Wonderful Jesus!

Tag: Jesus

• Life in the Blood!

  Posted at 2:13 am by wonderfuljesus8, on February 19, 2021

  Leviticus 17:11 – For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you upon the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood that makes atonement for the soul.’ NKJV

  

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  There is no way to have a real discussion on the imagery in the word of God without talking about the blood. There was a time in church history when many people thought that the topic of the blood was too graphic for them and their children. Sadly to say, they made a great effort to remove the blood from the churches. But they did so without realizing that there is life in the Blood! Not only to all flesh, but to the people of God! So as they removed the topic of the Blood, and all references to the Blood from their churches, they caused their churches to die!

  In Leviticus, Moses explains that there is a connection between life, blood, and flesh. When he says the life of flesh is in the blood, he was inferring that without the blood, there is no life! Physically or spiritually! There is no way to touch on all the spiritual aspects of the blood in a simple blog, and I won’t even try, but I do have something I want to say.

  Acts 17:26-27 – And He has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has determined their preappointed times and the boundaries of their dwellings, so that they should seek the Lord, in the hope that they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us; NKJV

  Paul made this statement to the Athenians, when he declared that the “unknown god” they were worshipping was the One he wanted to tell them about. As he began to preach to them, he began by making mention of the truth that all the nations on the face of the earth came from one blood. Although we may be of different skin colors, speak different languages, and live in different locales, we are of one blood. Shakespeare wrote in his play, “If you prick us, do we not bleed?” Everyone one of us!

  The same is true spiritually! We all receive spiritual life through the Blood of Jesus. Nothing else!

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

  Every believer on the planet, all those who have gone before us, and all who will come after us, access eternal life through the Blood of Jesus!

  The imagery of the Old Testament, with the blood, was all done to prepare mankind for the truth of the Blood of Jesus! We know this to be true because in the same verse in Leviticus, it is written, “I have given it (the blood) to you upon the altar to make atonement for your souls…” God’s whole purpose for establishing the ceremonial practices of blood sacrifice, was to help us to realize that spiritual life, which is a result of being reconciled to God, was connected to blood.

  But Christ came as High Priest of the good things to come, with the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands, that is, not of this creation. Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption. Hebrews 9:11-12 – NKJV

  Here are my favorite Old Testament examples of the blood:

  • The Passover instituted in Exodus. This is a beautiful picture, and an excellent example, of the power of having faith in the blood.

  ‘For I will pass through the land of Egypt on that night, and will strike all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment: I am the Lord. Now the blood shall be a sign for you on the houses where you are. And when I see the blood, I will pass over you; and the plague shall not be on you to destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt. Exodus 12:12-13 – NKJV

  Every believer should understand the significance of the Passover. God made it absolutely clear that the only reason they would be spared from the plague, was because of the blood!

  One of the last events that Jesus shared with His disciples was the Passover meal, called the Seder.

  Likewise He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you. Luke 22:20 – NKJV

  That first Passover, was our example of the shedding of Jesus’ blood. Death has no power over us, when the Blood has been applied. His Blood gives us eternal life, for there is life in His Blood!

  • The scarlet cord that Rahab used when she let down the spies:

  So the men said to her: “We will be blameless of this oath of yours which you have made us swear, unless, when we come into the land, you bind this line of scarlet cord in the window through which you let us down, and unless you bring your father, your mother, your brothers, and all your father’s household to your own home. So it shall be that whoever goes outside the doors of your house into the street, his blood shall be on his own head, and we will be guiltless. And whoever is with you in the house, his blood shall be on our head if a hand is laid on him. Joshua 2:17-19 – NKJV

  Rahab thought nothing of the scarlet cord as she used it to let the spies down and required a promise of safety from them. But when they saw the red cord, it reminded them of the Passover, and of the blood. Therefore, they told her that if they saw the scarlet cord in the window, and her family was in the house, they would find protection. If not, then they were free of their oath. Rahab, not knowing the true significance of that scarlet cord, made sure it was there, and she and her family were delivered!

  In both of these examples, life was found in the blood. As the people obeyed God’s word in applying the blood, He supernaturally protected their natural lives. It wasn’t just spiritual life that the blood spoke to, but natural life!

  Today, we as believers have been promised eternal life through the Blood of Jesus! It’s the greatest of all of the promises of God. The many references to blood in scripture was to assure us of the power of the Blood of Jesus to give us life, purify us from sin, and most importantly, reconcile us to God. If you have not applied the Blood to the doorpost of your heart, I encourage you to do so today! Wonderful Jesus!

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  Posted in Blood of Jesus, God’s Symbols, Jesus, Salvation | 0 Comments | Tagged Believer, blood sacrifice, Christian, Deliverance, God, God’s Symbols, imagery in the Bible, Jesus, life, life in the blood, Passover, Salvation, the Blood of Jesus

• Fire!

  Posted at 10:00 am by wonderfuljesus8, on February 17, 2021

  Exodus 3:2-3 – And the Angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire from the midst of a bush. So he looked, and behold, the bush was burning with fire, but the bush was not consumed. Then Moses said, “I will now turn aside and see this great sight, why the bush does not burn.” NKJV

  

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  Last Monday, I began blogging on the imagery found in the word of God. This blog, will look at the imagery of fire.

  When I was a little girl, we didn’t have central air and heat. Nor do I remember having radiated heat. But I do remember us using heaters in our home to keep warm. It’s amazing the things that stick with us, but this memory was “burned” into my flesh. Literally! One winter evening, while eating a neck bone, I was standing by the heater. I was so involved in my eating that I hadn’t realized that I had moved closer to the heater. The next thing I knew, I was screaming because I had gotten too close to the heater and my skin was burned. What a painful way to learn to respect fire!

  I used to wonder as a kid, who invented fire? But as I read the word, I came to know, that God did! As a matter of fact, fire represents the presence of God!

  In our key text, Moses is minding his own business of caring for the sheep, when he notices a bush is on fire, and it is not being consumed. When he goes to check it out, God speaks to him from the bush. God used fire to manifest His presence to Moses that day, and did so throughout scripture.

  Another place that God manifested His presence in fire is when the children of Israel had stopped at Mt. Sinai.

  Now Mount Sinai was completely in smoke, because the Lord descended upon it in fire. Its smoke ascended like the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mountain quaked greatly. Exodus 19:18 -NKJV

  My picture for today is of a blazing fire, appearing to be on a mountain. It’s frightening and beautiful all at the same time. Much, as I think, it may have been for the Israelites to witness on the mount.

  When we think of the Presence of God, we can’t help but think of His glory! When the Bible speaks of His glory, it is represented by fire!

  And you said: ‘Surely the Lord our God has shown us His glory and His greatness, and we have heard His voice from the midst of the fire. We have seen this day that God speaks with man; yet he still lives. Deuteronomy 5:24 – NKJV

  In the New Testament, on the day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit showed up in tongues of fire!

  Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. Acts 2:3-4 – NKJV

  This was a direct fulfillment of the words that John the Baptist spoke of, when he referred to the baptism that Jesus would baptize with:

  John answered, saying to all, “I indeed baptize you with water; but One mightier than I is coming, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to loose. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. Luke 3:16 – NKJV

  Thus far, we have seen God in the fire, and the Holy Spirit in the fire. Now for Jesus!

  Then King Nebuchadnezzar was astonished; and he rose in haste and spoke, saying to his counselors, “Did we not cast three men bound into the midst of the fire?” They answered and said to the king, “True, O king.” “Look!” he answered, “I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire; and they are not hurt, and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.” Daniel 3:24-25 – NKJV

  Many teachers of the Bible believe this is a reference to the Son of God, Jesus! I have to admit that I also think this!

  His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes like a flame of fire; Revelation 1:14 -NKJV

  John the Apostle, compares the eyes of Jesus to a flame of fire!

  Another important imagery I’d like to share is that fire represents the Word of God.

  Then I said, “I will not make mention of Him, Nor speak anymore in His name.” But His word was in my heart like a burning fire Shut up in my bones; I was weary of holding it back, And I could not. Jeremiah 20:9 – NKJV

  And again, Jeremiah said:

  “The prophet who has a dream, let him tell a dream; And he who has My word, let him speak My word faithfully. What is the chaff to the wheat?” says the Lord. “ Is not My word like a fire?” says the Lord, “And like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces? Jeremiah 23:28-29 – NKJV

  Fire can be deadly. In America, we hear of forest fires so much, we give little or no attention to them. At least, some of us! But thousands of acres are destroyed, homes are lost, and even lives. Those who live to tell the story, and their families are grateful for those who fight fire aggressively to stop it’s angry path! But did you know that the Bible speaks of God’s anger in the metaphorical comparison of fire? Of course, you did! When we think of hell, we think of eternal fire! When the disciples didn’t like the way the Samaritans responded to Jesus, they wanted to call fire down from heaven as Elijah had done!

  But fire is also good! We use it to cook with. We light our fireplace for warmth and romance. Fire is also used to purify metals like silver and gold. And biblically speaking, fire (or trouble) is used to purify and strengthen the people of God.

  In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 1:6-7 -NKJV

  I wish I could say more, but this space only allows for so much! So I leave you with these words:

  When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you. Isaiah 43:2 – NKJV

  Wonderful Jesus!

  Posted in God, God’s Symbols, Holy Spirit, Jesus | 6 Comments | Tagged fiery furnace, fire, glory of God, Holy Spirit, Jesus, presence of God, purify, trials, word of God

• Jesus is the Rock!

  Posted at 10:00 am by wonderfuljesus8, on February 12, 2021

  2 Samuel 22:32 – “For who is God, except the Lord? And who is a rock, except our God?” NKJV

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  Imagery can be seen in the way we talk, and even the way we write, which we call figurative language. Imagery can also be used in the form of symbolism, as in the instances that I have been using it. Water symbolizes the Holy Spirit, and the well symbolizes our person. Sometimes when I read the Word of God, and I run into metaphors, or symbolism, it makes me stop and think about what is being said in a particular verse. Or it helps me to see a greater truth, simply because of the imagery. Such is the case with the rock!

  Psalm 18 holds a favorite verse that causes me to stop and think about the Lord:

  The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; My God, my strength, in whom I will trust; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. Psalm 18:2 – NKJV

  That’s a mouthful! If you are anything like me, when you think of a rock, you don’t think of a mountain. But I chose this picture because of the mountains of rock that were captured in it. When looking at the word for rock in the Greek, we see the word “petra”. Petra denotes “a mass of rock,” according to the Vine’s, which is different from “petros” which is “a detached stone or boulder”. When I think of God as my rock, I can assure you that I am not thinking in terms of “petros”, but in terms of “petra”.

  As I write this blog, I am reminded of many verses on the Rock and I just feel like sharing some that really cause my heart to be stirred:

  “No one is holy like the Lord, for there is none besides You, nor is there any rock like our God. 1 Samuel 2:2 – NKJV

  This verse was part of the prayer that Hannah spoke after delivering her son Samuel to Eli the priest. God have given her the son of her heart’s cry. And as she released him into service to her Lord, she declared these heartfelt words. There is none besides Him, and no other Rock like our God! There are times in prayer when I have to stop and utter similar words to these, so I can imagine how she felt!

  “The Lord lives! Blessed be my Rock! Let God be exalted, The Rock of my salvation! 2 Samuel 22:47 – NKJV

  Words of praise David uttered after the Lord had delivered him from Saul and all of his enemies. Blessed be my Rock! Have you ever been delivered from something? Are you thankful for the salvation He has given you? Yes! Your soul cries! And again it cries, yes!!

  From the end of the earth I will cry to You, when my heart is overwhelmed; lead me to the rock that is higher than I. Psalm 61:2 – NKJV

  David knew that there was One who was higher than him, and called Him the Rock! Solid, strong, dependable! And higher than him and each of us! More than strength and beauty comes from the Rock, for when I am overwhelmed, David cried, just lead me to the Rock! That’s still the best course of action when we are overwhelmed, even today. We just need to be led to the Rock!

  In God is my salvation and my glory; the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God. Psalm 62:7 – NKJV

  What precious promises the Word holds for those whose trust is in God. He is the rock of our strength! Strong, unyielding, is our God. And there is none like Him!

  Jesus shares this truth in a familiar verse filled with imagery:

  “Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. Matthew 7:24-25 – NKJV

  Jesus is the Rock of our salvation, and He reminds us of this: If we hear and obey His word, it is equal to building our house on a rock. Have you ever seen a house built in the sides of the mountains? Doesn’t it look well protected?

  The Anasazi people were called cliff dwellers. Their homes were caves built in cliffs or under a cliff overhang. Many still exist today, although they were built thousands of years ago. Not a house you or I would want to buy, but it makes Jesus’ point! The passage of time, and the harshness of the weather over the years couldn’t cause them to be destroyed.

  What a blessing to know that we can build our homes on the Rock! Many people marvel when I say that I have been happily married to the same man for almost 35 years. I get that! It is so, only because we built on marriage, our home, on the Rock! Not only are we to build our homes on the Rock, but Jesus built His Church on the Rock! There may be times when it doesn’t look like “the gates of hell will not prevail against the church,” but just keep watching. Nothing will prevail against it! It’s built on the Rock!

  These are challenging times for the church and for us as individuals, but if we are in Christ, our foundation is sure! Nothing will cause us to be blown away because we are built on the Rock! Not floods, not pandemics, not harsh winds and rains; not even the current state of our political governments! Nothing!

  We must take comfort and find strength in the truth of the solidness of the Rock of our Salvation! He can not be moved! He can not be overcome! He can not be defeated! Even if we are done with this life on tomorrow, He would still be standing strong. Jesus is the Rock! He is the Rock of my salvation and I’ll never be ashamed! He is the Rock of your salvation, and you have no reason to be ashamed. Steady, strong, and unmovable is our Rock! Wonderful Jesus!

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  Posted in encouragement, God’s Symbols, Jesus, Strength | 0 Comments | Tagged David, Deliverance, encouragement, God, hard times, house on the rock, Jesus, Jesus is the Rock, Marriage, obedience, pandemic, protection, rock of salvation, Salvation, trust in God

• Waters That Never Fail!

  Posted at 10:00 am by wonderfuljesus8, on February 10, 2021

  John 7:38-39 – He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified. NKJV

  

  In my last blog, I briefly wrote on the importance of the well. I was unable to cover all the important aspects of the well, spiritually and naturally, but I can always write another blog in the future!

  My husband was really excited about the well and brought up the point that in third world countries they are not a thing of the past, but are very important in getting clean water to people, even today. Then we started talking about water, which in turn, reminded me of a point I brought up in the last post about living water. In this blog, I will look at the imagery of water in the Word.

  Water is considered a valuable resource in the world today, just as it was in the ancient world. Any historian can validate this truth by pointing out how the great civilizations of the ancient world always formed near a body of water.

  Even when America was founded with the 13 colonies, they were established on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean. As more land was needed to handle the increase in population, people had to find ways to bring water inland. Wells, cisterns, canals, and tunnels were a few of the ways that water was harnessed to meet the need.

  Just to connect with Black History month, Benjamin Banneker devised an irrigation system that connected the water of the springs near his farm to bring water to his farm. This irrigation system caused his tobacco farm to flourish even in the times of drought. Banneker, known as an inventor, mathematician, and an activist against slavery, learned, at the age of 15, the importance of water to the life of his farm, his family, and thereby, his livelihood.

  An equally important fact about water was the need for a continual supply of it during wartime. Especially when a city was under siege. Hezekiah, when faced with a siege from Sennacherib, had a tunnel built underground to keep the city of Jerusalem with a continuous water supply. I see a spiritual connection with water already!

  Jesus, at the feast, announced that if anyone believed on Him, as the scriptures said, that out of his belly (heart) would flow rivers of living water. This living water was identified as the Holy Spirit, which had not yet been given. But when He came, He became Living Water to all who received Him.

  Zechariah 14:8 – And it shall be in that day, that living waters shall go out from Jerusalem; half of them toward the former sea, and half of them toward the hinder sea: in summer and in winter shall it be.

  Zechariah’s prophecy speaks to a time, when Jerusalem will have living waters flowing in the summer and the winter. The disciples were in Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit descended. This Living Water that he saw, was none other, but the Spirit of God! Living waters that are not contingent on the time of year or the season, but on those who believe!

  For the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to living fountains of waters. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.” Revelation 7:17 – NKJV

  John speaks of Jesus, our Shepherd, leading His people to living fountains of waters. Isn’t that what He said to the woman in Samaria? He promised that He would give living waters to those who asked. And we see here that He leads us to living waters. This kind of reminds me of Psalm 23, where David spoke of the Shepherd, leading us to still waters. Even in a moving body of water, there are places where the waters seem still, safe for sheep.

  Isaiah wrote this about water:

  Isaiah 44:3 – For I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground: I will pour my spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring:

  The Holy Spirit takes the dryness of a soul and make it a flourishing land, causing thirst to be satisfied. He not only causes the individual, or a place to flourish, but He also pours His Spirit and His blessings upon our children. I like being blessed, but I absolutely love seeing my children blessed! This Living Water that we receive from Jesus is so vital to our lives as believers. He provides for us, and for our children, and children’s children. Blessings that are natural and spiritual!

  Isaiah 58:11 – And the LORD shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not.

  This verse speaks to my heart. The Lord shall guide me continually and satisfy me in a drought. When I feel dry, like God isn’t listening, or responding to me, I just need to drink from the source of Living Water to find strength to continue on my journey. He promises that I will be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not. When I think of a watered garden, I am reminded of well kept garden with healthy, vibrant plants. That’s what living waters produce in our lives! And a spring of water that never dries up?? The imagery is powerful!

  I’ve ministered when I felt like I was in a dry place. But as I would begin, I would sense His Presence and the words would just flow. Why? I had no choice but to trust that rivers of living water would flow from me. Every time, He would give His people what they needed, in spite of how I felt. Waters not failing!

  There is so much more that I can share about water, but the space and time does not allow me to be as thorough as I would be in an in-depth teaching. However, I believe you get the point!

  Maybe you are feeling dry right now. This pandemic may have taken a toll on your spiritual life as you have had to shelter in place and limit your church attendance. Or maybe you have not been to church this entire year. Well, I have great news for you, you can still be a flourishing garden as you wait to re-enter the sanctuary and enjoy the blessings of koinonia. Sometimes, the devil would like to condemn us to keep us from enjoying Him; but living waters flow in the winter and the summer. Good times and bad times! Hard times and easy times.

  Maybe you feel like you are under attack! That’s ok! You have reservoirs you don’t realize you have. Tap into the vast source of Living Waters and allow Him to keep you satisfied and flourishing during the battle. People who live around water are healthier and able to endure longer than those who are without water. This is encouraging to note, because you will outlast your enemy when you allow the rivers of Living Waters to guide you and refresh you!

  And don’t forget! What He provides for you, He wants to provide through you. Don’t just drink and get full! Look for ways to allow rivers of living water to flow out of your belly into someone’s else dry place! Get refreshed and let’s do this! Wonderful Jesus!

  Posted in encouragement, Holy Spirit, Jesus | 0 Comments | Tagged Believer, blessings, children, encouragement, God, hard times, Holy Spirit, Jerusalem, Jesus, living waters, pandemic, provision, Sennacherib, Spiritual warfare, water

• Draw From the Well!

  Posted at 10:00 am by wonderfuljesus8, on February 8, 2021

  Isaiah 12:3 – “Therefore with joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.” NKJV

  

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  I love when I wake up and the Spirit has whispered in my ear. Such was the case this morning when He whispered this verse to me. I have to draw from the well of salvation regularly and it is very refreshing and most encouraging.

  The Bible is quite poetic in much of its make up. Not only that, it is filled with imagery that is easy for every generation of people to identify with, like a well.

  The Hebrew word, “phrear”, means well. In the Lexham Dictionary, a well is defined as:

  A deep man-made reservoir dug or drilled in the ground, often walled with stone or plaster. Used to access groundwater.

  Wells are mentioned throughout scripture and has multiple roles or meanings in the biblical narrative. In Exodus 15, the children of Israel arrive at Elim where they find 12 wells. The wells in this passage of scripture is often times referred to as a place of rest and relaxation. Why? Because they were traveling through a dry land when they arrived at this oasis that had trees for shade, and water for their thirst.

  When a well was placed outside the city, it served as a meeting place for the women, who collected the water, and for strangers. We see this played out in the encounter Jesus had with the Samaritan woman at the well. She wasn’t welcome to visit the well with the women in the town, so she went at a different time. One day, she met Jesus at the well and her life was forever changed. Her natural meeting place became her spiritual meeting place with the Messiah, a divine connection!

  Wells are also used to depict the provision of God. When Moses spoke to the children of Israel before his departure and their entrance to the promised land, he spoke of wells. He told them that God had provided for them wells which they did not have to dig. And when Samson was thirsty after killing the Philistines, he cried out to God who split a hollow place in the land (creating a well of water) that Samson might obtain water to refresh and revive himself.

  Wells were deemed as a vital and economic asset. The Bible makes references to the disputes that were mentioned over the ownership of wells. Abraham rebuked Abimelech because his servants had seized Abraham’s well of water. Enemies could stop up the wells, as the Philistines later did to Abraham’s wells.

  As we can see, wells were pretty important to the people of God for the natural supply of water. God’s word uses the imagery of wells for a spiritual supply of living water. Jesus told the woman at the well that she should have asked Him for a drink and He would have given her living water that she would never thirst again! John 4

  An important point about digging wells. Kings were responsible for digging wells, as we can see in 2 Chronicles where we find that King Uzziah dug many wells, and the enemy (the Philistines) was responsible for stopping them up. Can you see a spiritual correlation here?

  I offer you this point. Salvation through the Blood of Jesus creates within each of us a well. Then Jesus fills that well with Living Water, so that out of our belly can flow that living water. When we are allowing the water, or in this case, His Holy Spirit to flow through us, our well is a place of refreshing, for ourselves and others, and it is a beautiful thing. When we are in disobedience, our wells are dry. Not because the source of our living water has gone dry, but because we have allowed the enemy of our souls to fill the wells up with sin, keeping the water from flowing!

  John 7:37-38 – On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” NKJV

  I read a sermon by George Whitfield, and he had this to say about the living water:

  The festival at which he was now present, was that of the feast of tabernacles, which the Jews observed according to God’s appointment in commemoration of their living in tents. At the last day of this feast, it was customary for many pious people to fetch water from a certain place, and bring it on their heads, singing this anthem out of Isaiah, “And with joy shall they draw water out of the wells of salvation.” Our Lord observing this, and it being his constant practice to spiritualize every thing he met with, cries out, “If any man thirst, let him come unto me, (rather than unto that well) and drink. He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath spoken, (where it is said, God will make water to spring out of a dry rock, and such-like) out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.”

  Drawing from the well is simple. When life hits us with challenges, instead of just reacting, cause we all do, we have to draw from the well. All those emotions I have previously written about, can be dealt with as we draw from the well. I was tested this weekend myself. I was lied upon and it made me angry, my initial reaction. But as I drew from the well of my salvation, I received a peace that all would be well.

  This life is not cut and dry, patty cake, and tip toe through the tulips. It’s real, with disappointments, heartaches, and setbacks. But if we will allow the Holy Spirit to flow through us and help us in times of crisis, great joy will be ours. We will also be able to draw peace through tough times, and love when we don’t feel like sharing it. We will draw strength to continue in the journey, and hope for a brighter tomorrow. There is so much available in the well of salvation that is provided through that Living Water. It’s ours for the drawing. And it’s our responsible to do so! So go ahead, and draw from your well of salvation! Wonderful Jesus!

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  Posted in encouragement, God, God’s Symbols, Holy Spirit, Jesus | 0 Comments | Tagged encouragement, God, Holy Spirit, Jesus, living waters, provision, Salvation, wells, woman at the well

• A Sure Promise!

  Posted at 10:00 am by wonderfuljesus8, on January 29, 2021

  2 Peter 3:3-4 – Knowing this first: that scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts, and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation.” NKJV

  

  If I had to choose the greatest promise in the word of God, it would prove to be difficult. I think of the promise of salvation and it makes me grateful to know Jesus as Savior. I relish in the joy of the promise of the Holy Spirit and can’t imagine life without Him. And then I remember the promise of His return, and even though He has tarried, I know it is a sure promise, and look forward to that Day. Jesus is coming again!

  In our text for today, Peter wrote that there would be scoffers in the last days. In context, we have no problem understanding what Peter meant when he used the word “empaiktes”, or scoffers. Most people have a clear, or can gain a clear understanding of this word by continuing to read the verse. A scoffer is a mocker. Someone who laughs at another or something with contempt.

  These particular mockers would be walking around in the last days, doing their own thing, living after their own lusts, saying, “Where is the promise of His coming?” In case you haven’t noticed it, they can be found on the news, in government, in our school systems, in our neighborhoods, maybe even in our families. People who mockingly reject the promise of His return. But here’s one thing we can all rest assure of: the same God who promised that He would come through a virgin and be born in Bethlehem is the same God who assures us of His return. Jesus is coming again!

  For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words. 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 – NKJV

  I’m not thrilled with being off the ground. I’m not fond of airplanes though I will get in one. But the thought of just being caught up in the air is a little overwhelming. Yet, I look forward to it! Paul said that we are to comfort one another with these sayings. You might ask, how can these words be a comfort? Sometimes, when things look their bleakest, hope is all you need, and there is great comfort and hope in the return of Jesus! More importantly, there is great comfort in knowing the One who promised is more than able of fulfilling that promise. It brings great comfort!

  When I think of scoffers, I think of the people who watched Noah build the ark. Weren’t they the same people who drowned in the waters. I’m not too concerned about the mockers, for the promise will come to pass.

  Acts 1:11 “Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.” NKJV

  Angels watched with the disciples as Jesus ascended into heaven. The disciples must have stood gazing for a while because finally the angels asked this question: Why are you gazing into heaven? This same Jesus who ascended, they said, will descend again in the same way! It’s part of the promise!

  Jesus comforted His disciples, before He was crucified, with these words:

  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. John 14:3 – NKJV

  As I explained in a previous blog, these were words the disciples understood as a promise. The same promise every Jewish groom made to his betrothed. Jesus gave a promise that He most definitely was going to return. It was a sure promise!

  When I speak of a sure promise, I am talking about a promise that will come to pass without a doubt! Mockers can mock and make fun of this promise, but they can’t stop this promise! It’s a sure thing! They can ignore this promise and live in rejection of this truth, but so did the men and women in the days of Noah!

  In the book of Revelation we find these words:

  Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. Even so, Amen. “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End,” says the Lord, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.” Revelation 1:7-8 -NKJV

  This is the best part of the promise! Behold! See! He is coming! And when He returns in won’t be shrouded in mystery! When He returns, there will be no case of mistaken identity! When He returns He will return with glory and power! When He returns, not if He returns!

  Then Jesus refers to Himself as the Alpha and the Omega, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty!” Wonderful, wonderful Jesus!

  So, what’s the hold up? Peter tells us:

  The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:9 – NKJV

  I believe He is just excited about coming back as we are to see Him. He’s not ignoring His promise or intentionally delaying His promise to be difficult. Nor is He pulling our leg, and making fun of us our desire. He is such a long suffering Savior towards us, and He wants to give mankind every opportunity to turn to Him in repentance. He’s such a wonderful lover of people.

  So the next time you become weary about His return, ask Him if there is someone who you are supposed to lead to Him and maybe even disciple. Or the next time someone mock His return in your hearing, tell them that He is waiting on them to repent. That ought to shut them up! Maybe even shake them up, causing them to do just that!

  I am so enjoying looking at the promises of God and His faithfulness to His word. I am encouraged in my heart and my faith is being strengthened. I trust you are also being encouraged as you read. If you are not ready for His return, don’t wait another day to repent of your sins and receive Him as your Savior! Wonderful Jesus!

  prayer-for-salvation-3.mp3

  Posted in encouragement, God, God’s faithfulness, Jesus, Promises of God, Second Coming | 0 Comments | Tagged hope, Jesus, Noah, Peter, Promises of God, return of Christ, Salvation, Second Coming, the flood

• A Forever Promise!

  Posted at 10:00 am by wonderfuljesus8, on January 27, 2021

  Psalm 89:34-37- My covenant I will not break, nor alter the word that has gone out of My lips. Once I have sworn by My holiness; I will not lie to David: His seed shall endure forever, and his throne as the sun before Me; It shall be established forever like the moon, even like the faithful witness in the sky.” Selah NKJV

  

  Most people enjoy a great love story. Or at the very least, most women do! One of my favorites is the movie, “Ever After” with Drew Barrymore as Danielle, and Dougray Scott as Prince Henry. It’s another spin on the story of Cinderella, and it’s a joy to watch. In this version, the mean stepmother gets her just rewards, and Danielle gets her Prince Henry in a way that is entertaining and heartwarming. If it’s not a classic, it should be!

  Forever after seems to truly be a storybook fantasy in many of our lives. On my second date with my husband, he asked me if I knew of any marriages that had lasted. Sadly to say, at that time, the pickings were really slim. Today, however, I know many couples who have been together for decades, and seem to truly be on the road to their personal forever after! We’re included in that number having celebrated 34 years this month! Here’s a place for a “Wonderful Jesus” shout!

  God is a forever God! There’s nothing temporary or flaky about Him, or what He says, or what He does. His promises are sure and they are true!

  David was minding his own business when he was called to dinner with Samuel and his family. Unbeknown to him, they were waiting for the next king of Israel. Or so we think! Could it be that while David was watching sheep, fighting off the bear, and ripping the lion apart that God had already spoken to him about being king? Is it possible that he had already received the promise? I don’t know, but I know this, God made Him a forever promise.

  From that day, David was the king of Israel. He was favored of God, a warrior who won many battles for the Lord. He took back territory from the Philistines, established worship in the temple, united the kingdom, and won the respect of those near and far. But one day, he wanted to build a house for the Lord. It was not to be because God said that David had too much blood on his hands. But then God said this to David:

  “When your days are fulfilled and you rest with your fathers, I will set up your seed after you, who will come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build a house for My name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. And your house and your kingdom shall be established forever before you. Your throne shall be established forever.”’ ”. 2 Samuel 7:12-13,16 – NKJV

  David was so delighted. He just wanted to build a place for God. He wasn’t looking for anything in return. God had been so good to him already that he just wanted to do something to show God how much He meant to him. But you can never repay the generosity of the Father. David responded to the Lord by saying:

  “And now, O Lord God, You are God, and Your words are true, and You have promised this goodness to Your servant. Now therefore, let it please You to bless the house of Your servant, that it may continue before You forever; for You, O Lord God, have spoken it, and with Your blessing let the house of Your servant be blessed forever.” 2 Samuel 7:28-29 – NKJV

  David knew the integrity of God’s promises. When he was anointed king that day, he returned to the sheep, not to the palace. As a matter of fact his journey to the palace was a long and arduous one. He went from the one who was heralded as a hero after killing Goliath, to the one who hid in the cave of Adullam, and was found weeping at Ziklag, and finally to kingship. But through it all, God was faithful to David, and gave him exactly what He had promised him.

  We see David later in years, about to transition to glory, as he turns the kingdom over to Solomon. We see a man who slept with another man’s wife, and had the man killed. We see a man who ran from his son who took the kingdom from him. We see a man who had children killing each other. A hard and often difficult life. But God had blessed David richly and said He would have given him more if he would have just asked. This David! The one who seemed to have lost his way! This David, was promised a forever kingdom!

  Great deliverance He gives to His king, and shows mercy to His anointed, to David and his descendants forevermore. Psalm 18:50 – NKJV

  Not only did God promise David a forever kingdom, but He also promised David and his descendants great deliverance and mercy forever! Isn’t that something? Well, that’s just like God. He didn’t change His promise based on David’s actions, but He kept His promise based on His word.

  Let’s return to our text.

  My covenant I will not break, nor alter the word that has gone out of My lips. Once I have sworn by My holiness; I will not lie to David: His seed shall endure forever, and his throne as the sun before Me; It shall be established forever like the moon, even like the faithful witness in the sky.” Selah NKJV

  God promised that He would not break or alter the word that had gone out of His lips to David. He even said that He would not lie to David! (Do you want to know something else, God isn’t lying to us!). God promised that David’s seed would endure forever and that is so through Jesus, and also through many in the nation of Israel who trace their ancestry to David. God said that his throne would be established forever, and again, this was made a reality through the throne of Jesus! God made a forever promise to David, and He kept His word!

  This week I have an objective, if you haven’t noticed. Two in fact. The first is to remind us of the surety of the promises of God. The second is to remind us of the faithfulness of God to His word. Scripture lets us know that He watches over it to perform it. (Jeremiah 1:12)

  As we journey through 2021, let’s do so, learning to trust in His promises like never before. Let’s set our face to know what those promises are and learn how to receive them in our lives. Let us determine that we will say like the song of old:

  Standing, standing
  Standing on the promises of Christ my Savior,
  Standing, standing
  Standing on the promises of God!

  Wonderful Jesus!

  Posted in God, God’s Blessings, Jesus, Promises of God | 2 Comments | Tagged blessings, David, Deliverance, descendants, faithfulness, favor, God, hard times, Jesus, kingdom, Marriage, promise, trust in God, word of God

• Celebration Time!

  Posted at 10:00 am by wonderfuljesus8, on January 22, 2021

  Luke 4:18-19 -“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; to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.” NKJV

  

  celebration-time_.mp3

  For me, it’ really been an interesting time looking at the ministry of Jesus through Luke 4, which is really an echo, or fulfillment, of Isaiah 61. Isaiah’s list is longer than the one Jesus read, so since Jesus stopped here, for now, so will I!

  Tonight’s blog is on the acceptable year of the Lord!

  The word acceptable, in the Greek, is “dektos”. According to the Vines, “dektos” “denote that most blessed time when salvation and free favors of God profusely abound”. This expression would have meant nothing to a Gentile in that day, but it held great significance for the Jews.

  Leviticus 25:10-12 -“And you shall consecrate the fiftieth year, and proclaim liberty throughout all the land to all its inhabitants. It shall be a Jubilee for you; and each of you shall return to his possession, and each of you shall return to his family. That fiftieth year shall be a Jubilee to you; in it you shall neither sow nor reap what grows of its own accord, nor gather the grapes of your untended vine. For it is the Jubilee; it shall be holy to you; you shall eat its produce from the field.” NKJV

  The year of Jubilee was significant in that it provided three major benefits: personal liberty, restoration of property, and blessings.

  In the year of Jubilee, if you were a slave you would be set free. No matter how many years were left to your bondage, you would be free! If you had to sale your property, for whatever reason, it was restored to you in the year of Jubilee. And the harvesting of the land was halted, that everyone could enjoy the fruit of the land, representing blessings or favor to all.

  The only drawback to the year of Jubilee was that it came every 50 years. So if you were in year 45 or closer to the Jubilee, I am sure that you could look forward to it and the blessings it brought. If you were at year 2 to 5, after the year of Jubilee, you might have pleasant memories. But if you went into slavery, or lost your property 10 years after Jubilee, or the year after Jubilee, the road ahead would not be filled with hope! Jesus came and announced that in Him was the fulfillment of the year of Jubilee. No more waiting for Jubilee, because Jubilee had arrived and was looking at them! It’s celebration time! But in truth, they didn’t see it that way!

  First, and foremost, He came to liberate us from the bondage of sin.

  Who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness— by whose stripes you were healed. 1 Peter 2:24

  His death, burial, and resurrection provided us with liberty from that bondage. He who knew no sin, became sin, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. 2 Corinthians 5:21

  This reconciliation of man to God, restored us to our rightful place in God, giving us an inheritance with Jesus.

  And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise. Galatians 3:29 – NKJV

  Once we were made righteous, we had access to all that was Jesus’, thus all that the Father had! Every promise, every blessing, and immeasurable favor, was opened up to us! This was the best news of all! Jubilee personified! For us! Let’s celebrate!

  Two things that stood out to me in this study: Jesus is our Great Physician. Physical healing, emotional healing, mental healing, social healing…if it has a name, Jesus heals us of it! And He is our Redeemer! Salvation, deliverance, protection, reconciliation is all wrapped up in Him. The entirety of the gospel message is really encapsulated in these two truths. It’s a theme repeated over and again throughout scriptures. However we find ourselves in life, we will need Him as our Physician or our Redeemer. And we will always find Him available.

  I’ve written some pretty long posts during this study, so I’ll be brief tonight. Schambach had a saying, while he was ministering on the earth: “You don’t have any trouble! All you need is faith in God!” For some reason this saying just came to me tonight. I will say it like this: When you have trouble, of any kind, reach out with your faith to God! Jesus has paved the way with the cross and has come to give us all of Him and all of the Father!

  Let us not be like the Pharisees! Let’s recognize the truth of Jesus’ words spoken so long ago and recorded for us to have! He has fulfilled the scripture that says He is our all in all! Let’s receive Him for the truth that He is and begin to celebrate Him like never before! And then, let’s just celebrate! Celebration time, come on! Wonderful Jesus!

  Posted in favor, Jesus, Luke 4:18, ministry of Jesus | 0 Comments | Tagged acceptable year, Believer, blessings, encouragement, Faith, freedom, God, Grace, Healing, Jesus, ministry, reconciliation, restoration, righteousness, Salvation, slavery, Year of Jubilee

• Shattered!

  Posted at 10:00 am by wonderfuljesus8, on January 20, 2021

  Luke 4:18 – “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..NKJV

  

  shattered_.mp3

  Today’s topic will probably not be a feel good topic, but I refuse to ignore it, since it is part of the ministry of Jesus. When Jesus read the list of things that God had anointed Him to do, dealing with oppression was in the list. He said it this way, “to set at liberty those who are oppressed”. Most people don’t even think about oppression, but today, we will take a quick look at what oppression is. First, we will look at natural or physical oppression.

  Oppression is real in our society. No matter how much we wish for it to not be so, it is so. Oppression was at the heart of the women’s suffrage movement during the 1800s. Women were tired of being ornaments on their husbands and fathers arms, doormats in their homes, and being kept “barefoot and pregnant”. They wanted to have a real place in society, with a voice, and opportunities.

  The Civil Rights movement during the 50s and 60s, was a cry for social just because of the systemic oppression Black people faced on a daily basis. Low paying jobs, segregated schools, stores, communities. Giving honor to whites on the bus, on the sidewalk, in the line. They just wanted the same rights, freedoms, and job opportunities of their white counterparts.

  Black Lives Matter, is the millennials cry to unfair treatment of non-whites by police and the justice system. As they watch individuals being murdered on the streets, on video, and it being called justifiable. For them, that is unacceptable!

  Many Christians, Black and white, are confused as to how they should view situations and organizations like Black Lives Matter. We are told, by Blacks and Whites alike a variety of things: “If Black Lives Matter, why is there so much Black on Black crime”? I ask you, ” Don’t we have a lot of white on white crime? Surely killing inside of your own race is not just a problem with Blacks?” We are told that if we really care about Black lives, we should care about the Blacks in the ghetto who are being killed in gang violence. I say to that, “If you are really pro-life, you should care also”. Gang violence is a societal issue that is being ignored because it involves Black and Brown individuals, not because it is unsolvable. We most certainly, as a nation, could do more to stomp out gang violence. And we should! But one really does not have anything to do with the other.

  A definition of oppression is prolonged cruel or unjust treatment or control. That is what the Women’s Suffrage movement complained about, the Civil Rights Activist complain about, and what Black Lives Matter complain about. Cruel and unjust treatment or control.

  Whenever God’s people, the Israelites, found themselves under oppression, they would call out to God and He would deliver them! Therefore, it’s no surprise that part of Jesus’ ministry would be to set the oppressed free.

  When Jesus said:

  A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. John 13:34 – NKJV

  He was giving us a key to handling natural oppression. Where we have godly, or agape love for one another, we will have genuine concern for them, their needs, and their well-being. Love isn’t a commodity we throw around to control people, it’s how they will know that we are truly His disciples.

  By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”John 13:35 – NKJV

  Then there is spiritual oppression that we can experience in life. The Bible refers to this oppression as being demonic. It’s just as cruel in nature, and equally as controlling in the individual’s life, and we must be healed of it. Acts 10:38 states:

  How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him. Acts 10:38 – NKJV

  Can I just say, that I had to look up the difference between oppression and those who are bound by chains? I thought they were one and the same, but the definition for oppression in the Vine’s dictionary gives us a different meaning altogether:

  The Greek word “thrauo” means bruise:

  “to smite through, shatter,” It is used in Luk 4:18, “them that are bruised,” i.e., broken by calamity.

  This oppression, that is brought on by the devil, is what we experience after great calamity and trouble. The loss of a loved one through violence, sudden death from COVID-19, floods, hurricanes…unexpected, inexplicable things that causes us to feel as if we are being shattered by the event that has taken place. In the Young’s Literal translation, Luke 4:18 reads like this:

  `The Spirit of the Lord [is] upon me, because He did anoint me; to proclaim good news to the poor, sent me to heal the broken of heart, to proclaim to captives deliverance, and to blind receiving of sight, to send away the bruised with deliverance..Luke 4:18 – YLT

  Jesus wants us to come to Him with these bruises, not to run away. He says, He will heal us, send us away delivered and put back together. He is still saying, “Come to Me”.

  Isaiah 53 is where we find a powerful verse on healing:

  Surely He has borne our griefs And carried our sorrows; Yet we esteemed Him stricken, Smitten by God, and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed. Isaiah 53:4-5 – NKJV

  But right after that, we have this verse:

  He was oppressed and He was afflicted, Yet He opened not His mouth; He was led as a lamb to the slaughter, And as a sheep before its shearers is silent, So He opened not His mouth. Isaiah 53:7 – NKJV

  Jesus understands physical and spiritual oppression. He didn’t avoid any of it, because He wanted us to know that He understood what we were experiencing. Today, if you find yourself bruised, shattered, and hurting over the cruel actions of others or events, know that you are not alone. Jesus has been where you find yourself, and He gets it. And the greater words of encouragement for you are: He can heal you. It is what He was anointed to do! What He is still anointed to do!

  Some experiences in life are shattering. I wish it was not so. So does the Father! I promise you He isn’t responsible. He said that the devil is responsible and Jesus is the cure. Trust Him today to put all the pieces back together again in your life. So whether you are experiencing a natural or spiritual oppression at this time, you can experience freedom and healing. The way to that freedom may be different, but if you’ll trust Jesus, you can experience it in the natural and in the spiritual realm. Wonderful Jesus!

  Posted in Deliverance, Healing, Jesus, Luke 4:18, Social Justice | 4 Comments | Tagged Believer, calamity, coronavirus, Deliverance, God, hard times, Healing, Jesus, love, oppression, shattered, Social Justice, the devil

• Removing the Blinders!

  Posted at 7:39 pm by wonderfuljesus8, on January 18, 2021

  Luke 4:18 -“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…”NKJV

  

  removing-the-blinders_.mp3

  When we were kids, we would play games where we pretended that we were blind. Today, I realize how terribly insensitive that game was, but at that time, we thought we were having fun. There is nothing entertaining about making fun of the disabilities of others, and I am embarrassed to realize that I didn’t always think this way. While we were pretending to be blind, we were actually walking in blindness to the pain and thoughtlessness that this game could have caused those who were visually impaired. Thank God we grew out of that!

  The ministry of Jesus is an all encompassing ministry. When He read these words in Luke, He proclaimed that He had come to meet the physical, spiritual, and emotional needs of mankind. Nothing was irrelevant or umimportant, and nothing was to be ignored. He had come for His people.

  Today, I am blogging about Jesus’ ministry that deals with “recovery of sight to the blind”. The Bible makes us aware of both spiritual and physical blindness. In my earlier example, I was blind and didn’t know it, and there are many today, who are walking around blind and are unaware of it.

  One of my favorite miracles in the Bible happened in the book of John chapter 9. This was the miracle that brought down the wrath of the Pharisees. (As if they had any real power). The healing of the man born blind. Now, the Pharisees were already too outdone with Jesus, but for some reason, this sent them over the top!

  Jesus passed by a man that had come into the world blind. His disciples took this opportunity to ask the Master, who did sin, the man or his parents? Well, since he was born blind, we can definitely rule the man out, he didn’t have a chance to commit any sin to bring a loss of his sight. As for the parents, Jesus said it wasn’t them either. But He did acknowledge that this blindness would allow Him, Jesus, to manifest God to the man.

  Every aspect of Jesus’ ministry was not only people oriented, but it was to fulfill the purposes of God. Ministry isn’t about getting us a name, or building us a reputation, or even a legacy; but for the glory of God. I’ve read many books of the men and women, God used to display His power. Most of them eventually came to a place where they acted as if it was their power flowing. Not so! That’s for another blog, but the point is, it is never about us!

  Jesus directed His disciples to the truth that what they were getting ready to witness, was about glorifying God, fulfilling His work! Every salvation, every deliverance, every healing, every comforted soul, is for His glory!

  Jesus then made clay with His saliva, anointed the man’s eyes, and told him to go and wash in the pool of Siloam. When he came back from the pool, the man could see. This was such a big deal, and such a notable miracle, that it got people to talking. Now here’s why I love it so much!!

  The man began to testify. He shared it with his neighbors and all who would listen. Even in the synagogue. And when they refused to accept his testimony, he just kept telling them what happened, and defending Jesus, even at the threat of being excommunicated. Nothing else mattered after Jesus gave him sight, but the fact that he could now see. Love it!

  He answered and said, “Whether He is a sinner or not I do not know. One thing I know: that though I was blind, now I see.” John 9:25 -NKJV

  Then there was Bartimaeus! We still call him Blind Bartimaeus, but he didn’t remain blind. For when he cried out to Jesus, His sight was restored. Jesus healed physical blindness on several occasions. As He ministered restoring of sight, He dealt with their poverty. Those who were blind, were definitely amongst the poor. They were generally beggars. Even the man in John 9 was a beggar. He had a family. Both parents were alive (we know this because the Pharisees sent for them); and yet, he was begging. When Bartimaeus threw away his beggar clothes to go to Jesus, he threw away his past and embraced his future!

  Spiritual blindness is just as confining as physical blindness, and can cause a spiritual poverty in the lives of those who experience it. But spiritual blindness can be more costly because it can lead to spiritual death.

  2 Corinthians 4:3-4 – But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them. NKJV

  Paul wrote that the devil has blinded the minds of people throughout the ages, causing the gospel message to be hidden from them. I thank God, that I can say like the man in John 9, I once was blind but now I see! Those blinders have thankfully been removed! But if they remain, you are in danger of experiencing eternal death.

  Jesus said it like this:

  So that ‘Seeing they may see and not perceive, and hearing they may hear and not understand; lest they should turn, and their sins be forgiven them.’ ”. Mark 4:12 – NKJV

  Not a case of physical blindness, but a worst case of physical sight and not perceiving that you are blind to the more critical things that you really need to see.

  One type of blindness we may all need to have our sight restored from, on occasion, is deception. James wrote:

  Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. James 1:16 – NKJV

  Yet, how often do we find ourselves deceived. We think we right, when we are wrong! That’s deception. We think someone has done something to us and they aren’t even aware there is a problem. Deception! We get so caught up in ourselves, that we allow the deceiver, to cause us to become deceived. Worst then being deceived, is when we deceive ourselves.

  But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. James 1:22-24 – NKJV

  Jesus, the Living Word, can help us to see more clearly. Reading the logos of the word, can help us to understand better. Obeying God’s word, over all else, is the wisest way to be kept from deception.

  If we are not careful, we can live with blinders over our eyes and around our mind. Blinders to the full gospel. Blinders to our personal weaknesses. Blinders to relationships that suck the life out of us. Blinders, blinders, and more blinders!

  Jesus came to give recovery of sight to the blind. Whether we suffer from physical or spiritual blindness, He is the cure! Notice I didn’t say that He has the cure! He is the cure! Reach out in faith today to have your sight restored! Wonderful Jesus!

  prayer-for-salvation-2.mp3

  Posted in Blindness, Healing, Jesus, John 9, miracle | 0 Comments | Tagged Blindness, deceiver, deception, encouragement, Faith, Healing, Jesus, restoration, Salvation, spiritual blindness, word of God

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