NCarolinian

I would think the main reason any Christian would list for the purpose of Christ's first visit would be to seek and save the lost. This is clearly supported by Jesus according to John 3:16 . However, there were two other goals during His life-mission - (1) to destroy the works of the devil (1 Jn. 3:8) and (2) proclaim the good news of His kingdom (Matt. 4:23) .  I hear many sermons and teachings on Salvation and the victory we have through Christ over the devil. But in addition to the securing of our eternal destination and triumph over the enemy of our souls -  Kingdom living is what we do in the meantime and He brought a better lifestyle from Heaven to live.  Christ came as The King to bring His Kingdom. Some things that I think comprise a kingdom are - the king, servants, citizens, royalty, rules, relationships, lifestyles, economy and a military as a good start. Allow me to take you through a paraphrased history of God's kingdom. Before any kingdom or created thing t...

Since Christians believe in the ever-present, all-knowing, all-powerful God - submitting a request to God is knowing this and surrendering to His Lordship, especially concerning the timing of one's request. I recognize giving up all that you are and have to someone else's plan, even if the other plan is God's, is against our selfishness. This is a huge part of our fallen nature that God is continually trying to change in the believer. Christian's desire what we want, when we want it, how we want it - treating God like a genie sometimes. However, Christ Jesus has visited this world and not only redeemed those who would accept His gift of salvation, but secured healing and the answer for all areas of our lives through His life, sacrifice and resurrection. Now, even though believers have the assurance of that same resurrection power and spirit living within them, the Christian must still trust God in the timing of His promises. There have been times in my life when I have ...

One mountaintop in life, one success is not enough for full development or satisfaction. Therefore, we must live and look toward the next mountaintop, the next goal, the following glory. However, our expectation should be the Valley or No-Man's Land in between to be our vehicle, not our hindrance, to the next Glory. 2 Corinthians 3:18 says, "But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord." (King James Version) The New International Version reads,  "And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit." Notice that the next glory compared to the  Mountaintop you are presently celebrating is promised to be higher or increased - "with ever-increasing glory" . Therefore some call the time that justifies that higher mounta...

I have always wanted to be someone with the right words at the right time for someone going through a tough season of life. Proverbs 15:23 says it like this - "A person finds joy in giving an apt reply—and how good is a timely word!" Many times I ask God - What should I say here God? What should I do at this point Lord? How should I be thinking about this King Jesus? These are all awesome questions that I do not ask enough concerning my own life. The inquiries require me to pause long enough for me to receive inspiration from the Holy Spirit on God's leading. And in this world of instant this and that, pausing is difficult. When I examine the instance when Solomon sought God out for wisdom in governing God's people instead of fame, riches and defeat over his enemies - I always want to pat Solomon on the back. God not only granted his request for wisdom, but gave Solomon wisdom greater than that of anyone known. But wait! There's more! God granted Solomon the thi...

Jesus laughed. This sentence is found nowhere in Scripture. "Jesus wept." is found in John 11:35 and is the shortest verse in the Bible. Besides this being the shortest verse in Scripture, we can be well assured that Jesus experienced all emotions, including laughter or light-heartedness and joy.  The depiction many receive of Jesus is from Isaiah 53:2-3 ..... "He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him. He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain. Like one from whom people hide their faces he was despised, and we held him in low esteem." This portrait of Jesus is justified because His mission was a serious and critical one, plus He was all about His Father's business. " Traditionally, paintings of Jesus have tended toward melancholy portrayals of a somber, glum Savior. It is true that Jesus became our Sin-bearer (1 Peter 2:24) and that He “was despised and ...

The day of The Sermon on the Mount was a huge day in the life and ministry of Jesus. The Be-Attitudes as they have been deemed, that lead off Christ's teaching, are just that - the lead off. There are two additional chapters, Matthew 6 and 7, where Jesus instructs on topics such as being salt and light to the world, Him being the fulfillment of the Law, God's view on murder, adultery, divorce, oaths, taking an eye for an eye, loving your enemies, giving to the needy, prayer, fasting, treasures in heaven, not worrying, judging others, the art of seeking God, the narrow and wide gates, true and false prophets, true and false disciples, plus the wise and foolish builders. Jesus did not stop at His speech either. Immediately following His teaching, He came down the mount and began His healing ministry to those in need. What a day for Him and them! However, when focusing in on the Be-Attitudes we find that those instructions are a good and strong start to what Jesus had to communica...