ONE-YEAR JOURNEY OF THE BIBLE
Day 301 - Luke 16-19 (Pray Until God Answers, Then Accept His Answer)
(To View Past Posts Click: http:/tonyvicreyes1-yearbible.blogspot.com/ )
"Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart, saying: "There was in a certain city a judge who did not fear God nor regard man. Now there was a widow in that city; and she came to him, saying, "Get justice for me from my adversary.' And he would not for a while; but afterward he said within himself, "Though I do not fear God nor regard man, yet because this widow troubles me I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me."' Then the Lord said, "Hear what the unjust judge said. And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them? I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?" (Luke 18:1-8)
Yesterday, our text dealt with Jesus' promise of the Father's unlimited provision for His children. Today, our Scripture passage deals with the believer's perseverance in prayer; that is, as children of our heavenly Father, we must keep on praying until God answers and that we ought not to lose heart.
It is a fact that not all prayers of believers, no matter how good they may be, are answered by God. The apostle Paul himself in writing to the said that he prayed to God three times for his thorn in the flesh (which most likely referred to some kind of illness) be removed but God did not grant him his request. In Paul's case, we are blessed to know the reason for God's refusal - God said it was so that "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9)."
Oftentimes, God delays in answering our prayers as in the case of Lazarus' death. When Lazarus became seriously ill, his sisters, Mary and Martha sent for Jesus so that He may come and heal him. When the message reached Jesus, however, He decided to linger two more days before departing from wherever He was for two more days so much so that when He arrived in Bethany where Lazarus lived, he had been dead four days!
We know from the story recorded in John chapter 11 that Jesus raised Lazarus back to life when He finally arrived in Bethany. We also know the reason why Jesus delayed in answering the request of Mary and Martha - Jesus said, "This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified through it (John 11:4)."
Many of us have heard that God answers our prayers in three ways: Yes, No, and Wait. Based on many evidences in Scripture including the ones I referred to above, it apparently seems so. Praying until God answers, or until we learn the answer, is God's will for us as His children.
I believe it is also God's will that whatever answer God gives for our prayers, we need to fully accept it even if we don't like the answer. May we all have the same attitude as the apostle Paul when he finally learned that God would not answer his prayer:
"Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong (2 Corinthians 12:9-10)."
Thursday, October 29, 2015
Tuesday, October 27, 2015
Day 298 - Luke 10-15
ONE-YEAR JOURNEY OF THE BIBLE
Day 298 - Luke 10-15 (My Father Provides All I Need)
(To View Past Posts Click: http:/tonyvicreyes1-yearbible.blogspot.com/ )
"So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. If a son asks for bread from any father among you, will he give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent instead of a fish? Or if he asks for an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!" (Luke 11:9-13)
My wife and I are blessed to have four children, three of whom are away in college and graduate school at Pensacola Christian College in Florida. Whenever I speak or text my children, I try to remember to offer my help for anything they may need from me. Why? Because I am their father and because I love them.
Jesus is telling those who are His disciples that they have a heavenly Father who loves and cares for them infinitely more than any earthly father could for his children. Although Jesus specifically referred to thegift of the Holy Spirit in our text above, there are many other passages in the Bible that teaches that God the Father promises to give His children anything they ask in accordance to His will.
One such Scripture passage is found in John chapter 14:
"Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it." (John 14:12-14)
Jesus gave the reason why the Father would grant His children anything they ask Him in Jesus' name: it is "that the Father may be glorified in the Son (John 14:13)." Obviously, a request that is selfish or sinful cannot glorify God the Father and Son; therefore, Jesus is referring only to prayers that are in accordance with God's will such as receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit or asking for salvation.
In a couple of days, Amber and I will leave for the Philippines to start a ministry of training men who are called by God to plant churches. It is a very daunting task especially when I think about how God has called us to a place where we do not know anyone and where we have to start from the ground up. Yet, we could not be in better hands because my Father has assured us of His help and provision for all that we would ever need.
Day 298 - Luke 10-15 (My Father Provides All I Need)
(To View Past Posts Click: http:/tonyvicreyes1-yearbible.blogspot.com/ )
"So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. If a son asks for bread from any father among you, will he give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent instead of a fish? Or if he asks for an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!" (Luke 11:9-13)
My wife and I are blessed to have four children, three of whom are away in college and graduate school at Pensacola Christian College in Florida. Whenever I speak or text my children, I try to remember to offer my help for anything they may need from me. Why? Because I am their father and because I love them.
Jesus is telling those who are His disciples that they have a heavenly Father who loves and cares for them infinitely more than any earthly father could for his children. Although Jesus specifically referred to thegift of the Holy Spirit in our text above, there are many other passages in the Bible that teaches that God the Father promises to give His children anything they ask in accordance to His will.
One such Scripture passage is found in John chapter 14:
"Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it." (John 14:12-14)
Jesus gave the reason why the Father would grant His children anything they ask Him in Jesus' name: it is "that the Father may be glorified in the Son (John 14:13)." Obviously, a request that is selfish or sinful cannot glorify God the Father and Son; therefore, Jesus is referring only to prayers that are in accordance with God's will such as receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit or asking for salvation.
In a couple of days, Amber and I will leave for the Philippines to start a ministry of training men who are called by God to plant churches. It is a very daunting task especially when I think about how God has called us to a place where we do not know anyone and where we have to start from the ground up. Yet, we could not be in better hands because my Father has assured us of His help and provision for all that we would ever need.
Saturday, October 24, 2015
Day 297 - Luke 7-9
ONE-YEAR JOURNEY OF THE BIBLE
Day 297 - Luke 7-9 (Why Does God Allow Bad Things to Happen to Christians?)
(To View Past Posts Click: http:/tonyvicreyes1-yearbible.blogspot.com/ )
20When the men had come to Him, they said, "John the Baptist has sent us to You, saying, "Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?" ... 28For I say to you, among those born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he." ... And he went and beheaded him (John the Baptist) in prison, brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl; and the girl gave it to her mother." (Luke 7:20, 28; Mark 6:27-28)
Every believer in Christ, at one point or another, has asked the question: Why does God allow bad things to happen to Christians? I think we can learn a lot about the answer to this age-old question by looking at the horrible fate of the greatest believer who ever lived: John the Baptist.
Jesus testified, in our text above, that "among those born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist;" yet we also read in the gospel of Mark that John suffered one of the most gruesome deaths - that of beheading.
One fact about John that many do not know is that he doubted whether Jesus was indeed the Christ. Our text above records John instructing his followers to ask Jesus if He was the Christ or if they should look for another!
Why did John doubt Jesus whom he baptized in the Jordan river and whom he witnessed the Holy Spirit descend upon Him like a dove and of whom God's own voice was heard by him saying about Jesus, "You are My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased (Mark 1:10-11)"?
The answer is simple; John, like any other believer would have in his place, questioned why Christ would allow him to be put in jail when He was there in the same city with him! Surely, Jesus could have commanded the prison gates to be opened so John could have escaped.
As we know, Jesus did not do that and the thing is we are not told in the Bible why. Jesus allowed a very bad thing thing to happen to John (imprisoned and his head put on a silver plate at the request of a girl) when He, no doubt, could have easily rescued John.
The same puzzle appplied to the first apostle who was killed after Jesus resurrected from the dead. James, the brother of John, was one of the three who were part of the inner core of Jesus while He lived with His discples.
James, John, and Peter many times were the only ones allowed by Jesus to be with Him on very special occasions such as when He raised to life the daughter of Jairus and at the transfuguration on the mount when He appeared with Moses and Elijah.
The lesson we can learn from our study today is this: God allows bad things to happen to the greatest of Christians and He does owe us any explanation. What we do know clearly from God's Word, the Bible is that those who suffer for the sake of Christ are called blessed by God:
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake,
For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Day 297 - Luke 7-9 (Why Does God Allow Bad Things to Happen to Christians?)
(To View Past Posts Click: http:/tonyvicreyes1-yearbible.blogspot.com/ )
20When the men had come to Him, they said, "John the Baptist has sent us to You, saying, "Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?" ... 28For I say to you, among those born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he." ... And he went and beheaded him (John the Baptist) in prison, brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl; and the girl gave it to her mother." (Luke 7:20, 28; Mark 6:27-28)
Every believer in Christ, at one point or another, has asked the question: Why does God allow bad things to happen to Christians? I think we can learn a lot about the answer to this age-old question by looking at the horrible fate of the greatest believer who ever lived: John the Baptist.
Jesus testified, in our text above, that "among those born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist;" yet we also read in the gospel of Mark that John suffered one of the most gruesome deaths - that of beheading.
One fact about John that many do not know is that he doubted whether Jesus was indeed the Christ. Our text above records John instructing his followers to ask Jesus if He was the Christ or if they should look for another!
Why did John doubt Jesus whom he baptized in the Jordan river and whom he witnessed the Holy Spirit descend upon Him like a dove and of whom God's own voice was heard by him saying about Jesus, "You are My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased (Mark 1:10-11)"?
The answer is simple; John, like any other believer would have in his place, questioned why Christ would allow him to be put in jail when He was there in the same city with him! Surely, Jesus could have commanded the prison gates to be opened so John could have escaped.
As we know, Jesus did not do that and the thing is we are not told in the Bible why. Jesus allowed a very bad thing thing to happen to John (imprisoned and his head put on a silver plate at the request of a girl) when He, no doubt, could have easily rescued John.
The same puzzle appplied to the first apostle who was killed after Jesus resurrected from the dead. James, the brother of John, was one of the three who were part of the inner core of Jesus while He lived with His discples.
James, John, and Peter many times were the only ones allowed by Jesus to be with Him on very special occasions such as when He raised to life the daughter of Jairus and at the transfuguration on the mount when He appeared with Moses and Elijah.
The lesson we can learn from our study today is this: God allows bad things to happen to the greatest of Christians and He does owe us any explanation. What we do know clearly from God's Word, the Bible is that those who suffer for the sake of Christ are called blessed by God:
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake,
For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
"Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you." (Matthew 5:10-11)
Thursday, October 22, 2015
Day 295 - Luke 3-6
ONE-YEAR JOURNEY OF THE BIBLE
Day 295 - Luke 3-6 (The House That the Wise Man Built)
(To View Past Posts Click: http:/tonyvicreyes1-yearbible.blogspot.com/ )
"But why do you call Me "Lord, Lord,' and not do the things which I say?... But he who heard and did nothing is like a man who built a house on the earth without a foundation, against which the stream beat vehemently; and immediately it fell. And the ruin of that house was great." (Luke 6:46, 49)
I know a little bit about construction having started my own home improvement business about five years ago. Some soils are able to support a skyscraper, while other soils are not able to support the weight of a human. If the soil under a building is not stable, the foundation of the building could crack, sink, or worse–the building could fall!
Jesus likens the person who professes to call Him Lord but do not obey Him to a foolish builder who built a house without a foundation! Naturally, the house completely collapsed when a heavy storm beat against it. It doesn't take much to understand Jesus' point of His parable - people who are Christians only in word but not in deed are going to one day wake up to their horrible fate.
Jesus, on the other hand, likens the person who not only believes but obeys Him to a wise builder:
"Whoever comes to Me, and hears My sayings and does them, I will show you whom he is like: He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently against that house, and could not shake it, for it was founded on the rock." (Luke 6: 47-48)
No, it's not easy to be a true follower of Christ just as it is not easy to do the hard work of digging a sure foundation for a house that will stand the test of heavy storms; but the rewards of obedience to the Lord God cannot even begin to compare with the unimagineable horrors of becoming a foolish builder whose end is eternal destruction.
Day 295 - Luke 3-6 (The House That the Wise Man Built)
(To View Past Posts Click: http:/tonyvicreyes1-yearbible.blogspot.com/ )
"But why do you call Me "Lord, Lord,' and not do the things which I say?... But he who heard and did nothing is like a man who built a house on the earth without a foundation, against which the stream beat vehemently; and immediately it fell. And the ruin of that house was great." (Luke 6:46, 49)
I know a little bit about construction having started my own home improvement business about five years ago. Some soils are able to support a skyscraper, while other soils are not able to support the weight of a human. If the soil under a building is not stable, the foundation of the building could crack, sink, or worse–the building could fall!
Jesus likens the person who professes to call Him Lord but do not obey Him to a foolish builder who built a house without a foundation! Naturally, the house completely collapsed when a heavy storm beat against it. It doesn't take much to understand Jesus' point of His parable - people who are Christians only in word but not in deed are going to one day wake up to their horrible fate.
Jesus, on the other hand, likens the person who not only believes but obeys Him to a wise builder:
"Whoever comes to Me, and hears My sayings and does them, I will show you whom he is like: He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently against that house, and could not shake it, for it was founded on the rock." (Luke 6: 47-48)
No, it's not easy to be a true follower of Christ just as it is not easy to do the hard work of digging a sure foundation for a house that will stand the test of heavy storms; but the rewards of obedience to the Lord God cannot even begin to compare with the unimagineable horrors of becoming a foolish builder whose end is eternal destruction.
Tuesday, October 20, 2015
Day 293 - Luke 1-2
ONE-YEAR JOURNEY OF THE BIBLE
Day 293 - Luke 1-2 (God Uses Ordinary People)
(To View Past Posts Click: http:/tonyvicreyes1-yearbible.blogspot.com/ )
"Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger." (Luke 2:8-12)
There is a song I love entitled Ordinary People. Here's part of the lyrics from that song:
God uses ordinary people.
He chooses people just like me and you,
who are willing to do as He commands.
God uses people that will give Him all,
no matter how small your all may seem to you;
because little becomes much
as you place it in the Master's hand.
After reading Luke chapters 1 and 2, God has impressed this theme in my mind about how God uses ordinary people. I have listed below five individuals and one group of people who are very ordinary and yet received the highest honor imagineable from God. It just goes to show that indeed, God uses ordinary people just like you and me who are completely surrendered to God.
Joseph - Of all the men in Israel at the time of the incarnation of God in the form of a fetus in the womb, Joseph was chosen to be the step - father- to the Christ who of course was boen of the virgin Mary. Joseph was a carpenter from Nazareth who was betrothed to Mary. He was a righteous man who struggled with the thought that his wife was unfaithful. Joseph finally accepted the truth that the child in Mary's womb was born by the Holy Spirit after the angel appeared to him.
Mary - She is called blessed among all women for being chosen as the mother of the Messiah. The angel Gabriel told Mary she was highly favored by God and that the Lord was with her. When Mary found out that her cousin Elizabeth was also pregnant, she traveled most likely by herself from Galilee to Judah to be with her for three months. There is no indication at all from the Bible that Mary was more than ordinary.
John the Baptist - The son born to Elizabeth the cousin of Mary, John was described by Jesus as being the greatest man that ever lived on earth. John lived in the desert throughout his adult life wearing camel's hair and eating locusts and wild honey.
Shepherds - They were the first group of people to hear of the announcement by an angel about the birth of Jesus. One thing is sure about shepherds - they did not live in comfort and style. On the contrary, they usually slept with their sheep in order to guard them from predators and thieves.
Simeon - At the presentation of the baby Jesus in the Temple, Simeon had the high honor of lifting Jesus in his arms to God and blessing Joseph and Mary. It was revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Christ. Simeon is mentioned only one time in the Bible and nothing else is said about him except that he was a just and devout man full of the Holy Spirit.
Anna - She was given the honor to be present with Simeon at the presentation of the baby Jesus. She spoke of Him to those who looked for redemption in Jerusalem (Luke 2:36-38). All we know about Anna is that she was an eighty-four year old widow who did not depart from the Temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.
Day 293 - Luke 1-2 (God Uses Ordinary People)
(To View Past Posts Click: http:/tonyvicreyes1-yearbible.blogspot.com/ )
"Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger." (Luke 2:8-12)
There is a song I love entitled Ordinary People. Here's part of the lyrics from that song:
God uses ordinary people.
He chooses people just like me and you,
who are willing to do as He commands.
God uses people that will give Him all,
no matter how small your all may seem to you;
because little becomes much
as you place it in the Master's hand.
After reading Luke chapters 1 and 2, God has impressed this theme in my mind about how God uses ordinary people. I have listed below five individuals and one group of people who are very ordinary and yet received the highest honor imagineable from God. It just goes to show that indeed, God uses ordinary people just like you and me who are completely surrendered to God.
Joseph - Of all the men in Israel at the time of the incarnation of God in the form of a fetus in the womb, Joseph was chosen to be the step - father- to the Christ who of course was boen of the virgin Mary. Joseph was a carpenter from Nazareth who was betrothed to Mary. He was a righteous man who struggled with the thought that his wife was unfaithful. Joseph finally accepted the truth that the child in Mary's womb was born by the Holy Spirit after the angel appeared to him.
Mary - She is called blessed among all women for being chosen as the mother of the Messiah. The angel Gabriel told Mary she was highly favored by God and that the Lord was with her. When Mary found out that her cousin Elizabeth was also pregnant, she traveled most likely by herself from Galilee to Judah to be with her for three months. There is no indication at all from the Bible that Mary was more than ordinary.
John the Baptist - The son born to Elizabeth the cousin of Mary, John was described by Jesus as being the greatest man that ever lived on earth. John lived in the desert throughout his adult life wearing camel's hair and eating locusts and wild honey.
Shepherds - They were the first group of people to hear of the announcement by an angel about the birth of Jesus. One thing is sure about shepherds - they did not live in comfort and style. On the contrary, they usually slept with their sheep in order to guard them from predators and thieves.
Simeon - At the presentation of the baby Jesus in the Temple, Simeon had the high honor of lifting Jesus in his arms to God and blessing Joseph and Mary. It was revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Christ. Simeon is mentioned only one time in the Bible and nothing else is said about him except that he was a just and devout man full of the Holy Spirit.
Anna - She was given the honor to be present with Simeon at the presentation of the baby Jesus. She spoke of Him to those who looked for redemption in Jerusalem (Luke 2:36-38). All we know about Anna is that she was an eighty-four year old widow who did not depart from the Temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.
Sunday, October 18, 2015
Day 291 - Mark 13-16
ONE-YEAR JOURNEY OF THE BIBLE
Day 291 - Mark 13-16 (You May Be One Reason Christ Has Not Returned Yet)
(To View Past Posts Click: http:/tonyvicreyes1-yearbible.blogspot.com/ )
"But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars of heaven will fall, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. Then they will see the Son of Man coming in the clouds with great power and glory. And then He will send His angels, and gather together His elect from the four winds, from the farthest part of earth to the farthest part of heaven... Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away." (Mark 13:24-31)
In Mark chapter 13, Jesus talks about the events in the last days beginning with the destruction of the Temple and leading up to His return on earth after His death, resurrection, and ascension. These last days have proven to extend over two thousand years already; nevertheless, Jesus assured His disciples that His words will be fulfilled despite what others may say.
No doubt, Jesus had already anticipated the fact that many will mock at His promised return, and sure enough, it did happen as early as during the lifetime of the apostles. Peter writes about this in his second letter:
"...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."... But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 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 3:3-9)
Nothing can be more clear in the Bible; Jesus promised that He will return in order to bring with Him those who are His as well as to judge this world for its sins. Our Lord Himself assured all that "Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away." Peter's second letter helps us understand that although Christ's return may seems so, so long to us humans, with God, it isn't so because He is not bound by time being He created time.
Peter also gives us the reason for the apparent delay of Christ's return, that is, "God is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance (verse 9)." Peter said it well when he wrote that "God is longsuffering" or patient with us in order to give all a chance to repent and be saved.
If you have not yet fully surrendered your life to the Lordship of Christ, you are part of the reason why Christ has not returned yet. He is still giving you time to repent of your sins and accept Him in your heart as your Lord and Savior. Truly, God's mercy and grace is amazing. Let all creation praise the Lord!
Day 291 - Mark 13-16 (You May Be One Reason Christ Has Not Returned Yet)
(To View Past Posts Click: http:/tonyvicreyes1-yearbible.blogspot.com/ )
"But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars of heaven will fall, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. Then they will see the Son of Man coming in the clouds with great power and glory. And then He will send His angels, and gather together His elect from the four winds, from the farthest part of earth to the farthest part of heaven... Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away." (Mark 13:24-31)
In Mark chapter 13, Jesus talks about the events in the last days beginning with the destruction of the Temple and leading up to His return on earth after His death, resurrection, and ascension. These last days have proven to extend over two thousand years already; nevertheless, Jesus assured His disciples that His words will be fulfilled despite what others may say.
No doubt, Jesus had already anticipated the fact that many will mock at His promised return, and sure enough, it did happen as early as during the lifetime of the apostles. Peter writes about this in his second letter:
"...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."... But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 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 3:3-9)
Nothing can be more clear in the Bible; Jesus promised that He will return in order to bring with Him those who are His as well as to judge this world for its sins. Our Lord Himself assured all that "Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away." Peter's second letter helps us understand that although Christ's return may seems so, so long to us humans, with God, it isn't so because He is not bound by time being He created time.
Peter also gives us the reason for the apparent delay of Christ's return, that is, "God is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance (verse 9)." Peter said it well when he wrote that "God is longsuffering" or patient with us in order to give all a chance to repent and be saved.
If you have not yet fully surrendered your life to the Lordship of Christ, you are part of the reason why Christ has not returned yet. He is still giving you time to repent of your sins and accept Him in your heart as your Lord and Savior. Truly, God's mercy and grace is amazing. Let all creation praise the Lord!
Friday, October 16, 2015
Day 289 - Mark 9-12
ONE-YEAR JOURNEY OF THE BIBLE
Day 289 - Mark 9-12 (The Greatest Commandment)
(To View Past Posts Click: http:/tonyvicreyes1-yearbible.blogspot.com/ )
"Jesus answered him, "The first of all the commandments is: "Hear, O Israel, the LORD our God, the LORD is one. And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.' This is the first commandment. And the second, like it, is this: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no other commandment greater than these." (Mark 12:29-31)
If you are reading this, it would be safe to assume that you have a desire not only to know what the greatest commandment of God is but also the desire to obey it. So, Jesus said that the greatest commandment is this: to love the One God of Israel with everything we've got - heart, soul, mind, and strength. I call this the Great Commandment.
How do we love God with everything we've got? As I try to wrap my little brain around this thought of loving God with all I've got, a picture of an Olympic athlete comes to mind. One common characteristic of all athletes going for the gold is their commitment to give everything they've got in order to win.
If there was one person apart from the Lord Jesus who loved God with all of His heart, soul, mind, and strength, it would be the apostle Paul. In Paul's letter to the Corinthians we get a glimpse of how he applied Christ's Great Commandment:
"Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified." (1 Corinthians 9:24-27)
If were to profess love for God with all my heart, soul, mind and strength, I must be willing to discipline my body and bring it into subjection to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. I must have the same commitment as that of an athlete going for gold.
I cannot say that I love God with everything I've got and then say...
I am too busy I have no time to read the Bible
I don't worship at church regularly because of family activities
My prayer life is weak
My stomach is not suited to fast
I can't give up smoking or alcohol
It is no different from the athlete who says he is committed to win the gold and then say...
I don't want to wake up early
I don't want to practice everyday for 8 hours
You get the point. Are you committed to love God with everything you've got? The reason it is the greatest commandment is not because it is the hardest to obey but because you and I get to return God's love for us in giving everything He had - His one and only Son - to demonstrate His own love for us. What are you waiting for? Go for gold and love God with everything you've got!
Day 289 - Mark 9-12 (The Greatest Commandment)
(To View Past Posts Click: http:/tonyvicreyes1-yearbible.blogspot.com/ )
"Jesus answered him, "The first of all the commandments is: "Hear, O Israel, the LORD our God, the LORD is one. And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.' This is the first commandment. And the second, like it, is this: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no other commandment greater than these." (Mark 12:29-31)
If you are reading this, it would be safe to assume that you have a desire not only to know what the greatest commandment of God is but also the desire to obey it. So, Jesus said that the greatest commandment is this: to love the One God of Israel with everything we've got - heart, soul, mind, and strength. I call this the Great Commandment.
How do we love God with everything we've got? As I try to wrap my little brain around this thought of loving God with all I've got, a picture of an Olympic athlete comes to mind. One common characteristic of all athletes going for the gold is their commitment to give everything they've got in order to win.
If there was one person apart from the Lord Jesus who loved God with all of His heart, soul, mind, and strength, it would be the apostle Paul. In Paul's letter to the Corinthians we get a glimpse of how he applied Christ's Great Commandment:
"Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified." (1 Corinthians 9:24-27)
If were to profess love for God with all my heart, soul, mind and strength, I must be willing to discipline my body and bring it into subjection to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. I must have the same commitment as that of an athlete going for gold.
I cannot say that I love God with everything I've got and then say...
I am too busy I have no time to read the Bible
I don't worship at church regularly because of family activities
My prayer life is weak
My stomach is not suited to fast
I can't give up smoking or alcohol
It is no different from the athlete who says he is committed to win the gold and then say...
I don't want to wake up early
I don't want to practice everyday for 8 hours
You get the point. Are you committed to love God with everything you've got? The reason it is the greatest commandment is not because it is the hardest to obey but because you and I get to return God's love for us in giving everything He had - His one and only Son - to demonstrate His own love for us. What are you waiting for? Go for gold and love God with everything you've got!
Thursday, October 15, 2015
Day 286 - Mark 7-8
ONE-YEAR JOURNEY OF THE BIBLE
Day 286 - Mark 7-8 (How to Save Your Life)
(To View Past Posts Click: http:/tonyvicreyes1-yearbible.blogspot.com/ )
"Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel's will save it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him the Son of Man also will be ashamed when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels." (Mark 8:34-38)
Like many other Bible teachers, I am guilty of having used modern-day analogies in attempting to explain the significance of the cross of Jesus Christ. However, after doing a quick research on the historical barbaric practice of Roman crucifixion, I realized that any modern-day comparison or analogy to the cross actually does grave injustice to it.
Before Jesus was crucified, He was flogged by Roman soldiers (and that was after He was spit on, beaten and mocked by the High priest and members of the Temple rulers). If you watched the movie The Passion of the Christ, you would have an idea of the flogging of Christ; but even the flogging cannot come close to what our Lord suffered for hours during His journey to Calvary carrying His cross upon His shoulder.
The Romans perfected the practice of crucifixion as a form of torture and capital punishment to produce a slow and agonizing death with maximum pain and none has come close to it even today. The condemned (yes, Jesus was condemned, not for Himself, but for our own sins) was probably naked. His hands and feet were nailed to the cross.
Insects would burrow into His open woulds, eyes, ears and nose, and birds of prey woud tear at these sites. Moreover, it was customary to leave the corpse on the cross to be devoured by predatory birds. When the condemned was thrown to the ground on his back, in preparation for crucifixion, His scourging wounds would be torn open again and contaminated with dirt.
His damaged nerves would produce excruciating bolts of fiery pain in His arms and legs. Adequate exhalation would require lifting His body by pushing up on the feet and by flexing the elbows and shoulders. However, this manuever would place the entire weight of the body on the bones in the feet and would produce searing pain.
Furthermore, the lifting of His body would also painfully scrape His scourged back against the rough wooden post. As a result, each respitatory effort would become agonizing and tiring, further reducing the oxygen levels in the blood and lead eventually to asphyxia. If the condemned is still alive after the alloted time set by the executioners, the bones on His legs would be broken. In our Lord's case, however, the Bible records that He died before the soldiers could break His legs, thus fulfilling the prophecy about the suffering Messiah that not one bone on His legs will be broken (Psalm 34:20).
When Jesus told His discples to carry their cross, they were not thinking at all about a quick and easy death such as a lethal injection or electric chair today. They understood that Christ was calling them to a most difficult and painful journey.
Jesus further explained in our text above what He meant by carrying one's cross. He said that whoever decides to save their life by not dying to their own will and entire self will lose their souls, but those who decide to lose their lives for the sake of Christ and the gospel will save their own souls.
He went on to say, "what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?" In other words, Jesus was trying to show them the utter foolishness of a person trying to save his life by living it his way, as Sinatra says in his song, and finding out in the end that he had paid his foolish decision with his own soul punished for eternity in hell.
Finally, Jesus includes all those who are ashamed to be associated with His as a disciple or true follower among those who will lose thier souls because of their refusal to die to self. He said that He too will be ashamed of them when they have to face Him on His great white throne of judgement (Revelation 20).
Are you ready to carry your cross and follow Jesus? Doing so would mean that you will die to your self once and for all and continuously deny yourself everything that goes against the commandments of Christ. Remember, the alternative to saving your "life" would be losing your own soul to hell.
Day 286 - Mark 7-8 (How to Save Your Life)
(To View Past Posts Click: http:/tonyvicreyes1-yearbible.blogspot.com/ )
"Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel's will save it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him the Son of Man also will be ashamed when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels." (Mark 8:34-38)
Like many other Bible teachers, I am guilty of having used modern-day analogies in attempting to explain the significance of the cross of Jesus Christ. However, after doing a quick research on the historical barbaric practice of Roman crucifixion, I realized that any modern-day comparison or analogy to the cross actually does grave injustice to it.
Before Jesus was crucified, He was flogged by Roman soldiers (and that was after He was spit on, beaten and mocked by the High priest and members of the Temple rulers). If you watched the movie The Passion of the Christ, you would have an idea of the flogging of Christ; but even the flogging cannot come close to what our Lord suffered for hours during His journey to Calvary carrying His cross upon His shoulder.
The Romans perfected the practice of crucifixion as a form of torture and capital punishment to produce a slow and agonizing death with maximum pain and none has come close to it even today. The condemned (yes, Jesus was condemned, not for Himself, but for our own sins) was probably naked. His hands and feet were nailed to the cross.
Insects would burrow into His open woulds, eyes, ears and nose, and birds of prey woud tear at these sites. Moreover, it was customary to leave the corpse on the cross to be devoured by predatory birds. When the condemned was thrown to the ground on his back, in preparation for crucifixion, His scourging wounds would be torn open again and contaminated with dirt.
His damaged nerves would produce excruciating bolts of fiery pain in His arms and legs. Adequate exhalation would require lifting His body by pushing up on the feet and by flexing the elbows and shoulders. However, this manuever would place the entire weight of the body on the bones in the feet and would produce searing pain.
Furthermore, the lifting of His body would also painfully scrape His scourged back against the rough wooden post. As a result, each respitatory effort would become agonizing and tiring, further reducing the oxygen levels in the blood and lead eventually to asphyxia. If the condemned is still alive after the alloted time set by the executioners, the bones on His legs would be broken. In our Lord's case, however, the Bible records that He died before the soldiers could break His legs, thus fulfilling the prophecy about the suffering Messiah that not one bone on His legs will be broken (Psalm 34:20).
When Jesus told His discples to carry their cross, they were not thinking at all about a quick and easy death such as a lethal injection or electric chair today. They understood that Christ was calling them to a most difficult and painful journey.
Jesus further explained in our text above what He meant by carrying one's cross. He said that whoever decides to save their life by not dying to their own will and entire self will lose their souls, but those who decide to lose their lives for the sake of Christ and the gospel will save their own souls.
He went on to say, "what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?" In other words, Jesus was trying to show them the utter foolishness of a person trying to save his life by living it his way, as Sinatra says in his song, and finding out in the end that he had paid his foolish decision with his own soul punished for eternity in hell.
Finally, Jesus includes all those who are ashamed to be associated with His as a disciple or true follower among those who will lose thier souls because of their refusal to die to self. He said that He too will be ashamed of them when they have to face Him on His great white throne of judgement (Revelation 20).
Are you ready to carry your cross and follow Jesus? Doing so would mean that you will die to your self once and for all and continuously deny yourself everything that goes against the commandments of Christ. Remember, the alternative to saving your "life" would be losing your own soul to hell.
Monday, October 12, 2015
Day 285 - Matthew 27 - Mark 4
ONE-YEAR JOURNEY OF THE BIBLE
Day 285 - Matthew 27 - Mark 4 (What Every Christian Should Be All About)
(To View Past Posts Click: http:/
'"Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen.'" (Matthew 28:19-20)
I believe that every person has a specific calling in life and one must not rest until he discovers that highest purpose for which he was created for. The Bible says that every human being was created to "fear God and keep His commandments (Ecclesiastes 12:13)." The Bible also teaches that no one can obey God unless God first draws that person unto Himself through faith in His Son Jesus Christ (Romans 3:10). Therefore, the purpose of every human is to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and be born again (John 3).
After one becomes born-again in the family of God through faith in Jesus Christ, the new believer becomes a recipient, along with all other true Christians, of what is known as the Great Commission. The Great Commission is Christ's call to every believer to make disciples of all nations. Our text above is every Christian's marching order from our Commander-in-Chief, the Lord Jesus Christ.
The direct command by the Lord Jesus in Matthew 28:19-20 is not to go or even to baptize; rather, it is to make disciples. If making disciples is the believer's highest calling, it is very important, therefore, for every Christian to understand what it means and how to fulfill the Great Commission.
The word disciple simply means a student or follower. A disciple of Christ, therefore, is one who is a follower of Christ. Obviously, in order for me to be able to make disciples, I must make sure that I am one myself. The question I must answer with a resounding YES in order to be counted as a disciple is: Am I following the commandments of the Lord Jesus Christ including His command to make other disciples?
I have settled that question many years ago and by the grace of God, He has kept me to this day as one of His many disciples. I have made it my sole mission in life to become a discple-maker in obedience to my Lord's command. It is in line with my life-mission that my wife Amber and I have decided to return to the Philippines this coming October 30 in order to start a training center for church-planters (those called by God to start new churches in places where there are none).
I cannot think of a more effective way for me personally to fulfill my life-mission given to me by my Lord and Savior who saved me from eternal destruction than to be involved in the training of those who will train others also in fulfillment of the Great Commission. By myself, I can only make perhaps one or two disciples, but with many churches started in places unreached by the gospel, I will be able to make a hundred-fold times more disciples.
If you are a follower of Christ, your highest purpose in life is also to make disciples. You can do so by personally winning a soul to Christ and then helping that person to grow to become a true disciple as well. You can also be a contributor to the fulfillment of Christ's call to make disciples by praying and supporting ministries and missions that are involved in the active and effective fulfillment of the Great Commission.
Day 285 - Matthew 27 - Mark 4 (What Every Christian Should Be All About)
(To View Past Posts Click: http:/
'"Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen.'" (Matthew 28:19-20)
I believe that every person has a specific calling in life and one must not rest until he discovers that highest purpose for which he was created for. The Bible says that every human being was created to "fear God and keep His commandments (Ecclesiastes 12:13)." The Bible also teaches that no one can obey God unless God first draws that person unto Himself through faith in His Son Jesus Christ (Romans 3:10). Therefore, the purpose of every human is to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and be born again (John 3).
After one becomes born-again in the family of God through faith in Jesus Christ, the new believer becomes a recipient, along with all other true Christians, of what is known as the Great Commission. The Great Commission is Christ's call to every believer to make disciples of all nations. Our text above is every Christian's marching order from our Commander-in-Chief, the Lord Jesus Christ.
The direct command by the Lord Jesus in Matthew 28:19-20 is not to go or even to baptize; rather, it is to make disciples. If making disciples is the believer's highest calling, it is very important, therefore, for every Christian to understand what it means and how to fulfill the Great Commission.
The word disciple simply means a student or follower. A disciple of Christ, therefore, is one who is a follower of Christ. Obviously, in order for me to be able to make disciples, I must make sure that I am one myself. The question I must answer with a resounding YES in order to be counted as a disciple is: Am I following the commandments of the Lord Jesus Christ including His command to make other disciples?
I have settled that question many years ago and by the grace of God, He has kept me to this day as one of His many disciples. I have made it my sole mission in life to become a discple-maker in obedience to my Lord's command. It is in line with my life-mission that my wife Amber and I have decided to return to the Philippines this coming October 30 in order to start a training center for church-planters (those called by God to start new churches in places where there are none).
I cannot think of a more effective way for me personally to fulfill my life-mission given to me by my Lord and Savior who saved me from eternal destruction than to be involved in the training of those who will train others also in fulfillment of the Great Commission. By myself, I can only make perhaps one or two disciples, but with many churches started in places unreached by the gospel, I will be able to make a hundred-fold times more disciples.
If you are a follower of Christ, your highest purpose in life is also to make disciples. You can do so by personally winning a soul to Christ and then helping that person to grow to become a true disciple as well. You can also be a contributor to the fulfillment of Christ's call to make disciples by praying and supporting ministries and missions that are involved in the active and effective fulfillment of the Great Commission.
Friday, October 9, 2015
Day 281 - Matthew 23-26
ONE-YEAR JOURNEY OF THE BIBLE
Day 281 - Matthew 23-26 (Spitting in God's Face)
(To View Past Posts Click: http:/tonyvicreyes1-yearbible.blogspot.com/ )
'"Then they spat in His face and beat Him; and others struck Him with the palms of their hands, saying, "Prophesy to us, Christ! Who is the one who struck You?"' (Matthew 26:67-68)
The most shocking thing to me about the passion of the Christ is not depth of evil and cruelty of those men who abused the Lord Jesus Christ, who was God Himself in human flesh, but rather, it is the fact that God would subject Himself to that kind of extremely harsh treatment from His created beings.
I understand that someone who was perfect and without sin (Jesus Christ) must be sacrificed so that God's justice could be satisfied (propitiated), but surely God could have orchestrated it without totally humiliating Himself. Thankfully, the prophet Isaiah gives us the reason for the passion of Christ:
"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.
All we like sheep have gone astray;
We have turned, every one, to his own way;
And the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.
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...
Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise Him;
He has put Him to grief...
He shall see the labor of His soul, F77 and be satisfied.
By His knowledge My righteous Servant shall justify many,
For He shall bear their iniquities.
Therefore I will divide Him a portion with the great,
And He shall divide the spoil with the strong,
Because He poured out His soul unto death,
And He was numbered with the transgressors,
And He bore the sin of many,
And made intercession for the transgressors." (Isaiah 53:4-12)
Day 281 - Matthew 23-26 (Spitting in God's Face)
(To View Past Posts Click: http:/tonyvicreyes1-yearbible.blogspot.com/ )
'"Then they spat in His face and beat Him; and others struck Him with the palms of their hands, saying, "Prophesy to us, Christ! Who is the one who struck You?"' (Matthew 26:67-68)
The most shocking thing to me about the passion of the Christ is not depth of evil and cruelty of those men who abused the Lord Jesus Christ, who was God Himself in human flesh, but rather, it is the fact that God would subject Himself to that kind of extremely harsh treatment from His created beings.
I understand that someone who was perfect and without sin (Jesus Christ) must be sacrificed so that God's justice could be satisfied (propitiated), but surely God could have orchestrated it without totally humiliating Himself. Thankfully, the prophet Isaiah gives us the reason for the passion of Christ:
"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.
All we like sheep have gone astray;
We have turned, every one, to his own way;
And the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.
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...
Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise Him;
He has put Him to grief...
He shall see the labor of His soul, F77 and be satisfied.
By His knowledge My righteous Servant shall justify many,
For He shall bear their iniquities.
Therefore I will divide Him a portion with the great,
And He shall divide the spoil with the strong,
Because He poured out His soul unto death,
And He was numbered with the transgressors,
And He bore the sin of many,
And made intercession for the transgressors." (Isaiah 53:4-12)
Isaiah writing seven hundred years before the event of the crucifixion, describes it in detail as though he was right there as an eyewitness! Isaiah tells us that God did not attempt to manipulate His passion in the hands of His tormentors because "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 explains further that "it pleased the LORD to bruise Him; He has put Him to grief...He shall see the labor of His soul, and be satisfied." Simply put, I believe God chose not to water down the suffering of His only begotten Son Jesus in order that He could satisfy the payment for our sins to the fullest extent. A quick and easy death simply will not cut it as payment for the sins of the whole world. In a sense, it's kinda like a guilty murderer sentenced in a court of law; all will agree that justice will not be served if the judge simply sentence him to community service for 6 months.
The next time you think that your situation is hopeless and that your suffering is beyond comparison, remember that God suffered much more than you are suffering now or could ever suffer in the future and He did so just so that you and I could be forgiven of our sins and be worthy to enter His kingdom in heaven. Have you asked God to forgive you yet of your sins? If not, you are wasting His sacrifice for you. All those who spit on the face of the Lord would have no meaning for you if you do not repent and receive Christ's sacrifice as substitute for the penalty of your sins.
Wednesday, October 7, 2015
Day 280 - Matthew 21-22
ONE-YEAR JOURNEY OF THE BIBLE
Day 280 - Matthew 21-22 (You Are Invited to The Wedding in Heaven)
(To View Past Posts Click: http:/tonyvicreyes1-yearbible.blogspot.com/ )
"But when the king came in to see the guests, he saw a man there who did not have on a wedding garment. So he said to him, "Friend, how did you come in here without a wedding garment?' And he was speechless. Then the king said to the servants, "Bind him hand and foot, take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.' "For many are called, but few are chosen." (Matthew 22:11-14)
I have never been invited to a black tie event at the White House but I know enough that if I ever did get that coveted invite, I better comply to the strict attire requirements or expect to be sent away by the guards. Our text above is the tail end of Jesus' parable of the Wedding Feast wherein He talked about a certain king who arranged a wedding for his son. You need to read the whole parable to fully understand the lesson God has for us today.
To summarize the parable, those who were invited by the king "made light of it and went their ways, one to his own farm, another to his business. And the rest seized his servants, treated them spitefully, and killed them (verses 5,6)." The king then decided to invite anyone who was willing to attend the wedding. It is at this point of the story that the man not wearing the proper wedding garment appears and, shockingly, is arrested and thrown "into outer darkness; there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth (verse 14)."
As in all parables of Jesus, there is a spiritual meaning or lesson He wanted to teach and in this parable of the wedding feast, the King is God; the Son is Jesus; the wedding is the rapture of the Church which represents the Bride of Christ; the initial invitees is the nation of Israel, God's chosen people who killed the servants of God including John the Baptist and who rejected and killed Jesus their Messiah; and finally, the open invitation to anyone who wanted to come to the wedding represents the Gentiles to whom God turned to offer salvation through faith in His Son Jesus Christ.
But wait, who then is this man without proper wedding garment who was cast into outer darkness? It is none other than the person who tried to make it to heaven, represented by the wedding party, through his own way usually through religion or philosophy or good deeds. Although those ways may not appear to be bad, it is not what God has required to enter His kingdom and therefore those who insist on getting to heaven their way will find themselves cast away into everlasting darkness in hell.
You may be thinking, "That doesn't seem fair," or "That doesn't seem like what a loving God would do." If God gave us "fairness" no one would make it to heaven because God said the "the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23)," and since "all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23)." But thank God He is a loving God who is full of grace (unmeritted favor for all) that "He gave His only Son that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life (John 3:16)."
When the great day of the wedding of Christ to His Bride finally happens, will you be found wearing the proper garment? Did I forget to say that the wedding garment represents the blood of Christ shed as a covering for our sins? In the book of Revelation, we read about the saints who are those who have "washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb (Revelation 7:14)." Have you come to the Lamb of God who was sacrificed so that you and I could have our sins washed in the fount of His blood? May you do so today if you have not yet done so.
Day 280 - Matthew 21-22 (You Are Invited to The Wedding in Heaven)
(To View Past Posts Click: http:/tonyvicreyes1-yearbible.blogspot.com/ )
"But when the king came in to see the guests, he saw a man there who did not have on a wedding garment. So he said to him, "Friend, how did you come in here without a wedding garment?' And he was speechless. Then the king said to the servants, "Bind him hand and foot, take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.' "For many are called, but few are chosen." (Matthew 22:11-14)
I have never been invited to a black tie event at the White House but I know enough that if I ever did get that coveted invite, I better comply to the strict attire requirements or expect to be sent away by the guards. Our text above is the tail end of Jesus' parable of the Wedding Feast wherein He talked about a certain king who arranged a wedding for his son. You need to read the whole parable to fully understand the lesson God has for us today.
To summarize the parable, those who were invited by the king "made light of it and went their ways, one to his own farm, another to his business. And the rest seized his servants, treated them spitefully, and killed them (verses 5,6)." The king then decided to invite anyone who was willing to attend the wedding. It is at this point of the story that the man not wearing the proper wedding garment appears and, shockingly, is arrested and thrown "into outer darkness; there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth (verse 14)."
As in all parables of Jesus, there is a spiritual meaning or lesson He wanted to teach and in this parable of the wedding feast, the King is God; the Son is Jesus; the wedding is the rapture of the Church which represents the Bride of Christ; the initial invitees is the nation of Israel, God's chosen people who killed the servants of God including John the Baptist and who rejected and killed Jesus their Messiah; and finally, the open invitation to anyone who wanted to come to the wedding represents the Gentiles to whom God turned to offer salvation through faith in His Son Jesus Christ.
But wait, who then is this man without proper wedding garment who was cast into outer darkness? It is none other than the person who tried to make it to heaven, represented by the wedding party, through his own way usually through religion or philosophy or good deeds. Although those ways may not appear to be bad, it is not what God has required to enter His kingdom and therefore those who insist on getting to heaven their way will find themselves cast away into everlasting darkness in hell.
You may be thinking, "That doesn't seem fair," or "That doesn't seem like what a loving God would do." If God gave us "fairness" no one would make it to heaven because God said the "the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23)," and since "all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23)." But thank God He is a loving God who is full of grace (unmeritted favor for all) that "He gave His only Son that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life (John 3:16)."
When the great day of the wedding of Christ to His Bride finally happens, will you be found wearing the proper garment? Did I forget to say that the wedding garment represents the blood of Christ shed as a covering for our sins? In the book of Revelation, we read about the saints who are those who have "washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb (Revelation 7:14)." Have you come to the Lamb of God who was sacrificed so that you and I could have our sins washed in the fount of His blood? May you do so today if you have not yet done so.
Tuesday, October 6, 2015
Day 279 - Matthew 14-20
ONE-YEAR JOURNEY OF THE BIBLE
Day 279 - Matthew 14-20 (Jesus Comes to Us in the Storm)
(To View Past Posts Click: http:/tonyvicreyes1-yearbible.blogspot.com/ )
"Immediately Jesus made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, while He sent the multitudes away...But the boat was now in the middle of the sea, tossed by the waves, for the wind was contrary. Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea. And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, "It is a ghost!" And they cried out for fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, "Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid." ...Then those who were in the boat came and worshiped Him, saying, "Truly You are the Son of God."
(Matthew 14:22-33)
The context of our text above really starts with the feeding of the five thousand in the preceding verses. Jesus had just fed the multitude their miraculous dinner out of five loaves and two fish when He ordered His discples to "get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, while He sent the multitudes away (verse 22)."
We read that a severe storm occured while the disciples were in the middle of the sea and at around three O Clock in the morning, Jesus "went to them, walking on the sea." That Jesus came to His disciples when they were in danger in the middle of the storm at sea reveals the Lord's compassion for His disciples. Jesus still comes to help His disciples during the storms of life.
Are you in the middle of a storm in your life today? Perhaps you are going through a difficult time in your marriage or family relationship. Or could it be you are experiencing financial troubles or job insecurity? Whatever storm you may be in, Jesus is just watching on the side ready to come to your help and rescue if you are one of His disciples.
When the disciples saw Jesus walking on the water, they were terrified and thought that He was a ghost. But Jesus called out to them and said, "Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid." The response of His disciples was nothing less than worship and adoration (verse 33).
Jesus' message to us still is "Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid." No matter what kind of storm you may be having right now, Jesus wants you to simply trust in Him completely. As long as Peter trusted in Christ, he was able to walk on the water toward Jesus but as soon as he started becoming afraid because of the heavy wind caused by the storm, he immediately began to sink.
Being a disciple of Jesus requires complete trust in Him during the heavy winds of trials in the storms of life. As soon as we lose our focus on Christ for our protection and provision, we will begin to sink and become absorbed in the deep waters of our trials. On the other hand, if we fix our eyes on Jesus continually, we will experience and witness His miraculous work and power in our lives, and that in turn will lead us to worship Him as our God.
Day 279 - Matthew 14-20 (Jesus Comes to Us in the Storm)
(To View Past Posts Click: http:/tonyvicreyes1-yearbible.blogspot.com/ )
"Immediately Jesus made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, while He sent the multitudes away...But the boat was now in the middle of the sea, tossed by the waves, for the wind was contrary. Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea. And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, "It is a ghost!" And they cried out for fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, "Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid." ...Then those who were in the boat came and worshiped Him, saying, "Truly You are the Son of God."
(Matthew 14:22-33)
The context of our text above really starts with the feeding of the five thousand in the preceding verses. Jesus had just fed the multitude their miraculous dinner out of five loaves and two fish when He ordered His discples to "get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, while He sent the multitudes away (verse 22)."
We read that a severe storm occured while the disciples were in the middle of the sea and at around three O Clock in the morning, Jesus "went to them, walking on the sea." That Jesus came to His disciples when they were in danger in the middle of the storm at sea reveals the Lord's compassion for His disciples. Jesus still comes to help His disciples during the storms of life.
Are you in the middle of a storm in your life today? Perhaps you are going through a difficult time in your marriage or family relationship. Or could it be you are experiencing financial troubles or job insecurity? Whatever storm you may be in, Jesus is just watching on the side ready to come to your help and rescue if you are one of His disciples.
When the disciples saw Jesus walking on the water, they were terrified and thought that He was a ghost. But Jesus called out to them and said, "Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid." The response of His disciples was nothing less than worship and adoration (verse 33).
Jesus' message to us still is "Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid." No matter what kind of storm you may be having right now, Jesus wants you to simply trust in Him completely. As long as Peter trusted in Christ, he was able to walk on the water toward Jesus but as soon as he started becoming afraid because of the heavy wind caused by the storm, he immediately began to sink.
Being a disciple of Jesus requires complete trust in Him during the heavy winds of trials in the storms of life. As soon as we lose our focus on Christ for our protection and provision, we will begin to sink and become absorbed in the deep waters of our trials. On the other hand, if we fix our eyes on Jesus continually, we will experience and witness His miraculous work and power in our lives, and that in turn will lead us to worship Him as our God.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)