Joy In JESUS! ~ Neh. 8:10
There is no joy like knowing JESUS, being known by HIM, and walking with Him for all eternity!
The joy of the Lord is to be our strength. Such joy is rooted in knowing Him, feeding on His word, and applying it to our life. It is then interwoven into areas of our life and thought processes by His Holy Spirit as we allow Him to lead and direct our steps.
This world could never offer the joy of Jesus, because it comes by faith in Him alone; trusting in His finished work on the cross; and resting in His promises. We will never trust or rest in Him, unless we believe Him to be faithful and able to accomplish all that He has promised!
CLOTHED IN HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS, ETERNAL AND SECURE!
"Righteousness shall go before Him; and shall set us in the way of His steps."~Ps. 85:13
“and be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: that I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;” — Philippians 3:9-10
Being reminded of these truths helps to keep my heart humble and beyond grateful for the sacrificial love of Jesus Christ. Understanding that I am clothed with His righteousness at the moment of salvation keeps me grounded in His grace and unhinged to any thought of my own self-sufficiency. For I could never do or be enough to earn what the mercy of God has gifted by grace alone, through faith in Christ alone. “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” (Eph 2:8-9)
"..MY ROCK AND MY SALVATION; HE IS MY DEFENCE.." (PS. 62:2)
OUR STRONG TOWER: JESUS CHRIST
“The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.”(Prov. 18:10)
How exactly do we “run into” the name of the Lord. We must first acknowledge that His name is synonymous with His personality; His character; and His power. His name and character embody holiness, love, justice, and grace… just to name a few.
What a glorious picture of the security that is ours in Jesus Christ. As children of God, through faith in His Son Jesus, we have endless promises of protection and covering from the enemy’s onslaught. “He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.” (Ps. 91:4)
As God, all power belongs to Him and we are privileged to have access to such power through His indwelling Holy Spirit. The display of His power through His sinless life, substitutionary death, and miraculous resurrection secures the greatest of all promises… that of His eternal presence with each Believer.
"FOR UNTO US A CHILD IS BORN..." ISA. 9:6
Jesus Christ ~ Born To Reconcile The World Unto God (2 Cor. 5:19)
Thanksgiving Year Round ~ Because of God’s Redeeming Love and Faithfulness ~ I Thess. 5:16-24
Thanksgiving Year Round ~ Because of God’s Redeeming Love and Faithfulness ~ I Thess. 5:16-24
“To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.” (2 Cor. 5:19)
The word of reconciliation would not be possible without the birth of Jesus Christ, His shed blood, and victorious resurrection!
The cleansing blood ~ It’s available to who ever will acknowledge their sinfulness and turn to Jesus Christ in faith. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.“(1 John 1:9)
The redeeming blood ~ We no longer have to be slaves to sin. Christ has paid the price with His blood to buy us from the depravity of sin and hell. No longer in the grips of eternal death, which is what God’s holiness required. “But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, to redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.“ (Galatians 4:4-5)
The life giving blood ~ Not only are we rescued from spiritual death and hell, but the blood of Jesus Christ affords us life eternal, sealed and secure by His indwelling Holy Spirit. “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.“ (Romans 6:23)
The blood of hope and restoration ~ Through Christ we have a hope fixed on an unshakable foundation and the promises of our omnipotent God. Through His indwelling Spirit we can bear fruit in our life each day, of peace, joy, strength, and blessings beyond human comprehension. “Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.“ (Romans 15:13)
Thanksgiving Year Round ~ Because of God’s Redeeming Love and Faithfulness ~ I Thess. 5:16-24
Thanksgiving Year Round ~ Because of God’s Redeeming Love and Faithfulness ~ I Thess. 5:16-24
Thanksgiving Year Round ~ Because of God’s Redeeming Love and Faithfulness ~ I Thess. 5:16-24
On this Thanksgiving Day what is it that you feel is impossible to be thankful for? Is there a thorn that seems to painful to bear? God sees you and knows exactly where you are. He can comfort and strengthen like no other. When in such discouragement and despair let us consider the One who bore thorns for us and so much more. “Then came Jesus forth, wearing the crown of thorns, and the purple robe. And Pilate saith unto them, Behold the man!” (John 19:5)
Jesus Christ has given His all for us and calls us to be thankful in all things. “In everything give thank: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” (I Thess. 5:18) Not because of the circumstance, but because of His love for us, who we are in Him, and the hope and power He avails to His followers. There is much to be grateful for if you have been redeemed and your name is written in the book of life.
“O give thanks unto the Lord for He is good: For His mercy endureth for ever. Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, whom He hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy.” (Ps. 107:1-2)
Welcome to His Plan and Purpose Ministry...Jesus our HOPE!
Give More Airtime To Jesus (Ps. 51:15; 63:3)
Have you ever had a friend or acquaintance that gave, what I call airtime, to all that is going wrong in the world? The things mentioned are certainly true, and they are indeed indicative of living in the end times. The biblical comparisons to what God says shall come to pass are becoming reality. But God… (Ps. 71:19; Rom. 5:8; Eph. 2:4)
Let us remember where our focus should be and how a heart set upon praising Jesus Christ can’t help but tell others about Him. Tell of His goodness, mercy, desire to save souls, commune with, and comfort the weary hearted. Lest our focus on all the grief and pain a sin sick world produces, becomes all that we see. Which could lead to anxiety and fretting over circumstances that only God can change. (Heb. 12:2)
So, look to Jesus and faithfully proclaim His power and great love. “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith…” (Heb. 12:2) Remind the broken hearted that His redeeming blood mends and restores hearts and lives as no other can. Share the power of the Gospel message so that more may be added to the family of God. (Mk. 16:15; Rom. 1:16)
JESUS CHRIST: OUR AUTHOR OF HOPE AND WHOLENESS
“But Jesus turned him about, and when he saw her, he said, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour.”
— Matthew 9:22
Both Matthew 9:22 and Luke 8:48 refer to physical healing, yet Jesus repeatedly emphasized the spiritual healing that comes only by genuine faith in Him. “Thy faith hath made thee whole…”
Our wholeness comes from the God who created us for relationship and communion. It does not come from the things, people, prominence, or the positions this world promotes. Not even the best of circumstances we may experience, can give us the sense of wholeness we can have through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Because circumstantial happiness is only momentary, while our position in Christ is eternal. “And this is life eternal, that they might know Thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom Thou hast sent.” (Jn. 17:3)
Faith expressed in Jesus Christ is our only hope. Such faith brings with it eternal salvation and relief from all that weighs us down here on earth. We each must turn to Him and rely on what He has done for us upon the cross, if we are going to experience the gift of redemption and eternal life in His presence. “Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.” (Rom. 15:13)
“And now, Lord, what wait I for? My hope is in thee.”
Psalm 39:7 KJV
The Lord..heard my supplication...(Ps. 6:9)
Praying Specifically For Specific Answers
“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”
God does not deal in generalities. Our holy omnipotent God has a very definite plan and purpose for each of His children. (Jer. 29:11-13) We can know His will and He makes it clear that He desires to reveal it to the humble and seeking heart. (I Chron. 16:11 , Ps. 27:8) So, let us pray specifically and earnestly as we expect a specific answer from our heavenly Father.
“The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” (Jas. 5:16b)
The Word of Reconciliation
“To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.” (2 Cor. 5:19)
The word of reconciliation would not be possible without the shed blood of Jesus Christ:
The cleansing blood ~ It’s available to whom ever will acknowledge their sinfulness and turn to Jesus Christ by faith. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.“(1 John 1:9)
The redeeming blood ~ We no longer have to be slaves to sin. Christ has paid the price in blood to buy us from the depravity of sin and hell. No longer are we in the grips of eternal death, which is what God’s holiness required. “But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth His Son, made of a woman, made under the law, to redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.“ (Galatians 4:4-5)
The life giving blood ~ Not only are we rescued from spiritual death and hell, but the blood of Jesus Christ affords us life eternal, sealed and secure by His indwelling Holy Spirit. “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.“ (Romans 6:23)
The blood of hope and restoration ~ Through Christ we have a hope firmly fixed upon the Savior. Through His Spirit, we may bear His fruit in our life, of peace, joy, strength, and blessings beyond human comprehension. “Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.“ (Romans 15:13)
JESUS “…hope we have as an anchor...sure and steadfast”
Made Whole In Christ
“And when the woman saw that she was not hid, she came trembling, and falling down before him, she declared unto him before all the people for what cause she had touched him, and how she was healed immediately. And he said unto her, Daughter, be of good comfort: thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace.” (Luke 8:47-48)
“But Jesus turned him about, and when he saw her, he said, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour.” (Matthew 9:22)
Our wholeness comes from the God who created us for relationship and communion. It does not come from the things, people, prominence, or the positions this world promotes. Not even the best of circumstances can give us the sense of wholeness we can have through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Because circumstantial happiness is only momentary, while our position in Christ is eternal.
These verses refer to physical healing, yet Jesus repeatedly emphasized the spiritual healing that comes only by genuine faith in Him. Faith expressed in Jesus Christ is our greatest hope and brings with it salvation from all that weighs us down. We each must turn to Him and rely on what He has done for us upon the cross, if we are going to experience the gift of redemption and eternal life in His presence.
(Hebrews 6:17-20)
17 Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath:
18 That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:
19 Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil;
20 Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec. (Heb. 6:17-20)
Welcome to His Plan and Purpose Ministry ~ JESUS ~ Our Hope!
You May Know ~ The Gift That Never Ends (I Jn. 5:13)
“These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.”
— 1 John 5:13
Eternal life is a gift received the very moment we place our faith in Jesus Christ and what He accomplished on the cross. He took our place and became the sacrifice for sin, satisfying all that the Father required.
The wonderful thing about this gift is that it can never be returned, lost, or stolen. We may know without doubt that we are secure eternally in Jesus Christ. This assured knowledge gives way to rejoicing in the hope and confidence available to each redeemed child of God.
May your Christmas season truly be MERRY with the assurance of salvation through the gift of Jesus Christ! Merry Christmas from our family to yours!
Have you unwrapped the gift of Jesus Christ? It is available to whoever will receive Him by faith.