Talk Tuesday-Easter Edition: The Call Of The CROSS

As Good Friday and Easter Sunday approach, let us meditate on the significance of the CROSS and the meaning of the BLOOD that was shed on Calvary's hill. What Jesus did was no easy thing. Jesus Christ, the Incarnate One, came to earth in full humanity. This means that while He was fully GOD, He was fully man.

This Easter read the following chapters: Genesis 1-3, Leviticus 16, Matthew 26-28 (or Mark 14-16, Luke 22-24 or John 18-21) and Revelation 5. You will find a brief chronological history of the Easter story. In the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve's sin brought the curse of death and ruptured our relationship with God. The imago Dei or image of God (Gen. 1:26-27) with which we were created became defaced yet never effaced-it remained, albeit in a marred state by the act of our sin. What happened in Eden was The Fall of mankind. Yet, this did not change who God Is. God is Love (1 John 4:8). God is Holy (Leviticus 19:2, 1 Peter 1:16). God is Just (Psalm 89:14). God is Merciful and God is Gracious (Psalm 103:8). All of these characteristics of God are displayed on the CROSS where His Only Begotten Son was crucified on our behalf. The declaration, 'It is finished,' John 19:30, are words of Victory that proclaim our freedom, deliverance, acceptance, redemption, and the atonement of our sins. It heralds the restoration of our relationship with God. Why the CROSS? It is at that moment that Jesus bore the sins of all mankind in a final act of love, in an experience of dereliction. “For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you upon the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood that makes atonement for the soul,” Leviticus 17:11. He TRIUMPHED over the CROSS. He ROSE again. He will RETURN!

 “You are worthy to take the scroll, and to open its seals; for You were slain, and have redeemed us to God by Your blood out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation, and have made us kings and priests to our God; and we shall reign on the earth.” Revelation 5:9-10

In End, at the Eschaton, Jesus Christ will return. “5 Then He who sat on the throne said, 'Behold, I make all things new.' And He said to me, 'Write, for these words are true and faithful.' 6 And He said to me, 'It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts.'”  Revelation 21:5-6

“And the Spirit and the bride say, 'Come!' And let him who hears say, 'Come!' And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.” Revelation 22:17

Come to the CROSS today and meet the One who died upon it just for you!

Talk Tuesday-Do You Have Life?

When I was a young university student, I experienced three consecutive deaths in my family in my 3^rd year. I remember thinking, 'What is the purpose of life?' I seemed to have everything I needed-family, friends, money, opportunity, an eduction-yet there was an inexplicable void that remained. Although I was raised in a Christian family and attended church, I did not have a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ. I kept looking to the world to fill me, and it didn't...it couldn't. Then when death came knocking on our door, I felt that void grow deeper. I stood back in the distance as I witnessed my mother, father, brother and sister each come into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. The change was immediate, evident and profound. It seemed as though everything they did centred around Jesus. They had this incredible passion, zeal, joy and purpose that was otherworldly. I wanted what they had. I wanted life.

The Bible tells us that, “Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life,” 1 John 5:12. What does it mean to 'have life'? Romans 6:23 teaches us that, “...the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Jesus' death on the cross means that our sins are washed away by His blood, atonement is made on our behalf, we are justified before God the Father, our relationship with Him is restored and we have been redeemed. In other words, we have been set free to live a life of purpose to bring honour and glory to God, and to love our neighbours as we love ourselves. Jesus' death on the cross is the ultimate act of love which demands that we reject sin, and live surrendered, holy lives for the One who gave us this gift of life. Today, we implore you to, “Seek the Lord while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near,” Isaiah 55:6. Turn away from the world, “...the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life,” 1 John 2:16, give up your worldly life for a life in Christ, then you will truly live. Accept by faith Jesus' finished work on the cross, and invite Him to be Lord of your entire life. In June 1996, I did just that and the void was filled. I finally had life.

“34 When He had called the people to Himself, with His disciples also, He said to them,'Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. 35 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it. 36 For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?'” Mark 8:34-36

Talk Tuesday-Are You Ready?

"Jesus is coming soon!" We have heard these words echoed throughout the ages, as men and women waited in fearful anticipation for the return of our Lord Jesus Christ. The Bible tells us to,“Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming," Matthew 25:13. The Prophet Joel warns, "Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision! For the day of the Lord is near in the valley of decision," Joel 3:14. The disciples themselves questioned Jesus about His return, "Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?” Matthew 24:3.

4 And Jesus answered and said to them: “Take heed that no one deceives you. 5 For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many. 6 And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. 7 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these are the beginning of sorrows. 9 “Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake. 10 And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another. 11 Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. 12 And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. 13 But he who endures to the end shall be saved. 14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come. Matthew 24:4-14

The real question is not 'WHEN is Jesus coming?', but 'AM I READY?' We have all heard the expression, 'Life is short.' The truth is that, “All flesh is grass, and all its loveliness is like the flower of the field. 7 The grass withers, the flower fades, because the breath of the Lord blows upon it; surely the people are grass. 8 The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God stands forever,” Isaiah 40:6-8. The transitory nature of our earthly lives means that our opportunity to accept the gift of eternal life is limited. Choose wisely. I leave you with THREE TRUTHS to ponder:

"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 3:15

"...that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved." Romans 10:9  

"8 But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 9 The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. 10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up." 2 Peter 3:8-10

ARE YOU READY?

Talk Tuesday - Be Holy, For God Is Holy

I was born in Trinidad.  I loved Trinidad and it’s culture.  The carnival, the costumes, the drinking and the partying. When I became a christian I gave up my life as a ‘Trini.’  I knew my old life did not please God.  It was interesting, I would go to Carnival on Monday and Tuesday then for my ashes in church on Wednesday. I tried to fool myself saying,”This is my culture...it’s ok.”

Now that I have surrendered my life to Christ I see things in a new way.  I went to an event and there was music from my past.  My pastor was there with us.  All of a sudden a couple started to bump and wine in front of us.  I felt so ashamed.  I looked at my wife and then I looked at my pastor.  I could not believe that this is what I used to do.  I felt God’s disgust.  

Carnival is coming up in Trinidad.  Before you decide to sip that rum and coke or wine on that person, see what God sees.  Sin.  Yes Sin.  I don’t care how much people say that it is our culture, what you are doing is detestable to God.  Sin is Sin.  No matter how you do it.

“Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming. 14 As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. 15 But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; 16 for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”  1 Peter 1:13-16

“And do this, understanding the present time: The hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.12 The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. 13 Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy.14 Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh.” Romans 13:11-14

May God bless and keep you in His presence,

Andrew

100 Bibles for Asia

Imagine not having a Bible, not being able to read the Word of God. That is the sad reality for some people in South Asia. Imagine you could give a Bible for a low as $3. That is cheaper than a Starbucks speciality coffee. How? Gospel for Asia has made it really easy to raise money for the underprivileged in Asia.  All you have to do is follow this link and, with a credit card, you can make a donation.  The donation goes directly to Gospel for Asia and they deliver the Bibles to the people that need it. 100% of the money goes to providing the Bibles.

You can help us reach our goal of raising $300, that is 100 Bibles, for the people of Asia.  Spread the word by sharing the link on Facebook, Twitter or by email. Be a blessing by giving the Word of God to people that need it.

We want to thank you in advance for your donations and prayer.

Blessings,

Andrew and Tash

https://www.mygfa.org/bgo/

P.S. If we reach our goal, keep donating because that means more Bibles for Asia.

Talk Tuesday-Live As Children of The Light

As Christians, we are called to live as 'Children of the Light'. The Word of God is truth and it instructs us in the way we should go. It is also profoundly countercultural. When Jesus intercedes for us to God the Father, He says, “14 I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 15 I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one. 16 They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 17 Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth,” John 17:14-17.

Our obedience to the Word of God must cause us to be in enmity with the world, “...don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God,” James 4:4. We cannot serve two masters. “15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. 17 And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever,” 1 John 2:15-17. Let us cling steadfastly to the Word of God for all teaching, exhortation and correction. The Psalmist says, “Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You,” Psalm 119:11. In Proverbs 14:12 we are warned that, “12 There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death.” Stay in the Word of God, and pray unceasingly. Resist the world's seducing 'inclusivity' of sin. God's Word does not change with every cultural shift. “See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ,” Colossians 2:8. I pray that today's post will encourage your hearts and spur you on to live boldly as 'Children of the Light'.

“8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light 9 (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) 10 and find out what pleases the Lord. 11 Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.” Ephesians 5:8-11

Prayer Wall - February

Please post to the Prayer Wall your prayer request.  Let's pray for the nations.

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