If they pray and seek My face;
If they turn a-way from e-vil, I will not with-hold My grace.
I will hear their prayers from heav-en; I will par-don ev-'ry sin.
If My peo-ple's hearts are hum-bled, I will surel-ly heal their land.

Verse 2:
Then My eyes will see their sor-row, Then My ears will hear their plea.
If My peo-ple's hearts are hum-bled I will set their na-tion free.
If My peo-ple's hearts are hum-bled, If they pray and seek My face;
If they turn a-way from e-vil, I will not with-hold My grace.

Fulfilling Righteousness

When we have repented, it becomes us like Jesus to fulfill righteousness (Matthew 3:15).  With Jesus in our hearts, we become a new person moved to steer clear of Satan and sin and moved to become closer to Jesus each day.  In the gospels, we will learn the wisdom of Jesus that moves us to fulfill righteousness.  Jesus' first step was to become baptized by John the Baptist.

'Repent Ye'

Today, Jesus is ushered into our presence in Spirit, but John the Baptist had the privilege of ushering Him in person through preaching repentance in the wilderness of Judaea.  John the Baptist said, "Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand" (Matthew 3:2 KJV).  "Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region about Jordan, And were baptized of him in Jordan, And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins" (vs. 5, 6).

Even the Pharisees and Sadducees attended the baptism.  John the Baptist said to them, "O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from wrath to come" (v. 7)? The wrath to come was described metaphorically in verses 8 and 10 that a person (tree) would be cut down and cast into fire who (that) did not repent (produce good fruit). 

According to Layman's Bible Encyclopedia, "...[r]epentance affects the whole man.  It is not merely a substitution of one set of external actions and observances for another set, but an inward turning, a recognition and disavowal of one's sin coupled with the embracing of a new way of life, a life in conformity with the teachings of Christ...".

John the Baptist proclaimed that he 'baptized with water unto repentance' and Jesus baptized 'with the Holy Ghost, and with fire" (v. 11).   John the Baptist also described Jesus as coming with a "...fan in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire" (v. 12).  These words are another way of describing the wrath to come.  The wheat in the day of wrath will be the people who have repented.  The chaff will be those who have not repented.

"Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him.  But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me? And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness.  Then he suffered him.  And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased" (vs. 13-17).

Safety of Many Ensured through Miraculous Events

God's miracles abound before and after the birth of Jesus to ensure that we have a Savior for our sins.  Just think of all the people God is looking out for in His will.  This includes you and me! Amen.

When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea, Herod was the king.  King Herod and all of Jerusalem were troubled when wise men from the east came to inquire of the birth of the King of the Jews.  The wise men had seen Jesus' star in the east and had come to worship the newborn King.

King Herod assembled the chief priests and scribes of the people to demand an answer to where Christ was to be born.  "And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet, And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall rule my people Israel" (Matthew 2: 5, 6 KJV).

King Herod privately met with the wise men to ask of them the time when the star appeared.  "And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also" (v. 8).

The wise men left Jerusalem to follow the star to the young child Jesus who was "...with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh" (v. 11).

The wise men were warned by God in a dream not to return to Herod.  Heeding God's warning, the wise men traveled a different way to their country.  "And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.  When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt: And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son" (vs. 13-15).

"Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently enquired of the wise men.  Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying, In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not" (vs. 16-18).

But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeareth in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel: for they are dead which sought the young child's life.  And he arose, and took the young child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel.  But when he heard that Archelaus did reign in Judaea in the room of his father Herod, he was afraid to go thither: notwithstanding, being warned of God in a dream, he turned aside into the parts of Galilee: And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene" (vs. 19-23).

Jesus, Savior of His People

Now that we have been introduced to Jesus through a hymn and a spiritual song in the previous two blog entries, let's move on to the Word of the Lord which endures forever (1 Peter 1:25).  The first chapter of Matthew has the genealogy of Jesus going all the way back to Abraham up to Joseph who was espoused to Mary, Jesus' mother.

It was discovered that Mary was with child conceived of the Holy Ghost.  This discovery was confirmed to Joseph in a dream by the angel of the Lord.  The angel of the Lord told Joseph not to fear to take Mary as his wife that the child of the Holy Ghost will be a son for Joseph to name "JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins" (Matthew 1:21).

"Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us" (vs. 22, 23).

Joseph received the angel's message and took Mary as his wife and called Mary's firstborn son, JESUS.

While I was reading this first chapter of Matthew, verse twenty-one, which pertains to Jesus saving His people from their sins, really absorbed my attention.  I thought how happy I am to be among Jesus' people.  How about you?

Jesus, Our Lord, Our Friend,...Our King of Glory!

Let me bring another song to your attention before venturing into the gospels.  I believe the song called King of Glory by Third Day will introduce you to Jesus or bring you closer to Him!  Every time I listen to it, my heart is touched in a special way!  In November, I had blogged about how the song ushered in Jesus' presence.  I hope you have the same experience.  Enjoy:

Who is this King of Glory
That pursues me with His love
And haunts me with each hearing of His softly spoken words

My conscience, a reminder of forgiveness that I need
Who is this King of Glory who offers it to me

Who is this King of angels
O blessed Prince of Peace
Revealing things of heaven and
all it mysteries

My spirit's ever longing
for His grace in which to stand

Who is this King of Glory
Son of God and Son of Man

His name is Jesus
Precious Jesus
The Lord Almighty, the King of my heart,
the King of Glory

Who is this King of Glory
with strength and majesty and
wisdom beyond measure the gracious
King of kings

The Lord of Earth and Heaven
The Creator of all things
He is the King of Glory
He's everything to me
His name is Jesus
Precious Jesus
The Lord Almighty, the King of my heart,
the King of Glory

The Lord of Earth and Heaven
The Creator of all things
He is the King of Glory
He's everything to me.

Jesus, Our Lord, Our Friend!

Without elaborating, I must say that Satan is out full force to try and keep God's work from being done.  Any Christian has to be cautious of Satan all the time!  He tries to keep relationships/friendships with Jesus from forming or continuing! Beware!

Now, moving on to today's blog entry:

Before beginning the study through the gospels, I want to point out the blog entry for January 13, 2012 with the words of the hymn "What a Friend We Have in Jesus."  If you meditate on the words of that hymn, you will discover that you can take your problems to Jesus in prayer.  Prayer, in addition to God's Holy Word, is necessary to building your relationship/friendship with Jesus.  You can talk to Jesus about anything! Amen!

The Lord even has the perfect manner of prayer to follow in Matthew 6:9-13:

Our father which art in heaven
Hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.  Thy will be
done in earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil:
for thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever.  Amen.

Any attempt that Satan makes to keep you from your relationship/friendship with Jesus can be handled by Jesus.  Jesus who lives inside you is stronger than he (Satan) who is of the world.  Jesus will deliver you!  Praise Jesus! 

Building Relationship with Christ

Thank you for your patience while I have gone through a temporary spiritual dry period.  During this dry period, I continued to search the scriptures.  This is a good thing because had I stopped searching, I would not have received God's revelation.  God wants me to "[l]et the word of Christ dwell in [me] richly in all wisdom..." (Colossians 3:16).  This is to be done by going through the gospels.  This will not be a fast track through the gospels because God wants the Word to dwell in me richly.  This will put Christ's Word into my heart and a more intimate relationship will develop as well.  Besides myself, there are others who God is speaking to and this will be your opportunity to build your relationship with Christ through the gospels.  Through the power of the Holy Spirit, you and I can learn the wisdom of Christ and build our relationship with Him.  Amen!

Walk in Agreement with Your Friend Jesus

Can two walk together, except they be agreed?--Amos 3:3 (KJV)

Words of Jesus:

Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known to you. --John 3:15 (KJV)

Following are the words for the hymn that many of you know as "What a Friend We Have in Jesus."  I came across a version in a hymnal called Melodies of Praise with a 1957 copyright that had the title abbreviated--"What a Friend."  According to Wikipedia, Joseph Scriven wrote the words and Charles C. Converse wrote the music:

Verse 1

What a Friend we have in Jesus, All our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry Ev'rything to God in pray'r!
O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry Ev'rything to God in pray'r!

Verse 2

Have we trials and temptations? Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged, Take it to the Lord in pray'r.
Can we find a friend so faithful Who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our ev'ry weakness, Take it to the Lord in pray'r.

Verse 3

Are we weak and heavy-laden, Cumbered with a load of care?--
Precious Savior, still our refuge,--Take it to the Lord in pray'r.
Do thy friends despise, forsake thee? Take it to the Lord in pray'r;
In His arms He'll take and shield thee, Thou wilt find a solace there.