" The LORD Our Righteousness "

 

Jeremiah 33:14-16  "Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will perform that good thing which I have promised unto the house of Israel and to the house of Judah. In those days, and at that time, will I cause the BRANCH of Righteousness to grow up unto David; and HE shall execute judgment and righteousness in the land. In those days shall Judah be saved, and Jerusalem shall dwell safely: and this is the name wherewith she shall be called, THE LORD our RIGHTEOUSNESS."

     The importance of the truth of these four words -- "THE LORD Our RIGHTEOUSNESS" (v.16) -- cannot be overemphasized. If the LORD is not our righteousness, we have no righteousness at all. GOD's WORD says, "All our righteousnesses are as filthy rags" (Isaiah 64:6 pictured above) and "There is none that doeth good, no, not one" (Romans 3:12). Notice the qualification for any who seek to claim this wonderful promise of GOD -- they must realize that the LORD alone is the source of all righteousness for HIS people: "No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of ME, saith the LORD" (Isaiah 54:17).

     Is the LORD your righteousness ? If not, then you are lost. Good deeds, generous giving, church membership, water baptism, and the faithful observance of religious rites and rituals cannot provide salvation and forgiveness of sins. Sincerity is not enough either. Man's best efforts come short of GOD's glory (Romans 3:23 pictured above). But, the righteousness of the LORD is available as a free gift to anyone who will trust JESUS CHRIST as their personal SAVIOR, receiving GOD's substitutionary sacrifice as the required payment for sin (Romans 3:24 pictured above).

     The future glory of Israel set forth in our text depends entirely upon the LORD's righteousness, and the present and future blessing of believers is possible only because the LORD is our righteousness. JESUS CHRIST bore our sins, and HIS righteousness is imputed to us. We are "made the righteousness of GOD in HIM" (2nd.Corinthians 5:21 pictured above). Our standing is perfect before the LORD; we are complete in JESUS CHRIST (Colossians 2:10 pictured below). MHR

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Copyright, FEATURE:  A Daily Bible Study Guide.

Used  with  permission.   www.featoday.org

" Only ONE ! "

 

Hebrews 10:1-14  "For the Law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect. For then would they not have ceased to be offered ? because that the worshipers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins. But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made of sins every year. For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins. Wherefore when HE comes into the world, HE saith, Sacrifice and offering THOU wouldest not, but a body hast THOU prepare ME: in burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin THOU has had no pleasure. Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the Book it is written of ME,) to do THY will, O GOD.

Above when HE said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin THOU wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein; which are offered by the Law; then said HE, Lo, I come to do THY will, O GOD, HE takes away the first, that HE may establish the second. By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of JESUS CHRIST once for all. And every Priest stands daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: but this MAN, after HE had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of GOD; from henceforth expecting till HIS enemies be made HIS footstool. For by one offering HE hath perfected forever them that are sanctified."

     Our text clearly and resolutely sets forth the uniqueness of CHRIST's sacrifice for sin. GOD says that believers "are sanctified through the offering of the body of JESUS CHRIST once for all" (v.10 two pictures above). The LORD JESUS CHRIST offered "one sacrifice for sins forever" (v.12 picture at top of post). All other attempts to atone for one's sin not only are futile but also reveal the rebellious, sinful heart of unregenerate man who seeks to "[climb] up some other way" into the fold (John 10:1 pictured below). GOD also makes it clear that believers have been "perfected forever" by CHRIST's "one offering" (v.14 pictured above). Those who seek to broaden the gate and widen the door to salvation are on dangerous ground -- only one name exists "whereby we must be saved" (Acts 4:12 see pictured below). According to the Bible, man has only ONE WAY, ONE DOOR, ONE SACRIFICE for sin, ONE GOSPEL, and ONE SAVIOR -- forever !

     The ecumenical movement, with its emphasis on unity at the expense of biblical purity, is doing its best to provide as large a "religious umbrella" as possible so that no person and no religion will feel uncomfortable in its fellowship. BEWARE, of the false teaching that urges Christians who witness for JESUS CHRIST not to emphasize the uniqueness, absoluteness, and finality of HIS sacrifice for sin lest people of other religions be offended. NO, the Bible declares that all who reject JESUS are lost; they must be warned of sin's consequence: eternal punishment in the Lake of Fire. Also, beware of professing believers who join with those who preach another or false gospel. All who declare a gospel other than the message of salvation by grace through faith alone are under GOD's curse, ANATHEMA in Galatians 1:6-9, see pictured below. Only one true Gospel -- only one sacrifice for sin -- can save ! MHR

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Copyright,  FEATURE: A Daily Bible Study Guide.

Used  with  permission.      www.featoday.org 

" Faith: What it Is and What it is Not ! "

 

Romans 4:16-25  "Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the Law, but to that also which is of faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all, (As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before HIM WHOM he believed, even GOD, WHO quickens the dead, and calls those things which be not as thought they were. Who against hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be. And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about a hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sarah's womb; he staggered not at the promise of GOD through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to GOD;

And being fully persuaded that, what HE had promised, HE was able also to perform. And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness. Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him; but for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on HIM that raised up JESUS our LORD from the dead; WHO was delivered for our offenses, and was raised again for our justification."

     Faith is only as valid as its object. One could have tremendous faith in thin ice and drown. Conversely, one could have exceedingly little faith in very thick ice and yet be perfectly secure. The GOD of our salvation is faithful, dependable, and completely trustworthy. HE will neither cast out nor turn away anyone who comes to HIM (John 6:37 pictured above). No one who believes in HIM will be disappointed or put to shame (Romans 10:11). Anyone who rests upon HIM will find a rock-solid foundation (1st.Corinthians 3:11 pictured below).

     Faith does not save anybody -- the SAVIOR does. However, faith puts a person in the place where GOD can save him, and GOD will only save those who believe (1st.Corinthians 1:21). The LORD never asks us to trust our faith; HE instructs us to trust the SAVIOR and look to HIM (Isaiah 45:22 pictured below)

Our faith is no good unless it is rooted in JESUS CHRIST. A person once asked a lady, "Are you the woman of great faith?" She answered, "No, I am the woman who has a little faith in a great GOD." Faith is not working for my salvation, but it is resting upon the work of ANOTHER (v.5). Faith is the hand of the heart that reaches out to receive GOD's gift of eternal salvation (Ephesians 2:8). We are saved if we believe; we are condemned if we do not (John 3:18 pictured below).

Faith is not a leap in the dark; it is a leap out of darkness into the glorious light of the Gospel of CHRIST (2nd.Corinthians 4:4-6). Whereas sinful men declare their independence from GOD, faith is my Declaration of Dependence. The Apostle Paul manifested his faith when he said, "For I believe GOD, that it shall be even as it was told me" (Acts 27:25). The person of faith is fully persuaded that what GOD has promised, HE is able also to perform (v.21 2nd.picture from the top of post). GWZ

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Copyright,    FEATURE: A Daily Bible Study.

Used  with  permission.    www.featoday.org

" To Whom Do You Belong ? "

 

1st.Samuel 30:11  "And they found an Egyptian in the field, and brought him to David, and gave him bread, and he did eat; and they made him drink water; and they gave him a piece of a cake of figs, and two clusters of raisins: and when he had eaten, his spirit came again to him: for he had eaten no bread, nor drunk any water, three days and three nights. And David said unto him, To whom belongest thou ? and whence art thou ? And he said, I am a young man of Egypt, servant to an Amalekite; and my master left me, because three days ago I fell sick. We made an invasion upon the south of the Cherethites, and upon the coast which belongs to Judah, and upon the south of Caleb; and we burned Ziklag with fire.

And David said to him, Canst thou bring me down to this company ? And he said, Swear unto me by GOD, that thou wilt neither kill me, nor deliver me into the hands of my master, and I will bring thee down to this company. And when he had brought him down, behold they were spread abroad upon all the earth, eating and drinking, and dancing, because of all the great spoil that they had taken out of the land of the Philistines, and out of the land of Judah. And David smote them from the twilight even unto the evening of the next day: and there escaped not a man of them, save four hundred young men, which rode upon camels, and fled. And David recovered all that the Amalekites had carried away: and David rescued his two wives. And there was nothing lacking to them, neither small nor great, neither sons nor daughters, neither spoil, nor any thing that they had taken to them: David recovered all. And David took all the flocks and the herds, which they drove before those other cattle, and said, This is David's spoil."

     Notice the Egyptian's captivity -- he was a servant to an Amalekite (v.13 cf. Exodus 17:8-16). The Amalekites typify the flesh and the devil -- both enslave the unsaved and leave no possible way of escape through personal effort or self-determination. It is important to notice that David inquired of this poor fellow concerning who owned him: "To whom belongest thou ?" (v.13). Other questions and concerns followed, but this was the first item of information David wanted to hear from the Egyptian's lips. So it is with JESUS CHRIST, of whom David is a type in this particular text. Before we can be saved, we must acknowledge our utterly lost condition. We belong to, and are enslaved by, the god of this world. Satan owns the right to the lost in this world who have not yet been redeemed by the ANOINTED ONE of GOD.

     Notice the Egyptian's conversion -- David received him (vv.15-20). Rather than executing righteous judgement, David extended mercy and even took him along to judge his former master. David also gave him a job to do and later shared with him the spoils of victory. CHRIST not only changes our citizenship, but HE also changes our servitude. Sin no longer needs to reign in our life (Romans 5:17 - 6:7), for we now have a new Master to follow and serve. The compassion and provision demonstrated by the Egyptian's deliverer was the best a king could offer, but David's new servant now wanted assurance that his new master would not change his mind or revoke the mercy extended to him or return him to his former master, the Amalekite (v.15). David kept his word, and so does our LORD (John 10:27-29 pictured below). We have security in our SAVIOR. DWC

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Copyright, FEATURE: A Daily Bible Study Guide.

Used  with  permission.    www.featoday.org

" Are Christians Crazy ? "

 

Acts 26:22-25  "Having therefore, obtained help of GOD, I continue unto this day, witnessing both to small and great, saying none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come: That CHRIST should suffer, and that HE should be the first that should rise from the dead, and should show light unto the people, and to the Gentiles. And as he thus spoke for himself, Festus said with a loud voice, Paul, thou art beside thyself; much learning does make you mad. But he said, I am not mad, most noble Festus; but speak forth the words of truth and soberness."

     Are Christians crazy ? Well, I am sure that we could find a large number of people who would respond to the question with a hearty "YES" if they were asked. But I want to remind the unbelieving world that calling Christians crazy does not change the truth of the Gospel. The LORD JESUS CHRIST made the message plain when HE said, "I AM the WAY, the TRUTH, and the LIFE: no man comes unto the FATHER, but by ME" (John 14:6 pictured above). Nor does the accusation that Christians are crazy annul the power of the Gospel to save from sin: "For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of CHRIST: for it is the power of GOD unto salvation to every one that believes . . ." (Romans 1:16 pictured below).

     It should be noted that some of the wisest people the world has ever known were considered and called crazy. The enemies of our LORD JESUS accused HIM of being demon possessed or crazy: "And many of them said, HE has a devil, and is mad; why hear ye HIM ?" (John 10:20) In today's text, we find that the Apostle Paul did not escape such accusation either, for in an audience before King Agrippa and Festus, he was told forcefully, "Paul, thou art beside thyself; much learning does make thee mad" (v.24 pictured at the beginning).

     Mark this and mark it well - Christians are either crazy in believing on the LORD JESUS CHRIST, or they are the wisest people on Earth. It is strange to say, but true believers have "joy unspeakable" (1st.Peter 1:8 pictured above), and we have such joy because GOD has given us an "unspeakable gift" (2nd.Corinthians 9:15 pictured below) - eternal salvation and spiritual riches through HIS infinitely rich SON WHO became poor for our sakes, that we through HIS poverty might be rich. CRAZY ? No ! In reality, Christians are the most sound of all people. JED

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Copyright, FEATURE: A Daily Bible Study Guide

Used  with  permission.    www.featoday.org

" The Anatomy of the MESSIAH "

 

Our MESSIAH must go through many physical sufferings before HE can be the atonement for our souls. What factual questions need to be asked about our MESSIAH ? To explore these questions and find the truth is no shame, for GOD HIMSELF has put forth HIS truth so we would not be misled in any way. That is why we have the Bible, GOD's truth written to mankind.

* What must the MESSIAH do in order for us to know that HE is the MESSIAH ? HE must suffer for our sins as the prophet Isaiah foretold in the Bible.

"But HE was wounded for our transgressions, HE was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon HIM; and with HIS stripes we are healed." (Isaiah 53:5)

* Does the Bible tell us where on HIS body HE will be wounded ? HIS hands and feet will be pierced:

"And one shall say unto HIM, What are these wounds in thine hands ? Then HE shall answer, Those with which I was wounded in the house of my friends." (Zechariah 13:6)

"For dogs have compassed ME: the assembly of the wicked have enclosed ME: they pierced MY hands and feet." (Psalm 22:16)

HIS back and face will be smitten:

"I gave MY back to the smiters, and MY cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: I hid not MY face from shame and spitting." (Isaiah 50:6)

"Now gathering thyself in troops, O daughter of troops: HE hath laid siege against us: they shall smite the JUDGE of Israel with a rod upon the cheek." (Micah 5:1)

Not one bone in HIS body shall be broken:

"HE keepeth all HIS bones: not one of them is broken." (Psalm 34:20)

* In Bible prophecy the MESSIAH is beaten so badly, that HIS appearance is disfigured more than any man !

"As many were astonied (astonished) at THEE; HIS visage was so marred more than any man, and HIS form more than the sons of men:" (Isaiah 52:14)

* What else must the MESSIAH endure to fulfill Bible prophecy ?

The Bible teaches that GOD will give HIM to be the flawless and perfect sacrifice for our sins:

"HE was taken from prison and from judgment; and who shall declare HIS generation ? for HE was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of MY people was HE stricken. And HE made HIS grave with the wicked, and with the rich in HIS death; because HE had done no violence, neither was any deceit in HIS mouth. Yet if pleased the LORD to bruise HIM; HE hath put HIM to grief: when thou shalt make HIS soul an offering for sin, HE shall see HIS seed, HE shall prolong HIS days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in HIS hand." (Isaiah 53:8-10)

"Therefore will I divide HIM a portion with the great, and HE shall divide the spoil with the strong; because HE hath poured out HIS soul unto death: and HE was numbered with the transgressors; and HE bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors." (Isaiah 53:12)

HE will be resurrected after 3 days:

"After two days will HE revive us: in the third day HE will raise us up, and we shall live in HIS sight." (Hosea 6:2)

* Has there ever in history been a man that has fulfilled all these requirements ?

Yes, there was such a MAN - HE fulfilled each and every Messianic prophecy.

HIS hands and feet were pierced:

"And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified HIM, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left." (Luke 23:33)

HIS back and face were smitten:

"Then Pilate therefore took JESUS, and scourged HIM." (John 19:1)

"And they smote HIM on the head with a reed, and did spit upon HIM, and bowing their knees worshiped HIM." (Mark 15:19)

"And the men that held JESUS mocked HIM, and smote HIM. And when they had blindfolded HIM, they struck HIM on the face, and asked HIM, saying, Prophesy, who is it that smote THEE ?" (Luke 22:63-64)

Not one bone in HIS body was broken:

"But when they came to JESUS, and saw that HE was dead already, they brake not HIS legs: But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced HIS side, and forthwith came there out blood and water. . .For these things were done, that the Scripture should be fulfilled. A bone of HIM shall not be broken." (John 19:33-34,36)

MESSIAH rose three days after HIS crucifixion:

"And that He was buried, and that HE rose again the third day according to the Scriptures:" (1st.Corinthians 15:4)

Many messiahs have come and gone, but only the true MESSIAH has come, has died, and been raised from the dead.

* What must I do to receive the promises of the MESSIAH ?

"For the Law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by JESUS CHRIST." (John 1:17)

"And by HIM all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the Law of Moses." (Acts 13:39)

"Repent (turn to GOD from your sin) ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the LORD." (Acts 3:19)

"That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the LORD JESUS, and shall believe in thine heart that GOD hath raised HIM from the dead, thou shalt be saved. . .For whosoever shall call upon the name of the LORD shall be saved." (Romans 10:9,13)

Repent (turn to GOD from your sin) and pray - ask the MESSIAH, the LORD JESUS CHRIST into your heart, and you will be given life eternal. Pray this simple prayer or one like with all your heart:

LORD, I know that I am a sinner, and I believe YOU died and rose again for me. I am trusting YOU to forgive me. Help me to live for YOU always. In JESUS' name I pray, AMEN.

Everlasting life is ours when we receive CHRIST, the MESSIAH, as our personal SAVIOR. The LORD JESUS said, ". . .I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish. . ." (John 10:28)

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

" JESUS ~ The Great Magnet "

 

John 12:23-33 "And JESUS answered them, saying, The hour is come, that the SON Of MAN should be glorified. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abides alone; but if it die, it brings forth much fruit. He that loves his life shall lose it; and he that hates his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal. If any man serve ME, let him follow ME; and where I AM, there shall also MY servant be: if any man serve ME, him will MY FATHER honor. Now is MY soul troubled; and what shall I say ? FATHER, save ME from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour.

FATHER, glorify THY name. Then came there a voice from Heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again. The people therefore, that stood by, and heard it, said that it thundered: others said, An angel spoke to HIM. JESUS answered and said, This voice came not because of ME, but for your sakes. Now is the judgment of this world; now shall the prince of this world be cast out. And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto ME. This HE said, signifying what death HE should die."

     Three crosses were set upon Calvary's hill. The center cross was the cross of redemption as the SAVIOR bore "our sins in HIS OWN body on the tree" (1st.Peter 3:24). That cross was meant for Barabbas, whose name means "son of the father." The Jewish people wanted Pilate to release this murderer and crucify the HOLY ONE in his stead (Acts 3:14). As a result, the true "SON of the FATHER" went to the cross to suffer for sins - the RIGHTEOUS ONE for the unrighteous ones (1st.Peter 3:18 see pictured below).

     Two criminals died on the LORD's left and right. One malefactor refused to believe. His was the cross of rejection. The other evildoer initially hurled insults at JESUS (Matthew 27:44) but later changed his mind and believed (Luke 23:39-43). His was the cross of reception. Each cross carried a message: One MAN died for sins, in the sinner's place; one man died in his sins (John 8:24); the third man died with his sins forgiven (Acts 10:43 see pictured below).

     JESUS once predicted that when HE would be lifted up on the cross HE would draw all men unto HIMSELF (vv.32-33). A magnet attracts metal; the center cross attracts all mankind. All men are drawn to the center cross where a decision must be made. We each must answer this question: "What will I do with JESUS WHO is called the CHRIST?" (Matthew 27:22 see pictured below). Will I receive HIM or reject HIM ? Which evildoer will I imitate ? All men are drawn to the center cross where they must consider the crucified ONE and decide what they will do with HIM. We can see the cross as foolishness, or we can see the cross as the wisdom and power of GOD (1st.Corinthians 1:18, 24 (see 2nd.picture above). We can receive HIM or reject HIM. Like the thieves on the cross, our decision will determine our destiny. GWZ

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

SO, what will YOU do with JESUS ?