I Interviewed an AI BOT about Salvation - (2 of 3)

 My Interview with AI BOT - Who is Jesus

ME:

but who is Jesus really - historically, he's just a man, right?

AI:

The identity of Jesus Christ is a matter of faith for Christians and a point of debate among people of different religious beliefs. From a historical perspective, Jesus of Nazareth lived in the first century and is widely recognized as a religious figure who had a significant impact on world history.

However, for Christians, Jesus is much more than just a historical figure. They believe that Jesus is the Son of God and that He came to earth to provide salvation for all people through His death and resurrection. Christians believe that Jesus is both fully human and fully divine and that He is the Savior of the world and the means by which people can have a right relationship with God.

Whether one believes that Jesus is just a man or the Son of God is a matter of personal faith, and people hold different beliefs based on their religious traditions and interpretations of the historical evidence.

ME:

How can God have a Son

AI:

The concept of God having a son is a central doctrine of Christianity and is rooted in the belief that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. In Christian theology, the concept of God having a son is seen as a mystery that transcends human understanding and is ultimately a matter of faith.

The idea that God has a son is expressed in the Bible, particularly in the New Testament, where Jesus is referred to as the Son of God and is described as having a unique relationship with God the Father. This relationship is described as being one of equality, yet also of distinction, with Jesus being fully God and fully human at the same time.

Christians believe that God the Father sent His son Jesus to the earth to redeem humanity from sin and death through His death on the cross and resurrection from the dead. They believe that through faith in Jesus, people can have eternal life and a right relationship with God.

The idea of God having a son is unique to Christianity and is not found in other religious traditions. How one understands this concept will depend on their faith and interpretation of the Bible.

ME:

You said Jesus is equal to God, and also His Son...

AI:

In Christian theology, Jesus is considered to be both fully God and fully human, a doctrine known as the "incarnation." This means that Jesus is equal in nature and essence to God the Father, while at the same time being distinct from Him as the Son.

The idea of the incarnation is rooted in the belief that God took on human form in the person of Jesus Christ to provide salvation for humanity. Christians believe that Jesus, as both God and man, lived a sinless life and died on the cross as a sacrifice for the sins of humanity.

This concept is expressed in several passages in the New Testament, where Jesus is referred to as both the Son of God and as one with God the Father. The idea of the incarnation is a central doctrine of Christianity and is a matter of faith for Christians, with different interpretations of how the divinity and humanity of Jesus are combined and expressed.

ME:

Does Jesus ever claim to be God?  if so, can you share those scripture verses.

AI:

Yes, Jesus claimed to be God in several passages in the New Testament. Here are a few examples:

·         John 8:58: "Jesus said to them, 'Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.'"

·         John 10:30: "I and the Father are one."

·         John 14:9: "Jesus said to him, 'Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, 'Show us the Father'?'"

These verses and others like them, in which Jesus claimed to be equal with God, were the basis for the early Christian belief in the divinity of Jesus and were a significant factor in the controversy that eventually led to His crucifixion.

These verses are also the source of much debate and interpretation, with some people seeing them as evidence of Jesus' divinity, while others interpret them in a more metaphorical or symbolic sense. Ultimately, the interpretation of these verses and the belief in the divinity of Jesus is a matter of personal faith and religious tradition.

ME:
What does it mean "Son of Man"

AI:

"Son of Man" is a title used to refer to Jesus in the New Testament. It appears over 80 times in the four Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) and is one of the most common ways that Jesus referred to himself.

The phrase "Son of Man" has its roots in the Old Testament, where it was used as a general term for humanity. In the New Testament, Jesus takes on this title and uses it to refer to himself in a unique way. By using this phrase, Jesus was emphasizing his humanity, as well as his divine nature.

The exact meaning of "Son of Man" is a subject of debate among biblical scholars, but it is generally understood to convey the idea of Jesus as a representative of humanity. This title encompasses both his identity as a human being and his role as the Savior of humanity. It also highlights his role as the judge of humanity at the end of the world, as described in the book of Revelation.

In short, "Son of Man" is a significant title that conveys the dual nature of Jesus as both fully human and fully divine. It emphasizes his role as the Savior and Judge of humanity, and his unique relationship with God.

ME:

Would this have been considered blasphemy to the Jews of that time - Pharisees, Priests and Sadducees

AI:

Yes, the use of the title "Son of Man" by Jesus would have been considered blasphemy by many of the Jews of his time, including the Pharisees, Priests, and Sadducees. This is because they believed that only God was worthy of the title "Son of Man," and that claiming such a title for oneself was an act of blasphemy.

The Pharisees, Priests, and Sadducees were the religious leaders of Jewish society and were deeply committed to the laws and traditions of their faith. They believed that the Messiah would be a political and military leader who would restore the kingdom of Israel and overthrow their Roman oppressors.

However, Jesus' teachings and miracles, as well as his use of the title "Son of Man," challenged their understanding of the Messiah and their religious beliefs. They saw his claims of being the Son of Man as an assertion of equality with God, and thus considered it blasphemy.

This was one of the main reasons why they sought to oppose and discredit Jesus, and why they eventually sought to have him crucified. However, his resurrection and ascension into heaven affirmed his claims and validated his teachings, leading to the spread of the Christian faith throughout the world.

ME:

I have heard of the Trinity - what does this mean

AI:

The Trinity is a central doctrine in Christianity, and refers to the belief in the existence of one God in three persons: the Father, the Son (Jesus Christ), and the Holy Spirit. The doctrine of the Trinity teaches that these three persons are distinct but not separate, and that they are equal in their divine nature and attributes.

The concept of the Trinity is a complex one and is not explicitly stated in the Bible, but it is derived from a number of passages that suggest the coexistence of multiple divine persons within the one Godhead. For example, Jesus refers to the Father as his God and speaks of the Holy Spirit as a separate being, while the New Testament also speaks of the three persons of the Trinity as existing and working together in harmony.

The doctrine of the Trinity is one of the cornerstones of the Christian faith and has been widely accepted by the majority of Christian denominations. It is believed to be a fundamental aspect of the Christian understanding of the nature of God, and provides a basis for understanding the relationship between God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit, and their roles in the salvation of humanity.

In summary, the Trinity is the Christian doctrine that teaches the existence of one God in three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, who are equal in their divine nature and attributes, and who exist and work together in harmony.

ME:

That's pretty deep - tell me about the Holy Spirit from Scripture

AI:

The Holy Spirit is a central figure in the Christian faith and is considered one of the three persons of the Trinity, along with the Father and the Son (Jesus Christ). The Holy Spirit is mentioned numerous times in the Bible and is described as having a variety of roles and functions.

In the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit is associated with creation, empowerment, and guidance. For example, in Genesis 1:2, the Holy Spirit is described as moving over the waters during the creation of the world. In the New Testament, the Holy Spirit is described as a helper and comforter, providing believers with strength and guidance in their lives.

The Holy Spirit is also associated with the birth and mission of Jesus, and is described as having descended upon him at his baptism. Throughout the New Testament, the Holy Spirit is depicted as having an active role in the lives of believers, empowering them to live lives of faith, to perform miracles, and to spread the gospel.

One of the most well-known functions of the Holy Spirit is the gift of speaking in tongues, which is described as a sign of the presence of the Holy Spirit in the life of a believer. The Holy Spirit is also associated with the process of sanctification, helping believers to grow in their faith and to become more like Jesus.

In summary, the Holy Spirit is an important figure in the Christian faith and is described in the Bible as having a variety of roles and functions, including creation, empowerment, guidance, comfort, and sanctification. The Holy Spirit is considered one of the three persons of the Trinity, and is a central figure in the lives of believers.

ME:

What part did the Holy Spirit have in the birth of Jesus?

AI:

The Holy Spirit played an important role in the birth of Jesus, as described in the New Testament. According to the Gospel of Matthew and the Gospel of Luke, the Holy Spirit was involved in the miraculous conception of Jesus.

In the Gospel of Matthew, it is written that Mary, the mother of Jesus, was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. This means that the Holy Spirit was involved in the creation of Jesus in a supernatural way, bypassing the normal biological process of conception.

In the Gospel of Luke, it is written that the Holy Spirit came upon Mary and overshadowed her, resulting in the conception of Jesus. This passage emphasizes the supernatural nature of the birth of Jesus, and highlights the involvement of the Holy Spirit in this event.

The birth of Jesus through the Holy Spirit is considered a central doctrine in Christianity, and is seen as a fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies about the coming of a Messiah who would be born of a virgin. The Holy Spirit's involvement in the birth of Jesus is seen as a sign of the divine nature of Jesus and of the Holy Spirit's power and presence in the world.

In summary, the Holy Spirit played a crucial role in the birth of Jesus, as described in the New Testament. The Holy Spirit was involved in the miraculous conception of Jesus, bypassing the normal biological process, and is seen as a sign of the divine nature of Jesus and of the Holy Spirit's power and presence in the world.

ME:

what is the old testament prophecy about Jesus birth?

AI:

The Old Testament contains several prophecies that foretell the birth of Jesus, who is considered the Messiah (or savior) in Christianity. Some of the most well-known Old Testament prophecies about the birth of Jesus include:

Isaiah 7:14 - "Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel." This prophecy is considered by many Christians to be a foretelling of the birth of Jesus through the Virgin Mary.

Micah 5:2 - "But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times." This prophecy foretells the birthplace of Jesus, who was born in Bethlehem.

Jeremiah 31:15 - "This is what the Lord says: "A voice is heard in Ramah, mourning and great weeping, Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because they are no more." This prophecy is considered by many to be a foretelling of the massacre of the infants in Bethlehem, which is described in the New Testament as having taken place after the birth of Jesus.

Isaiah 9:6 - "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." This prophecy foretells the birth of a child who will have divine attributes and who will rule as a king.

These and other Old Testament prophecies are seen by Christians as evidence of the divine nature of Jesus and of the fulfillment of God's plan for the salvation of humanity. The birth of Jesus is considered a central event in the Christian faith and is celebrated as the birth of the Savior of the world.

ME:

what are the chances that one person could fulfill all of these prophecies

AI:

As a language model created by (cannot disclose), I do not have the ability to make subjective assessments or predictions. However, it is widely held by Christians that the likelihood of one person fulfilling all of the Old Testament prophecies regarding the birth of the Messiah is very low.

According to Christian theology, there were many specific prophecies about the Messiah in the Old Testament, such as the place of his birth (Bethlehem), the nature of his rule (as a king), and the manner of his death (crucifixion). Some Christians believe that the odds of one person fulfilling all of these prophecies by chance are astronomically low, and therefore see the fulfillment of these prophecies in Jesus as evidence of his divine nature and mission.

Critics, however, argue that the Old Testament prophecies are open to interpretation and that the fulfillment of these prophecies in Jesus is due to selective interpretation and cherry-picking of texts. They argue that the prophecies in question are vague and could be applied to many people, and that the New Testament authors had an interest in making it seem as though Jesus fulfilled them.

In any case, the question of the chances of one person fulfilling all of the Old Testament prophecies regarding the birth of the Messiah is a matter of personal belief and interpretation. Some people believe that the odds of fulfilling all of these prophecies by chance are very low, while others believe that the prophecies are not as specific or meaningful as they are often portrayed to be.

ME:

I thought the Messiah would come from the blood line of David, tying all the way back to Adam.  With Mary's miraculous conception from the Holy Spirit how is Jesus from the line of David.

AI:

According to Christian tradition, Jesus is considered to be a descendant of King David through his earthly father, Joseph. In the New Testament, the genealogy of Jesus is traced back to King David through Joseph in Matthew 1:1-16 and Luke 3:23-38.

Mary's miraculous conception by the Holy Spirit is seen by Christians as fulfilling the prophecy in Isaiah 7:14 that the Messiah would be born of a virgin. The belief is that Mary, a descendant of King David, was chosen by God to be the mother of Jesus, and that the Holy Spirit conceived Jesus in her womb. In this way, Jesus is considered to be both the Son of God and a descendant of King David.

This belief in the divine and human nature of Jesus is central to Christian theology and is a key aspect of the Christian doctrine of the Trinity. According to this doctrine, Jesus is both fully human and fully divine, and is seen as the fulfillment of God's promise to send a Savior to humanity. The belief that Jesus is both divine and a descendant of King David is an important part of the Christian understanding of who Jesus is and what he came to do.

37 Days – A Promise of the Holy Spirit

Pastor Randy’s devotional:

Peter replied, “Each of you must repent of your sins, turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ to show that you have received forgiveness for your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. This promise is to you, and to your children, and even to the Gentiles—all who have been called by the Lord our God.” Acts 2:38-40

January 31^st Prayer:
Jesus, You promised in John 14 to give us another Helper—the Holy Spirit. You are the One who baptizes me in the Holy Spirit. I believe You! You promised me the Holy Spirit, and I know by faith that I am now the temple of the Holy Spirit. O Holy Spirit of God, love through me, joy through me. Let Your peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, and gentleness be evident and visible in my life. Release Your powerful gifts to flow freely in and through me . . . in Jesus’ name!

My thoughts:

The Holy Spirit, my helper, my comforter, my advocate and my mentor.  In the book of John, the 14^th chapter; Jesus tells us that He will send the Holy Spirit as our advocate.  He gives us a clear understand that He, the Father and the Holy Spirit are one; and that as a believer we receive the Holy Spirit, who will dwell within us.

“If you love me, keep my commands.   And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.  I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.  Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live.  On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you….But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you”  John 14: 15-20, 26 (NIV)

Jesus was explaining to the disciples that He must leave and return to the Father, but that they (and therefore we) would not be alone in our pursuit.  Many fear the Holy Spirit because accepting requires admitting that God is always, always with you and guiding you.  Others, will demonstrate with outward examples of the Holy Spirit in their lives and acknowledge His presence through dance, worship, speaking in tongues and using their gifts for the Lord. 

What is it that the Holy Spirit is doing in and through your life?  Are you accepting His presence, letting His love flow through you, using your gifts as an expression of His purpose or worshipping and sharing His presence with others?  Just as the Father, nor Jesus can accept sin, neither can the Holy Spirit.  Our sinful worldly nature goes against His very nature, so there is a battle inside every time we are outside of His plan.  He is our advocate and therefore pulling us back to the righteous path.  This is why we know what is sinful in the eyes of the Lord and what is good.  We are righteous because He is righteous through us, not because of anything we have done or earned.  Believe that He is in you and leading you toward the Father’s perfect plan, and trust that indeed He is there for your peace, comfort and strength as you follow the Lord.

Be Blessed,

Rich

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A Simple Man’s Understanding the Trinity

Let’s begin to unpack the Trinity, as I introduced last week.  As I challenged you to provide your thoughts on The Trinity (Triune God) from a scriptural point of view, I thought I would take the opportunity to share my perspective with you (fair is fair – right).  First, I am not a theologian, nor have I done an in depth study of the Trinity and it is a highly complex principal belief of the Christian faith.  I will not be able to provide you a comprehensive understanding, for I pale in qualifications to do so.  What I would like to do though is provide you with some scripture references that may be beneficial to you if you are ever faced with the question from a skeptic.

So in layman’s terms what is the Trinity:
Point 1: There is only One God
Point 2: God is Three persons in One – The Father, The Son and the Holy Spirit.  Each of them are personas of God yet independent of each other.  The Father is not the Son nor the Holy Spirit, The Son is not the Father nor the Holy Spirit and the Holy Spirit is neither the Son nor the Father; yet all of them are God.
Point 3: All three possess the characteristics and holiness of God Almighty

Now, having said this, how do we back it up with scripture.
Deut. 6:4 - “Hear, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord is one!”

Isaiah 42:1-2 – “Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him, and he will bring justice to the nations.” – describing Jesus (my servant, my chosen) and the Holy Spirit (my Spirit) clearly states that God – Jesus – Holy Spirit are separate but all part of God (from first person).  Yet Jesus [he] will bring justice to nations. 
    Following this read Luke 18:7 - “And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones.” – God through Isaiah prophesies that Jesus will bring justice, and then Jesus in a parable states in Luke, “God will bring justice”. 

John 1:1-3; 14 – “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  He was with God in the beginning.  Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made…. (14)The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”  - Read this verse and replace the Word, with Jesus. 
     Refer back to Genesis 1:26 – “Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our
      likeness…” – God has clearly stated that man has the image of God, yet God has no physical form (reference to [Exodus 3] burning bush, [1 Kings 19] gentle whisper), so who’s image was He referring to?  Jesus came in the flesh as the physical form of God Almighty, to whom mankind was created in the image of.

Acts 5:3-4 – “Then Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land?   Didn’t it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn’t the money at your disposal?  What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied just to human beings but to God.”  - Peter speaks clearly to Ananias that his lie was to the Holy Spirit, and then in the same statement states that his lie was to God.  This clearly identifies that the Holy Spirit is God.

John 20:17 – “Jesus said, “Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’”  - Jesus’ words to Mary Magdalene clearly connects the Father to God as One, and separates Father from Jesus and God from Jesus and God from Father.  Two of the three persona’s of God are represented here, and yet associated one to the other.  Jesus ascends to the Father and to God.  The Father and God are not the same, yet both are in a place to be ascended to, which connects them as One.  Several verses throughout Jesus life reference “The Father” as a persona of God acting in this world and in heaven.  “Father, Lord of heaven and earth”, “Father, forgive them, for what they do.”, “Jesus said to them, “My Father is always at work….”, “the Son can do nothing, only what he sees his Father doing..”, “If you knew me, you would know my Father also.”,etc.

John 8:54 – “Jesus replied, “If I glorify myself, my glory means nothing. My Father, whom you claim as your God, is the one who glorifies me.”  Jesus is speaking to the Jewish leaders regarding their father Abraham and their claims that Jesus is a demon-possessed man.  He continues later in the chapter:
John 8:57-58 - “You are not yet fifty years old,” they said to him, “and you have seen Abraham!”
“Very truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “before Abraham was born, I am!”  - Jesus here claims that he was there before Abraham and uses the same words as God when he appeared to Moses – “I am” [Exodus 3:14]

Nowhere in the scriptures does it clearly state that God is three in one, but I have shown you several instances where the scriptures reference that the Father is God, the Son is God and the Holy Spirit is God.  We must try to comprehend that we are incapable of comprehending God with our limited knowledge and wisdom.  The Father is a persona of God that gives us an insight to the characteristics of God that we can understand – love, grace, mercy, compassion, discipline, wisdom, sovereign, judge of right/wrong and so on.  The Son is a persona of God in flesh that we could physically see, talk to, observe, learn from, and comprehend in a human form (Jesus Christ - Son of Man and Son of God).  As a man his flesh can be tempted, will hunger, will tire, will weep, will worry, will bleed and will die.  The Holy Spirit is a persona of God that exists in this world, in the hearts of mankind, to guide our walk with God in this life.  Jesus introduced the Spirit to mankind after His resurrection as our comforter, our advocate, our helper to teach us all things from the Father.

So do not lose faith, but realize that the Trinity is a cornerstone of our faith and I strongly encourage you to study it, learn it and to make it your own.  There will come a time when others will ask you to explain it, and you should be able to.  Share your thoughts below, I’m very interested in your comments.

Be Blessed,

Rich

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Define the Trinity in your own words.

Deuteronomy 6:4 – “Hear, O Israel: The LORD thy God is one LORD.”

This week I gave my kids an assignment “Using only the scriptures; no google search, no cheating, no copying, explain the Trinity.”  The reality is that it is never directly referenced in the scriptures, and it is one of the most difficult things to comprehend in a worldly understanding.  The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit independently are easy to understand and wrap our head around, but when we look at them as a single triune God it gets a little uncomfortable for most. 

The Trinity is a fundamental foundational point in our Christian belief system, and it only exists in the Christian belief system.  Other religious beliefs may recognize Jesus, recognize God the Father and recognize the Holy Spirit, but none make the attempt to claim they are one.  Many from other faiths will challenge the Christian faith on this very topic.  If we are unable to explain it in a manner that helps them understand, it can quickly be deduced that it’s a man-made fallacy and therefore crippling the entire Christian belief system.

So, as we share time together, let us examine this topic amongst us as friends and fellow believers.  In it’s most general sense the Trinity is best expressed in the human form of 3 personas in one being.  Take me for example:  I am a person, a male human; I am a son of two loving parents; and I am a brother to two totally awesome siblings.  I had no control over any of these personas in my life, yet each of them are factual just by the very nature of my existence.  Three personas in one being.  This example is simple for a human to wrap their head around, but in this simplified description it pales to touch on the reality of the Triune Godhead.

So, similar to what I’ve asked my daughters to contribute this week – how do you define the Trinity, using only scriptures, not the WWW search engine of choice.  In the comment section below, leave your thoughts, your ideas, your questions and your hypothesis.  We are all in this Christian walk together and we need to learn to help each other grow in our respective faith, through loving advice and counsel.  I am choosing to hold off on posting my position on this question, because I want to hear from you.  I will post my response in a few days, and trust me I do have an opinion now, after being unable to address this question in a dialogue with another a few months back.

Following this question realize that additional question’s will arise.  Can the God die?  Does God cry?  Does God feel pain?  Can God be tempted?  Think about these questions as you contemplate your thoughts on defining the Trinity.  I love you all and look forward to your thoughts.

Be Blessed,

Rich

Fundamental Truth – He is God

November 21, 2014

“The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.” – Hebrews 1:3

They will tell you there is No Trinity.  They will say that the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit are each individuals.  They will say that He was God’s first creation, but He isn’t God in flesh.  Some say His bones are still in a hidden grave in Israel, some have claimed to find His bones in a grave.  Some do not believe He existed because they have never found His bones.

I believe He was God incarnate, He is truly God in the flesh, conceived by the Holy Spirit in Mary and born fully man and yet fully God.  I believe He was on the earth for a purpose of providing salvation for mankind.  Upon completing His purpose on earth, He ascended to the Father once again, where He waits for the end, where He will return for those that have acknowledged Him as Lord.

Prior to Christ, salvation came through a yearly sacrifice of a perfect, spotless lamb.  The father of each family would take the offering to the temple, where it would be sacrificed and the blood would atone for the sins for that year.  God looked down upon mankind and saw that despite His loving-kindness, His provision and His Commandments, man continued in sin and lawlessness.  In His grace and mercy, He chose to provide a single, final provision for the sins of mankind, not because we deserved it, but because He loved us so. 

This sacrifice had to be from a perfect, flawless and fully holy, righteous man.  No such man could fulfill these requirements, which meant God, Himself, must provide the sacrifice.  He provided His Son as that provision.  Through His perfect life, death and resurrection, Jesus Christ became that perfect lamb, the sacrifice for God’s family (all of mankind).  He rose from the grave and ascended to Heaven because He is God.


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Accept It

Read It, Learn It, Live It, Share It

“And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit" – Matthew 20:22

  What if we actually accepted the premise that “Christ lives in me.”?  What would be impossible for you to accomplish?  Who could stand in your way from serving the Lord with everything you have and without fear?

  Unfortunately, most of us wake in the morning, say our morning prayer, ask God for help for the day and then go on our merry way.  We then attempt to take on the day based on our knowledge, experience and talent, rather than through Him.  What if you actually let God run your life?  Would you still go to the same job?  Would you still worry about your makeup, your ensemble, the wrinkles in your shirt, or whether your socks matched?

  We claim Christ as our Savior, so we can be assured a place in heaven.  That is all well and good and an absolute blessing, but it is only scratching the surface of what Christ did for you and me.  When you walk with the confidence of Christ, there is absolutely nothing that can come between you and Him.  He is on your every thought, every breath and word.  When Christ died and was buried, it was the Spirit of God within Him that brought Him back to life, and rose Him from the grave.  This Spirit, I refer to is the ever powerful, and omniscient Holy Spirit of God Almighty. 

  After He had ascended to heaven, Christ returned and met with the disciples in the Upper Room, and breathed upon them the Holy Spirit.  The same Holy Spirit that rose Him from the grave, and the same Holy Spirit that dwells within you and I, if we have accepted Him.  If we could grasp the unbelievable truth of who is inside of us and if we could realize the unstoppable force that is waiting to burst upon this planet, we could change the world through Him.  Satan is defeated, it is only a matter of time.  The Holy Spirit has proven time and time again that God is God and there is no other.  What was demonstrated by God, the Holy Spirit and Jesus Christ at Gethsemane, was that the power of Satan in this world is incapable of overcoming the love, grace and mercy of God the Father.

  Live like He made you to live.  Love others, help others, serve others and serve Him in doing so.  Speak with the Holy Spirit as your trusted counselor and advisor, and not a Genie in a bottle.  His desire is to strengthen you and fulfill God’s purpose through you.  Accept it and embrace it, then learn how to live it.

             

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