Faith vs. Sight

The Gospel of Jesus Christ

“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” — Psalm 119:105

Author: coachdkeith

  • A Witness to the Resurrection of Christ

    Believers will be chosen for works greater than could ever be imagined.

    Acts 1:21-26 (NIV)

    21 Therefore it is necessary to choose one of the men who have been with us the whole time the Lord Jesus was living among us, 22 beginning from John’s baptism to the time when Jesus was taken up from us. For one of these must become a witness with us of his resurrection.”

    23 So they nominated two men: Joseph called Barsabbas (also known as Justus) and Matthias. 24 Then they prayed, “Lord, you know everyone’s heart. Show us which of these two you have chosen 25 to take over this apostolic ministry, which Judas left to go where he belongs.” 26 Then they cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias; so he was added to the eleven apostles.

    image

    In reading these verses, the very first thing that caught my eyes was the casting of lots to choose the replacement. I immediately was reminded of the soldiers casting lots for Jesus’ garments as He hung on the cross. Why would they need this casting of lots? Isn’t that gambling?

    So I researched and found some answers. Whether I understand them or not, they are answers. You see, God allowed the Israelites to cast lots in order to determine His will for a given situation (Joshua 18:6-10; 1 Chronicles 24:5, 31) So it appears to be common practice at this time. It would later become gambling. That answers that.

    As witnesses of the Resurrection, we must be prepared to share this fact with the old and the young, as well as believers and unbelievers. This is done through reading the Bible daily. Start with just a small 2 min time frame, and read a devotional connected and backed up by scripture. Do that as often as you can.

    Also, pray for God to help you be motivated to read His word. Ask Him to step in and show you. He will. Just keep asking. A transformation will occur in you. It is promised. Take one step toward Him and He will take two towards you. #JesusSaves

    Amen
    DK

  • Reason for Choosing a New Disciple

    We have all been renewed by the Blood of Jesus. All will be forgiven, and the slate wiped clean.

    15 In those days Peter stood up among the believers (a group numbering about a hundred and twenty) 16 and said, “Brothers and sisters,[d] the Scripture had to be fulfilled in which the Holy Spirit spoke long ago through David concerning Judas, who served as guide for those who arrested Jesus. 17 He was one of our number and shared in our ministry.”

    18 (With the payment he received for his wickedness, Judas bought a field; there he fell headlong, his body burst open and all his intestines spilled out. 19 Everyone in Jerusalem heard about this, so they called that field in their language Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.)

    20 “For,” said Peter, “it is written in the Book of Psalms:

    “‘May his place be deserted;
        let there be no one to dwell in it,’[e]
    and,

    “‘May another take his place of leadership.’[f]

    image

    Thoughts:
    We do not dwell on the sins and shortcomings of the past. That is what we have been called to do. No matter what Peter did, the call of Jesus on Peter’s life would not be diminished. He stood among the Believers and said what needed to be said and did what needed to be done.

    For us to stand in His great mercy and grace, we cannot trip over what we did yesterday. Whether we feel what we did was good or bad, it cannot be what we stand on. This day is new. This day is fresh. You are as clean as you were the day you were born. God does not see your sin. God sees what Jesus did for you.

    New blessings are with you now. It was Jesus that paid for all of our sins and falls, and as such we should walk in that authority. Anything done yesterday must be let go of so that His work can be done today, and His will be expressed through you as a living, walking testimony of His Mercy and Grace.

    Think of it like your car. There is a reason your windshield is bigger than your rear view mirror. Look to what is ahead, and focus not on what is behind you. This is the way that God’s Will is acted out through you. You are a minister. Walk in that authority. You have been made new today in your belief and faith. Do not trip in what is behind you. You have been called. Answer! #JesusSaves

    Amen
    DK

  • Matthias Chosen to Replace Judas

    The power of prayer will amaze you. Pray with others in person…

    12 Then the apostles returned to Jerusalem from the hill called the Mount of Olives, a Sabbath day’s walk[c] from the city. 13 When they arrived, they went upstairs to the room where they were staying. Those present were Peter, John, James and Andrew; Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew; James son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James. 14 They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.

    image

    Joined together in prayer. Wow! That’s the way to do it. Their faith shining bright in the darkest of moments. Imagine what they were feeling. Jesus had just been killed…John the Baptist before Him. Now what? Pray! What else could they do but the moat powerful action we can be a part of.

    When people gather I’m prayer, the effect is amazing. So many times I have felt prayer, even by phone or just through an email. However, when we come together in prayer,  oh my God…absolutely all of what we thought impossible becomes possible. I hope you have felt this. I have. I felt it last night as well. The power is astounding.

    I urge you…join with others and pray in person. Pray for something you thought impossible. Pray a seemingly ridiculous prayer, and then watch it happen. Oh what an awesome God we serve. What a wonderful Savior Jesus was, and continues to be now. #JesusSaves

    Amen
    DK

  • As We Stand Looking Up

    No need to stare. He will come again in the way that He left.

    Acts 1:10-11 (NIV)

    10 They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. 11 “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”

    image

    There is work to be done. No need to stare in awe at His leaving. We are to know that He is coming again, in the same way that He left us. There will be signs. It will be obvious. It will be impossible to not know that He is returned.

    Many of us have a tendency to continue to look at the mighty works in awe, not realizing that we have been empowered in the same way that Jesus was. Through His gift of the Holy Spirit, we should now walk in authority, in knowing that which He has provided is sufficient. #JesusSaves

    Amen
    DK

  • Spread the Gospel

    We have questions. We are to ask the teacher. We are to ask Jesus…

    Acts 1:6-9 (NIV)

    6 Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?”

    7 He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

    9 After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.

    image

    Walk with the Holy Spirit. Walk with the gift left to us that empowers us with the same gifts Jesus possessed…and then some. We have questions. He knows we have them. Ask them. Ask Jesus your questions. That is what teachers want.

    Jesus left us with a very powerful gift. He left us with the Holy Spirit. A guide for us here in this place that is not home. This place will become more foreign to you as you grow closer and closer to God. It will seem that all is falling apart, and in many instances you will feel that you are falling apart. Let that serve as confirmation that you are on the right path.

    Continue to ask your questions. Yes, even the ones that you think would offend Him. There is nothing you can do or say that would make Him neglect you. You will receive the answer to your question. It may not be the answer that you eant, but it will be the right one.#JesusSaves

    Amen
    DK

  • Jesus Taken Up Into Heaven

    I won’t lie. I felt rushed to get through the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. I did. No lie. God knows it anyway.

    Not that I enter the Acts of the Apostles, I am going to slow down and receive revelation.

    Acts 1:1-5 (NIV)
    1 In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach 2 until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen. 3 After his suffering, he presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. 4 On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. 5 For John baptized with[a] water, but in a few days you will be baptized with[b] the Holy Spirit.”

    image

    So much can be found in every word of scripture. In just these 5 verses, we find allot about what the Apostles were dealing with after the death of Jesus.

    Many convincing proofs were given. Let me ask you…how many proofs have been given to you? Or better yet, how many have you noticed?

    Then, ask yourself this question. Have I been baptized in the Holy Spirit? After all, He left us with that.

    Lastly, do you feel bad about what you have or have not done for Him? If so why? By feeling bad about anything regarding the Messiah, you have taken the blood and deemed it unworthy. Jesus shed His blood for you. His blood has been deemed worthy for the forgiveness of all past, present, and future sin by God the Father.  Why then do you think that it has anything to do with the way that you feel?

    Move along now. The gift has been given. You are forgiven. Now share His message of love. #JesusSaves

    Amen
    DK

  • Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John

    Last night I finished reading the Gospels of Matthrw, Mark, Luke, and John. They are the first four books of the New Testament of the Holy Bible. They Re the stories of Jesus through the eyes of those closest Him.

    I began this journey of getting to know Jesus through reading His Word last January, when I went through a beautiful medical situation from which I was healed by the Blood of Jesus.

    Through the reading of His Words, I have come to know Jesus more deeply than I had ever thought possible. What a beautiful man He was. What an example of how to live life He was. I look forward to reading them all again, over and over.

    Today marks the day that Jesus gave His life for me. My Shepard laid down His perfect and sinless life for me, a man cloaked in sin. He did this knowing that I would need Him. He knew I was to be born in 1973, and that in 2014 o would become surrendered to His will. He knew it. He knows me. Me.

    Thank you Jesus for taking on this world changing mission of salvation for me. Today I profess my love for you as you are taken from the cross and placed in the tomb. I also look forward to you rising from the dead this Sunday.

    #JesusSaves

  • The Normal Christian Life – Watchman Nee

    The Blood of Jesus…

    “Lord, I do not know fully what the value of the Blood is, but I know that the Blood has satisfied thee; so the Blood is enough for me, and it is my only plea. I see now that whether I have really progressed, whether I have really attained something or not, is not the point. Whenever I come before thee, it is always to be on the precious ground of the Blood of Jesus Christ.” – Watchman Nee

    This is now my prayer to God the Father. That we may and understand and know that the only access that we have to God is through the blood of Jesus Christ. #JesusSaves

    Amen
    DK

  • Jesus Reinstates Peter

    He has reinstated all of us…

    John 21:15-25 (NIV)

    15 When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?”

    “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.”

    Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”

    16 Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”

    He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”

    Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.”

    17 The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”

    Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.”

    Jesus said, “Feed my sheep. 18 Very truly I tell you, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” 19 Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, “Follow me!”

    20 Peter turned and saw that the disciple whom Jesus loved was following them. (This was the one who had leaned back against Jesus at the supper and had said, “Lord, who is going to betray you?”) 21 When Peter saw him, he asked, “Lord, what about him?”

    22 Jesus answered, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me.” 23 Because of this, the rumor spread among the believers that this disciple would not die. But Jesus did not say that he would not die; he only said, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you?”

    24 This is the disciple who testifies to these things and who wrote them down. We know that his testimony is true.

    25 Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written.

    image

    Peter was such a feeler. He was a fixer, and a feeler. He was both. He could fly off the handle at any moment, but was beautifully humble at times as well. I love Peter and his humanity. I identify most closely with him. What a beautiful soul. Jesus knew this as well.

    As broken as Peter must have felt at this time, he never failed to tell and show Jesus how much ed he loved him. But these verses are not just about Peter. These verses are about the second, third, fourth, and many more chances that we are given to express and show our love for Him. He asks Peter three times if he loved Him. The answers grew emphatic and emotional as the same question came time and time again. Jesus was providing Peter and opportunity to feel the forgiveness, not just say it. Peter was a feeler you remember, and Jesus knew exactly what Peter needed.

    We are given His forgiveness every day of our lives when we believe. We are forced to live in a world that is harsh and cruel and filled with death. As we walk this place, our great Advocate in Heaven watches us and is able to explain to God just how difficult this place is to be a human in. He is ever vigilant in His explanation to the Father about our sin. You see, Jesus lived as a man and knows what we feel and do. He knows how hard it is to battle this world of sin everyday. That is why He cane you see. He came to rescue us from sin. We no longer have to fear. We do have to battle, but we battle with armor and weapons that He gave us, not our own.

    So rest tonight, knowing you are forgiven. Take comfort in knowing that this Friday, Jesus will lay down His life for you in forgiveness of sin. All of it. Past, present, and future sins. All wiped clean. Go to sleep knowing you are saved. Go to sleep knowing that no matter how far off you stray, even to the point of denial, He will be waiting for you. He loves you. He has plans for you. #JesusSaves

  • Jesus and the Miraculous Catch of Fish

    He is waiting for us…

    John 21:1-14

    Afterward Jesus appeared again to his disciples, by the Sea of Galilee.[a] It happened this way: 2 Simon Peter, Thomas (also known as Didymus[b]), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together. 3 “I’m going out to fish,” Simon Peter told them, and they said, “We’ll go with you.” So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.

    4 Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus.

    5 He called out to them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?”

    “No,” they answered.

    6 He said, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish.

    7 Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, “It is the Lord,” he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water. 8 The other disciples followed in the boat, towing the net full of fish, for they were not far from shore, about a hundred yards.[c] 9 When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread.

    10 Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you have just caught.” 11 So Simon Peter climbed back into the boat and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many the net was not torn. 12 Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” None of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. 13 Jesus came, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. 14 This was now the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples after he was raised from the dead.

    image

    Peter was feeling something. He was feeling unworthy, for as you remember he had denied Jesus three times. He threw himself into the water.

    Jesus asked them to join Him, they were weary of course. After all, was it really Jesus? What a scene!

    Fish and bread. That is how Jesus incited them in. It was fish and bread. The symbolism is not lost, although it is the Son of Man that delivers this great meal, much the way He had done for over 5 thousand people previously. Now what?

    Jesus instructed them to take the fish and bread and eat. There will always be more than enough. We are His children. We will always be taken care of.

    Soon we will see.

    Amen
    Dk