Casting Those Crowns

Revelation 4:10-11 - ...the twenty-four elders fall down before Him who sits on the throne and worship Him who lives forever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying:

“You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and by Your will they exist and were created.”

There is a notion that God needs what we think we can give Him. We strive to do what is morally right, never lie or steal, pour out love on others. None of these are wrong to do! But if we do them thinking we have a foothold into heaven, we are mistaken. If we believe this then we take the power of the Cross away. There was no point in Jesus’ death. 

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) 

Apart from Him...we can do nothing. 

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:13)

These scriptures imply that something first must take place between God and us. That something is called coming to Christ, receiving Christ, being, as Jesus states, born again...by water and Spirit. Then when we have this behind us, we have Christ and His Spirit in us and we have been given eternal life. Nothing we can do on our own. Nothing. Only what Christ has done for us. His death for our life. Not our works for our life. 

Here are a few sentences from a Bible study I am doing called Behold Your God: If God is big, we are small, and sin is heinous, then salvation is not all about us; it is about Him. He must accomplish it. He will do it for His name’s sake. Salvation is a rescue of the completely helpless and undeserving from a life of sin, as well as from its penalty. Because of God’s kind treatment of His enemies [us before salvation], He is given ever lasting praise.

 And then these words from a worship song called In Christ Alone:

In Christ alone, Who took on flesh,

Fullness of God in helpless babe!

This gift of love and righteousness,

Scorned by the ones He came to save.

Till on that cross as Jesus died,

The wrath of God was satisfied;

For ev’ry sin on Him was laid—

Here in the death of Christ I live.

No guilt in life, no fear in death—

This is the pow’r of Christ in me;

•••

No pow’r of hell, no scheme of man,

Can ever pluck me from His hand;

Till He returns or calls me home—

Here in the pow’r of Christ I’ll stand.

It is His power to save which empowers us to do His will, not out of obligation or hope that it will gain us access to heaven. If we hear Him asking us to “Come” and we respond, His Holy Spirit will come into us; thus the words: “I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them.” (Ezekiel 36:27)

Not my achievements but what God has done in me. I will gladly cast any crowns to His feet. He spared His life for mine. All glory is His. Nothing can I do but praise and obey Him. 

Revelation 5:11-12 - Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne, the living creatures, and the elders; and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice: “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom, and strength and honor and glory and blessing!”

The Day God Came Down

Oh, come, let us adore Him! 

I woke up about 1:00AM. The Words “the day God came down” came to mind. I jotted them down and thought about them this morning. The intense meaning of it all. Greater than anyone can wrap their head around. 

John‬ ‭1:1-5‬ - In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was WITH God, and the Word WAS God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made THROUGH Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was LIFE, and the life was the light of men. And the light SHINES in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it. ‭‭

Do you know? Do you really know...that God came down from heaven in the form of an innocent little baby Boy? God came down. Let that sink in. HE came down.

HE came down. He who sits on His glorious heavenly throne. The One who created all things with no more than the sound of His voice. The One who is perfectly loving, holy and just. He humbled Himself to be among the much less-than-perfect that He might be seen and known, that we might be forgiven of sin, made children of God and given eternal life and be reconciled back with our Father in the heavenlies...through faith in this little baby Boy, with that powerful voice. Not faith in our works. Not faith in what we think is our own goodness. Faith in one Man...who CAME DOWN from the highest place to be among us.

He is still here beckoning all who will listen. All who will receive. All who will come to Him humbly as a little child. This Child that was in the very beginning WITH God as well as WAS God, who created, who brought life on earth and now wants to give eternal, spiritual life to ALL. He was born that He might die...for us.

This world is in very heavy darkness as we speak...at least for those without this Hope. And there still is hope. This hope is in Jesus. He is the ONLY hope. While this may not be the real season of His birth, we celebrate. We celebrate His life which can bring us life. While this IS the season we do celebrate, some can celebrate every day for His miraculous birth...and for the miraculous new lives He gives those who will receive. It’s not about all the presents. It’s about the gift. His gift, free to all who want to receive from Him.

He came down...for you and for me. For sinners, which includes ALL. Did you know, the first to see Him after He was born were the shepherds, not the kings! He calls the young, the old, male, female, rich, poor, any color, any race. ALL. All who will come humbly. Are you counted among those? Have you received a new life with the very God of the universe, the One who came down for you? If not, He’s waiting. It’s never too late, you’re never too sinful or proud. You can’t be filled with too much anger or hate. He receives ALL. Come, as another little child. Do not be afraid of the great tidings, the good news, the Gospel of Jesus Christ. 

Listen to the words of Linus from the Charlie Brown Christmas movie. They are God’s Words!

Luke 2:10 - The 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."

All Under the Same Condemnation

Philippians‬ ‭2:8‬ ‭- And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.

‭

Reading over all four crucifixion accounts this morning I realize, again, there are so many elements to the brief Gospel accounts. Jesus was wrongly accused, yet He did not say a word, apart from suggesting that, "It is as you say," when questioned if He was the King of the Jews. He did not defend Himself. He didn't need to; He was the spotless Lamb, like those repeatedly being sacrificed in the Old Testament, yet now being offered as the once for all Sacrifice for mankind's sin.

He said not a word when being mocked, spat upon or whipped. He carried His cross without complaint despite the fact He had to have been in immense pain...and knowing what was at the end of that walk to Golgotha. He did it for each of us, without complaint.

Then there's Simon the Cyrene. He was ordered to help Jesus carry His cross. It shows us that as believers and followers we, too, are to carry this cross for Him. When we are mocked for our beliefs, we continue speak the truth. We carry on our roles in sharing the same message as Jesus, the disciples and any followers since. It will not be easy sometimes because we will face some of the same things...some even death for those beliefs.

Two thieves were also being led to the place where Jesus was nailed to the cross, one on either side of Him. One was angry, one repentant. At the last minute of the one thief's life, he was pardoned. Jesus never stopped forgiving and doing His Father's will. I love these words from the forgiven thief to the other: Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds...(Luke 23:40-41) We are all guilty of sin. None are righteous, none without fault. We all need to react like this thief or we are like the unrepentant one. One went to paradise, one did not. So it still is. One will receive eternal life, another will not.

All but John's account mentioned the tearing of the veil in the temple, the earth quaking, dark skies. We don't know why and it doesn't change the fact it happened. John was the closest to Jesus, like a brother. Maybe his focus was more on the Lord and His mother. Jesus' death meant that there no longer needed to be a separation between God and man that so prevailed in the Old Testament rituals when the high priest was the mediator...the veil of separation was gone, Jesus becoming our Great High Priest and our only Mediator between God and man. When one realizes that Jesus truly is the Son of God who took away the sins of the earth...if one believes by faith and receives Christ into their lives...we can go to the throne of God boldly (Hebrews 4:16).

Easter is not about egg hunts or bunnies! I really don't know where those customs come from. And although we go through the motions of celebrating this time of year, we should be celebrating every day. Celebrate Him and who He is, what He has done and what He is still willing to do for those who seek Him. Celebrate the King of all kings, the Lord of all lords. Celebrate our lives if we have received Christ. 

Don't think that your sins are automatically forgiven because you've read this or went to church on Easter or go every week. There is more you need to do. Your sins are only forgiven if you receive Christ. If there is ever any feeling of uncomfortableness in hearing the name of Jesus, saying His name or you don't like these words or the words of pastors, maybe you haven't done this. 

Is He your King? Has He changed your life? Has He forgiven you of your sins? Have you let Him? Every day is a new day to do this. 

Philippians‬ ‭2:9-11‬ ‭- Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

A Change of Heart

Deuteronomy 32:18 - Of the Rock who begot you, you are unmindful, and have forgotten the God who fathered you.

Wondering what's happening in the world? I'm sure more people than we know are wondering. Many think it's just a glitch in "something." Maybe we need a change in the county's leadership, more tolerance, gun control. Maybe it's the climate! Something. How about a very special change of heart? The only change that would be beneficial would be returning back to God.

I had two occurrences this week that I were closely related. I received an email from a friend wondering:

*Why God doesn't do something about all the evil happening in the world.

*Why He won't do something NOW, instead of waiting.

And then...I was amazed the other morning when a physical therapist at the hospital where I volunteer sat down with a patient in a small waiting room I was in. He picked up the Bible on the table next to him, opened it randomly and read aloud Deuteronomy 32:18 above. I had to comment: Sounds like what's happening in the world today. Even the patient commented on its content. This IS what is happening...and God sees. 

If you read that verse in context there's more. It tells a truth. It should open our eyes. Just a few points from this song of Moses as he proclaimed the name of the LORD. Moses wanted God's people to hear him: Give ear, O heavens, and I will speak; and hear, O earth, the words of my mouth. (Deuteronomy 32:1) These words. How important. We have done the same thing. Hear these words. They bit then and they bite now.

God is: great, our Rock, perfect, just, truthful, without injustice, righteous, upright, our Father

But the people (us included) have become:

Corrupt - perverse - crooked - foolish - unwise - have no faith.

Here's what He says He will do and who those are who reject Him:

And He said: ‘I will hide My face from them, I will see what their end will be, for they are a perverse generation, children in whom is no faith. They have provoked Me to jealousy by what is not God; they have moved Me to anger by their foolish idols. But I will provoke them to jealousy by those who are not a nation; I will move them to anger by a foolish nation. For a fire is kindled in My anger, and shall burn to the lowest hell; it shall consume the earth with her increase, and set on fire the foundations of the mountains. I will heap disasters on them; I will spend My arrows on them. 

They shall be wasted with hunger, devoured by pestilence and bitter 

destruction; I will also send against them the teeth of beasts, with the poison of serpents of the dust. The sword shall destroy outside; there shall be terror within for the young man and virgin, the nursing child with the man of gray hairs. 

For they are a nation void of counsel, nor is there any understanding in them. Oh, that they were wise, that they understood this, that they would consider their latter end!

Vengeance is Mine, and recompense; their foot shall slip in due time; for the day of their calamity is at hand, and the things to come hasten upon them. 

Now see that I, even I, am He, and there is no God besides Me; I kill and I make alive; I wound and I heal; nor is there any who can deliver from My hand. For I raise My hand to heaven, and say, “As I live forever, ...I will render vengeance to My enemies, and repay those who hate Me." (Deuteronomy 32)

But praise God for what He promises those who take Him seriously, who reverently fear Him, who rejoice in His return:

Rejoice, O Gentiles, with His people; for He will avenge the blood of His servants, and render vengeance to His adversaries; He will provide atonement for His land and His people. (Deuteronomy 32:41,43)

As for the email I received. It took days to write a response. Days of praying the words weren't too much and right. 

What is happening in the world and why hasn't God done anything; why is He waiting? While my answer was much longer, the first answer is sin! We have, like Israel thousands of years ago, removed God from our lives. And that isn't just ignoring Him. It's believing the lie that some churches promote that God is good but nothing about repentance or His anger and His being just, not liking our sin. Yes, God loves us. He loved us so much He sent His Son to die for us.

So here comes the hard part.

We think because we have grown up in a church, attended classes and Sunday school, sing in the choir, are "basically good people," that we don't need to receive Christ with all our hearts. We don't need to get baptized again because we were as children. If we are not born again as Jesus tells us we must be, we have not received Him. If we have not sometime in our lives 

believed we are filled with sin, confessed Christ, repented of our sins, 

believed He has removed those sins and begun to live for Him, we have not really received Him. 

So sin abounds and it's not a popular subject because no one wants to admit they are something other than what they think they are. Me included! There are days when I have to remind myself I am no one apart from God. I have to remind myself of what He did for me. I have to take stock of my life today and ask for forgiveness when I feel I have failed Him...again...and again. This is what we (should) do. Am I living for Him?

Why won't God do anything? He did. He sent Christ. It's what we aren't doing. Receiving Him. Instead we are pushing Him further out the door. So He allows these disasters in the world and even in our lives through sickness and strife to draw us to Him. To ask these questions and begin to seek Him. 

He IS going to do something. But it may not be what many would like to see. He will return. But He will return to bring justice. He will return to remove His saints from the mess we've created and the foolish unbelievers and scoffers remain will remain to face the ultimate judgment, the wrath of God. It will not be pretty. He will destroy this earth one more time that He may return and reign for 1000 years with His dedicated followers.  

So it is important, timely, urgent, as we repeatedly say in our class on Revelation, to let people know of the coming judgment and how to avoid it. To, unapologetically, preach Christ. To, if necessary, offend like Jesus did, with His hard words. 

Things have not changed. The Word remains the same. The salvation of Jesus Christ remains the same...You must be born again. God never changes. He remains the same today... For I, the LORD, change not...(Malachi 3:6) Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever. (Hebrews 18:3) 

So, a change of heart is what we need. Only Christ can do this and through the power of the Holy Spirit. We need Christ for that. He must live in our hearts. We must abide in Him and Him in us. He must be our vine that brings life. He must be the living water, the bread of life. His words must be in our hearts and on our minds. We must commune with Him daily and worship Him. We must recognize His greatness in all we see. 

Oh, Lord, great is Your faithfulness. Your mercies are new every morning. Your promises are true and just. They are yes and amen. You are King of kings and Lord of lords. Your Word never fails. You are honest and true...and just. You love unconditionally. You are longsuffering for us. But it can't last forever because You have said You WILL return to bring judgment. Lord, search my heart and see if there be any wickedness in it and then purify my heart and make it whole. Let the meditation of my heart and the words of my mouth be pleasing to You, O my God and my Redeemer. 

Deuteronomy‬ ‭32:4‬ ‭- He is the Rock, His work is perfect; for all His ways are justice, a God of truth and without injustice; righteous and upright is He.

Oh, That Power

Acts 1:8 - 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.

‭

I'm going to share briefly what occurred when I received Christ. 

Having been raised in the Lutheran church I'd always heard about the Holy Ghost, as it was called then, and still today by some. I had no clue about the responsibility of this Holy Ghost. I remember it was part of the Trinity, whatever that was...as I thought then...and I remember seeing pictures and hearing how the disciples and others were filled with this Spirit and tongues like flames of fire came upon them. Pictures depicted the little cloven flames above their heads. 

So one day, April 18, 1999 I was in a church. The pastor spoke some words that felt as though they were meant only for me. I know now they probably were not but they so touched deep within me I couldn't ignore them. 

The pastor asked if we wanted what this Man, Jesus, had to offer. And without a moment of hesitation I wanted it! What seemed like several minutes was probably only seconds. Like slow motion in my mind even today I see it all.

As I was determined to receive what the pastor said Jesus was offering, and he asked those who wanted to receive to raise their hands, mine went up very fast. It actually felt like someone had grabbed it and yanked it up. I couldn't make this up if I tried. Remember, I had no clue about anything that was happening.

When my hand was raised, when it was as high as it would go, I literally felt something I could only then call a force, entered through my fingertips, run down my arm and fill my body. How could I make something like this up when I had no clue? About two weeks later in a Bible study I was beginning I had a chance to explain that Sunday morning's occurrences. When I explained about "the force," it was explained to me it was the Holy Spirit!

Okayyyy, I still didn't really understand. I didn't know that the Holy Spirit is God's power that He gives to new believers, like He did in the upper room on the day of Pentecost when a small group of disciples and followers were filled with the power of the Holy Spirit...and Paul preached the Gospel and three thousand more people were converted.

That's what the Holy Spirit does. His job is to empower believers. Simply put, He makes understanding the Bible easier. He opens hearts and minds to receive the things of God. He gives a desire to know more about God. When we learn who Jesus is, what He commands us to do, what He loves and abhors, He will give us the power to share.  

Let me just add, because this came up in a discussion one morning...just because I felt that at that moment doesn't mean it is always an experiential thing. It can be a thought that comes to mind or discernment about something, or even a word you feel led to speak to someone; it's not always a "force," but might be a gentle prompting. I believe this initial sensation was God's way of letting me know He had me! I was now His. It was for that moment. 

He gives the power, however, when we ask to receive, strength for the day, in the time of trouble, even greater understanding. It is the power of God. But it's just what one needs, the strength, the understanding, the discernment. While it's not always felt in what we would call powerful ways, it is there. In the New Testament the word power in Greek is translated dunamis. One meaning is: inherent power, power residing in a thing by virtue of its nature, or which a person or thing exerts and puts forth. An inherent power given by God, by virtue of His nature, something He puts forth. Dunamis is where the word dynamite comes from. 

Imagine...His power can reside in us. It happens when we choose to receive Him, follow Him, trust Him, obey Him. His power...in us. Receive Christ, receive His power. 

I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them. 

But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His.

Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”

‭‭‬‭(Ezekiel‬ ‭36:26-27, Romans‬ ‭8:9, Acts‬ ‭2:38‬)

Little Children

Jesus can touch the hearts of little children. Do not forbid them to come to Him. He can also touch the hearts of those who will come to Him AS a little child. Do not think that you are too old to be as a child to learn of Christ. He loves children of any age! 

...Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me.

‭‭(Matthew‬ ‭18:3,5‬)

Then little children were brought to Him that He might put His hands on them and pray, but the disciples rebuked them. But Jesus said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven."

‭‭(Matthew‬ ‭19:13-14‬)

Then they brought little children to Him, that He might touch them; but the disciples rebuked those who brought them. But when Jesus saw it, He was greatly displeased and said to them, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God. Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.” And He took them up in His arms, laid His hands on them, and blessed them.

‭‭(Mark‬ ‭10:13-16‬)

Then they also brought infants to Him that He might touch them; but when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them. But Jesus called them to Him and said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God. Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.”

‭‭(Luke‬ ‭18:15-17‬)

When God wants to make a point, He brings it up more than once. In His eyes we will always be little children. But we are either children of the world or children of God. He has said He loves all. He loved all so much that He gave His own and only Son to die that we might be made His children and have eternal life. Come as a child...receive Christ.

When Did It All Start?

Genesis 1:1 - In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

All things started back this far. You started back this far as a thought, a knowing by God. He knew before creation all that would transpire over the thousands of years since He created. He knew when you would arrive, what your name would be, whether you would know Him or not, everything about you. He knows the end too.

I have decided to read again one of my favorite books in the Bible, the Book of John. It clearly states another truth...that in the beginning, in Genesis 1:1, the Word existed with God and was God. This is saying Jesus, the Word, who is God, created all things. He brought things to life. We need sunlight for things to grow and have life. Well, we need the Son, who is also the Light, for our spiritual life and growth. How can we avoid Him...knowing this, knowing He had a hand in our life? More than our own parents, He has loved us, from before the time He created. Before Genesis 1:1.

Several books in the Word tells us we are dead to our sins until we receive the free gift of salvation through Jesus Christ.

Ephesians 2:1-2 - And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience...

Colossians 2:13 - And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses...

Romans 6:23 - For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

The Old Testament showed us glimpses of Jesus and prophesied about His coming and what He would do. Then He arrived in the New Testament just as the Old had described. But we still needed a voice. That voice cried out in the wilderness.

So while it all started with Genesis 1:1, it continued. 

There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. (John 1:6) John, sent by God. Don't think for a minute that God didn't know this when He first thought about creation. This man came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all through him might believe. He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. (John 1:7-8)

So through John, sent by God, the Light was revealed. When we come to a point in our lives when that Light is revealed to us, we are to be like John and bear witness to the Light that all through us might believe. We are to cry out in the wilderness of others' lives. This Light is the only way to the Father, righteousness, sanctification, and eternal life. And don't think when we see this Light God is surprised. He has been desiring it for thousands of years. There is rejoicing--rejoicing--in heaven every time another receives his sight and the Light of the world.

Have you seen the true Light? Have you received that Light? If not, what's stopping you? If not, you are dead to your sins. But life awaits in the form of Jesus Christ. (The meaning of right in the verse below = power, authority, liberty, strength.-Strong's Concordance. Good words!) 

John 1:12-13 - But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

Sorrow Turns to Joy

John 16:17-22

Then some of His disciples said among themselves, "What is this that He says to us, "a little while, and you will not see Me; and again a little while, and you will see Me"; and, "because I go to the Father?" They said therefore, "What is this that He says, 'A little while'? We do not know what He is saying."

Now Jesus knew that they desired to ask Him, and He said to them, "Are you inquiring among yourselves about what I said, 'A little while, and you will not see Me; and again a little while, and you will see Me.' Most assuredly, I say to you that you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice; and you will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will be turned into joy.

"A woman when she is in labor, has sorrow because her hour has come; but as soon as she has given birth to the child, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a human being has been born into the world. Therefore, you now have sorrow; but I will see you again and your heart will rejoice, and your joy no one will take from you."


There are no doubt some who wonder the same thing as the disciples: What is this He says? Maybe, rather, it is, What is this she says? What is this thing that's so important about Jesus? What about sin, forgiveness, righteousness, power of the Holy Spirit, knowing, receiving, accepting Christ? Or even sorrow turning into joy? And joy that cannot be taken away?

It's all about Jesus. He is the only way to God the Father. He is the Door, the light to our path, the straight and narrow Way, the Alpha and Omega, First and Last, Beginning and End, our Good Shepherd, our righteousness, our Savior and Lord. His name is above all names. He is omniscient, omnipresent and omnipotent. He was and is and always will be. He is love and His love is eternal. He is accessible to all when and only when we call on His name for the forgiveness of our sins and enter into relationship with Him.

Jesus was going to leave His disciples. They still did not know where He was going exactly. To His Father. A concept difficult to understand. They would be filled with sorrow but that would eventually turn into joy when He returned. And what's this about about a woman in labor? Okayyy.

Adam and Eve were in relationship with God. Relationship. We know what that means. Let it sink in: kinship, the state of being related, a feeling of being close or connected. We marry, we are in relationship. It is intimate. God desires that for all of us. Can't imagine it? Try a little harder. It IS possible.

He desires that He be our husband...and that goes for men too, in a spiritual sense. You love Him, you want to spend time with Him, you want to talk with Him and listen to Him. And since the Bible says the husband is to be the head of the house, we all are to be submissive to Him. But this submission is not like one might think. It's not oppressive submission. Only good comes out of this because He knows best. Oh, how can anyone explain this to someone who doesn't know Jesus??

Jesus was about to leave His disciples, and the world. Spoiler alert: we know He came back. Oh, the joy. The joy for His followers and for all down the road who would hear of this Man, take heed, join the ranks of other true believers, through receiving Christ. ...that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. (‭Romans 10:9, 2Corinthians 5:17) He becomes the joy that will not be taken away. The gift of His forgiveness, righteousness in Him, and eternal life...for those who are obedient to His command to be born again.

He comes into our lives and we take Him in. While we still have trouble in this world, it is He who has victory over it...in the end. There will be an end someday and those who do not have this relationship will be forever lost and permanently out of favor with God. They will not be with Him in paradise, like many believe. That is only given to those who commit their lives to Jesus. He waits for all to come to Him, receive Him by faith, assurance that He is who He says He is...and taking that assurance seriously. If you do this, in a little while you will receive the joy everlasting.

Lord, only You can properly work in a person's life toward their belief. My words are inadequate. It is by Your Spirit we are drawn. I pray that Your Spirit would be recognized by those who don't fully understand. You drew me, you can draw others. Time is short. But then you know that.

John 1:12 - But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God.