"I am the resurrection and the life."

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live," (John 11:25). 

Easter is soon upon us and this is a time for reflection of Jesus' great work for us on the Cross. For Christians, it is a time for humble thanksgiving. Jesus' took on our sins so that we would be right with God. It is only by faith in believing the work of Jesus do we find eternal life. Jesus was raised from the grave, so, too will we. We will either go to heaven or to hell. Which direction will you take?

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16.

Take the time to read Matthew chapters 26 through 28. If you are a non-believer, read it anyway. It might touch your heart. 

A Lesson from Ginger...How God Reveals Himself to Us

God reveals knowledge of Himself through:

·         His created universe

Psalm 19:1—The heavens are telling of the glory of God; and their expanse is declaring the work of His hands.

Romans 1:19-20—God made it evident to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse.

·         His inspired Scriptures

Psalm 19:7-11—The law of the LORD is perfect, restoring the soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. The precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; the judgments of the LORD are true; they are righteous altogether. They are more desirable than gold, yes, than much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and the drippings of the honeycomb. Moreover, by them Thy servant is warned; in keeping them there is great reward.

2 Peter 1:20-21—But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.

·         Lord Jesus Christ

John 14:7-11—‘If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; from now on you know Him, and have seen Him.’

Philip said to Him, ‘Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us.’

Jesus said to him, ‘Have I been so long with you, and yet you have not come to know Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; how do you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father is in Me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on My own initiative, but the Father abiding in Me does His works. Believe Me that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me; otherwise believe on account of the works themselves.’

Hebrews 1:1-2—God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world.

Happy Valentine's Day

From Ginger Cox: 

Sent with Love

For the last few weeks, John 3:16 has circled through my mind.

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 eternal life.

Then yesterday I read a different 3:16, and the message was amplified!

1 John 3:16 – We know love by this, that He laid down His life for us.

To me, these are the ultimate Valentines—the perfect love notes from our Father and His Son.

Yet Jesus left one more message for us—‘A new commandment I give to you...even as I have loved you, that you also love one another’ (John 13:34).

The perfect love triangle is: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit actively working in you.

Let's pass along His love message this Valentine season.

  

 Happy Valentine's Day!

   

Ginger Cox
www.CoxWorks.com 

This is the day which the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad today! 
Psalm 118:24

Are You Sharing the Good News?

My Sunday School teacher, who has been invaluable to our group,  has put together a lesson I would like to share with you. Read carefully. Give this some deep thought.

All People Are Without Excuse

(Romans 1:16-25)

Let us consider these three groups of people: #1. Believers who have put their faith in Jesus Christ. #2. People who have rejected Jesus as Christ. 3. People who have never heard about Christ. The Bible is clear about the destiny of the first two.

This week’s lesson question was “What about the people who’ve never heard about Jesus?” yet maybe the more relevant question is “What am I doing to share the good news of salvation given by God through Jesus Christ?”

            All People Are Without Excuse Before God (18-25) – general or natural revelation

·         God created all people to worship and serve Him alone. We are accountable.

·         They choose to suppress evident truth—God’s attributes as shown in creation but also an inner consciousness of God because we are created in His image.

·         God’s wrath is a reasonable abhorrence to godlessness and unrighteousness.

·         Godlessness—choosing to reject Him—not worshiping or thanking God.

·         Unrighteousness—not acting right toward other people.

·         God lets people choose their destiny and suffer consequences of their choices.

·         God’s wrath is now and later—but if sinners respond, He will save them.

The Gospel of Jesus Christ Brings Salvation to All Who Believe (16-17) – Theme

·         Even those who honor God due to natural revelation need to hear the gospel.

·         Culture was (and is) antagonistic to gospel—we must not be intimidated.

·         Read Mark 8:38 and 2 Timothy 1:12 regarding not being ashamed.

·         Gospel is the dynamic, life-changing message leading to a divine relationship.

·         Everyone who believes in Christ and repents will receive eternal life.

·         Righteousness is only by God’s grace—activated and sustained by faith.

Prayer – Dear Lord, thank you for making Yourself known, foremost in Jesus Christ. May I be so awed in knowing You that I will be diligent in making You known to others. Amen.

Happy New Year

We are starting another year and it's time to assess our relationship with God through his Son Jesus Christ. We will need his strength, wisdom, love, and conviction as we move through this new year. Make no mistake, lean on the Lord. Let him guide you, love you, and discipline you. Remember that when you sin and repent, the Lord will forgive you but there are always consequences to your actions.
Start reading and studying your Bible. Get in God's word. You will be amazed at how your life will change.

Psalm 86:5

5  For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving,

abounding in steadfast love to all who call upon you.

Christmas and the kingdom of God is upon us!

God's perfect plan went into human motion at the birth of Jesus. Only through Jesus can we approach God in righteousness and justification. Only by the work of Jesus- his death on the cross- can we be viewed by God as his children, without sin. His death and resurrection has brought us eternal life.

Romans 3:22-25

New Living Translation (NLT)

²² We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are.

²³ For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. ²⁴ Yet God, with undeserved kindness, declares that we are righteous. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins. ²⁵ For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood. This sacrifice shows that God was being fair when he held back and did not punish those who sinned in times past,

Isaiah 9:6

For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

 This Christmas, give your heart to Jesus. Ask the Holy Spirit for guidance. Praise the Lord!

End Times

Jesus disciples asked him "What will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?” (Matthew 24:3)
Jesus answered: “Watch out that no one deceives you. ⁵ For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and will deceive many. ⁶ You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. ⁷ Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. ⁸ All these are the beginning of birth pains.
⁹ “Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. ¹⁰ At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, ¹¹ and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. ¹² Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, ¹³ but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. ¹⁴ And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.

Jesus disciples wanted to know when the "end of the age" would happen.  Jesus told them that they could not know (24:36).

“But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son,^[f] but only the Father. ³⁷ As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. ³⁸ For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; ³⁹ and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. ⁴⁰ Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. ⁴¹ Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left.
⁴² “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come."

Dear friends: Pay heed to the signs we have been witnessing in our country and around the world. Take a lesson from the wars and civil conflicts, the famines, the financial crisis, the disastrous weather patterns and the rise of subjective "good" and political correctness. We are in the throws of the "birth pains". Now is the time reach out to the Lord. Build your relationship with him. Only through Jesus can we have salvation. Keep watch, because we don't know when the Lord will return.