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Daily Devotions Archive
February, 2001
By Bernie Parsons - Feb 01, 2001
And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me. John 12:32 KJV
Hello, Family & Friends,
Have you ever thought about that statement of Jesus? Some folks seem to think that Jesus saves us because we are really good people. That is not true. Christians are people who are drawn to the Lord through the power of God. He has the drawing power, like a spiritual magnet, that pulls us to Him.
John 6:37 "All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out."
John 6:44-45 "No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day. It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me."
We are drawn to the truth of God's word, like a moth to a street lamp. It beckons, and we respond. It resonates deep within our hearts.
John 3:21 "But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God."
People who choose to continue living in sin against the will of God are quick to accuse the righteous of being judgmental, harsh, and narrow-minded. They call the righteous derogatory names, give them demeaning labels, and try to intimidate them into silence. This is because the ungodly understand that they are living in rebellion against the will of God.
John 3:19-20 "And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved."
But it is the power of God's word that convicts them of their sins, not the power of the human preacher.
Hebrews 4:12-13 "For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do."
Romans 1:16-19 "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. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them."
1 Corinthians 1:18 "For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God."
The word of God draws us to His beloved Son Jesus, who brought that word down to share it with all of mankind. The righteous are those who are drawn to that great light.
John 1:14 "And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth."
God bless all!
Love, in Christ,
Bernie
By Bernie Parsons - Feb 02, 2001
Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. John 8:12 KJV
Hello, Family & Friends,
Before Jesus came to live among us, the world lay in the darkness of ignorance and sin.
Isaiah 59:2-15 "But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear. For your hands are defiled with blood, and your fingers with iniquity; your lips have spoken lies, your tongue hath muttered perverseness. None calleth for justice, nor any pleadeth for truth: they trust in vanity, and speak lies; they conceive mischief, and bring forth iniquity. They hatch cockatrice' eggs, and weave the spider's web: he that eateth of their eggs dieth, and that which is crushed breaketh out into a viper. Their webs shall not become garments, neither shall they cover themselves with their works: their works are works of iniquity, and the act of violence is in their hands. Their feet run to evil, and they make haste to shed innocent blood: their thoughts are thoughts of iniquity; wasting and destruction are in their paths.The way of peace they know not; and there is no judgment in their goings: they have made them crooked paths: whosoever goeth therein shall not know peace.
Therefore is judgment far from us, neither doth justice overtake us: we wait for light, but behold obscurity; for brightness, but we walk in darkness.We grope for the wall like the blind, and we grope as if we had no eyes: we stumble at noon day as in the night; we are in desolate places as dead men.We roar all like bears, and mourn sore like doves: we look for judgment, but there is none; for salvation, but it is far off from us.
For our transgressions are multiplied before thee, and our sins testify against us: for our transgressions are with us; and as for our iniquities, we know them; In transgressing and lying against the LORD, and departing away from our God, speaking oppression and revolt, conceiving and uttering from the heart words of falsehood. And judgment is turned away backward, and justice standeth afar off: for truth is fallen in the street, and equity cannot enter. Yea, truth faileth; and he that departeth from evil maketh himself a prey: and the LORD saw it, and it displeased him that there was no judgment."
What a devastating picture of life without God--a world corrupted and decaying, people in fear, filled with rampant injustice and sheer terror! Innocent people being murdered, honest people being defrauded of what is rightfully theirs, and all that is good and right being destroyed--these are the products of a society turned away from the Almighty God!
Thank God, that in His mercy and wisdom, He saw fit to send a savior to this dark world to deliver us from these evils!
Isaiah 59:16-60:3 "And he saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no intercessor: therefore his arm brought salvation unto him; and his righteousness, it sustained him. For he put on righteousness as a breastplate, and an helmet of salvation upon his head; and he put on the garments of vengeance for clothing, and was clad with zeal as a cloak. According to their deeds, accordingly he will repay, fury to his adversaries, recompence to his enemies; to the islands he will repay recompence. So shall they fear the name of the LORD from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him. And the Redeemer shall come to Zion, and unto them that turn from transgression in Jacob, saith the LORD.
As for me, this is my covenant with them, saith the LORD; My spirit that is upon thee, and my words which I have put in thy mouth, shall not depart out of thy mouth, nor out of the mouth of thy seed, nor out of the mouth of thy seed's seed, saith the LORD, from henceforth and for ever. Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee. For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the LORD shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee. And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising."
The light of truth! The light that shows us the ways and the will of our Creator and Father! Jesus!
God bless all!
Love, in Christ,
Bernie
By Bernie Parsons - Feb 05, 2001
Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us, To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace. Luke 1:78-79 KJV
Hello, Family & Friends,
The world stood in darkness, overcome by sin and the ignorance that comes from departing from the ways of God. Then God sent His beloved Son Jesus into our world, and light sprang up!
Matthew 4:16-17 "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. From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."Luke 1:76-79 "And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways; To give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins, Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us, To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace."
2 Peter 1:19 "We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:"
John 9:5 "As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world."
1 John 1:5 "This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all."
John 1:1-5 " In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not."
Jesus is the light of the world, and when we trust Him, and follow Him, we have the light of life. Light drives out the darkness and the shadows, making things easy to see and comprehend. Without God's truth, we stumble in darkness, lost and afraid.
God bless all!
Love, in Christ,
Bernie
By Bernie Parsons - Feb 06, 2001
Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. 1 Thessalonians 5:5 KJV
Hello, Family & Friends,
God, and His Son Jesus, are the true light of the universe.
Revelation 21:23 "And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof."
God, through His word which Jesus delivered to us, puts that light inside of us.
2 Corinthians 4:5-7 "For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake. For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us."
Colossians 1:12-14 "Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:"
The light of God's truth guides us through life, to keep us on the safe and honorable path.
Psalm 119:97-106 "O how I love thy law! it is my meditation all the day. Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: for they are ever with me. I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation. I understand more than the ancients, because I keep thy precepts. I have refrained my feet from every evil way, that I might keep thy word. I have not departed from thy judgments: for thou hast taught me. How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth! Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. I have sworn, and I will perform it, that I will keep thy righteous judgments."
Ephesians 5:8-14 "For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;) Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret. But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light. Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light."
I often think of Christians as receptacles for the light (earthen vessels), that store the light and dispense it into the world. We receive the glory and the love of God and reflect it into the world of sin and darkness.
God bless all!
Love, in Christ,
Bernie
By Bernie Parsons - Feb 07, 2001
Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Matthew 5:14 KJVHello, Family & Friends,
God placed His truth in His son, Jesus, who placed this truth in His apostles and disciples. Jesus declared that His followers are the light of the world.
Matthew 5:14-16 "Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. 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. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."When "Christians" complain of being scrutinized by others, I know that they haven't a clue as to our mission. We are the light of the world, the city built on the hill that is easily seen. We are supposed to be seen--that is how we are able to bring others to the Lord.
Luke 11:33-36 "No man, when he hath lighted a candle, putteth it in a secret place, neither under a bushel, but on a candlestick, that they which come in may see the light. The light of the body is the eye: therefore when thine eye is single, thy whole body also is full of light; but when thine eye is evil, thy body also is full of darkness. Take heed therefore that the light which is in thee be not darkness. If thy whole body therefore be full of light, having no part dark, the whole shall be full of light, as when the bright shining of a candle doth give thee light."The problem comes when "Christians" rebel against God and serve the flesh. They don't want others to know what they are doing. We need to live righteously, support one another to this end, and let all the world see how it is done when God's people obey Him. Otherwise, we are full of darkness, not light.
1 John 1:6-7 "If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin."
Colossians 1:12-14 "Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:"
We have been moved from the valleys of despair and darkness into God's world--a place of light that comes from knowledge of, and obedience to, His will. This is truly "enlightenment"!
1 Thessalonians 5:5-7 "Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night."
Let us be awake and alert! There is much work to do. We need to raise the candle high on the candlestick so all may benefit from the light of God's word and will.
God bless all!
Love, in Christ,
Bernie
By Bernie Parsons - Feb 08, 2001
And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; 2 Corinthians 5:18 KJV
Hello, Family & Friends,
I think that sometimes we fail to learn the obvious, undergirding tenets of the scriptures. God is the Creator, and all belongs to Him. We departed from God when we disobeyed His intructions, rebelling against Him. When Adam and Eve sinned, they were driven from God's presence in the garden of Eden. There followed a departure from following God's instructions.
Genesis 6:5 "And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually."
Romans 5:8-12 "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement. Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:"
2 Corinthians 5:18-20 "And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry 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. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God."
Romans 3:24-26 "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 are past, through the forbearance of God; To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus."
Hebrews 9:11-12 "But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building; Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us."
1 John 2:1-3 "My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for our's only, but also for the sins of the whole world. And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments."
Titus 2:12-14 "Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works."
1 John 4:9-10 "In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins."
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 "What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's."
Acts 20:28 "Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood."
Notice the concepts used to describe what Jesus accomplished: redeem--to buy back; reconcile--to restore to a harmonious relationship; propitiate--regain favor or goodwill. Jesus came to buy us back from sin and disobedience, to restore us to a good relationship with God, and to put us back into God's good will.
God bless all!
Love, in Christ,
Bernie
By Bernie Parsons - Feb 09, 2001
Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you. Luke 17:21 KJV
Hello, Family & Friends,
If we don't understand why Jesus lived among us, taught us His Father's ways, and then died to take away our sins, we shall never comprehend the expectations that God has for us. Jesus came to restore a rebellious world to God.
1 Samuel 8:4-7 "Then all the elders of Israel gathered themselves together, and came to Samuel unto Ramah, And said unto him, Behold, thou art old, and thy sons walk not in thy ways: now make us a king to judge us like all the nations. But the thing displeased Samuel, when they said, Give us a king to judge us. And Samuel prayed unto the LORD. And the LORD said unto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee: for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them."
Matthew 17:10-13 "And his disciples asked him, saying, Why then say the scribes that Elias must first come? And Jesus answered and said unto them, Elias truly shall first come, and restore all things. But I say unto you, That Elias is come already, and they knew him not, but have done unto him whatsoever they listed. Likewise shall also the Son of man suffer of them. Then the disciples understood that he spake unto them of John the Baptist."
Matthew 3:1-2 "In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judea, Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."
Acts 1:6 "When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?"
Luke 17:20-21 "And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation: Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you."
John 18:35-37 "Pilate answered, Am I a Jew? Thine own nation and the chief priests have delivered thee unto me: what hast thou done? Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence. Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.
The kingdom is not an earthly one. Jesus Himself said that it is not. He said it not visible--as are earthly kingdoms--but is within us. It is a spiritual, heavenly kingdom.
Matthew 4:17 "From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."
Jesus came to lead a sinful and rebellious people back to the God who created them, and the universe.
1 Corinthians 15:27-28 "For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith all things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him. And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all."
When the mission is accomplished, all power in the universe turns back to God.
God bless all!
Love, in Christ,
Bernie
By Bernie Parsons - Feb 12, 2001
But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all. Galatians 4:26 KJV
Hello, Family & Friends,
Too many people who profess Christianity show extreme ignorance when it comes to the kingdom of God. Many look for an earthly kingdom to be set up in modern Israel with Jerusalem as the capital. But, as we examined earlier, Jesus said that His kingdom is not of this world. The Israelites only had a capital on earth because they rebelled against God, rejecting Him as king. Jesus reconciled us to God, our king. The earthly Jerusalem was destroyed because the capital shifted back to heaven where God sits as sovereign, with Jesus at His right hand.
Luke 13:34-35 "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee; how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and ye would not! Behold, your house is left unto you desolate: and verily I say unto you, Ye shall not see me, until the time come when ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord."
Luke 19:41-44 "And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it, Saying, If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes. For the days shall come upon thee, that thine enemies shall cast a trench about thee, and compass thee round, and keep thee in on every side, And shall lay thee even with the ground, and thy children within thee; and they shall not leave in thee one stone upon another; because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation."
Luke 21:20 "And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh."
Galatians 4:24-26 "Which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants; the one from the mount Sinai, which gendereth to bondage, which is Agar. For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children. But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all."
Hebrews 12:22-24 "But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things that that of Abel."
Hebrews 13:14 "For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come."
Hebrews 11:13-16 "These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country. And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned. But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city."
Revelation 3:12 "Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name."
Revelation 21:2-3 "And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God."
When Jesus restored us to God, the kingdom was restored, with God on the throne. It is a spiritual kingdom with a heavenly city and God as the temple!
God bless all!
Love, in Christ,
Bernie
By Bernie Parsons - Feb 13, 2001
And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.Mark 16:15 KJV
Hello, Family & Friends,
I ran across a Web site the other day that spoke of the two gospels: the "kingdom" gospel intended for the Jews, and the "salvation" gospel directed toward the Gentiles. No wonder there are so many religious bodies! It seems that any flight of fancy is converted to doctrine. Again, this underscores a lack of serious study by many who teach and preach the Bible--because the Bible teaches that there is only one gospel.
Mark 1:14-15 "Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel."
Mark 13:9-10 "But take heed to yourselves: for they shall deliver you up to councils; and in the synagogues ye shall be beaten: and ye shall be brought before rulers and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them. And the gospel must first be published among all nations."
Israel (Judaea) was one nation. The gospel was to be preached to all nations (Gentiles).
Mark 16:15-16 "And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned."
Matthew 28:19-20 "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen."
The gospel that Jesus had taught the Jews was to be repeated to the Gentiles.
Acts 15:7-9 "And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe. And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us; And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith."
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."
Ephesians 4:4-6 "There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all."
Ephesians 2:12-16 "That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:"
We see that one gospel was preached to Jew and Gentile alike. It was the same message, not two different messages, as some allege. Obedience to that one gospel brings all into one body, the church of our Lord Jesus Christ. Any other "gospel" is a perversion of the gospel of Christ.
Galatians 1:6-9 "I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, if any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed."
People like to speak of mysterious prohecies, because that makes everything hard to understand and creates reliance upon that particular "prophet". This is done for money, fame, or power. But the gospel is not the creation of mystery, but the dispelling of mystery.
Romans 11:25 "For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in."
Romans 16:25-27 "Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith: To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen."
Ephesians 1:9-10 "Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:"
The revealing (manifestation) of the mystery was that Jesus died to unite all, whether Jews or Gentiles, humans or angels, in one body--His body--the church. Anyone who preaches otherwise...well, the Apostle Paul told what should become of them!
God bless all!
Love, in Christ,
Bernie
By Bernie Parsons - Feb 14, 2001
Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul? 1 Corinthians 1:13 KJV
Hello, Family & Friends,
If Christ has only one "body"--the church--then why are there so many "churches", or denominations? They are the result of teachers and preachers departing from the word of God, replacing His word with their own opinions, ideas, and commandments. Jesus foretold that false prophets would arise, and warned the saints to beware.
Matthew 7:15-17 "Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit."
Matthew 15:7-9 "Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying, This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men."
Matthew 7:21-23 "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity."
Just invoking the name of Jesus does not make the doctrine acceptable to God, or to the righteous. It is one thing to "honor" Jesus or God with words, but they seek people who will honor them by keeping the will and the commandments of God.
1 Corinthians 1:10-13 "Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you. Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ. Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?"
1 Corinthians 3:3 "For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?"
1 Corinthians 11:18 "For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that there be divisions among you; and I partly believe it."
Some consider the many, varied religious organizations as divisions of the "universal church". The Apostle Paul warned against divisions. The whole concept of the gospel of Christ is that Jesus died to unite all into one body. To splinter into sects, divisions, denominations, or factions is exactly what Christ and the Apostles condemned. Anyone who justifies this division is wrong.
1 John 2:18-19 "Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time. They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us."
John 17:20-23 "Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me."
Of what church should you be a member? Well, who died to take away your sins?
1 Corinthians 12:25-27 "That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another. And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it. Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular."
Ephesians 1:22-23 "And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all."
God bless all!
Love, in Christ,
Bernie
By Bernie Parsons - Feb 15, 2001
There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. Ephesians 4:4-6 KJV
Hello, Family & Friends,
The Apostle Paul wrote that there is one body, which we know to be the church of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Doesn't the Bible seem to be instructing us all to become one instead of splintering into many different factions that are representing themselves as the body of Christ?
John 10:14-16 "I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep. And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd."
John 17:11 "And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are."
John 17:21-23 "That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me."
Ephesians 4:11-13 "And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:"
Romans 15:6 "That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ."
Philippians 1:27 "Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;"
Philippians 2:2 "Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind."
1 Corinthians 1:10 "Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment."
1 Corinthians 6:17 "But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit."
1 Corinthians 12:12-13 "For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit."
I get a distinct impression of oneness from these scriptures. How can we get any other message than this? What God expects us to do is to lay aside all the teachings and doctrines of men, and return to His great will and word. If we refuse to do so, we follow man, not God.
John 12:26 "If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour."
1 Corinthians 11:1 "Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ."
God bless all!
Love, in Christ,
Bernie
By Bernie Parsons - Feb 16, 2001
Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Matthew 28:19 KJV
Hello, Family & Friends,
I recently corresponded with someone who argued that the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost are the same entity and bear the same name--Jesus. This was my first encounter with someone who teaches this, although I had heard of those who believe in "Jesus only". Some contend that God came to the earth as Jesus, the Son, then later returned as the Holy Ghost. This is not what the Bible teaches.
Matthew 3:16-17 "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."
Matthew 17:5 "While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him."
If God came to earth in the form of Jesus, whose voice spoke from heaven, declaring that "this is my beloved son"?
John 11:41 "Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me."
To whom was Jesus lifting up His eyes, if He were the Father? And who heard Him?
John 14:28 "Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I."
If Jesus were God, how could He be His own Father, how could he go to His Father, and how could His Father be greater than He?
Mark 13:32 "But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father."
If the Son were the Father, how could the Father know without the Son also knowing?
John 15:26 "But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:"
The Holy Spirit came from the Father, sent by the Son.
Mark 16:19 "So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God."
Acts 7:55-56 "But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God, And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God."
How can Jesus sit at His own right hand, if He is also the Father? And how could the Holy Ghost be on the earth, even as Stephen saw Jesus at the right hand of God in heaven, if all three are one and the same?
1 Corinthians 15:27-28 "For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith all things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him. And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all."
1 Corinthians 15:24 "Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power."
If God put everything under the authority of Jesus, except for God Himself, then it is obvious that there were two distinct entities. And how can Jesus deliver up the kingdom to God, and what would be the point, if they are one and the same? And how can Jesus put down all rule, authority, and power if He is God the Father also? No, my friends, this doctrine is like all the perverted gospels that men teach--it is born in the vain imagination of a man and swallowed hook, line, and sinker by gullible folks who won't seek the truth.
Matthew 7:7 "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened."
God bless all!
Love, in Christ,
Bernie
By Bernie Parsons - Feb 19, 2001
The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand.John 3:35 KJV
Hello, Family & Friends,
We often take Jesus for granted, without ascribing to Him the great power and prestige that He deserves. He was so humble in His approach to ministering to mankind, that we sometimes forget His true status and stature.
Matthew 11:27 "All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him."
John 16:15 "All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you."
1 Corinthians 15:27-28 "For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith all things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him. And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all."
With the exception of God Himself, all other things in heaven and earth were placed under the authority of Jesus. That made Him the second most powerful person in the universe, sitting at the right hand of the most powerful one.
Ephesians 1:20-23 "Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all."
Colossians 1:19-20 "For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell; And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven."
Matthew 28:18 "And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth."
Jesus offered to become our brother, adopting us into His family, to share with us what God gave Him. He chose also to become our servant, to wait upon our needs. But let us not underestimate who He is and what He can do.
Philippians 2:9-11 "Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."
God bless all!
Love, in Christ,
Bernie
By Bernie Parsons - Feb 20, 2001
I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. Philippians 4:13 KJV
Hello, Family & Friends,
Jesus was given all power over everything in heaven and earth, except that He was not given power over God, His Father. It is no wonder then that He spoke so boldly of what He and His followers could accomplish.
Mark 9:23 "Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth."
Matthew 19:26 "But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible."
With God all things are possible! How many times have we worried about what might happen to us? How many times have our enemies intimidated us with threats? If we but realize that God has all power, and if our desire is that His will be accomplished in our lives, we have comfort and joy in that knowledge!
Matthew 21:21-22 "Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done. And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive."
We must believe that God can and will deliver on His promises.
Hebrews 11:6 "But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him."
No matter the obstacle, God is greater. If the obstacle does not go away, it is because we are on the wrong road, or it is intended to stop us. As the Apostle Paul said:
Philippians 4:13 "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."
Let us keep the faith, staying focused on what God wants to accomplish through us. What a wonderful thing to consider, that God channels His great power through us. He will meet our needs while we reside here upon the earth, then give us a place to stay in His glorious home in heaven!
1 John 4:4 "Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world."
God bless all!
Love, in Christ,
Bernie
By Bernie Parsons - Feb 22, 2001
And Jesus said, I am: and ye shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven. Mark 14:62 KJV
Hello, Family & Friends,
Who is Jesus? He is more than many of us think that He is, and has been around a lot longer than we sometimes acknowledge.
Exodus 3:13-15 "And Moses said unto God, Behold, when I come unto the children of Israel, and shall say unto them, The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you; and they shall say to me, What is his name? what shall I say unto them? And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you. And God said moreover unto Moses, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, the LORD God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hath sent me unto you: this is my name for ever, and this is my memorial unto all generations."
Exodus 6:2-3 "And God spake unto Moses, and said unto him, I am the LORD: And I appeared unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, by the name of God Almighty, but by my name JEHOVAH was I not known to them."
Mark 14:61-64 "But he held his peace, and answered nothing. Again the high priest asked him, and said unto him, Art thou the Christ, the Son of the Blessed? And Jesus said, I am: and ye shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven. Then the high priest rent his clothes, and saith, What need we any further witnesses? Ye have heard the blasphemy: what think ye? And they all condemned him to be guilty of death."
John 8:56-59 "Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad. Then said the Jews unto him, Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast thou seen Abraham? Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am. Then took they up stones to cast at him: but Jesus hid himself, and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by."
The Jews were outraged because Jesus pronounced the name of Jehovah, "I Am", placing Himself in the times of Abraham and his near descendants.
1 Corinthians 10:1-4 Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea; And did all eat the same spiritual meat; And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ."
Exodus 13:21-22 "And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night: He took not away the pillar of the cloud by day, nor the pillar of fire by night, from before the people."
Exodus 34:5 "And the LORD descended in the cloud, and stood with him there, and proclaimed the name of the LORD."
Philippians 2:9-11 "Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."
Hebrews 13:8 "Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever."
God bless all!
Love, in Christ,
Bernie
Sharper Than Any Twoedged Sword
By Bernie Parsons - Feb 23, 2001
For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Hebrews 4:12 KJV
Hello, Family & Friends,
We often repeat the words of the Apostle Paul, stating that the gospel of Christ has the power to save--but do we understand why it has that power?
1 Corinthians 1:18 "For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God."
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."
What makes the gospel so powerful? It is not some mystical incantation, or some mysterious secret, as many allude. Instead, the power of the gospel rests in its truth. It is, quite simply, the word of God--the truth. Our salvation depends upon our believing the truth.
John 17:15-19 "I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world. And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth."
Romans 10:15-17 "And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God."
What does it mean to have "obeyed the gospel"? It means that we have listened to the truth of God's word, and believing it to be the truth, we have done what God has told us to do. The truth is that Jesus is the Son of the living God. The truth is that He fulfilled all prophecy, died in our place to take away our sins, and was resurrected from the dead, ascending to the right hand of His heavenly Father.
Matthew 16:16-18 "And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it."
It is also true that we shall be judged, and accepted into heaven, or rejected to eternal damnation, based upon whether or not we seek the truth, believe it, and obey it. We hide no secrets from God.
Hebrews 4:12-13 " For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do."
John 8:32 "And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."
Ephesians 6:10 "Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might."
God bless all!
Love, in Christ,
Bernie
By Bernie Parsons - Feb 26, 2001
And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief. Mark 9:24 KJV
Hello, Family & Friends,
Jesus prayed for the saints in this manner:
John 17:17 "Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth."
Truth can set us free, Jesus said. But truth must be believed and obeyed in order for that truth to save us. If you are desperately clinging to a rock cliff, about to fall, when someone promises to save you by throwing down a rope to pull you to safety--will you simply declare your belief and do nothing? If you believe that your rescuer will save you, but do not take hold of the rope that is offered, will your belief save you? What if you don't believe him to begin with, will he save you?
Mark 9:23-24 "Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth. And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief."
Peter walked on water because he believed he could, but when he became afraid and lost faith, he sank beneath the waves.
Matthew 14:26-31 "And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear. But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid. And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?"
Our unbelief can keep us from accomplishng the will of God in our lives.
Matthew 17:1-20 "And Jesus rebuked the devil; and he departed out of him: and the child was cured from that very hour. Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast him out? And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you."
A grain of mustard seed! How little faith to do so much! In the book of Acts of the Apostles, a man from Ethiopia wanted to become a Christian upon hearing the gospel preached. What could stand in his way? Nothing but unbelief.
Acts 8:35-38 "Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus. And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him."
Matthew 21:21-22 "Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done. And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive."
God bless all!
Love, in Christ,
Bernie
By Bernie Parsons - Feb 28, 2001
But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. James 1:6 KJV
Hello, Family & Friends,
There is nothing more disheartening to me than to discuss righteousness and spirituality with someone, only to hear them utter: "I don't believe...", sometimes appended to the expression, "I know the Bible says that, but..." If we don't believe, what is the point in professing Christianity? Why do we accept portions of the scripture while vehemently denying the rest?
John 8:45-47 "And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not. Which of you convinceth me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do ye not believe me? He that is of God heareth God's words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God."
John 12:35-36 "Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth. While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light. These things spake Jesus, and departed, and did hide himself from them."
John 1:12-13 "But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God."
Folks often tell me that they believe that Jesus is the Son of God, and their Savior. But they reject His words, and those of His personally appointed Apostles, who were given the Holy Spirit in great measure, and told to teach the world everything that Jesus had taught them.
Luke 6:46 "And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?"
Hebrews 11:6 "But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him."
If we are going to claim belief in Jesus, then we must have faith, and trust the truth of His teachings. We must trust that He is who He says He is, and that He can, and will, do what He has promised.
Matthew 7:7-8 "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened."
James 1:6-7 "But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord."John 20:27-29 "Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing. And Thomas answered and said unto him, My LORD and my God. Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed."
God bless all!
Love, in Christ,
Bernie
