ONLY THE ETERNAL SON REDEEMS In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. —John 1:1-5 The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. —John 1:9-10 The Word became flesh…

PRAY FOR RESPONSE TO THE GOSPEL Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.” —Luke 24:45-49 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.…

PARADISE! Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.” —Luke 23:43 People love to think about or try to find paradise on earth, but it will not be found. Even though there are many beautiful places on this planet they all pale when it comes to the heavenly paradise that awaits all who have called on the Name of the Lord Jesus. Paradise… you don’t get there by car, train, boat or plane… no, you can only get to paradise through Jesus. He is the gate for all those going to this eternal paradise. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aqo-adRyM_k When a follower of Jesus dies they are…

Wisdom So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours? The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for this. So God said to him, “Since you have asked for this and not for long life or wealth for yourself, nor have asked for the death of your enemies but for discernment in administering justice, I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be. —I Kings 3:9-12 If…

GOING THE WAY OF ALL THE EARTH “I am about to go the way of all the earth,” he said. “So be strong, act like a man, and observe what the Lord your God requires: Walk in obedience to him, and keep his decrees and commands, his laws and regulations, as written in the Law of Moses.” —I Kings 2:2-3 Both my parents made professions of faith in their latter years. Elaine and I had invited a professor and his wife over for dinner one night when my parents were visiting where we were attending a Bible college. After an two hour discussion with he and his wife, we all…

MY ROCK! For who is God besides the Lord? And who is the Rock except our God? —II Samuel 22:32 Really, who else is there? Who is like the Lord God Almighty? What other plan through the ages has been for the benefit of Mankind? Where is there another who has taken care of the eternal sin problem— having made remedy Himself? Is there another who has paid the penalty for every sin— past, present and future? Have you heard of another who loves us with an eternal love? What other has come and lived among those He created? Name another who has created all we see and don’t see?…

OLD AGE Now Barzillai was very old, eighty years of age. He had provided for the king during his stay in Mahanaim, for he was a very wealthy man. The king said to Barzillai, “Cross over with me and stay with me in Jerusalem, and I will provide for you.” But Barzillai answered the king, “How many more years will I live, that I should go up to Jerusalem with the king? I am now eighty years old. Can I tell the difference between what is enjoyable and what is not? Can your servant taste what he eats and drinks? Can I still hear the voices of male and female…

OUR EBBING LIFE Like water spilled on the ground, which cannot be recovered, so we must die. —II Samuel 14:14 Your life and my life is ebbing away. With each tick of the clock we are closer to death. That is just a fact of life. We all have this in common. Tick, tick, tick and now we are that much closer… Once water is poured out on the ground it cannot be retrieved and as we live life it cannot be retrieved. Life lived is life gone and we draw closer to our final breath on this planet. Yet, for those of us who love and live for Jesus,…

GOD KNOWS WHAT YOU DID! “You are the man!” —II Samuel 12:7 David lusted after Bathsheba when he saw her bathing and then had sexual relations with her. When she told the king she was pregnant he immediately thought of a plan to hide his sin. When plan A and B did not work, then he put into motion a more wicked, evil plan C to have Bathsheba’s husband killed. The king succeeded in his sordid deed. Now David thought he had gotten away with both adultery and murder. But there is one who knows all things and David had not gotten away with anything. In time God sent a…

SEEK THE LOST! For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost. —Luke 19:10 Jesus told the parables of The Lost Sheep, The Lost Coin and The Lost Son. There is much rejoicing after finding that which is lost. So it is in Heaven— “I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent” (Luke 15:7). Are you and I seeking out the lost? Are we going to where they are? Do we have the loving compassion for the lost? Someone did for us when…