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A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, Loving favor rather than silver or gold. Proverbs 22:1

This verse has a sentimental meaning to me. It has always been deeply reverenced by me. Character has a way of reminder of the kind of person you are. The memory of the righteous is blessed (Proverbs 10:7) we all might have someone in mind when stop and think who it was that deeply influenced us by their consistent repeated loving nature, encouraging words of support, and by their demonstrating way of humilty by the way they did not hide their own faults, but rather let them be used to teach others. The Bible is filled with people of good character, and reputation of godly action and good deeds. In the days of the early church, Stephen was one of the chosen by his peers to serve in a small way, yet note the character qualities desired, Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business (Acts 6:3). The responsibility was to serve the widows of their day with their daily needs, and it wasn’t good enough to just choose anyone. Persons in the church today must behave in ways that can be seen by others in a consistent way, not with merely words, but with Christ-like love that seeks to edify and meet the needs of others, all the while bringing glory and honor to Christ’s name. We have so many examples of good named individuals Abraham, Joseph, Daniel, Ruth, Esther, Abigail, etc. Yet, it is through Christ, and His coming to this earth, fully God, yet fully Man, born of a virgin to unfold God’s plan of salvation. We read from Isaiah the prophet, For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace There will be no end , Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, To order and establish it with judgement and justice From that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this (Isaiah 9:6-7). The virgin’s Child will also be the royal Son of David, with rights to the Davidic throne, It’s a done deal. God reigns supremely through Christ our risen Lord, who will come back and reign and rule in sovereign righteousness. Peter the apostle said of Him, ” Nor is there salvation in any other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12)

For the Christian today, our walk of faith is strongly desired by God and needed in the church. We live in a world that is ruled by unrighteousness, governments that are not submitted to the authority of a sovereign God, still trying with all their efforts to seek to over throw those who do not believe what their god says to them. We live in a world that calls what God declares to be named Good, evil, and their own evil as good. Yet, we are told in Scripture, Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good (Romans 12:21).

May the Lord bless your walk with Him!

Dedicated to Kent Justice Burchell, my newborn grandson!

BSee then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore, do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.Ephesians 5:15-17

This word “circumspectly” the term means “accurately or precisely with great care.” We can find its meaning by what Jesus spoke of on the Sermon on the mount, “Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.” (Matthew 7:14) To live morally is to live wisely. Biblically, a “fool” is not so named because of intellectual limits, but because of unbelief in God, and His Word. Especially as to it’s warning of judgment of sin. He or she live apart from God and against God’s laws The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, But fools despise wisdom and instruction (Proverbs 1:7) and they can’t comprehend the truth, or their true heart condition before a holy God. Believers are no longer walking in this way, and if need be, should remind themselves to evaluate their own walk from time to time. Redeeming the time—The Greek word for “time” denotes a fixed, measured, allocated season; with the definite article “the,” it likely refers to one’s lifetime on earth as a believer. We are to make the most of our time in the midst of all that is evil being produced by the world fulfilling God’s purposes, and using every opportunity for worshipful service unto Jesus, meaning the work of our hands to glorify Him in the short span of time lived here, then after this life is over, for all eternity in His presence.

Understand what the will of God is—Knowing and understanding God’s will through His Word is spiritual wisdom. For example, God’s will revealed to us is: That people should be saved from their sins (1 Timothy 2:3-4), Be Spirit- filled (Ephesians 5:18), Be sanctified {set apart for the Lord} (1Thessalonians 4:3),This what Jesus models for us in the gospels.

As Christians today, we face situations in our daily lives that are conscience tester’s. They help us to see whether we are serious about our walk with the Lord. Knowing that our choices will have good or bad consequences. And to some extent we show what Christ is like through our perseverence and character.
Beloved friend, your willingness to be taught by God’s Word pays dividends that are far reaching into the lives of loved ones as blessings of faith and wisdom are being rewarded by God.
May the Lord bless your walk.
Dedicated to my daughter Justine, and my son-in-law Justin on this day of the birth of their first born son. Our first grandchild!

I do not write these things to shame you, but as my beloved children I warn you. For though you might have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet you do not have many fathers; for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel. Therefore I urge you, imitate me. For this reason I have sent Timothy to you, who is my beloved and faithful son in the Lord, who will remind you of my ways in Christ, as I teach everywhere in every church.1Corinthians 4:14-17

Despite their carnal, even sometimes hateful immaturity, Paul always looked on the Corinthian believers with an affectionate paternal care. When he wanted to warn them, he was saying “put in mind ” this purposeful admonishing as a reminder of something being wrong, and should be corrected. Today, we don’t have very many Pastor/teachers who look to be not only the voice to likewise warn the church body of it’s wrongdoing, but will always want the accountability of also being an example to the church in living by what is taught to be correct biblical behavior. Ten thousand instructors—The term actually is saying “countless tutors,” referring to the hyperbole of an unlimited number of moral guardians used with children. Yet only Paul, was there spiritual father; with no one caring like he did. This is truly an act of discipleship that Jesus taught to His own disciples. To look after the needs of others, and not just for your own selves. Timothy’s example—Timothy had been so faithfully discipled by Paul that he could be sent in the great apostles stead with confidence that he would perfectly represent him, referring to doctrine and not having to fear of any compromise. By living with this conviction, Timothy, by his own instruction and example would further reinforce the eternal truths Paul had taught him. Paul’s use of Timothy was not just in Corinth, in Philippi, Paul wrote to commend Timothy before them: But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you shortly, that I also may be encouraged when I know your state. For I have no one like-minded, who will sincerly care for your state. For all seek their own, not the things which are of Christ Jesus, But you know his proven character, that as son with his father he served with me in the gospel (Philippians 2:19-22). When Paul mentioned “like-minded” literally meant “one-souled” or often translated “kindred spirit.” Timothy was one in thought, feeling,and spirit with Paul. With a strong love for the church, he was as unique being Paul’s protege being a younger version of Paul himself.

Beloved friend, Do you have an urge to speak, something to say? (Discipling) What do you want to leave to the generation behind you? What in your life will endure through all generations like the Word of God? Do you have an ear to hear? (Being discipled) Can you be corrected by others without taking offense? Are you humble enough to be taught by someone who is younger than you? Do you follow through quickly with instruction given, or are you someone who will “put it off tillmanana”(tomorrow)? These are just some of the proven character traits that the true disciple and follower of Christ must come to terms with. But for what is at stake, meaning the lives of those whom you love, Can you be someone who can be imitated be found trustworthy to be followed? No one is perfect. In fact, the best teacher, is the person who says, ” I was wrong in how I was treating you, but I’ve repented from that, and God has shown me His mercy and forgiveness. Will you forgive me?”

May the Lord bless your walk!

So Boaz took Ruth and she became his wife; and when he went in to her, the Lord gave her conception, and she bore a son. Then the woman (Ruth) said to Naomi, (Her Mother-in-law) “blessed be the Lord, who has not left you this day without a close relative; and may his name be famous in Israel! And may he be to you a restorer of life and a nourisher of your old age; for your daughter-in-law, who loves you, who is better than seven sons, has borne him.” Then Naomi took the child and laid him on her bosom, and became a nurse to him. Ruth 4:13-16

Here is a beautiful story of love and redemption, through the eyes of Ruth, the Moabitess, and Noami, her mother-in-law. The story of Ruth occurred in the days “when the judges ruled” Israel. Bridging the time from the judges to Israel’s monarchy. God used a famine in the land of Judah to set in motion this beautiful story, The O.T. does not again refer to Ruth, while the N.T. mentions her once in the context of Chrit’s genealogy (Matt.1:5). The name “Ruth” most likely comes from a Moabite and or Hebrew word meaning “friendship.”  Ruth arrived in Bethleham as a foreigner (2:10), became a maidservant (2:13), married wealthy Boaz (our text 4:13), and was included in the physical lineage of Jesus Christ (Matt.1:5).

Pretty cool how God will use humble beginnings in a person’s life to start something magnificently beautiful that will bless many generations to follow. Ruth’s story illustrates God’s redemptive plan extended beyond the Jews to Gentiles also (2:12). Ruth also previews a N.T. teaching that women are also co-heirs with men of God’s salvation and grace. Ruth also portrays the virtuous women written in Proverbs 31:10-11, through demonstrations of God’s sovereign and providential care of seemingly unimportant people in what seemed to be insignificant times, only to later discover how crucial it was to accomplish God’s will. Ruth’s genealogy of the messianic line, along with her husband Boaz, as a type of Christ, becomes Ruth’s kinsman-redeemer (4:1-12), allows for David’s right and thus Christ’s right, to the throne of Israel’s promised eternal kingdom.

Our text is depicting the event of the new birth of a son, and grandson, that brought so much hope, and restores new life into the heart of Noami, a woman who thought her past losses of husband, and two sons, would leave her desperate and alone. The Lord gave her conception—Reminds us that with God, nothing will be impossible, He ultimately is the restorer of life and promise of hope. Nourisher of your old age—This pictures Noami in now the place of a godly grandmother, who now will be a giver of tender and affectionate nurturing love to her God-given-grandson. The hope of a messianic king and kingdom (2 Samuel 7:1-17) finds its origin here, to be fulfilled by the Lord Jesus Christ (Revelation 19:20) through the lineage of of David’s grandfather Obed, who was born to Boaz and Ruth the Moabitess.

Beloved friend, Christian parents, and grandparents have so much hope for their lives, and the lives of their families. By placing their lives into the saving mercy and grace of Jesus Christ’s redemptive love for them, in dying on the cross. Our joy at knowing that He has an unfolding plan of salvation for anyone who comes to Him in faith, and will receive a glorious inheritance in heaven that still awaits them. May it bring so much love and peace into your families home, and your children’s lives become the same blessing to their children after them, to the glory and praise of God!

May the Lord bless your walk!

In the meantime, when an innumerable multitude of people had gathered together, so that they trampled one another, He began to say to His disciples first of all, “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. For there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, nor hidden that will not be known. Therefore, whatever you have spoken in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have spoken in the ear in inner rooms will be proclaimed on the house tops. And I say to you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear Him who, after He has killed, has power to cast into hell; yes, I say to you, fear Him! Luke 12:1-5

Here is one of the strictest warnings in all of the Bible. Jesus, clearly is stating what detests God, what God hates is hypocrisy. Leaven in Scripture has more the one meaning. The leaven of the Pharisee’s is their doctrine (Matthew 16:12) and here in our text in Luke, their hypocrisy. The two things are inextricably linked together. The most sinister influence of the Jewish leaders was a pragmatic doctrine that made room for hypocrisy. They were too concerned with externals and ceremonies and the way things appeared, and not concerned enough with matters of the heart. Jesus sternly rebuked them for their hypocrisy again and again in the gospels. Nothing covered that will not be revealed— Jesus is making it clear to us, that there is no hidden sin, no secret counsels or agreements that will not be exposed when judgment comes. In fact Paul wrote to the Corinthian Christians about judging others, Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who will bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels of the hearts. Then each one’s praise will come from God ( 1 Corinthians 4:5) The inner motives, thoughts, and attitudes which only God can know, refering to rewards in heaven will be based on not just outward service, but on inward devotion. God the Father is very concered for you. And through Jesus Christ, gives us plenty of warning and chance to correct ourselves. By fearing God, and His judgment of sin, we don’t have to fear anyone, or anything else! We should be the most thankful people. God has not found us guilty of our sins before Him, because we believed His report. That we all have been found guilty of sin, and have not kept His commandments, But we have believed in Jesus Christ, and His offer of forgiveness by faith, and now stand before God justified, and righteous and approved unto God. Now we partake in eternal life, when one day, we will be rewarded for our acts of obedience because of His grace (unmerited favor) bestowed upon us. When we take heed to warning in His Word, we find great comfort and joy in what God is doing in our life. A work of great grace unto salvation, the saving of our souls.

Beloved friend, Do not fear what man can do to you, But rather fear Him, who after our death, has power cast in hell all those who refuse His offer of forgiveness of sin.

May the Lord bless your walk!

 

“If you love Me, keep My commandments. And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever—the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.John 14:15-17

Love for Christ is inseparable from obedience. Jesus gives several example’s from the Scriptures where we can examine for ourselves, “But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say? Whoever comes to Me , and hears My sayings and does them, I will show you whom he is like: He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid a foundation on the rock. And when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently against that house, and could not shake it, for it was founded on the rock. But he who heard and did nothing is like a man who built a house on the earth without a foundation, against which the stream beat vehemently; and immediately it fell. And the ruin of that house was great.” It is not sufficient enough to say “I love You Lord,” and then not follow through with what He would tell us in His word about sin, and repentenance which means to turn away from, or to show love to others by offering your forgiveness to them. Genuine faith produces obedience, because a Tree is known by its fruits. Having said this, Jesus also knows that we could never do anything for Him without His help. I will pray the Father—The priestly and intercessory work of Christ began with the request that the Father send the Holy Spirit to indwell the people of faith. The word “another Helper” specifically means “another of the same kind,” i.e, someone like Jesus Himself, The word “Helper” From the Greek litterally means “One called along side to help” and has the idea of Someone who encourages and exhorts. When you give your heart to Jesus, He returns the favor. He will give you His Word of Promise, “A little while longer and the world will see Me no more, but you will see Me. Because I live, you will live also.” John 14:19

Beloved friend, There is more to know about obedience to the Lord’s commands, There’s the promise of His joy to remain in us, and that our joy may be full. And through the course of our Christian life, Jesus is sanctifying us to be His bride, in which He as the Bridegroom purchased us with His own blood, and has promised to return for His bride. Are you ready? Do you love the Lord, and keep His commands? He tells us in His Word that they are not burdensome (1John 5:3)

May the Lord bless your walk today!

For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell, and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross. And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight—if indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard, which was preached to every creature under heaven, of which I, Paul, became a minister. Colossians 1:19-23

To dispell any belief that Jesus, was just a prophet from God, or just a man and never fully God, Paul makes clear here that God the Father was pleased with His Son, and that in Him all the fullness of deity, all the divine powers and attributes were not spread out among created beings, but completely dwelt in Christ, Himslf alone. The Greek word for “reconcile” means to “to change” or “exchange.” Its use in the N.T. usage refers to a change in the sinner’s relationship to God. Man is reconciled to God when God restores man to a right relationship with Him through the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. An intensified form of the word “reconciled” is used in this verse to refer to the total and complete reconcilliation of believers and ultimately “all things” in the created universe (But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up) 2Peter 3:10. The “heavens” refers to the physical universe. Reconcile all things to Himself—This text does not teach that, as a result, all will believe; rather it teaches that all will ultimately submit to Jesus Christ as Lord (Philippians 2:9-11). But the good news is that even though once we were enemies and alienated from God, as Scripture dictates: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God Romans 3:23, For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord Romans 6:23 God has reconciled us through the blood of the cross of His Son. No longer do we ever have to face Him in fear of judgment, but rather as being accepted in His beloved Son, and in His righteousness. Believe it, Christ’s substitutionary death on the cross has paid the price in full of all who has ever believed in Him, making this reconciliation possible, thus resulting in the positional relationship to God the Father as “Holy in His sight”. As a result of the believer’s union with Christ in His death and resurrection, God considers Christians as holy as His Son, and blameless and above reproach, (no one can bring a charge against them who are in Christ Jesus) Romans 8:33.

Beloved friend, Those who have been reconciled will need to persevere in faith and obedience in the fact that they are not only declared righteous, be have a new nature, that of their Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, among whom all the fullness of God dwells. Praise the Lord for His gift of grace and mercy that we can be reconciled.

May the Lord bless your walk!

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus  Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 1Peter 1:3-5

Though God was known as Creator and Redeemer in the OT, He was rarely called Father. Christ , however, always addressed God as His Father in the gospels, with the exception of His separation on the cross. In so doing Christ was claiming to be of the same nature , and being in essence as the Father. Also, by speaking of “Our” Lord, Peter personalized the Christian’s intimate relationship with the God of the universe through His Son, an important truth for suffering Christians in his day, as well as for us today to remember. The reason God provided a glorious salvation for mankind is that He is merciful. A sinner, in which we all are, because all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, needs God’s mercy because with out it, no one would survive. He has begotten us again—God gave the new birth as part of His provision in salvation. When a person comes to Christ, repents and admits their a sinner who has broken God’s commandments, yet puts their faith in Him, they are born anew into God’s family and receives a new nature. a living hope—The living hope is eternal life. “Hope” means confident optimism, and comes freely from God, because it is a gift of grace. Now may the God of hope fill you  with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit (Romans 15:13). The Holy Spirit confirms this to the Christian while He defends the them from attacks of Satan, in which He also sustains us through our trials which produces joy (James 1:2-4) and is fulfilled in Christ’s return looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ (Titus 2:13).  Peter showed those persecuted Christians of his day how to look past their troubles to their eternal inheritance: Life, righteousness, joy, peace, perfection, God’s presence, Christ’s glorious rewards, and still more indeed. Being reunited with loved ones who have went on ahead of us. This inheritance is not subject to passing away, nor liable to decay. Undefiled—This word means “unpolluted, unstained or marked by evil. The undefiled inheritance of a Christian is in stark contrast to an earthly inheritance all of which is corrupted, defiles and does not endure, but fades away. All of this Peter says, is kept by the power of God—Supreme and sovereign power of God, keeps the believer secure. No one can steal the Christian’s treasure, nor disqualify him from receiving it.

Beloved friend, It is through faith in Jesus Christ, and His atonement for your sins that a person is given eternal life. Genuine faith, which Peter went on to say, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ v.v.6-7. God’s purpose in your trial is to test the reality or genuineness of our faith, which will bring eternal rewards.

May the Lord bless your walk today!

See what large letters I have written to you with my own hand! As many as desire to make a good showing in the flesh, theses would compel you to be circumsized, only that they not suffer persecution for the cross of Christ. For not even those who are circumsized keep the law, but they desire to have you circumsized that they may boast in your flesh. But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but a new creation. Galatians 6:11-15

Many people consider themselves to be religious and their conduct to be pleasing to God. Paul here is addressing Judaizer’s of his day who thought by keeping the law, at least in their own minds it was an acceptable way of practicing their own self- righteousness, and then forcing others who were not like they were to feel less than what God wanted from them. Hypocrisy in the church is longstanding in its history, but the long term effects it has had on people is still why many won’t come back to look again at what God is really saying in His Word. Let me explain, People suffer, you suffer, I have suffered many things from our past. It is not something that is easily gotten over or else their wouldn’t be a need for all the counselors, and therapist’s, not to mention what all the most topic’s are on day time talk shows. God cares deeply for your well being, He seen your hurt, and what has caused your hurt, and even when you did the right thing and turn to spiritual counsel, but yet, it didn’t make it better, in fact it made it worse. When you see or hear recently all the tragic suffering people have gone through from childhood at the hands of adults who were supposed to be there for their benefit and protection, and instead have turned into victims of abuse, both sexually and emotionally and mentally; It grieves the heart of God that people are still without knowledge of His remedy  for the sick and poor soul of mankind is a new creation that’s in Christ Jesus. You see, the Scripture’s tell us that the Savior was:  He was despised and rejected by men, A Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. And we hid, as it were our faces from Him; He was despised, and we did not esteem Him (Isaiah 53:3). If you’ve been hurt by someone, let down by someone, or have even been unjustly accused falsely by someone, or even hated by someone, your in good company. Because they did that and even more to Jesus Christ, by nailing Him to a cross, thinking that would be the end of Him, it actually became our greatest victory! He conquerered death for us so that He may give to those whose own life has been marred by sin, a new life. Eternal life in Christ Jesus is to be born-again and to have a fresh new start at no matter what age you are. Jesus told Nicodemas “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” (John 3:3)  People suffer everyday all over this world, some justly, but for the most part unjustly because we live in a fallen world. Paul is saying here to us, as he demonstrated in his own life of afflictions, it was said that he suffered from an eye affliction that for the most part limited his own abilities but made him rely on God’s power through the Holy Spirit. He is saying, whether your life is lived in obedience to the laws of God or not, the only thing that matters in the end, Are you born again! Were gonna suffer in this life, but are we willing to let God love us through our painful past, and deliver us from this life of condemnation and strife, and be set free! Jesus said, The theif does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. (John 10:10)

May the Lord bless your walk today!

 

Then Jesus entered and passed through Jericho. Now behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus (Pronounced Zac-key-us) who was a chief tax collector, and he was rich. And he sought to see who Jesus was, but could not because of the crowd, for he was of short stature. So he ran ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see Him, for He was going to pass that way. And when Jesus came to the place, He looked up and saw him, and said to him, “Zacchaeus, make haste and come down, for today I must stay at your house.” So he made haste and came down, and received Him joyfully. But when they saw it, they all complained, saying, “He has gone to be a guest with a man who is a sinner.” Then Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord, I give half of my goods to the poor; and if I have taken anything from anyone by false accusation, I restore fourfold.” And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because he also is a son of Abraham; for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which is lost.” (Luke 19:1-10)

This is one of my favorite passages of God’s love demonstrated through Christ for many reasons. First, Zacchaeus, probably oversaw a large tax district, and had other tax collectors working for him. The city of Jericho alone was a prosperous trading center, so it is certain that Zacchaeus wealth came to him because of it. On a contrasting note, Jesus declares just one chapter earlier, as Luke records the account of the rich young ruler and Jesus’ statement about “how hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God!” (Luke 18:24)  Here in our text, Jesus is now showing God’s transcending love that when received with joy, changes the heart of sinful man, and transforms them into a people who want to please God. Not just by words spoken in declaration, but in a heart-felt attitude of love and restitution, reminding us that his conversion was genuine. Here Jesus demonstrates that with God, nothing is impossible (Luke 18:27). Jesus was probably traveling with a large entourage of pilgrims to the Passover in Jerusalem. But “the crowd” apparently refers to people in Jericho who lined the road to see Him pass through.His combined fame as healer, and teacher stirred the entire city when word arrived that He was coming. I must stay at your house—This was worded not as request, but rather as a mandate, and it is the only place in all of the gospels where Jesus invited Himself to be someone’s guest. Such a despicable sinner was Zacchaeus, a typical tax collector might have been deeply afraid of such a visit from the perfect, and sinless Son of Man, but Zacchaeus heart was prepared to receive Him. For he judged his own crime severely, acknowledging that he was guilty as anyone who has ever appeared before Christ. We all will appear before Christ one day, The Bible says, that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father (Philippians 2:10-11). The Greek word for “confess” means  “to acknowledge,” “affirm,” or “agree” which is what everyone will eventually do. In fact, the entire intelligent universe is called to worship Jesus Christ as Lord (Psalm 2). This mandate includes the angels in heaven (Revelation 4:2-9), the spirits of the redeemed (Revelation 4:10-11), obedient believers on the earth (Romans 10:9), the disobedient rebellious on earth (2 Thessalonians 1:7-9), along with demons and lost humanity in hell (1 Peter 3:18-22). One thing is for certain, no one who has ever lived will be unjustly judged, because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead (Acts 17:31).

Beloved friend, God gives to those who come to Jesus Christ peace, eternal life is offered to everyone who comes to Him by faith, agreeing with His Word that we haved sinned against Him and broken His commandments. But what victory we have because our righteousness is given to us through Christ. If you haven’t made this decision yet in your own life, then ask yourself why? What will you gain from not turning to Him? Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ (Philippians 1:6), It seems like a win win decision to me! Has salvation come to your house?

May the Lord bless your walk with Him!