The real road to glory

He then began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and after three days rise again. — Mark 8:31

Knowing Jesus is God's Messiah is one thing. Following Jesus as our Lord is quite another. Getting our minds, hearts, and lives to all line up is always a challenge. Once Jesus' disciples confessed him as the Christ, he knew he had to teach them the real road to glory. Each of the Gospels reminds us that this road led to the cross of agony before it led to the crown of glory.

 The early church captured it in a song that reminded them that they, too, must walk that same road (see Philippians 2:5-11). We are a heaven-bound people, but we can be sure that we will encounter potholes and bumps along the road and even steep hills to climb as Satan tries to derail and defeat us. Our Savior, however, has already walked this road, and he is our great reminder that the path leads us to share in his glory, too.

Servant to Corruption

Luke 8:26-29

They sailed to the region of the Gerasenes, which is across the lake from Galilee.   When Jesus stepped ashore, he was met by a demon-possessed man from the town. For a long time this man had not worn clothes or lived in a house, but had lived in the tombs.   When he saw Jesus, he cried out and fell at his feet, shouting at the top of his voice, “What do you want with me,  Jesus, Son of the Most High God?  I beg you, don’t torture me!”   

For Jesus had commanded the impure spirit to come out of the man. Many times it had seized him, and though he was chained hand and foot and kept under guard, he had broken his chains and had been driven by the demon into solitary places.

John 8:34

Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin.

Acts 8:23

For I see that you are full of bitterness and captive to sin.”

[Message No: 8004]

We are blessed by God’s Word

He replied, "Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it." — Luke 11:28

God gave us his word to bless us. When we obey what he asks of us, we get to walk in that blessing. On the other hand, as Jesus reminded us at the end of the Sermon on the Mount, when we know the will of God and don't obey it, we are foolish. I don't know about you, but I prefer to receive a blessing! Thank God for speaking to us through his word — the Scriptures — so we can know his will and walk in his blessing and for speaking to us through his living Word — his Son — so we can know his heart as we apply it to our lives.

Know our God .. He is:

. Jehovah Elohim – Strong Creator

. Jehovah Elyon – Lord, most high

. Jehovah – Adoani – Lord, my master

. Jehovah – Nissi -Lord, my banner

. Jehovah Rapha – Lord my healer

. Jehovah Elolam – Everlasting God

. Jehovah Elroi – God who sees

. Jehovah Sabbath -Lord of Host

. Jehovah Rohi – Lord, my shepherd

. Jehovah Tsideknu – Lord, our righteousness 

. Jehovah – Shalom – Lord our peace

. Jehovah – Chereb – Lord our sword

. Jehovah – Elkanna – Jesus God

. Jehovah – Ezer – Lord, my help

. Jehovah Avinu -Lord, our father

. Jehovah Hashopet – Lord, our judge

. Jehovah Ori – Lord, my light

. Jehovah Elgibbor – Mighty God

. Jehovah Immeka -Lord is with you

. Jehovah Elnose -God that forgave

. Jehovah Jireh – Lord, my provider

[Message No: 8003]

On Giving to God - 2

. Giving through the elders

Acts 4:35

and put it at the apostles’ feet,  and it was distributed to anyone who had need.

. Give not in pretence

Acts 5:3-4

Then Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan  has so filled your heart  that you have lied to the Holy Spirit  and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land?    Didn’t it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn’t the money at your disposal?  What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied just to human beings but to God.”

. Give ourselves first to God

2 Corinthians 8:5

And they exceeded our expectations: They gave themselves first of all to the Lord, and then by the will of God also to us.

. Jesus watches how we give

Mark 12:41 

Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put  and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts.

Precious Fruit

Galatians 5:22-26

But the fruit  of the Spirit is love,  joy, peace,  forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,   gentleness and self-control.  Against such things there is no law.    Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh  with its passions and desires.   

 Since we live by the Spirit,  let us keep in step with the Spirit.   Let us not become conceited,  provoking and envying each other.

Risk

1 Peter 5:6

Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.

[Message No: 8002]

Learn to Wait

All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance. And they admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth. — Hebrews 11:13

I'm not good at waiting for much of anything. I'm like the kids who have seen the catalogues for Christmas toys and are anxious for the big gift day. God does have a great Gift Day ahead for us. On that wonderful day, all our waiting will be over and our faith will become sight. 

Let's follow the example of these great heroes of faith, and welcome that day from afar, by anticipation, praising God for his victory through Jesus Christ in our lives.

. Life support

Psalm 54:4

Behold, God is my helper;

the Lord is the upholder of my life.

Behold, God is my helper;

 The Lord is with those who uphold my life.

. The Beauty of Brokenness

Psalm 51:17

The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;

a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.

. By Definition

1 John 3:1

See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him.

. God is a Redeemer

Isaiah 54:5

He will return the evil to my enemies;

in your faithfulness put an end to them.

[Message No: 8001]

In Him we do have Hope, Security and Joy

But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you. — Psalm 5:11

Our hope is in the LORD! He is the basis of our security and the reason for our joyful songs! He is our protection and hope! He is the reason we rejoice!

Thought

Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth. — John 4:23

Things Laid Up For Believers

. The  Lord’s  Goodness – Psalm 31:19

How abundant are the good things 

 that you have stored up for those who fear you,

 that you bestow in the sight of all, 

 on those who take refuge  in you.

. The Hope of Glory – Colossians 1:5

the faith and love that spring from the hope  stored up for you in heaven  and about which you have already heard in the true message  of the gospel

. The Crown of Righteousness – 2 Timothy 4:8

Now there is in store for me  the crown of righteousness,  which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day —and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.

Jesus 

Rich beyond all telling,

Christ in heaven dwelling,

Came to earth in poverty that we might be

Rich beyond all telling,

With God’s Spirit dwelling

In our hearts to reign now and eternally

[Message No: 8000]

Special Note: --

Abiding in Christ

Thank You Jesus, by His grace today, I could able to complete 8000 Messages in my blog: ejabidinginchrist.blogspot.com

JESUS - 7

. Matthew 16:24

Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.

. Matthew 17:1

After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John  the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves.

. Matthew 17:4

Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.”

. Matthew 17:7

But Jesus came and touched them. “Get up,” he said. “Don’t be afraid.”

. Matthew 17:8

When they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus.

. Matthew 17:9

As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus instructed them, “Don’t tell anyone  what you have seen, until the Son of Man  has been raised from the dead.

. Matthew 17:17

“You unbelieving and perverse generation,” Jesus replied, “how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy here to me.”

. Matthew 17:18

Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of the boy, and he was healed at that moment.

. Matthew 17:19

Then the disciples came to Jesus in private and asked, “Why couldn’t we drive it out?”

. Matthew 17:22

When they came together in Galilee, he said to them, “The Son of Man  is going to be delivered into the hands of men.

. Matthew 17:25

“Yes, he does,” he replied.

 When Peter came into the house, Jesus was the first to speak. “What do you think, Simon?” he asked. “From whom do the kings of the earth collect duty and taxes —from their own children or from others?”

[Message No: 7999]

In Father’s Footsteps

"... I am the LORD, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight," declares the LORD. — Jeremiah 9:24

Two truths are equally crucial for us to understand in this passage. First, God is kind, just and righteous. Second, he delights in these things when he sees them in us. So what does your life stand for? Let's be like our Father and take on the lifestyle of loving kindness, the cause of justice for all, and the character of righteousness. Why? Because we should have no greater joy than to bring delight to the Father!

. Go to Him

 Psalm 46:1-2

God is our refuge  and strength, 

 an ever-present  help  in trouble. 

    Therefore we will not fear,  though the earth give way 

 and the mountains fall  into the heart of the sea,

. God is Kind

Jeremiah 9:24

but let the one who boasts boast  about this:

 that they have the understanding to know  me,

 that I am the Lord,  who exercises kindness, 

 justice and righteousness  on earth,

 for in these I delight,”

 declares the Lord.

. Stand out and be different

1 Chronicles 4:9-10

Jabez was more honorable than his brothers. His mother had named him Jabez, saying, “I gave birth to him in pain.”   Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, “Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.” And God granted his request.

[Message No: 7998]

Bible Tells Us -

. Hold my Tongue

Proverbs 15:1

A gentle answer  turns away wrath, 

 but a harsh word stirs up anger.

. Pent up Anger

Ephesians 4:26-27

In your anger do not sin”:  Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry,   and do not give the devil a foothold.

. Prayer as Service

1 John 5:14

This is the confidence  we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.

. God we’re Disparate for You

Psalm 4:1

Answer me  when I call to you,

 my righteous God.

 Give me relief from my distress; 

 have mercy  on me and hear my prayer.

. The flip side of Worry

Matthew 6:27

Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?

. As yourself

Galatians 5:14

For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

. Let’s start a new Epidemic

1 Thessalonians 3:12

May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other  and for everyone else, just as ours does for you

. Trust in the Lord

Proverbs 3:5-6

Trust in the Lord  with all your heart

 and lean not on your own understanding;

    in all your ways submit to him,

 and he will make your paths  straight.

[Message No: 7997]