Every Day Light Day 8
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The Enemy Is Beneath Your Feet!!
Then the seventy returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name.” And He said to them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.”
Luke 10:17–19
In Luke 10, we see our Lord Jesus sending seventy disciples out against the kingdom of darkness, as “lambs among wolves.” Look in today’s scripture at the exchange between the seventy disciples and the Lord Jesus when they returned. My friend, the power and authority our Lord Jesus gave them to operate in is the power and authority we have as believers today!
Romans 16:20 declares that the God of peace will crush Satan underneath our feet! He is a defeated foe. The Bible is very consistent and always puts the devil beneath your feet (Gen. 3:15, Eph. 1:22). You are not at the mercy of the enemy’s attacks. Don’t put him on a pedestal, as if he has power and dominion over you. Remind yourself that in Christ, you are “far above all principality and power and might and dominion” (Eph. 1:21), and every lion and serpent you shall trample underfoot!
We exercise our authority as believers when we go on the offensive against the enemy today. How do we do that? We wield the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God! Our authority, our strength, and our victory are found in His Word.
Look at how the Bible describes the armor of God: “Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (Eph. 6:14–17).
Do you see that the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God, is the only piece of the armor that is offensive? That is why, for every round of attack the devil launched at our Lord Jesus, He fought back with the sword of the Spirit—He used the written Word of God.
When we pray the prayer of protection in Psalm 91, we are praying according to the Word of God and wielding the sword of the Spirit. So no matter what report is roaring at you, be it from doctors, bankers, or from the news media, take your place of authority and lay hold of scriptures for your situation. Fight back with the Word of God!
Joseph Prince Devotional.
Every Day Light 7
The Gospel: God's Descent to Humanity through Jesus Christ.
The Gospel message is often misunderstood as a call for us to strive and climb our way up to God through our own efforts. However, the essence of the Gospel lies in the remarkable truth that God revealed His love for humanity by sending His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, into the world. Jesus came to fulfill the Will of the Father and to bring about a restoration of our relationship with God. This divine act of love demonstrates that intimacy with God is freely available, and it originated from God's own desire to reconcile with us. By examining a few biblical texts from the New Testament, we can better grasp the profound reality that the Gospel is about God's descent rather than our ascent.
John 1:14 (NIV): "The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth."
This verse encapsulates the core message of the Gospel. Jesus who is referred to here as "the Word," chose to become flesh and dwell among humanity. This divine act in collaboration with the Father demonstrates God's and Jesus willingness to bridge the gap between Himself and humanity through Jesus Christ. Rather than expecting us to ascend to Him, God descended to our level, as it were.
Philippians 2:6-8 (NIV): "Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!"
In this passage, the apostle Paul highlights the humility and selflessness of Jesus Christ. Despite His divine nature, Jesus willingly humbled Himself, taking on the form of a servant and being made in human likeness. This act of humility culminated in His sacrificial death on the cross. In Jesus' life, death, and resurrection, God's purpose is shown by sending his only begotten Son, Jesus to humanity and offer salvation, once and for all time , showcasing His selfless love in allowing Jesus love, highlights his Love for His Father as a Son.
Luke 22:42 (NIV): "Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done."
In this passage, Jesus demonstrates His submission to the Father's will. While being fully God's Son, Jesus acknowledges that His mission on Earth involves fulfilling the Father's purpose. Despite having His own will, Jesus humbly surrenders to the Father's purpose. This distinction highlights Jesus' role as the obedient Son, Who willingly descending to Earth to accomplish both His and the Father's desires. Mission, Save Humanity from Sin, Death and the Power of Darkness the devil. 1 John 3:8, "The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil."
John 6:38 (NIV): "For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me."
Jesus makes it clear that He came down from heaven, not to fulfill His own will, but to carry out the will of the Father who sent Him. This statement further emphasizes the distinction between Jesus as the obedient Son and the Father as the sender. It underscores Jesus' descent to Earth as an act of obedience and service to accomplish the Father's purpose.
Ephesians 2:8-9 (NIV): "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast."
These verses emphasize the free gift of salvation offered by God through His grace. The Gospel is not a result of our own efforts or good works; it is solely a gift from God. Our salvation does not depend on our ability to climb up to God, but rather on our faith in the work of Jesus Christ. It is through this faith that we can experience true intimacy with God, recognizing that it is His idea and His initiative that makes it possible.
Conclusion:
The Gospel message holds the beautiful truth that God, in His unfathomable love, chose to descend to humanity through his only begotten son, Jesus Christ. It is not a message of us striving to reach God through our own efforts, but rather an invitation to receive the free gift of intimacy with Him. Through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, Jon 14:6, God extended His hand towards us, bridging the gap between heaven and earth.
May we embrace this profound truth and rest in the assurance that our relationship with God is not based on our climbing, but on believing on the finished work of Jesus John 3:16.
Every Day Light 6
Holy Spirit and New Covenant.
The Holy Spirit’s Testimony about the New Covenant.
Hebrews 10:15-18
“The Holy Spirit also testifies to us about this. First he says: “This is the covenant I will make with them after that time, says the Lord. I will put My laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds.” Then he adds: “Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more.” And where these have been forgiven, there is no longer any sacrifice for sin.”
In these verses from the book of Hebrews, the writer is explaining the testimony of the Holy Spirit regarding the New Covenant. The New Covenant refers to the new agreement or contract between God and His people, which was established through Jesus Christ.
The passage begins by stating that the Holy Spirit also testifies to us about this New Covenant. The Holy Spirit, He plays a vital role in revealing God's truth and guiding believers. The writer is emphasizing that the Holy Spirit's testimony is trustworthy and authoritative.
The Holy Spirit's testimony about the New Covenant is quoted from the Old Testament book of Jeremiah (Jeremiah 31:33-34). It says, "This is the covenant I will make with them after that time, says the Lord. I will put My laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds." This statement emphasizes the nature of the New Covenant. Unlike the previous covenant based on external laws and regulations, the New Covenant is internal and transformative. Through the Holy Spirit's work, God's laws are written on the hearts and minds of believers. It means that God's truth and commands are deeply ingrained within them, guiding their thoughts, desires, and actions.
The passage further explains that under this New Covenant, God promises, "Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more." This is a powerful declaration of God's forgiveness and Grace. Through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, the sins of believers are completely forgiven, and God no longer holds their wrongdoings against them. This promise of forgiveness is an essential aspect of the New Covenant.
The final statement in the passage states, "And where these have been forgiven, there is no longer any sacrifice for sin." This means that the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross was a once-and-for-all sacrifice for sins. In the Old Covenant, sacrifices were offered repeatedly to atone for sins. However, in the New Covenant, Jesus' sacrifice is sufficient to cleanse and forgive all sins, past, present, and future. There is no need for any additional sacrifices or offerings because Jesus' sacrifice is complete and final.
In summary, the Holy Spirit's testimony about the New Covenant emphasizes the internal transformation of believers, the complete forgiveness of sins through Jesus' sacrifice, and the finality of that sacrifice. The Holy Spirit works in the hearts and minds of believers, writing God's laws within them and guiding them in living a righteous life. This New Covenant is characterized by grace, forgiveness, and the empowering presence of the Holy Spirit.
Every Day Light 5
The Beautiful New Covenant: A Promise of Renewal and Redemption Hebrews 8:8-12
In the Hebrew Scriptures, particularly in the book of Jeremiah, we find a profound prophecy that speaks of a future "new covenant" that God would establish with the house of Israel and the house of Judah. This new covenant was necessary because the previous covenant, forged at Sinai, had been marred by the people's disobedience and inability to fully adhere to its terms. In this article, we will explore the significance and beauty of the new covenant as presented in Jeremiah 31:31-34.
Finding Fault: A Call for Renewal
Jeremiah's prophecy begins by highlighting the shortcomings of the old covenant. Despite God's faithfulness, the people failed to remain obedient, causing the covenant to be disregarded. However, God, in His infinite mercy, declares that He will establish a new covenant to address these deficiencies.
God's Initiative: "I Will Make"
Unlike the old covenant, which was conditional and required human effort, the new covenant is initiated and established by God Himself. He declares, "I will make." It emphasizes God's grace and His desire to restore a broken relationship with His people.
Truly New and Transformed
The new covenant is not merely an improved version of the old covenant. It is genuinely new, characterized by transformative changes. God promises to write His laws on the minds and hearts of His people, signifying an internalized obedience driven by genuine love and devotion.
Intimate Relationship: "I Will Be Their God"
In the new covenant, God desires an intimate and personal relationship with His people. He declares, "I will be their God, and they shall be My people." This covenant establishes a deep connection between the Creator and His beloved creation, marked by mutual love, understanding, and communion.
Direct Knowledge of God
Under the old covenant, the knowledge of God was mediated through priests, prophets, and teachers. In the new covenant, however, every individual will have a personal and direct knowledge of God. It is a covenant where all will know the Lord, from the least to the greatest, removing the need for intermediaries.
Divine Forgiveness and Forgetfulness
One of the most beautiful aspects of the new covenant is God's promise of complete forgiveness. God declares, "For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more." Through the new covenant, God offers redemption, cleansing, and freedom from the guilt of sin.
Conclusion:
The new covenant, as prophesied by Jeremiah, stands as a testament to God's unwavering love and faithfulness to His people. It is a covenant that surpasses the limitations of the old covenant, offering a renewed relationship with God through transformative internal change, direct knowledge, and complete forgiveness. The beauty of the new covenant lies in God's desire to reconcile with humanity and restore them to a state of blessed communion. It is a covenant that points forward to the ultimate fulfillment found in Jesus Christ, who inaugurated the new covenant through His life, death, and resurrection, ushering in a new era of grace, mercy, and everlasting hope.
Every Day Light 4
Blood for Forgiveness.
Without the Shedding of Blood (Sacrifice), There is No Forgiveness.
Hebrews 9:18-22
“This is why even the first covenant was not put into effect without blood. When Moses had proclaimed every commandment of the law to all the people, he took the blood of calves, together with water, scarlet wool and branches of hyssop, and sprinkled the scroll and all the people. He said, “This is the blood of the covenant, which God has commanded you to keep.” In the same way, he sprinkled with the blood both the tabernacle and everything used in its ceremonies. In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.”
In this passage, the author explains the significance of blood and its connection to forgiveness within the context of the Old Testament.
According to the author, the first covenant (referring to the Old Covenant established between God and the Israelites) was not put into effect without the shedding of blood. When Moses proclaimed every commandment of the law to the people, he took the blood of calves, mixed it with water, scarlet wool, and branches of hyssop, and sprinkled them on the scroll containing the commandments and on all the people. Moses declared that this blood symbolized the blood of the covenant that God commanded them to keep. Additionally, the blood was used to sprinkle the tabernacle and all the objects used in its ceremonies.
The author emphasizes that, according to the law, almost everything had to be cleansed with blood. The shedding of blood was a central aspect of the sacrificial system under the Old Covenant. The idea behind this practice was that blood symbolized life, and the act of sacrificing animals and sprinkling their blood represented the atonement or covering of sins. The shedding of blood signified the seriousness of sin and its consequences, and the offering of blood was considered necessary for forgiveness.
The author concludes that without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness. In the Old Testament context, the shedding of animal blood in sacrifices served as a temporary means of atonement and forgiveness of sins. However, in the New Testament, the author of Hebrews presents Jesus Christ as the ultimate and perfect sacrifice whose blood provides eternal forgiveness for humanity's sins.
The shedding of Jesus' blood on the cross is seen as the ultimate and complete sacrifice that brings about forgiveness and reconciliation between God and humanity.
Every Day Light 3
The new covenant, as described in the Bible, is indeed superior for several reasons. Let's go through the differences and examine the biblical texts to understand why the new covenant is greater.
Let's start with Hebrews 9, tomorrow will build on this topic and the next day.
A Will or Covenant is in Force Only When Someone Has Died (Hebrews 9:16-17)
Hebrews 9:16-17
“In the case of a will, it is necessary to prove the death of the one who made it, 17,because a will is in force only when somebody has died; it never takes effect while the one who made it is living.”
Vrs 16
NIV
In the case of a will, it is necessary to prove the death of the one who made it,
NASB
For where there is a covenant, there must of necessity be the death of the one who made it.
CSB
Where a will exists, the death of the one who made it must be established.
NLT
Now when someone leaves a will, it is necessary to prove that the person who made it is dead.
KJV
For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator.
The emphasizes that a will or testament or covenant becomes effective only when the one who made it has passed away. This serves as an analogy for the new covenant. The old covenant, represented by the Mosaic law, was not fully effective because it lacked the necessary sacrifice for forgiveness of sins. However, the new covenant was established through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, it was legal and binding. His sacrifice on the cross brought forgiveness and reconciliation between God and humanity, making the new covenant superior to the old.
The point of verses 16 and 17 is that without bloodshed there can be no forgiveness. The binding agreement between God and man—the new covenant—takes effect only upon the death of Jesus Christ. Therefore the New covenant begins at his death and resurrection.
Every Day Light No.2
The Miraculous Birth of Jesus: Revealing God's Love and Saving Purpose
The birth of Jesus Christ stands as a remarkable testament to God's love and redemptive plan for humanity. Like a divine symphony, every aspect of His birth harmoniously contributes to the overarching purpose of salvation.
Hebrews 10:5 illuminates the significance of Jesus' body:
Hebrews 10:5
Therefore, when He comes into the world, He says, “SACRIFICE AND OFFERING YOU HAVE NOT DESIRED, BUT A BODY YOU HAVE PREPARED FOR ME;
Jesus repeatedly conveyed to His disciples that He originated from heaven rather than Earth. He affirmed, "I have come down from heaven" (John 6:38). Humanity, due to Adam's actions, faced a sentence of death. (Romans 6 describes it as living under the condemnation of sin and death.) However, Jesus did not belong to Adam's fallen lineage. He was born outside the confines of this spiritual prison. Only a free person can redeem a slave.
The term used for "body" (soma) signifies a complete and entire physical body. The Holy Spirit did not prepare a partial body but a whole one. On a particular day, Mary was not pregnant, but the next day, she was discovered to be with child through the Holy Spirit. Yes And also John 3:16-17 encapsulates the divine purpose behind His arrival. Let us delve into the mystery of Jesus' birth, unveiling the profound love and saving mission embedded within it.
A Birth of Unparalleled Love and Purpose:
Imagine the scene—an awe-inspiring tapestry of God's design, interwoven with threads of love, grace, and hope. At the center of this masterpiece, a humble manger becomes the cradle for the Savior of the world. Just as a loving parent cherishes their newborn child, God sent His Son into the world, enveloped in the frailty of human flesh, to demonstrate the magnitude of His love and rescue mankind from the clutches of sin.
In Hebrews 9:22 it says, “And according to the law almost all things are purified with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no remission of sin.” Jesus had to become flesh and blood so that he could give his innocent blood for our sins.
The Purpose: To Save the World through Love:
John 3:16-17 encapsulates the divine purpose of Jesus' birth. "For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through Him." These verses reveal the profound truth that Jesus' birth was a manifestation of God's immeasurable love and a divine plan to reconcile humanity to Himself.
Jesus Embodying Love, Grace, and Truth:
In John 1:14, we witness the miracle of the Word becoming flesh: "And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen His glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth."
John 1:16: “From his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.”
Full of Grace and Truth!
Through Jesus, God chose to reveal Grace and Truth, Himself in a tangible, relatable form. The eternal Word, who existed from the beginning, took on human form, displaying God's glory, grace, and truth in a way previously unseen.
The Gift of Salvation:
Embracing Truth and Finding Freedom:
Jesus is standing before Pilate. This is a weighty interchange between Jesus and Pilate in John 18:36–37:
Then Pilate said to him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world — to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.”
Why were you born?
To bear witness to the truth. Another way to say it is that the Son of God, the Word of God, has come into the world, he says here, to bear witness to the truth. Now, what’s the effect, in Jesus’s life and ministry, of bearing witness to the truth?
What do we learn about his purpose?
Jesus' purpose was to bear witness to the truth and to offer salvation to all who would believe in Him. As He proclaimed in John 8:31-32, "If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." Through His life, teachings, and ultimate sacrifice on the cross, Jesus unveiled the truth that sets humanity free from the bondage of sin, providing a path to eternal life and restored fellowship with God.
Conclusion:
The birth of Jesus Christ stands as the epitome of God's boundless love, revealed through His Son's miraculous life. Through Jesus, God demonstrated His desire to save rather than condemn, to reconcile rather than separate. As we reflect on the miracle of Jesus' birth, let us embrace the truth He proclaimed and accept the gift of salvation offered through His life, death, and resurrection.
May the profound love and purpose of Jesus' birth continue to inspire us to share the good news of God's Grace and extend God's love to a world in need of hope and redemption.
What Happens at Death Perspectives!
Death and Afterlife Perspectives
What happens at death?
The question of what happens at death is a topic that has been contemplated and discussed by various cultures, religions, and philosophies throughout history. Different belief systems offer different perspectives on what occurs after death, and these views can vary greatly.
Here are a few perspectives commonly held regarding what happens at death:
Secular Perspectives: From a secular or atheistic standpoint, death is seen as the permanent cessation of consciousness and the end of an individual's existence. According to this view, there is no afterlife or continuation of personal identity beyond death.
Religious Perspectives: Religions often provide varying explanations for what happens after death. Here are a few examples:
Christianity: Christians believe in the concept of an afterlife, where individuals' souls are judged by God. Depending on their actions and beliefs in life, souls are either rewarded with eternal life in heaven or punished with damnation in hell.
Islam: Muslims believe in an afterlife as well. They envision a Day of Judgment, where people's deeds are evaluated by Allah. Individuals are then assigned to paradise (Jannah) or hell (Jahannam) based on their faith and actions.
Hinduism: In Hinduism, death is viewed as a transition between physical bodies rather than the end of existence. The soul (Atman) is believed to be eternal and reincarnates into a new body after death, influenced by its past actions (karma).
Buddhism: Buddhists also believe in the cycle of rebirth, known as samsara. However, they seek to escape this cycle through the attainment of enlightenment and the cessation of suffering (nirvana).
Near-Death Experiences (NDEs): Some individuals who have experienced near-death situations report extraordinary and diverse phenomena, such as out-of-body experiences, encounters with deceased relatives, or visions of light. NDEs have sparked debates and speculation about the nature of consciousness and the possibility of an afterlife, but scientific understanding of these experiences is still limited.
Judaism: In Judaism, there are various beliefs about the afterlife, and different Jewish traditions may have slightly different perspectives. However, there is a general belief in the eternal nature of the soul and a future world to come. The specifics of the afterlife are not extensively described in Jewish scriptures, and there is a strong emphasis on focusing on one's actions in this world rather than dwelling on the afterlife. Judaism places significant emphasis on the importance of leading a righteous life and fulfilling the commandments (mitzvot) as a way to connect with God.
In Judaism, there is also a concept known as Olam Ha-Ba (the World to Come), which is considered a spiritual realm of reward and punishment after death. The exact nature of Olam Ha-Ba varies in different Jewish interpretations, but it is generally seen as a place of spiritual closeness to God for those who have lived a righteous life.
Regarding Jehovah's Witnesses, they believe in an afterlife called the "Kingdom of God" or the "New Earth" as described in their interpretation of the Bible. They hold that after death, individuals enter a state of unconsciousness until the resurrection, where they will be judged and given the opportunity to live on the renewed Earth under God's Kingdom. Jehovah's Witnesses believe that only a limited number of faithful believers (the "anointed") will go to heaven, while the majority of people will have the chance to live in paradise on Earth.
It's important to note that the question of what happens at death is ultimately a matter of personal belief, and different people may hold different perspectives based on their cultural, religious, or philosophical backgrounds.