Bible League: Living His Word God gave Jesus as a way to forgive people's sins through their faith in him. God can forgive them because the blood sacrifice of Jesus pays for their sins. God gave Jesus to show that he always does what is right and fair.— Romans 3:25 ERV In this season of greetings, as we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, know that His precious blood speaks of redemption for your soul, to reconcile men with God our Creator! In The Prison Bible (a Bible version designed specifically for prisoners and distributed by the Bible League), Lesson 45 says "Remember, no church is perfect." These words are profound because of the story of a pastor's son, who decided to marry a former prostitute. She was known in the community; however, she was now a born-again child of God! Church leadership and members were against the decision; they opposed the marriage of the son who loved the ex-prostitute who is now blood-washed, whose name is in the Lamb's Book of Life! How sad I was when I read the story. The pastor had to preach on the power of the blood of Jesus, which removes, restores, revives, renews, and completely recreates anyone who believes in what Christ has done. Beloved, we can never cast a stone because of past sins. We all have sinned and come short of God's glory (Romans 3:23); Jesus is our only hope of redemption! His Blood does not segregate; it cleanses from every sin, every addiction, and every disease—purifying even the worst criminal. Jesus Himself declares in the parable of the two sons, "The truth is, you are worse than the tax collectors and the prostitutes. In fact, they will enter God's Kingdom before you enter. John came to show you the right way to live, and you did not believe him. But the tax collectors and prostitutes believed John. You saw that happening, but you would not change. You still refused to believe him" (Matthew 21:31-32). Beloved, let us carry the cross and follow and focus on Jesus (Matthew 16:24). Jesus Himself declares in John 14:6 that He is the only way to the Father. His blood speaks salvation, grace, and mercy upon humanity. In today's verse, it says "God gave Jesus as a way to forgive people's sins through faith in Him." Jesus is our propitiation, the Greek word "hilasterion" denotes Jesus being an atoning victim, on our behalf! Hallelujah! He took all the sins we ever committed on Himself, because the blood sacrifice (our atonement, our payment in exchange for our souls) pays for our sins! Beloved family in Christ, Jesus' blood has atoned your sins! If you have not yet accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior of your life, come to Him and be part of the family of God through faith in Jesus! Beloved, as you celebrate this Christmas season, keep in mind that Jesus wants to have a covenant with you and redeem you from all sinfulness to be his daughter or son. Romans 5:9 says "We have been made right with God by the blood sacrifice of Christ. So, through Christ, we will surely be saved from God's anger." By Christopher Thetswe, Bible League International staff, South Africa Bible in a Year Old Testament ReadingEzekiel 45, 46 Ezekiel 45 -- Portion of Land for the Sanctuary, the City, and for the Prince NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Ezekiel 46 -- Ordinances for the Prince in His Worship NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB New Testament Reading 2 Peter 3 2 Peter 3 -- The Day of the Lord; A New Heaven and Earth NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Reading Plan Courtesy of Christian Classics Etherial Library. Tyndale Life Application Daily Devotion While Jesus was here on earth, he offered prayers and pleadings, with a loud cry and tears, to the one who could rescue him from death. And God heard his prayers because of his deep reverence for God.Insight Jesus was in great agony as he prepared to face death. Although Jesus cried out to God, asking to be delivered, he was prepared to suffer humiliation, separation from his Father, and death in order to do God's will. Challenge At times we will undergo trials, not because we want to suffer, but because we want to obey God. Let Jesus' obedience sustain and encourage you in times of trial. You will be able to face anything if you know that Jesus Christ is with you. Morning and Evening by Spurgeon Psalm 74:17 Thou hast made summer and winter.My soul begin this wintry month with thy God. The cold snows and the piercing winds all remind thee that he keeps his covenant with day and night, and tend to assure thee that he will also keep that glorious covenant which he has made with thee in the person of Christ Jesus. He who is true to his Word in the revolutions of the seasons of this poor sin-polluted world, will not prove unfaithful in his dealings with his own well-beloved Son. Winter in the soul is by no means a comfortable season, and if it be upon thee just now it will be very painful to thee: but there is this comfort, namely, that the Lord makes it. He sends the sharp blasts of adversity to nip the buds of expectation: he scattereth the hoarfrost like ashes over the once verdant meadows of our joy: he casteth forth his ice like morsels freezing the streams of our delight. He does it all, he is the great Winter King, and rules in the realms of frost, and therefore thou canst not murmur. Losses, crosses, heaviness, sickness, poverty, and a thousand other ills, are of the Lord's sending, and come to us with wise design. Frosts kill noxious insects, and put a bound to raging diseases; they break up the clods, and sweeten the soil. O that such good results would always follow our winters of affliction! How we prize the fire just now! how pleasant is its cheerful glow! Let us in the same manner prize our Lord, who is the constant source of warmth and comfort in every time of trouble. Let us draw nigh to him, and in him find joy and peace in believing. Let us wrap ourselves in the warm garments of his promises, and go forth to labors which befit the season, for it were ill to be as the sluggard who will not plough by reason of the cold; for he shall beg in summer and have nothing. Daily Light on the Daily Path Isaiah 32:2 Each will be like a refuge from the wind And a shelter from the storm, Like streams of water in a dry country, Like the shade of a huge rock in a parched land.Hebrews 2:14 Therefore, since the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise also partook of the same, that through death He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, Zechariah 13:7 "Awake, O sword, against My Shepherd, And against the man, My Associate," Declares the LORD of hosts. "Strike the Shepherd that the sheep may be scattered; And I will turn My hand against the little ones. John 10:30 "I and the Father are one." Psalm 91:1 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High Will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. Isaiah 4:6 There will be a shelter to give shade from the heat by day, and refuge and protection from the storm and the rain. Psalm 121:5,6 The LORD is your keeper; The LORD is your shade on your right hand. • The sun will not smite you by day, Nor the moon by night. Psalm 61:2 From the end of the earth I call to You when my heart is faint; Lead me to the rock that is higher than I. Psalm 32:7 You are my hiding place; You preserve me from trouble; You surround me with songs of deliverance. Selah. Isaiah 25:4 For You have been a defense for the helpless, A defense for the needy in his distress, A refuge from the storm, a shade from the heat; For the breath of the ruthless Is like a rain storm against a wall. New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit http://www.lockman.org. |
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