Names of Jesus – Day 30 – Potentate

Posted on August 31, 2008 by Kate

The last day of this series ends with an awesome name for Jesus: Potentate.

~1 Timothy 6:15 Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords;

Noah Webster defines it as:

Potentate

PO’TENTATE, n. A person who possesses great power or sway; a prince; a sovereign; an emperor, king or monarch.

Exalting him not only above earthly princes and potentates, but above the highest of the celestial hierarchy.

Strong’s lists the Greek word as:

G1413

δυνάστης

dunastēs

doo-nas’-tace

From G1410; a ruler or officer: – of great authority, mighty, potentate.

When we apply the definitions to this verse, we see that our King of kings and Lord of lords is the ultimate Sovereign King – He is the Great Authority and His Word will be final. My friend, if you have not believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, you will not gain entrance into Heaven. The Word of God says,

~Revelations 7:14-17 And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them. They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.

The Great Shepherd will lead us to the ultimate still waters, the ultimate green pastures and will feed us Himself. Whatever name has defined Jesus Christ, He remains he King of Kings, Lord of Lords, Mighty Potentate, Saviour, Messiah, Bread of Life, Apostle, both High Priest and Passover, Lamb of God, our Rock and Fortress!

If you do not have an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ, you are missing out on spending eternity with Him in Heaven.

~Romans 10:8-13 But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; 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. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

You do not need to wait until you get out of purgatory. Jesus says that if you call on Him now, you SHALL be saved – not maybe – not possibly – but SHALL be! Don’t believe the traditions of men and church magisterium.

~John 9:35-39 Jesus heard that they had cast him out; and when he had found him, he said unto him, Dost thou believe on the Son of God? He answered and said, Who is he, Lord, that I might believe on him? And Jesus said unto him, Thou hast both seen him, and it is he that talketh with thee. And he said, Lord, I believe. And he worshipped him. And Jesus said, For judgment I am come into this world, that they which see not might see; and that they which see might be made blind.

Dear religious person, if you think you know the way to Heaven but depend on your works or church to get you there, you are the one that Jesus is speaking of when said “they which see might be made blind”! You think you can see but in the light of the Word of God, you are blind. Won’t you let Jesus talk to you through His Word today? Read your Bible and let the Holy Spirit of Jesus Christ reveal the way to salvation to you!

The Mighty Potentate will have the last word.

~Revelation 22:13 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.

Names of Jesus – Day 29 – Passover

Posted on August 30, 2008 by Kate

As we read our Bibles, we see that the Old Testament points forward to the Messiah and the New Testament reveals who the Messiah is. Why is Passover given to us as a name for Jesus?

~1 Corinthians 5:7 Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us:

Although the chapter and verse numbers were not in the original text, I find it interesting that this particular verse is found in Chapter 5, verse 7. Five symbolizes grace in the Bible and the number seven symbolizes perfection. God’s perfect grace was given to us through the Passover, Jesus Christ! Things like this always excite my spirit!

So what is Passover? You can read about how the Passover began in Exodus 12:1-14. It is such a beautiful account of salvation. The Jews were given this blessed event to point to the coming of their Messiah. The Bible says:

~Hebrews 9:22 And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.

God shed the blood of an innocent animal (~Genesis 3:21) to cover Adam and Eve after they had sinned. Notice that Adam and Eve knew they had sinned and tried to make their own coverings. What a wonderful depiction of man trying to come to God in his own way – through the works of his own hands. However, their coverings were not sufficient. God had to make the covering that was acceptable to Him. This was the first mention of the shedding of blood for a covering. We see another type of “offering” in ~Genesis 4 when Abel brought a lamb for a sacrifice and Cain tried to bring the fruit of his garden, the work of his own hands – thus his own efforts at salvation.

The Passover is a depiction of this future covering of sin. A spotless lamb had to be killed and its blood had to be painted on the three sides of the doorpost so the Angel of Death would pass over the house and not inflict death to th first born. What a beautiful depiction of Christ’s blood, a complete sacrifice from the God to mankind. The blood of a spotless lamb (Jesus’ sinless life) was painted on the three sides of the doorpost (three symbolizing the Godhead/Trinity).

When we accept Jesus Christ’s shed blood as payment for sins, repent and are born again, God sees Christ’s blood over us and we do not get what we deserve, which is eternal death in Hell. Does this not bless you? Our Passover, Jesus Christ, has removed all condemnation and replaced it with eternal life in Heaven!

~John 1:29 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 1:36 And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God!

Whatever God does is perfect. He provided the perfect Lamb because the Jews’ passover lamb was just a foreshadow of what was to come. Their lamb could not take away their sins. Our Perfect Passover Lamb can take away our sins! Praise the Lord! It is not a church that takes away sin. It is not a priest that takes away sin. Only the Perfect Lamb of God has the authority to take away sins because HE paid the price with His own blood. It is God’s responsibility, not sinful man. How can one sinner have the right to forgive another sinner’s sin? Sin is sin in God’s eyes (see James 2:10) – all sin is bad according to God and deserves Hell and judgment.

~Joshua 24:18-20 And the LORD drave out from before us all the people, even the Amorites which dwelt in the land: therefore will we also serve the LORD; for he is our God. And Joshua said unto the people, Ye cannot serve the LORD: for he is an holy God; he is a jealous God; he will not forgive your transgressions nor your sins. If ye forsake the LORD, and serve strange gods, then he will turn and do you hurt, and consume you, after that he hath done you good.

~Mark 2:7 Why doth this man thus speak blasphemies? who can forgive sins but God only?

~Luke 5:21 And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, Who is this which speaketh blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, but God alone?

Only God can forgive sins because He is the One who provided the sacrifice of shed blood, the covering and the forgiveness fulfilled through Jesus Christ, our Passover! Won’t you accept Jesus Christ as your only Passover? Salvation and forgiveness of sins can only be obtained through Christ. Five times (symbolic in the Bible for God’s grace) the phrase, “forgiveness of sins” is found in Scriptures:

~Acts 5:31 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.

~Acts 13:38 Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins:

~Acts 26:18 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.

~Ephesians 1:7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;

~Colossians 1:14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:

False religion will corrupt this beautiful message of the Passover. Rather than a remembrance, they sacrifice Christ anew daily and go against the Scriptures where we are told that Christ had to die only once for all sin. His death was sufficient – it was complete – once for all! Yes, we can remember His death as a memorial whenver we receive communion. But we cannot sacrifice Christ anew as the catholic church does.

~Hebrews 10:10-14 By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool. For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.

Names of Jesus – Day 28 – Messiah

Posted on August 29, 2008 by Kate

This name for Jesus, Messiah, appears twice in the Old Testament (Messiah) and twice in the New Testament (Messias).

~Daniel 9:25 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.

~Daniel 9:26 And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined.

~John 1:41 He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ.

~John 4:25 The woman saith unto him, I know that Messias cometh, which is called Christ: when he is come, he will tell us all things.

The Old Testament refers to the Messiah as a Prince and the New Testament refers to the Messiah as the Christ. According to Noah Webster’s Dictionary, Messiah means:

Messiah
MESSI’AH, a. [Heb. anointed.] Christ, the anointed; the Savior of the world.

I know that when Messiah cometh, who is called Christ, he will tell us all things. Jesus answered her, I that speak to thee am he. John 4.

I find it interesting that the Jews were looking for a Messiah that would be a Prince (a Conqueror) but did not see Him as a Saviour from their sin. The New Testament, however, does not concentrate on Jesus’ position as Prince (mentioned as such only three times) as much as a Saviour (mentioned 24 times).

Jesus was anointed of God for His mission as Messiah – to save the lost. He came to guide us to the Truth and to show us the only path to Heaven. He submitted to His Father to the point of death. This could not have been an easy task when you meditate on it. Would you have gone to your crucifixion death if you knew ahead of time the pain and agony it would cause? If you are interested, read about Jesus’ crucifixion as viewed by medical professionals. We can understand how submission to the Father’s will must have been priority with Jesus.

~John 3:16 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.

~Luke 22:42 Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.

~John 6:38 For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.

Yet, despite His knowing what was to come, He died for us! Christ was anointed for the sole purpose of coming to earth to die for our sins!

~John 12:47 And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world.

Just what will the Messiah save the world from?

2 Peter 2:9-15 The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished: But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities. Whereas angels, which are greater in power and might, bring not railing accusation against them before the Lord. But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption; And shall receive the reward of unrighteousness, as they that count it pleasure to riot in the day time. Spots they are and blemishes, sporting themselves with their own deceivings while they feast with you; 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;

I also found it interesting that Peter refers to those who have gone astray following the way of Balaam. Balaam is a type of antichrist – one who distorts the truth and leads people astray. The Bible refers to him in Numbers 23 and 24. Jesus refers to Balaam in:

~Revelation 2:14 But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.

Balaam enticed the Israelites to idolatry and sin. He became a stumbling block to the Jews and caused error to set in. Peter stated in 2 Peter 2:9-15 that they have forsaken the right way and are gone astray, following after Balaam. What does the Bible say is the right way?

~Proverbs 14:12 There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.

~John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

~Matthew 7:13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: ~Matthew 7:14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

~Matthew 7:15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

~Matthew 7:16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?

The catholic church uses verse 16 as proof of works for salvation. This is a teaching from Balaam. This is far from what Christ was teaching. Christ was teaching that grapes do not grow thorns nor figs thistles. It’s not rocket science. In other words, after salvation I will be producing righteous fruit. Before salvation, however, I will be producing those thorns and thistles because I am a child of the devil.

We will be able to recognize the teachings of Balaam by the fruit it produces. What kind of fruits do they produce? The fruits of these people will be the opposite of the fruits of the Holy Spirit.

~Ephesians 5:8-10 For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth; Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.

Therefore, the fruits of Balaam are: they walk not in the light – they do not seek after righteousness and truth and the do not prove what is acceptable to God.

Not only does our Messiah save us from sin but He teaches us. He even provides us with His Word so that we may prove what is acceptable to God!

~John 8:12 Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

~John 8:32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

~John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

~John 17:19 And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.

~Romans 1:25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.

~1 Corinthians 13:6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;

~2 Corinthians 4:2-4 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. 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.

~1Timothy 2:3-4 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

~2 Timothy 3:15-16 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

~John 17:17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

Jesus will not contradict Himself! The truth can be found by reading your Bible. You will find exactly what you need to find the Messiah and His salvation. You will also find how to identify the teachings of Balaam. The teachings of Balaam will try to lead you away from finding salvation through Jesus Christ. Balaam’s teachings will steer away from Christ and focus on something or someone else. The catholic church is famous for this. Their dogmas, magisterium and catholic sacred tradition point to Mary, the pope’s infallibility, purgatory, works, penance, sacraments, and salvation through the catholic church – these are just some of the things they teach. They have left the simple truth of the Word of God. The Messiah did not come with complex theories but He came with a simple mission.

Do not follow after someone without proving his words with the Scriptures. The Bible is your light given to you by the Messiah! The teachings of Balaam will corrupt God’s Word and cause the people to follow a lie. The only way to expose a lie is to know the Truth!

Names of Jesus – Day 27 – Master

Posted on August 28, 2008 by Kate

~Matthew 19:16-22 And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? (16) And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments. (17) He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, ( 18 Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. (19) The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet? (20) Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me. (21) But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions. (22)

Master was used in Jesus’ day to describe an instructor, teacher or doctor. The word was also used for the master of a household. How interesting it is that Jesus could fulfill these! Today’s Scripture passage is a well-known one and it cuts to the very heart of man.

Here is a young man who comes to Jesus and recognizes that Jesus is special. He not only called him Master, but Good Master. Then he asks Jesus what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life? Jesus’ response is one that every good person should take heed to. Jesus wanted to cut to the core of this young man. He knew that this young man was a “good” Jewish man and that he was trying to work his way to Heaven. Jesus also knew that this man kept the Law and lived by it. Like any good teacher, the Good Master even outlined the areas “of good” this man was striving to do so that he could inherit eternal life: he kept all of the commandments, the Law, and Jesus named them. The man responded to Jesus, “All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?”

What a great question! If you are trying to work your way to Heaven by following the teachings of your religion, you are like this young man. The Good Master knew the young man’s heart and knew that there was something that was really important to him – it had a “clutch” on him. Jesus told him to sell everything he had, give it to the poor, and come and follow Him. Had riches not had a grip on the young man, it would have been nothing for him to give up. The fact that he was sorrowful and went away shows that his riches meant more to him than following Christ.

Does Jesus require all men to give up everything and live like a pauper? No! But He does want you to be willing to give everything up. Do you hear Jesus’ message The Good Master is trying to teach you in His Word. What do you place ahead of salvation? Is it money? Is it your spouse or your family? Is it fear of leaving the teachings you’ve had all your life – that familiarity? Do you think that all those good deeds you are doing will get you to Heaven? Do you think that following the traditions of your church will get you to Heaven? Notice that this young man did all the things required of him yet Jesus told him it was not enough.

Jesus knows your heart just as He knew the heart of this rich young man. You can be entrenched in catholicism, Judaism or whatever religion. But what does God’s Word say? Jesus may not require you to give up your wealth, but he will definitely require you to give up working your way to Heaven, just as He did with this young man.

~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.

There is nothing you can do that will get you any closer to Heaven. The only work that can successfully get you to Heaven is the work of Jesus Christ – His death on the cross, the shedding of His own blood, and His resurrection! Christ did all the work – all we need to do is to accept the fact that there is nothing more we can add to it. This rich young man did everything he was taught to get to Heaven but it was not enough.

~Romans 3:24-25 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;

So where do you stand today? Does your religion mean more to you than following Christ? Does your family mean more to you than following Jesus? Jesus had nothing against riches. But Jesus knew that riches meant more to this young man than salvation. How very sad, indeed! Let the Master teach you instead of man!

Names of Jesus – Day 26 – Horn of Salvation

Posted on August 27, 2008 by Kate

What do you think of when you read these two verses? I think of the horn of a rhino or the horns of a ram. All animals with horns use them as a means of defense when a predator attacks.

~2 Samuel 22:3 The God of my rock; in him will I trust: he is my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower, and my refuge, my saviour; thou savest me from violence.

~Psalm 18:2 The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.

What a blessing to think of our God being our horn – our means of defense when ole slew foot tries to overcome us!

But the Jews also used the horn as an instrument. Did you know that the shofar is the oldest instrument in the Jewish religion and dates back 5,000 years? The shofar is made from a ram’s horn, mostly, but can also be the horn of a sheep or a goat. The shofar is blown 100 times at Rosh Hashanah, which is the holiday celebrating the Jewish New Year. The shofar is blown to proclaim the coronation of their King of Kings! Oh what an exciting holiday this must be for the Jews! How exciting for the Christian as well since we know Who that King of Kings truly is – our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.

In my readings, I have found that when the Jews celebrate Rosh Hashanah, they remember Isaac being on the altar when Abraham was about to sacrifice him. But God stopped Abraham’s hand and provided a ram for Abaraham to use for the burnt offering!

~Genesis 22:13 And Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold behind him a ram caught in a thicket by his horns: and Abraham went and took the ram, and offered him up for a burnt offering in the stead of his son.

What a beautiful picture of God the Father sending His Son, Jesus Christ, our Horn of Salvation, to be the sacrifice acceptable to God!

I also love the fact that Rosh Hashanah occurs on the first day of the seventh month! One is symbolic of One God – seven is symbolic of perfection! Christ Jesus is the Perfect salvation of mankind – the Perfect Lamb of God – the Perfect Sacrifice.

Our horn of salvation, Jesus Christ, is depicted throughout the Old Testament! What a beautiful picture! When we look at the horn as a tool of defense, I can see how Jesus is my defense. The Word says that He has defeated the devil, once and for all.

~John 16:33 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.

~1 John 4:4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

We have nothing to fear because the Horn of our Salvation is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords! Our Defender will be the Victor!

~1 Timoth 6:15 Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords;

~Revelation 17:14 These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.

~Revelation 19:16 And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.

Does this not give you goosebumps? It does me! Hallelujah to the King! Sing praises to the God of Glory!

Names of Jesus – Day 25 – Guide

Posted on August 26, 2008 by Kate

What a wonderful Name of Jesus Christ! The Word of God, Jesus Christ, (John 1:1) is also our Guide. It is only through the precious Bible that we can read, learn and grow! The first time the word guide is used in this context is in:

~Psalm 48:14 For this God is our God for ever and ever: he will be our guide even unto death.

Strong’s defines this word as:

H5090

nâhag
naw-hag’
A primitive root; to drive forth (a person, an animal or chariot), that is, lead, carry away; reflexively to proceed (that is, impel or guide oneself); also (from the panting induced by effort), to sigh: – acquaint, bring (away), carry away, drive (away), lead (away, forth), (be) guide, lead (away, forth). נהג

Noah Webster defines guide in this way:

One who directs another in his conduct or course of life.

Each time H5090 [נהג nâhag] is used in the Old Testament, we see clearly how God is our Guide. This word is not used in reference to a human being being the guide.

~Psalm 31:3 For thou art my rock and my fortress; therefore for thy name’s sake lead me, and guide me.

Christ is our Rock and our Fortress. We cannot enter Heaven without Him. His desire is to Guide us to the Rock.

~Psalm 61:2 From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I.

David knew that only God could lead him on the right course. Only God can guide us on the right paths of righteousness because He alone is the Righteous One.

~Isaiah 49:10 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.

~Isaiah 51:18 There is none to guide her among all the sons whom she hath brought forth; neither is there any that taketh her by the hand of all the sons that she hath brought up.

Israel was rebellious and they did not have God to guide them but instead, they suffered the wrath of God.

For the New Testament saints, the Holy Spirit of God is our Guide and was left to us by Christ Himself. The Greek word for guide is:

G3594
ὁδηγέω
hodēgeō
hod-ayg-eh’-o
From G3595; to show the way (literally or figuratively [teach]): – guide, lead.

Here we see the same concept as in the Old Testament. The word for guide as it relates to God is a different word than that used for a human being. Isn’t that a blessing to you?

~Acts 1:16 Men and brethren, this scripture must needs have been fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost by the mouth of David spake before concerning Judas, which was guide to them that took Jesus.

~Acts 8:31 And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him.

~Romans 2:19 And art confident that thou thyself art a guide of the blind, a light of them which are in darkness,

The Holy Spirit of Jesus Christ, God, is our Guide. He resides within us and teaches how to guide the unsaved to salvation!

You Must Be Born Again

Posted on August 25, 2008 by Kate

Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. ~John 3:3 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born? ~John 3:4 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. ~John 3:5 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. ~John 3:6 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. ~John 3:7 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit. ~John 3:8 Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be? ~John 3:9 Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things? ~John 3:19 Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness. ~John 3:11 If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things? ~John 3:12 And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven. ~John 3:13 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: ~John 3:14 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. ~John 3:15 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. ~John 3:16) For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. ~John 3:17 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. ~John 3:18 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. ~John 3:19

Jesus answered Nicodemus directly. He did not mince His words or try to make them ultra religious. Nor did Jesus sugar-coat the words with what He thought Nicodemus “wanted” to hear. Jesus came right out and said “Verily, verily.” Here is double emphasis at the very beginning of Jesus’ statement. It’s as if Jesus were saying, “Nicodemus, surely, surely!” Jesus wanted Nicodemus to pay attention and to understand how important the following words were going to be. He did not want Nicodemus’ thoughts to be clouded with his religious background. He wanted Nicodemus in the “here and now.”

Nicodemus had no idea what Jesus was saying in this verse. This was something new to his ears. No matter how much Scripture he had put to memory, this was still something new. Jesus made it clear that Nicodemus could not see God’s kingdom unless he was born again. Jesus was concise. Jesus was plain in just 19 simple words. Man is originally born of water when he comes out of the womb. Jesus went further and stated that man now had to be born of the spirit and be born again.

Dear friend, do not let your religious upbringing obscure your thoughts today. Ask God to reveal His truth to you. God does not want you to be ignorant but to have wisdom through the Word.

“For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; …” (Romans 11:25a)

Dear God…
One day I will meet You face-to-face
Not a deed will I be able to hide
Remove from me the obstacles
Which lead to Your bleeding Side.

Names of Jesus – Day 24 – Gift of God

Posted on August 24, 2008 by Kate

Did you ever receive a gift coupon in the mail or in an email only to find out that you have to jump through hoops to obtain it? We received a gift coupon for a lovely weekend getaway but we had to sit through a few hours of a sales presentation in order to get the weekend getaway. The whole point of this is the fact that there was a gift awaiting us but we had to go there and do something to receive it.

It isn’t that way with salvation, my friend. There is nothing that we can do to earn this gift of salvation from God.

~Romans 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

This blesses me so much! I did not not have to wait until I cleaned up my life in order for Christ to die for my sins. Christ died for my sins while I was yet a sinner. I once gave the plan of salvation to a co-worker at my job. She told me that she needed to clean up her life before she could get saved because God would not want her the way she was. My response to her was that Romans 5:8 says that Jesus Christ already died for her sin even before she could clean up her life.

Cleaning up your life can no longer be used as an excuse. In fact, this concept is just another way man can say he is working his way to Heaven. If you could clean up your life enough to have salvation, then Christ’s gift is no longer a gift. Salvation then, in your eyes, becomes a wage from work that you have done on your own. But the Bible says:

~Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Our gift from God goes beyond our comprehension. We tend to try to “humanize” this gift. But God is not human and His love for us goes beyond mere human words and thoughts.

~2 Corinthians 9:15 Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.

There aren’t enough words to describe God’s love toward us and the gift that He has given to us.

What is this gift?

~John 3:16 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.

Jesus Christ is this unspeakable gift. What Christ did for us is unbelievable! He died for people He was not related to or was even close friends with. How many people would you die for? Surely you would die for your family, or even a good friend. But would you die for that homeless man you pass on your way home from work?

For those of you who are interested in reading about Christ’s crucifixion as it is viewed by those of the medical profession, click here. It brings tears to my eyes every time I read it.

Christ gave Himself, His very body and shed His own precious blood so that God’s demand of payment for sin would be satisfied. God is Holy, my friend. He demands that payment (restitution) be made for sin. Just as you would have a price to pay if you committed a crime, so does God require a payment for all sin. God is a just God. He cannot allow sin into Heaven and, therefore, requires that payment be made in full.

Christ fulfilled this payment. It would be just as if I went to court and stood before the Judge for all of my horrible sins. The Judge states that I deserve to die and I am now sentenced to death with no possibility of parole. My Attorney, Jesus Christ, goes before the Judge and says,

Father, I died on the cross and shed my own blood so that Kate does not have to go to hell. She has accepted me as the only payment for her sins and her penalty and death has been paid by Me.

It is at this point, at my salvation, that the Father (the Judge) says,

Kate is free from my judgment of hell because her sins are covered by my Son’s own blood and He has paid a great price for her with His own life!

My friend, if you are not a repentant born-again Christian, please read these words with all sincerity of heart!

~Galatians 1:4 Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father:

~Galatians 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless 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.

~Ephesians 5:25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;

~1 Timothy 2:6 Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.

~Titus 2:14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

If these verses bring conviction to your heart, please know that you can turn to Jesus Christ right now and be one of those that has been purchased by Jesus Christ with His own blood. There is nothing you can do to earn this gift. It is a free gift from God. But you do have to accept that precious Gift. Acknowledge to God in prayer that you are a sinner in need of salvation. Confirm to God that you are repentant. That means that you sincerely desire to turn away from your sins and follow Him. Acknowledge that Jesus Christ is the only way to Heaven and that you accept His gift and His work on the cross for your salvation.

Now, may we all be able to rejoice with the Apostle Paul!!!!

~2 Corinthians 9:15 Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.

Does the Bible Support the Sin of Presumption?

Posted on August 23, 2008 by Kate

The catholic church teaches in its catechism that one cannot be so presumptuous as to say that he is going to Heaven when he dies:

There are two kinds of presumption. Either man presumes upon his own capacities, (hoping to be able to save himself without help from on high), or he presumes upon God’s almighty power or his mercy (hoping to obtain his forgiveness without conversion and glory without merit.” Pg. 507, #2092

This teaching makes my blood boil! Specifically, “he presumes upon God’s almighty power or his mercy (hoping to obtain his forgiveness without conversion and glory without merit.” There are so many Bible verses that contradict this catholic teaching alone, it amazes me that the average catholic has not picked up on it! The average catholic has not picked up on it because the average catholic (and I was one of them) never reads his Bible!

So what does the Bible teach? The Bible says that we cannot be saved on our own but only through Jesus Christ and His shed blood on the cross. It is because of God’s precious mercy that we are not all killed right now and thrown into Hell!

~John 3:16 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 catechism teaching has truth mixed with false teaching. The truth is that man cannot save himself (the first part of #2092). The truth is that man cannot obtain forgiveness without conversion (second part of #2092). However, the false teaching lies in the latter part of #2092 “Man cannot obtain forgiveness without merit.” This false teaching is a subtle one indeed. The catholic church teaches that as long as a catholic keeps the sacraments and does good works, he will die and go to purgatory and then be allowed into Heaven.

This is quite contrary to what the Bible teaches. There is nothing man can do in his own merit that can bring salvation. The devotional for August 22, 2008, goes into great depth about how God views our own personal works. Only Christ’s work on the cross is sufficient for God! Christ is the only way. It is only by God’s mercy that we are saved! He did not wait for us to be good enough but sent His Son while we were yet sinners!

~Romans 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

What better proof of God’s mercy than sending His Son to die for us while we were yet sinners? Does this say that He sent His Son to die for us while we did our good works?

~1 Peter 1:3-5 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, (3) To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, (4) Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. (5)

Secondly, the Bible teaches that we can know that we are saved, right here – right now! It is not presumptuous at all. Paul absolutely knew he was going to Heaven when he left this earth! In fact, he was torn between staying here on earth to continue his ministry and going to be with Christ!

~Philippians 1:23 For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better:

~2 Corinthians 5:8 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.

What proof do you need? Paul told the Corinthians that the Christians are confident that once they leave their earthly bodies they will be present with Christ!

So why can the rest of the repentant, born-again Christians know they are going to Heaven? What verses teach this?

~2 Corinthians 5:8 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.

~ 1 John 5:13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

~John 3:36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but thewrath of God abideth on him.
~John 5:24 He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.

Read your Bible, dear catholic! It’s all in there! We can know for sure that we are going to Heaven when we die because we do not depend upon our own works but upon Jesus Christ’s death on the cross.

~Romans 9:31-33 But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness. (31) Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone; (32) As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. (33)

Paul told the Jews that they were following after the works of the law, just as the catholic is doing today. Paul told the Jews that because they didn’t seek God by faith, but by their works, they stumbled at the stumblingstone! You, dear catholic, are stumbling as well. You have chosen to follow the works of the catholic church instead of pursuing your faith in the work of Jesus Christ. The catholic church does not want you to read your Bible because they know that within its pages are the words of life!

~Romans 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

As long as the catholic church leaders can keep you out of the Bible, they can keep your faith from growing. But God’s Word promises that your faith will grow IF you read your Bible. In its pages are truth, my friend! Won’t you take the challenge today? You have lack of faith because you do not read the Word of God which builds your faith!

The Sacraments Do Not Save

Posted on August 22, 2008 by Kate

The catholic church teaches that there are seven sacraments, according to their catechism. They go so far as to say that these sacraments are necessary for salvation:

“There are seven sacraments in the Church: Baptism, Confirmation or Chrismation, Eucharist, Penance, Anointing of the Sick, Holy Orders, and Matrimony.” Pg. 289, #1113

“The Church affirms that for believers the sacraments of the New Covenant are necessary for salvation.” Pg. 292, #1129

These are not my words, dear catholic, but those of your catechism.

The Bible gives us a clear outline on what we must do to be saved. All the sacraments reflect man’s works – man’s ability to achieve salvation through doing something rather than solely trusting on the Lord Jesus Christ’s shed blood on the cross for complete remission of sins. Nothing we do to achieve salvation will ever benefit us or save us. The sacraments, or any works, are man’s attempt to justify himself before God.

~Romans 3:20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.

Cain tried to justify himself before God by the works of his own hands and God did not accept his offering (~Genesis 4:3-5). Abel offered a firstling of his flock as God commanded of him – of which our Lord Jesus Christ is a symbol (the Lamb of God). But the fruit of Cain’s garden was not pleasing to God – this is a symbol of man’s works – this was Cain’s idea of how he could come to God. Things have not changed in these thousands of years. It did not work with Cain and it will not work for us today either. God will look upon your works with the same disgust as He did on Cain’s.

God views our own works as filthy and putrid, my friend!

~Isaiah 64:6 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.

Nothing we can do is clean enough of God’s eyes. Can’t you see that? Notice how Isaiah says that all of our righteousnesses are as filthy rags? This means that anything good that we try to do for God appears like a filthy rag to God. This means that praying a thousand rosaries, attending mass every day, or even working at a nursing home to help the elderly will be of no benefit to you.
The Hebrew word for filthy is:

H5708

עד

‛êd
ayd
From an unused root meaning to set a period (compare H5710 and H5749); the menstrual flux (as periodical); by implication (in plural) soiling: – filthy.

Just reading this description is disgusting to me. When we look at the difference between this disgusting type of blood and the precious blood of Jesus Christ, we can see a vast difference. If you read in Leviticus 15:19-33 and 20:18, you will see what was required when dealing with this type of blood – the cleaning ceremonies were intense. The leper was also linked with this type of uncleanness (Leviticus 13:45) and his rags were considered just as filthy. I once heard a sermon about lepers. The preacher said that before the leper could enter a city, he had to take a rag from the top of a post (that other lepers had used) and rub hard over his leperous sores. He would then return the filthy rag back to the top of the post for the next leper to use. Is this not disgusting to you? Isaiah says that God views our good works in the same manner He views this filthy rag!

God compares our own works to this putrid type of filthy rag! There is nothing that we can do that will even come close to the precious blood of Jesus Christ.

Everything you do in order to get closer to God will fall short of what God requires of us. This includes the sacraments required by the catholic church. Here is what the Bible has to say on this subject:

~Ecclesiastes 7:20 For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.

Notice that this verse uses the words just man. This Hebrew word for just is:

H6662

צדּיק
tsaddîyq
tsad-deek’
From H6663; just: – just, lawful, righteous (man).

This includes anyone who thinks he is “just,” “lawful,” or “religious.” That even includes the good religious catholic, Jew or anyone who thinks himself a “good” person. God views every act of a “good” person as unrighteous because of our fallen sinful nature. He sees the pridefulness behind our good works.

We are sinners because we have the fallen nature of Adam. The good person does not have genuine repentance. The catholic’s penance lacks true sincerity and it is reflected in his prayers to God. Furthermore, his prayer life is routine – it is repetitious. He thinks God will hear him because he has prayed a hundred prayers in chapel that morning (~Matthew 6:7).

Because of his pride, he secretly desires that others see his public prayer and his good deeds. He secretly desires to be known for his good works rather than letting God receive the glory for them. A good man’s holiness can only be viewed as putrid sin when compared to that of the holiness of God. In fact, the good person’s religious worship and acts contain enough sin in them all to condemn him to a million hells.

How then can the catholic say that obeying the sacraments assures salvation? The Bible says:

~Acts 5:29 Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.

If the sacraments are to be obeyed, and if the sacraments are of God, then they would be found in the Bible. They are not found there but instead, they are recorded in the traditions of men, the catholic church’s sacred tradition and magisterium – attempting to reach God through religion. But God cannot be reached in this manner. There is nothing we can do in this flesh that will ever please God. We can only reach God through salvation in Jesus Christ and after doing so, we receive the Holy Spirit of God and can now say that we can truly worship God with the same obedience that Abel worshipped God with his sacrifice – because we are covered by the Perfect Sacrifice, Jesus Christ and His blood!

~John 4:23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.

~John 4:24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

~Philippians 3:3 For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.

Jesus is the only way to God, my dear catholic.

~John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

This does not say that you can reach the Father through the sacraments or even just one of the sacraments, like baptism for example. You can only come to God when you acknowledge that you can do nothing yourself (like Cain) to earn salvation. All God will see is your filthy rags. You must acknowledge that Christ’s shed blood is the only righteousness there is to cover your filthy rags of good works. Once you have repented of your filthy sin and accept Christ’s perfect righteous blood as the only worthy sacrifice, you can be seen by the Father as righteous – not because of your own righteousness but because of Christ’s righteousness! Christ’s blood is the only thing that the Father wishes to see and Jesus’ blood is the only thing that the Father will accept, just as He did with Cain.

No amount of keeping the sacraments, praying a thousand rosaries, going to confession daily, doing daily penance, repeated flaggellations, climbing the stairs of a cathedral on your knees, wearing rough clothing against your skin, working in the soup kitchen, – NOTHING can cause God to view your good works in any other way than as that putrid dirty bloody rag mentioned in Isaiah 64:6. The Father sees only His Son’s righteous blood. Won’t you finally acknowledge that it is only the blood of Jesus that can set you free?

~John 8:36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.

Maranatha!

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. Ps. 119:105

Monthly Archives: August 2008