Humbleness = Greatness

We are not to be childish but childlike!

In Matthew 18:1-6 and in Mark 9:33-34, the disciples were acting childish, in that they were seeking a high position in the Kingdom of Heaven. So the Lord Jesus declared in V2 "I assure you, unless you turn from your sins (be converted) and become as little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven.  Jesus, having called a little child unto him, set him in the middle, and continued: "Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven." 

Obviously the standards and values in the Kingdom of Heaven are exactly opposite to those in the world. Our whole mode of thinking must be reversed. Read Philippians 2:5-8

In Matthew 19:13-15, the disciples must have forgotten what the Lord Jesus had said about children. The Lord wanted little children to come to him because He loves them and they have a pure simple trust in God. He didn't mean that heaven is only for children but that all people need childlike faith in God.

The receptiveness of little children was a great contrast to the stubbornness of the religious leaders, who let their education and sophistication stand in the way of the simple faith needed to believe in the Lord Jesus.

Don't let anything or anyone get in the way of you coming to the Saviour of sinners!

Precious Pearl:
-"Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? Or who shall stand in his holy place? He that has clean hands, and a pure heart..." Psalm 24:3-4
-"For whosoever exalts himself shall be abased; and he that humbles himself shall be exalted." Luke 14:11
-"the blood of Jesus Christ, God's Son, cleanses us from all sin" 1 Epistle of John 1:7
-It only takes a simple childlike trust in the Saviour's cleansing blood, for all the work has been done!

Tis finished the work that saves!
Claudine

Are You Standing on The Solid Rock?

In Matthew 16:15 The Lord asked his disciples: 'Who do you say that I am?'  All praise to God, Peter had the right answer: "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God." The Lord then reveals to Peter that this blessing of knowing Him was given him from the Father in heaven, and did not come from Peter himself!

The Lord now instructs Peter that upon this ROCK (this truth just revealed to Peter, about the Christ) He will build His church.  Peter never spoke of himself as the foundation of the church, but the Lord did say he was giving him the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven (on earth).  Peter then first used the keys on the Day of Pentecost. I believe they were not given to him exclusively, but as a representative of all the disciples (see Matthew 18:18 where the same promise is given to them all).

"Whatever you lock on earth will be locked in heaven, and whatever you open on earth will be open in heaven." When a sinner truly repented of his sins and received Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour, his/her sins could be declared forgiven on the authority of God's Word!  But when a sinner rejected the Saviour (the message - the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven), he/she could be declared to have his sins retained. 

I believe it was then the time for the Lord to tell his disciples about His purpose for coming to earth! The Son always moved in accord with the Father and waited for His timing! Now that the disciples had realized that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of the living God, they were ready to hear the Lord's first direct prediction of His death and resurrection. 
(notes from Believer's Bible Commentary)

Then, not understanding the complete will of God, we read of Peter's opposition to the Lord's new revelation. The Lord says to Peter that his idea is not from God but from Satan, anything that opposes God and His plan is from Satan. Get to know God and His will for you and for this world and for the worlds to come by reading your Bible.  Can you say with your understanding: "May your kingdom come, may your will be done here on earth, just as it is in heaven"? (Matthew 6:10)

Precious Pearl: "Anyone who listens to my teaching (Jesus said) and obeys me is wise, like a person who builds a house on a solid rock.  But anyone who hears my teaching and ignores it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand." Matthew 7:24, 26

Can I ask you kindly:  'Where do you stand dear reader?'

On Christ the solid Rock I stand,

All other ground is sinking sand!

Claudine

Surrendering!

Matthew 15:32 starts with the Lord Jesus being compassionate for his listeners, which consisted of a multitude of  4,000+, because they hadn't eaten for three days.  He then asks his disciples: 'How many loaves have you got?'  The disciple's reply was basically:  'Just a few' (seven loaves of bread and a few little fishes)!  To which they did not hold back for themselves, but willingly gave to the Lord! With this little amount of food, the Lord multiplied it so much that he fed the whole multitude, and they did all eat, and were filled (V37). That was a miracle!

The disciples did not show any sign of selfishness!  They surrendered ALL to the Lord, and trusted Him with the outcome! Is this where you are?  Do you hear/feel the Lord asking 'What have you got'? Are you thinking to yourself: 'I only have a little bit, why is He asking me what I've got'?  Until we surrender everything to Him, He will be waiting and will not perform His mighty work, He cannot work His miracle! Will you let go and let God?  Trust Him for and in EVERYTHING!

Unto Jesus, I surrender,

All to Him I freely give;

I will ever love and trust Him,

In His presence daily live.

I surrender all, I surrender all,

Unto Thee my blessed Saviour

I surrender All!

All to Jesus I surrender

Lord I give myself to Thee

Fill me with Thy love and power

Let Thy blessing fall on me...

Precious Pearl:

"Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days" Ecclesiastes 11:1

Trust and obey, for there's no other way to be happy in Jesus!
By His matchless grace,

Claudine

God or Religion?

In Matthew chapter 15, some Pharisees and teachers of religious law asked Jesus "Why do your disciples disobey our age-old tradition?"  Jesus in return asked them a question: "And why do you, by your traditions, violate the direct commandments of God?

'Many traditions are not bad in themselves.  Certain religious traditions can add richness and meaning to life.  But we must not assume that because our traditions have been practiced for years, they should be elevated to a sacred standing.  God's principles never change, and his law doesn't need additions.  Traditions should help us understand God's laws better, not become laws themselves.' (Bible notes)

The old prophet Isaiah well prophecied about these kind of people:  "These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far away. Their worship is a farce, for they replace God's commands with their own man-made teachings." Isaiah 29:13

It is good, even recommended to regularly read the Bible, so we may know God's will for us.  We should not rely on man (alone) to tell us the oracles of God! Being ignorant of the scriptures puts us in a dangerous situation of being told false things... not safe! Otherwise, all you may have is a religion!

Christianity is not a religion, it is a relationship with God.  He speaks to us through His Word, and we speak to Him in prayer!

Precious Pearls:
1 John 1:7 "If we say we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: but if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Chirst his (God's) Son cleanses us from all sin."

'The Pharisees knew a lot about God, but they didn't know God.  It is not enough to study about religion or even study the Bible.  We must respond to God himself.' (Bible notes)

'The Saviour is waiting to enter your heart,
Why don't you let Him come in?
Time after time He has waited before
And now, He is waiting again
To see if you're willing to open the door;
O how He wants to come in!'

Claudine

Wise Men Still Seek Him!

"But seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness..." Matthew 6:33

In Matthew 13:44-46 we read of the Kingdom of Heaven which is like a treasure that a man discovered hidden in a field. In his excitement, he hid it again and sold everything he owned to buy the field so he could get the treasure also. In the very next parable we read: Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a pearl merchant on the lookout for choice pearls. When he discovered a pearl of great value, he sold everything he owned and bought it!

The man who discovered the treasure in the field stumbled upon it by accident it seems but he knew its value when he found it. Perhaps this is the first time you hear about the Good News of God's Salvation (forgiveness of sins & eternal life ..read the gospel of John). Now you've stumbled upon it, and you know this is what you have been looking for all your life!  Like the man in this parable, leave everything behind until salvation becomes yours! If God said "Seek ye FIRST the Kingdom of God..."  it must very important!

On the other hand, the merchant  was earnestly searching for the pearl of great value, and when he found it, he sold everything he had to purchase it. Perhaps you've been searching for THE TRUTH all your life? Jesus said: "I AM THE WAY, THE TRUTH AND THE LIFE, NO MAN COMES TO THE FATHER BUT BY ME." John 14:6  THE BIBLE

Whether you've been searching for this truth all your life or perhaps heard about it,  you need to put everything aside (friends, money, fame, whatever else or whoever else) and make this important matter your #1 priority, or you won't own this precious treasure/pearl!

Precious Pearl: "And ye shall seek Me, and find Me, when you shall search for Me with all your heart." Jeremiah 29:13

Wise men still seek Him!
Claudine



Don't Seek For Signs - Seek For Jesus

"Jesus said unto him, 'Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.'" John 20:29

In Matthew 12:38-45, some people were asking Jesus for another sign from him to prove that He was from God. Such a ridiculous demand as He had already given them so many.  It should have been obvious to them that He was the Messiah.  They only needed to open their eyes and hearts!

Still today, we sometimes hear people say: 'If I could see a miracle, I would believe!'  Jesus' reply to the pharisees in verse 39 applies to us just the same today!

In Matthew 11:3-5 someone asks the Lord on behalf of John the Baptist: "Are you He that should come, or do we look for another? Jesus answered and said unto them, Go and show John again those things which you do hear and see: the blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them."

There is plenty of evidences!  Here is just a few more:
-His perfect sinless life
-His death and resurrection
-His work in believers all around the world for 200+ centuries
-The Bible itself, and its preservation throughout a few thousand years
-All fulfilled prophecies: here are just a few:
 Born of a virgin (Isaiah 7:14); born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2); betrayed by a friend (Psalm 41:9); sold for 30 pieces of silver (Zechariah 11:12); hands and feet pierced (Psalm 22:16); crucified with thieves (Isaiah 53:12); gall and vinegar offered (Psalm 69:21); His forsaken cry (Psalm 22:1); bones not broken (Psalm 34:20); His side pierced (Zechariah 12:10); buried in a rich man's tomb (Isaiah 53:9)

"Then He said to them, ' These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me.'" Luke 24:44

If you do not believe in Him with all these miracles, as the Lord Jesus said to the unbelieving pharisees, you will not believe if I do another one! So don't seek for signs, look at what God has already given you and move on!

Precious Pearl:
"These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may believe on the name of the Son of God." 1 Epistle of John 5:13

In His Lovely Name,
Claudine



The Unforgivable Sin

"Whosoever speaks a word against the Son of Man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come." Matthew 12:32

Sometimes people worry that they have committed this unforgivable sin.  But only those who have turned their backs on God and rejected all faith have any need to worry. 

The unpardonable sin was the deliberate refusal to acknowledge God's power in Christ.  It indicated a deliberate and irreversible hardness of heart. Jesus said they couldn't be forgiven, not because their sin was worse than any other, but because they were never gonna ask for forgiveness. (Bible notes)

In Matthew chapter 12, the Pharisees had blasphemed against the Spirit by attributing the power by which Christ did miracles to Satan instead of the Holy Spirit. The truth of course was that Jesus was casting out demons by the Spirit of God.  His entire life as a Man on earth was lived by the power of the Holy Spirit.  He was the Spirit-filled Messiah whom Isaiah had foretold (Isa. 11:2; 42:1; 61:1-3).  Far from being in league with Satan, the Lord Jesus was Satan's Conqueror.  (William MacDonald)

Precious Pearls:

-"Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you shall be saved" Acts 16:31

-"Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved!  Acts 4:12

"The Christian faith is faith in Christ. Its value or worth is not in the one believing, but in the One believed - not in the one trusting, but in the One trusted!" Josh McDowell

"There is no pit so deep, that God's love is not deeper still." Author unknown

Claudine



Excuses, Excuses!

The Lord Jesus said in Matthew 11:16 "How shall I liken (describe) this generation?"  

In Matthew 11, The Lord Jesus condemned the attitude of his generation because NO MATTER WHAT he said or did, they took the opposite view. They did not like the fact that he challenged their happy, quiet, self-centered lives. Too often, we likewise justify ourselves because listening to God may require us to change the way we live! (Bible notes)

If you doubt, look at the evidences in scripture, in creation; DON'T TURN AWAY FROM CHRIST, TURN TO HIM.

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God has showed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are WITHOUT EXCUSE: because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations and their foolish heart was darkened."

Romans 1:18-21

Precious Pearls:

-"Jesus said: I AM the way, THE TRUTH and the life..." John 14:6

-"All scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works." 2 Timothy 3:16

-Jesus said: "Search the Scriptures: for in them you think you have eternal life: and they are they which testify of Me." John 5:39

-"Buy the truth and sell it not" Proverbs 23:23

Got The Truth! Not selling it but sharing it!

Claudine

Whom Will Ye Serve?

In Matthew chapter 10 we read about the Kingdom of God.  The Lord Jesus, the Messiah has begun his Kingdom on earth in the hearts of his followers. One day the Kingdom will be fully realised.

Christ calls us still today.  He doesn't twist our arms and make us do something we don't want to do. We can choose to join him or remain behind. God created us with a freedom to choose as He did not want robots to worship Him. He wanted humans that would respond to his love with willing hearts.

"And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve ...but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." Joshua 24:15

Christian commitment may separate friends and loved ones because some will follow Christ and some won't.  Conflict will inevitably arise as we take up our cross and follow Him. Christ calls us to a higher mission than to find comfort and tranquillity in this life. To take up our cross and follow Jesus means to be willing to publicly identify with Him, to experience certain opposition, and to be willing to face even suffering and possible death for His sake. (Bible notes).

"Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven." Matthew 10:32-33

You have the power to choose, choose wisely as your decision will affect your eternal destiny. (read John 3:36)

Be wise and choose Christ!
Claudine

Good News - We All Qualify!

"Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners!"  1 Timothy 1:15

"For ALL have sinned, and come short of the glory of God" Romans 3:23

Before I started reading the Bible, I thought I was a pretty good person. But my thoughts were not God's thoughts, nor His ways my ways (see Isaiah 55:8-9). Ignorance in that case was not bliss!  I was headed for eternal judgement and I didn't know it (John 3:36; Hebrews 9:21;Revelation 21:8).

I soon found out how a sinner I was!  As William MacDonald rightly puts it: 'We are often shocked by the behaviour of others yet we do not know that we are capable of worse.  We do not realise how bad we are inside.' "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?" Jeremiah 17:9.  "God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually." Genesis 6:5 

It was good for me to know the truth about myself, for once I accepted what God said about me, I could then accept what God said about His Son!

"For God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten Son,

that whosoever believes in Him should not perish,

but have everlasting life."

John 3:16

By accepting the Lord Jesus Christ as my Saviour, He cleansed me (1 John 1:7) and gave me a new hatred for sin, and a new love of holiness (read 2 Corinthians 5:17), and I received eternal life with Him in heaven! He alone can turn a sinner into a saint (1 Corinthians 1:2; Ephesians 2:19).

Precious Pearls:

-"Who can forgive sins but God?" Mark 2:7

-"But that you may know that the Son of man has power on earth to forgive sins" Matthew 9:6

"Look unto Me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else." Isaiah 45:22 
"For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." Romans 3:23

Saved by His wonderful grace,

Claudine 

Let Us Reason Together!

Colossians 1:16 "For by Him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by Him and for Him."

In Matthew chapter 8:23-27 we read of the Lord Jesus having power over the forces of nature.  Not surprising as He is the Creator of all things and He upholds all things by the word of His power (Hebrews 1:3).  This miracle He performed for his disciples so they would know Him as the Messiah, the sent One from God the Father.             

He can calm the mighty storms of nature, He can calm your troubled heart!  Let Him take care of your burden today!

Jesus said: "Do not let your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me."

Precious Pearls:
-"Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28
-"Come now, and let us reason together, says the Lord: though your sins are as scarlet, they will be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they will be like wool." Isaiah 1:18
-"He heals the brokenhearted, and binds up their wounds." Psalms 147:3

Jesus is my 'Prince of Peace' (Isaiah 9:6),
Claudine

Are You Standing On Solid Ground?

In Matthew 7:21-27 The Lord Jesus warns: "Not all people who look or sound religious shall enter into the kingdom of heaven. Anyone who listens to my teaching, the Lord continues, and obeys me is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock.  But anyone who hears my teaching and ignores it is foolish."

No good works nor good words will let you into heaven; only your relationship with Christ as Saviour and Lord.

"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." Romans 10:9

Precious Pearls:

-"For by grace are you saved through faith; and that not of yourself: it is the gift of God:

not of works, lest any man should boast." Ephesians 2:8-9

-"Wherefore the Lord said, For as much as this people draw near me with their mouth,

and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me,

and their fear toward me, is taught by precept of men."Isaiah 29:13

On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand!

Claudine

The Day the Son of God Died!

On Remembrance Day, we rightly remember the soldiers who have died in the line of duty, who fought for our freedom and the quality of life we enjoy!  What a sacrifice on their part it was!  I appreciate it and am very thankful!

But a greater day than this comes to my mind; the day the Son of God died for our eternal freedom.  Though wounded, bruised, chastised and whipped, he came out victorious as he vanquished sin, death and hell for us on Calvary's cross! On that cross, the Saviour bore the sins of the world in His own body! When the work was done, He cried: "IT IS FINISHED" and He bowed his head and died. God was satisfied with his sacrifice by raising Him  from the dead. 

"Because God has appointed a day, in the which He will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom He has ordained; whereof He has given assurance unto all men, in that He has raised Him from the dead." Acts 17:31

Lest I forget Gethsemane,

Lest I forget thine agony,

Lest I forget thy love to me,

Lead me to Calvary!

Precious Pearls:

-"But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed." Isaiah 53:5

-"Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree ..." 1 Peter 2:24

-"When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, 'It is finished': and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost." John 19:30

-"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16

Thankful for this precious gift of eternal life, through Jesus Christ my Lord!  (read Romans 6:23)

Claudine

This is The Way!

"Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there be many who enter through it.  For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it." Matthew 7:13-14

The gate to eternal life is narrow because there is only one way to eternal life with God: Jesus (John 10:9)! He is the only way to heaven because He alone died for our sins to make us right with God. No amount of religious rituals will save you, no amount of penance on your part can save you, no amount of good works can help either.  JESUS ALONE, JESUS ALONE CAN SAVE!

The way that leads to destruction is wide, why?  Because many are found travelling that road.  The narrow road on the contrary may not be popular but it is true and right!

Precious Pearl: -"Jesus said: I am the Way, the truth, and the life!  No man comes to the Father but by Me." John 14:6

-"For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; who gave himself a ransom for all.." 1 Timothy 2:5-6

-"...Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures."  1 Corinthians 15:3-4

Thankful to God there is A Way!

Claudine

Your #1 Concern!

"Seek first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness..."  Matthew 6:33

In Matthew chapter 6, verses 25-34 the Lord teaches us that we should not worry about our everyday needs. Can all our worrying add a single moment to our life?  Of course not is His reply!  If anything, it damages our health and disrupts our productivity, would you agree?

The Lord Jesus then goes on to declare that life is more than food, drink and clothes!  That's because He wants us rather, to be concerned about ETERNITY!

He continues ... Your Heavenly Father dresses all those pretty flowers you see everyday and He feeds all the little birds too!  We are worth far more than these to Him, so don't worry about your earthly needs, He can take care of these too!

Our life is very short, like a vapour James tells us in chapter 4, but ETERNITY is forever!  That's what should be our #1 concern!  Where will I spend ETERNITY?

We've all sinned (Romans 3:23) against God (Psalm 51:4), and we need to be reconciled to Him NOW, before it's too late!  Seek God's forgiveness today!  

Precious Pearls:

-"But Seek ye first the Kingdom of God,  and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." Matthew 6:33

-"And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart." Jeremiah 29:13

"Reconciled to God by the death of His Son!" (See Romans 5:10)

Claudine

What Is Sin today?

"For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God." Romans 3:23

A good question to ask indeed!  What is sin today?  I remember asking that question as a very young teen.  Like everyone else, I could see that with the generations passing, things were changing.  What seemed to be sin in grand-mother's day didn't seem to be sin anymore! What does God say?

How easy and practical it is to design our own rules to live by rather than follow God in the way He has appointed! It ought not to be so, the Bible, God's own word should be our guide!

First, the Bible tells us that God doesn't change... HE IS GOD!  "For I am the LORD, I change not" (Malachi 3:6).  TRUTH doesn't change either or else it wouldn't be truth! "Jesus said: I AM THE TRUTH" (John 14:6).  "Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever" (Hebrews 13:8).

For starters, we all know the 10 commandments God gave to Moses for His people

(Exodus chapter 20):

1) You shall have no other gods

2) You shall have no statues or the like

3) Don't take the name of the Lord God in vain

4) Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy

(Christians have the Lord's Day in the New Testament)

5) Honor your parents

6) You shall not kill

7) You shall not commit adultery

8) You shall not steal

9) You shall not lie

10) You shall not covet

Now, in Matthew chapter 5, the Lord gives his 'Sermon on the Mount', and in verse 17 He declares: "Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil."  He approved the law, and fulfilled it in every way, did no sin, and could not sin.

In that same sermon, the Lord instructs us to go beyond the law of the commandments. He goes straight to the heart!  He teaches that if the act is wrong, then so is the intention! Sin starts in the heart and if encouraged or left there, it comes out by our actions. Pretty strict guidelines you may say, but remember God is thrice holy, and sinful desires are just as damaging to obedience!


So, what is sin today? Same as it always was ... failing to obey God! Disobedience is likened to witchcraft and idolatry in 1 Samuel 15:22-23 as it sets up self-will in total opposition to the divine-will. Disobedience is what brought sin into the world (Romans 5:19) and what has marked every transgression since that time.

Special Note: While the Law (commandments) does not justify a person in the sight of God, it does guide in daily Christian living (Romans 3:20). The Bible is clear that an individual is not justified by the Law but by faith in Jesus Christ; no one will ever be justified by good works. Justification (made just) is an act of God through Christ, freely making righteous anyone who trusts Him through faith. "For by grace are you saved through faith, it is not of yourself, it is the gift of God, not by works, lest anyone should boast". Ephesians 2:8-9

Precious Pearls:
-did you know that "To him that knows to do good and does it not, to him it is sin"? James 4:17

-what was sin in Jesus' day is sin today

-disobedience to God's Word = sin

-there is forgiveness God does say, through the blood (1John 1:7; Col 1:14)

-helpful reading: The book of Romans, the Third Epistle of John and the Gospel of John.
-did you also know that Jesus has power on earth (only) to forgive sins, and that after death comes the judgment? (Hebrews 9:27)
-God wants all man to be saved and is calling out to you today: "Come NOW, and let us reason together says the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be white as snow; though they be like crimson, they shall be as wool." Isaiah 1:18
-"The blood of Jesus, God's Son cleanses us from all sin" 1 Epistle of John chapter 1 verse 7

"For the wages of SIN is death; but the gift of God is eternal life in Jesus Christ our Lord" Romans 6:23

"Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him." (Romans 5:9)
"Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that hears my word, and believes on Him that sent Me, has everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life". John 5:24
"Repent and believe the gospel" Mark 1:15

Claudine

Read & Study Prayerfully!

"Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil." Ephesians 6:11

In Matthew chapter 4 we read of the Lord being tempted by the Devil in the desert 40 days and 40 nights.  Notice the Devil used Scriptures to try to convince Jesus to sin, he can quote it, partially quote it, miss quote it to his advantage.  He did it with Adam and Eve in Genesis chapter 3, and succeeded, and he often likes to appear as an angel of light (2 Corinthians 11:14). Jesus' temptation was an important demonstration of his sinlessness.  He would face temptation and not give in.

So to read, study and meditate on God's Word is very needful to detect the errors of the wicked one.  I remember well an occasion where I was reading a religious commentary. The subject of the article was 'baptism'. It was teaching that baptism makes you a child of God.  The only verse they were using to support this important subject was John 1:12, but I knew that in the context of this verse it did not talk about receiving 'it, the baptism' but 'Him, Jesus Christ'.  You see, it was well quoted but misapplied.  So easy to be led astray!

How did the Lord handle these attacks? By rightly dividing the Word of God  He used God's Word as a sword and shield to ward off the fiery darts of the wicked.

Every time I read this particular Bible account I chuckle a little bit as it reminds me of a Sunday School lesson I gave about 10 years ago on this same exact account.  After a lesson, I always re-enforce my points with a few simple questions.  So that day my question was:  "The Lord answered the Devil three times the same way, how did the Lord answer the Devil on all three occasions?"  The youngest one in the class, perhaps 4 or 5 years old, was eager to get his little reward and so, quickly put up his hand with a big grin.  The answer I was looking for was: The Lord answered with the Word of God, the three times!  But my little guy answered: NO! NO! NO! I thought that was pretty good! 

The Bible tells us this is how we ought to handle these kinds of attacks too (Ephesians 6:11-17).  Therefore, we need not only to equip ourselves with a knowledge of Scriptures but a study of it and an obedience to it as well. 

May you be encouraged to open your Bible often, read it, study it carefully and prayerfully. Get to know the broader context of specific verses, so that you may know how to rightly divide the Word of Truth (2 Timothy 2:15). Noble people received the Word with all readiness of mind, and searched the Scriptures DAILY, whether those things were so (Acts 17:11).  

P.S. If you would be interested in attending a Bible study, you are always welcome to attend ours at the Gospel Hall every Thursday night from 7-8:15 pm (includes a prayer meeting prior) and also on Sunday night at 7 pm.

If you have any other questions or requests, please feel free to contact me, you know me!

May the good Lord bless you in your search for The Truth!

Claudine

Pretty Pearls of Great Price!

Testing 1-2-3

This is a very first, and I'm totally not sure how this is working, so I'm gonna keep this short!

I've been desiring to start a blog like this for a while, just to share some precious pearls I find in the Word of God, the Bible ... hence the name 'Precious Pearls'!

"Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it?" Matthew 13:46

Claudine