We Cannot See It; Yet We Believe It

Romans 8:28

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.

By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.

By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.

But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.

By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.

Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised.

                                                                         (Heb 11:1, 3-8, 11 KJV)

Faith is seen in the ability to believe what we do not see. It is a gift from God. (Eph 2:8) 

Our forefathers believed God even though they could not and some never did see the promises that God fulfilled. It didn't matter. God was and is God and they believed His word. They trusted Him. Life was not always easy for them. But, they had faith that God would fulfill His promises and they knew that God was with them always.

There are days when even Christians today wonder if they will ever see the promises that we have heard but have not seen fulfilled. But, we remember that Abraham did have so many descendents that none but God can count. Sara did have a child in her old age.  And... well... the promise that we read and hear throughout the old testament of a savior; a kind; that too has been fulfilled.  

"But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,

To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.

And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.

Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ."

                                                                                       (Gal 4:4-7)

This Son has fulfilled the law for us. This Son is the one in whom our faith lies for he has redeemed us and made us to be children of God; that we should inherit our places in the Kingdom of God living in the peaceful presence of God. Although, this Kingdom is not visible; we have faith. We believe the testimony of those who witnessed his life; his death, and his resurrection. We have faith; we know in our hearts and minds that we have received the promises of God through Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord. 

God's Peace - Pr. J.

The Word Is True! Listen To Him!

O Lord, thou art my God; I will exalt thee, I will praise thy name; for thou hast done wonderful things; thy counsels of old are faithfulness and truth. (Isa 25:1 KJV)

Whatever God says, it happens. He spoke and all things were created. He promised Abraham that he would be the father of many nations. This, too, has happened. He told Moses to lift up his staff and the seas would be parted so that the children of Israel could escape. And, they did. 

Through Isaiah was heard the promise: "Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel." (Isa 7:14) 

The Gospel according to St. Luke testifies to that same promise of old:

And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth,

To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary.

And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.

And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name Jesus.

Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?

And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. 

                                                                          (Luke 1:26-27, 30-35)

It was promised. It was done. At both the baptism of Jesus and later on the mountain where he was transfigured we hear these words from out of no where or everywhere: "This is my beloved Son."

The Word of God is true. It would behoove us to listen to Him!

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Our Lord Reigns

"And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name Jesus. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end."  Luke 1:30-33 KJV

What can I say more? The Word of the Lord and it is so!

Thanks be to God for our Lord Jesus the Christ, born of a virgin, reigns!

God's Peace - Pr. J

I Am Is Who He Is

"Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel." Isa 7:14

The incarnation of God, as foretold by Isaiah, as foretold by Isaiah is not such a great mystery as some would make it out to be. Jesus; after all, is God. God can do what He pleases. He created the heavens and the earth with His Word. He confused the language of the people at Babel. He brought the Israelites out of bondage to Egypt. The list of the awesome works of God goes on and on.

God can do whatever He wants when He wants. He is God! He wanted to save the whole world from ourselves so He came to earth, born as a baby in a barn, so that He could walk in our shoes. As true man, He faced the same temptations as we face and overcame them. For about thirty-three years, He lived life as one of us so that when He was killed by us, He might also save us by His death and by His resurrection.

Many say this is a great mystery. But, just because we can't comprehend every detail of the incarnation of God does not mean it is a great mystery. A mystery is something that we have to figure out. We don't have to figure anything out. It is as plain as the noses on our faces. God is God. He is who He is. He can do anything and all things. That is not a mystery. It is also not supposed to be a secret. So, go and tell. Go and tell the world that our Savior, Jesus the Christ, who is God incarnate, has come to set us free to be His own beloved children.

God's Peace - Pr. J