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-
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