The Preacher’s Corner: Recent Episodes
Preacher's Corner
The Preacher’s Corner exists to provide verse-by-verse study through the Bible to help others come to know Jesus, grow in their understanding of Scripture, and Go into all the world sharing the love of God through a mature faith.
Today we receive the wisdom of the promised restoration of Judah (the Southern tribes) and Joseph (the Northern tribes) unto the LORD in Zechariah 10:1-12. Though we find great displeasure in the LORD's heart over the ways and activities of His people, yet still they are His children and He shall deliver them! This is great comfort for us as well to know that we have been grafted in to the Vine and shall be received in like manner to the promises given here in chapter 10. To be joined unto the Cornerstone, having our tent-peg secured in the Rock of our salvation!!! This and much more today with Pastor J.
Today we finish off Zechariah chapter 9:14-17. In this section of verses we receive a glimpse of the way God fights for us, how He shall deliver us, and the great joy we shall have in "THAT DAY"!!! We receive a glimpse of the 1,000 year reign of Christ and the goodness and beauty that will be the hallmarks of His Kingdom, instead of the regular insanity we currently face while being led by the spirit of antichrist in our world today. May God richly bless you as you consider the truths revealed through His Word today! God bless
Today is very exciting because we come to a place, not of future prophecies, but of that which has been revealed and fulfilled in our LORD Jesus Christ! In Zechariah 9:9 we begin our day speaking of the triumphal entry of our Lord Jesus Christ into Jerusalem riding upon the colt of a donkey! We also discover Jesus' Kingdom being established upon the principles of "peace" (shalom) rather than at the edge of a sword from verses 10-11. There is much to be shared today through revealed, and connected Scripture and I pray the LORD bless you richly as we travel through Scriptures today and rejoice in all the Manna the good LORD gives us today!!!
Today we receive insight to judgments God places upon such lands as Damascus and Tyre from Zechariah 9:1-8. There are some very powerful reminders of Tyre revealed in connection to Ezekiel chapters 27, and 28 as well as Revelation chapter 18:8 and following! These reminders are important for us today because they are a revelation of what will happen to the soul that becomes "puffed" up in pride and conceit! May God richly bless you this day for getting into His Word, Amen.
Today in Zechariah chapter 8 we receive a glimpse of the blessings God has planned for Zion! He reveals the zeal for the gathering of His people and for the re-establishment of His land being the place all nations turn to for righteousness, justice, and truth! This is a very encouraging chapter!! Some parts had been fulfilled and some are coming, so it is important for us (as God's people) to get ready as the day is approaching and the LORD is sending our Lord for us!!! So exciting!!!!!
Every now and then it's good to go back and investigate the idea presented in Luke chapter 6:46. Today on the Preacher's Corner that's exactly what we're going to do! We shall take you back to 2021 to enjoy this teaching and gain understanding on the revival we need in this nation, which I believe could easily spark a chain reaction around the world. Before this can take place though, we're going to have to answer this question presented by Jesus, "Why do you call me LORD when you don't do what I say?" May God bless you with His message today.
Our title today speaks to the indictment God raises against His people in Zechariah 7:1-14. Whether it was the fasts of the fifth, seventh, or ninth months, or it was the celebrations of the Feasts of God found in Leviticus chapter 23, WAS IT FOR GOD??? The reality this chapter brings us before is very much applicable to the Church today as this chapter reveals the truth behind many of the motivation as to why we do what we do. Religion in itself is all about what we, as a people, benefit from it more than the true purpose (which is to glorify God and obey His commands). We must be very attentive to those things written in this chapter today and must go back and look over them after our time together on the Corner so as not to let these convicting truths slide through our hearts and fall out the other side!!!
Today as we engage in Zechariah 6:9-15 we are first introduced to a crown which shall be fashioned by Zechariah and Josiah for the High Priest, Joshua. Next we shall understand the purpose of the crown as to reveal the leadership and government of the BRANCH, which through the Scriptures we cover today in prophecy shall be revealed ultimately to be Jesus! As Joshua is a TYPE representing Messiah we find he is not a king who shall stand in the role as Priest, but the opposite, and this is true of Jesus as well! He is the High Priest who shall stand in victory over the kingdoms of this earth as KING of kings! At the last we discover a hard "IF" revealing the possibility of 2 outcomes. If we are diligent to obey our God in the work He has given us in the establishment of His Kingdom there shall be showers of blessing, no doubt. If we are NOT diligent in the service of our LORD then great will be the loss and suffering we must endure through the chastisement levied against us because of our rebellion! Much to be considered today in Zechariah 6!!!
Welcome to Zechariah chapter 6:1-8 and the vision of the 4 chariots that come into the land. First of red horses; the second with black horses (through Scripture we always find the red preceding the black, as the red recognizes war and the black represents famine); the third chariot with white horses (that usually show up first, but in this case are third); and the fourth being the pale/speckled/dappled horses (always found in the fourth position and recognized as death resultant from the white, red, and black horses)! Whereas the first time we saw these colors and horsemen was back in chapter 1 with the principle rider being among the myrtle trees was a series of judgments that are applied against Israel which brought us before the 4 horns/craftsmen in chapter 2. Also, we have connection to the tribulation judgments that are brought upon mankind by the 4 horsemen in chapter 6! Also, we are called to attention of the 2 mountains of bronze these chariots shall come in the valley between the two. There is a great deal of information to receive and consider today with Pastor J, so hang on tight!!!
In today's journey through Zechariah chapter 5:1-11 we discover two very distinct visions; the first being a large scroll (30' long and 15' wide) flying through the whole earth dealing with judgments upon those who are thieves and those guilty of perjury! Theft is fairly clear in its concept and perjury is defined as claiming to be a servant/believer of/in God. This would define a great deal of our society today which is also why I believe our country is suffering the effects of being cursed. Keep in mind the word "curse" in Hebrew also means judgment. The second vision is that of a large basket with a woman inside it and a lead cover for it. At the first the lid of the basket is opened for Zechariah to see inside, but then is harshly closed by the Angel of the LORD! This woman is defined as wickedness and two others carry her off to the resting place of the land of Shinar, a land recognized for its evil in connection to Nimrod and Babel / Nebuchadnezzar and Babylon. This is a place where wickedness rules, and is a place of future wickedness to be let loose! Some really neat visions to cover today in consideration of our own hearts and lives before the Lord. May God bless you richly!
Today as we finish Zechariah chapter 4:8-14 we see God's promise to Zerubbabel to finish the work in building the Temple. As he was the one who completed the foundation it was necessary that he continue on to the completion of the work, and this testifies to us in our modern day as understanding that there was no mistake in God's choosing us unto salvation! Each of us has a purpose given by God and the tools necessary to do the work the LORD has planned for us. We must be about our Father's business, just like our Lord Jesus said! Our strength comes from the LORD, the maker of heaven and earth, as David said. May God bless you richly with this message of encouragement today and fill your heart with wonder for what is to come in His Word as we travel through Zechariah together! God bless
Today, as we get back into the swing of Zechariah, we start with a brief overview of the visions we've already covered in chapters 1 through 3! Once we begin in chapter 4:1-14 we are introduced to a solid gold lamp stand which held 7 lamps. On the right and left hand sides of this Lamp Stand we see two olive trees which supply an consistent stream of pure Olive Oil into the Lamp Stand so the light from the Stand may continue to shine! This vision being given by God to speak into the days of that time for the encouragement of Zerubbabel to continue his work in completing the building of the Temple. This and much more shall be revealed today with Pastor J!!!
Today in Zechariah chapter 3 there are several characters we get to meet. Satan (whom we are all very familiar with), Joshua (whose name is also spelled Jeshua, which is important because of its connection to Jesus), the Angel of the LORD (who through Scripture is revealed to be Jesus), the BRANCH (concerning the Davidic Covenant and also Jesus), and the Stone (which is the very foundation of our faith, and also Jesus!!!). We shall travel through the Bible today looking at several books and the revealed information concerning these characters as well as the opportunity to see how God is going to do a great work in us, around us, and through us for His name's sake, and His glory! Jump in with us today and hang on tight as God reveals His Word to your heart for the blessing He has prepared for you today with Pastor J!!!
Today in Zechariah 2:7-13 we discuss that which is known in the Old Covenant as the Kingdom of God, which is revealed by Jesus in the New Covenant as the Kingdom of heaven, and is also referred to in the book of Revelation as the 1,000 year reign of Christ. May God bless you richly as you gather on the Corner today to receive from the Word of the LORD through the Holy Spirit's provision, Amen!!!
As we finish off Zechariah chapter 1:18-21 we are introduced to what I believe are two different visions. Some scholars lump them together, and they do share a purpose in a certain sense, but I think they are given at two separate moments! The first vision revealing the 4 horns which shall scatter Israel, Judah, and Jerusalem. These "horns" are shown to be world kingdoms in connection with the prophecy of Daniel chapter 7:2-12. Also, as revealed in the statue of Nebuchadnezzar in chapter 2, these kingdoms (horns) are Babylon, the Medo-Persian Kingdom, Greece, and Rome. Their purpose is to scatter God's people! Then, in verses 20-21, we have Craftsmen revealed which will ultimately build the people back up! Needless to say, this is going to be an interesting day, for three of the Craftsmen happen to also be horns! But the 4th Craftsman that is to come is insanely exciting for He shall be our LORD in the establishment of His kingdom! After this we briefly jump into chapter 2 for a summary overview, but we shall dig in deeper tomorrow. As for today, hang on tight and let's dig in!!!
Some very exciting conversations are going to happen today in Zechariah 1:7-17 as we meet the angel who brings Zechariah the first of 10 vision through this night on the 24th day of the 11th month! He sees a rider on a red horse that is revealed to be the Angel of the LORD (same as He who was revealed in Revelation chapter 10, I believe) and a conversation between Him, and the LORD of Hosts (revealed yesterday as being Yahweh, the Father). Their discussion deals with the reports brought in by the horses that went out upon the whole of the earth (those red, speckled [sorrel], and white). We see the allowance from the LORD for the people to once more return to the land God had promised them as the fulfillment of the 70 years has come to completion (during the time of Jeremiah's prophecy because the people didn't honor the LORD and the Sabbath year [7th year rest to the land] God brought Babylon in and made Jerusalem, Judah, and Israel a desolation for 10 sabbaths, or 70 years!) He now will make His name great among the nations through His people once more by bringing them back into their land and re-establishing them, the Temple, and His blessing for their prosperity once more! Lots of great things being revealed that haven't happened quite yet in their day, nor have they come to a fullness yet in our modern time, but are the promises of God to come and which shall be fulfilled in their established times!!! This and so much more today with Pastor J, so hold on tight and let's dig in!!!
"Your fathers, where are they? And the Prophets, do they live forever?" Zec 1:5. This is a very powerful indictment the Word of God opens with in this introduction to the book of Zechariah today. As we begin the first section (from verse 1 to verse 6) today we first glean from a book introduction which will shed a great amount of light to the times and events which are taking place during the life of Zechariah so we can better understand the present day, and future prophecies which shall be shared by him! Aside from Daniel and Ezekiel, the book of Zechariah is a very apocalyptic book (meaning, it has a great deal of connection to those Revelation events of the end-times). There is much to be received today with Pastor J if you would have ears to hear, eyes to see, and a heart to receive understanding today. May God bless you richly and have a great Monday!
What do we consider to be that great and dreadful day of the coming of the LORD? Today in Malachi chapter 4:1-6 we journey through the Bible discovering the connected prophecies revealing that day, and we see it in two lights! The first is that 2nd coming of the LORD, when on white horse He returns to the earth (revealed in Revelation chapter 19) and crushes those who have surrounded God's chosen to destroy them! At this point our LORD shall rule the earth for 1,000 years and establish His kingdom of righteousness! But there was another great and terrible day of the LORD's appearing, and that was the time of His birth! That upon His entrance into the world that would despise and reject Him; that would treat Him with such contempt that would ultimately lead to them trying to kill Him, We find that His return will indeed be dreadful for they will no longer have excuse before God as He has committed all judgment unto the Son whom they spitefully used and abused!!! Hold on tight as we travel the Scriptures today with Pastor J and may God bless you richly by His Word!!!
Today in Malachi 3:16-18 we discuss the concept of the Prodigal Son parable from Jesus in light of those the LORD would catalogue as His from the book of remembrance from those who remain in rebellion against Him (which shall be judged from those things written in the books). Also, we take a deep-dive look at this book of remembrance by traveling through Scripture from the book of Psalms to the book of Revelation discovering the nature of this book that is before the LORD and the recognition of the children whose names are written therein! Lots of great information to receive today in so few verses!!! May God richly bless you.
In today's session of Malachi 3:6-15 we discover two more ways the people have offended God (and recognize these also are the ways we offend God today)! The First was robbing God. They did so in withholding their tithes and offerings. During their time the Temple (and those called by God to serve it) suffered, just as we see our churches today. The second way the people offended God was found in their attitudes toward God's work, His house, and ultimately His person! That we would consider those among the wicked to be more blessed simply because of the amount of "things" they seem to possess, not recognizing their souls are in danger of eternal peril! That they would mock God and "put Him to the test" and not even be challenged! This and so much more to be covered today by Pastor J!!!
Today we are blessed with another opportunity to understand how we drive our LORD crazy! Beginning in Malachi 2:17 we discuss the two ways we weary the LORD by our words (which really happen to be our thoughts, for sometimes we may not say these things, but we sure are thinking them)! First, we announce evil to not only be considered good, but we also falsely apply God's blessing to them (daring enough to say God is delighted in them). The next way is how we accuse God of not being there for us when tragedy strikes. To say, "Where is the God of judgment?" Of course, when we call evil good we can expect evil things to happen, but this isn't God's fault for we have brought this evil upon ourselves! Then we move into Malachi 3:1-5 and are introduced to the 2 messengers; the one who prepares the way for the LORD (John the Baptist), and the Very Messenger of the Covenant (our LORD Jesus Christ). There is so much to be received today from God's Word with Pastor J, and may God bless you richly for tuning in!!!
Today in Malachi 2:10-16 we add to the discussion of the priesthood by including Judah. Keep in mind that Judah is referred to, in this instance, as being the whole tribe, and specifically dealing with Jerusalem and the "institution" that God loves. As this people have brought their profane sacrifices to God's house and the priesthood has accepted those sacrifices as being "OK" with the Lord God has vowed that He will "cut off" anyone who continues to profane His house and offer such sacrifices. Also we find Judah "cheating" on God and committing adultery with the daughters of other gods! The "daughters" used in this case are the other institutions of worship the Jews had begun to worship in concerning the gods of the nations around them. Lots to be received today with Pastor J!!!
Today we begin a new adventure through the book of Malachi and the very first statement God makes to His children is, "I have loved you." We discover though, the heart of the people have a blazing question they will not ask, and that is, "In what way have you loved us?" God reveals the initial answer today in a revelation between Jacob and Esau. Alongside understanding the issues behind Israel's question we shall learn what the term, Malachi, means as well as the word "burden" and "hated". All very important things to receive today as we begin our decent into God's heart for His people (for us today)!!!
Today, as we finish the Gospel of John 21:20-25, we get an opportunity to learn a bit more about Peter's personality and how easily he can be double minded about his service to the Lord! We also get an opportunity to gaze into our own hearts and see those things which may draw us away from serving Jesus unto serving our flesh and the passions/desires of it! As Peter was waiting for the Lord he saw a boat that was in the lake. It didn't take him very long to end up in that boat, with the other disciples who were fishermen, to be out fishing all night long (and back into their old ways and lives as fishermen). This was the whole point behind the questioning of Peter by Jesus concerning if Peter truly loved the Lord. The multitude of the disciples looked up to Peter and followed after his example, rather good or bad! Also, we receive a beautiful teaching of the Lord that tells us to pay attention to our own relationship to Him instead of judging ourselves based on others' relationship to Him! To stay focused on the Lord and not get carried away by those types of John we know who have a close and intimate relationship with the Lord! As we finish this Gospel there is so much to receive and so little time to receive it that we pray God's richest blessings be upon you today as you hang out with Pastor J!!!
In today's session of John 21:1-19 we first come across the disciples waiting for Jesus by the sea of Tiberius. As they had been waiting a while for Jesus and no doubt had become bored Peter saw a fishing boat and it was time to go fishing to fill in the time! As they engaged all night in the fishing expedition and caught nothing, the next morning Jesus came along the sea shore and told them to cast on the right side. As they caught enough fish to break the net, John recognized His Lord and Peter got dressed and dove into the water to get to Jesus! From these events we glean the joy the disciples were filled with in waiting for Jesus to arrive, but we also see just how easy it is for us to get back into those things we once were even though we've been called by Jesus unto another purpose with, and in our lives. This is the case with Peter as he hopped back into the fishing mode! Jesus pulls him aside and asks him a similar question 3 times. "Do you love me?" This also is a question we must answer before the Lord. We all have hobbies; we all have careers/jobs which occupy fair amounts of our time, energy, and life; we all have passions we enjoy and things that we tend to think on and desire. All these things can potentially get in the way of what we have been called to do by Jesus. If our hearts aren't focused on Him we can easily be drawn away! This is why Jesus singled out Peter. Peter was an unofficial leader of the "pack" and it would be his responsibility to keep the rest on the straight and narrow way! This and more we shall receive today with Pastor J!
Today, at the end of John 19:24-31, we dive into the conversation that was held between Thomas and Jesus. As revealed in the text, Jesus had gathered with the others 8 days before (on the first day of the week) but Thomas was not among them then. This time, as the doors were closed and secured, and the disciples were gathered together (which is where the pattern of the church's gathering on Sundays instead of Saturdays begins at this point) and were discussing Jesus there He stands in the midst of them. We see Jesus immediately engage in conversation with Thomas by showing the nail holes and His side which was pierced. He invited Thomas to stick his fingers in the holes and his hand in Jesus' side! The only comment Thomas could make was, "My Lord and my God!" At this Jesus spoke of us today when He said, "Blessed are those who have not seen, yet they believe!" There is so much more that is covered today with Pastor J so dive into the riches of the Lord and rejoice in His presence, Amen!
Today in John chapter 19:19-23 we spend our time discussing what it meant for Jesus to meet with His disciples on the first day of the week (certainly one reason is that day was the day of His resurrection). Next we begin to see the first day of the week begin as a pattern for the early church's gatherings (though many still attended their synagogues the day before in purpose to evangelize). We discover the abilities Jesus now has, that He does not need to knock on the door or climb through the window to be in the room, He is simply in the room with them! We receive the "great commission" given to us today (as is also revealed in Matthew 28; Mark 16, and Luke 22) and we understand this was not a suggestion for the few, but a command for the whole of God's children. Lastly we see the giving of the Holy Spirit take place in the same manner as man was brought to life at the beginning. Jesus breathed on them! Thus, we find the disciples filled with the Holy Spirit 40+ days before the Pentecost event of Acts chapter 2! Lots to be discovered today with Pastor J!!!!
Today in John 20:1-23 we cover the events of Jesus' resurrection from the perspective of John. Keeping in mind there is the need to connect all 4 Gospels together to get a clearer picture of all the things that are happening during this time, This place in John first shows Mary Magdalene coming to the tomb. Upon discovery of the disturbance of the stone she reports back to Peter and John. All three take off back to the tomb to investigate! John believes after looking in and seeing the face cloth folded neatly and placed separate from the rest of the trappings! But neither Peter or John had seen, or spoken with Jesus. After they departed, Mary was still there and she encountered the two angels, but most importantly she encountered Jesus! There is much to be covered today with Pastor J, so hold on tight and let's dive in!!!
Today, finishing off John chapter 19:33-42, We come to the fulfilled prophecies of Psalm 22 as concerning the fact that not one of Jesus' bones were broken. The criminals on either side of Jesus were not so lucky though as their legs were crushed and they were drug off to die in an equally horrible manner! We also get to see 2 of the Pharisees, Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus, claim the body of Jesus for the proper burial of their Lord (as they were secret disciples of Jesus and His teaching!) Lots of amazing things for us to receive today from God's Word!!!
today as we get into John chapter 19:1-15 and get past the initial meetings between Pilate, the Chief priests and those who accompanied them to Pilate's house, and Jesus, we find Pilate administering a flogging upon Jesus and measures of disgracing Him, such as the crown of thorns and the purple robe that would be draped upon His torn flesh! We find a certain fear come into the heart of Pilate once Jesus was revealed to be a potential demi-god, and ultimately Pilate will have his hands tied when the Jews challenge his loyalty to his emperor! All this and more revealed today with Pastor J!
As we continue into the trial of Jesus today we are brought before Pilate for a deal to be struck between the court of the Jews and Pilate for the purpose of killing Jesus! As revealed yesterday, the Sanhedrin brought Jesus before Pilate because they said He was "evil" and that was supposed to be enough accusation for Rome to execute Jesus! Today, the first question out of the Governor's mouth was, "Are you the king of the Jews?" Certainly this would have been enough to be able to accomplish what the Jews wanted and for Pilate to be done with all this mess! Through their conversation though the Governor discover he doesn't have enough evidence personally to be able to do anything in truth so he tells the Sanhedrin he could find no fault with Jesus! Doesn't matter the the religious leadership of the Jews though, for we know from the other Gospels they bring in false witnesses and proclaim Caesar as their rightful king! They simply want Jesus dead!!! All this and more today with Pastor J.
Today in John chapter 18 we enter the palace of the High Priest and we begin the inquisition of our Lord Jesus Christ! We shall cover verses 11-32 and see the denial of Jesus from Peter; the questioning of Jesus by Annas; The delivery of Jesus to Caiaphas, who would then deliver Jesus to Pilate; and the fact that Pilate didn't have any other charges brought against Jesus than, "He is a big meanie, and EVIL!!!!!!" There is much to get through today with Pastor J so hold on tight:-)
Today in John chapter 18 we come before the arrest of our LORD by the soldiers. This is a very powerful moment for so many reasons, but the best of them all is in the three simple words Jesus spoke that would cause all who were around Him in that moment to fall before Him! Jesus said, "I Am He." No one could, at that moment, stand in the presence of the Almighty and had to fall to the ground!!! This and so much more today with Pastor J (such as, the expertise of a fisherman with the use of a sword)!!!
As we finish the prayer of our Lord Jesus in John chapter 17 we learn of the intimacy of Jesus' heart, not just for those disciples who began to follow Him during the time of His earthly ministry, but also for you and me with all the generation we have an ability to impact with the Gospel! We hear the multitude of times Jesus referenced the Father's name through His prayer and come to understand that this is not vain repetition, but a continual remembrance to whom He (as well as we) are talking to! There is much to be received through this 2nd half of this blessed prayer and may God richly bless you in receiving it today with Pastor J!
Welcome to John chapter 17 and the Lord's Prayer. Unlike the training the disciples received in Matthew 6:9-11, when they asked Jesus, "Teach us to pray..." here in John 17 we get a taste of the relationship between Father and Son as Jesus breaks out into prayer with His disciples in the upper room! There is so much to be received from this chapter that there isn't enough time in all of eternity to mine it out!!! So, welcome to the Corner today and May Jesus' prayer bless your soul above and beyond measure, Amen!!!
Today in John 16:16-24 we are introduced to Jesus' teaching concerning His death and resurrection which completely throws His disciples off because they don't understand what's about to happen. We can't be too hard on them though, for we certainly would be in the same "boat" with them if we were in their scenario! Jesus reveals the sorrow we may currently carry in our hearts due to the momentary separation we face in our loved ones passing, and going on before us, but that our sorrow will be changed into a joy no one can take from us in the future Jesus called, "that day"!!! May God bless you richly as you consider the things shared on the Corner today with Pastor J.
Today as we get into John chapter 16:1-15 we receive powerful teachings from Jesus concerning the persecution that was to come upon the disciples in their day as well as the reality of persecutions which may come upon us today. The world still hates the Gospel and the things and people of God just as much today as was back in the times of the disciples! Also, We receive from Jesus a great explanation of the work of the Holy Spirit in this world, which is to convict this world of sin, righteousness, and judgment! This is the work which will be done through us by the Holy Spirit into this world (and now you can understand why Christianity is not so popular in the world today). Lastly we understand another purpose of the "Helper" is to instruct us in God's Word as we are able to understand it! This and so much more today with Pastor J, so have a great Friday, a great weekend, and may God richly bless you as you receive from Him!!!
Today we finish John chapter 15:18-27. There are several truths Jesus gives today from His teachings. The fact the world is not going to respond well to His Word and will seek to harm us and hate us for being a part of Christ and separated from the world! The fact that we have been filled with the Spirit of truth, who is our helper, to guide us in sharing our faith in every opportunity we get to do so! The reality that through Jesus' teachings, and because of His many miracles performed, the world is without excuse to not believe in and follow Him/God. This and so much more shall be shared today through Pastor J, so hang on tight!!!
Today as we dig into John 15:7-17 we discover the very commandment of Jesus given to His disciples (to us today who follow Him), "Love one another as I have loved you! We shall discover this word love has connection to the word "abide" and the word "friends" which are used in our section of Scripture today! May God bless us richly for receiving His teachings today and may we take what we receive and carry it out to the world so they may know!!!
Today in John chapter 15:1-17 we only get through the first 6 verses! There are three principal people revealed in this beginning, the Vine (who is Jesus), the branches (who are us), and the Vine-dresser (who is the Father in heaven). We discover a distinction between two different people groups, those who abide in the vine, and those who do not abide in the vine! For those who DO abide: they will either produce fruit and be pruned or they will have no fruit and be taken away! For those who DO NOT abide, they are cut off and burned in a furnace!!! This is a very important teaching our Lord gives to us today with Pastor J, so hold on tight and let's get to it!
As we finish off our time together in John chapter 14:15-31 we are introduced in depth to our "Helper" who shall come and help us to be able to understand the will of our Father! This helper is revealed to be the Holy Spirit who will give us the ability to "keep" Jesus' commandments! This word keep is a word meaning to observe (in this case) and the Holy Spirit, also called the Spirit of truth, will guide us to the will of our Father through the Word of God, increasing our love for Jesus everyday! This is a very exciting place in Scripture to be today with Pastor J!!!
Today in John 14:6-14 we get into to separate conversations of questions asked of Jesus and His answers! First, Thomas tells Jesus he has no idea what Jesus is talking about concerning where Jesus is going or how to get there, and this brings up the iconic statement of Jesus in verse 6, "I am the way, the truth, and the life; no man comes to the Father except through me." The next indictment of Jesus is to Philip! This being the same Philip who met the Ethiopian Eunuch in the desert. He asked Jesus to give them a glimpse of the Father and this prompted Jesus to challenge the whole last three years of the disciples' belief in God and in Jesus, as He said, "If you've seen me you have seen the Father." This and more today as we get further into chapter 14 with Pastor J!!!
Today in John 14:1-6 we receive some of the most comforting Scriptures taught by Jesus for such times as these we are living in! We shall discuss the nature of the heart, and the fact the heart is the very place of the intellect within us; where thoughts are generated and feelings are born! Also, we shall talk about the word "troubled" and discover how Satan has caused a great deal of "trouble" within his kingdom simply because that's all he knows how to do! Lastly, we look to our faith in Jesus, as to if we are being true and our faith is genuine and real in the face of current events, or if we have a form of godliness but are looking to find comfort in all the news agencies and economic reports more than in the Word of God!!! Lots to get into today with Pastor J!!!
Some great teachings we receive from Jesus today in John 13:31-38! First, we come to understand this word, "glorified" and how this word applies, not just to Jesus in these teachings but also to us as we live for Jesus today! Next, we learn the word used for love in verses 34 and 35. The word, "love" in English is rather ambiguous because we use it for so many different things that do not hold the same value to our hearts; for instance, we LOVE our cars, our spouses, hot dogs, and sports! Certainly not all to the same degree, and certainly not in the same manner, but we use the same word! Lastly, we shall find Jesus putting Peter back in line once more as Peter doesn't understand where Jesus is going yet nor why he can't follow Jesus in the next leg of His journey at this moment! This and so much more today with Pastor J!!!
Today in John 13:13-30 we meet the deceiver and betrayer of Jesus, that Judas who was given 30 pieces of silver to turn in Jesus to Sanhedrin authorities! We discover the need for Satan to get into him because he lacked the courage to do what needed to be done, even though he'd already been paid to do the deed! We shall see the "disciple whom Jesus loved" (John) ask about who should betray Jesus, and Jesus not only tells him, but also shows him by the giving of the morsel of bread to Judas! Still, the disciples didn't get it!!! Also, we recap that beautiful teaching gave concerning the care we should be rendering one to another and the fact that as you receive a child of God, you receive Jesus; and as you receive Jesus, you receive the Father who sent Him!!! Lots of great things to feast upon today with Pastor J, ENJOY!!!
Today in John 13 we enter into the upper room banquet that has been prepared for Jesus and His disciples! As we look into the first section, verses 1-17, we find familiar stories we've heard before, but perhaps we shall see them with new eyes! There is much to be revealed by Jesus at this table and much that is to be understood about the "meal" they are partaking in. Also, when Jesus puts on the apron and begins the "servant's" task of washing the disciples' feet, there is a great conversation that happens between our LORD and Peter that we need to receive into our hearts today! May God bless you this day with His Word in your heart as it is received in Jesus' precious and holy Name, Amen!!!
Today in John 12:36-50 we receive one of the greatest, and most painful indictments against man revealed in verse 43, "For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God." Such a harsh truth that is revealed about those who were supposed to be closest to God due to their vocation! As Romans 1:21 the Scripture says, "Because that, when they KNEW God, they glorified Him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened." Such a frightening reality comes over us today in these sections of John 12 because of the related prophecies John revealed in connection with the disbelief of the people, such as Isaiah 53:1, "Who has believed our report and to who is the arm of the LORD revealed?", and Isaiah 42:19-20! There is much today we must come to face in our own hearts and I would urge you not to hastily pass by this without consideration, for the end of our chapter today reveals the reality of the judgment we shall face, and the Judge who shall meet out that justice is Jesus, the Word signifying His authority! You may want to get prepared to meet Him, and Soon! God bless
Today in John 12:20-35 we first get an opportunity to see the battle within Jesus as He contends with His soul over the very task His Father sent Him to accomplish! Next, we learn a valuable truth in Kingdom growth as concerning seeds of grain. If they are never planted for the purpose to die, they shall never truly live to accomplish their intended purpose! If they are planted, each grain is capable of bringing forth a multitude of new seeds just like it! If they are never planted then they shall never become more than what they are, and what they currently are will never change! This is a physical reality that testifies to a spiritual truth that is so powerful if it is heard, seen, and understood by the reader! Finally, we end up our day with Jesus revealing how we miss these moments of learning from Jesus and connecting with Him. As we become "overtaken" by the darkness of this world we can easily loose sight of the light Jesus gives through His Word to help us make i through this present evil world! We must be a people vigilant to keep our hearts settled in Christ by the receiving of His Word so we may be His light to others who may well be "OVERTAKEN"!!!
Today in John 12:9-19 we first meet a large crowd that gathers at Lazarus' house because they heard Jesus was there and they were curious to not only see Jesus, but also to see Lazarus again (not that they couldn't have visited before now, but that shows us how fleeting things can be in the minds of those not focused on God). Also, we encounter those "chief priests" once more in their designs to destroy Jesus! Not only Jesus now though, for they plot to kill Lazarus also because his testimony is too convincing in the authority of Jesus over death, so they have to kill him to silence him (which wouldn't work well in their favor at this point for Jesus would just raise him back up again!). We end our session today with that large crowd casting palm branches down along the path as Jesus enters the Eastern gate of Jerusalem while shouting, "Hosanna!" This is a powerful Hebraic phrase meaning, "Save Us Now!!!" It would have been nice for the people to have believed in what they were shouting, but soon we shall discover this to be the same crowd that will be shouting, "Crucify Him!!!" This and much, much more today with Pastor J.
Welcome to John chapter 12:1-8 as we prepare our hearts for the triumphal entrance of "Melek ha-Olam" the King of the Universe! There are 6 days left to Jesus' life on earth and each shall be filled with tensions, animosities, trials and testing (mostly from His own disciples). In this section we cover today Jesus has returned to the "Devil's Den" being so close as 2 mile from Jerusalem and the council that has decided it was time for Him to die! With spies all around Him, He must carry on His mission for the Father until the appointed time (which has not yet come)!! Within this section we see Jesus return to Lazarus' house and a great dinner is prepared for Him. Of course Lazarus is reclined at the table with Jesus, but Mary...! Martha can be found where Martha always is, but how dare Mary be at the feet of Jesus! Shouldn't she be with her sister serving those guests who have gathered in number to see Jesus? And, why would Mary be so foolish as to waist any of that precious dowry upon Jesus' feet? If she was so keen to give away any possibility of hope in marriage, she easily could have sold the ointment and given it to the "poor". Why place it upon Jesus' feet, and why aren't you serving with Martha? These questions are to be addressed this day with Pastor J, and you better hold on tight for you shall be in the very presence of your KING!
Today in John 11:45-57 we finish off the chapter by watching the Sanhedrin Council come together to make the final decision of Jesus' death! Now, we know the Jews cannot kill Jesus for this is not a power granted them from Rome, but they do seek His arrest so they can bring their charges before Rome and pass Him over to execution! The reasoning we find at the beginning of their deliberations is pathetic, for they feared loosing their status among the people of Israel as well as the Romans! Secondly, they were afraid Jesus' actions would cause Rome to eliminate the nation of Israel and their "way of life." Such an amazing section of Scriptures to consider today with Pastor J!!! Seems like a lot of the same politics of our modern times eh!
As we dive into the conversations with Mary and Lazarus today in John 11:28-44 we shall find that not all conversation require words! As Mary was lied to by Martha in saying Jesus wanted to speak with her, we find at Mary's arrival to where Jesus was she simply fell to His feet seeking the old and familiar comfort she had always received in the presence of Jesus. Even though she said the same thing her sister Martha said, "If you would have been here, my brother would not have died." Mary's tone wasn't the same as Martha. The broken heart of Mary wept for Jesus as much as for herself knowing how much Jesus loved Him. From that conversation which was simply shared in tears, the next conversation was with Lazarus, which involved a very simple command, "Arise!" This, and so much more is revealed today with Pastor J, so hang on tight!!!
One of the most powerful conversations in the Bible happens today as we get into John 11:17-27! Aside from the whole conversation, one of the most important points to life is brought out by Jesus in the challenge to the way Martha was thinking during this time together with her LORD, and that point is, "...Do you believe?" After going through this conversation with me in detail today I would ask the same from you, Do you truly believe? I shall write no more and simply say this section of Scripture is so very powerful for those who do believe for the promise they give and the hope that springs eternal!!!
Today in John 11:1-16 we cover the initial conversation Jesus has with His disciples concerning Lazarus, who had been ill and would ultimately die before Jesus got to him! As Jesus spoke to them concerning him being "asleep", he was referencing to the fact that a child of God can never die, but that our bodies of corruption are returned to the corruption of earth, our spirits being ushered into the throne room of God (in like manner to the way the angels carried Lazarus into Abraham's bosom in Luke 16). Again we discover the lack of understanding of Jesus' disciples and receive powerful instruction concerning seeing the light, and walking in the light of day ever mindful of the reality of the darkness which always surrounds us! This and much more shall be shared today with Pastor J!!!
This is a very exciting place to be in Scriptures today as we consider Jesus' teachings in John 10:17-41. At the first He reveals the authority He has over death in verses 17 and 18 when He states, "I have the authority to lay down my life and I have the authority to raise back up..." There is nothing more thrilling to a believer than to hear this reality spoken by Jesus, for as we have placed our faith in Him we shall not be disappointed at all but shall be raised in like manner to the way He raised Himself, AMEN! From this point Jesus taught the reason why some folks just don't seem to understand salvation. It's because they aren't listening to Him! Hearts have grown cold and have become so distant from God, though He were standing right next to you trying to reach out to you your heart simply doesn't respond! To understand that Jesus and the Father are one, and to be secured in the Father's hand from being secured in the Son's hand; This is such a precious reality! Lastly, we find the people ready to stone Jesus again, or at least take Him into custody, as they claim He claims Himself to be something no man could be (in their estimation, of course!). Such amazing things which could be received today if you've got eyes to see and ears to hear!!!
Today in John chapter 10 we discover the connection between Jesus and the Holy Spirit; how they work together, and how they are one! As Jesus begins His teaching on being the door we discover there is no other way unto the Father than through the Son. We also have an opportunity to see the protection and provision of God through Jesus being our Door into the fold! Next we see Jesus, the good Shepherd in comparison to so many others who have led sheep astray and left them to be consumed by the wolf as they see him approaching! Thank God Jesus is the one who goes before us and guides/protects us from such a ravening predator. Some really great things to receive from God's Word today with Pastor J, so dig in!!!
As we continue in John 9:10-41, we deal with 3 conversations. The first conversation happens between the former blind man and his neighbors in his community. All in the community were amazed at this great miracle to the point where some believed, and others thought there must have been a twin or some other kind of mischief going on! When asked how he was healed the former blind man said, "A man called Jesus..." At the very mention of Jesus' name the Pharisees were called in because it was understood that if you were to even mention His name you would be in danger of being excommunicated from the faith! The second conversation deals with the inquisition of the Pharisees against our former blind man which led to them being so furious with the blind man they cursed him and excommunicated him from the synagogue (and the faith according to their beliefs). The third, and final conversation happened between Jesus and the former blind man! In this conversation the fullness of the former blind man's healing becomes understood and his faith is placed squarely in Jesus as he testifies, "Lord, I believe!" Praise God for the blessing of these 3 conversations and the testimony of salvation from the former blind man!!!
Today in John chapter 9:1-9 we come across a man who was born blind. We will hear from Jesus' disciples the same thing we hear from the pharisees, "Who is guilty of sin that this man was born blind?" What a shame exists in these words spoken, for they reveal the ignorance and prejudice of, not only the Pharisees but also of those who were close to Jesus! This is a very exciting place to be in Scripture and I will say no more for the purpose of what shall be taught! Enjoy this message today with Pastor J!!!
Today we finish off chapter 8 in the Gospel of John and are met with a couple of hard, but simple truths revealed by Jesus which were not understood, nor received by the Jews He was speaking to, and possibly by those hearing today. For instance, Jesus taught that if we "Keep" His word we would never taste of death. The Jews couldn't grasp this because they firmly believed Abraham and the prophets were dead. What they did not understand was the fact that the Spirit of man is eternal and will either be eternally living with the Father (because of the work of the Son), or will be eternally separated from God (because of the rejection of Jesus). Another hang up they had was when Jesus told them "Abraham rejoiced to see my day, and in fact did see me." They completely flipped their lids on this one being as Jesus was in His thirties! Yet, they did not realize Abraham's understanding of the gift of Isaac, and they could not comprehend that this was all because of Jesus in the first place as He said, "Before Abraham was, I am." This and much, much more today with Pastor J!!!
Today in John chapter 8:31-38 we receive a beautiful, relational teaching from Jesus teaching us about the freedom we can have from our slavery to sin and bondage to this world and the things in it through Christ! He said, "You shall know the truth, and the truth shall MAKE you free." This comes from the position of being a disciple of Jesus and continuing in His Word, as was promised in John 16 when Jesus said, "When the Spirit of truth comes He will reveal all things to you (as you are able to bear it). Now, the Jews He is speaking with today are not going to receive His teaching very well for they do not have a connectional relationship in the Father, nor the Son. What is vital for us today is to consider (in our hearts) how we respond to this teaching as concerning our personal relationship with God. Also, we take a glimpse at verses 39 to 47, but we will get into that detail tomorrow! May God bless you richly today as you connect with Him and Pastor J!
Today in John chapter 8:13-30 there are many things to receive from God's Word! First, that Jesus is the light of the world and there is absolutely no need for any to remain in the darkness of ignorance anymore because God has given us His Word and revealed His redemptive plan through the Messiah who has come, and is coming again, our LORD Jesus. Next we receive the blessing of Jesus' revelation of the connection between He and the Father. Lastly we receive understanding of the reason why the religious leadership couldn't acknowledge Jesus for who He is, it is because they do not know the Father (who they claim to serve, follow, and love!!!). All this and more today with Pastor J.
As we finish off John chapter 7 and enter into John 8 we come across the details of a woman who was captured by the pharisees and scribes. She happened to be in the "very act" of adultery at the time and she was drug into the temple and before Jesus as He was teaching a large crowd of people. In their efforts to try and snare Jesus because of breaking the law to set this woman free, Jesus ended up busting these guys' party by on simple statement! Tune in to find out the rest of the story and have a blessed weekend!
Today in John 7:25-36 we shall find Jesus in a pickle again! The religious elite are upset with Him once more because of His comfortable claim of being from heaven and being sent from God, who He calls His Father! The neat thing we get from today is the reaction of the people. That many of them respond to all the "stories" that are going on about Jesus and, as we shall see today, the come to believe in Jesus because no one else ever has, nor in their estimation ever could do those miracles which Jesus has done and they not be the Messiah! Many came to believe in Him, which caused even more fervor from the religious elite to have Jesus killed! We know that this simply cannot happen till God has completed His work through Jesus on the earth, then for Jesus to accomplish just one more thing!!! All this and more today with Pastor J, so don't miss this one eh!!!
In today's lesson from John 7:15-24 Jesus seeks an answer to the title question, "Why do you seek to kill Me? Indeed, if these Jews He was dealing with had truly been followers of Moses, and obedient to the law, then they certainly wouldn't be out to kill anyone! Also, we receive a lesson in judgment which will cause some folks' heads to explode, for often in our society we are warned of bringing the Bible into discussions of morality or ethics and we are chastised as being a people who are too "judgmental", and at that by our own Christian community above all others! There is so much to receive today with Pastor J on a Monday!!!
Today in John chapter 7 we are introduced to the feast of booths, otherwise known as the feast of tabernacles or Sukkot. At the beginning of this chapter we discover that many of Jesus' own brethren still do not believe (fully) in Him and through them a challenge of temptation is brought against Jesus to reveal Himself at the feast and let the whole world know who He is. Next we find the people in the temple marveling at Jesus' understanding of the Torah because of His doctrine. The people have the idea Jesus is stupid because He does not have the pedigree of having a Rabbi or have been taught in the temple! Some interesting things we are able to discover today with Pastor J!!!
One of the greatest questions Jesus ever asked of His disciples found in John chapter 6 today! We finish off the chapter with this nightmare of a question. This is not the easiest question to answer though, especially coming from the Son of God who knows what you're thinking even when you're not talking! Peter has a great answer to Jesus' inquiry as to if they will depart from Him as many of the other disciples did and we need to consider if his response is true of our own hearts today! All this and much, much more this day with Pastor J!!!
Today in John chapter 6:43-59 we shall find Jesus in the synagogue teaching the difference between that literal bread that God gave to the Israelis of old, and that spiritual bread that stands before them in this moment! As we discuss the concepts of trans-substantiation and the teaching of the conversion of the earthly elements of bread and wine into the literal body and blood of Jesus, because of this teaching in John 6, by the Catholic church, we shall discover the error of this teaching as we look into the woman at the well in John 4 and consider how Jesus uses physical things to reveal spiritual truths. Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word which proceeds from the Father, and many other quotes from God's Word concerning the spiritual nature of this Word being our subsistence! This and much more today with Pastor J!!!
Today in John chapter 6:35-42 we receive a most precious promise from Jesus, which happens to be the will of God, that is the guarantee of our Salvation! Also, we discover that we must COME to God and BELIEVE in Jesus! Not to mention Jesus reveals there are many who have already come to Him, not because they have been drawn to Him by the Father, but because Jesus had physically provided for their material need at the moment and they want more! All the more proof that true believers are drawn to Jesus by the Father through the Spirit unto salvation and not because of a personal decision! Nevertheless, this and much more shall be shared today with Pastor J, so hold on tight!
Today in John chapter 6 we continue the conversation of those who were waiting for Jesus to return so they could make him their king! They saw the disciples get in a boat and leave, but they didn't see Jesus take off walking across the water! As they catch up to Jesus on the other side, they question Him as to why He left them only to discover Jesus rebukes them at the point that it wasn't the miracle of their feeding, but the fact they were fed, that they were following Him. This, and so much more to be revealed today with Pastor J, so tune in!!!
Today in John chapter 6 we discuss the feeding of the 5,000 and the time of Jesus walking on the water! In our time together we shall see the omniscience of Jesus understanding the hearts of His disciples in the test of if they have enough to feed the 5,000 as well as the knowledge Jesus has about the forced intentions of the men who recognized the miracle that just took place and said, "surely this is the prophet that is to come..." From Jesus' retreat into the wilderness the disciples board their ship to go to the other side of the sea of Galilee and in the middle they see Jesus walking on the water towards them which reveals His authority over all the creation He made in the beginning! From that moment He was invited into the ship the whole crew was "immediately" at their destination (yet another miracle performed by Jesus). So many things to cover and so many miracles performed by our LORD that this should be an action packed Friday for certain!
Today we finish off John chapter 5 by enjoying the challenge Jesus gives to those who do not/will not believe in Him! We receive knowledge of the witness that is greater than John, for He is not man but the Holy Spirit of God! Jesus also challenges us concerning the whole testimony of the Bible in that He reveals the fact Moses often spoke of Him! Lots to be received today as the LORD may provide! God bless
Today in John chapter 5 we cover verses 19-29. In this section we discover Jesus as being given the position of Judge, which was bestowed upon Him by His Father! This is a subject that seems to be rarely spoken of in churches today for it seems the churches have become afraid of revealing the truth of who Jesus really is and tend to be masking Him in the darkness of what they want Him to be! Nevertheless, here on the Corner, we shall reveal Biblical truth today, and so we shall introduce you to the Judge! Tied to this section of Scripture today will be John 12:44-50; Revelation 20:11-15; Ephesians 2:1-10; 1 Peter 4:12-18; and 2 Peter 1:16-21!
Today in John chapter 5 we have an eye opening experience in what has been left out of many of the modern translations concerning verse number 4, and how that important information makes the difference in the reasoning why the lame man was at the pool to begin with, and why the troubling of the water was so important to the lame man! It is hard to believe that the modern translations would leave such important things out of the Bible, but they do! Also, we shall discover the Jews' anger toward Jesus reaches new heights after this lame man is healed, for how dare Jesus, to heal a man on the Sabbath day and tell him to get up and carry his matt home! This and so much more today with Pastor J!!!
As we finish of John chapter 4 today Jesus reveals to His disciples that His food is to do the will of His Father, and that alone is a great lesson for us today! Also we make it back up to Galilee and arrive in the city of Cana (where He turned the water into wine) He performed a healing there simply at His spoken word! Lots of great things happening today in God's Word with Pastor J!!!
The very testimony of the saved Samaritan woman we met yesterday in John chapter 4. Today we start off in verse 16 with Jesus telling her to go and get her husband (which He knew wasn't her husband). Upon her admission that she wasn't married Jesus agrees with her and reveals to her her whole relationship life! Understanding Jesus to be a prophet this woman sought to divert attention from herself to seeking an answer about the true place to worship God only to be straightened out once more by Jesus! Once He reveals to her He is the Messiah she takes off to tell her whole town!!! Perhaps it is time we take off and go tell those around us in like manner eh!
Today we come to the introduction of the woman at the well in John chapter 4. There are several things we can receive from this interaction such as, 1) the fact Jesus was wearied from His travels which reveals the reality of His humanity, 2) there are other ways Jesus could have gone to get back up to Galilee from Judea, but He chose Samaria and chose this well at this hour, 3) that His disciples (who should have been with Him) left Him to go and buy themselves some food. There are many things to glean also from the conversation with Jesus that ultimately end in the need to receive that living water! May God bless you richly as you receive from His Word today!
Today as we dive back into John chapter 3 and finish it off we begin in verse 22 and discover a controversy which was struck up between John's disciples and a Jew over the work Jesus was doing! As it is revealed once more through John that Jesus is the Messiah and John acknowledges he must decrease there seems to be a confusion among the crowd. This is when that great statement made by John, that no one has, or can, receive anything lest it be given to them from God comes into play. There is no possible way those folks, in that moment, could understand what was being said (or what was happening) unless God revealed the truth to them! The same is true for us. If we have figured anything out at all from God's Word it is because God gave His truth to us! and at the last we discover the inseparable nature between belief and obedience as revealed in verse 36! That one may say they believe, but live and practice a life filled with ungodliness as to reveal in their disobedience the reality of their lack of true belief, but in that one who seeks to be obedient and lives a life of genuine repentance for those moments where they are in rebellion, this is one who truly believes and this is one who truly is born again! Lots to be received today, so hang on tight!
Today we have an overview of the first part of John chapter 3 and the conversation between Nicodemus and Jesus concerning the new birth. Then we discover the answer to our title as to why Jesus came! That the world might be saved through Him, as being recognized as the gift of God that provides eternal life to all who believe in Him. Thus, we draw the distinction between those who are condemned, and condemned already, from those who are born again as well as the reasoning behind both. Those who are born again because they have believed, and those condemned because they have rejected! A very exciting place in Scripture from John 3:16-21 today!
Don't be surprised when I tell you, you need to be born again! Looking back to the time I lived before receiving Jesus I can fully understand the confusion that was happening in Nicodemus' mind as he heard this statement from Jesus! The explanation Jesus gives between that which is of the flesh and that which is of the Spirit still baffles the minds of atheist objectors and theologians alike! The concept being one that is very simple, that one must come into the world and be born of the flesh before that same person can become alive, through the new birth granted them by Almighty God by the Spirit! Such things, many would say, are too complicated to be understood and yet they are so simply explained by our Lord! I reckon this is where our hearts do a little walking by faith rather than by sight. This and more today with Pastor J!!!
As we continue our journey through the Gospel of John, in chapter 2 we pick up today with the conversation between Jesus and those who are very upset with Him from running all the critters out of the Temple and, of course, knocking over the money changers' tables and fussing at them for turning His Father's house into a den of thieves and a place for trading! Also, at the end of the chapter, we shall see Jesus not entrusting Himself to many who have begun to "believe" in His name because their belief was in the works of man and not the works of God. Jesus was not interested in the glorifying of this body of death known as the flesh, for He knew what was in man! This and much more today with Pastor J!!!
Today, in John chapter 2, we shall discuss the miracle Jesus performed in turning water into wine. Along with this we shall see Jesus walking into the temple at the preparations of the Passover and see His anger over all the livestock and money changers there that have changed God's house (which is meant to be a holy place where God's people meet with God) into a house of merchandise and a den of thieves! Lots of great things to cover today with Pastor J!!!
Today we receive the testimony of John as he recognizes Jesus as the Lamb of God as well as the Son of God. We also shall begin the journey with Jesus in selecting His disciples and will see that unlike other Rabbis of His day, Jesus "FINDS" His disciples and calls them to "Follow" Him! He is still finding those that are His and calling them to follow Him. Such a thrilling day to be in the Word of God with Pastor J!!!
Today, in John 1:18-28, we ask the same question the Pharisees and Sadducees asked John, "Who are you?" As I say in the video, though there isn't technically such a thing as a stupid question, this one ranks up there with being plain stupid! Most of the people questioning John grew up with him or around him as his father would have been attending to his duties as a priest. certainly many of them would have watched John grow up, and yet they are now asking him who he is!!! Needless to say they were hoping he would go ahead and announce he was Messiah so they could rally behind him and take over the world, making those Gentile dogs become subservient to them for a change. Unfortunately for them, John revealed he was meant to come and reveal the true Messiah. We shall dig into this transaction in Scripture today and will be prepared to meet Jesus tomorrow!!!
In today's session in John 1 we discuss the nature of God's grace revealed through Jesus Christ. We also talk of the grace God extended toward man during the times of the Old Covenant in the sacrifices compared the the complete grace God has given to man in Jesus in His New Covenant! We learn of the differences between the will of the flesh and the will of man, and how the will of the flesh so governs man that he is a slave to sin in his own will and has need of the Holy Spirit to lead him to salvation in order to be saved for of his own will man would never turn to the Lord; his heart is only evil continually from the fall and darkness is what he will choose to escape the light lest the Lord lead him unto Himself! Lots to discover today with Pastor J!!!
Today we are going to discover a Word about the word, Promise!!! This was a horrible attempt at a pun to describe the word, Word as revealed in the Gospel of John chapter 1. As we are all familiar with connecting the word, Word in John 1:1 and 14 to Jesus, today we are going to look at this word from it's Greek perspective as being the Logos and come to the understanding of how this word recognizes God's promise! Just as you would have something important for people to understand so you would tell them, "Please, just TAKE MY WORD FOR IT." this is exactly what God was revealing to us in connection to the whole Bible. His promise is ever binding upon His nature and Jesus is the embodiment of His nature to man (the promise in His fullness). This beautiful nugget, and so much more today with Pastor J!!!
Our session today concludes the Advent narrative of Jesus as we find Him at the age of twelve and in the temple (right where He belonged). We shall connect with the actions of His mother Mary and Joseph as they discover Jesus wasn't with them as they were heading back to Nazareth, and in their panic they returned to search for Jesus. Interestingly, on the THIRD day of seeking for Him they would find Him in the Temple having discussions with the priests and other educators. One of the main points brought up today is in the fact that Jesus did not leave Mary and Joseph; they left Him! Jesus was exactly where He needed to be and was in the right house, for the Temple was His Father's house here on earth!!! We finish our day digging into the 2 questions Jesus would ask Mary: 1) How is it that you were looking for me?, and 2) Don't you understand I must be about my Father's business? This is going to be a very exciting day of having to think about who we are before God and how we act in this world. Enjoy today on the Corner with Pastor J!!!
As we dig into the Advent narrative in Luke chapter 2 we come to verse 39 and this is where our whole day shall be spent! Before the comma in Luke 2:39 there is a great deal more information that we have to glean from Matthew chapter 2. If we were to only read the Gospel of Luke concerning the Advent of Jesus we would miss out on much of the fulfilled prophecy spoken of Jesus and we would never have met the wise men!!! May God bless you as you consider this message today with Pastor J.
In today's session we dive into the prophecies of Simeon and Anna concerning Jesus. We also discuss the importance of the 8th day and how it connects to the Law of God written in Leviticus. We take a look at the comparison of several religions today in connection to the purpose and meaning behind circumcision for males in their infancy (on the eighth day of their birth) and the baptism of infants in those churches that practice it, realizing that even in our most modern of times there are stil many things we draw from in the Old Covenant!!! This and much more today with Pastor J
As we continue in our Advent narrative we come to the introduction of the shepherds who were in the field watching their flocks at night! The first reality we receive is the fact that God came to those who needed Him most. He didn't inform the wealthy class, nor did He invite the religious elite! God came and revealed the birth of our Savior to the lowest class of society during that time! During this Christmas season let us be mindful to thank the LORD for not overlooking those who needed help the most, and to praise Him for coming for us because without Him we would all be in great trouble!!!
In today's session of our on-going Advent narrative we get into Luke chapter 2 and discuss the journey of Joseph and Mary from Nazareth to Bethlehem and the treacherous 70 miles they had to journey for the purpose of a census and taxation that would be conducted by Cyrenius under the order of the Caesar, Augustus! There is much to be discovered, and covered today with Pastor J, so hold on tight and enjoy the journey!!!
In our final session of Luke chapter 1 we look at the prophecy spoken "through" Zechariah today. As verse 67 states he was "filled with the Holy Spirit..." and we recognize that during this time the Holy Spirit was not indwelling believers just yet, we can easily conclude that God is giving us a special glimpse at some future events which shall soon come to pass. There is a great deal of excitement in the air, both during these times in the Bible as well as our days today, leading up to the blessing of Christmas day!!! May God bless you richly this weekend and may you enjoy that which you receive today with Pastor J.
In today's session of our Advent readings we come to the birth of John in Luke 1:57-66. There is a bit of comedy in his birth because of the way the priesthood as well as the community responded to it! Certainly the community and family of Elizabeth were rejoicing with her that her reproach was finally gone and she was able to survive the birthing process and now has a son, but she survived and her son has come into the world! This freaked everybody out!!! That Zechariah couldn't talk didn't mean he couldn't hear (and I can only imagine just how much he was listening to over the last 9 months!!!). instead of simply asking Zechariah what he was going to name his child, they wrote it down as though they figured he couldn't hear!!! There are so many funny things that happen at John's birth, many that apply to us in this modern time, and so we shall try to capture them in this session today with Pastor J so hold on tight!!!
In today's session of the Advent revealed in Luke 1:39 and following, we shall discover the connection between the two children in the wombs of Mary and Elizabeth (and yes, there will be a slight tangent about not killing babies because this section reveals human life is verifiable, and viable, at the first and second trimesters!). Not Elizabeth, but John in her womb recognized the LORD in the womb of Mary! There are so many things happening in this section of Scriptures today with Pastor J, so hang on tight and enjoy!!!
In today's Advent session in Luke we finish the conversation we began yesterday between Zechariah and Gabriel (and that ends with Zechariah being speechless for over 9 months, until John was born!). After this we pick up with Mary being visited by Gabriel and discover the promised fulfillment of the King's entrance into this world!!! In such a humble fashion our Savior would enter His creation and would learn what it means to be man! There are some really thrilling things we shall cover today with Pastor J so make certain to tune in! God bless
As we continue to discover the Advent events we turn to the Gospel of Luke and begin with the birth of John. Indeed, we cannot talk of the entrance of the King without first revealing the one who is to reveal and announce Him to the world! As cousins, John is the plan of God to introduce Jesus to the world. No doubt this will be pretty amazing news to both Zechariah and Elizabeth for they were too old to be able to have children by natural means! This and much, much more today with Pastor J.
As we finish the Advent narrative in the Gospel of Matthew today we come to the end of Herod, which reveals that wicked rulers, governments, and nations shall come to an end and that is very exciting to think about! Also, we know from prophecy there is coming a time when Jesus shall return and the government will then be upon His shoulders and His kingdom shall never end. This gives rise to much hope for the future from the wickedness of the current ways this world has gone in recently!!! Also we have an opportunity to discover the way we often think and act, just as Joseph did! Once it was made known to Joseph it was safe to return to Israel Joseph made a B-line back to his house in Bethlehem only to discover the current ruler was the son of Herod, and being warned once more in a dream Joseph headed North to the region of Galilee in a town called Nazareth! This and much more shall be covered today with Pastor J, but hold on tight cause we're going to get into a hard discussion of how our country is a lot like Israel under the leadership of Herod and why we, like Herod, are killing so many children under the guise of abortion as a hot topic!!! God bless
As we continue in our Advent narrative here on the Corner today we look into the journey Joseph makes into Egypt with his family in order to protect them from the great wrath of Herod! We also discover that a whole generation is going to be erased through Herod's command simply because he wants to eliminate any potential threat to his rule (makes one curious as to why abortion is so defended in our modern society understanding the devastation it brings in the loss of generations. I reckon politicians are trying to defend their reign by any means necessary!). There is a great deal of ground to cover today with Pastor J, so hold on tight and let's dig in!!!
Here on the Corner today we will not be dealing with the musical quartet, but those gentlemen who traveled from the EAST to come and see the born King of Israel. In this session, hopefully, we can clear up some issues many of our nativity scenes have as well as how old Jesus was at the arrival of the wise men. Another interesting point we will look at is why the people in Jerusalem were troubled at the message of the wise men concerning the born King. Isn't that the kind of news they've been waiting to hear for centuries? All this and more today with Pastor J!!!
As we come into this very special time of the year we shall get into the Advent narrative as revealed through the Gospels of Matthew and Luke. As we start in Matthew today we are going to look into the many lives revealed through the genealogy of Joseph as well as the difficulties both Joseph and Mary will have to face in the pregnancy which is discovered today! Time on Sundays is so limited to be able to share the details of the coming of our King and so we shall hang out here, on the Corner, and really dig in!
As we come into this very special time of the year we shall get into the Advent narrative as revealed through the Gospels of Matthew and Luke. As we start in Matthew today we are going to look into the many lives revealed through the genealogy of Joseph as well as the difficulties both Joseph and Mary will have to face in the pregnancy which is discovered today! Time on Sundays is so limited to be able to share the details of the coming of our King and so we shall hang out here, on the Corner, and really dig in!
Today in our final chapter of 2 Corinthians we are given the "Final Warning" from the Apostle Paul which is absolutely fantastic! I am fairly certain that if Paul came back in our modern day that he would put a good whoopin' on all the church (at least in the US). One statement he makes in this chapter really rings out though and that is, "Examine yourselves, whether you be in the faith..." This is a very powerful statement to make and we should be very mindful to do so today, to truly examine our own hearts to know that we belong to Jesus. This and more today with Pastor J!!!
Today we venture to Psalm 50:1-15 and consider the offering of the sacrifice of Thanksgiving. As to day is Thanksgiving day here in the U.S. I pray we consider the LORD. I have no doubt there will be much food and many families gathering together to feast upon it, but may we also consider the many reasons to be thankful to God in those moments you are all gathered! To recognize His grace and to thank Him for the many ways that He has been with us through this year! We have much to be thankful for, and so may God bless you richly and I pray you all have a happy Thanksgiving!
Today on the Corner we get into Proverbs 15 and deal with the first three verses! To consider the "soft answer" in how to turn away wrath. Also, we shall learn to control our tongue that we may be wise for there is a danger with the heart using the tongue to bring about much folly if the heart is not brought under subjection to Christ! Lastly we have a chance to talk about the omniscience of God and recognize that He "sees" us in all our ways, through all our days! Would we change anything in our life if we truly believed God was watching? All this and more today with Pastor J, so tune in and enjoy this time on the Corner.
Today in 2 Corinthians chapter 12 we get to discover a bit about the third heaven Paul boasts about a bit, as well as come to the understanding of the thorns all of us may have experienced in the flesh, some temporary and some which will never leave us alone! The Apostle Paul had a "thorn" as well and often prayed the Lord would take it from him, but God's answer was quite powerful for Paul and rather important for us to receive today, "My grace is sufficient for you..." Indeed this is the last thing you want to hear from God when you're going through something, but it is nonetheless entirely true for God is always with you, has never left you nor will ever forsake you! After this we come to the fear Paul has in coming to this church as realizing it may not be the same church he's been to in the past! Their corruptions have altered their hearts as a body and they have reached a place where they've begun to tear themselves apart! So much to be amazed by today in this chapter with Pastor J, so hold on tight while we dig into the Word and may God bless you richly, amen.
Today in 2 Corinthians 11 we dig into false apostles, false gospels, false spirits, and the manipulation of the heart which I firmly believe is the sole cause of the great darkness which has overshadowed our nation (and the world) today. This is not the first time the world has had to go through such time, nor is it the first time the Church has faced such challenges. The only way we will be able to combat the times and spirits that are manipulating them is to grow spiritually in the truth of the Gospel and become dedicated servants to our Father in the proclamation of the truth! Buckle up for the ride through chapter 11 today with Pastor J!!!
Welcome to Friday and to 2 Corinthians chapter 10. Today we will only cover the first 6 verses and believe me, this will take all our time! Paul has a mighty discourse in these verses concerning the nature of the flesh verses the Spirit. In many ways, though we may be Christians, often we will find ourselves living according to the flesh and operating in, and through, the flesh. Our new birth experience is only of value if we learn to live in the Spirit and pull down the strong-holds of the flesh which can so easily beset the work of the Holy Spirit within us! Lots to receive today and to consider. May God bless you richly in this time on the Corner today with Pastor J!!!
Today in 2 Corinthians chapter 9 we find the importance of carrying our our promises (as churches) before God. We discover today that the Macedonian people were in the midst of great struggle and the Corinthian church, at one point, had great zeal toward sending relief to the Macedonians by means of a generous gift. Through the process of time though it did not seem as though the Corinthian church was going to come through on its promise, so Paul went into action on behalf of the Macedonians and sent a group before him to Corinth to ensure the gift would be ready when Paul and his Macedonian partners arrived! There are two main points in this chapter for us today, and they are: 1) Being found unprepared - when we make promises we need to realize (especially as a church) that our promises are not made to anyone in specific, but made to and before Almighty God! 2) He who supplies - The last section of this paragraph of persuasion points to God and informs the Corinthian church that their abundance is blessed to them from God and has the principal purpose of being a blessing in overflow to those congregations who are less fortunate around their area of influence. As Paul is often found quoting from the Torah and the Prophets to solidify his points, in verse 9 he ties together Scriptures from Psalm 112:3, 9; Proverbs 8:18; Proverbs 21:21; and Isaiah 51:8. Never make the mistake in thinking the Old Testament or the law have been abolished or replaced at the ushering in of the New Testament times. All of our New Testament authors used, quoted from, and taught the Torah in the building, evangelizing, and establishing of all the foundational church in the New Testament. What God has supplied let no man take for granted or dismiss, but let him be diligent in his study and let him be faithful in his quest to fear God and keep His commandments. May God bless you richly today with Pastor J.
Today in Proverbs chapter 14 we discover the necessity of the fear of the Lord keeping us straight, or straightening us out! We discover that sin is a reproach to the nation that has forgotten God! We also discover that when we do not consider our actions and simply follow whatever we are told that our ways may seem right to us at the time, but the ends of those ways shall lead us to death. There is much to be gleaned from this chapter of Proverbs today so I pray God bless you richly as you dig in with Pastor J!!!
As we dive into 2 Corinthians chapter 8 today we discover the Biblical concept of equality when it comes to those struck by poverty and those blessed with an abundance! What we do not find is our modern concept of wealth re-distribution! What we do find is the willingness of God's children to recognize the burdens and struggles of others, and through the means of blessing they do have we are able to ease the suffering of those who have not. As we are able to give of our abundance we can praise the Lord because of His great blessings to us. As those who lack receive of our abundance they are able to praise the Lord for the provision of their needs, and so everyone is praising the Lord (which is exactly how things should be!). There is a great blessing to be received today from this chapter if we are willing to take it in, so I pray you will be blessed today with Pastor J!!!
Today is a very exciting day because of the topic of repentance! In 2 Corinthians 7:8-11 we receive the most detailed account of how the Holy Spirit draws us unto repentance. That we discover this is not something that we do of our own accord, but an action we are drawn to by God through the Holy Spirit! Thank you God for the blessing of true repentance. At the beginning of the chapter though, we discover another very important point as Paul writes, "Open your hearts..." This is one of the scariest statements made in the Bible. How many years does it take to achieve this request from Paul to the church? It is within our nature to hold back, to not trust and be weary of others. Yet, Paul reveals that believers are to trust the Holy Spirit, and trust others who are filled by/with the Holy Spirit. By the time Paul finishes his discourse on repentance we find, at the end of the chapter, his comfort and confidence in this Corinthian church as recognizing the ways true repentance changes people. From those dead works to serving the living God. To be renewed in our minds to what is that good, acceptable, and perfect will of God. There could be no greater joy than that for Paul seeing this people excelling in the things of God! May God bless you richly today with Pastor J!!!
First day back from being ill and it's been difficult! When much younger I could bounce back from thing like this and in a couple days be right as rain, but no longer! It takes time as I have discovered! Nevertheless, today we dive into 2 Corinthians chapter 6 and discover 3 key principles to this chapter. 1) VANITY - Paul's worst fear for any people he works with is they received not the grace of God in vain! Many begin their journey well enough, looking for answers and not finding a satisfaction in the World's answers so they give the church a listen. For a time they come rejoicing in that which is new, till it becomes common place to them once more. After this time God's message and house become vain once more and they begin to fall away! This is the broken heart of Paul!!! 2) SELF RESTRICTION - Its those pesky affections which often keep us back from serving God! We may be veteran believers on course of keeping up pretenses for the sake of the congregation, but our affections often side-line us from being true to the work of God! We limit those things of God from being accomplished in our lives because of the many "affections" we have! 3) UNEQUALLY YOKED - This is a chain of reasoning section to this chapter. If God's grace is made vain in your heart because you've placed restrictions on your affections toward the things of God, then you're not going to be yoked up properly and can easily fall away! You've got to pay attention to your Christian walk! You cannot serve God and Mammon! If you've fallen away, you must return and repent!!! Now is the accepted time; Now is the day of salvation!
Time is so short when getting into such powerful truths as contained in this chapter! Though I've selected 3 main points for our time together today, I would suggest for you to take time through this weekend and simply consider this chapter as you read it several times! Think on every word and consider the ways God desires to change your life through them. And now, on to our points: 1) Absent from the Body - This chapter is one of the best explanations of the hope we have in the resurrection! Recognizing this body of flesh as only a tent, a temporary dwelling place, the Apostle Paul reveals that we shall soon be rid of it and through Christ we can be prepared to enter our new, and eternal, state. Paul also recognizes the hesitancy we have in making the transition as this is the only body and life we've ever truly known (that's where faith comes in!). We must also be very aware of the judgment which is to come, which lead to our second point. 2) Knowing the Terror of the LORD - In just about all evangelical churches today the wrath of God, His judgment, and His holiness are rarely taught. What is predominantly spoken of is His love, patients, forgiveness, kindness, and gentleness. While these characteristics are very true of our God, they are only true concerning His children! The world without Christ is without God and outside the boundaries of His forgiveness, love, gentleness, and kindness. They are found continually under God's judgment because of His righteousness and justice which is applied toward sin and they are continually facing His wrath as being children of disobedience (Ephesians 2:1-3). Ultimately, if they remain in their state of rebellion they will be crushed under the weight of His holiness, and so, they must repent! This lost world must keenly feel the wrath of God in order to flee to Christ, which leads us to our final point. 3) A New Creation - When the terror of the LORD is revealed and accepted by the lost the beautiful transformation of regeneration occurs! Receiving Jesus changes you. Your old nature (passions, desires, directions in life) is to be surrendered and all things become new (because everything you were was connected to your old nature). If you are still satisfied with your old nature's ways then you have not been saved! Your new life in Christ is meant to be as an ambassador of your Father's kingdom and your message is to present the Gospel of reconciliation, that Jesus took our sin and paid the penalty on our behalf so He could set us free! Things to consider today as you travel this chapter with Pastor J!!! God bless
Through our session in 2 Corinthians chapter 4 today we shall take in 3 initial points. 1) God commands the light to shine - From the beginning when God said, "Let there be light", to the reality of His Word, "In Him was light, and that light was the life of men" we find our LORD's desire in delivering us out of darkness and into His marvelous light. That we are no longer gripped by ignorance, but have come to the saving knowledge of His truth! 2) Death is working in us, but life in you. - This is the reality for true ministers of the Gospel! Never shall they be very popular, nor keenly appreciated. Those who are genuine to their faith know they shall be persecuted, mocked, struck down, and hard pressed on every side. In the face of all this they gladly accept such hardship and harsh treatment (often from those claiming to be "Christians") and take that death in themselves to be able to share the life of Jesus with others. 3) We Do Not Lose Heart - We believe therefore we speak! In that all things shared are for the sake of those who receive Christ, we do not lose heart. Though we may suffer physically as well as emotionally we do not quit. As we remain faithful to God's work He renews us and reminds us always to keep our heart's eyes fixed on that eternal prize, a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory! So, may God bless you richly for gathering together with us on the Corner this day with Pastor J!
Usually this would be a Wisdom Wednesday broadcast, but this 3rd chapter in 2 Corinthians was simply to good! Since the book of Proverbs isn't going anywhere, we shall catch back up to it in the weeks ahead! Today I've got 3 points for you in chapter 3: 1) You Are The Letter - You, your life and your testimony in Christ, are the letters which God has written to the world! Through the Holy Spirit you have the ability to share your personal testimony of faith in Jesus and couple this together with the Scriptures so the world around you may come to know the hope we have in Christ and they may be led to repentance from their wicked ways! 2) The Sufficiency of God - In that we are God's letters this is not because of our own merit, ability, or sufficiency. In our salvation we acknowledge our inability to honor or please God because of being in a state of rebellion against Him. Praise be to God for when He saved us He sealed us with His holiness through the Spirit and in Him we have been made sufficient to share this hope and truth to others! 3) Their minds are blinded - They have eyes, but do not see. Ears they have, but they cannot hear. There are countless times in Scripture that God reveals the condition of hardness that sin brings upon the hearts of man. There can be a great discouragement within the hearts of God's children in reaching out to this world that is gripped in rebellion. Being mocked, yelled at, physically attacked or shunned can be a very painful experience but we are not to lose our hope! May we, with God's understanding in our hearts, continue to serve Him and share His message to all understanding that they are blind and have need for the Great Physician's healing! May God bless you richly today here on the Corner with Pastor J.
In today's journey through 2nd Corinthians chapter 2 we shall receive; 1) Understanding that Perception is everything. It's not what was said, but how it is said and the way received that make or breaks relationships! 2) Forgiveness is the principle. Though punishment is necessary for the correction of wrong doing forgiveness is equally important in the church. Not to be as the world in writing people off, but to be as our LORD who even sees the worth of such a wretched sinner as Barabbas that our LORD would take his place on the cross and give up His own life for Barabbas! 3) We are the fragrance of Christ. We are not "peddlers" of some gospel out to make a quick buck! We are to be revealers of Jesus Christ to the world; to those perishing we are the message of eternal death, and to those living we are the joy of eternal life!
Today we enter into the book of 2nd Corinthians chapter 1 and shall discover, 1) Vs's 4-5 - When we are settled in God's Word and become comforted in His presence we are then better able to share His comfort with others; 2) Vs's 8-10 - All the difficulties and trials the Apostles went through would have been impossible with the sentence of death still applied to their souls. Having been set free through the power of God's Yeshua (salvation) gives them the hope to carry on; 3) Vs's 21-23 - You have been sealed by the Holy Spirit never having to wonder if you will be with God in heaven or if you will be rejected! When you come to Christ you are sealed by God and shall never be rejected! May God bless you richly today as you hang out with Pastor J and study this excellent book!
We finish our time in the book of 1 Corinthians today with some rather puzzling discoveries concerning the polity of the churches during Paul's day, the day the church gathered, and special collections which may need to be remembered by the churches today in order to be a blessing to their communities! Even in the closing of a letter God brings forth the most interesting things!!! Enjoy this day with Pastor J
In today's session we talk about the resurrection and the principles behind it! We travel through Old Testament passages as well as discover false teachings of other religions while we gain a deeper understanding of our connection with God through our LORD Jesus Christ, as well as understanding the blessing of His death for our sins coupled with His promise to raise us up again with Him as revealed in John 6:37-40! May God richly bless you with His Word today through Pastor J!!!
Today we dive into Proverbs 11:20-31 and finish the chapter understanding the difference between the wicked who are perverse in heart as being an abomination before the Lord, and the righteous who are blameless in the Lord. Hang on tight as we fly through God's Word today with Pastor J!!!
Today we receive the call of the Apostle Paul to "Awaken to Righteousness" as given in verse 34 of 1 Corinthians 15! Indeed we need to receive the understanding of that which is presented and we need to share with others. Our "Christian" culture today has fallen far from the Christianity we were called unto through our LORD Jesus Christ and we may need to receive the backside kicking that the Apostle Paul gives in the section of Scriptures today. May God grant us mercy and give us much grace so we may grow today in the preparation of going into His fields to serve tomorrow! This and more today with Pastor J!!!
In today's lesson of 1 Corinthians 15:12-26 we get into the initial premise of the Apostle Paul's argument for the truth of resurrection and the power of Jesus Christ! This should be a great couple of days in learning the realities of the resurrection so we may be prepared in these troubling times to share this truth and encourage many hearts to trust in Jesus! May God bless you today as you study God's Word with Pastor J!!!
In this Sunday's Message Pastor J brings us to Luke 18:9-14 and Luke 5:27-32 to reveal God's Mercy and love for those who are broken, rejected, cast-out, and simply out-right sinners! In this day and time there is so much confusion, mistrust, doubt and fear. Many are looking for hope and not knowing where to go because the overwhelming majority of our country today does not know about God! Because we have this hope revealed today in the Gospel and because we have been given the unique privilege of being God's messengers through this time, we must be out there proclaiming hope and telling others where they can find forgiveness, acceptance, and security for their lives!!! All this is only found in Jesus and revealed only through the Word of God. Tune in today and enjoy God's precious truth with Pastor J!
As we begin our journey through 1 Corinthians chapter 15 in the first 11 verses we receive the summary of the Gospel of Salvation and a very pointed fact of being who we are in Christ (If indeed we are in Christ!). I pray God will speak to your hearts today and that conviction can come to conversion of direction and service to our King, or rejoicing can break out because of the truth revealed this day by Pastor J!!!
We finish our time together in 1 Corinthians 14 today with ultimately understanding the way that we are to conduct ourselves while communicating the Word of God in the Church setting (our gathering together as assemblies). While in our private life in prayer and personal communion with God there is much that can be happening in the Spirit, our public gatherings are for the purpose of studying the Scriptures together and for the purpose of becoming mature in Christ and our knowledge of God's will, way, and person so we may be effective servants within His Kingdom today, and prepared for the coming Kingdom of His dear Son and our Savior Yeshua (Iesous in Greek/Latin being transliterated to English as Jesus. Neither Hebrew, Greek, nor Latin have an actual "j" sound in them, so that is something unique to English itself!). Needless to say, we shall finish the chapter today and venture to 1 Corinthians 15 beginning tomorrow!
In our time with Proverbs chapter 11 we have a regularly occurring theme between that/those which are wicked and that/those which are righteous! May God continue to bless our eyes with being able to see the current direction of our society today through the lens of Proverbs 11 and may He well up the courage inside us that we need in order to do something about it before it's too late for our future generations! This and more today with Pastor J so hold on tight!!!
The question of today is quite important concerning the way we conduct ourselves in the house of God as we gather together. Lest our guests and visitors understand those things we proclaim in the services they may walk away from church, and from God! This is the core of the Apostle Paul's teaching here in 1 Corinthians 14! Tune in to catch the full message given today by Pastor J!!!
In today's lesson we continue our discourse through 1 Corinthians 14 dealing with known languages and those speakings which are claimed to be "the tongues of angels", but I digress! As we begin in verse 6 and work our way to verse 15 the Apostle Paul brings in several points to help us better understand the necessity of communicating clearly the message of the Gospel while gathered together in our churches, and this for the purpose of leading lost souls to a knowledge of Christ and a building up of the body in our personal understanding of God's Word. This and more today with Pastor J!
Today we deal with the issue of tongues in 1 Corinthians 14! This is a hot topic issue and one that brings great contention and division within the body of Christ, which is a shame in itself because (I believe) there is clear teachings from this chapter which differentiate between those things which are good and proper for an individual in their private life with God, and then there is the edification, exhortation, and comfort through a clear teaching of God's Word from the understood language of the people you're there to serve! Nevertheless, let us dive into trouble together today with Pastor J for a weekend finale you don't want to miss!!!
Today we enter into the Love chapter (1 Corinthians 13) and will discuss the nature of God's love that is to be displayed through our own lives as we care for one another and for the people/places God calls us to be a blessing to! There is a great deal to cover today so hold on tight and let's get into this!
Today we reach Proverbs chapter 11 and tread through the first 6 verses. Hang on tight and get yourself ready to travel through the Bible as we consider these teachings today with Pastor J!!!
Today we finish Paul's discourse concerning the reality that though we are each individuals within the church, we come together to love, serve, and rejoice in one another so that we may be a complete body lacking nothing! As we are together we are one, and as we depart from the House of God, though we are individuals, wherever we go we are the representative of the Body we are connected to in Christ! With this understanding we shall at times be Apostles (ambassadors for our church), and Prophets (those who proclaim the Word of God at work or school), and Teachers (self explanatory, I do believe). We may be someone's miracle, or offer a healing touch/prayer that needed to be given. As it pleases God to use our lives and make His glory known through all the world we ought to be thrilled that we have been chosen by Him for such a wondrous task! This and more today with Pastor J!!!
Today we further discuss the points of 1 Corinthians 12:4-14 concerning the different gifts of the Spirit which all believers at points in their lives can and should exhibit, as well as discussing how all these gifts come together in the body to bring a harmony to God's house.
Today we venture into 1 Corinthians chapter 12:1-11 and discuss the "gifts" (a word in Greek called Charisma). We are headed into yet another area where there is a great deal of misunderstanding mingled with mysticism that leads to whole denominations being born out of a false ideology of what these gifts are and how they are to be applied! Come, dive into the depths of God's Word today with Pastor J!!!
To the end of 1 Corinthians chapter 11 we get into the discourse of Communion and the proper heart that should be behind the church (as a whole) coming together to celebrate the finished work of Jesus on our behalf!
Today we finish Proverbs chapter 10 and continue in the distinctions between those who are found to be righteous (obediently following and retaining the Word of God in their hearts) and those who are revealed to be wicked (those who care less for the things of God or His commandments). One really important truth today is the wicked don't always appear to be so, but often mask themselves as being righteous outwardly (though inwardly they are ravening wolves). There are distinctives revealed in this chapter though which will help the believers in Jesus protect themselves from joining in with the wicked and also be able to spot wickedness for the purpose of rebuking those things which are inconsistent with God's teachings, rather in their own personal lives or those who are around them that need correction! May God bless you richly by His Word today, that you may be filled by its truth, Amen!
In today's session we see the created order of God From Genesis chapters 1 to 3, as well as Ephesians 5:21-27, and also 1 Peter 3:1-8 just to name a few! All this to tie in with the Apostle Paul's teachings as concerning the covering of the head, rather by long hair or by an item like a prayer shawl between the man and the woman! This ought to be a good one today so don't miss out!
Today we get into 1 Corinthians chapter 11 and we deal with head coverings in the manner of things like prayer shawls and hoods of various sorts, as well as hair length between men and women. Also we see a distinct difference in the roles of men and women as presented by God. These types of topics cause fires faster than any others throughout the Bible and generally are skipped over and not taught by many "popular" pastors today because they would lose their popularity really quickly in doing so. Thankfully, we aren't that popular here at the Preacher's Corner so we are going to dive right on in!!! May God bless you today with Pastor J!
Today we finish 1 Corinthians chapter 10 and glean similar information to chapters 6 and 9 as concerning the sharing of our faith in specific situations among specific people groups!
Such a question that is given to us to answer today! Do we think ourselves to be strong enough to do as we please? Do we think ourselves strong enough to feel free to dive into those things of the world that bring us pleasure regardless of how those things might displease our Holy Father in heaven? Are we brazen enough to assume God will simply be pleased with whatever we are pleased with? These questions may seem absurd in their presentation, but if we would reflect a moment on many choices and decisions we've made in our past (as well as our present day) we may well discover we have been rather rebellious to our King in following after our own ways, desires, and wishes! Let us consider our relationship and position before our King this day, and if repentance is needed, let us repent! After all, today is the day of Yom-Kippur!
Today in Proverbs 10:6-15 we continue the discourse of the comparison and contrasts between those who are wealthy and those who are poor; those wise and those foolish. May God have a rich blessing for you today through His Word, Amen!
Today, in 1 Corinthians 10:11-13, we discuss the reason why the Apostle Paul reveals the challenges to Israel through the wilderness journey. His examples were given to help the church at Corinth learn how to correct the direction they were going in, or at the least, he was providing a pretty good warning for what would happen if they didn't repent! Also, Paul reveals the reality that God is faithful to His children and has provided the way of escape for any type of temptation that would be known to man, for they are quite common to him! At the end Paul reveals that in this life we will face challenges, trials, difficulties, and temptations, but God will deliver us and will see us through simply because He made us a promise that He would never leave us nor forsake us! Our God is an awesome God, Amen!!!
Today, as we continue looking into the Old Testament examples the Apostle Paul is giving us, we learn of the wilderness journey events that revealed the reality of Israel's heart during their journey, as well as our own personal journeys today. We see them suffering the venomous snake bites (fiery serpents) for their rebellion and complaining against Moses and God in Numbers 21. We also see the various issues of their flesh who complained against God's provision and protection, such as leprosy and skin boils/hemorrhoids! Then Paul explains to us that these events in the Old have been recorded for our benefit in the New so that we may learn from history what not to do and how not to act and be before the LORD our God. I'd say these teachings are quite important for us in this modern day as we can readily look into our society and plainly see how far from God we've gotten!
Today we discover in 1 Corinthians chapter 10:1-22 some great connections to God's deliverance of Israel revealed in the book of Exodus! This is where God provided the manna; this is where God parted the sea; and this is where God poured out the water from the Rock which was all symbolic of what Jesus was coming to do for all mankind! Today is a great day to be connected together here on the Corner! May God richly bless you.
Such a powerful teaching today at the end of 1 Corinthians 9. The very principle evangelistic teaching that one must become a student of the peoples they have been called to reach in order to understand their ways and culture to better communicate the Word of Messiah to them! The primary goal of the believer revealed today as having the desire to save as many people as possible from a certain fate of separation from God for an eternity, and at that we may have to tackle some! To see the impending danger others may not be paying attention to, you may have to take some drastic measures at times to shock them back to reality. They may not appreciate it, and may in fact be rather upset at the first, that is until they see the reality you just saved them from. Once that reality hits, you may find them to be the most appreciative for your efforts on their behalf! This and more today with Pastor J!!!
Today we dig into the first 11 verses of 1 Corinthians chapter 9 and are met with a bit of a rant from the Apostle Paul, but not without great meaning or good measure! Often, as the Apostle brings out here, ministers are used up and abused till they are worn out. Then they leave on ministry being broken in heart only to enter another (for this is what they must do! This is their life) work where they are once again used up for what they're worth and then tossed aside for someone/something newer! Needless to say, Paul is not one to simply lay down and be made a place-mat in front of the door, and so he speaks his mind in this place, but what he is speaking is truth (which may cause the offenders to be offended!). So, hang on tight as we get into this heavy chapter today with Pastor J!!!
Today we discover in 1 Corinthians 8:1-13 that the greatest idol we could have in our lives at any given time is knowledge! Without a genuine sense of love for God in our hearts we can grow very wise about our own ideas through the power of pride, and pride will destroy all who come through its path (both you and those around you!). This is where charity comes into play and why Paul reveals the distinction between the two in this chapter as dealing with idols! Much to consider today with Pastor J, so dig in and enjoy!!!
With this day we shall conclude Paul's meddling with marriage having a remembrance of verse 12, and then proceeding to verse 32 to finish the chapter!
Today we dig into the Apostle Paul's personal thoughts concerning those married and those widowed or who have never been married! Keep in mind though I present this information (and may happen to completely agree with it because it is what God wanted us to receive as His Word) the Apostle Paul is the one who said and taught it! So, let's get controversial today with Pastor J on one of those subjects which happens to cause people not to pay attention to what is said more so than how they feel about what was said!
On this Wisdom Wednesday we receive another comparison/contrast between Wisdom and Folly! Our study begins in Proverbs chapter 9 with a look at wisdom in verses 1-3, then considers the way of folly in verses 13-15. We receive the opportunity to study each woman's tactics and have an opportunity to decide which "meal" we would choose to eat (rather the bread of folly or the meat of wisdom). For the discerning heart and ear today is a brilliant day in Proverbs!!! God bless
As we continue through this journey of marriage lessons from the Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 7 we receive very important instruction in verses 10 and 11 specifically, for this is a place where the commandment isn't coming from Paul, but from the Lord. Concerning any of the rest of this discourse in particular this one section is most important to be received and followed for it comes, not from man, but from God! The rest of our time together is sure to get Pastor J in trouble though, so tune in and have a great time gnashing!!!
In today's session of 1 Corinthians chapter 7 we discover the equality of our relationships in marriage. The Husband must always keep the heart of his wife in consideration of his life and choices, and likewise the wife must keep the heart of her husband in the same manner. The desire of the man must singularly be focused on, and in his wife as well as the wife her husband. The reason we are such a messed up society today, in part, is because we have failed to honor God (and by default each other) in the purpose and concept of marriage. Husbands not honoring their wives and wives not honoring their husbands. This relationship is the very core that is to teach following generations how to react and connect with each other. If we don't honor God in getting marriage right, we are destined to fall in so many other areas requiring relationship connection, such as between man and the law for instance! Some tough stuff to get into today with Pastor J, but we need it! I hope we receive it!!!
Today, and for the next several sessions, we shall be covering the issue of relationships and marriage. Here in our first session we learn the foundational truth concerning MALE and FEMALE and the differences in the way God designed us, which is vital for us to grasp! Be aware that the information in these sessions may be offensive to those who are trying to do their own thing instead of being honorable before God, and if offense is taken, know that it is toward God and not me! Other than that disclaimer jump on board and hold on tight once more cause we are diving all in, Amen!
Today we finish the last half of 1 Corinthians 6:12-20. Hang on tight cause the Apostle Paul is certainly going to take us on a ride which many may not enjoy!
Today we see the Apostle Paul getting hot about believers not having the maturity of their faith to be able to handle matters from within the church. Instead, the church at Corinth was a place that took its affairs and paraded them before the world making the house of God seem to be a petty place that couldn't take care of its own issues and problems, and that really set Paul crooked! Unfortunately, what was happening during the time of the church in Corinth is very similar to the way things are done in most churches of our modern era, and to our shame, for if we truly were the children of God and our churches truly represented His Kingdom and Body, we would not be a people who would seek the outside world for things going on inside the church. We would have the maturity to be able to handle our own affairs within the context of God's Word and all things would be done according to our Father's will. Again unfortunately, this is just not how things are done in our modern day (even though they should be according to Matthew 18:15-18, and by the way, these texts are written in red!!!) and God's reputation, as well as the Church's reputation has suffered as a result, showing that we are no different than the world!!! This and much more today with Pastor J
There should be a warning label attached to this video for those who may be easily offended! This study today gives us a cross-sectional view of a majority of church in the United States, and also reveals just how depraved a society we have become that we would have such rampant immorality and wickedness blatantly obvious within our churches with nothing being done to address it; no standards being upheld! Yep, this one is going to get me in a great deal of trouble once more, and Amen! I'd rather be in trouble with this world than to upset my LORD!!! May God bless you with much grace who choose to venture into this message today with Pastor J.
today we receive the understanding Paul was trying to get across to the Corinthian church concerning their understanding and whose knowledge and information they were going to choose to follow. As Paul revealed, "You could have 10,000 instructors", which is also to recognize (even in our modern times) that we may have several people who may come into our lives imparting their wisdom along the way, there is to be one principle teacher, a principle leader we look to, concerning the Word of God and our connection to church. Paul would go on to say, "Imitate me as I imitate Christ." This is also coming from the way of instruction that Paul came from as well in connecting to one Rabbi who would become the principle educator for that/their student/s. Needless to say, when there are many instructors in one location, and they are all teaching something different, there is going to be issues and problems which result for the body will ultimately be fractured and there will be no sense of unity! This and much more today with Pastor J, so be sure to tune in!
Today we receive an admonition from the Apostle Paul not to go beyond what is written! This is such an exciting truth revealed because it means we do not have to figure this Christian life and service out as we go, or on our own! All we simply need to do is study God's Word and then apply that which we have received and understood into our lives, as Paul said, I have no means to judge myself, but the LORD judges me!!! This is such a great day with a lot of great content so don't miss out on anything, tune in!!!
In Proverbs chapter 7 we receive another warning to be aware of the temptations that exist all around us which would cause us to fall from grace! We are given instruction from Solomon to keep our hearts (and our eyes, gents) focused on God's Word so that we are not easily drawn away to other paths which will ultimately lead to our own destruction! Consider the Scriptures today in the light of the current direction of your life and may you be found faithful before the LORD. Otherwise, this would be a great time to repent and get right with God!!! Pastor J
Today we receive some heavy truths concerning our connectional relationship with God, and our LORD Jesus Christ. We discover that have become the dwelling place of the Holy Spirit (both inside our individual bodies and lives, as well as together as a church) and we are called to conduct ourselves accordingly, not in the wisdom or ways of this world, but according to the teachings and leadership of God. This may seem foolish to the world and those who (with worldly wisdom) would desire to see the church operate more like a place of entertainment rather than a sacred institution to grow in knowledge and connection with El Shaddai (The Almighty God), this is what the church is meant to be and why the Apostle Paul calls us unto the wisdom that is from God and not this world! This and much, much more today with Pastor J so tune in and hang on for the ride!!!
Today we consider the work we have all been given to do for our LORD as concerning how we build upon our foundation. Simply put this is dealing with Christian service and those ways we put our hands to the plow to serve and honor our King, more specifically in the terms of the way in which we share our faith with others. The singular purpose we all have as Christians is to lead those who are wayward believers back to Christ and to lead the lost to a saving knowledge of Jesus. How we perform this task is directly related to the blessings we shall receive from our Father and this will be given during a time of judgment which will be by fire. Today is an exciting day in God's Word (at the least it is to me!!!) so let's dive in together to discover God's mercy, grace, and great things He has for us with Pastor J.
Today in 1 Corinthians chapter 3 we shall discover the difference between those who are carnal and those who are spiritual in the faith.
Today we get to go on an exciting ride through 1 Corinthians chapter 2. There is much to be received today and I call you to special attention to be given to verse 14 as it gives great understanding to why some folks do not receive the Gospel that you share with them (even though it makes perfect, and plain, sense to you). This and much more today with Pastor J!!!
As we finish chapter 1 of 1 Corinthians today we begin in verse 31 as we "Glory in the LORD." From there we back up through this chapter to verse 21 and soak in the reality of our Savior as being the wisdom of God, the power of God, and the stumbling block that God gave to us to bring us closer to Himself! It's going to be a great day in Corinth as we receive what the Lord has prepared for us today with Pastor J!!!
This is the very question that starts the whole letter of 1 Corinthians and reveals the tempo of the rest of this letter as the Apostle Paul sets forth to correct all the false teachings which have infiltrated this church through the divisions that have crept in! This letter is going to serve us today as a clarion call to pay attention to those core, and fundamental truths that we have received and to recognize those teachings that have, as Jude said, "Crept in unaware." This is going to be an exciting ride, so hold on tight and let's get going today with Pastor J!!!
Today we finish off the masterfully written letter to Philemon and learn from Paul of the many ways he seeks to safeguard this once run-away slave who is now returning as a dear brother , born from the same father in the faith, and to be received as such instead of the former slave! Enjoy discovering the ways Paul uses his age, his relationship with Philemon, and his position as an Apostle to try and smooth things over between Philemon and Onesimus. There is much to cover today with Pastor J so hold on tight as we fly through the finale of this letter!
Welcome to "Wisdom Wednesdays" as we journey together through the book of Proverbs! Today brings us to chapter 6:1-19 and starts us off with some practical warnings about 1) how we conduct ourselves among those we barely know, and the promises we prematurely make in some cases; 2) our work ethics and the importance of being diligent in life's journey; and 3) having a keen understanding of those things the LORD hates so we may be certain not to fall prey to them in our own hearts! Also, we shall see how those things which the LORD hates play out in the instructions given by Solomon at the beginning of the chapter! Lots to get into today with Pastor J.
On today's episode we shall dive into the letter the Apostle Paul wrote to Philemon and we shall glean from this some wonderful principles God has for our own lives! Today is the introduction into the life and times of the characters. Also we will be learning a bit about Paul's literary style as we see his methods of persuasion over Philemon's decisions as to what to do with this run-away slave called Onesimus!!! This and more today with Pastor J.
Today we finish off the letter of Jude and discover some powerful truths that need to be revived in our "modern" churches today! There is truth in the saying, "The old ways are often the best ways." As concerning the Bible and the practice of our faith the aforementioned statement is definitely true. God's Word does not need to be modernized or changed to fit any culture. The Word of God needs to be proclaimed and lived in order to impact and change the direction of any culture!!! This and more today with Pastor J
As we continue our journey through the letter of Jude we discover a telling prophecy given by Enoch. Also, we are given further warnings as to what to look out for concerning "those" who Jude would be writing against for the deceptive ways they would creep into the congregation unnoticed! That we as a people would be vigilant to the teachings we invite into our congregations, as well as the teachers themselves. In becoming more vigilant in our churches and congregations we can apply these same ethics to our schools, our governments, and our universities and colleges to ensure the values of what makes this nation great revived in the hearts of the people and those who would seek to destroy the U.S. and dissolve it into "Just another nation" can be rooted out and replaced! Things to consider today with Pastor J!!!
As we return to the letter of Jude today we dive into verse 4 and make it down to verse 10. The topic of our conversation is how easy it has been through the centuries for false teachings to make their way into the congregations of believers, which explains the reason why Christians find themselves so divided today! Multitudes of different denominations all proclaiming to be in Christ; all proclaiming to have the truth and be the trues way, and all arguing (rather loudly or silently) that the other is in error and they are false! Our nation is in such a sad state of "Christian" fracture, and I personally believe the only way to be able to recover is to get back into the "Faith which was once delivered unto the Saints," by studying the Word of God and becoming obedient to its teachings! This and more today with Pastor J!!!
On this Wisdom Wednesday we complete Proverbs chapter 5 by looking to the end of the chapter for the understanding of the whole book to this point! That our LORD ponders our ways, often having to raise His hand to His forehead in amazement for the ridiculous ways of mankind as we are drawn from His presence and truth, lured back into the ways of unrighteousness because of the thought and intents of our hearts which we revive to become silly in once more even though these are the very things our God delivered us from when (at one time) we trusted in Him! There is much to cover today with Pastor J, so tune in, and not just for a minute! Catch this whole episode if you want to receive something amazing from God's Word!!!
As we enter into the letter of Jude we discover the main theme is a warning of allowing those into the congregation who seek to bring divisions among the body and keep it from coming together in unity. So, hang on tight today with Pastor J and lets get going!!!
Today we pick up where we left off last Friday in the book of Revelation chapter 22 and verse 14. There is much to be said through the Word to finish out the book of Revelation, but our challenge today is to wrap our hearts around verse 15 and verse 19! Consider these scriptures today and may God's Word greatly bless your heart with Pastor J today!!!
This is such an exciting episode because we are dealing with the end; the finality of all things and of our eternity being face-to-face with Jesus! While there is no other chapter in the Bible that can generate quite as much excitement for the believer than Revelation 22, there are also some warnings that are given that keep our responsibilities in check concerning our service to our King! What a great day to hang out on the Corner and feast upon God's Word. Enjoy!!!
Welcome to Zion, that beautiful city called New Jerusalem, that shall descend from heaven and rest just above the earth. Through this beautiful city Jesus shall shine and give light to the heavens as well as the earth, for He shall be seated in the center of the city and His glory shall shine through it. Thanks to the streets and walls of gold so pure they are as clear as glass, and the brilliance of our Savior's glory there shall be no night! There is much more to cover concerning this city and those who shall dwell in it today with Pastor J, so tune in and don't miss it!!!
The Battle cry of Solomon today in chapter 5 verses 1-14. On this Wisdom Wednesday we are called to pay close attention to the instructions laid down by the writer and we are given the realities of what is to happen if we don't straighten up! This is some great teaching from Solomon today so make certain to set your day aside for just a few moments and really soak in what the Scripture has for you today with Pastor J.
Today we dive into Revelation chapter 21 and discover the promised new heaven and new earth! Alongside these promises we also find every tear being wiped away with sorrow and pain also being done away with (which are very exciting things that will happen). In this though we have a final warning being revealed in verse 8 reminding us of those people and characteristics which will not be entering this time and place, but will be faced with the former judgment seat of Revelation 20. Point is, make sure your heart is right with God so you may enter all the blessings revealed in chapter 21!!! This and more today with Pastor J, so tune in and we'll see ya there.
As we dive back into Revelation 20 we receive a description of the final judgement as revealed in verses 11-15. One thing is for certain, you don't want to be on the wrong side of God in this moment, for those who are not written in the Lamb's book of life shall be judged accordingly to their works as revealed through the "books" which shall be opened and they shall be cast into the lake of fire to suffer an eternity in the 2nd death! To only have one life (your current earthly life) and face the prospect of two deaths (the physical death of your body, and the eternal separation of your spirit) or to have two lives (your current state of the redeemed life on this earth and the future state of eternal life with Christ) and one death (that of the physical body), you decide!!!
Today we dive into the exciting world of Revelation chapter 20 and discuss the literal 1,000 year reign of Christ and who will be a part of that kingdom in verses 1-4. In verses 5 and 6 we will see the difference between receiving the first resurrection and having to face the 2nd death, and in verses 7-10 we will discover the last ditch effort of Satan and also a world that only pretended to be righteous that was simply waiting for a leader to rise once more that could possibly bring them to victory against their current great and mighty King! Verses 11-15 bring us to the final judgments of the great white throne and before Jesus who sits upon that throne in honor to His Father! This is the finality of all that is, and all who are unholy, which shall be cast into the lake of fire and experience the 2nd death!!! Lots of great stuff to cruise through today with Pastor J, so buckle up cause we're going to be going Mach 5!!!
We finish off Revelation chapter 19 today and discover many details which should not be overlooked concerning the person and nature of Jesus as well as the swift end to the antichrist and false prophet! Lots of exciting information to gain today with Pastor J, so dig in and enjoy!!!
Welcome to Wisdom Wednesdays here on the Corner. Today we finish off the last 4 verses of Proverbs chapter 4 and had thought to make it to chapter 5, but we won't because of how much great stuff we receive in these last 4 verses! Our call to wisdom today is to consider those things which are coming out of our mouths, as we have been told to "Put Away" (which is a similar phrase used in Scripture in reference to our modern day word, Divorce) perverse lips an a deceitful mouth! Of course, the only way that could be possible is if we are thinking about the things we are thinking about in order to evaluate rather those things must be divorced as revealed in 2 Corinthians 10:1-6. Also in our lesson today we discover the dangers of extremism, rather being too far to the LEFT or too far to the RIGHT as discovering that either of these extremes takes our eyes off the path we should be following, which is laid right in front of us by the Word of God in Christ Jesus (straight down the middle)! That we discover when we are off our rocker to either side that we are no longer even caring about our fellow brethren in society but only demanding they be just like us (as we have discovered in our modern society today). May God bless you richly with His truth in these teachings and may they have an impact in changing the perception you may have about the world around you, as you look through the lens of Scripture today with Pastor J.
Today we rip into Revelation 19 and have the opportunity to see the KING coming again! This is a thrilling chapter for we also get a chance to see the banquet table and the marriage supper of the Lamb/Lion! We learn of the "fine linen" that we are to be covered by as being the "righteous acts" which we do in service to our King. Then we shall enter into a grand description which we ought to be familiar with for we have seen Him once before in Revelation chapter 1! All this and much more to be shared today with Pastor J, so hang on tight y'all!!!
Today we have an opportunity to see the collapse of the secular kingdom of Babylon in Revelation chapter 18 and we get to see a dissection of this kingdom as revealed in a much smaller scale throughout the rise and fall of many world kingdoms shown in the Bible such as Nebuchadnezzar's statue in Daniel chapter 2! We have much to cover today with Pastor J, so don't delay and get into listening right away!!!
Today we go in depth understanding the Harlot (The false religion) that is controlled by the beast (ultimately Satan, but seen as the false prophet) which causes the world to be intoxicated by her wine (the teachings and activities of the religion). Though the kings of the earth will become agitated and start to discover her ways over them, and they will not appreciate "their" kingdoms being dictated by her rule, once she is exposed by the antichrist those kings will destroy her and burn her to the ground in the heat of their vengeance against her! There is so much to cover today with Pastor J so hang on and enjoy the ride!!!
Reaching ever closer to the conclusion of the matter, today in Revelation 16:17-21 we take a look at God's final wrath being poured out on the earth with the great division of an earthquake unlike any ever experienced before and the hail stones weighing roughly between 70 and 100 pounds!!! Needless to say the earth is going to undergo some serious remodeling before Jesus takes over! Then we shall move into chapter 17 to begin our discussion of that great harlot (which happens to be a city)! This and more today with Pastor J!!!
Today we get close to finishing Proverbs chapter 4 as we consider the directions of only two paths we have been given to walk. Either we shall walk the paths of righteousness which are revealed by the Word of God or we shall continue in the paths of the wicked! All of us can choose the "easy" way for it is very familiar and has been the way of our lives until Christ was introduced to us and calling us to the change He desires to make in us! If we choose Christ and follow the Word of God we are promised life and health coupled with a right living which will become the blessing to others! If we continue in our "old ways" we will continue to consume those around us (ourselves also) and will ultimately be brought down to the pit having lived a life of rebellion and wickedness! The choice is yours, and it must be made, so choose this day whom you will serve!!!
Today we go in depth with Revelation 16 and cover six of the bowls that are filled with the wrath of God. These torments the earth and man will have to undergo will be unlike anything ever experienced before, though we have read of accounts from the Bible detailing similar plagues on a much smaller scale! As this is the end for man and the corruption of this earth we shall see the bowls, as they pour out, being applied to the whole earth and not any one particular region. Hold on tight for this is not going to be a very comfortable ride today, but a necessary one for our preparation in warning others of the wrath that is to come!
Today in Revelation 15 we discover the final plagues of God's wrath which shall be poured out upon all mankind who dwell on the earth at this point! As there are no more of God's people on earth, these last plagues are going to be extremely painful and carry a powerful purpose, for all they shall be applied to had the opportunity to be delivered from this moment! During these tribulation times God had not abandoned man, but was reaching out through the 144,000; the Martyred Saints; and even at the last, His very own angels were flying through the sky and speaking every dialect to reach man, but mankind denied the message and rejected God! Now, they must face His wrath (which is rightly deserved) and there shall be none to be able to escape this moment for it is also a promise that God made to those who were slain during this period as well, and God always keeps His promises! This and much more today with Pastor J!!!
Today in Revelation 14:14-18 we learn of two distinct gatherings. The first, found in verses 14 to 16, deals with the concept of what we call the rapture and is revealed in connection to 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18; 1 Corinthians 15:50-58. We shall also cover the crown of He who sits upon the cloud waiting to reap the harvest as this crown is very special and is bestowed upon the wearer by the Father Himself for His good purpose! The second harvester (also known as the Pale Horse Rider) shall not gather once, but shall gather in clusters, for he is not gathering grain into the barn but grapes as they become ripe on the vine in their season! There is much that is covered today by Pastor J, so tune in! You don't want to miss this one!!!
Today on the Preacher's Corner we enter Revelation 14:1-13 and we get to look into a bit more detail concerning who the 144,000 servants of the LORD are during the Tribulation time, as well as to receive the messages of the 3 angels who proclaim the Gospel to the world! There is a great deal to cover today with Pastor J so hold on tight and enjoy the journey through chapter 14!!!
Today we continue at verse 8 of Proverbs chapter 4 and will work our way down to verse 14 gleaning from the Scriptures very powerful nuggets of needed life lessons! One thing in particular is how we all lived lives at one time separated from God, and we believed we were good! Certainly, though we walked the path of the wicked, we did not see ourselves as being wicked. We didn't think we were being bad or rebellious, in fact, we actually believed we were the "good guys" who were out there making a difference doing "good things." The whole time though, we were not being faithful to God's Word or will, and we were only being good and doing good for the way it made us feel or the accolades we received from others for our actions! This and much more today with Pastor J!!!
In today's session of Revelation 13:11-18 we discuss the nature and works of the False Prophet who shall deceive the nations into a religious worship of that antichrist we spoke of yesterday!
Today we cover the beast that comes from the sea in Revelation 13:1-10! This is a character reference chapter revealing the nature of the antichrist as also revealed in Daniel chapter 7. Dig in to today's broadcast and enjoy!!!
Today we finish Revelation chapter 12 with the praise of God's people as they rejoice in the Blood of the Lamb and the Word of God's testimony! We shall see why Satan hates mankind so much and why he seeks to destroy mankind. We also shall see the faithfulness of God to His promises in delivering His people from the wrath of that old devil, and we will learn that we ought never trust our feelings (because of how easy they are to be manipulated) but we can always trust God's Word to be our guide! This and much more today with Pastor J.
In today's lesson we receive the opportunity to have a glimpse of the total timeline of creation in Revelation chapter 12. We are introduced to Israel, to Satan, and to the child which was to be born from Israel who is the Messiah! We discover the war that took place in heaven to seek to overthrow God's authority and take His throne and shall better understand why man was drawn into temptation and fell. There is so much to consider and cover today with Pastor J, so hang on tight and let's get to it!!!
Today in Proverbs chapter 4 we dig into principal things. The necessity of hearing, of retaining, and of adhering to God's instructions revealed to us through His Word! We also discover the true meaning of what the term "Christian" means and who this term is rightly applied to for our society has lost sight of what God has revealed and proclaimed in His Word, which is true wisdom! This and much more today with Pastor J.
Today we look into the many meanings of the trumpet sound and what their purposes were, such as the trumpet of warning, the trumpet of War, the trumpet of Assembly, and the trumpet of Triumph. Each one of these call has a different tone so the people could readily understand the events that were happening and what they needed to do to prepare! In our section of scripture of Revelation 11:15-19 we shall hear the trumpet sounds of warning, of war, and of triumph. Warning, because we have received a future glimpse of what God has planned to do so we can warn the people today of the wrath that is sure to come. Of War because those things revealed in scripture are going to come to pass and the wrath of Almighty God shall be poured out upon the "angry" nations. Of triumph because our Lord shall stand victorious over all His enemies and shall rule this earth with justice and authority!!! This and more today with Pastor J
Today's exciting journey through Revelation brings us to chapter 11 and to the reconstruction of the third temple (which is already in plans to be rebuilt in Jerusalem at the time of this video). This temple will be an unholy structure dedicated to man and not God! That is where we also see the entrance of the two witnesses God establishes and upholds for 42 months (3.5 years). No matter what the world tries to do to them during this period of time they will be powerless to silence the witnesses till that 42 months are completed. At that time we see that ol' dragon come up out of his pit to fight against them, overtake them, and kill them (or so he believed!). After 3.5 days the witnesses shall arise and shall be caught up to heaven!!! All hell shall then rain down upon the earth for this begins the latter 3.5 years known as the great tribulation and God's mighty wrath shall be unleashed upon mankind in ways never seen or heard of before! This and more today with Pastor J, so hold on tight!!!
Today in Revelation chapter 10 we meet Jesus standing over the earth and sea! In His mighty authority the proclamation that time will no longer delay is given and the finality of all things to fulfill prophecy is at hand. Soon the world will experience the Kingdom of Heaven and the rule of the righteous under the King of all Kings, Yeshua! The only way for this to be known and understood is by taking the scroll and consuming it (eat it up). This is not a suggestion by the King, but a command. He said, You must!!! This and more today with Pastor J!!!
Welcome to Revelation chapter 9 and the great discovery of my favorite critters that shall ravage the earth for 5 months inflicting the painful wrath of almighty God upon mankind (except for the 144,000 who are sealed by God). We shall see the great desire mankind will have to die and recognize that God will not allow them to! Except, of course, for when His appointed time is to release the 2 million chariots which are under the river Euphrates! At that point man will no longer desire to die, but a third part shall for that is what these chariots have been tasked to do!!! This is an awesome day to be before the LORD, so buckle up and let's take the plunge today with Pastor J!!!
Today we finish off Proverbs chapter 3 and see the strength of the connection between wisdom and understanding. When combined and in the Word of God, they can keep you from stumbling, protect you from wickedness, and guide you to a length of days! Proverbs is such an amazing book that must not be rushed through for the amount of connection moments with God we can discover in it!
The end of Revelation chapter 8 makes this proclamation! From the first trumpet blast which destroyed much of the trees and all of the grass, to the next trumpet which released the great mountain into the ocean we shall find the world gripped by devastation and ruin, and mankind struggling under the heavy hand of judgment. Not to mention the third trumpet's blast and the poisoning of the fresh water systems that man won't have clean water to be able to drink over a third of the earth. Today we discover the heavens being struck with darkness. For a third of the time the earth will be gripped by total darkness, never to see sunlight nor the light of the moon or stars. Then man will be swallowed by the sun and shall not have night nor the pleasure of moon or stars! This isn't even close to being the worst of things yet though. As we discover in verse 13 today, all we have just considered is but a drop in the bucket to the torrents of wrath that are about to be poured out upon mankind by the next 2 angels, so buckle up and enjoy this day with Pastor J!!!
With so much happening in the throne room of God as has been revealed in Revelation chapters 4 and 5 it is difficult to grasp the silence John speaks of at the beginning of chapter 8! At the completion of all things to be released into the world which were on the scroll when Jesus snapped open the 7th seal God moves forward with the next installment of His mighty plan and releases the trumpets which herald many specific natural disasters upon the earth in rather unnatural ways! This and more today with Pastor J!
Today in Revelation 7:1-17 we discover the introduction of the 144,000 who are recognized as 12,000 of the 12 tribes of Israel. These are not in connection with the Martyred Saints nor are they the church. They are Messianic Jews whose purpose during the times of tribulation is to continue in the work of proclaiming the Gospel to the world. We also provide a brief description of them as found written in Revelation 14. After this we receive the details of the Martyred Saints revealed yesterday in the 5th seal of chapter 6:9-11. These are folks from all nations and people groups who shall receive the message of the 144,000 and become believers in Yeshua only to be hunted down and slaughtered by the antichrist and his crew! Lots of great info coming out today with Pastor J!!!
Today in Revelation chapter 6 we shall spend the majority of our time talking about who those folks are under the altar of the 5th seal, why they are mercilessly slaughtered and the great blessing they receive in being faithful, but the incredible wrath of God that is poured out upon this earth for their rejection of God. We also receive a glimpse of the geologic destruction God shall bring upon His creation in the 6th seal along with man's recognition of God and Jesus though they rejected them. Much to get into today with Pastor J!!!
Today we discover the necessity of conviction as it comes from the Lord in Proverbs chapter 3 verses 9-12. Understanding that God loves us and wants us to have lives which honor Him and are a blessing to those around us. Receiving correction is never easy, but this is important for our lives for we know we would be led astray if it were not for His love and correction to our paths in this life. Then we venture to verses 13-18 and find that God's word received is better than silver, but His Word understood is worth more than gold. To retain His Word is priceless and will be the guide necessary to see us through this life unto the next with great joy! Don't want to miss out on this one today with Pastor J!!!
Today we look into the 4 Horsemen of Revelation chapter 6 to discover the reality of their purposes and functions within the plan of God! We shall see how they "politically" tie together, at least the first three horsemen. Then we become introduced to the 4th Horseman who has been very busy before this period of time, for he is one commissioned by God at the point of Man's fall into sin. As man entered corruption through his rebellion to God's Word, death was commissioned to take us. He shall be the principle harvester of souls during the times of tribulation also! This and so much more today with Pastor J!
Welcome to Revelation chapter 5 and the continuation of the Throne Room scene of God!!! Also we stand before God's throne with the challenge of finding one who would be worthy to take the scroll (the plan of God for the Revelation times) and we see the broken heart of John as he weeps, not finding anyone worthy. Then we meet the Elder who called John to the attention of the Lion of Judah, which when he looked for the Lion he saw the Lamb of God!
In Revelation 4 today we receive a glimpse of heaven! This is the location we shall enter when it is our time to go as children of God. As we begin to see (with our ears) and hear (with our eyes) the glories that exist in this chapter it ought to build a sense of joy and readiness knowing that while we may be absent from this body at the moment of our passing we will be present in this throne room! You don't want to miss this one today with Pastor J, so tune in and we'll see you on the corner!