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“then He said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the Prophets have spoken: Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into His Glory? (Lk. 24:25-26).
Verses 13 through 53 are peculiar to Luke. He Who walked on the road to Emmaus was “this same Jesus” (Acts 1:11), but “in another form” (Mk. 16:12). It is impossible for us to realize what were the powers of the Lord’s Glorified Body after the Resurrection.
Like Joseph’s action with his brothers, so the Lord did not discover himself to these two Disciples until He had brought them into a fitting condition of soul. When Jesus used the words, “Ought not,” it meant “Was it not necessary, because it was predicted?” This emphasizes the word “all” in Verse 25. These two Disciples had confined their Bible study to that which the Scriptures promised respecting the Messiah’s Glory and Kingdom, but they had been blind to the multitude of types and Prophecies foretelling His Sufferings as an Atoning Saviour.
Jesus then directed these two men to the Bible, which then was the Old Testament. In a sense, He divides it into two parts, “the Law” and “the Prophets.” This makes the Bible, because it is inspired, the supreme authority as to Faith and Doctrine. Its subject is the Sufferings and Glories of Christ — His Sufferings as Sin Bearer, i.e., Sin Offering (Phil. 2:6-10); His Glories as Sin Purger (Heb. 1:3). The story of the Bible is the story of Jesus Christ and Him Crucified. If we understand it as we should, we will see that everything ultimately points to Him and His Sacrifice of Himself.
Concerning all of this, it might well be said that Christ went, Bible in hand, into death, and that He came out, Bible in hand, from among the dead. He insisted that it predicted His Death and Resurrection in relation to sin and its judgment. So, immediately prior to His Death and immediately subsequent to His Resurrection, He made more than thirty quotations from the Inspired Word.
If the Word was the Light to Christ, it most definitely must be our Light as well (Ps. 119:105).”
— Donnie Swaggart (taken from the “Word for Every Day”) Donnie Swaggart
“and he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when You come into Your Kingdom. And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto you, Today shall you be with Me in Paradise (Lk. 23:42-43).
The conversion of the thief is peculiar to Luke. It is one of the most remarkable conversions in the Bible. In one flash of light, the Holy Spirit revealed Christ to him and taught him of the Lord’s future Kingdom of Glory, though, at the moment, He was hanging in shame and agony on the tree.
The thief did not ask for any physical relief to his pain, but only for a remembrance in the future Kingdom. They were in the same condemnation — he justly, but the Lord only as a Sin Offering — and He prayed that they might be together in the same Glory. So the Precious Blood, then flowing for his sins, cleansed him so effectually that it made him at that moment as fit to enter Paradise as Christ Himself.
The Divine Nature of the thief’s Repentance was evidenced
by six steps:
1. His concern about his companion (23:40).
2. His confession of his own sinfulness (23:41).
3. His confession of Christ’s innocence (23:41).
4. His faith in Christ’s Power and willingness to save
him — he called him Lord, and declared his belief that He
had a Kingdom (23:42).
5. He prayed to Him (23:42).
6. He asked for no great thing, but only to be remembered; this was humility.
The thief’s short prayer embodied a great creed; he believed:
A. That his soul lived after death;
B. That the world to come would be one of felicity or misery;
C. That a Crucified Jew was the Lord of Glory;
D. That His future Kingdom was better than this present world;
E. That Christ intended to have pardoned sinners in that Kingdom;
F. That He would receive into it the truly penitent;
G. That the key of that Kingdom was hanging at Christ’s girdle, though He Himself was hanging naked on the Tree; and,
H. That by resting his soul for eternal Salvation upon this dying Saviour, he had that Kingdom assured to him.
The thief’s spiritual intelligence seemed to exceed that of most all of the Apostles prior to Pentecost.
Near the Cross of the dying thief stood the Apostle John, the Virgin Mary, her sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene. But to none of these exalted Saints did the malefactor turn for help. He turned from them and prayed directly to Jesus, with nothing and nobody between his sin-stained soul and the sin-atoning Saviour.
He did not cry, “Oh Holy Mother of God! Refuge of sinners, pray for me! I put my whole trust and confidence in the power of your intercession.” Nor did he appeal to her sister, as being the Holy Aunt of God, nor to John, as being the Beloved Apostle of God. Had he trusted any one of these great Saints, he would have perished, for Salvation is in Christ and in none other. He is the One and only refuge of sinners (Acts 4:12).”
— Donnie Swaggart (taken from the “Word for Every Day”) Donnie Swaggart
“and He said to them all, If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me” (Lk. 9:23).
In this short Passage, we have before us that which the Lord expects in our proposed serving Him and service to Him. There are three things that must be done. They are:
1. The individual must deny himself: Self-denial, which is demanded here, is not asceticism, as many think. Incidentally, asceticism is the denial of all things which are pleasurable or comfortable, etc. So, many think if they make things abnormally hard for themselves, then this denotes some type of holiness, etc. It doesn’t!
The denial of self of which Jesus here spoke refers to one denying one’s own strength, ability, and prowess, i.e., “the flesh.” This is, in fact, one of the greatest hindrances to the Child of God. The Believer attempts to do for himself that which he cannot do, and which, in fact, the Lord has already done.
2. Take up the Cross: As many people misunderstand self-denial, they also misunderstand the taking up of the Cross. Most think it refers to suffering. In fact, it does. It is not, however, the suffering of the individual that here is demanded, but rather the Suffering of Christ.
The idea, as here presented, pertains to the Believer understanding that Christ is the Source and the Cross is the means; consequently, we are speaking of the benefits of the Cross; such benefits include everything man lost in the Fall. That’s what Jesus meant by taking up the Cross. That is altogether different from what most people think. Taking up the Cross is the understanding that everything we receive from the Lord comes by way of the Cross.
3. Daily: The idea lends toward a daily renewal of Faith. It is somewhat like the Manna of old. There would be a fresh supply each day; the Children of Israel were to enjoy what was given that day, and trust the Lord for the next day.
Satan is ever vigilant. That’s the reason we have to watch and pray. We must not take the great Redemption process for granted. We must every day make the decision to look solely to Christ, which means to trust Him for what He did for us at the Cross, and Him Alone!”
— Donnie Swaggart (taken from the “Word for Every Day”) Donnie Swaggart
“and He came out, and went, as He was wont, to the Mount of Olives; and His Disciples also followed Him (Lk. 22:39).
Here in the Passion of Christ is the great lesson of surrender taught. It comes, in essence, in three stages.
They are:
1. “The place of surrender”: The Scripture said, “And when He was at the place, He said unto them, Pray that you enter not into temptation” (22:40).
Before a Believer can surrender totally to the Lord Jesus Christ, he has to first come to the “place of surrender.” There is a Gethsemane for every Believer. The problem of self-will is acute in the hearts and lives of all, even the best of Christians. There is only one way for self-will to be conquered, and that is for the person to come to the “place” where they understand that the Cross of Christ is the only answer.
Jesus died on the Cross, not only to save us from sin, but also to save us from “self.”
2. “The price of surrender”: What is the price? Jesus tells us what it is.
He said, “Father, if You be willing, remove this cup from Me: nevertheless not My Will, but Yours, be done” (22:42).
The price of surrender is our personal wills being swallowed up in the sweet Will of God. The Cross is the only means by which the will of the individual can properly acquiesce to the Will of God. If the Believer attempts to pay the price himself, instead of looking to the One Who has already paid the price, this will only breed self-righteousness. Making the Cross the Object of one’s Faith, and the Cross alone, will have the effect of us looking to Christ, and only Christ!
3. “The peace of surrender”: Once that surrender was made, “There appeared an Angel unto Him from Heaven, strengthening Him” (22:43).
This didn’t mean that the struggle grew less intense, for, in fact, it increased; however, the extra strength provided by the Angel was sufficient. Angels also ministered to Him in the Temptation (Mk. 1:13).
All want the “peace of surrender,” which is a peace that passes all understanding, but many do not want to come to the “place” or pay the “price.” There is, however, no other way! (Jn. 14:27).”
— Donnie Swaggart (taken from the “Word for Every Day”) Donnie Swaggart
Bread Crumbs “Justification is a Legal Work” July 13
Justification is the process that God uses to be able to have a relationship with fallen humanity. Justification is God's legal decree of man's innocence. He does not look at us as though we were guilty. He looks at us as perfect. Jesus died on Calvary to make justification available to mankind. When the believing sinner places his or her faith in who Jesus is and what Jesus death on Calvary accomplished f...or them, God then imputes to them the righteousness of Christ. This righteousness consists of His righteous sinless life and it is added to the believer’s spiritual account and standing. It is by this legal means that man is granted relationship with God. Since no single action can provide for one’s salvation then it must also be true that no single action can cause one to lose that salvation. Since salvation is a legal work offered by God to those who will believe, then the only way to lose this precious gift is to stop believing. No matter how good or bad your day has been, if at days end you still believe from the heart that Jesus Christ is the Son of God who died for your sin and rose again, then you win! You win!
Romans 3:28 - Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.
Galatians 3:2
This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?
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WOW!! Do you understand that the Spirit of God is not given to anyone based on what they do (Law/Works), but upon the hearing of faith. The hearing of faith is when you heard/Believed what Jesus Christ did for you by faith at the cross (Galatians 2:20) so that you could be forgiven and delivered from your sins. The Galatians, who were already saved and filled with the Holy Spirit, were being told they weren’t really saved unless they were circumcised (Acts 15:1). Today’s church is in an attempt to do the same thing, and 99.99999% of all ministers preach a mixed message. The preacher says that if you will only do these three things, or go to that program, or that conference, then God will do what it is you need Him to do. We are to be obedient, but our obedience is seen by God through faith in Christ (Romans 6:17), then He leads in works, and that is the only way our works remain perfect in Him (Revelation 3:2).
Christ and HIS WORK at Calvary either is, or is not enough, and we proclaim it with our hearts to God, whether our lips do or not. The Holy Spirit was given to each person upon their believing in who Jesus is and what Jesus did as Redeemer to take away their sins, and He only works through THAT same “Measure” of faith (Romans 12:3), which is the measure of His faith (Galatians 2:20). If we are not walking IN the same faith (Colossians 2:6) through which we received Christ, we are not walking with Him in the Light, and a disagreement would biblically prove we are walking in darkness while only calling it light!
Come back to the cross, where there’s peace, assurance and quietness forever (Isaiah 32:17).
Seeking God in His Word and experiencing Him through faith in the sacrifice of Christ!
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7/13/2020
There is nothing more exciting than living for Christ. Everything that the believer experiences has a distinct reason and purpose. There is no uncertain hand of fate that determines my future. Instead the lover of my soul, the Master of my heart, and the Lord of my life orchestrates every event. He is the cause of every “chance” encounter. He is the unseen guide behind every decision. I can trust Him to take situations, either bad or good, and turn them to my advantage. In Christ, I never stop learning, never fall without experiencing a new depth to His mercy, and I can fly to unseen heights in the grandeur of His love. His strength turns aside my enemies and His power guarantees my future. His kindness dries the tears from my weary eyes and when everyone else deserts me, He is the friend that sticks closer than a brother. He informs, instructs, and encourages me along in the way. When I need it He scolds, reproves, rebukes, or even chastens. But all in all He has never done anything or allowed anything to happen that He has not turned to my good. What a God! What a Master! What a Lord! What A Saviour! Thank you Jesus for making me your own!
Hebrews 7:25 - Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.
Galatians 3:3
Are ye so foolish, having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?
I hope you're seeing this, because if not, you're missing the ONLY Way there is to be able to live for God, bear fruit for His glory, and to live where sin (The Sin Nature) no longer dominates you. No Christian became a Christian by beginning their relationship with Christ through any means of the flesh (That which they do), but rather by that which they believed Christ did for them at the cross. We learn in these first three verses of chapter 3 that unless we are daily trusting in the work of Christ at Calvary, NOT just for our initial salvation, but also for daily forgiveness, provision and power from the Lord, we become foolish in His eyes.
We began in the Spirit when we believed upon Christ and His great atoning Sacrifice at Calvary, and if our faith remains there without mixture (Colossians 2:6), we will find ourselves maturing (Being perfected) by the power of the Holy Spirit daily. Every Christian began “In the Spirit” (Romans 8:9) when they accepted Christ, and now for us to believe that we can take it from here, or to perfect ourselves by what we do (Flesh), is a turning away from “The faith of Christ.” The Lord calls this foolish and relates it to us today through the Apostle Paul as he writes with the authority of the Holy Spirit. Don’t leave the cross of Christ, and don’t stop preaching or sitting under the preaching of the cross of Christ even if you have to drive to find a church alive! We do move on, but never without faith in the cross, which is the gospel, because we move on exclusively from FAITH TO FAITH when we are walking in the righteousness of God being revealed in the gospel (Romans 1:16-17).
Seeking God in His Word and experiencing Him through faith in the sacrifice of Christ!
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7/14/2020
Today, I feel the desire to say, “Thank you Lord, for saving my soul! I want to thank you for always leading me down paths of righteousness, for your name’s sake. I want to give thanks for all the times you have provided when provision just was not there. I need to give you thanks for all the times you have cleared up my confusion, deadened my doubt, and healed my hurt. I feel I must declare my gratitude for your greatness, speak affirmation for my sanctification, and express my delight in your dignity. Thank you for healing my body when I was sick. Thank you for directing my thoughts when they were downcast. Thank you for the presence of your Spirit and the wonder of your Word. Thank you for my family, oh Lord. Continue to increase them, each one, in the experiential personal knowledge of yourself. Thank you for never leaving me, even though I deserved it. Thank you for never giving up on me, even after I had given up on myself. Thank you for love that expresses no bounds, loving kindness that never ceases, and wisdom that is given liberally to all who seek you.” Today, I just feel the need to say, “Thank you” for all the world to hear!
Psalm 28:7 - The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him.
Galatians 3:4
Have ye suffered so many things in vain, if it be yet in vain?
We are here reminded that once we turn away from faith in the cross through trusting in anything we, or anyone else says or does, even the biblical things we should be doing, we fall from grace (5:1-4) and everything we have lost for the sake of the gospel will have been in vain. One question that might be interesting at this point is, “What have we lost or suffered because of becoming a Christian?” This doesn’t mean one’s soul is lost at this point, but that they are no longer operating under Grace even though they may still be going through all the same functions. God knows the heart, and sees when the heart is trusting in His Righteousness (Romans 10:10), or when it is not. I speak from experience and the deception is so subtle, but God will not honor a faith that is not in the cross (Romans 8:2).
The call of the Lord to the Saints in Galatia through the Apostle Paul is the same today to the Church, which has gone 99% astray, and is either backslid into the world of sin, or backslid into trusting in themselves and their own works. Again, the deception is just that, deception. Deception means that I do not know that I do not know. This is the very reason for this letter. Will you allow God’s Word to bring you out of what you now find yourself trapped in? What is the power that holds you there instead of being a part of a cross centered community of believers? The Holy Spirit will never lead or plant anyone anywhere that the cross is not the centerpiece of the ministry. We can believe that, repent, and come back to obeying the Truth (v. 1), which is exclusive faith in the cross, or we can continue pretending instead of contending for the Faith! Are we hearing the gospel, and do we even want to hear the gospel? Two important questions I must ask myself, because many have turned away from the sound doctrine of Truth (2 Timothy 4:3), which must always INVOLVE the gospel!
Seeking God in His Word and experiencing Him through faith in the sacrifice of Christ!
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7/15/2020
There is never a right time to do the wrong thing. It does not matter what people have done to you. It does not matter what the circumstances are. Righteousness demands that under no circumstances may we justify wrong action or a wrong response. No circumstance that you face today qualifies you to do something dishonest or underhanded. Just because others have stepped outside the proper line of ethics, does not give yo...u the right to do the same. Despite what others have done, the Christian is never given leeway to degrade, harm, or slander, in order to achieve a goal. In every circumstance we must reject the impulse to do the wrong to others even when they have devastated us in an unfair or immoral way. There is a great price to pay for violating the principles laid down in God's Word. We must not just do the easy thing, the convenient thing, the readily accessible response, if it is the wrong response. The consequences of moving outside of God's prescribed will and order can be most devastating. The wages of sin is death to both Christian and non Christian alike. So flee from every evil attitude or work. You will not like the paycheck that comes with either!
Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Galatians 3:5
He therefore that ministereth to you the Spirit, and worketh miracles among you, doeth he it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?
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First of all, the Galatians never knew the Law as Gentiles, and Paul had never preached the Law to them, therefore the Lord’s reach for this Church was to return to the place where they could hear and receive once again (Revelation 3:3). They were turning from faith in the cross to what the Judaizers were ATTEMPTING TO CHAIN THEM IN, which was faith in what they would do instead of what Jesus had done for them. The Spirit of God isn’t received, and miracles aren’t worked where Law/Works of our own are being trusted in, but rather the work of Christ at Calvary. This is the very reason we cannot verify a move of God with miracles, but rather with the Truth of the Cross of Christ.
We need to examine ourselves to see if we are “IN THE FAITH”, not just in church, in the Bible, or in prayer, but “IN THE FAITH.” This simply means, “Am I still trusting in Christ and His death for me for my daily provision?” IN “THIS FAITH” ALONE can I walk with the Lord, commune properly with the Lord, have the leading of His Spirit, and be found in His Righteousness. We do not have the privilege of choosing how we will walk with the Lord, for that is what all the false religions do, and in doing so they are only being led by Satan through the lust of their flesh. We as God’s people have His Word, and His Spirit. We were crucified with Him (2:20), buried with Him, and today we can walk with Him in Resurrection power as long as our faith remains in what He did for us at the cross. Don’t be deceived!
Seeking God in His Word and experiencing Him through faith in the sacrifice of Christ!
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7/16/2020