Nothing But the Blood (Worship Video)

There Is Power In The Blood of Jesus (Video)

The war that is spiritual and yet real

Though this a re-post I still hope and and pray that you are blessed and totally delivered from evil in the name of Jesus.

As believers in Jesus we are in a state of constant spiritual warfare with the Devil and his kingdom. There is no opt out, you were born into this. Surely Jesus overcome the death, sin and Satan by the shedding of his blood on the cross and rising from the dead on the third day. Also as the Devil who was originally a great angel, was cast out of heaven along with his angels for rebelling against the Lord God.

Christ will come again on Judgement day to permanently judge all workers of evil especially the Devil and his angels. The Devil however still wants to continue to engage in war against Jesus and his followers because he is a gambler. Somehow he is highly self deceived, thinking that he can still sneak out a victory against God. But let me tell you that the Devil never has and never ever will win against God and his holy angels.

So the Evil One tries to harm people who are still on earth by some trick or the other.

Remember he even tried to tempt Jesus but couldn’t make a sinner of Jesus! Now after the resurrection of Christ, he can’t tempt Jesus but he surely keeps trying to undermine your faith by various means. He even today tries to oppress who so ever he can take down most easily whether an unbeliever or an ignorant believer.

Satan is full of hate against all humans even those who are non-Christian (even atheists) because man was created in the image and likeness of God (read Genesis 1:26). Now with the preaching of the Gospel of Christ and the New Testament, we must understand that the Devil hates Christians even more because they are a new creation in Christ (read 2 Corinthians 5:17)

Jesus had a lot of to say about Satan and his evil ways. You’d like to know at this point what Jesus said about Satan (click here). One thing that the Bible teaches is that the Devil knows his time is running short.  Revelation 12:12 Therefore rejoice, O heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe for the earth and for the sea: because the devil is gone down unto you, having great wrath, knowing that he hath but a short time.

We therefore must not be ignorant of the Devils plan of hate and murder. He is the original terrorist and is the father of all terrorists. With Jesus on your side you need not fear him. However what is important is that you exercise your faith in Christ. Being willing and then actually participating in spiritual warfare against the Evil One is a sure sign of faith. Our enemies are spiritual, who at times deceive humans to do their bidding on earth. So instead of being hateful of sinners pray for their conversion and if they don’t stop sinning then pray for deliverance from evil.

Pray for wisdom from Christ and then act on it. Pray that evil doesn’t overcome you. Stop crying about corrupt politicians and instead pray for good governance. Don’t worry about your children’s health and education, follow wisdom and pray for them. Pray alone or pray with your church against the powers of darkness but most importantly pray in faith.

Here are a few sermon videos on Spiritual warfare that help you be good at fighting for the Lord Jesus Christ:

 

 

 

 

Related articles

• Steadfastly Resting In Faith
• Ways Satan Attacks Us, Part 5: Frightening Intimidations (2), by Jeffery Smith
• The Real Warfare is Spiritual
• Spiritual Warfare Spectrum
• Spiritual warfare: 2 Kings 6

Abel, Seth and Jesus Christ

All praise to Christ Jesus who gives us true and lasting consolation. Blessed be the name of the Lord God. Amen.

The memory of the righteous is a blessing, but the name of the wicked will rot. (Proverbs 10:7)

After Cain killed his brother Abel who was righteous, the Lord God cursed Cain. Such was the curse that when Cain was to till the ground, it would no longer yield to him its strength. Also that he would be a fugitive and a wanderer on the earth.

At this point, one must take into account another curse:

The Lord God said to the serpent, “Because you have done this, cursed are you above all livestock and above all beasts of the field; on your belly you shall go, and dust you shall eat all the days of your life. I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.” (Genesis 3:14-15)

With righteous Abel no longer alive and Cain being a worker of iniquity, it must have been very uneasy for Adam and Eve. Besides, Cain’s descendants were only getting worse. In fact one of Cain’s descendants Lamech boasted of his murderous nature.

Lamech said to his wives: “Adah and Zillah, hear my voice; you wives of Lamech, listen to what I say: I have killed a man for wounding me, a young man for striking me. If Cain’s revenge is sevenfold, then Lamech’s is seventy-sevenfold.” (Genesis 4:23-24)

God then decided to make sure that the ‘offspring of the woman’ who was to defeat the vile and despicable Serpent would never come from the line of Cain. So he blessed Adam and Eve with another child called Seth in place of Abel. This way not only would God’s plan be done but Abel be remembered too.

And Adam knew his wife again, and she bore a son and called his name Seth, for she said, “God has appointed for me another offspring instead of Abel, for Cain killed him.” To Seth also a son was born, and he called his name Enosh. At that time people began to call upon the name of the Lord. (Genesis 4:23-24)

Notice how Eve acknowledged Seth as God’s replacement for Abel who was killed by Cain. Seth means “placed” or “appointed” in Hebrew. The descendants of Seth were unlike those of Cain. In fact around the time Seth’s son Enosh was born, people called upon the name of the Lord. Abel too was a true worshiper of God.

Here’s what Flavius Josephus, the ancient historian had to say about Seth in his written work called the Antiquities of the Jews Book I, Ch II, Sn 3:

Adam “had indeed many other children, but Seth in particular. As for the rest, it would be tedious to name them; I will therefore only endeavor to give an account of those that proceeded from Seth. Now this Seth, when he was brought up, and came to those years in which he could discern what was good, became a virtuous man; and as he was himself of an excellent character, so did he leave children behind him who imitated his virtues.  All these proved to be of good dispositions. They also inhabited the same country without dissensions, and in a happy condition, without any misfortunes falling upon them, till they died.”

Now Adam and Eve did get other sons and daughters too. What makes Seth unique to them is that he looked similar to Adam.

When Adam had lived 130 years, he fathered a son in his own likeness, after his image, and named him Seth. The days of Adam after he fathered Seth were 800 years; and he had other sons and daughters. (Genesis 5:3-4)

Seth was not fully aware of a great posterity that would emerge from him. What matters is that he was faithful to God. One may not know everything about the future but one must continue to trust in the Lord God and continue to do what is right. This brings to mind, that Abel’s legacy was and still remains is that he presented an acceptable sacrifice to the Lord by his faith. Yet there’s one descendant of Seth who for the record has surpassed even Abel (read the genealogy of Jesus mentioned in Luke 3:23-38 for this) . It’s Jesus Christ himself! Let’s read the following verses about their sacrifices:

• and Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat portions. And the LORD had regard for Abel and his offering (Genesis 4:4)
• But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering, and to the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel. (Hebrews 12: 22-24)

The Bible speaks well of the blood of Abel, so much so that it is mentioned alongside the blood of Jesus Christ. Both Jesus and Abel offered a worthy sacrifice to the Lord God. Abel offered the first of his flock, while Jesus offered himself unto God on the cross. Abel did this on behalf of himself while Jesus did it for the sins of the whole world. In fact salvation comes through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ which one must both confess with one’s month and believe with one’s heart. Let’s read the following verses:

if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” (Romans 10:9-13)

Some people still don’t believe in Christ Jesus. There are people who oppose God’s will and yet they won’t have the final say in terms of victory. Despite the mess done by Cain in killing Abel, the Lord God was still able to make things work for good. This is because the will of God which is manifest in the word of God, has the power to prevail against all things that come against it.

• Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand. (Proverbs 19:21)
• So shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it. (Isaiah 55:11) (The ‘word’ as mentioned here is the Word of God)
• And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose (Romans 8:28)

One may have lost out on various things and people in life. Perhaps this was due to injustice and jealousy on part of others towards you or your loved ones. God can work justice against all evil doers. Ask the Lord for justice especially when you come to know of any innocent people dying or getting harmed unjustly at the hands of the wicked. This is not about revenge but justice, so be calm while God is working out justice. Perhaps God may bring them to repentance too. At this point remember that the Lord God was able to console Eve with Seth who he gave her in place of Abel. God is capable of bringing consolation to your life as well. You’ll need to put your trust in him and ask for a breakthrough in the name of Jesus Christ.

Christ be with you!

Related Articles:

• Psalm 1 (The two ways of life) (disciplesofhope.wordpress.com)
• Seek the Lord and his strength in Christ Jesus (Bible verses) (disciplesofhope.wordpress.com)
• Bible verses to deal with the death of a loved one (disciplesofhope.wordpress.com)
• The blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from all sin (disciplesofhope.wordpress.com)
• Who was Seth in the Bible? (altruistico.wordpress.com)

The blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from all sin

 

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. (1 John 1:17, ESV)

A believer in Jesus Christ must be humbled by the fact that the righteousness that he or she has received is because of the blood of Jesus at Calvary. When Jesus was crucified he was bleeding from the cross for you and for everyone in the world. Even as he was dead on the cross he continued to shed his blood.

But when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already, they brake not his legs: But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water. (John 19:33-34, KJV)

This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth. (1 John 5:6, KJV)

In the Old Testament times there was the first covenant in which the sins of the people of Israel had to be covered up by the shedding of the blood of an animal. However, with the arrival of Jesus Christ came a new and better covenant in which he became the perfect sacrifice for our sins. Let’s the whole of Hebrews 9 get a more clear understanding:

9 Now even the first covenant had regulations for worship and an earthly place of holiness. ² For a tent was prepared, the first section, in which were the lampstand and the table and the bread of the Presence. It is called the Holy Place. ³ Behind the second curtain was a second section called the Most Holy Place, ⁴ having the golden altar of incense and the ark of the covenant covered on all sides with gold, in which was a golden urn holding the manna, and Aaron’s staff that budded, and the tablets of the covenant.⁵ Above it were the cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat. Of these things we cannot now speak in detail.

⁶ These preparations having thus been made, the priests go regularly into the first section, performing their ritual duties, ⁷ but into the second only the high priest goes, and he but once a year, and not without taking blood, which he offers for himself and for the unintentional sins of the people. ⁸ By this the Holy Spirit indicates that the way into the holy places is not yet opened as long as the first section is still standing ⁹ (which is symbolic for the present age). According to this arrangement, gifts and sacrifices are offered that cannot perfect the conscience of the worshiper, ¹⁰ but deal only with food and drink and various washings, regulations for the body imposed until the time of reformation.

¹¹ But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come, then through the greater and more perfect tent (not made with hands, that is, not of this creation) ¹² he entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption. ¹³ For if the blood of goats and bulls, and the sprinkling of defiled persons with the ashes of a heifer, sanctify for the purification of the flesh, ¹⁴ how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God.

¹⁵ Therefore he is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance, since a death has occurred that redeems them from the transgressions committed under the first covenant.¹⁶ For where a will is involved, the death of the one who made it must be established. ¹⁷ For a will takes effect only at death, since it is not in force as long as the one who made it is alive. ¹⁸ Therefore not even the first covenant was inaugurated without blood. ¹⁹ For when every commandment of the law had been declared by Moses to all the people, he took the blood of calves and goats, with water and scarlet wool and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book itself and all the people, ²⁰ saying, “This is the blood of the covenant that God commanded for you.” ²¹ And in the same way he sprinkled with the blood both the tent and all the vessels used in worship. ²² Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins.

²³ Thus it was necessary for the copies of the heavenly things to be purified with these rites, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. ²⁴ For Christ has entered, not into holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true things, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf. ²⁵ Nor was it to offer himself repeatedly, as the high priest enters the holy places every year with blood not his own, ²⁶ for then he would have had to suffer repeatedly since the foundation of the world. But as it is, he has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. ²⁷ And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment, ²⁸ so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.

³ Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, ⁴ even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love ⁵ he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, ⁶ to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. ⁷ In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, ⁸ which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight ⁹ making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ ¹⁰ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. (Ephesians 1:3-10)

Related articles

• Why is God so different in the Old Testament than He is in the New Testament?
• Not Enough Blood

The war that is spiritual and yet real

Be blessed and totally delivered from evil in the name of Jesus.

As believers in Jesus we are in a state of constant spiritual warfare with the Devil and his kingdom. There is no opt out, you were born into this. Surely Jesus overcome the death, sin and Satan by the shedding of his blood on the cross and rising from the dead on the third day. Also as the Devil who was originally a great angel, was cast out of heaven along with his angels for rebelling against the Lord God.

Christ will come again on Judgement day to permanently judge all workers of evil especially the Devil and his angels. The Devil however still wants to continue to engage in war against Jesus and his followers because he is a gambler. Somehow he is highly self deceived, thinking that he can still sneak out a victory against God. But let me tell you that the Devil never has and never ever will win against God and his holy angels.

So the Evil One tries to harm people who are still on earth by some trick or the other.

Remember he even tried to tempt Jesus but couldn’t make a sinner of Jesus! Now after the resurrection of Christ, he can’t tempt Jesus but he surely keeps trying to undermine your faith by various means. He even today tries to oppress who so ever he can take down most easily whether an unbeliever or an ignorant believer.

Satan is full of hate against all humans even those who are non-Christian (even atheists) because man was created in the image and likeness of God (read Genesis 1:26). Now with the preaching of the Gospel of Christ and the New Testament, we must understand that the Devil hates Christians even more because they are a new creation in Christ (read 2 Corinthians 5:17)

Jesus had a lot of to say about Satan and his evil ways. You’d like to know at this point what Jesus said about Satan (click here). One thing that the Bible teaches is that the Devil knows his time is running short.  Revelation 12:12 Therefore rejoice, O heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe for the earth and for the sea: because the devil is gone down unto you, having great wrath, knowing that he hath but a short time.

We therefore must not be ignorant of the Devils plan of hate and murder. He is the original terrorist and is the father of all terrorists. With Jesus on your side you need not fear him. However what is important is that you exercise your faith in Christ. Being willing and then actually participating in spiritual warfare against the Evil One is a sure sign of faith. Our enemies are spiritual, who at times deceive humans to do their bidding on earth. So instead of being hateful of sinners pray for their conversion and if they don’t stop sinning then pray for deliverance from evil.

Pray for wisdom from Christ and then act on it. Pray that evil doesn’t overcome you. Stop crying about corrupt politicians and instead pray for good governance. Don’t worry about your children’s health and education, follow wisdom and pray for them. Pray alone or pray with your church against the powers of darkness but most importantly pray in faith.

Here are a few sermon videos on Spiritual warfare that help you be good at fighting for the Lord Jesus Christ:

 

 

 

 

Related articles

• Steadfastly Resting In Faith
• Ways Satan Attacks Us, Part 5: Frightening Intimidations (2), by Jeffery Smith
• The Real Warfare is Spiritual
• Spiritual Warfare Spectrum
• Spiritual warfare: 2 Kings 6

Covenant by the Blood of Jesus

Stained glass showing Lamb of God with vexillum and chalice, from chapel that used to be part of a convent in El Cajon, California (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

As a Christian, one must always regard the New Covenant with great respect. For it was founded by the shedding of Jesus Christ in atonement for sins of the whole world. Lets first reflect on the following two scriptures:

• For the Son of man came to seek and to save that which was lost. (Luke 19:10)
• The one who commits sin is of the Devil, for the Devil has sinned from the beginning. The Son of God was revealed for this purpose: to destroy the Devil’s works. (1 John 3:8)

Adam and Eve sinned against God and therefore lost God’s friendship and favor. Death entered by sin into the human race. The main work of the Devil (by his own choice against God’s will) on earth is to make man who was created in the image and likeness of God into the lowest spiritually dead person he can and then die and suffer in hell.

God knew that man by himself could not restore the lost oneness and fellowship with God. So he sent his only begotten Son Jesus to live a human existence to redeem mankind. That’s why Jesus called himself the Son of man. Because he was born of Mary the virgin who is also the descendant of David who descended from Adam. Jesus didn’t want to limit himself to only the Jews because the love of God is for the whole world too.

By identifying himself as the Son of Man he conveyed he is for everyone on earth. Now he came to destroy the Devil’s work of making man sinful and dead in spirit to God. He came to destroy the power of sin and death over man. He came to heal people and cast out demons. He came to restore man to God’s favor by his obedience, being obedient even to his death on the Cross for all.

Jesus gives true joy, hope and peace. Today you too can experience the salvation and hope of Jesus. You get this by believing in the New Covenant by the Blood of Jesus.

To take away the curse of death due to the sin of Adam and Eve, the Lord Jesus had to take that curse on himself and then himself become the curse and be cursed. The Bible explains this. When I was very young I used to wonder about a remarkable curse mentioned in the Bible. Here it is:

“If a man has committed a sin worthy of death and he is put to death, and you hang him on a tree, his corpse shall not hang all night on the tree, but you shall surely bury him on the same day (for he who is hanged is accursed of God), so that you do not defile your land which the LORD your God gives you as an inheritance. (Deuteronomy 21:22-23)

With this curse I would wonder, what is the purpose of cursing a person who is hanged on a tree when he is already dead by the hanging? I didn’t understand at all, until some years later I succeeded in reading the whole Bible word for word. I realized that this curse was destined to be used by God to take away every curse that could ever harm mankind. Here’s that amazing scripture verse that came alive to me:

Christ has redeemed us out of the curse of the law, having become a curse for us, (for it is written, Cursed [is] every one hanged upon a tree,) (Galatians 3:13)

When Jesus shed his blood on the cross, he was hanging on the cross made of a tree, hanging by the painful nails that were driven into his body. He then died on the cross taking away the curse of the law. By believing in this you are justified and purified.

For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed–a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.” (Romans 1:17)

For he has made him, who knew no sin, to be sin for us; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. (2 Corinthians 5:21)

Here’s what Jesus said about the New Covenant which he formed by the shedding of His Blood on the Cross:

In the same way also Jesus took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” (1 Corinthians 11:25)

And when the hour came, he reclined at table, and the apostles with him.  And he said to them, “I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer.  For I tell you I will not eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he said, “Take this, and divide it among yourselves. For I tell you that from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.”  And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”  And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood. (Luke 22: 14-20)

Please realize the need to believe in the New Covenant. Lay down your burdens of sin and of life at the feet of Jesus. Believe in the complete work of Jesus which is to restore you unto God in this life and the next.

 

Here are a few select scriptures that you can reflect upon:

• Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah (Jeremiah 31:31)
• Thus says the Lord: “In a time of favor I have answered you; in a day of salvation I have helped you; I will keep you and give you as a covenant to the people, to establish the land, to apportion the desolate heritages, (Isaiah 49:8)
• “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16)
• Jesus said, “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. (Matthew 5:17)
• Then Jesus said to them,“These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.”(Luke 24:44)
• And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. (Acts 2:38)
• But as it is, Christ has obtained a ministry that is as much more excellent than the old as the covenant he mediates is better, since it is enacted on better promises. (Hebrews 8:6)
• In speaking of a new covenant, he makes the first one obsolete. And what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away. (Hebrews 8:13)
• Therefore he is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance, since a death has occurred that redeems them from the transgressions committed under the first covenant. (Hebrews 9:15)
• Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. (2 Corinthians 5:17)

 

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• Count the Cost of Redemtion
• Why Jesus Came
• First-Century Jews and the Paschal Sacrifice: why “Lamb of God” should mean far more to us
• The Blood Still Speaks
• Discourse about the Cross
• Hebrews – A Wealth of Insight
• Life is in the Blood
• When you drink the cup of the new covenant