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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.”

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

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.

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

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.”

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

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 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

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.

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

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.

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

BELIEVE!!!!

John 20:30-31(NIV)

30 Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. 31 But these are written that you may believe[b] that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

Life in His name. Life in the name of Jesus Christ.

Another translation called The Message, has the verse this way:

John 20:30-31 (MSG)
30-31 Jesus provided far more God-revealing signs than are written down in this book. These are written down so you will believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and in the act of believing, have real and eternal life in the way he personally revealed it.

Just a portion, a percentage if you will, is written down for us to read. So many more miracles must’ve occurred in the lifetime of Jesus, but all we know are those that are written in the Bible. Imagine…ealing this earth knowing that you have seen the Messiah. That you have spent time with Jesus.

John, a best friend of Jesus, writes for us an account that enables us to get to know Jesus and understand His Gospel. Jesus is here for us. He was here in the beginning. He is with us now. He will be with us again soon. John wrote this Gospel for us to know He is coming.

Amen
DK 

Be still…

John 20:24-29 (NIV)

24 Now Thomas (also known as Didymus[a]), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!”

But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.”

26 A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.”

28 Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!”

29 Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

Is it OK with Jesus to doubt? If we go by the way that He treated Thomas, the answer is yes. Just tey and remember how many times you have asked God for a sign and as sure as the Sun shines…He answered. I know you must have at least one.

Sure, there are those times that you have asked and not been given what you ask. But I know this to be true…if you ask enough, eventually your want will meet His will. At that moment, all of the what is and why not go away. Now I am not saying that Faith plays no part in your life. It does. But so does doubt.

I have heard it said time and time again that it takes much more Faith and resolve to doubt than it does to take God for granted. Make no mistake about it, God knows your heart. It is this reason that Jesus returned to see Thomas and show His hands and scars. There was no anger. No rebuking. No chastising. Just love.

Thomas gives us a glimpse into how Jesus loves those who believe. Yes and even those that believe and doubt. Mark said it as well when he wrote “I believe, but help me with my unbelief.” Regardless of how sure you are that Jesus gave His life for us and rose from the dead, there is an area of your life that is still hungry to believe.

Faith the size of a tiny seed is enough for you to physically move a mountain. If so, then why aren’t we moving mountains today?

This week, ask God to give you time to move towards a higher level of Faith. Not through works, or deeds , or activities that you think are right because you see others doing them. Take time to be still, and realize what He has done for you. Be still. Be still. Be still. Love God. Love yourself. Love your neighbor. #JesusSaves

Amen
DK

Forgive others and Peace will come quickly.

John 20:19-23 (NIV)

19 On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” 20 After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord.

21 Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” 22 And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive anyone’s sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.”

Peace and Forgiveness. Forgiveness brings Peace, and Peace brings Forgiveness. That is the word of our Father, and His Son Jesus Christ.

The ultimate act of forgiveness was acted out through the gift of Jesus to us. He lived and died as a man. He now is our great advocate in Heaven, seated next to the Father. In this position, Jesus speaks on our behalf every day of our lives. He speaks to the Father in order that we can walk in freedom. Freedom from sin.

As He breathed the Holy Spirit onto the Disciples, He gave us the power of God. We were given all of His abilities and gifts, plus more. With this gift of the Holy Spirit, we are to walk empowered and righteous. We are not to walk in fear.

Our knowledge of this world does not matter. It is only the knowledge that we know not of God’s plan that brings us Hope, Faith, and Love.

Everything rides on Hope now.
Everything rides on Faith somehow.
When the world is bringing me down,
Your Love sets me free. #JesusSaves

Amen
DK