Jesus, The Way Out of Religious Confusion INTRODUCTION 1. Many people who wish to follow Jesus are repelled by the multitude of denominations and conflicting doctrines and practices taught by those professing to be Christians. 2. Such distaste for denominational division is in keeping with the spirit of the New Testament... a. Jesus prayed fervently for unity - Jn 17:21 b. Paul condemned religious division - 1 Cor 1:10-13 3. While some denominational leaders like to justify their existence, we know that religious confusion does not come from God...! a. God is the author of peace, not confusion - 1 Cor 14:33 b. Religious strife is indicative of carnality, and a work of the flesh - 1 Cor 3:3-4; Gal 5:19-21 4. Even so, is it possible for people today to simply be Christians and not a contributor to the denominational division of today? The answer is Yes! And Jesus shows us The Way Out Of Religious Confusion! Notice Jesus’ own example in the religious climate of His day... I. THE EXAMPLE OF JESUS A. NOTE THE RELIGIOUS CLIMATE OF HIS DAY... 1. When Jesus came to this earth, the Israelites were living under God’s law given by Moses. 2. In that law, God had not made any provision for the division of His people into religious sects or parties. 3. Yet, by the time of Jesus, the Jews had formed several distinct religious parties: a. Pharisees (somewhat conservative) b. Sadducees (very liberal, the “modernists” of their day) c. Essenes (radical isolationists) d. Herodians, Zealots (political religionists) 4. It was assumed that all who were serious about religion would be associated with one of these groups. B. HE MAINTAINED A NONSECTARIAN RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD... 1. To which of these groups did Jesus belong? He belonged to none of these groups! 2. Instead, He maintained a “nonsectarian” relationship with God to the very end. a. As an Israelite, living at a time when the Law of Moses was still in effect, He was simply an “Israelite”. b. In addition, He encouraged all to live by the Law while it was still in effect - cf. Matt 5:17-20. c. In other words, He encouraged all to simply be what the Law of Moses intended them to be (i.e., “Israelites”). C. WHAT WOULD JESUS BE TODAY...? 1. Would He be a Baptist, a Catholic, a Presbyterian, or a Methodist, etc.? 2. If He were simply an Israelite, would He not simply be a “Christian” today? 3. That was certainly what His disciples came to be called - cf. Ac 11:26 The example Jesus has set for us is clear: just be what God originally intended under the Law, which is in effect. Since in the New Testament (the “law of Christ”, cf. 1 Cor 9:21) the disciples of Christ were called “Christians”, so we should be! Not only should we be content with being “called” Christians, but we should also be concerned with “just being Christians.” Nothing more, nothing less! But how can we be sure that we are simply Christians, members of the church we read about in the New Testament? It helps to see what the Bible tells us about ... II. THE LORD'S CHURCH A. PROMISED BY JESUS... 1. Jesus promised to build His church - cf. Matt 16:18. 2. The word “church” comes from the Greek word ekklesia, which means “a called-out group, an assembly, a congregation”. 3. Jesus was promising to create His own group of people who had been “called.” B. ESTABLISHED THROUGH PREACHING THE GOSPEL... 1. How does this “calling” take place? 2. According to Paul, we are “called” by the gospel - 2 Thes 2:14. 3. On the first Pentecost after the ascension of Christ, we see by preaching the gospel, Peter “called out” those who were willing to express their faith in Jesus - Acts 2:38-41. 4. Notice that those who gladly responded in faith, repentance, and baptism were “added.” a. To what and by whom were they “added”? b. We find the answer in verse 47: “And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.” 5. The day of Pentecost was the beginning of the Lord's church (His “ekklesia”) 6. This “called-out” assembly or group was created when the gospel was proclaimed, and people responded to it. C. EXPANDED THROUGH PREACHING THE GOSPEL... 1. At first, the church existed only in Jerusalem. 2. As the gospel spread and people responded to it, groups of these saved people in various cities met together. 3. Each group became known as a church in a local sense (in contrast to the church universal, which is made up of all those saved throughout the world). 4. For example, during Paul's first missionary journey, many such churches were established - Acts 14:21-23. 5. By simply teaching the gospel of Christ, a local church was formed when those who obeyed the gospel joined together in their work and worship. D. EDIFIED THROUGH THE APOSTLES’ DOCTRINE... 1. Though united in Christ, these local churches were independent of any human association or federation of churches. 2. Christ directed them through His inspired apostles, as they taught them how to worship and work together - cf. Acts 2:42. 3. Sometimes this teaching by the apostles was done directly, other times by appointed emissaries - e.g., 1 Cor 4:17. 4. Just as often, the teaching was done through the epistles or letters written by the apostles - cf. 1 Cor 14:37; 1 Tim 3:14-15; 2 Th 2:14-15; 3:14. When we read what the Bible says to us about the Lord’s church, we learn that by responding to the gospel and paying close heed to the “apostles’ doctrine” (cf. Ac 2:42), people in the first century were able to be Christians only, without all the confusion prevalent today. Is it possible for us to do this today? Yes! Here is how... III. THE WAY OUT OF RELIGIOUS CONFUSION A. ACCEPT THE CALL OF THE GOSPEL... 1. Remember, Christ calls us into His ekklesia (church) through the gospel. 2. Therefore, we can begin by obeying the same instructions that Peter gave on the Day of Pentecost - Acts 2:38. 3. Repenting of our sins, and being baptized for the remission of our sins, we then receive the same blessings as did the 3000 on that day: Salvation! 4. By being saved in this manner, we know that the Lord truly adds us to His church just as He added them - cf. Acts 2:47 -- What then...? B. FOLLOW THE EXAMPLE OF THE EARLY CHRISTIANS... 1. The early Christians continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine - Acts 2:42 a. They joined no other religious organization, and neither should we! b. In Christ, we are automatically united with all others who are in Him! 2. As members of the Lord's church, we should study carefully the New Testament description of the church that continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine. a. This description is found in the Book of Acts and in the Epistles which follow it. b. It is here that we will find instruction from the Lord's apostles on how: 1) To worship the Lord acceptably. 2) To be scripturally organized as local congregations. 3) To live and work together as Christians, spreading the gospel of Christ through word and example. 3. Since the apostles were guided by the Holy Spirit, we may be sure their instructions were exactly what Jesus wanted them to be! a. If we duplicate the early churches by following the apostles' instructions, we will simply be “Christians”, and we can be certain the Lord is pleased with us. b. As Jesus said to His apostles about those who would receive or reject their instructions: “He who hears you hears Me, he who rejects you rejects Me, and he who rejects Me rejects Him who sent Me.” - Luke 10:16 CONCLUSION 1. Simply being a Christian, and duplicating a New Testament congregation, is not as difficult as one might think... a. There are literally thousands of such congregations throughout the world. b. There is likely one in your area right now! (Feel free to contact me if you would like to try and locate the nearest one.) c. There is also the option of starting a congregation in your own home. 2. By following the example and teachings of Jesus, as revealed by His apostles, we can be led out of the religious confusion that dominates the religious world today! 3. Do you want to be simply a Christian, a member of the Lord's church we read about in the New Testament...? a. If so, then I plead with you to first render obedience to the gospel of Christ as proclaimed by Peter and all the apostles - cf. Acts 2:36-38 b. You have the assurance of God's Word that you will then be added by the Lord Himself to His church - cf. Acts 2:47. c. Then, you have the responsibility to learn and follow the apostles' doctrine as you serve the Lord Jesus in your life - cf. Acts 2:42. If you have not yet responded to the commands of the gospel as put forth by Peter in Acts 2:38, why not let the reaction of those who did on the Day of Pentecost describe your actions today: “Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them.” - Acts 2:41

Jesus, The ONLY Way To God INTRODUCTION 1. In the last lesson, we saw that by His death on the cross, Jesus made possible the forgiveness of our sins. 2. When our sins are forgiven, we are no longer the objects of God’s wrath. - Rom 5:9 3. As wonderful as being justified by the blood of Jesus may be, we need more than this...we need the kind of close friendship that existed between God and Adam before the “Fall”. 4. But if a close relationship is to exist between God and ourselves, we must understand God and feel comfortable in approaching Him. When we contemplate the difference between God and man, we can see that this is not easy... I. THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN GOD AND MAN A. CONSIDER THE DIFFERENCE... 1. When we consider the nature of God as revealed in the Bible and nature, we see: a. One with unlimited power, unlimited wisdom, unlimited holiness. b. One who is the creator of all things, the sustainer of all things, the knower of all things. c. One who is eternal, immortal, and invisible d. Indeed, this Supreme Being fills the entire universe with His presence - Jer 23:23-24 2. On the other hand, man is... a. Mortal, finite in knowledge and understanding. b. The created one, sustained by God who supplies all his needs. - cf. Act 17:24-28 B. THE DIFFERENCE IS OVERWHELMING... 1. The difference between God and man is so great that it ought to overwhelm man with awe. 2. Note the reflections of David as expressed in Psalms - cf. Psa 139:1-12 3. In the Bible, whenever man came even close to approaching God in His Glory, it was terrifying! a. E.g., when God first spoke to Moses, he was afraid - cf. Exo 3:6 b. E.g., the Israelites at Mount Sinai were terrified - cf. Exo 20:18-21 4. How then can man hope to comprehend God and approach Him in a close relationship during this life? 5. This difficulty was experienced and expressed by Job - cf. Job 9:32-33 But what may have been true in Job’s day (that there is no “daysman”, or “mediator”) is no longer true today! Jesus is the means by which man can comprehend God and approach Him in a way that enables a loving relationship with Him! Let’s see how... II. HOW JESUS IS THE WAY TO GOD A. BY HELPING US COMPREHEND GOD... 1. In coming to this earth, Jesus declared or manifested God to us. - Jn 1:18 2. How was Jesus able to “declare” (manifest) God? a. For one thing, He came to this earth from God, and is the only one who has truly seen Him. - Jn 6:46 b. But also, He is God Himself! - cf. Jn 1:1-2 1) Who is this “Word” that was with God and was God? 2) The One who came in the flesh! - cf. Jn 1:14 3) The “Word” was Jesus! 3. Therefore, it is in seeing Jesus that we can comprehend the Father. a. Just as Jesus told His disciples - Jn 14:7 b. In a similar fashion, the apostles of Jesus proclaimed that He was the complete manifestation of God - Co 2:9; He 1:1-3 4. Yes, it is in Jesus that God is revealed in terms that mortal, finite man can comprehend and personally relate to. a. Therefore, as we study the gospels, we see Jesus and His attributes (power, wisdom, holiness, love, mercy, divine wrath). b. As we see Jesus, we see God and His attributes! But Jesus also provides the way to God... B. BY HELPING US APPROACH GOD... 1. This we touched upon in our previous lesson. 2. How that by offering Himself as a propitiation for our sins, Jesus has made it possible for a sinful man to approach God, who is supremely holy and just. 3. Jesus helps us to approach God in yet another way, as our High Priest in heaven. a. Though Jesus was truly God (as stated by John and Paul), by becoming man, He fully understands our difficulties. - He 4:14-15 b. With such a wonderful high priest, One who is both God and has been man, Jesus makes it possible for us to approach God with great confidence. - He 4:16 Yes, through Jesus we can both comprehend God and approach God, making it possible to have a close relationship with our Heavenly Father, enjoying all the blessings such a relationship provides! To better appreciate the beauty of this relationship available with God through Jesus, let's briefly notice some terms used in the New Testament to describe this relationship... III. TERMS USED TO DESCRIBE THOSE WHO ARE IN JESUS A. A SPECIAL RELATIONSHIP WITH OUR HEAVENLY FATHER... 1. First, some terms proclaim a special relationship with our Heavenly Father. 2. E.g., we are called the “children” of God, - Ga 3:26; 4:6-7 3. Also, we are called the “house” (family) of God. - 1 Tim 3:15 B. A SPECIAL RELATIONSHIP WITH A HOLY, SUPREME BEING... 1. Some terms proclaim a special relationship with a Holy, Supreme Being. 2. One describes us as a special dwelling place of God: the “temple” of God. - 2 Co 6:16 3. Another speaks of our role in service to God: a “royal priesthood”. - 1 Pet 2:5,9 IN CONCLUSION 1. Other terms might be considered, but these suffice to show that it is possible for those who were once lost in sin to enjoy a new, personal, intimate, and fulfilling relationship with the Majestic God in heaven! 2. And what a wonderful relationship it is! One that offers promises that overwhelm you; for example, this one where God promises: “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” (He 13:5) 3. But let us be clear in our understanding... a. Jesus is the “The Way”, the only way to God. - Jn 14:6 b. Only those in Jesus have the assurance of enjoying this wonderful relationship with God! c. How can we be sure that we are in Jesus, and as such, the children of God? 4. By taking to heart and life the truth of God’s Word...! a. E.g., becoming the children of God through faith and baptism - Ga 3:26-27 b. E.g., remaining the children of God by abiding faithfully in the teachings of Christ. - 2 Jn 9 Have you become a child of God by receiving Christ in faith and baptism? If not, why not today? If you have, are you maintaining your relationship with both the Father and the Son by abiding in the doctrine of Christ? If not, why not be restored to God today (through repentance and prayer)? Only in so doing can you let Jesus be your Way to God! "I am The Way, The Truth, and the Life... No man comes to the Father, but through Me!" .

Jesus, The Way To Forgiveness INTRODUCTION 1. We have seen that Jesus is The Way to a better life, even here on earth. 2. But much more importantly, Jesus is the way to forgiveness for our sins! To understand why we need forgiveness and how Jesus provides the way to forgiveness is the purpose of this lesson. It is important, then, that we begin by properly defining sin... I. THE DEFINITION OF SIN A. SOME MISCONCEPTIONS OF SIN... 1. That it is nothing more than a violation of human relationships. 2. That an action is sinful only if: a. It is frowned upon by society. b. It violates their own conscience. c. It is harmful to someone else. 3. This leads many to misunderstand how the problem of sin can be corrected a. E.g., some believe that correcting sin involves nothing more than making things right with other people. b. With this misconception, they think they are forgiven of all past actions if they change their behavior. B. THE BIBLICAL DEFINITION OF SIN... 1. The Bible defines at least three different types of sin. a. The direct violation of God’s Law (sin of commission) - 1 Jn 3:4 b. Failure to do what is right (sin of omission) - Jam 4:17 c. Violating one’s own conscience - Rom 14:23 2. Sin is more than simply a violation of human relationships. a. Though it often involves that. b. It is a serious matter that involves God and His Will for us. 3. How serious is sin? Consider the consequences of sin... a. The wages of sin is death. - Rom 6:23 b. This death is one involving everlasting torment. - Rev 21:8; cf. 20:10 [ Why is sin considered so bad that unforgiven sinners must experience such torment? To understand why, we must appreciate... II. THE NATURE OF GOD AND THE PROBLEM OF SIN A. GOD’S NATURE... 1. God is Supremely Holy! a. His holiness makes any truce with sin impossible. b. Note what is written - Psa 5:4-6; Isa 59:1-2 2. God is Supremely Just! a. His justice demands sin be punished properly b. This helps to explain God’s actions: 1) In the case of Nadab and Abihu - Lev 10:1-3 2) In the case of Moses and Aaron - Num 20:12 3. Since we saw that the ultimate penalty for sin is eternal torment, this emphasizes: a. How holy God must be! b. How terrible sin must be! B. SIN’S PROBLEM... 1. Sin places man in a terrible predicament a. "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God". - Rom 3:23 b. And the very nature of God (both holy and just) demands: 1) Separation of sinners from God. 2) Punishment for our sins. 2. Man is unable by himself to do anything. a. There are no “ Works ” or " Deeds " that one can do to make oneself innocent of the guilt of sin. 1) E.g., a man who commits murder is not made innocent of that crime by living the rest of his life by the law. 2) Yet many people think that they save themselves by balancing their good deeds against their sins. b. Sin of any kind is so repulsive to God’s holiness that His justice requires punishment. 1) Look again at the sins referred to earlier in Rev 21:8. 2. Whether the sin is fear, lack of faith, lying, or murder, the “second death” is reserved for those who are guilty. 3) Even if you commit just one sin, the nature of sin in the sight of a holy God is such that you are as guilty as one who broke every law. - Jam 2:10 Since we all sin (Ro 3:23), it appears we are all doomed to suffer God’s justice! Is there any way that He can be both holy and yet allow sinful man to be “reconciled” to Him? Yes... III. JESUS, THE WAY TO FORGIVENESS OF SINS A. HE IS THE PROPITIATION FOR SIN... 1. God has provided Jesus as a “propitiation” for our sins. - 1 Jn 4:10 a. The word “propitiation” originally referred to an act or sacrifice that a man offered designed to appease a god. b. As used in the Bible, it refers to that which God has done (not man) c. I.e., what man cannot do for himself, God has done! 2. He has offered His Son Jesus on the cross as a means to appease His justice a. Such was foretold by Isaiah nearly 700 years earlier. - Isa 53:5-6,10-11 b. Note that by the act of Christ’s suffering the punishment due us for our own sins, we are forgiven of them. - Isa 53:11; cf. also Ep 1:7 c. Through Christ’s death on the cross, we can come back to God, having been forgiven of our sins! 3. In this way, God can: a. Preserve His holiness when we are in His presence (for our sins have been forgiven by the blood of Christ). b. Maintain His justice (for our sins have been properly punished by the death of Christ). 4. And so, Jesus is The Way to forgiveness of sins, for He has been made a “propitiation” for our sins! But how does one receive the wonderful blessing of having Jesus as the propitiation for our sins...? B. RECEIVING JESUS AS THE WAY TO FORGIVENESS... 1. After He died for our sins, and following His glorious resurrection from the dead, Jesus charged His apostles with the commission to spread the good news. - Mk 16:15-16 2. We read in Acts how this Great Commission was carried out. a. In chapter two, we find Peter proclaiming the gospel for the first time. 1) After presenting evidence that Jesus has truly risen from the dead and ascended to the right hand of God, Peter comes to the climax of his sermon. - Ac 2:36 2) Evidently, many people believed what Peter said - Ac 2:37 a) “What shall we do?”, they cried b) What can anyone do who has realized that they need salvation? 3) What Peter told them is what we should tell anyone today. - Ac 2:38 4) Peter told those who believed that they needed to repent and be baptized. b. Likewise, in the case of the conversion of Saul to whom is now called Paul. 1) Who had seen Jesus on the road to Damascus. 2) Yet after praying and fasting for three days was told to be baptized. - Ac 22:16 3. Just as Jesus commanded in Mk 16:16... a. When someone wanted to be saved through the blood of Jesus Christ b. They were told to be baptized for the remission (forgiveness) of their sins upon their believing in Jesus and repenting of their sins. c. Faith (which includes confessing Jesus as Lord, Ro 10:9-10), repentance, and baptism were the conditions by which one could receive Jesus and enjoy the forgiveness of sins! 4. Receive Jesus in baptism? a. Yes, note carefully what Paul wrote to the Galatians - Ga 3:27 1) “as many of you”. (no more and no less) 2) “as have been baptized into Christ” (as Jesus, Peter, etc., commanded) 3) “have put on Christ” (have received Jesus and all the blessings He offers). b. Thus, in obedience to the Lord in faith, repentance, and baptism, we can receive the wonderful grace of God, who offered Jesus for our sins! - cf. He 5:9 CONCLUSION 1. I leave with you the fact that Jesus is The Way to forgiveness... a. Indeed, He is the only way! b. For God has offered no other way whereby we can be reconciled to Him. c. As Jesus said: “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” - Jn 14:6 d. No other way solves the dilemma between man’s sin and the holiness and justice of God the Father! 2. Have you accepted Jesus in the way He commanded and His apostles taught...? a. Have you trusted in Him for salvation (faith)? b. Have you decided to turn from your sins (repentance)? c. Have you been immersed for the forgiveness of your sins (baptism)? If not, why not? Let Jesus be your way to forgiveness today!

Lesson One - The Way to a Better Life INTRODUCTION 1. In the preceding study, we introduced the theme of “Jesus, The Way”. 2. Now we shall concentrate our attention on the subject “Jesus, The Way To A Better Life”. 3. The popular goal of our generation is “the good life”... a. This dream is not new. b. It has been the desire of every age and every walk of life -- of teachers and philosophers, of kings and common men. But for a truly good life, Jesus is the way! To understand why, consider first that... I. JESUS CORRECTS OUR MISCONCEPTIONS A. WHAT “THE GOOD LIFE” MEANS TO MANY... 1. Material prosperity 2. Pleasure 3. Popularity B. WHY MANY THINK THIS WAY... 1. Nearly everyone would agree that two words sum up what “the good life” is all about: happiness and peace. 2. Many suppose that material prosperity, pleasure, and popularity will bring us these things. 3. But even a cursory observation reveals that most wealthy, high-living, famous people are miserable and lacking inner peace. C. JESUS CORRECTS THIS MISCONCEPTION... 1. He taught there is more to life than material possessions - cf. Lk 12:15 2. He offers a peace which things of the world cannot give, and a joy which is full - Jn 14:27; Jn 15:11 What the world cannot give, Jesus can. How does He do it...? II. JESUS LEADS THE WAY TO A BETTER LIFE A. BY IDENTIFYING AND REMOVING THE REAL PROBLEM... 1. What is the cause of so much unhappiness? What deprives so many of inner peace? a. Is it not things like immorality, theft, and murder? b. Is it not things like coveting, deceit, envy, and pride? c. Such things destroy families, friendships, and property 2. What then is the cause of these things? a. Jesus declared the source to be the sinful hearts of men - Mk 7:21-23 b. James, the Lord's half-brother in the flesh, concurred with His diagnosis - Ja 4:1-2 3. What has Jesus done to remove this problem? - cf. Tim 3:3-7 a. Out of kindness, love, mercy, and grace, God through Jesus Christ has saved us and made us righteous in His sight! b. This took place when we experienced the “washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit” (a reference to the act of baptism, in which one who believes in Jesus is truly born again of water and Spirit! - Jn 3:5) c. I.e., In other words, Jesus removes the problem of unhappiness and lack of inner peace by first removing the cause: Sin! But there is more... B. BY TEACHING US TO SEEK NEW GOALS IN LIFE... 1. He warns of the folly of seeking after riches - Mt 6:19 a. They are perishable b. They are open to theft 2. He teaches us to put our treasure in heaven - Mt 6:20 a. Where it is imperishable b. Where it is secure - cf. 1 Pet 1:3-5 3. How does one go about laying up treasure in heaven? a. By living for Jesus, even under the most adverse conditions - Lk 6:22-23 b. By following His teaching - e.g., Lk 6:35 C. BY GIVING US WHAT WE DO NOT EXPECT... 1. Once we learn not to make material things, pleasure, and fame our goals in life, but to instead make following Jesus and His teachings our goal, He then provides us with an unexpected portion of these very things! a. Material things for those who put God first - Mt 6:31-33; Mk 10:28-30 b. Pleasure that is full and inexpressible - Jn 15:11; 1 Pet 1:8 c. Fame that lasts forever - Co 3:4; 2 Th 1:10-12; 2:14 2. In the very exercise of living for Christ and following His example a. We find peace and happiness - cf. Jn 13:12-17; Ac 20:35 b. Note the word “blessed” (truly happy) in these verses CONCLUSION 1. The world sets before us goals which many people cannot achieve, and even if achieved, often do not satisfy - cf. Eccl 5:10 2. But Jesus places before us goals which can be achieved, and that do satisfy... a. All can store up treasure in heaven b. All can live for Jesus 3. If there is any doubt that doing this brings lasting happiness and a much better life even now, just look at any individual you may know who is truly following Jesus... a. Outwardly, they may be suffering persecution, social ostracism, or physical illnesses. b. But even then, they still have that joy that is full, that peace which is unspeakable 4. If you are not happy, if you are not at peace in your heart, if you are looking for a better life, why not let Jesus be “The Way” for you? 5. Let Him take care of your problem of sin, which is the true cause of unhappiness in life...!

INTRODUCTION 1. As we begin this series of studies, ask yourself these questions... a. Do you have problems? b. Are you confused about life itself? c. Do you feel lost, with a sense of despair? 2. If you do, don’t feel like you are alone... a. About the time of Abraham, a person who was experiencing a great deal of suffering said: “Man who is born of woman is of few days and full of trouble. He comes forth like a flower and fades away; He flees like a shadow and does not continue.” - Job 14:1-2 b. Job’s words, spoken nearly four thousand years ago, express the sentiments of millions of people today. 3. Now, however, there is a way out: Jesus Christ...! a. As He Himself said: “I am the way, the truth, and the life...” - Jn 14:6 b. Yes, to everything that is truly good, both in this life and the one to come, Jesus Christ is the way! In this study, I want to introduce several areas in which Jesus is truly The Way. Succeeding lessons will expand on these themes, but for now I simply wish to whet your appetite. For example, Jesus is... I. THE WAY TO A BETTER LIFE A. JESUS OFFERS AN ABUNDANT LIFE... 1. On one occasion, Jesus stated His purpose in coming to this earth - “...I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” - Jn 10:10 2. This “abundant life” Jesus offers is more than simply life in the “hereafter.” 3. Though He does not promise wealth or luxury, He does assure us of... a. A loving Father in Heaven, Who cares for His children - Mt 6:31-33 b. More than sufficient provision for those who are willing to follow Him - Mk 10:29-30 B. THOSE WHO RECEIVE THIS LIFE ARE BLESSED... 1. The happiest people in the world are those who truly commit themselves to following Jesus as “The Way.” 2. Even though living in the most adverse circumstances, such as: a. Paul, while living under house arrest - Ph 4:11-13 b. Christians being persecuted in Asia Minor (Turkey) - 1 Pet 1:6-8 [Jesus is also...] II. THE WAY TO FORGIVENESS OF SINS A. JESUS IS THE SOLUTION TO A SERIOUS PROBLEM... 1. He is the only solution to a very serious problem a. The most serious threat to our well-being that we face: Sin! b. This is because everyone of us is guilty of sin - Ro 3:23 2. Sin is not without its consequences a. Often physical, but always spiritual! - Ro 6:23 b. Unless the problem of sin is resolved, the ultimate consequence is eternity in hell! B. THROUGH JESUS, GOD PROVIDES FORGIVENESS... 1. Out of love, God offered Jesus as the propitiation for our sins - 1 Jn 4:9-10 2. Through His blood shed on the cross, Jesus provides forgiveness for our sins - Eph. 1:7 3. After His sacrificial death for us, Jesus explained how those lost in sin could be saved a. It involves repentance - Lk 24:46-47 b. It also involves faith and baptism - Mk 16:16 But to be truly happy, we need more than just the forgiveness of sins; we need to be restored to the close union with God which we lost by our sins. In this also, Jesus is our answer, for He is... III. THE WAY TO GOD A. JESUS CAME TO RECONCILE US TO THE FATHER... 1. Many religions, claiming to be Christian, are almost totally silent about the new relationship Jesus provides with God, the Father a. About all they seem to talk about is “Jesus” or “Holy Spirit.” b. Could this indicate a lack of real understanding of Jesus’ purpose? 2. Jesus came to this world to reconcile man back to God the Father a. God sent Him for that purpose - cf. 2 Co 5:17-20 b. This is what Jesus claimed to be - Jn 14:6 B. A RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD IS IMPORTANT... 1. One does not truly experience what it means to have “eternal life” without having an intimate relationship with the Father, as well as with the Son 2. Which is exactly what Jesus has to offer us! - cf. Jn 17:2-3 3. Yes, that eternal life Jesus offers to us includes “knowing” the Father as well as the Son! The way to a better life, the way to forgiveness of sins, the way to God...what wonderful blessings! But there is more. Jesus is also... IV. THE WAY OUT OF RELIGIOUS CONFUSION A. THE DILEMMA MANY FACE TODAY... 1. Consider the plight of many who wish to follow Jesus 2. They are confused and even repelled by the multitude of different churches and conflicting doctrines being offered by those who profess to be His church. B. ONE DOES NOT HAVE TO BE A PART OF THIS CONFUSION... 1. Jesus certainly does not approve of it a. He taught the harm of division - Mt 12:25 b. He prayed for His followers to be united - Jn 17:20-21 2. Jesus promised to build His church - Mt 16:18 a. Despite the efforts of man and Satan to destroy it, or otherwise change it, they shall not prevail! b. Even today, when someone obeys the words of Jesus Christ, they are added by the Lord Himself to His church - Ac 2:47 c. In His church, we can enjoy the unity of which Paul wrote - Ep 4:4-6 However, finding His church and experiencing this unity is only possible as we follow Jesus as the way out of religious confusion. Finally, let me point out that Jesus is... V. THE WAY TO ETERNAL LIFE A. DEATH IS INEVITABLE... 1. It is appointed for men to die once - He 9:27a 2. After death, then comes the judgment - He 9:27b 3. Death becomes the door, either to eternal life or to eternal condemnation - cf. Mt 25:46 B. JESUS OFFERS ETERNAL LIFE... 1. To die in Jesus is to die in the way to life eternal! - Jn 6:27; 11:25 2. As the apostle John wrote in the book of Revelation - Re 14:13 CONCLUSION 1. I hope that I have sparked your interest in wanting to learn more about Jesus as “The Way.” 2. As mentioned at the outset of this study, the remaining lessons will elaborate upon these great blessings provided only through Jesus 3. My purpose in this series is twofold... a. For those who are Christians 1) To increase their appreciation of Jesus as their Lord and Savior 2) So they will want to serve Him with greater zeal b. For those who are not Christians 1) To encourage them to let Jesus be their way to everything that is truly good 2) Both in this life and in the life to come! "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Light; no man comes to the Father, but through Me."

You might have heard the term “ Apostolic Diet ” mentioned in a conversation, in a church group, or online, and found yourself a little confused. Is it a new fad for weight loss? Is it some kind of historical eating plan? Let’s clear things up right away. The “ Apostolic Diet”  is not a diet in the modern sense of the word. Its goal isn’t weight loss, managing health conditions, or fitting into a smaller pair of jeans. At its heart, this is spiritual practice. It’s a way of eating rooted in the beliefs of certain Apostolic and Pentecostal church denominations, and it’s all about living a life that is considered holy and set apart. So, to really understand  what the Apostolic diet is , we need to look beyond the food and into the faith behind it. The foundation of the  Apostolic diet  is not built on calories or macronutrients. It’s built on a desire to honor God in all aspects of life, including what one eats. The core ideas are: Holiness and Separation:  A central belief in many Apostolic churches is the idea of being “set apart” from the world. This extends to many lifestyle choices, from dress and entertainment to diet. Biblical Foundation:  The dietary guidelines are drawn directly from the Old Testament, specifically from the book of Leviticus, Chapter 11. This chapter lays out which animals God declared “clean” (fit to be eaten) and “unclean” (to be avoided). A Spiritual Discipline:  Adhering to these rules is seen as an act of obedience and a physical reminder of one’s commitment to their faith. It’s not about earning salvation, but rather about living a life that reflects one’s beliefs. These  Apostolic church dietary restrictions  are a serious and deeply personal part of many people’s faith walk. So, what does this look like in the kitchen? The rules are based on the classifications found in Leviticus. While interpretations can vary slightly, the general guidelines are quite clear. These are the foods considered permissible to eat . Land Animals:  Animals that both have a “cloven hoof” (split hoof) and “chew the cud” are considered clean. This includes beef, lamb, goat, and venison. Poultry:  Most common birds are considered clean, such as chicken, turkey, quail, and dove. Fish:  Sea creatures that have  both  fins and scales are considered clean. This includes popular fishlike salmon, tuna, cod, tilapia, and trout. Unclean animals : This is the list that often requires the biggest lifestyle change for those adopting the diet. Pork:  This is the most well-known restriction. Pigs do not chew the cud, so all pork products (including bacon, ham, sausage, and pork chops) are avoided. Shellfish:  This is a broad category. Any sea creature that does  not  have both fins and scales is considered unclean. This means shrimp, lobster, crab, oysters, clams, and mussels are all avoided. Other Fish:  Fish without scales, such as catfish and shark, are also on the “unclean” list. Other Animals:  The list in Leviticus also includes animals like rabbits and camels, among others. This is a really important question. From a purely nutritional standpoint, the “ Apostolic diet”  can have some health benefits, but it also has things to be aware of. The Positives:  Cutting out many processed pork products like bacon and sausage can significantly reduce your intake of sodium and saturated fats. Focusing on whole food is always a good thing. The Considerations:  The term “clean” in this context is spiritual, not nutritional. For example, deep-fried chicken is “clean” according to the rules, but it’s not necessarily a healthy choice if eaten frequently. Similarly, avoiding shellfish means missing out on a good source of lean protein and certain minerals. Ultimately, whether this diet is “healthy” depends on the specific choices a person makes within the guidelines. A diet of lean beef, chicken, fish, fruits, and vegetables can be very healthy. It’s always best to consult with a doctor or registered dietitian about your personal nutritional needs. The “ Apostolic Diet”  is a fascinating example of how faith and food can intertwine. It’s not a health plan designed by nutritionists, but a spiritual path chosen by believers. Understanding it requires looking past our modern definitions of “dieting” and seeing it for what it is: a deeply personal expression of faith, holiness, and obedience. It’s a way of life where every meal is a reminder of a commitment to a higher calling. If you have any questions, or are considering this type of spiritual commitment, or just want to consider increasing your knowledge and spiritual connection, please contact us by completing our form at www.for-the-father.com .

A Kingdom spouse is not just about companionship, romance, or shared dreams, it’s about refinement.  When God sends you a partner aligned with His will, He doesn’t just give you someone to love; He gives you someone who will challenge everything in you that doesn’t look like Christ. Marriage is not a hiding place for your flaws; it’s a mirror that magnifies them. A Kingdom spouse will expose what you have been able to cover up in friendships, ministry, or even casual dating.  Not because they are harsh or judgmental, but because their presence and your covenant will draw out what God wants to heal, prune, and transform. Here are some things God will confront in you through a Kingdom spouse: 1.      SELFISHNESS – You can’t walk into a Kingdom marriage and live as though it’s still “me first”.  Philippians 2:3-4 says, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests of the others.”  God uses marriage to confront the part of you that still wants to cling to independence at the expense of unity. 2.      PRIDE – Your spouse will see you in your rawest state – your weaknesses, your fears, your failures.  Kingdom marriage will confront pride that makes you want to appear perfect.  James 4:6 reminds us – “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.”  Through your spouse, God will teach you humility, vulnerability, and the grace of being known fully yet still loved. 3.      CONTROL – Many people enter relationships trying to steer everything according to their comfort and plan.  But a Kingdom spouse will test your willingness to release control to trust, to compromise, and most importantly, to yield to God’s authority over your union and play the role God gave you in your marriage.  Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, mind, and soul, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” 4.      UNHEALED WOUNDS – The unresolved trauma, fears, and insecurities you buried will often surface in marriage.  Not to shame you, but to be healed.  God will use your spouse’s love, patience, and even conflicts to highlight where you still need His restoration. 5.      YOUR CAPACITY TO LOVE UNCONDITIONALLY – It’s easy to love when emotions are high and everything feels smooth.  But true Kingdom love requires patience, forgiveness, and sacrifice – especially when it’s inconvenient.  1 Corinthians 13:4-5 says, “Love is patient, love is kind… it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.”   God doesn’t send a Kingdom spouse to leave you as you are.  He sends them to help you become who He intended.  That means the relationship will sometimes press on your weaknesses, stretch your faith, and confront your flesh to become the person God made you to be.   So, when you pray for a godly marriage or if you are in marriage now, don’t just pray for someone who completes you, pray for someone who sharpens you.  “Iron sharpens Iron”….  Because the true blessing of a Kingdom spouse isn’t just that they stand with you; it’s that God uses them to sanctify you. Be Well...

My aunt had a 49cc Honda moped in like 1983. When I was in the fifth grade starting at a new school and living in a new town, which happened to be next door to the town I lived in for four years and was a small town rival. I was living with my aunt in town when school started, due to our house was not finished and ready to live in. My aunt and uncle insisted that I wear a helmet when operating the moped and to stay within the few blocks within the neighborhood. I am embarrassed to admit that for a few times, I did not wear a helmet, and it caught up with me! I was followed home by a police officer, who knew the red moped of my aunt and uncle, and he told my aunt and chastised me thoroughly! Needless to say, I was not allowed to ride the moped anymore. The officer made it a point to inform me that a helmet was not a suggestion but the law, and it is much better to get a scolding than a head injury. Since that time, I have ridden several moving type vehicles and I always wear a helmet or the appropriate equipment. I wonder how many believers do the same thing with the whole Amor of God? As a result of not wearing our spiritual armor, we aren't walking in the victory that Jesus bought for us with His precious blood. Everyday we are getting spiritual scolding's, essentially, we are battling against spiritual attacks. We are unable to stand up to the wiles of the devil, unable to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one, and constantly being hurt and harassed by the enemy. Our problem is not that we don't have the Armor of God; our problem is that we just aren't using it. Don't just store God's armor in your head; you need to "dress" your mind and actions with it! Ephesians 6:10-18- Describes the Armor of God and it's uses. The Helmet of Salvation - Instead of the Hat of Condemnation We put on the helmet of salvation when we believe that we are saved, and we confess that we are saved. We are saved by the grace of Jesus Christ through faith. The gift of salvation makes us children of God. He prepares a place in heaven for us and enables the Holy Spirit to live in us. Salvation is a helmet that we must wear. By living constantly aware of our salvation, we protect our minds from the attack of the devil. Believers have the helmet of salvation but often choose to wear the hat of condemnation. Their mind id filled with guilt or shame, they live in constant fear of loosing their salvation. But your salvation is in Jesus Christ and your salvation is secure! Put salvation on your mind. Don't wear hats of guilt, shame, and fear; put on salvation. Confess with your mouth, out loud, that Jesus is your personal Savior. No one can snatch you out of His hand. Having salvation protects us from the wrath of God, but wearing salvation protects us from the attacks of the devil. Breastplate of Righteousness - From Rags to Righteousness Our human righteousness is as filthy rags, but Jesus' righteousness is bulletproof. Righteousness is more than just forgiveness. It's right standing before God. Jesus became sin so that we can be made righteous. Jesus was not a sinner, but He became sin on the cross so that I will be righteous in and through Him. I am not righteous in myself. Jesus died on the cross taking upon Himself, my sins so that I can live as a righteous person. This robe (breastplate) of righteousness is powerful protection from the condemnation of the devil. If salvation protects the head, righteousness protects the heart. If our heart condemns us, we have something bigger that our heart... the blood of Jesus Christ. The cross is greater than our heart: that's why Jesus' righteousness protects the heart. Through righteousness, we are as bold as a lion (Proverbs 28:1), not easily shaken (Psalm 112:6), and we get up after a fall (Proverbs 24:16). Blessed are those who thirst for righteousness (Matthew 5:6). God delivers the righteous man from all afflictions (Psalm 34:19). We reign in life through the gift of righteousness (Romans 5:17). Every believer has this righteousness, but not every believer puts on His righteousness. This means that they are not constantly aware of who they are in Christ. Most of us live with sin consciousness, not righteous consciousness. As a result, we get spiritual heart attacks. The devil attacks our hearts because we are not "wearing" righteousness. It's time to take off your rags of self and put on His righteousness. Believe that you are righteous. If you don't feel it, look to the cross. It's not about feeling it but believing it. Confess that you are righteous. Be constantly aware of your righteousness in Jesus Christ. That is your royal garment. That is your dress code for spiritual warfare. The Sword of the Spirit - Spiritual Stabbing Out of all the spiritual armor that Paul mentioned in Ephesians chapter 6, the sword is the only offensive piece of the armor that is used for the purpose of fighting. The rest of the pieces of armor are for our personal defense, for the purpose of standing in the victory given to us by Jesus. This sword of the the Spirit is the Word of God. It's not called the sword of Jesus nor the sword of the Father, but of the Holy Spirit. That means that the Word of God is empowered by the Holy Spirit. The power of the Spirit is released by God's Word. Victory over the enemy is possible by using the sword. Jesus modeled that for us in the wilderness. Jesus didn't use His own name or divine nature to cause the devil to be defeated. He used Scriptures. He used the sword of God's Word. And this sword works every single time. It's important to emphasize that Jesus spoke the Scriptures out loud against the devil. "But He answered and said, "It is written..." (Matthew 4:4). Most of the devil's attacks will be in our mind, but our fight against these attacks has to be with our mouth. When Satan throws darts at you in the form of your thoughts or feelings, don't fight back with "thoughts". Open you mouth and speak out the Scriptures as Jesus did. The Word of God declared out of your mouth has the same power as the Word of God out of Jesus' mouth. Fighting demonic thoughts with human thoughts doesn't bring victory. Demonic attacks are fought with the sword which is spoken out of your mouth. Fight the spiritual enemy with the sword of the Holy Spirit by declaring God's Word out loud. It might sound strange and it will even feel weird at first, but remember, your words are swords in the spiritual realm: they are affecting the devil, even if you don't see it with your physical eyes. Every time you are speaking the Scripture, you are stabbing Satan. That is what is happening in the spirit realm. After a while, the devil will flee from you as he did from Jesus. The Gospels of Peace (Just doing the Work) and the Shield of Faith You must know the story or the gospel of Jesus Christ and practice your faith daily. We are all called to be ministers of the faith and be examples for others. Meaning that we should live our lives as living examples of Jesus Christ, by ministering to those in need. They are all around us everyday. Greeting everyone with a smile or maybe even just a Hello! We must die to self and seek opportunities to serve. You don't have to be licensed or ordained by any institution. If you have Jesus Christ as your savior, been publicly baptized, and are diligently in God's Word, then help others to find the path of righteousness. The Shield of Faith is for you to be able to block the fiery darts of doubt, anger, and regret. But we cannot hide behind the shield with people. Meaning we must share our faith with others, by living our lives as the followers of Jesus Christ. It's not about Winning but Standing! It is vital to notice that spiritual armor is not for winning a battle, but is used for standing firm in the victory. Your spiritual armor enables you to stand in the victory that Christ has already won! It enables you to firmly withstand the attacks and the fiery accusation of the wicked one, the devil. It is true that the Bible says we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but do wrestle against principalities, powers, rulers, and spiritual hosts, but we wrestle from a position of victory. We don't fight for victory; we fight from victory. The main purpose of the Amor of God is not for fighting but to enable us to stand firm in the victory of Jesus Christ. Just stand and do not move from your position of victory! Don't Fight People!!! It's important to notice that we don't put on God's armor to wrestle against flesh and blood. In other words, we are not at war with people. It is not possible to live victoriously in the spiritual realm while clashing with people in the flesh. That is why Paul reminds us that we do not wrestle against flesh and blood. God anoints us to win spiritual battles, not arguments with people. We are not called to squabble with people. The devil entices us to engage in battles that are not ours. Do not fight people. The wicked one tempts us to fight our brothers and sisters so that we forget to fight him. Don't waste your anointing on battles that God didn't call you to. To walk victoriously in the spiritual realm, we must stay focused and walk away from conflicts with people, no matter how enticing those battles may be. Put on the Full Armor of God daily!

The Old Testament Law otherwise know as "The Ten Commandments" It occurred to me one day as I was reading the Ten Commandments, in light of what I just said that there may be more than meets the eye in the fifth commandment, “Honor your father and your mother,” the Lord commanded- “which is the first commandment with a promise,” Paul adds to his letter to the Ephesians 6:2.  Have you ever asked why?  “That it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on earth.”                 Could it be, the long, fulfilling spiritual life is being withheld from the Church until she honors the origins of her faith?  Could it be the history of division will cease only after we unite with God’s chosen family- the Jewish community?  Hence this teaching, I believe is going to serve as a timely reminder to bring about a spiritual awareness of our responsibility as Christians to Israel, the Law (The Torah) and the Jew in these last days.                 In Hebrew, the word for commandment is Mitzvah.  In Judaism, there are 613 mitzvahs.  All these mitzvahs are encompassed by the Ten Commandments.  Today, all over the world there seems to be a concerted attempt to remove all representations of the Ten Commandments from the minds of people in many subtle ways.                 Let’s take a brief refresher course on the Ten Commandments that God gave Moses on Mount Sinai as recorded in Exodus 20: Ten Commandments 1.       You shall have no other gods before Him. 2.       You shall not make for yourself a carved image or any likeness – an idol. 3.       You shall not take the name of the Lord in vain. 4.       You shall remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy. 5.       You shall honor your father and your mother. 6.       You shall not murder. 7.       You shall not commit adultery. 8.       You shall not steal. 9.       You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. 10.   You shall not covet your neighbor’s house or anything that is your neighbors. I don’t want to assume that you have accepted Jesus Christ into your life, and you are born-again according to John 3:3, and therefore let me proceed by asking you that just because you are now saved by grace through faith in the Lord Jesus that you don’t have to follow these Ten Commandments?  In other words, does it mean that Jesus put an end to those teachings of having to follow the Law of God? Let me answer that questions with a reply from Jesus Himself – “Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets.  I did not come to destroy, but to fulfill.”  (Matthew 5:17)         Now we are brought to the question that has created confusion for multitudes of Christians:  If the works of the Law cannot save a person, is it therefore necessary to keep the Law?  Apparently, this was a burning issue in the early church, because Paul asked the same question in Romans 6:1 – “Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?”  In other words, does grace give us a license to disobey the Law of God?  Paul’s answer is: “God forbid.  How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?” (verse 2).         How interesting it is that Christians in this age of relativism can invent their own definitions that condone lawbreaking.  The Bible says sin is violating the Ten Commandments – the law which has been described as irrelevant and old-fashioned by many modern theologians.         The reason that the gay movement, the abortion industry, and the humanist movement have flourished in nearly every country in the world is because the church has been a sleeping giant for too long.         Some spiritual leaders have reached a stage where their indifference is so clearly seen by the stance they take.  If the church does not rise up, speak out, and take action on issues like the sacredness of marriage, we will bequeath a moral cancer to our children and the children of the world who live in darkness and sin.         Don’t be deceived.  Every one of those great moral precepts is just as timely and needful today as they were when God wrote them on the imperishable tables of stone.  And nothing has ever happened to make them less binding than they were when God gave them.         In fact, we are going to discover that Jesus came to magnify the Law and to open up its spiritual application, making it more comprehensive than the legalistic Pharisees ever imagined.  Under the distilling influence of Christ’s perfect life of obedience, we can see the spiritual details of keeping which are neither recognized nor made possible apart from Him.         Fortunately for us, all 613 Mitzvahs have been condensed into these two mitzvahs:  Jesus tells us to love and honor God the Father and love others as yourself.  How simple!  How gracious and wonderful indeed! John 3:3  – “Jesus answered, and said unto him, Verily, verily I say unto thee, except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of heaven.”

Here are 10 ways Satan is slowly trying to destroy the LOVE in your marriage. He targets your heart, mind, and connection, but you are NOT powerless. "We are not unaware of his schemes...,". 2 Corinthians 2:11 1. Plant Seeds of Bitterness The Lie: "He or she will never change." This causes you to replay old hurts or old worries surface in your mind. The Truth: "Love keeps No record of wrongs." 1 Corinthians 13:5 Solution: Release the record, Choose forgiveness! Distort Your Identity The Lie: "You are not enough, or maybe even Too Much!" You base your worth on their behavior. The Truth: "You are God's masterpiece." Ephesians 2:10 Solution: Your value is secure in Jesus Christ (if you are a Christian), not in their response or actions. 3. Twist their Intentions The Lie: "They meant to hurt you." You misinterpret, assume, and attack. The Truth: "Love always trusts." 1 Corinthians 13:7 Solution: Ask, clarify, and believe in the best. Use Comparison The Lie: "Look how other husbands or wives treat their spouses." Discontentment grows and Gratitude stops. The Truth: "But Godliness is great gain, if a man or woman be content with that which he/she has." 1 Timothy 6:6 Solution: You are not called to their story, you need to Honor your own. Block Intimacy The Lie: "You are too busy, too tired, too hurt, etc..." Distance becomes the norm. The Truth: "What God has joined together, let no ne separate." Mark 10:5 Solution: You must continue to fight for connection and Prioritize closeness! 6. Stir up Control The Lie: "You have to Fix Him or her." You take the reigns and lose your peace. The Truth: "Be still and know that I am God." Psalms 46:10 Solution: Let God Lead and Trust in His timing! Minimize Prayer The Lie: "Why bother with prayer? No one is listening! The Truth: "The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective." James 5:16 Solution: Don't underestimate what God hears and how he moves through your prayers. Isolate You The Lie: "No one would understand." You withdrawal from wise council and community. The Truth: "A Cord of three strands is not easily broken." Ecclesiastes 4:12 Solution: Let other's hold up your arms in the fight. Magnify the Pain & Minimize the Good The Lie: "There is nothing good left here." You forget how far you have come and what you have gone through together. The Truth: "Whatever is lovely... Think about such things." Philippians 4:8 Solution: Love is good for the soul. Always speak life or positivity! Destroy Hope The Lie: " It's too late... The love is gone." You start to believe healing is not possible. The Truth: "With God, all things are possible." Matthew 19:26 Solution: No marriage is too far gone for God! We are not unaware of the enemy's (Satan) tactics. God is greater. He empowers you to Love, Forgive, and Hope again. We have to die to self and surrender our lives to Him. He gives us a promise that he will fight for us, if we only surrender the control. "The Lord will fight for you: you need only to be still." Exodus 14:14 I will leave you with this prayer of surrender, acknowledgement and protection over your marriage. Dear God, I give you my heart, my marriage, and every place where the enemy has tried to steal my love and joy. I do not want bitterness, pride, or fear. I want and need your peace, your love, and your truth to fill my heart. Help me to see my (husband or wife) the way that You do. Teach me to love with grace, forgive quickly, and speak life over them. Protect our connection and guard our hearts. Restore what feels broken. I trust you to fight for us. Make me a (husband or wife) who builds, prays, and believes. You are not done with us yet! I pray this in the Name and power of Jesus Christ! AMEN...

PASSOVER – The first of all the Jewish Celebrations and coming up Soon! Time of Preparation - Mark (Chapter 14) The upcoming Jewish Time of Preparation and Remembrance is coming soon.  Passover is a time of reflection and is a very important time for both Jews and Christians.  Yeshua’s (Jesus’s) final 24 hours began in Bethany, just outside of Jerusalem on the slope of the Mount of Olives.  It was here that the weary Messiah periodically found refuge and comfort in the home of his friends, Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. Here Jesus had raised Lazarus from the dead before the grieving eyes of the two sisters. IT is also here, just a short time prior to the events described in the Bible, that a woman with an alabaster jar had poured expensive oil over His head. You will recall that when she did so, some of his disciples had complained about the waste of money. But Jesus stated, “she came beforehand to anoint My body for burial” (Mark 14:8). In this passage, Jesus sends two of his disciples into Jerusalem with very detailed instructions for identifying an “upper room” in which they can prepare and partake of the Passover meal. Of course, the two disciples “found just what Jesus had told them”. Food for Thought & Prayer :   When the voice of the Lord gives me clear instructions, do I respond quickly and fully – with a heart filled with trust and confidence that everything will work out as He has planned? The Passover Celebration  – (Leviticus Chapter 23) (1 Corinthians 5:7) (Mark 10:45) When God commanded the institution of a yearly Passover observance for His people, He made it the first in an annual cycle of celebrations of remembrance. At the Passover Seder meal, the Jewish people commemorate the event in Egypt when the spirit of death passed over the Israelite nation on the night before their great deliverance from bondage. On that night, they were saved by placing the blood of a lamb upon their doorposts. This event foreshadowed the coming day when all humanity would be offered deliverance from slavery to sin and eternal death through the blood of Jesus, the Lamb of God. Sadly, through the centuries many Christians have lost sight of the Jewish roots of their faith. As a result, many Believers have no idea that the meal we’ve come to know as “The Last Supper” was a Passover Seder. Every detail of the traditional Passover Seder is filled with Messianic symbolism. And when you understand that Yeshua (Jesus and His disciples were celebrating a Seder, many of the details of the biblical narrative come into sharper focus. For example, Leviticus 23:5 says, “The Passover was to begin at twilight” and concerning the Last Supper we read in Mark 14:17, “When it was evening, He came with the twelve”. It wasn’t a coincidence that this meal was held at sundown; it was a direct command from God the Father. Food for Thought & Prayer :   Timing and order are clearly important to God. And his instructions to “rest” regularly are a key element in our worship of Him. Are there any areas of my life in which I have disregarded God’s designated order of things? Am I resting as I should? IF not, why not? The Sacrificial Lamb  – (1 Corinthians Chapter 5) (Exodus Chapter 12) The very first Passover shows God satisfying both His justice and His love by providing innocent blood to spare His beloved Children. He delivers them not only from bondage but also from death through the blood of the Passover Lamb. This shedding of innocent blood for the forgiveness of sins is a central theme of God’s atoning work. But it’s much more than a literary or symbolic act. It’s the literal lifeblood of our faith. Of course, this all was pointing toward the future arrival of the ultimate Pesach sacrifice – the Lamb of God, Yeshua (Jesus). The apostle Paul recognized this and directly identifies Yeshua’s execution as the Passover’s fulfillment:  … for Messiah, our Passover Lamb, has been sacrificed (1 Corinthians 5:7).          Did you know that the Aramaic word for Lamb is Talya , which can mean either lamb or servant? Isiah chapter 53’s famous “Suffering Servant” passage describes Yeshua (Jesus) as a Lamb led to the slaughter. Hence, describing Jesus carrying the wood cross down the path leading to his public death or slaughter. The New Covenant also calls Yeshua (Jesus) “the Lamb” – no fewer than 34 times! In fact, the number of parallels between the Passover Lamb and Jesus is nothing less than extraordinary. Taken as a whole, these passages show that God had been preparing for Yeshua’s (Jesus’s) atoning sacrifice since the dawn of human history (post flood). Food for Thought & Prayer :  Jesus once said that He “did not com to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45) What is my attitude and expectation today? Will I allow a deeper understanding of Jesus’s atoning work – the forgiveness, safety, wholeness, and acceptance I have in Him - to free me to serve others today? The Elements of Passover  – (Exodus Chapter 12) (Matthew 26:26) (John 1:29) There are three vital elements that comprised the Jewish Seder that Jesus and His disciples would have observed – matzot, bitter herbs, and lamb. Matzot was unleavened bread, or bread made without yeast. It is a tangible reminder that when the Israelites left Egypt, they left in haste and therefore had no time to allow the bread to rise in the traditional way. This is the same type of bread Yeshua (Jesus) held in his hands at His final Passover: “Now while they were eating, Jesus took matzah; and after he offered the Bracha (Blessing), he broke and gave it to the disciples and said, ‘Take, eat, this is My body broken for you’” (Matthew 26:26). Why bitter herbs? They served as a reminder to the Jewish people that were slaves in Egypt before God brought them out. When they entered the land of promise, God wanted them to have an annual reminder of the bitter hardships of which He had rescued them. Perhaps Jesus also consumed these bitter herbs with thoughts of the disciple who would soon betray Him, and the Father who had ultimate authority. In fact, I believe it was bitter herbs in the bowl he shared with Judas when he declared, “The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will betray me". The roasted lamb was the third piece of the Seder meal. As we have seen, it was the Lamb’s blood that marked the doorpost of the Israelite houses as a sign for Death to “pass over.” Roasting symbolized trials and judgement. As Yeshua (Jesus) partook of this final meal with His closet associates, He was surely keenly aware that all of these elements ultimately pointed to Him as the prophesied Messiah of Israel and Savior of mankind. He knew, as John the Baptizer had declared, that He was “the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29). Food for Thought & Prayer :  Through Jesus’s atoning death, I have been delivered out of slavery to sin and death. I will take a moment now to ponder and remember, with gratitude, all the Yeshua (Jesus) died to make possible for me. Today I will give Him thanks and praise.   Teacher and Lord  – (John Chapter 13) (Philippians 2:5-7) Unpretentious, Accessible, and Real. These words are why people found Jesus’s blend of authority, authenticity, and compassion irresistible. Yes, He communicated truth powerfully through sermons and parable. But He also delivered truth through His example. He modeled it. This is precisely what we see Him doing near the beginning of His final Passover. Recognizing that His time for teaching and training His handpicked followers was rapidly running out, Jesus knew He had to do more than tell them that servanthood was the key to advancing in His kingdom. He had to show them. In washing His disciples’ feet as the lowest servant in a household would do, Yeshua modeled for them the kind of life He wanted them to live after he was gone. He said, “I have set you and example that you should do as I have done for you” (verse 15). As His disciples jockeyed for position and argued about which of them was the greatest, Jesus showed them the paradox of greatness in the Kingdom of Heaven – even as He stood on the threshold of the greatest ordeal any person ever faced. Food for Thought & Prayer :  The apostle Paul said, “Have this attitude in yourselves, which also was in Messiah Yeshua, Who, though existing in the form of God, did not consider being equal to God a thing to be grasped. But He emptied Himself – taking on the form of a slave…” (Philippians 2:5-7). Jesus Predicts Betrayal, Denial, and Abandonment – (Matthew 26:20-25) (Exodus 12:3) In His final hours with His closest friends and companions, Jesus must reveal that one of them will betray Him. But Judas isn’t the only disciple who falls short during His final 24 hours. Just a few verses later, Jesus says to Peter: “Truly, I tell you, this very night, before a rooster crows, you will deny Me three times” (Matthew 26:34). Peter of course declares: “’Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.’ And all the other disciples said the same” (verse 35). But by verse 56 we read: “All the disciples deserted Him and fled”.    Let’s remember for a moment the passage from Exodus about the Passover lamb: “Tell the whole community of Israel that on the tenth day of this month each man is to take a lamb for his family, one for each household” (Exodus 12:3). Food for Thought & Prayer : In what ways have I betrayed or denied the Savior in my life? Today, I will seek and receive the free gift of forgiveness and restoration made possible through the blood of the lamb. My Shalom, I Give You  – (John 14:25-31) (Philippians 4:7) (Exodus 12)                 In John 14, it seemed an odd moment for Jesus to speak of “peace”. It was probably the last thing the disciples felt at this point, as their Teacher and Leader told them He would no longer be with them. But Jesus assured them that they would indeed have peace – not the ephemeral worldly form of peace that we experience when everything is going our way, but the peace in the midst of the hardest of trials. A peace that passes all understanding (see Philippians 4:7). In exodus 12, as the Lord directed Moses and Aaron as to how the Israelites were to celebrate the Passover, He said that first they were to apply the blood of the lamb over their doorpost, then they should enter the door of their home to eat the Seder meal in peace. They had to apply the blood first so that death would not pass over them, and then they could eat in peace and safety. In the same way, the blood of Jesus allows us to enter into His peace, because after the blood has been applied, then we are covenantally sealed under God’s favor, protection, and saving power. Most importantly, we have His presence in our lives. As the psalmist David wrote: “Even though I walk in the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me” (Psalm 23:4) Food for Thought & Prayer: Revelation 12:11 declares, “They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony…”. When I feel troubled or afraid, it is important to recall that the blood of the Lamb is painted upon the doorposts of my life.

Introduction to this series: We are about to embark on a teaching that will surely help you learn to read your Bible, which is the Living Word of God, not with the eyes of a Gentile, not the eyes of a Protestant, or Catholic, but through the eyes of Judaism.  You will realize that Jesus and His disciples weren’t converted Jews (Keepers of the Law or Torah) of God. They were faithful practicing Jews and also followers of Jesus Christ. As you sincerely begin to learn about the Torah with an unbiased mind that is open to being taught by the Holy Spirit, on God’s Law, you will better begin to appreciate how its customs and celebrations are linked to the fulfillment of many blessings found in the believer whose life is fully immersed in Christ.  You will also learn to love and respect all people with the unconditional love of the Lord. The Biblical story of Ruth is more than the beautiful love story of King David’s great grandparents.  Ruth is the symbol of every Gentile who has ever come to faith through Israel’s God.  The words of this Moabitess to her Jewish mother-in-law Naomi – “Your people shall be my people and your God my God” – are still ringing in the hearts of every non-Jew who believes in the promised son, Messiah, who would come down through their lineage. Please read the four chapters of Ruth in the Bible to rediscover truths and prophesy leading towards the promised Messiah. Every Gentile believer has come from the land of famine to the spiritual realm of abundance in that Name.  Even Jesus’ reference to Himself as the Bread of Life hearkens back to this ancient love story – to say nothing of the fact that He was born in the shadow of the very fields where Ruth was gleaning just outside of Bethlehem (House of Bread). But the church has not responded to her Boaz as Ruth responded to hers.  The church did not leave her Moabitish way behind when she came into the house.  Although she may have taken the “Bread” of Boaz, which represents Jesus to the Jew, she has turned her back on all His relatives, the Jewish people. As a student of the Word, I am deeply aware of a significant change in the spiritual realm.  I eagerly await the second Coming of the Lord, just as any other believer, but at the same time I am increasingly growing passionate by the day about seeing my Jewish brothers and sisters are accepted as Jewish and encouraged to express their faith in Jesus Christ within a Jewish framework. I want to see the Gentile church appreciating her Jewish foundation stones.  I want her to understand why Israel and the Jewish people are center stage in world history again and I want her to be grateful for a returning Jewish leadership in the Body of the Messiah (Jesus Christ). Deuteronomy 4:40  – “Thou shalt keep therefore His ordinances and His commandments which I command thee this day, that it may go well with thee, and with thy children after thee, and that thou mayest prolong thy days upon the earth, which the Lord thy God giveth thee forever.” Psalms 119:126-127  – “It is time for thee Lord to work:  for they have destroyed thy Law.  Therefore, love I thy commandments above gold, yea, above all fine gold.” Ruth and Naomi in the fields gleaning outside of Bethlehem.