Oct 1, 2021 – Isaiah 43:19 – behold, I will do a new thing
Hi Everyone!
God is doing something new in us. He desires to take us to heights we have never experienced, places we have never gone to before, and He wants us to learn of his Word in ways we never have before. God just doesn’t want us to be His children in title, but He desires for us to walk in the fullest of His power, to move in the earth under the authority He has given us. There is a life that we, as children of God, must leave behind us in order to seize this new thing that God has planned for us, but sadly, so many of us are reluctant to relinquish our comforts. It is a sad sight to behold when someone won’t step out of God’s way and allow Him to break forth healing, freedom, power, and restoration in our lives. It’s time to let go, and allow God to do all that is in His heart to do, because He has the absolute best plan for us, far better than anything we can do on our own. Today, we are going to look at Isaiah 43:19, experiencing this new thing God has prepared for us.
”Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.”
The word “behold” is a word spoken or written with intention so that we pay close attention to what is being said. In Revelation 3:20, Christ says, “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.” Christ is telling us to pay attention to the fact that He is looking to dine and fellowship with us. Christ wants us to see that He has come wherever we are at, and has knocked on our door. In Luke 17:21, Christ says, “Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.” Christ wants us to pay attention to the fact that the kingdom of God is within us, so we don’t have to look at the world or anything it has because God has built the kingdom inside of all of His children! The word behold is designed to catch our attention and that is because something important is about to be said.
The phrase “will do” means ‘to accomplish or complete, conveying the central notion of performing an activity with a distinct purpose, a moral obligation, or a goal in view.” The phrase “new thing” implies a fresh event or occurrence coming by the hand of God. In Lamentations 3:22-23, the Bible says, “It is of the LORD’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new EVERY MORNING: great is thy faithfulness.” When God does something new, He doesn’t do it once, but He continues this newness every day. In 2 Corinthians 5:17, the Bible says, “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” When God makes us new in Jesus Christ, He doesn’t use anything old, because it clearly says, old things are passed away! God isn’t trying to allow us to experience a cleaned up old thing, but rather a new thing altogether. I grew up in church, loved the church, and loved serving the church as a child, but the Church wasn’t in me. There is a difference! I showed promise, but I ended up straying from the church, turning to the streets, becoming a disappointment to God, my family, and my church. When I committed my life to the Lord instead of the church, Christ built the Church within me, and everything has been new from that point forth.
The phrase “spring forth” means “to sprout, to make to grow”. In Isaiah 42:9, the Bible says, “Behold, the former things are come to pass, and new things do I declare: before they spring forth I tell you of them.” Please understand that the Word is going to come before the growth becomes visible. We can’t expect growth outside of the Word of God, and we definitely can’t expect a new thing to spring forth from something old without God’s involvement.
“Shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.”
The word “know” here means “to become one with by observation, experience or recognition”. This suggests that we will see the evidence of this new thing God is doing, and it will be indisputable that it came from Him. In Isaiah 35:7, the Bible says, “And the parched ground shall become a pool, and the thirsty land springs of water: in the habitation of dragons, where each lay, shall be grass with reeds and rushes.” God is going to cause growth to spring forth from places that people thought growth could never come from. In Isaiah 41:20, the Bible says, “That they may see, and know, and consider, and understand together, that the hand of the LORD hath done this, and the Holy One of Israel hath created it.” God is going to make roads appear in the midst of a wild forest, and bodies of waters to arise from the driest desert. This is this new thing that God is trying to do in our lives, taking those people doomed for destruction and transforming them into living, breathing epistles of Jesus Christ.
God Bless!
Marshall
Oct 2, 2021 – Joshua 22:5 – take diligent heed to do the commandment and the law
Hi Everyone!
When it comes to serving the Lord, what is the state of our heart? Do we serve the Lord out of obligation, doing it solely because we owe the Lord everything? Do we serve the Lord out of fear, being afraid of the consequences of not making the decision to serve the Lord? Do we serve the Lord for appearances, so we can appear to live a holy life in public while we secretly enjoy the pleasures of sin? Is our service to the Lord sincere, giving ourselves completely to the Lord because of the love that flows from our hearts towards the Lord, obeying the Lord solely because we love doing what our Father says? As believers, our service should reflect the relationship we have with God, and the fruit will definitely reveal what type of service we are offering. Today, we will look at Joshua 22:5, having the correct heart of service.
”But take diligent heed to do the commandment and the law, which Moses the servant of the LORD charged you, to love the LORD your God, and to walk in all his ways, and to keep his commandments, and to cleave unto him, and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul.”
The phrase “take diligent heed” reflects the attitude we must have when it comes to our service. If obeying the Word of the Lord isn’t a priority in our lives, and it doesn’t immediately cause a desire to move in response to the Word, then there is a problem. In Ephesians 6:6-7, the Bible says, “Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men.” The person who has their heart in the right place, taking diligent heed, is the person who only sees what the Lord wants and then has an immediate desire to please God. There are people that “do good” but have the wrong hearts, only doing good to win the approval of men.
The word “do”, means “to accomplish or complete.” The word “law” means “precept, statute, especially the Decalogue and the Pentateuch”. The word “charged” means “ordered, directed, or commanded” Moses gave Israel the command that God gave him to give Israel, which is the same command God gives now. In Deuteronomy 6:5-7, the Bible says, “And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt TEACH them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.” If we are obeying the command of the Lord, then our first attribute is love, a deep Godly affection for who God is and who God is TO US. We then should have an attitude to plant the Word in our hearts and share it with our family, our neighbors, our community, and with strangers. The phrase “walk in all his ways” implies that we live as God desires for us to live. The only way we are to know how we are supposed to live is by the written and spoken Word of God. In Hebrews 12:1 the Bible says, “Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us.” God is not going to allow us to live a Godly life without his Word and without examples to fall upon. God wants us to succeed in obedience as well as ministry.
The word “cleave” means “to join oneself to, to stick to, to follow hard, or to adhere”. God desires a people who want to become one with Him. In John 17:23, Christ intercedes on our behalf by saying, “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.” God wants us to be one with God so people will see us and know that we came from Him. A bride happily desires to show people who her husband is, so we have to be people who will show people who Christ is, from the deepest joy in our hearts. In Psalm 103:1, the Bible says, “Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.” God wants our all; our hearts, our souls, the breath that is in our bodies, because He will take our offering and produce something that will be valuable for kingdom building. The word “serve” means “to labor with joy, to worship.” Not only does God want everything within us, but that is what He wants us to extend to people as well. Romans 12:1, the Bible says, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.” We don’t serve an unreasonable God so our service to God is never unreasonable. How we approach the Word of God will become how we approach service, and if we approach God’s Word with our entire being, then our service will come from that same attitude!
God Bless!
Marshall
Oct 3, 2021 – Acts 20:35 – It is more blessed to give than to receive
Hi Everyone!
We must never forget where we have come from. Too many of us receive our salvation, and forget about the times we were lost, the times when we needed a helping hand, times where we couldn’t find a way out of crisis and God sent someone to help us through. In a world that seems to shift more and more towards how the world can benefit them, believers have to go into the world seeking to be a benefit to it. Ministry is tiring at times; but the benefits behind ministry are that souls will be saved, lives will be transformed, people in bondage will be set free, and the newly saved will spread the joy of their salvation everywhere they go. At times, we will feel weak, but we have to remember that there are others who are weaker, in need of a Savior to renew their strength. Today, we will look at Acts 20:35, a word on the blessing in giving ourselves fully in order to help build up the kingdom of God.
”I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.”
The word ”shewed” means ”to exhibit under the eyes, to exemplify, instruct, or admonish.” This is more than just telling someone what to do and not do, but showing them how to do it. In Proverbs 22:6, the Bible says, ”Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” When a person trains someone, they not only tell them what needs to be done, but they also show them, practicing the skills WITH them until they are mastered. Then, they send them out, to figure out how to use their training in the world. In 1 Peter 5:2-3, the Bible says, ”Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.” Ministry is not about the minister but who is being ministered to. In Romans 12:10, the Bible says, ”Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another.” Love has to be the driving force behind ministry, and we have to love those we minister to, because we will easily go the extra mile for someone we love. Christ displayed that by His death, so we must show the same love by our life.
“How so laboring ye ought to support the weak”
The word “laboring” means “to work hard until fatigued”. In Romans 15:1-2, the Bible says, “We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification.” God gives us our strength, our Biblical knowledge and the ability to use both, not so we can appear better than the next person, but so we can help someone experience triumph in the face of their sufferings. in 1 Corinthians 3:9, the Bible says, “For we are labourers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building.” Do we realize that when we minister to someone for the kingdom of God, we are really working WITH God to ensure that salvation comes to as many people and homes as possible? God isn’t someone who is sitting there, doing nothing, but receiving all of the benefits. God is working with us step by step, lovingly providing for us everything we need to do His will. The word “support” means “aid, protect, or relieve”. The word ”weak” means “afflicted, distressed by lack, oppression, or calamity.” In 1 Thessalonians 5:14, the Bible says, “Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.” We have to use our new positions to help others find their way. Sadly, people are unfairly judged and put down for being weak in the faith instead of being loved and supported. This makes an already weak believer weaker.
“And to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how He said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.”
The word “remember” means “to exercise memory, to recollect.” This is an intentional act of putting in our mind and hearts the example of Christ. In 2 Thessalonians 3:9, the Bible says, “Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us.” Christ has all the power in the world, but His whole life on earth, His whole ministry, and everything He contributed was to build up those around him for the kingdom of God. In Matthew 20:28, Christ says, ”Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.” If the Savior of the whole world, God robed in flesh, came to minister unto others, becoming a sacrifice for us, then who are we to act like we can’t serve others as well? What if there was someone hanging off a ledge, sure to fall if we don’t step in to help. Do we help or do we let them fall?
Are we doing the same thing when we withhold the Word of God from someone?
God Bless!
Marshall
Oct 4, 2021 – Proverbs 3:3 – let not mercy and truth forsake thee
Hi Everyone!
It is imperative for us to plant the Word of God in our minds and hearts. The Word of God is supposed to be experienced in our lives, and manifested through our character. Do people see the Word of God when they see us? Do we convey mercy in our interactions with people? Truth when we share the Word with others? God created us to love on higher levels, to live from victory, to experience the power and movement of the Holy Spirit in our daily lives. We are to carry the Word of God everywhere we go, not just for our own benefit, but to be a benefit to others, helping them come into the knowledge and relationship with the Lord as we have. It first begins with us, and the way we project the Word of God in our lives becomes the way people perceive that faith in the world. We want to paint an accurate picture of the God we freely serve, and of the faith we place great value in. Today, we will look at Proverbs 3:3, storing the Word of God in our hearts.
”Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart”
The word “mercy” means “lovingkindness, piety, or love.” In Micah 6:8, the Bible says, “He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?” God wants us to love to be kind to others, He wants us to love loving others, and He wants us to love living Godly lives. He desires a people who serve Him because we love Him. In Ephesians 2:4-6, the Bible says, “But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.” God’s mercy extended to us when we didn’t deserve it, when we were dead in our sins, but there are many in the Church right now who refuse to show mercy to people in need of mercy. God’s mercy gave us access to eternal life, to sit in heavenly places with Jesus Christ, so how can we ever walk this earth, so endowed with blessings, and withhold the very gift from someone else that God bestowed upon us?
The word “truth” means “faithhfulness or stability.” In John 16:13, Christ says, “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.” God is not only going to give us truth but He will guide us into ALL truth. Truth is a requirement for a successful life as a believer, because John 14:6, Christ says, “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the TRUTH, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” We can’t make it to experience the presence of God without truth, and we most certainly can’t remain in the presence of God without truth. The word “forsake” means “to abandon, to leave, to relinquish.” God wants mercy and truth to remain with us, and for us to never let them go. These qualities in us are the pure essence of God, and He desires for them to be our pure essence as well. Remember, we are created in His image and in His likeness.
“Bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thy heart”
The word “bind” means “to tie, or to join together.” We are to become one with mercy and truth, so when we speak, when we move, and when we minister unto others, mercy and truth is always present. The word “neck” means “throat, as in rumination”. Rumination means to chew on, break down, but from the spiritual standpoint, rumination means “to meditate upon, or turn over in the mind.” In Psalm 1:2, the Bible says, “But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.” It is our job to receive the Word of God with cheerfulness and meditate on it day and night. The word ‘heart” refers to the center of our being. In Psalm 119:11, the Bible says, “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.” Meditating upon the Word of God keeps the Word fresh and alive in our lives, and it becomes easier for us to refer to when in need. God desires for mercy and truth to become second nature to us, similar to breathing, eating and drinking. In Joshua 1:8, the Bible says, “This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.” Some people think that God is some unreasonable judge, hard-pressed about every rule, destroying all of the fun from a person’s life, but that is a lie. God desires for us to experience GOOD success in this world, and is giving us every tool to become successful in Him.
Isn’t this a good reason to live in mercy and truth?
God Bless!
Marshall
Oct 5, 2021 – Joshua 23:10 – He it is that fighteth for you, as he hath promised you.
Hi Everyone!
As believers, we will find ourselves under warfare. The Lord will always fight our battles when we surrender ourselves completely to Him, positioning ourselves to hear His Word and to obey it. When the Lord fights our battles, victory is inevitable, but will we trust the Lord when the enemy is mounting an offensive on every side, not giving us a way out? The enemy boasts of numbers, swords, and armies, but the Lord has His Word, and whatever His word says, it will come to be. I have legal fight going on in my life, fighting to one day regain my freedom from the life sentence I received. Naturally, one would think I would need the best lawyers, the word of some powerful politician, a bunch of money, or all of the above, but all I need is the Word of the Lord telling me that the victory is mine and I will win! Today, we will look at Joshua 23:10, a battle fought and won by the Lord.
”One man of you shall chase a thousand: for the LORD your God, he it is that fighteth for you, as he hath promised you.”
The word ”chase” means ”to run after with hostile intent, or to pursue in order to destroy.” How many of us have gone through some level of warfare, and were content with just enduring the ordeal? Here, God is saying that we will chase a thousand! Have we ever mounted an offensive against the enemy who tries to entangle us in warfare? In Leviticus 26:7-9, the Bible says, ”And ye shall chase your enemies, and they shall fall before you by the sword. And five of you shall chase an hundred, and an hundred of you shall put ten thousand to flight: and your enemies shall fall before you by the sword. For I will have respect unto you, and make you fruitful, and multiply you, and establish my covenant with you.” News flash: we aren’t powerful without God, and we don’t attain victory without His Word going before us! It is only by the Lord that we have victory, which clears the way for us to experience peace, growth, and the establishment of God’s covenant in us. In Deuteronomy 32:30-31, the Bible says, ”How should one chase a thousand, and two put ten thousand to flight, except their Rock had sold them, and the LORD had shut them up? For their rock is not as our Rock, even our enemies themselves being judges.” The world has their protection and we have ours! I remember a day when I thought a gun was my sole protection in the street life, until I heard story after story of people being shot and killed while they had their guns on them. This world can never give us the victory that God does, and David knew this best. In 1 Samuel 17:45, the Bible says, ”Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied.” A boy defeated a giant that day, someone who has been fighting wars his whole life, and in 1 Samuel 17:52, the Bible says, ”And the men of Israel and of Judah arose, and shouted, and pursued the Philistines, until thou come to the valley, and to the gates of Ekron. And the wounded of the Philistines fell down by the way to Shaaraim, even unto Gath, and unto Ekron.” A boy’s faith in the Word of God caused God to fight this battle, because in 1 Samuel 17:47, the Bible says, ”And all this assembly shall know that the LORD saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the LORD’s, and He will give you into our hands.” Too many believers try to take matters into theand own hands, fighting wars with the wrong weaponry, operating on our perception of our own strength and not trusting in God’s strength. God desires a people who will present the battle to Him, and allow Him to not only show us, but show our enemy what a mighty God we serve!
”For the Lord your God, he it is that fighteth for you, as he hath promised you.”
The word ”fighteth” means “to battle, or to prevail.” The word “promised” means “to utter, to say, or to declare unto”. In 2 Corinthians 1:20, the Bible says, “For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us.” God declares His word and His Word does exactly what He ordains it to do. “So be it” is another way of saying “Amen”. Kinda makes us think twice about what we say “amen” to in Church, doesn’t it? In Exodus 14:13-14, the Bible says, “And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will shew to you to day: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more for ever. The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.” God wants us to allow Him to fight our battles for us, so that we can see that salvation comes from the Lord and only by Him. In Romans 4:21, it says, “And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.”
How persuaded are we that the victory is already ours? Will we chase after a thousand at the Word of the Lord?
God Bless!
Marshall
Oct 6, 2021 – Philippians 4:9 – and the God of peace shall be with you
Hi Everyone!
As believers in Christ Jesus, we have the Word of God as a living manual for how to build our lives the way God has ordained for us. Ever try to put a crib together without instructions or at least a picture of how it is supposed to look? Ever disregarded the instructions, thinking that you knew enough to build it, only to find out that you have something built that is missing a couple of pieces? I learned the power of following instructions down to the letter doing electrical work. They have a schematic for a reason! One day I wired up a small transformer to a heating unit, but didn’t pay attention to the schematic, which caused an explosion and a small fire! Because I didn’t wire up the transformer properly, it exploded and became defective! That is what is happening to the Church, because we are trying to build marriages, families, businesses, and ministries without the Word of God being followed. With obedience to the Word of God and to the examples of faith that God places among us, we can experience a peace that passes all understanding. Today, we will look at Philippians 4:9, following God’s great example.
”Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.”
The word ”learned” means ”to understand morally from experience, with an idea to do habitually”. We’re not to become Bible scholars who are disobedient to the Word of God. God doesn’t care about how much Scripture we know, but He does care about how much Scripture we follow. We learn the Word of God by living it out. In Philippians 3:17, the Bible says, ”Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.” God is not only going to provide us with His Word, but He will also provide us with people who will teach us by Word and example. The best way to learn the Word of God is to experience it and see it experienced in others. Not only does it give us an earthly example to follow, but it also shows us that this life can be lived. When I was in the world, I couldn’t fathom living for the Lord like I do now, but through my walk, I have seen examples in the faith that showed me His life is doable. Great shepherding is key. In 1 Corinthians 11:1, Paul writes, ”Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.” Our Example is Christ, who followed God’s Word to the letter. Our Example should always lead us right back to God.
The word ”received” means ”to associate with oneself, to have relation with”. This implies that the Word we read or are taught becomes something that we believe applies to us. What does the gift of salvation do for the person who never receives it? There are so many people who won’t come to the Lord because they feel they have done too much wrong. But if they read the Word of God, they will see murderers, thieves, harlots, and sorcerers receive salvation for their souls. I am a convicted murderer, serving life imprisonment, and look at what God is doing in my life!
In Mark 11:24, Christ says, ”Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.” We have access to the promises and provision of God, especially the wisdom God freely gives to those who asks Him in faith. In John 20:22, the Bible says of Christ, ”And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost”. Christ implores us to receive the Holy Spirit into our being to allow the Holy Sport to lead us. Our examples have done it and so must we.
The word ”heard” means ”to give audience to, with the intention of obeying”. The word ”seen” implies us observing with the intention of following”. The word ”do” means ”to practice, perform repeatedly or habitually, to execute continually”. In Acts 26:20, the Bible says, ”But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance.” Our salvation should be reflected in our actions, in the Word of God we live out daily and repeatedly. What people should see in us is a constant application of the Word of God in our lives.
The ”God of peace” is the God who gives us tranquility arising from reconciliation with Him through salvation in Jesus Christ. In John 14:27, Christ says, ”Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” The peace God gives when we live out His Word entirely is unmatched by anything the world has to offer. When we follow the Word of God, and the examples of faith He plants among us, we have immeasurable access to the kingdom of God and its privileges. We can experience victory like no other!
God Bless!
Marshall
Oct 7, 2021 – 3 John 1:11 – follow not that which is evil, but that which is good
Hi Everyone!
When people see our daily walks as believers, what do they encounter? Are they met with love? Do they see graciousness, peace, humility, and kindness? Is what they see in us similar to what they heard about Christ, and do we embody what the Church is supposed to represent? There is a lot evil in the world, and it has gotten to the point where evil seems to be acknowledged more than good! A little evil is being sprinkled into the lives of believers, and slowly, many are being led astray. We seem to have forgotten that God’s intention for us from Creation day-one is to bear God’s image and likeness, be fruitful, multiply, and have dominion in the earth. The pleasures of sin have sidetracked the Church and less people are seeing God in us. Today, we will look at 3 John 1:11, becoming the Church who truthfully displays our loving God and Creator.
”Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God.”
The word “beloved” means “dear, spoken of Christians as united with God or each other in bonds of love.” In Deuteronomy 33:12, the Bible says, “And of Benjamin he said, The beloved of the LORD shall dwell in safety by him; and the Lord shall cover him all the day long, and he shall dwell between his shoulders.” ”Beloved” is a term of affection, letting us know the overwhelming amount of love God has for us. There is true safety in the love of the Lord, a real covering, and that covering ensures that we will have everything we need to triumph over whatever comes our way. In John 15:12-13, Christ says, “This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” True love is sacrificial, and it says, “I will do anything for you.” Being loved like that is powerful, and that is what this whole world has access to, even though many don’t accept it.
The word “follow” means “to mimic, to imitate.” In Psalm 37:27, the Bible says, “Depart from evil, and do good; and dwell for evermore.” Not only are we to not mimic evil, but we are to completely leave the presence of evil. We are not supposed to be seen in the presence of evil, where people can’t distinguish the difference between the world and us. We are not supposed to just do good, but dwell in good. In Romans 13:14, the Bible says, “But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.” We aren’t supposed to make opportunities for evil to have residence in our lives, and if we are living by the Word of God, clothing ourselves in the Lord Jesus Christ, then what people will see is God working in and through us. The word “evil” means “worthlessness, wicked, vicious, bad in heart, conduct, and character. In 2 Peter 2:14-15, the Bible says, “Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children: Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness.” This is a glimpse of the people who follow after evil. There is no stability, there is no power, and there are no blessings, only curses.
The word “good” means “virtue or beneficial.” ”Good” expresses the fulfilled intention for our conduct, our behavior, and our identity. Virtue refers to moral excellence, so God desires for us to go beyond! In 1 Peter 3:11-12, the Bible says, “Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it. For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.” Everything we do is under God’s watchful eye, and when we walk as God desires for us to walk, He will not only hear our prayers, but answer them as well!
“He that doeth good is of God, but he that doeth evil hath not seen God.”
Obedience is the main characteristic of someone who “doeth good”. In Luke 6:47-48, Christ says, “Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like: He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock.” If we obey the Word of God, we “do good”, and we become the express image of God on this earth. We will withstand the storms that come our way. The phrase “seen God’ means “perceive with mind and senses, to know God and His character, or to experience God.” In 1 John 2:29, the Bible says, “If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him.”
What we do, represents who we are, and who we belong to. How do we want to represent God, who has done everything for us?
God Bless!
Marshall
Oct 8, 2021 – James 1:25 – this man shall be blessed in his deed
Hi Everyone!
We have been given true freedom in Jesus Christ, a freedom no one can take from us. What do we use our freedom to do? Do we forget what we have been taught? Do we lose sight of the road God has paved for us to experience liberty, forgetting the sacrifice made so we can enjoy the privilege of salvation? There are many people that display a change in prison, only to falter and backslide upon release from prison. Why is that? People typically experience freedom and get away from what actually worked when they were confined. God didn’t give us a Promised Land for us to turn back to Egypt. He desires for us to continue in the faith and knowledge of Jesus Christ, given by the Word of God and the teaching of the Holy Spirit. God wants our actions to reflect the freedom He has given us. Today, we will look at James 1:25, being a doer of the work God desires for us to do.
”But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.”
The word ‘looketh into” means “to peer within, to bend besides”. This isn’t a fleeting glance, but a deeper view into what God reveals to us. In 1 Timothy 4:14-15, the Bible says, “Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery. Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all.” Just like we can neglect the gift in us by not using it for God’s glory, we can neglect the Word of God by not giving our undivided attention to it. Does our commitment reflect where we truly want to be spiritually? Do we desire to become more knowledgeable of the Word of God, all while refusing to study His Word? If we want a superficial relationship with God, never experiencing the power or the promises of God, then we are going to give His Word a quick glance and let it leave our minds the minute we receive it.
The phrase “perfect law of liberty” refers to the true freedom given to believers from the dominion of sin , enabling us to obey God’s Word and apply its promises to our lives. In John 8:32, Christ says, “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” The truth is in the Word of God and God’s Word is perfect. God’s Word points to Christ, who died on the cross that we should have permanent freedom from the bondage of sin, redemption from the penalty of death and also eternal life! The Word of God reveals this, but if we don’t look deeply into the Word of God, we will look over the promises that will save our souls!. In John 8:36, Christ also says, “If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.” This is a freedom that can’t be taken, but we can relinquish it. In Romans 8:2, the Bible says, “For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.” When we look into this perfect law of liberty, we will understand that we have been set free from the bondage of sin and no longer have to walk in it.
“And continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.”
The word “continueth” means “to remain, or stay near”. This implies that we keep the Word of God in us! In Psalm 119:11, the Bible says, “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.” This means we meditate upon the Word of God, keep the Word of God present in our minds, in our hearts, and in our speech. In 1 Peter 2:16, the Bible say, “As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God.” Even though God has given us freedom in Jesus Christ, He still gives us the power to choose what we use our freedom for. We can either use our freedom to serve God, or we can walk this earth like we have never been redeemed. The phrase “forgetful hearer” refers to a person who handles the Word of God with negligence. This means they don’t place value in the Word. In Proverbs 7:2, the Bible says, “Keep my commandments, and live; and my law as the apple of thine eye.” We will abuse anything we don’t place value in. The phrase “doer of the work’ refers to the person who hears the Word and performs what it says. In Matthew 7:24, Christ says, “Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock”. The doer of the work has a solid foundation and that foundation is Christ! The word “blessed” means “happy, fortunate, favored despite the circumstances.” In John 13:17, Christ says, “If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.” It isn’t about what we know, but it’s about doing what we know! There is a blessing in store for those who perform these things commanded by God in His Word.
True freedom is given to us through salvation, by faith in Christ Jesus, but it remains by putting the Word of into practice.
God Bless!
Marshall
Oct 9, 2021 – Hosea 4:1 – there is no truth, nor mercy, nor knowledge of God in the land
Hi Everyone!
God doesn’t ask much from us, yet we have the hardest time giving God what He desires. He desires to be our Father, yet we don’t take the time to communicate with God and allow Him to communicate to us. He desires for us to have His image and likeness, to be fruitful, multiply and have dominion in the earth, but we live in fear, we bury our talents, we assume identities that aren’t who God created us to be, and we alter our appearance so much that people can’t see God in us. God asks us to put Him first, but money, ambition, our habits, and even our spouses have become first in our hearts. God has made a case for His love since the beginning, and hasn’t given up on us yet, but we can’t expect Him to not make a case against us when we keep living lives displeasing to Him. Today, we will look at Hosea 4:1, God’s case against His children.
”Hear the word of the LORD, ye children of Israel: for the LORD hath a controversy with the inhabitants of the land, because there is no truth, nor mercy, nor knowledge of God in the land.”
The word ”hear” implies listening intelligently with the intention of obeying what we hear. We can’t equate the Word of God we hear to a car backfiring, where it causes an immediate reaction without any lasting effect. Just hearing the Word of God isn’t good enough. In Luke 11:28, the Bible says of Christ, ”But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.” God is concerned with us not hearing nor putting the Word of God into practice, and not observing His Word in our lives. In James 1:19, the Bible says, ”Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath”. We have to have a desire to hear the Word of God, being ready to act upon it. Sometimes, we can’t receive God’s word because we are too busy talking, and even busier acting on impulse. God desires His children to be ready to receive His Word. The phrase ”word of the Lord” means ”the divine communication and commands that God has for his children.” This is a language of love, and God desires for us to understand Him. In Mark 4:14-15, Christ says, ”The sower soweth the word. And these are they by the way side, where the word is sown; but when they have heard, Satan cometh immediately, and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts.” Satan tries to come against every word God speaks to us, so it never becomes planted nor bears fruit. The Word of God provides everything we need for repentance, salvation, and forgiveness of our sins, which allows us to become the children of God in not just creation, but in identity.
”For the Lord hath a controversy with the inhabitants of the land”
The word ”controversy” means ”quarrel, dispute, contention or case”. Think about a courtroom where God is the judge, and the prosecutor. There is no defense against a case made by God against us. In Hosea 12:2, the Bible says, ”The LORD hath also a controversy with Judah, and will punish Jacob according to his ways; according to his doings will he recompense him.” There is not only a case against us according to our sins, our choices, and our actions, but there is also a penalty that can be enforced against us. Fortunately for us, there is another person in a legal case besides the judge, prosecutor and the accused. In 1 John 2:1-2, the Bible says, ”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 ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.” Christ is our defense, and His intercession ensures that we won’t receive the penalty from sin that we deserve, but the people who qualify for this defense are ONLY those who believe on His name as Lord and Savior, receiving redemption from death and bondage.
”Because there is no truth, nor mercy, nor knowledge of God in the land”
The word ”knowledge” suggests that we become one with the Word of God by obeying God’s word. In Hosea 4:6, the Bible says, ”My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.” The reason why there isn’t any truth, mercy, or knowledge in the land is because people have rejected the Word of God in their lives. There can be no faithfulness, piety, compassion or discernment without the Word of God, because we reject the very thing we need. Including our Advocate, Jesus Christ. How can we ever stand against a case God makes against us, especially when we have flat out rejected the Word of God?
Now is the time to turn to the living Word of God in obedience.
God Bless!
Marshall
Oct 10, 2021 – Acts 10:15 – what God hath cleansed, that call not thou common
Hi Everyone!
There is a lot of mudslinging going on in the church. The person who is redeemed by the blood of Jesus Christ, made new by the Word of God is frequently met by people who make judgements on their identity based on who they used to be. I have listened to professed believers say what sins deserve death by firing squad, creating a list of what sins should carry no forgiveness. When this happens, the Gospel of Jesus Christ is not being taught, and people have taken God’s place on what is acceptable, and what isn’t. The Church shouldn’t be a judgement seat, and the Church should never deny someone the Gospel of Jesus Christ because they feel the person isn’t ”clean enough” to receive it. This isn’t love and this isn’t the service God desires from His children. What God declares us to be, we are, and no man can ever undermine the Word of God. Today, we will look at Acts 10:15; being declared cleansed by our loving Father.
”And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common.”
The word ”cleansed” means ”purified, made free from filth, to declare lawful”. This declaration not only abolished the Old Testament dietary restrictions, but it also put a stop to racism, stereotypes, and bias in the Church as well. We have to look at people through the eyes of the Lord. In Ezekiel 36:25-27, the Bible says, “Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you. A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.” There is a complete transformation that takes place inside us when God cleanses us. We will be pure from our filthiness, we will get a heart transplant, and we will receive the Holy Spirit so we can live Godly lives. Imagine receiving such a powerful transformation only to have someone in the Church take it upon themselves to declare us filthy all over again. Isn’t that like saying Christ’s blood isn’t powerful enough to be the price for our sins? In Matthew 8:2-3, the Bible says, ”And, behold, there came a leper and worshipped him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean. And Jesus put forth his hand, and touched him, saying, I will; be thou clean. And IMMEDIATELY his leprosy was cleansed.” We have to believe that Christ has the power and authority to cleanse us, and we also can’t be so ”holy” in our own cleanliness that we can’t believe that God will do the same thing for someone else. In John 15:3, Christ says, ”Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.” We have to leave our feeble minds out of the equation when the Lord declares someone or something to be clean. Peter was the top pastor of the Church and he had these issues!
”That call not thou common”
The word ”call” means ”to declare”. The word ”common” means ”unclean, defiled, or polluted”. In Acts 10:28, the Bible says, ”And he said unto them, Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation; but God hath shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean.” Before Peter could go a step further in his ministry, he had to address the uncleanliness inside of himself. In Matthew 7:5, Christ says, ”Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye.” Before we can begin to help someone with their new identity in Christ, we have to experience it fully for ourselves. Peter would have continued to deny people access to the Gospel because they were Gentiles had not God caused Peter to experience this vision. In Titus 1:15-16, the Bible says, ”Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled. They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.” The people who truly realized they have been made pure in Christ Jesus, declared clean by God despite the filthiness that threatened to separate us from His presence and inhabitation, are the ones who then look at others like they are and can be cleansed as well. Some people will always view me as a ”murderer”, ”scum of the earth”, or ”evil incarnate” but their declaration of me isn’t who God declares me to be. In 2 Corinthians 5:17, the Bible says, ”Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” Who are we to say anything different?
God Bless!
Marshall
Oct 11, 2021 – Proverbs 30:5 – he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him
Hi Everyone!
I am a firm believer that the Word of God is everything we need to live lives of victory in this earth. The Bible is truth, whether we place our trust in it or not, and God’s word has stood soundly even before the world began. I have heard people profess to have no peace but I then ask them have they cast their cares upon the Lord? If they have, I then ask them have they brought their prayers and petitions before the Lord in thanksgiving? Some of them answer that they have. Finally, I ask them do they then focus their minds on the things that are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, of good report, virtuous, and praise worthy, and I tend to get silence. The Word of God works in a person’s life if they place their trust in the Word enough to do what the Word says. There is vulnerability when it comes to trust, a complete surrendering of our will and power in order to be led by the purpose of our God, but many don’t believe in God’s word enough to activate its power. Today, we will look at Proverbs 30:5, placing our full trust in the pure Word of God.
”Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.”
The phrase ”word of God” refers to the commandments, utterances, and divine communication God makes with His creation. In John 1:1-3, the Bible says, ”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.” The Word of God is responsible for all of creation, and there is nothing in creation that can’t be attributed to the Word of God. Why do we doubt the Word of God’s power when this world wouldn’t exist without it? In Hebrews 4:12, the Bible says, ”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.” The Word of God is as alive today as it was when the world was created by it, and it is not only powerful, but it is also capable of cutting into us to display our real thoughts, beliefs, and feelings.
Think not?
In Mark 9:22-24, the Bible says, ”And ofttimes it hath cast him into the fire, and into the waters, to destroy him: but if thou canst do any thing, have compassion on us, and help us. 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.” The father of the child with the dumb spirit wanted healing for his son, and his desperation was loud and clear. Christ looked into his heart and saw his unbelief, the real cause of the miracle not being done. The Word of God is powerful in itself, but we have to activate the Word of God by faith.
The word ”pure” means ”refined or tried”. It describes the purifying process of a refiner, who heats metal, takes away the dross, and is left with a pure substance. The reason the Word of God isn’t powerful in a lot of believers’ lives is because it has been diluted by traditions, by people adding falsehood to the Word of God, and omitting truth from Scripture. In 2 Timothy 4:3-4, the Bible says, ”For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.” This is not only happening in believers’ lives but this is also becoming prevalent in Church. Pastors who unapologetically preach the truth instead of making the Church happy are becoming less popular while there are mega churches who have standing room only that are sprinkling in lies, blanket blessings, and false prosperity doctrine aimed at pleasing the broke and money hungry. The Word of God has been proven to be truth all by itself, producing sound doctrine to all who seek the Word in truth.
”He is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.”
The word ”shield” means ”defender, or protector”. The word ”trust” means ” to flee for protection or to place confidence in”. In Psalm 91:2, the Bible says, ”I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.” Our actions will show what we place our confidence in, because the first thing we turn to is what we trust. In Psalm 59:9, the Bible says, ”Because of his strength will I wait upon thee: for God is my defence.” If we believe God’s Word is pure and true, then we know that we can have rest in God’s strength, assured that He is our protection from everything that comes out way. In Proverbs 2:7, the Bible says, ”He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous: he is a buckler to them that walk uprightly.”
When the Word of God is pure in our lives, we will walk in it, and it will be evident to all!
God Bless!
Marshall
Oct 12, 2021 – Romans 2:4 – not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?
Hi Everyone!
We tend think we are in full control of our lives, especially our moment of repentance. We also tend to think that we made the choice for Christ completely on our own. Many people in the Church don’t believe that every minute detail of our lives God had full knowledge of before we were even born. God knew every decision we would make, and He also knew the precise path He would have us take in order for us to come into true repentance. Sadly, we say God is Omniscient, but don’t believe it. Imagine a loving God sitting back watching His plan for our lives unfolding, knowing that we were going to mess up in the process so badly that we wouldn’t deserve the forgiveness or the favor we so richly received. Imagine the level of patience God had to exhibit for us just so we could get to the point He ordained for us to get to. Maybe we will come into another level of knowledge of God’s all-surpassing love for us. Today, we will look at Romans 2:4, the goodness of God leading us into repentance.
”Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?”
The word “despisest” means “to think against”. This is the person who discounts, discredits, or devalues the provision of God. In Proverbs 15:5, the Bible says, “A fool despiseth his father’s instruction: but he that regardeth reproof is prudent.” We have to place great value upon the Word of God, and greatly consider the promises of God as well. The Bible tells us about God’s plan for salvation, but it also tells us about His character, about the qualities God possesses that allow us to experience the promises He has for us. The word “goodness” means “usefulness or moral excellence”. Usefulness also implies value, and that is why 2 Timothy 3:16-17 says, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” The Word of God is not only valuable, but it has a purpose to equip us to perform the purpose of God. in Exodus 34:6, the Bible says, “And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth”. God has more than enough goodness to dispense to all He desires to bestow it upon, yet there are people who think against the goodness of God, people who actually devalue His goodness. Ouch!
The word “forbearance” means “to exercise self-restraint or patience”. The word “longsuffering” means “patient endurance when others make it hard to do so”. In Romans 9:22-23, the Bible says, “What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction: And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory”. So instead of desiring to use his power to destroy us for the sin we so proudly carried, God used that same power to exercise patience with a bunch of people who have been pushing Him to destroy them. In Exodus 32:13-14, the Bible says, “Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, thy servants, to whom thou swarest by thine own self, and saidst unto them, I will multiply your seed as the stars of heaven, and all this land that I have spoken of will I give unto your seed, and they shall inherit it for ever. And the LORD repented of the evil which he thought to do unto his people.” Other translations use relented rather than evil. God gave His word to creation that they could become exactly who they were created to be, but even God gets fed up with us. Praise God that He is so faithful, patient, and longsuffering.
“Not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance.”
The phrase “not knowing” means “not comprehending or not understanding”. The people who think against the goodness, patience, and longsuffering of God have no real clue of the gift they have been given. The “goodness of God’ is God’s good nature to furnish our needs, even the ones we don’t think we need. In Philippians 4:19, the Bible says, “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” God’s provision touches every part of our lives if we let it. The word “leadeth” means “to guide, incite, or induce”. The word “repentance” means “pious sorrow for unbelief and sin, and a turning away from that to God and the Gospel of Christ.” In 2 Peter 3;9, the Bible says, “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” God’s goodness allows Him to be patient with us until the precise set of circumstances happen, causing us to turn to HIm in need of salvation. How can we ever despise the goodness of God, knowing it leads us into eternal life?
God Bless!
Marshall
Oct 13, 2021 – Romans 3:24 – justified freely by his grace
Hi Everyone!
It is such a beautiful gift to receive forgiveness of our sins, and salvation for our souls. Our God loves us so much and didn’t want to see the sins of Adam to be a constant reflection on who we are as God’s creation. Since creation, God desired us to commune and fellowship with Him … with Him as our God and King … and we being His children. It had to break God’s heart to provide such a beautiful garden only to have his children choose death over life. Despite our failures, God provided us with an atoning sacrifice for our sins, Jesus Christ, who redeemed us from the penalty that we so richly deserved. I remember who I used to be in the world, and in tears, I appreciate who I am in the Lord now, knowing someone died so I could live. Who am I to deserve something so valuable? Today, we will look at Romans 3:24, redemption through Jesus Christ our Lord.
“Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus”
The word “justified” means “to render innocent or righteous, spoken especially of the justification bestowed by God on men through Christ, in which He is said to regard and treat us as righteous, absolving us from the consequences of sin and admit us to the enjoyment of the divine favor.” In Luke 18:13-14, Christ says, “And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.” The person who is justified understands that their own righteousness is not going to suffice, that they don’t even deserve the right to look towards heaven. We must be broken by our sins, and cry out to God for His mercy. In Romans 5:1-2, the Bible says, “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.” There are many that won’t come to the faith because they mistakenly believe they have to “clean themselves up first”, thus misunderstanding that our behavior will never justify us before God. But it is by our faith in the provision of grace, forgiveness, justification, redemption and salvation freely given through Christ Jesus by our loving God. This gift was available before we were born and God is just waiting on us to receive it!
The word “grace” means “the unmerited favor of God, which He shows by saving us from sin”. We can’t earn what God has freely provided for us by because we all have fallen short by sin. Romans 3:23 says, “For ALL have sinned, and come short of the glory of God”. Do we have the right to ever look down on someone else who has yet to receive this gift that we have, knowing we were once as they were? In Ephesians 2:8-9, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” We can never advance so far in the faith that we forget that this beautiful life we live now through salvation was handed to us by God, made available to us when we didn’t deserve to ever be forgiven. So many people walk into a church and experience judgement, and instead of warmth welcoming them, they are met with suspicious eyes and whispers from the congregation if they don’t look like they “belong” in the Church. This shouldn’t be. in Titus 3:7, the Bible says, “That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” Not only do we have justification through the grace of God, but we are also solidified as heirs of God, ensuring us eternal life.
The word “redemption” means “ransom paid in full, delivering us from the power and consequences of sins”. The word comes from the ancient slave market, where one would pay the necessary ransom to obtain a prisoner’s or slave’s release. In John 8:34, the Bible says, “Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.” The sin nature we inherited from Adam put us in bondage, and our own sin nature kept us in bondage. Nothing we can do can release us from the bondage we were under until Christ Jesus died on the cross for the sins of the whole world. In Matthew 20:28, Christ says, “Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.”
Christ came to earth with redeeming us from bondage in His mind!
In Hebrews 9:12, the Bible says, “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.” Only the blood of Christ could secure our freedom, not our works, not church going, not living a good life. Only by faith in Jesus Christ as our Lord, Savior, and Redeemer are we made free indeed!
God Bless!
Marshall
Oct 14, 2021 – 2 Corinthians 4:17 – worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory
Hi Everyone!
Sometimes, trouble seems to endure forever. Believers can experience pressure so severe, that some have fallen away as a result. God never promised that we wouldn’t experience trial, that life as a believers would be easy and carefree. When we expect to not have struggle, we are setting ourselves up for major disappointment. God wants to be our God in the midst of every circumstance, no matter how good or how pressing, and He wants to establish His purpose in all circumstances of our lives. Through the midst of the heaviest ordeals of my life as a believer, I experienced the greatest level of peace, and I know that is available to all who call upon the name of the Lord in faith. We endure seasons of afflictions, but the beauty about the season is that it will end, and there will be a harvest of wisdom available to us from God. Today, we will look at 2 Corinthians 4:17, enduring affliction to the glory of God.
”For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory”.
The word “light” means “easy, or a weightless trifle”. The word “affliction” means “pressure, tribulation, trouble, or persecution”. The reason our burdens feel so incredibly heavy is because we are looking at it from ground level, not being able to comprehend the way out or through the ordeal. In Matthew 11:28-30, Christ says, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” God commands us to come to Him with our burdens, with our troubles, with our afflictions, and He will give us rest for our souls. I have been guilty time and time again of trying to go at my problems alone, without anyone’s help, and I have crashed and burned when my own strength failed. In Philippians 2:5, the Bible says, “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus”. We have to have the mind of Christ in order to see affliction the way God wants us to look at it. God wants us to surrender our understanding to receive his understanding. Christ said, “My yoke is easy, and my burden light”, so God is not going to place something upon us where we fold under its weight. In 1 Corinthians 10:13, the Bible says, “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” The word “temptation” is not talking about the enemy soliciting us to sin, but it is speaking about trials where God brings His people through adversity and affliction in order to encourage and prove our faith and confidence in Him. That easy in fact, but intense pressure has major purposes, one of which is to establish our faith and confidence in God.
“Which is but for a moment”
The word “moment” means “at the very instant”. In Psalm 30:5, the Bible says, “For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.” Even discipline is momentary, so our affliction definitely has an expiration date to it. God never designes our afflictions to extend indefinitely. In Isaiah 54:7-8, the Bible says, “For a small moment have I forsaken thee; but with great mercies will I gather thee. In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment; but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee, saith the LORD thy Redeemer.” Sometimes, when we experience affliction, whether self-induced or otherwise, we will feel like God has forsaken us, but He hasn’t! In Daniel 10:12, the Bible says, “Then said he unto me, Fear not, Daniel: for from the FIRST DAY that thou didst set thine heart to understand, and to chasten thyself before thy God, thy words were heard, and I am come for thy words.” Daniel experience terror from a vision he saw, and cried out to God for answers. He sat in agony for what seemed like an eternity, but it was only 21 days before the answer came. When we are going through affliction, it doesn’t seem to end, but God already has the answer for us.
“Worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight in glory”
The word “worketh” means “accomplishes”. The word “eternal” means “perpetual, speaking of the blessedness of the righteousness in God.” The word “glory'” speaks of the exalted state of blissful perfection of glorified saints in salvation and when we dwell with God in heaven. In 1 Peter 1:6-7, the Bible says, “Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ”. If we are looking at our afflictions the way God desires us to, we will see them as something temporary, something we have already been empowered to endure. We will see our affliction as something God has allowed us to go through to strengthen and to further establish our faith, and the purpose of our affliction is going to bring glory to God. We have to see affliction from the position of victory, that someone else is going to be blessed besides us because of what God has allowed us to go through. Maybe then, our anguish will turn into praise!
God Bless!
Marshall
Oct 15, 2021 – Acts 26:16 – for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness
Hi Everyone!
God has done so much for us, far too much for the little He is asking of us. One of our obligations as believers is to spread the Word of God, the goodness of God, and the testimony God has given us to as many people as we can, but this is one of the things that believers find the hardest time doing. Maybe we, like I have myself at one time, put our own spin on what God actually wants from us, and we bow out from the pressure we have placed on God’s command. Whatever God places upon our hearts to speak won’t be difficult for us to do, because He will appear unto us, giving us what we need to say. In addition to that, we have the testimony of what God has done in our lives, how we were saved, and how God continues to lead us as a perpetual message and our most powerful sermon. Today, we will look at Acts 26:16, becoming the ministers God has called us to be.
”But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee”
The words “rise and stand” signify a call to obedience from us by God, for us to be ready for a word from Him. In 2 Timothy 2:4, the Bible says, “No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.” As believers, we are looked upon as soldiers, and soldiers always are ready to receive a command. The world around us doesn’t matter, just the Word that comes from our Master. A person who stands, awaiting a Word from the Lord is the person seeking to carry it out. In Ezekiel 2:1-2, “And he said unto me, Son of man, stand upon thy feet, and I will speak unto thee. And the spirit entered into me when he spake unto me, and set me upon my feet, that I heard him that spake unto me.” Something amazing happens when the children of God stand at attention, awaiting a word from Him. We position ourselves to receive his Spirit, and with his Spirit, comes the power to do that work God calls for us to do. In Philippians 2:13, the Bible says, “For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.” God gives us exactly what we need to perform his will, pleasing him in the process.
The word “purpose” means “intent”. This means God shows up at the appointed time for His will to be done. In Daniel 10:10-11, the Bible says, “And, behold, an hand touched me, which set me upon my knees and upon the palms of my hands. And he said unto me, O Daniel, a man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak unto thee, and stand upright: for unto thee am I now sent. And when he had spoken this word unto me, I stood trembling.” When God touches us, He gives us the power to stand, but sometimes He takes us through a process of maturation first, a period of humility and brokenness before his Word brings us to our feet. I love how God is specific, visiting each of us individually, showing us that the Word coming from the Lord is for us. In Ephesians 1:11, the Bible says, “In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of Him who worketh all things after the counsel of His own will”. God is not going to send us to do anything that we won’t prevail in according to His will. In Isaiah 55:11, the Bible says, “So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.” Everything God commands us to do is a part of His will, and His will will be done where it goes forth. He doesn’t send us out on losing battles.
“To make thee a minister and witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things which I will appear unto thee”
The word “minister” means “subordinate, servant, or attendant”. Remember, as believers and soldiers, we live to please our Commander. The word “witness” means “one who testifies truthfully to what they have seen, heard and know”. God is never going to have us do anything that we are incapable of doing. In Mark 5:19-20, the Bible says, “Howbeit Jesus suffered him not, but saith unto him, Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee. And he departed, and began to publish in Decapolis how great things Jesus had done for him: and all men did marvel.” This man just received deliverance from a legion of demons, and wanted to go with Christ, but Christ told him to stay home and witness to his friend what God did for him. He witnessed in Decapolis(which means TEN CITIES) all God has done for Him. God gives us a testimony that can be used to witness to others and brings glory to God in the process, and He will also supply us with everything we need to minister to the needs of others. The question is, will we stand, ready to obey the command from the Lord?
God Bless!
Marshall
Oct 16, 2021 – Psalm 40:8 – ‘I delight to do thy will, O my God
Hi Everyone!
The Word Of God is powerful, able to transform lives, save souls, heal the sick, and raise the dead. The Word of God also shares with us what God has desired from us since the beginning, and how He has set His purpose in motion to reconcile us back unto Himself. As we read the Word, we are further acquainted with the intentionality of our God to make every provision for us to live in the world as children of God, experiencing the provision of the Kingdom of God right here on earth. We are introduced many times to God’s all-surpassing love for us, we also receive God’s plan for salvation, and we also discover His will for our lives There is real treasure in the Word of God, but what does it mean to us? When the Lord speaks to us, what is our attitude? Joy? Rebellion? Excitement? Resentment? What should our attitude be when it comes to the Word of God and the will of God? Today, we will look at Psalm 40:8, delighting in the will of God.
”I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart.”
The word “delight” means “to incline to bend towards”. Imagine a plant that is placed into the window where the sunlight is coming through. The plant will bend towards the light, knowing the sunlight is vital for survival. Do we as believers bend towards the Word of God, knowing it is vital for our survival? In Psalm 119:15-16, the Bible says, “I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways. I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word.” When we delight to do God’s will, we have to position ourselves to receive the Word of God with an open heart and mind, treating it as life-giving food to our hungry souls, and we have to lock the Word of God into our hearts, minds, and in our thoughts. In order for us to delight in God’s will, we have to know what the will of God is in our lives. in Psalm 119:24, the Bible says, “Thy testimonies also are my delight and my counsellors.” The Word of God is true testimony, and it is the best counsel we can ever receive. This means the Word of God will cover every possible situation that comes our way, and it also means that the Word of God will ultimately lead us to the purpose God has for us. In Psalm 119:47-48, the Bible says, “And I will delight myself in thy commandments, which I have loved. My hands also will I lift up unto thy commandments, which I have loved; and I will meditate in thy statutes.” We should also incline ourselves to whatever God tells us to do, no matter where it leads. His commands aren’t overbearing, and God doesn’t require anything more from us than our labor of love, loving God and loving each other. In Psalm 119:92-93, the Bible says, “Unless thy law had been my delights, I should then have perished in mine affliction. I will never forget thy precepts: for with them thou hast quickened me.” The Word of God saves our lives, and prevents us from dying in our afflictions. Because of the Word of God, we can be brought back to life!
The word “will” means “pleasure, anything pleasing to God.” In John 4:34, “Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.” Christ knew that the will of God was (and still is) more important than the needs we have as people. Is the will of God food, a necessity for survival and longevity? In Matthew 16:24-25, “Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.” When we incline ourselves to pleasing God, God comes first, and we must leave ourselves out of the equation. We go from being individuals, living to serve ourselves, to transformed people who live to please God. In Mark 3:34-35, which follows Christ’s question “Who is my mother, or my brethren? “And he looked round about on them which sat about him, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren! For whosoever shall do the will of God, the same is my brother, and my sister, and mother.” When we do the will of God we get to experience this kingdom family that gives us direct and unrestricted access to God.
“Thy law is within my heart”
The word “law” means “instruction, precepts, or statutes”. The word “heart” refers to the deepest, innermost parts of us where our emotions and desires come forth. In Psalm 119:10-11, the Bible says, “With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments. Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.” We must seek God with our whole heart, undivided, and plant God’s word in our heart, because from this, we have the ability to be led by the Holy Spirit into the full will of God for our lives.
We were bought with a price; and we belong to our Redeemer. Let us live our lives on purpose, and intentionally incline to the will of God.
God Bless!
Marshall
Oct 17, 2021 – 1 Thessalonians 5:14 – warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak
Hi Everyone!
Our brother Andy lies in the hospital right now, convalescing after a drug overdose. He suffered some pretty brutal side effects, and where it stands right now, he experienced kidney failure, his heart took a hit, both his arm and leg are severely swollen due to something called ”compartment syndrome”, as he was not receiving blood circulation to these limbs. Not only is he fighting for his life still, but he is fighting for his limbs as well. He is in bad shape, in need of our prayers, and greatly in need of God’s grace to heal his body and his heart. It is easy for someone to cast judgements upon someone who is suffering due to their own choices, but what Andy needs is our love, our compassion, our encouragement that he can be transformed by the power of God working mightily in him. Andy’s addiction is no different than my issues with anger, and someone else’s idolatry, someone else’s adultery, someone else’s stealing. We’ve all done wrong in our own way, but when we fall, what type of Church do we hope to see, one that is compassionate, loving, encouraging and edifying or one full of haughtiness or judgement? Me, Jessica and our family humbly ask the Church for your compassion and prayer during this difficult time, because Andy needs our support. Today, we are going to look at 1 Thessalonians 5:14, building a Church of love, compassion, and encouragement.
”Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.”
The word ”exhort” means ”to call near or invite in order to comfort or encourage”. People who are struggling in sin need to KNOW we are here for them. How can we ever exhort our brothers and sisters in silence? In Hebrews 3:13, the Bible says, ”But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.” We are supposed to be a daily encouragement to those in need. I try to build an environment in every prison I’ve been housed in that anyone can come to me if they need to talk, vent, or if they need help. I know what I have been delivered from by God, and I want the people around me to receive the same healing. They only know I am here for them because I go to them. The word ”brethren” refers to the Church, the body of believers in Christ Jesus, or Christians. Paul is encouraging the Church to be a source of encouragement and comfort in their communities, thus taking the Church outside of its walls.
The word ”warn” means ”to put in one’s mind and heart, to caution, or to reprove GENTLY”. People who have fallen short do not need a bunch of people jumping on their backs. They need to experience loving guidance into the way they should take in truth spoken in love. He word ”unruly” means ”disorderly or insubordinate”. In John 16:8, Christ says, ”And when He is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment”. ”He” is referring to the Holy Spirit. In 2 Timothy 3:16, the Bible says, ”All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness”. The Word of God should be the foundation of our reproof of those who are subordinate, but we should never beat someone over the head with the Bible. They don’t need our judgement, but rather they need our encouragement and guidance into the choices they need to make.
The word ”feebleminded” means ”low-spirited, fainthearted, discouraged”. Do we really understand how hard it is for someone struggling in sin to break free from that level of bondage? Fainthearted people will give up under pressure, and discouraged people will relapse into their sinful, but they will do it faster without our comfort, without our love, without our guidance. In Galatians 6:1, the Bible says, ”Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye WHICH ARE SPIRITUAL, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.” It was easier for me to change because I was met by people who saw what I could become in Christ Jesus instead of who I was in my sin. I was encouraged by people who remember the times when they needed mercy instead of judgement.
The word ”support” means ”faithfully attach to, or faithfully care for”. In Romans 15:1-2, the Bible says, ”We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification.” As the Church, the strong have to be the strength for the weak. People afflicted may not be able to ”see” God in their state, but they can see us and we must reflect the kingdom of God and be ”little Christs”. We have to be patient, loving, and a source of Godly counsel and perspective to those who need us.
Andy needs our prayers and support in this time of need. Who do you know that needs the same from you?
God Bless!
Marshall
Oct 18, 2021 – Philippians 3:13 – forgetting those things which are behind
Hi Everyone!
The goal every believer should have is to become one with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. This oneness causes us to experience God in a way we never have before, and allows us to walk in great power and purpose. God created us in His own image and in His own likeness, but He gave us the choice – whether or not we would live our lives in that manner. Even though Paul was the chief Pastor of the Church, he didn’t hold his position or accomplishments for the gospel to any esteem, because His goal was to live a sinless life of sanctification and power. Every day, he was given a new opportunity to race after Christ-likeness, and he wanted to seize it for himself. Yesterday meant nothing, because the only thing that mattered was abiding in the Lord daily. Every day, we have the opportunity to reveal who we are and what we are racing towards, and God desires children who race after Him with everything they have. Today, we will look at Philippians 3:13, seizing oneness with Jesus Christ.
”Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before”
The word ”brethren” refers to the body of believers in Christ Jesus, the ones sealed with salvation and the gift of eternal life, and of course, Christians. It means ”one connected with another in any kind of faith, intimacy, and fellowship.” In Colossians 1:2, the Bible says, ”To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ which are at Colosse: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” The brethren are going to have the character as believers and it will be evidenced in their lives. The word ”count” means ”to take inventory, to estimate”, also meaning, ”of the result of reasoning; to conclude, to judge”. This is the person who weighs the Word of God to whatever circumstance they face and declares that the Word of God is the only conclusion, the only answer to the issues we face. In 2 Corinthians 13:5, the Bible says, ”Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?” The Word of God is the gauge by how we examine ourselves, because 2 Timothy 3:16 says, ”All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.” Paul weighed himself daily against the Word of God and concluded that he was short of what God desired of him. The word ”apprehended” means ”to take eagerly, to seize, or to possess”. Paul desires oneness with Christ Jesus, to conform his life to the Word of God, being in the image and in the likeness of God. In Colossians 3:1, the Bible says, ”If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.” We have to pursue Godliness in our daily lives, striving to obey the Lord in all things. This isn’t about religion or works, but this is about growing into a loving relationship with our God, and developing the desire to please Him in all things. Paul knew he would come short, but he still lived His life to serve God faithfully and he strived to reach the goal of oneness with Christ. His shortcomings didn’t stop him for continuing to try.
”But this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before”
The word ”forgetting” means ”lose out of one’s mind, to neglect”. When we neglect something, we don’t feed it, take care of it, or allow it to grow.” What is behind us is of no importance compared to what lies ahead. In Luke 9:59-60, the Bible says of Christ, ”And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father. Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God.” Christ isn’t telling us to not care about or care for our loved ones, but what he is saying is that nothing, or no one, should come before the Word of God. If God says, ”Follow me”, then the priority is where God is leading us. In Luke 9:62, the Bible says, ”And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.” The only way we can successfully plough is if we look ahead and keep ourselves focused on what lies ahead. The phrase ”reaching forth” means ”to stretch oneself upon”. In Hebrews 6:11-12, the Bible says, ”And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end: That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.” We are to press forward in faith and in knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, looking to experience newness in God as we experience oneness in Christ.
Every day provides a brand new chance to abide in the Lord. Will we seize it?
God Bless!
Marshall
Oct 19, 2021 – Matthew 11:29 – and ye shall find rest unto your souls
Hi Everyone!
We have the greatest example of how to live a Godly life on earth in Jesus Christ. The Word of God shows how he conquered opposition, illness, demonic forces, sin, and the grave. In Christ lies everything we need to be conquerors as well, but do we truly believe? When God asks for our obedience, for us to heed His instruction, do we listen, knowing it is the best thing for us? In obedience, we will have rest, knowing we are doing what our God requires, and if we follow the example of Christ in this world, then we will live lives of victory. God wants us to be willing servants for Him, fully understanding that by being servants of the Lord, we will begin to bear more and more of His image in the process. Christ came to earth and had every opportunity and right to be a King but took the form of a servant. This is an example of putting service ahead of status. Today we will look at Matthew 11:29, receiving the yoke of Christ.
”Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.”
The word ”take” means ”to bear up or carry”. The word ”yoke” means ”a coupling, or servitude”. A yoke is placed upon oxen, usually two are attached, and straps are attached to them so they can be handled by whoever is driving them. The yoke ensures that the oxen move in the direction the driver desires them to go, and also in the same direction as each other. This requires complete surrender, so when we take Christ’s yoke upon us, we are completely surrendering our will, desires, and goals to God. In Philippians 2:4-5, the Bible says, ”Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus”. The first thing we must do in order to take the yoke of Christ on us is to stop being selfish. We must develop a mind of service rather than living our lives looking to be serviced. In John 13:14-16, Christ says, ”If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him.” Another thing we must understand when we take on the yoke of Christ is we are not too good or too advanced for the work the Lord has for us. Christ, who is God robed in flesh, washed the disciples’ feet, just to give an example of what they also must do. Taking the yoke of Christ upon us is the same and telling God, ”Wherever you lead me, I will follow”.
The word ”learn” means ”to understand by study and observation”. In 1 Peter 2:21, the Bible says, ”For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps”. We never got the opportunity to physically walk with Him and learn of him in the physical, but He left us a pretty pronounced example in the Word of God and walking with Him by the leading of the Holy Spirit. In 2 Timothy 2:15, the Bible says, ”Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” We have the Word of God to take upon us, allowing it to lead us wherever God ordains. Being able to rightly divide the word of truth ensures we will move in the direction God desires for us to go. We have to completely surrender ourselves to the Word of God in order to learn of Christ.
”For I am meek and lowly in heart”
The word ”meek” means ”gentle or humble”. In Matthew 5:5, ”Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.” When we take the yoke of Christ upon us, we take up the example of Christ, and also partake in the victory. We become partakers also of the divine kingdom which gives us the divine nature. The ”lowly in heart” are the ones that bring themselves to a low estate so God’s power can take over. In Philippians 2:7-8, the Bible says, ”But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” Christ was and is the greatest example of meekness and humility in the earth, and the Word of God is urging us to strive for this as well.
The phrase ”find rest” means ”to obtain quiet from occupation, oppression, or torment”. In John 16:33, Christ says, ”These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”
Because Christ overcame the world, we have access to peace and rest in God. When we allow God to direct us as He wills, He will give us his peace to handle everything that will come our way. Our minds and hearts will have true rest, and we will find comfort in serving the Lord.
God Bless!
Marshall
Oct 20, 2021 – Romans 10:14 – how then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed
Hi Everyone!
Hearing the Word of God is vital for salvation. Many are being ”saved” in feeling but not in truth, and as a result, many churches are lacking power because the Word of God isn’t mighty in its members. This shouldn’t be, because every believer should be able to give their account of how the Word of God was spoken, written or read which led to their salvation. The preacher and teacher have the responsibility of making sure that people receive the truth, which is able to save our souls, and lead us to lives of victory. There are members who don’t know the promises of God in order to believe in them, and there are some believers who have no clue of how to call upon the Lord. How can people believe in the Word of God, when they aren’t being taught the Word of God accurately? Today, we will look at Romans 10:14, the power of preaching the Gospel.
”How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?”
If we look at this verse correctly, we would see that the end result is at the beginning of the verse, so we will start from the end and work our way to the beginning. The word “preacher” means “someone who publishes or heralds religious truth, the Gospel with its attendant privileges and obligations.” In Titus 1:3, the Bible says, “But hath in due times manifested His word through preaching, which is committed unto me according to the commandment of God our Saviour.” When the Word of God is preached, it is revealed to the preacher just as it is revealed to the hearer. The preacher is telling people what God tells them to preach. In Jeremiah 1:7-9, the Bible says, “But the LORD said unto me, Say not, I am a child: for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak. Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the LORD. Then the LORD put forth his hand, and touched my mouth. And the LORD said unto me, Behold, I have put my words in thy mouth.” God is not concerned with what we feel are our limitations, because a preacher only preaches the Word of God they have been given, and so they become the mouth of our God in the process. At least 100 times in this process of putting together these devotionals, I had a plan, verses listed, and an idea of what direction I was going to go in, but God adjusted my plan on a moment’s notice and sent me in a completely different direction. God revealed the verses He wanted used by putting them on my heart, and even the points of reflection. Sometimes, I even asked God, “Is THIS what you want me to say? Ouch!” A preacher or teacher is only supposed to speak the words God commands them to speak.
The word “heard” means “to understand, to learn by hearing, to know, to be informed of.” In Romans 10:17, the Bible says, “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” Our faith comes from the Word of God, so if we encounter a faithless church, then one can assume correctly that the Word of God isn’t being received as truth, and people aren’t governing their lives by the Word of God. In Ephesians 4:21-23, the Bible says, “If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind”. Then there will be evidence that the Word of God is being preached in truth, because it will begin a radical change in the lives of those who receive the Word, allowing it to renew their minds and hearts. Hearing the Word of God isn’t the same thing as hearing a noise. We hear with the intention of following the Word.
The word “believe” means “to entrust, to be firmly persuaded, to have faith in”. In Acts 13:38-39, the Bible says, “Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.” When we believe in the Word of God, we have access to the power we need to live holy and victorious lives. It doesn’t matter what we hear if we don’t believe it. The question is, will we believe in the Word of God and allow it to transform our lives? The word “call” means “to invoke for aid or worship.” In 2 Timothy 2:22, the Bible says, “Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.” Hearing and believing the Word of God will cause us to desire a life without youthful lust, giving us the desire to live a life pleasing to God. Romans 10:13 says, “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
When the Word is preached, people hear it, believe in it, then call upon the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and salvation comes to them. The power of preaching!
God Bless!
Marshall
Oct 21, 2021 – Acts 10:34 – of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons
Hi Everyone!
Our God is not a respecter of persons. He is willing to forgive all, save all, and redeem all from the curse of sin, and He is also willing to bestow His grace upon us, so we can become exactly who He ordains for us to be. We live in a society where people have developed a hierarchy: the “haves” and the “have-nots”, the saved and the unsaved, and it threatens to keep us divided as a people. Even in prison, there is a perceived hierarchy according to what crime a person has been convicted of, and what types of things a person was doing when they were free. I blow up that hierarchy on a daily basis, by openly conversing with everyone no matter their background. God has to be sorely displeased with us, because the more we look at who we feel is qualified to receive the Word of God, the less people find themselves at the feet of our Father. Today, we will look at Acts 10:34, true equality in the Gospel.
”Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons”
Are we supposed to stand silent, when God is calling for us to speak? The Great Commission in Matthew 28:19-20 says, “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.” Christ laid the groundwork for the Word of God to go everywhere, years before Peter had this vision which finally opened up his eyes to the stereotypes he had towards Gentiles. This vision had to be done three times with Peter, because he was hard-headed, but eventually he conformed to the will and the Word of God. in Acts 10:44-45, the Bible says, “While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.” Because Peter was finally obedient to the word of God, his heart of stone was replaced with a heart of flesh, and he saw the power of the Holy Ghost fall freshly upon people he assumed didn’t qualify. Other Jews were there too were astonished, so we can assume that more people changed their stances.
Christ didn’t give us a directive that He Himself didn’t follow. In John 4:9-10, the Bible says, “Then saith the woman of Samaria unto him, How is it that thou, being a Jew, askest drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria? for the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans. Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.” Even when Christ walked the earth, He was breaking down the stereotypes, and also offering salvation to all he came into contact with. Now, if we are to live as Christ lived on earth, and we are to think as Christ thinks, then how can a Church have stereoptypes, bias, or racism in it? Christ came to tear the walls of the church building down in order to build a real Church of people. How can we fulfill the vision Christ has if we don’t see each other as equals?
The word “perceive” means “to seize with the mind, to comprehend”. There’s more to this definition because we have to attach the word “eagerly” to it. This means there isn’t an inner conflict anymore with Peter. He is excited to receive this revelation! In Matthew 26:41, Christ told the disciples, “Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” The flesh is going to always tell us to remain divided, or give a reason for why “they” need to stay “over there” and “we” need to stay over here, but the spirit knows the truth! We have to mortify the flesh in order to receive the things of the Spirit, and that requires us to admit that our way is not going to cut it with God.
The phrase “respecter of persons” means “to be accepting of a face, to exhibit partiality.” God will use anyone and allow his Word to be spoken by anyone, or anything. Think not? In Numbers 22:28, the Bible says, “And the LORD opened the mouth of the ass, and she said unto Balaam, What have I done unto thee, that thou hast smitten me these three times?” Don’t think for a second that God “needs” us to speak His Word. We are His choice. Still not convinced? In Luke 19:39-40, it says, “And some of the Pharisees from among the multitude said unto him, Master, rebuke thy disciples. And he answered and said unto them, I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out.” Trust me when I tell you, God choosing us to speak his Word is an honor and privilege that we don’t deserve, but if we are unwilling to open our mouths like Peter, God is not without a suitable replacement.
God chose us, so who are we to withhold the Word from someone else?
God Bless!
Marshall
Oct 22, 2021 – Romans 8:13 – but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live
Hi Everyone!
Life is through the Spirit of God. I sadly hear the lies that there are many roads to God, that people can do what they want, worship whoever and however they want, because ”it’s all the same anyway”. It shows me how Godless this world is becoming by the second, and how badly we need God in all facets of our lives. A life of sin and living after the flesh is a one way trip to death, and where death is, God isn’t. Many are going to be stubborn and reject our loving God until they meet God, only to see that they believed the lie in vain and now are subject to the eternal wrath of God. I don’t want this for anyone, to live a life absent the Lord, but we must put the flesh to death in order to experience life. God didn’t send Christ to die for us to not receive life through His death, and when we reject Him as Lord we are testifying that He died in vain. Today, we are going to look at Romans 8:13, putting our flesh to death through the Spirit.
”For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.”
The word ”live” means ”made alive by salvation, and the indwelling of the Spirit of God, sealing us for an abundant, eternal life.” In John 6:63, Christ says, ”It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.”
There are people who think they are ”living” because they have an abundance of worldly possessions, their ideal mate (or mates), a great job, but this isn’t living at all.
The Spirit of God is the only thing that can give life.
In Genesis 2:7, the Bible says, ”And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.” Man’s life began when God breathed in man the breath of life, not when we were formed. There are too many people that won’t let God breathe His breath, His Holy Spirit on and in them, so they are essentially the walking dead. We can’t live outside of the Word of God, because the verse says the word Christ speaks IS spirit and life.
If the Spirit is what makes us alive, then how can we live without it?
The phrase ”after the flesh” refers to sinfulness, proneness to sin, the carnal nature, the seat of carnal appetites and desires, of sinful passions and affections whether physical or moral. In Romans 8:6-7, the Bible says, ”For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.” The flesh is in direct opposition to God. A person can have a world’s worth of possessions, but do they have life and peace?
Why do people race after the flesh, ignoring the life that is in the Spirit and Word of God?
In Hebrews 11:25, the Bible says, ”Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the PLEASURES of sin for a season”. If sin wasn’t pleasurable, no one would do it. If the high from drugs didn’t feel good no one would use drugs and if sex didn’t feel good, people wouldn’t cheat and displease God by having sex in a way God didn’t ordain.
Which dog are you going to feed, flesh or Spirit?
In Romans 8:5, the Bible says, ”For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.” Whatever we follow after is the nature we subject ourselves to, but there are consequences if we make the wrong choice.
The word ”die” means ”to die forever, to come under condemnation of eternal death, i.e. exclusion from the Messiah’s kingdom, and subjection to eternal punishment of sin.” In Romans 6:23, the Bible says, ”For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord”, but Romans 8:1 says, ”There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” Which dog are we going to feed, flesh or Spirit?
”But if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live”
”Through the Spirit”! People think they can ”be good” and it will be sufficient, but without the Spirit working in us, there is no life!
The word ”mortify” means ”to kill off or put to death”. The word ”deeds” means ”practices or acts”. Galatians 2:20 says, ”I am crucified with Christ: neverthless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.”
When we live through the Spirit, we have the power to put the deeds of the flesh to death. It isn’t our holiness that does it but it it is Christ living in us, giving us victory over the power of sin. It is our job to use this power to put the flesh to death by following after the Spirit.
God Bless!
Marshall
Oct 23, 2021 – Romans 12:1 – that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice
Hi Everyone!
What are we willing to do for the kingdom of God? What can we offer God that would be pleasing to Him? Jesus Christ gave a sacrifice that was totally pleasing to God, and that was Himself, His death being the atoning sacrifice for the sins of the whole world once and for all. No other sacrifice give before Him was sufficient to pay the cost for our sins, and no sacrifice after His sacrifice will ever be sufficient to pay the cost. We as believers have received a gift that cannot be reimbursed, receiving redemption from the penalty of death and the bondage of sin. We have the ability to live amazing lives in the Lord, experiencing the privilege of partaking in the divine nature. God doesn’t ask for much in return, just that we give ourselves totally to Him for Him to use us in a way that brings glory back to Him. He wants us to live lives that are pleasing to Him. Today, we will look at Romans 12:1, being living sacrifices pleasing to the Lord.
“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.”
The word “beseech” means “to call near or invite in order to encourage or admonish”. The word ‘brethren” refers to believers, Christians connected to each other in intimacy and fellowship of God. Paul is speaking to the Church. The phrase “mercies of God” means “loving compassion of God”. In Lamentations 3:22-23, the Bible says, “It is of the LORD’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.” Paul is encouraging the Church to recognize that we ourselves were not consumed because of the Lord’s mercies, and we still are not consumed because of the same mercies. In other words, Paul is urging the Church to remember the times God’s mercies were mighty in our lives, ultimately leading us to salvation, to not forget where we have been brought from. In Hebrews 10:19-20, the Bible says, “Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh”. Because of the mercies of God we have boldness to come into the presence of God, by the way He prepared for us. God provided the sacrifice, and He also provided the way for us to partake in the divine kingdom. We have to remember that when we were at our worst, God prepared us a way to receive salvation and entrance into the kingdom.
“That ye present your bodies a living sacrifice”.
The word “present” means “offer up, to exhibit”. The phrase ‘living sacrifice” refers to people who are saved, made alive by the Holy Spirit making themselves available to God in service and obedience. Recognizing God’s mercy in saving us should give us the mindset to want to help advance the kingdom. In 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, the Bible says, “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.” When we received salvation, our bodies no longer belonged to us, but rather to the Lord who redeemed us. We have to live in appreciation for what Christ has done for us, and we must have the right attitude in service and obedience to God. In 1 Corinthians 13:3, the Bible says, “And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.” Sacrifice without love has no value, and it does no one any good. Christ sacrifice involved His death, but God is asking for us to sacrifice our time, our will, and our selfish ambitions to serve Him completely. In John 3:16, the Bible says, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” Love was the motivating force behind the sacrifice Christ made for us, the desire to see us become better than what we were. This should be our motivation as well.
“Holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.”
The word “holy” means “pure or clean by God”. The phrase “acceptable unto God” means “well-pleasing to God.” Romans 6:13, the Bible says, “Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.” We gave ourselves totally to the world, now we must give ourselves totally to the Word of God, yielding everything we are in service to God and others. The phrase “reasonable service” means “rational ministration to God.”
How can we experience such a priceless gift from God and then act like the little He asks of us is too much?
What are we willing to sacrifice to ensure that the will of God is done in the kingdom?
Good bless!
Marshall
Oct 24, 2021 – Romans 13:13 – let us walk honestly, as in the day
Hi Everyone!
When people see us, what do they see in us? Do we reflect the Word of God as Christians, truly saved and redeemed by our loving God? Do we live our lives as if we have the “second chance” we have always hoped for, using this amazing opportunity to serve the Lord? Our conduct is a reflection of what nature is at work in us, and we have to make every effort to make sure that we are living lives that don’t resemble the world. This world is filled with every kind of evil, and sadly, that evil is seeping into the Church, which is becoming more and more tolerant to sin. We must get back to living Godly lives, representing our God accurately through our behavior and interactions with people. If people see us and are surprised that we are believers, then we aren’t living our faith out loud, or do we look so much like the world that people can’t see God in us. Today, we will look at Romans 13:13, walking in the light of the Lord.
”Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.”
The word “honestly” means “decorously, decently, or properly.” “Walking honestly” means living a life pleasing to God, a life that reflects God’s presence in us and our understanding that we have been redeemed. In Romans 6:4, the Bible says, “Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.” When we were saved, the old life we lived was left behind, buried unto death, but we have to make the decision daily to not dig that nature back up. Once we seize the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, we will make a deliberate effort to live a unholy life, against the new standard and nature in us. In 1 Peter 2:12, the Bible says, “Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.” The world can try to discount who we are in the Lord, but at the end of the day, our behavior can and will cause people to glorify God. No matter what the world says or does, we have a responsibility to reflect the Gospel in everything we do.
“not in rioting and drunkeness”
The word “rioting” means “letting loosing, carousing, usually indicating wild parties, orgies, brawling, or actual civil unrest.” The word “drunkenness means “intoxication”. In Proverbs 23:20-21, the Bible says, “Be not among winebibbers; among riotous eaters of flesh: For the drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty: and drowsiness shall clothe a man with rags.” We are not to be among these type of people, because it will become hard to distinguish us as believers from the world who practice lawlessness. The drunkard and glutton won’t just suffer financial poverty, but will experience moral and spiritual bankruptcy as well. In Galatians 5:21, the Bible says, “Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.” These are the ones that practice these evils freely – there are grave consequences for those who do.
“Not in chambering and wantonness,”
The word “chambering” means “cohabitation”, or in other words, “lying with someone sexually who is not your wife or husband, playing house, or sleeping around.” The word “wantonness” means “lasciviousness, or in other words, sexual promiscuity”. In 1 Corinthians 6:18, the Bible says, “Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body.” Sexual promiscuity violates the command God gave us. In 1 Corinthians 7:2, it says, “Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband.” The Bible gives us a clear provision to enjoy a fulfilling sexual relationship that he approves of, but sadly, many follow after their flesh.
“not in strife and envying”
The word “strife” means “quarreling or contentious debating”. The word “envying” means “jealousy which produces anger”. In James 3:14-16, the Bible says, “But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.” These attributes display a lack of God’s presence because these attributes come from the Satan’s influence in the world. If Paul spoke of all of these evil qualities, and he is speaking to the Church, then one can only imagine how the Church is now. Ouch!
May we come to live boldly as children of God and heirs to the promise, being separate from the world and its evils.
God Bless!
Marshall
Oct 25, 2021 – James 1:19 – let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath
Hi Everyone!
Anger is an issue affecting a lot of people’s lives, and believers are no different. Many of times in my life, I wouldn’t have had the trouble I did had I listened more and been less reactive in the midst of disagreement. Most of the time, had I just shut my mouth and not said anything, the problem would’ve solved itself. In the midst of anger, a few things happen. One, the mind becomes clouded by what we feel, and we can’t think as clearly. Two, we tend to have selective hearing while angry, looking to only hear things that will essentially fuel the fire. Three, we tend to say things that are hurtful, and are bound to destroy relationships. I know this well, because anger used to be a real issue for me and it has caused me extensive damage throughout all my life. God desires a church that is positioned to hear, people ready to obey, rather that people who are angry and impulsive. Today, we will look at James 1:19, weakening the power of anger in our lives.
”Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath”
The phrase “beloved brethren” is spoken of Christians united with God and each other in bond of holy love. When Paul says this, he is displaying just how much the Church means to him, and how much he desires for the Church to be it’s best. In Ephesians 4:15-16, the Bible says, “But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.” Love is always the foundation for every message Paul spreads to the Church, even when he has to correct their behavior. Paul is hoping that, by his letters to the Church, that God will cause growth and interconnectedness to come from the word God has given into share. When a person truly loves you, and speaks words that are meant to help, we receive them better. In James 5:20, the Bible says, “Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.” Paul desired to see people saved, and see lives transformed. I believe the Church had full confidence that Paul held their best interests in his heart. If you ever want to make an impact in someone’s life, love them first!
The word “man” here doesn’t speak of males, but it means “human beings or mankind.” this message isn’t directed at one person, but to “every” person. This shows that we all have the ability to either get it right or wrong. The word “swift” means “prompt or ready”. The word “hear” means “to give audience to in order to heed or obey”. It is using the ear as an instrument of obedience. In 2 Corinthians 10:5-6, the Bible says, “Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.” In order for us to be swift to hear, we must clear away any thought that keeps us from obeying the Word of God, cast away every feeling that shuts our ears to the Word of God. It takes diligence. in Ecclesiastes 5;1, the Bible says, “Keep thy foot when thou goest to the house of God, and be more ready to hear, than to give the sacrifice of fools: for they consider not that they do evil.” God doesn’t care if we preach the best sermon in the world, or give everything we have to people in need. God wants us to be ready to heed and obey His word.
“slow to speak, slow to wrath”
Thw word “slow” means “dull or not hasty”. The word “speak” means “to talk or utter words”. In Proverbs 10:19, the Bible says, “In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise.” A verbally impulsive person is someone who says the first thing that comes to mind, which can be extremely harmful, because the wrong thing tends to come out. In Proverbs 17:27, it says, “He that hath knowledge spareth his words: and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit.” This means to make what we say count for good! The word “wrath” means “passion, violent commotion of the mind, also meaning anger, indignation including a desire for punishment or vengeance.” In Proverbs 14:29, the Bible says, “He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly.” I know by experience the consequences of an impulsive, rash decision, but I also know that being slow to wrath can open the doors of understanding and pave the way for peace.
The enemy enjoys an impulsive believer, but God desires believers who exercises self-control and are able to communicate in a manner that pleases Him in all situations.
God Bless!
Marshall
Oct 26, 2021 – James 1:12 – blessed is the man that endureth temptation
Hi Everyone!
In our lives as believers, we are going to experience trials. Sometimes, the trials are easier to endure, but at other times, they are uncomfortable, painful even, when we need to cleave more to the Father in order to endure them. God never promised us a life that is easy or pleasant, but Christ did say that His yoke is easy, and His burden is light.
When going through trials, we must ask ourselves,
”Am I trying to endure the trial in my own power and strength, or am I relying upon God’s strength, enabling Him to equip me with everything I need to triumph over that trial?
In my own life, I have discovered the completion of a trial to be a great blessing, because God always lets me know why He allowed me to go through that trial from some event that occurs after the trial is over. Nothing God does or allows us to go through is without an ultimate purpose.
His ultimate purpose in all trials is to refine us and make us ready to receive eternal life when our lives on earth are over. Today, we will look at James 1:12, enduring perishable trials for a crown that doesn’t perish.
”Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.”
The word ”blessed” means ”well-off, receiving God’s favor regardless of what the circumstances may be.” Our state of blessing is not dependent upon outside circumstances or financial provision, but rather upon the Word of God’s declaration of who is blessed. In Matthew 24:45-46, Christ says, “Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season? Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.” The person who does the will of God, tending to His people and helping to build his Kingdom is the person who is blessed. In Romans 4:7-8, the Bible says, “Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.”
The person whose sins are forgiven, allowing them to receive the gift of salvation by faith in Jesus Christ is the person who is blessed.
Eternal life is ours, which is more than enough of a reason to be blessed. In John 16:33, Christ says, “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” God doesn’t promise believers an easy pass through life, but says we “shall have tribulation”. To me, it is a blessing to be given advanced notice!
The word “endureth” means “remain patient under, or to persevere”. The word “temptation” actually means “a state of trial in which God brings His people through adversity and affliction in order to encourage and prove our faith and confidence in Him.” In Job 23:10, the Bible says, “But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.” There is purpose behind our trial! A lot of times, when we are facing trial, it is extremely hard to understand the reason or purpose behind it. That is why it is important for us to be patient, to persevere, to trust in God to see us through. The word “tried” means refined, proved and found to be acceptable”. In Job 5:17, the Bible says, “Behold, happy is the man whom God correcteth: therefore despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty”. Sometimes, trials are going to redirect us, even when we feel we are going the right way. When the Church was persecuted in Acts, that had to be awful trials, but what happened? The Church was scattered, but every place they were scattered, the Word of God was spread! The Church grew exponentially all over the world because of the trials the Church suffered. God is more concerned with His will being done than he is with the trials we suffer as believers.
“he shall receive the crown of life which the Lord hath promised to them that love him”
The word “receive” means “to obtain”. The phrase “crown of life” refers to the eternal life of bliss and glory in the kingdom of God which awaits the true disciples of Christ after the resurrection. In 1 Corinthians 9:25, the Bible says, “And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.” The crown we will receive will remain forever! In Revelations 1:6, it says, “And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.” We are destined to reign with Christ and preach with Christ as kings and priests in heaven, but why isn’t His will being done “on earth as it is in heaven”? The ones who “love Him” are the faithful disciples and followers of Christ. God assures us that when we remain faithful under trial, that we will obtain eternal life crowned as the favored of the Lord. Sounds like a great benefit to me!
God Bless!
Marshall
Oct 27, 2021 – 1 Corinthians 1:18 – but unto us which are saved it is the power of God
Hi Everyone!
No matter how clear and accurate our message about Christ is, there will be people who don’t believe it and won’t believe it. On my unit, there are guys that are completely against the Gospel, but believe in things that resemble the truth in a lot of ways. Their explanations of their beliefs make no real sense to me, but to them, my faith doesn’t make sense either. In that moment, it is like we are speaking two different languages, and in essence, we are! There are going to be people who will perish, only to find out the God we serve, and the Savior we believe in was the real Gospel this whole time. By then it will be too late! This is why spreading the Gospel is extremely important, because people are at least given the chance to receive the Word of God as truth in their lives. Today, we will look at 1 Corinthians 1:18, preaching the Gospel’s miraculous message of power to both the living and the dying.
‘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 “preaching” implies a spoken word manifesting a message from God to His people. In 2 Timothy 4:2, the Bible says, “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.” Sometimes our preaching and sharing the Word of God will come at the precise time someone needs to hear it, and other times, it will feel we are preaching and sharing the Word of God to a “brick wall”. God commands us to preach and share the Word of God in all seasons, not just the ones that are easy, but all in seasons of difficulty. In 1 Corinthians 1:23-24, the Bible says, “But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; But unto them which are CALLED, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.” Our message is Christ and Him crucified, but the ones that are called to receive this message are the ones who will experience its wisdom and power. If we worry about what side of the coin people are on before we preach and share the Word of God to them, then we are trying to serve our own opinion and not God. The phrase “preaching of the cross” refers to God’s total revelation, the Gospel in all its fullest, the life, death, and resurrection of Christ, and the entire divine plan and provision for the redemption of sinners. We preach and share an amazing benefit to mankind!
“To them that perish foolishness”
We can’t control what side of the coin people are on, before and after we share the Word. The word “perish” means “to destroy fully, speaking of the unsaved slated for eternal death unless they receive salvation by faith in Jesus Christ.” The word “foolishness” means “silliness, absurdity”. In 2 Corinthians 4:3-4, the Bible says, “But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.” The ‘god of this world’ is Satan. Before we begin to judge someone for being in the world, for living a life of sin, let us consider that the enemy is trying to keep the unsaved blind, trying to keep them in a state of darkness so they can’t see the light of Christ. It’s not just a life drug addiction, or promiscuity, or murder, stealing, or evil, but the unsaved are living a life where they have been unable to receive light. If Christ says in Luke 13:5, “I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.” The unsaved are dying, and unless they repent, that death will be permanent. If someone was dying right in front of you, wouldn’t you try to help them live?
“But unto us which are saved it is the power of God.”
The word “saved” refers to those saved by Christ and are kept by Him. The word “power” means “miraculous force of God”. In Romans 1:16, the Bible says, “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.” We know the Gospel’s message to be real power, but we had to come to a place where we believed it to be truth, and received Christ as Lord and Savior. We are continuing to be refined daily by this same Gospel. Imagine the person who has never known this, who has never experienced this power at work. Ephesians 1:18 says, “The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints”. We have a privilege the world doesn’t have; the gift of salvation, eternal life, and a real hope not defined by the standards of the world, a real miracle.
With this knowledge, let us look to the world with compassion, as Christ did, and make a better effort at winning souls for the kingdom of God.
God Bless!
Marshall
Oct 28, 2021 – 1 Corinthians 2:4 – but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power
Hi Everyone!
I used to have the wrong impression of my calling, that I was going to have to go to a seminary for 4 years, learn all of this stuff about the Bible that I was going to have to remember, and speak in the way I hear preachers around me speak. Ouch! I made it impossible to do in my mind, primarily because of the baseless expectations I placed on my call. I thought I would be doing the teaching, but I was terribly wrong! I am merely nothing but a mouthpiece that God is using to share HIS message. Even though I study God’s Word daily, everything I thought I would have to learn has been provided by the Holy Spirit. I realized that I have to forsake my knowledge, and take on the knowledge of God, and surrender my speech to take hold of the things God wants me to say. The world is going to try to mesmerize people with astounding speech, of great eloquence, of mighty oration, but without the Holy Spirit giving the words life and power, it will be to no avail for the kingdom. Today, we will look at 1 Corinthians 2:4, demonstrating the Holy Spirit’s power through the speech He gives!
”And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power”
The word ”speech” means ”communication or utterances”. The word ”preaching” means ”to cry out, to proclaim, to herald the Gospel, or to publicly instruct.” Paul was one of the lead Pastors of the Church, with an extensive knowledge of Scripture. In Acts 26:5, the Bible says, ”Which knew me from the beginning, if they would testify, that after the most straitest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee.” Before Paul was converted, he lived his life as a Pharisee, which means his knowledge of the Scripture had to be great. In Acts 22:3, the Bible says, ”I am verily a man which am a Jew, born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, yet brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, and taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers, and was zealous toward God, as ye all are this day.” So in essence, Paul could hold his own in a room of religious scholars easily, and before conversion, he was leading the charge to persecute the Church. Imagine the irony, that some of same people he led to persecute the Church were later the some of the same people who persecuted him!
The phrase ”enticing words” suggest a ”persuasive eloquence”, but here is Paul, a former Pharisee leader turned Christian Pastor, saying that he doesn’t use enticing words of man’s wisdom. This means he had to abandon what he thought he knew to seize the things of God. In Philippians 3:8-9, the Bible says, ”Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith”. When we follow after the Lord, speaking the message He gives us, He doesn’t need what we know. We need what God knows! Paul, one of the smartest religious leaders, forsook all he knew and had so he could win Christ, so he could experience a life of faith, not one of knowledge. The phrase ”man’s wisdom” speaks of the learning and philosophy current among the Greeks and Romans in the apostolic age intended to draw away the minds of men from the divine truth, standing in contrast to the simplicity of the Gospel. In 1 Corinthians 1:17, the Bible says, ”For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.” In other words, intellectualizing spiritual truth is counterproductive to the Gospel!
”But in demonstration of the Spirit and of power”
The word ”demonstration” means ”manifestation”. The word ”Spirit” refers to the empowerment imparted by the Holy Spirit on and after the Day of Pentecost, by which the apostles and early Christians were endowed with high supernatural qualifications for their work. In Romans 15:18-19, the Bible says, ”For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ hath not wrought by me, to make the Gentiles obedient, by word and deed, Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God; so that from Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ.” When we speak the words the Holy Spirit gives us to say, our words now possess the power to reach hearts and minds for the glory of God and for the spreading of the Gospel in earth. The word ”power” means ”miraculous force”. When the Holy Spirit is allowed to teach and move, there will be evidence of healing, of transformed lives, of saved souls, and a growing church in truth and power! It doesn’t take man’s wisdom, but the power of the Holy Spirit moving in our lives, also in our pastors.
God Bless!
Marshall
Oct 29, 2021 – 1 Samuel 16:7 – the LORD looketh on the heart
Hi Everyone!
Looks are very deceiving. The outward appearance is like art, always subject to interpretation, and the wrong interpretation can lead to disappointment. In the Church, we can sometimes place an expectation on what we see on the outside of someone and assign positions in the Church to someone who seems to fit our impressions of ministers, teachers, and preachers without looking within. How do you think the tares get sown among the wheat – the enemy has planted his people in the Church to lead people astray? We’re not paying attention to what really counts about a person. While the worldly mind looks at outward appearance, which has no real definition, God looks at our heart to make the determination of our fitness to serve Him. Today, we will look at 1 Samuel 16:7, a heart fit for anointing.
”But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.”
The word ”look” means “to gaze upon intently, to regard with pleasure, to favor, to have respect.” In 1 Samuel 16:1, the Bible says, “And the LORD said unto Samuel, How long wilt thou mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel? fill thine horn with oil, and go, I will send thee to Jesse the Bethlehemite: for I have provided me a king among his sons.” See, God already had his pick for king. He knew what household, what city, and what person He had in mind. Samuel was merely the person who was carrying out the wishes of God, and even His idea of who God selected was wrong! This was the man of God and he didn’t know what God knew. In Isaiah 55:8, the Bible says, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.” Our positions in the Church mean nothing if we are not being led by the Lord, making the decisions He desires us to make. Understand that God provided a king for himself to carry His Word and people through the generations leading to Christ. God desired a man after His own heart.
The word “countenance” means “appearance, also spoken of comeliness”. Physical beauty is very deceptive. In 2 Samuel 14:25, the Bible says, “But in all Israel there was none to be so much praised as Absalom for his beauty: from the sole of his foot even to the crown of his head there was no blemish in him.” Absalom was extremely attractive in appearance, but He killed his brother, tried to overthrow David’s kingdom, and had sex with David’s concubines in open display of all Israel. Appearance doesn’t speak on the things God looks for in a leader. In Psalm 147:10-11, the Bible says, “He delighteth not in the strength of the horse: he taketh not pleasure in the legs of a man. The LORD taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy.” God seeks the things that count; deep moral reverence, those who seek His mercy, those who desire to abide in his love.
The word “refused” means “to reject as an offering.” In 1 Samuel 15:22-23, the Bible says, “And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king.” God is only concerned with His will being done, and David was the man for the job, someone who wouldn’t go his own way or seek his own power, but someone who would inquire of the Lord before he made a move. David was the youngest son, the 8th son of Jesse, but he was chosen to be king.
“For the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart .”
The word “seeth” means “to look, regard, or perceive”. The phrase ”outward appearance” implies something pleasing to the eye. The word “heart” refers to the entire disposition of the inner man. in Jeremiah 17:10, “I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.” God created David knowing fully well that he would be anointed to be king. He knew his heart, knew his ways, and knew he could be led by Him. In Jeremiah 18:6, the Bible says, “O house of Israel, cannot I do with you as this potter? saith the LORD. Behold, as the clay is in the potter’s hand, so are ye in mine hand, O house of Israel.” God desires people who surrender themselves to God to be shaped and molded into the vessels God desires for them to be.
There can be a huge difference between our impressions of those called by God and who we would consider called. This shouldn’t be. Let God’s thoughts become our own by inquiring of Him for the direction and perspective we need as believers.
God Bless!
Marshall
Oct 30, 2021 – 1 Samuel 17:37 – go, and the LORD be with thee
Hi Everyone!
If we look over our lives, we have an extensive record of God’s deliverance over many situations that we couldn’t see a way out of. People always tell us to not look back, and even the Bible says in Luke 9:62, ”And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.” This doesn’t mean we shouldn’t look back to recall the goodness of God, the deliverance of God, or the love of God because our testimony consists of what He has already done for us. The Word of God and people who tell us to not look back usually mean that we shouldn’t yearn for our past lives or hold onto past hurts or past sins that can today keep us in a state of bondage. When we need encouragement in the midst of a trial, sometimes a great encouragement is remembering when we were in a similar situation, but God delivered us from it. Today, we are going to look at 1 Samuel 17:37, encouragement of deliverance from a trip down memory lane.
”David said moreover, The LORD that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine. And Saul said unto David, Go, and the LORD be with thee.”
There was a battle going on. Goliath, a giant and seasoned fighter, was challenging Israel to fight. Saul and Israel were “dismayed and greatly afraid” according to 1 Samuel 17:11. The fear of Saul shouldn’t surprise us, because he was always hiding when he was supposed to step forward. In 1 Samuel 10:21-22, the Bible says “When he had caused the tribe of Benjamin to come near by their families, the family of Matri was taken, and Saul the son of Kish was taken: and when they sought him, he could not be found. Therefore they enquired of the LORD further, if the man should yet come thither. And the LORD answered, Behold he hath hid himself among the stuff.” Saul hid when it came time for him to be declared king, so it doesn’t surprise me that he was hiding in fear here. The irony was Saul was extremely tall compared to everyone else around him, but he was willing to allow a boy to fight a “man’s battle” by sending David to the front lines.
The word “delivered” implies the power of one entity overcoming the power of another, but it also means, “to snatch away or to rescue”. The word “paw” means “hand, or means of strength and power”. David remembered God delivering him from two beasts who are well known to prevail over people. In my opinion, the key to the topic verse is the first three words, “David SAID moreover”. In Proverbs 18:21, the Bible says, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.” If we speak words of defeat in the face of our giant, we can’t expect to win!
In Mark 11:22-23, the Bible says, “And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God. For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he SAITH shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he SAITH.”
Not only do we have to have faith, but we have to boldly speak out our faith!
No matter the mountain, no matter the giant, we must speak life and victory. David not only remembered God’s deliverance, but He also remembered that he was also anointed to be king before this incident happened! In 1 Samuel 16:13, the Bible says, “Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren: and the Spirit of the LORD CAME UPON David FROM THAT DAY FORWARD. So Samuel rose up, and went to Ramah.” No matter how valiant David was, his victory against Goliath was because of the Spirit of Lord was upon him. Do we attribute credit for our victories correctly?
“He will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine. And Saul said unto David, Go, and the Lord be with thee.”
The word “hand” means the same thing as “paw”, meaning “the means of strength or power”. Goliath fought from experience, equipment, and size, but in 1 Samuel 17:45, the Bible says, “Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the NAME OF THE LORD OF HOSTS, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied.” David knew his weaponry was in the name of the Lord. Even with everything at his disposal; the Spirit of the Lord upon Him, words of faith and victory, David still couldn’t step into battle until Saul gave the okay! Humility and obedience!
Replace Goliath with that sin, or that sickness, or that infirmity, or that affliction that has kept us in bondage. In Psalm 34:19, it says, “Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all.”
Can we recall a time when we were in warfare against a seemingly insurmountable opponent and God delivered us? Will we trust in God’s deliverance now?
God Bless!
Marshall
Oct 31, 2021 – John 5:39 – search the scriptures
Hi Everyone!
Here in prison, I am often confronted with people who tell me they ”know” the Bible, that they read it through a couple times and know what it is all about. I’ve had conversations with Muslims and people that practice the Native American faith, and some of them say that they have a Bible and they read it. There are, in fact, a lot of people that read the Bible in prison, some you’d never expect. Having knowledge of the Word of God isn’t enough, and a person can read the Bible day and night and still end up in the lake of fire when all said and done. Why is that? The Bible gives us the perfect plan and roadmap for salvation, but reading the Bible in itself can’t save anyone from their sins. Imagine Jesus’ bewilderment with the Pharisees and religious leaders, who were the ”representation” of the Word of God but who didn’t know the way to salvation. Today, we will look at John 5:39, becoming people who live out their knowledge of the Word of God.
”Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.”
The word “search” means “to make an inquiry of, to investigate”. The word “scriptures” means “Holy Writ” referring to the Old Testament. Christ was still alive, so we know this isn’t referring to the New Testament. In Hebrews 9:15-16, the Bible says, “And for this cause he is the mediator of the New Testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance. For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator.” So, because Christ hadn’t died yet, and the New Testament hadn’t been written yet, the only “scriptures” Christ could be referring to was the Old Testament. Christ is telling the people who think they know it all that they don’t know what matters! Acts 17:11-12, the Bible says, “These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. Therefore many of them believed; also of honourable women which were Greeks, and of men, not a few.” The Bereans searched the scripture daily, with a mind ready to receive the true and living Word of God, and because of it, many people were saved. If what you know about the Word of God doesn’t lead you or anyone to salvation, then does what you know really matter to God?
The word “think” means “suppose or assume”. The phrase “eternal life” refers to the life of bliss and glory in the kingdom of God which awaits the true disciples of Christ after the resurrection. In Romans 10:17, it says, “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”. So faith comes by the Word of God, which brings credence to Hebrews 11:8, which says, “By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.” Abraham received the Word of God, believed, and carried it out. Because of his faith, he received the promise. In Hebrews 5:9, the Bible says, “And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him”. Christ is the author of eternal salvation, just as He is the Author and Finisher of our faith. Salvation is available to those who believe in and carry out the Word of God. The people talking with Christ thought what they knew gave them eternal life, but the “Way to salvation” was standing right in front of them, and they didn’t know who He was!
In Acts 9:4-5, it says, “And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.” Paul was a religious scholar, trained by the best, but He didn’t know Christ’s voice, nor knew who He was. In John 1:10-11, the Bible says, “He was in the world, and the world was made by Him, and the world knew Him not. He came unto his own, and His own received Him not.” We tend to know those who we are in a relationship with, but because some people desire knowledge over a relationship with God through faith in Jesus Christ, He stands right before them unacknowledged. The word ‘testify’ means “give evidence, acts as a witness”. In Luke 24:44-45. the Bible says of Christ, “And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me. Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures”. Knowing the scriptures means nothing if the Holy Spirit doesn’t open up our understanding to them.
Knowing the Lord Jesus Christ is the most important thing we need to know about the Scripture, for in Him we have salvation!
God Bless!
Marshall
Nov 1, 2021 – 2 Corinthians 4:6 – to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God
Hi Everyone!
When God created the heavens and the earth, He wanted a place where mankind could live, enjoy and have dominion, but He also wanted to commune with us openly and freely. God never created us to walk in darkness, but due to the fall of Adam, we were born into a darkness that can only be healed by God’s precious light. Since the beginning, Light has triumphed over darkness, and Christ dying on the cross ensured that we can once again enjoy the privilege if walking in the Light. There is a condition to this. We have to receive Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, believing that His shed blood was the perfect atoning sacrifice for our sin in order to experience the joy of God’s light in us and upon us. Sadly, we live in a world that is becoming more and more Godless, and in the process, people are enjoying darkness more than light. Today, we will look at 2 Corinthians 4:6, the defining, revealing light of God.
”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.”
The word “God” here means “Supreme Divinity”. The word “commanded” means “to speak or say, to call, or bring forth”. In Genesis 1:3-4, the Bible says, “And God said, Let there be light: and there was light. And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness.” Not only did God command for light to come forth, but he also immediately separated it from darkness. Whatever God commanded, it became exactly as he intended. In Psalm 33:8-9, the Bible says, “Let all the earth fear the LORD: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him. For he spake, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast.” God’s commands are powerful and everything in the world conforms to the commands of God. In Mark 4:39, the Bible says, “And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.” Christ has the same power God has, because He is Emmanuel, meaning “God with us”. There should be a great assurance that we have in God’s Word, especially when He commands something … it will be what He says it will be.
The word “light” refers to moral and spiritual light and knowledge which enlightens the mind, soul or conscience. That includes also the idea of moral goodness, purity and holiness, and of consequent reward of happiness. It also refers to the true knowledge of God and spiritual things, Christian piety. In Colossians 1:12, the Bible says, “Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light”. God made us ready and able to partake in the divine inheritance of salvation, eternal life, and the beautiful process of sanctification here on earth. The word “shine” means to beam, or radiate brilliantly.” In John 1:4-5, the Bible says, “In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.” God has shined His light in us, a light that darkness has no understanding of. What He has given us is a gateway into the kingdom of God, to experience not only his Word but the benefit of being children of God.
The word “darkness” speaks figuratively of moral darkness, the absence of spiritual light and truth, including the idea of sinfulness and consequent calamity. In Acts 26:18, Christ says, “To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.” God never created us to walk in darkness, but now He desires our eyes to be opened, so we can see our sinfulness and our need for salvation. God desired a people that walk in faith, that live according to His Word, that keep the darkness of the world outside of them.
“Hath shined in our hearts, to give light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ”.
The heart refers to the center of man, the seat of the desires, feelings, affections, passions, and impulses.” When God’s light shines in our hearts, these qualities change for the glory of God. The word “light” here refers to moral or spiritual illumination.
In 1 John 1:7, the Bible says, “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.”
God wants to make us people who not only walk in the light, but become people who truly enjoy the light! God put his light in us so we can know that Christ is God incarnate, and as children of God, we no longer have to answer to darkness. Colossians 1:13 says, ‘Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son”.
With the light of God shining brightly in us, we can live lives that bring glory to God, that honor Him in all we do.
God Bless!
Marshall
Nov 2, 2021 – 1 Peter 5:9 – resist stedfast in the faith
Hi Everyone!
As believers we are expected to face persecution in our lives. It can come in different forms, some catching us so off guard that it can knock us around a bit. Persecution doesn’t feel good, nor does it make a person desire to press forward, but as believers, we have the privilege of being partakers in the divine privileges as children of God with the sufferings. We must press forward, we must endure trial when it comes our way, and we must cleave to the faith when times get hard. Our faith is the solid foundation under our feet, it is the counsel we need in affliction and it is the strength in the face of weakness. Our faith comes by hearing the Word of God, so if we abide in the Christ in all situations, we will be able to weather any trial that comes our way. We are not alone, because believers everywhere are going through the same struggles.
Today, we will look at 1 Peter 5:9, remaining steadfast in the faith when afflicted.
”Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.”
The word “resist” means “to stand against, or oppose”. The word “stedfast” means “to be solid or stable”. Putting these two words together, it is the person who firmly stands in opposition. The phrase “in the faith” means “the object of Christian faith, meaning the doctrines received and believed, Christian doctrine, the gospel, and all Christianity stands for.” This means we aren’t using anything outside of the faith to stand in opposition to the enemy.
In 2 Corinthians 10:4, the Bible says, “(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)”. If the weapons of our warfare aren’t carnal, then we can’t resist the enemy with carnality.
When in resistance to the enemy we have to be equipped.
In Ephesians 6:11, the Bible says, “Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.” Ephesians 6:13 also says, “Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.” Taking up the whole armor of God is all we need to do, and when we have done all we can do, we dig our heels into the ground and stand.
In James 4:7-8, the Bible says, “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.” The enemy is looking for someone who is unarmed, unprotected, someone who is trying to operate in their own power. When we resist the enemy with the Word of God, wearing the whole armor of God, and we refuse to give up our position to the enemy, he has to flee! God still desires for us to cleanse our hearts and hands, ensuring we don’t receive or touch anything that can give the enemy a way in.
The word “knowing” suggests a full understanding of what is going on. This means we are aware of what is going on around us at all times.
In 1 Thessalonians 5:5-6, the Bible says, “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.” It is our job to pay attention, because God has assured us that, by us being in the light, that things are way more visible to the believer. The word “afflictions” means “hardships, pain, suffering”.
In 1 Thessalonians 3:2-3, the Bible says, “And sent Timotheus, our brother, and minister of God, and our fellowlabourer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you, and to comfort you concerning your faith: That no man should be moved by these afflictions: for yourselves know that we are appointed thereunto.” God has also assured us that we will have people in place that will help encourage and comfort us, so when afflictions come, we can have a solid foundation to stand on. The phrase “are accomplished” means “have undergone, endured”. Sometimes, when we are under affliction, we feel like we are the only people in the world going through it, but the Bible says differently.
In 1 Corinthians 10:13, the Bible says, “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” The word “temptation” here means “a trial God allows us to go through in order to sharpen our faith”. The word “brethren” speaks of the Christian fraternity or family. God wants us to be assured that not only are we not alone, but the whole body of Christ suffers affliction in some way.
In 1 Peter 2:21, the Bible says, “For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps”. God has provided for us examples of the faith, so when we are under affliction, we will know how to persevere.
This validates God’s word when He promised to never leave us or nor forsake us. We are never alone!
God Bless!
Marshall
Nov 3, 2021 – Galatians 6:7 – God is not mocked
Hi Everyone!
There are consequences for every decision we make, either good or bad, no matter how small or big our choice may be. Our choices make ripples, and those ripples can affect others, can change lives greatly, and either please or displease God. A lot of times, we make these types if decisions without considering how it could affect someone else or affect our witness, and that shouldn’t be. As believers, we want to sow seeds that produce a harvest of righteousness, seeds that will help change lives for the better, seeds that God can use to produce an extraordinary increase. We don’t want to plant seeds that spring up, leading to horrible consequences that it takes a lifetime to rectify. We don’t want to be a people of God who make decisions without considering God, or considering whether or not our decisions bring glory or shame to Him. Today, we will look at Galatians 6:7, reaping what we sow.
”Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.”
The word “deceived” means “to cause to roam from safety, truth, and virtue”. The enemy loves to deceive the children of God by sprinkling in a little lie within the truth. If he can get you to question the Word of God as being true, then he has a playground to run amuck in.
In the beginning, in the garden, when the serpent deceived Eve in Genesis 3:4-5, it says, “And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.” Deception comes when a person is caused to consider something other than the Word of God as truth. When a lie has reign, then there is no room for the truth to bear fruit. Since the fall, the enemy has used deception to keep people away from the kingdom of God and also uses deception to keep believers away from spiritual maturity.
In 1 Corinthians 6:9-10, the Bible says, “Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.” The enemy uses deception to tell unbelievers that God’s grace ensures that no matter what they do, they will still go to heaven. The enemy is handing out free passes for people to practice lawlessness without consequence, and they are being led further from the mercy seat of God.
In John 8:44-45, Christ says, “Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not.” It is extremely difficulty for a person who is deceived to receive the truth. They are conditioned to receive a lie.
The word “mocked” means “to ridicule, to make mouths at”. In Psalm 5:4-5, the Bible says, “For thou art not a God that hath pleasure in wickedness: neither shall evil dwell with thee. The foolish shall not stand in thy sight: thou hatest all workers of iniquity.” We are not to be deceived into thinking that we can be wicked, or vile, or do things that sorely displease God and expect no consequence.
In Jude 1:18-19, the Bible says, “How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts. These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit.” These are people who aim to put the Lord to shame by doing whatever they “feel” like doing, instead of doing what the Lord tells us to do. Their actions put God to shame and paint a horrible picture of the faith.
“For whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.”
The word “soweth” means “to scatter seed”. The word “reap” means “to bring in a harvest”. In Romans 2:5-6, the Bible says, “But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God; Who will render to every man according to his deeds.” We may think we are getting away with something, but God knows and He sees, and He will produce the appropriate consequences for our behavior.
In Hosea 10:12-13, the Bible says, “Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the LORD, till he come and rain righteousness upon you. Ye have plowed wickedness, ye have reaped iniquity; ye have eaten the fruit of lies: because thou didst trust in thy way, in the multitude of thy mighty men.” God gives us a choice of where we will sow, either to righteousness or evil, but it always comes back.
There is always a harvest wherever we sow our seed, and the harvest will reveal the manner of our seed.
God Bless!
Marshall
Nov 4, 2021 – Galatians 6:8 – he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting
Hi Everyone!
When I lived in the world, I was slowly wasting away. I willingly fed my flesh and answered to every desire I had, and I suffered some very real and extensive consequences for my actions. No matter how bad it got, I fed my flesh even more and chased after the world harder. I rationalized that if I committed harder to the street life, to the drug trade, to gang activity, I would eventually get the reward from my loyalty and efforts. I was arrested 18 years ago and that debt is still outstanding! Thanks be to God, that when I committed my life to chasing after the Spirit, I have been rewarded with salvation, eternal life, the leading of the Holy Spirit, and I have been able to accomplish more for the glory of God than I ever have trying to gain my own rewards from sin and iniquity. There is a world around us that is wasting away because they are still seeking an awesome harvest from the flesh that they will never reap. Today, we will look at Galatians 6:8, sowing and reaping in the Spirit.
”For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.”
The word “soweth” means “to scatter seeds”. The word “flesh” means “sinfulness, proneness to sin, carnal nature, the seat of carnal appetite and desires, sinful passions, and affections, whether physical or moral.” The person that soweth to the flesh is the person who willfully engages and practices in a sinful life that is displeasing to God. In Job 4:8-9, the Bible says, “Even as I have seen, they that plow iniquity, and sow wickedness, reap the same. By the blast of God they perish, and by the breath of his nostrils are they consumed.” People don’t either realize or appreciate the fact that living a life of sinfulness and iniquity has direct and indirect consequences. People think that because they seem to have gotten away with their actions, that their day of accountability isn’t coming. In Proverbs 13:13, the Bible says, “Whoso despiseth the word shall be destroyed: but he that feareth the commandment shall be rewarded.” God gives the Word so we can follow it and experience success, but many disregard the Word, the messengers God sends, the warnings God commands people to give.
When the gavel finally came down on my actions, I was without excuse, because I could name at least a 100 different instances where someone tried to admonish me, but I refused to hear. In Proverbs 22:8, it says, “He that soweth iniquity shall reap vanity: and the rod of his anger shall fail.” Not only did I refuse to hear, but I also became arrogant that nothing was going to stop me from living the life I wanted to live.
“Shall of the flesh reap corruption”
The word “reap’ means “to bring in a harvest”. The word “corruption” means “to suffer decay or ruin”. This means the flesh we sow into will be the same flesh that ruins us. In Romans 8:12-13, the Bible says, “Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.” God gives us a choice of what we will live for, the flesh or the Spirit. If we make the wrong choice, He still gives us provision to get back on track, by repentance, turning away from the flesh and turning to the Spirit. In Romans 6:21, the Bible says, “What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death.” What did we accomplish living in the flesh, and what do we have to show for our lives of sin besides pain and horrible consequences?
“But he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.”
The word “Spirit” speaks of the Holy Spirit, so those who “soweth to the Spirit” are those who walk by the holy Spirit, who live in obedience to the Spirit’s leading. In Galatians 5:16-17, the Bible says, “This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.” There is no straddling the fence between flesh and Spirit. We have to choose!
The phrase ”life everlasting” speaks of the life of bliss and glory in the kingdom of God which awaits the true disciples of Christ after the resurrection. This is the greatest harvest imaginable. In Ephesians 1:13, the Bible says, “In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise.” When we sow in the Spirit, we will be sealed by the same Holy Spirit for the promise of eternal life, but we will also experience the power of the kingdom of God while still on earth.
In the flesh, I had to work for a harvest that never came, but living in the Spirit, I can experience my harvest right now!
God Bless!
Marshall
Nov 5, 2021 – Micah 6:8 – walk humbly with thy God
Hi Everyone!
God desires His children to live lives to please Him. He not only requires this, but He loves us so much that He actually equips us to be able to reflect Him in our actions, in our behaviors, in our attitude, and in our hearts. When people see us, it is supposed to make perfect sense when they find out that we are believers. I remember a time in my life when people couldn’t believe that I actually read my Bible, because of my bad behavior. Praise God that He continued to mature me, that His Word has life in me, because now, it makes perfect sense that I am a believer. The more I grew spiritually, the more I wanted to live my life to please God, and I became even more grateful, because I understood that’s what God requires of us, and He has already provided us with the means to fulfill it. Today, we will look at Micah 6:8, walking humbly with the Lord.
”He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?”
The word “shewed” means “to reveal, to explain, to make manifest, to make known, or to cause to see”. This suggests God has gotten our attention in order to direct it to something He wants to reveal to us. In 1 Corinthians 2:9-10, the Bible says, “But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.” God has things available for us that our minds are unable to comprehend, but He equips and prepares us because He loves us and we love Him.
In John 15:15, Christ says, “Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for ALL THINGS that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.” Christ is revealing all things given to Him by God for the people He calls friends, so the amount of revelation we receive depends on the level of the relationship we have with God. in Matthew 13:11, the Bible sspeaks of Christ, “He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.” Because we are the children of God, heirs of the promise, and because the Holy Spirit is guiding us into all truth, we have access to the mysteries of God.
Now that we understand that God has revealed to us His mysteries, how does this apply to our lives. The word “good” means “well-pleasing, morally correct, or fruitful.” The word “good” expresses the Word and command of God being fulfilled because in Genesis 1:3-4, it says, “And God said, Let there be light: and there was light. And God saw the light, that it was GOOD: and God divided the light from the darkness.” Why was the light “good”? Because God commanded for it to come forth and it did, exactly as He commanded it to. So, from this we can understand that the will of God is good, and if we can receive God’s will into our lives, our lives will be good as well as pleasing to Him.
The word “require” means “to seek or ask of for worship”. What does the Lord require? In John 4:24, Christ says, “God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.” We can’t worship God from a worldly perspective, nor can we sprinkle in lies and expect to please God in our worship. In Deuteronomy 10:12-13 the Bible says, “And now, Israel, what doth the LORD thy God require of thee, but to fear the LORD thy God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve the LORD thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul, To keep the commandments of the LORD, and his statutes, which I command thee this day for thy good?” When we love the Lord, and walk in the Lord’s ways, keeping His commands, and serving Him with an undivided heart and soul, not only will we experience a God who is well-pleased with us, but we will also come to the understanding that this is all of our good!
“but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?”
The phrase “do justly” means “to live righteously unto others.” This means we treat people how God wants us to treat them.
The phrase “love mercy” means “to join oneself to another, in order to imitate God in compassion, in love, and in kindness towards our brothers and sisters.
The word “humbly” means “lowly, not considering oneself, but what is pleasing to God.” In Hosea 12:6, the Bible says, “Therefore turn thou to thy God: keep mercy and judgment and wait on thy God continually.”
When we set our hearts to serve the Lord completely, justice, mercy, and humility will be natural attributes of our character that points to God’s presence in our lives. God shows us what He requires, and He also shows us that He will prepare us to perform what He requires, so if God doesn’t get from us what He requires, then the blame is solely on us!
God bless!
Marshall
Nov 6, 2021 – 1 Corinthians 11:1 – be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ
Hi Everyone!
Our greatest sermon is our conduct, how we carry ourselves as believers in the world. People will forget sermons, won’t receive teachings, but they can recall our character at a moment’s notice. What does our character reflect? Does the love of God come off in our interactions with people, and in the midst of conflict, does self-control and gentleness project from our persons? When our behaviors line up with the Word of God, it makes our witness more effective, and it also makes the Holy Spirit’s work in us more visible. Everything we are and do should point to Christ, because whether we are on the pulpit, or the last row, last seat in the congregation, our message has come from our mouths and also our lives. Our pastorate should actively pursue Christ, we should actively pursue Christ, and those who follow us should actively pursue Christ. The Church should be one movement towards Christ. Today, we will look at 1 Corinthians 11:1, leaders being followers of Christ.
”Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.”
The word “followers” mean “imitators”. This is where we get a variation of the word “mime” in the English language, which suggest that a person follows the exact movements of the person they are observing. In Matthew 28:20, Christ says, “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 word “observe” mean “to obey, to keep watchfully and vigilantly”. In order to be taught to observe something effectively, we must hear the instruction and be shown how to do what is being asked of us. The disciples had Christ’s teachings, but they also saw Christ work, so when Christ left this commission, he was certain they could perform all that is commanded. In John 14:26, Christ says, “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.” We also have the Holy Spirit, which will lead us into living the life God intends us to live. We are never without the Word of God as believers, because God wants to ensure that we have everything we need to follow Him.
In 1 Corinthians 4:16, the Bible says, “Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me. For this cause have I sent unto you Timotheus, who is my beloved son, and faithful in the Lord, who shall bring you into remembrance of my ways which be in Christ, as I teach every where in every church.” Paul followed Christ, Timothy followed Paul, and now Paul is encouraging the Church to follow Timothy, giving them the assurance that he has been taught by Paul and of The Holy Spirit. All teaching is supposed to show people the way to Christ, and all teachers must be followers of Christ.
In Ephesians 5:1-2, the Bible says, “Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.” When we follow God, our walks should be one of love and sacrifice, lives that are pleasing to God.
In John 13:14-15, Christ says, “If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.” What we have been given by Christ, we have to give to others as well. No job was beneath Christ, including washing His disciples’ feet. We must be willing to give what we have to those in need.
In Acts 3:6, the Bible says, “Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.” What we don’t have means nothing when it comes to our following Christ. In 2 Corinthians 8:12, the Bible says, “For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not.” Christ’s only desire was fulfilling the Word of God and doing the things that pleased God. Christ was provided everything He needed to please God. So are we!
In Philippians 3:17, the Bible says, “Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.” As followers of Christ, it would be in our best interest to seek a community of people who are following Christ as well, so we have a constant flow of spiritual examples for us to reference. Sometimes, we have to be shown how to love our wives, how to raise our children, how to pursue friendships by watching those in the faith.
In 1 Thessalonians 1:5, the Bible says, “For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake.” Followers of Christ have power, the Holy Spirit, and faith. When we share the faith, this same power can be transferred!
May our following Christ lead to others doing the same.
God Bless!
Marshall
Nov 7, 2021 – Nahum 1:7 – The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble
Hi Everyone!
During the course of my life as a believer, I have encountered some amazing moments in the faith. Even in prison, I have been the recipient of God’s favor continuously, no matter how hard times have gotten. I have been in moments and times where I had no idea how I would make it through, but God stepped in and worked everything out, turning the test into a testimony. Brothers have seen me endure loss from deaths to family members, and the same day, I am helping someone else work through their pain. When asked how could I put someone else’s pain above mine in the moment, I could only point to God’s strength, to God’s power, and to God’s peace. In my darkest moments, I cleaved to God and He worked everything out on my behalf. Experiencing the Word of God’s in my life causes me to fully understand that God really has my back! Today, we will look at Nahum 1:7, the great defense of God.
”The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him.”
The word “good” means “kind and benevolent”. In Psalm 25:8-9, the Bible says, “Good and upright is the LORD: therefore will he teach sinners in the way. The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way.”
God had an intention for this world when He created it. He intended to create a world for mankind to have dominion over and more importantly, God desired us to fellowship with him openly and freely. Despite our sin, God’s intention is still the same, and He still is trying to teach us His way. In Psalm 33:4-5, the Bible says, “For the word of the LORD is right; and all his works are done in truth. He loveth righteousness and judgment: the earth is full of the goodness of the LORD.” We can look at the earth and behold the goodness of the Lord. We can experience truth, righteousness, and the moving hand of the Lord and see the goodness of God. In Lamentations 3:25-26, the Bible says, “The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him. It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD.” The word “wait” speaks of an expectation of His promises coming to pass. The word “seeketh” means “to pursue or follow in order to worship”. God responds to our faith and our worship with His goodness, and we should hope and patiently expect God’s salvation to come.
In 1 Chronicles 16:34, the Bible says, “O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever.” We should always have a heart of gratitude when we experience the goodness of God, because His goodness and mercy are available to us forever. Don’t think so? In Psalm 23:6, the Bible says, “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.” Believers have eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord, so if goodness and mercy shall follow us all the days of our lives, then it has to be forever!
“a strong hold in the day of trouble”
The phrase “strong hold” means “a fortified place, a place of defense, a place of strength”. In Psalm 46:1-2, the Bible says, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea.” God IS, not WAS, but GOD IS! There are too many people who say they are believers but don’t believe that the miracles God performed through His children back in the “Bible days” are still available to us today. This verse says, “a very present help”, so this means we can call on God’s help and He will respond today! The word “day” means time, and the word “trouble’ means “distress, adversity, or affliction”. In Psalm 62:6-7, the Bible says, “He only is my rock and my salvation: he is my defence; I shall not be moved. In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God.” The key word in these verses is “ONLY”. There is no other defense, refuge, or strength in the time of adversity or affliction but the Lord. If we look in another direction, we will be sorely disappointed.
“And he knoweth them that trust in Him”
The word “knoweth” is relational, not only meaning “to regard or consider” but it also suggest that God abides in us or becomes one with us.” The word “trust” means “to flee for protection, to confide in”. God knows the faithful from the unfaithful, knowing those who trust in Him. in Psalm 37:3, the Bible says, “Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.” God takes care of those who place their full trust in Him. In Psalm 40:1, the Bible says, “I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry.” God is always going to prove himself true, but it is our job to trust in Him.
I am trusting in the Lord for something great, and I have full confidence that God has already answered my prayer and is responding on my behalf. Are you?
God Bless!
Marshall
Nov 8, 2021 – Micah 7:5 – trust ye not … put ye not … keep the doors of thy mouth from
Hi Everyone!
The Gospel of Jesus Christ is life-changing in more than one way. It will lead someone to the knowledge and love of our God, which caused Him to sacrifice His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, for the sins of the world. He did this to give us another chance at a right relationship with Him if we believe in the Word and receive Christ as Lord and Savior. The Gospel also establishes our new identities as sons and daughters of God, friends of Jesus Christ, and shows us that we have inherited the gift of eternal life. Christ assured us that after He left, we would receive the Comforter, which is the Holy Spirit, to guide us into all truth. Amid such amazing promises The Bible also reveals that the Gospel at work in us will cause divisions within the family structure, separation from the people closest to us, and that our foes can be in our own house. Are we prepared for the day our family and friends despise us for seizing the Gospel? Today, we are going to look at Micah 7:5, the destruction of our support system for the sake of the construction of the Gospel.
”Trust ye not in a friend, put ye not confidence in a guide: keep the doors of thy mouth from her that lieth in thy bosom.”
The word “trust” conveys a notion of faithfulness and trustworthiness such as one can depend on. The word “friend” means “an associate, acquaintance, or companion”. This isn’t saying that we shouldn’t trust our friends, but it is saying that our trust for our friends should not outweigh or replace our trust in the Lord. In Jeremiah 17:5-6, the Bible says, “Thus saith the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD. For he shall be like the heath in the desert, and shall not see when good cometh; but shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, in a salt land and not inhabited.” The person who trusts in a friend over God is the person that places a curse upon them and departs from the presence of the Lord. That person is going to experience dry places, hard times, and all of their attempts to grow will be in vain. In Hosea 13:9, the Bible says, “O Israel, thou hast destroyed thyself; but in me is thine help.” If we look to a friend for help first instead of God, we are setting ourselves up for failure, because in Psalm 121:1-2, the Bible says, “I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth.” Trusting in creation instead of the Creator is not wise, and it will only lead to us not getting the help we need.
‘Put ye not confidence in a guide.”
The word “confidence” means “to hie for refuge, having a feeling of safety and security, or relying on”. The word “hie” implies we instinctively run towards someone or something at the first sign of trouble. The word “guide” means “a leader of a nation or group”. This leader could be in our or outside of the Church. Not every leader is going to have the right motives and intentions for the people under their leadership. In Jeremiah 50:6, the Bible says, “My people hath been lost sheep: their shepherds have caused them to go astray, they have turned them away on the mountains: they have gone from mountain to hill, they have forgotten their restingplace.” We have to place our full trust in God and in His Word, instinctively running to the presence of the Lord in all situations, not just trouble. In 1 John 4:1, the Bible says, “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.” We have to be careful with whom we place our trust, Not everyone has our best interests at heart.
“Keep the doors of thy mouth from her that lieth in thy bosom.”
The word “keep” means “watch carefully over”. The word “mouth” is referred as an instrument of speech. This once again is speaking of those who talk to, and entrust their cares to their spouses ahead of talking to God. In Judges 16:15, the Bible says, “And she said unto him, How canst thou say, I love thee, when thine heart is not with me? thou hast mocked me these three times, and hast not told me wherein thy great strength lieth.” In Proverbs 31:3, the Bible says, “Give not thy strength unto women, nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings.” We have to be careful who we entrust our strength to, who we share our vision with. Even our spouse can despise what God is doing in our lives, and plot against us. Didn’t Michal despise David, when he danced with all his might when the Ark of the Covenant came back to Israel?
In Matthew 10:36-37, Christ says, “And a man’s foes shall be they of his own household. He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.”
God isn’t asking us to not love or trust people. A life without trust is a prison in itself. God is commanding that we put nothing in front of HIM!
God Bless!
Marshall
Nov 9, 2021 – Judges 18:5 – ask counsel, we pray thee, of God
Hi Everyone!
As a newly committed believer, I used to have it bad, always going my own way instead of seeking God’s direction. I was so excited to be serving the Lord, so excited to be reaching after all of the untapped potential I had when I was free that I put grind above God. Many times, I placed myself in situations where I had to turn back and go to the spot where I decided to veer off from where God was directing me, and then go in the direction God desired for me to go. Sometimes, the direction we want to take isn’t bad in itself, but what makes it bad is if we go at it in our own strength, without seeking the Lord’s guidance. Seeking God’s guidance and moving according to God’s leading is vital in all believers lives, because the only true success is given by the Lord. Today, we are looking at Judges 18:5, inquiring of the Lord to make our journeys prosperous.
”And they said unto him, Ask counsel, we pray thee, of God, that we may know whether our way which we go shall be prosperous.”
The phrase ”ask counsel” means ”to inquire, or to request the perspective and direction”. The phrase ”we pray thee” means ”to say please, to beg”. Seeing God’s direction is extremely important, and if someone has to be begged to inquire of God, then it must be vital. When David and his men were at war, the Amalekites invaded Ziglag, David’s home, and burned it with fire, also taking their families. David and his men came home to find destruction. In 1 Samuel 30:7-8, the Bible says, ”And David said to Abiathar the priest, Ahimelech’s son, I pray thee, bring me hither the ephod. And Abiathar brought thither the ephod to David. And David enquired at the LORD, saying, Shall I pursue after this troop? shall I overtake them? And he answered him, Pursue: for thou shalt surely overtake them, and without fail recover all.” Despite David’s anguish, despite his anger, David still stopped and inquired of the Lord before he went after those responsible. This was a mighty warrior of God, but he knew his strength meant nothing without God’s leading.
Let’s look at something else here. In 1 Samuel 30:6, the Bible says, ”And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God.” David was not only in great distress, but his men wanted to stone him for something he had nothing to do with. Even in the midst of struggle, David ”encouraged himself” in the Lord, which means ”to strengthen oneself, to fortify oneself” in the Lord. David knew where his strength came from, and instead of moving, he reached after God. In Isaiah 40:31, the Bible says, “But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” David knew nothing else could strengthen him at this very perilous time in his life, so he leaned on the Lord for strength and guidance. How many of us are shaken by adversity so deeply that we won’t ask God for help?
The phrase “may know” means “to discern, to recognize, to understand”. This phrase suggests that we position ourselves to not only receive the Word from the Lord, but we become one with it in order to carry it out.
The word “way” means “a road, a course of life, or a mode of action”. In Proverbs 19:20-21, the Bible says, “Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end. There are many devices in a man’s heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand.” We have to come to the Lord and ask of Him where we should go, how shall we do it, and whether we will get victory when we go there. Our own way will fail if we aren’t led by the Lord, but however the Lord directs us on will stand against anything.
In 2 Samuel 22:31, the Bible says, “As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all them that trust in him.” When we surrender our way to receive God’s way, we will see just how faithful God is, and we will discover just how perfect God’s way is. God knows exactly what we are to do and how to position us for the success he wants us to have.
The word “prosperous” means “profitable”. In Genesis 24:56, the Bible says, “And he said unto them, Hinder me not, seeing the LORD hath prospered my way; send me away that I may go to my master.” We shouldn’t allow anyone or anything to hinder the way that God has made for us. We also should never embark on any journey without being assured that God has directed it.
In Genesis 39:3, the Bible says, “And his master saw that the LORD was with him, and that the LORD made all that he did to prosper in his hand.” When we go our own way instead of the way God desires for us, we won’t prosper, but if He sends us, He will be with us every step of the way to ensure we prosper!
God Bless!
Marshall
Nov 10, 2021 – Jeremiah 18:6 – behold, as the clay is in the potter’s hand, so are ye in mine hand
Hi Everyone!
God formed us with a distinct purpose, something only we are able to do. We were created with an innate uniqueness, and God created to be set apart, able to be guided into the calling He has over our lives. Sadly, in our rebellious nature, we work against the purpose of God by trying to shape our own direction, by trying to blaze our own trail, also by trying to declare to God who we are and will be. Some of us run like Jonah, fearful to face up to what God has for us. God desires for us to submit ourselves completely to Him for Him to have reign and dominion in our lives. This is the only way we can truly be successful, if we allow God to shape and mold us into who He has created us to be. People judge success by money, job, or fame, but God judges success by our willingness to become everything we were created to be. Today we will look at Jeremiah 18:6, clay in the Potter’s hand.
”O house of Israel, cannot I do with you as this potter? saith the LORD. Behold, as the clay is in the potter’s hand, so are ye in mine hand, O house of Israel.”
The word “potter” speaks of a person who squeezes clay into shape, someone who moulds something into form”. God was growing weary of Israel, because they were going at things their own way, trying to order the course for their life. In Psalm 37:23, the Bible says, “The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.” A “good” man, someone who is performing exactly how God created them to perform. Remember when God called for light in the beginning and the light appeared, how did God feel about it? In Genesis 1:4, the Bible says, “And God saw the light, that it was GOOD: and God divided the light from the darkness.” Good is a word that shows the pleasure God takes in something becoming exactly what it is created to be.
In order for us to be moulded into form, squeezed into shape, and for God to make a determination of what we will become, we have to believe that He had this in mind since the beginning. In Genesis 2:7, the Bible says, “And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.” In the beginning, we were in the Father’s hands, being moulded into form. We are the only thing in creation that God actually touched with His hands when He created it. Imagine the amount of love God put into his creation, in making us special, forming not only our bodies, but his good purpose in us.
In Ephesians 1:4-5, the Bible says, “According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will”. He purposed us to be holy and without blame from the beginning, knowing full well we would be adopted into the family by the salvation of Jesus Christ. God created us miraculously from such a simple substance, dirt, and put His whole purpose for mankind in us! In 1 Corinthians 1:28-29, the Bible says, “And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: That no flesh should glory in his presence.” God takes us from such humble beginnings so one can say that they are the reason for their “success”.
The word “clay” means “mire of the earth”. The word “hand” means “power, means, or direction”. In Romans 9:20-21, the Bible says, “Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus? Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?” Why do we speak against God, like He doesn’t know exactly what He is doing when He created us? I could easily say, “God, why did I have to come to prison in order for You to form this ministry in me?”, but the life experience I have is unique, and many don’t make it back from the pits I became stuck in. I can talk to both the saint and sinner, and clearly relate to both. Praise God for forming me with my disobedience in mind, using the harsh lessons learned for His glory!
In Psalm 37:4, the Bible says, “Delight thyself also in the LORD: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.” The word “delight” means “be pliable, able to be formed”. When we allow God to form us into who He has called us to be, we will be able to access the provision of the kingdom, because His desires will then become our desires!
In Isaiah 64:8, the Bible says, “But now, O LORD, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand.” When we declare to the Lord that He is our Father, and we are the work of His power, it is the same thing as presenting ourselves to the Lord, saying, “Use me!”
May we become clay in the Potter’s hands, able to be used by our loving God!
God Bless!
Marshall
Nov 11, 2021 – 1 John 5:14 – he heareth us
Hi Everyone!
God is our Father, and as our Father, He loves to give us what we ask for. Sometimes, we are disobedient, other times we lack faith, we ask for things that complete our selfish desires, or we ask for things that God doesn’t want us to have according to the purpose He has for our lives. God is never going to give us something that will block His purpose in our lives. Too many people don’t get what they asked for and then blame God for what they didn’t get, but our God has a greater plan in place, one that is not only going to bless our lives, but is going to bless the lives of people we touch. I thank God for telling me ”No” and ”Not now” when it came to certain prayers, because I wouldn’t have been ready to receive what God would’ve given for the purpose He intended. Sometimes, we aren’t ready for what God wants to give us. Today, we will look at 1 John 5:14, having confidence in asking God for what we want.
”And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us”
The word “confidence” means “assurance, all-outspokenness, or frank reliance”. This isn’t just being sure, but this means that we have no problem with boldly professing our faith out loud. In Mark 11:22-23, Christ says, “And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God. For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he SAITH shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he SAITH. God is not looking for “closet Christians” who are unwilling to experience God’s faithfulness out of fear of disappointment. Sometimes, God will tell us to leave the confines of our comfort in order to experience the higher level of His comfort. Will our mouths profess that God’s will is perfect at times of great inconvenience? Where is our confidence; is it in the circumstances we face, or is it in God, who holds both the strength to endure and the keys to deliverance?
In Hebrews 10:35, the Bible says, “Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward.” There is a reward because of our confidence in the Lord. The Lord loves those who place their trust in Him.
Think not?
In Jeremiah 17:7, the Bible says, “Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is.” The Lord is ready to rain down blessings upon those who trust in Him, but do we have that outspoken faith, that frank reliance upon God?
In Ephesians 3:12, the Bible says, “In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.” We get our boldness not from arrogance, but from faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, by cleaving to the Word of God in truth. Romans 10:17 says, “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” Our faith is only in the living Word of God.
“If we ask any thing according to His will, he heareth us.”
The word “ask” means “to beg, to desire, or to require”. The key word to this second half of the verse is “IF”. How many of us don’t ask God for what we desire out of fear we won’t get it? “If we ask”.
In Matthew 7:7, Christ says, “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you”. Now on the surface, it seems like this is all inclusive, that we can just ask God for anything, and He will give it to us. Here is where common sense comes in, because God isn’t going to give us something that is going to ruin the purpose He has for us. In James 4:3, the Bible says, “Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.” Sometimes, God says “no” to save us from ourselves! Other times, He says “no” if our hearts aren’t right. Would you hand your car keys to a ten year old and tell them they can go on a cross country road trip with their friends?
The phrase “according to His will” is another key, because God’s will comes first. The word “according” implies a “oneness” with God’s will. His will becomes our will! There is always a condition we must meet in order for God’s will to be dispensed. The phrase “His will” means “the determination, purpose, or pleasure”. Have we taken the time to ever inquire of God what His will is before we asked for whatever we desired of Him?
In 1 John 3:22, it says, “And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.” Another condition. Are we following the Word of God? If we aren’t aligned with the Word of God or the will or God, then how can we ever expect God to “hear” us, meaning ‘to regard and listen in order to answer our prayers”?
The Word of God comes first, the will of God is then received, and then we can ask God in confidence, because what we ask God for will be aligned with His will. Watch how many prayers get answered this way!
God Bless!
Marshall
Nov 12, 2021 – 1 John 5:15 – and if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask
Hi Everyone!
Do we believe that when we pray for something according to the will of God, that our prayers are already answered? God desires this level of confidence from us, that we carry ourselves as if the prayers we offer up already belong to us, and celebrate the victory as if what we prayed for is in our hands. That is like the runner who celebrates winning the race before they enter the starting blocks, fully confident of the ending. This is true faith, that full assurance that God not only hears our prayers, but He responds in His own perfect timing that will greatly benefit His purpose in our lives. Many of us pray for something, and then worry about what we pray for, as if we won’t get it. God wants children who place their full trust in Him in prayer. Today, we will look at 1 John 5:15, a confident prayer life.
”And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.”
The word ”know” doesn’t just imply that someone is ”fully assured or confident.” When we know something, it becomes a part of who we are, and what we know becomes second nature. This is why we need to cleave to the Word of God, and understand what the Bible says about prayer, belief, and faith. All three should bring us right back to the Word.
The word ”hears” means ”to heed, listen to, regard in order to answer our prayers.” We must first believe that God wants to answer our prayers. In Matthew 7:11, Christ says, ”If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?” Christ gave us something we can understand, being parents, giving good gifts to our children who ask us. There is nothing we don’t want to do for our children, and it bothers us when there is something they want that we can’t do.
In Matthew 7:8, Christ also says, ”For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.” God wants to grant our requests, and open up the provision of the kingdom to us. In John 9:30-31, the Bible says, ”The man answered and said unto them, Why herein is a marvellous thing, that ye know not from whence he is, and yet he hath opened mine eyes. Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth.” This blind man was blind from birth, and was healed by Christ. He never asked for healing in the text, but Christ saw him, had compassion on him, and gave him his sight. He understood that if a person does the will of God, God will hear him, and now he was sharing this testimony with the Pharisees! God sometimes will give us things that we never asked for!
Here is an example of someone who got what they asked for.
In Mark 10, blind Bartimaeus was by the highway side begging. He heard Jesus was walking by, and in Mark 10:47, it says, ”And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out, and say, Jesus, thou son of David, have mercy on me.” Have we ever cried out to God in prayer? Have we ever ignored the people telling us to hold our peace when we were crying out to God? In Mark 10:51-52, the Bible says, ”And Jesus answered and said unto him, What wilt thou that I should do unto thee? The blind man said unto him, Lord, that I might receive my sight. And Jesus said unto him, Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole. And immediately he received his sight, and followed Jesus in the way.” Blind Bartimaeus cried out, ignored the people trying to silence him, and when Christ asked him what we wanted, he made his request. Did this text say anything about Bartimaeus’ belief? Not one thing! His faith and belief was projected in his actions!
”Whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.”
”Whatsoever” sounds all-inclusive, but remember, we must ask God according to His will.
In Mark 11:24, Christ says, ”Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.” The word ”ask” means ”to beg, to request, or to desire.”
The word ”petitions” means ”objects sought”. In John 15:7, Christ says, ”If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.” When we become one with God, our priorities, our desires, and what we ask for changes. We become children who desire to please our Father, and God responds by answering our prayers, knowing they are prayers according to His will. In John 14:13, Christ says, ”And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.’‘ God’s answered prayers bring glory back to Him, allowing us to reveal His power to others through our testimony.
Blind Bartimaeus cried out, God heard him and responded answering his prayer. May we have his level of confidence in our prayers too.
God Bless!
Marshall
Nov 13, 2021 – 2 Corinthians 3:6 – the Spirit giveth life
Hi Everyone!
As believers, all things become new. Gone are the day of trying to do the right thing to make oneself square with God, gone are the days of trying to keep the law that is impossible for us to keep, and gone is seeking our own righteousness. As children of God, we are partakers of the new covenant, one where the blood of Jesus Christ has freed us from the law of sin and death, where we have the beautiful opportunity to experience life and peace through Jesus Christ our Lord. God already has provision in place for us, ready to bestow it upon all who receive Christ as Lord and Savior, but some of us will receive Christ as Lord and Savior, but still cleave to the provisions of the law. There is a difference in doing right out of God’s love in our hearts and out of God’s love for us, and us doing right on our own hoping to be made righteous in the sight of God. The law exposed our sin, but the Spirit of God exposed life and freedom. Today, we will look at 2 Corinthians 3:6, the power of the new covenant to make us able ministers in the Spirit.
”Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.”
The phrase “hath made us able” means “to enable or to qualify,” The word “ministers” means “an attendant, a Christian teacher or preacher, teaching the divine things of God.” The “Who” is God, because it is God that enables and qualifies us to share the Word of God with others. In Jeremiah 1:6-7, the Bible says, “Then said I, Ah, Lord GOD! behold, I cannot speak: for I am a child. But the LORD said unto me, Say not, I am a child: for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak.” The first thing the majority of us say when we are commanded to speak the Word of God to someone else is, “I don’t know enough Bible to do this”, or “I’m not ‘that’ saved yet”, or yet still “I am too jacked up to help someone else.” We immediately go to our qualifications, but what we see in ourselves is way different than what God sees in us.
In Exodus 4:10-12, the Bible says, “And Moses said unto the LORD, O my LORD, I am not eloquent, neither heretofore, nor since thou hast spoken unto thy servant: but I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue. And the LORD said unto him, Who hath made man’s mouth? or who maketh the dumb, or deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? have not I the LORD? Now therefore go, and I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say.” When God qualifies us to be servants of Him, He will give us the Words to say, the people to say it to, and His power is going to work mightily in us. All we have to do is trust God enough to show up ready!
The “New Testament” is the new covenant that provides the forgiveness of sins, salvation from the penalty of death, eternal life, and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, allowing us to operate in the earth as Christ did. The word “new” implies something not known before, something newly introduced, and it also implies better. The word “testament” means “covenant, or contract”.
In Hebrews 9:16-17, the Bible says, “For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth.” The New Testament didn’t activate until after Christ died, but it was in place before Christ walked the earth as God robed in flesh.
In Jeremiah 31:31, the Bible says, “Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah”. God already prepared this covenant for us through the death of Christ. In Hebrew 8:6-7, “But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises. For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second.” The new covenant provides us a better position and better promises, allowing us to operate according to the spiritual nature that works in us!
“not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.”
The “letter” refers to the writings of the Mosaic law, but the “spirit” refers to the empowerment of the Holy Spirit, by which the apostles and early Christians were endowed with high supernatural qualifications for their work, remaining with us, imparting to us spiritual knowledge, aid, consolation, sanctification, and making intercession with and for us. This is the gift that Christ has given us by His death. In Romans 7:6, the Bible says, “But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter.” God ensured that through salvation by Jesus Christ, we now have access to live according to the spirit and have deliverance from the curse of the law.
In John 6:63, Christ says, “It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.” If Christ came so we can have life and that more abundantly, then abundant life has to come through the Spirit of our Lord.
In Romans 7:9, it says, “For I was alive without the law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died.” The law only reveals the sin that is in us, and the awareness that there is nothing we could do to pay for our sins. The law showed us that we need a Savior and perfect sacrifice for sins, that through faith in Jesus Christ, we can have real life for the first time. In Romans 8:2, the Bible says, “For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.” When we understand what Covenant we are under, that we have life through the Holy Spirit dwelling within us, that we have ministry through the Word the Holy Spirit gives us to say, we will become able ministers of the new covenant.
Let us lay down the law and take up the spirit, receiving life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
God Bless!
Marshall
Nov 14, 2021 – 2 Corinthians 4:2 – commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God
Hi Everyone!
We have been given an incredible responsibility when we became children of God. Not only must we live in love as children of God but we have to receive and convey God’s Word in truth. There is a lot of mixture in the Church, a lot of people mishandling the Word of God, treating the traditions of men like sound doctrine of God, and people are being led astray in the process. We must renounce every shameful thing, every lie, and every misdeed that keeps us from the full fellowship of God. God desires us to walk in truth, confident that the Holy Spirit working in us produces a righteousness in us that we can’t do alone. If we know that something we are practicing is not Biblical, then it is time to let it go, because by our behaviour we project the Word of God to be a lie. Today, we are going to look at 2 Corinthians 4:2, renouncing a shameful life to seek a life of truth.
”But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.”
The word “renounced” means “disowned”. The phrase “hidden things” implies things private or concealed, something one doesn’t want revealed. The word “dishonesty” speaks to those things that are shameful or disgraceful. In Matthew 4:17, the Bible says, “From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, REPENT: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” The word “repent” means “a pious sorrow for unbelief and sin; and turning from them unto God and the gospel of Christ”. It also implies a change of place or condition. In order for someone to renounce something, they must believe that what they believed before was completely false, and not in keeping with who they are now.
In Acts 19:18-20, the Bible says, “And many that believed came, and confessed, and shewed their deeds. Many of them also which used curious arts brought their books together, and burned them before all men: and they counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver. So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed.” The Word of God, the true and living Word of God, is the thing that causes true repentance in people, causing them to renounce their past, their poor decisions, and their shameful thoughts. This means no more secrets, no more hidden sins happening while projecting the image of salvation and power. In Romans 6:21-22, the Bible says, “What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death. But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.” When we renounce the shameful, hidden things that stunted the growth of our relationship with God, we no longer have any fellowship with that old life, nor are we to identify with it anymore. That life is behind us, where it belongs.
“not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully”
The phrase “walking” means “to follow after, to tread all around, or to live as”. The word “craftiness” means “subtlety or trickery”. When we repent or renounce the old life, it also means that we live differently, and live according to how God desires us to live. When Jacob lived, his name meant “trick or trickster”, and he lived his life accordingly, even cheating his brother Esau out of his birth right and blessing. Esau wanted to kill him, but Jacob fled. When it came time for Jacob to meet Esau again fear caused him to take many precautions to keep himself and his family safe. Right before he meets with Esau, he wrestles with God. In Genesis 32:27-28, the Bible says, “And he said unto him, What is thy name? And he said, Jacob. And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed.” In order for God to lead Jacob into this new season, Jacob had to renounce his identity. In order for him to do that, he then must accept the name God has given him.
The phrase “handling the word of God deceitfully” implies that a person tampers with the Word of God which brings corruption to the Word and to the faith. This is the person that dilutes the Word of God, the person who twists the meaning of the Word causing people to be led astray. in Matthew 24:24, Christ warns “For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.” Christ knew the day would come when people would preach false doctrine and deceive the church, and now Paul is admonishing the Church to make sure that it isn’t us doing the deceiving!
“But by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.”
The word “manifestation” means “an exhibition or bestowment by God”. The phrase “commending ourselves” means “to present oneself as worthy”. In Colossians 1:28, the Bible says, “Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus”. Here is the responsibility portion and how it extends to our fellow brothers and sisters. We are to teach and receive the teachings of the Word of God in truth and “all wisdom”, so that the people we teach can stand before God as the righteousness of God in Christ.
The word “conscience” means “the faculty of the soul which distinguishes between right and wrong and prompts one to choose the former and avoid the latter.” The truth God exhibits in us allows us to be presented as worthy vessels of God by not only God, but by the people that lay their eyes upon us.
In 1 Timothy 4:12, the Bible says, “Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.” The world will see us and know that God is at work in us. When we repent, renouncing those hidden things, we receive the bestowed truth of God, which not only allows us to receive and convey the Word of truth to others, but it changes our life to the point that it becomes obvious to others.
May our repentance lead to an accurate exhibition of the Lord’s presence and power in us.
God Bless!
Marshall
Nov 15, 2021 – 2 Corinthians 5:17 – if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature
Hi Everyone!
When we became believers, everything about us is changed! We not only have been forgiven of our sins, but our sin debt has completely been paid in full by the blood of Jesus Christ. We now have true redemption from the penalty of death for our sins, and we can fully experience the newness of life by the Holy Spirit of God. Everything is new now, because our old life, our old means of doing things, our old way of responding to situations, and our old selves are now buried. Sometimes, we don’t always feel saved, or feel different, but how we feel is not always real! The Word of God declares us new, and also declares that old things have passed away. Yet there are believers in the Church who can’t move on with their lives to experience this new thing, because they still cleave to what is dead and gone. Today, we are going to look at 2 Corinthians 5:17, being new creations in Christ.
”Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”
The phrase ”any man” is all-inclusive, meaning everyone has access to this promise, but the condition is that we are believers. In John 3:16, the Bible says, ”For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that WHOSOEVER believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.’‘ God made this provision available to everyone, but we have the responsibility to receive the truth into our hearts and minds and accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.
In Romans 5:8, the Bible says, ”But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.’‘ God didn’t wait until we were first changed for this promise to be available to us. God made this promise available to us before we were even born, so God took our sin into account when Christ died for us and made certain His death would pay the cost for everything we have done. Please trust the Bible when it reveals that debt was paid and the gift was available before we arrived on earth to commit our first sin!
The phrase ”in Christ” is spoken of believers who receive salvation by faith in Jesus Christ, and become one with Christ relationally by our allowing our Triune God to made His abode in us. In John 15:4, Christ says, ”Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.” A branch relies on the vine to supply everything it needs to survive, and as believers we attach ourselves to God by faith in Jesus Christ, allowing the Holy Spirit to supply everything we need to live Godly lives in Christ.
In Romans 8:9-10, the Bible says, ”But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.” When we became believers, God attached us to the Spirit, so the Spirit could dwell in us. Something spiritual took place at salvation, and a death occurred, but will we believe that in order to fully seize the promises of God?
The phrase ”new creation” speaks of new Christians who are renewed and changed from evil to good by the Spirit of God. The word ”creation” means ”formation”, so salvation takes us right back to the beginning, where we were formed in the image and likeness of God, having His breath, that is His Spirit breathed into us, making us living souls! Hence the term ”reformed”! Titus 3:5 says, ”Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost”. God’s work, not our righteousness, is what makes us new creations in Christ, but yet we have a Church full of people who still claim that they are unqualified, not good enough, not saved enough, still answering to the old man.
”Old things are passed away, behold, all things are become new”
The phrase ”passed away” means ”to perish”. The word ”become new” signifies an activation of newness due to our being in Christ as believers. We become new after we accept Christ as Lord and Savior and are saved by His blood. In Isaiah, 43:18-19, the Bible says, ”Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.’‘ God didn’t ordain this new thing to spring forth so we would continue to cleave to the old man, the old life, the old way. God didn’t make us new to remain stagnant in the faith. God made us new so we would answer to our new names, to our new identities, to our new lives in our promised land.
Will we accept our rightful place as children of God led by the Holy Spirit to live powerful lives here on earth? Salvation is only the beginning of what God has planned for us as new believers.
God Bless!
Marshall
Nov 16, 2021 – Zechariah 1:3 – Turn ye unto me, saith the LORD of hosts
Hi Everyone!
God has always sought His people to turn to Him. He has always desired relationship with us, one of open communication, one where we have direct and unrestricted access to God. Sin drove a wedge in between us and God but Christ’s death on the cross permanently broke that wedge, giving us the ability to once again commune with God again. God even did one better, allowing His Holy Spirit to dwell within us so we have God’s truth, His protection and His provision inside of us. Everything we need for the Godly life God desires us to live is now inside of us, and we have the kingdom of God inside us. If we keep a broken, dejected, pessimistic stance towards life, then it is now a choice, because God has given us every chance to experience life and peace by remaining in Him. Today, we will look Zechariah 1:3, turning to our loving God
”Therefore say thou unto them, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Turn ye unto me, saith the LORD of hosts, and I will turn unto you, saith the LORD of hosts.”
The phrase ”Lord of hosts” refers to God as being the Commander of the angelic armies, but it also expresses God’s sovereignty over the entire earth. In Psalm 24:1 the Bible says, ”The earth is the LORD’s, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.” Everything on the earth and in the earth belongs to God, because He created everything.
In Ephesians 1:4-5, the Bible says, ”According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will.” God not only created us, but He chose us to stand before Him holy and in love, even the Gentiles, who were already chosen for adoption by Christ unto himself. The world and its occupants being exactly who God created them to be greatly pleases Him.
When David fought Goliath, Goliath fought from experience, but in 1 Samuel 17:45-46, the Bible says, ”Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied. This day will the LORD deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee; and I will give the carcases of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel.” David didn’t fight from experience, but instead, he fought Goliath in the name of the ”Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel”. David knew that his power came from God, and there would be no victory without God.
The phrase ”turn ye unto me” speaks of repentance, when we try to go our own way, chart our own course, live apart from God. There has to be a realization that the way we are going is wrong and displeasing to God, and this sorrow should make us desire to come back to the Lord. In 2 Corinthians 7:10, the Bible says, ”For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.” God desires for this sorrow to turn into repentance leading to salvation, not just sorrow without fruit. I used to always be sorry for the things I have done, but I always went right back out and did those same things I was sorry for all over again. I was convicted but there was no change. Why? Because there was no repentance. In Luke 13:3, Christ says, ”I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.” Because I refused to repent, choosing to remain sorry instead, I was headed for death, a life separate from God instead of with God.
In Matthew 3:8, the Bible says, ”Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance”. Repentance isn’t lip service. Fruit is what we see, and if a person is still acting like the world does, then where is the repentance? In 2 Corinthians 6:17-18, the Bible says, ”Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you. And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.” There must be a physical turning from sin and turning to the Lord, a ”re-turning” to the Lord, and God will receive our repentance and re-establish us as children of God.
The whole point of repentance is for us to become children of God and God to be our Father, as God intended from the beginning. In Luke 15:7, Christ says, ”I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.”
Heaven rejoices because when someone repents, they become exactly what God has created them to be; children of God. If there is joy in heaven, then that means that God is pleased by our repentance.
God Bless!
Marshall
Nov 17, 2021 – 2 Corinthians 9:7 – God loveth a cheerful giver
Hi Everyone!
God has given us everything, including His only begotten Son, so that we may have eternal life through faith in His name. He did it from a place of love, and from a heart of willingness. What can we do to repay God for bringing us back from the dead? How can we extend our appreciation to God for all he has done for us? The greatest commands are to love God with all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength and to love our neighbor as ourselves. So if we can extend our appreciation to God by obeying His word, by loving Him and loving our neighbors, why don’t we? Our love begins in the heart, our generosity begins in the heart, and our giving should carry the right motivation. What would be the purpose of giving when our heart is conflicted, holding on to the offering after we hand it to someone? Does that type of giving please God? Today, we will look at 2 Corinthians 9:7, being a cheerful and loving giver.
”Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.”
“Every man” is all-inclusive, it means that this applies to all of us. In Mark 12:31, Christ says, “And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.”
Christ didn’t tell us that we can pick and choose here. If love is in our heart, then our neighbor is anyone, and we can’t pick and choose who we love and be in obedience to God in the process.
The word “according” implies the standard behind an action, the thing that drives our giving. “Purposed in his heart”, means “intend with one’s first mind, a premeditated, predetermined mindset.” When we make a decision to give, we should make this decision without a second thought. In Deuteronomy 15:7-8, the Bible says, “If there be among you a poor man of one of thy brethren within any of thy gates in thy land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not harden thine heart, nor shut thine hand from thy poor brother: But thou shalt open thine hand wide unto him, and shalt surely lend him sufficient for his need, in that which he wanteth.” Love does not cause us as believers to shut our eyes to the needs of those around us. If we are able to give and we don’t, then what does that say about our love? What does that say about the measure in our hearts towards our brothers and sisters?”
In Romans 12:10, the Bible says, “Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another”. Romans 12:13 says, “Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.” We are to esteem our brothers and sisters in Christ and our neighbors as well, and we are to do all we do with love, from the deepest place within us, which is the heart.
The word ”give” means “to bestow upon or offer up”. In John 3:16, the Bible says, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” God gave us the greatest gift we could ever receive, His precious Son, and there are people who still reject His gift. He gave it because of the love in His heart toward us, to not see us die in our sins, but have the gift of eternal life.
There was no conflict in His mind about this gift because Isaiah 9:6, the Bible says, “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is GIVEN: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” God’s mind was made up before Christ walked the earth as the Lamb of God.
The word “grudgingly” means “having an attitude of regret, reluctance about something done, usually out of a sense of obligation”. God doesn’t not want us cleaving to our gift, unwilling to let it go. In Exodus 25:2, the Bible says, “Speak unto the children of Israel, that they bring me an offering: of every man that giveth it willingly with his heart ye shall take my offering.” When our hearts are right before God, there is always a willingness to give and serve others.
The word “necessity” means “out of constraint, compulsion, or distress”. It also suggests giving done under pressure or legalism. In Luke 21:3-4, Christ says, “And he said, Of a truth I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast in more than they all: For all these have of their abundance cast in unto the offerings of God: but she of her penury hath cast in all the living that she had.” The widow gave two mites but it spoke louder because of her attitude about it. She gave more because her heart was in the right place.
The word “love” means “to regard with a strong affection”, and a “cheerful giver” is someone who willingly and enthusiastically bestows gifting upon others. It should make us feel good to give, to reach into our bounty and help someone out in need. It can be time, money, or our skill, but whatever it is, may we be cheerful givers!
God Bless!
Marshall
Nov 18, 2021 – Zechariah 3:4 – Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee
Hi Everyone!
I have been cleansed by the blood of Jesus Christ! Somebody died knowing He was dying for me, knowing that by faith in His name, I can receive salvation, redemption, and eternal life. He died, knowing I was a murderer, knowing I was a robber, knowing that I sold drugs, stole cars, and engaged in gang activity. He saved me knowing I knew better, knowing I grew up in Church and went astray, living a life of lawlessness, knowing that I would lose myself in the process. To know that even when I lost myself, God never lost me, and no matter how bad I got, God wrapped His arms around me and welcomed me home when I repented of the evil I have done and sought His forgiveness. Me wearing the clothing of minister, counselor, friend, brother, and believer means so much to me, because I am truly reminded of the cost of this outfit I now wear. Today, we are going to look at Zechariah 3:4, being robed with new, clean clothing by God.
”And he answered and spake unto those that stood before him, saying, Take away the filthy garments from him. And unto him he said, Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with change of raiment.”
The phrase “take away” means “to remove”. The word “filthy” is one of the worst, vile terms that can be used to describe one’s uncleanliness. It means “soiled, as if excrementitious”. The root word “excrement” refers to bodily waste, so the level of spiritually uncleanliness has gotten to this point. The word “garments” means “clothing or a covering”. In Psalm 51:7, the Bible says, “Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.” When we allow God to remove our filthiness from us, we will be clean. When we try to clean ourselves up, we will find our efforts futile. In Isaiah 64:6, the Bible says, “But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.” Our best efforts as believers to be righteous still amounts to filthy rags, something soaked in bodily waste! Please understand something in this topic verse. Joshua is the High Priest, and his garments are filthy. This is indicative of the wave of priests and people that were constantly defiled throughout Israel’s history. We all can find ourselves in a state of defilement is we don’t allow God to reign in our lives.
The angel of the Lord commanded that the garment be removed from Joshua, which is further testimony that it is God who cleanses us and not anything we do. In Isaiah 43:25, the Bible says, “I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins.” See, when God cleansed me from my filthiness, it was for God’s sake, not my own, and He cleansed me so He wouldn’t have to ever hold my past filth against me anymore. I am only who I am now because God ordered the angels to remove my filthy garments from me.
“Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee,”
The word “behold” suggests that God desires us to make a mental observation of something, that God really wants our attention. In John 1:29, the Bible says, “The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” John the Baptist was determined to take people’s attention off him and onto Christ, the purpose behind his ministry. He boldly declared that Christ takes away the sins of the world, that Christ removes the filthy garments from us!
The word “iniquity” means “perversity, or moral evil”. Iniquity causes guilt within us that we can’t justify or remove without Christ, and that guilt causes bondage. The phrase “to pass” means “to remove itself”, so God allows our iniquity to remove itself the same way clothes are removed. Micah 7:18-19, the Bible says, “Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in mercy. He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea.” We are incapable of cleansing ourselves of our unrighteousness. Only the blood of Christ can cleanse us, causing our iniquity to be removed in the process.
“And I will clothe thee with a change of raiment”
The word “clothe” means “to wrap around”. In Luke 15:22, Christ says, “But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet.” See, this verse means everything to me and as these tears are falling, I thank God for cleaning my filthiness, for changing my heart and life, from removing the stench of my sin from His nostrils. Praise God for clean clothes, to be clothed by our awesome God, turning a prodigal into a son!
God Bless!
Marshall
Nov 19, 2021 – 2 Corinthians 9:12 – is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God
Hi Everyone!
Our ministry brings glory to God. When we present ourselves to God in willing obedience, in selfless service, and with a heart to see people grow and prosper, God can make amazing things happen through us. How willing are we to love out loud, and tend to the needs of someone around us? When God has been so faithful to us, so giving and generous to us, will we pay this great deed forward by using our abundance to meet the needs of someone else? It doesn’t have to necessarily be money, because there are people in spiritual poverty, emotional poverty, and relational poverty, unable to break free on their own, unable to see that we have a God that is more than willing to give the kingdom of God to the poor in spirit. How thankful are we to God when we make conscious decisions to allow the people around us to suffer? What does that speak of our faith. Today, we are going to look at 2 Corinthians 9:12, a ministry of service that brings glory to God.
”For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God”
The word “administration” means “ministry, aid, attendance of alms collected.” The word “service” refers to public service. There has to be a certain attitude when it comes to giving, one that desires us to all be as equals. In Acts 2:44-47, “And all that believed were together, and had all things common; And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.” See, when believers come together, and everyone is on one accord, we will see each other the same way we see ourselves, and other people’s needs will matter to us the same as ours do. Gladness will flourish through the Church through giving, and people will praise God in thanksgiving for all He has provided. God desires for our service, no matter what that service may be, to bring edification to the body of Christ for the glory of God.
In Mark 10:43-44, Christ says, “But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister: And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all.” When we come together as one, the only thing that matters is the God we serve faithfully, and the people that will receive our ministry. Do you see that the individual isn’t in the equation? Our ministry, just like our love is about God and about people, not about us! We are conduits and vessels, conduits because the Holy Spirit flows through us like electrical pipes providing service to an appliance, and like vessels because the Holy Spirit fills us like cauldrons which can then be drawn from. This is why Romans 12:1 is so important when it says, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.” Living sacrifices do not care about themselves, but they give themselves up for others.
“Not only supplieth the want of the saints, also by many thanksgivings unto God”
The word “supplieth” implies provision, something that is needed and profitable by someone else. The word “want” means “deficit, lack, and poverty”. The word “saints” refers to believers of Jesus Christ, the saved of the lord, the ones purified and sanctified by the influence of the Holy Spirit. In Acts 4:34-35, the Bible says, “Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, And laid them down at the apostles’ feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.” See, when the Holy Spirit moves, and the Church is operating according to the Gospel of Christ, no one is going to go without! God gives abundance to some to balance out those who don’t have. This isn’t just about money, because believers have a lot more issues in their lives than just money. God created the Church to fill gaps from what He has bestowed upon all of us.
In Acts 3:6, the Bible says, “Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.” Peter was the lead pastor of the Church, and he told the lame man he didn’t have the money he was looking for, but he had something better, The Name of Jesus Christ, which caused the lame man to walk. What did the lame man do? Acts 3:8 says, “And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God.”
Our contributions to the faith will cause the ones we give to, to give God the praise, and glory is brought to God through our giving.
What is our giving producing?
God Bless!
Marshall
Nov 20, 2021 – Proverbs 11:27 – he that diligently seeketh good procureth favour
Hi Everyone!
I once asked a brother on my unit a simple question, ”What do you want out of life?” It is a very loaded question because the brother was involved in some activities that weren’t becoming to his character. The next question I would’ve asked is, ”Are the things you are doing consistent with what you say you want out of life?” In prison, it isn’t wise to tell people that their direction in life is the wrong path to take, so one has to ask questions that will get them to admit within themselves that they aren’t doing things consistent with what they truly want. We as believers are supposed to pursue good, the things God has ordained for us, because when we pursue good, it pleases our God and it brings us into His divine favor. When we seek evil, then our pursuits will eventually land us under horrible circumstances with even more worse consequences. Today, we will look at Proverbs 11:27, what are we in pursuit of?
”He that diligently seeketh good procureth favour: but he that seeketh mischief, it shall come unto him.”
The phrase ”diligently seeketh” means “to be early at any task, to search of painstakingly.” This isn’t someone just haplessly looking for something, but someone turning over stones, looking in caves, someone determined to find what they are looking for. In Jeremiah 29:13, the Bible says, “And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.” We can’t be divided in any part of our search when it comes to the things of God. When we give our all to learning of the Lord, He will reveal Himself to us. In Hebrews 11:6, the Bible says, “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.” God rewards those who search Him out painstakingly.
The word “good” is a term that expresses God’s pleasure behind something becoming exactly what and who He created it to be. This is the will of God, for us to become exactly who we were created to be. So when we “diligently seeketh good” we are racing after the things of God, the things that God created us to experience in Him. God becomes the priority, what He wants and what He expects from us. In Matthew 6:33, the Bible says, “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” Our search should be into what pleases God first, above anything, and that can be found in the Word of God, through prayer and through listening to the leading of the Holy Spirit.
The phrase “procureth favor” means “to strive after divine goodwill or God’s delight”. This also means that we are to seek the things that please our God. In Proverbs 3:3-4, the Bible says, “Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart: So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man.” Our pursuit of God and the things of God should come from the deepest part of us, and when we strive after mercy and truth, to embed them in our minds and heart, we will find divine goodwill from God that will be visible to all.
In 3 John 1:11, the Bible says, “Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God.” What we do and what we race after is a clear representation of what is at work inside of us. In Proverbs 12:2, the Bible says, “A good man obtaineth favour of the LORD: but a man of wicked devices will he condemn.” People want the favor of God, but won’t do the things that please Him. How can we say we are the children of God but the things of God are the last thing on our minds?
“But he that seeketh mischief, it shall come unto him”
The word “mischief” means “moral evil or trouble”. In Psalm 10:2, the Bible says, “The wicked in his pride doth persecute the poor: let them be taken in the devices that they have imagined.” The enemy will not only plot against the weak, poor and vulnerable, but they also aim to weaken the strong. If we attend to the enemy’s agenda, then we will aim to weaken ourselves and others as well, so our pathway to God becomes filled with hindrances and obstacles. Evil will always come back to the person who practices it. In Esther 7:10, the Bible says, “So they hanged Haman on the gallows that he had prepared for Mordecai. Then was the king’s wrath pacified.” Haman hated Mordecai because he wouldn’t bow down or reverence him, so he plotted to not only have Mordecai killed, but all the Jews living in the kingdom of Ahasuerus. Be careful to never plot against people who are favored of the Lord, because God not only rescued Mordecai, who diligently sought good, but He allowed Haman to be hanged in the same gallows that he had constructed for the death of Mordecai!
There is reward or retribution from what we painstakingly search out. Is it evil or good?
God Bless!
Marshall
Nov 21, 2021 – 2 Corinthians 12:9 – My grace is sufficient for thee
Hi Everyone!
God did not promise us a free ride filled with fun, wealth, and a care-free attitude. God assured us that we would have trouble, persecutions, afflictions, and struggles, but God also promised us that He would never leave us nor forsake us. Sometimes, God isn’t going to give us a way out of what we are going through, no matter how difficult it may be. Sometimes, our struggles are meant for us to endure as believers, so that we will understand that there is a power at work within us that far surpasses the power of our struggle. If God won’t remove our struggle, then He has already given us the provision to endure the struggle we face. Praise God for His provision under all circumstances, because His grace extends to much more than just salvation! Today, we will look at 2 Corinthians 12:9, God’s grace being sufficient under affliction.
”And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”
A little back story. Paul had a thorn in his side, what he believed to be a messenger of Satan, which came to struggle with him to keep him humble. Paul did what any believer should do, ask for help. In Psalm 121:2, the Bible says, ”My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth.” So Paul knows his help comes from the Lord, so he is looking for his help to come. Nothing. Paul asked again, because surely God will hear him if he asks twice. This was one of the lead pastors of the Church, a person who spoke directly with the risen Lord, but he still didn’t get an answer. Paul asks again, and then he got his answer, “My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.” On the surface, to someone who doesn’t know God, this doesn’t sound like a good answer, but to someone who walks according to the Spirit and not of the flesh, this is the only answer that makes sense. Christ is telling Paul to experience His grace, to be a partaker of His strength.
Why? Because in Philippians 4:13, the Bible says, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” ALL things, include enduring a thorn in the side, something that won’t go away. The word “grace” speaks of the divine and unmerited favor as exercised in conferring gifts, graces, and benefits on man, but it also pertains to God making up the difference from what we lack so we can be complete in Him. Think about the phrase “grace period” (for those who sometimes can’t make ends meet). A grace period gives us more time to make things right, but in God’s case, grace bridges the gap between where we are and where we need to be.
The word “sufficient” means “enough or satisfactory.” In Ephesians 2:8, the Bible says, “For BY GRACE are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God”. If grace was enough for salvation, then it is enough for thorns in the side and for sanctification as well. Christ said His grace was sufficient “for thee”. That is telling us that we already have what we need to endure affliction in Christ.
“for my strength is made perfect in weakness”
The word “strength” means “miraculous power”. The phrase “made perfect” means “accomplished, completed, or fulfilled”. The word “weakness” means “moral frailty or feebleness”. See, Paul asked the wrong question in asking for the thorn to be removed. Christ wants to do a miracle in the face of our frailty, and show Himself power in the midst of our affliction. Why? In 1 Corinthians 2:5, “That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.” Sometimes, God requires us to abandon our path of what we think will work, and exchange it for His power to move mightily in us. God wants to leave no question that it is Him that carried us through our thorn.
“Most gladly therefore, will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me”
The word “gladly” displays an attitude that makes Paul receptive to the suffering because he gets it now! The word “glory” means “to rejoice”. The word “infirmities” means “moral frailties”. 1 Peter 4:14, the Bible says, “If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.” We must understand that when God allows us to experience affliction, it is so His power can work in us.
The word “power” means “miraculous force”. The word “rest” means “to tent upon, or abide”. Sounds a lot like a covering, right? In Ephesians 3:16, it says, “That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man”. This is true wealth, knowing that the power of Christ makes the difference, that it conquers suffering and affliction, giving us the power to not only endure but triumph!
Isn’t that something to be glad about?
God Bless!
Marshall
Nov 22, 2021 – 2 Corinthians 12:10 – for when I am weak, then am I strong
Hi Everyone!
How is our response when trouble comes? Do we hide in a cave somewhere, fearful of the devastation, or do we see affliction as a way for God to manifest His strength and power in us? The truth is, no one in their right minds wants to endure suffering if they don’t have to, but if we are able to view our sufferings through the eyes of Christ, we would see that our faithful endurance under trial pleases our God. God doesn’t allow trouble to arise so we can suffer, but that through the experience, we can see what a mighty God we serve, because His grace fills the voids caused by the suffering. Our perspective in the face of trouble determines what we learn from our trouble. God gives us the privilege of seeing our weaknesses turn into strength, for us to declare God’s strength in the face of weakness. Today, we will look at 2 Corinthians 12:10, taking pleasure in the strength of God, despite the experience and appearance of weakness.
”Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.”
The word ”pleasure” means ”to think well of, or to view with favor.” Paul had a thorn in his flesh, something that had to be a struggle to experience as evidence by him asking the Lord to remove it three times. Christ responds to his request, actually responds, and tells Paul to take hold of His grace, and to rely on His strength. See, we have to see beyond what is happening to us, and leave behind what we think would work against the ‘thorns’ in our flesh.
In Romans 5:3-5, the Bible says, ”And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.” So in the midst of our trial, there is a process that happens inside and outside of us that produces a hope in the Lord, and an outpouring of love in our hearts by the Holy Ghost. Don’t think that when we are under some form of affliction, it is for no reason? There is always a reason behind anything that God allows us to go through. In James 1:2-4, the Bible says, ”My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.” God sees fit for us to go through turbulence so we can build patience. This isn’t the ”waiting” kind of patience, but the ”I am going to remain rooted in the Word and relationship with God no matter what” kind of patience. This patience ensures that we will be complete in God, lacking nothing we need to be who God has called us to be. Who would’ve thought that trials build a resiliency in us as believers to be thoroughly equipped for everything that comes our way?
The word ”infirmities” means ”moral frailties”. Paul’s real struggle was within, because he writes in Ephesians 6:12, ”For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” Spiritual battles have to be fought in the Spirit.
The word ”reproaches” means ”insolence, harm or injury”. The word ”necessities” means ”unavoidable distress or calamity”. There are going to be things in life that we must go THROUGH, but note in Psalm 34:19, the Bible says, “Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all.” When we understand that we have real victory in Jesus Christ, then we know that our afflictions, our distresses, our calamities, and our trouble has a spiritual expiration date, even when the physical situation doesn’t change. The word “distresses’ means “calamity or the narrowness of a room”. This is a time when the walls close in around us and we feel trapped, but in 2 Corinthians 2:14, the Bible says, “Now thanks be unto God, which ALWAYS causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place.” When the walls close in, we have freedom and victory in Christ!
“For when I am weak, then am I strong”
The word “weak” means “feeble, or impotent”. Impotent is a term that expresses a person’s lack of power to procreate, a direct contradiction to God’s command for us be fruitful and multiply. The word “strong” means “powerful or capable”. In 2 Corinthians 13:4, the Bible says, “For though he was crucified through weakness, yet he liveth by the power of God. For we also are weak in him, but we shall live with him by the power of God toward you.”
Only God can turn our weakness into strength, but we must faithfully endure the struggle, viewing the thorns in our flesh with favor. It truly changes our perspective, knowing we can still be strong no matter how afflicted we may be.
God Bless!
Marshall
Nov 23, 2021 – Deuteronomy 4:6 – keep therefore and do them
Hi Everyone!
Our obedience to the Word of God pleases God, and establishes us as the children of God in the world. The world watches believers ever so closely, to see if we are really of the faith, or if we are Christians who pay more ”lip service” than true service to God. Do we realize that, as believers, we represent our Father and we represent the Word of God’s power and authority over our lives. How can we ever get a world to love and obey God when they can’t see these traits in us? As representatives of the kingdom of God, it is important that we display the truth, in not only our speech, but in our conduct, because the world will see it and give God the glory for establishing a people set apart for Him. We can only become a great people by living the Word of God out loud. Today, we are going to look at Deuteronomy 4:6, the worldwide impact of our obedience.
”Keep therefore and do them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the nations, which shall hear all these statutes, and say, Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.”
The word “keep” means “to observe, to take heed, to obey”. The word “do” implies that we accomplish or perform the Word of God. The only way we can keep the Word of God is if we do what it says. In Luke 6:46-48, Christ says, “why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say? Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like: He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock.”
Who we are as believers is connected to what we do as believers, and our identity in Christ is in our obedience to His Word. Our stability in our faith is the result of our obedience to the Word of God. In Deuteronomy 30:20, the Bible says, “That thou mayest love the LORD thy God, and that thou mayest obey his voice, and that thou mayest cleave unto him: for he is thy life, and the length of thy days: that thou mayest dwell in the land which the LORD sware unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them.” Our love for the Lord comes through our relationship with Him, where, through His Word, we discover His love for us, the sacrifices made for us, and the plan God had that included us when we were severely broken and flawed. How can we not love God, and cleave to Him in spiritual marriage when we come to an understanding of his love for us? It should make it easier for us to desire to obey Him in all things.
The word “wisdom” means “skillfulness, and experience”. The word “understanding” means “comprehension or discernment”, and even though mankind can make this quality fallible, we can always ask God for guidance in any matters we have questions about. In Proverbs 1:7, the Bible says, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.” Where we stand in the faith will become obvious to the eyes of anyone watching us, because in Matthew 7:20 Christ says, “Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.” What are we displaying as believers? In Psalm 19:7, the Bible says, “The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.” The Word of God changes people and changes things in people. These changes become a living testimony of God’s work in us, sometimes confounding people as to how we are able to do the things we do and know the things we know.
“Which shall hear all these statutes, and say, Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.”
The word “hear” means “to listen, to regard, to discern, or to give an ear intelligently to.” See, we are only wise and understanding because of the Word of God at work in our lives. When we can directly connect our behavior, our attitude, our knowledge, and our perspective to the Word of God, then God gets the glory, because it is obvious that we aren’t doing this on our own.
In Psalm 19:8, the Bible says, “The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.” The Word of God has the power to not only open up our eyes, but open the eyes of those who watch the Word at work in us.
The word “understanding” here has a slightly different meaning. It means “distinguished, intelligent, or mentally separate.” Our obedience to the Word of God and our submission to the Lord’s work in our lives separates us from the world. 1 Peter 2:12 says, “Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.” We want our speech and conduct to reflect the power of God working mightily in us, so they too will give God the glory. Ministry is in obedience too!
God Bless!
Marshall
Nov 24, 2021 – Galatians 3:8 – in thee shall all nations be blessed
Hi Everyone!
God didn’t just have a plan for the Israelites when He created the world. He had a plan for the Gentiles as well, the worldly people who haven’t yet come into salvation by Jesus Christ. Just knowing God had a plan to adopt us into the kingdom of God by faith in Jesus Christ, lets me know how deep His love is for His creation. I remember having a long season where no one wanted me, where I experienced more closed doors than smiling faces, and through the midst of my constant rejection, I just wanted someone to want me. Spiritually, there are many people walking the earth seeking acceptance instead of rejection, but do they know that they have a God that has desired to love and accept them with wide open arms? Have they been told? Today, we will look at Galatians 3:8, a beautiful adoption by God of a wayward, heathen people.
”And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed.”
The word “scripture” speaks of the written word of God, the “Holy Writ”. In 2 Timothy 3:16-17, the Bible says, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” The scripture of God has great purpose, to make a people ready to be in the presence of the Lord, to also equip a people to serve the Lord with all of their hearts.
The Bible accurately displays God’s plan for mankind, and also shows His intention to bring salvation to the world. In Acts 18:28, “For he mightily convinced the Jews, and that publicly, shewing by the scriptures that Jesus was Christ.” The Scriptures of God also point to Christ, the Savior of the world, the foundation that our faith is built upon.
In Colossians 1:16-17, the Bible says, “For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.” To experience Christ as king, we must know that He is God robed in flesh, and everything in the world was created by Him and for Him, including us! The word “consist” means “set together”, so everything pertaining to our faith is set together by Christ.
The word “foreseeing” means “to see beforehand”. You are not a mistake! You are not some chance happening, nor did you come to the faith by accidental occurrence. We are included into the design and creation of God’s kingdom! In Romans 8:29-30, the Bible says, “For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.” God foreknew us, God did not just stumbled across us and then offer us salvation because we were standing there. He always knew that we were going to be counted in the number of saved, the ones who will be conformed into the image of Jesus Christ.
The word “justify” means “to render free”, spoken of the justification bestowed by God unto men through Christ, absolving us from the consequences of sin and admitting us into the enjoyment of the divine favor. God bestowed it upon us, meaning that it was Him that gave us salvation, not our goodness. In Romans 3:24, the Bible says, “Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.” In order for us to be RE-deemed, it means that we are being bought back. If we are bought back, then that means we must have belonged to the Lord initially!
The word “heathen” refers to the Gentiles, the people part of the pagan nations. In Romans 5:8, the Bible says, “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” The love of God ensured that we as Gentiles would have access to salvation by Jesus Christ through “faith”, which means “assurance or confidence in the doctrines received and believed, the Christian doctrine, the gospel, and all that Christianity stands for.”
The phrase “preached the gospel” means “to announce the good news in advance”. The word “blessed” means “to confer a benefit on”. In John 10:16, Christ says, “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.” Christ already made room for us in the kingdom, knowing we were not a part of the fold.
In Ezekiel 37:22, the Bible says, “And I will make them one nation in the land upon the mountains of Israel; and one king shall be king to them all: and they shall be no more two nations, neither shall they be divided into two kingdoms any more at all.” God’s design was always for the Jew and the Gentile to become one in Christ, meaning that God has always had a place secured for us in His kingdom. May we operate in this earth like the children of God and not like people who have no place in the kingdom.
God Bless!
Marshall
Nov 25, 2021 – 2 John 1:8 – but that we receive a full reward
Hi Everyone!
What we have in the Lord is precious, and we have to value our walk with the Lord. God has rewards in store for us if were faithful with what He has blessed us with. With a bestowment of gifts, of favor, of ministry, and most importantly, the Word of God, there has to be a fair expectation by God that we are going to use what we have to advance His kingdom. What He bestows upon us is also crucial in us knowing the truth, so that we are not led astray in the process. We have a responsibility as believers to guard the Word of God in our hearts and minds, and also not give up any ground to the enemy. The enemy would love to see us stagnant in the faith, never allowing God to work a mighty work in us, but God calls us to mature as believers and to help mature other believers as well. Today, we are going to look at 2 John 1:8, securing our rewards as believers in Christ Jesus.
”Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.”
The phrase ”look to yourselves” means “to watch, to guard, or to examine yourselves.” We have to check ourselves, to make sure that we are aligned with the Word of God at all times. In 2 Corinthians 13:5, the Bible says, “Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?” We have to be on watch, because the enemy is looking to remove the truth from our faith, the same way he did to Eve in the garden.
In Genesis 3:4-5, the Bible says, “And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.” Sometimes, the enemy will trick us by making something seem pleasant that God has told us to not partake in, which can alter our perspective towards it. When the enemy can get us to reconsider, we have set ourselves up for failure. In 1 Peter 5:8, the Bible says, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.”
We have to not only examine ourselves, but we have to examine our adversary. Being “sober and vigilant” are terms used for soldiers keeping watch, especially at night where our visibility is diminished. The enemy works best when we are not on guard, and when we are not wearing our armor. That is why Ephesians 6:11 says, “Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil”, because the enemy’s job is to find vulnerability.
“That we not lose those things which we have wrought”
The word “lose” means “to destroy fully”. In Matthew 16:26, Christ says, “For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” Our souls are extremely valuable to God, which is why He sent Jesus Christ to die for the sins of mankind, to save our souls from an eternity of damnation. We have to place the same value upon our souls as God does, and guard them from the offensives of the enemy.
The word “wrought” means “earned, accomplished, labored for, or engaged in”. This means God made an investment in us, and we have to do our part to protect this investment. In Luke 8:12-13, the Christ says, “Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved. They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away.” When the Word of God is sown into our hearts, we have to make sure the environment the seed is cast in it is conducive for growth. If not, the enemy can come and take the Word of God from our hearts, or the Word of God can’t grow and bear fruit because it doesn’t grow deep enough to have roots. We don’t want to become believers who lose ground in the faith because we don’t allow the Word of God to grow and bear fruit in our lives.
“but that we receive a full reward”
The phrase “full reward” implies being paid back for our labor completely and perfectly. In 1 Corinthians 3:8-9, the Bible says, “Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour. For we are labourers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building.” When we exercise our faith, we are essentially teaming up with God to not only advance the kingdom, but bring God’s will to pass. Our work is subject to test, and in 1 Corinthians 3:14, it says, “If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.” When want to be the believers that our God is proud of, calling us “good and faithful servants”.
Let us serve the Lord, never losing a step, securing our heavenly reward in the process.
God Bless!
Marshall
Nov 26, 2021 – Lamentations 3:22 – because his compassions fail not
Hi Everyone!
I know for a fact that it is only because of the Lord that I didn’t die many times over. I lived a life of lawlessness, completely in opposition to the things of God, all while telling myself I still believed. I was a mess, looking for an even greater mess to find myself in, and I disobeyed God more times than I can count. Almost losing my life didn’t change me, and losing my freedom didn’t change me, and I was headed for destruction. It wasn’t until I had my moment of clarity, not only seeing the sin that has separated me from God, but also seeing the love God had for me to restore someone like me into His kingdom. Then, I looked back and saw many other instances where I knew God was standing right there protecting me, loving me, digging into me and fertilizing the soil around me, all so that I can grow and bear fruit! I might have failed God, but He never failed me! Today, we will look at Lamentations 3:22, the unfailing mercies of God.
”It is of the LORD’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.”
The word ”mercies” means “piety, or lovingkindness”. I love how the word mercies is plural, because God is a God of abundance, not giving us exactly what we need but more than we need. In Psalm 23:5-6, the Bible says, “Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.” God not only anointed our heads, but His oil (Spirit) ran over us, and goodness and mercy didn’t just appear, but it follows us all the days of our lives. Do we really understand that God’s Word is more than enough for what we need?
In Ephesians 3:20, the Bible says, “Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,” When God gives us anything, He always goes beyond what we can ever expect! In Romans 5:19-20, the Bible says, “For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous. Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound.” Jesus Christ died for the sins of the world, and even the ones yet to come! God, being completely holy and pure, without sin, desires to fellowship with us, despite the sin that has kept us separate from Him. That is like the richest man on earth purposely seeking out the homeless to befriend, to love, to save and to restore.
“that we are not consumed”
The word “consumed” means “to utterly destroy or ruin”. This verse is really a love letter to mankind. In Ezekiel 37:4-6, the Bible says, “Again he said unto me, Prophesy upon these bones, and say unto them, O ye dry bones, hear the word of the LORD. Thus saith the Lord GOD unto these bones; Behold, I will cause breath to enter into you, and ye shall live: And I will lay sinews upon you, and will bring up flesh upon you, and cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and ye shall live; and ye shall know that I am the LORD.” God took a valley of dry bones and brought it back to life, building an army in the process. How did He do it? He told Ezekiel, the man of God, to prophesy to the bones!
In John 6:63, Christ says, “It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.” God had a plan in place to ensure that when we fell, that our fallen state was not the final verdict. Just as this life sentence I am serving is not my final verdict, my past sinful life wasn’t the final verdict. I have new life as a new creation in Christ and Romans 8:1 says, “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” There is no condemnation to us in Christ Jesus so we will not become utterly destroyed!
“because his compassions fail not”
The word “compassions” means “love and tender mercies”. The word “fail” means “to end, to cease, or to perish”. In 2 Peter 3:9, the Bible says, “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” God has patiently waited for us to give ourselves totally to Him, and He continues to wait for those who will also join us in the fold. In Jeremiah 3:12, the Bible says, “Go and proclaim these words toward the north, and say, Return, thou backsliding Israel, saith the LORD; and I will not cause mine anger to fall upon you: for I am merciful, saith the LORD, and I will not keep anger for ever.” God is always giving us opportunities to return to Him, and the reason behind it is love. God loves us so much and desires us to be whole in Him.
May we come to appreciate His mercies and return to His embrace. God is waiting!
God Bless!
Marshall
Nov 27, 2021 – Proverbs 20:6 – but a faithful man who can find?
Hi Everyone!
Arrogance is a quality that not only robs the church of power, but it blocks our access to God. In the substance abuse recovery community, arrogance is the leading cause of relapse, because recovered substance abusers feel like they have done enough and are now strong enough to handle a life of sobriety. There is a major difference between someone who us confident in the Lord and in what God has given, and someone who boasts of themselves, like they are responsible for the favorable state they now reside in. There is no such thing as a ”self-made success”, so no one has any right to boast in anything, but Christ. God doesn’t look for a bunch of accomplished Christians patting ourselves on the back for where they are and what they have accomplished, but He looks for obedient believers who live their lives to bring glory to His name. God wants people He can entrust His will to. Today we will look at Proverbs 20:6, forsaking our own goodness for the goodness of God.
”Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness: but a faithful man who can find?”
The word ”proclaim” means ”to accost a person in order to announce”. The word ”goodness” means ”piety, or kindness in deeds”. The verse says ”most men’, so it shows a danger trend of people in the Church patting themselves on the back. In Romans 12:3, the Bible says, ”For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.” Arrogance in not from God, and in fact, it robs us from operating according to the will of God. Everyone has access to the measure of faith, so even if our roles as believers are different, God has given each the measure of faith to walk in.
In James 1:17, the Bible says, ”Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.’‘ Our gifts come from the Lord, and He doesn’t discriminate who He bestows His gifts upon. We are ”special” only because we are children of God, only because He bestowed His gift and His identity on us.
When the disciples came back from their ministry mission in Luke 10, they were excited that the power of God moved through them. In Luke 10:19-20, Christ says, ”Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.” The power we have as believers is nothing to rejoice about, but just being the children of God should be something to rejoice.
In Ephesians 2:8-10, the Bible says, ”For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” Our salvation doesn’t come from us. Even the faith we have doesn’t come from us, because according to Romans 10:17, it says, ”So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.’‘ Our faith comes from the Word of God, so our faithfulness doesn’t come from us either. We are the workmanship of God, created in Christ Jesus, so we aren’t a self-made success. We are only able to walk in the Lord because God gives us the authority to do so, and our best efforts still couldn’t save us. How are we any better than our fellow man when we have been given the same Word, to walk in the same measure of faith, and God gave us salvation to become the children of God.
In Luke 18:11, Christ says, ”The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.” Even in prayer, the Pharisee patted himself on the back before God, and even cut down the publican who couldn’t lift up his head. What happened to the Pharisee? He didn’t leave his prayer justified, because he trusted in his righteousness and not the righteousness of God.
”But a faithful man, who can find?”
The word ”faithful” is a term that expresses a rare, beneficial quality from the trustworthiness of one to God. In Job 13:14-15, the Bible says, ”Wherefore do I take my flesh in my teeth, and put my life in mine hand? Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him.’‘ God doesn’t care about how holy we think we are. He is concerned with us doing His will, with us moving on His Word, no matter where it leads. The word ”find” means ”come forth to appear”. God is looking for a faithful people to appear, leaving our egos behind and to seize the will of God. The faithfully humble will be exalted…
God Bless!
Marshall
Nov 28, 2021 – John 1:1 – Jesus Christ: The Mystery Uncovered Part 1 – In the beginning was the Word
Hi Everyone!
The life of Jesus Christ didn’t begin at his birth in Bethlehem. Most people consider Christ to be separate from God, like He was a totally different person than God. A lot of other religions classified Christ as a prophet, as a powerful person, but don’t consider Him to be God. There are even factions from the ”Christian” umbrella that classify Christ as the Messiah, but not as God. Because Jesus Christ is the Author and Finisher of our faith, knowing exactly who Christ is, begins everything we will know, learn, and understand about the Word of God, and God’s plan for mankind. If we don’t know who Christ is, then our faith in God is suspect, because everything we have, and are as believers comes through Him. If we don’t understand who Christ is, then it makes understanding the Bible difficult, because there are things in scripture that we won’t be able to receive because we haven’t come to know Christ. Today, we will look at John 1:1, the beginning to the series, ”Jesus Christ: The Mystery Uncovered”.
”In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”
The word ”beginning” means ”commencement of all things”. We think if the word commencement, and some of us think of college graduation ceremonies, which signify the ”beginning to our entry into society”. In Genesis 1:1, the Bible says, ”In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” Where we come from is just as important as where we are going, and in fact, where we come from becomes the foundation for what we build upon it. ”Know thyself” is a powerful statement because if our foundation isn’t the Word of God then what we build on it won’t stand.
In 1 Corinthians 3:11, the Bible says, ”For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.” In construction, the foundation is the beginning of the structure, so is Jesus Christ that foundation we are to build our lives on, likewise Christ HAS to be the beginning. If God says in Exodus 20:3, ”Thou shalt have no other gods before me”, then why would God have us build on any other foundation but Him? Why would God have us declare anyone else but Him to be our beginning, especially one believed to come after Him?
In Proverbs 8:22-23, the Bible says, ”The LORD possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old. I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was.’‘ This part of Proverbs dealt with not only wisdom, but it also represented Christ being in existence since the beginning. To know Christ is to understand His beginning, and not only was Christ there from the beginning, but he was also there from everlasting, meaning Christ was there before time existed!
The word “Word” means “the Divine Expression”. This is speaking directly of Christ, so in the beginning, Christ was the Divine Expression of God. In Colossians 1:16-17, the Bible says, “For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.” All power and authority was established by Christ from the beginning, and He is also the mastermind of everything setting together perfectly.
In 1 John 1:1, the Apostle John goes further to write, this time from a deeper experience, “That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life”. The phrase ”have handled” means “to verify by contact”. This means it is time to not only know who the “Word of God” is, but it is time to experience the Word of God, as in Psalm 34:8, where it says, “O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.”
The word “God” here means “the Supreme Divinity”. Not only is Christ with God, but Christ is God. In Isaiah 9:6, the Bible says, ” For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, THE MIGHTY GOD, THE EVERLASTING FATHER, The Prince of Peace.” This was prophecy concerning Christ, and this establishes Christ as God some 700 years before Christ actually appeared in the flesh.
In Revelation 19:13, the Bible says, “And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.” Christ still iss the Word of God. From the beginning to the end, He never stopped being the Word of God.
In John 20:28-29, the Bible says, ”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.” Christ didn’t deny that He was indeed God to Thomas, which means that it must be true! Jesus Christ is God!
God Bless!
Marshall
Nov 29, 2021 – John 1:14 – Jesus Christ: The Mystery Uncovered Part 2 – and the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us
Hi Everyone!
Jesus Christ, the Word of God, the Word being with God, and the Word being God, became flesh and blood for us! God knew from the beginning that there would be no payment for our sin debt that we could offer up sufficient to pay the cost, so He arranged for us to experience salvation through the shed blood of Jesus Christ. In order for Christ to shed His blood for us, He had to be here on earth to do it. It also goes deeper than salvation, because Christ coming to the earth gave us the perfect example of how we are to live on this earth ourselves. Christ came and experienced this world on our level, so He can show His Church how to do the same thing, but He also can then serve as our Intercessor, able to identify with our struggles here on earth. This is all-compassing love, and it is something we have the privilege of walking in. Today, we are going to look at John 1:14, the power of the Word of God becoming flesh for us!
”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.”
The word “Word” means “the Divine Expression of God”, speaking of the pre-existent nature of Christ, that spiritual and divine nature spoken of in the Jewish writings before and about the time of Christ. The phrase “was made” means “became, came into physical existence, generated, and came to be”. In 2 Timothy 3:16, the Bible says, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness”. When the Word of God became flesh, He brought the divine living expression of doctrine, reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness in the earth. Christ showed us how it was done, how to live according to the Word of God.
The word “flesh” speaks of the incarnate human nature of Christ. This doesn’t carry the same meaning as “flesh”, the sinful nature that keeps us separate from God. In 1 Timothy 3:16, the Bible says, “And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.” The Bible is always going to confirm its truth in multiple verses , especially of Christ being God manifested in the flesh.
In John 14:9, in response to Philip asking Christ to show them the Father, the Bible says, “Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father?” Christ seems a little frustrated with Philip, because he walked with the Lord, heard His teaching, saw the miracles, but still didn’t connect the dots. That is an example of our having the truth right in our faces but still not seeing it clearly.
The word “dwelt” means “to encamp, to tent upon, to occupy, and to reside in and with.” Not only does God desire to live with us, but He wants to live in us. Imagine this along with me. God came down and took on flesh, just so He could reside in us, and then offer Himself up as the only perfect sacrifice so we could receive the Spirit of God, which dwells in us. He wants to live with us, live in us, and be a covering for us. In Psalm 91:1, the Bible says, “He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.” “The shadow” is a covering! In John 14:17, Christ says, “Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.” God’s precise purpose for Christ’s presence on earth was to be a conduit to produce God’s intended purpose for us as believers.
“(And we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father), full of grace and truth.”
The word “beheld” means ‘to perceive, or to look closely at”. The word “glory” refers to internal character: glorious moral attributes, excellence, infinite perfection, divine majesty, and holiness.” The phrase “only begotten of the Father” refers to Christ being the only one born of God. In Matthew 1:20-21, the Bible says, “But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the LORD appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.” To experience this is far better than just knowing it.
The word “grace” speaks of God’s divine influence, and the word “truth” speaks of God’s divine truth. Christ didn’t possess anything that wasn’t directly of God and the word “full” means “abounding or complete”.
There is no emptiness in Christ Jesus. His flesh was a shell for the fullness of God to dwell in Him!
God Bless!
Marshall
Nov 30, 2021 – John 3:31 – Jesus Christ: The Mystery Uncovered Part 3 – he that cometh from heaven is above all
Hi Everyone!
Jesus Christ came from heaven. That is His origin and He was there from the beginning. Because Christ came from above, the language He speaks, the things He does, the authority He walks in is the product of who He is and where He comes from. Christ is The King, and even though He lived in the earth, He knew who He was and where He came from. Our Church suffers from identity issues, because we have the Word of God declaring who we are and where we came from, yet we walk as if we are still of the earth, like we aren’t royalty. Jesus Christ wasn’t just some man who walked the earth and did some cool stuff while He was here. Jesus Christ came from Heaven on a Godly mission to save the world from sin and redeem the lost who have faith in Him. Because of where He comes from and the authority He walks in, we have a sure guide into the kingdom of God! Today we will look at John 3:31, where our Christ comes from.
”He that cometh from above is above all: he that is of the earth is earthly, and speaketh of the earth: he that cometh from heaven is above all.”
The word “above” actually means “from the first, or from the beginning”. John the Baptist is attesting that Jesus Christ, the Person, and His ministry is paving the way for is from the beginning, so to come “from above” is to “come from the beginning.” In Revelation 1:8, Christ says out of His own mouth, “I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.” Jesus Christ is the first and the last word!
The second word “above” pertains to the authority Christ has in and over the earth, and if He is “above all” that means His authority is The Authority. In Matthew 28:18, the Bible says, “And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, ALL POWER is given unto me in heaven and in earth.” Not ‘some’ power, but Christ has ‘all’ power, so the Word of the Lord is the final word. How many people in the Church believe this in theory, but not in faith?
In John 1:13, the Bible says, “Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.” Christ was born of God, as the only begotten of the Father, He stands alone in power and majesty. Even John the Baptist knew Christ’s place in the kingdom, because in John 1:15, he said, “John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was before me.” To “bear witness” means to “give testimony concerning Christ”. John the Baptist experienced Christ to give testimony of who He is and where He came from, and we must do the same thing! John the Baptist was ‘older’ than Christ, in earth terms, but he says that Christ was before Him, and has a higher rank than him. Christ speaks of John the Baptist in Matthew 11:11, saying, “Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.” Christ says that John the Baptist was the greatest on earth, but the person that is on the lowest peg in the kingdom of God is greater than him. If Christ came from the earth, His authority would only go so far, but because He is God and came from heaven, there is no limit to the extent of his power!
“he that is of the earth is earthly, and speaketh of the earth.”
The word “earth” means “of human nature and birth, pertaining to worldly things.” The word “earthly” means “worldly, according to the flesh”. In Romans 8:7-8, the Bible says, “Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.” The person that lives according to the flesh is only living to do what pleases themslves. This person is going to always be in contention with the things of God, never being able to be in God’s will.
In John 8:29, Christ says, “And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him.” Even though Christ came to earth, He never lost sight of who He is, and He never stopped being God.
In Matthew 12:34, Christ says, “O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.” We are going to speak from the nature at work within us, and Christ spoke the refreshing Word of God. If you want to know what a person’s nature is, listen to the place their conversation comes from!
The word “heaven” speaks of the upper and superior heaven, the abode of God and His glory, of the Messiah, of angels, everything said to be of God. In John 6:33, the Christ says, “For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world.”
Christ came down from heaven to give us eternal life through Him. He left the place of eternal life to bring this beautiful life to us on earth, and because of it, He is THE AUTHORITY above all!
God Bless!
Marshall
Dec 1, 2021 – Ephesians 1:21 – Jesus Christ: The Mystery Uncovered Part 4 – far above all
Hi Everyone!
Christ is the most powerful Person in the world. No one has ever come to this earth as God robed in flesh, and no one has ever been the full atoning sacrifice for the entire world. In our world we have governments, presidents, kings, heads of states, but none of their power will ever be able to come anywhere close to matching the power of our Lord Jesus Christ. In order to fully believe in Christ’s ability to do what His Word says, we must believe that He has the power to do it. We have to understand that all of the world’s power comes from Him, and He allows power and dominion to be in place. There are many that has professed to have power, and have been sent crumbling down, because there is only one God and our God’s is supreme. Today, we are going to look at Ephesians 1:21, the supreme power of Christ.
”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:”
The word ”above” is a word of precedence, assuring us that not only is Christ the authority, but His authority was before anything else that was set in place. The word above here not only signifies rank, but it also signifies authority. In Philippians 2:10-11, the Bible says, ”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.”
The word ”Lord” means ”Supreme in Authority, Controller”. This means that the President of the United States, the Queen of England, or the Prime Minister of Canada does not have any control over the Lord Jesus Christ. The word ”principality” means ”rule, or magistrate”. The word ”power” means ”ability or authority”. In Romans 13:1-2, the Bible says, ”Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.” We are to be subject to the higher powers; our pastors and elders, our government leaders, our bosses, and any other people God put in authority over us. At the same time, our leaders are supposed to submit to Christ as Lord and attribute their authority to Him.
There are real problems for our leaders and our people when Christ isn’t Lord to them. In Daniel 2:37, the Bible says, ”Thou, O king, art a king of kings: for the God of heaven hath given thee a kingdom, power, and strength, and glory.” The authority of King Nebuchadnezzar was GIVEN to him by God. He was just fine as long as King Nebuchadnezzar gave the glory to God as he did in Daniel 2:47, by saying, ”The king answered unto Daniel, and said, Of a truth it is, that your God is a God of gods, and a Lord of kings, and a revealer of secrets, seeing thou couldest reveal this secret,”.
Things vastly changed for him in Daniel 4:30-31, when the Bible says, ”The king spake, and said, Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for the house of the kingdom by the might of my power, and for the honour of my majesty? While the word was in the king’s mouth, there fell a voice from heaven, saying, O king Nebuchadnezzar, to thee it is spoken; The kingdom is departed from thee.” When Nebuchadnezzar gave himself the glory instead of God, he lost everything God gave him, including his mind!
The word ”might” means ”power resulting from outside forces”. The word ”dominion” means ”government or rulers”. In Colossians 2:15, the Bible says, ”And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.” This means that Christ has dismantled all of the world’s powers from the Cross, and has shown the whole world who is really in charge.
The word ”name” is used to imply character, dignity, referring to an honorable appellation, or title. In Acts 4:12, the Bible says, ”Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” The power is in the name of Jesus Christ, not in the titles that man gives to express authority. No matter how far we rise up the pecking order in this world, we must someday answer to Christ.
”Not only in this world, but also in that which is to come.”
The word ”world” not only speaks of the earth, but it really means ”age or period of time”. In Hebrews 2:8, the Bible says, ”Thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet. For in that he put all in subjection under him, he left nothing that is not put under him. But now we see not yet all things put under him.” We still don’t have any idea just how far the authority of Christ goes. We can’t see far enough or think long enough to begin to grasp how powerful our Lord is!
God Bless!
Marshall
Dec 2, 2021 – Ephesians 1:22 – Jesus Christ: The Mystery Uncovered Part 5 – and hath put all things under his feet
Hi Everyone!
Christ is the Head of the church. It is by faith in Him that we receive salvation, receiving grace through faith in His name. Christ did it all so we can have the privilege of eternal life and also in walking in divine authority and power. Christ doesn’t rule to control us, but He rules to liberate us of everything that has hindered us from living the most amazing life we can live in Christ. When Christ is Head in our lives, the Holy Spirit has room to move unrestricted through us, causing us to move in the same miraculous power that Christ did. When Christ is the Head, we can fulfill what God desired for us since creation, to walk in dominion in power. So many people in the Church don’t have victory because we haven’t placed ourselves in subjection to Christ, giveing us access to the only Person on earth who has triumphed over everything in the earth, including death. Today, we will look at Ephesians 1:22, looking to our Great Head of the Church, Jesus Christ.
”And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church”
The phrase “hath put” means “make subject to, to subordinate, to bring all things under the rule of”. In Psalm 8:6, the Bible says, “Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet”. Christ, the Head of the Church has authority over us, and also has authority over what we do as well. This is why obedience is so important, because if we aren’t operating in obedience to God, then we are telling Christ, by our actions, that he is not the Head of the Church.
In Luke 6:46, Christ says, “And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?” Christ isn’t looking for a Church who says that He is Lord, but then lives in complete disobedience to His Word, when it would highly benefit them to listen? There are many in the Church that rob themselves of the blessings of God because they won’t bring themselves under subjection to Christ. In 1 Corinthians 15:27, the Bible says, “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.” Until Christ is in full control of all things in our lives, our persons, our relationships, our finances, our minds, our hearts, and our purpose, we will never grow into the people God has created us to be. Christ isn’t the Head of our lives to be some domineering figure in our lives, nor is he trying to be our slave driver.
In Romans 8:17, the Bible says, “And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.” See, when we are obedient to the reign of Christ in our lives, we will learn kingdom principles that will ultimately make us kings and priests, able to reign with Christ in heaven, but it also gives us the ability to be an heir of God together with Christ to bring the things from heaven to earth. Christ is in authority so He can teach us, by the Holy Spirit, how to operate in heavenly dominion on earth!
“and gave him to be the head over all things to the church”
The word “head” means “chief, spoken of Christ in relation to His Church which is His body, and its members are His members.” In Matthew 28:18, the Bible says, “And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.” Christ walked in the power of God on earth, but on earth, He was always subject to the Father, living His life in every way to please God. Christ answered to God while on earth, but when He ascended to the Father, the power He has always had returned back to Him, being fully God now again, not subject to the robing of flesh anymore.
In 1 Corinthians 15:28, the Bible says, “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.” Christ shows us how to be subject unto God, and also shows us how to be subject to Him in the process. Because Christ and the Father are one, our obedience ensures that God can reign freely reign through us.
In Ephesians 4:15-16, the Bible says, “But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.” Who would’ve thought that our individual obedience to God would ensure that the whole body moves, grows, and builds like a well-oiled machine? It is bigger than just us! Our obedience affects the whole Church, the same way Christ’s obedience on the cross affected the whole Church! His obedience and Headship is the reason we have the Church today.
God Bless!
Marshall
Dec 3, 2021 – Nehemiah 9:6 – Jesus Christ: The Mystery Uncovered Part 6 – Thou, even thou, art LORD alone
Hi Everyone!
Jesus Christ is not only the Lord of salvation, but He is also Lord of creation. Remember, Christ is the Word, being with God in the beginning, and being God in the beginning as well. The wonders of this beautiful world are the result of His creative power, with all things being created by Him and for Him. What Christ has done both since creation all the way through salvation sets Him completely apart from anyone and anything in the earth. Because Christ is the Word and is indeed God, and He is responsible for creation, He will sustain everything He has created. In doing this, the world will have a front row seat to the power and majesty of Christ, which compels our worship. Does Christ have our worship for all He has done? Today, we will look at Nehemiah 9:6, the creative power of Christ.
”Thou, even thou, art LORD alone; thou hast made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth, and all things that are therein, the seas, and all that is therein, and thou preservest them all; and the host of heaven worshippeth thee.”
The word Lord means ”Supreme in authority, Controller”. The word ”alone” means ”separately, apart, or chief”. Christ stands out by just being who He is, because who He is displays the difference between the Spirit and the flesh. Despite being created for God to work effectively through us, we can’t be the shining symbol of God’s creation if we look no different from the world around us.
In 2 Kings 19:15, the Bible says, ”And Hezekiah prayed before the LORD, and said, O LORD God of Israel, which dwellest between the cherubims, thou art the God, even thou alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth; thou hast made heaven and earth.” The phrase ”hast made” means ”to accomplish, to fulfill, to bring to pass”. The word ”heaven” means ”the sky”. But it goes deeper. Christ has also made the ”heaven of heavens”, which is the abode of God, the place where God and the heavenly host reside, the place where our heavenly blessings come from.
The word “hosts” speaks of a mass of people forming into an army of the Lord, built and established for his use. In 2 Kings 19:19, the Bible says, ”Now therefore, O LORD our God, I beseech thee, save thou us out of his hand, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that thou art the LORD God, even thou only.” It is one thing to know that Christ is God alone, but it takes on a quite different form when we experience the deliverance that only Christ can give, to know by experience that Christ stands alone!
”The earth, and all things that are therein, the seas, and all that is therein”
The word ”earth” means ”the land under God’s authority”. In Genesis 1:1, the Bible says, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” God knew when He created the world that there would come a point where heaven and earth would need to be separate, so He could stand separate from a world of sin. In Deuteronomy 10:14-15, the Bible says, “Behold, the heaven and the heaven of heavens is the LORD’s thy God, the earth also, with all that therein is. Only the LORD had a delight in thy fathers to love them, and he chose their seed after them, even you above all people, as it is this day.” See, God created this world for us to not only live in, but to stand out in as well.
In 1 Corinthians 8:6, the Bible says, “But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.” Creation was set in place for man to become one with God in Christ, thus being one with God Himself.
“And thou preservest them all; and the host of heaven worshippeth thee”
The word “preservest” means “to revive, to keep alive, in a sense of flourishing”. In Proverbs 2:8-9. the Bible says, “He keepeth the paths of judgment, and preserveth the way of his saints. Then shalt thou understand righteousness, and judgment, and equity; yea, every good path.” We are sustained by Christ to understand Godliness in every aspect, so that we can put our full trust in Him to provide all we need to live as He created us to live.
The word “worshippeth” means “to depress, to prostrate oneself, bow down, or to do reverence. In Psalm 86:8-9, the Bible says, “Among the gods there is none like unto thee, O Lord; neither are there any works like unto thy works. All nations whom thou hast made shall come and worship before thee, O Lord; and shall glorify thy name.”
When we can understand Christ as Creator as well, it should add a whole different aspect to our worship, because He not only made us, but He saved us to experience and unbreakable relationship with Him, one where we will worship Him in spirit and in truth.
God Bless!
Marshall
Dec 4, 2021 – Isaiah 7:14 – Jesus Christ: The Mystery Uncovered Part 7 – and shall call his name Immanuel
Hi Everyone!
There is power in our names. Our names declare what we will ultimately become, so it is expressly important to seek God’s perspective on what we should name our children. Also, it is just as important as believers that we name ourselves correctly, declaring ourselves to be the children of God, the redeemed of the Lord, the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus. God ensured that when Christ was sent, His name would already be established to confirm His identity and His role in the earth. With the name of Jesus came the answer to the burning question, ”Is Jesus Christ God?”’, to which we can answer boldly, ”Yes He is!” When God makes a declaration in a name, it will be exactly as He ordains it. Since creation, a name was powerful, and in the name of Jesus Christ we have salvation and eternal life by faith in His name. Today, we are going to look at Isaiah 7:14, the precious name of Jesus Christ.
”Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.”
The context of this passage is important. The Lord spoke to King Ahaz, and told him to ask of God for a sign from God. Basically, God is telling Ahaz, ”Let me show you that it is really ME talking to you, that I AM who I say I AM”. Whenever God is the one desiring to send us a sign and not us looking for a sign, then God really wants to show us something important!! The word ”sign” means ”evidence, miracle, token, or signal”, all of which carry immense value when it comes from God. In Luke 2:12-14, the Bible says, ”And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” God sent the angel to appear to the shepherds, people you don’t really hear about being a part of the congregation, because their profession typically made them ceremonially unclean. Imagine God opening up heaven to the shepherds, allowing them to see this heavenly miraculous sign, but according to ”religion”, they were unqualified to be in God’s presence. Isn’t this a picture of salvation; unclean people, having no place to experience the presence of God, yet He does it anyway, opening up heaven to people society may feel don’t deserve it?
The shepherds went to experience the Word of God, and in Luke 2:17-18, the Bible says, ”And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.” God chose the people disqualified from attending church to be His ministers, proclaiming the birth of Christ everywhere they went! Never say what you are too unclean for, because all you need is a word from God and a sign from Him and He will build a ministry in you. This all came from a sign!!!
The word ”virgin” here refers to a woman who has not had any sexual relations with a man. The virgin spoken of here is Mary, as confirmed by Luke 1:34-35, which says, ”Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.’‘ Everything about Christ’s arrival on earth brought the supernatural into the earth, and she was impregnated by the Holy Spirit of God! The word ”conceive” means ”to be pregnant, or to be with child”. The word ”bear” refers to the delivery of a baby. I love how precise God’s word is because God knows our name, our sex, and our purpose before we come to the world. Remember, Isaiah wrote this prophecy some 700 years before Christ’s arrival.
The phrase ”shall call” is really an instruction for us ”to pronounce, or to address by name”. In Genesis 2:19-20, the Bible says, ”And out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field, and every fowl of the air; and brought them unto Adam to see what he would call them: and whatsoever Adam called every living creature, that was the name thereof.” God gave Adam the authority to name every living creature and those names haven’t changed. God gives us our names and with our names, come our roles.
In Matthew 1:23, the Bible says, ”Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.’‘ This name came straight from God himself! This passage is the impending fulfillment of the prophecy initially spoken to King Ahaz in Isaiah. Whatever God declares it to be, it is, and when Christ was named Immanuel, it established that Christ is definitely God!!
God Bless!
Marshall
Dec 5, 2021 – John 5:43 – Jesus Christ: The Mystery Uncovered Part 8 – I am come in my Father’s name
Hi Everyone!
The authority a person has also reveals the extent of their power. When ambassadors go to different countries, the fully represent their home country and are so acknowledged in the country they are entering. The goal of ambassadorship is to bring the value of the home country to the visiting country, to form a partnership, so the visiting country can also receive the benefit of the home country. Jesus Christ came from heaven to earth to serve as an Ambassador of God, representing the interests of heaven and also bringing the power of heaven to earth. The goal is to re-establish the partnership between us and God, so we can become one country, one breath, one power. God wants the same for us. Today, we will look at John 5:43, coming in the name of God.
”I am come in my Father’s name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive.”
The word ”come” means ”to appear, to enter into, or to exist”. The word ”name” means ”authority or character”. To come in God’s name means to represent Him in every aspect of our lives, but He didn’t only desire that Christ represented Him. He wants us to represent Him as well. In Genesis 1:26, the Bible says, ”And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.” God wanted a direct representation of Him in the earth, to reflect His image, but also to move in His authority. Remember, in Genesis 2:19, the Bible says, ”And out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field, and every fowl of the air; and brought them unto Adam to see what he would call them: and whatsoever Adam called every living creature, that was the name thereof.” God provided Adam with ways to exercise his God given authority, the same way He does with us.
In Proverbs 13:17, the Bible says, ”A wicked messenger falleth into mischief: but a faithful ambassador is health.” Christ came to restore our spiritual health by re-establishing our relationship with God. In 2 Corinthians 5:19-20, the Bible says, ”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.” Ambassadorship was so there could be a final reconciliation between us and God through salvation by faith in Jesus Christ. Not only do we partake in God’s authority, but we partake in His grace as well.
In John 7:28-29, the Bible says, ”Then cried Jesus in the temple as he taught, saying, Ye both know me, and ye know whence I am: and I am not come of myself, but he that sent me is true, whom ye know not. But I know him: for I am from him, and he hath sent me.’‘ See, even though Christ was God robed in flesh, and possessed the authority of God in the earth, He never once forgot where He came from and Whose interests He was serving on earth. This is why the servant of God must not grow conceited, but remain humble, understanding that we are only sent, not the Sender!
In John 16:28, Christ says, ”I came forth from the Father, and am come into the world: again, I leave the world, and go to the Father.” Our jobs on earth are simple: come, fulfill God’s Word and purpose over our lives, and leave the earth to be joined with the Father. Christ didn’t come for His own glory, but to glorify God by His life and by His death.
The word ”receive” means ”to take hold of, to seize with force”, but it also means simply, ”to believe as true”.
In Matthew 24:4-5, Christ says, ”And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.” The fact that Christ us telling them to not be deceived shows that He knew people would be deceived. In John 1:11-12, the Bible says, ”He came unto his own, and his own received him not. 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”. When we receive the Lord Jesus, when we believe His testimony to be true, and when we accept Him as first Lord, then Savior, we have the privilege to be called the children of God.
In 2 Timothy 4:4, the Bible says, ”And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.” The world is being deceived into not believing in God, and we have immeasurable problems because of it. Christ came in the Father’s name so that by faith in His name, we can have salvation for our souls and the gift of eternal life.
Whose name do we come in?
God Bless!
Marshall
Dec 6, 2021 – Philippians 2:9 – Jesus Christ: The Mystery Uncovered Part 9 – and given him a name which is above every name
Hi Everyone!
The power of Jesus Christ is the power of God, and because of Christ’s victory over the world, over His triumph over death and sin, His has a name that is above every name. Because Christ gave up the fullness of the Deity to take on flesh, humbling Himself to the Word of God, He was able to bring the kingdom to earth. The only reason we have access to salvation, eternal life, and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit is because of the humility of Jesus Christ. How many doors will open to us when we humble ourselves before God? How many doors close when we are not humble, when we exalt ourselves, when we lift ourselves up above others because of where we stand in the faith? Our greatest example is Christ, who could’ve come to earth to reign, but instead, came to earth to serve and became greater than all of us. Today, we will look at Philippians 2:9, the Name above all Names.
”Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name”
The word “exalted” means “elevated above others, to raise to the highest position”. It didn’t say “a higher position”, but it said “the highest position”. This means nothing and no one is above Christ. In Luke 1:32-33, the Bible says, “He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.” Not only is Jesus Christ named as the Son of the highest, but it also says that His reign won’t end. There has never been a king on earth whose reign hasn’t ended, and many times, it ended before the king died! We serve a King that will never lose His throne.
In Hebrews 7:25-26, the Bible says, “Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens.” Because His reign won’t ever end, the provisions of his reign are still available to us to this day! Jesus Christ is able to save us to “the uttermost” so this means the person who is furthest from the kingdom of God can still be reached in order for Christ to save them! How many people have we discounted as being incorrigible, giving up on them before the Lord was able to change their hearts, turning them into children of God?
Notice something here. Christ never exalted Himself even though He had every right to. In Matthew 23:11-12, Christ says, “But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant. And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.” Christ is showing us a system that is the complete opposite of how the world works. The greatest people in the kingdom are the greatest servants, people who make themselves available to God to use as He sees fit. We live in a world where families are broken severely due to power struggles, where governments crumble because it’s leadership won’t humble themselves as servants under God.
In Acts 2:33, the Bible says, “Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear.” Christ knew His power came from God to do what He was to be done in the earth, and he was in full submission to the power, authority, and purpose of God.. The Word of God was the only priority for Christ, a perfect example of how we must be in the earth as well. When we are humble, we empty our vessels out in order to be filled by the Holy Spirit.
In John 5:19-20, Christ says, “Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise. For the Father loveth the Son, and sheweth him all things that himself doeth: and he will shew him greater works than these, that ye may marvel.” Christ showed us that everything He had came from God, and if anyone marvels, then it is God that gets the glory!
The word “given” means “to grant as a favor, or by favor something freely given”. The word “name” implies authority or character, it is also used to imply dignity, an honorable appellation or title.” In Hebrews 1:3-4, the Bible says, “Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high: Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.”
Christ used everything in His life, everything God gave Him, to uphold God’s Word and power, to live in full obedience to God as a humble servant, instead of a King! now He IS the King of KIngs!
God Bless!
Marshall
Dec 7, 2021 – Jeremiah 23:5 – Jesus Christ: The Mystery Uncovered Part 10 – execute judgment and justice in the earth
Hi Everyone!
Since creation, God has already established Christ’s presence in the earth. God has been setting His purpose in order, all to bring Christ to the earth. It shouldn’t surprise anyone that Christ comes from the lineage of kings, especially with Him being the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. No matter what has happened over history since creation, God has ordained event after event to transpire, only to guide us forward into His plan for our lives. There have been imprisonments, slavery, wilderness, whole generations of unfaithful people dead, kingdoms overthrown and regained, and overthrown again, but nothing has stopped the prophecy of Christ from coming to pass. Today, we will look at yet another piece of evidence of Christ’s role in the earth in Jeremiah 23:5, Christ, the Righteous Branch.
”Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth.”
The word “behold” implies that we fix our attention upon what is being revealed, whether it’s shown by the Word of God, or whether it’s manifested in the physical. There is importance behind the word “behold”, because God really wants us to understand where He is coming from. In Malachi 3:1, the Bible says, “BEHOLD, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the LORD, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the LORD of hosts.” God has been preparing the way for Christ long before He physically arrived, because God desires us to be ready to receive Him.
In Matthew 21:37-38, Christ spoke of Himself by saying, “But last of all he sent unto them his son, saying, They will reverence my son. But when the husbandmen saw the son, they said among themselves, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and let us seize on his inheritance.” God sent so many people ahead of Christ to speak of His coming which is more evidence that God has been paving the way for Christ since the beginning.
The word “raise” means “to ordain, to establish, or to set in place”. The word “righteous” means “just or lawful because of conformity to the standard of God.” In John 4:34, the Bible says, “Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.” To compare the work and will of the Lord to food is to suggest that it is necessary for survival! Is doing the will of God a necessity for us to survive?
The word “Branch” means “sprout or shoot”, speaking of offspring or a descendant. The fact that the word “Branch” is capitalized lets us know that the Word of God is speaking of Christ. In Isaiah 11:1-2, the Bible says, “And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots: And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD.” Christ came from the line of David, who was Jesse’s son, and once again, the Branch here speaks of Christ. A “rod” is typically a tool for correction of sheep, and this verse also shows that the Holy Spirit will rest on Christ, allowing Him to possess wisdom, understanding, counsel, might, knowledge and the fear of the Lord.
“And a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgement and justice in the earth.”
The word “reign” means “to ascend the throne” The word “prosper” means “to make or act circumspectly or intelligently, to act with insight”. Immediately, when most people think of the word “prosper”, they shift towards finances, but this is true prosperity; to know the Lord, to serve Him, to receive of His Spirit the things we need to succeed in our faith.
There was a time and place for Christ to reign on earth, but it wasn’t when He came to the earth. In John 6:15, the Bible says, “When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take him by force, to make him a king, he departed again into a mountain himself alone.” Christ knew this was His time to serve, not to reign, which is why He wouldn’t allow them to make Him a king. The word “judgement’ means a formal decree or verdict”. The word “justice” means “blameless conduct or integrity”. This verse is not only stating that Christ would come, but it is expressing what would happen when He left the earth!
In Revelation 15:3, the Bible says, “And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints.”
When Christ ascended to the Father, He also ascended back to the throne, and that is where He reigns and from there will judge the earth. Who would’ve thought that this one verse of prophecy established Christ to the end times?
God Bless!
Marshall
Dec 8, 2021 – Isaiah 8:14 – Jesus Christ: The Mystery Uncovered Part 11 – and he shall be for a sanctuary
Hi Everyone!
Christ has many roles in a believer’s life. Christ is always a place of refuge for us to have shelter, protection and rest, and from this amazing blessing, we can have confidence in God that what we need from God, He will provide. In addition to being a refuge, Christ will also become a stumbing block to any who are disobedient to God. Ever wonder why we didn’t become the ”successful sinners” that we may have hoped we would be? It was because we belong to God and He has an incredible purpose for our lives in Him, so He will let us fall when we live in disobedience. Sometimes, allowing us to trip and fall is the only thing that will keep us from falling off of the edge! Christ doesn’t love to punish us, and in fact, Christ did not come for us to experience condemnation. Correction? Yes! Condemnation? No way! Today, we will look at Isaiah 8:14, the sanctuary and the stumbling block of Christ.
”And he shall be for a sanctuary; but for a stone of stumbling and for a rock of offence to both the houses of Israel, for a gin and for a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem.”
The word “sanctuary” means “a place of refuge, a consecrated thing or place, an asylum or holy place”. In Psalm 91:1-2, the Bible says, “He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.” God is truly a refuge for us, a resting place for His children to be whole and protected.
In Proverb 18:10, the Bible says, “The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.” Running to the strong tower implies importance and urgency, an assurance that where we are running to is a place of safety. Are we confident in Christ to be this strong tower in our lives, or has He become a story at Christmas and Easter?
In Isaiah 4:5-6, the Bible says, “And the LORD will create upon every dwelling place of mount Zion, and upon her assemblies, a cloud and smoke by day, and the shining of a flaming fire by night: for upon all the glory shall be a defence. And there shall be a tabernacle for a shadow in the day time from the heat, and for a place of refuge, and for a covert from storm and from rain.” God is going to protect His glory, because His protection preserves us for a mighty work in God, that will ultimately bring glory to His name. Christ is this sanctuary for us, this beautiful shelter sent especially for us! He not only protects us, but He saves us from the penalty of death for our sin.
In Isaiah 25:3-4, the Bible says, “Therefore shall the strong people glorify thee, the city of the terrible nations shall fear thee. For thou hast been a strength to the poor, a strength to the needy in his distress, a refuge from the storm, a shadow from the heat, when the blast of the terrible ones is as a storm against the wall.” God deserves our glory for sending us Christ to fill every gap we have, for covering us from fear and torment, and for protecting us from the storms that come. Christ is true sanctuary for anyone who believes in His name.
“but for a stone of stumbling, and for a rock of offense to both the houses of Israel for a gin and for a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem”
The phrase “stone of stumbling” refers to a “built stone to inflict, smite or strike.” The phrase “rock of offense” implies an obstacle designed for one to trip over. In Psalm 23:4, the Bible says, “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy ROD and thy STAFF they comfort me.” The rod is for correction, and the staff is for direction.
In Romans 9:32-33, the Bible says, “Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone; As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.” When we don’t move by the Word of God in obedience, when we don’t operate in faith, when we don’t trust in the salvation of Christ, we are certain to stumble and fall.
The word “gin” means “a bird trap or spring net”. The word “snare” is also a trapping tool like a noose or a bait hook. In Proverbs 12:13, the Bible says, “The wicked is snared by the transgression of his lips: but the just shall come out of trouble.” Christ being a stumbling stone for us isn’t meant for our fall to be permanent, but it is meant for us to learn from it and pursue righteous and obedience to God.
In Luke 2:34, the Bible says, “And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against”. Our fall is only meant for us to rise again victorious as the children of God, saved by the Lord Jesus Christ!
God Bless!
Marshall
Dec 9, 2021 – Galatians 4:4 – Jesus Christ: The Mystery Uncovered Part 12 – God sent forth his Son
Hi Everyone!
God’s timetable is absolutely perfect. Sometimes, we feel like God is moving way too slow as we wait on our promises to materialize into reality, but when they arrive, we then understand that it couldn’t have come at a better time or with more perfect timing. God sent Christ the same way at the perfect time, when the disciples were ready for Him, when the Jews were in full rejection of Him, and He caused this perfect time to produce the atmosphere for the perfect sacrifice to live, die, and be resurrected, ascending back to the Father. There is no accident in God’s plan and nothing is ever a surprise to God. Usually, God allows everything to fall into place before He sends His Promise, and in this case, the Promised Messiah, the hope of nations, the Savior of the whole world. God did it this way, because He was only going to do this once! Today we will look at Galatians 4:4, the Anointed One of God, sent to the perfect place at the perfect time.
”But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law”.
The phrase ”fulness of the time” means ”the completion or fulfillment of an era or season.” The word ”come” means ”to arrive or appear, to be made public”. In the Habakkuk 2:3, the Bible says, ”For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.” There is always an appointed time for the things, people, purposes, Word and vision of God to appear.
Think about the word ”appoint”. When we have an appointment, it is a preset time to arrive somewhere, and in the kingdom of God, Christ had an appointment, an appointed time to appear on earth in the flesh. In Daniel 9:24-25, the Bible says, ”Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy. Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times.’‘
This prophecy is speaking of the the time period leading into the triumphal entry of Christ, where He will ultimately be the perfect atoning sacrifice for sin. God had every precise detail taken care of, including the right leadership in place, that would not receive Christ as a baby, but target him so severely that his parents would have to flee to Egypt to avoid his death! Then, in Matthew 2:14-15, the Bible says, ”When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt: And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son.’‘ Every moment of Christ life on earth was appointed by God, to preserve Him for His mission.
”God sent forth His Son”
The word ”sent” means ”to despatch”. Almost every country in the world has some kind of emergency service, where when someone calls help is despatched. The world was in dire trouble, and God despatched Christ!
Now for the people who believe that Christ’s life began in Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, I have news for you. In John 8:57-58, the Bible says, ”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.” Christ was here before and because He is God robed in flesh, He always was!
In Genesis 49:10, the Bible says, ”The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be.” Shiloh speaks of the Messiah, Jesus Christ. If Christ is coming, then that means that He is here already, ready to be despatched!
”Made of a woman, made under the Law”
The word ”made” means ”to come into being”. In Matthew 1:23, the Bible says, ”Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.” God sent Christ into the world, and used Mary to give birth to Christ, to bring His purpose to pass.
The word ”Law” speaks of the Mosaic Law, the rules the Jews were governed under at that time. In Matthew 5:17, Christ says, ”Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.” If Christ came to fulfill the Law, then that means He came to follow the Law to the letter. Christ was despatched to the earth to experience life under the law, but without sin! Our Christ has triumphed in life and death!
God Bless!
Marshall
Dec 10, 2021 – Galatians 4:5 – Jesus Christ: The Mystery Uncovered Part 13 – to redeem them that were under the law
Hi Everyone!
Adoption is an act of love and compassion, where a person or a couple takes in a child, and raises them as their own. The child has all of the same rights as a child naturally born to the parents, and odds are, will go on to bear the attributes of the parents as well. Christ wasn’t sent just to save the world from their sins, but He was sent so that we can, through salvation, experience the adoption into the family of God by faith in Jesus Christ. God not only desires to take a mop and clean up our failures, but He desires for us to be the children of God, operating in the fullness of the Spirit that He places inside each of us. This adoption comes by redemption, and redemption is the result of an investment of love into us at a time where we don’t deserve God’s love. Today, we will look at Galatians 4:5, the redemption and adoption of God’s children by the precious blood of Jesus Christ.
”To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.”
The word ”redeem” means ”to purchase out, to buy up from the possession or power of someone, to set free from the service or bondage of.” Our sin made us slaves and prisoners to sin, but our Redeemer lives! In Matthew 20:28, Christ says, ”Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.” Christ had every right to come to earth and be served by the world. He is God robed in flesh! Christ forsook His rightful ability to reign in order to minister to us, to give us the truth of the Word of God, and give His life to buy us back from the bondage from sin and the penalty of death.
In Galatians 3:13-14, the Bible says, ”Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.’‘ In order for Christ to redeem us, He had to take our place, becoming a curse for us, so the punishment we so freely deserved would pass away. Christ also redeemed us in order to give the Gentiles the same right to the promise of Abraham as the Jews had, but only by faith in Jesus Christ. How can we ever activate a promise by God when we don’t believe in the Activator of the promise?
The phrase ”under the law” implies that one is subject to Mosaic law. In Galatians 3:23, the Bible says, ”But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.’‘ The law was what governed our lives before Christ came to establish faith in Him as the redemption from the curse of the law. In Romans 8:2-3, the Bible says, ”For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh”. Christ not only came to save us, to redeem us, but He came to condemn sin in our flesh. Condemning something suggests that you declare them subject to ruin or death. Titus 2:13-14 says, ”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.” When Christ came to the earth, He came to remove the curse of the law, and redeem us so we could be a unique possession of God, on fire to do His will.
Remember, adopted children have the same rights as naturally born children, so we have access to walk in the same power Christ did on the earth because in John 14:12, Christ says out of His own mouth, ”Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.’‘ Our faith in Jesus Christ, in the Word of God, and in the authority God has given us as the children of God gives us the ability to walk in the Holy Spirit’s power in the earth.
The word ”receive” means ”to take in full”. The phrase ”adoption of sons” means ”the placing as a child of God by faith in Jesus Christ”. In Romans 8:15-17, the Bible says, ”For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.” We are heirs through the death of Christ, and we experience the spirit of adoption through faith in His name. It is only by faith in Jesus Christ will that we ever be the children of God, redeemed and adopted in Him.
God Bless!
Marshall
Dec 11, 2021 – John 6:38 – Jesus Christ: The Mystery Uncovered Part 14 – I came down from heaven
Hi Everyone!
Do we live our lives to do God’s will on the earth? Are our lives Christ-centered, and is our mission in life to fulfill the purpose God has for our lives? Jesus Christ, the Author and Finisher of our faith, came to earth for our purpose and one purpose only: to do what God has called Him to do. How many of our lives become entangled in the pursuit of our own ambitions, in our own desire to do the things which bring us pleasure. Christ is not only Lord and Savior, but He came to also be an example of how our faith is to be lived out on earth. Christ showed us that we have to die to self, and declare the Word of God to be the only truth we receive into our spirits. When we become a people of God who live our lives completely for Him, according to His will, we will have access to the abundant lives that His Word promises up. Today, we will look at John 6:38, the obedience of Christ to the will of God.
”For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.”
For Christ to say I “came down”, is further evidence of His existence before His physical arrival on the earth. In Colossians 1:17, the Bible says, “And He is before all things, and by him all things consist.” Christ was present from the beginning and is still present now. As we have mentioned in this study so far, Christ was “despatched” to earth from heaven. In John 3:12-13, Christ says, “If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things? And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.” We need to receive the things of God from a spiritual perspective, and for us to do that, we must have the Holy Spirit teaching and guiding us into all truth. Who came down from heaven? Jesus Christ. Who ascended back unto the Father and is seated at the right hand of God? Jesus Christ. The word “heaven” speaks of the upper or superior heaven, beyond the visible firmament, the abode of God and His glory, of the Messiah, of the angels, the spirits of the righteous after death, and everything said to be with God. Christ didn’t come from some place on earth. He came from heaven to share an existence with us on earth!
In the Lord’s prayer in Matthew 6:9-10, Christ instructs the disciples on how to pray by saying, “After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.” This is very important to this study; because Christ is identifying God as being in heaven, identifying God as being holy, He’s asking for the kingdom of God to come to earth, and also is submitting to God’s will on earth the same way it is in heaven. Christ came down from heaven to do the will of God, and God’s will is for the kingdom of heaven to come to earth for us to live and experience! Christ is not only the Mediator of the New Covenant, but He is the gateway to the kingdom of God!
In John 4:34, the Bible says, “Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.” Food is necessary for survival, so doing the will of God was necessary for Christ’s survival. When will the will of God become so necessary that our survival depends upon our doing the will of God? Christ came to bring the kingdom of God to us, and we should live to bring the kingdom of God to others. God desires fellowship with His creation and when we don’t do our part, we break fellowship not only for ourselves, but also for the people who God wants to be reached.
The word “will” means “purpose, or pleasure”. In Job 23:11-12, the Bible says, “My foot hath held his steps, his way have I kept, and not declined. Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.” Job understood this completely, and there was no man like unto Job, because he lived and breathed to do the will of God. The will of God has to become food and water to us. In John 5:30, the Bible says, “I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.” When we are in the will of God, the words we speak and the judgement calls we make are the ones that God desires us to make, so we move, think, and speak as Christ did in the earth.
The word “sent” here is where we get the word “apostle” from, which means to be sent for a mission from God. Matthew 26:39 says, “And he went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.” True obedience is to do God’s will, even when you are trying to find a way out. Christ set the example, and we must follow it.
God Bless!
Marshall
Dec 12, 2021 – Colossians 2:10 – Jesus Christ: The Mystery Uncovered Part 15 – ye are complete in him
Hi Everyone!
The authority of Christ gives us the ability to have everything we need provided to us by Him. We have the ability as believers to live, grow, and excel as believers, making us able to stand over the lies of the enemy that tries to exercise authority over us. God desires us to walk in victory, to triumph in the earth as Christ did, but in order for us to have this precious victory, we must allow Him to complete us and be complete in Him. Whether we acknowledge it or not, we have voids and gaps within us without Christ, and we must allow Christ entry, to allow the Holy Spirit to fill in these empty places. The enemy is also looking for voids within us, because those are points of weakness where they can gain entry and blind the Word of God in us. The authority of Christ is above all other authorities, but we must allow Christ to complete us in order for us to walk fully in Him. Today, we will look at Colossians 2:10, Jesus Christ the Completer.
”And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power”
The word “complete” means “filled, supplied abundantly with, imparted richly”, suggesting a spiritual maturity that gives us the ability to walk in the power of God on the earth. There is only one way we can be complete, and that is in Christ. We have sought completion in friendships, in relationships, with children, and in our professions, but the only one who can complete us is Christ.
In John 1:16-17, the Bible says, “And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace. For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.” We have to receive the fullness of Christ within us, understanding that grace is the thing that God gives us that makes us complete in Him. In 2 Corinthians 9:8, the Bible says, “And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work”. God makes us complete in Christ Jesus, so we have everything we need in order for God’s will to be done. God doesn’t want to just give us “some” grace, nor did He fill Christ with “some” grace. God is an all-or-nothing God who readily prepares us for our work in Him.
In 2 Peter 1:3-4, the Bible says, “According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.” God wants us to fully participate in the divine nature, to operate in the earth as if we are in heaven, and He makes us complete in Christ for this purpose.
In Ephesians 3:17-19, the Bible says, “That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.” When we place our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit has the permission to inhabit our hearts and we become anchored in the love of God. Our eyes open to the love of God, to the extent of His immeasurable power, and to the knowledge of the Word of God. All of these things give us a rock-solid foundation, but it allows us to build an indestructible dwelling.
In Hebrews 5:14, the Bible say, “But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.” God wants us to mature spiritually as believers, to be able to put the Word of God to use.
The word “head” means “chief one”, speaking of Christ being the Head of the Church. The word “principality” means “power, dominion, speaking of the princes and chief among angels”. The word “power’ means “privilege, authority, jurisdiction, rule, or influence”. In 1 Peter 3:22, the Bible says, “Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him.” Christ has all power and in possessing all power, everything on earth and in heaven is subject to Him.
This is our Savior, but is Jesus Christ Lord in our lives as well?
In 1 Corinthians 15:27-28, the Bible says, “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.”
Just as Christ came to earth and subjected Himself to God, we must subject ourselves to Christ, who IS the authority and power over heaven and earth. If we are complete in Christ, there is nothing we can’t do!
God Bless!
Marshall
Dec 13, 2021 – Isaiah 40:11 – Jesus Christ: The Mystery Uncovered Part 16 – He shall feed his flock like a shepherd
Hi Everyone!
Jesus Christ is our Savior, our Lord, God robed in flesh, the Author and Finisher of our faith. He existed before the world began and He is seated at the right hand of the Father in power and in strength. Have we come to know our Lord as Shepherd? A shepherd tends to the needs of the sheep, leading them by day, and protecting them by night, guiding them into places where they can eat, drink, and be filled. A shepherd’s life is about the needs of his sheep, and a good shepherd is willing to give his life for his sheep. Our Lord and Savior is that Good Shepherd, and His love for His sheep made Him give His life for us, so that we could live eternally in Him. No matter how far we have strayed and no matter how much wrong we’ve done, the Good Shepherd has found us, carried us in His arms, and brought us back into the flock. Today, we will look at Isaiah 40:11, Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd.
”He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.”
The word “feed” means “to pasture, to graze”. This suggests that Christ puts us in a position to eat and drink, that our sustenance comes from what the Lord provides. Sometimes, we have gotten to a point in our lives where we try to be our own providers, where we try to feed ourselves instead of entrusting God to do it. Isaiah 49:10, the Bible says, “They shall not hunger nor thirst; neither shall the heat nor sun smite them: for he that hath mercy on them shall lead them, even by the springs of water shall he guide them.” Our loving God is going to make sure that we have everything we need to live, and to live out the purpose God has for us.
The word “flock” means “an arrangement of animals, or an arrangement of people who believe in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior”. In Ezekiel 34:30-31, the Bible says, “Thus shall they know that I the LORD their God am with them, and that they, even the house of Israel, are my people, saith the Lord GOD. And ye my flock, the flock of my pasture, are men, and I am your God, saith the Lord GOD.” Our being in the flock of God is the privilege we have of being children of God, and to display our identities as children of God to the world around us. God desires to see his children well taken care of, which is why Matthew 6:33 says, “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” God was to give us everything He has, but we first have to seek the kingdom of God and the righteousness of God.
The word “shepherd” means “to tend to a flock, to pastor, or to rule.” Not only are we called to be sheep under Christ, but we are also called to shepherd others to the lord as well. In Ezekiel 37:24-25. the Bible says, “And David my servant shall be king over them; and they all shall have one shepherd: they shall also walk in my judgments, and observe my statutes, and do them. And they shall dwell in the land that I have given unto Jacob my servant, wherein your fathers have dwelt; and they shall dwell therein, even they, and their children, and their children’s children for ever: and my servant David shall be their prince for ever.” Even though David’s name is being mentioned, the scripture is talking about Christ, who is in the lineage of David. God has already destined Christ to rule and pastor His Church, and for Him to be our Head.
“He shall gather the lambs with his arm, and shall carry them in his bosom, and he shall gently lead those that are with young.”
The word “gather” means “to bring together. to assemble”. The word “lambs” refer to believers of God, the children of God, and the saints of God. The word “arm” means “might, power, or strength”. In Ezekiel 34:22-23, the Bible says, “Therefore will I save my flock, and they shall no more be a prey; and I will judge between cattle and cattle. And I will set up one shepherd over them, and he shall feed them, even my servant David; he shall feed them, and he shall be their shepherd.” Our lives are in great jeopardy without our Shepherd, and we are extremely vulnerable. We can’t rely on our strength, power, and might, but we have to rely on the Lord. This requires humility, because the word “carry” means “to lift or bear up”, so we have to allow God to lift us, not we elevate ourselves.
In 1 Peter 5:6, the Bible says, ”And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power” “Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time”.
The phrase “gently lead” means “conduct, guide, sustain, or protect”. Our Lord Jesus Christ is guiding us into our destiny, sustaining our dreams and visions in Him, He is protecting His purpose over our lives, and He is conducting us into our Promise Land. Before He did any of this, He came to earth and became the Passover Lamb, giving His life for us to find pasture, and to bring us together to serve the Lord as one!
God Bless!
Marshall
Dec 14, 2021 – John 3:16 – Jesus Christ: The Mystery Uncovered Part 17 – whosoever believeth in him … have everlasting life
Hi Everyone!
We have an amazing love from God, an unconditional love that is all-encompassing, that takes us from a position of death and condemnation, to a position of life and peace through Jesus Christ our Lord. God gave His Son Jesus Christ to the world as the Atoning Sacrifice for the sins of the world, and in the depths of His generosity to us, He gives us one condition: to believe in Christ, the only begotten Son of God. Salvation came through Christ and is available to us by faith, so that we can not only partake in the divine nature of God, but so we can obtain everlasting life, a boarding pass to the new heaven and earth, to live with God forever. This is the verse our whole faith hedges upon because without us believing in the name of Jesus Christ, there is no salvation, no Holy Spirit indwelling, no everlasting life in heaven. Today, we will look at one of the most known Scriptures of the Bible, John 3:16, the love of God making salvation available to us.
”For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
The word “God” means “Supreme Divinity”. The word “loved” means “to regard with strong affection, favor goodwill, or benevolence, to serve with fidelity”. The word “world” speaks for the earth and its people. In Romans 5:6, the Bible says, “For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” If our salvation depended upon our strength or perfection, then there is no way any of us would be saved. God took us in the roughest possible state we were in; completely separate from God in all of our ways, without any power to resist the enemy’s advances, and He still loved us enough to make the provision for our salvation.
In Ephesians 2:4-5, the Bible says, “But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)”. God’s mercy withheld the penalty that was due to us for our sin and His love spearheaded salvation for us when there was no way that we could earn it. I remember who I used to be before I found true salvation and redemption in Jesus Christ, and even as I type, the enemy is mounting a powerful offensive on me, completely disrupting my confidence in Him. I am so happy I don’t have to rely on me, but on Christ, and because of my status as a believer, I have the power in Christ to resist the enemy and cleave to the Word of God’s declaration of my identity.
“That he gave His only begotten Son”
The word “gave” means “to bestow upon”. The phrase “only begotten Son” refers to The Word, the only begotten Son in the highest sense, as alone knowing and revealing the essence of God. This is Christ Jesus! In 1 John 4:9-10, the Bible says, “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.”
Love isn’t “lip service”, but it is manifested in our actions. If someone on earth gave their child as a sacrifice so we could live, there would be no doubt as to their love for us, so why do we question God’s undying love for us? In Romans 8:32, the Bible says, “He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?” Why do we walk this earth feeling disqualified to partake in the divine nature of God when He clearly made the ultimate sacrifice so we can?
“That whosever believeth in Him should not perish, but everlasting life.”
The word “believeth” means “to entrust oneself to, to be fully persuaded”. God extended this invitation to everyone, no matter the background or the sin. Don’t feel that you are too bad for salvation, just believe in Jesus Christ! In Romans 8:1, the Bible says, “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.”
The word “perish” means “to destroy fully”. The phrase “everlasting life” refers to the life of bliss and glory in the kingdom of God which awaits the true disciples of Christ after the resurrection. We’re talking about heaven! God doesn’t ask for much from us in order for us to attain the most incredible gift imaginable. Someone died so we could live an abundant life in God and that someone is Jesus Christ. May we come to receive the gift of God into our spirits and receive Christ as Lord and Savior. In doing so, we also receive the love of God as well!
God Bless!
Marshall
Dec 15, 2021 – John 3:17 – Jesus Christ: The Mystery Uncovered Part 18 – that the world through him might be saved
Hi Everyone!
Christ was sent to earth to become the perfect sacrifice for sin, giving all who believe in Him salvation, redemption and eternal life. Some people are still waiting for Christ to come, expecting to see a great war commander, or a brutal judge that will reprove the world of sin. Then, you have the people who beg God to send Christ back right now, so they can be taken with Him to heaven without once considering all of the people who will miss out on heaven if He did come right now. Even as Christ now sits at the right hand of God, He serves as an Advocate and Intercessor for us, so we all can experience heaven just as He has. Christ didn’t come to earth to condemn us, but He came to save our souls, to declare us alive in Him forever. Today, we are going to look at John 3:17, Christ sent to save, not condemn.
”For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.”
The word ”sent” implies being set apart in order to be despatched as an agent and messenger of God. The word ”world” refers to the present world, the present order of things as opposed of the kingdom of Christ, and hence, always with the idea of transience, worthlessness, and evil both physical and moral, the seat of cares, temptations and irregular desires. This verse says, ”For God SENT not His Son INTO the world”. This has to mean that Christ’s life didn’t begin at His birth in Bethlehem, but Christ existed before His birth in heaven, because He was SENT INTO the world! In John 17:3-4, Christ prays to God saying, “And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent. I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.” This is important! Christ existed before the world began, and He was sent to earth with a mission and purpose from God, one which He fulfilled. Whether we see it this way or not, when God created the world, everything in it was finished, including us, then He rested,! We weren’t just born, but we were sent at an appointed time, for an appointed purpose, and just as Christ came and fulfilled His purpose, we must do the same.
In John 17:8, Christ also prays, “I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came out from thee, and they have believed that thou didst send me.” See, God not only appointed Christ to arrive on earth at a specific time and place, but He also gave Christ a Word to share, and appointed people that would receive His Word and believe that Christ was SENT by God. Our lives must reflect that we were sent by God and the Word we share was given by God. Our lives are supposed to be a testimony of God in Christ that will cause others to believe in God as well. Just in case someone believes I am wrong to make this comparison, let’s look at John 17:18, which Christ prays, “As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world.” We are sent as well! This is for the person who feels like they don’t have purpose, or their lives don’t have meaning. We are alive because God has a purpose for our lives and a Word He wants us to speak. In 1 John 4:17, the Bible says, “Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because AS HE IS, SO ARE WE IN THIS WORLD!”
The word “condemn” means “to judge, imparting penalty for sin”. The word “condemn” also expresses that a structure is inhabitable and declared slated for ruin or destruction. There is no hope for something condemned, which is why Christ didn’t come to condemn the world. In Colossians 1:27, the Bible says, “To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the HOPE of glory”. In Christ, we have hope because we have salvation, redemption, and eternal life. In John 8:15, Christ says, “Ye judge after the flesh; I judge no man.” No man. Christ didn’t come in judgement, but He came in the power of God to seek and save the lost. Why do you think His most powerful moments in His ministry were with people society declared outcasts?
The word “saved” means “salvation from eternal death, sin, and the punishment and misery consequent to sin”. Christ was sent to deliver us from everything associated with sin, so that we could deliver the Word and purpose that God has for us. In Luke 9:56, the Bible says, “For the Son of man is not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them…” We have the wrong perception of Christ if we thought He came to rain fire and brimstone on our heads. Christ was sent with a message of repentance and salvation. Don’t ever say that there is no hope for you, because Christ’s life and death secured your hope in Him, giving you a life of victory, not condemnation.
God Bless!
Marshall
Dec 16, 2021 – Isaiah 53:12 – Jesus Christ: The Mystery Uncovered Part 19 – because he hath poured out his soul unto death
Hi Everyone!
Jesus Christ, in all His glory and power, made a choice that very few of us would ever make. Imagine giving up your most prized possessions, and accepting poverty for people in dire need, knowing that many wouldn’t take your gift, or have any appreciation for it? Imagine sharing your inheritance with a bunch of people who will squander what your Father sacrificed for? Imagine volunteering to take the death penalty for someone else’s crimes, when you have never done anything other than what God has desired you to do since birth? Place Jesus Christ into that imagination because that is exactly what He did, and He also did it, so he could be able to speak on our behalf to God. Christ did much more than die for us. He lived for us, to share the kingdom of God with us, no matter how much we didn’t deserve it. Today, we will look at Isaiah 53:12, a generous Intercessor in Jesus Christ.
”Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.”
The word “divide” means “to separate, to apportion”. The word “portion” means “inheritance or allotment”. The word “great” refers to the multitude, speaking of believers. This shows that Christ was given something by God and He shared it with us! In John 17:6-7, Christ prays, “I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them me; and they have kept thy word. Now they have known that all things whatsoever thou hast given me are of thee.” Christ life and ministry on earth equipped us with everything we need to be the children of God, and not only children, but ministers and heirs in Him.
In Psalm 2:7-8, the Bible says, “I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee. Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.” God declared Christ as His Son and then gave Him the earth, and us, for an inheritance. In Psalm 24:1, the Bible says, “The earth is the LORD’s, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.” See, God owns everything, then He gave it to Christ, and now He is sharing it with us. Christ is able to do all of this because He triumphed in the world and by His death.
In Colossians 2:15, the Bible says, “And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.” Christ not only receive all power from God, but He took away the power of everything in authority in the earth. Then He shares this power with us!
The word “spoil” refers to booty, something acquired from others, usually taken by force. Think of pirates when you think of booty, and you’ll understand that it is something of value. The word ‘strong” means “powerful or numerous”. This gives us the impression that there is more than enough to go around. In Philippians 2:10, the Bible says, “That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth”. Our Christ has everything so all that He has He freely gives us so we can walk and live in power as well. In Acts 26:18, Christ says, “To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.” God destines His children to walk in victory and He sent Christ to ensure that we would!
“Because he hath poured out his soul unto death; and he was numbered with the transgressors;”
The phrase “poured out” means “to be emptied out or lay out, be demolished”. The word “death” means “ruin”. The word “numbered” means “counted or enrolled”. The word “transgressors” means “rebels, offenders, and people who revolt against the Word of God”. In Mark 15:27-28, the Bible says, “And with him they crucify two thieves; the one on his right hand, and the other on his left. And the scripture was fulfilled, which saith, And he was numbered with the transgressors.” Christ took on an identity that never belonged to Him and was strung up on the cross with people who were guilty of their offenses. His sacrifice gave us His power.
“And he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.”
The word “bare” means “to carry or take away”. The word “sin” means “crime or penalty”. In 2 Corinthians 5:21, the Bible says, “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” Not only did Christ love us when He offered himself up for us, but He did it to ensure that we had an inheritance with God.
The word “intercession” suggests a person who operates as a go-between, someone who speaks on the behalf of another. In Hebrews 7:25, the Bible says, “Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.” Christ is still making intercession for us with God, still beckoning that God gives us chance after chance to give our lives fully over to Him. He wants us to have what He has, an inheritance in God that no one can take away, and the ability to triumph in the earth against anything that comes our way.
In 1 John 2:1, the Bible says, “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”. Our God is something truly amazing, to send Christ to pay the cost for our sins, and then have Christ also serve as our Advocate when we do sin. Imagine advocating for the person who contributed towards your death, but doing it willingly and with abounding love. That is the Christ we serve!!!!
God Bless!
Marshall
Dec 17, 2021 – Zechariah 13:7 – Jesus Christ: The Mystery Uncovered Part 20 – Awake, O sword
Hi Everyone!
People are equipped with a fight or flight response to fear, and when they came for Christ, everyone eventually fled. Even Peter, who cut off the High Priest servant’s ear, eventually ran and then denied our Lord three times. Peter would go on to be the chief pastor of the church, but he had a period in his life where he acted like he never knew Christ. None of this caught Christ by surprise, and God even prepared us for this in prophecy. Not only does prophecy point to the existence of Christ, but it also pointed to the people that would flee from His presence, and also of the Church that would be scattered as well. God doesn’t make a mistake in His plan for our lives, and as we learn more about Christ, we will discover how we fit into this perfect plan as well. Today, we will look at Zechariah 13:7, a Shepherd struck and a Church that scattered.
“Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, and against the man that is my fellow, saith the LORD of hosts: smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered: and I will turn mine hand upon the little ones.”
The word “awake” suggests a lifting or raising up in battle. The word “sword” means “a destructive, cutting instrument used as a symbol of judgement. The word “shepherd” means “to tend to a flock, to rule, or to pastor”. This is speaking of Jesus Christ. in John 10:14-15, Christ says, “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.” Christ knew that not only was His job to lead us into a right relationship with God through salvation, but He knew there would be a time where He would have to lay His life down for us. Only Christ could make this sacrifice and He was obedient to His call. When the crowd came to seize Him, He didn’t flee their capture, nor did He try to get out of their grasp. Our Lord and Savior set the perfect example for how we are to obey the Lord, no matter the cost, and also showed us how to be living sacrifices on the earth.
The word “man” doesn’t just mean “male or human being”, but it actually means “valiant warrior”. You have to be valiant warrior to go to your death for your people, and that’s what Christ did for us!
The word “fellow” means “associate or companion”, and the term expresses a union between God and Christ.
In John 17:21-23, Christ prays, “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.” Christ was that valiant warrior that went to His death in order to unite the Church, to make us one with God and one with each other.
“smite the shepherd and the sheep shall be scattered: and I will turn mine hand upon the little ones.”
The word “smite” means “to strike, kill or wound”. The word “sheep” means ‘the flock, the believers of God, or the disciples of God”. The word “scattered” means “dispersed or spread out”. In Mark 14:50-52, the Bible says, “And they all forsook him, and fled. And there followed him a certain young man, having a linen cloth cast about his naked body; and the young men laid hold on him: And he left the linen cloth, and fled from them naked.” Imagine the disciples, experiencing the miracles of Christ, seeing the Word of God in action, but when they faced persecution, the fled, and one even shook out of his clothes to run. These men would go on to pastor the Church, so they experienced the same redemption we have!
Christ wasn’t surprised because He even said in Matthew 26:31, “Then saith Jesus unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad.” Even before His death He knew they would flee, because He IS the Word of God.
The phrase “turn my hand” implies that the Church is going to be persecuted. In Acts 8:3-4, the Bible says, “As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison. Therefore they that were scattered abroad WENT EVERY WHERE PREACHING THE WORD.” Even the disciples fleeing and the Church scattering had a monumental purpose, to spread the Word of God all over the world. The enemy had no clue that when Christ died on the cross, the Church would explode all over the world, in full demonstration of God’s power! Who knew that God had purpose in our fear?
The Shepherd was struck down, the disciples fled, the Church scattered, but the Word of God spread all over the world as a result. May God’s perfect will be done!
God Bless!
Marshall
Dec 18, 2021 – Ephesians 1:20 – Jesus Christ: The Mystery Uncovered Part 21 – and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places
Hi Everyone!
When God raised Christ from the dead, He activated great power in Him, even greater than Christ had in earth. When Christ was on earth, He operated within the confines of His body, of human limitations, but when He had risen from the dead He had all power again, all ability and unlimited reach! He sits at the Father’s right hand in power, truth and love, which He despatches to us through the Holy Spirit. In addition to despatching power, truth, and love, He also sends His grace, and makes intercession for us, so that at all points of our lives, we have someone speaking on our behalf to God. Even as His work is finished, He is still working for us, still in service, and the most beautiful thing about it is, He went back to heaven, but didn’t forget about us on earth! Today, we will look at Ephesians 1:20, the power Christ possesses at God’s right hand.
”Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places”
The word “wrought” means “to be active, to be efficient, to produce an effect.” In Matthew 28:18, the Bible says, “And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.” When God rose Christ from the dead, He gave Him all power, power He freely makes available to us. In Ephesians 1:19, the Bible says, “And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power”. We are included in receiving this power, and now this power is completely active in us, the same way it is in Christ.
In John 6:63, Christ says, “It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.” The Spirit of God activates the power in us, and the word “wrought” comes from the word for “energy”. Energy always produces an effect, and the Spirit of God working in us will always produce an effect.
The word “raise” means “to rouse from sleep”. The word “dead” refers to a corpse. In Acts 2:24-25, the Bible says, “Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it. For David speaketh concerning him, I foresaw the Lord always before my face, for he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved”. Christ’s death and resurrection took away the power of death from the enemy, because death wasn’t the final place for our Lord, neither is it for us. In Romans 6:4, the Bible says, “Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.” God raised Christ from the dead to give him all power, but to also give us the ability to walk in the power of the Holy Spirit here on earth. This power gives us the power to live a new life in Christ, and experience the same leading of the Holy Spirit as Christ did.
In Romans 10:9, the Bible says, “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.” Our salvation is a product of our confessing the Lord Jesus and also believing that God raised Him from the dead. Without that belief, there is neither salvation or power.
“And set him at his own right hand in heavenly places”
The word “set” means “to seat down, or to appoint”. The phrase “right hand” is a place of the highest honor and distinction, designated for the person next in rank and power. If Christ is at the right hand of God seated, then He IS the power of God! In Colossians 3:1-2, the Bible says, “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.” As believers, we died to our former selves, and were raised up in Christ, so our perspective has to always be on the kingdom of God, not of the earth. We are no longer of this world. In Hebrews 1:3, the Bible says, “Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high”. Christ is the express image of the the person of God, fulfilling the complete purpose of God with His life on earth, and after his work was done, He sat at the right hand of God in heaven and in all power.
In Ephesians 1:3, the Bible says, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ”. God doesn’t just want to give us some of heaven, some of His kingdom, and some of His power. He wants to give it all to us, so we can walk as Christ did, full power of the Holy Spirit active and effectual in us.
God Bless!
Marshall
Dec 19, 2021 – Acts 5:31 – Jesus Christ: The Mystery Uncovered Part 22 – a Prince and a Saviour
Hi Everyone!
Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ came to earth and did a powerful work for us. We have access to salvation, and the ability for repentance, to be able to turn from the wickedness that has kept us separate from God. I know this very well, because at one point in my life, I was the worst person I knew. I lied, stole, sold drugs, robbed people, participated in gang activity, and unfortunately, have also taken life as well. I am the absolute last person on earth that deserves the forgiveness God offers freely, and sometimes, I don’t feel qualified to teach anyone anything about God, knowing how far I have strayed from the path. Do I rely on my own feelings, or do I rely on the Word of God, and what it says about forgiveness, and repentance? Many people don’t come to Church or develop a relationship with God because they don’t know that Christ really paid the cost for their sins, all of them! Today, we will look at Acts 5:31, the Prince and Savior Jesus Christ, the giver of forgiveness and the receiver of repentance.
”Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.”
The word “exalted” means “elevated or lifted up”. in Acts 2:33, the Bible says, “Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear.” Because Christ was raised from the dead, and now is seated at the right hand of God, we now have access to the Holy Spirit’s manifestation in our lives. There is always going to be evidence of the Holy Spirit in someone’s life, whether it be something they see or something they hear.
In Acts 2:36, the Bible also says, “Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made the same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.” Christ isn’t just the Messiah, and He definitely isn’t just a Savior, but He is also Lord, the Supreme Controller, the Possessor of all power. The word “right hand” refers to strength, might, power, and authority, designated for someone of the highest rank of honor and distinction. In Hebrews 2:10, the Bible says, “For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.” Christ’s power brought us back into the presence of God, causing us to receive the Holy Spirit and it’s power, so we may live lives that bring glory to God. Christ endured sufferings and remained perfect throughout it, and his victory meant victory for mankind as well, those who by faith, believe on His name.
The word “Prince” means “chief leader or author”. An author writes the story, so they know it beginning, middle, and ending. In Hebrews 12:2, the Bible says, “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Christ knew He would triumph over the cross, over death, and over sin, and He also knew that His victory would open up the doors for people like me, who felt they were far too bad to receive forgiveness, to be called children of the Most-High God. A Prince is the Son of a King, and now we, as children of God, are royalty as well. Never let the world tell you who you are. Let the Word of God tell you who you are! The word “Savior” means “deliverer” and it is speaking about Jesus the Messiah, who saves people from the guilt and power of sin and from eternal death, from punishment and misery as the consequence of sin, and gives them eternal life and the blessedness of His kingdom. If we are still walking in guilt, then that means we haven’t accepted what the Word of God has said about our salvation.
“To give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.”
The word “repentance” means “a change of the mind or direction, implying pious sorrow for unbelief and sin and a turning from them unto God and the gospel of Christ”. The “forgiveness” means “freedom, pardon, to release one’s sins from sinners, to deliver from captivity. The word “sins” means ‘offense or aberration from a prescribed law or rule of duty”. In Acts 3:26, the bible says, “Unto you first God, having raised up his Son Jesus, sent him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities.” We can be changed by the blessing of God making forgiveness and repentance available to us.
In Ephesians 1:7, the Bible says, “In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace”. God gave us the access but we have to receive it. 2 Corinthians 7:10 says, “For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.” Godly sorrow is what I experienced, where I knew I sinned against God, and it produced a desire in me to want to change my life, to serve Him with all my heart. God took the worst of the worst, and turned me into a child of a King!
God Bless!
Marshall
Dec 20, 2021 – Proverbs 30:4 – Jesus Christ: The Mystery Uncovered Part 23 – what is his son’s name, if thou canst tell?
Hi Everyone!
Jesus Christ descended to the earth from heaven, to live as we do but without sin, becoming the perfect atoning sacrifice for our sin. When He died, He conquered Satan, who had the power over death, and released us from the curse we were under. After triumphing over death, He was resurrected, appearing to many witness, before ascending back to the Father in heaven. He came to earth with a mission and fulfilled his mission on earth. Everything in the earth belongs to the Lord, and there is nothing that He isn’t in control of, including nature. We serve a Lord who has conquered everything that we face today in our lives, and is seated in heaven, a place we as believers will experience when this life is over. Today, we will look at Proverbs 30:4, the ascension and triumph of Jesus Christ.
“Who hath ascended up into heaven, or descended? who hath gathered the wind in his fists? who hath bound the waters in a garment? who hath established all the ends of the earth? what is his name, and what is his son’s name, if thou canst tell?”
The word “ascended” means “upward motion” and in this case, “an upward motion into the appearance and presence of God in heaven”. The word “heaven” means “the abode of God, the place of the Lord’s throne, the place where God operates.” In John 3:12-13, Christ says, “If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things? And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.” Christ not only came to earth, but He came and shared heavenly things with us. For the people who believe that our taste of heaven comes when we die, you have missed the beauty God has provided to us here on earth as well. God wants us to experience the kingdom of God on earth too! Christ is speaking prophecy concerning himself, by telling Nicodemus about His ascension to heaven.
This is how powerful Christ’s words are. In John 8:18-19, He says, “I am one that bear witness of myself, and the Father that sent me beareth witness of me. Then said they unto him, Where is thy Father? Jesus answered, Ye neither know me, nor my Father: if ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also.” Christ’s words are the Word of God!
The word “descended” means “to do downward to a lower region”. In John 6:32-33, Christ says, “Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread from heaven; but my Father giveth you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world.” Christ didn’t just come down from heaven to live on earth, He came to give us life, to build a Church that He will come back for! In Revelation 1:17-18, the Bible says, “And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last: I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.” On our own, we can’t stand in the presence of God, But if He touches us with His right hand, His power, we can live and not die, because our Christ has conquered the grave!
“who hath gathered the wind in his fist? Who hath bound the waters in a garment? Who hath established all the ends of the earth?”
The word “gathered” means “to collect or harvest together”. The word “bound” means “to cramp” implying a confinement to a space. The word “established” means “accomplished, ordained, or made sure”. This is showing Christ as being in control of all nature. In Luke 8:24-25, Christ shows His power over the elements of nature and weather, because the Word says, “And they came to him, and awoke him, saying, Master, master, we perish. Then he arose, and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water: and they ceased, and there was a calm. And he said unto them, Where is your faith? And they being afraid wondered, saying one to another, What manner of man is this! for he commandeth even the winds and water, and they obey him.” The disciples walked with Him, saw miracles, but still couldn’t fully comprehend the measure of His power on earth. In Proverb 8:29-30, the Bible says, “When he gave to the sea his decree, that the waters should not pass his commandment: when he appointed the foundations of the earth: Then I was by him, as one brought up with him: and I was daily his delight, rejoicing always before him”. Nothing on earth moves without the permission of God, and Christ was God robed in flesh. Christ enjoyed seeing the mighty hand of God move in the earth. Do we?
“What is his name, and what is his son’s name if thou canst tell?”
The word “name” means “an appellation of authority, honor, or character”. The word “tell” means “to confess, know recognize or discern”. In Acts 4:12, it says, “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” In the name of Jesus Christ lies salvation, redemption, and the power of the Holy Spirit in us. In Romans 10:9-10, the Bible says, “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” When we confess the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, our lives change forever! Not only can our lord and Savior control the elements of nature, but He also controls the elements of our lives, and His desire is to bring the kingdom of God into our lives.
God Bless!
Marshall
Dec 21, 2021 – Psalm 68:18 – Jesus Christ: The Mystery Uncovered Part 24 – Thou hast ascended on high
Hi Everyone!
The power of Jesus Christ’s ascension to heaven unlocked a power within us. We have been set free from the bondage that kept us from salvation, that greatly hindered our redemption, and had us slated for permanent destruction. God not only set us free, but He also imprisoned captivity, restricting our access to it. Imagine the day I am freed from prison, and am united with my family, but instead of enjoying my freedom, I leave home, drive back to the prison I was set free from, pound on the doors of the prison, and tell them to let me back in! That would be insane, wouldn’t it? Yet, many of us return back to the sinful lives we were delivered from, from the attitudes we were saved from, and we put on captivity as if we were never freed. This is not what Christ ascended to the Father for. He ascended so we would be free indeed, and operate in the fullness of the Holy Spirit’s power working in us. Today, we are going to look at Psalm 68:18, the ascension of Christ and the liberation of us.
”Thou hast ascended on high, thou hast led captivity captive: thou hast received gifts for men; yea, for the rebellious also, that the LORD God might dwell among them.”
The phrase ”ascended” means ”to make an upward motion into the presence of God”, speaking of Christ going back to heaven. In Acts 1:8-9, the Bible says, ”But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.” Christ’s ascension to the Father meant Holy Spirit power for us, so we can live in the earth as His witnesses, so people would turn their lives over to Christ, and have their souls saved as well. The Word of God gives us promises, but we must follow the Word of God in order to activate the promises.
The disciples had to follow Christ’s command, when He told them in Luke 24:49, ”And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.” What this means for us is, God has promises prepared for us as His children, but we must be obedient, and we must be in position to receive them. The disciples were terrified; their Lord crucified, resurrected, and now ascended, and His command was for them to stay in Jerusalem, the same place where Christ was persecuted for being our Lord. Obedience isn’t easy, but it is necessary!
The phrase ”hast led captivity captive” implies a taking prisoner of the institution of imprisonment as spoils of war or military raid. When Christ ascended to the Father, He took bondage away from Satan, giving all who believe in His name freedom. In Ephesians 4:8-10, the Bible says, ”Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)”
I am currently in prison, currently sentenced to life imprisonment without parole, unable to leave. If someone was to gift me a car or a house while I am still in prison, what tangible, immediate good would it do for me? Now if I am released from prison and then bestowed these gifts, then they have the power to change my life. Christ’s death allowed him to descend into the deep, to conduct a military raid on Hell, to take away death, bondage and the power of death away from Satan, giving us true freedom in Him to receive His gifts fully. The word ”receive” means “to take hold of, or to seize”. The word “gift” means “a present or offering”.
In Acts 2:33, the Bible says, ”Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear.” There is always going to be evidence of the gift of God working in us, and Christ died, rose, and ascended to give us the gift of the Holy Spirit.
“Yea, for the rebellious also, that the Lord God might dwell among them.”
The word “rebellious” refers to the backslider and the person who revolts against the Word of God. The word “dwell” means “to reside in, to rest in, or to inhabit.” In Romans 5:10, the Bible says, “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.” Christ’s ascension to the Father ensured that a person like me, a person who was a disgrace to the kingdom to God, can receive salvation and adoption through Jesus Christ. Christ’s victory became mine because the Holy Spirit dwells in me! The rebel becomes restored through the victory of Christ.
God Bless!
Marshall
Dec 22, 2021 – Hebrew 9:15 – Jesus Christ: The Mystery Uncovered Part 25 – receive the promise of eternal inheritance
Hi Everyone!
The New Testament of the Bible begins with the 4 Gospels, all speaking about Christ’s life, death, and resurrection. Christ’s death did much more than just save us from sin and redeem us from the penalty of death. His death began the New Testament itself, a new agreement that fulfilled the Old Testament, and bestowed upon us even greater promises than that of the Old Testament. God desired to walk with His children and be their God in the Old Testament, but in the New Testament, He desired to dwell IN US by the Holy Spirit, the Promised Comforter. God desires that, through the New Testament, we would walk on earth in the power of God, as children of God, experiencing the kingdom of God on earth, and then obtain our inheritance of eternal life when our life here is over, to once again dwell WITH God again. Christ’s death activated this Promise! Today, we will look at Hebrew 9:15, the Mediator of our New Testament, Jesus Christ.
”And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.”
The word ”cause” means ”the channel of an act, or the reason for being”. The word ”mediator” means ”go-between, intercessor, or reconciler”. In 1 Timothy 2:5-6, the Bible says, ”For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.” The Mediator is the executor of the New Testament, the person who ensures the terms of the agreement are met, the promises are established, and all parties involved know what they must do and what they are entitled to. Jesus Christ died on a cross to ensure that the New Testament would be activated, also to ensure that we would have intercession between us and God. The ”New Testament” is a new covenant between us and God, sanctioned by the blood of Christ, which means Christ had to die in order for the new covenant to have power.
In Hebrews 9:16-17, the Bible says, ”For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of NO STRENGTH AT ALL while the testator liveth.’‘ Do we understand that our sin put Christ in a position where He had to come down from heaven and die, so we can receive the promises of the New Testament?
The phrase “by means” implies the method by which the new testament was activated and that method was “death”. This didn’t signify a natural death, but this word “death” means “a violent death”. In Acts 8:32, the Bible says, “The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth”. Christ knew what His mission was on earth; He knew that His death would be brutal, but was still obedient, so we could be partakers in this new covenant, full of promise. In Luke 22:42, the Bible says, “Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.” Obedience isn’t doing what is easy, but true obedience is when you’d rather flee than obey and you still obey.
“for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament”
The word “redemption” means “ransom paid in full, deliverance, or salvation for those who believe in the name of Jesus Christ, that He died to saved us from our sins.” The word “transgressions” means “law breaking, deliberately stepping over the boundary.” The Old Testament showed us that it was impossible for us to keep the entire law perfectly, that something more was needed. In Romans 3:24-25, the Bible says, “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”. God made sure we had a substitute, a perfect sacrifice, to replace our inability to keep the law. Christ’s death bought us back, when there was nothing we could do on our own to pay the cost for our sin.
“They which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance”
The word “called” means “invited to repentance and salvation”. The word “receive” means “to seize or take hold of”. The word “promise’ means “divine assurance of God”. The New Testament is one big promise, a divine assurance of good, because those who receive the promise experience victory over sin and death. In Hebrews 3:1-2, the Bible says, “Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus; Who was faithful to him that appointed him, as also Moses was faithful in all his house.” Because we are called into this wonderful salvation and repentance, we must consider the means by which we received such an amazing gift, and live in complete faithfulness to God. We can’t live our lives as if there wasn’t a great sacrifice made by Christ so we could receive this gift.
The phrase “eternal inheritance” speaks of perpetual heir ship, and admission into the kingdom of God, to spend the rest of our lives with Him. In Acts 20:32, the Bible says, “And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.” The New Testament positions us to be of the kingdom of God on earth and also positions us to be admitted into the kingdom of God in heaven. If we believe in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and believe that God raised Him from the dead, then the kingdom of God is ours for the taking, both now and for eternity!
God bless!
Marshall
Dec 23, 2021 – Galatians 4:7 – Jesus Christ: The Mystery Uncovered Part 26 – an heir of God through Christ
Hi Everyone!
Jesus Christ’s presence on earth showed us how to live according to the kingdom of God. He lived in authority, spoke in divine truth, and provided miracles that only someone sent by God could do. Christ also lived to prepare us for a world where the Holy Spirit dwells in us and guides us into all truth. His death ensured that we would have access to the kingdom of God now and in eternity, but we have to believe in the name of Jesus Christ, believe God rose Him from the dead, and receive Him as both Lord and Savior. If we just receive Him as Savior then we may be free and may have our ticket to heaven, but if Jesus is Lord, then we will learn how to live kingdom lives on earth, reigning with Christ as priests and kings. In sin, we were in bondage, but in salvation, we are children of God and heirs to His promises, promises freely available to us by the Word of God. Today, we will look at Galatians 4:7, Jesus Christ, the gateway to our inheritance of God.
”Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.”
The word “servant” means “a slave, involuntarily or voluntarily in a qualified sense of subjection or subservience.” Whether we acknowledge it or not, when we were living in sin, we are enslaved by sin. In John 8:34, the Bible says, “Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.” We become enslaved to what we conform ourselves to, which is why Romans 12:2 says, “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” When we are enslaved by sin, our minds can’t be renewed daily, and we won’t be able to perform, and to establish by evidence that the will of God is perfect.
Sin keeps us away from the will of God, and when we live in sin, we live our lives to please the flesh. In Romans 6:16, the Bible says, “Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?” What we obey is what we serve, and if we serve our flesh, then we obey its desires.
Our actions give a testimony for what we serve. In Romans 6:22, the Bible says, “But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.” We bear fruit that invites a holy life when we are servants to the Word of God, and we become partakers of eternal life when we become servants to the Word of God. If we are servants to the Word of God, then we obey the Word of God and walk into a great fellowship with God.
Our position in the kingdom changes when we say “yes” to our God. It doesn’t become servitude out of obligation, but it is the will of God out of a loving relationship with God.
Our title changes from “servant” to “son”. The word “son” here doesn’t stress gender, but it stresses role. The word “son” here means “the bearer of the family name, or offspring”. In Romans 8:16-17, the Bible says, “The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.” Inside our spirits lies the evidence that we are the children of God, only given to us by the Word of God. It is our job as believers to proper claim our new role in the kingdom and learn how to live out our roles properly. in John 1:12-13, the Bible says, “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.” We are empowered to become children of God, something our best efforts won’t ever allow us to experience. The flesh doesn’t profit anything but death, but God desires we become His children, not just His creation.
The word “heir” means “a partaker of the blessings which God bestows upon his children, implying admission to the kingdom of heaven and its privileges.” Christ didn’t die on the cross just so we could be saved, but so we can actively partake in the divine kingdom of God, In Galatians 4:1-2, the Bible says, “Now I say, That the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all; But is under tutors and governors until the time appointed of the father.” Even as children of God, we must mature spiritually in order to partake fully in the divine kingdom of God.
“Through Christ” is a phrase that expresses that Christ is the vehicle or conduit into our successful inheritance of the kingdom of God. There is an appointed time for our maturity as believers, and as heirs, we can operate fully as the children of God. Christ came to bring us the kingdom, but will we seize it for ourselves?
God Bless!
Marshall
Dec 24, 2021 – John 16:7 – Jesus Christ: The Mystery Uncovered Part 27 – the Comforter … I will send him unto you
Hi Everyone!
One of the most powerful gifts we could ever receive is the gift of the promised Holy Spirit. The inhabitation of the Holy Spirit in us is the evidence of God’s existence, but it is also evidence that the words of Christ are true when He spoke them on earth. When the Holy Spirit comes upon us we are filled with power to operate as children of God in the earth, and we have the privilege to experience the kingdom of God while we still live on the earth. Christ had to die, be resurrected and ascend to the Father in order for us to experience the Holy Spirit’s arrival. Christ came to earth to give us more than just salvation. He came to bring us a relationship with God that we never had before, one where the Spirit of God dwells richly in us, directing the course of our lives and minds from within. Today, we will look at John 16:7, the promised Comforter’s presence in our lives.
”Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.”
The word ”truth” means ”evidence in relation to facts, what is not concealed, but in the open.” Truth stands against any lie the enemy tries to give us, because lies aim to redirect us from the instruction of God, and from the position God wants us to occupy. In John 14:5-6, Christ says, ”Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way? Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” People want to get to God by their own way, and some even speak the lie that there are many ways to God, but there is only one Way, THE Way, and that is Jesus Christ.
In John 1:14, the Bible says, ”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.’‘ The Word of God, Jesus Christ, became flesh and was full of grace and truth, because God’s Holy Spirit dwelt completely in Him. When we can walk in truth, we can enjoy the privilege of being children of God.
In Psalm 91:4, the Bible says, “He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.” The truth protects us in spiritual warfare, when the enemy tries to launch attacks against us with his lies. In 2 Timothy 2:15, the Bible says, “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” Filling our minds and heart with the truth of God makes God proud of us, and we are able to differentiate between the truth and lie with the truth planted within us. When Christ tells us the truth, it becomes the foundation that we place our whole lives upon.
The word “expedient” means “advantageous or profitable”. In Romans 8:28, the Bible says, “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” Christ is the Word of God, and He assures us that even the grief we suffer has a divine good for those who love God.
Because the disciples loved Christ, He is telling them that it is profitable for them that He goes away, that it would benefit them greatly. We know the phrase “go away” in this case to mean Christ’s death, resurrection, and ascension back to the Father in heaven. Christ even goes as far as to tell us why, that by Him going away, the “Comforter” can come unto us. The word “Comforter” means “Intercessor, Advocate, bestowing spiritual aid and consolation, spoken of the Holy Spirit”. In John 7:39, the Bible says, “(But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)”. Christ will send the Comforter, but we must believe in Christ in order to receive Him.
The word “depart” in this case speaks of Christ’s ascension back to the Father. The word “send” means “despatch”. Christ didn’t say in this verse that God would send the Comforter, but He said, “if I depart, I will send Him unto you.”
In Matthew 28:18, the Bible says, “And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, ALL POWER is given unto me in heaven and in earth.” Christ went back to the Father with all power, and His first thought was to give this power to those who believe. In John 14:26, Christ says, “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.” This further proves that Jesus Christ was God, because in John 14:7, Christ says, “If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.” God, Christ, and the Comforter are all one, the presence, power and Person of God.
God bless!
Marshall
Dec 25, repeat of Dec 4, 2021 – Isaiah 7:14 – Jesus Christ: The Mystery Uncovered Part 7 – and shall call his name Immanuel
Hi Everyone!
There is power in our names. Our names declare what we will ultimately become, so it is expressly important to seek God’s perspective on what we should name our children. Also, it is just as important as believers that we name ourselves correctly, declaring ourselves to be the children of God, the redeemed of the Lord, the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus. God ensured that when Christ was sent, His name would already be established to confirm His identity and His role in the earth. With the name of Jesus came the answer to the burning question, ”Is Jesus Christ God?”’, to which we can answer boldly, ”Yes He is!” When God makes a declaration in a name, it will be exactly as He ordains it. Since creation, a name was powerful, and in the name of Jesus Christ we have salvation and eternal life by faith in His name. Today, we are going to look at Isaiah 7:14, the precious name of Jesus Christ.
”Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.”
The context of this passage is important. The Lord spoke to King Ahaz, and told him to ask of God for a sign from God. Basically, God is telling Ahaz, ”Let me show you that it is really ME talking to you, that I AM who I say I AM”. Whenever God is the one desiring to send us a sign and not us looking for a sign, then God really wants to show us something important!! The word ”sign” means ”evidence, miracle, token, or signal”, all of which carry immense value when it comes from God. In Luke 2:12-14, the Bible says, ”And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” God sent the angel to appear to the shepherds, people you don’t really hear about being a part of the congregation, because their profession typically made them ceremonially unclean. Imagine God opening up heaven to the shepherds, allowing them to see this heavenly miraculous sign, but according to ”religion”, they were unqualified to be in God’s presence. Isn’t this a picture of salvation; unclean people, having no place to experience the presence of God, yet He does it anyway, opening up heaven to people society may feel don’t deserve it?
The shepherds went to experience the Word of God, and in Luke 2:17-18, the Bible says, ”And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.” God chose the people disqualified from attending church to be His ministers, proclaiming the birth of Christ everywhere they went! Never say what you are too unclean for, because all you need is a word from God and a sign from Him and He will build a ministry in you. This all came from a sign!!!
The word ”virgin” here refers to a woman who has not had any sexual relations with a man. The virgin spoken of here is Mary, as confirmed by Luke 1:34-35, which says, ”Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.’‘ Everything about Christ’s arrival on earth brought the supernatural into the earth, and she was impregnated by the Holy Spirit of God! The word ”conceive” means ”to be pregnant, or to be with child”. The word ”bear” refers to the delivery of a baby. I love how precise God’s word is because God knows our name, our sex, and our purpose before we come to the world. Remember, Isaiah wrote this prophecy some 700 years before Christ’s arrival.
The phrase ”shall call” is really an instruction for us ”to pronounce, or to address by name”. In Genesis 2:19-20, the Bible says, ”And out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field, and every fowl of the air; and brought them unto Adam to see what he would call them: and whatsoever Adam called every living creature, that was the name thereof.” God gave Adam the authority to name every living creature and those names haven’t changed. God gives us our names and with our names, come our roles.
In Matthew 1:23, the Bible says, ”Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.’‘ This name came straight from God himself! This passage is the impending fulfillment of the prophecy initially spoken to King Ahaz in Isaiah. Whatever God declares it to be, it is, and when Christ was named Immanuel, it established that Christ is definitely God!!
God Bless!
Marshall
Dec 26, 2021 – John 1:18 – Jesus Christ: The Mystery Uncovered Part 28 – ”No man hath seen God at any time
Hi Everyone!
Jesus Christ came to earth for many reasons, much more than just salvation. We have discovered that Christ came to seek and saved those who are lost, to rescue them from the penalty of eternal death, to give believers the power to become the children of God, to bring the kingdom of God to earth, and by His ascension to the Father in heaven, we also have access to the Holy Spirit’s inhabitation in us. The Holy Spirit teaches us about the Word of God, guides us into all truth, and gives us the power to do the same and even greater works than Christ did while He was on earth. Another purpose Christ had was to declare who God is to us, to give us a proper introduction to the Father, so that we can also share that with others. Christ came to earth to declare the goodness of God toward us, and to show us how to live our lives to please Him here on earth. Today, we will look at John 1:18, God revealed to us by Jesus Christ our Lord.
”No man hath seen God at any time, the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.”
The phrase “hath seen” means “to discern clearly, to experience, to know, to be acquainted with or know God’s character.” In Exodus 33:19-20, the Bible says, “And he said, I will make all my goodness pass before thee, and I will proclaim the name of the LORD before thee; and will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will shew mercy on whom I will shew mercy. And he said, Thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man see me, and live.” Moses asked God to show him His glory, and God wouldn’t allow him to see his face, but what God allowed Moses to see was the effects of God’s face being upon someone; he got to experience God’s goodness, His favor, His grace and His mercy. Christ came to show people that, while we may be unable to physically see God in His full spiritual essence, He is right here with us and we will see His impact in our lives.
In Deuteronomy 4:12-13, the Bible says, “And the LORD spake unto you out of the midst of the fire: ye heard the voice of the words, but saw no similitude; only ye heard a voice. And he declared unto you his covenant, which he commanded you to perform, even ten commandments; and he wrote them upon two tables of stone.” Even being unable to physically see God, we have received His covenant, His Word and His power living within us. There is a ton of evidence God has given us of his presence in our lives, so instead of focusing our attention on seeing God physically, maybe we should focus our attention on what we can see, and that is His Word and his Word’s effect in our lives.
The phrase “only begotten” means “only born, or sole, the Word, as alone knowing and revealing the essence of the Father.” In John 1:14, the Bible says, “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.” Jesus Christ’s birth was the first time God’s glory was fully manifested in bodily form, fully possessing (and being) grace and truth. Christ came to give us a complete picture of who God is.
In John 3:18, Christ says, “He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” Our believing in Christ is a lot deeper than just believing in a Savior. Christ is God robed in flesh, so to not believe in Him, who came in the expressed image and power of God in bodily form, is to suggest that God isn’t real either! The “Son” is in the gospel sense the Messiah, sent forth from God, as partaking of the divine nature and being in intimate union with God the Father. In John 6:46, Christ says, “Not that any man hath seen the Father, save he which is of God, he hath seen the Father.” Christ bears the complete record of who God is, and He makes that record available to us.
“Which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.”
Being ‘in the bosom of the Father” expresses mutual intimacy between Christ and God, an intimacy that is due to great relationship. In John 13:23, the Bible says, “Now there was leaning on Jesus’ bosom one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved.” This disciple is John, and they had the closest level of intimacy of all of the disciples. This is why John was entrusted to preach the Word about who God really is, and the intimacy God desires to have with us.
The word “declared” means “to unfold, to make known as a teacher In 1 John 4:16-17 the Bible says, “And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him. Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.”
God is love, so if we walk in love, God manifests Himself to us, in us, and through us, just like He did for Christ in the earth!
God Bless!
Marshall
Dec 27, 2021 – Ephesians 1:23 – Jesus Christ: The Mystery Uncovered Part 29 – the fulness of him that filleth all in all
Hi Everyone!
Jesus Christ is the head of our Church. He is the foundation, the Chief Cornerstone, the Rock the Church rests itself upon. We are the body of Christ, in union together, moving according to the leadership of Jesus Christ, the Word of God. Christ’s ascension back to the Father allowed Him to send us the Holy Spirit, Who guides us into all truth. No matter if a believer is across an ocean, in a different city, or a different country, we make up this body, the physical movement of the Word of God, and we all are to work together to ensure the will of God is done. How can I work together with someone I have never met? By following the Word of God. Through the Holy Spirit’s inhabitation, we have the ability to live in power as Christ did, and move as the Church in Acts moved. The power the Church moved in back then is still available to us, but we must allow Christ to be the Head just as they did. Today, we will look at Ephesians 1:23, the Church, the body of Christ, where He is head.
”Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.”
The word ”body” means “an organized whole made up of parts and members, spoken of the Christian Church, the whole body of Christians collectively, where Christ is the head.” The Scripture says ”His body”, meaning we belong to Him. In Psalm 24:1. the Bible says, “The earth is the LORD’s, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.” Christ is the head of the Church and everything and everyone in it, and He is the Authority. In Colossians 1:18, the Bible says, “And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.”
If Christ is head, then that means He is also Lord, the Supreme Authority that the will of God operates through. A body can’t function without the Head, neither can we function without being in one body. In Romans 12:4-5, the Bible says, “For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.” Even though we have different callings, and hold different positions, our job as the body is to operate as one by following the Holy Spirit’s direction for our lives. In 1 Corinthians 12:12-13, the Bible says, “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.” The Church is designed to move as one with Christ at the Head, who is also one with us. Unity in the Church and in the Spirit is the goal, so that the perfect will of God can be done, and the Word of God can come alive in the hearts and minds of people all over the world.
When the Church is active, lives are supposed to change, souls are supposed to be saved, people are supposed to be healed, and people in bondage are supposed to be set free. Our movement in the earth should be no different than Christ’s movements in the earth, because the last part of 1 John 4:17 says, “as he is, so are we in this world.” The world is supposed to see us and see Christ in us. in Acts 11:26, the Bible says, “And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.” They were called Christians because they represented Christ, doing the same things He did in the earth for a whole year in Antioch before people identified them with Christ.
The word “fulness” means “completion, speaking of a multitude reaching an intended goal in number”. In Ephesians 4:10-12, the Bible says, “He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.) 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”. The Church must grow because there are positions to fill by those who will edify the body of Christ, who will come into unity of the faith together with the saints and with Christ.
The word “filleth” means “to supply abundantly with something, to impart richly, or imbue with”. 1 Corinthians 12:6-7, the Bible says, “And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.” The purpose of our individual capacities in the Lord is for all of us to fill gaps in the body, so every conceivable need in life is met by the Christ who is the Head of the Church. As the body, we are the conduit for the power of God to reach the world.
God Bless!
Marshall
Dec 28, 2021 – Acts 7:59 – Jesus Christ: The Mystery Uncovered Part 30 – Lord Jesus, receive my spirit
Hi Everyone!
Everything we are belongs to the Lord Jesus Christ. When we understand Who we belong to, it will make it easier for us to live for Him. As His children, God has always desired us to understand the mystery of His kingdom, so that we can be one with God the same way Christ was one with God.
Is Jesus Christ Lord over our lives, even our spirits? Do we know Christ, in all His glory, to be the one who receives our spirits into heaven?
When Christ ascended back into heaven, He received all power, and in having all power, He is the one we answer to, and the one who holds or safe passage into the kingdom of God.
We want to go to heaven, and experience eternal life, but are we a part of the kingdom of God while we are on earth? Does our spirit belong to the Lord, or do we believe that we are lord over our spirits?
Today, we will look at Acts 7:59, making ourselves available for the Lord to receive our spirits.
”And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.”
The word ”stoned” refers to a penalty imposed by a crowd pelting or throwing stones at someone, usually until they die. In this case, Stephen was ”on trial” for blasphemy, and the people in the synagogue wanted to murder him for speaking the truth about the Lord Jesus Christ. They couldn’t make a case against him lawfully, because not only did he teach the infallible Gospel of Jesus Christ, but in Acts 6:8 the Bible says, ”And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people.”
Stephen moved in the Holy Spirit’s power and in His direction, and he was faithful to His call.
In Acts 6:13, the Bible says, ”And set up false witnesses, which said, This man ceaseth not to speak blasphemous words against this holy place, and the law”. We know the people lied about Stephen, but the thing that sticks out is that they attested that Stephen ”ceaseth not to speak”. Stephen taught and preached everywhere he went and they hated him for it, especially since there was indisputable evidence of God’s power working in Him.
What really angered the synagogue people was in Acts 7:55-56, which says, ”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.” These two verses are powerful because they express what we must do as believers, that we must ”look up steadfastly into heaven, seeing the glory of God”, and we must testify to the things God reveals to us. Stephen testified to what Christ showed him, and Christ allowed Stephen to see that Christ was no longer seated at God’s right hand, but He was standing!!! In Luke 22:69, Christ says, ”Hereafter shall the Son of man sit on the right hand of the power of God,” but now He is standing and allowed Stephen to see it with His own eyes! When we do the will of God, Christ reveals the kingdom to us through the Holy Spirit. Stephen was stoned because he saw what Christ revealed and he was bold enough to speak. In America, we won’t speak about what God reveals and there is no fear of death.
The word ”calling” means ”appeal to, to invoke for aid, for worship, testimony, and decision”. Who do we call upon when we are afflicted? Who do we call upon when are under persecution? Who do we call upon when we are broken?
I just had a horrible stretch of days, amounting to heavy spiritual war, and I have never been in a spiritual battle that heavy before. I tried to call on Jesus, but I was so wrapped in my brokenness that I didn’t fully ask for help. In Jeremiah 29:12-13, the Bible says, ”Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.” The reason I struggled more mightily than I had to was my heart was divided. My pain became more real than my God, and I couldn’t give it all to Him, even knowing He is my only help.
This is important! Stephen calls ”upon God, and saying, ”Lord Jesus…”.
This is further evidence that Stephen uncovered the mystery of God, that Jesus Christ IS God!!
The word ”receive” means ”to accept, to take hold of, or to seize”. In 2 Corinthians 5:8, the Bible says, ”We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.” Stephen knew his death was coming and he knew who would receive his spirit. He knew the kingdom of God opened up to receive him, and He called upon God for it.
In Luke 23:46, the Bible says, ”And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost.’‘ There are parallels to Stephen and Christ, and that is because the same Holy Spirit was in both. Who will receive our spirits when our time on earth ends?
God Bless!
Marshall
Dec 29, 2021 – Isaiah 44:6 – Jesus Christ: The Mystery Uncovered Part 31 – I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God.
– Part 31 is The last in the Series – Jesus Christ: The Mystery Uncovered
Hi Everyone!
Our Lord Jesus Christ came to earth and became the Savior to the whole world. We have access to salvation, redemption, and eternal life through faith in His name. Christ was perfect in the earth because He is Emmanuel, God with us, God robed in flesh. All of this puts us in a great position, because we become the children of God, having direct access to the kingdom of God and all of His mysteries. We can know the things of God as believers through the Holy Spirit, who teaches us and leads us into all truth. We have all of this amazing access as believers.
But is Jesus Christ Lord in our lives?
Christ was there in the beginning, creating the whole world, He came down to earth to become the perfect atoning sacrifice for us, and He has ascended back to heaven in all power, as Lord over all. His reign has no end, because not only was He first, but He is also last. Today, we will close out this series into Jesus Christ with Isaiah 44:6, Christ, our Alpha and our Omega.
”Thus saith the LORD the King of Israel, and his redeemer the LORD of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God.”
The word “Lord” means “supreme in authority, controller”. A “king” is one who demonstrates his power and authority. How did Christ demonstrate His authority and power? In Matthew 20:26-28, Christ says, “But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.” Christ exercised His authority to serve people, to heal the sick, to raise the dead, to cause the blind to see, and to stir the hearts of people so they would turn to God for forgiveness and healing.
In Luke 7:22-23, the Bible says, ”Then Jesus answering said unto them, Go your way, and tell John what things ye have seen and heard; how that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, to the poor the gospel is preached. And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.” Christ didn’t come to have a power struggle with anyone, but He came so people could experience the kingdom of God while they still lived on earth. In Matthew 21:5, the Bible says, ”Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass.” Christ moved in the authority as a king, and had every right to fully be God, but made himself a servant, coming in full obedience to the Word of God. In the humility of Christ, we have an example of how we should, be no matter how we elevate spiritually, or the positions we hold in the Church.
”And His redeemer the Lord of Hosts”
The word ”redeemer” means ”one who buys someone back from spiritual death and bondage”. In Isaiah 43:1, the Bible says, ”But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine.” When Christ came, He took our place on the cross, and because of His blood, shed on the cross for the sins of the world, we have access to redemption that our best behavior couldn’t give. In Isaiah 44:24, the Bible says, ”Thus saith the LORD, thy redeemer, and he that formed thee from the womb, I am the LORD that maketh all things; that stretcheth forth the heavens alone; that spreadeth abroad the earth by myself.’‘ Our Redeemer, Jesus Christ, is also our Creator, and the Author of all things. Think about our Savior, who has all power in earth and in heaven, making provision for our salvation by making Himself the Sacrifice for our sins. We won’t sacrifice time, money, effort, or love for someone else, even those we love, but our amazing God did it all. The word ”hosts” speaks of a mass of people organized like an army, or the Church, who is also the army of the Lord.
In Job 19:25, the Bible says, ”For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth”. Our Redeemer lives and is in all power in heaven!
The word ”first” means ”chief one” speaking of rank and order. The word ”last” speaks of Christ being an end. The word ”beside” means ”without”. In Revelation 1:8, the Bible says, ”I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.” Christ was there in the beginning and He was there when salvation was made available to us, and He will be there in the end, when eternal life begins with a new heaven and a new earth, where Christ reigns forever.
In Revelation 1:17-18, the Bible says, ”And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last: I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.” Not only is our Loving Redeemer alive, but He is victorious over the enemy, as evidenced by Him having the keys to hell and death. There is nothing to fear when our God, the Lord Jesus Christ, has won the battle, and has come to earth in order to redeem His Church from the bondage of sin and the penalty of death.
God Bless!
Marshall
Dec 30, 2021 – Jude 1:23 – others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire
Hi Everyone!
Sharing the Word of God with others is such a powerful occurrence, one that is very pleasing to God. We received an amazing salvation through faith in Jesus Christ our Lord, one that has cleansed us from the filth of our sin and iniquity. We are new creations in Christ, transformed by His blood and by His Word, and our lives are completely new. We have access to walk in the power of the Holy Spirit, receiving guidance and teaching from the Holy Spirit. Abundant life is now ours and we have the privilege to access to the kingdom of God’s provision, and live according to God’s standards. In the midst of our incredible gifts, there are a ton of people around us that don’t know the Lord, that haven’t received salvation and redemption, that are living in sin that will lead to death, and that are being sorely misled. How can we live so well, while our brothers and sisters are wallowing in flames? Today, we will look at Jude 1:23, pulling our brothers and sisters out of the fire.
”And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.”
The word ”save” means ”to preserve safe from danger, loses, or destruction, in a spiritual or moral sense.” The word ”fear” means ”reverence, respect or honor to God or Christ, a deep reverential sense of accountability to God or Christ”. There are people who are misled by the false teaching of ungodly people, and are in dire need of redirection, having people teach them the Word of God in truth. God begins this work on earth with us.
In 1 Timothy 4:14-16, the Bible says, ”Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery. Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all. Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.” God gave us a gift of salvation, but when He charged us to go into the world and make disciples of all nations, He entrusted ministry to us as well, to ensure people are receiving the truth of the Word of God.
In 2 Timothy 4:2-3, the Bible says, ”Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears”. The enemy is busy sowing tares among the wheat, and many churches are filled with false teachers, people who spread apostasy in the Church, causing division and defection from the body. This is why we must preach in season or out of season because the truth must be shared and taught everywhere. Because we recognize that it was the Lord Jesus Christ who died on the cross so we would have the privilege to stand on His foundation, building our whole lives upon it, we should have a desire to do the things that please Him. We honor our Lord by doing what He says, and in this verse in Jude, He wants us to reach after those who are lost and misled by the false teachings of those with no honor for the things of God.
”Pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.”
The word ”pulling” implies taking out of, seizing from, or snatching someone away. This isn’t talking about the refining fire of God, which is beneficial for our well being, but this is speaking about the fire in Jude 1:7, which says, ”Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.” This is a fire that consumes, a fire that destroys, a fire that condemns, and a fire that torments.
In Luke 16:24, Christ says, ”And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.” This is the fire we are pulling our brothers and sisters out of, a fire that will blaze eternally.
The word ”hating” means ”to detest to persecute”. The word ”spotted” means ”defile or stained”. The word ”flesh” implies sinfulness, proneness to sin, the seat of carnal appetites and desires, sinful passions and affections whether physical or moral. In Zechariah 3:3-4, the Bible says, ”Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and stood before the angel. And he answered and spake unto those that stood before him, saying, Take away the filthy garments from him. And unto him he said, Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with change of raiment.’‘
God is looking to cleanse the world of sin, which is why Christ was sent. Let us continue that work allowing the Word of God to be washing people clean, and delivering them from the fire. Only the Word of God can do it!
God Bless!
Marshall
Dec 31, 2021 – Isaiah 41:10 – fear thou not; for I am with thee
Hi Everyone!
When we are without strength, walking in fear, broken and dejected, we have a God who will respond with the help we need to endure trial. God never allows His children to go through anything that He doesn’t keep us through, and if we seek His guidance, His perspective, His presence, and His protection, we will have everything we need to survive whatever storm or battle may come our way. God doesn’t promise His children an easy life, especially those in ministry. Sometimes, we are going to have enemies mounting up on all sides, and sometimes the pressure will be so great that quitting seems to be a better option than enduring. In the face of the hardest struggle, our God us right there, and if we rely upon His strength, we will stand upon our struggle victorious! Today, we are going to look at Isaiah 41:10, strength in the face of fear.
”Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.”
The word ”fear” means ”to be frightened, to make afraid”. If God is telling Israel to not be afraid, then this is evidence that God knows our feelings from the deepest parts of us. In Romans 8:27, the Bible says, ”And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.’‘ Our loving God searches our hearts, and knows what’s in there, even if we don’t open our mouths. God cares about our feelings, and He doesn’t want us walking in fear, because in Psalm 139:1, the Bible says, ”O lord, thou hast searched me, and known me.” God doesn’t just get in our hearts and minds to know our thoughts and feelings, but to further commune with us. To know someone means you become one with them, and that’s what God is doing, building a solid relationship with us. He wants us to get to the point where we will come to Him and know we are safe, and that is why He led this verse with ”Fear thou not”.
God doesn’t just tell us to not fear, but He goes further, He gives us a reason why we shouldn’t fear. ”I am with thee”. God is with us, and with Him dwelling inside of us, there is nothing worth fearing. In Psalm 27:1, the Bible says, ”The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” We are not walking in darkness, nor are we living without deliverance and strength to make it through life.
The word ”dismayed” means ”bewildered or to come undone”. God tells us to not be dismayed and gives us another reason, because ”I am thy God”. Having a relationship with God ensures that we are his children and He is our God, and what real parent won’t protect their children from harm, even with their own lives? In Joshua 1:9, the Bible says, ”Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.’‘ Wherever we go, God is right there. There is nothing or no one to fear!
The word ”strengthen” means ”to give courage to, to increase, to fortify, or to establish”. The word ”help” means ”surround, aid, or protect”. In Psalm 121:1-2, the Bible says, ”I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth.” Our God is bigger than our circumstances, than our fears that our enemies, and bigger than our life sentences without parole!
In Deuteronomy 31:6, the Bible says, ”Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.’‘ These are more reasons why we should trust God, because He won’t fail us, nor forsake us. God is not going to have us step out in faith and then leave us hanging. Moses encouraged Joshua with this Scripture because Joshua was leading Israel into the promised land, into a place that wouldn’t be easy to overtake. He was telling Joshua that He wouldn’t have to rely on his own strength, because God would have him covered.
The word ”uphold” means ”to sustain, to keep up”. The phrase ”right hand” means ”power, strength, or might”. The word ”righteousness” means ”right relation to justice, and a moral or ethical standard”. In Proverbs 18:10, the Bible says, ”The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.’‘ God’s righteousness is the power we need to overcome anything the enemy tries to do against us. The right hand of God is His Spirit moving at His command because in Zechariah 4:6, the Bible says, ”Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.” The Spirit of God is power, and we will have the victory.
Who do we trust in warfare, our fear or on our God?
God Bless!
Marshall
