There Was A Man

John‬ ‭1:6-9‬ ‭- There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 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. That was the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world.

John the Baptist, Jesus' cousin, was called to be a witness of Christ. Jesus hadn't started His ministry yet, but John was pounding the paths, countrysides and ways preparing people for this Man who was to be the Savior of the World. 

John had been questioned by the religious leaders, Who are you; are you Elijah, or a prophet? What do you say about yourself? His answer was: I am "The voice of one crying in the wilderness: 'Make straight the way of the LORD,’ as the prophet Isaiah said.” ‭‭(John‬ ‭1:22-23‬)

As believers we are all called to be a voice in somebody's wilderness. Jesus nearing the end of His ministry said this to His disciples: Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. (Mark‬ ‭16:15‬)

Those religious leaders did not like the competition. They did not like the idea of Jesus upsetting their way of doing the religious duties. He came to be the final act of atonement through His death. But what would the religious leaders' jobs be if they did not have control over the people? They were worried. Jesus said He was the way, truth and LIFE. These religious leaders were not. 

The laws were not obsolete. These laws showed how difficult it was, and is, to keep them all. Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. (Matthew‬ ‭5:17‬) Jesus came to fulfill the laws! Fulfill: do what is required; succeed in doing. Jesus did it all; He paid the price; He did what was required and He selflessly succeeded. No one else could, then or now. 

Not one single good deed or specific prayer or devotion to anyone else will work. We come to Christ alone, have faith in Him and ask Him for forgiveness of our sins. In Christ alone. ...John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” (John‬ ‭1:29‬) The entire Bible shows this from Old Testament to New. 

Old Testament sacrifices required an animal. Blood needed to be shed. These sacrifices were offered on a regular basis. Who shed His own blood? Who was the ultimate sacrifice? Didn't He die just once? Didn't He arise from the dead? And what does the Word say when we come to Christ? We too are made alive, in Christ. 

We come to Christ in faith believing His death on the cross was enough. He came to earth knowing His ultimate end. He knew He would become the sacrifice. John the Baptist preached Jesus as the Savior. Jesus commissioned His disciples to preach it. The disciples carried on the only tradition necessary...preaching who was the only way, truth and life. 

This is why I do these blogs. It's partly my voice. Hopefully my voice will reach into someone's wilderness and show Christ. I proclaim Him as my Savior. I have chosen the only way, the only truth and the only life. 

Our churches should be preaching a simple message, that of Jesus Christ. The only thing necessary is hearts opening to receive Him. Acknowledgment of one's sins and realizing that only Jesus has atoned for those sins. We cannot do enough to receive Christ but His gift of life comes free. The veil in the temple was torn when Jesus died allowing direct access to God. Church rituals are not the way. They are very much like the animal sacrifices which did nothing. He is the only way, truth and life. It means having faith in what Jesus has done and absolutely nothing to do with anything we have done. The only thing we do is receive Christ.

Ephesians‬ ‭2:4-6‬ ‭- But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus...

The Rest of the Story

Matthew 28:6-8 - "He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. And go quickly and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead, and indeed He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him. Behold, I have told you. And go quickly and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead, and indeed He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him. Behold, I have told you." So they went out quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to bring His disciples word.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NFIaqn0EG3E&sns=em

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So proclaimed the angel. It's the rest of the story. While He died, He IS now risen! He is alive. We may not see Him but He's here. By faith we believe. His Spirit is alive. 

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

...we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance. (Romans‬ ‭8:24-25‬)

By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith. (Hebrews‬ ‭11:7‬)

Noah. Without knowing why. Prepared an ark. So that anyone who heeded his warnings and entered that ark would be saved. From a flood. Which no one had ever heard of before...What's a flood? What's rain? By faith he built the ark. Noah and his family waited, maybe with perseverance, maybe with anticipation or anxiousness. But they did it...in faith. 

Little did Noah realize that this ark would be a precursor to the ark that would be the Messiah, our celebrated, adored, worshiped Jesus Christ. The Door...to the ark. The Door, the Way. To safety and life. From the destruction. Of our sins.

We should also fear Him. But our fear should be reverent fear. If we fear anything in the way we think of fear it should be for our lives. Or we fear Jesus because we are convicted by our own sin. BUT GOD...has provided the Way into the safety of a new Ark to take away that sin. Our sins went to the cross on Jesus. 

But He's alive! He conquered the grave. He's in His rightful place at the right hand of God. All He did He did for us. He has returned that all may be set free. It takes a great deal of faith to trust and believe in Someone we cannot see. It may be why it's so hard for some to do. They may recognize, and I don't like saying this, a higher power, but aren't always sure what they recognize is for real. He's alive! He is real. Trust those feelings.

Like the two women who went to the tomb that dawn, we should be filled with joy. We should be so filled with joy we share what Jesus has done for us. He has forgiven me of my sin. He has made me new, through Him. I can rejoice with all the others who have received Him.

When Jesus appeared later to the disciples, the great commission was exhorted.

Matthew‬ ‭28:18-20‬ ‭- And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end 
of the age.” Amen.

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The Way, Truth and Life

John 14:1-10 

"Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe in Me also. In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. And where I go you know, and the way you know."

Thomas said, "Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?" Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; and from now on you know Him and have seen Him."

Philip said to Him, "Lord, show us the Father, and it is sufficient for us." Jesus said to him, "Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; so how can you say, 'Show us the Father.' Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me? The words I speak to you I do not speak on My own authority; but the Father who dwells in Me does the works."


I have tried to put into words what Jesus is explaining to His disciples. I understand it. Blog after blog has stated it. I feel I don't want to just repeat myself.

It's very clear: Jesus is the only way, only truth and brings the only life. We must know Jesus. Not just of Him but really know Him. When we do all He has said above is perfectly clear.

I felt so bad for these disciples because while they were with Him they still didn't know all He was about to do...or even what they would do. But there's no excuse for our not understanding. We know why He came, what He did for us, what the outcome is if we receive Christ ourselves.

He did what no man has ever done or will ever do. If we rely on any clergyman for anything but leading us to Christ alone, we have not trusted in what Christ did for us. We are trusting in man.

I go to prepare a place for you. I will come again and receive you to Myself. Where I am, there you may be also. Where I go you know. I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. I am in the Father, and the Father in Me. I do not speak on My own authority; but the Father who dwells in Me does the works.

I...I...I. It's all about Him. He has done it all and continues to. He alone is the way, truth and life. No man in the world or in any church can do this. We must be pointed only to Christ. Our prayers are to go to Him. We pray in Jesus' name. THE name above ALL names. No other name, no other person.

As I was writing this I realized I was singing a song in my head: Our Master.

Our Master our Savior

You are Lord our King

Our Master our Savior

We give our praise 

To our King, To our King

You are the everlasting Father

The beginning and the end

There is no one that can take Your place

There is no other name

No one goes to the Father except through Him. We must reject all other teaching. No man, only Jesus. No other name except the name of Jesus.

1John 5:20 - And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us an understanding, that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life. 

THE Resurrection and Life

John 11:17-29

So when Jesus came, He found that he [Lazarus] had already been in the tomb four days. Now Bethany was near Jerusalem, about two miles away. And many of the Jews had joined the women around Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother.

Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met Him, but Mary was sitting in the house. Now Martha said to Jesus, "Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that whatever You ask of God, God will give You." Jesus said to her, "Your brother will rise again." 

Martha said to Him, "I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day." Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?" She said to Him, "Yes, Lord, I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, who is to come into the world." And when she had said these things, she went her way and secretly called Mary her sister, saying, "The Teacher has come and is calling for you." As soon as she heard that, she arose quickly and came to Him.


Ah, the stage is still being set regarding Lazarus. Jesus still has a few words to say. He has arrived where Lazarus died. He continues to encourage Martha, who by all accounts truly believes in Him. She knows there will be a good end to her brother. She is just saddened that Jesus had not come sooner to heal him.

In Martha's eyes her brother is dead. But she knows that because Lazarus was a believer like she and Mary, they will be reunited on the last day. They understood to some degree the principle of eternal life. But she had no idea what was yet to happen.

Jesus was setting the stage.

We can have the same assurance as Mary and Martha that we and our loved ones will be reunited on the last day. As Jesus tells Martha, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me shall never die." He asks us all, "Do you believe this?" He so wants us to believe. He has so shown us through His life, death and His own resurrection. So why is it still so difficult a concept?

We can do nothing to be assured of eternal life with God on our own. We must believe and receive Him. There's no other way. He is the only Way, Truth and Life. No one goes to the Father on the last day apart from Him. We must have the faith to believe in Him. Believe Him for everything in our lives. He must be the first and the last in our lives, not just Someone we worship one day a week...or not at all.

When life throws us difficulties, we must trust Him. We must rely on Him, seek Him for our strength and peace. If we don't we are relying on the little strength we have on our own which does not sustain.

When I see or hear people who do not have Christ struggle with life's situations and hear in their voices how difficult it is, how so unprepared they were for these times, I am saddened. We will all go through difficult times despite knowing the Lord, but there will still be an underlying peace. It's sad when others don't have this peace. Martha experienced this...sadness, yet peace.

Martha made sure Jesus knew that she was certain had He been there sooner He would have saved Lazarus. That was very clear. But she also knew though Lazarus had not survived that he, as we hear so often whether rightfully so or not, "he's in a better place." I'm sure Martha was a bit confused at this point why Jesus hadn't gotten there sooner. But there was a reason...

Here's an opposite view for us. Jesus is holding out for some people. Holding out that they might receive Him. That they might believe in Him...as HE has called us to do. Not that head knowledge that so many think will save them but the heart knowledge that sends them to their knees in repentance for their lives without Him. None of us are are good enough on our own to enter heaven. Again, Jesus says, I am the Way, the Truth and the Life. There is no other way. Only through Him will resurrection and eternal life be received.

Romans 10:8-11 - But what does it say? "The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart" (that is, the word of faith which we preach): 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. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the Scripture says, "Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame."

It's Called Faith

John 9:17-33

They said to the blind man again, "What do you say about Him because He opened your eyes" he said, "He is a prophet." But the Jews did not believe concerning him., that he had been blind and received his sight, until they called the parents of him who had received his sight.

And they asked them, saying, "Is this your son, who you say was born blind? How then does he now see?" His parents answered them and said, "We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind; but by what means he now sees we do not know, or who opened his eyes we do not know. He is of age; ask him. He will speak for himself."

His parents said these things because they feared the Jews, for the Jews had agreed already that if anyone confessed that he was Christ, he would be put out of the synagogue. Therefore his parents said, "He is of age; ask him." So they again called the man who was blind, and said to him, "Give God the glory! we know that this Man is a sinner." He answered and said, "Whether He is a sinner or not I do not know. One thing I know: that though I was blind, now I see."

Then they said to him again, "What did He do to you? How did He open your eyes?" He answered them, "I told you already, and you did not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you also want to become His disciples?" Then they reviled him and said, "You are His disciple, but we are Moses' disciples we know that God spoke to Moses; as for this fellow, we do not know where He is from." 

The man answered and said to them, "Why, this is a marvelous thing, that you do not know where He is from; yet He has opened my eyes! Now we know that God does not hear sinners; but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does His will, He hears him. Since the world began it has been unheard of that anyone opened the eyes of one who was born blind. If this Man were not from God, He could do nothing."


I'm certain this lengthy account of the blind man is long for one reason...it is important that God make a point about blindness and skepticism regarding eyes today being opened spiritually.

We see again the angst among the Jews. They had no answer for the miracle of a blind man's eyes being opened. They didn't want to hear or believe Jesus...who claimed to be the Son of God, or believe He could do this miracle. All they wanted was a scrap of evidence to accuse Him of sinning and blasphemy so they could do away with Him according to their understanding of the laws.

They just couldn't believe the blind man so they went to his parents who sent them back to the now seeing man. Aren't we like this sometimes? Skeptical of one's beliefs...especially when it comes to God? You say Jesus is the only way? Prove it. You say He is absolute truth? Prove it. You say only He brings eternal life? Prove that, too. What about my way? What about my beliefs? Why can't there be more than one way? 

It is a narrow road Jesus walks on. It's why this is in the Bible. We don't always want to be told this. I struggle with the thoughts I want to write. There seems to be a deep knowing or confidence/assurance in my belief that so go beyond the words I believe. I'm not trying to sound super spiritual. This happens when you come to Christ and know that you know the way, truth and life is through Jesus alone. It's called faith.

While we all know what faith is but here's the definition anyway: strong belief or trust in someone or something; belief in the existence of God; strong religious feelings or beliefs; a system of religious beliefs. We can have faith in things other than God, but that faith can surely fail. God will not.

Like the blind man said: "This is a marvelous thing, that you do not know where He is from; yet He has opened my eyes!" I concur with this statement. I marvel at my knowing Christ. I marvel that He took me to a different place in my life, that He opened my spiritual eyes, that I might see Him for who He is, like the blind man. He's right here for all to see but not all do.

He loves, forgives, heals, sets free, encourages, supplies, protects. He is all we need. He is a wonder. Yet some have a hard time taking Him seriously. It is such a thrill to read His Word and know that He speaks to us through it. He commands, enlightens, rebukes, desires. He wants only that all know Him. His desire is that all should be saved. Look outside right now. You can see His glory. It's all around us. Sometimes we see but do not comprehend. Let this be the day your eyes are opened.

Matthew 13:14-15 - And in them the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled, which says: 

hearing you will hear and shall not understand,

and seeing you will see and not perceive.

For the hearts of this people have grown dull. 

Their ears are hard of hearing, 

and their eyes they have closed, 

lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, 

lest they should understand with their hearts and turn, 

so that I should heal them.

A New Revelation

John 8:12 - Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, "I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life." 

I am opening your eyes to new revelation. Come with Me as I take you deeper into the mysteries of Who I am. As you journey let yourself be led only by Me. Open your heart and soul to receive only from Me. Allow yourself to see with your spiritual eyes, like John did.

It is My desire you let My Spirit penetrate deep. You will not be disappointed. For when you do you will find I am the same on your mountain tops as in your valleys. The same God, never changing. It's only your view of Me that has changed because of your circumstances. But I tell you, I never change.

I want to take you deeper than you've ever been. Let go and follow Me. Set aside those things you've hung on to and try Me out in new ways. Go deeper, grow deeper. You will get lost...but you'll be lost in Me...and I know the way you should go. I am the Shepherd, I am the Way, I am the Light. I AM. And where I go you may follow. If you are to follow anyone, follow Me. This following is between you and Me. Don't worry about anyone else's path.

You must be willing to let go. Only goodness resides in My places, in My presence. Seek the revelation of Who I am. When you do you will see the mysteries more clearly.

Who I am far exceeds what you know. You will never know everything in this life, but I will reveal more if you allow Me.

These words came to me in a precious quiet time last night. It is a belief of many that we need to see beyond the surface of the words in the Bible who Jesus is. We need to begin to become undone. We need to realize the awesome power our God has over the things that whittle away the things in this world. If we stay focused on the Lord things can fall apart around us but He will hold us up. Psalm 91:7 - A thousand may fall at your side, and ten thousand at your right hand; but it shall not come near you. 

We can say we trust Him, but we need to know Him at a deeper level, that we will not falter for a second because we can know in our spirits that He is the Alpha and Omega, First and Last...and all things in between...the Center. His arms are wrapped around us...if we know Him.

He is the Vine, we are the branches. We can be in Him and He in us. In Christ, Christ in us. If we dwell there we are surrounded by the all-encompassing God, the Light of the world, the Truth, the Way, our Comforter, our Guide, our all in all. Let us dig deeper for the understanding of Who He is and what He has to offer.

1John 5:20 - And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us an understanding, that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life.