#64 Love, Death and Assurances

Oct. 9, 2011- A blessed and contemplative reading to everyone (".)


Luke 23 (excerpts)
The Crucifixion of Jesus 
26 As the soldiers led him away, they seized Simon from Cyrene, who was on his way in from the country, and put the cross on him and made him carry it behind Jesus. 27 A large number of people followed him, including women who mourned and wailed for him. 28 Jesus turned and said to them,“Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me; weep for yourselves and for your children. 29 For the time will come when you will say, ‘Blessed are the childless women, the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed!’ 30 Then

“‘they will say to the mountains, “Fall on us!”
and to the hills, “Cover us!”’

31 For if people do these things when the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?”

32 Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. 33 When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left. 34 Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.

35 The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him. They said, “He saved others; let him save himself if he is God’s Messiah, the Chosen One.”

36 The soldiers also came up and mocked him. They offered him wine vinegar 37 and said, “If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself.”

38 There was a written notice above him, which read: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.

39 One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!”

40 But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? 41 We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.”

42 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”
43 Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”


The Death of Jesus 
44 It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon, 45 for the sun stopped shining. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. 46 Jesus called out with a loud voice,“Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” When he had said this, he breathed his last.

47 The centurion, seeing what had happened, praised God and said, “Surely this was a righteous man.” 48 When all the people who had gathered to witness this sight saw what took place, they beat their breasts and went away. 49 But all those who knew him, including the women who had followed him from Galilee, stood at a distance, watching these things.

note: please read complete text on this link--

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+23&version=NIV


Praise to our Loving God!


Another beautiful morning to share God and His message for us today :) 


As I woke up with my Ram, I reached out for my laptop to do my "quiet time." I read and listened simultaneously on my Bible-readings for the day while my Ram kept quiet, also listening intently on God's words. Good thing that Biblegateway has an audio-Bible that is why we can listen to the passages and read it at the same time. It is great to absorb God's words with the use of more than (1) of our senses.


After the "quiet time," I had the chance to have a "teaching moment" with Ram. Since he is already reading his Children's Bible, he's (6) and he reads very good, I tried to make an emphasis on Jesus' love why he went all the way dying to the cross, sacrificing himself for our sake, and how we should give Him our highest honor, obedience and how to reciprocate His love for us. He read the Bible-verse for the day,

“It is the LORD your God you must follow, and him you must revere. Keep his commands and obey him; serve him and hold fast to him.” Deuteronomy 13:4 NIV

And when I asked him if he understands it, he said, "I always obey God!" Another leap of the heart :) Since he is still in tune, I made him memorized the (5) assurances of God that I've learned in my online Bible-study provided by the church and explained each one of them to him. I am happy to share that he memorized it easily with confidence :)

1) Assurance of Salvation

2) Assurance of Forgiveness

3) Assurance of Answered Prayer

4) Assurance of Victory

5) Assurance of Guidance

Assurance of Salvation
1 John 5:11-12 "And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life."

Assurance of Forgiveness
1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness."

Assurance of Answered Prayer
John 16:24 "Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete."

Assurance of Victory
1 Corinthians 10:13 "No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And he is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it."

Assurance of Guidance
Proverbs 3:5-6 "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight."

(source: First Christian Church)
Glory to our GOD Almighty for all His assurances!

Such assurances are not for me and my Ram alone, it's for all of us-- the believers of Jesus Christ. May we all keep these assurances in our hearts and may it serve as our guiding light as we continue our walk with Him, in His light, in His guidance, in His love and in His assurances :)

Jesus' love is evident; He died on the cross for us; it is not just a story but it is the truth. 2000 years had passed and yet all the evidence of His death and resurrection can be proven.  

The cross is now the symbol of love, hope and life because Jesus change the meaning of it. 

May we all embrace Jesus' sacrifice for us all :)

Inspirational Prayer:

Loving Lord thank you for this blessed day. All honor and glory is to You. May we always submit to You and be at peace and be prospered; teach us to accept all instructions that comes from You and may we lay all your words in our hearts; we are restored everyday because of You our Lord Almighty; help us to know the way to take; and as we are tested, let us come forth as gold; may our feet closely follow your steps, may we kept your way without turning aside; and may the command of your lips never depart from us as we treasure your words more than our daily bread. Let us live a life befitting to You, everyday, every moment, every breath. In Jesus Mighty name, Amen. 

(prayer inspired by Job 22:21-23; 23:10-12)

  

Glory to GOD!
May Jesus' love abounds in us all everyday (".)

Bible in a Year:
Read the Bible in One Year- Here's a reading plan where you and I can focus on God's Words everyday....to make it a habit, make it a practice, Amen :)


Read with me :)
October 9, 2011- Job 21-23 


Today is the day :)
If you have not received Jesus Christ yet in your heart, today is the day. May you embrace His love and His gift :)


"Lord Jesus, I believe You are truly the Son of God. I confess that I have sinned against You in thought, word, and deed. Please forgive all my wrongdoing, and let me live in relationship with You from now on. I receive You as my personal Savior, accepting the work You accomplished once and for all on the cross. Thank You for saving me. Help me to live a life that is pleasing to You. Amen." (ref prayer by: Mr. Charles Stanley)

Why am I doing this? Simple...."I am driven by the eternal destiny of others."