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RE: Jesus Christ - Let's Share about Him! - 6/13/2009 7:34:09 PM
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CherishedbyGod
Posts: 1636
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I Will Never Fail You!
His gentle voice came when I least expected. ~I will not fail thee~, He whispered. I knew it was my God bringing the comfort my wounded heart desperately needed. He speaks to me often in King James language as He knows that it the version of the Bible I use.
How precious You are to me, my God, that you are so intimate with each of Your children!
~I will not fail thee~! He spoke that to Joshua thousands of years ago. Joshua was set apart by God to lead the children of Israel into the Promised Land; a most daunting task, indeed! The same God, who was faithful to His word of promise to Joshua, comes to us today and speaks the same precious promise to us. For He is ~the same yesterday, today and forever~. He is ~faithful and true~ and completely trustworthy! ~I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee~!
Do we believe Him?
~I will not fail thee~ He says to the one who fears the future due to job loss. When we wonder if we will have enough money for groceries for the month, He reminds us of the gentle words He spoke to the crowds by the Sea so long ago: ~ Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they~. Trust Him, O child of God!
~I will never leave thee or forsake thee~ He says to the one who has been widowed or divorced. He knows the grief of heart you carry; He was forsaken and abandoned, you know. He will be all to you that you need as you work through your deep, deep sorrow and wounded ness.
~I am with thee~ He whispers to the one who is disabled or in pain as they cry out to Him because they cannot bear the pain any longer. Gently He will bend down and enfold you in His wings of love as His comforting words remind us that our suffering is not in vain. There is purpose in the pain, it is true.
~I have loved thee with an everlasting love~ and my desire is towards you, He reminds the ones who feel unwanted and unloved. To be loved by God, when all human love fails, is to know and experience love beyond measure.
He will never fail one of His children! Oh, that we would believe Him when wave after wave of adversity strike! He knows it is difficult, He knows we struggle; He does not condemn us for our doubts. But let us speak to Him often when the deep waters come and remind Him of His promises to us. Let us pause often and glance up into the Heavens and remind Him that He must be faithful to us. Let us remind Him that we need Him to prove to us that He is trustworthy. He will be most delighted to prove Himself to us for His precious name sake.
Scripture References:
Joshua 1: 5
Hebrews 13: 8
Revelation 19:11
Matthew 6: 26
Hebrews 13: 5
Jeremiah 31: 3
_____________________________
For...Through His suffering, I am free!!!
~ The Power of the Cross ~
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nwzt9jRUPNg
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RE: Jesus Christ - Let's Share about Him! - 6/13/2009 9:21:00 PM
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AndyBern
Posts: 49
Joined: 5/17/2009
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Glad you enjoy! Here's just one more about my Jesus that I wrote a while back...
Jesus Christ's Personal Intercession
If you've had a relationship with Jesus for any length of time, you can probably recall Him speaking to you personally. He may have told you to talk to a friend about their need for Him. He may have encouraged you from a Bible verse you had read many times before, but this time, it came with special force as if spoken directly to your heart.
I don't know how many times you've read John 17, but I've read it many times. It was the night Jesus was arrested before He was tried, tortured and crucified. He was in the upper room sharing His last Passover meal with His disciples. In this most intimate setting, He washed His disciples' feet, explained the significance of the meal, told them He was leaving them, promised to send them the Holy Spirit, gave them final encouragement and instructions, and finally, in chapter 17, He prayed for them.
I've read the passage many times before, but once, when I got to verse 20, it became personal. I was not just imagining what the disciples felt when Jesus was praying for them. I realized He really was praying for me:
"Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; that they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me."
- John 17:20-21
I had read this before and understood it mentally, but this time I was as sure of Jesus' intercession for me as if I was sitting there in that upper room with Peter, Andrew, John and the rest. Jesus was praying for me, personally. What a wonderful thought! I was just as much a beneficiary as they were.
Here's what Jesus asked God the Father on my (and your) behalf:
"Holy Father, keep through Your name those whom You have given Me, that they may be one as We are." (verse 11)
He pled the Father's protection for me while I'm still in the world. I live in a dangerous place. Satan does his best to try to get me to stumble, fall, and never get up again. The world's ideals constantly press in on me, and my flesh wants nothing more than to please itself. There are troubles and dangers everywhere. I need God's protection so I can be in unity with the rest of the body of Christ. And because Jesus asked, I am assured I have it. No one is able to snatch me out of my heavenly Father's hand (John 10:29-30).
"these things I speak in the world, that they may have My joy fulfilled in themselves." (verse 13)
He desired that I would have His joy in myself. Jesus shared this last Passover meal with His disciples knowing He was going to suffer and die. And yet He spoke of His joy as something that suffering could not diminish - indeed it would make greater. He said "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." (John 16:20-22). The sorrows I have are temporary. The joy is eternal.
"I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one." (verse 15)
He also begged the Father's protection for me from the evil one. My ultimate destination is heaven, but God has a reason for me to remain in the world for now. I am to be salt and light. While I am in the world, I need to be protected from temptation to remain effective. Because Jesus asked, I have that protection. Paul said "No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it." (1 Corinthians 10:13).
"Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth." (verse 17)
He prayed for my sanctification, that I would become holy like Him: separated from the world to Himself for His own use. As Jesus was in the world but not of it (18-19), I am to be like Him: in the world, but not of it (16). This would be impossible, except that sanctification is God's job, not mine. Jesus sanctified Himself for me, so that when God placed me in Christ (who is the Word and the Truth - John 1:1, 14:6), I am truly sanctified.
"that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us" (verse 21)
Jesus pled for my unity with all believers. Not just any unity, but in the same way that He is in the Father and the Father is in Him. And Jesus also desires that we all (not just me) be one in both Him and the Father.
To be one with each other means to share common interests and goals, looking out not only for our own interests but the interests of God. We need to seek to further God's kingdom, so that the world will know that the Father sent Jesus (21, 23), and that the world will know the Father loves us as He loves the Son (23). If we are not in unity, the world will not see Jesus in us. If we are self-seeking, glory will be diverted away from Jesus.
"I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me." (verse 23)
Jesus asked that my unity with Himself and all other believers would reach maturity as a witness to the world - so that the world will know that the Father sent Him, and that the Father loves us just as He loves His beloved Son. Jesus wants this unity perfected. I can't be satisfied with just 99%. I can only have a good witness if my unity with Christ is mature (perfect).
"Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory which You have given Me" (verse 24)
Wow! Jesus wants me to be with Him and see His glory in heaven. This is not just idle talk. Jesus is preparing a place for me (14:1-3), and when it is ready, He will take me to be with Him.
"And I have declared to them Your name, and will declare it, that the love with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them." (verse 26)
Jesus has declared His Father's name (character) to me so that the Father's love would be in me, and Christ would be in me. Not that the Father would love me... He already does. But that I would be able to grasp the love the Father has for the Son, and the love He has for me because I am "in Christ". Jesus also desires to be "in" me. It is when Jesus dwells in me that I bear fruit to God's glory.
One other thing Jesus asked the Father for. In John 14:16. He said He would ask the Father to send the Holy Spirit, which I received from Him when He saved me.
Jesus did not pray for things I might have wanted Him to pray for, like good health, a good job, a comfortable lifestyle. He prayed primarily for my unity with other believers and Himself.
I saw this passage as what it is: Jesus' personal prayer for me. If you've trusted in Jesus to save you, He pled for these same things for you too! Can you comprehend that?
Here's the clincher... We all know that God answers prayer, but sometimes the answer is not what we want. We pray for a loved-one's healing or another's salvation, not knowing how God will answer. Sometimes the answer is "yes", but other times the answer is "wait" or even "no".
But Jesus never received a "no" or "wait" from His Father. It was always "yes", because He was in unity with His Father - He did not desire what His Father did not desire (John 11:22, 41-42).
(When Jesus wept in agony in the garden of Gethsemane, He asked that His cup of suffering would pass from Him, but He qualified His request with "not My will but Thine". I believe we are incredibly blessed that He did submit to His Father's will, because if He hadn't, His Father would have granted Him what He first asked for, and we would still be hopelessly lost in our sins (Matthew 26:53). Jesus prayers are always answered with a "yes".)
I appreciate others praying for me, but I appreciate so much more Jesus Christ praying for me because there's no doubt about the answer.
Read and meditate on John 17, and know the incredible security of having Jesus praying for you - He still does (Hebrews 7:25)!
See also 2 Corinthians 1:20, Romans 8:29-39.
_____________________________
- Andrew
(ex-enemy of God)
http://dtjsoft.com
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RE: Jesus Christ - Let's Share about Him! - 6/16/2009 3:17:32 PM
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prayn4u
Posts: 4518
Joined: 1/12/2009
Status: offline
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quote:
ORIGINAL: CherishedbyGod
Imprisoned!
Captured by His love
I would like to think I am a total prisoner of the Love of Christ. However, in reality I don't believe I am quite there, as of now.
The Apostle Paul. He was a total prisoner of the Love of Christ. With hatred for Jesus and this new "sect" in his murderous heart, he set out destroy them. But then the great encounter occurred as a radiant blaze of LIGHT knocked him to the ground to be forever a prisoner of LOVE - one of the greatest love stories ever told. ~For to me to live is Christ~ he would boldly proclaim to the world.
Someday... I hope to be a complete prisoner, gladly enclosed forever in by the bands of His wondrous love. Every time I get angry with God in confusion and pain He waits...knowing that my oft-stubborn heart will eventually ask the question again ~ Lord, to whom shall I go? Thou hast the words of eternal life~ gladly, captured and irresistibly drawn in again by His passionate love for me.
There was a tiny, wild bird that flew into my house one day. It began to desperately fling its little body against the walls of my home, captured in a place it did not want to be. The tiny little creation of God could not have known it was imprisoned within the walls of a home of someone who cries over the suffering of God's creation. I managed to somehow capture it and take it to the vet for healing. When I called regarding its condition the following day it had been set free.
He will let us go free, if we choose. But when we instead decide to become a prisoner of the Love of Christ that is when our true freedom begins.
I kept coming back to this post in my mind. Like a little tickle or perhaps an itch that needed some further attention. Like CherishedofGod, I too, feel the desire burning strong inside of me wanting to and hoping to be a complete prisoner of the Love of Christ. What truthfullness to admit that "I don't believe I am quite there, as of now." For each I am sure there are many different reasons for not giving of ourselves completely. The "if only", and the "but this" are stumbling blocks in my way. Thankfully, Abba GOD, is patient as He molds His clay.
Thank you once again, CherishedofGod, for this very thoughtful piece.
Peace be with you.
Glory to GOD!
_____________________________
~ Rejoice in hope ~ be patient in tribulation ~ be constant in prayer ~ Romans 12:12 ESV
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RE: Jesus Christ - Let's Share about Him! - 6/18/2009 3:12:53 PM
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CherishedbyGod
Posts: 1636
Status: offline
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quote:
ORIGINAL: prayn4u
quote:
ORIGINAL: CherishedbyGod
Imprisoned!
Captured by His love
I would like to think I am a total prisoner of the Love of Christ. However, in reality I don't believe I am quite there, as of now.
The Apostle Paul. He was a total prisoner of the Love of Christ. With hatred for Jesus and this new "sect" in his murderous heart, he set out destroy them. But then the great encounter occurred as a radiant blaze of LIGHT knocked him to the ground to be forever a prisoner of LOVE - one of the greatest love stories ever told. ~For to me to live is Christ~ he would boldly proclaim to the world.
Someday... I hope to be a complete prisoner, gladly enclosed forever in by the bands of His wondrous love. Every time I get angry with God in confusion and pain He waits...knowing that my oft-stubborn heart will eventually ask the question again ~ Lord, to whom shall I go? Thou hast the words of eternal life~ gladly, captured and irresistibly drawn in again by His passionate love for me.
There was a tiny, wild bird that flew into my house one day. It began to desperately fling its little body against the walls of my home, captured in a place it did not want to be. The tiny little creation of God could not have known it was imprisoned within the walls of a home of someone who cries over the suffering of God's creation. I managed to somehow capture it and take it to the vet for healing. When I called regarding its condition the following day it had been set free.
He will let us go free, if we choose. But when we instead decide to become a prisoner of the Love of Christ that is when our true freedom begins.
I kept coming back to this post in my mind. Like a little tickle or perhaps an itch that needed some further attention. Like CherishedofGod, I too, feel the desire burning strong inside of me wanting to and hoping to be a complete prisoner of the Love of Christ. What truthfullness to admit that "I don't believe I am quite there, as of now." For each I am sure there are many different reasons for not giving of ourselves completely. The "if only", and the "but this" are stumbling blocks in my way. Thankfully, Abba GOD, is patient as He molds His clay.
Thank you once again, CherishedofGod, for this very thoughtful piece.
Peace be with you.
Glory to GOD!
Thank you, so much for your thoughts and comments! I think the Christian journey calls us to examine our hearts in the light of Scripture (I know you know that) and God has put some pretty high standards before us 
I noticed the other day how Paul did not call himself a prisoner of the Romans...he called himself the "prisoner of Christ".
One wonders how he managed to keep the fire of His passionate love burning for so long...Could it be that he was in almost constant trial?
_____________________________
For...Through His suffering, I am free!!!
~ The Power of the Cross ~
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nwzt9jRUPNg
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RE: Jesus Christ - Let's Share about Him! - 6/18/2009 3:15:44 PM
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CherishedbyGod
Posts: 1636
Status: offline
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Andy...
Thank you so much! I love John 17 and I personally think we cannot meditate on our Lord's prayer too much! I love how you call the Lord "my Jesus" 
Thanks for sharing!
_____________________________
For...Through His suffering, I am free!!!
~ The Power of the Cross ~
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nwzt9jRUPNg
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RE: Jesus Christ - Let's Share about Him! - 6/18/2009 3:27:26 PM
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CherishedbyGod
Posts: 1636
Status: offline
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Greatness, His Gentleness
~Thy Gentleness hath made me great~
How can this be? In a generation which increasing sees greatness through sports figures, movie stars, wealth and beauty, the Lord pierces our hearts with an entirely different concept; His gentleness makes us great!
King David…penning these words knew the Lord in intimacy which most of us will never attain to in this life.
How beautiful God was to the Psalmist! How beautiful God desires to become to us.
It is a worthy pursuit, the pursuit of God and His ways with us. How our breath is almost taken away when we see Him in His condescension towards us. He stoops and bends to us from His lofty Throne to reveal to us a God that, although He is Mighty and All-powerful, yet...He is gentle towards His own.
Our Creator, our Saviour our Strength, the One who has all might, power and Who Created all, is also gentle! Who can fathom it? This One Who will someday create a new Heaven and Earth is the gentle One.
I live in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range. Whenever I drive up to Lake Tahoe I am totally amazed at the grandeur and majesty of those mountains. What power, how awesome! One cannot begin to imagine the greatness behind a God who with one wave of an outstretched arm said about those mountains…Let there be. And the mountains were brought forth at the word of His command.
And yet, the same One who created those mountains with just a breath condescends in gentleness to me...
I bow, I worship….
...Cherished,
2006
_____________________________
For...Through His suffering, I am free!!!
~ The Power of the Cross ~
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nwzt9jRUPNg
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RE: Jesus Christ - Let's Share about Him! - 6/20/2009 2:45:05 PM
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CherishedbyGod
Posts: 1636
Status: offline
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My Dear Friend
~There is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother~
My Jesus, I would like to share, with any that would read, what You mean to me. I could never exhaust the words to share how very special to me You have become!
Always faithful to me, You have been. You have never rejected or disowned me even when You felt rebuffed by me. When my heart has wandered from You, You bore the pain of rejection and continued to pursue me with Your love and acceptance. When my devotion to You slackened and became less pure, yet Your passionate love towards me continued to burn.
My dear Friend, You have never betrayed me. While my dearest human friend betrayed me, You enclosed me in Your love and whispered to my heart "I am with thee". Knowing rejection all of my life by all human ties, yet You remained with me whispering to me and caressing me with Your soft touches of endearment. You know the deep agony of heart that comes from being betrayed. You allowed yourself to experience that pain so that you might know how to bring comfort to my oft broken heart.
When veils have come between us, because of sin in my life, You showed me how I might gaze upon Your beautiful Face again. You have never tried to get back at me because I sinned against you; oh, my dear Friend, there is no malice in Thee.
You have carried me through the deepest waters and pushed the waters back from my frightened heart. The floodwaters would have drowned me unless You had rescued me. Your right hand has raised me back up, more times than I can share. With a word saying ~peace be still~ you quiet the raging storms in my heart.
You teach me the way to go to find healing and hope. Gently whispering to me ~this is the way~ you bring soothing balm to my grieving heart; you lift me back up and bestow on me precious kindness. I could never live without Your kindness, my dear Friend! Without Your kindness, I would shrivel up and die. While others abuse me, causing my heart to break, yet, You tell me I am Your joy ~ You died for love of me.
I carry You in my heart all of the day. You are there to greet me with a whisper of love in the morning and You are by my side all of the day…. encouraging, comforting, whispering words of love to me. Lifting me up into the light of Your love, when all else would press me down, you set me free once more to soar with You above the clouds, upwards to gaze upon Your face from now and throughout eternity. I love You, my dear Friend. I love You so very much…
© Virginia – November 17, 2006
< Message edited by CherishedbyGod -- 6/20/2009 2:56:31 PM >
_____________________________
For...Through His suffering, I am free!!!
~ The Power of the Cross ~
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nwzt9jRUPNg
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RE: Jesus Christ - Let's Share about Him! - 6/20/2009 9:16:51 PM
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SavedByGraceMD
Posts: 1273
Joined: 2/13/2008
From: the poconos
Status: offline
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"The loneliness sets in as I wander about
Can anyone hear me, I scream and I shout
It has been hard all along this way
The pain I feel increases day after day
I begin to wonder, what is it all about.
Without knowing where I am going
And no one to show me the way
My energy is draining from me
And I yearn to hear someone say
You have a purpose, this please don't doubt.
Unsure if I can keep going on
It is too hard to do by myself
Just looking, searching for some answers
Some reasons and some help
I come to a crossroads and hear a mighty shout.
The voice so strong it shakes the ground
Saying, you are not alone my son
I'm right here, I have always been around
Just come to me, the reason you search for, I am the One.
In me you will find rest, and shelter from the storms
Just come unto me, I will keep you from all that harms
I have longed for this day, waited all this time
For you to come home so I could hold you in my arms."
SavedByGraceMd
_____________________________
Isaiah 41:10
"Fear not for I am with you,
Do not be dismayed for I am your God,
I will strengthen you and help you,
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand"
http://followtheleader-mat1624.blogspot.com/
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RE: Jesus Christ - Let's Share about Him! - 6/20/2009 9:53:45 PM
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CherishedbyGod
Posts: 1636
Status: offline
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quote:
ORIGINAL: SavedByGraceMD
"The loneliness sets in as I wander about
Can anyone hear me, I scream and I shout
It has been hard all along this way
The pain I feel increases day after day
I begin to wonder, what is it all about.
Without knowing where I am going
And no one to show me the way
My energy is draining from me
And I yearn to hear someone say
You have a purpose, this please don't doubt.
Unsure if I can keep going on
It is too hard to do by myself
Just looking, searching for some answers
Some reasons and some help
I come to a crossroads and hear a mighty shout.
The voice so strong it shakes the ground
Saying, you are not alone my son
I'm right here, I have always been around
Just come to me, the reason you search for, I am the One.
In me you will find rest, and shelter from the storms
Just come unto me, I will keep you from all that harms
I have longed for this day, waited all this time
For you to come home so I could hold you in my arms."
SavedByGraceMd
That is just awesome! I so love it when people share from the depth of their hearts....
Do you have more to share?
_____________________________
For...Through His suffering, I am free!!!
~ The Power of the Cross ~
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nwzt9jRUPNg
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RE: Jesus Christ - Let's Share about Him! - 6/21/2009 12:22:03 AM
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AndyBern
Posts: 49
Joined: 5/17/2009
Status: offline
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I enjoy your writings, CherishedbyGod! This is a great thread! As a new user, I'm going to have to take a read through to see what I missed.
For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us ...
- Hebrews 9:24
I had written the following upon thinking about Jesus' prayer life - His earthly prayers and His intercession for us now. I'll never comprehend all that my heavenly Advocate does for me. He sees me as I really am (which even I can't see), and He still loves me to the uttermost.
Unaware of intercession?
The LORD said to Moses, "I have seen this people, and behold, it is a stiff-necked people. Now therefore let me alone, that my wrath may burn hot against them and I may consume them, in order that I may make a great nation of you." But Moses implored the LORD his God and said, "...Turn from your burning anger and relent from this disaster against your people. ..." And the LORD relented from the disaster that he had spoken of bringing on his people. Then Moses turned and went down from the mountain with the two tablets of the testimony in his hand, ... And as soon as he came near the camp and saw the calf and the dancing, Moses' anger burned hot, and he threw the tablets out of his hands and broke them at the foot of the mountain. ... And Moses said to Aaron, "What did this people do to you that you have brought such a great sin upon them?" ...
- Exodus 32:9-33:6
As I was reading this passage, I noticed that Moses, while he got very angry with Aaron and the people for making the golden calf, he never let them know how close they were to being destroyed but for his intercession. It wasn't until the next chapter (verses 1-5) when the people heard God speak that they realized how dire their situation was. Have you ever been in a situation where you were unaware of extreme danger until after it passed? Did your heart skip a few beats and your skin crawl?
Moses was a great interceder, but he's nothing compared to Jesus Christ.
Jesus spent a lot of time alone in prayer. I've wondered at times what He prayed for. I like to think that, among other things, He was praying for each of His disciples individually (like when He told Peter He prayed that his faith not fail).
I wonder what He asks for me? That my faith also fail not? Probably. But like Moses, He also interceeds for my sins that I am unaware of. Like everyone, I do not comprehend the full seriousness of my sin against God. But I also can't comprehend the limitless mercy that comes from Jesus Christ, God Himself, interceding for me! And His mediation is sure!
...and "If the righteous is scarcely saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?"
- 1 Peter 4:18
Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.
- Hebrews 7:25
_____________________________
- Andrew
(ex-enemy of God)
http://dtjsoft.com
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RE: Jesus Christ - Let's Share about Him! - 6/23/2009 10:41:25 PM
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AndyBern
Posts: 49
Joined: 5/17/2009
Status: offline
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The First Adam And The Last Adam
Knowing Jesus Christ is becoming more and more of a passion for me. One of the many ways I see Jesus in the scriptures is through types of Christ, such as Melchizedek, Joseph and David. None of them are perfect, but they help to point out different characteristics of Jesus Christ, so I can know Him better.
The very first type of Christ mentioned in the Bible is also one whose imperfection usually overshadows his likeness to Jesus. But he is the only person directly mentioned in the Bible as a "type" of Christ...
...death reigned from Adam until Moses, even on those who had not sinned in the likeness of Adam's transgression, who is a type of the coming One.
- Romans 5:14
Here are some of the similarities (and differences) I've found in comparing Adam with Christ:
- Adam was made in the likeness of God (Genesis 1:26, 5:1). Jesus is the image of the invisible God (Colossians 1:15, 2 Corinthians 4:4, Hebrews 1:3)
- It was not good for Adam to be alone, so God made Eve of him and for him, to be a helper. The church is the Last Adam's Eve, and came from Christ and is to live for Christ. Yet there is also somewhat of a reversal - it is not good for Eve (the Church) to be alone, so the Last Adam gave us a Helper (John 14:16).
- Eve was Adam's helper, taken from his side. The Holy Spirit is called Parakletos, meaning one who comes "along side".
- Adam and Eve were given the command to multiply and fill the earth (Genesis 1:28). Jesus' disciples were commanded to make disciples throughout the world (Matthew 28:18-20, Acts 1:8).
- In both cases, the multiplying is considered a gift of God (Genesis 4:1,25, Acts 11:18, 1 Corinthians 3:6).
- In both cases, the "image" is passed on (Genesis 5:3, 1 Corinthians 15:49).
- In both cases, this can only happen through a union: Adam with Eve, and the Church with the Spirit of Christ.
- Adam and Eve were "one flesh" (Genesis 2:24). Christ and His Church are also one flesh (Ephesians 5:30-32).
- Both Adams were the only ones to fully realize what they lost at the fall. (Perhaps Adam also said "My God, my God, why have You forsaken me?") I believe the first theophany (Old Testament appearance of Christ) was in Eden: God (Jesus) physically walked with Adam and Eve for they heard the sound of His footsteps (Genesis 3:8). The first Adam and the Last Adam communed together. When Adam sinned, while physical death was postponed, it caused spiritual death that same day. Adam was separated from God, and God was separated from Adam. Both experienced spiritual, then physical death as a result of sin, for Jesus also was separated from His heavenly Father before He died on the cross for our sin (Matthew 27:46, 50).
- While Adam was made in the image of God, the elected are to have the likeness of God restored (Romans 8:29, 1 Corinthians 15:49, 2 Corinthians 3:18, Colossians 3:10). We're being remade in the image of the Image of the invisible God.
- Because all of mankind are "in" Adam, all have the sin nature of Adam. All of those who are "in" Christ have His righteousness attributed to them (1 Corinthians 15:22).
- The first Adam suffered death as a result of his own voluntary sin. The Last Adam suffered not as a result of His own sin, but voluntarily, as result of the First Adam's sin, to bring man back into communion with God.
- The first Adam, who had life, traded it for death, and thereby gave us death. The Last Adam, who is the Source of life, gave up His own life to give us life (1 Corinthians 15:22, 45).
- When Jesus and His disciples walked together, it foreshadowed the beginning of the restoral of full communion with God. God was "with" man again (Isaiah 7:14, Matthew 1:23). Very few had "walked" with God before Christ (Adam, Enoch...). Now all can again. Coincidentally, John 18:1-2 says that Jesus often met with His disciples in the garden of Gethsemane (i.e. think of the song "In the Garden".)
- Adam and Eve were given command to govern the earth (Genesis 1:26-27 - note the word "them"). Those in Christ will reign over the earth (2 Timothy 2:12, Revelation 5:10).
_____________________________
- Andrew
(ex-enemy of God)
http://dtjsoft.com
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RE: Jesus Christ - Let's Share about Him! - 9/29/2009 10:31:45 PM
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AndyBern
Posts: 49
Joined: 5/17/2009
Status: offline
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Yokes
"Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." (Matthew 11:29-30)
I once heard someone put what Jesus said this way. It is like an advertising slogan that the carpenter's son put on a sign outside of his shop: "Jesus Christ, Easy Yokes".
You may think of a yoke as a big wooden contraption that is placed on the neck of cattle to harness them to do work. You may think of a yoke as work, but it is actually something designed to make work much easier. In some countries, people bear a yoke, a stick, across their shoulders to help them balance and carry heavy loads that would be impossible otherwise. The yoke is not the burden, but makes carrying burdens easier.
Jesus tells you to put on His yoke of ease, and with that yoke, to carry His light burden. This is the only way to find rest for your soul. If you find things are getting spiritually unbearable, check the following:
- Do you have the burden Jesus gave you, or did you pick up some other heavy load elsewhere? Why not trade loads? Give Jesus your heavy one and take on his light one.
- Are you using His yoke, or are you trying to carry the burden with some cheaply made imitation that is hard, chafes, and does nothing to help you carry the burden? Perhaps you're even trying bareback?
- Are you using His yoke properly? A yoke is worn by a servant, so it must be worn with humility. Our Master took on the form of a servant and served His heavenly Father by humbly serving us. He now offers you the same yoke He carried.
The wrong way:
"Now therefore, why do you test God by putting a yoke on the neck of the disciples which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?" (Acts 15:10)
Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? (2 Corinthians 6:14)
Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage. (Galatians 5:1)
The right way:
Let as many bondservants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honor, so that the name of God and His doctrine may not be blasphemed. (1 Timothy 6:1)
For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments; and His commandments are not heavy. (1 John 5:3 LITV)
_____________________________
- Andrew
(ex-enemy of God)
http://dtjsoft.com
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RE: Jesus Christ - Let's Share about Him! - 10/25/2009 11:20:15 PM
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AndyBern
Posts: 49
Joined: 5/17/2009
Status: offline
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The Voice Of The LORD
The voice of the LORD is over the waters;
the God of glory thunders,
the LORD, over many waters.
The voice of the LORD is powerful;
the voice of the LORD is full of majesty.
The voice of the LORD breaks the cedars;
the LORD breaks the cedars of Lebanon.
He makes Lebanon to skip like a calf,
and Sirion like a young wild ox.
The voice of the LORD flashes forth flames of fire.
The voice of the LORD shakes the wilderness;
the LORD shakes the wilderness of Kadesh.
The voice of the LORD makes the deer give birth
and strips the forests bare,
and in his temple all cry, “Glory!”
- Psalm 29:3-9
The Voice Of The Lord Jesus
... blesses the hearers (Luke 11:38)
... cleanses (John 15:3)
... casts out demons (Matthew 8:16)
... heals the sick (Matthew 8:13)
... raises the dead (John 11:43-44)
... calms the sea (Mark 4:39)
... withers the fig tree (Matthew 21:19)
... astonishes with power (Luke 4:32)
... changes fear to faith (Mark 5:36, John 8:30)
... forgives sins (Mark 2:5)
... gives life (Luke 4:4, John 6:63,68)
... interceeds for us (John 17)
... is worth listening to (Luke 10:39)
... does not pass away (Matthew 24:35)
_____________________________
- Andrew
(ex-enemy of God)
http://dtjsoft.com
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RE: Jesus Christ - Let's Share about Him! - 11/1/2009 12:34:48 AM
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MyCatSmokey2006
Posts: 3417
Joined: 11/10/2006
From: where God wants me to be
Status: offline
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WHY DID I ACCEPT JESUS AS MY SAVIOR?
I did it because,
I KNEW THAT I WAS A SINNER.
I knew that I did things that failed God's perfect standards.
I KNEW THAT I WAS LOST WITHOUT HIM.
God's Word says that the wages of sin are death.
I KNEW THAT JESUS DIED FOR ME.
He died on the cross for my sins, once and for all of them,
before I ever committed any and even before I was born.
I ACKNOWLEDGED MY SINS TO GOD AND REPENTED OF THEM.
I knew that I was forgiven, because God's Word says so.
BECAUSE OF ALL OF THIS,
I HAVE SURRENDERED MY LIFE TO CHRIST AND
HE IS MY PERSONAL SAVIOR AND LORD!
MAY JESUS CHRIST BE PRAISED TODAY!
_____________________________
Melissa
My Blog
If the American Flag is offensive to you, then choose any flag, buy a one-way plane ticket to that country and STAY THERE! 
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