Some men came carrying a paralyzed man on a mat and tried to take him into the house to lay him before Jesus. When they could not find a way to do this because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and lowered him on his mat through the tiles into the middle of the crowd, right in front of Jesus. Luke 5:18-19 

When we care about a friend, we will do all that is within our power to help. If they have a need they won’t have to ask twice because we will be there for them ready to assist. 

Friendship is a commitment that involves developing and practicing the virtues of: trust, faithfulness, reliability, integrity and honesty. A friend listens, helps and forgives and most important, a friend brings a friend to Jesus. 

There are many verses in the Bible about friendship but this one is found in Luke 5:18-19 and tells a beautiful story about friends bringing a friend in need to Jesus. The account of this story can also be found in Mark 2:1-12.

There was a man who was paralyzed and could not walk or get around under his own power, he was completely bedridden. This man had four friends, who were very good friends indeed, they believed that if they could just get their sick friend to Jesus, he would be healed. They knew that Jesus had already performed many miracles of healing, so the four friends carried their friend on a mat to the house where Jesus was teaching in Capernaum.

When they got there, they found they could not begin to get through the crowds. They didn’t give up, though; they had faith that Jesus could heal their friend if they could just get him close to Jesus. So they came up with a plan, one that was bold and daring — they took him up to the roof of the house and lowered him through the tiles into the middle of the crowd, right in front of Jesus.

These friends had gone to extraordinary lengths to bring their paralyzed friend to the Lord. Jesus recognized their actions as an expression of their faith, and because of their faith, He told the paralyzed “Man, your sins are forgiven”. This is a very important lesson for us, this man was not only physically but spiritually healed by the faith his friends had in Jesus. There are many instances in the Bible where one person is healed because of the faith of another person, (here are a few of them Matthew 9:2; 9:18; 9:32; 15:28). These examples teach us that our faith can allow God to work in the lives of our family, friends and others.

We need to remember that man’s greatest need is spiritual healing, or forgiveness. The Lord gave this poor paralyzed man what he needed most, spiritual healing. Are you willing to do whatever is necessary to bring your family, friends and others to Jesus for forgiveness, healing and to be saved from an eternity in hell? 

There are millions of people around the world who have never been given an invitation by a friend to come and know Jesus. These people are in desperate need for someone to bring them the Good News which is the message of Jesus Christ. However, before they can understand, someone needs to share with them. Is it going to be you that you will do it? 

The truth is if you are a follower of Christ, if you claim Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior and are a born again believer, you are called to share your faith with others.  In fact, Jesus said it Himself: “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth” Acts 1:8. 

All of us have friends who need Jesus. How much do we really care, and how far are we willing to go to introduce them to Jesus? To whom will you be a friend today?

Partially adapted from author unknown – Source: “Open Windows”

 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction. Proverbs 1:7

Proverbs tells us that the path to wisdom starts with a fear of the Lord. This healthy fear compels us to surrender our life to the Lord. When we surrender to the Lord and ask for forgiveness, He then washes us and we become pure – “though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow.” (Isaiah 1:18)

The fear of the Lord is about reverence toward God, respect for Him, love and appreciation, holding God and His beloved Son in high esteem.

The reason many do not take God’s Word seriously is they have no foundation and are not grounded in the Scriptures. They do not realize that “all Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16). As a result of the absence of this kind of fear (respect), when unbelievers read or hear God’s commandments they react indifferently. As the verse so clearly states a fool despises wisdom and instruction, however, faithful service to God and obedience to Christ is rooted in the FEAR OF THE LORD.

Fools do not care how much anyone else knows because they are convinced they know more. They do not seek or appreciate wise counsel because pride prefers its own version of truth. Fools believe other people need instruction, not them. In the Bible, a “fool” is not a mentally deficient individual, but one who rebels against God; who lives as if there were no God, (Psalm 53:1), a vile and corrupt person that is unsaved.

We can avoid foolishness and the mistakes it produces by submitting our lives to godly instruction. Though correction and instruction may not be pleasant experiences, the results are worth the possible embarrassment and worse of all spending an eternity in hell.

The opposite of a fool is a wise person and the dictionary defines “wisdom” as the ability to discern what is true or right. Wisdom is the God-given ability to perceive truth and to implement the will of God through the prompting of the Holy Spirit who resides in each true born again believer.

Wisdom requires a healthy fear of the Lord. We must learn to prefer God’s opinion above our own. We cannot gain wisdom without humility. Why do people scorn wisdom? “Because they hate knowledge and do not choose the fear of the Lord.” (Proverbs 1:29)

If we reject God, we cut ourselves off from our only source of wisdom. We may be wise in our own eyes, but we are extremely foolish if we do not fear the Lord and the consequences of eternity.

Parents need to learn about the fear of the Lord and begin instilling Proverbs 1:7 in their children as soon as possible! 

CHARACTERISTICS OF WISE AND FOOLISH CHILDREN
WISE CHILD (righteous)	FOOLISH CHILD (sinful)
Obedient (Proverbs 23:22)	Disobedient (Proverbs 15:5)
Accepts Discipline, Reproof   (Proverbs 13:1; 15:5)	Despises Reproof (Proverbs 13:1)
Discerning (Proverbs 28:7)	Right In Own Eyes (Proverbs 12:15)
Brings Joy (Proverbs 23:24-25; 29:3)	Causes Grief and Distress (Proverbs   10:1; 17:21, 25)
Righteous (Proverbs 8:20)	Shameful (Proverbs 19:26; 28:7)
Honors and Blesses Parents (Exodus 20:12; Proverbs 31:28)	Despises and Curses Parents   (Proverbs 15:20; 20:20; 30:17)
Blessed With Long Life (Proverbs 10:27; 12:28)	Untimely Death (Proverbs 12:27-28; 20:20)

Moses wrote: “What does the Lord require of you, but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all His ways, to love Him, to serve the Lord.” (Deuteronomy 10:12)

As we cast our cares upon Him, we can become fearless as David who wrote while his life was being threatened, “I fear no evil, for Thou art with me.” (Psalm 23:4)

Finally, the fear of God results in answered prayer. “He fulfils the desire of all who fear Him.” (Psalm 145:19)

“Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.” (Matthew 25:13)

The Bible teaches us to watch for Christ’s return (Mark 13:33). Many Christians are waiting for His return but they are not really watching and familiarize themselves with Bible verses that warn us of what is to come (2 Timothy 3:1-5). Those who watch for His return will keep themselves alert, self-controlled and are prepared; they know Scripture and are not deceived by false teachings. Those who are simply waiting may get involved with worldly things and let their priorities regarding Christ take less precedence. Watch out “for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.” (Matthew 25:13)

A good example of watching and waiting is the parable of the ten virgins. Those who were watching were diligently preparing themselves for the Master’s coming, heeding the call to “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” (2 Peter 3:18)

The foolish ones knew the Lord was coming, but they were not prepared and had no oil, they thought that they still had time. The Bible tells us the consequences of those that are not watching and were not prepared with enough oil. “And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut. “Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us!’ But he answered and said, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.’  “Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hourin which the Son of Man is coming. (Matthew 25:10-13)

The Bible reveals that without the Spirit of God the natural man cannot receive the things of God for they are spiritually discerned (1 Corinthians 2:9-16). Therefore, without oil in the lamp, there will be no natural illumination, and without the Holy Spirit there will be no spiritual illumination.

Why do we need to have a watchful attitude? Because fallen man is getting worse and if we are not on guard, we might allow ourselves to slip slowly away from a firm commitment to Christ. The reason Paul says that Jesus will come “like a thief in the night” (1 Thessalonians 5:2) is to emphasize how those outside of Christ will be caught off guard. However, for those watching for Christ’s return it will not be a great surprise because “we are not in darkness”, meaning without understanding. We are also not “asleep” like the world is, and therefore we are alert and watching. (1 Thessalonians 5:4-6)

Watchfulness also involves being knowledgeable about the enemy and aware of the environment around him, having understanding of warfare, being alert to dangers and planning for the future. Those who simply wait do not have the comprehension of preparedness.

So the question is: Are we just waiting for Jesus to return, or are we using time productively while watching for His return? Remember a good watchman is mentally alert, disciplined and self-controlled.

“Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming. But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.” (Matthew 24:42-44)

“Take heed; keep on the alert; for you do not know when the appointed time will come.” (Mark 13:33)

“Therefore, be on the alert . . . in case he should come suddenly and find you asleep.” (Mark 13:35-36)

Jesus said: “And what I say to you, I say to all: Watch!” (Mark 13:37)

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” 1 Corinthians 13:4-7

God bless all mothers that give of themselves, care for their family and lift them up before the Lord in prayer. Those that teach them the Scriptures which are able to give them wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. (2 Timothy 3:15)

“For God has not given us the Spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”

A Christian does not have to have fear, worry or be anxious. Paul said: “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7)

Instead of a Spirit of fear, we have been given a Spirit of power, of love, and of a sound mind. We have fear when we have certain negative thoughts about ourselves and about our circumstances. We need to remember that the devil is the master at using our fears. However, when we focus on Jesus, then we will not have fear because we will be confident in Him. “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13)

Paul is telling Timothy that we have not been giving a spirit of fear that is afraid of man and what they will say or do to keep us from the work of the Lord and the preaching of the Gospel. That we should not be afraid to oppose the errors of false teachers and stand firm for the truth, and that we have been given the Spirit of power to resist Satan’s temptations, to endure hardship as good soldiers of Christ and to do the will and work of God.

God’s Holy Spirit imparts to us His love, giving us the power to obey His laws in their full spiritual intent. The repentant sinner is then a changed person, his whole outlook and purpose is changed as he is led by the Spirit.

It takes the Spirit of God to produce a truly sound mind. This verse also implies that, as long as the mind is devoid of God’s Spirit, it cannot be considered to be truly healthy. Any mind that lacks the Holy Spirit will be deficient in the ability to cope with life in a godly manner because it cannot see things in a proper, righteous or unrighteous perspective. Instead, it will have a strong tendency to twist situations toward its own self-centered viewpoint.

Once regenerated by the Holy Spirit, we must continually be led by Him, bearing spiritual fruit throughout our lives. If we are producing the fruit of the Spirit, which exhibit a sound mind, we know He is working in us. The Spirit is the mind and essence of the divine nature, and through it God carries out His will. He empowers the mind to comprehend spiritual matters. The Spirit gives us the strength, will and faith to overcome our sins.

Conquering fear is not a matter of self determination; it is a matter of dependence on God our creator, whom we can trust and love. It is a matter of belief in His words, His promises, and His gifts to us. It is a matter of recognizing the devils pitiful attempts at crippling us with fear; and knowing God’s majestic grace in giving us power, love and sound mind.

Jesus said, “The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many” (Matthew 20:28). He came to give His life, to die, and His death would result in salvation for those who believe. Jesus died for each one of us, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). There are no exceptions.

Jesus came to save us from the guilt and power of our sins. He came to reconcile us to God and make us saints. “For the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ” (Ephesians 4:12)

Jesus died to redeem us and ransom us. He died to turn us from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that we might receive forgiveness of sins, and an inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith in Jesus Christ (Acts 26:18). He died to save us. “For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved” (John 3:17). He is the Lamb of God who was slain as the propitiation for our sins.

The Bible teaches us that Jesus shed His blood one time, never to be repeated. Our Savior’s last words at the cross were: “It is finished” because He had accomplished what the Father had sent Him to do.

The blood of Jesus has perfected forever those who are sanctified by faith in Him. The Bible makes it clear that the precious blood of Jesus was shed once for all.

• Hebrews 7:26-27 states: “For such a High Priest was fitting for us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and has become higher than the heavens; who does not need daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for His own sins and then for the people’s, for this He did once for all when He offered up Himself.
• Hebrews 9:28 “So Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. . .”
• Hebrews 10:10 “By that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.”
• Hebrews 10:12 “But He, having offered one sacrifice for sins for all time, sat down at the right hand of God”     
• Hebrews 10:14 “For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified.”     

Millions of people in the world do not realize or believe that: “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16). And that there is only: “one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself a ransom for all. . .” (1 Timothy 2:5-6)

Just like Jesus rebuked the scribes and the Pharisees in Matthew 23 when He said: “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you travel land and sea to win one proselyte, and when he is won, you make him twice as much a son of hell as yourselves” (v.15). If Jesus were on earth today, He likewise would be rebuking many false religions and their man made dogmas like He did then. Jesus said: “Beware of the false prophets (teachers, priests, religious leaders), who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves.” (Matthew 7:15)

The sacrifice of Jesus Christ occurred ONCE, not over and over again as taught by the Roman Catholic institution where the priest supposedly sacrifices the Lord Jesus Christ on the altar each time the “eucharistic elements” are “blessed” by the priest and allegedly become the body and blood of Christ while keeping only the appearances of bread and wine. The Roman Catholic institution teaches in its official dogma that the Lord Jesus Christ actually leaves His throne in heaven at the command of the Roman Catholic priest in order to enter into the “eucharist” and “wine” in order to be sacrificed again and again on the altar of this church. Catholics say and believe that the wafer actually becomes the Lord’s body and the wine actually becomes the Lord’s blood. They call this heresy “transubstantiation”. After the Roman priest performs this blasphemy, he then gives this wafer to Catholics to eat. This is how Catholics supposedly, “receive” Christ.

There is nothing more that Satan likes to see than Jesus still on the cross, defeated and sacrificed over and over again like it is done in the Catholic Church. However, Jesus defeated the devil and freed the believer from him and the punishment of hell that the devil had brought upon all of us. Jesus lives, He resurrected, ascended into heaven and is sitting at the right hand of God the Father where He intercedes for us. (Romans 8:24) THE CROSS IS EMPTY, hallelujah!

Hell is a place prepared for the devil and his angels, but those who do not accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior and those who teach these heretical doctrines will spend their eternity in the lake of fire. Sadly, those who believe these heresies have the same destiny because they are lost and blinded by Satan’s lies.

Read the Bible and become familiarized with the Scriptures so no one can deceive you. Ask the Holy Spirit in prayer to enlighten you and guide you as you read God’s Word and He will. To know if you are reading a God inspired version look up the Ten Commandments in Exodus 20:1-7. If the first two (2) commandments do not read as listed below it is a man altered version of the Bible and you should look for the one that is inspired by God, which reads: ¹ Then God spoke all these words, saying, ² “I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.

1.     ³ “You shall have no other gods before Me.

2.     ⁴ “You shall not make for yourself an idol, or any likeness of what is in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the water under the earth. ⁵ You shall not worship them or serve them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, on the third and the fourth generations of those who hate Me, ⁶ but showing loving kindness to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments. (Exodus 20:1-6)

There are many good honest misinformed people in this world that trust their religious leaders and their priest. However, if you do not check the Word of God out for yourself you might be in grave danger of being mislead. We do not know the day or the hour when Jesus will return for His church (which are born again believers – “Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God” – John 3:3). We also do not know the day or the hour of our last breath, so beware of your destiny. Will it be an eternity with our Lord or an eternity apart from Him in the lake of fire? The choice is ours to make.

Remember Jesus said: “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” (John 14:6)

He also said: “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you who practice lawlessness.” (Matthew 7:21-23)

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. – Hebrews 11:1 

Faith is a response of trust and belief in what is reliable, truthful, certain and real. When the Bible speaks about faith, it always means faith in God.

Faith and hope are closely linked together. Hope is not mere wishful thinking, it is based on the certainty that God will do exactly what He said He would do and He will fulfill every promise He has made. Therefore, the Word of God is the object of a believer’s hope.

Human hope is imperfect because we have limitations and we often fail to do what we said we would do. Supernatural hope, which the author to the Hebrews writes about, is a “hope beyond human hope” because it points to God who is utterly reliable and true to His word and who is all-powerful to fulfill all that He has promised. Hope enables us to persevere when our faith is put to the test. We will experience trials, setbacks, difficulties, and failures in this life, but God will triumph through it all and accomplish His purpose for us. That is why God gives us the gift of hope which “the Holy Spirit pours into our heart” to strengthen our faith and endurance to persevere to the end without wavering (Romans 5:3-5). 

Those that come to God must believe that He is Almighty. To believe in God then means: 

Not mere acceptance of  truth, it is faith taking action because of truth, that is, to consciously strive to put truth into effect throughout all aspects of one’s life.

More than mere intellectual assent.  

More than an outward act of worship.  

To act, to take the eternal destiny of our soul and place it into Christ’s hands: “believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved” (Acts 16:31).  

To take action to be imitators of God, and live like Christ, who loved us and gave Himself for us. This cannot be done through mere human effort, but must be done by faith in and continued dependence upon the spiritual power that God supplies to the soul who believes.  

A life lived by faith, a life lived by human action empowered and sustained by God; a partnership in which the believer is the working partner and God supplies all else. 

The God-given conviction that we depend upon God to enable us do all things necessary to please Him. 

To reject the arguments and temptations of the sin nature; to turn away from all that exalts itself against the knowledge of God.  

It means to take the action necessary to bring every thought to conform to obedience to Christ. 

To actively cooperate with the Holy Spirit, who is acting on His part to conform every believer to be like Christ.  

To be cautious that one’s faith and thoughts and deed are not like the worlds.  

To seek and know the power of faith that conforms our life to be like Christ’s in life, even in the face of opposition, rejection, suffering, tribulation, trial, persecution, and death. 

To have faith and believe that He has a reward waiting for the person who perseveres in his or her faith.  

The reward of faith is in view in the examples of Noah, Abraham, Moses, and many others. Therefore, faith is vitally important in the life of the Christian. It is by faith that we are saved; we are justified; cleansed, and look forward to the return of Jesus. Faith is where we please God, admit our dependence upon Him, and continually seek to rely upon Him and His grace.

We need to ask daily for the Holy Spirit to strengthen our faith and hope in the certainty of God’s revelation.

“Lord Jesus, your word is utterly true and reliable. Give us understanding that we may grow in the certainty of the hope that You have placed in our heart and serve you faithfully all the days of our life.”

Jesus pointed out that: “Whosoever does not bear his own cross, and come after Me, cannot be My disciple.” (Luke 14:27)

A disciple is someone who has brought themselves under the discipline of his teacher. As Christians we are under the authority of our Teacher, the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  

A disciple is a person who walks with Christ and the Holy Spirit resides in the believer’s heart and equips them to overcome the pressures and trials of this present life and to become more and more like Christ. Through this growth process a Christian will examine their thoughts, words and actions by the Spirit’s direction and will study the Scriptures desiring to follow in the Master’s footsteps by obeying His commandments and being His disciple. 

THE QUALITIES OF A DISCIPLE: 

• A disciple’s love for God must be the greatest single consuming passion of a Christian’s life. “He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me.” (Matthew 10:37) 
• A disciple must put Jesus before self. “Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily,and follow Me.” (Luke 9:23) 
• A disciple must put Jesus before all things. “So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple.” (Luke 14:33) Our love relationship with Jesus isn’t a give-and-take proposition in which we sacrifice some things and hold tightly on to others. It’s everything. Our love for Jesus has to be so real, so perfect and so strong, that everything else disappears in comparison. We must be prepared to surrender everything. Paul said: “Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ.” (Philippians 3:8) 
• A disciple must be obedient. “He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him.” (John 14:21) 
• A disciple must share the Lord’s passion for the world. “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” (Matthew 28:19)   
• A disciple loves God’s Word. “But Jesus answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread  alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4). As disciples we must read and be nurtured, sustained and equipped by God’s Word.  
• A disciple abides in God’s Word. “Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:31-32).  To abide in God’s word is to remain or to hold fast the teachings of His word. Discipleship is not a simply a decision of belief at some point in our lives, but an ongoing process of following, of obedience to His word. The result of abiding in Christ’s  word is freedom, spiritual freedom from the bondage of sin. 
• A disciple has a love of prayer. Nothing draws us deeper into a love affair with God than encountering Him through prayer. “Pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thessalonians 5:17-18). Prayer is God’s gift to us. It is where He reveals Himself to us…if you search for Him with all your heart and soul, you will find Him (Deuteronomy 4:29). What an incredible promise this is! 
• A disciple bears fruit. “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5) Fruit-bearing is the proof of discipleship.
• A disciple is empowered by the Holy Spirit. “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:8).  Disciples learn to live their lives submitted to Holy Spirit’s leadership.

We are not on this earth to please ourselves; we were created and are here to honor and worship our Lord. We must deny our self to be considered His disciple and we must make His will the most important priority in our life.

Mark 10:17-23 tells us about the story of the rich young ruler: “Now as He was going out on the road, one came running, knelt before Him, and asked Him, “Good Teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?” So Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery,’ ‘Do not murder,’ ‘Do not steal,’ ‘Do not bear false witness,’ ‘Do not defraud,’ ‘Honor your father and your mother.’” And he answered and said to Him, “Teacher, all these things I have kept from my youth.” Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me.” But he was sad at this word, and went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.”

As we see from this telling, Jesus loved him, but He did not run after Him and try to persuade him. Have you ever wondered why? Because the conditions of discipleship are not negotiable! Are you ready to follow Him and become His disciple? If you are, follow this link: Information about Salvation

“I HAVE FOUND DAVID the son of Jesse, A MAN AFTER MY HEART, who will do all My will.”

When Paul received his sight, he also received spiritual insight into the Person of Jesus Christ.

From that point on his entire life and preaching were totally consumed with Jesus Christ and the fact that His sacrifice on Calvary completely restored our fellowship with the Father.

Upon his encounter with the Son of God; Paul reached the bedrock of life’s true meaning, he knew why he was created.  Paul knew that he was created to be a friend and a child of God, and to worship Him “in spirit and in truth.” “For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.” (1 Corinthians 2:2)

For centuries, “it if finished” were the words that millions of confused and sin burden people had longed to hear. Paul never again allowed anything to attract and hold the attention of his mind and heart except the face of Jesus Christ.

Jesus promised us in the beatitudes: “blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God” – “blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness for they shall be filled.” Matthew – Chapter 5

We will live in victory, joy and peace when we learn to maintain a strong spirit of worship in our lives. The lasting characteristic of a spiritual man or woman is the ability to understand correctly the meaning of the Lord Jesus Christ in their lives and the ability to explain the purposes of God to others.

The most important passion of their life is Jesus Christ. Whenever you see this quality in a person, you know that he or she is truly a man or a woman after God’s own heart. Acts 13:22 

When we are in the presence of true men and women of God, there is a fragrance, an aroma of worship and Jesus is always the center of attention.

Mary of Bethany; saw and knew the real Jesus Christ, as few people ever have. When Mary anointed Jesus prior to His sacrificial death and burial, most everyone in the room was shocked that she would waste so much on someone who the world valued so little.

But Mary got it right, she knew why she was created; the fragrance of her sacrifice filled the house and the sweet aroma of her worship and love continues to enrich our lives today.  

We must never allow anything to divert us from the worship of Jesus Christ. It is the true test of whether we are Spirit filled or not. To be un-spiritual means that other things have a growing fascination for us and worship is no longer a priority.

Jesus left all of the splendor, the comfort and worship of heaven. He came to earth to live with poverty, ridicule and hatred. He became the only acceptable sacrifice for our sins when He was tortured to death at Calvary. This is an amazing concept; the King giving His life to save prisoners, rebels and slaves.  

When we get a glimpse of the tremendous price that Jesus paid for our redemption at Calvary, we will live in adoration and worship of Him from morning till night and even in our times of rest.

Christ the Lord has risen today. He died for us and rose again and won the victory. Alleluia!

God has given us perfect hope through Jesus Christ our risen Savior. He has made a way for us to live an abundant life, both now and forever! 

As we celebrate the empty tomb and know our Savior lives and reigns as King, we pray you will rejoice in the beauty of the season, a celebration of the ever lasting hope and life in Jesus. 

May this Resurrection day be a glorious day for you, as we remember what our beloved Savior did for us. 

David and Helena Russell

“He is not here; for He is risen, as He said.”

Matthew 28:6