What are you telling the next generation?

… we will tell the next generation about the glorious deeds of the Lord,  about his power and his mighty wonders.  ( Psalm 78:4 NLT)

Tell the next generation that all human life is created by God.  All humans are created in the image of God and can have spiritual fellowship with God.

Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. (Genesis 1:26-27 ESV)

Tell the next generation that humans are fearfully and wonderfully made.

I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. (Psalm 139:14 ESV)

And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good. (Genesis 1:31 ESV)

Tell the next generation that each one of us was created for a special and unique purpose.

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. (Ephesians 2:10 ESV)

Tell the next generation that we were created to glorify God.

So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. (1 Corinthians 10:31 ESV)

(Be sure to read future posts that will discuss more of the Lord’s glorious deeds, his power and his mighty wonders.)

… we will tell the next generation about the glorious deeds of the Lord,  about his power and his mighty wonders.  ( Psalm 78:4 NLT)

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What are you telling the next generation?

… we will tell the next generation about the glorious deeds of the Lord,  about his power and his mighty wonders.  ( Psalm 78:4 NLT)

Tell the next generation that God is the creator of the heavens and the earth.

 In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. (Genesis 1:1 ESV)

Tell the next generation that God created the sun, moon and the stars.

And God made the two great lights—the greater light to rule the day and the lesser light to rule the night—and the stars.  And God set them in the expanse of the heavens to give light on the earth, (Genesis 1:16-17 ESV)

Tell the next generation that God made the seas.

(God)  made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, … (Psalm 146:6 ESV)

Tell the next generation that God created the flowers.

Tell the next generation that God created everything.

Tell the next generation that God’s creation was (is) very good.

And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good.  (Genesis 1:31 ESV)

(Be sure to read future posts that will discuss more of the Lord’s glorious deeds, his power and his mighty wonders.)

… we will tell the next generation about the glorious deeds of the Lord,  about his power and his mighty wonders.  ( Psalm 78:4 NLT)

Click here to view previous posts on the Seeking His Kingdom website.

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As Jesus was dying on the cross he said, “It is finished” (a single Greek word tetelestai which means “It is finished” or “Paid in full”).   Jesus had paid the penalty for all of our sins.  His redemptive work was completed.

Christ’s time on earth was coming to an end but there was still work to be done by his followers and the New Testament church.  Much like in a relay race, Christ was passing the baton on to His followers.  In His final instructions, before ascending into heaven, Christ said, “Go, make disciples …”

And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.  Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18-20 ESV)

Jesus was saying to his disciples, and to us, “Go. Get involved. Do something.”

We are Christ’s ambassadors.

Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. (2 Corinthians 5:20 ESV)

We are expected to tell the good news of the Gospel to others.  We are to tell others how Jesus changed our lives.  We are to tell how

He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. (Colossians 1:13-14 ESV)

We are not doing this in our own strength.  Jesus used his power and authority to empower us.

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” (Acts 1:8 ESV)

God wants to use us to bring others into His kingdom.

This is certainly a big challenge for us, but Jesus said,

And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Simply stated:

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And just as Christ was raised from the dead
by the glorious power of the Father,
now we also may live new lives.
(Romans 6:4)

Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life. (John 5:24 ESV)

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. (John 3:16-18 ESV)

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. (2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV)

I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.  (John 10:10ESV)

You may also want to read “Whoever  Believes”

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Spring is a time of rebirth. How can people, who observe the new growth that takes place each spring, suppress the truths of scripture and deny the existence of a creator?

For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God.  (Romans 1:20 NLT)

How can people, in spite of over 500 eyewitnesses, deny the resurrection of Jesus Christ?

Then he (Jesus) appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. (1 Corinthians 15:6 ESV)

How can two men have a lengthy conversation with the risen Lord and not know who they are talking to?

That very day two of them were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and they were talking with each other about all these things that had happened.  While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them.  But their eyes were kept from recognizing him.   (Luke 24:13-16 ESV)

People deny the truths of scripture and the resurrection of Jesus Christ because of spiritual blindness and Satan’s deceptions.  Many people genuinely do not understand what the Bible teaches.

What can we do for people like this?

We can pray for them.  We can pray that God will open their eyes and minds to the truths of scripture

I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people …  (Ephesians 1:18 NIV)

Pray that God will “open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in (Jesus).’’ (Acts 26:18 ESV)

What two things happened to the two men who were walking and talking with Jesus without recognizing who he was?

First: God opened their eyes.

… their eyes were opened, and they recognized him (Jesus)… (Luke 24:31 ESV)

Second: God (Jesus) opened their minds.

… he (Jesus) opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, … (Luke 24:45 ESV)

Do you have friends who are spiritually blind?  Do you have friends who are living in darkness under the influence of Satan?   You can pray that God  will “open their eyes” and “open their minds to understand the scriptures”.

You may also want to read “Whoever  Believes”

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“Why do you seek the living among the dead?  He is not here, but has risen.”

(If you have not read the Good Friday post I suggest that you read it now.)

The Resurrection

But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared.  And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.  While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel.  And as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead?  He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise.” (Luke 24:1-7 ESV)

More than 500 people saw the resurrected Christ.

For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures,  that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures,  and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve.  Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep.  Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles.  Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me. (1 Corinthians 15:3-8 ESV)

40 days after Easter Christ was taken up into Heaven and is now seated at the right hand of God.

So then the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God. (Mark 16:19 ESV)

Christ is now preparing a place for all Christians in Heaven and will come again to take all believers to be with him.

 “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me.  In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. (John 14:1-3 ESV)

Do you believe this?

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” (John 11:25-26 ESV)

… because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. [10] For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. (Romans 10:9-10 ESV)

For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” (Romans 10:13 ESV)

You may also want to read “Whoever  Believes”

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Good Friday is the Christian holiday commemorating the crucifixion and death of Jesus Christ. Jesus died on a cross a little more than 2000 years ago.  Jesus suffered the slow, public, painful, humiliating death that was generally reserved for those who had committed heinous crimes.

What are some things we know about Jesus?

• Scripture tells us that Jesus is the son of God.

And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; [17] and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I (God the Father) am well pleased.” (Matthew 3:16-17 ESV)

And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them … [7] And a cloud overshadowed them, and a voice came out of the cloud, “This is my beloved Son; listen to him.” (Mark 9:2-7 ESV)

• Scripture tells us that Jesus created the world.

He (Jesus Christ) is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. (Colossians 1:15-16 ESV)

All things were made through him (Jesus), and without him (Jesus) was not any thing made that was made. (John 1:3 ESV)

• Scripture tells us that Jesus is God.

In the beginning was the Word (Jesus), and the Word (Jesus) was with God, and the Word (Jesus) was God. (John 1:1 ESV)

“Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us). (Matthew 1:23 ESV)

I (Jesus) and the Father are one.” (John 10:30 ESV)

• Jesus Christ, God the Son, out of obedience to God the Father, died on the cross.

… but (Jesus) 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. (Philippians 2:6-8 ESV)

For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again.  No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father.” (John 10:17-18 ESV)

• Jesus died on the cross for our sins.

He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification. (Romans 4:25 NIV)

… but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.  (Romans 5:8 ESV)

Summary:  Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the creator of the universe, God the Son, willingly came to earth in human form to die on a cross so that our broken relationship with God could be restored.

To be continued:  Be sure to read the Seeking His Kingdom Easter post.

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Click on images for a larger view.

He (Jesus Christ) is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.  For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. (Colossians 1:15-16 ESV)

 “In him (Jesus Christ) was life …” John 1:4

Jesus said unto him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6

Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.            (John 5:24 ESV)

Happy Easter

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Are you living the life that God planned for you to live?

You are able to live the life that God intended for you to live.  You are offered everything you need to become the person God intended you to be.

Everything that you, as a Christian, need for living a life that is pleasing to God is given to you by God as you grow in your knowledge of Jesus Christ.

His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence,  by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. (2 Peter 1:3-4)

As a Christian you have been delivered from the domain of darkness and are now a member of Christ’s kingdom.  You are no longer slaves to sin. Your life should reflect the fact that you are a member of Christ’s kingdom. 

If you want to live the life that God planned for you to live, you will have a passion for knowing Jesus better.  You will read the Bible. You need to have a strong desire to learn about His “precious and very great promises” that He has passed on to you in the scriptures.  You must believe and claim these promises for yourself.

Scripture names seven qualities that need to be incorporated into your life for you to be fruitful and effective in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. (2 Peter 1:8)

Your faith needs to be supplemented with the seven qualities listed below.

For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. (2 Peter 1:5-7 ESV)

Virtue

Knowledge

Self-control

Steadfastness

Godliness

Brotherly affection

Love

(Click on each of the above links to review that quality)

A prayer for you:

And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.  May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.  He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. (Colossians 1:9-14 ESV)

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Are you living the life that God planned for you to live?

We are able to live the life that God intended for us to live.  We are offered everything we need to become the person God intended us to be.

This is the eighth of a series of posts discussing qualities we need to develop in our lives that will help us live the life that God intended us to live.

2 Peter 1:5-8 lists seven qualities that will help us become the person God wants us to be.

This post addresses the final quality, love.

For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. (2 Peter 1:5-7 ESV)

For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. (2 Peter 1:8)

If you want to be the person that God wants you to be, you need this most important quality of love.

The Great Commandment

… a lawyer, asked him a question to test him.  “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?”  And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.  This is the great and first commandment.  And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself….” (Matthew 22:34-40 ESV)

You are commanded to love God and to love your neighbors as yourself.

This love comes from God.

Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. (1 John 4:7 ESV)

We love because he first loved us. (1 John 4:19 ESV)

This command to love is repeated throughout scripture.

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. (John 13:34 ESV)

Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.           (1 Peter 4:8 ESV)

Let brotherly love continue. (Hebrews 13:1 ESV)

A definition of love.

Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant  or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth.  Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. (1 Corinthians 13:4-7 ESV)

Prayer:  Father, help me to love you and my neighbor.

 So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.     (1 Corinthians 13:13 ESV)

Be sure to read “Living the Life God Planned for You to Live (Part 9”) the final post in this series.

 Click here to view previous posts on the Seeking His Kingdom website.

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