Thursday, December 22, 2016

Unwrap The Gift

Christmas is more than just a holiday. It is evidence of GOD's immense love. JESUS came to bring us the GIFT OF SALVATION. He was born to die- to save us from sin and set us free from the unseen chains of darkness that so cunningly bind us.

"He stood up to read, 17 and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written: '18 The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, 19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.' 20 Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him. 21 He began by saying to them, 'Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.'” Luke 4:16-21, NIV (Isaiah 61:1-2).

JESUS came to set us free from sin and death. He came to offer us a gift that we could never repay. All he requires of us is the faith to believe and receive. He promises to transform us, make us new, and restore our relationship with the Father. He came into this world to bring us peace and hope. He died on the cross to bring us forgiveness and life. He is returning with the GIFT OF SALVATION.

24 For Christ did not enter a sanctuary made with human hands that was only a copy of the true one; he entered heaven itself, now to appear for us in God’s presence. 25 Nor did he enter heaven to offer himself again and again, the way the high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood that is not his own. 26 Otherwise Christ would have had to suffer many times since the creation of the world. But he has appeared once for all at the culmination of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself. 27 Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, 28 so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him. Hebrews 9:24-28, NIV

SALVATION is the greatest gift you will ever be offered. It will set you free, change your life, bring you peace and give you hope. Just unwrap the gift and you will find JESUS waiting for you with open arms. He will love you, not judge you. He will accept you and fill your heart with a love you have never known. 

“1 Thus, condemnation will never come to those who are in Christ Jesus, 2 because the law of the Spirit which gives life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and death. 3 What the Law could not do because of the weakness of human nature, God did, sending his own Son in the same human nature as any sinner to be a sacrifice for sin, and condemning sin in that human nature,” Romans 8:1-3, NJB.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!! MAY GOD RICHLY BLESS YOU ALL.



Tuesday, November 29, 2016

Talk Tuesday-The Holy Spirit Series: Life In The Spirit Pt. 3, The Gifts of The Spirit

Welcome back to our series on the Holy Spirit. In our 7th instalment (on September 6th, 2016) we wrote about The Day of Pentecost when JESUS promised to clothe his followers with 'power from on high' (Luke 24:49). He told them, “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit,” Acts 1: 4-5, NIV. By Acts chapter 2, they received the Baptism of the Holy Spirit.

What does this 'power from on high'-this baptism of the Holy Spirit-look like in our lives of service to GOD? The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the church in Corinth, begins teaching us about the source and purpose of spiritual gifts. “4 There are many different gifts, but it is always the same Spirit; 5 there are many different ways of serving, but it is always the same Lord.6 There are many different forms of activity, but in everybody it is the same God who is at work in them all. 7 The particular manifestation of the Spirit granted to each one is to be used for the general good.” 1 Corinthians 12:4-7, NJB. He then lists the 9 Gifts of the Holy Spirit:

8 To one is given from the Spirit the gift of utterance expressing wisdom; to another the gift of utterance expressing knowledge, in accordance with the same Spirit; 9 to another, faith, from the same Spirit; and to another, the gifts of healing, through this one Spirit; 10 to another, the working of miracles; to another, prophecy; to another, the power of distinguishing spirits; to one, the gift of different tongues and to another, the interpretation of tongues. 11 But at work in all these is one and the same Spirit, distributing them at will to each individual. 1 Corinthians 12:8-11, NJB

While there are many different gifts, they are bound by unity in the Body of Christ. “12 For as with the human body which is a unity although it has many parts -- all the parts of the body, though many, still making up one single body -- so it is with Christ. 13 We were baptised into one body in a single Spirit, Jews as well as Greeks, slaves as well as free men, and we were all given the same Spirit to drink,” 1 Corinthians 12:12-13, NJB

What a wonderful GOD we serve! The experiential aspect of knowing GOD through the Life in The Spirit is so incredible! Yes, we are a bit excited about it!! We have so many wonderful personal accounts of how the Holy Spirit has done incredible things for us, in us and through us. We want to encourage you today to live the abundant life that JESUS offers us. Come to the Father through the Son and experience the Life in the Spirit! You will not be disappointed.

Monday, November 21, 2016

Talk Tuesday-The HOLY SPIRIT Series: Life In The Spirit, Pt. II

What does it mean to live a Life in The Spirit? The Apostle Paul explains it this way, “Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires,” Romans 8:5, NIV. Life in the Spirit is the antithesis of Life in the Flesh.

How we live is a choice that we each must make. “12 Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation—but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it. 13 For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live,” Romans 8:12-13, NIV.
What are the misdeeds of the body? “19 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21 envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like,” Galatians 5:19-21, NKJV.

It is a struggle to live by the Spirit in a world dominated by carnal desires. We are inundated with messages about satisfying our flesh. Our senses are constantly being seduced to taste and touch by what we see, hear and smell. Our minds are influenced by the culture of instant gratification, the pursuit of self indulgence. It truly seems like an uphill, impossible battle.

Here are two important, crucial survival tips to living a Life in The Spirit, “1 I urge you, then, brothers, remembering the mercies of God, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, dedicated and acceptable to God; that is the kind of worship for you, as sensible people. 2 Do not model your behaviour on the contemporary world, but let the renewing of your minds transform you, so that you may discern for yourselves what is the will of God -- what is good and acceptable and mature,” Romans 12:1-2, NJB.

Reading the Bible allows us to refocus our thoughts on the Life in The Spirit. It renews and refreshes our thoughts, replacing worldly values with GOD's values. It has to be a deliberate, constant practice. It will give us strength, and help us to choose to live and walk in the Spirit. “22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. 24 And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit,” Galatians 5:22-25, NKJV.

Message us and let us know some practical ways that you use to help you 'walk in the Spirit'. We would love to hear from you! Also, this is a way for us to encourage one another in the Lord! May GOD continue to richly bless you!

Tuesday, October 11, 2016

Talk Tuesday-The HOLY SPIRIT Series: Life In The Spirit, Pt. I

Peter and John were going to the Temple at the hour of prayer, when they healed a man who was lame from birth. The rulers, elders, scribes, high priest and family of the high priest demanded to know by what power they healed this man.

Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders of Israel: If we this day are judged for a good deed done to a helpless man, by what means he has been made well, 10 let it be known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by Him this man stands here before you whole. 11 This is the ‘stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone.’ 12 Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved. Acts 4:8-12 NKJV

They were astonished by the eloquence and fearlessness of Peter and John, who they considered to be uneducated laymen. The men of the Sanhedrin convened and commanded them not to speak or teach in the name of JESUS anymore. “19 But Peter and John replied, 'Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to him? You be the judges! 20 As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard,'” Acts 4:19-20, NIV.

Then, in the midst of persecution, they prayed for boldness and GOD responded with the power of the HOLY SPIRIT. “31 As they prayed, the house where they were assembled rocked. From this time they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to proclaim the word of God fearlessly,” Acts 4:31, NJB.

When we come to the wonderful saving knowledge of JESUS CHRIST, we accept by faith what He accomplished on the cross, repent, get baptized and are filled with the HOLY SPIRIT. It becomes almost impossible to keep it to ourselves! We find meaning and purpose that surpass the limitations of this physical world. GOD enables us to do great exploits for His Kingdom, in the name of JESUS, by the power of the HOLY SPIRIT. We are no longer driven by our carnal desires. Join us next week as we continue to explore what it means to live a 'Life In The Spirit'. We leave you with the following verses until then:

1 Thus, condemnation will never come to those who are in Christ Jesus, 2 because the law of the Spirit which gives life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and death. 3 What the Law could not do because of the weakness of human nature, God did, sending his own Son in the same human nature as any sinner to be a sacrifice for sin, and condemning sin in that human nature. 4 This was so that the Law's requirements might be fully satisfied in us as we direct our lives not by our natural inclinations but by the Spirit.
Romans 8:1-4, NJB

Tuesday, October 4, 2016

Talk Tuesday-The HOLY SPIRIT Series: The HOLY SPIRIT in Salvation, Saul's Journey

Let me tell you a story about a young Jewish man named Saul. He was born in Tarsus of Cilicia, of the tribe of Benjamin, and studied under the tutelage of Rabbi Gamaliel, a Pharisee and leader of the Sanhedrin (Jewish Supreme Law Council in Ancient Israel). Saul considered himself 'zealous' toward GOD, righteous and religious. He persecuted the early church, the followers of JESUS CHRIST, with unrelenting intensity. “But Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off both men and women and put them in prison,” Acts 8:3, NIV. He had the backing of the High Priest and the Council of Elders.

Then, he encountered JESUS. “3 It happened that while he was travelling to Damascus and approaching the city, suddenly a light from heaven shone all round him. 4 He fell to the ground, and then he heard a voice saying, 'Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?' 5 'Who are you, Lord?' he asked, and the answer came, 'I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. 6 Get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you are to do,'” Acts 9:3-6, NJB.

Saul lost his physical eyesight for three days. He neither ate nor drank during that time, but prayed and waited. The LORD sent a man named Ananias, a Christian, to pray for him. “17 Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, 'Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.' 18 Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, 19 and after taking some food, he regained his strength,” Acts 9:17-19, NIV.

Now here is the amazing part. “After he had spent only a few days with the disciples in Damascus, 20 he began preaching in the synagogues, 'Jesus is the Son of God,'” Acts 9:19-20, NJB. How did that happen?

Conversion happens when we respond to, and accept, JESUS' invitation for salvation.“12 But to those who did accept him he gave power to become children of God, to those who believed in his name 13 who were born not from human stock or human desire or human will but from God himself,” John 1:12-13, NJB. The power of the HOLY SPIRIT then begins to work within us from the inside out, bringing a spiritual rebirth. This regeneration is transformative. We go from being carnally minded to spiritually minded. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” 2 Cor 5:17, NIV. The process of sanctification takes place throughout the duration of the life of the believer, as we take up our cross and follow JESUS, by the power of the HOLY SPIRIT. This is the story of Saul, who became known as The Apostle Paul.

GOD can use anyone! You are never too broken, too sinful or too worthless in the sight of GOD. If you choose to turn to Him today, accept by faith JESUS' work on the cross, repent and be baptized, you too, will be filled by the power of the HOLY SPIRIT and will experience a new life!

For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another. But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. Titus 3:3-7, NKJV

Join us next week as we look at what it means to live in the Spirit.


Wednesday, September 21, 2016

Talk Tuesday-The HOLY SPIRIT Series: The Work of The FATHER, The SON and The HOLY SPIRIT in Salvation

Welcome back BGOers! How are you enjoying the series on the HOLY SPIRIT? Write us and let us know. This week, we resume with looking at the work of the The FATHER, The SON and The HOLY SPIRIT in Salvation.

Firstly, why do we need to be saved? Can't our own righteous acts atone for our sins? The answer is, “No.” Ever since The Fall in the Garden of Eden, humanity has suffered the wages of sin, which is death. Even the Prophet Isaiah laments, “How then can we be saved? All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away,” Isaiah 64:5-6, NIV.

So there is no way for us to earn our way back to GOD, or atone for our sins. Yet GOD The Father, in His infinite love, mercy and grace, makes a way for us. He sent His Son JESUS as the atoning sacrifice. His blood cleanses us, He justifies us before the Father and His righteousness then becomes ours-it is imputed to us.

21 But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. 22 This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. Romans 3:21-24, NIV

The only caveat...we have to repent and believe. Repentance involves a sorrowful acknowledgment of our sinfulness and a conscious decision to turn away from it. “10 For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death,” 2 Corinthians 7:10, NKJV. Faith happens when we turn towards JESUS, believing in what He did on the cross and accepting it. Neither of these actions can happen without the HOLY SPIRIT. “...no one can say that Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit,” 1 Corinthians 12:3, NKJV.

The HOLY SPIRIT then acts in our lives to bring about a newness-a complete change. “'You must repent,' Peter answered, 'and everyone of you must be baptised in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit,” Acts 2:38, NJB. It is this gift of the HOLY SPIRIT working in our lives that brings about regeneration and sanctification.

Join us next week as we continue to look at the work of The HOLY SPIRIT in Salvation. We leave you with the following scripture until then:

5 Jesus replied: In all truth I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born through water and the Spirit; 6 what is born of human nature is human; what is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not be surprised when I say: You must be born from above. 8 The wind blows where it pleases; you can hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit. John 3:5-8, NJB.

Tuesday, September 6, 2016

Talk Tuesday-The HOLY SPIRIT Series: The Day of Pentecost

JESUS promised the HOLY SPIRIT. After the crucifixion, JESUS rose from the grave and appeared to the disciples. He said, “49 I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high,” Luke 24:49, NIV. They obeyed. Then came the Day of Pentecost!

“1 When Pentecost day came round, they had all met together, 2 when suddenly there came from heaven a sound as of a violent wind which filled the entire house in which they were sitting; 3 and there appeared to them tongues as of fire; these separated and came to rest on the head of each of them. 4 They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak different languages as the Spirit gave them power to express themselves. 5 Now there were devout men living in Jerusalem from every nation under heaven, 6 and at this sound they all assembled, and each one was bewildered to hear these men speaking his own language.” Acts 2:1-6, NJB

Those who saw it were confused. They either wondered what it meant or believed the men to be drunk. Peter stood up, and explained to them that they were witnessing the fulfillment of scripture from the prophet Joel, “And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, that I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh,” Acts 2:17, NKJV (Joel 2:28 NIV/NKJV; Joel 3:1 NJB).

He explained that JESUS is the fulfillment of GOD's promise to King David, that he is the CHRIST, the MESSIAH. “ 32 God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of it. 33 Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear,” Acts 2:32-33, NIV. “36 “Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah,” Acts 2:36, NIV.

Then comes the most important message of all. “38 Then Peter said to them, 'Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call,'” Acts 2:38-39, NKJV.

What they were witnessing was the POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT! That very day, those who accepted the salvation message were baptized, and received the gift of the HOLY SPIRIT. This is what JESUS was referring to when he spoke of, “what my Father has promised” Luke 24:49. The HOLY SPIRIT is the promise, the gift and the power of GOD!!!

Join us next week as we look at the work of the FATHER, THE SON and THE HOLY SPIRIT in salvation. We leave you with the following blessing until then:

“13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in your faith, so that in the power of the Holy Spirit you may be rich in hope,” Romans 15:13, NJB.




Thursday, August 25, 2016

Talk Tuesday-The HOLY SPIRIT Series; The Roles of the HOLY SPIRIT, The Promise

Welcome back BGOers! Last week we looked at some of the names of the HOLY SPIRIT in the New Testament. We specifically focused on The HOLY SPIRIT-The Spirit of Truth. This week, we will continue with The HOLY SPIRIT-The Promise.

“37 On the last day, the great day of the festival, Jesus stood and cried out: 'Let anyone who is thirsty come to me! 38 Let anyone who believes in me come and drink! As scripture says, 'From his heart shall flow streams of living water.' 39 He was speaking of the Spirit which those who believed in him were to receive; for there was no Spirit as yet because Jesus had not yet been glorified.” John 7:37-39, NJB

In the Old Testament, the HOLY SPIRIT is often referred to as, 'The Spirit of GOD'. We see the Spirit at work in in the creation narrative (Genesis 1:2) and in the lives of ordinary people empowered by GOD to accomplish His purpose. There are leaders, judges, kings, prophets, prophetesses, and regular citizens given the Spirit to accomplish specific tasks; Joseph (Genesis 41:38), Moses (Numbers 11:17), Joshua (Numbers 27:18), Bezalel (Exodus 35:31), King David (1 Samuel 16:13), and Gideon (Judges 6:34), just to name a few. So, why does John 7:39 say, “there was no Spirit as yet because Jesus had not yet been glorified”?

JESUS promised a special outpouring of the HOLY SPIRIT to those who believe He is the Son of GOD, the promised Messiah. This promise begins in the Old Testament, continues into the New Testament and culminates in the book of Acts on the Day of Pentecost.

“The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me, because the Lord has anointed Me to preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; 2 to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord,” Isaiah 61:1-2, NKJV. In Nazareth on the Sabbath, JESUS went into the synagogue, read these same verses and proclaimed, “Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing,” Luke 4:21, NKJV.

“28 “And it shall come to pass afterward that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions. 29 And also on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days,” Joel 2:28-29, NKJV (Joel 3:1-2, NJB).

JESUS is glorified in the crucifixion. He pays the penalty for our sins on the cross, setting us free from the laws of sin and death. He is the Passover Lamb, the Atoning Sacrifice, whose blood purifies and cleanses us. In John 14, when JESUS promises the HOLY SPIRIT, He says, “ I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you,” John 14:18, NIV. Then, right before the Ascension he instructs them on The Promise:

“4 While at table with them, he had told them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait there for what the Father had promised. 'It is', he had said, 'what you have heard me speak about: 5 John baptised with water but, not many days from now, you are going to be baptised with the Holy Spirit.' 6 Now having met together, they asked him, 'Lord, has the time come for you to restore the kingdom to Israel?' 7 He replied, 'It is not for you to know times or dates that the Father has decided by his own authority, 8 but you will receive the power of the Holy Spirit which will come on you, and then you will be my witnesses not only in Jerusalem but throughout Judaea and Samaria, and indeed to earth's remotest end.' 9 As he said this he was lifted up while they looked on, and a cloud took him from their sight.” Acts 1:4-9, NJB.

Join us next week as we look at the Day of Pentecost!

Tuesday, August 16, 2016

Talk Tuesday-The HOLY SPIRIT Series; The Roles of the HOLY SPIRIT, The Spirit of Truth

The HOLY SPIRIT is often referred to as Advocate, Paraclete, Comforter, Counselor, Helper, and Intercessor in the New Testament. JESUS first introduces the HOLY SPIRIT to His disciples by saying:

And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be  in you.” John 14:16-17, NIV

26 ...but the Paraclete, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything and remind you of all I have said to you.” John 14:26, NJB

26 “But when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me.”John 15:26, NKJV

The original word used here παράκλητος, paraklétos, means, “counselor, intercessor, helper, one who encourages and comforts,” (3875, Greek: The STRONGEST STRONG's Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible written by James Strong, LL.D., S.T.D., fully revised and corrected by John R. Kohlenberger III and James A. Swanson, published by Zondervan, 2001: Grand Rapids, Michigan).

The HOLY SPIRIT, referred to as the 'Spirit of truth' in the verses above, testifies of the truth and teaches us about the truth. What is truth, according to JESUS? Look at his conversation with Pontius Pilate, “ 37 Pilate therefore said to Him, 'Are You a king then?' Jesus answered, 'You say rightly that I am a king. For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.' 38 Pilate said to Him, 'What is truth?'” John 18:37-38 NKJV.

The truth is that GOD is love (1 John 4:8), and that is why He sent His Only begotten Son, JESUS CHRIST into the world to save us (John 3:16). We were created in the imago Dei, the image of GOD (Genesis 1:27), to be in fellowship with Him. Sin came into the world, through The Fall, in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3), and ruptured our relationship with GOD. The imago Dei became defaced, but NOT effaced. GOD made a way, through the Blood of JESUS, to redeem our broken lives and restore our relationship with Him. JESUS' life, death and resurrection encompasses the truth of humanity's existence, purpose and destiny. Redemption and restoration will culminate in eternal, sweet fellowship with GOD, as originally intended. This is the truth that the HOLY SPIRIT reveals to us. He speaks to us, guides us, corrects us, encourages us and empowers us as we read the Bible, pray, worship and live for GOD.

Knowledge without experience is only half of reality, knowledge with experience is the whole. The HOLY SPIRIT allows us to know and experience GOD the Father and GOD the Son in the reality of who GOD is in His Triune glory! He has a wonderful and mighty plan for our lives. Join us next for more of the HOLY SPIRIT!



Wednesday, August 10, 2016

Talk Tuesday-The HOLY SPIRIT Series; GOD THE FATHER, GOD THE SON & GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT

Who is the HOLY SPIRIT? Why do we speak of GOD as One Being yet speak of GOD THE FATHER, GOD THE SON & GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT?

The Shema, the central prayer in the Jewish prayer book, begins with the following, “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one,” Deuteronomy 6:4, NIV. Yet, in the creation narrative the Spirit is mentioned, “And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters,” Gen. 1:2, NKJV. The plural was used when man was created, “26 God said, 'Let us make man in our own image, in the likeness of ourselves,'” Gen. 1:26, NJB.

The Gospel of John states, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made,” John 1:1-3, NIV. “14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth,” John 1:14, NIV. JESUS says, “30 The Father and I are one,” John 10:30, NJB.

In the Old Testament, in the book of Malachi, it is asked, “10 Is there not one Father of us all? Did not one God create us?” Malachi 2:10, NJB. In the New Testament we read that, “God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth,” John 4:24, NKJV. Finally, the Great Commission begins with, “19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,” Matthew 28:19, NKJV.

Excerpts from the The Nicene Creed explain that:

“We believe in one God,  the Father, the Almighty, Maker of all that is, seen and unseen.  We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, consubstantial of one Being with the Father...We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son.  With the Father and the Son he is worshipped and glorified.” (http://www.catholic.org)

The ontological nature of GOD, which looks at the nature of His Being, is captured in the reality of Trinity. His Triune nature also reflects the way in which He interacts with us. It is a mystery both divine and beautiful, just as The Nicene Creed explains it; that JESUS is of the same substance (consubstantial) with the Father, 'he is begotten not made', and that the Holy Spirit proceeds from them both. Only GOD can create ex nihilo (out of nothing), and the verses we listed highlighted GOD THE FATHER, GOD THE SON and GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT in Creation. So, when we speak of GOD, we know that He is ONE.

Next week we will look at the roles of the HOLY SPIRIT.



Tuesday, August 2, 2016

Talk Tuesday: The HOLY SPIRIT Series; Introducing the HOLY SPIRIT

Greetings! Last week we explored what it means to worship GOD in spirit and in truth. This week we will take a brief look at how we are first introduced to the HOLY SPIRIT:

Genesis 1:1-2 NIV, “ In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.”

Matthew 1:18-20 NJB, “18 This is how Jesus Christ came to be born. His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph; but before they came to live together she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. 19 Her husband Joseph, being an upright man and wanting to spare her disgrace, decided to divorce her informally. 20 He had made up his mind to do this when suddenly the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, 'Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because she has conceived what is in her by the Holy Spirit.'”

Mark 1:6-8 NIV, “6 John wore clothing made of camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. 7 And this was his message: 'After me comes the one more powerful than I, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. 8 I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.'”

Luke 1:13-16 NKJV, “13 But the angel said to him, 'Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your prayer is heard; and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John.14 And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth. 15 For he will be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink. He will also be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb. 16 And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God.” 

John 1:32-34 NKJV, “32 And John bore witness, saying, 'I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and He remained upon Him. 33 I did not know Him, but He who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘Upon whom you see the Spirit descending, and remaining on Him, this is He who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ 34 And I have seen and testified that this is the Son of God.'”

Notice that within the first chapter of the Bible, and in the first chapters of the New Testament's four Gospels, we hear about the HOLY SPIRIT. Here we see the HOLY SPIRIT in the Creation Narrative, and in the Virgin Birth. He will empower John the Baptist in ministry, and confirm the identity of JESUS CHRIST, the Son of GOD. It is also here that the Baptism of the HOLY SPIRIT is foretold and announced.

Next week we will explore the identity of the HOLY SPIRIT more in depth. We leave you with the following verse, as preparation for our discussion on what is the HOLY SPIRIT; “19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Amen,” Matthew 28:19-20 NKJV.

Tuesday, July 26, 2016

Talk Tuesday-The HOLY SPIRIT Series; How Should We Worship?

Last week we left off with the question, 'What does it mean to worship GOD in spirit and in truth?' JESUS told the Samaritan woman that, “24 God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth,” John 4:24, NKJV.

The word used in Greek is προσκυνέω proskyneō, which means, “to worship, pay homage, show reverence, to kneel down (before),” (The STRONGEST STRONG's Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible written by James Strong, LL.D., S.T.D., fully revised and corrected by John R. Kohlenberger III and James A. Swanson, published by Zondervan, 2001: Grand Rapids, Michigan). Moses instructs the Israelites on how to worship by summing it up in one sentence, “5 You must love Yahweh your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength,” Deuteronomy 6:5, NJB. This is repeated by JESUS in the Gospel accounts of Matthew 22:37, Luke 10:27 and Mark 12:30.

Worship is a condition of the heart and a way of life that honours GOD above all else. It begins with a love for GOD rooted in reverence, adoration, thankfulness and obedience. We cannot worship GOD without the Holy Spirit because it is the HOLY SPIRIT that teaches us truth and enables us to live it out.

JESUS says, “13 However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth,” John 16:13, NKJV. The Apostle Paul states, “16 So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh,” Galatians 5:16, NIV. “22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control,” Galatians 5:22-23, NIV.

It is important to listen to the voice of the HOLY SPIRIT in order to worship GOD by obeying Him and walking in His truth. GOD has a plan and a purpose for our lives, and it is only through faith in the SAVING WORK OF JESUS CHRIST, and by the POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT that we will be able to know it and accomplish it. So, exactly what is the HOLY SPIRIT? Join us next week as we introduce Him from both the Old and New Testaments.

Tuesday, July 19, 2016

Talk Tuesday-We Are Back!!!

Greetings to you all from BGO! We took a hiatus for an extended period of time, but we are back! Earlier on this year, we completed The JESUS SERIES. Our new series will focus on THE HOLY SPIRIT.

The times we are living in seem perilous. What does GOD require of His people? When JESUS met the Samaritan woman (see John Chapter 4), He spoke to her about how to WORSHIP.

“21 Jesus said to her, 'Woman, believe Me, the hour is coming when you will neither on this mountain, nor in Jerusalem, worship the Father. 22 You worship what you do not know; we know what we worship, for salvation is of the Jews. 23 But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. 24 God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.'” John 4:21-24, NKJV.

What does it mean to worship GOD is spirit and in truth? We live in a world where the perception of truth has become subjective. The Prophet Isaiah warns, “20 Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter,” Isaiah 5:20, NIV.

Join us next week as we explore the Word of GOD together, seeking to discover how we can TRULY worship GOD. Please continue to pray that the Word of GOD would be preached in the four corners of the earth. Scripture is unchangeable, powerful, alive and immoveable. “12 The word of God is something alive and active: it cuts more incisively than any two-edged sword: it can seek out the place where soul is divided from spirit, or joints from marrow; it can pass judgement on secret emotions and thoughts,” Hebrews 4:12, NJB. Please note all Scripture will be referenced from the New Jerusalem Bible (NJB), the New King James Version (NKJV) and the New International Version (NIV).

See you next week and blessings in Christ!

Wednesday, March 23, 2016

Talk Tuesday-The Jesus Series; Happy Easter!

As we approach Good Friday and Resurrection Sunday, let us remember the agony, suffering, love and mercy of our LORD. Easter is about an all-encompassing victory over death and sin that is ours in CHRIST JESUS. All we have to do is believe and receive. Open your heart to a relationship with GOD The Father through believing in His Son JESUS, and you will receive the power of the HOLY SPIRIT. It is on the cross, that mercy triumphs over judgment, and love covers over a multitude of sins.

“Death is swallowed up in victory. '55 Death, where is your victory? Death, where is your sting?' 56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin comes from the Law. 57 Thank God, then, for giving us the victory through Jesus Christ our Lord,” 1 Corinthians 15:54-57 (NJB).

The RESURRECTION gives us hope for eternal life. “11 And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you,” Romans 8:11 (NIV).

No matter what you are going through, trust that GOD's immense love will cover you, hold on to His promises found in the Bible and continue to pray. Freedom is ours for the taking; “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed,” John 8:36 (NIV). We at BGO are amazed at this truth. When we were lost, then we were found. “Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he is near,” Isaiah 55:6 (NIV). You will not be disappointed! We leave you with one final scripture as we wish you a Happy Easter!

20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. ” Rev 3:20 (NKJV)

**Thank you for joining us on our journey in the JESUS Series. We explored both the Old Testament & New Testament to discover who He is. We studied from, and referenced, both the Catholic Bible (New Jerusalem Bible, NJB) and the Protestant Bibles (New International Version, NIV; New King James Version, NKJV).**



Tuesday, March 15, 2016

Talk Tuesday-The JESUS Series: Salvation, Redemption & Restoration

There is SALVATION in the name of JESUS;“12 for of all the names in the world given to men, this is the only one by which we can be saved,” Acts 4:12 (NJB).

Why did JESUS leave His heavenly dwelling to come down to earth? “14 Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, 15 and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage,”  Hebrews 2:14-15 (NKJV).

JESUS is fully GOD, yet fully man. It is written that JESUS, “6 Who, being in very nature God did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; 7 rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!” Philippians 2:6-8 (NIV)

There is REDEMPTION in the name of JESUS. “There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.25 God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith,” Romans 3:22-25 (NIV).

JESUS' death means that we were redeemed. The cost of our sin is paid by His shed blood on the CROSS. We are bought back, the debt of sin is covered, our sin is atoned for. “For the wage paid by sin is death; the gift freely given by GOD is eternal life in Christ JESUS our LORD,” Romans 6:23 (NJB). 

There is RESTORATION in the name of JESUS. “3 And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, 'Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. 4 And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.' 5 Then He who sat on the throne said, 'Behold, I make all things new,'” Revelation 21:3-5 (NKJV).

Won't you trust JESUS today? He is calling you to come to Him. He freely offers you the gift of life-eternal life. Join us next week as we conclude the JESUS Series with the Easter Message!



Tuesday, March 8, 2016

Talk Tuesday-The JESUS Series; Son of God & Son of Man; High Priest & Sacrifice

As we prepare to celebrate Easter, here are some powerful truths we can meditate on. JESUS, is the Son of GOD: “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation,” Colossians 1:15 (NKJV). “16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life,” John 3:16 (NKJV). JESUS is also the Son of Man: “28 ...the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many,” Matthew 20:28 (NIV).

JESUS is the sacrifice: “10 This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins,” 1 John 4:10 (NIV). JESUS is also the High Priest: “23 Now there have been many of those priests, since death prevented them from continuing in office; 24 but because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood.  25 Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them,” Hebrews 7:23-25 (NIV).

The earthly Tabernacle was merely a representation of what is in heaven. The Day of Atonement merely foreshadowed The Crucifixion:

24 For Christ did not enter a sanctuary made with human hands that was only a copy of the true one; he entered heaven itself, now to appear for us in God’s presence. 25 Nor did he enter heaven to offer himself again and again, the way the high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood that is not his own. 26 Otherwise Christ would have had to suffer many times since the creation of the world. But he has appeared once for all at the culmination of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself. 27 Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, 28 so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him. Hebrews 9:24-28 (NIV).

When we began the JESUS Series we looked at The Fall of Mankind, The Passover, The Lamb of GOD, Blood and Sacrifice, The Tabernacle, and The Day of Atonement. These all lead up to the Crucifixion and the Resurrection. Join us next week as we prepare our hearts to celebrate the most profound act of love and the greatest victory given to all mankind! We leave you with three words: Salvation, Redemption & Restoration.

Tuesday, March 1, 2016

Talk Tuesday-The JESUS Series; The Cross, The Tabernacle and The Day of Atonement, Pt II

The Day of Atonement foreshadows the Crucifixion. “30 For on that day the priest shall make atonement for you, to cleanse you, that you may be clean from all your sins before the Lord,” Leviticus 16:30 (NKJV). Of the five animals that were required, three were reserved to deal with the issue of SIN; the two remaining rams were for burnt-offerings.

Before the High Priest could mediate, his sin had to be atoned for. “11 Aaron shall bring the bull for his own sin offering to make atonement for himself and his household, and he is to slaughter the bull for his own sin offering,” Leviticus 16:11 (NIV). Afterwards, he could enter behind the veil into the Most Holy Place with a censer filled with live coals and incense. “13 He will then put the incense on the fire before Yahweh, so that the cloud of incense hides the mercy-seat which is on the Testimony and he does not incur death,” Leviticus 16:13 (NJB).

Blood from the bull was then sprinkled on the mercy seat (also known as the atonement cover) which lay on top of the Ark of the Covenant. The goat for the sin offering of the people was then sacrificed. It's blood was also brought inside the veil, and sprinkled on the mercy seat. The blood of the bull and the goat was then brought outside and put on the altar of sacrifice. “20 When Aaron has finished making atonement for the Most Holy Place, the tent of meeting and the altar, he shall bring forward the live goat,” Leviticus 16:20 (NIV). This live goat became a scapegoat, bearing away the guilt of the people.

“21 Aaron will then lay both his hands on its head and over it confess all the guilt of the Israelites, all their acts of rebellion and all their sins. Having thus laid them on the goat's head, he will send it out into the desert under the charge of a man waiting ready, 22 and the goat will bear all their guilt away into some desolate place,” Leviticus 16:21-22 (NJB).

When JESUS cried out, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?” which is translated, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” Mark 15:34 (NKJV), he bore all our sins as the scapegoat. GOD turned His face away from him at that very moment, as SIN cannot exist in the presence of a Holy GOD. Jesus experienced utter desolation on our behalf. When He declared, “It is finished,” John 19:30 (NIV), salvation, redemption, atonement, purification, restoration and a hope of eternity burst into existence. “37 But Jesus gave a loud cry and breathed his last. 38 And the veil of the Sanctuary was torn in two from top to bottom,” Mark 15:37-28 (NJB). When the curtain was torn, it meant that we now had direct access into the Most Holy Place, the Presence of GOD, by the blood JESUS. That is why John the Baptist declared, "Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!" John 1:29 (NKJV).   

Tuesday, February 23, 2016

Talk Tuesday-The Jesus Series; The Cross, The Tabernacle and The Day of Atonement, Pt. I

The Day of Atonement, Leviticus 16, lay the groundwork for us to understand God's most astounding and profound act of love shown to humanity-Jesus' sacrificial death on the cross. Once a year, on this day, the High Priest was allowed to enter into the Most Holy Place to make a sweeping atonement for the sins of the people.

“30 For on that day the priest shall make atonement for you, to cleanse you, that you may be clean from all your sins before the Lord. 31 It is a sabbath of solemn rest for you, and you shall afflict your souls. It is a statute forever. 32 And the priest, who is anointed and consecrated to minister as priest in his father’s place, shall make atonement, and put on the linen clothes, the holy garments; 33 then he shall make atonement for the Holy Sanctuary,  and he shall make atonement for the tabernacle of meeting and for the altar, and he shall make atonement for the priests and for all the people of the assembly. 34 This shall be an everlasting statute for you, to make atonement for the children of Israel, for all their sins, once a year.” Leviticus 16:30-34 (NKJV)

The High Priest faced death if he entered the Most Holy Place any other time. “2 Yahweh spoke to Moses and said: 'Tell Aaron your brother that he may not enter the sanctuary inside the curtain in front of the mercy-seat on the ark whenever he chooses, in case he incurs death, for I appear in a cloud on the mercy-seat,” Leviticus 16:2 (NJB). Behind the veil, in the Most Holy Place, stood the Ark of the Covenant. It was made of acacia wood, overlaid with pure gold, covered by the Mercy Seat which had two cherubim on either side facing each other, their wings stretched out, their faces towards the Mercy seat (Exodus 25 & 37). Inside the Ark were the tablets of the Ten Commandments, the budded staff of Aaron and a jar of manna (Hebrews 9:4).

On that day five animals were sacrificially offered; a bull as a sin-offering to make atonement for Aaron (the High Priest) and his family, a goat as a sin-offering to make atonement for the people, a scapegoat (one which bore the sins of the people and carried them out of the camp), and two rams as burnt offerings for Aaron and the people. The blood of the bull and the goat (sin-offerings) made atonement for the people and cleansed the Tabernacle, the Most Holy Place, and the altar of the stain of sin.

The New Testament tells us that while on the Cross, Jesus cried out, “'Eli, eli, lama sabachthani?' that is, 'My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?'” Matthew 27:46 (NJB). “50 And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit. 51 At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom,” Matthew 27:50-51 (NIV). Join us next week as we delve deeper into significance of Jesus being forsaken and the veil being torn in two. We will continue to look at The Cross, The Tabernacle and The Day of Atonement. We leave you with the following scripture to ponder:

“11 But when Christ came as high priest of the good things that are now already here, he went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not made with human hands, that is to say, is not a part of this creation. 12 He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, thus obtaining  eternal redemption. 13 The blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that they are outwardly clean. 14 How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!” Hebrews 9:11-14 (NIV)

Tuesday, February 16, 2016

Talk Tuesday-The Jesus Series: The Presence of God and The Tabernacle

Last week we looked at the significance of blood and sacrifice. As we delve further into the Jesus series, consider this account of Jesus' death in the Gospel of Mark:

“33 When the sixth hour came there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour. 34 And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, 'Eloi, eloi, lama sabachthani?' which means, 'My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?' 35 When some of those who stood by heard this, they said, 'Listen, he is calling on Elijah.' 36 Someone ran and soaked a sponge in vinegar and, putting it on a reed, gave it to him to drink saying, 'Wait! And see if Elijah will come to take him down.' 37 But Jesus gave a loud cry and breathed his last. 38 And the veil of the Sanctuary was torn in two from top to bottom. 39 The centurion, who was standing in front of him, had seen how he had died, and he said, 'In truth this man was Son of God.'” Mark 15:33-39 (NJB)

What is the significance of the veil of the Sanctuary being torn in two? Why does Jesus ask the Father why has He forsaken him? We will look at the Tabernacle and the Day of Atonement over the next few weeks to answer these questions. After the Ten Commandments were given on Mount Sinai (also known as Mount Horeb), the LORD said to Moses, “8 “Then have them make a sanctuary for me, and I will dwell among them. 9 Make this tabernacle and all its furnishings exactly like the pattern I will show you,” Exodus 25:8-9 (NIV).

The Tabernacle had an outer court and an inner court. In the outer court were the Bronze Altar where sacrifices were offered, and the Bronze Laver, which was a basin for washing. The inner court was divided into two sections; The Holy Place was sectioned off from The Most Holy Place (or Holy of Holies) by a veil/curtain. In The Holy Place were the Altar of Incense, the Table of Shewbread and the Golden Candlestick. The Most Holy Place (Holy of Holies) contained the Ark of the Covenant, where God's presence remained. “ 2 and the Lord said to Moses: 'Tell Aaron your brother not to come at just any time into the Holy Place inside the veil, before the mercy seat which is on the ark, lest he die; for I will appear in the cloud above the mercy seat,'” Leviticus 16:2 (NKJV). The High Priest could only enter past the veil into the Presence of God in the Most Holy Place once a year, on the Day of Atonement.

Join us next week as we explore the significance of the Tabernacle and the Day of Atonement, and how it relates to the crucifixion of JESUS.



Tuesday, February 9, 2016

Talk Tuesday-The Jesus Series; Blood and Sacrifice, Pt. II

Last week we asked the question, 'How could a HOLY GOD exist with a SINFUL people?' The answer; blood and sacrifice. God's desire to be in relationship with humanity is both beautiful and profound.

In the Book of Leviticus (OT), we are introduced to all different kinds of sacrifices: burnt offerings, sin offerings, peace offerings, grain offerings and trespass offerings. The sacrificial system made a way for God's presence to dwell among a sinful people. It is based on the HOLINESS command and centred around the shedding of blood. “ 45 Yes, it is I, Yahweh, who brought you out of Egypt to be your God: you must therefore be holy because I am holy,” Leviticus 11:45 (NJB). “11 For the life of a creature is in the blood, and I have given it to you to make atonement for yourselves on the altar; it is the blood that makes atonement for one’s life,” Leviticus 17:11 (NIV).

This word 'atonement' appears several times in the OT. What does it mean? Atone means to make amends or reparation (Oxford Dictionary). The Hebrew word used in the OT is kapar which means 'to ransom, atone, expiate, propitiate' (Vine's Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words). Expiation is, 'the act or means of making amends or reparation for sin,'; propitiation is, 'to cover, to appease the wrath of God so that His justice and holiness will be satisfied and He can forgive sin,' (The Zondervan Topical Bible). Kapar also means to purge, make reconciliation, pacify, pardon, appease, release (The Strongest Strong's Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible).

Where does Jesus, the Lamb of God, fit into this? “25 God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith,” Romans 3:25 (NIV).

“17 And if you call on the Father, who without partiality judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves throughout the time of your stay here in fear; 18 knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.” 1 Peter 1:17-19 (NKJV)

Join us next week as we begin to look at the Tabernacle, the Day of Atonement and Jesus' death on the cross. Remember, God loves you so much that He sent His Son Jesus to die so that you might live!

Tuesday, February 2, 2016

Talk Tuesday-The Jesus Series; Why Blood and Sacrifice?

At the beginning of the Jesus Series, we looked at the Fall of Mankind, then we examined the Bible to discover why Jesus was called 'the Lamb of God'. This week we ask, 'Why blood and sacrifice?' Let's start with a bit of history.

After the Fall, sin became rampant. “5 Then the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually,” Genesis 6:5 (NKJV). God destroyed the earth by a flood because of sin, yet He spared Noah and his family because, “Noah was a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time, and he walked faithfully with God,” Genesis 6:9 (NIV). From the lineage of Noah's son Shem, Abraham was born. God promised Abraham, “I shall make you a great nation, I shall bless you and make your name famous; you are to be a blessing!” Genesis 12:2 (NJB). His son, Isaac, had Jacob. God renamed him Israel. Israel (Jacob) had 12 sons, from these came the 12 tribes of Israel. Jesus is from the lineage of Judah, son of Israel. This shows us that despite our sin, God always desired to be in relationship with us.

We first saw how the blood of the lamb on the doorpost caused the Angel of Death to pass over the houses of the Israelites during the 10th plague (Exodus 11 & 12) in Egypt. As they began their journey in wilderness to the Promised Land, “21...the Lord went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so as to go by day and night,” Exodus 13:21 (NKJV). How could a HOLY GOD exist with a SINFUL people? Through blood and sacrifice.

At Mount Sinai, God made a covenant with them (Exodus 19 to 24), giving them a set of laws to follow and promising to be their God. Sin cannot exist in the presence of God, therefore He made provision for atonement through blood. “11 For the life of a creature is in the blood, and I have given it to you to make atonement for yourselves on the altar; it is the blood that makes atonement for one’s life,” Leviticus 17:11 (NIV). Join us next week take as we take a deeper look into blood and sacrifice, and see how it applies to JESUS' death on the cross. In the meantime, we leave you with these two scriptures to ponder from the New Testament:

“5 This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. 6 If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin,” 1 John 1:5-7 (NKJV).

“1 My children, I am writing this to prevent you from sinning; but if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ, the upright. 2 He is the sacrifice to expiate our sins, and not only ours, but also those of the whole world,” 1 John 2:1-2 (NJB).

Wednesday, January 27, 2016

Talk Tuesday-The Jesus Series; JESUS The Lamb of God, Pt. II

What did Jesus mean by saying he would not eat and drink the Passover meal until it is fulfilled in the Kingdom of God? What is this new covenant in his blood all about?

The Kingdom of God was first announced by John the Baptist. “1 In due course John the Baptist appeared; he proclaimed this message in the desert of Judaea, 2 'Repent, for the kingdom of Heaven is close at hand,'” Matthew 3:1-2 (NJB). The Kingdom of God arrived when JESUS began His ministry. “14 Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, 15 and saying, 'The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel,'” Mark 1:14-15 (NKJV).

The Kingdom of God is also a future event. “...I will no longer eat of it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God,” Luke 22:16; “18 for I say to you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes,” Luke 22:18 (NKJV). How does the Kingdom of God come, what does it have to do with the Passover meal and the blood of this new covenant? The Passover Lamb in the OT (Exodus 12:21-23) caused the angel of death to pass by those who had its blood on their doorposts. JESUS is, “The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” John 1:29 (NKJV). His blood brings forgiveness, “28 This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins,” Matthew 26:28 NIV.

JESUS' return means that the Kingdom of God will be fulfilled. That Great Commission to, “...go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ” Matthew 28:19 (NIV) results in Revelation 5:9-10.. “9 They sang a new hymn: You are worthy to take the scroll and to break its seals, because you were sacrificed, and with your blood you bought people for God of every race, language, people and nation 10 and made them a line of kings and priests for God, to rule the world,” Rev. 5:9-10 (NJB). The 'second death' (Revelation 2:11), passes us by because of JESUS' shed blood on the cross. “23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord,” Romans 6:23 (NIV). We have to figuratively apply the blood to the doorposts of our heart by repenting and believing the saving work of JESUS CHRIST, The Lamb of God. “7 Get rid of the old yeast, so that you may be a new unleavened batch—as you really are. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed,” 1 Corinthians 5:7 (NIV).

Join us next week as we dig into the OT & NT to explore the question, 'So why blood and sacrifice?'

*Online Bible tools: biblegateway.com, catholic.org/bible/ & bible.com*

Tuesday, January 19, 2016

Talk Tuesday - The Jesus Series: Jesus The Lamb of God

Last week we laid the foundation for the Redemption Narrative by looking at The Fall of Mankind. Sin brought death, corruption and separation from God, but that was not the end. It was the beginning of God's great love story written just for us. So, why did JESUS come? We will start our series by exploring JESUS, The Lamb of God.

In the first chapter of the Gospel of John, we find John the Baptist proclaiming, "Look, there is the lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world," John 1:29 (NJB). Why does he use that particular title to describe Jesus? The language and concepts of the New Testament (NT) are often grounded in the Old Testament (OT). 

In the Book of Exodus (OT), the tenth plague where the angel of death takes the lives of every firstborn throughout Egypt, is what finally causes Pharaoh King of Egypt to let the enslaved Israelites go. "21 Moses summoned all the elders of Israel and said to them, 'Go and choose a lamb or kid for your families, and kill the Passover victim. 22 Then take a bunch of hyssop, dip it in the blood from the basin, and with the blood from the basin touch the lintel and both door posts; then let none of you venture out of the house till morning. 23 Then, when Yahweh goes through Egypt to strike it, and sees the blood on the lintel and on both doorposts, he will pass over the door and not allow the Destroyer to enter your homes and strike,'" Exodus 12:21-23 (NJB).

In the Gospel of Luke (NT), Jesus says, “'With fervent desire I have desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer; 16 for I say to you, I will no longer eat of it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.' 17 Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, 'Take this and divide it among yourselves;18 for I say to you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.' 19 And He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, 'This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.' 20 Likewise He also took the cup after supper, saying, 'This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you,'" Luke 22:15-20 (NKJV).

What did Jesus mean by saying he would not eat and drink the Passover meal until it is fulfilled in the Kingdom of God? What is this new covenant in his blood all about? Join us next week as we continue the JESUS series!

Tuesday, January 12, 2016

Talk Tuesday-The JESUS Series: The Beginning

The story of Redemption begins with the Fall of Mankind. However, it is the Creation Narrative that provides the backdrop for the unfolding story. What is beautiful about this is that GOD, the Creator of the Universe, desires a relationship with us! We are created in His image and likeness. It is here, in the beginning, that we meet our Triune GOD-The Father, The Son and The Holy Spirit.

“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters,” Genesis 1:1-2 (New King James Version, NKJV).

“26 Then God said, 'Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals,  and over all the creatures that move along the ground.' 27 So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.” Genesis 1:26-27 (New International Version, NIV).

“1 In the beginning was the Word: the Word was with God and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things came into being, not one thing came into being except through him,” Gospel of John chapter 1, verses 1 to 3 (New Jerusalem Bible; NJB).

The Fall takes place in the Garden of Eden. “16 And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, 'Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; 17 but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die,'” Genesis 2:16-17 (NKJV). The Serpent deceives Eve, “4 'You will not certainly die,' the serpent said to the woman. 5 'For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil,'” Genesis 3:4-5 (NIV). The serpent is described in Revelation 12:9 (NJB) as, “The great dragon, the primeval serpent, known as the devil or Satan, who had led all the world astray...” Adam and Eve ate. Death, sorrow, heartache, pain and separation from GOD came as a result of deception and SIN. GOD said to the Serpent, “And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel,” Genesis 3:15 (NIV). 

So why did JESUS come? Join us next week as we continue to explore both the Old and New Testaments to discover the One who John the Baptist describes as, “..the lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world,” John 1:29 (NJB).

*Online Bible tools: biblegateway.com, catholic.org/bible/ & bible.com*

Tuesday, January 5, 2016

Talk Tuesday - Happy New Year 2016!

Hello and Happy New Year!!!!

This year at BGO we wanted to focus on knowing JESUS through 2016. Our Talk Tuesdays will focus on exploring the scripture, connecting the Old Testament to the New Testament, and hopefully gaining a deeper knowledge of our Lord and Saviour JESUS CHRIST. Every Friday there will be a scripture post featuring JESUS' WORDS. If you are a Facebook User, you can 'like' us on https://www.facebook.com/BibleGroupOnline/ for daily devotions.

We hope you will join us on this journey. We will study from the New Jerusalem Bible (NJB), the New International Version (NIV) and the New King James Version (NKJV). We may sometimes cite external academic theological sources, but our main point of reference will be the Word of God. Below we have listed online tools that will enable you to access the Bible either on your mobile device, laptop or computer, should you need to.

We look forward to hearing from and leave you with the following scripture:

John 3:16-17 (NJB)
“16 For this is how God loved the world: he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. 17 For God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but so that through him the world might be saved.”