plan of redemption

Video

Dan Dyer – Blessed Be

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to His abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope, by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. ~ I Peter 1:3 KJV

Read I Peter 1:1-9.

The more we praise Abba, our Father, the more we embrace the “lively hope” of our inheritance in heaven, through the resurrection of our Savior, Jesus Christ.  Our praise opens the pathway for love to invade our spirits, and renews our faith.

It is only by the power of God that we are kept strong in faith until the great revealing and salvation of our souls at the second coming of Yeshua Messiah.

Prayer: Mighty are your wondrous works on our behalf, Father, and Your Name is greatly to be praised. You are YHVH, my Elohim. Not just someone else’s god; but I declare to heaven and earth forever that You are MY GOD! Thank you for Your mercy and love for all; for sending your Son Jesus to die in our place and that our sin debt is paid in full. In the matchless name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus; PRAISE! PRAISE!! PRAISE!!! Amen.

If you have not yet received God’s gift of redemption and promise of eternal life through believing in Jesus, the important stuff you need to know is found in God’s Word. He wrote you a love letter to explain what you need to do to escape eternal judgement and it is found in The Bible.  Another helpful salvation guide with more links is found at our home page..

Thank you for following ImportantStuff.live and God Bless.

Special thanks to Dan Dyer, a believing obedient servant of God, for MTM – his Message through Music ministry.  You can help support the ministry by partnering.

When Nothing Makes Sense

When nothing makes sense, we can completely trust that God is in control of all that matters.

Reading scriptures Habakkuk 1-3:

The prophet Habakkuk lives in a time around 600 B.C., when Babylon is about to invade Judah.  He is extremely troubled about the time in which he lives.  For him, it is the end times.  Christ followers believe that we also live in the end times.  Habakkuk questions the Lord in chapter one about world evil much the same as believers do today:

How long, Lord, must I call for help, but You do not listen? Or cry out to you, “Violence!” but You do not save? ~Habakkuk 1:2 NIV

God gives Habakkuk a revelation in chapter two – just as the Apostle John was given The Book of Revelation in the New Testament by Jesus Christ – the last book of God’s Word, our Bible:

Then the Lord replied, “Write down the revelation and make it plain on tablets so that a herald may run with it. For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay… Look at the nations and watch – and be utterly amazed. For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told.” ~ Habakkuk 1:2,3,5 NIV

As I watch what is going on in our world today, and the perplexing changes taking place in the nations, I am utterly amazed, just as the Lord predicted.  Nothing makes sense anymore, except God’s Word.  We must continue to watch, wait, and pray for strength like Habakkuk.

Easier said than done.  Watching the world crumble is heartbreaking.  Waiting does not mean we should complain as we wait.

Prayer: Forgive my impatience, Father, and replace my complaints with faithful expectations from Your Word. Nothing makes sense anymore but I will rejoice and trust in You. Help me to glorify You with a willing and cheerful heart for your service as I stand watch. Prepare me in Your strength with courage to face battles yet won. May I run with the fleetness of the deer as a herald with Your revelation given to a lost world and seek Your Presence at all times.  In Your Son Jesus’ Holy Name, Amen.

The Lord is in His holy temple; let all the earth be silent before Him. ~ Habakkuk 2:20 NIV

If you are seeking God’s Truth, His Word has the answers.  If you have never trusted in Him, click this link.

Stranger on the Road to Emmaus

How could a personal friend of two men seem to be a total Stranger on the road to Emmaus?

Read Matthew 28:1-10, Luke 24, Mark 16:12-13, John 20:1-18 NIV

The Morning of Resurrection Day:

Mary Magdalene and other women visit the tomb of Jesus early on the third day after His crucifixion to discover that His body is missing.  Two angels are there and one tells them that Jesus has risen and go tell the others. As they are leaving, a man notices that Mary Magdalene is weeping and asks her who is she looking for?  She mistakes the man for a gardener and asks that if he knows where the body of Jesus has been taken, please tell her so she can go get Him.  She does not recognize that the man is Jesus, until He said her name, “Mary.”  She instantly recognizes Jesus, and the women run to Him, but He instructs them to go tell the disciples that He is risen.  They obey.

The disciples do not believe the women, but Simon Peter runs to the tomb and finds nothing but the burial linens of Jesus.  No evidence that Jesus has risen from the dead and no angels.  He leaves disappointed and perplexed.

The Road to Emmaus:

Then two disciples set off for a village about seven miles from Jerusalem called Emmaus.  On the way, a Stranger joins them.  As they continue to walk with the Stranger on the road to Emmaus, the Stranger casually asks what the two men are talking about.  His question stops the two men in their tracks.  One of the men, Cleopas, seems incredulous that this visitor has not heard the news:

“Are you the only one visiting Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?”

“What things?” He asked.

“About Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied, “He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place.  In addition, some of our women amazed us.  They went to the tomb early this morning but didn’t find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but they did not see Jesus.” ~ Luke 24:18-24 NIV

The Luke Gospel account states that they were kept from recognizing him (Jesus).  Mark’s Gospel account states that Jesus appeared in a different form.  Obviously, both men’s ability to recognize Jesus was altered supernaturally for a purpose.  Just like Mary.  Doesn’t this sound like a familiar pattern in the Gospels?  How many times have we read where the disciples, followers and crowds were spiritually dulled or blinded to the Truth?  Jesus spoke in parables and then explained the parables, and still, there was little discernment.  Throughout the ministry of Jesus the hand of God had veiled the minds of Jesus’ followers in order for His divine purpose to be fulfilled.  God was not taking any chances for humans, devils, or Satan to thwart His divine plan of redemption.  That veil remained in place until the fulfillment by Jesus of every Messianic Prophecy recorded in the Old Testament.  However, after the death and resurrection of Jesus, follower disbelief plays a part (these men have just left them – (the disciples who have heard from the women that Christ is risen, but doubt).

So we have evidence of disbelief by Jesus’ own followers.  The women do not believe the angels at the tomb. The disciples do not believe Mary and the other women.  But Jesus IS RISEN and appears on the road to Emmaus to set the record straight by being His own witness.  He calls the two men foolish, and expounds once again what the Scriptures foretold about Himself beginning with Moses and the Prophets.  When the three arrive at the village of Emmaus, Jesus stays for dinner at the invitation of the two men.  He breaks bread with them.  As soon as Jesus gives it to them, the veil drops from their minds and they recognize the Stranger as their very own Jesus of Nazareth.

And then He disappears!  Mission accomplished?  Well, not quite.

The Evening of Resurrection Day:

The two men hurry back to Jerusalem and announce to the disciples that the women are not crazy.  They have seen Jesus alive, too!

As soon as the two men share their astounding news with the disciples, Jesus appears with a greeting of,  “Peace be with you!”  Now all of the men recognize Jesus but think they are seeing a ghost.  Jesus patiently shows them the wounds on His hands and feet, and since they still do not believe it’s true (mostly from shock and joy), He eats a piece of fish and opens their minds so they can at last understand the Scriptures.  One detail recorded in John’s Gospel is that Jesus also breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone’s sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, the are not forgiven.”  So Jesus immediately imparts authority to His disciples, once they believe that He is the True Messiah.

And then He disappears again!  Third time’s the charm, right?  Well, not always.

Read supporting scriptures John 20:19-30:

Time for a head count: Thomas was missing from the group when Jesus met with them, so there were ten disciples present plus at least the two witnesses that met up with Jesus on the road to Emmaus.  Including the women who saw Jesus at the tomb site, the disciples have been told by two different groups of witnesses that Jesus is alive.  They have just seen Him appear before their own eyes in the flesh.   These disciples tell Thomas later that they have personally seen Jesus alive and the sad part?  Thomas doubts:

“Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.” ~ John 20:25b NIV

At the End of Resurrection Day:

So what has Jesus accomplished by the end of His Blessed Resurrection Day?  He has gathered His flock of followers and shared the Truth about Himself.  He has been the first witness to His own resurrection.  He has testified in person that He is, indeed, the promised Messiah who has conquered death and the grave.  The sheep have all become believers; not just followers.  All but Thomas.  Does Jesus leave it there and just let Thomas go on with his life in unbelief?  NO!  Jesus never lets go of His own!

Fast forward one week to all eleven disciples gathered in one room with the doors locked. Suddenly Jesus blows through the wall, stands before them, and greets the terrified men with, “Peace be with you!” (again, He doesn’t want to scare anybody).  Of course, Jesus has come there for Thomas – just like in the Parable of the Lost Sheep:

“Put your finger here; see my hands.  Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.” Thomas said to Him, “My Lord and my God.” Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” ~ John 20:27-28 NIV

Yes, that is the best part of this story.  Jesus makes it so clear – not only to His disciples, but for all generations to follow.  In every case of  spiritual or even physical blindness (Paul on the road to Damascus), there is a joyous instant when the Light of recognition is allowed to shine through for every believing sinner.  That moment when Jesus is recognized in all of His glory!  It is the life changing moment of victorious realization over doubt.  Praise God!

You could say that this story is really about the “Doubting Thomas” – and yes, it is.  But we are all “Doubting Thomases” until we kneel at the feet of Jesus.  I believe that God is Wisdom.  He knew that without the meeting between two men and His Beloved Son on the road to Emmaus, an important opportunity would be lost.  It was necessary, for we all need to hear that personal testimony from Jesus Himself that all Scripture about His coming is fulfilled.  Until Jesus appeared alive and proclaimed Himself as the promised Messiah, He would always be a Stranger.  There would be no redemption, due to lack of faith resulting from lack of evidence plus corroborative testimony.  We need to hear from the two men on that road, who personally testified that they walked with, talked with, and saw Jesus in the flesh as He broke bread and handed it to them.  We need to hear from the women who saw, spoke with, and clung to His garments at the tomb site. We need to know that the disciples were convinced, and personally witnessed Jesus as risen and transformed bodily – that Jesus bore the wounds of the cross that they personally touched; that Christ ate real food but also had the power to pass through walls.  Without these events, there would only be a legend or myth today about a great prophet named Jesus who claimed to be the Son of God and was then killed; and the disciples and ultimately, the lost world, would have only kept doubting.

Jesus Himself testifies that HE LIVES.  Let there be no doubt!  There is no more reason to keep God’s plan a mystery.  Jesus finished God’s perfect plan of redemption.  The whole world has to know; both then and now.  Jesus showed plainly by His example to us that personal testimony is the way to share the Good News.

This is the reason there had to be a Stranger on the road to Emmaus.

 

Note:  For those interested in where this village of Emmaus may be located near Jerusalem, check out “The Identification of Emmaus” from Selective Geographical Problems in the Life of Christ, a doctoral dissertation by J. Carl Laney (Dallas Theological Seminary, 1977).

Photo Credit: ©Can Stock Photo Inc/nicku

 

He Has Done It!

There is no need to search for Jesus among the dead, for He is risen.  He has done it!

Just as heavenly angels pronounced His birth at Bethlehem, angels pronounced Christ’s resurrection from the tomb.

“Posterity will serve Him; future generations will be told about the Lord. They will proclaim His righteousness, declaring to a people yet unborn: He has done it!” ~Psalm 22:30-31 NIV

Psalm 22 is the most descriptive Messianic Prophesy to me of the suffering, death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Jesus himself quoted the first verse on the cross when He cried out,”My God, My God, why have you forsaken Me?” Such haunting words were uttered in the depths of despair; as He who knew no sin felt the crushing weight of all human sin upon His shoulders; at a time when “I am poured out like water and all My bones are out of joint.” (verse 14). Yet Jesus was not doubting our Father in heaven.  He was, above all, accepting of the Father’s will.  But the Only Begotten Son of God had never been so far from the Father as at that moment on the cross – poured out; emptied.

Friends, the basis of our faith now is that Jesus is alive and restored to the Father in heaven. It is only the tomb where Jesus lay that is empty. Praise God Almighty!  There is no greater salvation under heaven whereby we may be saved, than this perfect and powerful sacrifice performed by the Holy Son of God, Jesus Christ, the true Messiah.  He overcame death, the grave, and hell as He arose from the tomb; transformed, victorious and KING OF KINGS – LORD OF LORDS!

Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” ~ Matthew 28:16-20 NIV

HAPPY RESURRECTION DAY for HE HAS DONE IT!!!

WE are the future generations living at the very end of the age before Christ’s return to earth.  When He comes, He will reign over earth for one thousand years as King of Kings. According to God’s Word, His followers will reign with Him in a restored world full of peace. There will be no war, and the lion will lie down with the lamb.

Is He your King? He invites you to give your heart and soul to Him, for He forgives all sin, restores all life, and heals all wounds.  If you have questions about how to accept Jesus as your personal savior, click this link.

God Bless and thank you for following ImportantStuff.live!

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The Great Mystery

“A mystery in the Bible is a previously unrevealed truth that was not fully revealed until the New Testament. The mystery that is revealed in 1 Timothy 3:16 is that Jesus Christ was wholly man, and wholly God, or God of very God.” ~ Cooper Abrams

 

Link to “The Mystery of Godliness/Jesus Christ is God/I Timothy 3:16” by Cooper Abrams at http://www.bible-truth.org/myst-6.htm

 

Encouragement – “see pg 381”

The Word of God is living and active.  It pries, prods, kicks and squirms;twists, shoves, rips and tears its way into every crook and cranny of the minds and hearts of men until all is “open and laid bare”.  Then – redemption.

The Apostle Paul sums up Dad’s message in the most compelling statement:

12″For the Word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and spirit, of joints and marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. 13And before Him no creature is hidden, but all are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do.” ~ Hebrews 4:12-13 (Dad’s NT Bible)

 

Paul points out that God’s works were finished from the foundation of the world.  Then He rested on the seventh day (Sabbath).  God intended for man to enter into that rest with Him, but man rebelled (Heb. 4:1-5).  Without accepting God’s plan of redemption through faith in Jesus , man may never enter God’s rest.  Without acknowledging his sin, and accepting Jesus as Messiah, man is eternally barred from entering into an everlasting relationship with his Creator.

BUT GOD!  In His infinite mercy and grace, God provided His living Word as a testament to His abiding love for all men.  He made a plan for redemption. His Son fulfilled the Father’s plan on the cross. Christ defeated death, and God gave His Living Word to proclaim the Good News to let men know about it.

again He sets a certain day, “Today”, saying through David so long afterward, in the words already quoted, “Today, when you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts.” ~ Hebrews 4:7 (Dad’s NT Bible)

I thank and praise God for laying my sins bare.  His living Word pursued me like a Lion. It found my hidden parts; then pierced my mind and heart, dividing me asunder. I give Him glory everlasting and thank Him for allowing me to strive for rest in Him.  When I get discouraged it’s usually because I have spent too much time caught up in the “cares of this world” with less time in God’s Word.  Those distractions cause me to be fruitless, while choking God’s Word (Mark 4:18-19).

So here is the last part of the message of encouragement that Dad marked at the bottom of page 381:

Hollis10

I think it means perseverance.  What do you think?

 

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Many gods, but Only One Savior

There are many gods, but only one Savior.

9 All the nations gather together and the peoples assemble. Which of their gods foretold this and proclaimed to us the former things? Let them bring in their witnesses to prove they were right, so that others may hear and say, “It is true.” 10 “You are my witnesses,” declares the Lord, “and my servant whom I have chosen, so that you may know and believe Me and understand that I am He. Before me no god was formed, nor will there be one after me. 11 I, even I, am the Lord, and apart from Me there is no Savior. ~ Isaiah 43:9-11 (NIV)

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Paid in Full

“24He personally carried our sins in His body on the cross so that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right.  By His wounds you are healed.  25Once you were like sheep who wandered away.  But now you have turned to your Shepherd, the Guardian of your souls.” ~ I Peter 2:24-25 (NLT)

Without the precious blood of Christ, the innocent Lamb of God, there is no hope of salvation.

“There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved.”~ Acts 4:12 (NLT)

Some reject the “blood” part of the gospel, but God paid a ransom with His own blood. According to His Word on the cross, “It is finished.”  Our sin debt is paid in full.  There is no other true gospel.

God Bless.

Overcoming Fear

The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? ~Psalms 27:1a KJV

Have you ever been gripped by paralyzing fear?  Most people would say “Yes”.  Yet we suffer from anxiety and fear needlessly.  God wants us to take it to Him right away.  His Holy Spirit brings instant peace if we cast our cares upon Him.

There are many mornings that I pray for God’s guidance during the day, and then by noon I am feeling frustrated, scared, or stressed for whatever reason.  It took a long time, but I am finally learning to stop and ask, “Please, Lord, settle my spirit now!”

Believe me when I say that He has never failed me when I ask Him.  Within minutes I am wondering why I was so upset and fearful.  Thank you, Father, for always being my rock.

For in the time of trouble He shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of His tabernacle shall He hide me; He shall set me up upon a rock. ~Psalms 27:5 KJV

 

Where Were You? – Part I

The Book of Job contains the fascinating chapters 38-42.  Do you question if there really is a God, or want to know who He claims to be? In those scriptures, He reminds the tormented Job of His almighty power, and of man’s puny nothingness.  Job has no answer for God until he repents in chapter 42 verses 1-6.  God accepts Job’s humble response, but says that His wrath is kindled against Job’s friends who had doubted God’s love for Job.

I encourage you to read the scriptures daily and prayerfully ask God to reveal what special plan He has for your life.  He is so mighty, yet cares for each of us.  You are special to Him.  He created you with unique individualism, breathed life into you at birth, and wants to have a personal relationship with you.

How?  He made a special plan of redemption that by following His Son, Jesus, we can not only be saved from the penalty of sin, enjoy eternal life with Him in Heaven; but we can have a close relationship with Him right now during our life on earth!

“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”     Romans 6:23 -KJV

Jesus promised His followers that He will change our present lives,

 “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy; I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.”   John 10:10-KJV

WOW! To my knowledge, no one can deliver on that promise except for Him.  Thank you, Lord!