Have you ever consider the catastrophic implications of a foreign nation getting their hands on their enemy's battle plan? What if they learned the stratagems, targets and timing? How would that nation ever succeed in protecting itself against their enemy?
What if you learned that the Commander in Chief, purposely released the battle plan for everyone to see? You would consider that Commander foolish for divulging secrets, but that is exactly what happened. Our Commander in Chief revealed his battle plan to the world and you can read it for yourself in the Bible.
You've probably never thought of the Word of God as a strategic battle plan, but in fact it is. The Bible goes into great detail, outlining the war, targets and strategy. Through the prophets, God gave warnings and consequences. Told us when they would occur, who was involved and the outcome. The Bible also gives explicit detail of the Stratagem, the core of the plan, Jesus Christ!
Why would God give away his strategy? Because he is Sovereign, no one can prevent his word from succeeding where he sends it. His plans are good, they can not be thwarted.
As recorded in Isaiah:
“For the Lord is God. And he created the heavens and the earth and put everything in place. He made the world to be lived in, not a place of empty chaos. “I am the Lord,” he says, “and there is no other. I publicly proclaim bold promises. I do not whisper obscurities in some dark corner so no one can understand what I mean.”” (Isaiah 45: 18-19 NLT).
“From eternity to eternity I am God. No one can oppose what I do. No one can reverse my actions” (Isaiah 43:13 NLT)
The Stratagem of Salvation:
“You will do more than restore the people of Israel to me. I will make you a light to the Gentiles, and you will bring my salvation to the ends of the earth” (Isaiah 49:6 NLT)
“But it was the Lord's good plan to crush him and fill him with grief. Yet when his life is made an offering for sin, he will have a multitude of children, many heirs. He will enjoy a long life, and the Lord's plans will prosper in his hands. When he sees all that is accomplished by his anguish, he will be satisfied. And because of what he has experienced, my righteous servant will make it possible for many to be counted as righteous, for he will bear all their sins.” (Isaiah 53:10-11 NLT).
Jesus came to earth and lived according to the will of the Father. Isaiah records that he lived in obscurity until the time was right to reveal his identity and complete the plan. Because of Jesus, the battle is won, the evil one is defeated and we can live in absolute assurance of the sovereignty of God.
Have you read the battle plan? Do you know the sovereignty of Almighty God and his good plans for all people? Have you trusted in Jesus Christ as the one who completes the Father's awesome plans to rescue creation? If not, do it today, don't waste another minute living in darkness. Come into His light of truth.
Copyright©2010 tathorpe-All Rights Reserved-
Friday, November 26, 2010
Saturday, November 13, 2010
Knowing The Truth
Ever wonder why at the name of Jesus people are offended? Odd how the effect is not the same at the mention of other ancient religious leaders such as Buddha or Mohammad. Those names don't strike fear in the heart the way the name of Jesus does.
Isn't it strange that the name of Buddha or Mohammad are not used in slanderous remarks? Yet people use the holy name of Jesus without reverence, cursing the one called the Son of God, on a regular basis. There is only one logical reason for this reaction to the name and person of Jesus Christ; he is who he claimed to be. People use his name because there is power in the name of Jesus.
His name commands recognition, speaks of authority and requires respect. The Bible says, “There is no other name given by which you can be saved” (Acts 4:12) and “Because of this [Jesus laying down his life] God raised him up to the heights of heaven and gave him a name that is above every other name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, in heaven, on earth and under the earth and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:9-11 NLT)
Jesus stated the reason why so many are offended by his name. In a conversation with a religious leader named Nicodemus, Jesus said;
“For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him will have eternal life. God did not send his Son into the world to judge it, but to save it. There is no judgment awaiting those who trust him. But those who do not trust him have already been judged for not believing in the only Son of God. Their judgment is based on this fact: The light from heaven came into the world, but they liked the darkness more than the light, because their actions were evil. They hate the light for fear it will expose their sins and they will be punished” (John 3:16-18 NLT).
We can choose not to believe what Jesus said about the love of God for people. We can choose not to believe that a Holy God would send a savior because of that love. We can choose not to believe that a savior would pay for all our wrongs and offenses against a Holy God, with his own life. We can choose to deny the weight of guilt that hangs on us, and choose live in darkness because we are afraid of punishment.
Then woe to the fool, who has closed their eyes and plugged their ears against the truth! Jesus is the savior!
Do you struggle with the name of Jesus? Do you think that just believing in his name is too easy to have all your many years of sin and guilt washed away? Read again the passage in John - slow and out loud. Let the Holy Spirit speak to your heart and don't harden it. You'll know how much Jesus loves you and all your sins can be forgiven.
Prayer of Acceptance:
Lord Jesus, I know that I have sinned against you and the Father. I believe that you came to pay the price for my sin with your own life and rose from the dead. Please forgive my sin and come live in me so that I may know you more. Amen
If you have prayed this simple prayer, welcome to the family of God! Your sins are forgiven and Jesus has accepted you as a brother or sister. Join other family members at your local church and grow in your new life.
“But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. They are Reborn! This is not a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan-this rebirth comes from God.” (John 1:12-13 NLT)
Copyright©2010 tathorpe-All Rights Reserved-
Isn't it strange that the name of Buddha or Mohammad are not used in slanderous remarks? Yet people use the holy name of Jesus without reverence, cursing the one called the Son of God, on a regular basis. There is only one logical reason for this reaction to the name and person of Jesus Christ; he is who he claimed to be. People use his name because there is power in the name of Jesus.
His name commands recognition, speaks of authority and requires respect. The Bible says, “There is no other name given by which you can be saved” (Acts 4:12) and “Because of this [Jesus laying down his life] God raised him up to the heights of heaven and gave him a name that is above every other name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, in heaven, on earth and under the earth and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:9-11 NLT)
Jesus stated the reason why so many are offended by his name. In a conversation with a religious leader named Nicodemus, Jesus said;
“For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him will have eternal life. God did not send his Son into the world to judge it, but to save it. There is no judgment awaiting those who trust him. But those who do not trust him have already been judged for not believing in the only Son of God. Their judgment is based on this fact: The light from heaven came into the world, but they liked the darkness more than the light, because their actions were evil. They hate the light for fear it will expose their sins and they will be punished” (John 3:16-18 NLT).
We can choose not to believe what Jesus said about the love of God for people. We can choose not to believe that a Holy God would send a savior because of that love. We can choose not to believe that a savior would pay for all our wrongs and offenses against a Holy God, with his own life. We can choose to deny the weight of guilt that hangs on us, and choose live in darkness because we are afraid of punishment.
Then woe to the fool, who has closed their eyes and plugged their ears against the truth! Jesus is the savior!
Do you struggle with the name of Jesus? Do you think that just believing in his name is too easy to have all your many years of sin and guilt washed away? Read again the passage in John - slow and out loud. Let the Holy Spirit speak to your heart and don't harden it. You'll know how much Jesus loves you and all your sins can be forgiven.
Prayer of Acceptance:
Lord Jesus, I know that I have sinned against you and the Father. I believe that you came to pay the price for my sin with your own life and rose from the dead. Please forgive my sin and come live in me so that I may know you more. Amen
If you have prayed this simple prayer, welcome to the family of God! Your sins are forgiven and Jesus has accepted you as a brother or sister. Join other family members at your local church and grow in your new life.
“But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. They are Reborn! This is not a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan-this rebirth comes from God.” (John 1:12-13 NLT)
Copyright©2010 tathorpe-All Rights Reserved-
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Seeking The Truth
The news media has lost its reputation of being unbiased and a truthful form of information. Without giving all the facts, the media has fed the public a continual loop of premature stories; baiting us with the failures of celebrities; religious leaders and politicians, spurring fear and hatred with only partial truth. These stories are repeated unmercifully and without reverence, trying the case before court of public opinion.
No wonder there is such discontentment in the world! We are being fed half truths and outright lies. Separated by prejudice and ignorance, we make decisions without all the facts. Follow up is the first step in seeking the truth. We need to be diligent in finding out all the facts, and then make a decision.
The evidence is clear that people get on one band wagon or another and run out to the streets to protest. Most standing on the side of hate or lack of compassion, they hold signs declaring their belief. There are those who will take lives to prove their loyalty to what they believe.
I am deeply disturbed when I see an organization who claims Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior that will protest funerals; hold signs declaring what God hates, or demonizes people of different ethic background or heritage. It tells me that they have been misinformed and need to get their facts straight.
I have cried many tears and prayed long for those who are being led astray in this way. If someone has taught them that they are serving the Lord, then they are following false prophets. We are to be the bearers of the Good News, not the voice of judgment.
Any group of people who feels brave enough to declare what “God Hates” First, of all they are not representing the Lord Jesus Christ. He did not come into the world to judge but to save (John 3:17) and Second, they have to understand God's definition of hate.
We have been taught the word hate to mean: “annihilation and total destruction”, but God's definition of hate is much different, more like: “abhor or detest”. God has a word for annihilation and destruction it is called: Wrath.
Quite a contrast from what we have been taught, but understanding the full council of God in scripture, the meaning becomes clear. God is Holy which means that he can not associate with anything reviling or the disgusting things that sinful people do. “For all have sinned; all fall short of God's glorious standard” (Romans 3:23 NLT). That includes born again Christians. It's only by grace that we stand a chance!
God proved his love for all people when he poured out his wrath on Jesus Christ when he died on the cross. That is the message that should be proclaimed in the streets, not that God hates this group or that.
No longer is God separated from people by sin, because he annihilated the power of sin over us and destroyed the death sentence that all people faced because of sin. That is the truth and the power of the cross, but each person has to make up their own mind, whether or not to accept Jesus Christ.
If you feel the need to stand in the streets and declare truth, how about “Jesus Loves You”; “Jesus is the Way, Truth and Life”
“But as many received him, to them he gave the right to become the children of God, to those who believe in his name.” (John 1:12 NKJV)
If you really want to know what God hates, check out Proverbs 6:16-19
If we try to seek the truth in the world, we will be deeply disappointed. If we try to seek the truth in a religious organization, we will be deeply disappointed. If we try seeking the truth in the Word of God, we will find the truth and the truth will set us free. (John 8:36)
Copyright©2010 tathorpe- All Rights Reserved
No wonder there is such discontentment in the world! We are being fed half truths and outright lies. Separated by prejudice and ignorance, we make decisions without all the facts. Follow up is the first step in seeking the truth. We need to be diligent in finding out all the facts, and then make a decision.
The evidence is clear that people get on one band wagon or another and run out to the streets to protest. Most standing on the side of hate or lack of compassion, they hold signs declaring their belief. There are those who will take lives to prove their loyalty to what they believe.
I am deeply disturbed when I see an organization who claims Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior that will protest funerals; hold signs declaring what God hates, or demonizes people of different ethic background or heritage. It tells me that they have been misinformed and need to get their facts straight.
I have cried many tears and prayed long for those who are being led astray in this way. If someone has taught them that they are serving the Lord, then they are following false prophets. We are to be the bearers of the Good News, not the voice of judgment.
Any group of people who feels brave enough to declare what “God Hates” First, of all they are not representing the Lord Jesus Christ. He did not come into the world to judge but to save (John 3:17) and Second, they have to understand God's definition of hate.
We have been taught the word hate to mean: “annihilation and total destruction”, but God's definition of hate is much different, more like: “abhor or detest”. God has a word for annihilation and destruction it is called: Wrath.
Quite a contrast from what we have been taught, but understanding the full council of God in scripture, the meaning becomes clear. God is Holy which means that he can not associate with anything reviling or the disgusting things that sinful people do. “For all have sinned; all fall short of God's glorious standard” (Romans 3:23 NLT). That includes born again Christians. It's only by grace that we stand a chance!
God proved his love for all people when he poured out his wrath on Jesus Christ when he died on the cross. That is the message that should be proclaimed in the streets, not that God hates this group or that.
No longer is God separated from people by sin, because he annihilated the power of sin over us and destroyed the death sentence that all people faced because of sin. That is the truth and the power of the cross, but each person has to make up their own mind, whether or not to accept Jesus Christ.
If you feel the need to stand in the streets and declare truth, how about “Jesus Loves You”; “Jesus is the Way, Truth and Life”
“But as many received him, to them he gave the right to become the children of God, to those who believe in his name.” (John 1:12 NKJV)
If you really want to know what God hates, check out Proverbs 6:16-19
If we try to seek the truth in the world, we will be deeply disappointed. If we try to seek the truth in a religious organization, we will be deeply disappointed. If we try seeking the truth in the Word of God, we will find the truth and the truth will set us free. (John 8:36)
Copyright©2010 tathorpe- All Rights Reserved
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