Author: daltonjenkins

Happy New Year!

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10 year anniversary.004In 2014, how could one truly and radically live out the mission of the Church?  We still have a lot of work to do, and we must earnestly advance the mission of the Church. The Church has to recognize that their primary mission is to advance the Kingdom of God. Jesus prayed for the Church in John 17:11-17:

“And I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one. While I was with them, I kept them in your name, which you have given me… I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.”

The Gospel must be preached! I have made a decision to move forward declaring the Gospel. The Gospel is truly ‘good news’ because the events of Jesus’ ministry are the fulfillment of God’s loving decision to heal the broken creation.

In 2014, as we advance the mission of the Kingdom of God, we must maintain a solid biblical foundation.  With the changing cultural environment of our time truth has taken on a relative nature, if not a back seat. The Scripture is being viewed as less authoritative than previous years.

It is quite evident that whenever there is a lack of Biblical foundation and structure there is a potential to wander away from the message of the Bible and the structure of the Church. We must hold to the teachings of the Scriptures without compromise. The heart of the bible is the Gospel Message.

During this period of Church history, we must rely on The Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit directs the Church. The Holy Spirit equips and empowers the Church to serve and to proclaim the Gospel. Without the Holy Spirit in our lives we will be carried away in this period of relativity.

There is a deliberate effort to devalue and destroy!

There is an effort to reduce the Bible to less authoritative and outdated. There is a spirit of division that has entered into the church. I pray that in 2014 we deliberately make an effort to unite and hold up the authoritative nature of the Bible. This disunity and lack of biblical authority has allowed the desecration of the sacred. There is a deliberate effort to desecrate the sacred. Is this a result of those who are supposed to guard the sacred have left it open in the name of:

1) Quantity instead of quality,

2) “Delicious instead of nutritious”

3) Conforming instead of transforming

4) Imitators instead of leaders

5) Talkers instead of doers

6) Appeasers instead of truth-tellers

7) Political correctness instead of biblical boldness

8) Popularity instead of prophetic purity

9) Celebrity instead of shepherding

10) Acceptors instead of defenders

2014 will be a year of decisions. Joshua declared, as for me and my house we will serve the Lord. What will your decision be in 2014? Will you conform or will you transform. There is no hiding. You will have to make a decision.

We must not sacrifice the gospel message in the name of being accepted in the eyes of the world. In 2014, I make a decision to more forward in advancing the cause of Christ!

Happy New Year!!!

Dr. Dalton Jenkins

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!

daltonjenkins

New Years.001

As we enter into a new year let us not be too consumed with planning and strategizing that we forget to look out for the devices of the evil one, Satan. The most dangerous times for a Christian is when we are preoccupied with everything and we are not drawing near to God. 

The key for our success is found in James 4:7-8, Submitting ourselves to God, Resisting the devil, drawing near to God and living a clean and purified life.

(James 4:7-8 ESV)

Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

I encourage you to be consumed with a desire to insulate yourself from the attack of the enemy by hiding yourself deep in God. We must strive to grow spiritually by allowing the Holy Spirit to sanctify us and renew our minds daily as Ephesians 4:23-24 said, “And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; 24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.”

Let us not give any space to the devil but rather let us make room for God to work freely in  our lives. I am convinced that if we desire more of God and less of ourselves we will begin to see our lives reorder with an emphasis on pleasing God.

Here the challenge of Peter as you enter 2015.

(1 Peter 5:8-11 Message)

8 Keep a cool head. Stay alert. The Devil is poised to pounce, and would like nothing better than to catch you napping. 9 Keep your guard up. You’re not the only ones plunged into these hard times. It’s the same with Christians all over the world. So keep a firm grip on the faith. 10 The suffering won’t last forever. It won’t be long before this generous God who has great plans for us in Christ––eternal and glorious plans they are! ––will have you put together and on your feet for good. 11 He gets the last word; yes, he does

Let us take the challenge of the Apostle Paul to the Ephesians:

(Ephesians 4:22-32 KJV)

 17 This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, 18 Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart:19 Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.

20 But ye have not so learned Christ; 21 If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus:22 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; 23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; 24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

25 Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour:for we are members one of another. 26 Be ye angry, and sin not:let not the sun go down upon your wrath:27 Neither give place to the devil. 28 Let him that stole steal no more:but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth. 29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. 30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you

Happy New Year!

Can God Interrupt Your Schedule For His Glory

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promised emmanuel the_2_wide_t

Luke 1:26-38

History has demonstrated that God is always seeking to interrupt our lives to accomplish his Divine purpose. In the process of interrupting and us not resisting he releases blessings.  Sometimes these blessings come in ways of miracles. I strongly attest to the fact that when we allow God to use us, even in our broken, busy state, not only does his will manifest but also we are recipients of divine blessings. Just as he interrupted Elizabeth’s bareness and reproach he wants interrupt your bareness.

We should understand that we could be serving faithfully, performing all that is required of us to advance the Kingdom and still not accomplish some of our dearest desires. So many believers are serving God faithfully but are living in the shadows of their unfulfilled dream.  Some persons have given up on hope and have resolved to remain in their position of reproach and unfulfilled dreams.

There are some persons that have resigned from their service to God declaring that they are left alone with unanswered prayers.  They lament how can I serve God when my problems are ever present. It is worth noting that Zechariah was still faithful in his service, he never stopped serving.  In the end a lifetime of barrenness and delayed answers to his many prayers, God showed just in time.  He was going to break his unproductive state to be the father of the forerunner of the Messiah.

Let us not allow our years of living in the valley of unanswered prayers prevent us from walking into the new year of production. Sometimes the length of our unproductive years places us in a state of disbelief.  It has not happened yet why would it happen now?  The reason is this, God is in charge; he will do what He will, in his timing.

God want to also interrupt your productive season as with Joseph and Mary. In this area of your life things are going according to plan. Progress is seen and there is at least momentum. Mary unlike Elizabeth was in the prime of her life.  Her future looked great.  She had a man that loved her and wanted to marry her.  They were in the stage of preparing for this wedding and God stepped in and asked her to help in advancing His mission.

Can God interrupt your period of prosperity?  Can He step into your seasons of hope and expectancy? Can He interrupt your planning and blissful moments?

To some degree it is easy to allow God to step into our barrenness but when things are going good, that is a different story. Let us understand that this was not an ordinary interruption.  What God was asking Mary to do, in her position, means she could loose her life.

God wants to interrupt your period of barrenness and or prosperity, will you let him. When God step into your life, in order to advance his mission, the residual effects is that our lives are forever changed for the better. Will you allow him to use you in order that his mission can be accomplished here on earth?

 

 

 

 

Thank You Pastor

daltonjenkins

Merry Christmas

I have had the great pleasure of working with pastors from different denominations and diverse theological and doctrinal positions. I have walked away with great admiration for pastors. We have pastors that genuinely care about advancing the Kingdom of God. Pastors are often grouped with a general classification, good or bad. Looking from the outside in, you might not get to see the heart of the pastor. Those pastors I connect with are leading churches of various sizes. In my experience, they are pastors with a passion, commitment, excellence spirit and do not want to fail at their God given assignments. Pastors I connect with love God and love people. They might have different emphasis, but the gospel is at the heart of their ministry.

Throughout my Christian walk, I have come to embrace the David principle, when dealing with pastors—Don’t touch the Lord’s anointed.

We need to recognize that our pastors are humans—Not from a position of excusing and condoning sin but understand that they have needs just like the congregants. I am not encouraging the Rap Industry “bad boy principle”—the more shots, the more prison stays the more impressive the street credibility. I am suggesting there is a need to give pastors a break. We should recognize that our pastors hurt just like anyone in the church, they are not always operating at 100%, and they do need your encouraging words.

The portrait that is on television is not the general portrait of pastors with whom I am connected.

Look to your local pastors as examples, as they follow Christ. If you think they are not examples, pray for and encourage your pastor rather than cut him/her down. Pastors have different leadership styles. I believe most pastors enter the ministry for the right reasons. We should be conscious of the fact that Satan has placed a huge bull’s eye on pastors. Their mistakes and sins are amplified. Respect your pastor and the office of the pastor but do not treat them as gods. Provide a support mechanism for your pastors. LOVE your pastor.

  • When last have you called your pastor and prayed for him/her?
  • When last have you encourage your pastor?
  • When was the last time you spoke against your pastor instead of speaking a word of encouragement to him/her?

During this Christmas season, take a moment and thank God for your pastor. Take a moment and pray for and with your pastor. Make an appointment to see your pastor and surprise him/her by just praying for them, instead of asking for help or counsel.

I see a disturbing trend

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place to stand, a_wide_t_nv

I watched a hearing the other day, and it was fascinating, to say the least.  One of the things that I noticed was that those who were asking questions were often identified by what was their party affiliation.  What if before Christians made a statement they were identified by their theological or doctrinal position?

I am amazed by how many “pastors/theologians” are embracing doctrines and theologies that are not consistent with Scripture.  Oftentimes no one is aware of where they stand theologically.  Their statements seem authoritative and are readily consumed by many.

There is an effort afoot to limit or negate the authority of the Scriptures.  If the Bible is not the ultimate source of authority then we are able do as we feel without any standard of correction.

It seems that those who are confronted by Scriptures or in violation of Biblical principles sometimes try and argue the opposite of what is taught by the Bible. I think this is done in order that they can comfort themselves or to justify this violation.

Should Biblical Principles change based on ones experiences or culture?

Many of the discussions and questions that are in the spotlight are not new.  The Church fathers have vetted these before, and each had settled on a point of view. That is why we have so many branches of Christianity.

Social media and TV have a way of masking ones theological position. Rarely does a person see public disclosures of doctrines and theologies of a given speaker/blogger. What we have displayed in public are general, edited and popular ideas.

We should be careful to understand the theological perspectives of those who we are listening to or reading their writings. Given the vast amount of declarative statements that are usually posted on social media, we could be easily led astray.  Often we do not know the persons theological perspective and or doctrinal position.

Know where you stand! Do not be carried away with every wind of doctrines!

The mind of Christ

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search me_wide_t_nv

Phil 2:5-11 

One of the hallmarks of Jesus’ earthly ministry is humility. This kind of humility is not superficial or hypocritical. It exhibits a genuine dependence on God the Father. Tyndale Bible dictionary said, “Humility is a grateful and spontaneous awareness that life is a gift, and it is manifested as an ungrudging and unhypocritical acknowledgment of absolute dependence upon God.” Jesus was about his Father’s business, and nothing could change that mindset. Humility as defines by Merriam-Webster Dictionary is, “Lacking all signs of pride, aggressiveness, or self-assertiveness.”

My challenge like Paul’s is to develop a mind like Jesus, one marked by genuine humility.

Paul encouraged the Philippians to aspire to let the “mind of Christ” be their example. The principle of humility is the focus today. Even though Jesus knew the power he had, he “emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” What humility? We should put ourselves second to the will of God. I know I have a choice, but I will deny myself in obedience to following Christ. So many times we hear it is my right, someone limiting my right but if we are to truly follow Christ we have no rights outside of Christ. Jesus recognized who he was and what power was available to him, but instead of activating his power to ease the demand of the mission, he denied himself for the sake of the mission.

Humility is from the heart. Sometimes a person can refuse to accept a higher place but deep inside they long for that place. They do not genuinely want to give up the high places, but it looks good to those around him/her. Humility does not look for, seek after, or work for praise. Humility shows up even when no one knows or notices. Humility is demonstrated even when it is known that nothing would be gained. Humility is to know you can but deciding, not to without any intention of gaining anything. Paul said, “And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” (Phil 2:8). The Evangelical Dictionary states, “Humility is the foremost test of a truly great person or leader.” One cannot truly follow Christ without a heart of humility.

The Bible said Jesus emptied himself. He became unselfish by putting the mission first. What do we need to do to “empty ourselves” as Jesus did?

Humility is not just refusing complement, praise, recognition or a high place. A person can accept a compliment but is still humble. Humility is much more about your attitude as it is about your action. What is hidden is hard to assess and in that place there is true humility. It is all about the mind. It does not seek after the high seat but is content to sit in the low seat. Humility works in places where no recognition is or earthly reward is absent.

In the news lately is the story of Saint Francis of Assisi. He was a rich man, but abandons his riches to live a simple life, caring for the poor and suffering. During this Holy Week, I pray that we will strive to be like Jesus. We can accomplish this mind by being true to the teaching of Jesus.

The Bible in Matthew 20: 25-28 reminds us that we should not adopt the principles of the world, particular in these verses but follow Jesus.
“But Jesus called them to him and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be prominent among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

How then can I find true humility? I started a list, maybe you can add to it:

1. Establish a system of accountability within your ministry.
2. Always ask yourself, who or what are you comparing to God?
3. Keep in mind at all times that all we have accomplished is for the Glory of God.
4. Remind yourselves that every gift or ministry is given to us to advance the Kingdom of God.
5. Perform a constant and honest evaluation of your life, both good and bad.
6. Always check your motives.
7. Accept commendation but put it in perspective.
8. Remind ourselves that no matter how educated you are we still fall short of knowledge and wisdom of God.
9. Remind yourselves that you are not infallible.
10. Always keep two are three persons around you that will tell you the truth regardless.
11. Create an atmosphere of candidness in your ministry.
12. Perform frequent and constant self-evaluation.
13. Have others anonymously evaluate your work including frank discussion about your work.
14. Avoid false humility (refusing to accept praise for a job well done).
15. Maintain a selected group of prayer partners.
16. Hang around those that will challenge your knowledge and expertise.
17. Entertain questions about you and your ministry.
18. Watch out for pride, covetousness and greed.

Are there any other suggestions you can add to this list?

Prayer
I pray today for a humble spirit. It is easy to develop a heart of pride, but I pray that you help me to humble myself before your throne. Lord, keep me humble because pride comes before a fall.

Staying focus

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Philippians 3:13-14

It is very difficult, given all that is competing for our attention, to stay focus. Life seems to be moving at the speed of light. Fashion changes with the season. Methods become ineffective within months. Staying focus on one particular thing is viewed as abnormal and old fashion. Every six months there is a new technology and a new version is released. Satan is using this as a weapon to attack the church. He is doing so by taking us off course and causes us to compare the churches strategies and results with that of the world’s.

In Matthew 4, we read that immediately after Jesus’ 40 days of fasting was over, Satan quickly moved to distract Jesus. He was going to try and distract Jesus. This is the same method being employed by Satan today. He shows up at our low points and gives us short-cuts around God’s plan for our lives. He shows up in places we would not expect and quote scriptures out of context and apply them incorrectly just to support his point. All this is done deliberately to distract us and take us out of God’s will.

Have you ever started a ministry and shortly thereafter loosing focus? You might even made some pledges, promises and even offered to assist someone in ministry only to find something or someone causing you to back away from those pledges. You have made promises to God only to see them fade with time. Satan is the greatest architect of confusion leading to lack of focus and finally withdrawing. I hope you will recall your commitments and refocus with deliberate intention to fulfill your pledges.

The Bible says we are not ignorant of Satan’s devices ( 2 Corinthians 2:11). The first thing Satan did was to try and focus Jesus on his physical needs. He then pointed to Jesus’ ability to solved this problem. The Holy Spirit had led Jesus up to this point but now Satan wanted to have Jesus solve his need by himself.

Next he brought Jesus into the temple and wanted Jesus to tempt God. This he hope would stop Jesus from following the direction of the Father. Basically he as saying do what you want because God will take care of you.

He took Jesus to a high mountain and promised him the world and all it’s glory if Jesus worship him (Satan). Again he intended to cause Jesus to take his focus off the Father and go for the quick fame.

In the three temptations Satan intended to prevent Jesus from focusing on the mission he was on. We are often tempted with similar schemes. Fix it yourselves, God is taking too long to help me. You can sin God will forgive you. Show Off your gifts God has to honor his words. Worship others (putting them first) and receive the fame and glory.

Jesus defeated the devil thereby he gave us a pattern to use when we are tempted to loose focus. Here is what he did:
1) Jesus followed the leading of the Holy Spirit
2) Jesus stayed in prayer
3) Jesus was familiar with the scriptures
4) Jesus uses the scripture as his defense and support
Anytime you are uncertain about what to do or how to respond to temptation, turn to the Scriptures. The Scriptures are the perfect source to refocus us back to the basic mission. Let us not allow Satan to cause us to loose focus but let us be wise and alert as to the devices that are employed by Satan. Focus! Paul stated, “I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:14)

Prayer
Lord as I seek to fulfill your will in my life help me to stay focus. There are a lot of things designed to take me off focus. Help me to always depend on you. Lead me to your Words when temptation causes me to loose focus.

Who controls you?

daltonjenkins

Romans 8:14 & Matthew 4

Today’s reflection is on the phrase in Matthew 4:1 that stated “Jesus was led up by the Spirit”. What an example Jesus left for us to follow. He followed the Holy Spirit’s instructions. Jesus was going to face temptation. This temptation was designed to derail the plan of redemption. But Jesus knew that if he followed the Holy Spirit he would have additional help to combat the future temptation. Jesus humbled himself. Paul stated “And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” (Phil 2:8)

To be led by someone indicated that there is some level of submission to the person leading. It also suggest obedience to the person that is leading. My youngest son, when he was younger, would often resist his older brother’s instructions by declaring “you are not the boss of me”. I cannot but see this statement in light of my relationship to the Holy spirit. When I follow his instructions I am indicating that he is the “boss of me”. The Bible in Romans 8:14 said “For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.” You can know who you belong to based on how obedient you are to the instructions you are given.

We do not know what is before us, therefore, we need to rely on the one that knows all things. These lines from a song says “Where leads me I will follow, I will go without a murmur and his footsteps follow still.” So many times we refuse to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit for one reason or another. This a dangerous place to be. As Jesus submitted to the leading of the Holy Spirit so too we should gladly submit to his leading.

How do I know when the Holy Spirit is leading or bidding me to follow him? You have to be at a place where you are familiar with his voice. For the Christian, you have to spend extended time in prayer, Bible reading, quiet time in meditation, spend time in worship and reading and listening to those things that will edify your spirit. You cannot know the voice of someone that you have not spoken to. It is in the quiet times that I hear the Spirit. Also, evaluate the things you are pursuing, is it advancing the mission. Ask yourself this question, is what I am doing or planning on doing, going to bring glory to God and advance is kingdom? To unsaved he is leading them into righteousness (John 16:8-11).

Hearing the voice of the Holy Spirit often comes in some of the following ways:
1) Sometimes it is a thought that comes to your mind as you read the bible
2) Sometimes it is your intuition,
3) Some persons have heard an audible voice
4) It could be through a dream
5) It could be a confirmation through the sermon
6) Or it can be a direct instruction from another person confirming what you’ve pondering

The important thing is not to focus on how you will hear from God but to spend quality time with him. This way when He speaks you will know without a doubt what he is saying.

Jesus promises that the Holy Spirit will come to instruct us, to help us and to empower us (John 16:13). Even though the task we have to carry out is great and the road ahead is long and rocky if we follow the leading of the Holy Spirit it will be ok.

Let us not resist the leading of the Holy Spirit but follow him with all of our heart. He is indeed the “boss of me”.

Who controls you?

Whose drum beats do you march to?

Who is pulling your strings?

Is there someone else that you listen to more than the Holy Spirit?

Prayer
Lord help me to submit to your leading. I do not want to make a mistake so help me to stay close to you that way I will be more familiar with your voice. Lead me lord I will follow.

Jesus stayed in prayer

daltonjenkins

Luke 11:1-13

Today my focus is on the fact that Jesus spent quality time in prayer and we should also.

Everything these days are expected to be quick. The microwave technology, fast food, cell phones, ATM machines, Facebook, twitter, instant messaging, and the internet have transform the mindset of our time. This expectation has crept into the church. We want instant gratification. Give me my blessings now! Why should I wait to be elevated to an office or position. Everything I need should just be ready for the taking.

I know that many things I desire, I have had to spent extended time seeking God’s direction. Spending quality time in prayer is not easy. There are so many things competing for our time. It is even easy to justify spending limited amount of time in prayer. There are even those that will say I just need to ask God once about a thing and don’t keep bothering him about it because he already knows what I need.

Prayer is not us informing God about what we are experiencing or about what we want or need. Prayer is the process of us aligning to God’s will for our lives. We need help to pray, that is why Paul reminded the church in Rome that:

“Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.” Romans 8:26

Sleep seems to overtake us so easily the moment we determined that we are going to spend quality time in prayer. The phone awakens out of its deep sleep the moment we decide to spend quality time in prayer. That relative or friend you have been wanting to talk to seem to call at just that moment of prayer. There is always something to interrupt your time of prayer. So, yea, it is not easy to find the time to spend in prayer that is why it takes deliberate effort to spend quality time in prayer.

The scripture in Luke 11:9 stated
“And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.”

The verse in context is about not giving up too quickly when we pray. It is a challenge to stay in constant and consistent contact with God in prayer. It is about being persistent in seek God’s direction. Let us not just give up so easily. Jesus in Matthew 4 spent 40 days in prayer, in the garden of Gethsemane (Matthew 26:36) he prayed until his sweat became like drops of blood. Jesus is our perfect example of how we should spend quality time in prayer. This is a healthy habit to develop.

We can spend hours watching a game or a movie but in prayer, maybe not. Here are somethings that have helped me prayed for extended periods of time:
1) Set aside a specific time
2) Locate a place, some place quiet and with few interruptions
3) Have a plan of what you are going pray about
4) Keep an itemize prayer log
5) Change your posture frequently
6) Identify scriptures that you will read during the time of prayer
8) Schedule some time during which you will stop praying and be silent
9) Pray audible

Prayer:
Lord help me to develop a healthy appetite for spending quality time in prayer. Help me to prioritize this period of my time so I can stay in prayer with you.

The giver of life

daltonjenkins

John 3:13-18

Form a young man until now I have had this burning desire to preach the Gospel. Back then, I was not educated in the theological meanings or arguments surrounding my faith but I knew that:
1) God love us
2) He gave His Son to die for us
3) Jesus came to earth born of a virgin name Mary
4) He demonstrate His power, He die, rose, ascended and promise He will return for those who believe

That message transformed my life and I was going to share it with as many people as possible. Jesus the life giver has extended his hands to everyone.

Today, everyone is seeking for any solution to eternal life. Modern technology has allow for so call “fountain of youth” but even that ends, there is just so much stretching the skin will take, age will eventually say enough. But there is a solution to this problem, Jesus!

John 11:25 states that he who believe in me, though he may die, he shall live.

This is the Easter message.

This mission that Jesus was on was to bring eternal life to everyone. This eternal life is restoration of a broken relationship with God.

We experience on a daily basis beginning of life and ending of life. In the business world, technology, science, sporting competition, nature and education this is evident. We are conditioned to think that everything and everyone has an end therefore it is not natural to see that death is limited.

The message of the gospel is about the giver of life, eternal life. We should shout this as loud as we can to everyone we can and in every place we can. The point is this, even though I will succumb to death and all the consequences of death, there is a promise that I will live again. I will live in a place where these ills of life will no longer exist.

Jesus always uses life given statements to describe his mission. I come that he might have life comes to mind (John 10:10). We should develop this attitude and cultivate a new vocabulary that speaks life instead of death. The message of the cross is about grace, God loving me regardless of who I am and all I have done and continue to do. This message is about a lively hope, this message is about abundant life, and this message is about a secured future in Christ.

Let us use all we possess to speak life into others. Say to someone “though you might die, you shall live” and if you suffer for His sake you shall reign with Christ. Remember life and death is in the power of the tongue (Proverbs 18:21). When we speak positive things we are speaking life.

The reality is that we who live in this life will suffer and eventually experience death. Death can mean entrance into eternal life with God (heaven) or eternal separation from God (hell). Depending on where you will end up, death/suffering have a different meaning to you in this life.

Note carefully that this prospective on life and death, suffering and pain is only available to those “who believe in me (Jesus Christ)”. Therefore, death is not a point of finality for the believer, it is just the beginning of life.

Prayer:
Lord thank you for providing an opportunity that I could experience eternal life. Help me to speak life and not death to those you place into my life. Lord provide opportunities for
me to share this life giving story to those that have not yet accepted this message.