The Gospel According to Luke

We may not know the timeframe but we do know that Jesus will return to His Body of Believers.

Exodus 14:14 The Lord Himself will fight for you. You need only be still.  

Though we cannot track God's thoughts for us, we can be sure they are greater than any fears, foes or woes that come against us. First5

To receive life as a gift is to acknowledge that we do not — and indeed cannot — hold our world together out of our sheer effort, will and strength. Most of the best things in life can only be received and held with open hands. Like the story of the Israelites receiving manna from God in the desert, we receive what we need as sheer mercy, but it cannot be hoarded, clung to or clutched. Instead, understanding all of our existence as a gift allows us to see that we are limited in our own capacity to control the world and yet we are given what we need, day by day.” (Rev. Tish Harrison Warren) “SabbathMoments “

The Gospel According to Luke The NKJV Study Bible

For Luke, Jesus is the promised Messiah (1:31–35), the Son of God (9:35), the Servant through whom God works (4:16–18), and the Lord who is called to sit at God’s right hand exerting His authority and giving the Spirit to those who believe. Though aspects of God’s plan are fulfilled in Jesus’ First Coming, other parts of the plan remain to be fulfilled when Jesus returns (21:5–36).

1:31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus. 32 He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. 33 And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.” 34 Then Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I do not know a man?” 35 And the angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God.

9:35 And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is My beloved Son. Hear Him!” 36 When the voice had ceased, Jesus was found alone. But they kept quiet, and told no one in those days any of the things they had seen.

4:16 So He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up. And as His custom was, He went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and stood up to read. 17 And He was handed the book of the prophet Isaiah. And when He had opened the book, He found the place where it was written: 18 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, Because He has anointed Me To preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives And recovery of sight to the blind, To set at liberty those who are oppressed;

21:5 Then, as some spoke of the temple, how it was adorned with beautiful stones and donations, He said, 6 “These things which you see—the days will come in which not one stone shall be left upon another that shall not be thrown down.” 7 So they asked Him, saying, “Teacher, but when will these things be? And what sign will there be when these things are about to take place?” 

8 And He said: “Take heed that you not be deceived. For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am He,’ and, ‘The time has drawn near.’ Therefore do not go after them. 9 But when you hear of wars and commotions, do not be terrified; for these things must come to pass first, but the end will not come immediately.” 10 Then He said to them, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. 11 And there will be great earthquakes in various places, and famines and pestilences; and there will be fearful sights and great signs from heaven. 12 But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons. You will be brought before kings and rulers for My name’s sake. 13 But it will turn out for you as an occasion for testimony. 14 Therefore settle it in your hearts not to meditate beforehand on what you will answer; 15 for I will give you a mouth and wisdom which all your adversaries will not be able to contradict or resist. 16 You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, relatives and friends; and they will put some of you to death. 17 And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. 18 But not a hair of your head shall be lost. 19 By your patience possess your souls.

20 “But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation is near. 21 Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those who are in the midst of her depart, and let not those who are in the country enter her. 22 For these are the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled. 23 But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! For there will be great distress in the land and wrath upon this people. 24 And they will fall by the edge of the sword, and be led away captive into all nations. And Jerusalem will be trampled by Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled. 

25 “And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring; 26 men’s hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 27 Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.” 29 Then He spoke to them a parable: “Look at the fig tree, and all the trees. 30 When they are already budding, you see and know for yourselves that summer is now near. 31 So you also, when you see these things happening, know that the kingdom of God is near. 32 Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all things take place. 33 Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.

34 “But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly. 35 For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth. 36 Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.”

Colossians 3:12-15

Love fulfills the Law!!! 

We live with Gratitude and Thanksgiving in response to the teachings of Christ. Have a happy and blessed thanksgiving!

John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave us…JESUS

Our God is rich in mercy, (Ephesians 2:4) and He longs to be gracious to us. (Isaiah 30:18) We do not have to live fearing God's judgment because He offers salvation to all who call on Him, (Romans 10:9;  Romans 10:13) to all who come in repentance and humility before Him. (Mark 6:12;  Acts 3:19) One day this opportunity will be no more. (Proverbs 27:1;  Hebrews 3:15) May we accept His mercy today and so live transformed by the power of the Son of God, who gave Himself in our place! (Galatians 2:20;  Romans 8:1;  Romans 6:23) First5

Colossians 3:12-15

12 Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; 13 bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. 14 But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. 15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. 17 And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. The New King James Version

Originally, God chose the nation of Israel to be His people. However, because such distinctions are rendered irrelevant in Christ, Paul affirms the Colossian believers as being among God’s chosen people. Believers must have patience with one another, even while enduring difficult situations. Even in the community of believers, the actions of some offend or hurt others; how believers respond is critical. Experiencing God’s forgiveness shows that believers must forgive one another. The Greek word used here, eirēnē, refers to wholeness or the absence of conflict in a relationship. Let the Peace of Christ Rule in Your Hearts. Paul commands the Colossians to express gratitude for the things they have and the people in their lives. Gratitude is a safeguard against grumbling and complaining, both of which can ruin a community. Faithlife Study Bible

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly is apparently a parallel thought to Paul’s statement in Ephesians 5:18 where he says to be “filled with the Spirit.” Both here and in Ephesians, the result of being “filled” with the Spirit or the word of Christ is singing. The psalms are the psalms found in the OT, the “songbook” of the early church as well as of Israel. The hymns would be the songs of the church that reflected the new truth in Christ. Spiritual songs may have been other kinds of songs praising God. Paul sums up how Christians should live. We should commit everything we do or say to Jesus and continually thank God for all His good gifts. The NKJV Study Bible

We must not only do no hurt to any, but do what good we can to all. Those who are the elect of God, holy and beloved, ought to be lowly and compassionate towards all. While in this world, where there is so much corruption in our hearts, quarrels will sometimes arise. But it is our duty to forgive one another, imitating the forgiveness through which we are saved. Let the peace of God rule in your hearts; it is of his working in all who are his. Thanksgiving to God, helps to make us agreeable to all men. The gospel is the word of Christ. Many have the word, but it dwells in them poorly; it has no power over them. The soul prospers, when we are full of the Scriptures and of the grace of Christ. But when we sing psalms, we must be affected with what we sing. Whatever we are employed about, let us do every thing in the name of the Lord Jesus, and in believing dependence on him. Those who do all in Christ’s name, will never want matter of thanksgiving to God, even the Father. Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

Mark 11:25 “And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses.

Luke 1:78 Through the tender mercy of our God, with which the Dayspring from on high has visited us;

John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

Philippians 4:7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Ezekiel 20:45-49

Babylon was used as the Sword of God. He will use the Refiners fire to bring you back to  your senses. He will separate the chaff, the product of sin, from the wheat, producing fruit, in our lives.

Jesus did not leave us to fend for ourselves!

What is impossible for us on our own power…Holy Spirit makes possible through His. 

But we must stay alert and resist the enemy by resisting the ways of the world. 

Justice happens to the degree that we align ourselves with God’s hand of fairness. When you teach a disabled child to walk or read, when you care for the elderly, when you rally to support the oppressed, you accomplish something that will continue into the world to come. It’s a wonderful thing to restore art or dilapidated houses, but it is a holy thing to restore human dignity. When we join hands with God’s, justice finds oxygen, and oppression hides in the corner.

To be clear, the day is coming when God will forever balance the scales of justice. The glory of the new kingdom will be hallmarked by prosperity and justice. Until then, let’s partner with him in the pursuit of what is right. When you stand up for the downtrodden, justice has a chance, and Satan has a fit. Max Lucado

God desires for us to declare war on our sin and hate it as much as He does. He sent Jesus to die for our sin so that we can live in the freedom of His grace. (John 3:16) He's provided everything we need to defeat the enemy, even a Comforter to help us become like Jesus. (Ephesians 6:10-17;  John 14:26) First5 

"Who is this King of Glory? The Lord of Hosts, mighty in battle!" Thank You that I can count on You, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, to strengthen, equip and fight the enemy of our souls. We are victorious when we do what 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 says: "Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing. In all things give thanks for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." Laura “First5”

Ezekiel 20:45-49

45 Furthermore the word of the Lord came to me, saying, 46 “Son of man, set your face toward the south; preach against the south and prophesy against the forest land, the South, 47 and say to the forest of the South, ‘Hear the word of the Lord! Thus says the Lord God: “Behold, I will kindle a fire in you, and it shall devour every green tree and every dry tree in you; the blazing flame shall not be quenched, and all faces from the south to the north shall be scorched by it. 48 All flesh shall see that I, the Lord, have kindled it; it shall not be quenched.” ’ ” 49 Then I said, “Ah, Lord God! They say of me, ‘Does he not speak parables?’ “ The New King James Version 

The forest land, the South refers to the land of Judah—the southern kingdom—which had more trees then than now. From the south to the north is a  figure of speech and expresses totality, meaning “everywhere.” The NKJV Study Bible

Judah and Jerusalem had been full of people, as a forest of trees, but empty of fruit. God’s word prophesies against those who bring not forth the fruits of righteousness. When He will ruin a nation, who or what can save it? The plainest truths were as parables to the people. It is common for those who will not be wrought upon by the word, to blame it. Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

In the Hebrew text, this verse marks the beginning of chapter 21. The change in subject matter is also marked by Ezekiel’s characteristic phrase, “The word of Yahweh came to me.” An expression indicating Ezekiel’s act of turning his attention toward his intended audience. Many of the oracles in Ezekiel open with this phrase. The Hebrew word used here, teman, was used for the direction south and as a name for a place in Edom, southeast of Judah. It literally means, “that which is on the right.” The south is on the right when facing east. Ezekiel’s oracles of judgment were also directed at geographical or topographical locations that represented the human recipients of judgment. Fire is the agent of destruction against the southern region. A figure of speech called a merism that indicates totality. Here it symbolizes that all vegetation will be consumed by this fire. The power of the fire will reveal its divine origin. Ezekiel wonders whether his parables and metaphors are getting through to his audience. Perhaps the people had come to hear him more for the entertainment value of his artistic word-images than for the conviction that should come from hearing God’s message. Their view of him as an entertainer would lessen the gravity of his warnings and neutralize his effectiveness as a watchman. Faithlife Study Bible

Isaiah 9:18 For wickedness burns as the fire; it shall devour the briers and thorns, And kindle in the thickets of the forest; they shall mount up like rising smoke.

Isaiah 9:19 Through the wrath of the LORD of hosts the land is burned up, and the people shall be as fuel for the fire; no man shall spare his brother.

Jeremiah 21:14 But I will punish you according to the fruit of your doings,” says the LORD;“ I will kindle a fire in its forest, and it shall devour all things around it.” ’ ”

Ezekiel 21:2 “Son of man, set your face toward Jerusalem, preach against the holy places, and prophesy against the land of Israel;

 

Life Church Vineyard Lancaster, OH

Everyone Gets To Play! The Spiritual Gift of Prophesy. 

Holy Spirit is the third person of the Godhead.

Joel 2:28-29

28 “And it shall come to pass afterward That I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your old men shall dream dreams, Your young men shall see visions. 29 And also on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days.

Acts 2:1-4

2 When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

God gifts me with what I need for the person in front of me. He is the gift giver. We are the gift deliverer. Holy Spirit is available in ALL situation.

“The how comes when we do the what.” John Wimber

The healthier you are, the healthier the Church is.

“Church health is determined by its commitment to address the mess.”

“The messiness of ministry is the ministry.” Mitch Price

The gifts are the equipment of Holy Spirit.

“There are no healers, there are only those who are being used to heal.” Ron Grubb

Faith without action is dead. We show our faith by what we do.

Tongues is not essential or a mandate …but it is beneficial and an opportunity to use this prayer language.

The gift of prophesy

1 Corinthians 14:1-5

14 Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy. 2 For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands him; however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries. 3 But he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men. 4 He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church. 5 I wish you all spoke with tongues, but even more that you prophesied; for he who prophesies is greater than he who speaks with tongues, unless indeed he interprets, that the church may receive edification.

Without love we are just noise.

18 I thank my God I speak with tongues more than you all; 19 yet in the church I would rather speak five words with my understanding, that I may teach others also, than ten thousand words in a tongue.

Live a life of expectancies…expecting Holy Spirit to give you utterance.

Prophesy is:

Calling forth the things of God.

A divinely inspired revelation of interpretation.

More about “forthtelling” rather than “foretelling”.

We need to weigh the prophesy with Scripture and realize that it coming through a fallible human being.

1 John 4:1

Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world.

1 Thessalonians 5

19 Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not despise prophecies. 21 Test all things; hold fast what is good.

The New King James Version

John 10:33–42

The power of God in the triune Godhead are opened in your life through Jesus!

Just BELIEVE!

Who can be against us? (Romans 8:31) Our God fights for us. (Deuteronomy 3:22)

God loves you. Jesus went to great lengths to demonstrate His love. The same Savior who was resurrected from the dead can save us when troubles abound. First5 

Life is amazing. And then it's awful. And then it's amazing again. And in between the amazing and awful it's ordinary and mundane and routine. Breathe in the amazing, hold on through the awful, and relax and exhale during the ordinary. That's just living heartbreaking, soul-healing, amazing, awful, ordinary life. And it's breathtakingly beautiful.  L.R. Knost

God’s righteous indignation is on high boil, and his call to you and me is straightforward: Get involved. “Whoever shuts their ears to the cry of the poor will also cry out and not be answered” (Proverbs 21:13).  Max Lucado

John 10:33–42

33 The Jews answered Him, saying, “For a good work we do not stone You, but for blasphemy, and because You, being a Man, make Yourself God.” 34 Jesus answered them, “Is it not written in your law, ‘I said, “You are gods” ’? 35 If He called them gods, to whom the word of God came (and the Scripture cannot be broken), 36 do you say of Him whom the Father sanctified and sent into the world, ‘You are blaspheming,’ because I said, ‘I am the Son of God’? 37 If I do not do the works of My Father, do not believe Me; 38 but if I do, though you do not believe Me, believe the works, that you may know and believe that the Father is in Me, and I in Him.” 39 Therefore they sought again to seize Him, but He escaped out of their hand. 40 And He went away again beyond the Jordan to the place where John was baptizing at first, and there He stayed. 41 Then many came to Him and said, “John performed no sign, but all the things that John spoke about this Man were true.” 42 And many believed in Him there. The New King James Version

A quotation of Psalm 82:6, which refers either to the divine council or to human judges as God’s representatives administering justice on earth. In addition to subtle allusions to His divine nature, Jesus has explicitly identified Himself as the Son of God. The sonship language used throughout John’s Gospel emphasizes Jesus’ divine origin. It also links His role as Son of God with the power and privileges associated with the Davidic Messiah by drawing a subtle allusion to the royal coronation imagery in Psalm 2:7. Kingship and divine sonship were interrelated concepts in the ancient Near East. The king ruled as representative of the god and wielded the power and authority bestowed by the god. The threads of royal Davidic kingship, messianic fulfillment, and divine origin are explicitly brought together by the Apostle Paul and the writer of Hebrews. John’s presentation of Jesus as Messiah and Son of God blends the imagery to the point where belief in Jesus as Messiah cannot be separated from belief in His status as Son of God. Faithlife Study Bible

The Jewish antagonizers revealed the reason for their opposition to Jesus—He was claiming a unique unity with the Father, a unity that clearly indicated His own deity. The Jewish leaders considered this to be blasphemy. In the Old Testament, judges were called gods. They exercised godlike judicial sovereignty. Psalm 82:6, the verse quoted here, refers to judges who violate the Law. Jesus’ argument was that if the divine name had been applied by God to mere men, there could be neither blasphemy nor folly in its application to the incarnate Son of God Himself. Broken actually means “to loose, untie.” This is a strong statement of the inerrancy of the Holy Scriptures. Notice how Jesus made the veracity of His argument rest on the absolute trustworthiness of Scripture. Jesus asked the Jewish leaders to at least consider His miracles because these indicated and demonstrated His deity. Note that the heart of the issue is belief. John never deviates from this single condition for being born again. The word translated believe is used 99 times in this book. The NKJV Study Bible

Psalm 82:6 I said, “You are gods,And all of you are children of the Most High.

Matthew 9:3 And at once some of the scribes said within themselves, “This Man blasphemes!”

John 5:18 Therefore the Jews sought all the more to kill Him, because He not only broke the Sabbath, but also said that God was His Father, making Himself equal with God.

John 5:36 But I have a greater witness than John’s; for the works which the Father has given Me to finish—the very works that I do—bear witness of Me, that the Father has sent Me.

John 7:44 Now some of them wanted to take Him, but no one laid hands on Him.

Romans 1:11-12

Spiritual gifts are just that, gifts from Holy Spirit, to aid us in living out the Christ faith. What would be impossible without His guidance and insight to the Word has now changed to the knowledge that nothing is impossible with Christ within. 

Jesus did not leave us alone and  forsaken but gave us Himself, in the very Spirit of God, to reside within these bodies of  flesh.

Romans

All of Paul’s other letters arise from a particular occasion and have a definite purpose. Romans is different; from the content it seems to have a much more general didactic aim. Having said this, it is possible to see at least two purposes Paul had in writing the book. His first purpose was to prepare the Romans for his planned journey to Rome and later to Spain. His immediate itinerary involved a trip to Jerusalem, but his vision was toward the west. He clearly suggests that he expects assistance from them in his endeavor to carry the gospel to Spain.

But if that had been his only purpose, a brief note would have been enough. Obviously Paul had more in mind. A second purpose involved Paul’s understanding that the believers needed to “be established”. Paul wanted to give them a well-instructed faith. His letter is a kind of syllabus of Paul’s apostolic teaching. Romans is a masterful presentation of God’s plan of salvation for Jews and Gentiles.  The NKJV Study Bible

Romans 1:11-12 

11 For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift, so that you may be established—12 that is, that I may be encouraged together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me.

This may refer to spiritual gifts or some spiritual understanding of Paul’s mission and message. Ultimately, it will benefit the believers. The Greek word used here, stērizō, describes making someone more resolved in belief or attitude. In addition to providing spiritual gifts and strength to the Romans, Paul desired to benefit from his planned visit to Rome. Faithlife Bible.

To impart … some spiritual gift does not mean that Paul would bestow spiritual gifts like teaching, healing, or prophecy. It means that he would exercise his spiritual gift and in so doing would bless them. NKJ Study Bible.

Our journeys are made prosperous or otherwise, according to the will of God. We should readily impart to others what God has trusted to us, rejoicing to make others joyful, especially taking pleasure in communing with those who believe the same things with us. If redeemed by the blood, and converted by the grace of the Lord Jesus, we are altogether his; and for his sake we are debtors to all men, to do all the good we can. Such services are our duty.  Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

Acts 19:21 When these things were accomplished, Paul purposed in the Spirit, when he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem, saying, “After I have been there, I must also see Rome.”

Romans 15:29 But I know that when I come to you, I shall come in the fullness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ.

Titus 1:4 To Titus, a true son in our common faith: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Savior.

A Reworking of Psalm 23
The Lord is my Pace-setter, I shall not rush; He makes me stop and rest for quiet intervals. He provides me with images of stillness, which restore my serenity.
He leads me in ways of efficiency
through calmness of mind,
and His guidance is peace.
Even though I have a great many things
to accomplish each day,
I will not fret, for His presence is here;
His timelessness, His all importance,
will keep me in balance.
He prepares refreshment and renewal
in the midst of my activity
by anointing my mind
with His oils of tranquility.
My cup of joyous energy overflows.
Surely harmony and effectiveness
shall be the fruits of my hours;
for I shall walk, in the pace of my Lord
and dwell in His house forever.
Toki Miyashina, Japanese Poet

Matthew 28:11-15

 This is the telling of the bribe that tried to cover up the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The love of power  and control corrupts our thinking.

Money ill used is the root of all kinds of evil. 

We need to be as gentle as a dove…but as wise as the serpent. The only way to the Father is through the Son. Satans’ ultimate goal is to stop us from believing it happened.

If you are struggling today, I invite you to look up some of these passages - Psalm 18:30;  Psalm 55:22;  Psalm 112:7;  2 Corinthians 4:8-9 - as you move forward, knowing God is with you and there is no need for fear or discouragement. First5 

When we focus on what we are not or who we need to become (scarcity), we are unable to access what we have and who we are (sufficiency). And when I see only scarcity, I miss the fact that every single one of us has been gifted with creativity, abundance, heart, love, passion, gentleness, helpfulness, caring, kindness, tenderness, restoration and a shoulder to lean on. This is the paradigm of internal sufficiency. Terry Hershey “SabbathMoments “

Matthew 28:11-15

11 Now while they were going, behold, some of the guard came into the city and reported to the chief priests all the things that had happened. 12 When they had assembled with the elders and consulted together, they gave a large sum of money to the soldiers, 13 saying, “Tell them, ‘His disciples came at night and stole Him away while we slept.’ 14 And if this comes to the governor’s ears, we will appease him and make you secure.” 15 So they took the money and did as they were instructed; and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day. The New King James Version

The chief priests, who were involved in Jewish religious government, bribe the Roman soldiers to spread a false report about Jesus’ disciples stealing His body. Faithlife Study Bible

The Roman guards reported to the chief priests because they had been assigned for duty to the religious authorities.  His disciples … stole Him away while we slept: Besides being a lie, this was a very weak explanation. If a guard was found sleeping at his post or if a prisoner escaped, the guard would be put to death. It may have been possible for one soldier to sleep, but it is highly improbable that all of them slept at the same time. Also, sleeping people do not make good witnesses: If they were asleep, how did they know what happened? Until this day refers specifically to the time of the writing of Matthew’s Gospel; however, this explanation is current even today. The NKJV Study Bible

What wickedness is it which men will not be brought to by the love of money! Here was large money given to the soldiers for advancing that which they knew to be a lie, yet many grudge a little money for advancing what they know to be the truth. Let us never starve a good cause, when we see bad ones so liberally supported. The priests undertook to secure them from the sword of Pilate, but could not secure these soldiers from the sword of God’s justice, which hangs over the heads of those that love and make a lie. Those men promise more than they can perform, who undertake to save a man harmless in doing a wilful sin. But this falsehood disproved itself. Had the soldiers been all asleep, they could not have known what passed. If any had been awake, they would have roused the others and prevented the removal; and certainly if they had been asleep, they never would have dared to confess it; while the Jewish rulers would have been the first to call for their punishment. Again, had there been any truth in the report, the rulers would have prosecuted the apostles with severity for it. The whole shows that the story was entirely false. And we must not charge such things to the weakness of the understanding, but to the wickedness of the heart. God left them to expose their own course. The great argument to prove Christ to be the Son of God, is his resurrection; and none could have more convincing proofs of the truth of that than these soldiers; yet they took bribes to hinder others from believing. The plainest evidence will not affect men, without the work of the Holy Spirit.  Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

John 14:19-21

 Without faith it is impossible to please God.

Jesus gave us two commands…to love God above any person, place, or thing and to love others as much as we love our selves and our own families. If we do, love will fulfill the Law and all the Commandments of I Am.

When the world seems off the rails, hold fast to this truth: God determines the course of history. He is, according to 1 Timothy 6:15, “the blessed controller of all things.” Max Lucaado

The One who came still comes and the One who spoke still speaks—Go after a life of love as if your life depended on it—because it does.  The First Book of Corinthians. Terry Hershey “Sabbath Moments”

John 14:19-21

19 “A little while longer and the world will see Me no more, but you will see Me. Because I live, you will live also. 20 At that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you. 21 He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him.” The New King James Version

Jesus is prophesying His appearances after His resurrection. We need to be loving God and others, as Jesus has loved people. Faithlife Study Bible

Jesus would come to the disciples, but not with the same kind of presence they experienced at that moment. The world saw Jesus only in the flesh; the disciples would see Him in a spiritual sense. These two verses are the conclusion of Jesus’ answer to Philip’s request, “show us the Father”. As the believer lovingly obeys Christ’s commandments, he or she will experience a more intimate knowledge of Him. The NKJV Study Bible

Christ promises that he would continue his care of his disciples. I will not leave you orphans, or fatherless, for though I leave you, yet I leave you this comfort, I will come to you. I will come speedily to you at my resurrection. I will come daily to you in my Spirit; in the tokens of his love, and visits of his grace. I will come certainly at the end of time. Those only that see Christ with an eye of faith, shall see him for ever: the world sees him no more till his second coming; but his disciples have communion with him in his absence. Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

Deuteronomy 7:12 “Then it shall come to pass, because you listen to these judgments, and keep and do them, that the LORD your God will keep with you the covenant and the mercy which He swore to your fathers.

Deuteronomy 7:13 And He will love you and bless you and multiply you; He will also bless the fruit of your womb and the fruit of your land, your grain and your new wine and your oil, the increase of your cattle and the offspring of your flock, in the land of which He swore to your fathers to give you.

John 7:33 Then Jesus said to them, “I shall be with you a little while longer, and then I go to Him who sent Me.

1 John 2:5 But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him.

Tree Church Lancaster, Ohio

If the stars were made to worship so will I.

You’re the One who never leaves the one behind.

A posture of worship invites Gods’ working power in our lives.

With all creation I sing and I will adore You!

We worship God because He is God. 

Scripture tells us that all of heaven looks down and rejoices when one sinner turns to salvation.

“In a moment God can change your life”

Malachi is a book of correction. An invitation to live life deeper in Him. He points to a better way. We must settle in our minds that His way is always right. 

Sometimes we ask the wrong questions. Such as: “do I agree?” “Does this make sense?” 

God does not care about our wisdom or our feelings. Our society has put feelings ahead of submission to His word. If you are waiting to agree it will never happen.

Repentance assumes you won’t naturally agree. Repentance leads to submission. Repentance that does not lead to submission is not really repentance.

There are only  two postures we can take with God. One is submission rooted in repentance. Agreeing that He alone is always right. Two is rebellion.

Malachi 3:13 Says the Lord, Yet you say, ‘What have we spoken against You?’ 14 You have said, ‘It is useless to serve God; What profit is it that we have kept His ordinance, And that we have walked as mourners Before the Lord of hosts? 15 So now we call the proud blessed, For those who do wickedness are raised up; They even tempt God and go free.’ ”  

16 Then those who feared the Lord spoke to one another, And the Lord listened and heard them; So a book of remembrance was written before Him For those who fear the Lord And who meditate on His name. 17 “They shall be Mine,” says the Lord of hosts, “On the day that I make them My jewels.  And I will spare them As a man spares his own son who serves him.” 18 Then you shall again discern between the righteous and the wicked, Between one who serves God And one who does not serve Him.

God remembers those who lovingly pursue Him.

There is a point in your life that determines how you will spend eternity. God came to earth in the body of Jesus. In the end Jesus will bring everything to conclusion. At that point your eternity is sealed. 

One will experience eternity with God. The other will lead to total destruction. There areas two pathways to God. One is hard to find and difficult. The other leads to hell. If you choose to take a posture of rebellion you stop His grace. Only in submission to His will is there grace and blessing. 

Malachi 4:14 “For behold, the day is coming, Burning like an oven, And all the proud, yes, all who do wickedly will be stubble. And the day which is coming shall burn them up,” Says the Lord of hosts, “That will leave them neither root nor branch. 2 But to you who fear My name The Sun of Righteousness shall arise With healing in His wings; And you shall go out And grow fat like stall-fed calves.

John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world

Matthew 25: 31 “When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory. 32 All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats. 33 And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left. 34 Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: 35 for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; 36 I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’

37 “Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? 38 When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? 39 Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ 40 And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’ 41 “Then He will also say to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels: 42 for I was hungry and you gave Me no food; I was thirsty and you gave Me no drink; 43 I was a stranger and you did not take Me in, naked and you did not clothe Me, sick and in prison and you did not visit Me.’ 44 “Then they also will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to You?’ 45 Then He will answer them, saying, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.’ 46 And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”

Revelation 21:Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. 2 Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. 4 And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.” 5 Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” And He said to me, “Write, for these words are true and faithful.” 6 And He said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts. 7 He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son. 8 But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.” The New King James Version

Galatians 5:19

19 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21 envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. 24 And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another. Bear and Share the Burdens

1 corinthians 6:7

7 Now therefore, it is already an utter failure for you that you go to law against one another. Why do you not rather accept wrong? Why do you not rather let yourselves be cheated? 8 No, you yourselves do wrong and cheat, and you do these things to your brethren! 9 Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, 10 nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.

Malachi 4:4

4 “Remember the Law of Moses, My servant, Which I commanded him in Horeb for all Israel, With the statutes and judgments. 5 Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet Before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord. 6 And he will turn The hearts of the fathers to the children, And the hearts of the children to their fathers, Lest I come and strike the earth with a curse.”

How you respond to His calling determines  your life here and for eternity. While on this earth it is never too late to change and submit to God.