Talk Tuesday- Happy Easter!!!

This weekend while many of us prepare to celebrate Easter, the Jewish community will be celebrating Passover. In the book of Exodus, GOD spoke to Moses regarding the final plague that He would bring upon the land of their enslavement, in response to the hardness of Pharaoh's heart. The LORD commanded Moses and Aaron to instruct the whole community of Israel to choose an unblemished male lamb to be slaughtered. The blood was to be applied on the door posts of each house:

"Then they are to take some of the blood and put in on the sides and tops of the door frames of the houses where they eat the lambs." Exodus 12:7

"On that same night I will pass through Egypt and strike down every firstborn-both men and animals-and I will bring judgment on all the gods of Egypt. I am the LORD. The blood will be a sign for you on the houses where you are; and when I see the blood, I will passover you. No destructive plague will touch you when I strike Egypt." Exodus 12:12-13

The angel of death passed through the land of Egypt but passed over the houses of those who had applied the blood to their doorposts. In the same way, the scourge of eternal death passes over once we apply the blood of JESUS to the door posts of our own hearts. JESUS CHRIST is the Passover Lamb that takes away the sins of the world!

"But now the righteousness of GOD apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of GOD, through faith in JESUS CHRIST, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference; for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of GOD, being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in CHRIST JESUS, whom GOD set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance GOD had passed over the sins that were previously committed, to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in JESUS." Romans 3:21-26

Have you applied the blood of JESUS to the doorpost of your heart? Have you received JESUS as the LORD and SAVIOUR of your life? Do you want to know how? The Bible says,

"That if you confess with your mouth, 'JESUS is LORD,' and believe in your heart that GOD raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved." Romans 10:9-10

Do you want to receive JESUS' forgiveness now? Then pray this prayer with a sincere heart to GOD. He is waiting for you. He loves you. He sent His only begotten Son just to save you.

Dear Lord Jesus,

I know that I am a sinner and I ask for your forgiveness. I believe you died for my sins and rose from the dead. I turn from my sins and invite you to come into my heart and life. I want to trust and follow you as my LORD and Saviour. In your name, I pray, Amen.

If you prayed this prayer to receive JESUS CHRIST as your LORD and SAVIOUR, and need help to get started with your walk in the LORD, please feel free to email us at joinus@biblegrouponline.com

Talk Tuesday-Why the Blood of Jesus?

I grew up hearing about the power of the blood of Jesus. As a child, it seemed bizarre to me to use such a word like 'blood' so often during church service. I remember songs about 'Jesus the Lamb of God' whose blood was shed for my sins. So I wondered, WHY THE BLOOD?

The judicial was system set up by the LORD and was given to the Israelites through Moses. Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy are all dedicated to issues of the law, sin, punishment and atonement. Sacrifices and Offerings were required for the purification of GOD's people, the removal of sin and the access to worship. The high priest first had to go through the ritual of purification before he could even enter into GOD's presence to mediate on behalf of a worshiper. GOD's says, "I am the LORD your God; consecrate yourselves and be holy, because I am holy." Leviticus 11:44

There are burnt offerings, SIN offerings, GUILT offerings, cereal offerings, PEACE offerings and special offerings. An unblemished animal is usually required and it's blood is sprinkled around the alter or on the worshiper for atonement for their sins.

"The priest is to take some of the blood of the guilt offering and put it on the lobe of the right ear of the one to be cleansed, on the thumb of his right hand and on the big toe of his right foot." Leviticus 14:14

Why THE BLOOD?

"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

Why THE BLOOD OF JESUS?

“Unlike the other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people. He sacrificed for their sins once for all when he offered himself.” Hebrews 7:27

"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, having obtained eternal redemption. 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. 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 9:12-16

"For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect." 1 Peter 1:18-19

"In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding." Ephesians 1:7-8

"Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God's wrath through him! For if, when we were God's enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!" Romans 5:9-10

So, the BLOOD of Jesus Christ brings justification, redemption, atonement and access into GOD's presence-if we open our hearts and accept through faith, Jesus Christ as our LORD and SAVIOUR. That is why we say, "There is POWER IN THE BLOOD OF JESUS."

Movie Monday - Many Decades One Message - Billy Graham

Talk Tuesday - Why Do I Have To Wait?

When I became a Christian, everything I learned in life was turned upside down. In university I was taught that you must have momentum in order to succeed with your goals. In God’s kingdom, you have to do the opposite. You have to wait. Moses had to wait before God told him to set His people free. Joseph had to wait before his dreams from God were fulfilled. Job had to persevere before he could see God’s plan revealed. What is God having you wait on? Is God making you wait for Him to reveal the plan for your life? Are you waiting for a spouse? Are you waiting for finances? Are you asking yourself why do I have to wait?

Waiting is no fun. When you wait you feel helpless. You feel that you are not doing anything.


James 5:7-11


Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord's coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains. You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord's coming is near. Don't grumble against each other, brothers, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door!


Brothers, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. As you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job's perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.

We must be patient and persevere. God isn’t taking His time. He is always on time.

Hebrews 12:1-3


Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

Hebrews 12:7


Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father?


Hebrews 12:10-11


Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.

So what is God trying to teach us in our waiting? What is He training us for?

1 Peter 1:6-9


In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

Our faith in Him is being strengthened. Our hope is being revealed. Jesus has the best plan for your life so trust that He will answer your prayers. Share with us your experience of waiting on the Lord.

Blessings
Andrew

Movie Monday - While I'm Waiting

Talk Tuesday-Why Do the Ungodly Always Seem to Prosper?

In June 1996, I finally made the decision to repent of my sinfulness and ask Jesus Christ to be Lord of my life. I no longer followed the world but followed Jesus wholeheartedly. I confessed with my mouth that Jesus is Lord and believed in my heart that God raised Him from the dead to eternal life (Romans 10:9-11). It was a struggle, I confess, to turn away from the worldliness I had grown accustomed to, yet the power of the Holy Spirit enabled me to change. I delved into the christian life with gusto. Then three years into my walk with the Lord, the trial came...and it was HUGE. I had NEVER EVER imagined that I would have experienced what faced me at that moment. The pain was so intense that I could not eat nor sleep well. Oh, but I prayed. I prayed and fasted. I sought God night and day. I was on my face. I was in the Word. I heard from God during this period. Psalm 37:18 says that, “God is close to the broken hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” God was so close to me. So, in the midst of my pain, I looked around and noticed that those who were not serving Him-who were not committed to Him-seemed to be thriving. Oh, and that hurt even more. One night as I lay in my bed, I asked Him, 'Why? Why do those who don't serve you prosper?' And He answered me, through Jeremiah 12:1-5:

“You are always righteous, O LORD, when I bring a case before you. Yet I would speak with You about Your justice: Why does the way of the wicked prosper? Why do all the faithless live at ease?” Jeremiah 12:1

You see, Jeremiah was called to be a prophet of the Lord from his youth. The Lord even said to Jeremiah, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.” Jeremiah 1:4. Yet because of the call of God on his life, Jeremiah faced much persecution. He spoke against the worldliness of Israel, warning them to turn back to God or face impending disaster. As a result he was ridiculed and ostracized. He suffered, and so he asked, 'why'.

The Lord responded to Jeremiah (and to me as I read):

“If you have raced with men on foot and they have worn you out, how can you compete with horses? If you stumble in safe country, how will you manage in the thickets by the Jordan?” Jeremiah 12:5. Then suddenly, the Holy Spirit brought understanding to my heart. The Lord was training me, preparing me and teaching me how to stand in the midst of the battle. It is in midst of the trial- in our weakness- that we are able to see the Mighty Hand of GOD raised so high above our circumstances that the threat of the valley of the shadow of death fades by the brilliance of His glorious light. It is in the trial that our faith increases and God reveals Himself to us in a new way. If we wait upon Him, if we trust in Him, if we do not allow bitterness and envy to overtake us, we will see His victory. And we are reminded:

"Do not fret because of evil men or be envious of those who do wrong; for like the grass they will soon wither, like green plants they will soon die away. Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Delight yourself in the LORD and He will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD; trust in Him and He will do this: He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun. Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for Him." Psalm 37:1-7

Have you ever experienced injustice at the hands of those who do not fear God? What happened and how has trusting in Him helped you with your faith? Share with us at BGO by clicking on the comments link below. Your testimony not only gives God glory but will encourage someone who may be experiencing a similar trial.

Movie Monday - Stronger

Prayer Wall - March

God is a good God.  Let's lift our prayer request to Him.

If you don't want to post your prayer request on the Prayer wall email your prayer to us at joinus@biblegrouponline.com. 

Thank you for praying one for the other.

Talk Tuesday-What Is Repentance?

What does it mean TO REPENT? The words REPENT and REPENTANCE appear numerous times throughout the Bible.

In the Old Testament, the prophet Ezekiel says,"'Therefore, O house of Israel, I will judge you, each one according to his ways, declares the Sovereign LORD. Repent! Turn away from all your offenses; then sin will not be your downfall.'” Ezekiel 18:30

The word REPENT, used by Ezekiel in the original Hebrew/Aramaic is: sub, -which means, to turn back: from the base meaning of turning back comes from the fig. extension of restoration of relationship, as when one turns in repentance to God.

In the New Testament Jesus says, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Matthew 4:17.

The word REPENT in Greek is: metanoeo, - which means, to repent, to change any or all of the elements composing one's life: attitude, thoughts and behaviours concerning the demands of God for right living. (All references to Hebrew & Greek translations are from:James, LL.D., S.T.D. 2001. The Strongest Strong's Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan)

Our Movie Monday post features Evangelist Billy Graham (November 4th, 1986 Tallahassee, Fl.) who says, "“Now you can't change your past, but you can determine your destiny by deciding for Christ. But Christ can change your past. He died on the cross so that all the sins you've ever committed, all the things you've ever done wrong, are forgiven. What do you have to do? You have to repent of your sins, that means to be willing to change your way of living.....You may have no power to do it...but if you surrender to Christ, He'll give you the power.”

REPENTANCE implies an acknowledgement of our sinfulness, being sorry for our way of living and a willingness to turn away from sin to GOD. Jesus Christ is the only way to the Father. Once we REPENT of our sins and open our hearts to Jesus, He will restore our relationship with GOD. He will enable us, through the power of the Holy Spirit, to truly change.

"But when the kindness and love of GOD our Saviour appeared, He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Saviour, so that, having been justified by His grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life." Titus 3:4-7

Movie Monday - Billy Graham - Timeless Truth - Change