Inspiration

THE GOOD NEWS

 

Luke 4:43: Jesus says: “I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns also, because that is why I was sent.” What is the Good news? It is God’s plan of salvation. How is one saved? Obey the 10 commandments (the law)? Be righteous? Be good to others? Join a religion? No, no, no and no.

 

Jesus says “no one is good, no one is righteous.” Israel proved they couldn’t keep the law in the Old Testament; in fact no one under the New Covenant could either. Joining a religion and following their doctrine isn’t going to work. I believe the answer lies with Jesus and His message i.e., the Good News which, very simply, is God’s plan of salvation. It is simplicity that confounds man; one person said ‘a simple prayer of acceptance can’t do it.’ That isn’t what Jesus is saying though.

 

God said that “He loved us so much that He sent His Son and anyone that believes in Him will never perish.”   He died on the cross for sinner’s, who confessed their sin’s to Him and will not be lost but would be saved i.e., be with Him in Heaven for eternity. As Bugs Bunny used to say, “That’s all there is folks.” 

 

Inspiration

PREPARE THE WAY

 

Luke 3:4: “As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet: A voice of one calling in the desert, prepare the way for the Lord,…” This was John’s mission that focused on repentance and forgiveness of sin and the need for a Savior. As I have said before John’s baptism could not provide salvation; it had to be by the Holy Spirit through faith in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

 

In Acts 1:5, Jesus speaks to the Disciples: “For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” This occurred on the day of Pentecost when they were all together in one room, (Acts 2:1-4). It’s amazing how the Bible explains itself when you give it a chance. Today you might want to read a little about Jesus.

 

 

 

 

Inspiration

THE BIRTH OF JESUS

 

Luke 2: Praise the day the Lord was born for in Him we have our salvation. The Old Testament tells about the hard heartedness of Israel and the absence of faith in the God of the Bible; except for a few. God created the 10 commandments (the law) to show them why it was impossible to please Him by obeying the law because no one could. It was faith then as it is today.

 

The difference today is the simplicity of the plan of salvation as presented by Jesus and what He says has to be done. There are 27 books in the New Testament and it is my opinion (be careful of opinions) Jesus’ plan of salvation can be summed up in one verse, John 3:16: “For God so loved the world  that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him should never perish but have eternal life.” There are many religious people who cannot accept His simple plan; they believe there has to be some extra necessary baggage. I heard from a person who said she has accepted Jesus and what He died for but still finds it necessary to follow much her religion’s doctrine. I can appreciate that because years and years of indoctrination don’t disappear overnight.

 

Perhaps there are readers who are in the same situation; my advice is if you feel it is necessary to adhere to your religion, okay, as long as what you do doesn’t contradict the teachings of Jesus. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Inspiration

WATCH

 

Mark 13:37: “What I say to you, I say to everyone: Watch.” Jesus had just finished describing the end times to the Disciples when He finished the discussion with the word, ‘Watch.’

 

Think of the word ‘watch’ to mean, ‘wait and you will see.’ Yes we will all see the end times but the big question for everyone is what kind of a seat will you have; better still will you even be in the stadium, so to speak? To get inside the stadium one must have a ticket. Where does one get a ticket? Certainly not at Ticket Masters and not even at the gate because then it will be too late. The day I ‘heard’ Jesus was giving free tickets I very happily accepted His offer and I am now in possession of a free ticket. And the best part is I can’t lose it nor can anyone take it from me. So today listen to Him ‘speak’ to you; try John 3:3 and 5.

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Inspiration

                                       

 

 

                                                                        

                                                                              THE CAPSTONE

 

Mark 12:10: “Haven’t you read this scripture: ‘The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone; the Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes,’” see also Paslm118:22. Capstone means a stone used at the top of a wall; which is considered the highest achievement or most important action in a series of actions.

 

Could anything describe the Lord Jesus and His most unselfish act of giving His life for believers, better? The parable of the Tenants in this chapter describes why Jesus turned away from His people and to the Gentile. His death on the cross opened the way to the Father, giving all who accept Jesus as Savior direct access to God.

 

These events proved to be a tremendous opportunity for all. Where do you stand in your spiritual life? Are you in limbo, undecided or confused? I can tell you this; it won’t help if you look to man for an answer. While you may get advice from well meaning people, even born again believers like myself, the ONLY real help you can receive is by reading His Living Word. Why not begin today?