The Higher Purpose of God

Matthew 16:21-23 From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.  22 Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee.  23 But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.

Repeatedly in His ministry, Jesus told his disciples what His ultimate goal was.  They, however, did not want to accept that.  Continue reading

The God Option

And when Pharaoh drew nigh, the children of Israel lifted up their eyes, and, behold, the Egyptians marched after them; and they were sore afraid: and the children of Israel cried out unto the LORD. And they said unto Moses, Because there were no graves in Egypt, hast thou taken us away to die in the wilderness? wherefore hast thou dealt thus with us, to carry us forth out of Egypt? Is not this the word that we did tell thee in Egypt, saying, Let us alone, that we may serve the Egyptians? For it had been better for us to serve the Egyptians, than that we should die in the wilderness.  (Exodus 14:10-12)

The Israelites had been in bondage to the Egyptians for some 400 years.  They had just left after God miraculous deliverance of them through ten plagues.  They are free.

One would think that their faith in God would be at an all-time high.  However, this was not the case.  Continue reading

Our Great High Priest

Hebrews 4:15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

Jesus Christ is the High Priest of every believer.  He left His throne in Heaven to come to this Earth to pay the price for our sin.  He is the One Who entered into the Holy of Holies with His own blood to propitiate the wrath of God.

Like the high priests of ancient Israel, Jesus Christ was among mankind when He ministered.  He felt pain, hunger, thirst.  He knew temptation, even by Satan himself!  Yet, He lived a perfect life without sin.  That is what made Him the perfect, spotless Lamb of God, Who could take away the sin of the world (John 1:29).

Where Do You Turn for Help?

Psalm 55:16-17 As for me, I will call upon God; and the LORD shall save me.  17 Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice.

David spent a good portion of his life running from his enemies. Psalm 55 chronicles his reaction to one such instance.  He calls upon the LORD in his time of trouble.  This is a very wise thing to do.  Difficult times are when the people of God should draw close to God, seeking protection and strength.  It is at these times when we recognize very clearly our weakness and dependence.  Continue reading

The Word Was God

John 1:1-3

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  2 The same was in the beginning with God.  3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.

In John’s writings, he often refers to Jesus Christ as “the Word”.  Jesus is the living Word of God.  He is the only Person Who lived up to the standards of God’s Word while on the Earth.  When He spoke, people heard the Word of God.  For these reasons and more, Jesus is truly “the Word”. Continue reading