Just who is He? Matthew 16:13-16

Buddy just got his winter trim. And is wearing his Santa suit to stay warm. It’s been unusually cold and wet this winter in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Despite getting a full body haircut and wearing clothing, there’s no doubt that I brought the correct dog home from the grooming parlor. Buddy is easily recognized by his human pal.

But despite over 300 Old Testament predictions and prophecies about the coming Messiah, many people did not recognize Who Jesus was. God stood in their midst and most people didn’t recognize Him, particularly those in religious leadership who had studied and memorized the Old Testament scriptures.

You see, those religious leaders wanted a Messiah who matched their idea of Who He was supposed to be and act.

Jesus engaged in a conversation with His disciples over His identity:

“He was asking His disciples, ‘Who do people say that the Son of Man is?’

“And they said, ‘Some say John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; but still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.’

“He said to them, ‘But who do you say that I am?’

“Simon Peter answered, ‘You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.’”

Many Christians recognize that Jesus is the Christ, “Immanuel, God with us (Matthew 1:23).” And perhaps their Savior, Who died for their sins (1 Corinthians 15:3).

But He is not their Lord.

He might be their Sugar Daddy, Who provides for all of their needs (Psalm 34:9-10, John 14:14).

He might be their deliverer out of adverse circumstances (Psalm 34:6-7).

He might be their counselor, Who delivers them from depression or anxiety (Psalm 40:1-3, Isiah 9:6).

He might be their healer (Exodus 15:26).

He might be their physical strength (Isaiah 40:29-30).

He may be their avenger (Isaiah 35:4).

But He is not their Lord.

Jesus told His disciples, “If you love Me, you will keep my commandments (John 14:15).”

Many people claim to follow Christ yet continually engage in the same sin of disbelief that Adam and Eve committed, which condemned the human race to spiritual death and bondage to sin and Satan:

“The serpent said to the woman, ‘You will surely not die! For God knows that in the day you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil Exodus 3:4-5).’”

When a Christian wants to decide for themselves what is right or wrong—listening to their culture or their own hearts to determine what’s right to do or not—instead of listening to how God defines good and evil in His Word, the Bible, they do not accept Jesus as their Lord.

You obey your Lord.

Now, I’m not saying you have to be perfect, because that’s impossible. We’re saved by grace through faith, not by works (Ephesians 2:8-9). And sanctification is a lifelong process of studying the Word of God and learning to follow the Holy Spirit.

What I’m talking about is your—and my own—attitude.

We cannot be light in a culture committed to living in the darkness of wickedness if we’re conforming to their behavior, rather obeying God.

If you are consciously rejecting what the Bible declares is wrong or evil, then you are acting as your own god, committing the same sin as Adam and Eve.

The Creator of the Universe has written the instruction manual for living life well—the Holy Scriptures.

So is Jesus your Lord?

Or are you acting as your own god?

Because Jesus says you’re a liar if you claim to love Him but don’t want to obey Him.

Not the cheeriest of topics, but so necessary because I know several people who claim to be Christian, but want to be their own god when it comes to moral decisions.

Hoping Jesus IS your Lord.

God bless you.

Much love from Dawn and Buddy

***

If your life is screwed up, it’s likely because you don’t know God’s ways. He explains how to live your best life now in the Holy Bible.

But unless you have the Holy Spirit within you, leading and guiding you, it’s difficult to understand the Bible. It’s a supernatural book that requires God’s help to properly comprehend it.

If you’d like to invite Jesus to be your Lord, and stop trying to be your own god, please repeat the following prayer, out loud if possible:

Dear Heavenly Father, I acknowledge that You are God and I am not. So I ask Jesus, God Who came in the flesh to die for my sins, to be my Lord and Savior. Please forgive my sins and fill me with Your Holy Spirit; I want to live for You. I’m tired of trying to be my own god and failing in life. Grant me the faith to be Your child. Teach me how much You love me. Thank You for answering my prayer. In the mighty name of Jesus, amen.

If you prayed sincerely, congratulations, you’re born again. Please start reading the Bible, as it’s your soul food. The Holy Spirit, Who is God, speaks to your heart and mind through the scriptures. I suggest starting with the Book of Matthew, as it’s easy to understand.

Also, please join a Bible believing church or Bible study. And get baptized. If that’s not possible right now, I suggest these two ministries, which also have apps, if that’s your preference: http://www.LTW.org (Leading The Way) or http://www.AndrewFarley.org (The Grace Message).

God bless you as you begin your new life as a child of God.

“But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God.”—John 1:12

May Buddy and I meet you in heaven one day.

Merry Christmas from Dawn and Buddy

Have a wonderful holiday celebration. Praying you’re surrounded with the love of family and friends.

“Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they will call His name Immanuel, which is translated, ‘God With Us.’”—Matthew 1:23

Why He Came, Luke 9:51-56

Buddy, Christmas 2022

When Buddy ran off one Fourth of July holiday, there was no way that I would give up looking for him till he was found. I knew that he was car stupid and might get injured by a motorized vehicle or killed by a coyote. Like all little terriers, he thinks he can protect himself, but actually depends upon his master to keep him safe from harm.

Because I was not raised in the Christian faith, I have not been subjected to Christian memes my whole life. I approach some issues with fresh eyes, rather than automatically believing something the Christian community repeats endlessly.

Now, before you get angry with me, it’s always an advantage to be raised Christian so that the Holy Spirit is influencing a life positively from childhood; that person has less chances to screw up their life with bad behavior and has less obstacles to overcome as a result of bad decisions.

However, once again, I was recently told by a lifelong Christian that God is going to punish the United States, just as He did ancient Israel.

My response: Firstly, is the United States more wicked than other nations? We have tens of millions of born again believers in our country. Should we just give up? Where is our faith?

And we punish ourselves as a nation by disobeying God and not following His instructions for life and godly living in the Bible.

But, most importantly, we are NOT living in the Old Testament times under the Old Covenant. Jesus was born and died to usher in a New Covenant of Grace.

“Now it came to pass, when the time had come for Him to be received up, that He steadfastly set His face to go to Jerusalem, and sent messengers before His face. And as they went, they entered a village of the Samaritans, to prepare for Him. But they did not receive Him, because His face was set for the journey to Jerusalem.

And when His disciples James and John saw this, they said, ‘Lord, do You want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them, just as Elijah did?’

But He turned and rebuked them, and said, ‘You do not know what manner of spirit you are of.

For the Son of Man did not come to destroy men’s lives but to save them.’”—Jesus, Luke 9:51-56

It’s so easy to get frustrated when we see Christ excluded from Christmas in so many family celebrations. And to witness so many in power, whether political or corporate, acting in ways that are selfish, ungodly and destructive to our nation and culture.

But Jesus reminds both myself—and you—that He came to save lives, not destroy them.

“‘For the Son of Man has come to seek and save that which is lost.’”—Jesus, Luke 19:10

Yes, Wise men and women still seek Jesus.

And Judgment is coming—one day. Jesus will declare, “I never knew you; depart from Me who practice lawlessness! (Matthew 5:23).”

But until His Second Coming, He is still seeking and saving His lost sheep.

It’s difficult, I know. I wish Jesus would return and wipe out evil.

But then I remember I was one of those lost sheep that Jesus chose to save, instead of punishing.

So, please, focus on God’s mercy. He’s still saving.

He’s not eager to rain down judgment.

“But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is long-suffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.”—Apostle Peter, 2 Peter 3:8-9

God bless you.

Merry Christmas from Dawn and Buddy

***

Yes, God is not eager to punish. He wants everyone to leave the “kingdom of darkness and translat(e) us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins (Apostle Paul, Colossians 1:13-14).”

But the Apostle Peter did warn that judgment, though delayed, would one day come: “They will give an account to Him Who is ready to judge the living and the dead.”—1 Peter 4:5

He warned that the Lord’s Return would occur like “a thief in the night (2 Peter 3:10)”—He will return unexpectedly and suddenly; there will no longer be time to repent and accept Jesus as Lord.

Every day you have a choice: Do you want to remain under the authority of Satan as your god, or accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior? Remain under the authority of a defeated being of hatred—or accept the authority of a God Who loves you and created you?

What do you really have to lose if your life is currently miserable, anyway?

If you want new spiritual life, please repeat the following, out loud if possible:

Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you that Jesus came to save me and not condemn me. Thank you for loving me and wanting to guide my life along a better path. Please forgive my sins and fill me with the Holy Spirit. I ask Jesus to be my Lord and Savior. I want You in my life. I give my life to You. Lead me into everlasting life and freedom from bondage to sin. In the merciful name of Jesus, amen.

If you prayed sincerely, congratulations, you are born again. Please start reading the Bible as your soul needs daily nourishment, just as your body needs daily food. The Word of God is your soul food. I suggest starting with the Book of Luke as it details the Christmas story.

Also, please join a Bible believing church or Bible study. And get baptized. If that’s not possible right now, then I suggest these two ministries, which also have apps, if that’s your preference: http://www.LTW.org (Leading The Way) or http://www.AndrewFarley.org (The Grace Message).

God bless you as you celebrate your new life in Jesus.

Buddy and I love you and hope to meet you in heaven one day.

White As Snow, Isaiah 1:18

Scruffy pup

I recently returned from a weeklong trip, visiting with a friend I haven’t seen for two years. So fun to spend quality time with her and discover some things that we have in common that I hadn’t known previously. My furry pal welcomed me home, but is a scruffy-looking little fellow as I wasn’t around to give him a bath.

“Come now and let us reason together,” says the Lord. “Though your sins are as scarlet, they’ll be white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they’ll be like wool.”—Isaiah 1:18

We are all like Buddy. Every single one of us.

How?

We cannot wash ourselves clean of our sins. Just like Buddy, we need someone bigger to wash us.

Someone who loves us and wants us to be healthy, free of dirt.

Jesus died to wash us clean of our sins. God demands payment for bad behavior and Jesus paid that price for us.

But why?

As pastor Dr Charles Stanley likes to say, “God does not dwell in a dirty vessel.”

Quite true. So for a person to be indwelt by the Holy Spirit—for God to inhabit the human soul—we have to be declared clean of sin: totally perfect and righteous (Matthew 5:48).

It’s important for Christians to explain to the unbelieving world WHY they need their sins forgiven: so that God can GIVE them spiritual LIFE.

“Jesus answered and said to him (Nicodemus), ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.’”—Jesus, John 3:3

When I was an unbeliever in the deity of Jesus Christ, no one explained to me what “born again” meant. It’s vitally important that we explain to nonChristians that they are spiritually “dead (Ephesians 2:5)” and need to be reborn spiritually to enter God’s heavenly kingdom.

That’s the true good news: Not that they are sinners, but salvation comes through believing God loves them and Jesus, God in the flesh (Matthew 1:23), died for their sins AND was resurrected from the dead to give them eternal LIFE (Romans 8:11).

Sinners washed clean by the blood of the holy Lamb and made saints, children of God (John 1:12-13).

God bless you this Christmas Season.

Much love from Dawn and Buddy.

***

I hope you understand that you need Jesus to have spiritual life. Other religions can teach you how to be a better person, but only the Lord Jesus can give you new life, raising your soul from death to life.

If you realize something is wrong and need Jesus, please repeat the following prayer, out loud if possible:

Dear Heavenly Father, I want to be washed clean of my sin and enter the kingdom of heaven. I ask Jesus to be my Lord and Savior. I acknowledge that He is God Who came to die for my sins. Please forgive my all my sin and fill me with Your Holy Spirit. I want new life and cannot earn it, but humbly receive it as a gift of Your love for me. I want to live for You. Thank you for hearing my prayer. In the name of Jesus, amen.

If you prayed sincerely, congratulations, you are born again. Please start reading the Bible as it’s your soul food; just as your body needs daily nourishment, so does your soul. I suggest starting with the Book of Luke as it details the Christmas story.

Also, please join a Bible believing church or Bible study. And get baptized. If that’s not possible right now, I suggest these two ministries, which also have apps, if that’s your preference: http://www.LTW.org (Leading The Way) and http://www.AndrewFarley.org.

God bless you. May Buddy and I see you in heaven one day. Merry Christmas!

Prince of Peace? Isaiah 9:6-7

Who says that you can’t teach an old dog new tricks?

Wrong!

I adopted Buddy over twelve years ago and he’s been a fairly quiet dog—till recently. He learned that when he barked at my dad, my dad would give him a treat.

Now he barks at me till I give in to his demands. There is no peace in the household till Buddy gets his way!

My dad, unintentionally, created a little monster!

(My dad is starting to squirt Buddy with water from a spray bottle if he becomes too insistent. It usually works.)

During the eighth century BC, the Jewish prophet Isaiah made this prediction about the coming Messiah, whom we now know is Jesus Christ of Nazareth, Isaiah 9:6-7:

“For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; and the government will rest on His shoulders; and His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace,…”

Yet, the Christian group, Casting Crowns, so beautifully sings “I Heard The Bells on Christmas Day,” with the famous line: “There is no peace on earth, they say…” https://youtu.be/M7670CXvPX0

In fact, Jesus told His followers in Matthew 10:34-36:

“Do not think that I came to bring peace on the earth; I did not bring peace, but a sword. For I came to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; and a man’s enemies will be members of his household.”

In fact, Isaiah said that “There would be no end to the increase of…His peace.” Yet Jesus was crucified almost two thousand years ago and there has been no increase of peace throughout the past two millennia on the earth. In fact, over 100 million people were killed in during the world wars and by Communists during the 20th century—the low end figure. And 70 million Christians have been killed for their faith since Christ walked on the earth. For example, the Ottoman Turks murdered over 1.6 million Christians in Armenia and Turkey in the 1820s. (Source: https://www.goodnewsfl.org/christian-persecution-21st-century/)

So we’re not experiencing the world peace Isaiah seemed to prophecy that the Messiah would usher in.

So what the heck kind of peace was being referred to by the prophet?

“Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.”—John 14:27

A few comments regarding this promised peace:

1. Firstly, Jesus gives it. It’s a gift. You cannot earn it.

2. It’s a peace different from the kind that the world gives.

3. If you receive this peace from Jesus, you will not feel fear or anxiety.

Sounds great, right? What is this peace that only Jesus can give to you?

Three things:

1. Peace with God. “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ…”—Apostle Paul, Romans 5:1

God hates sin and must punish it; the whole world is under His wrath. “Jesus, Who rescues us from the wrath to come.”—Apostle Paul, 1 Thessalonians 1:10

Because Jesus died for the sins of all humanity, “once for all” Hebrews 9:12), we are no longer enemies of God and are at peace with Him—if we “confess with our mouths Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; (Romans 10:9)”

But please note: This peace with God comes only through Jesus.

2. Peace within your heart.

After I became born again, the Holy Spirit has been revealing to me how much unnecessary conflict and anger there is in my mind and heart. I’ve learned to forgive and become free of bitterness and resentment (Romans 5:5); freed from jealousy and envy, because God promises to meet all my needs and cares for me, even to the point of knowing how many hairs I have on my head at any given moment (Matthew 6:25-34); freed of worrying about what people think of me or may do to me. (OK, that last one the Lord and I are still working on.)

Isaiah prophesied that our Lord is a “Wonderful Counselor.” But too few seek the wisdom in the Bible or the help of the Holy Spirit, through prayer and submission; but seek worldly wisdom, then wonder why they are in endless therapy. (I’m not referring to emotional issues caused by physical problems or chemical imbalances, although I think too few don’t look at how their diets or potential allergies may be causing mental problems.)

3. Peace through hope in the future.

Jesus said: “These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.”—John 16:33

The peace we can have as Christians is that, no matter what life throws at us, we know Jesus is walking alongside us and leading us as our Good Shepherd (Psalm 23, Psalm 139, John 10:14-18). He gave His life to buy us eternal life in heaven with Him:

“I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live, even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die.”—Jesus, John 11:25-26

Because Jesus died for our sins and then was resurrected from the dead, proving that His blameless life was sufficient payment for our sins, and that He was (and is) “God in the flesh” (Matthew 1:23), we can be assured of having eternal life—if we’re born again through faith in Jesus Christ.

So the peace Isaiah foretold was: Peace with God, peace within our souls, and peace despite suffering because we’re destined for paradise in heaven.

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you,…”—Apostle Peter, 1 Peter 1:3-5

God bless you this Christmas Season.

Much love from Dawn and Buddy

PS. Buddy fussed continuously throughout my composing this blog tonight. First I stopped to take him for a walkie. Then he fussed for attention. What a little monster! And he’s still fussing at these very moment!

***

Jesus stated that peace with God comes only through Him. “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.”—John 14:6

Now, you cannot judge by the lives of other Christians if that peace is truly available. You don’t know where a person started from in their walk with God and how much progress they have made. Or what is in their heart. As long as we walk this earth, we’ll all struggle with our own personal sins and flaws.

But the question is: Are you ready to begin that journey right now? And be reassured of a future in Heaven? For Jesus told the thief dying on the cross next to Him, that because of his confession of his sin and faith, he would join Jesus in paradise that very day after his death (Luke 23:39-43).

If you’re ready to experience the peace that Jesus gives, instead of the uncertain peace of a broken world, please repeat the following prayer, out loud if possible:

Dear Father, I’m tired of the false peace this changeable world promises and want the peace in my life that only Jesus can give. Please forgive all my sins. I ask Jesus to be my Lord and Savior. Please fill me with the Holy Spirit. I give my life to You. I ask the Great Shepherd to fill my heart with the peace He freely gives. In the mighty name of Jesus, amen.

If you prayed sincerely, congratulations, you’re born again. Please start reading the Bible. Just as your body needs daily nourishment, so does your soul; the Bible is your soul food. I suggest starting with the Book of Luke as it details the Christmas story.

And join a Bible believing church or Bible study. And get baptized. If that’s not possible right now, I suggest these two ministries, which also have apps, if that’s your preference: http://www.AndrewFarley.org and http://www.LTW.org (Leading The Way). There are other godly ministries out there, but it’s easy to be misled by legalism or false teaching till you know the Bible fairly well.

God bless you. Thanks for reading my blog post. May Buddy and I meet you in heaven one day. Enjoy the journey you’ve begun as a new believer in Christ.