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I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:6 (NIV)

With these words, Jesus makes His position very plain. He ‘spells it out’ for the disciples and for us.

I am

Jesus speaks here in the present tense. Please notice what he says. He didn’t say, “I will be.” Or “My Father will make me.”

the way

What Jesus says here is basic to his purpose for being on earth. That purpose is to show us how-to live-in order to be able to enter heaven and spend eternity with Him.

God…  ( Click for more )

Jesus, The Guilt Offering

“Yet it was the Lord’s will to crush him and cause him to suffer and though the Lord makes his life a guilt offering, he will see his offspring and prolong his days, and the will of the Lord will prosper in his hand.” Isaiah 53:10 (NIV)

God had to allow His Son to die such a painful death and put Jesus through the suffering of the Cross. The religious leaders of the people of Israel wouldn’t listen to Him. The Father used the Son as an offering to absolve the people’s guilt. Jesus was the…  ( Click for more )

Silent before His Accusers

“He was oppressed and afflicted and yet did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth.” Isaiah 53:7 (NIV)

Jesus, the man, must have felt as if he were backed into a corner by the religious authorities. The religious leaders tossed Him back and forth between them. Our Master didn’t say anything in His defense. I believe God chose this path for His Son. The Father controlled the happening, the people and the contributing…  ( Click for more )

For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor heights nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39 (ESV)

The Apostle Paul wrote these words to the believers at Rome. I find comfort in these thoughts.

I believe Paul is saying that God loves His children unconditionally. Conversely, we are the ones who put conditions on how we feel about someone.

When we walk with Jesus, we learn to request that…  ( Click for more )

For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.

Psalm 100:5 (NIV)

Do you remember this children’s table grace?

God is great, God is good

And we thank Him for our food.

By His hand, we are fed.

Thank You, God, for our daily bread.

God loves each…  ( Click for more )

Do not boast about tomorrow, for you don’t know what tomorrow may bring. Proverbs 27:1 (ESV)

King Solomon gives us sage advice in these 13 words. This bears repeating: He gives us sage advice here.

When we plan our days, we should consider that God could take our lives in a different direction. He may have completely different plans for us.

A friend of mine has a major change of any plans she may have had when her daughter was taken to the hospital on Christmas night. The daughter was transferred to another hospital and then to another one.…  ( Click for more )

There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the LORD.

Proverbs 21:30-31 (NIV)

This passage speaks of our need to consult God with our plans and goals.

There is no wisdom,

Wisdom is a gift from God. His Word, the Bible leads us to live rightly, have right relationships, and make right decisions. 1

no insight,

God gave Solomon wisdom and very great insight. (1 Kings 4:29) His understanding could not be measured. He had more insight and wisdom that anyone of that time.

no plan,

In our lives, plans get altered.…  ( Click for more )

Therefore, my heart is glad, and my tongue rejoices,

My body also will rest secure,

Because you will not abandon me to the grave,

Nor will you let your Holy One see decay.

You have made known to me the path of life,

You will fill me with joy in your presence,

With eternal presence at your right hand.”

Psalm 16:7-11(NIV)

“Therefore, my heart is glad, and my tongue rejoices,”

David was relieved of the burdens his heart and he gave praise to God for what He did. When God takes away a burden do we give praise…  ( Click for more )

“I will praise the Lord, who gives me counsel;

Even at night my heart instructs me.

I have set the Lord always before me.

Because he is always at my right hand,

I will not be shaken.

Psalm 16:7-8

David penned these words. I find comfort in them.

“I will praise the Lord, who counsels me. . .”

He tells us he praises the Lord and the Lord guides him. Do we praise the Lord enough?

This time of year, my praises to God are for our warm home, its strong roof and warm clothes.

“even at night…  ( Click for more )

“This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel says: “When I bring them back from captivity, the land of Judah and its towns will once again use these words ‘The lord bless you, O righteous dwelling, O sacred mountain. ’I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint.”

Jeremiah 31:23,25 (NIV)

The very next verse tells us that God had visited Jeremiah as he slept. He tells us “My sleep had been pleasant to me.” Why did Jeremiah say this?

An End to the Exile,

God tells him when,…  ( Click for more )

Jesus’ Attitude

"And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient

to death even death on a cross.” Philippians 2:8 (NIV)

Jesus humbled Himself. He asked God three times to not let Him go to the cross, but the ending of His prayer was “not my will but your will be done.” He knew it was His Father’s plan, accepted it, and obeyed.

Crucifixion was the Roman way of dealing with the most severe of criminals. It is thought to be the most horrible of deaths at that time.…  ( Click for more )

And I will give them one heart and a new spirit I will put within them. I will remove the heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh, that they may walk in my statutes and keep my rules and obey them. And they shall be my people and I will be their God. Ezekiel 11:19-20 (ESV)

Happy New Year to each of you. We seem to always look forward to something new, be it a new outfit, a new piece of furniture, or a new vehicle. God plans to do new things for us if we are willing to let Him be in control. Our focus passage will help us understand more.

“And I will…  ( Click for more )

As a baby,

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” Luke 2:11-12 (ESV)

Into a poor family,

And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. Luke 2:6-8 (ESV)

Was tempted by the enemy,

And Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan…  ( Click for more )

In the wilderness prepare the way of the LORD. Isaiah 40:3 (NRSV)

During Advent, we prepare our homes for Christmas. Do we also prepare our hearts?

At the last session of a Lay Witness Weekend held at a church I was in there was a time when those of our church who participated in the activities shared their feelings about what they heard God say to them.

An older woman who was like a spiritual mother to me said she realized anew that we should prepare to worship Jesus. She pointed out that we prepare to take a trip, to have company,…  ( Click for more )

…and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6b (ESV)

Isaiah gives us insight to some of the attributes of Jesus.

Wonderful Counselor

This child, Jesus would always be available to hear us. He would be (and is) always listening as we pour out our heart-breaking stories to Him. He also listens when we give praise for what He has done for us.

Mighty God

We recognize that Jesus came from God. We also have learned that when Jesus told the disciples that He would send a Helper to…  ( Click for more )

…and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6 b (ESV)

Isaiah gives us insight to some of the attributes of Jesus.

Wonderful Counselor

This child, Jesus would always be available to hear us. He would be (and is) always listening as we pour out our heart-breaking stories to Him. He also listens when we give praise for what He has done for us.

Mighty God

We recognize that Jesus came from God. We also have learned that when Jesus told the disciples that He would send a Helper to…  ( Click for more )

Our Attitudes

“Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:” Philippians 2:5 (NIV)

How we act and react to the people and events that enter our lives should reflect Jesus. We have to shed ourselves of ‘us’ and take on His way of dealing with events, even if tend to upset us.

Jesus showed compassion on the crowds who met Him as he traveled. He tenderly healed the woman who was ill for twelve years. Christ took pity on the 5,000 men and their families and fed them.

I had…  ( Click for more )

Bless our God, O peoples; let the sound of his praise be heard, who has kept our soul among the living and has not let our feet slip. Psalm 66:8-9 (ESV) Bless our God, O peoples We are to bless God, the people of every nation and culture. For some time, I have been attending an ecumenical women’s group here in my city. The group is made up of women of two races. The singing and the prayers are wonderful. let the sound of his praise be heard We are to give praise aloud because He has granted us life. I heard an adage: Our lives are God’s gift…  ( Click for more )

Sing to the Lord, all the earth!

Tell of his salvation from day to day.

Declare his glory among the nations,

his marvelous works among all the peoples!

For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised,

and he is to be feared above all gods.

Splendor and majesty are before him;

strength and joy are in his place.

Ascribe to the Lord, O families of the peoples,

ascribe to the Lord glory and strength!

Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name;

bring an offering and come before him!

1 Chronicles 16:23-25,29-29…  ( Click for more )

Bless our God, O peoples; let the sound of his praise be heard, who has kept our soul among the living and has not let our feet slip. Psalm 66:8-9 (ESV)

Bless our God, O peoples

We are to bless God, the people of every nation and culture. For some time, I have been attending an ecumenical women’s group here in my city. The group is made up of women of two races. The singing and the prayers are wonderful.

let the sound of his praise be heard

We are to give praise aloud because He has granted us life. I heard an adage: Our lives are God’s gift…  ( Click for more )

“Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.

Praise the Lord.” Psalm 150:6

A few years ago, I read a book—1,000 Gifts, written by Ann Voskamp. She caused me to think about our gifts from and our praises to God. She taught me a new word: Eucharisteo (u cha ri STE o) it comes from the Greek and means to give thanks.

We often overlook the simple gifts God gives us. We often want the big, shiny gifts we can boast about but for this reading let’s concentrate on the small ones He gives us.

God’s Presence in your Lives

Have you…  ( Click for more )

Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 5:1-2 (ESV)

Paul explains in chapter 4 of Romans that Abraham believed God and, because of that, he was justified before God.

He concludes that because of our faith, we, also, receive peace with the Lord God through the Lord Jesus Christ.

Our trust in Jesus is because of what He did for us at Calvary. He took away our sins and placed them on Himself. Those big ones that we’d rather no one know about and those ‘little’ ones that we tend…  ( Click for more )

And he said to her, “Daughter your faith has made you well; go in peace and be healed of your disease.” Mark 5:34

We all know he story of Jesus being enroute to the synagogue ruler’s home to tend to the ruler’s sick young daughter. We also read where a woman interrupted His journey.

He knew someone had touched His clothing. The disciples couldn’t believe that Jesus would be concerned about someone touching His garments in the crowd.

When the woman comes forward and tells Jesus the story about why she touched his clothing, the LORD…  ( Click for more )

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.

Hebrews 11:1 (ESV)

The writer of Hebrews teaches us a great lesson about faith. Have you ever been positive that something good was going to transpire and it did? You exercised your faith.

For several years, I would imagine a future activity that would not turn out as I had thought it would. I began to find times like that depressed me. One evening, I thought about all those times when things did not go as I wanted. I had a long talk with Jesus about this.

I told Him I would…  ( Click for more )