Category Archives: Redemption

Bible Studies, Christian Growth, Crucifixion, Devotionals, Redemption, Resurrection, Salvation

Three Days; I Believe!

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Three days…

“Jesus answered, ‘Destroy this sanctuary, and I will raise it up in three days.’

Therefore the Jews said, ‘This sanctuary took 46 years to build, and will You raise it up in three days?’

But He was speaking about the sanctuary of His body. So when He was raised from the dead, His disciples remembered that He had said this. And they believed the Scripture and the statement Jesus had made (John 2:19-22 HCSB).”

I believe.

“As they were eating, He took bread, blessed and broke it, gave it to them, and said, ‘Take it; this is My body.’

Then He took a cup, and after giving thanks, He gave it to them, and so they all drank from it. He said to them, ‘This is My blood that establishes the covenant; it is shed for many. I assure you: I will no longer drink of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it in a new way in the kingdom of God (Mark 14:22-25 HCSB).”

His body, His kingdom…

“Your kingdom come.

Your will be done

on earth as it is in heaven (Matthew 6:10 HCSB).”

Three days…

“For as Jonah was in the belly of the huge fish three days and three nights, so the Son of Man will be in the heart of the earth three days and three nights (Matthew 12:40 HCSB).”

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Bible Studies, Christian Growth, Devotionals, Redemption, Salvation

In HIM

 

blue and white metal fence

Photo by GEORGE DESIPRIS on Pexels.com

“Praise the Lord!

Praise the Lord, O my soul!
While I live I will praise the Lord;
I will sing praises to my God while I have my being. (Psalm 146:1-2 NKJV).”

My help…

My hope…

My help, my hope is in the LORD; in HIM.

“How blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob,
Whose hope is in the Lord his God,
Who made heaven and earth,
The sea and all that is in them;
Who keeps faith forever;

Who executes justice for the oppressed;
Who gives food to the hungry.
The Lord sets the prisoners free (Psalm 146:5-7 NKJV).”

 

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Christian Growth, Crucifixion, Devotionals, Redemption, Resurrection, Salvation

But God!

photo credit: callmetim <a href=”http://www.flickr.com/photos/10698035@N00/475800630″>Not Jesus’ tomb, but a tomb none the less.</a> via <a href=”http://photopin.com”>photopin</a> <a href=”https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.0/”>(license)</a> 

“Men of Israel, listen to these words: Jesus the Nazarene, a man attested to you by God with miracles and wonders and signs which God performed through Him in your midst,  just as you yourselves know— this Man, delivered over by the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God, you nailed to a cross by the hands of godless men and put Him to death. But God raised Him up again, putting an end to the agony of death, since it was impossible for Him to be held in its power (Acts 2:22-24 NASB).”

He’s Alive!

“and as the women were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, ‘Why do you seek the living One among the dead?  He is not here, but He has risen. Remember how He spoke to you while He was still in Galilee,  saying that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again (Luke 24:5-7 NASB).”

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Bible Studies, Christian Growth, Devotionals, Redemption, Salvation

We hide; He seeks

photo credit: Lili Vieira de Carvalho <a href=”http://www.flickr.com/photos/49052514@N00/3505349701″>Peekaboo</a> via <a href=”http://photopin.com”>photopin</a> <a href=”https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/2.0/”>(license)</a>  

 

Ready or not, here I come!

Most have played the childhood game of hide-n-seek.

God found Adam and Eve in their hiding place.

“Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves coverings.

And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden.

Then the Lord God called to Adam and said to him, ‘Where are you?’

So he said, ‘I heard Your voice in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; and I hid myself (Genesis 3:7-10 NKJV).”

Why hide from the LORD?

He seeks to save. 

“And when Jesus came to the place, He looked up and saw him, and said to him, ‘Zacchaeus make haste and come down, for today I must stay at your house.’ So he made haste and came down, and received Him joyfully.  But when they saw it, they all complained, saying, He has gone to be a guest with a man who is a sinner.’

Then Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, ‘Look, Lord, I give half of my goods to the poor; and if I have taken anything from anyone by false accusation, I restore fourfold.’

And Jesus said to him, ‘Today salvation has come to this house, because he also is a son of Abraham; for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost (Luke 19:5-10 NKJV).”

 

 

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Bible Studies, Christian Growth, Devotionals, Redemption

No Fishing!

photo credit: Au Kirk <a href=”http://www.flickr.com/photos/64441474@N06/28028288265″>No Fishing Sign on a Pier Dock</a> via <a href=”http://photopin.com”>photopin</a> <a href=”https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/”>(license)</a> 

Discovering areas are off limits to us; we are restricted or refused entrance in certain places.

‘Keep off the grass.’

‘Keep out’

Land owners set property boundaries.

‘Posted: No Hunting or Fishing’

Authorities and private property owners make the point very clear; we are not welcome there.

If we choose to ignore the warnings the law is on their side; we could be arrested.

Does God post an invisible ‘No Fishing’ sign?

As His children, we might decide to disobey His restrictions.

Our confession of sins is followed by His generous forgiveness.

The merciful Father removes sins and the weight of guilt.

“He will again have compassion on us,
And will subdue our iniquities.

You will cast all our sins
Into the depths of the sea {Micah 7:19 NKJV).”

Deep sea fishing is outlawed.

I refuse to take the bait of Satan’s accusations.

No fishing!

 

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Bible Studies, Christian Growth, Christmas, Devotionals, Redemption, Salvation

Son of the Highest

photo credit: Prayitno / Thank you for (12 millions +) view <a href=”http://www.flickr.com/photos/34128007@N04/32513795737″>(25 March ) The Annunciation of the Lord</a> via <a href=”http://photopin.com”>photopin</a&gt; <a href=”https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/”>(license)</a&gt;

God sent…

“And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth,

To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary.

And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women (Luke 1:26-28 KJV).”

Troubled…

“And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be (Luke 1:29 KJV).”

Favored…

“And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God (Luke 1:30 KJV).”

Conception…

“And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name Jesus (Luke 1:31 KJV).”

Son of the Highest…

“He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:

And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end (Luke 1:32-33 KJV).”

How?

“Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man (Luke 1:34 KJV)?”

The Holy Ghost…

“And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God (Luke 1:35 KJV).”

 

 

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Bible Studies, Christian Growth, Christmas, Devotionals, Redemption, Salvation

I’m Yours!

photo credit: Steve Snodgrass <a href=”http://www.flickr.com/photos/10710442@N08/3150758883″>Joseph & Mary sitting in a tree…</a> via <a href=”http://photopin.com”>photopin</a> <a href=”https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/”>(license)</a> 

Most mothers immediately bond with their newborn child.

Both the mom and baby become deeply involved in a parent child relationship.

The infant is totally dependent on the mother; while the mother is at the baby’s beckoned call.

The mom may get weary, but she has a desire to meet every need of her babe.

As the infant’s caregiver, she wants the baby to feel secure in every way.

Mary knew baby Jesus would be no ordinary child.

He would not only be her son, but also her Lord.

She could not contain her joy!

She was at his disposal.

“And Mary said:

‘My soul exalts the Lord,
And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.
‘For He has had regard for the humble state of His bondslave;
For behold, from this time on all generations will count me blessed.
‘For the Mighty One has done great things for me;
And holy is His name.
‘And His mercy is upon generation after generation
Toward those who fear Him.
‘He has done mighty deeds with His arm;
He has scattered those who were proud in the thoughts of their heart.
‘He has brought down rulers from their thrones,
And has exalted those who were humble.
‘He has filled the hungry with good things;
And sent away the rich empty-handed.
‘He has given help to Israel His servant,
In remembrance of His mercy,
As He spoke to our fathers,
To Abraham and his descendants forever (Luke 1:46-55 NASB).”

Mary bonded; Lord Jesus, I’m yours!

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Bible Studies, Christian Growth, Christmas, Devotionals, Redemption, Salvation

Abbreviated Glory

{Image: crosscards.com}

The choice of a child’s name becomes official at the signing and registering of their birth certificate.  

The months of mulling over a list of possible names are over; the child’s legal name is in black and white.  

After a notary seals the document; the parents store the original copy in a secured place.

And, what will you name the child?

God the Father beamed proudly and proclaimed, “He will be named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6b HCSB).”

Imagine a registrar’s predicament; that lengthy name would not fit in the space allotted.

How could God abbreviate glory?

“She will give birth to a son, and you are to name Him Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins (Matthew 1:21 HCSB).”

Jesus….

The name flows with eloquence from called and ordained lips.

Voiced in prayer, all will one day confess the name Jesus Christ. He is Lord!

“… so that at the name of Jesus
every knee will bow—
of those who are in heaven and on earth
and under the earth—
and every tongue should confess
that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father (Philippians 2:10-11 HCSB).”

 

 

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Bible Studies, Devotionals, Redemption, Salvation

The Census Taker

 

photo credit: Thomas Hawk <a href=”http://www.flickr.com/photos/51035555243@N01/48119948073″>We Can’t Move Forward</a> via <a href=”http://photopin.com”>photopin</a&gt; <a href=”https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.0/”>(license)</a&gt;

The LORD, the census taker!

“And of Zion it will be said,
‘This one and that one were born in her;
And the Most High Himself shall establish her.’
The Lord will record,
When He registers the peoples:
‘This one was born there.’ Selah (Psalm 87:5-6 NKJV).”

Where were you born?

Have you been born again?

“Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.  Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’  The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit (John 3:5-8 NKJV).”

 

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Devotionals, Grief, Redemption, Salvation

Take it to Heart

photo credit: Lars Plougmann <a href=”http://www.flickr.com/photos/75062596@N00/36425009134″>Leonora Christina’s final resting place</a> via <a href=”http://photopin.com”>photopin</a&gt; <a href=”https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/”>(license)</a&gt;

 

“A good name is better than precious ointment,
And the day of death than the day of one’s birth;
Better to go to the house of mourning
Than to go to the house of feasting,
For that is the end of all men;
And the living will take it to heart.
Sorrow is better than laughter,
For by a sad countenance the heart is made better.
The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning,
But the heart of fools is in the house of mirth (Ecclesiastes 7:1-4 NKJV).” 

It may take a few readings before the scripture passage above sinks in. At first, it just doesn’t seem logical.

The day a person dies is better than the day he is born?

Families rejoice when a baby is born; they mourn when a family member dies.

You find a key phrase in the words ‘For that is the end of all men; and then the living will take it to heart.’  

When grieving the loss of loved ones and friends we reflect on our own lives. Are we prepared to die?

If not, it is time to set our house in order.

Have you surrendered your life to Christ Jesus.

“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 (John 3:16 NKJV).”

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