"Greetings in the Name of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for 27 December 2011"
Today's Blog Title: "The Evidence Is In"
Today's Scripture Reading: John 20:1-31
Today's Key Verse: John 20:30-31 "And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this Book; but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name."
Several different followers went to the grave of Jesus and discovered the empty tomb on the first day of the new week. From the very beginning the church has set aside Sunday, the first day of the week, and commemorated, the resurrection of Jesus. While it was still dark, Mary Magdalene arrived ahead of the other women. Mary Magdalene, out of whom Jesus had cast out seven demons, was the last at the cross and the first at the grace.
Jesus upon His resurrection had passed through the linen strips. The linen strips that they had wrapped Jesus in when they buried Him were still laying in the EMPTY tomb. No one who would have come to steal the body would have taken the time to unwrap it and leave it behind. The handkerchief around Christ's head had been folded and laid aside. This would indicate that Jesus did not rush out of the tomb, but took the time to leave His grave clothes neatly folded.
The other disciple in verse 8 is believed to have been John and when he saw the empty tomb and the grave clothes believed that Christ has raised from the dead. Mary Magdalene in verses 10-16 was the first to see Jesus after His resurrection. She did not recognize the person she was talking to was the Lord and her first reaction to Him was, "Sir, if you have carried Him away, tell me where You have laid Him, and I will take Him away?" Then Jesus said to her, "Mary," and she said to Him, "Teacher." Mary then clings to Christ as if she would never let Him go. Jesus tells her that He could not stay because he had to ascend to His Father.
Jesus then tells her, "I am ascending to my Father and my Father, to my God and to your God." In verse 17 you will note that before His death, Jesus always spoke of my Father. In this post resurrection message to Mary it is the first time that He adds "And your Father." Only by His death and resurrection could Jesus bring those who believed in Him into God's Family.
In verse 22 it says, "And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit." The ministry to which Jesus called the disciples required spiritual power. Jesus here in this verse breathe the Spirit into the disciples. At Pentecost the Spirit unified the believers into one body and empowered then to testify of Jesus. The reception of the Spirit here was like the breath of life that God breathed into Adam. Yet the gift here was not a human spirit, but the Spirit of the Living God.
In verse 23 when Jesus says, "If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven," but the apostles did not take these words of Jesus to mean that they had power to forgive sins. Neither the apostles nor the church had the power to forgive specific sins or prevent forgiveness for any individual. Jesus was speaking of the responsibility of the church to declare the gospel to all the world, so that those who believe in Jesus can find the precious gift of forgiveness.
The story of Thomas serves as a climax to the theme of John's Gospel. Thomas struggled with unbelief and doubt and insisted on the most unmistakable proofs. His phrase in verse 25, "Unless I see the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe," rightly shift the issue of belief and unbelief from the intellect to the will. Yet when confronted by Jesus he recognized Him, fell on his knees and believed. We as Christians can other present Jesus to others as clearly as possible. When they recognize Him they will either choose to believe, or choose not to believe.
At the close of this Chapter, John states the purpose of this Book. His purpose was to convince his readers that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah who fulfilled God's promises to Israel. Jesus is the Son of God. God in the flesh. That by believing these things, a person obtains eternal life.
Today's Hymn: "Amazing Grace" (Chris Tomlin)
Amazing Grace, How sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me
I once was lost, but now I am found, was blind but now I see
Twas grace that taught my heart to fear, and grace my fears relieved
How precious did that grace appear, the hour I first believed
My chain are gone, I've been set free, My God, my Savior has ransomed me
And like a flood, His mercy reigns. Unending love, Amazing Grace
The Lord has promised good to me, His word my hope secures,
He will be my shield and my portion be, as long as life endures
The earth shall soon dissolve like snow, The sun forbear to shine
But God, who called me here below, Will be forever mine, Will be forever mine
You are forever mine.
Heavenly Father, Lord Jesus, Holy Spirit, how wonderful is truly is to receive your Amazing Grace. How thankful Jesus, we are to You, that you paid our death penalty when you died and shed your blood upon the Cross of Calvary and took our sins upon Yourself. Help us Lord to keep our faith strong and to keep our eyes fixed upon Thee, Thou Lamb of Calvary.
Amen
Today's Biblical Truth: "The cosmic and earthly chaos are indications that the decisive and consummate rule of God is approaching."
Click on the link at www.cindi-davis.blogspot.com for Today's Bible Verse from Acts 1:9-11.
Have a God Filled and Spirit Led Day. Go in Peace and Serve the Lord our God with Gladness. Love God More Today. Pray for our Brothers and Sisters in Christ who are being persecuted for their Faith and Trust in Jesus Christ. Pray also for God's Blessing on the Nation of Israel. Always remember that when you have a spiritual dilemma in your life and you yell out, "I CAN'T," GOD Whispers, "BUT I CAN.".
"By humility and fear of the Lord, Are riches and honor and life." Proverbs 22:4
Your Sister in Christ,
Cindi
Today's Blog Title: "The Evidence Is In"
Today's Scripture Reading: John 20:1-31
Today's Key Verse: John 20:30-31 "And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this Book; but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name."
Several different followers went to the grave of Jesus and discovered the empty tomb on the first day of the new week. From the very beginning the church has set aside Sunday, the first day of the week, and commemorated, the resurrection of Jesus. While it was still dark, Mary Magdalene arrived ahead of the other women. Mary Magdalene, out of whom Jesus had cast out seven demons, was the last at the cross and the first at the grace.
Jesus upon His resurrection had passed through the linen strips. The linen strips that they had wrapped Jesus in when they buried Him were still laying in the EMPTY tomb. No one who would have come to steal the body would have taken the time to unwrap it and leave it behind. The handkerchief around Christ's head had been folded and laid aside. This would indicate that Jesus did not rush out of the tomb, but took the time to leave His grave clothes neatly folded.
The other disciple in verse 8 is believed to have been John and when he saw the empty tomb and the grave clothes believed that Christ has raised from the dead. Mary Magdalene in verses 10-16 was the first to see Jesus after His resurrection. She did not recognize the person she was talking to was the Lord and her first reaction to Him was, "Sir, if you have carried Him away, tell me where You have laid Him, and I will take Him away?" Then Jesus said to her, "Mary," and she said to Him, "Teacher." Mary then clings to Christ as if she would never let Him go. Jesus tells her that He could not stay because he had to ascend to His Father.
Jesus then tells her, "I am ascending to my Father and my Father, to my God and to your God." In verse 17 you will note that before His death, Jesus always spoke of my Father. In this post resurrection message to Mary it is the first time that He adds "And your Father." Only by His death and resurrection could Jesus bring those who believed in Him into God's Family.
In verse 22 it says, "And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit." The ministry to which Jesus called the disciples required spiritual power. Jesus here in this verse breathe the Spirit into the disciples. At Pentecost the Spirit unified the believers into one body and empowered then to testify of Jesus. The reception of the Spirit here was like the breath of life that God breathed into Adam. Yet the gift here was not a human spirit, but the Spirit of the Living God.
In verse 23 when Jesus says, "If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven," but the apostles did not take these words of Jesus to mean that they had power to forgive sins. Neither the apostles nor the church had the power to forgive specific sins or prevent forgiveness for any individual. Jesus was speaking of the responsibility of the church to declare the gospel to all the world, so that those who believe in Jesus can find the precious gift of forgiveness.
The story of Thomas serves as a climax to the theme of John's Gospel. Thomas struggled with unbelief and doubt and insisted on the most unmistakable proofs. His phrase in verse 25, "Unless I see the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe," rightly shift the issue of belief and unbelief from the intellect to the will. Yet when confronted by Jesus he recognized Him, fell on his knees and believed. We as Christians can other present Jesus to others as clearly as possible. When they recognize Him they will either choose to believe, or choose not to believe.
At the close of this Chapter, John states the purpose of this Book. His purpose was to convince his readers that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah who fulfilled God's promises to Israel. Jesus is the Son of God. God in the flesh. That by believing these things, a person obtains eternal life.
Today's Hymn: "Amazing Grace" (Chris Tomlin)
Amazing Grace, How sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me
I once was lost, but now I am found, was blind but now I see
Twas grace that taught my heart to fear, and grace my fears relieved
How precious did that grace appear, the hour I first believed
My chain are gone, I've been set free, My God, my Savior has ransomed me
And like a flood, His mercy reigns. Unending love, Amazing Grace
The Lord has promised good to me, His word my hope secures,
He will be my shield and my portion be, as long as life endures
The earth shall soon dissolve like snow, The sun forbear to shine
But God, who called me here below, Will be forever mine, Will be forever mine
You are forever mine.
Heavenly Father, Lord Jesus, Holy Spirit, how wonderful is truly is to receive your Amazing Grace. How thankful Jesus, we are to You, that you paid our death penalty when you died and shed your blood upon the Cross of Calvary and took our sins upon Yourself. Help us Lord to keep our faith strong and to keep our eyes fixed upon Thee, Thou Lamb of Calvary.
Amen
Today's Biblical Truth: "The cosmic and earthly chaos are indications that the decisive and consummate rule of God is approaching."
Click on the link at www.cindi-davis.blogspot.com for Today's Bible Verse from Acts 1:9-11.
Have a God Filled and Spirit Led Day. Go in Peace and Serve the Lord our God with Gladness. Love God More Today. Pray for our Brothers and Sisters in Christ who are being persecuted for their Faith and Trust in Jesus Christ. Pray also for God's Blessing on the Nation of Israel. Always remember that when you have a spiritual dilemma in your life and you yell out, "I CAN'T," GOD Whispers, "BUT I CAN.".
"By humility and fear of the Lord, Are riches and honor and life." Proverbs 22:4
Your Sister in Christ,
Cindi
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