Wednesday 31 January 2018

Today Reminder (Jesus is God) – 31 January 2018



A reminder for today
No one has seen God [His essence, His divine nature] at any time; the [One and] only begotten God [that is, the unique Son] who is in the intimate presence of the Father, He has explained Him [and interpreted and revealed the awesome wonder of the Father].  (John 1:18)

I am making a very interesting claim today. Jesus is God and Mark Mittelberg is going to help me with my claim.

Does the Bible, which is the earliest and most historically reliable source, actually say Jesus is God? What does it tell us about Jesus and His identity?

Let’s take a brief look at a few of the many passages that clearly and consistently answer that question, straight from the pages of Scripture. We’ll begin by going back an additional 700 years before the life of Christ, to the Old Testament book of Isaiah.

Divine Messiah predicted in the Old Testament
Isaiah 7:14 “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.”1

“Immanuel” literally means: “God with us.” See also Matthew 1:23; Jesus was “God with us.”
This Messiah would be born a human son, but have a higher nature
Isaiah 9:6 “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

This was a radical statement coming from a monotheistic Jewish prophet -- especially calling a human being “Mighty God”; but one that God fulfilled centuries later in Christ.

A couple hundred years later, but still more than half a millennium before Jesus walked the earth, more was predicted about the Messiah’s divine nature
Daniel 7:13-14 “There before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven . . . He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all peoples, nations and men of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.”

“Son of Man” was the primary title Jesus used for Himself -- and this passage shows that this was a clear and strong claim of deity. And in Mark, the earliest of the four Gospels, He also included the unmistakable phrase, “coming on the clouds of heaven” and applied it to Himself (Mark 14:62). His listeners got the point, refused to believe it, and added it to their reasons to try to kill Him.

The baby Jesus worshiped by the Magi
Matthew 2:11 “On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him.”

Along with being led to the site where Jesus was born, these Magi were apparently informed by God about Jesus’ divine identity, and so they responded appropriately by worshiping Him.

Jesus accepted worship from His disciples
Matthew 14:32-33 “And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, ‘Truly you are the Son of God.’”

In a Jewish culture, only the one true God can be worshiped; their actions show that they acknowledged Jesus as being divine. And Jesus didn’t correct them or say, “Don’t you realize that I’m just a mortal prophet? Stop worshiping me!” Rather, He accepted their worship, knowing He really was God in human flesh.

Jesus’ claim about Himself
John 8:58-59 "‘I tell you the truth,’ Jesus answered, ‘before Abraham was born, I am!’ At this, they picked up stones to stone him, but Jesus hid himself, slipping away from the temple grounds.”

This is a powerful double claim from Jesus: first, that He pre-existed His human birth and was actually alive and present (as God) before Abraham; second, that His title was “I am” -- which was the same title used for Jehovah God in Exodus 3:14. His listeners again got the point, and picked up stones to execute Him!

Another of Jesus’ claims of deity
John 10:30-33 “‘I and the Father are one.’ Again the Jews picked up stones to stone him, but Jesus said to them, ‘I have shown you many great miracles from the Father. For which of these do you stone me?’ ‘We are not stoning you for any of these,’ replied the Jews, ‘but for blasphemy, because you, a mere man, claim to be God.’”

It couldn’t be clearer than it is here: Jesus’ highly educated listeners understood His claim of deity. They only had two possible responses: to humble themselves and bow before Him as the Magi and the disciples had done earlier, or reject His claim and judge Him as a blasphemer. Unfortunately they chose the latter option. But notice that Jesus doesn’t argue with their accusation, because it was accurate. He really was claiming to be God!

Thomas’ response to the resurrected Jesus
John 20:27-29 “Then He said to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.’ Thomas said to him, ‘My Lord and my God!’ Then Jesus told him, ‘Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.’"

This disciple realized, because of Jesus’ resurrection, who Jesus really was -- and humbly worshiped Him and declared His true identity: “My Lord and my God!” Jesus not only accepts this declaration, but blesses all of the disciples -- and all of us today -- who come to the same realization and place of humble worship.

Jesus is God – He is Worshipped

Jesus accepted worship prior to His ascension
Matthew 28:16-17 “Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted.”

Note that Jesus was worshiped at His birth, throughout His ministry, after His resurrection, and again here -- right before His physical ascension into heaven. His divine nature, as a member of the Godhead (along with the Father and the Holy Spirit), was never questioned by Him or by those who really knew who He was and followed Him.

Paul’s understanding as an apostle and leader of the church
Colossians 1:15-16; 2:9 “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. . . . For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form. . .”

And in Titus 2:13-14 Paul refers to him as “our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us. . .”

Paul’s letters were some of the earliest Christian writings, with most of them actually pre-dating the four Gospels -- yet they make some of the strongest statements concerning the first church’s clear understanding of Jesus as the Creator; God in human form. 

Jesus will be worshiped by every creature in heaven Revelation 5:13-14 “Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, singing: ‘To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!’ The four living creatures said, ‘Amen,’ and the elders fell down and worshiped.”

The last book in the Bible points prophetically to the time where every living creature will know and acknowledge that Jesus, the “Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29) is also the God who we must praise, honor, and worship -- and certainly was not a mere mortal whose identity needed upgrading by Constantine (Roman emperor) hundreds of years after He walked this planet!

Jesus is God – Why this matters so much
But Jesus and His followers made the truth very clear, as we’ve seen in the pages of the earliest records, concerning who He was and is -- and how imperative it is that we understand and embrace that truth. Look at His sobering words about the vital importance of His identity.
“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life. . . .

“But you have no idea where I come from or where I am going. . .You do not know me or my Father. . .I told you that you would die in your sins; if you do not believe that I am the one I claim to be, you will indeed die in your sins.”

“. . .Even as He spoke, many put their faith in him. To [them] Jesus said, ‘If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.’"
If this is something you want to discover more of please watch https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_0GsgXlxAKo

Jesus is my God and will worship Him with all my being.

Have an awesome day dear friend of Jesus. 

Cheers

Tuesday 30 January 2018

Today Reminder (Steady and sure) – 30 January 2018

A reminder for today
The Lord God is my strength [my source of courage, my invincible army]; He has made my feet [steady and sure] like hinds’ feet and makes me walk [forward with spiritual confidence] on my high places [of challenge and responsibility].  (Habakkuk 3:19)

Yesterday afternoon it started to rain here where I work, and it just rained harder and harder. Many traffic lights were suddenly affected which cause a massive backlog in traffic with a huge congestion that piled up for miles. It was terrible, and I could not find another way out, so I was forced to sit in the traffic and wait it out. I am not a huge fan of traffic but can’t think that anyone could love to be stuck with no way out.

In life we sometimes find ourselves in the same situation. We tend to get stuck in life and we suddenly have no way out. The sudden storms that arrives in our lives are huge and terrible causing a backlog in our own plans. We get irritated and annoyed and we often make a mistake when we are confronted with a situation we have no control over.

When I was stuck in traffic and I finally gave up fighting to find a way around it I stood there slowly moving forward and I though what did God save me from or protected me from by getting me stuck in the this. I knew that it is all about Him and He will allow things into our lives to alter our course or make us change direction or turn us around. It may seem to us as ridiculous, but we only see partially. So, I can’t help to wonder what it was that God kept me from and protected me by keeping me in the storm.  

In life we must allow God to do His will and follow Him. He will redirect us and often change our direction and take us on a complete different path for our own good and growth. It is in these moments that we get so much closer to God. It is these challenges that we should grasp with both hands and allow God to guide us through them. When we exit on the other side we will be stronger and more mature Christians. It is in these challenges that we should remember that God is our strength and He will steady our feet as we walk on high and difficult places.

Lord, you are our God and holy be your name. Thank for all that you do for us in our storms. Open our eyes and hearts so that we may see what you are busy with. In Jesus name. 

Have an awesome day dear friend of Jesus. 

Cheers

Monday 29 January 2018

Today Reminder (Afraid) – 29 January 2018



A reminder for today
Do not let your heart be troubled (afraid, cowardly). Believe [confidently] in God and trust in Him, [have faith, hold on to it, rely on it, keep going and] believe also in Me.  (John 14:1)

It is Monday and I keep thinking someone took away one day of the weekend. This weekend flew by and here we are. Poof back in the work seat and rumbling down another week. It is a beautiful day outside with thick clouds hanging over Pretoria. It rained last night, and it is going to rain again today. I love it and God is just amazing. 

This verse is for me today. I got a new job offer and it had me restless and uncertain for a few weeks. I asked God for guidance and wisdom in this and I was not sure for quite some time what to do and how to think about this. This weekend God gave me confirmation and peace as He guided me into my decision to not take it and to stay on my present course. I have been wanting to start my own Taekwondo school for a while and I am going to do it now. I am convinced that this is what the Lord wanted me to do and He is definitely leading me step by step on this new journey. 

So, I have no more fear. I will not let my heart be troubled and I will trust in the Lord our God and in Jesus Christ, my saviour. I have a very weird feeling of tranquillity and peace and my restless heart is quiet today. I have a new goal and I am set on my course and ready for what lies ahead. I have been given a lot of job security at my current company and it was made clear that they do not want me to leave. Wow! I do feel a little special – hahaha. God certainly have a way to show His love and grace to leave me speechless and in awe. 

What can I say. We must allow God to do His work in His time. We must remain patient and follow His guidance with a trusting heart and a committed spirit. We must spend time in His Word and study more of its amazing truths and treasures. We should worry less and pray more. 

Lord, thank you for showing me your way and thank you for all that you do for us. Bless my friend and keep them save. Guide them as you guide me and fill them with your Spirit. Let your will be done and let your kingdom come. In Jesus name. 

Have an awesome day dear friend of Jesus. 

Cheers

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