Tag Archives: Acts 2:22-24

Whose Sheep Are You??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #217

05 Sunday May 2024

Posted by in 'Come unto me, A heart of faith, By His Grace, Changed Lives, Salvation, Saved by grace, Saved by Grace Through Faith, Saved FROM Sin, The Good Shepherd, The Gospel, True Gospel, True Knowledge, Trusting God, Trusting Jesus?, Truth

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Whose Sheep Are You??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #217

I want to share some passages from The Gospel of John, and consider what Jesus was and is telling us.  Scripture is replete with the picture of “shepherds and sheep” from one of the most familiar, Psalm 23, to the message from Jesus Himself in John 10.  Let’s rehearse the passages below and see what conclusions we can take away.

Jesus was often in conflict with the religious leaders of His day, and sometimes it seems that we have come full circle to a day when people, even professing Christians, would rather stand on the opinions of men rather than The Word of God.  What are you standing on?  Let’s see what Jesus has to say.

“This parable spake Jesus unto them:

but they understood not what things they were

which he spake unto them.

7 Then said Jesus unto them again,

Verily, verily, I say unto you,

I am the door of the sheep.

8 All that ever came before me

are thieves and robbers:

but the sheep did not hear them.

9 I am the door:

by me if any man enter in,

he shall be saved,

and shall go in and out,

 and find pasture.

10 The thief cometh not,

but for to steal,

and to kill,

and to destroy:

I am come that they might have life,

and that they might have it more abundantly.

11 I am the good shepherd:

the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep…

…. 14 I am the good shepherd,

and know my sheep,

and am known of mine.

15 As the Father knoweth me,

even so know I the Father:

and I lay down my life

for the sheep.

16 And other sheep I have,

which are not of this fold:

them also I must bring,

and they shall hear my voice;

and there shall be one fold,

and one shepherd.

17 Therefore doth my Father love me,

because I lay down my life,

that I might take it again.

18 No man taketh it from me,

but I lay it down of myself.

I have power to lay it down,

and I have power to take it again.

This commandment have I received

of my Father.”  Portions of John 10:6-18

Do you see the flow?  Jesus came to not only be the “good shepherd”, but He came to be “the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world…”, as John the Baptizer proclaimed.  Jesus would die as “the lamb” but remain the “good shepherd”—the substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for our sin; and in verses 17 and 18, Jesus makes it clear that He willingly laid down His life, knowing that HE had the “power to take it again”!  All because He was obeying what, “I received of my Father”.  God’s plan, as Peter proclaimed at Pentecost:

“Ye men of Israel, hear these words;

Jesus of Nazareth,

a man approved of God among you

by miracles

and wonders

and signs,

which God did by him

 in the midst of you,

as ye yourselves also know:

23 Him, being delivered

by the determinate counsel

and foreknowledge of God,

ye have taken,

and by wicked hands have crucified

and slain:

24 Whom God hath raised up,

having loosed the pains of death:

because it was not possible

that he should be holden of it.”   Acts 2:22-24

Jesus is the one way to God:

“This is the stone which was set at nought

of you builders,

which is become the head of the corner.

12 Neither is there salvation in any other:

for there is none other name under heaven

given among men,

whereby we must be saved.” Acts 4:11-12

Jesus is the way—the only way—to God; and as Jesus goes on to say in John chapter 10, it’s our choice whether we will believe what He says, believe what He did for us and trust to His death on the cross for our salvation, finding the forgiveness and transformation His blood supplies.  It’s your choice, but remember each choice has a consequence.  If you receive Jesus’ work of salvation accomplished at Calvary and verified in His resurrection from the dead, repenting of your sin, and trusting to His saving grace, you will find not only grace, but power, and the Holy Spirit to lead us into all truth, via The Word of God!  Dig in!

“Jesus answered them,

I told you,

and ye believed not:

the works that I do in my Father’s name,

they bear witness of me.

26 But ye believe not,

because ye are not of my sheep,

as I said unto you.

27 My sheep hear my voice,

and I know them,

and they follow me:

28 And I give unto them eternal life;

and they shall never perish,

neither shall any man pluck them

out of my hand.

29 My Father, which gave them me,

 is greater than all;

 and no man is able to pluck them

out of my Father’s hand.

30 I and my Father are one.”  John 10:25-30

“31 Then the Jews took up stones again to stone him.”

The leaders then wanted to kill Him, and many today feel the same way.  It’s your choice—believe or reject His voice which is calling you. (See Rev. 3:20.) If you hear His voice, will you respond today?  If you are His sheep, will you obey, and dig into His Word to know what obedience looks life?  Paul said it best:

“I am crucified with Christ:

nevertheless I live;

yet not I,

but Christ liveth in me:

and the life which I now live in the flesh

I live by the faith of the Son of God,

who loved me, and gave himself for me.”  Galatians 2:20

Amen and Amen!!!

Whose Day Is It??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #128

06 Wednesday Sep 2023

Posted by in 'Come unto me, A Father's Love, A heart of faith, Abiding In Jesus, Broken Hearts, Comfort, Encouragement, Eternal Consequences, Eternity is Long, The Crucified Life, The Gospel, This IS The Day, This is the Way

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Whose Day Is It??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #128

“I will praise thee:

for thou hast heard me,

and art become my salvation.

22 The stone which the builders refused

is become the head stone of the corner.

23 This is the LORD’S doing;

it is marvellous in our eyes.

24 This is the day

which the LORD hath made;

we will rejoice

and be glad in it.”  Psalm 118:21-243

Most are familiar with verse 24 of this Psalm, for this IS the DAY that God has made, and HE has given it to us to use to praise HIM, to use to HIS glory, but also to remember all that HE has done for us IN JESUS!   I don’t know that I’ve ever read these verses with this particular context in mind, but it is amazing how God speaks to us in unique ways, and at unexpected times and places, and I am so glad that HE does!  For as I sit here writing this article, I just praise HIM so much for this day–for HIS sweet presence, and HIS love, grace and mercy showered down on me/us!

We’ve been traveling and had some time with friends and family but had to come home a bit earlier than we had planned, but you see, God’s plans are always the ones that we want–even the seemingly ‘untimely’ things!  We had a safe trip but a longer than expected drive, and yet Jesus led our way, and we praise HIM for each day; for you see, it’s all about the love of Jesus which leads and directs our steps, and as we pursue HIM in all of our ways, ever remembering the “Lamb of God who takesth away the sin of the world”!  Yet, we also want to remember and tie together the references to Jesus, who was not only “The Lamb of God”, but HE is also the “stone which the builders refused”!  This precious Lamb came to be the “cornerstone” of our salvation–HE came to die for you and me!

But we don’t want to miss the reference to this being GOD’S PLAN!  I have often had people ask me about the New Testament and how it is the picture of God’s plan “B” since plan “A”, the law, had failed; to which I almost cry out loud…”no, no, no”!  God has never had a plan “B”, HIS plan has always been Jesus–Calvary–and praise HIS name, the Resurrection of JESUS Christ my Lord!!  Oh, glory, glory, glory!  Ain’t God good?  Yes, HE is! This is what the Psalmist is proclaiming–don’t miss it:

“This is the LORD’S doing;

it is marvellous in our eyes”!

The Apostles confirmed this truth as they proclaimed the Gospel on the Day of Pentecost.  Please don’t miss the beauty that the Psalmist was proclaiming all those hundreds of years before it took place.  Not an accident, or coincidence, or even ‘fate’–no, my friends, it was the “determinate counsel…of God” that planned the amazing work of salvation for you and me!!!  The plan that cost God His Son pouring out HIS precious blood on a cruel Roman cross!  Love ran red down through time for you and me–to TODAY!!!

“Ye men of Israel, hear these words;

Jesus of Nazareth,

a man approved of God among you

by miracles

and wonders

and signs,

which God did by him

in the midst of you,

as ye yourselves also know:

23 Him,

being delivered

by the determinate counsel

and foreknowledge

of God,

ye have taken,

and by wicked hands have crucified

and slain:

24 Whom God hath raised up,

having loosed the pains of death:

because it was not possible

that he should be holden of it.”  Acts 2:22-24                         (And it will bless your heart to read through this entire chapter!)

I pray that you will heed the call of God on your heart!  Don’t miss the “cornerstone” by disregard or neglect, HE came to save “whosoever believeth on HIM”; not with just lip service but true repentance from my sin/your sin, and faith/trust in Jesus’ substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for that sin!  So, in closing, just a few scriptures that paint a wonderful picture of what our Redeemer did for us through HIS precious blood!

“And from Jesus Christ,

who is the faithful witness,

and the first begotten of the dead,

and the prince of the kings of the earth.

Unto him that loved us,

and washed us from our sins

in his own blood,” Revelation 1:5

“Elect according to the foreknowledge

of God the Father,

through sanctification of the Spirit,

unto obedience

and sprinkling of the blood

of Jesus Christ:

Grace unto you,

and peace, be multiplied.

3 Blessed be the God and Father

of our Lord Jesus Christ,

which according to his abundant mercy

hath begotten us again

unto a lively hope

by the resurrection of Jesus Christ

from the dead,

4 To an inheritance incorruptible,

and undefiled,

and that fadeth not away,

reserved in heaven

for you,” 1 Peter 1:2-4

“But if we walk in the light,

as he is in the light,

we have fellowship one with another,

and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son

cleanseth us from all sin.” 1 John 1:7

May we rejoice in each “today” that God grants you and me; may we bring joy to others, glory to God, and sing His praises for “THIS DAY” that HE has made for us!  I pray that you find HIS joy and peace sufficient for your every need.  He has NEVER let me down, even though I have failed HIM again and again….  I thank HIM for His faithfulness no matter the circumstances.

“Let your conversation be without covetousness;

and be content with such things as ye have:

for he hath said,

I will never leave thee,

nor forsake thee.

6 So that we may boldly say,

The Lord is my helper,

and I will not fear

what man shall do unto me.”  Hebrews 13:5-6

Trust HIM–HE made the day–and HE MADE YOU!!!  And as a preacher friend of mine says, “God never says, “OOOPS”!

Amen and Amen!!!!

Time Is Short??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #108

14 Friday Jul 2023

Posted by in 'Come unto me, A Father's Love, All About Jesus!, Born Again, Bow Before our God, Safe Place, Salvation, Time, Time Is Grace!, TODAY, Trust God, Trusting God, Trusting Jesus, Trusting Jesus?, Truth is True, Victory IN Jesus!

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Time Is Short??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #108

Just a brief reminder today that Jesus IS coming again, and I believe it could be any day now.  Are you ready?

“Ye men of Israel, hear these words;

Jesus of Nazareth,

a man approved of God

among you by miracles

and wonders

and signs,

which God did by him

in the midst of you,

as ye yourselves also know:

23 Him, being delivered

by the determinate counsel

and foreknowledge

of God,

ye have taken,

and by wicked hands have crucified

and slain:

24 Whom God hath raised up,

having loosed the pains of death:

because it was not possible

that he should be holden of it.” Acts 2:22-24

And Peter made it clear that it’s only Jesus that can and will give forgiveness of sin and eternal life with HIM!

“Be it known unto you all,

and to all the people of Israel,

that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth,

whom ye crucified,

whom God raised from the dead,

even by him doth this man stand

here before you whole.

11 This is the stone which was set at nought

of you builders,

which is become the head of the corner.

12 Neither is there salvation in any other:

for there is none other name

under heaven

given among men,

whereby we must be saved.” Acts 4:10-12

Will you set Jesus “at nought” or will you come to The One who loves you so much that HE died for YOU!  Call on HIM today–answer the door if He’s knocking today; for HE won’t always be knocking at the door.

“Jesus therefore answered and said unto them,

Murmur not among yourselves.

44 No man can come to me,

except the Father which hath sent me draw him:

and I will raise him up at the last day.

45 It is written in the prophets,

And they shall be all taught of God.

Every man therefore that hath heard,

and hath learned of the Father,

cometh unto me.

46 Not that any man hath seen the Father,

save he which is of God,

he hath seen the Father.

47 Verily, verily, I say unto you,

He that believeth on me

hath everlasting life.

48 I am that bread of life.”  John 6:43-48

If HE is knocking, please open that door!  Only YOU can–but remember Jesus alone can save you!  I pray that you will hear HIS voice today.  I’m praying for you to hear and see with the eyes of your heart, the God/Man/Savior who came that you might have life through HIS substitutionary (in your place), atoning (paying your debt), sacrifice (HE died for your sin and mine, a debt he didn’t owe, and a debt we could only pay for in Hell!).  Choose wisely, there is a test.

“Behold,

I stand at the door,

and knock:

if any man hear my voice,

and open the door,

I will come in to him,

and will sup with him,

and he with me.” Revelation 3:20

Amen and Amen!!

Lifting Up Jesus Or ‘Me’??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #77

17 Friday Mar 2023

Posted by in A Father's Love, Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, All About Jesus!, Born Again, Cross, Crucified With Christ, If I be lifted up---, IN HIS TIME!, IN Jesus!, JESUS, Jesus Built A Bridge, Jesus IN You!, Jesus Is Coming!, Jesus Saves!, Jesus' Sacrifice, Jesus--our all in all, Lifting up Jesus, Preach Christ and HIM crucified!

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Lifting Up Jesus Or ‘Me’???    A Word from THE WORD!!! #77

“And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness,

even so must the Son of man be lifted up:

15 That whosoever believeth in him

should not perish,

but have eternal life.

16 For God so loved the world,

that he gave his only begotten Son,

that whosoever believeth in him

should not perish,

but have everlasting life.”   John 3:14-16

Jesus told Nicodemus that HE would be lifted up “as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness”, and later HE told His disciples the same thing; and I believe HE is calling us to understand the very same thing today.  Even as Paul declared, may we make the same commitment in our hearts, our lives, and our words today.  Who are you and I “lifting up”?  Jesus and the cross upon which HE paid for my sin and yours, or our own agenda, our own opinion, our glory, our advancement, our notoriety?  I stand with Paul and hope to always be lifting up Jesus Christ–and HIM alone!

“And I, brethren, when I came to you,

came not with excellency of speech

or of wisdom,

declaring unto you the testimony of God.

2 For I determined not to know any thing among you,

save Jesus Christ, and him crucified…

…. 4 And my speech and my preaching

was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom,

but in demonstration of the Spirit

and of power:

5 That your faith

should not stand in the wisdom of men,

but in the power of God.”  1 Corinthians 2:1-2 & 4-5

Jesus was born to die!  To die for your sin and mine–intentionally, on purpose, that we might have eternal life.  It wasn’t by accident, it wasn’t by the power of the Jewish leaders, or the Romans, but by God’s intentional purposes for the salvation of all who will believe, and come to HIM in repentance, and faith in Jesus’ substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for sin.

“And she shall bring forth a son,

and thou shalt call his name JESUS:

for he shall save his people

from their sins.”  Matthew 1:21

Just as Peter preached after the ascension of Jesus and the coming of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost.

“Ye men of Israel, hear these words;

Jesus of Nazareth,

a man approved of God among you

by miracles

and wonders

and signs,

which God did by him

in the midst of you,

as ye yourselves also know:

23 Him, being delivered

by the determinate counsel

and foreknowledge

of God,

ye have taken,

and by wicked hands

have crucified and slain:

24 Whom God hath raised up,

having loosed the pains of death:

because it was not possible

that he should be holden of it.”  Acts 2:22-24

Even as Jesus told His followers before His death; a death they weren’t expecting, but which Jesus wanted them to understand would save all who would believe their message of the cross! (For He also told them that His death would not be the end but that HE would RISE AGAIN! –and HE DID!!!)

“And I,

if I be lifted up from the earth,

will draw all men unto me.

33 This he said,

signifying what death

he should die.”  John 12:32-33

So, my friends, will we choose to lift up Jesus or something else?  The choice is yours, but remember there is a test, and I can’t help but believe that The Master is not very long from coming for His own!  Remember HE died for YOU!  May we who belong to Jesus lift HIM up today–He’ll do the rest!

Amen and Amen!!!

Incomprehensible Love??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 19 No. 11

15 Monday Aug 2022

Posted by in Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, God of all comfort!, Grief, Incomprehensible LOVE, Jesus IS The Gift!, Jesus Knows, Jesus Knows YOUR Storm, Jesus Never Fails, Jesus Saves, Jesus' Sacrifice

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 19 No. 11   Incomprehensible Love???

I want to share more of my personal observations than usual, which I just feel led to do today, as I had some amazing thoughts about my Jesus this week, and I’d like to share them with you.

“These things have I spoken unto you,

that my joy might remain in you,

and that your joy might be full.

12 This is my commandment,

That ye love one another,

as I have loved you.

13 Greater love hath no man than this,

that a man lay down his life

for his friends.”  John 15:11-13

God cares for the “world”, and while His love is unconditional, his forgiveness is based on a personal acceptance of Jesus’ substitutionary, atoning, sacrifice in repentance and faith!  God cares for mankind, so much so that HE “gave his only begotten son” to die that we might have eternal life!  And when we come to Jesus, we are called to emulate HIS loving, sacrificial heart!

“But love ye your enemies,

and do good,

and lend,

hoping for nothing again;

and your reward shall be great,

and ye shall be the children of the Highest:

for he is kind unto the unthankful

and to the evil.

36 Be ye therefore merciful,

as your Father also is merciful.”  Luke 6:35-36

We are called to a ‘higher’ calling than the world demands, for as Jesus said again in Matthew’s Gospel:

“But I say unto you,

Love your enemies,

bless them that curse you,

do good to them

that hate you,

and pray for them

which despitefully use you,

and persecute you;

45 That ye may be the children

of your Father which is in heaven:

for he maketh his sun

to rise on the evil

and on the good,

and sendeth rain

on the just

and on the unjust.”  Matthew 5:44-45

As we consider all these thoughts from God’s Word, I want to share some insights that I had this week.  As I was thinking about what Jesus did for me and you, I was influenced by my own grief, and the grief of close friends who have dealt with great loss in recent days.  Most of us have dealt with more grief in the last two-plus years with Covid than we could have imagined; and as I have been face-to-face with the emotions of grief myself, I couldn’t help but think of Jesus.  Jesus went to Calvary for you and me, and I want us to consider what HE felt as He walked up that hill—not just what He went through in the physical abuse that He suffered at the hands of the Jewish religious leaders, or the Roman guards, or even the soldiers at the cross as He was crucified for your sin and mine—but the thoughts that must have filled His heart and mind as He was driven up that hill to Calvary.

You and I have all experienced sorrow and grief, and we all have family, friends, and loved ones who have left this world and left a hole in our heart; but think a minute with me, if you would, Jesus not only had friends and family whom He loved, but HE created the world—including you and me!!!  Jesus didn’t just have a few folks on HIS heart and mind as HE walked up that hill, He had you and me on His heart and mind, even “before the foundation of the world” (See Ephesians 1:4 and 1 Peter 1:20)!  I can’t imagine the grief and sorrow that HE must have felt over the loss that sin brought into HIS world!  The enemy who deceived Adam and Eve, has continued to work his deceit in God’s world to this day!  BUT, praise God his end is in sight, and our Lord will return to claim HIS own; but until then, we need to consider the grief that our Savior endured not only for us, but for all!  I can’t help but think of the sadness that Jesus must have felt for the creation that HE loves—for the “the just and on the unjust”! He was going to die even for those who would reject HIM!  Oh, the love—the love that God—Father, Son and Holy Spirit—has for us!  I can’t even comprehend the grief and sorrow that HIS Spirit bore that day!

We grieve over the loss of maybe a hundred loved-ones and acquaintances, yet Jesus was creator of every human on earth!  HE loves them enough to have come to this earth, took on flesh and blood, lived a sinless life, and was headed to Calvary to ‘buy back’ the creation who had sold themselves into bondage to sin, for it would take HIS life to redeem our souls—ON PURPOSE!

“Ye men of Israel, hear these words;

Jesus of Nazareth,

a man approved of God among you

by miracles

and wonders

and signs,

which God did by him in the midst of you,

as ye yourselves also know:

23 Him, being delivered

by the determinate counsel

and foreknowledge of God,

ye have taken,

and by wicked hands

have crucified and slain:

24 Whom God hath raised up,

having loosed the pains of death:

because it was not possible

that he should be holden of it.”  Acts 2:22-24

I’d simply like to close with two passages, one from the author of Hebrews to help us understand God’s work in sending Jesus to be the payment for our sin, and our deliverer!  All because HE loves us—and all who will come to HIM will find eternal life, and peace, hope and joy!  The other look, at the ultimate passage on thinking as Jesus thought (one of my all-time favorite passages in all of scripture!); I hope they will both be a blessing to you!

“But we see Jesus,

who was made a little lower than the angels

for the suffering of death,

crowned with glory and honour;

that he by the grace of God

should taste death for every man.

10 For it became him,

for whom

are all things,

and by whom

are all things,

in bringing many sons unto glory,

to make the captain of their salvation

perfect through sufferings.

11 For both he that sanctifieth

and they who are sanctified

are all of one:

for which cause

he is not ashamed to call them brethren,

12 Saying,

I will declare thy name

unto my brethren,

in the midst of the church

will I sing praise unto thee.

13 And again,

 I will put my trust in him.

And again,

Behold I and the children

which God hath given me.

14 Forasmuch then as the children

are partakers of flesh and blood,

he also himself likewise

took part of the same;

that through death

he might destroy him

that had the power of death,

that is, the devil;

15 And deliver them who through fear of death

were all their lifetime

subject to bondage.

16 For verily he took not on him the nature of angels;

but he took on him the seed of Abraham.

17 Wherefore in all things it behoved him

to be made like unto his brethren,

that he might be a merciful

and faithful

high priest in things pertaining to God,

to make reconciliation

for the sins of the people.

18 For in that he himself

hath suffered being tempted,

he is able to succour them

that are tempted.”  Hebrews 2:9-18

 Paul’s great passage on the “mind of Christ”!

“Let this mind be in you,

which was also in Christ Jesus:

6 Who, being in the form of God,

thought it not robbery to be equal with God:

7 But made himself of no reputation,

and took upon him the form of a servant,

and was made in the likeness of men:

8 And being found in fashion as a man,

he humbled himself,

and became obedient unto death,

even the death of the cross.

9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him,

 and given him a name which is above every name:

10 That at the name of Jesus

every knee should bow,

of things in heaven,

and things in earth,

and things under the earth;

11 And that every tongue should confess

that Jesus Christ is Lord,

to the glory of God the Father.

12 Wherefore, my beloved,

as ye have always obeyed,

not as in my presence only,

but now much more in my absence,

work out your own salvation

with fear and trembling.

13 For it is God which worketh in you

both to will

and to do

of his good pleasure.”  Philippians 2:5-13

So, my friends, wherever you may be, whatever sorrow or grief you may be living with—take heart!  Jesus knows your pain and sorrow, the burden you bear!  Won’t you come and rest in HIS ‘Incomprehensible LOVE’ that is there for you today!  Don’t miss that unseen hand of mercy, grace, love and strength that is outstretched to you today!

Amen and Amen!!!