J E S U S fact or fiction??

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Did you know that nearly half of Americans believe that the bible is the inspired word of God but roughly 30% believe that the bible is actually true?​​ That is staggering and actually frightening. Many have tried to dispute God’s word but it is historical facts and they have been unable to do so.​​ 

 

I have noticed that people will talk about God but many do not want you to talk about Jesus. That is where​​ “religion” gets offensive….at the name of Jesus. The bible is all about God’s love for mankind and His redemptive plan for us through His Son, JESUS. SO, is Jesus fact or fiction?  What do you believe?

 

Let's look at scripture from the old and new testaments that prove Jesus was the Messiah.  There are at least 29 Old Testament prophecies speaking of Jesus that are fulfilled in the New Testament.  Let's look at a few….

 

Isaiah 40 tells us that a messenger would come preparing the way of the Lord. ​​ We find​​ this fulfilled as John is preaching in the wilderness telling of the coming Messiah and repentance for the forgiveness of sin in Matthew chapter 3.

 

Isaiah 7 tells us that a sign would be given, a virgin will conceive and bring forth a son and he shall be​​ called Immanuel. ​​ Mary is the chosen virgin to bring forth God’s Son. ​​ She is visited by and angel and the Holy Spirit comes upon her and she conceives not having ever “known” a man in Matthew 1:23. ​​ I do not believe anyone else in history was born of a virgin!

 

The Messiah would be born in Bethlehem (Micah 3) of the lineage of David (2 Samuel 7). ​​ We see this evidence in Matthew 2 and John 7.

 

The scriptures say in Isaiah 61 that the Spirit of the Lord would be upon him and Jesus proclaims this in Luke 4 and is evidenced in His daily life.

 

Jesus himself took our infirmities as prophesied in Isaiah 53 and fulfilled in Matthew 8.

 

It is prophesied that He would speak in parables in Psalm 78. ​​ We see this fulfilled throughout all the gospels, Matthew, Mark,​​ Luke and John.

 

Zechariah speaks of Him riding into Jerusalem on a donkey’s colt. ​​ This is fulfilled in Jesus entry into Jerusalem in Matthew 21. ​​ 

 

Isaiah 53 has many prophecies of his death and every one of them is fulfilled in the accounts of His death​​ in the gospels:

  • Let like a lamb to the laughter (acting calmly without a fight)

  • Did not open His mouth against his accusers

  • He was struck

  • He submitted himself to death

  • He was counted among rebels

  • He prayers for those who transgressed against Him

 

Psalm 16​​ speaks of His resurrection and sitting at the right hand of God these were also fulfilled in the gospels account after his death and in Acts 7.

 

These are just a few of the many prophecies that proves that Jesus was in fact the Messiah, God’s Son that was​​ sent to Earth to redeem us from the curse of the law. ​​ Why does it matter? ​​ Well, Jesus is the only way that we will get to Father and enter into Heaven. ​​ In John 14, Jesus said that He was the way, the truth and the light and NO ONE comes to the Father but by Him. ​​ Acts 4 says that there is no other name by which man can be saved but the name of JESUS. ​​ 

 

So what do we do? ​​ Choose to believe, choose to accept Jesus. ​​ We have to acknowledge that we are sinners in need of a Savior. ​​ You see His life, death and resurrection were for a reason. ​​ It was for us. ​​ To make a way for our sins to be forgiven, to make a way to have a better life in HIM, to make a way to live with Him forever in Heaven. ​​ Romans 3:23 says we have all sinned and according to Romans 6, the​​ wages of those sins is death. ​​ Spiritual death, the worst kind, in HELL. ​​ A place not prepared for us but for satan and the angels who were cast out of heaven with him. ​​ But Romans 10 says that if we confess with our mouth the Lord Jesus (acknowledge who​​ HE is) and believe that God has raised Him from the dead we will be saved. ​​ In Acts, Luke tells us to repent (which means to completely turn away from) of our sins so that they may be wiped out and refreshing may come. ​​ It really is that simple. ​​ We then continue to grow in Him by reading His Word, spending time in prayer and fellowshipping with other believers. ​​ Then Holy Spirit brings change needed to our lives.

 

We will all stand before God and be judged for our lives and whether or not we received Jesus. ​​ Those who have accepted Him and live their life for Him will enter into Heaven forever, and those who rejected Him will be cast into hell. This is why it matters. ​​ Your eternity is hanging in the balance and we are not guaranteed tomorrow. ​​ 

 

Call out to Him, He is waiting for you. ​​ If you need prayer, contact me. ​​ I would love to pray with you.​​ 

 

 

 

 

Life's a Journey

 

journeyFrom the day we are born, we set out on the journey of life, our life.  Let’s take a look at some life journeys from the bible and see what journeys may look like.  

  • Abraham, in Genesis 11:27-12:5 was sent out by God, away from his family, to a place not specified.  Wow!  God only told him to go to the place He would show him and promised that he, in turn, would be blessed and that God would make a great nation from him and make his name great.  What faith Abraham showed in stepping out in obedience without a known end.  And because of his obedience, He was truly blessed in every way that God had promised.  Has God called you to step out to the unknown?  If He is, know this, His promises will be fulfilled through your obedience to Him.
  • Joseph….Genesis 37.  What a character Joseph was.  He was a spoiled brat.  He appears to be braggadocious.  He was hated by his brothers because he was the fave of their father.  He had dreams given by God of the future.  He shared these dreams with his brothers which made them more angry because these dreams were about Joseph’s brothers and father bowing down before him.  Long story short:  Joseph was sold into slavey to the Ishmaelites.  Hmmm.  Doesn’t seem like Joseph is choosing his own path here.  It seems that his fate is being chosen by his haters.  His trouble doesn’t end there either.  God gave him favor wherever he went but trouble also came along.  He was wrongly accused of attempted rape and thrown in prison.  Another path Joseph didn’t choose for himself.  But God used all these bad things that happened for Joseph’s good.  God gave him favor even in prison and before it was all said and done, he was second in command in Egypt.  Ever feel like your life was guided by someone who hurt you?  By something that happened that you didn’t choose?  Read Joseph’s story.  God brought him through his adversity and made his life shine.  What a minister he was to thousands of people by the wisdom God gave him.  
  • Joshua and the Israelites…Joshua 1.  What a story that unfolds here.  Let’s look at the beginning of Joshua’s journey here after Moses had passed away.  First off, God gives Joshua encouragement.  Moses had been their leader for so long and now he was dead.  Joshua, I am sure, felt lost and unsure of the future.  God gave specific instructions to Joshua and the children of Israel.  They were to make provisions ready and get ready to move out.  They were to begin their journey in taking the land that God had promised them.  They knew what they were supposed to do and they stepped out in obedience.  God brought victory for them.  Maybe you have been given specific instructions by God to accomplish a task for Him.  This too takes faith to step out and follow Him.  BUT if you push through, follow through with His plan you will be victorious in your mission!
  • Isaiah….Isaiah 6.   We see here that Isaiah had been distracted some what from God by people and his surroundings.  He was given a vision in this chapter of God high and lifted up on his throne.  What a humbling experience!  We find Isaiah repenting and the angel coming and ministering to him.  Then we hear God calling out for someone to go to His people and deliver a message to them.  Isaiah answers the call.  God gave him specific words to say and then tells him that even in his obedience he would face opposition and the end would not be favorable.  Oh my.  That must have been hard.  Isaiah went forward in obedience anyway.  Is God calling you to go out, to deliver a message, or something similar but you know that it will not be an easy task or received well?  The thing is, we have to be obedient no matter what the end to have our heart pure before the Father.  This is no easy task but, according to His Word, His grace is sufficient for us and His strength is made perfect in our weakness.  We are all commissioned to share the gospel of Jesus Christ to the world around us.  Sometimes, it isn’t received well and is rejected but at least they have hear the truth, at least they now know.  

 

Is your journey looking like any of these?  It more than likely is.  Know this, He who has promised is faithful and He will guide you and lead you, strengthen you and encourage you.   You are not alone.  
What is in your suitcase for this journey?  Don’t pack your bags full of fear, doubt, past mistakes, worry, sin that you can’t let go of, or grief (to name a few).  All we need in our bags is FAITH AND TRUST.  Proverbs 3:5 says to Trust in the Lord with all of your heart and lean not to your own understanding.  Acknowledge him in all your ways and He will direct your path!  It is a promise!  Now, let’s get moving.

Life’s a Journey

 

journeyFrom the day we are born, we set out on the journey of life, our life.  Let’s take a look at some life journeys from the bible and see what journeys may look like.  

  • Abraham, in Genesis 11:27-12:5 was sent out by God, away from his family, to a place not specified.  Wow!  God only told him to go to the place He would show him and promised that he, in turn, would be blessed and that God would make a great nation from him and make his name great.  What faith Abraham showed in stepping out in obedience without a known end.  And because of his obedience, He was truly blessed in every way that God had promised.  Has God called you to step out to the unknown?  If He is, know this, His promises will be fulfilled through your obedience to Him.
  • Joseph….Genesis 37.  What a character Joseph was.  He was a spoiled brat.  He appears to be braggadocious.  He was hated by his brothers because he was the fave of their father.  He had dreams given by God of the future.  He shared these dreams with his brothers which made them more angry because these dreams were about Joseph’s brothers and father bowing down before him.  Long story short:  Joseph was sold into slavey to the Ishmaelites.  Hmmm.  Doesn’t seem like Joseph is choosing his own path here.  It seems that his fate is being chosen by his haters.  His trouble doesn’t end there either.  God gave him favor wherever he went but trouble also came along.  He was wrongly accused of attempted rape and thrown in prison.  Another path Joseph didn’t choose for himself.  But God used all these bad things that happened for Joseph’s good.  God gave him favor even in prison and before it was all said and done, he was second in command in Egypt.  Ever feel like your life was guided by someone who hurt you?  By something that happened that you didn’t choose?  Read Joseph’s story.  God brought him through his adversity and made his life shine.  What a minister he was to thousands of people by the wisdom God gave him.  
  • Joshua and the Israelites…Joshua 1.  What a story that unfolds here.  Let’s look at the beginning of Joshua’s journey here after Moses had passed away.  First off, God gives Joshua encouragement.  Moses had been their leader for so long and now he was dead.  Joshua, I am sure, felt lost and unsure of the future.  God gave specific instructions to Joshua and the children of Israel.  They were to make provisions ready and get ready to move out.  They were to begin their journey in taking the land that God had promised them.  They knew what they were supposed to do and they stepped out in obedience.  God brought victory for them.  Maybe you have been given specific instructions by God to accomplish a task for Him.  This too takes faith to step out and follow Him.  BUT if you push through, follow through with His plan you will be victorious in your mission!
  • Isaiah….Isaiah 6.   We see here that Isaiah had been distracted some what from God by people and his surroundings.  He was given a vision in this chapter of God high and lifted up on his throne.  What a humbling experience!  We find Isaiah repenting and the angel coming and ministering to him.  Then we hear God calling out for someone to go to His people and deliver a message to them.  Isaiah answers the call.  God gave him specific words to say and then tells him that even in his obedience he would face opposition and the end would not be favorable.  Oh my.  That must have been hard.  Isaiah went forward in obedience anyway.  Is God calling you to go out, to deliver a message, or something similar but you know that it will not be an easy task or received well?  The thing is, we have to be obedient no matter what the end to have our heart pure before the Father.  This is no easy task but, according to His Word, His grace is sufficient for us and His strength is made perfect in our weakness.  We are all commissioned to share the gospel of Jesus Christ to the world around us.  Sometimes, it isn’t received well and is rejected but at least they have hear the truth, at least they now know.  

 

Is your journey looking like any of these?  It more than likely is.  Know this, He who has promised is faithful and He will guide you and lead you, strengthen you and encourage you.   You are not alone.  
What is in your suitcase for this journey?  Don’t pack your bags full of fear, doubt, past mistakes, worry, sin that you can’t let go of, or grief (to name a few).  All we need in our bags is FAITH AND TRUST.  Proverbs 3:5 says to Trust in the Lord with all of your heart and lean not to your own understanding.  Acknowledge him in all your ways and He will direct your path!  It is a promise!  Now, let’s get moving.