In Light of His Will

It's amazing that the Lord is not far off but near; that the gap between the heavens and the earth was crossed and filled when Christ Jesus hanged on the tree and gave His life for many. It pleased the LORD to bruise Him in that terrible moment because by His death many would have life. By God's righteousness, man might have peace, and by His Peace, man's joy might be full- for there is no joy without peace, and there is no peace without righteousness. 

Where then is God's righteousness? Where then is His peace? What is the purpose and object of our joy? I came to ask the Lord this sincerely, the latter question, these past few days because of an encounter I had with a close family friend. 

The story goes like this, she was invited to our home for dinner and at one point, our conversation turned godly: she opened up very seriously about how she wanted to be closer to God but feels as though there's a wide gap. This close family friend of ours comes from a very prestigious family and is very wealthy and she shares that at times she asks herself randomly, "Is there really a God?" and she answers herself in time..."There is a God". But she goes on sharing that she can't find Him, that she goes to churches but there's no satisfaction, she's hopped to the Catholics but cannot find peace and then on to the Born-Again churches but only heard bad comments about the pastors from her friends from the high echelons of the business community. She became very distressed and asked if I could pray for her in front of my family and her sister and niece.

For before this I boasted that God had never failed in converting any of the people I prayed for, not one. How the Lord humbles us (laugh). I shared about Jesus' finish work on the cross, about grace and not of works, about the prize of eternal life- it was an open heartfelt dialogue, she honestly shared that she didn't believe in Jesus being raised from the dead, but the one that startled me most was when she asked what was that prize I was going after for?

That question really startled me because I never really had a solid answer in me about my purpose for aiming for that prize, but looked at her with a poker face and safely answered her that the prize was eternal life, being with God and His Christ. I had to wrap it up since it was getting late, a quarter till midnight and asked her if she wanted to surrender her life to the Lord Jesus Christ, and asked her if she would like Jesus to come into her heart. She lovingly said, "Yes." We prayed but after, she said she felt nothing. I nodded knowing that that was okay. With her going home, I encouraged her to openly tell her husband that she received Jesus that night and that she ask the Lord when she starts reading her bible again to teach her and that she goes to a full-gospel church. Praise the Lord she received Jesus that night, but then that question still really bothered me...

I asked the Lord Jesus about it and was hinted about heaven (please click the link). And I again I asked the Father unto whom be all glory and honor be due forever, for an answer. I was shown a wonderful vision, it was a wonderful vision. It was refreshing hearing about heaven and being blessed to see what the Lord had mightily done. 

Let me share something to you which I saw and inaudibly heard as I was impressed to share this with you: 

John 3:14-15  Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life. 

Numbers 21:7-9  The people came to Moses and said, "We sinned when we spoke against the LORD and against you. Pray that the LORD will take the snakes away from us." So Moses prayed for the people. The LORD said to Moses, "Make a snake and put it up on a pole; anyone who is bitten can look at it and live." So Moses made a bronze snake and put it up on a pole. Then when anyone was bitten by a snake and looked at the bronze snake, he lived. 

I saw that Satan, the serpent was above man who was on the earth. I felt uneasy when I saw it, but as the serpent was raised I saw heaven and the righteous God who rules, far above him and the people of the earth. I then saw the feet of the Lord Jesus in bronze, matching it, crushing the bronze serpent's head. I saw the serpent break and that comforted me.

Revelations 1:15  His (Jesus') feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of rushing waters. 

The sin and death (both its venom) which came along with the serpent was met with the Father's justice, a countdown for his dominion over man was finished. Jesus Christ, who came from heaven bore the sins, transgression and iniquity of men that the devil had them bound with... in Himself. Sin was punished with the penalty due for it, death. With Jesus' death, our penalty was paid for, Christ had redeemed us, our debts were paid and we can have our peace with God by His righteousness and mercy. For God's (Jesus') life was poured out unto men by God the Father's righteous act of Sin's punishment and by Jesus' righteous act of meekness, humility and obedience to God the Father. And so, God the Father exalted Jesus (Philippians 2) and had made the Father's enemies Jesus' footstool ( Acts 7:49, Romans 6-8, Ephesians 1-6, 1 Peter 4). 

But man who knew not God could not come to Him till he asks the Son whom He had sent, who sent Him? So it is by His righteousness, by His blood that we are drawn close to God the Father and by His righteousness we've been set at peace, and by His Spirit we can call God, our Father. It is only then can we know Him.

To us who were slaves to sin were children of the devil, and of disobedience but God by His righteousness and mercy had redeemed us and had called us to be His sons. And herein is our joy: that God's kingdom will come - no more hunger, no more suffering, no more quarreling, no more lies, no more pain and death, no more wickedness, darkness, sorrow and fear, no more seas, moon and sun- that God is in control even to the end and we're on His side! 

Heaven is glorious, but God's physically kingdom is going to come to earth! He will reign not just in heaven but on the earth! God with us. And as every kingdom, nation, tribe and tongue of the earth and all who were in the grave would stand before Almighty God and all the saints of all the ages and would be judged righteously as all the kingdoms of the earth be handed over to God by His Son? They who have washed themselves in the His blood, who have held on to Jesus Christ, the Lord our righteousness, be found worthy for eternal life and those who had not... are condemned even to the second death.

Why is my joy full because of that? Because I know where I came from, I know where I stand and I know where I'm going. For them who have received Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, who repents of their sins and believe on Him and follow Him not only have the kingdom of God at the reach of their hands, but Jesus said it's within them. Christ in you the hope of glory! To be able to share His joy, His suffering, His love, His peace and His cross is great joy. Not my will be done but His.

The bible tells us this as our response to all of God's grace and mercy: "Romans 12:1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship." And part of that was that I saw a man go on to the altar, his body not being his own. The altar is where sacrifices are made, but where blood was shed on the latter for righteousness and mercy, life was given by grace. No longer as dead sacrifices, but as living. Jesus is alive, and this life is for Him to live for and for Him to take away. Father, Thy will be done and Thy kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven. And as I saw His work from start to the climax was good, I'm believing His end for me would be the same. He's never changed, God is good.

The Lover of Our Soul's Portion

February 14 

Taken from Charles Surgeon's "Morning and Evening"

This morning's verse: 
And his allowance was a continual allowance given him of the king, a daily rate for every day, all the days of his life." -2 Kings 25:30

Jehoiachin was not sent away from the king's palace with a store to last him for months, but his provision was given him as a daily pension. Herein he well pictures the happy position of all the Lord's people. A daily portion is all that a man really wants. We do not need tomorrow's supplies; that day has not yet dawned, and its wants are as yet unborn. The thirst which we may suffer in the month of June does not need to be quenched in February, for we do not feel it yet; if we have enough for each day as the days arrive we shall never know want. 

Sufficient for the day is all that we can enjoy. We cannot eat or drink or wear more than the day's supply of food and raiment; the surplus gives us the care of storing it, and the anxiety of watching against a thief. One staff aids a traveller, but a bundle of staves is a heavy burden. Enough is not only as good as a feast, but is all that the veriest glutton can truly enjoy. 

This is all that we should expect; a craving for more than this is ungrateful. When our Father does not give us more, we should be content with his daily allowance. Jehoiachin's case is ours, we have a sure portion, a portion given us of the king, a gracious portion, and a perpetual portion. Here is surely ground for thankfulness. Beloved Christian reader, in matters of grace you need a daily supply. You have no store of strength. Day by day must you seek help from above. It is a very sweet assurance that a daily portion is provided for you. In the word, through the ministry, by meditation, in prayer, and waiting upon God you shall receive renewed strength. In Jesus all needful things are laid up for you. Then enjoy your continual allowance. Never go hungry while the daily bread of grace is on the table of mercy. 

This evening's verse: 
She was healed immediately. - Luke 8:47 

One of the most touching and teaching of the Saviour's miracles is before us to-night. The woman was very ignorant. She imagined that virtue came out of Christ by a law of necessity, without His knowledge or direct will. Moreover, she was a stranger to the generosity of Jesus' character, or she would not have gone behind to steal the cure which He was so ready to bestow. Misery should always place itself right in the face of mercy. Had she known the love of Jesus' heart, she would have said, "I have but to put myself where He can see me — His omniscience will teach Him my case, and His love at once will work my cure." We admire her faith, but we marvel at her ignorance. After she had obtained the cure, she rejoiced with trembling: glad was she that the divine virtue had wrought a marvel in her; but she feared lest Christ should retract the blessing, and put a negative upon the grant of His grace: little did she comprehend the fulness of His love! We have not so clear a view of Him as we could wish; we know not the heights and depths of His love; but we know of a surety that He is too good to withdraw from a trembling soul the gift which it has been able to obtain. But here is the marvel of it: little as was her knowledge, her faith, because it was real faith, saved her, and saved her at once. There was no tedious delay — faith's miracle was instantaneous. If we have faith as a grain of mustard seed, salvation is our present and eternal possession. If in the list of the Lord's children we are written as the feeblest of the family, yet, being heirs through faith, no power, human or devilish, can eject us from salvation. If we dare not lean our heads upon His bosom with John, yet if we can venture in the press behind Him, and touch the hem of his garment, we are made whole. Courage, timid one! thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace. "Being justified by faith, we have peace with God."

No Greater Love Than This

Judges 21

Psalms 119 

Ephesians 1-3

Ruth 1-4

Samuel 1-2

Just as Boaz who was from the 'Tribe of Judah' from Bethlehem redeemed Ruth who was a Moabite, a Gentile far from the covenant of God and His promises, so has Christ come in the same way. Jesus Christ redeemed us who were far from the covenant, He saved us from sin and death. He paid the penalty of sin and had given us pardon; and as many as believe on Him to them He gave them power to become sons of God.

A tradition of the Jews in olden days was for the closest kinsman to marry the widow of his dead relative/brother. 

Jesus Christ being the second Adam is our closest kinsman redeemer, from the first Adam who had died. All man equal under God, He received us unto Himself, to them that believe on Him whom He had sent, Jesus Christ our Lord who was also God in the beginning. And we who were afar off from His covenant and promises, from the commonwealth of Israel, as a people have now been made close by His blood. God the Father having created all things for the Son had also loved us, created us in His image and likeness - as man, a full man who knows who He is, a child of the Father and not an orphan. 

Mercy and Justice met on the cross. Jesus Christ bore the enmity caused by the law, caused by our disobedience which brought alongside it all its curses. Sin was punished and its penalty met, death.  God had saved us and had given us great news, that He wants us home and He's shown us the way, Jesus Christ. To prove the Father's testimony shared by His Son, He raised Him from the dead. God in His faithfulness had not forsaken us, but had given us His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes on Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

While we were yet sinners Christ died for us. We are all guilty of sin- we've all at one point in our lives have lied, maybe stolen, bore false witness or have been guilty of grave fault ;but He wasn't. He was innocent, and yet He had done this because He had loved you and wants to set you free from the sins that are currently mastering you (lust, lying, stealing, fornication, etc.).

If you want to know who God is, we can know Him through His Son - no one knew Him better than Jesus for He came from heaven, He's the only One. The bible (God's word) tells us, Unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given...

Oh how God has given. If you want to have a relationship with the Lord Jesus, if you want to know Him, if you would like a new life in Him, to have Him as your Master and accept Him as your Savior and Lord then I'd like you to talk to Him now, you too will also know that He lives and He will be with you for the rest of your life should you continue to abide in Him- I'd like you to say:

Father God I thank you for your mercy, for sending your Son to die the death I deserved. I thank you Jesus that you redeemed me from sin and death, I want to know You and the power of your resurrection. I do believe Lord that you died on the cross and that You rose again, so please come into my heart Lord, I receive you today as my Lord and my Savior. Today, I turn away from my sins and give them up, please fill me with your Holy Spirit and enable me to follow you and do what is pleasing to You. Amen.

If you have made this decision today, please write me a message. I'd like to encourage you to read the Bible and pray daily. God bless you and keep you.

Jesus Can Set You Free

Friend, do you have Jesus in your heart? The bible tells us that those who don't are the children of the devil and that those who have not yet received Jesus in their hearts as their Lord and their Savior are under his control - they are given to lie, steal, murder, fornicate and are given to various forms of lusts, pride and distinct acts of evil.

But the Lord Jesus Christ can set you free! How? You hate your sin, war with it, be born again and humble yourselves, go to a Christian believer who has been delivered and does deliverance to cast out the spirit that is mastering you.

If you're tired of lying, if you're tired of fornicating, if you're tired of stealing, if you're tired of pride, if you're repentant of murder or whatever it is that Holy Spirit is convicting you of- friend, the kingdom of God is at the reach of your hands, I urge you to repent and believe the gospel: that 

Jesus Christ who was God, became man 
He lived among us 
He humbled and emptied Himself from Glory 
He bore unto Himself our sins
He shed His blood on the cross and paid the price for sin
He died and He rose again the third day

He suffered all the beatings, all the curses, humiliation and He ultimately died for you. He loved you then and He loves you now. He rose from the dead so that you would know that His testimonies were real, so that your Hope can be grounded knowing that He will do what He promised - to save us, to set us free and to receive us unto Himself. But He tells you that you can only be free if you are His and not the devil's, would you want to be His? If yes, I'd like to believe with you as you say this prayer:

Father, I thank you that you sent your Son, Jesus Christ to save me,
I thank you for Your love and for this gift of eternal life through Him,
I thank you Jesus that You shed your blood on the cross for me,
Lord Jesus, I believe that You died and that you rose again,
I ask you now Lord to come into my heart, 
Wash me clean by Your Holy precious blood,
And fill me with Your Holy Spirit, 
Let me love what you love and let me hate what you hate
And enable me to walk a life that would be pleasing to You
Amen

If you've made this decision and prayed this prayer sincerely, friend I'd like you to go now to a bible-believing, Spirit-filled, full-gospel church and ask them that you'd like to be set free now, tell them about the decision you've made today and tell them that you'd like to go through deliverance. The devil has lost his grip over you now, may the Lord richly bless you more.

Turn to God

He sends from heaven and saves me, rebuking those who hotly pursue me; Selah God sends his love and his faithfulness - Psalms 57:3. 

Friends, know that the LORD is coming for a holy people. What does that mean? A people who surrendered themselves and given themselves to God; having committed themselves to the LORD and believed on the gospel unto salvation. Who have humbled themselves and trusted Christ, turning away from their sins and their self-righteousness and doing what is righteous as what's written in God's word. Accepting God's gift of mercy and justice, having imputed His righteousness unto us who repents and believes that Jesus Christ, the son of David is the Savior of the world, the Christ, the Son of the living God as written by the gospels who was crucified on Calvary, died a sinner's death even though He was innocent, buried and rose from the dead the third day. He then ascended into heaven after having been witnessed to be on this earth after He had risen from the dead for 40 days as prophesied by the prophet Ezekiel, who saw the glory of the LORD leave the temple and transferred unto the mount of olives to be received up into heaven. See this King of glory, the LORD who is strong and mighty, the LORD who is merciful and just, the LORD who is coming back for His people, receiving them unto Himself - who would execute justice having given all a chance to turn away from their sins. Only when we can see His righteousness can we see His love, only can we see His goodness can we see our sins, only when we repent and turn to God can we see God's mercy and grace, and only when we decide and live for Him daily can we see the power of His resurrection. The Lord is good! Praise His name.

Turn to God neighbor if you haven't yet, talk to Jesus and you will know that He lives, know that the word of God carries with it the good news that no other religion or "holy" book in the entire world have ever penned... and that is the offer of forgiveness, knowing that we can be right with God; that GOD who is in heaven, unreachable and unknowable sent His only begotten Son so that we can know what God is like, so that we can relate to who God is, that we can know of His righteousness and His hate for Sin. That sin is so grave that it had to be dealt with so that we can have peace with God, and much like what is written in the scriptures of the scapegoat and the one year old lamb(ram), innocent blood had to be spilled as a substitute and it had to be costly, unblemished, the best of what they could offer. But it was a covenant between God and His people, He sent the best He could offer, Himself. The Lamb of God came to atone for the sins of the world, God's justice met and paid in full at the cross, raised for all to see that Jesus Christ who was faultless, blameless and innocent was cursed, bruised for our iniquity and He bore unto Himself the sins of the whole world. Jesus Christ our Passover Lamb, much like how the the angel of death passed through all of Egypt, passing through the Egyptians and Jews alike, to whomever was it found by that angel of death the blood of the ram, not on the lintel and door posts, death would enter their household.  See and know that penalty of sin is death and that penalty is all that we deserve; and Jesus paid for it, He paid for sin in full, by His blood we are justified and redeemed(purchased) . Now our destiny is not to sin unto death but be given unto Jesus Christ unto eternal life should we decide to follow. His mercy immeasurable, God is good. The kingdom of God is at the reach of your hands dear reader, be born again and that is to turn away from your sins and turn to God, believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, be baptized and receive His Holy Spirit and then live for Him, for this is your whole duty as is written by Micah, God's desire for you is simply to do justice, to show mercy and to live humbly with Him. Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, confess with your mouth that He is indeed LORD (Read Daniel 4) and you will be saved.

Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it. - Mark 16:20  

God bless you and keep you,

Kevin

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1) How to be born again? Dear reader click here

2) Listen to these sermons by a man of God I deeply respect, Leonard Ravenhill if you have time dear reader :

• "What is your life?"
• "The Judgement Seat of Christ"