Romans 7:4
So, my brothers and sisters, you also died to the law through the body of Christ, that you might belong to another, to him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit for God.
The law is no longer oppressive for us who have been reborn through Christ Jesus. Let the chains hit the ground.
Amen.
DK
Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Truth…
31 At that time some Pharisees came to Jesus and said to him, “Leave this place and go somewhere else. Herod wants to kill you.”
32 He replied, “Go tell that fox, ‘I will keep on driving out demons and healing people today and tomorrow, and on the third day I will reach my goal.’ 33 In any case, I must press on today and tomorrow and the next day—for surely no prophet can die outside Jerusalem!
34 “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing. 35 Look, your house is left to you desolate. I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.’[b]”
The truth hurt the Pharisees so much, that rather than accept truth, they wanted to kick out the Son of God. Sanctification is painful, many of us have felt it’s piercing blade before. It is a revealing beautiful process. A process that can only be done with the help of the Holy Spirit.
As Gentiles, you and I were given a beautiful gift. A gift of salvation through Jesus. But we must accept the truth. That means that Legalism must be replaced with Grace. Law must be replaced with the Love for Jesus. If you do not, then what happened at Calvary? What happened on the cross?
The truth is that Jesus she’d His blood for you and I, in forgiveness of our sins. On that day, our sins became invisible to the Father and we were cleansed. Don’t kick Him out of your city or home or place of business. He wants to be a part of every aspect of your life. Invite Him in. Even into the deepest, most difficult parts. He will cleanse them for you. Jesus already has.
Thank you Jesus.
Amen.
DK
How many will be saved?
Luke 13:22-30
22 Then Jesus went through the towns and villages, teaching as he made his way to Jerusalem. 23 Someone asked him, “Lord, are only a few people going to be saved?”
He said to them, 24 “Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to. 25 Once the owner of the house gets up and closes the door, you will stand outside knocking and pleading, ‘Sir, open the door for us.’
“But he will answer, ‘I don’t know you or where you come from.’
26 “Then you will say, ‘We ate and drank with you, and you taught in our streets.’
27 “But he will reply, ‘I don’t know you or where you come from. Away from me, all you evildoers!’
28 “There will be weeping there, and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, but you yourselves thrown out. 29 People will come from east and west and north and south, and will take their places at the feast in the kingdom of God. 30 Indeed there are those who are last who will be first, and first who will be last.”
The narrow door. There will be many that will not get in. Did you hear that? Where will you be? How to get in the narrow door? It isn’t through sacrifice, it’s through obedience and through relationship building with you God, Jesus Christ. Get to know Him through His word. Read it, learn it, and above all speak it. The words must come out of your mouth.
Rhema. For an example, look to Mathew 4, when Christ is tempted. Words my brothers and sisters. The Word of God.
Through the narrow door.
God bless you.
Amen.
DK
Psalm 23
A psalm of David.
1 The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
3 he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
for his name’s sake.
4 Even though I walk
through the darkest valley,[a]
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
6 Surely your goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord
forever.
Amen.
I recently heard of a 40 day challenge to read this prayer everyday when you wake up. 40 days, 40 seconds a day. Have a Blessed Friday.
I love you all.
DK
The word that comes to mind is saturation. It will seep into every part of your body and fill you to the point of overflow. That overflow is what will bless all around you…
Luke 13:18-21
18 Then Jesus asked, “What is the kingdom of God like? What shall I compare it to? 19 It is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his garden. It grew and became a tree, and the birds perched in its branches.”
20 Again he asked, “What shall I compare the kingdom of God to? 21 It is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into about sixty pounds[a] of flour until it worked all through the dough.”
The emphasis in these verses is squarely on FAITH. What does faith look like to you? Somebody praying on street corner shouting their love for Jesus? Perhaps its a person that took a vow of silence and lives as a monk. Is it a child praying with arms raised? Is it a senior citizen, making their way up to the alter at church to pray?
The truth is…it is all of these and more. We cannot qualify faith with our eyes. Salvation is sovereign. It requires not justification to any man or woman. It requires not one ounce of work on your part. As a matter of fact, God cannot even see your sin. Jesus covered it with His blood. Amen. Forever putting to rest the idea that you can somehow lose your salvation, or fall from grace. If you fall from grace, it is a personal choice to do so. And while you think you have fallen, the Holy Spirit is right next to you, cradling you in His arms like a new born. He has you.
Saturation. It will flow through your veins and spark REPENTANCE. Oh. Wait a minute. There’s that word again. Remember…It is not what you thought it was. Repentance only means change. So, what do you change? Start with keeping your focus on the what Jesus did. If you feel bad for something you did, then Jesus did nothing for you. And that is so not true. He gave His life for you. He bled for you. He saved you. He loves you.
Let it go and believe. Finally. Tonight. Right now. Amen.
DK
Law is opposite of Grace. Have you ever been pulled over by a police officer for not speeding and handed cash as a reward. I have not. It’s because it doesn’t happen. Law focuses on the breaking of the law, not the prevention. The punishment, not the remedy. The cough, not the infection…
Luke 13:10-17
10 On a Sabbath Jesus was teaching in one of the synagogues, 11 and a woman was there who had been crippled by a spirit for eighteen years. She was bent over and could not straighten up at all. 12 When Jesus saw her, he called her forward and said to her, “Woman, you are set free from your infirmity.” 13 Then he put his hands on her, and immediately she straightened up and praised God.
14 Indignant because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath, the synagogue leader said to the people, “There are six days for work. So come and be healed on those days, not on the Sabbath.”
15 The Lord answered him, “You hypocrites! Doesn’t each of you on the Sabbath untie your ox or donkey from the stall and lead it out to give it water? 16 Then should not this woman, a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has kept bound for eighteen long years, be set free on the Sabbath day from what bound her?”
17 When he said this, all his opponents were humiliated, but the people were delighted with all the wonderful things he was doing.
Law can be blinding. It can create fear. Order is required to function as a society, but the focus is on the breaking. I am not liberal, in fact I struggle not to be overly conservative. But if all we do is focus on what we cannot do, oppression and stunted growth is what we have to look fore8to.
Jesus acted because it was righy, not because the law said to. Jesus took human form. He was 100% human. He is us, and now in us. Forever.
Amen.
DK
On the heels of forgiveness of sin comes this idea. Money owed and money borrowed…
Matthew 18:23
23 “Therefore, the Kingdom of Heaven can be compared to a king who decided to bring his accounts up to date with servants who had borrowed money from him.”
A king who decided to wipe out all debt. Nothing owed. Nothing taken away. Nothing lost. Forgiveness.
As believers of Jesus Christ, we will enter the kingdom where all debts are paid. As a matter of fact, Jesus brought that forgiveness to us on Earth. He did it by hanging on the cross for us. As He did this for us, he said, “Forgive them, for they no not what they do.” (Luke 23:34)
Even as He hung, bleeding out and in tremendous pain, He forgave us. Amen Jesus. Amen my Father. Thank you for your gift of life and freedom from all sin. Amen.
Shalom.
DK
Faith vs. Sight 