Christ the Way

After Resurrection there were many other things that Jesus did, Scripture states: “There are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen.: [John 21:25] We often imagine things, like vacation trips, being financially blessed, blissful moments, etc... But let us meditate upon the glorious things that Jesus could have done in those last few days before He ascended into heaven. I would love to hear the ‘whole’ account – when Jesus breathed on the disciples the Holy Ghost!  Not much is said there in Scripture as Jesus breathes on them, but it had to be a glorious moment!  It was the prelude to the Day of Pentecost.  And when Jesus appeared unto them eight days after Resurrection and Thomas was present. Can you imagine what it was like, when Thomas felt the wound in Jesus Side?  Can we take in the message that Jesus then proclaimed to Thomas and His disciples? “Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen Me, thou hast believed: “Blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.” John 20:29 After Resurrection the disciples didn’t seem to be with Jesus daily, it was 8 days before Thomas saw the ‘nail prints’ in Jesus hands. So what now, I imagine the fellows thought, what shall we do? Seven of the disciples were together and “Simon Peter saith unto them, I go a fishing. They say unto him, We also go with thee. They went forth, and entered into a ship immediately; and that night they caught nothing.”  Here is a great lesson to remember, our life often effects those around us. So off go the fellows ... fishing! It would seem that they went back to their old ways. But Jesus never leaves us, He is ever present, if we will acknowledge Him. Now early morning Jesus is seen standing on the shore, again they did not recognize Him. We must be careful in our ‘everydayness’ to keep an eye open for Him for He is ever present with us. You can find the account of this moment in John Ch. 21. Again Jesus questioned: “Children, Have ye any meat?”  While Jesus may of been speaking of the fish upon the fire... He continues to call out to His Children today... “Have ye any Meat.”  As we grow in Christ we must be able teachers of the Meat of the Gospel of Jesus Christ!  Eat Children, Eat ... devour His Word!

Loving you, Pastor

After Death

After Death – Resurrection!  ♪♬Up From the Grave Christ Arose, with a Mighty Triumph o’er His foes; He Arose a Victor from the dark domain, And He lives forever with His saints to reign, He Arose! He Arose! Hallelujah! Christ Arose!♬♪ O Let His Praises spring forth from the heart of every Born-Again Believer!  Raise your joy and let Triumph of His Victory be your strength! Let the “Alleluia’s” roll! Because He Lives, we shall also live eternally, and not only live, but ever be with our loved ones who have preceded us into Eternal Life. We Thank God for Calvary, for Jesus’ obedience to surrender His will, for our Everlasting Life!  O but, to see Him come forth triumphant over the Grave is yet another glorious wonder!  For in Resurrection we see what will be ‘After Death.’  After Death, Eternal Life! When Jesus appeared to the Disciples all hidden away for fear, the walls could not hinder Him ... He walked right through the wall into the presence of the Disciples and with a Word, He stilled their fear. “Peace be unto you!”  Let’s commemorate that moment from Luke 24:36-41 “Jesus Himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.  But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit. And He said unto them, Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts? Behold My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself: handle Me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see Me have. And when Jesus’ had thus spoken, He shewed them His hands and His feet. And while they yet believed not for joy, and wondered, He said unto them, Have ye here any meat?” ‘After Death’ ... Jesus was not detoured by the walls that surrounded them; Jesus looked the same, they knew Him. He stretched forth His Hands toward them and they could touch the nail scars that was so visual. He was not a spirit, He was Jesus the man they had walked with these past years of His earthly Ministry. Then He asked for meat, Jesus was going to eat with them. This tells us so much about life ‘After Death.’ First it is a Peace that transcends all earthly Peace. There is ‘no fear!’ You will hold your loved one who has preceded you in Christ ... Matt. 28:9...they came and held Him by the feet, and worshipped Him.  O the glorious ‘Life After Death’ for the saints of God!  He said “Handle Me and see!”  What a day that will be when our Saviour we see and wrap our arms around Him.  O glorious Resurrection ... Our Eternal Hope!  Death can not keep its prey, Jesus My Saviour ! He tore the bars away!  Made like Him, like Him we rise!

 Rejoicing with you as we celebrate Resurrection, Love You, Pastor

“What Will We Do?!” How will we Discipline ourselves for HIM?

God speaks to His people all through the Old Testament as He was establishing His Covenant with the Patriarchs and their decedents.  How awesome is the marvelous works of God in the midst of the Old Testament saints. His dealings with them was so personal. He led them and guided them; think of Noah, Moses, Abraham, and the Prophets, Isaiah, Joel, Jonah, for a few.  Sometimes the dealings with humanity brought consequences. The Law was strict, but God loved His people.  He spoke to them over and over telling them “I Will” ....

“I Am the Lord, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will rid you out of their bondage, and I will Redeem you with a stretched out arm, and with great judgments:  And I will take you to Me for a people, and I will be to you a God: and ye shall know that I Am the Lord your God, which bringeth you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians.” ~ Ex. 6:6-7 

 

And are we apart of Israel? Are we not grafted into the Promises that were given to God’s People?  I believe this Word of God is for us today too. For often, the term “generations to come,” was applied to the Covenant that God was making with the Old Testament saints.  We know that God is a Covenant making God, and we know that we are partakers of this Covenant, but sometimes we forget the power of sacrifice that was in God’s heart as He “willed” to Covenant with mankind. 

 

“That the “Generation” to come might know them, [Law-Covenant] even the children which should be born; who should arise and declare them to their children: That they might set their Hope in God, and not forget the Works of God, but keep His Commandments:” ~ Ps 78:6-7

We are the “Generation to come,” and He has Redeemed us, He sent His Son to be our Salvation! He will bring us out of the difficulties for He is our Hope!     

The Covenant God made with His people would ultimately have to be written in blood, it would be the Blood of His Only Begotten Son.  The Covenant of the Old Testament would be enlarged in the New Testament and sealed in the Blood of Jesus, our Saviour!  When God said “I Will” Redeem them, He kept His Word.  Over and over in the Old Testament God declared His Covenant with an “I Will!”  I turned over to the New Testament to see the “I Will’s that came from the heart of Jesus!  “I will not leave you comfortless” —  “I will pray the Father for you!” —  “I will be his God” —  “I will give you rest,”  “ I will never leave you nor forsake you.” etc.  No wonder David seeing afar off could say:  “I will sing of the mercies of the Lord for ever: with my mouth I will make known Thy faithfulness to all generations!” This question breezed into my mind, What will I do for my Lord?  What “I Wills” do I have for Him?  May we say with Jesus, not my will, but Thine be done!   Loving you and praying for you,  Pastor