35 WHAT IS JESUS ​​DOING NOW?

 

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WHAT IS JESUS ​​DOING NOW?

Today’s chapter is. Heb 1

Always read the entire section verse refers to-

Heb. 1:1-3
JESUS ​​GAVE US A GLANCE OF GOD’S GLORY AND SHOWED US THE NAME OF GOD, AND HE HOLDS UP THE WORLD ALONE BY THE POWER OF HIS WORD. AFTER JESUS ​​HAD PROVIDED ATONEMENT FOR ALL SIN BY HIS DEATH, HE SIT ON THE THRONE AT THE RIGHT HAND OF ALMIGHTY GOD IN THE HEAVENLY WORLD

By reading the New Testament, we can see what Jesus did and accomplished while he was here on earth – It is of great help and inspiration to us today. But what is Jesus doing after he rose from the grave and is now in heaven, with God?

His physical absence does NOT mean that he has abandoned us. Although we cannot see Him physically in the same way as the disciples, we can be sure from the Bible that He guides us, strengthens us, and cares for us, even in the midst of difficult times.

HE GIVES US ETERNAL LIFE. John 10:10 He helps us to live a life of peace and joy, strength and endurance, to complete what He has set for us to do.

HE PRAYS FOR US. Rom. 8:34 Jesus hears our prayers. He sits at the right hand of God the Father, and intercedes for us with the Father.

HE REVEALS THE FATHER TO US. Col. 1:15 Through faith in Jesus, we understand more and more that God is a loving Father who cares for us and is interested in every area of ​​our lives. The Bible encourages us to seek close fellowship with God!

HE PREPARES A PLACE FOR US: John 14:2-3 At one point I had 3 funerals in a short time – all people who had given their lives to Jesus. Two at 47 years old and one at 99 years old. One day He will come and take us up to His heavenly Father – where we will be forever. He is preparing a home for us in heaven.

HE PREPARES HIS RETURN. Revelation 11:15. Christ will come back and reign: King of kings and Lord of lords.

THEREFORE GOD HAS GIVEN HIM A NAME THAT IS ABOVE EVERY OTHER NAME, THAT EVERY KNEE IN HEAVEN AND ON EARTH SHOULD BOW TO HIM AND THAT EVERYONE SHOULD CONFESS THAT JESUS ​​CHRIST IS LORD. Philippians 2:9-11

Today, thousands of people around the world are experiencing Jesus coming to them, appearing to them, and helping them in difficult situations – As He has always done.

Out of sight, out of mind, sometimes I think: That description does not fit JESUS ​​OUR SAVIOR. He does not abandon us, he does not forget us, he loves us and wants to show care and love to us, in the midst of our everyday life with great challenges and difficult times.

His constant care and love for us should rather make us also aware of Him, - so that He is not out of sight and out of mind for us.

Find the Bible and look up the scriptures

SEARCH CLOSE TO JESUS
amen

35 LET ME GET MY Sight BACK

 

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LET ME GET MY Sight BACK

Many say. If they can't see and hear God, they must ask God in Jesus' name to give them their sight and hearing back. God is the light, we don't want to walk/live in darkness or a gray mass where we grope our way blindly.

Jesus was on his way out of Jericho. As usual, a large crowd of people followed. The disciples probably had a foothold in things. There was peace and order. Bartimaeus was blind and had been sitting at the gate, probably with other beggars. His job was to beg - He was not from the so-called nice company.

Bartimaeus became curious when he heard that a lot of people were coming by. He became happy and excited when he heard that it was JESUS ​​who was coming by, Jesus about whom he had heard others tell both good things and less good things. He remembered that he had heard that Jesus could heal people. Therefore, he begins to shout at Jesus, with all the strength of his lungs: YOU SON OF DAVID, HAVE MERCY ON ME – The people around Bartimaeus threaten him and ask him to stop – “Then be quiet..”, they tell him.

Bartimaeus is blind, but not deaf, but does not respond to the well-meaning advice of the so-called finer people. He just shouts even louder at Jesus.

Jesus hears the shouts, and has probably heard them the first time. Jesus calls Bartimaeus to him, and some help Bartimaeus to Jesus. WHAT DO YOU WANT ME TO DO FOR YOU? asks Jesus.

A foolish question, I think, everyone can see that the man is blind.

Bartimaeus answers. LET ME RECEIVE MY SIGHT.

Bartimaeus regained his sight that day, and as an even greater miracle, he received eternal life.

Jesus is not afraid of people who cry out for help. Time and again we see how Jesus meets people's needs, and sometimes in a way that provokes us because it breaks with the usual norm.

We should not be afraid to call on Jesus when we are in need. LORD HAVE MERCY ON ME

Today, Jesus also asks the question in your and my situation: WHAT DO YOU WANT ME TO DO FOR YOU - Yes, he knows you and your situation, but he wants you to tell him what you need.

As he transformed Bartimaeus' situation, so he can also transform you and my situation. Are you spiritually blind, or have become spiritually blind, or something has blinded you in life, then call on Jesus, he wants us to see clearly and distinctly.
amen

34 HOPE – that becomes reality

 

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HOPE – that becomes reality

Today's chapter is John 11.

Jesus is not dead he lives. Jesus lives in us by the Holy Spirit.

Jesus has been behind the holy curtain and shed his blood on the altar for all our sins and law transgressions. It is done It is finished. The next thing is the thickening of God's church on earth us.

Read the letter to the Hebrews

A few days ago we celebrated Easter, the death and resurrection of Jesus.

THE POWER OF DEATH IS BROKEN.

Read Isaiah 53

We have a living faith and a living hope that when we are to leave this earth, God has prepared a place for us in eternity. We will live forever even though we die our innermost being lives on for all eternity.

We have received eternal life is placed with Jesus in Heaven, our names are indiscreet in the book of life by God personally.

We are moving from this earth to the heavenly mansions!

Jesus says:
I AM THE RESURRECTION AND THE LIFE. HE WHO BELIEVES IN ME, EVEN IF HE DIES, SHALL LIVE. AND WHOSOEVER LIVES AND BELIEVES IN ME SHALL NEVER DIE. John 11:25-26

LET NOT YOUR HEART BE TROUBLED!
BELIEVE IN GOD AND BELIEVE IN ME. IN MY FATHER'S HOUSE ARE MANY MANSIONS. IF NOT, WOULD I HAVE SAID THAT I GO TO PREPARE A PLACE FOR YOU? AND IF I GO AND PREPARE A PLACE FOR YOU, I WILL COME AGAIN AND TAKE YOU TO MYSELF, THAT WHERE I AM, THERE YOU MAY BE ALSO. John 14:1-3

Do you not rejoice? I am making everything ready for us dear friends.

Paul writes in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18: NOW, DEAR BROTHERS, I WANT YOU TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENS TO A CHRISTIAN AFTER DEATH, SO THAT YOU MAY NOT SORROW AS THOSE WHO HAVE NO HOPE. WE BELIEVE THAT JESUS ​​DIED AND THEN BROUGHT BACK TO LIFE AGAIN. WE BELIEVE THAT GOD WILL ALSO BRING ALL THE CHRISTIANS WHO ARE DEAD IN FAITH IN CHRIST BACK TO LIFE TOGETHER WITH THE RESURRECTED JESUS. THIS WE SAY TO YOU BY THE WORD OF THE LORD OURSELVES, THAT WE WHO ARE ALIVE AND WHO ARE STILL SURVIVED UNTIL THE LORD COMES BACK SHALL NOT PRECEDE THEM WHO ARE IN THE GRAVES. For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ shall rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words. 1 Thess. 4:13-18

The Methodist songwriter, J. M. Black, describes it in one of his songs
“When the heavenly trumpet shall sound upon the earth”: On that wonderful morning, all shall blossom anew, Christ’s dead shall go forth in radiance When the multitude that he purchased shall be caught up with him in the clouds to share the kingdom with him, I am there.

WHEN THE TRUMPET SOUNDS, WHEN THE TRUMPET SOUNDS,
WHEN THE TRUMPET SOUNDS, AND WHEN THE BOOK OF LIFE IS CHARGED I AM THERE!

So comfort one another with these words. 1 Thess. 4:18
Jesus broke the power of death, that we might live—yes, have eternal life

amen

33 GOD WANTS TO USE YOU

 

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 GOD WANTS TO USE YOU

NTS TO USE YOU
THE CHAPTER IN QUESTION IS LUKE 10

Luke 10:38-42
Martha welcomed Jesus into her home. Not really anything comparable to Paul’s missionary journeys or Paul’s letters as we know them. But Martha and her family found a place for Jesus where He could rest and experience refreshment, which has been a welcome gift to Jesus. It is true that Jesus pointed out to Martha that she was putting too much emphasis on details and hospitality Luke 10:41,

but He visited her home anyway!

God’s plan for each of us is that we use the seemingly small opportunities He gives us throughout our lives. No matter what our calling or function is in the body of Christ, we can ask each and every day if there is a place where He wants to use us – He opens doors and provides opportunities for us! We serve God by being available and walking in what He places before us – it can be family, colleagues, neighbors, etc.

GOD HAS GIVEN EACH OF US EQUIPMENT TO BE USED BY HIM! HE WANTS TO USE YOU!

Jesus is the light in you that shines in the world. You are salt and light both in word and deed.

The question is, do we make ourselves available to serve Him, or do we only follow what we believe is God's way and calling for us? Are we willing to let ourselves be used by Him in every situation that He places before us?

Are you ready to say – God, I make myself available to be used by You, in what You lead me to. His answer will be that He places you in contexts where you have the opportunity to be His witness, perhaps not with words – but with your life! By being available to Him, you will be used in a supernatural way, into many situations in the future – Often a small action that He arranges for each of us.

HIS HANDMADE IS WE, CREATED IN CHRIST JESUS, TO WALK IN GOOD WORKS, WHICH GOD ABOVE PREPARED FOR US. Eph. 2:10

amen share with others.

32AN ORDINARY MAN

 

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AN ORDINARY MAN

Read the fine-grained verse references refuge

Today's chapter is Matt 4

Matt. 4:18-20
The apostle Peter was an ordinary man who lived in a special time. He lived at the time when Jesus walked on earth, died for humanity, and rose again from the grave.
Peter, whose real name was Simon, came to faith through his brother Andrew, and they both met Jesus. (John 1:40-42). When Jesus invited them to become his disciples, they immediately left their boats and fishing, and placed themselves under the authority of Jesus Christ. Matt. 4:20. They followed Him!

JESUS ​​CRIED TO THEM: FOLLOW ME, AND I WILL TEACH YOU HOW TO BECOME FISHERMEN OF MEN. WITH THE SAME TIME THEY LEFT THEIR NETS AND FOLLOWED JESUS.

Peter became an ardent follower of Jesus, constantly showing his eagerness to be close to Jesus, and often placed himself close to where things were happening. Whether it was when Jesus was on the sea and the waves were high, and Jesus called Peter out onto the waves, or it was when they were on the Mount of Transfiguration Matt. 17:1-5, Peter was always nearby.

In the beginning, the former fisherman was quick to speak and quick to act – Spontaneous and impulsive, we would say, and we recognize ourselves or others. Peter’s spontaneity also created difficulties for him along the way. For example, when Jesus spoke to him about his suffering and death, Peter reacted as if he knew better than Jesus. Jesus immediately rebuked him in Matt. 16:21-23.

But Peter learned from his mistakes. He is a good example of how we should not give in to personal desires, but wholeheartedly follow Jesus in obedience and walk close to him in all things, with the personality we have been given.

GOD CHOOSES ORDINARY PEOPLE LIKE PETER AND YOU AND ME – TO BE HIS MESSAGES IN OUR TIME AND TO POINT TO HIM!

Let us rejoice in Jesus coming to our dark and lost world, as the light and savior of the world.
Let us seek refuge and freedom around the cross - where Jesus gave his life as a ransom for us all and at the tomb - where Jesus rose from the dead and death is defeated in Jesus' Name. Hallelujah - Amen!
The Second Letter of Peter.

"Therefore, my beloved, since you are looking forward to this, be diligent to be found blameless and blameless before him in peace, and to consider that the patience of our Lord is salvation. Our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you with the wisdom given him, as he does in all his letters, speaking of these things. In his letters there are some things hard to understand, which the unlearned and unstable twist, as they do also the other scriptures, to their own destruction. My beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also be carried away with the error of the wicked and fall from your own steadfastness, but grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, to whom be glory both now and forevermore. Amen."

2 Peter 3:14-18.

God’s grace and peace be with you all in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

He simply asks if we love Him, will follow Him, and be obedient to what He tells us!

When we do, He will use us to reach others—far beyond what we ever imagined—on an exciting journey with Him.

Preach the gospel—use words if necessary…

FOLLOW JESUS!
Amen

31 DEAD WITH CHRIST – RAISED WITH CHRIST

 

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DEAD WITH CHRIST – RAISED WITH CHRIST

Read the section, verse refers to.

Today's chapter is. 2 Corinthians 5

Christ means. God's anointed Son, Jesus is His name.

CRUCIFIED WITH CHRIST
One of the strongest truths the apostle Paul emphasizes is that he is crucified with Christ – dead, buried and resurrected with Christ.

The reason why many Christians still fight a desperate battle to experience security and safety in salvation is probably because they have never grasped the truth, which is mentioned in Galatians 2:19-20, among other things:

I AM CRUCIFIED WITH CHRIST. I NO LONGER LIVE MYSELF, BUT CHRIST LIVES IN ME, AND THE LIFE I LIVE IN THE WORLD I LIVE BY FAITH IN THE SON OF GOD,

WHO LOVED ME AND GAVE HIMSELF FOR ME.

You must personally experience your death with Jesus before you can live the land of origin in Jesus.

Jesus did not die “just” for our sins, however great they may be. We died with him. The first part gives us forgiveness and boldness, the second part helps us overcome the problems we have with the “old man.”

Paul understood his participation in the finished work on the cross. It is not a question of emotion, but of faith in what Jesus did. The faith that we, who have accepted Jesus as our Savior, were included in all that happened to him in connection with his death and resurrection.
I am afraid that we will not truly benefit fully from the new life God has given us in Christ until we come to an agreement with God that our crucifixion and death happened when Jesus went through all of this.

First, we must realize that God, before the foundation of the world, determined to save, redeem, justify, and sanctify those who would believe in Christ and His atoning work. God saw us in Christ from the beginning. That is, we are partakers of all that Jesus went through and all that He won for us on the cross.

If this is difficult to understand, ask God to reveal it to you by the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 2:10)

Ephesians 1:4:
For God chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love. 1 Peter 1:18-20:

For you know that it was not with perishable things like silver or gold that you were redeemed from your futile way of life handed down to you from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish or blemish; for he was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was first revealed in these last times for you,
Romans 6:6

Knowing that our old self is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin;

The belief that we were included in Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection causes us to be convinced of what happened to us when we accepted Jesus.

From this it follows that – to the extent that we believe and understand that we are crucified with Christ – we experience that the sinful nature is rendered powerless and no longer dominates our lives and our thoughts as before.

When we put our trust solely in Christ and what he did on the cross – and in nothing else – sin loses its dominion over us.

V 7 HE WHO IS DEAD IS FREED FROM SIN.

When a person dies, all claims on him lose their effect, and the things by which he was bound no longer have the same influence on him.

If he was a slave, his master could no longer exploit him or force him to obey his master’s commands.

The temptations that once caused this person to stumble and fall no longer have that effect when he is dead.

Sin loses its power over the one who is crucified and dead with Christ. All this happens by faith in what Jesus did on the cross and our participation in it.

This does not mean that we are not capable of sin, but we are not dominated by the sinful nature as long as we count ourselves crucified with Christ and put our trust in Him alone.

2 Corinthians 5:14:

FOR THE LOVE OF CHRIST COMPELLS US, BECAUSE WE HAVE CONCLUDED THIS, THAT IF ONE DID FOR ALL, THEN ALL WERE DEAD.

Again we meet this attitude: When Jesus died for us, we died with Him. So we have surrendered our will, our life, yes, everything to Christ, who did all this for us.
amen

30 WILL WE LIVE AND CONFESS GOD’S WORD OF FAITH DESPITE OUR CIRCUMSTANCES?

 

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WILL WE LIVE AND CONFESS GOD’S WORD OF FAITH
DESPITE OUR CIRCUMSTANCES?

Or has unbelief taken over in our lives?

God has given us promises in our Bible for both temporal things and for the healing of our bodies. These promises are God’s hand that is extended to help us in all circumstances. All God requires of us is:

ACCEPT IN FAITH WITHOUT DOUBTING.
What are we to receive? THE PROMISES OF GOD’S WORD! JOHN.15-7 “IF YOU REMAIN IN ME, AND MY WORDS REMAIN IN YOU, ASK WHATEVER YOU WANT, AND IT WILL BE GIVEN TO YOU.” Only unbelief can prevent this scripture from being fulfilled in our lives. Unbelief says that this scripture must be interpreted in a different way. Jesus did not mean it literally, but it should be understood "spiritually." The unbeliever says: You must keep your common sense. Keep both feet on the ground!

YOU CAN'T WALK ON WATER, ONLY JESUS ​​COULD DO THAT.

That's not right, Peter could also IN FAITH! Yes, but he also sank says the unbeliever.
No, that's wrong, he walked on the water IN FAITH together with Jesus into the boat and they both got on board. JOH.14 -12 "VERILY, TRULY I SAY TO YOU, HE WHO BELIEVES IN ME, HE WILL ALSO DO THE WORKS THAT I DO, AND GREATER WORKS THAN THAT, BECAUSE I GO TO THE FATHER."

Greater works?? No, you must stop now says the unbeliever. Here really needs interpretation. But faith says: MARK.9-23 “ BUT JESUS ​​SAID TO HIM: IF YOU CAN! ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE TO HIM WHO BELIEVES.” The word all, covers everything! There is no room for unbelief here. ONLY FAITH CAN ACCEPT THIS.

Unbelief in the word of God must be confessed as sin.
Faith must be received from the Holy Spirit. HE MUST ALSO DO THE WORKS I DO! Jesus said this to the disciples, but they were not to do the works in their own power. I AM GOING TO THE FATHER, SAID JESUS. OH.14 16-17 “ AND I WILL ASK THE FATHER, AND HE WILL GIVE YOU ANOTHER COMFORTER, THAT HE MAY BE WITH YOU FOREVER, THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH, WHICH THE WORLD CANNOT RECEIVE, BECAUSE IT DOES NOT SEE HIM OR KNOW HIM; BUT YOU KNOW HIM, FOR HE DWELLS WITH YOU AND WILL BE IN YOU.”
MAT. 12-28 “ BUT IF I CAST OUT DEVILS BY THE SPIRIT OF GOD, THE KINGDOM OF GOD HAS COME UPON YOU.”

Here we see how Jesus ministered in the power of God, namely the power of the Holy Spirit.
MAT.12-15 “ WHEN JESUS ​​KNEW IT, HE DEPARTED THERE, AND MANY FOLLOWED HIM, AND HE HEALED THEM ALL. Jesus healed by the power of the Spirit.
When Jesus says you shall do greater works than I do, he refers to the Holy Spirit, whom he will pour out upon his church. Unbelief is happy at the word: WILL POUR OUT UPON HIS CHURCH. But faith says: HAS POURED OUT UPON HIS CHURCH. It happened on the day of Pentecost. Have you, dear reader, received this power in your life? It is by this POWER that you shall do greater works in faith than Jesus did.

THUS WE MUST RECEIVE THE BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT = THE POWER OF GOD, SO THAT WE CAN DO THE WORKS OF GOD! This applies to all born-again Christians. Imagine if all born-again Christians were clothed with the power of the Holy Spirit, so that they could do greater works than Jesus. Then the church would look different and not be so filled with "reasonable unbelief"! But that was what Jesus meant by pouring out the Holy Spirit.

Then there would not be so many "faithful Christians" in the church, but far more who by the power of the Spirit TRUST in faith in God's promises. And by the Spirit did the works of God.

Now I hear through some of my readers say: YES, BUT DO YOU DO IT YOURSELF? No, I don't! Because if you look at me, you don't see it. And if you look for the power in others, you don't see it. BUT IF YOU LOOK FOR THE WORKS OF THE SPIRIT, YOU WILL SEE IT. But unfortunately many look for the human and cannot distinguish the human from the spiritual.

JESUS ​​WALKED AMONG THEM, BUT THEY DID NOT SEE HIM.

In the same way, the men of God walk in the midst of the church and are witnessed by the Spirit, but they do not see them. THEY DO NOT SEE THE FINGERS OF GOD. They only see the human. THEY SEE NOT IN THEIR UNBELIEF THE PRE-PREPARED WORKS. They shut down the free movement of God's Spirit. JOH.3-8 ” THE WIND BLOWS WHERE IT WILLS, AND YOU HEAR THE SOUND OF IT, BUT YOU DO NOT KNOW WHERE IT COMES FROM AND WHERE IT GOES,
THAT IS WITH EVERYONE WHO IS BORN OF THE SPIRIT.” So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit, unless you yourself are filled with the Spirit, you cannot judge the Spirit in your brother.

YOU CANNOT SEE THE WORKS OF THE SPIRIT IN AND THROUGH HIM.
In your unbelief you can easily become an enemy of the Spirit of God. EPH.5 17-18 ” THEREFORE BE NOT FOOLISH, BUT UNDERSTAND WHAT THE WILL OF THE LORD IS. And do not get drunk with wine, for that leads to debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit.” ACTS 2 2-4 “Then there came a sound from heaven like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. And there appeared to them tongues like fire, which parted and sat on each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.”

Then Peter spoke and preached:
ACTS 2-22 “Men of Israel, hear these words: JESUS ​​OF NAZARETH, A MAN WHO“A man who was lame from birth was carried in. He was called “the one who was lame from birth.” He was “the one who was lame from birth.” He was called Then Peter looked intently at him, and so did John, and Peter said, “Look at us!” And he looked intently at them, expecting to receive something from them.
But Peter said, “Silver and gold I have none, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!” And he took him by the right hand and lifted him up. And immediately his legs and ankles became strong, and he leaped up and stood upright and began to walk around, and he followed them into the temple, walking around and leaping and praising God.”

Peter referred to Jesus' signs and wonders in his sermon, but he also went out after being baptized with the Holy Spirit and did the same works as Jesus.

THIS IS WHAT WE CHRISTIANS ARE CALLED TO AFTER WE HAVE BEEN BAPTIZED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT.

We not only have faith in God's promises for our own situation, when it comes to our temporal things and our own bodies, but also for the situation of others around us.

LET US NOT BE UNBELIEVERS, BUT BELIEVERS!

Amen

29 GREATER WORKS THAN JESUS

 

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GREATER WORKS THAN JESUS

Today's chapter is- Matt 12

No we are not to do greater works than the Lord Jesus but more works together look out over the whole earth, more works are done than Jesus because. We are called to the evangelization of the world is that so. One light shines, but more lights together shine more.

Unbelief in the word of God must be confessed as sin.
Faith must be received from the Holy Spirit. HE MUST ALSO DO THE WORKS I DO! Jesus said this to the disciples, but they were not to do the works in their own power. I AM GOING TO THE FATHER, SAID JESUS. OH.14 16-17 “ AND I WILL ASK THE FATHER, AND HE WILL GIVE YOU ANOTHER COMFORTER, THAT HE MAY BE WITH YOU FOREVER, THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH, WHICH THE WORLD CANNOT RECEIVE, BECAUSE IT DOES NOT SEE HIM OR KNOW HIM; BUT YOU KNOW HIM, FOR HE DWELLS WITH YOU AND WILL BE IN YOU.”

MAT. 12-28 “ BUT IF I CAST OUT DEVILS BY THE SPIRIT OF GOD, THE KINGDOM OF GOD HAS COME UPON YOU.”

Here we see how Jesus ministered in the power of God, namely the power of the Holy Spirit.
MAT.12-15 “ WHEN JESUS ​​KNEW IT, HE WENT THERE FROM THERE, AND MANY FOLLOWED HIM, AND HE HEALED THEM ALL.

Jesus healed by the power of the Spirit.

When Jesus says you shall do greater works than I do, he refers to the Holy Spirit, whom he will pour out upon his church. Unbelief is happy at the word: WILL POUR OUT UPON HIS CHURCH. But faith says: HAS POURED OUT UPON HIS CHURCH. It happened on the day of Pentecost. Have you, dear reader, received this power in your life? It is by this POWER that you shall do greater works in faith than Jesus did.

THUS WE MUST RECEIVE THE BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT = THE POWER OF GOD, SO THAT WE CAN DO THE WORKS OF GOD! This applies to all born-again Christians. Imagine if all born-again Christians were clothed with the power of the Holy Spirit, so that they could do greater works than Jesus. Then the church would look different out and not be so filled with "reasonable unbelief"! But that was what Jesus meant by pouring out the Holy Spirit.

Then there would not be so many "faithful Christians" in the church, but far more who by the power of the Spirit TRUST in faith in God's promises. And by the Spirit did the works of God.

Now I hear through some of my readers say: YES, BUT DO YOU DO IT YOURSELF? No, I don't! Because if you look at me, you don't see it. And if you look for the power in others, you don't see it. BUT IF YOU LOOK FOR THE WORKS OF THE SPIRIT, YOU WILL SEE IT. But unfortunately many look for the human and cannot distinguish the human from the spiritual.

JESUS ​​WALKED AMONG THEM, BUT THEY DID NOT SEE HIM.

In the same way, the men of God walk in the midst of the church and are witnessed by the Spirit, but they do not see them. THEY DO NOT SEE THE FINGER OF GOD. They only see it human. THEY DO NOT SEE IN THEIR UNBELIEF THE WORKS PREPARED IN ADVANCE. They shut down the free movement of the Spirit of God. JOH.3-8 “ THE WIND BLOWS WHERE IT WILLS, AND YOU HEAR THE SOUND OF IT, BUT YOU DO NOT KNOW WHERE IT COMES FROM AND WHERE IT GOES, SO IS IT WITH EVERYONE WHO IS BORN OF THE SPIRIT.” So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit, unless you yourself are filled with the Spirit, you cannot judge the Spirit in your brother.

YOU CANNOT SEE THE WORKS OF THE SPIRIT IN AND THROUGH HIM.
In your unbelief you can easily become an enemy of the Spirit of God. EPH.5 17-18 “ THEREFORE BE NOT UNFOOLISH, BUT UNDERSTAND WHAT THE WILL OF THE LORD IS. AND DO NOT GET DRUNK WITH WINE, WHICH LEADS TO DEbauchery, BUT BE FILLED WITH THE SPIRIT.” ACTS 2 2-4 “ THEN SUDDENLY A SOUND FROM HEAVEN AS OF A MIGHTY BLOW, AND IT FILLED THE WHOLE HOUSE WHERE THEY WERE SITTING. AND THERE APPEARED TO THEM TONGUES AS OF FIRE, AND THEY DIVIDED AND SIT ON EACH ONE OF THEM. AND THEY WERE ALL FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT, AND THEY BEGAN TO SPEAK WITH OTHER TONGUES, AS THE SPIRIT ACTUALLY GAVE THEM THEY.”

Then Peter spoke and preached:
ACTS 2-22 “ FELLOW ISRAELITES! HEAR THESE WORDS: JESUS ​​OF NAZARETH, A MAN ATTORNEY ATTORNEY TO YOU BY POWERFUL WORKS AND WONDERFUL SIGNS, WHICH GOD DID THROUGH HIM IN YOUR MIDST, AS YOU YOURSELVES KNOW.”

Peter referred to the works of Jesus as proof that God was with Him. In short, it is the same works that must follow Christians who are baptized with the Holy Spirit that prove that God is with them.

ACTS 3 2-8 “ AND A MAN WHO HAD BEEN LAMB FROM HIS MOTHER’S WORSHIP WAS BEING CARRIED THERE, WHO WAS USED TO SIT EVERY DAY AT THE GATE OF THE SANCTUARY WHICH IS CALLED BEAUTIFUL, TO ASK ALMIGHTY OF THEM WHO ENTERED THE SANCTUARY. HE FOUND PETER AND JOHN AS THEY WERE GOING INTO THE SANCTUARY, AND ASKED THEM TO GIVE HIM ALMIGHTY. THEN PETER LOOKED AT HIM FAST, AND JOHN DID THE SAME, AND PETER SAID, “LOOK AT US!” AND HE PAID CAREFULLY ATTENTION TO THEM, AS HE EXPECTED TO RECEIVE SOMETHING FROM THEM.

BUT PETER SAID, “SILVER AND GOLD I HAVE NOT, BUT WHAT I HAVE, THAT GIVE THEE: IN THE NAME OF JESUS ​​CHRIST OF NAZARETH, RISE UP AND WALK!” AND HE TOOK HIM BY THE RIGHT HAND AND RAISED HIM UP. AND IN THE SAME TIME HIS LEGS AND ANKLES BECAME STRONG, AND HE LEAPED UP AND STAND UP AND BEGAN TO WALK AROUND, AND HE FOLLOWED THEM INTO THE SANCTUARY, WHERE HE WALKED AROUND AND LEAPED AND PRAISED GOD.”

Petare referred to the signs and wonders of Jesus in his sermon, but he also went out after being baptized with the Holy Spirit and did the same works as Jesus.

THIS IS WHAT WE CHRISTIANS ARE CALLED TO AFTER WE HAVE BEEN BAPTIZED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT.

We not only have faith in God's promises for our own situation, when it comes to our temporal things and our own bodies, but also for the situation of others around us.

LET US NOT BE UNBELIEVERS, BUT BELIEVERS!
Amen

28 Seen, Known, and Loved

 

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Seen, Known, and Loved

Read the section verse refers to

Today's chapter is. John 4

In John 4 we meet a woman with a chaotic life. She had had five husbands, and the man she had now was not her husband. She came to the well alone in the middle of the day - probably to avoid the degrading looks of the others.

To her great surprise, Jesus began a conversation with her. Partly because she was a woman, partly because she was a Samaritan, and partly because she was a Jew, as Jesus did not speak to Samaritans. But Jesus did.

He began with a conversation, and despite the woman's many antics, Jesus arrived at what he had as his goal. The silence had to be broken, her life had to come to light with God. Jesus exposed her, not for the sake of exposure, but to save her and bring forgiveness into her life.

What is remarkable is her reaction. She runs back to the city and says,

“Come, see a man who told me all that I have ever done.”

What was once the guilt and shame in the woman’s life, what once weighed on her like a burden, so that she went out to draw water at a time when she had the least chance of meeting others, now becomes the testimony that she shares with the whole city. Not because her life had become perfect, but because she had met someone who knew the whole truth about her but did not turn away.

Many today fear that if God truly knew them, He would withdraw His love. “How can God love me when I have failed so much in the sexual area?” The Samaritan woman testifies to the opposite: “You are fully known, and you are fully loved.” This is the essence of the gospel.

27 WHEN YOU THINK GOD IS SILENT

 

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WHEN YOU THINK GOD IS SILENT

TODAY'S CHAPTER IS Psalm 32

Silence and God's Speech
In the Bible we have many examples, including David, who was unfaithful to the married woman Bathsheba, where in all his zeal to hide the sin he also became a murderer. From the text in 2 Sam 11 and 12 we can calculate that David tried to hide the sin for up to a year. A year when he did not speak to God. He expresses it himself in Psalm 32:3: "When I kept silent, my body wasted away, while I groaned all day long".

Shame always says: "Hide it".

God always says: "Come forward, confess it".

We encounter this with David, when Nathan is sent to David and exposes him as the one who has sinned against the Lord.

Why does God do this? To make David extra ashamed? To portray David as a particularly great sinner? No, God does it because He has something very special He wants to say to David. For the moment David stepped into the light and confessed: “I have sinned against the Lord” (2 Sam 12:13a), there was no hesitation with God: “The Lord will now forgive your sin.” (2 Sam 12:13b).

Jesus’ encounter with sexual sin

As God dealt with David in the Old Testament, so did Jesus when He was here on earth. Jesus did not avoid people who fell or lived in sexual sin.

On the contrary. He sought them out, spoke to them, and met them with a grace that was stronger than their guilt and shame.

Three examples
The silent confession

In Luke 7:36-50 we meet the woman about whom it is written, “that she lived in sin in that city” (v. 37).

She enters the Pharisee’s house, where she certainly does not belong. She comes with an alabaster jar full of oil. She says nothing. She cries. She anoints Jesus’ feet. Her whole body confesses what her mouth cannot say.

What is she bringing? An alabaster jar full of oil. How did she get something so expensive at that time? Yes, in all likelihood, the money was earned through her prostitution, so what she is really bringing is her entire life.

These are her sexual sins and everything that has followed in their wake.

Jesus does not reject her. He does not hand her over.

Jesus says: “Her sins, which are many, are forgiven” (v.47) “Your sins are forgiven” (v.48).

As Christians, there may be sins that are easier to confess, perhaps those mentioned at the beginning. But when it comes to sexual sin, words may stop. Here, perhaps all that is left are the tears. The body, mind and heart know what is wrong – but the fear of condemnation keeps me quiet. Jesus’ encounter with the woman tells me: I don’t need to explain everything to Jesus, he already knows. I just have to come to him, and the fact that I come with my “alabaster jar” and give it to him is the confession that Jesus acts on and says: “Your sins are forgiven.”

Seen, known and loved

In John 4 we meet a woman with a chaotic life. She had had five husbands, and the man she had now was not her husband. She came to the well alone in the middle of the day – probably to avoid the degrading looks of the others.

To her great surprise, Jesus began a conversation with her. Partly because she was a woman, partly because she was a Samaritan, and a Jew, as Jesus did not speak to Samaritans. But Jesus did.

He began with a conversation, and despite the woman’s many antics, Jesus arrived at what he had in mind. The silence had to be broken, her life had to come to light with God. Jesus exposed her, not for the sake of exposure, but to save her and bring forgiveness into her life.

What is remarkable is her reaction. She runs back to the city and says:

“Come, see a man who told me all that I have ever done.”

What was once guilt and shame in the woman’s life, what used to be a burden on her, so that she went out to get water at a time when she had the least chance of meeting others, now becomes the testimony that she tells the whole city. Not because her life had become perfect, but because she had met someone who knew the whole truth about her but did not turn away.

Many today fear that if God really knew them, He would withdraw His love. “How can God love me when I have failed so much in the sexual area?” The Samaritan woman testifies to the contrary: “You are fully known, and you are fully loved.” That is the essence of the gospel.
Amen

26 PRAY FOR YOUR FRIENDS

 

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PRAY FOR YOUR FRIENDS

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Today’s chapter is Job 42

AND THE LORD ENDED JOB’S TRIBULATION WHEN HE PRAYED FOR HIS FRIENDS. Job 42:10

Some mistakenly point to Job as proof that sickness is God’s will for many people. This is not true, but it is true that God allowed Job’s sickness to show Satan that Job would NOT turn away from his Lord when he faced opposition.

But it is important to understand that sickness can have many causes, but it does not originate with God. That would contradict the practice of Jesus and the words of Isaiah 53:4-6 and many other places in the Bible.

WE THINK HE SUFFERED FROM GOD’S PUNISHMENT FOR HIS OWN SINS. BUT IT WAS OUR SICKNESSES HE TOOK UPON HIMSELF, OUR SORROWS AND SUFFERINGS. HE BORN. HE WAS PIERCED FOR OUR SINS, AND Mutilated for OUR TRANSGRESSIONS. THE PUNISHMENT HAPPENED ON HIM THAT WE MIGHT HAVE PEACE. HE WAS WOUNDED THAT WE MIGHT BE HEALED.

When God later heals Job and gives him back what he has lost, the Hebrew text refers to his restoration as a literal return from captivity. This is evidence that his healing was a consequence of the driving back of evil, a restoration of something that had been taken from him.

THE LORD HEARD JOB’S PRAYER AND WHILE JOB PRAYED FOR HIS FRIENDS, THE LORD TURNED HIS DESTINY, SO JOB GOT DOUBLE AS MUCH AS HE HAD BEFORE
THEN HIS BROTHERS AND SISTER AND HIS OLD FRIENDS CAME BACK TO HIM AND HAD A FEAST IN HIS HOUSE, TO COMFORT AND ENCOURAGE HIM AFTER THE TRIALS HE HAD EXPERIENCED… Job 42:10-11

Job’s recovery coincides with his repentance. Chapter 29 seems to show that Job was very self-centered and that he later repented.

I KNEW YOU BY THE EYE, BUT NOW MY EYES HAVE SEEN YOU. I AM ASHAMED OF WHAT I HAVE SAID, I TAKE IT ALL AGAIN. I WILL SIT IN DUST AND ASHES TO SHOW MY PENANCE
Job 42:5-6

Job’s changed attitude and God’s restoration are linked. And Job’s attitude and forgiveness toward his friends became crucial to his own well-being and theirs. Job 42:7-9

SO RICH WAS THE LORD’S BLESSING ON THE LATER HALF OF JOB’S LIFE THAT IT FAR EXCEEDED WHAT HE HAD EXPERIENCED IN THE BEGINNING, FOR NOW HE OWNED 14,000 SHEEP, 6,000 CAMELS, 1,000 COUPLES OF OXEN AND 1,000 FEMALE DONKEYS…Job 42:12-16.

As we seek God for healing, let us also PRAY FOR FRIENDS, so that our friends may experience God’s intervention, but also to pave the way for healing for ourselves. Let us also be open to whether God is speaking to us about something we should repent of and forgive.

Today's chapter Job 42.
v1  No, that expectation would be a deception;
at the mere sight of it one would fall.
v2  No one is so foolish as to dare to tease it,
and who is he who can stand against it? v3    Who has joined battle with it and escaped?
No one under the whole heaven!

v4  I will not keep silent about its limbs
and about the strength and grace of its structure.
v5   Who has stripped off its outer garment?
Who has penetrated its double breastplate?
v6   Who has opened the doors of its face?
Its rows of teeth are terrifying.
v7  His back is a row of shields,
closed with flint seals,
v8  so close together,
that no air can come between them.
v9  They are closely knit together,
they are joined together, and cannot be separated.
v10  His sneeze brings forth light,
his eyes are like the eyelashes of the dawn.
v11  Flames come out of his mouth,
sparks fly from him.
v12  Smoke comes out of his nostrils
like a hot pot over the fire.
v13  His breath kindles embers,
flames come out of his mouth.
v14  Strength is in his neck.
Fear leaps before him.
v15  His fleshy belly is tight,
it sits as if cast and does not give way.
v16  His heart is firm as a stone,
firm as the lowest millstone.

v17  When he rises up, even the gods are seized with fear,
they are beside themselves with terror.
v18  The sword of the attacker bounces
as well as the spear, the slingshot, and the arrowheads.
v19  He counts iron as straw
and bronze as threshed wood;
v20  the arrows he does not flee,
the slingstone becomes stubble to him.
v21  The club is counted as straw,
he laughs at the swinging sword.

v22  Under its belly it has sharp thorns,
like a threshing sledge it draws tracks in the mire.
v23  It boils the depths like a pot,
it makes the sea a cauldron.
v24  Behind it is a shining path,
the depths are like gray hair.
v25  It has no equal on earth,
created as it is without fear.
v26  It dares to look at everything lofty,
it is king over all the proud beasts.

25 THE TOMB IS EMPTY – JESUS ​​LIVES

 

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THE TOMB IS EMPTY – JESUS ​​LIVES

Today’s chapter is 1 Corinthians 15.

CHRIST IS RISEN HE IS TRULY RISEN

JESUS ​​LIVES!

Without the RESURRECTION of JESUS, the basis of our faith disappears, and we are to be considered “the most pitiable of all men,” as Paul puts it in 1 Corinthians 15:18

When the women went to the tomb, they did not expect to see an angel or to meet the resurrected Jesus. They had brought ointment to anoint Jesus’ body, and perhaps had expected to have some trouble with the Roman guards.

Suddenly, something happened that NO ONE had imagined. An angel steps forward, rolls away the stone from the tomb, and sits on it. The guards do not understand and faint.

How would we react if that happened to us?
Imagine that a few days after the funeral of a close friend, you go back to lay a flower on the grave and suddenly an angel is sitting by the fence and tells you that you can deliver the flower to the deceased, who is waiting for you out in the woods.

How would you react?
Would you, like the women we read about, fall back and float on a pink cloud, or would you believe that you were seeing a vision and were losing your mind, because that is humanly impossible.

The women had no doubt:
THEY DID WHAT THE ANGEL TOLD THEM.

They tell the disciples, and we read that Peter and another disciple did not quite believe them, and wanted to see it for themselves – So they ran out to the tomb, not at a breakneck pace, but at record speed, I think.

IS IT NOT JESUS ​​OF NAZARETH YOU ARE LOOKING FOR? HE IS NOT HERE HE HAS RISEN FROM THE DEAD.

We can also experience Jesus – in the midst of the unexpected, what we cannot understand in this time of wars and insecurity in the world, or in the midst of frustration, sorrow, illness, pain, failure and defeat

JESUS ​​CAME TO THE DISCIPLES AND REVEALED HIMSELF. HE CAN DO THE SAME INTO YOUR SITUATION AND BRING LIFE, JOY, LIGHT AND TRANSFORMATION.

The angels’ message is also valid today:

CHRIST IS RISEN HE IS TRULY RISEN.

Jesus has conquered sin and death. He has paved a way so that we can boldly go to our Heavenly FATHER with everything that weighs us down.

Paul writes about the “core of the Gospel:
”CHRIST’S RESURRECTION” It describes OUR RESURRECTION and in the last half of the chapter describes: OUR NEW RESURRECTION BODIES

A chapter that is often overlooked, but good reading, in the Easter days. 1. Cor. Chapter 15 Death, where is your victory? Death, where is your sting? We praise God for all this.

IT IS HE WHO GIVES US VICTORY THROUGH JESUS ​​CHRIST OUR LORD

“My Jesus lives, therefore I will live. My Jesus lives, therefore I am safe. My future is in Jesus’ hands. My life is worth living, because He loves me”

CHRIST IS RISEN – JESUS ​​LIVES

“HE LIVES, HE LIVES, YES JESUS ​​LIVES TODAY. HE LEADS US, HE STRENGTHENS US, HE WILL LEAD OUR CAUSE. HE LIVES, HE LIVES, HE SAVES EVERYONE WHO BELIEVES. AND YOU ASK WHERE JESUS ​​IS, HE LIVES IN MY HEART.”

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24 YOU ARE UNDER GOD'S BLESSING

 

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YOU ARE UNDER GOD'S BLESSING

Today's chapter is Psalm 115

The name of the Lord is Yahweh, also pronounced Jehovah, depending on which nation you are from. Which means. I am. God is, I am.

Psalm 115

v1 Not to us, O Lord, not to us,
but to your name you give glory,
for your goodness and your faithfulness' sake.

v2 Why do the nations say,
"Where is their God?"

v3 when our God is in heaven
and does whatever he pleases?

v4 Their idols are silver and gold,
the work of human hands.
v5 They have mouths, but they cannot speak,
eyes, but they cannot see,
v6 ears, but they cannot hear,
noses, but they cannot smell.
v7 Hands they have, but they cannot feel,
feet, but they cannot walk;
there is no sound in their throat.
v8 So are their makers,
all who trust in them.

v9 Israel, trust in the Lord!
He is their help and their shield.
v10 House of Aaron, trust in the Lord!
He is their help and their shield.
v11 You who fear the Lord, trust in the Lord!
He is their help and their shield.

v12 The Lord remembers us and blesses us;
He blesses the house of Israel;
He blesses the house of Aaron;
v13 He blesses those who fear the Lord,
both small and great.
v14 The Lord will multiply you,
both you and your children.
v15 Blessed are you of the Lord,
Who made heaven and earth!
v16 The heavens are the Lord's heavens,
But the earth he gave to man.
v17 The dead do not praise the Lord,
Those who go down into silence;
v18 but we bless the Lord
from now on and forevermore.

God is your Father and is the God of blessing. Jesus became your curse, you are bought free, the price is paid
the army

22 The involuntary meeting

 

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The involuntary meeting

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The boy's chapter is. Joh ev 8

In John 8:1-12 we meet a woman who was dragged before Jesus. She had been caught in the act of adultery. Now she was on public display of her sin. She had nothing to say. No excuses. No explanation. No one to blame the man she had been with.

She just stood there with everything that was hers. But she stayed with Jesus. Because when all the accusations were gone, because Jesus had exposed them with his words, she was left alone with Jesus. That is why she was also the only one who heard the words from Jesus: “Neither do I condemn you. Go, and sin no more.”

Jesus did not trivialize her action, because he knew that with the words “neither do I condemn you”, he had pronounced the death sentence on himself, because now he had to take the punishment for her sin, guilt and shame.

How about you. Do you condemn others when you know something about them that they may have once done? Do you not do as Jesus did, you have the right to judge when God wants to bless. This also applies to you who publicly name other churches and priests and say by name, read this and that church and person goes like that, they are not real Christians, you know, you are self-righteous.

Jesus did not let her sin have the last word. In the meeting between the sinner and Jesus, grace had the last word, and where grace has the last word, new life is created. “Go and sin no more from now on.”

What about me?
I easily get the thought that I must get my sexual sins under control before I can come to Jesus. But God and Jesus' encounter with sexual sinners shows us something quite different.

I must live in the light and confess my sexual sins, not because sin is unimportant, but because grace is greater than sin. Confession is not about coming forward with a nice and controlled story, but it is about coming forward with the truth. No sin is too dirty for his grace. No shame is too deep for his gaze. On the cross he bore it all. Therefore, I must also come forward with what I would most like to hide from God, from other people, and even from myself.

In the encounter with Jesus, grace is allowed to trump shame.

By God's grace I am what I am, remember that when you feel like accusing and condemning other believers in Jesus.

"If we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin" (1 John 1:7).

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).
Amen

21 LET US ENDURE IN FAITH – Heaven awaits

 

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LET US ENDURE IN FAITH – Heaven awaits

Romans chapter 8:

V 24 FOR BY THIS HOPE WE ARE SAVED BUT HOPE THAT IS SEEN IS NOT HOPE; FOR WHO HOPES FOR WHAT IS SEEN?

We are saved and will reach Heaven one day if we endure in FAITH. That is our great hope. We have not seen the heavenly glory yet, but we have often had a foretaste, and that has only increased our hope and expectation. v 25 BUT IF WE HOPE FOR WHAT WE DO NOT SEE, WE WAIT FOR IT WITH ENDURANCE.

We do not intend to give up, even though we have not yet seen the goal. We endure in trials because we do not want to miss out on the heavenly glory. We hold fast to the confession of hope. We do not speak negatively and give up, but in faith we continue despite everything we encounter.

V 26 AND THE SPIRIT ALSO HELPS US IN OUR WEAKNESSES. FOR WE DO NOT KNOW HOW TO PRAY AS WE SHOULD, OR WHAT WE SHOULD PRAY FOR AS WE SHOULD. BUT THE SPIRIT

HIMSELF MAKES INTERCESSION FOR US WITH GRIEVINGS THAT CANNOT BE SPEAKED,

Jesus is our helper in daily life. He lives by faith in our hearts, and he prays for us. But in addition, the Holy Spirit comes to our aid when we put our trust in the cross of Christ.

The Holy Spirit does for us and in us what we cannot do for ourselves. This is done by the Holy Spirit helping us to pray in a way that is beyond our understanding. Yes, not only that. The Holy Spirit himself intercedes for us here below, while Jesus is our advocate with the Father. And we know that if we ask anything according to God's will, we will receive it. v 27 AND HE THAT SEARCHES THE HEARTS KNOWETH WHAT THE WILL OF THE SPIRIT WILL BE, BECAUSE IT MAKETH INTERCESSION FOR THE SAINTS ACCORDING TO THE WILL OF GOD.

God searcheth our hearts, and knoweth our needs, much more than we do. He letteth his Holy Spirit work in us, and pray for us. The Holy Spirit worketh only according to the will and plan of God, and according to our faith in the finished work of Calvary.

THINK WHEN I SEE MY SAVIOR, AND HIS EYE MEET ME, WHEN WITH JOY I SHALL SEE HIM WHO FOR ALL MY SIN HAS SUFFERED. THEN I SHALL SEE HIM MYSELF

BEHIND THE GLOSSY OF THE STARS OF HEAVEN, WHERE EYE EYE MEET EYE SEE HIM IN HIS KINGDOM WHAT JOY IN HIS NEARNESS ALL OUR NEED AND PAIN EVEN EVERY DARK WAY LIGHTED

Praise be to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!

BY HIS GREAT MERCY WE HAVE BEEN BORN AGAIN TO LIVE WITH HOPE, BECAUSE OF JESUS’ DEATH AND RESURRECTION FROM THE DEAD. OUR HOPE CONSISTS IN THAT WE HAVE BECOME HEIRS OF A KINGDOM THAT CAN NEVER PERISH, AND THAT WILL NEVER DEFINE OR FADE AWAY, THIS INHERITANCE IS NOW KEPT FOR US IN HEAVEN.

GOD HIMSELF WILL BY HIS POWER MAKE SURE THAT YOU ARE PRESERVED IN THE FAITH SO THAT YOU WILL REACH SAFELY UNTIL THAT SALVATION WHICH IS ALREADY NOW DESTINED TO REACH YOU AT THE END OF TIMES.

1. PETER 1:3-5

It is strange how we can succeed in all our ordinary busyness and enlightenment and openness, to keep death at bay; but it still appears, at the loss of a relative, close friend, colleague. Or when we talk to a colleague who is seriously ill.

Perhaps we have heard the words before "Eternal life - yes - yes - that time - that sorrow" that is how we think - and it may be basically quite healthy - but one thing is certain, - that it will come - that time and that sorrow.

IT IS WHILE WE LIVE THAT WE DECIDE WHERE WE WILL SPEND ETERNITY

The words about eternal hope, and the power of death being broken, take on a different ring when they sound at a coffin; and we are gathered because death has robbed us of one of our loved ones.

With those words, a crack opens from the world of death and into the pain and sorrow; the death we may fear and dread is the entrance door to the kingdom of God!

When everything seems to be farewell and loss to us, there is still a continuation on the other side of death; a continuation, - admittedly - which we cannot see, and do not understand, - but which is built on Jesus' own words and promises and Paul also writes about it in the above.

When we gather around a coffin to say goodbye to one of our loved ones, we can turn to hope, to Jesus' promises that we have a future on the other side of death:

ETERNAL LIFE

1. amen