United We Win

 “until the LORD have given your brethren rest, as he hath given you, and they also have possessed the land which the LORD your God giveth them: then ye shall return unto the land of your possession, and enjoy it, which Moses the LORD's servant gave you on this side Jordan toward the sunrising.”

‭‭Joshua‬ ‭1:15‬ ‭KJV

Joshua received God’s commission and rallied the people to forge unity to take possession of the promised land.  Joshua told the children of Israel that they will help their brothers until they take possession of the land that Yahweh their God was giving them as their homeland.  Afterward, they would be free to return to their own land and possess the land that Moses, Yahweh’s servant, gave them on the east side of the Jordan.  The focus was the unity of God’s people.  We too must be willing to fight for our brother’s victory as much as we fight for our own.  Later, when people did what was right in their own eyes, rather than for the benefit of the whole community, this became a problem for the children of Israel.  Joshua the prophet foresaw the complete victory of possessing the land of their enemies.  It was not one individual, nor one tribe, but all Yahweh’s children uniting together to get their complete inheritance.  Let’s not rest as the Body of Christ, to unite as one and receive our inheritance in the Kingdom of God and of His Christ!  Hallelujah!

The Greater Reality

 “Blessed are ye that hunger now: for ye shall be filled. Blessed are ye that weep now: for ye shall laugh.”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭6:21‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Luke records Jesus teaching the multitudes who came to listen, telling them that from that time onwards, the idea of fate or any sense of judgment, when faced with famine, is no longer relevant!  They were now blessed with a brand new reference of a far greater reality, where they are abundantly sustained and fully satisfied in lush green pastures! Their reason for weeping, was now transformed into happy laughter and joy!  In the new covenant that the Lord Jesus made with us, we are not defined by being abased or in abundance.  It might be a different day and a different place, but the secret remains the same; whether we are facing a feast or a fast, a fountain or a famine.  In every situation we are strong in the One Who empowers us from within to be who we are. I can do all things through Christ Who strengthens me. Glory!

Nation Born at Once

 “Who hath heard such a thing? who hath seen such things? Shall the earth be made to bring forth in one day? or shall a nation be born at once? for as soon as Zion travailed, she brought forth her children.”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭66:8‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Isaiah sees this amazing wonder saying who has ever seen or heard of such a wonder? Could a country be born in a day? Can a nation be birthed so suddenly?  Yet no sooner does Zion go into labour than she gives birth to sons!  This actually happened with Israel being “reborn” as a nation in 1948.  And it happened at Pentecost when the Church, a holy nation, was birthed by the Holy Spirit.  Every Word of God spoken never comes back void but accomplishes what it was sent to do.  Let’s honour the Word of God even above His Name and let it abide in us richly and in all wisdom.  Let’s teach our children to by-heart the Word of God so that they grow rooted and grounded in the Word, standing firm like a flourishing tree planted by God’s design, deeply rooted by the brooks of bliss, bearing fruit in every season of life. They will never dry, never faint, be ever blessed and ever prosperous. Amen!

“Your Sins are Forgiven”

 “And when he saw their faith, he said unto him, Man, thy sins are forgiven thee.”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭5:20‬ ‭KJV‬‬

When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the man, “Your sins are forgiven!”  Wow!  Jesus just pulled the religious rug out from under their favourite philosophy’s feet!  Suddenly the Pharisees and law professors felt very vulnerable.  Their entire hold and control over people is in question!  Sin-consciousness is how they trade!  Jesus, the Son of God became flesh to destroy sin and sin-consciousness and restore innocence in mankind - our original design!  This was even before the Cross!  Let’s wholeheartedly reclaim our innocence by believing that His death is our death and His resurrection is our resurrection!  Hallelujah!

The Second Man is the Lord from Heaven

 “The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, and the lion shall eat straw like the bullock: and dust shall be the serpent's meat. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain, saith the LORD.”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭65:25‬ ‭KJV

Isaiah prophetically saw the new world order where the wolf and the lamb will graze side by side and the lion will eat straw like the ox, and the serpent’s food will be dust.  There will be neither violence nor murder on Yahweh’s entire holy mountain of Zion.  God had told the serpent after it deceived Eve that it would eat dust all the days of it’s life.  Man was made from dust.  The serpent feeds on whatever we withhold from God.   The devil’s dining room is the fallen human nature and the mind of humans not yielded to God.  Over time, the serpent feeds and grows into the great dragon.  Although the first man is of the earth, earthy: the Second Man is the Lord from heaven. And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.  Thank You Jesus that we are in Christ who believe in Your Blood Sacrifice.  Amen!

Freedom of Forgiveness

 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, Because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; He hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, And recovering of sight to the blind, To set at liberty them that are bruised,”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭4:18‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Luke records that in the synagogue Jesus was handed the scroll of Isaiah which He opened to find the specific place where the following was written, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because He has anointed me to announce glad tidings to a starving people; He has commissioned me to announce the freedom of forgiveness to those held captive by their guilt and shame; also, the blind may now look up and be restored in their sight!  I am anointed to send out those who are bruised and traumatised, into the freedom of their redeemed innocence…”. The anointing is the true measure of our lives, not our mental or muscle efforts to produce results.  The Anointed Christ is the Good News in its most complete context.  The Word of God has been spoken and fulfilled.  Amen!

We Shall Be Saved

 “Thou meetest him that rejoiceth and worketh righteousness, those that remember thee in thy ways: behold, thou art wroth; for we have sinned: in those is continuance, and we shall be saved.”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭64:5‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Isaiah is prophesying of revival in Christ which is happening in our day.  He says that those who delight in doing what is right - Yahweh goes out and meets them with kindness.  They remember Yahweh and cherish His ways.  Yahweh showed His anger when they sinned again and again, yet they can be saved.  Salvation only comes from Yeshua, Whose Name means “He saves”!  Who does He save?  Only those who acknowledge their fallen mindset and understand their need to be saved.  When they recognise that His Blood sacrifice cleanses all humanity from all sin and seek His forgiveness, then salvation happens.  That is the power of His Blood, right down the ages!  Hallelujah to the Lamb of God Who takes away the sin of the world!

The Last Adam

 “which was the son of Enos, which was the son of Seth, which was the son of Adam, which was the son of God.”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭3:38‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Luke recording Jesus’s generations as the Son of Man here; son of Enos, son of Seth, son of Adam, son of God.  Enos, means gift of God, was the son of Seth which means the resurrection of that which was lost in death.  Seth was the third son of Adam and Eve.  Eve considered him to be a resurrection of her dead son, Abel, for she said that God had resurrected another seed for her, instead of Abel, whom Cain slew.  Adam, the son of God, means likeness made from dust, earthed in flesh, whom God made in His image and likeness.  Jesus is the last Adam Who became flesh, the Son of God.  Through Jesus Christ we became the sons and daughters of God as new creation!  Thank You Father for Your amazing plan!

God’s Redemption Work

 “For the day of vengeance is in mine heart, and the year of my redeemed is come.”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭63:4‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Isaiah prophetically declares what Yahweh is saying about Jesus.  “For a day of vengeance was in My heart, and the time for  My redeeming work had come..”.   In Isaiah’s time, a “day of vengeance” meant the release of the Jews from Babylon; in our time it means the release of the Church from the Dark Ages; and in the coming time, the release of creation from the bondage of corruption brought by sin.  It really is the prophetic fulfilment when Jesus Christ was crucified and rendered judgment on principalities and powers by the Blood of His Cross and His triumphant Resurrection.  Glory to God!

God’s Delight in Mankind

 “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, good will toward men.”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭2:14‬ ‭KJV‬‬

God’s highest and grandest intention in the heavens is dove-tailed upon earth in unbroken, incarnate oneness.  In being human, He exhibits His delight in mankind!  It is not “peace to all men and women in earth who please Him”; as if God’s delight is only a reward for those who qualify.  He loved us when we were at our worst and He loved us first!  Mankind is God’s delight!  For God is satisfied to have all His fullness dwelling in Christ. And by the Blood of His Cross, everything in heaven and earth is brought back to Himself—back to its original intent, restored to innocence again!  God is fully at home in Christ.  Jesus exhibits God’s happy delight to be human.  Thank You Father!

Continual Intercession

 “I have set watchmen upon thy walls, O Jerusalem, which shall never hold their peace day nor night: ye that make mention of the LORD, keep not silence,”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭62:6‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Isaiah prophesied the importance of intercession and says to Jerusalem that Yahweh has stationed intercessors on its walls who will never be silent, day or night.  They are there to remind Yahweh and they take no rest. Jesus spoke a parable to the multitudes regarding this, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint. Likewise the Spirit also helps our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.  Therefore we are to intercede continually to remind God of His promises.  Like divine administrators, we remind God of His promises and appointments He must keep.  Intercession for believers is fruitful when we have a relationship with God and not an empty ritual.  Let’s talk to our God continuously so we bear much fruit.  Amen!

God’s Embrace of the Human Race

 “And all they that heard them laid them up in their hearts, saying, What manner of child shall this be! And the hand of the Lord was with him.”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭1:66‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Luke recorded the birth of John the Baptist when the dumb mouth of his father Zechariah spoke after nine months, as he spoke praises to God.  Everyone who heard about this treasured it in their hearts, wondering about this child’s destiny.  The Hand of the Lord was clearly with him.  Isaiah had asked the Lord hundreds of years ago, “who has believed our report?  To whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed!”  Who understands how God has reached into our world? The incarnation is God’s Arm, reaching into our immediate moment!  His Hand extends God’s touch; He is God’s embrace of the human race!  Let’s believe Yahweh’s passionate desire for mankind through Christ and respond to Him with gratitude.  Amen!

Priests Who Reign on Earth

“But ye shall be named the Priests of the LORD: men shall call you the Ministers of our God: ye shall eat the riches of the Gentiles, and in their glory shall ye boast yourselves.”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭61:6‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Isaiah saw Yahweh’s desire for all believers in His Son, that we will be known as Priests of Yahweh, and called the Servants of our God.  We will feast on the wealth of nations and revel in their riches.  This far surpasses the priestly ministry of the Old Covenant.  Under God’s Covenant, the Jewish system only allowed Levites to be priests, but in the New Covenant reality we are all believer-priests.  Once we were covered in ashes, but now we are robed as royal priests in Christ’s beauty.  In heaven they were all singing this new song of praise to the Lamb: “Because you were slaughtered for us, you are worthy to take the scroll and open its seals. Your Blood was the price paid to redeem us. You purchased us to bring us to God out of every tribe, language, people group, and nation. You have chosen us to serve our God and formed us into a kingdom of priests who reign on the earth.  Glory to God!

Realising Christ in Us

 “Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?”

‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭13:5‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Paul implores us to examine our faith for ourselves in order to test what it is that we really believe.  Faith is so much more than the mere veneer of a superstitious belief in a historic Christ; faith is about realising Jesus Christ in us, in the midst of contradiction!  Faith is not a cover up of potential depression or disappointment when faced with trying times!  There is only one valid faith, not about what we believe about God or about ourselves, but what God believes about ourselves!  God is persuaded about Christ indwelling us, now He wants us to be equally persuaded!  Self-examination has nothing to do with finding hidden sins and flaws in us, it is about realising Christ in us!  Christ Himself is the proof of faith, He is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.  Christ in us is the hope of glory!  Hallelujah!

The Light of God’s Glory on the Church

 “Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee.”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭60:1‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Isaiah prophesies about the glorious new day of the Lord.  He asks to rise up in splendour and be radiant for your light has dawned, and Yahweh’s glory now streams from you!  This light breaks forth with the light of the new day.  We see this light as Jesus Who shines upon us, the Church, and the light of the Church shining upon the nations.  The glory of Yahweh is upon the Church to usher in our new day, our new priesthood, our new wedding, Yahweh’s new mercy, our new prayer, a new heaven and a new earth, the new Jerusalem.  Let’s enjoy the light of Christ’s glory upon us!  Hallelujah!

Grace is God’s Language

 “And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”

‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭12:9‬ ‭KJV‬‬

When Paul realised that the messenger was not from God but from satan, it finally dawned on him that grace is God’s language; God doesn’t speak “thorn-language”!  The Lord Jesus said to Paul that His grace elevates Paul to be fully content.  So now, instead of being overwhelmed with a sense of his own weakness, Christ has overwhelmed Paul with an awareness of His own strength! It was blissful for Paul to rejoice in the midst of his frailties and encounter the dynamic of the grace of God to be his habitation!  Paul suggests that God’s grace fits him like a skin as he feels most at home in the consciousness of God’s grace.  Thank You Jesus for Your grace is our sufficiency!  Amen!

The Standard of the Holy Spirit

 “So shall they fear the name of the LORD from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him.”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭59:19‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Isaiah saw the mighty Holy Spirit bringing God’s Presence in His people in the new covenant, saying that from the west to the lands of the rising sun, the glory and the Name of Yahweh will be held in highest reverence.  For when the enemy comes in like a flood, the breath of Yahweh will put him to flight.  God broke into the human condition as a Man Who died on the Cross.  His Blood, like a flood of righteousness, washes away the sins of those who believe in Him.  Thank You Jesus for sending the Holy Spirit!  Amen!

The Gospel is Lifegiving, not an Entertainment

 “But though I be rude in speech, yet not in knowledge; but we have been throughly made manifest among you in all things.”

‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭11:6‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Paul says that he is not there to entertain his listeners with his public speaking skills, or to impress us with himself, but to impress us with who we are in Christ!  It is not in the plausible sounding words of Paul’s conversation, it is in what he knows to be true about us.  This is clearly evident in all his dealings.  As he said earlier that his message is not with persuasive arguments based on secular wisdom since his aim was not to point people to himself but rather to the powerful working of the Spirit in them.  Paul never sought to steal the show and entertain the crowds.  Paul never wrote about how many people he had healed or brought to faith.  His all-consuming concern was that the eyes of our understanding would be illuminated with the revelation of our salvation and our identity in Christ!  Let’s be Christ-conscious rather than people conscious or sin conscious.  Thank You Holy Spirit, for enlightening the eyes of our understanding.  Amen!

Redemption Benefits

 “and if thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul; then shall thy light rise in obscurity, and thy darkness be as the noon day:”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭58:10‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Isaiah saw that as the last days approached, the Church is called to commit to banish every form of oppression in our lives, churches and society; to remove scornful accusation and criticism of others and their ministries; to forbid the spread of malicious slander; to have compassion for the poor and disenfranchised; to comfort those enduring suffering and tragedy.  Then God promises multiple blessings.  Our spiritual light and influence will increase in our communities; discouragement and gloom will disappear from our lives; Yahweh will give us specific guidance and counsel to know what to do and where to go; He will fill us with renewing grace, even when we are surrounded by difficult situations; our spiritual lives will flourish like a garden with fruit and beauty; we will not cease to be an ever-flowing source of blessing to others; we will be given Yahweh’s grace to rebuild lives and institutions in our cities, churches and nations.  All this, so we would reap the benefits of redemption given us in Christ Jesus.  Glory to God!

Christ’s Obedience

 “casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;”

‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭10:5‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Paul was convinced that every lofty idea and argument positioned against God’s knowledge of us, is cast down and exposed to be a mere invention of our own imagination.  We arrest every thought at spear point - anything that could possibly trigger an opposing threat to our redeemed identity and innocence - is taken captive.  The calibre of our weapon is empowered by the revelation of the ultimate consequence of the obedience of Christ.  The obedience of Christ dwarfs the effect of the disobedience of Adam into insignificance!  One man’s disobedience opened the door for all humanity to become sinners. So also One Man’s  obedience opened the door for many to be made perfectly right with God and acceptable to Him.  Just as sin reigned through death, so also this sin-conquering grace reigns as king through righteousness, imparting eternal life through Jesus, our Lord and Messiah!  Hallelujah!

Healing with Peace

 “I have seen his ways, and will heal him: I will lead him also, and restore comforts unto him and to his mourners. I create the fruit of the lips; Peace, peace to him that is far off, and to him that is near, saith the LORD; and I will heal him.”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭57:18-19‬ ‭KJV‬‬

What a wonderful prophecy from Isaiah of the Lord Jesus Christ, the promise of revival and healing!  Even though God has seen our ways, He will heal us.  He will guide us forward and repay us with comfort, giving mourners the language of praise.  God offers peace to those who are far from Him, and to those who are near, and He heals our deepest wounds.  The true worshipper progresses from the outer court (healing) forward into the Holy Place, until we are drenched with God’s comforting Presence in the Holy of Holies, where we release our language of praise.  We are in Christ Jesus who sometimes were far off and now made nigh by the Blood of Christ.  For He is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of partition between us, making us a new creation!  Hallelujah!

Extravagant & Boundless Grace

 “And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:”

‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭9:8‬ ‭KJV‬‬

In Paul’s estimate, it is impossible to exaggerate the dimensions and detail of the grace of God! Dive deep into the extravagance of grace that God gives as He bountifully deals with us! We are already advantaged far beyond any calculation of personal merit, to be completely self-sufficient at all times in every possible situation that we might face.  The overflow even supplies the needs of others in many creative ways to do good!  From the overflow of Jesus’s Blood Sacrifice, the Holy Spirit is already at work in us to restore us to be as Jesus.  This overflow of God’s grace enables us to be completely satisfied in God’s work in and through us!  Hallelujah!

Christ’s Grace is the Greatest

 “even unto them will I give in mine house and within my walls a place and a name better than of sons and of daughters: I will give them an everlasting name, that shall not be cut off.”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭56:5‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Isaiah is prophesying about the eunuchs and saying that Yahweh will bestow upon them within His household both an honoured place and an honoured name, even better than the honour that comes from having children.  Yahweh will bestow on them His everlasting favour, and they will never be forgotten.   Yahweh’s household is His family.  His grace is greater than our disqualifications.  In spite of our imperfections, if we continue to honour Yahweh and His Word, favour will rest in our lives forever.  This favour and name will endure longer than what comes from having children.  Let’s not be in the category of those who disqualify others but be used of our Father to bring many and even the outcasts, into His family!  Amen!

We are Christ’s Treasure

 “For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.”

‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭8:9‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Paul’s revelation of Jesus’s exchange on the Cross where he reminds us that we are acquainted with what the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ communicates: He exchanged His riches for our poverty; the extremities of His identifying with our poverty became the reference to our wealth.  Everything He has is ours.  We are His wealth.  In the parable where the man who found the treasure in the field, sold all he had and bought the entire field, Jesus persuades us to believe that we are all He has!  What amazing grace!  What breath-taking love.  How He loves each one individually.  May we receive His personal love and walk in the exceeding riches of His grace!  Hallelujah!

The Word of God Prospers where it is Sent

 “For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: so shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭55:10-11‬ KJV

Isaiah prophesies God’s invitation to mankind to an abundant life which only comes through Jesus Christ.  As the snow and rain that fall from heaven do not return until they have accomplished their purpose, soaking the earth and causing it to sprout with new life, providing seed to sow and bread to eat.  So also will be the word that Yahweh speaks; it does not return to Him unfulfilled.  Yahweh’s word performs His purpose and fulfills the mission He sent it out to accomplish.  Snow, rain, water, seed, bread describe the Lord Jesus.  He is the Seed of the woman, the Living Bread, the Way and the Life that sprouts in us.  He is the Word that was sent as our Apostle, and He will not return to heaven without accomplishing all God’s pleasure.  Glory!

Christ the Revealer of our Righteousness

 “For behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what clearing of yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge! In all things ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter.”

‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭7:11‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Paul is encouraging the Corinth church and telling them to consider that the very thing that caused them such initial grief, has turned their attention to God!  It revived an immediate sense of urgency to realise their position in grace; almost like when your arm is twisted and locked behind your back, and your own efforts to clear or save yourselves were completely neutralised.  They were greatly alarmed with an intense desire and burning zeal to re-endorse the basis of their righteousness.  So in everything their blameless innocence is vindicated!  Christ is made unto us the righteousness of God, so we are not to get competitive with one another’s righteousness but what is common with one another’s righteousness must set the pace.  Let’s not allow anger or irritation to distract us.  The Lord Himself is the revealer of righteousness.  Amen!

Covenant of Peace Forever

 “For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the LORD that hath mercy on thee.”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭54:10‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Isaiah prophesies that even if the mountains were to crumble and the hills disappear, Yahweh’s heart of steadfast, faithful love will never leave us, and His covenant of peace with us will never be shaken, and Whose love and compassion will never give up on us, says Yahweh.  This covenant of His shalom is Yahweh’s promise of peace, prosperity, success, wholeness and well-being, is our portion all our days on earth.  It is Yahweh’s compassion which is like a mother’s love.  Now hope does not disappoint, because Yahweh’s love has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.  Glory to God!

Christ’s Yoke is Easy

 “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?”

‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭6:14‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Paul clearly states that faith-righteousness has nothing in common with the philosophies of _karma_ and performance-based approval; they could never balance the scales or be evenly yoked together in any context.  The Hebrew word for righteousness also includes the idea of a wooden beam in a scale of balances.  For us, that wooden beam is the Cross that Jesus carried and on which He was hung, to evenly balance out our righteousness through Him.  It’s illogical but Jesus said to take His yoke upon us for it is easy and His burden is light.  Let’s believe in the finished work of the Cross, deny ourselves and take up our cross and follow Christ being victorious in the righteousness we received freely as a gift.  Hallelujah!

Yahweh’s Pleasure in Mankind’s Redemption through Jesus Christ

 “Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand.”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭53:10‬ ‭KJV‬‬

There is no human in history who fulfilled Isaiah’s prophecy in such detail except the Lord Jesus Christ, and Isaiah prophesied this over seven hundred years before Christ!  Even though it pleased Yahweh to crush Him with grief, He will be restored to favour.  After His soul becomes a guilt-offering, He will gaze upon His many offerings and prolong His days.  And through Him, Yahweh’s deepest desires will be accomplished.  This points to the resurrection of Jesus Christ Who died and rose again to the place of highest honour.  Through Christ’s sacrifice, the birth of spiritual offspring will result, and He will see His spiritual offspring and enjoy living His life through them, from generation to generation prolonging His days.  The life we live is no longer our own as we walk away in close fellowship with Christ.  A people in His image is the joy that was set before Him!  Glory to God!

One Died for All

 “For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:”

‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭5:14‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Paul’s revelation of Christ’s agapé love is immeasurable.  The love of Christ constrains us and resonates within us; leaving us with only one conclusion: when Jesus died, every individual simultaneously died.  In God’s logic, one has died for all, thus all have died.  Jesus didn’t die 99% or for 99%.  He one hundred percent died humanity’s death!  Only the agapé love of Christ can make a calculation of such enormous proportion!  The religious mind would question the extremity of God’s love and perhaps prefer to add a condition or two to a statement like that!  Let’s believe that Jesus died for all and those of us who believe have also died and are risen with Christ.  Worthy is the Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world!