We Would See Jesus

“The same came therefore to Philip, which was of Bethsaida of Galilee, and desired him, saying, Sir, we would see Jesus” (John 12:21).

There are so many distractions claiming our attention and consuming our thoughts. And there are even religious things that distract us and take our eyes off of Jesus Christ. What ceremony or tradition pulls you away from our Lord? What teaching is it that directs you to a process or procedure rather than to the Person of Christ?  Would you see Jesus?

Look upon Jesus today. Think on Him and dwell on Him as you go off to bed tonight. Awake to His presence as you start a new day. Walk with Him. Think on Christ. When you read your Bible, see Jesus. When you pray, listen and speak with Jesus. He will become your very life. As He does you’ll long for nothing else. Jesus will fill your heart, satisfy your thoughts, and flavor your words with grace and truth.



No Comments     Permalink     Print Print

Tags: , , , , , ,

That You Might Believe

“But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name” (John 20:31).

The life of Christ—His compassion, His miracles, His power, His love, His grace, His truth, and His divinity all give us valid reasons to believe in Him. That’s what the end of the book of John declares. “But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.”

Read the wonderful gospel of John again with this truth as your foundation. These things are written that you might believe. Bask in the all sufficiency of Christ. Walk with Him and fully embrace Him. Seek to know Him as He is revealed in this great book of the Bible. Allow the Father in Heaven to use the written word to draw you to Christ. All who will believe are given to Christ and then sealed for all eternity. Receive His gift and live. It’s yours!

But there is much more, dear friend. There is joy and peace. There is freedom, liberty, and victory. There is forgiveness and reconciliation beyond our initial salvation. Condemnation is gone. Judgment is gone. There is grace to follow our Lord without fear. Grace to live the way He has called us to live. And grace to receive and understand all He gives to us in Christ.

“But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name” (John 20:31). Believe and receive life. Life abundant and life victorious. Are you weary and heavy laden? Are you defeated and discouraged? Are you sour and grumpy? Joyless and sad? Turn to Jesus!



1 Comment     Permalink     Print Print

Tags: , , , , , , , ,

Speech With Grace

“Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man” (Colossians 4:6).

Here’s something most of us can improve on. Let our speech be always with grace—seasoned with salt. In other words, allow the wonderful impact of God’s immeasurable grace in our lives to reflect in our speech. Let us be gracious, loving, kind, and encouraging with our words. Let’s be slow to speak and slow to wrath.

I think of all the times Jesus spoke with “sinners” and if He chose, could have really hammered them with His words—and rightly so. If you think about it though, the ones He spoke sternly with were the pious religious zealots who had a form of Godliness but denied the power thereof; the spiritually dead who hid behind the mask of traditionalism, ceremonialism, and ritualism. The Pharisees and Sadducees rejected Jesus Christ and would not believe in Him. Furthermore, with their cunning words and beguiling speech they actually directed people away from Christ. “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves” (Matthew 23:15).

Salt is a preserver, a healing resource, and provides flavor. May our speech be always with grace and seasoned with salt. May we preserve relationships, heal wounds, and flavor the lives of others with speech full of grace and truth. And may we always remember that the one who is full of grace and truth abides in us. Have a Christ-directed day, my friend.



2 Comments     Permalink     Print Print

Tags: , , , ,

Ransom For All

“Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time” (1 Timothy 2:4-6).

Here is the heart, mind, and sovereign will of our Creator—that all men come unto the knowledge of the truth. Jesus Christ gave Himself a ransom for all—a ransom to be testified in due time. The word “all” means all. It means all, any, every, the whole, whatsoever, and whosoever. There is no twisting this word in order to make it include only the chosen, elect, or ordained. The “redemption” price for “all” has been paid in full! What a great gift. What undeserved mercy and kindness. What amazing grace this is—God offering to all men what we do not deserve; unmerited favor and unearned eternal life. All may come.

And what does this truth do for those of us who have already believed? I cannot speak for you but through the years I’ve known more of His kindness, forgiveness, and grace. My love and appreciation for Christ has grown. My awe and reverence for Christ has increased. Knowing and understanding His grace has changed my life. Am I some type of super-saint? Am I claiming spiritual superiority? God forbid! “This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief” (1 Timothy 1:15).

Personally, I believe in Christ and Christ alone for His great gift and provision for eternal salvation. I praise Him for the continued grace that allows me to follow Him. “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee” (Titus 2:11-15).

Read it once more, dear friend. Let these promises be yours. Consider what He says. Bask in its life changing truth. Find rest in its power and strength. Stand on its unmovable foundation. Believe in it with your whole heart and mind. Stand fast in the liberty wherewith Christ has made us free and do not be entangled again in the lifeless law and yoke of bondage.



No Comments     Permalink     Print Print

Tags: , , , , , , ,

“In Whom” - Ephesians 1:7

“In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;” (Ephesians 1:7).

What a wonderful spiritual blessing is ours in Christ Jesus! “…redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins ….” A “ransom” or “deliverance” has been paid and provided in full on the cross of Christ for all who believe. “And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world” (1 John 2:2). He died for the whole world. He died for all. And all may come! Do you believe?

Jesus became our sacrificial lamb. Forgiveness is given to those who believe. His forgiveness is so sufficient and so thorough that it’s as if you have never sinned. Think of that! His precious blood is so powerful and so affective that it continually cleanses us from all sin in our past, present, and future. Do you think of this great spiritual blessing that is ours to the full in Christ? Are you rejoicing in and praising the Lord Jesus Christ for His everlasting gift of mercy and grace? We do not deserve it, you know. But it’s ours.

At the annual atonement thousands of gallons of blood were sprinkled on the mercy seat by the Levitical priests but could never permanently atone for the sin of the people of Israel—once and for all time. “And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins:” (Hebrews 10:11). Every year the Israelites made the journey to have the priest’s offer sacrifice for their sins. And every year the offering could never take away their sins once and for all. This foreshadowed a better way. Jesus has come. He has bore the iniquities of us all. He has completely satisfied the just and holy requirement of God toward sin. In Christ you are sanctified once and for all! “But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool. For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified” (Hebrews 10:12-14).

What will you do with this great gift of grace? Will you float through this life lacking love for Christ? I am not asking us to devote ourselves to more holy standards, righteous disciplines, or godly rules. I am not encouraging us to “turn a new leaf” or make new resolutions. I am exhorting us to turn fully to Christ. Turn your heart to Him. Not religion. Not ceremony. Not sacrifice. To Jesus Christ! Believer, may our love for the Lord Jesus Christ constrain us to follow Him. May we long to know Him intimately, love Him sincerely, and follow Him faithfully.



No Comments     Permalink     Print Print

Tags: , , , , , , ,