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God of Comfort – Rick Bagwell
Tag: comfort
TRUST
THERE ARE THOSE WE TRUST, AND THERE ARE THOSE WE HAVE NO TRUST IN. MANY TIMES WE TRUST PEOPLE AND FIND OUT LATER THEY ARE NOT TRUST WORTHY. HOW CAN WE AS BELIEVERS KNOW THE DIFFERENCE?
MOST OF THE TIME IT’S THROUGH A PROCESS OF WAITING TO SEE IF THEY BETRAY OUR TRUST, OR HOLD TO THE TRUST WE PLACED IN THEM IN AN ADMIRABLE WAY.
TRUST IS FAITH IN ACTION. TRUST MEANS: TO PUT ONE’S CONFIDENCE IN.
IN THE WORD OF GOD, WE FIND INSTRUCTIONS IN WHAT NOT TO PUT OUR TRUST. I WILL LIST THEM: WEAPONS (PS. 44:6); WEALTH (PS.49:6,7); LEADERS (PS. 146:3); MAN (JER 17:5); WORKS (JER. 48:7); OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS (EZEK. 33:13).
THIS SHOWS US WE CAN’T PUT OUR TRUST IN THINGS, PEOPLE, NOR OURSELVES. WELL, THAT COVERS ALMOST EVERYTHING. EVERYTHING BUT GOD, THAT IS.
WHY IS IT THAT PEOPLE, MUCH OF THE TIME, PUT THEIR TRUST IN THINGS, PEOPLE, AND THEMSELVES, BEFORE THEY PUT THEIR TRUST IN GOD?
BELOVED, THIS IS THE WAY OF THE WORLD. WEAPONS, WEALTH, LEADERS, MANKIND, OUR WORKS, AND EVEN OUR RIGHTEOUS- NESS CAN FAIL US AT ANY TIME.
THE WORLD DOES NOT RECOGNIZE GOD AS THEIR SOURCE OF TRUST, BUT WE AS CHRISTIANS TRUST GOD FOR EVERYTHING, EVERYDAY.
OUR TRUST IS TO BE PUT IN GOD’S NAME: PSALM 33:20-22 – OUR SOUL WAITETH FOR THE LORD: HE IS OUR HELP AND OUR SHIELD.
FOR OUR HEART SHALL REJOICE IN HIM, BECAUSE WE HAVE TRUSTED IN HIS HOLY NAME.
LET THY MERCY, O LORD, BE UPON US, ACCORDING AS WE HOPE IN THEE.
OUR TRUST IS TO BE PUT IN GOD’S MERCY: PSALM 52:8 – BUT I AM LIKE A GREEN OLIVE TREE IN THE HOUSE OF GOD: I TRUST IN THE MERCY OF GOD FOR EVER AND EVER.
OUR TRUST IS TO BE PLACED IN GOD’S WORD: PSALM 119:41 – LET THEY MERCIES COME ALSO UNTO ME, O LORD, EVEN OUR SALVATION, ACCORDING TO THY WORD.
SO SHALL I HAVE WHEREWITH TO ANSWER HIM THAT REPROACHETH ME: FOR I TRUST IN THY WORD.
WHEN GOD’S FAVOR IS MANIFESTED TO US, WE CAN SUFFICENTLY ANSWER OUR ENEMIES WITH THE WORD. WE TRUST IN GOD’S WORD: WE TRUST IN HIS PROMISES THAT ARE CONTAINED IN HIS WORD, FOR HIS SERVANTS.
MATTHEW 12:17-21 – THAT IT MIGHT BE FULFILLED WHICH WAS SPOKEN BY ISAIAH THE PROPHET, SAYING,
BEHOLD MY SERVANT, WHOM I HAVE CHOSEN: MY BELOVED, IN WHOM MY SOUL IS WELL PLEASED:
I WILL PUT MY TRUST UPON HIM, AND HE SHALL SHOW MY JUDGMENT OT THE GENTILES.
HE SHALL NOT STRIVE NOR CRY; NEITHER SHALL ANY MAN HEAR HIS VOICE IN THE STREETS.
A BRUISED REED SHALL HE NOT BREAK, AND SMOKING FLAX SHALL HE NOT QUINCH, TILL HE SEND FORTH JUDGMENT INTO VICTORY.
AND IN HIM SHALL THE GENTILES TRUST.
THIS IS DESCRIBING WHAT JESUS DID FOR OUR SALVATION; AND WE CAN PUT OUR TRUST IN HIM AND WHAT HE DID FOR US. ALL OF US, GENTILES AND JEWS ALIKE, CAN PUT OUR TRUST IN HIM FOR ETERNAL LIFE.
THIS BEING THE GREATEST OF THEM ALL, THERE ARE MORE WONDERFUL BENEFITS TO TRUSTING CHRIST: BENEFITS OF JOY: PSALM 5;11 – BUT LET ALL THOSE THAT PUT THEIR TRUST IN THEE REJOICE: LET THEM EVER SHOUT FOR JOY, BECAUSE THOU DEFENDEST THEM: LET THEM ALSO THAT LOVE THY NAME BE JOYFUL IN THEE.
IT’S EASY TO HAVE JOY WHEN THINGS ARE GOING GREAT, BUT WHAT HAPPENS WHEN WE ARE STILL PUTTING OUT TRUST IN GOD AND THINGS ARE NOT SO GREAT?
I EXPERIENCED THIS ONE DAY A WHILE BACK, AND THE DAY BEFORE THAT.
FIRST, MY MOTHER HAD CANCER IN HER ARM, AND IT WAS REMOVED. THANK GOD, THE DOCTOR THINKS HE GOT IT ALL. THIS WAS HARD FOR ME AND MY SIBLINGS BECAUSE WE LOVE OUR MOTHER AND HAD ALREADY SEEN OUR DADDY, WHO WE LOVED DEARLY, PASS WITH LUNG CANCER BECAUSE OF SMOKING.
I DROVE BACK HOME TO BE COMFORTED BY MY HUSBAND WHO WAS WAITING FOR ME: AND ONE OF THE FIRST THINGS HE TOLD ME, WAS OUR PET, ROSIE, WAS VERY SICK AND SHE WAS TO BE PUT TO SLEEP THE NEXT DAY. I WAS CRUSHED. THIS WAS JUST TOO MUCH.
I WAS STILL DEALING WITH MY TRUST IN GOD TO TAKE CARE OF MY MOTHER, NOW THIS. ROSIE WAS OUR SPRINGER SPANIEL, WHO WAS QUITE A PERSONALITY, BUT VERY OLD AND WEAK. I LOVED HER SO MUCH.
I JUST HAD TO GET ALONE WITH GOD. I DIDN’T WANT MY HUSBAND TO DO THIS, BUT HIS MIND WAS MADE UP, AND IN THE END, I KNEW I HAD TO SURRENDER TO THIS. IT WASWHAT WAS BEST FOR ROSIE.
I CRIED AND CRIED, IT WAS SO HARD. I POURED OUT MY HEART TO THE LORD. HE BEGAN TO COMFORT ME WITH HIS WORD. THE SCRIPTURES BEGAN TO COME THROUGH MY TEARS. GOD INSTRUCTED ME WITH THAT STILL SMALL VOICE TO TURN TO PSALM 34 AND 44. ALL OF IT MINISTERED TO ME, BUT ONE VERSE IN PSALM 34, VERSE 18, GAVE ME THE GREATEST COMFORT OF ALL – THE LORD IS NIGH UNTO THEM THAT ARE OF A BROKEN HEART; AND SAVETH SUCH AS BE OF A CONTRITE SPIRIT.
I WAS THINKING, WHAT IS CONTRITE? THE DEFINITION IN STRONG’S IS: CRUSHED, AND POWDER.
THIS BROUGHT ME BACK TO A SERMON, IN FACT IT WAS THE FIRST SERMON I HEARD TD JAKES PREACH. IT WAS CALLED “ASHES.” HE TALKED ABOUT HOW WE CAN COME TO THE PLACE THAT WE ARE SO CRUSHED THAT WE BECOME THE POWDER FROM THE FIRE, WE CALL ASHES.
AS WE SERVE THE LORD, AND CONTINUE TO TRUST HIM THROUGH THESE HARD PLACES. HE BEGINS TO ELEVATE OUR FAITH, BECAUSE WE KNOW, WITHOUT A DOUBT, WE WILL NEVER COME THROUGH THESE THINGS ALONE.
I CANNOT UNDERSTAND HOW PEOPLE WHO DON’T KNOW THE LORD, GET THROUGH THESE HARD TO UNDERSTAND THINGS. A DEATH OF A LOVED ONE, OR A LOSE OF A CHILD. THEY CAN’T GET HELP THEY NEED FROM THE WORLD THAT BRINGS JOY.
WELL, THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENED TO ME: THE LORD RESTORED MY JOY AND GAVE ME PEACE AS I BEGAN TO WORSHIP HIM IN IT.
* PART 2 COMING UP.
ANNA THE PROPHETESS
LUKE 2:36-38
AND THERE WAS ONE ANNA, A PROPHETESS, THE DAUGHTER OF PHANUEL OF THE TRIBE OF ASER: SHE WAS OF GREAT AGE, AND HAD LIVED WITH AN HUSBAND SEVEN YEARS FROM HER VIRGINITY;
AND SHE WAS A WIDOW OF ABOUT FOURSCORE AND FOUR YEARS, WHICH DEPARTED NOT FROM THE TEMPLE, BUT SERVED GOD WITH FASTING AND PRAYERS NIGHT AND DAY.
AND SHE COMING IN THAT INSTANT GAVE THANKS LIKEWISE UNTO THE LORD, AND SPAKE OF HIM TO ALL THEM THAT LOOKED FOR REDEMPTION IN JERUSALEM.
ANNA MEANS GRACE. SHE WAS A PROPHETESS. SHE WAS A LADY THAT TOTALLY GAVE HER LIFE TO GOD AND HIS SERVICE. SHE WAS A WIDOW FROM A YOUNG AGE . SHE WAS ONLY MARRIED FOR SEVEN YEARS AND HER HUSBAND DIED. SOME TIMES THE DEATH OF SOMETHING IN A PERSONS LIFE CAUSES THEM TO BECOME BITTER TOWARDS GOD. BUT NOT ANNA. SHE WAS A VERY YOUNG WOMAN WITH GREAT SORROW. SHE IS NOT BITTER, BUT TURNS COMPLETELY TO GOD FOR COMFORT; AND GRACE TO SERVE HIM IN THE HOUSE OF PRAYER FOR ALL NATIONS.
SHE WAS OF THE TRIBE OF ASHER. ASHER MEANS BLESSED. AHSER WAS JACOBS SON BY ZILPAH. ZILPAH WAS LEAHS MAID. ANNA WASNT OF THE LINEAGE OF LEAH OR RACHEL, HER LINAGE WAS THRU LEAHS MAID, IT WAS OUTSIDE THE INNER CIRCLE.
HER FATHERS NAME WAS PHANUEL, WHICH MEANS FACE OF GOD. THIS WOMAN WHO’S LINEAGE GOES BACK TO LEAH’S MAID, HAS A SPIRITUAL HERITAGE. HER FATHER WITH THE SAME HERITAGE SOUGHT THE FACE OF GOD AND PRODUCED AN ANNA, A PROPHETESS, WHO SERVED GOD IN THE TEMPLE, THE HOUSE OF PRAYER. EIGHTY FOUR YEARS SHE SERVED GOD IN HIS TEMPLE WITH FASTING AND PRAYER.
BACKGROUND CAN BE CHANGED. IT DOESN’T MATTER WHAT OUR FAMILY HISTORY IS OR WHERE WE CAME FROM, WE CAN SEEK THE FACE OF GOD, WE CAN SEEK GOD’S WAYS AND PRODUCE AN ANNA.
ANNA SERVED GOD NIGHT AND DAY WITH FASTING AND PRAYERS, SHE PRAYED FOR THE MESSIAH TO COME. IT WAS THE FULLNESS OF TIME AND GOD HAD THIS WIDOW WOMAN PRAYING FOR THE WILL OF GOD, THE SON OF GOD, TO COME TO THE EARTH, TO REDEEM MANKIND.
ANNA COULD HAVE ALLOWED THE LOSS OF HER HUSBAND TO MAKE HER BITTER, BUT SHE DIDN’T, SHE TURNED TO GOD WITH PRAYER AND FASTING, SERVING HIM IN HIS HOUSE
IT DOESN’T MATTER ABOUT OUR PAST OR PAIN OR OUR PRESENT SITUATION, GOD’S GRACE HAS AN ASSIGNMENT FOR YOU. IN YOUR PAIN, IN YOUR SADNESS, IN YOUR FAILURE TURN TO HIM, THERE IS GRACE TO HELP IN TIME OF NEED. JESUS HAS A JOB FOR YOU THE REST OF YOUR LIFE. IT IS TO SERVE HIM WITH YOUR WHOLE HEART. BRINGING THRU PRAYER , THE MESSIAH INTO THE HEARTS OF MANY PEOPLE WHO ARE JUST LIKE YOU AND I. PEOPLE WHO ARE HURTING AND DID NOT COME FROM THE INNER CIRCLE. JESUS CAN TAKE THE INNER AND OUTER CIRCLE AND USE US BY HIS GRACE. DON’T LET YOUR LOSS CAUSE YOU TO MISS GOD’S ASSIGNMENT FOR YOUR LIFE. MINISTRY IS BIRTHED OUT OF PAIN, THE GLORY OF GOD COMES LATER. THE CROSS WAS THE ASSIGNMENT GIVEN TO JESUS, THE GLORY CAME AT THE RESURRECTION.
NEITHER FEARFUL NOR SELF-SUFFICIENT PART I
I JOHN 4:18 – THERE IS NO FEAR IN LOVE; BUT PERFECT LOVE CASTETH OUT FEAR: BECAUSE FEAR HATH TORMENT. HE THAT FEARETH IS NOT PERFECT IN LOVE.
FEAR MEANS DREAD, AND TORMENT MEANS TO SUFFER UNBAREABLE PAIN OR PUNISHMENT.
FEAR IS A TORMENT OF THE MIND. GOD REVEALED TO ME THAT FEAR AND WORRY ARE THE WORST THINGS WITH WHICH HIS MINISTERS HAVE TO DEAL. IT CAN PARALIZE. THIS COULD BE EMOTIONALLY OR PHYSICALLY. BOTH CAN BRING ON MANY DISEASES.
THE RELATIONSHIP OF FEAR AND DISEASE ARE PHENOMINAL.
WHAT WE CALL STAGE FRIEGHT, IS JUST AS REVELANT IN MINISTERS AS IT HAS EVER BEEN IN ANY PUBLIC SPEAKER.
ONE OF THE GREATEST RADIO VOICES OF THE PAST, C.M. WARD, WAS ASKED ABOUT THIS. HE SAID, MANY TIMES BRFORE HE WAS TO SPEAK, HE WOULD SIT IN THE WAITING AREA, AND ASK GOD TO RAPTURE OUT THE CHURCH RIGHT THEN, SO HE WOULDN’T HAVE TO SPEAK.
THIS IS ONE OF THE MOST COMMON OF ALL THE FRIGHTS IN THE LIFE OF A MINISTER; AND EVEN IN BUSINESS PEOPLE WHO ARE SCHEDULED TO MAKE A PRESENTATION.
BUT I FEEL THE MOST DAMAGING KIND OF FEAR IS THE FEAR OF FAILURE. TO FAIL, MEANS TO BE WANTING. THOSE WITH ANY KIND OF RESPONSIBILITY, GET INTO FEAR. MOSTLY, BECAUSE THEY GET THEIR MINDS OFF GOD’S FAITHFULNESS; AND ON THEIR WEAKNESS.
PSALM 89:33,34 – NEVERTHELESS MY LOVINGKINDNESS WILL I NOT UTTERLY TAKE FROM HIM, NOR SUFFER MY FAITHFULNESS TO FAIL.
MY COVENANT WILL I NOT BREAK, NOR ALTER THE THING THAT IS GONE OUT OF MY LIPS.
WHOM GOD CALLS, HE EQUIPS!! HE GIVES US ALL THE TOOLS WE NEEP TO PERFORM IN OUR CALLING.
IF WE COULD ONLY UNDERSTAND —NO!, WE CAN’T DO IT, BUT GOD THROUGH US CAN!
I USED TO SPEAK AT OTHER CHURCHES ON OCCASIONS. BUT LATER ON, I BEGAN TO FEEL THE STRESS OF MINISTRY, AND SAID TO MYSELF, “I’LL JUST SUPPORT MY HUSBAND IN HIS CALLING, AND LET HIM DO THE PREACHING.” I STILL MINISTERED TO PEOPLE AND TAUGHT CLASSES AND BIBLE STUDY, BUT WHEN IT CAME TO WHAT I CALLED ‘MINISTERING OUT, I WOULD NOT ACCEPT IT, AND LEFT IT TO MY HUSBAND.
DO YOU KNOW WHAT HAPPENED? ALL THE DOORS CLOSED FOR ME.
I WAS WAS LOOKING AT MY ABILITY, NOT WHAT GOD COULD DO THROUGH ME. FEAR OF FAILURE HAD SET-IN. I WOULD BE ANOINTED AT ONE SERVICE, AND WOULD BE WORRIED THAT THE NEXT TIME I WOULDN’T BE, ESPECIALLY WHEN BEING TAKEN OUT OF MY “COMFORT-ZONE”. I WAS STILL DEPENDING ON MYSELF AND SOMEHOW I GOT MY EYES OFF THE COVENANT I HAD WITH GOD.
DEUTERONOMY 31:6 – BE STRONG AND OF GOOD COURAGE, FEAR NOT, NOR BE AFRAID OF THEM: FOR THE LORD THY GOD, HE IT IS THAT DOETH GOOD WITH THEE; HE WILL NOT FAIL THEE, NOR FORSAKE THEE.
LUKE 22:32 – I HAVE PRAYED FOR THEE, THAT THY FAITH FAIL NOT…
FEAR AND FAITH ARE OPPOSITE. I DIDN’T REALLY SEE ANYTHING WRONG WITH WHAT I WAS DOING. I WAS STILL AS BUSY AS EVER.
I BEGAN SOME YEARS AGO TO JOURNAL. I WOULD WRITE DOWN MY PRAYERSTO GOD, AND HE BAGAN TO SPEAK TO ME. HE WOULD TELL ME HE WANTED TO TAKE ME TO A NEW LEVEL WITH HIM. I WAS TO DEPEND ON HIM. I REALIZED I HAD LET FEAR AND WORRY, AND MY DELIVERY, KEEP ME FORM DOING WHAT HE WANTED OF ME. I WAS SO ASHAMED AND REPENTANT.
HE STARTED WITH A RADIO PROGRAM, “WOMAN OF GOD,” THEN, WRITING AND PUBLISHING THE SCHOOL OF THE BIBLE, AND MINISTERING OUT OF MY COMFORT ZONE IN CHURCHES AND PRISONS.
I FOUND OUT, ALL I NEED TO DO IS PREPARE, AND TRUST HIM TO OPEN DOORS. HE GIVES ME THE MESSAGES. ALL I HAVE TO DO IS SPEAK WHAT HE GIVES ME, AND MOVE WHEN HE MOVES. HIS MESSAGE FOR THE HOUR IS ALL HE REQUIRES ME TO SPEAK.
I PRAY, SEEK HIM, AND SOMETIMES FAST, AND HE SHOWS UP, AND THERE IS A DEMONSTRATION OF HIS POWER: FOR HE KNOWS THOSE WHO WILL HEAR, AND HE KNOWS HOW TO REACH EACH PERSON.
THERE IS ALSO A WARNING THAT COMES WITH THE MINISTRY THAT SHOULD BE COVERED, AND THAT IS SELF-SIFFICIENTCY. WHICH WE WILL DISCUSS IN PART II.
THE LIFE GIVER
Nowhere in the Bible do we find where Jesus came to bring death. Everywhere He went, He brought life. He is the access to the Father, the only access. He raised the dead. He gave eternal life through His death.
In John 10:9-11 Jesus said, –
I am the door; (or I am the access to the Father) by Me if any man enter in, He shall be saved and shall go in and out, and find pasture.
The thief cometh not, but for to steal and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth His life for the sheep.
Jesus is the door to the sheepfold.
He is the way of life.
Who would shut-up the way of life, to live the way of the world?
We are in this world, but not of this world.
By Him, we have eternal life, but we can also move about on this earth, living in two worlds (heaven and earth), freely, with His guidance, without fear of the enemy.
Why? Because He watches over us.
He is our Shepherd; the Good Shepherd. He watches over us individually, with tender care, and self sacrificing love.
The Shepherd died, that we might live.
Also, our Shepherd knows when it is time for us to go home to heaven.
At that time, He will call us. But before that, He will prepare us for our journey.
Many are afraid of death. They walk around in fear of the unknown.
We, as children of God, are to have life each day and not dread and fear of death.
For, Jesus came that we might have life, and that we might have it more abundantly: More than we can possibly use. Abundant supply.
Those who receive life from Him, have within them, continual sources of life for others.
We witness: they get saved: they witness: others get saved; and it goes on…
Those in their graves, who are dead in Christ, will know life again. This is our Blessed Hope.
1 Thessalonians 5:14, 16-18 —-For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep (or die) in Jesus will God bring with Him.
For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
Part of our abundant life in Him, is to know these things, this great promise of being able to be with our loved ones, when the end of this age comes, who died in-Christ.
Every day, I go to Greenville from my house, I have to pass by my Daddy’s grave. I have the peace of knowing his soul and spirit are not in that grave, but are with Jesus. Only his body is left there, but it will be resurrected on that day of the Rapture, and if I am passing by that way at the time his body leaves that grave, I can watch it come up and meet the Lord in the air with My Daddy.
To me, it’s as though he is on a trip and will soon return to me.
Woman of God, it is an abundant life when we know that we know we are ready to meet the Lord, should He come today.
Sinner, don’t be left behind. Trust Him today to care for you as your good shepherd.
Jesus loves you; He gave His life for you. You are not really living until you put your life in His hands. I’ve heard people say, “I’m not ready, I am still young. I want to live my life they way I choose.”
What are you giving up to invite Him into you life? I’ll tell you. You are giving up eternal torment and destruction for eternal life; You are giving up hell for heaven; you are giving up the lordship of Satan, for the Lordship of Jesus Christ; you are giving up no peace for the “Prince of Peace.
Some women tell me they are afraid their boyfriend or husband will get mad or even leave them if they ask Jesus into their lives. Would you sell your soul to the devil for someone who wants you to go to hell, and to be eternally separated from God? He doesn’t love you, he loves himself, he loves the sin you share with him. He is just like the devil, when he gets through with you, he will laugh at you. This might seem harsh , but believe me, I have seen too much of it.
We can decide to serve God and live according to His standards, or we can set our own standards and live outside His blessings.
The choice is ours.
Proverbs 8:36 —But he that sinneth against Me wrongeth his own soul: all that hate Me love death.
Romans 6:23 —For the wages of sin is death: but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
There is coming a time when all this will be played back in your mind computer. You will remember when you were witnessed to about your soul’s destination. Their is only one way you can be born again, saved from destruction:
For you who did not pray that prayer with me,
Invite Jesus into your heart now, don’t live another day without Him, there is no promise of another chance.
God is righteous and demands full obedience from His creation. He will not tolerate unrighteousness, and designed hell to eternally house those who are not willing to submit their lives to Him.
There is no other way to the Father but through Jesus.
Jesus said in John 14:6 … I am the way, the truth, and the life, no man cometh to the Father, but by Me.
Jesus is Life. He is still giving life.
John 3:16 — For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Think about it. Everlasting life.
Look at verse 17,18 —-For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved.
He that believeth on Him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God
Pray this prayer with me, and receive Jesus, by faith, as your Lord and savior:
Jesus, come into my life, and save me. I am sorry for my sin, I repent of my sin. I am tired of trying to live my life, my way. I give my life to You.
Deliver me from every stronghold of bondage. In Jesus name I pray.
Thank You for saving me.
bondage,
We have already seen where Jesus Christ is life, conqueror over death, and the only way to the Father.
There are also special promises from God for those who serve Him:
Eternal life
Peace
Joy
Abundant life
Heaven
Escape from hell
There is a great contrast between heaven and hell, and both are real places: one to joy and one to darkness with no hope.
Choose the life giver.
OBEDIENCE THE PROOF OF LOVE
JOHN 21:15 – SO WHEN THEY HAD DINED, JESUS SAITH TO SIMON PETER, SIMON, SON OF JONAS, LOVEST THOU ME MORE THAN THESE? HE SAITH UNTO HIM, YEA LORD: THOU KNOWEST THAT I LOVE THEE. HE SAITH UNTO HIM, FEED MY LAMBS.
PETER HAD LEFT JERUSALEM AFTER JESUS WAS CRUCIFIED AND RETURNED WITH OTHER DISCIPLES TO THE FISHING BUSINESS.
PETER WAS DISCOURAGED AND CONFUSED. HIS IDEAS OF MINISTRY WAS LOST. THEIR KING HAD BEEN CRUCIFIED.
JESUS HAD ALREADY APPEARED TO THEM AFTER HIS RESURRECTION, BUT IT WASN’T ENOUGH FOR THESE DISCIPLIES, THEY STILL DIDN’T UNDERSTAND THEIR PURPOSE.
IT WAS EASIER TO RUN AND RETURN TO THEIR FLESH THEN. THEY DIDN’T UNDERSTAND, SO IT WAS EASIER TO RETURN TO THE COMFORT ZONE.
WHAT LOOKS LIKE A FAILURE, IS A STEPPING STONE TO VICTORY.
JESUS WOULD NOT LEAVE THESE MEN IN THIS CONDITION, BUT CAME AFTER THEM.
JESUS LOVED TO ASK PETER QUESTIONS.
HE CALLED PETER SON OF JONAS (DOUBLE REFERENCE HERE, THEREFORE, JESUS WAS IDENTIFYING PETER WITH A DISOBEDIENT OLD TESTAMENT PROPHET WHO WAS SWALLOWED BY A GREAT FISH).
PETER HAD BEEN A DISCIPLE OF JESUS FOR THREE AND ONE HALF YEARS, HIS OBEDIENCE HAD TO BE CONNECTED TO LOVE FOR JESUS.
OBEDENCE IS PROOF OF OUR LOVE FOR GOD, WE MAY BE CONFUSED BY WHAT IS HAPPENING AROUND US, WE MAY BE DISCOURAGED. BUT IF WE REALLY LOVE JESUS WE WILL OBEY.
JESUS ASK PETER THREE TIMES DO YOU LOVE ME? PETER SAID, “YES LORD”, JESUS SAID, “OBEY ME.”
PETER OBEYED JESUS AND WENT BACK TO JERUSALEM AND TARRIED IN THE UPPER ROOM FOR TEN DAYS.
120 PEOPLE WERE IN THAT ROOM BECAUSE OF THEIR LOVE FOR JESUS.
LOVES ALWAYS CARRIES US TO OBEDIENCE.
JESUS LOVES PEOPLE AND WE ARE A CONNECTED TO WHAT HE DOES ON THIS EARTH.
WE ARE OBEDIENT TO GODS PURPOSE FOR OUR LIVES, BECAUSE WE LOVE JESUS.
LAMBS ARE EASIER TO FEED THAN SHEEP.
JESUS TOLD PETER TO FEED HIS LAMBS ONLY ONCE, BUT HE TOLD PETER TWICE TO FEED HIS SHEEP. SHEEP BITE HARDER THAN LAMBS.
YOU MAY HAVE BEEN SHEEP BIT AND WENT BACK TO THE COMFORT ZONE.
JESUS IS ASKING THIS QUESTION OF YOU. DO YOU LOVE ME?, FEED MY SHEEP.
ODEDIENCE IS THE PROOF OF LOVE.
GO BACK TO THE UPPER ROOM AND TARRY, AND TRY AGAIN.
JESUS HAS COME AFTER YOU, HE NEEDS YOU TO LOVE HIM AND OBEY.
NO MISSING LINK HERE
PSALMS 16:10,11 – FOR THOU WILT NOT LEAVE MY SOUL IN HELL: NEITHER WILT THOU SUFFER THINE HOLY ONE TO SEE CORRUPTION.
THY WILT SHEW ME THE PATH OF LIFE: IN THY PRESENCE IS FULNESS OF JOY: AT THY RIGHT HAND THERE ARE PLEASURES EVERMORE.
JESUS IS SPEAKING THROUGH DAVID, BY THE ANOINTING, CONCERNING HIS DEATH, BURIAL AND RESURRECTION.
THE FATHER WILL RESURRECT THE BODY OF JESUS THROUGH THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.
JESUS TOLD THE UNBELIVING, RELIGIOUS CRITICS, AS JONAH STAYED IN THE BELLY OF THE FISH 3 DAYS AND NIGHTS, SO SHALL THE SON OF MAN STAY IN GRAVE 3 DAYS AND 3 NIGHTS. HIS EARTHLY BODY WILL NOT SEE CORRUPTION. THE GRAVE WILL NOT BE ABLE TO HOLD HIM. JESUS WILL CONQUER DEATH AND THE GRAVE, HE WILL RIP APART SATANS AUTHORITY.
THE PATH OF LIFE WAS GIVEN TO THE OLD TESTAMENT SAINTS AT HIS RESURRECTION, ALSO FOR ALL OF US BELIVERS WHEN JESUS RETURNS FOR HIS CHURCH, THE DEAD IN CHRIST SHALL RISE FIRST, AND THEN THOSE ALIVE SHALL BE CHANGED TO A GLORFIED BODY.
THE OLD TESTAMENT BELIEVERS IN THE PROMISED MESSIAH, WHO’S BODIES WERE IN THE GRAVE, WERE RESURRECTED AT THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS.
MATT 27:52,53 – AND THE GRAVES WERE OPENED, AND MANY BODIES OF THE SAINTS WHICH SLEPT AROSE.
AND CAME OUT OF THE GRAVES AFTER HIS RESURRECTION AND WENT INTO THE HOLY CITY, AND APPEARED UNTO MANY.
THIS WAS DONE FOR A WITNESS TO THE CITY OF JERUSALEM, THAT JESUS WAS THE SON OF GOD. WHAT MERCY.
DEATH COULD NOT HOLD JESUS, AND DEATH COULD NOT HOLD THE OLD TESTAMENT SAINTS, WHO DIED LOOKING FOR THE MESSIAH.
IN THE BOOK OF LUKE CHAPTER SIXTEEN, WE SEE A MAN THAT WENT TO HEAVEN AND WE SEE A MAN WHO WENT TO HELL. THERE WAS ACTUALLY AT THAT TIME TWO COMPARTMENTS IN THE CENTER OF THE EARTH, WHICH WAS SEPERATE FROM EACH OTHER. ONE COMPARTMENT WAS A PLACE TO TORMENT, FOR THE WICKED DEAD, THE OTHER COMPARTMENT WAS FOR THE RIGHTEOUS DEAD. THERE WAS A GULF THAT SEPERATED THEM. WHEN JESUS WENT INTO THE CENTER OF THE EARTH, HE PREACHED TO THE RIGHTEOUS DEAD CONCERNING WHAT WAS ABOUT TO HAPPEN.
LUKE 16:23 – AND IN HELL (EVIL MAN) HE LIFT UP HIS EYES, BEING IN TORMENTS, AND SEETH ABRAHAM AFAR OFF, AND LAZARUS IN HIS BOSOM.
JESUS TOLD THIS TRUE STORY BEFORE HE WAS CRUCIFIED. IT IS EVIDENT THERE WERE 2 COMPARTMENTS IN HADES: ONE FOR THE RIGHTEOUS DEAD, THE OTHER FOR THE UNRIGHTEOUS DEAD.
NOAH, ABRAHAM, ISSAC, JACOB, DAVID, AND MANY MORE, WERE THERE. DAVID WAS PROPHESYING OF THIS EVENT IN PSALMS SIXTEEN. ALL OF THESE WERE WAITING ON THE COMING MESSIAH AND THE RESSURECTION OF THERE BODIES.
JOB19:25,26 – FOR I KNOW MY REDEEMER LIVETH, AND THAT HE SHALL STAND AT THE LATTER DAY UPON THE EARTH:
AND THOUGH AFTER MY SKIN WORMS DESTROY THIS BODY, YET IN MY FLESH SHALL I SEE GOD.
JOB WAS GIVEN BY GOD, THE REVELATION OF MESSIAH AND RESURRECTION OF THE BODY. JOB IS ACTUALLY THE OLDEST BOOK IN THE BIBLE.
ISAIAH 26:19 – THY DEAD MEN SHALL LIVE, TOGETHER WITH MY DEAD BODY SHALL THEY ARISE. AWAKE AND SING, YE THAT DWELL IN DUST: FOR THE DEW IS AS THE DEW OF HERBS, AND THE EARTH SHALL CAST OUT THE DEAD.
ISAIAH HAD THIS REVELATION FROM GOD OF THE RESURRECTION OF THE DEAD. JESUS IS ACTUALLY SPEAKING THROUGH ISAIAH IS THIS VERSE. JESUS SAID THE DEAD SHALL ARISE TOGETHER WITH MY DEAD BODY.
OUR FAITH WOULD BE IN VAIN WITHOUT A RESURRECTION, BUT OUR FAITH IS NOT IN VAIN BECAUSE JESUS IS THE FIRST TO EVERY RESURRECT FROM THE DEAD. HE PREDICTED HE WOULD ARISE FROM THE DEAD AND HE DID.
1 CORINTHIANS 15:20-26 – BUT NOW IS CHRIST RISEN FROM THE DEAD, AND BECOME THE FIRSTFRUITS OF THEM THAT SLEPT (DIED).
FOR SINCE BY MAN CAME DEATH, BY MAN CAME ALSO THE RESURRECTION OF THE DEAD. (FIRST – ADAM, LAST ADAM – JESUS)
FOR AS IN ADAM ALL DIE, EVEN SO IN CHRIST SHALL ALL BE MADE ALIVE.
BUT EVERY MAN IN HIS OWN ORDER; CHRIST THE FIRSTFRUITS; AFTERWARD THEY THAT ARE CHRIST’S AT HIS COMING. (NEW TESTAMENT BELIEVERS)
THEN COMETH THE END, WHEN HE SHALL HAVE DELIVERED UP THE KINGDOM OF GOD, EVEN THE FATHER; WHEN HE SHALL HAVE PUT DOWN ALL RULE AND AUTHORITY AND POWER. ( END OF THOUSAND YEAR REIGN ON EARTH.)
FOR HE MUST REIGN, TILL HE HATH PUT ALL ENEMIES UNDER HIS FEET.
THE LAST ENEMY THAT SHALL BE DESTROYED IS DEATH.
JESUS SAID I AM THE RESURRECTION AND LIFE. AT THIS MONENT HE IS IN THE PRESENCE OF HIS HEAVENLY FATHER, SITTING AT HIS RIGHT HAND. WAITING FOR THE HARVEST, KNOWING THAT HE WILL RETURN FOR HIS CHURCH, AND THE RESURRECTION OF THOSE WHO DIED IN CHRIST.
1 THESSALONIANS 4:13-18 – BUT I WOULD NOT HAVE YOU IGNORANT, BRETHREN, CONCERNING THEM WHICH ARE ASLEEP (BODY IN GRAVE, SPIRIT AND SOUL WITH JESUS), THAT YOU SORROW NOT, EVEN AS OTHERS WHICH HAVE NO HOPE.
FOR IF WE BELIEVE THAT JESUS DIED AND ROSE AGAIN, EVEN SO THEM ALSO WHICH SLEEP IN JESUS WILL GOD BRING WITH THEM.
FOR THIS WE SAY UNTO TO YOU BY THE WORD OF THE LORD, THAT WE WHICH ARE ALIVE AND REMAIN UNTO THE COMING OF THE LORD SHALL NOT PREVENT THEM WHICH ARE ASLEEP.
FOR THE LORD HIMSELF SHALL DESCEND FROM HEAVEN WITH A SHOUT, WITH THE VOICE OF THE ARCHANGEL, AND WITH THE TRUMP OF GOD: AND THE DEAD IN CHRIST SHALL RISE FIRST.
THEN WE WHICH ARE ALIVE AND REMAIN SHALL BE CAUGHT UP TOGETHER WITH THEM IN THE CLOUDS, TO MEET THE LORD IN THE AIR: AND SO SHALL WE EVER BE WITH THE LORD.
WHEREFORE COMFORT ONE ANOTHER WITH THESE WORDS.
NO MISSING LINK HERE, GOD KNOWS ALL THE FUTURE, HE PLANNED IT. HE CREATED THE EARTH AND ALL WE SEE. ACCEPT JESUS AS YOU SAVIOUR, HE LOVES YOU, IF YOU REJECT HIM AFTER ALL THE PROOF IN HIS WORD, AND HIS DEATH AND RESURRECTION, YOU ARE LOST AND WITHOUT HOPE. PLEASE THINK ABOUT THIS. REPENT AND ASK JESUS TO COME INTO YOUR HEART BY FAITH. HE LOVES YOU, BUT IF YOU DIE WITHOUT HIM, HE WILL JUDGE YOU. HE CAN BE YOUR BEST FRIEND OR YOUR WORST ENEMY. YOU CHOOSE, RESURRECTION WITH THE RIGHTEOUS IN CHRIST OR THE RESURRECTION OF UNRIGHTEOUS DEAD WITHOUT CHRIST.
THE SECRET PLACE
PSALM 91:1-4 – HE THAT DWELLETH IN THE SECRET PLACE OF THE MOST HIGH SHALL ABIDE UNDER THE SHADOW OF THE ALMIGHTY.
I WILL SAY OF THE LORD, HE IS MY REFUGE AND MY FORTRESS: MY GOD; IN HIM WILL I TRUST.
SURELY HE SHALL DELIVER THEE FROM THE SNARE OF THE FOWLER, AND FROM THE NOISOME PESTILENCE.
HE SHALL COVER THEE WITH HIS FEATHERS, AND UNDER HIS WINGS THOU SHALT TRUST: HIS TRUTH SHALL BE THY SHIELD AND BUCKLER.
BELOVED, DO YOU FEEL ALONE TODAY? LONGING FOR A TOUCH OF GOD IN YOUR LIFE? TODAY IS THAT DAY FOR YOU. GOD MADE THIS DAY, AND HE WILLS THAT YOU REJOICE AND BE GLAD IN IT.
NO. YOU CAN’T CHANGE THINGS THAT ARE GOING ON AROUND YOU, BUT OUR HEAVENLY FATHER CAN, AND WILL. HE WILL GIVE YOU GRACE AND JOY YOU NEED FOR THE DAY.
BELOVED, BEGIN YOUR DAY IN THE SECRET PLACE OF THE ALMIGHTY, AND I CAN PROMISE YOU WILL DEFINATELY ABIDE UNDER HIS SHADOW.
YOU WILL NEVER BE ALONE AGAIN.
YOU WILL NEVER FEEL FORSAKEN AGAIN.
TELL HIM HOW YOU FEEL.
TURN YOUR DAY OVER TO HIM.
DON’T WASTE YOUR DAY WITH DOUBTS AND FEARS.
WHEN WE ABIDE UNDER THE SHADOW OF THE ALMIGHTY, WE WILL BE ABLE TO SAY, “HE IS MY REFUGE AND FORTRESS.”
NOTHING WILL EVER COME YOUR WAY THAT GOD CAN’T TAKE CARE OF. HE NOT ONLY WANTS YOU TO GIVE YOUR TROUBLES OVER TO HIM; HE ALSO WANTS YOU TO LEAVE THEM WITH HIM, AND NOT TAKE THEM BACK AGAIN.
GOD’S PRESENCE IS THE ONLY REFUGE FROM TROUBLE.
HE ALONE HAS YOUR ANSWER.
…IN HIM WILL I TRUST OR CONFIDE… TELL HIM YOUR SITUATION. IT’S GOOD AT TIMES TO CONFIDE IN PEOPLE; BUT SOMETIMES THEY WILL BETRAY YOUR CONFIDENCE, BUT YOUR HEAVENLY FATHER WILL NEVER BETRAY YOU.
YOU CAN TRUST HIM TO SILENTLY BEGIN TO SOLVE YOUR PROBLRMS, AND GIVE YOU JOY ALL ALONG THE WAY THROUGH THEM: THE JOY IN KNOWING HE HAS IT ALL UNDER CONTROL.
…SURELY HE SHALL DELIVER THEE FROM THE SNARE OF THE FOWLER… DO YOU KNOW THAT THE ENMY OF OUR SOUL, SATAN, HAS A SNARE OR TRAP FOR ALL OF US?
AS WE ABIDE UNDER THE SHADOW OF THE ALMIGHTY, HE WILL MAKE US AWARE OF (REVEAL TO US) THE TRAPS AND SNARES SATAN HAS PLANNED FOR US, PERSONALLY, SO WE CAN AVOID THEM.
SOME OF MY AUDIENCE ,POSSIBLY, IS INCARCERATED. YOUR BODY MAY BE LOCKED-UP, BUT YOUR SPIRIT CAN BE FREE, AND STAY FREE!
…HE SHALL DELIVER THEE FROM THE NOISOME PESTILANCE(RAGING EPIDEMIC)…
SARS IS THE MOST FEARED EPIDEMIC IN OUR SOCIETY TODAY, AND WE KNOW TERRORISM IS A GREAT POSSIBILITY.
WE NEED NOT FEAR. WE NEED ONLY TO ASK GOD FOR PROTECTION.
THE PROPHETS FORTOLD THE EPIDEMICS WOULD COME, AND WARS AND RUMORS OF WARS ARE ALL INEVITABLE.
I FEEL JESUS’ COMING IS SO SOON WE CAN ALMOST FEEL HIS BREATH SURROUND US.
…HE SHALL COVER YOU WITH HIS FEATHERS…
HAVE YOU EVER WATCHED A MOTHER HEN COVER HER CHICKS WITH HER FEATHERS? IT IS A PRECIOUS SIGHT TO BEHOLD TO SEE HER LITTLE ONE’S RUN FAST TO GET UNDERNEATH HER FEATHERS. SHE DOES THIS WHEN DANGER IS NEAR.
WHEN YOU SEE TROUBLE COMING, DON’T RUN FROM GOD, BUT RUN TO GOD. GET SNUGGLED-IN UNDER HIS FEATHERS.
…AND UNDER HIS WINGS THOU SHALT TRUST…THERE IS NO GREATER LOVE THAN A PROTECTING, SAVING LOVE.
GREATER LOVE HATH NO MAN THAT THIS, THAT A MAN LAY DOWN HIS LIFE FOR HIS FRIENDS (JOHN 15:13).
WE NOT ONLY HAVE PROTECTION FROM ENEMIES, BUT SO MUCH MORE THAN THAT.
PICTURE TO YOURSELF WHATWHAT THE SHELTER OF THE WING OF THE MOTHER HEN IS TO HER YOUNG, AND IT WILL TELL YOU WHAT THE PRECIOUS PROMISE OF OUR TEXT MEANS TO THE BELIEVER.
IT MEANS HAPPINESS, CONTENTMENT, AND COMFORT.
THEE SOUL IS HAPPY IN GOD.
OUR LIFE IS HIDDEN WITH GOD.
SEE HOW THE YOUNG BROOD ARE ARE HIDDEN UNDER THEIR MOTHER’S WINGS? THE YOUNG BIRDS CAN FEEL THE BEAT OF THEIR MOTHER’S HEART.
THERE IS A NEARNESS TO THE HEART OF GOD.
SO THE HEART AND SOUL OF THE SHELTERED ONE, BEHOLDS AND FEELS THE HEART AND LOVE OF GOD.
THIS IS NOT PROMISED TO EVERYONE, BUT ONLY BELIEVERS WHO DWELL IN THE SECRET PLACE OF THE MOST HIGH.
YOU WHO ARE NOT A BELIEVER, AND YOU DESPERATELY WANT TO KNOW THIS KIND OF LOVE AND PROTECTION, PRAY THIS PRAYER WITH ME: “JESUS, COME INTO MY HEART, AND SAVE MY SOUL. FORGIVE ME OF ALL MY SINS. I DESIRE TO SERVE YOU. I TURN MY LIFE OVER TO YOU. THANK YOU FOR SAVING ME, AND I ASK YOU TO DELIVER ME FROM ALL UNFORGIVENESS OF OTHERS, AND FROM EVERY STRONGHOLD IN MY LIFE. I WILL NEVER BE ALONE AGAIN. THANK YOU, LORD, FOR SAVING AND DELIVERING ME. I AM SAVED!!! IN JESUS’ NAME.”
IF YOU PRAYED THIS PRAYER WITH ME, I NOW ASK YOU TO TAKE ANOTHER STEP, AND MAKE A COMMENT ON THIS WEBSITE. YOU DO NOT HAVE TO GIVE YOUR NAME OR ANY OTHER INFORMATION ABOUT YOURSELF. I JUST WOULD LIKE TO KNOW.
WELCOME TO THE FAMILY OF GOD. YOU TOO ARE NOW GOD’S OWN. GOD BLESS YOU.
