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Showing posts from March, 2023

The Thief, Accountability, and Abundant Life

  Title: Understanding John 10:10, Exodus 22, and the 8th Commandment In the Bible, several verses and teachings emphasize the importance of upholding God's commandments and living a righteous life. Among these are John 10:10, Exodus 22, and the 8th Commandment ("Thou shalt not steal"). Let's explore these passages and how they are connected to the concept of accountability and the promise of abundant life in Jesus. John 10:10 : This verse is part of a larger teaching where Jesus contrasts Himself as the Good Shepherd with the thief. Jesus says, "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life and have it abundantly." Here, the thief can be interpreted as the enemy, including Satan, whose intentions are purely destructive and harmful. In contrast, Jesus brings life and abundance to those who follow Him. Exodus 22 : In this passage, God outlines laws for restitution and justice, including how to handle theft. A thief is held

The Pressing: Extracting the Oil of Deliverance

Exploring the Three Meanings of Pressing and Crushing in the Bible and Their Connection to the Ultimate Deliverance and Salvation of Humanity through Jesus Christ Dear Brothers and Sisters in Jesus Christ, Greetings, Peace, and Blessing to you All.  The Power of the Almighty is with you always. In the Bible, pressing and crushing are not just physical acts, but powerful symbols of spiritual transformation and deliverance. From the pressing of olives to the crushing of grapes and the pressing through the crowd by the woman with the issue of blood, the act of pressing has taken on multiple meanings that reveal deep truths about God's plan for humanity. The pressing of olives is a necessary process to extract the valuable oil, which has been used throughout history for medicinal, culinary, and spiritual purposes. Similarly, the pressing of grapes produces wine, which is a symbol of joy, celebration, and new life. In the same way, Jesus Christ, through His sacrifice on the cross, was p

Surrendering to God's Sovereignty: Lessons on Humility and the Illusion of Earthly Power

 Subtitle: It's Not About Their Power, But All About God's Sovereignty Throughout history, kings and kingdoms have risen and fallen. Some have ruled with wisdom and justice, while others have oppressed their people and pursued their own selfish ambitions. But in the midst of it all, there is one constant: God's sovereignty over all things. In the book of Isaiah, we see the story of the king of Assyria, who boasted of his power and threatened to conquer Jerusalem. But God intervened and saved his people, reminding them that it was not the king's power, but God's sovereignty that prevailed. (Isaiah 37:33-35) Similarly, in the book of Exodus, we read of Pharaoh's arrogance and refusal to release the Israelites from slavery. But God showed his power and sovereignty through the plagues that he sent upon Egypt, eventually leading to the Israelites' freedom. (Exodus 7-12) Even the great King Nebuchadnezzar, who had conquered many nations and boasted of his power, w

On the Road to Salvation: Embracing the Turns on the Road of Life

How Paul's Encounter on the Road to Damascus Can Inspire Our Journey to Salvation Dear Beloved Brothers and Sisters, As we journey down the road of life, we encounter many twists and turns that challenge our faith and test our resolve. However, just as Paul's encounter on the road to Damascus led to his transformation, we too can experience a powerful encounter with Jesus that leads to our salvation. In this blog post, we will explore the details of Paul's experience on the road to Damascus and draw parallels to our own journey towards salvation. We will also examine how we can embrace the turns on the road of life and trust in Jesus to guide us towards our ultimate destination. Paul's Experience on the Road to Damascus Paul, also known as Saul of Tarsus, was a devout Jew who persecuted Christians. He was on the road to Damascus to arrest more Christians when suddenly, a bright light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying, "S

Ride the waves of life with Jesus at the helm

Title: Jesus is in Control: The Power of His Authority over the Waters in Your Life Welcome dear Brethren to a post that will change your perspective on how you view the power and authority of Jesus over the waters. The Bible is filled with instances where God demonstrated His power by parting the waters, and in the New Testament, Jesus demonstrated His power by controlling the waters. Let us dive in and explore this further. In the Old Testament, we see that God parted the Red Sea for the Israelites to pass through safely on dry land (Exodus 14:21-22). Additionally, God parted the Jordan River so that the Israelites could enter the Promised Land (Joshua 3:14-17). These powerful acts demonstrate God's ability to intervene in our lives and provide a way for us to overcome any obstacle that we may face. In the New Testament, we see that Jesus has control over the waters in a different way. He is recorded as walking on water, calming storms, turning water into wine, and healing people

Unlimited grace: Extend mercy to others, just as God has shown mercy to you

Subject: Seventy times seven - Embody complete forgiveness and bring glory to God's name. Blessings to All, 🙌  Grace and Peace unto You. 🙏  My Brothers and Sisters, forgiveness is an essential component of spiritual growth and a core tenet of the Christian faith. As a follower of Christ, I implore you to embrace forgiveness in all aspects of your life. Jesus taught us to forgive not just seven times, but seventy times seven times, indicating that forgiveness should be complete and unending. As we explore the meaning of this concept in Hebrew numerology, we find that the number seven represents completion, perfection, and rest, while the number seventy signifies completeness, fullness, and duration. In the Book of Amos, we learn that God forgave Israel's enemies three times before punishing them. However, Jesus calls us to go beyond limited forgiveness and to extend mercy to others, just as He has shown mercy to us. It is crucial to remember that God gave His only Son, Jesus,

God Shows Up in the Fire: How Faith Brings Miracles

  "In the midst of the flames, faith is the anchor that holds us steady, and God is the light that guides us through. #GodInTheFire" When we face trials and tribulations in life, it can feel like we are walking through fire. We may feel like we are alone, but as believers, we have a promise from God that He will never leave us nor forsake us. In fact, God often shows up in the fire, revealing His power and presence to those who trust in Him. The Bible is full of stories of people who faced seemingly impossible situations, and yet, through their faith in God, they were able to overcome. One such story is that of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who were thrown into a fiery furnace by King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon. Despite the intense heat of the flames, these three young men were not harmed, and the king himself saw a fourth figure walking with them in the furnace, which many interpret as an angel or manifestation of God's presence (Daniel 3:25). This story is a powerful

Bearing Witness to the Word: How Jesus Christ is the Ultimate Witness of Heaven

Follow the ultimate witness, Jesus Christ, and see Heaven through His eyes Greetings to You All, Grace and Peace unto You: As believers, we all have a calling to bear witness to the truth of Jesus Christ. But have you ever considered how Jesus Himself is the ultimate witness to the reality of Heaven? In the Gospel of John, we see how Jesus' life, death, and resurrection bear witness to the reality of God's kingdom and offer us a glimpse into the heavenly realm. Let's explore how Jesus is the ultimate witness of Heaven and how we can follow in His footsteps. Jesus, the Ultimate Witness of Heaven: Jesus' life and teachings offer us a powerful testimony to the reality of God's kingdom. In John 3:3, Jesus tells Nicodemus, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." Through His words and actions, Jesus shows us what it means to live in the kingdom of God and invites us to join Him in this reality. Furthermore, Jesus

The Mystery of the Blood and Water: Exploring the Profound Significance of Jesus' Crucifixion

When Jesus was crucified, something remarkable happened: blood and water flowed from his side, a sight that left many witnesses stunned and bewildered. This event has profound theological and symbolic significance for Christians, pointing to the power and mystery of Jesus' sacrifice on the cross. In this post, we will explore the biblical and theological meanings of the blood and water that flowed from Jesus' side, and what they reveal about the nature of God's love and redemption. One of the key biblical passages that describe this event is John 19:34-35, which says: "But one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once there came out blood and water. He who saw it has borne witness—his testimony is true, and he knows that he is telling the truth—that you also may believe." The significance of the blood and water can be understood on several levels. First, they are a powerful symbol of the atoning power of Jesus' death on the cross. As 1 John 1:

For such a time as this

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, I greet you in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. As we navigate through these turbulent times, I am reminded of the story of Esther and Mordecai, who faced seemingly insurmountable obstacles yet remained steadfast in their faith. Their story serves as a powerful reminder of God's providence and the strength of His people in times of trial. "For such a time as this" - these words uttered by Mordecai to Esther have echoed throughout history, and still ring true for us today. Just as Esther was called to use her position of influence to help her people, we too are called to use our gifts and talents to serve others and glorify God. As Romans 12:6-8 reminds us, "We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giv

Stay Connected to Jesus: Flourishing as Tall Trees

 In the Bible, trees often symbolize spiritual truth, and one of the most powerful images is that of Jesus as the vine and us as the branches. This metaphor invites us to consider how our lives are connected to Christ, and how we can flourish and grow in any circumstance. In this post, we'll explore this image and how it can inspire us to stay connected to Jesus, the true source of life. As we've seen, the image of the vine and branches appears in both the Old and New Testaments. In the Old Testament, Israel is often depicted as a vineyard, a people chosen and cared for by God. In the New Testament, Jesus takes up this imagery and applies it to himself and his disciples. He says, "I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing" (John 15:5). What does it mean to abide in Jesus as the vine? First, it means recognizing that he is the source of our life, the one who sustains us a

Take up your sword and fight the good fight with the Word of God!

A Letter of Encouragement from Our Pastor JK. Woodall, Ph.D. 🙌  Subject:  Take up your sword and fight the good fight with the Word of God! Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. As followers of Christ, we have been given a powerful weapon - the Word of God, which is our sword. This sword is not physical, but spiritual, and it has the power to bring down strongholds, defeat the enemy, and change lives. I am writing to you today to urge you to actively use the sword given by God. In these times of great spiritual warfare, we must be vigilant and ready to fight. We cannot be complacent or passive, but we must engage in spiritual battles with the full armor of God and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. The Word of God is our ultimate weapon against the schemes of the enemy. It is living and active, and it has the power to discern truth from falsehood, defend against spiritual attacks, bring about conviction and repe

Feeling the Touch of Jesus: A Journey of Healing and Restoration

 Have you ever felt lost, broken, or hopeless? Have you ever yearned for healing and restoration? If so, you are not alone. Throughout history, people have turned to God for healing, guidance, and strength. And in the Bible, we see that Jesus had a special gift for healing through touch. In the Old Testament, touch was used as a symbol of power, blessing, and healing. In Exodus 29:20, Aaron and his sons were anointed as priests by a touch of blood. In Leviticus 4:15, the priest laid hands on a sacrificial animal to transfer the sins of the people. And in Numbers 27:18-23, Moses laid hands on Joshua to commission him as his successor. In the New Testament, we see that Jesus continued this tradition of healing through touch. In Mark 5:25-34, a woman who had been bleeding for twelve years touched Jesus' cloak and was immediately healed. In Mark 7:31-37, Jesus touched a deaf man's ears and tongue to heal him. Through these stories, we see that Jesus' touch was a powerful symbol

Welcome to Your New Month of March 2023

 Happy March, the 3rd month of the year! In Hebrew tradition, the month of Adar (which corresponds to March) is a time of renewal and return to God. As we embrace this new month, let us remember the biblical significance of the number 3 and the Holy Trinity.  Let us seek renewal through faith in Jesus Christ, who offers us the gift of eternal life. Take time this month to reflect on your spiritual journey and commit to growing closer to God. #Renewal #Return #March #HolyTrinity #FaithInChrist.