Jesus Christ = God in the Flesh

The central issue of life is what we believe about Jesus Christ. Other spiritual questions are irrelevant UNLESS we first decide to believe that Jesus Christ is who He said He is!

In Luke 20:41-44 we read about the Pharisees who knew that the Messiah would be a descendant of David, but they did not understand that He would be more than a human descendant, He would be God in the flesh.

The Lord Jesus quoted Psalm 110:1 to them to show that David knew that the Messiah would be both human and divine (P.S. the Lord often quoted from Old Testament Scriptures: from the books of Moses - the Law, the Prophets and the Psalms, thus authenticating for us that it is the Word of God).

In Matthew 16: 15-16, Jesus asked His disciples, 'But who do you say I am?' to which Peter responded, 'You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.' Not everyone accepts Peter's answer, but no one should avoid Jesus' question. (Josh McDowell)

In John 20:28 we read: "And Thomas answered and said to Him, 'My Lord and my God!' Jesus accepts the designation. He rebukes Thomas for his unbelief, but not for his worship. (Stott, BC, 28) Note that when men or angels were worshiped, the worshippers were immediately rebuked and told  to worship God (Acts 10:25-26; Revelation 19:10). Jesus not only accepts this worship from Thomas, but encourages his statement of faith. (Josh McDowell)

"And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." Philippians 2:11

"And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory." 1 Timothy 3:16

"Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ." Acts 2:36

"Who is the image of the invisible God.." Colossians 1:15 'What God essentially is, is made manifest in Christ.' (Bruce, EH, 48) "For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily." Colossians 2:9

God Himself calls him God: "But to the Son He says: 'Your throne, O God, is forever and ever.." Hebrews 1:8  'Once again, the evidence is conclusive - Jesus Christ is called God in the Scriptures' (Schultz, DPC, 180) So you can see that there is more than one person in the Godhead, actually - a Triune God. (1 Cor. 4-6; Luke 4:18; Heb 9:14; Eph 4:4-5; Acts 2:33; 2 Corinthians 13:13...)

"Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: but made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. ("... 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 Cor. 15:3-4.) Wherefore God also has highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." Philippians 2:6-11

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

Precious Pearl: He is your Lord only if you do as He says, and if He is not Lord of all, He is not Lord at all!
"That all should honor the Son just as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him. Most assuredly, I say unto you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but is passed from death into life." John 5:24

The Christian's hope: "Looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Saviour JESUS CHRIST!" Titus 2:13

"The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit, be with you all. Amen." 2 Corinthians 13:13

Claudine

10 Reminders To Help Believers Quiet Their Noisy, Stressed Souls!

Handling Stress!

The economy, unemployment, terrorism, politics, finances, moral decline, major sickness, a prodigal child, an unhealthy marriage – for most of us contemplating any one of these pressures will knot our stomach. We become uneasy and tense. Our soul ceases to be quiet like the still waters but instead becomes deafeningly noisy like a wailing infant. In other words, we are 'stressed'.

Our culture consistently uses the term 'stress' to describe the mental or emotional tension we experience because of life's hardships. The more precise biblical terms that capture the essence of society's concept of stress include anxiety, fear, anger, despair, and guilt.

When we begin to understand stress from this biblical perspective, its resolution becomes apparent. Stress is not identical with the pressures of life. Nor are the pressures of life the cause of stress. Stress is the mental and emotional tension that is generated from our unbiblical responses to pressure.

Imagine Paul and Silas, unfairly beaten and tossed into the Philippian jail without a fair hearing, singing praises at midnight (Acts 16). Had they experienced extreme pressure? Yes! Were they stressed? Apparently not. Their stress-free handling of the pressure led to the salvation of their jailor.

Later writing to the Philippians from a different jail, Paul would remind them about 'rejoicing always' and 'the peace that surpasses all understanding' (4:4-9). Paul seemingly embodied the mature believer described in Isaiah 26:3, 'You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.' The mindset portrayed in these two passages are the antithesis of stress. Stress-free living begins with trust in God in the midst of pressure.

But why do we face pressure in life? Genesis 3 gives the answer. After Adam fell, God cursed the ground from which Adam had been taken and over which Adam was to have dominion. Adam's dominion became filled with hardship and pressure. Why? In addition to appropriate consequences of his rebellion, God intended the hardness of life to drive mankind back to dependency upon Himself.

So our primary goal in handling life's pressures is to learn how to depend upon God and please Him – not simply to get rid of stresses. As we learn to depend on God, our soul will be quietly peaceful like a weaned child resting against his mother (Ps 131).

10 Reminders to help believers quiet their noisy, stressed souls:

1. Trust that the sovereign God is in control of all pressures in your life, using them for His good purposes to transform you into the likeness of Christ (Genesis 50:20; Romans 8:28-29).
2. Recognize that guilt is a big 'stressor' in life. Certain pressures come as consequences of our own actions (Galatians 6:7-8). Irresponsible debt is an obvious example. Confess any known sin. Begin growing in Christ, putting away the ungodly actions and attitudes that may have led to your stressful circumstances (Proverbs 28:13).
3. Pray with specific requests and thank God for His good purposes in trials (Philippians 4:67).
4. Repent of any self-willed efforts to change circumstances that are beyond your control. Often believers – caught up in their pride – seek to do things only God can do (such as ensuring that our kids turn out right, avoiding job loss, fixing the economy, and converting an unbelieving spouse). Clearly when we seek to control things that only God can do, we will become stressed (Psalm 131).
5. Seek to return good for evil when pressure arises from the sinfulness of others (Romans 4:8-9).
6. Pray that God will help you to control your thinking so as not to worry, fear, despair (Matthew 6:25-34). Cultivate the godly thinking that Paul describes in Philippians 4:8-9.
7. Work hard to solve problems within your control today (Matthew 6:34; Ephesians 4:26-27). God has given each of us enough challenges for today. We need to take proper care and concern for today's issues while we can plan wisely for the future.
8. Seek wise, biblical counseling in the areas of your greatest stress. Start with the most significant issue first (Proverbs 6:6-8).
9. Seek regular accountability to help you respond biblically to the pressures of life (Proverbs 13:20; Hebrews 10:24-25).
10. Attempt to establish helpful routines of diet, exercise, and adequate rest (1 Timothy 4:8).

By: Brent Aucoin

Lord, keep our eyes and hearts fixed not on the
temporary joys or disappointments but on the victorious
realities of eternity. Thank You for Your death and
resurrection that guarantee our forever future.
(From today's Our Daily Bread)

“Casting ALL your cares upon Him; for He careth for you.”

1 Peter 5:7

There Shall Be No Sign Given

In Luke 11:29-32 we find the Saviour saying: "This is an evil generation: they seek a sign; and there shall no sign be given it, but the sign of Jonas the prophet."

What happened to Jonas was a sign to the people of Nineveh that God had sent him. What happens to ME will be a sign that God has sent Me, the Son of Man, "For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth." Matthew 12:40

The people of Nineveh and the queen of Sheba had turned to God with far less evidence than Jesus was giving his listeners, and far less than we have today. We have eyewitness reports of the risen Lord Jesus, the continuing power of the Holy Spirit (from Pentecost to today), easy access to the Bible, and knowledge of 2,000 years of Christ's acts through His Church.

With the knowledge and insight available to us, our response to Christ ought to be even more complete and wholehearted. If you have a hard time seeing God at work in the world and in your life, check your vision. Are any sinful desires blinding you to Christ?

"The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment (Hebrews 9:27; Revelation 20:15) with the men of this generation, and condemn them: because she came from a distant land to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and behold a greater than Solomon is here. Also, the men of Nineveh shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for they REPENTED at the preaching of Jonas; and, behold, a greater than Jonas is here." V31-32

"... Repent and believe the gospel" Mark 1:15

 "For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that 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 Scripture ..." 1 Corinthians 15:3-4

Precious Pearls:
-Don't seek for signs, seek for Jesus!
-"And you shall seek Me, and find Me, when you shall search for Me with all your heart." Jeremiah  29:13
-Take a few minutes and read the book of Jonah in the Bible, it only has 4 little chapters!

God's Blessings,
Claudine