Mon, Mar 28th - 3:25AM

DINNER WITH JESUS CHRIST

Praise God, brothers and sisters, for the goodness and mercy of God. All praise to Jesus for His faithful continual shepherding of the flock of God. We grasp so well our Lord as our Good Shepherd, in His embracing  and teaching of Simon, and Mary equally. We see the patience of Jesus and His not looking at these individuals based on their outer apearances, or whether male or female, although God has given each their role in His body: Gal 3:28.

During Jesus’ earthly ministry He was famed for healing, and many lepers were coming publicly throwing themselves before Lord Jesus  wherever they could find Him, desperately begging Him to heal them. However, Simon  when he was a leper, Mat 26:6; Mar 14:3 , meets Jesus and invites Him to dinner. Its as though Simon felt he was of too much importance to be seen publically begging Jesus to heal him like a common leper, although he was one. Jesus not once reminds Simon that under the law, he, as a leper, had no right to live among or have any contact whatsoever with the people: Lev 13:46. Jesus did not have to accept Simons invitation to dinner, or anyone for that matter, after all He had fed thousands with a few pieces of bread and fishes, and turned water into the finest wine.

Simon, healed of the dread disease of leprosy, comes across as ungrateful, calloused and full of pride. He never bothered to offer Jesus water for his feet or soothing oil as a truly grateful person would have. Simon did not honor the Lordship of Jesus and his pride kept him back from fellowship, friendship and kinship. He made little of Jesus, and made more of himself than was warranted.

Jesus was not pleased that Simon valued and loved Him so little. Jesus never bites His tongue He always tells it like it is.  Holy brethren, we know that Lord Jesus never accepts second place in our hearts. He gives to all who believe in Him all of Himself, and expects no less from those who claim to be His.

Love, serola

Sat, Mar 26th - 12:52AM

DINNER WITH JESUS CHRIST

A Temple in the Lord

Eph 2:19Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; 20And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; 21In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: 22In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit. See this whole chapter.

Brothers and sisters, we know that although we dwell on this present earth, we are no longer of the earth, but of the kingdom of heaven through faith in the atoning work of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, who with God indwells us and made us fit to be indwelt by the Holy Spirit. We know that we have the right to enjoy this present earth without abusing it, but understand God’s purpose for us in it while it yet remains, to bring forth the gospel message, minister to the saints, and do all the good that we can to all men, as we care for our families and others.

Let us continually fervently demonstrate our love to and for one another, holy brethren, even as we always do, knowing how much we are sustained, comforted, and filled with good cheer thereby. Let us remember to visit the sick brethren, and comfort them in their times of need, and to help the poor all that we can, without ceasing to spread the gospel message of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

Let us keep our eyes on Jesus, knowing we have no continuing city here but look for the coming city of God, wherein only the righteous dwell. Let none of us be in ignorance, nor anxiety, (Isa 26:3,  Phl 4:6- 8; 2Ti 1:7), about this present earth, God has scheduled it for total destruction, 2Pe 3:10-12; according to His timing, after saving all that will come to Him, amidst its growing evils, and decay alarming the world’s nation: Rom 12:21;  1Jo 4:4. However, we, holy brethren look forward to a new heaven and new earth:  Isa 65:17;  Isa 66:22;  2Pe 3:13;  Rev 21:5.

The lie, whether on purpose or through ignorance of a church building being the church instead of the people of God should be renounced by every believer. Thanks for the multitude of elders who are renaming these buildings as what they are only meeting places of the people of God.

Jesus was not ashamed of Mary and defended her against all of  her critics. Simon the Pharisee, for one, (Luk 7:39), was disgusted with Mary even touching Lord Jesus and Him allowing it. Jesus’ answered Simon by feeding him the word. Holy people, Jesus’ answer to the  Pharisee Simon is one of the most profound teachings found in scripture. In an earlier rendering Simon had been called Simon the leper, Mat 26:6, but in this later rendering aparently was healed by Jesus. Lord Jesus puts to death for all eternity that any sinner has anything to offer God to gain His forgiveness: Luk 7:40 And Jesus answering said unto him, Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee. And he saith, Master, say on.

41 There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty. 42 And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most?

Our understanding, again, straight from Lord Jesus Himself, is that it is error for anyone to believe that they can pay or do something to receive forgiveness from God.

Dearly beloveds, Jesus is speaking of a new forgiveness from God, frankly given, which would echo through out the New Covenant to come, and  not that which is under the Mosaic Law, where after the once a year day of atonement, the rest of the year, God required each person in Israel to make confession of each particular sin to the priest and give particular  items or animals to the priest to make an atonement for them.  There were some people, and some sins which God forbade any atonement, the penalty was either death, and/or expulsion from Israel.

Jesus had read both their hearts and certainly Simon was mistaken to see His sins as little, loving little as he felt he owed little.

It is true that some have sinned more than others. However, in the eyes of God NO sin is acceptable, and both the small and the great sinner are both equally condemned in the eyes of God; but in the mercy of God the everlasting truth is that God, to whom we owe everthing, does not show favoritism He forgives all  sinners equally who believe in His Son Jesus Christ: Rom 3:23

For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

Eph 2:8For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9Not of works, lest any man should boast. 10For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

Sun, Mar 20th - 12:42AM

DINNER WITH JESUS CHRIST

Psa 127:1

A Song of Ascents. Of Solomon.
Unless the LORD builds the house,
They labor in vain who build it;

Praise God for the multitudes of brethren who know that God who absolutely never lies, has set before us His word as the sole true source/Standard for  building up His church His people, and doing His will His way. We know we can have all kinds of programs, schemes, plans to build up the church, and do His will; however anything that is not based on the word of God will be in vain and of no eternal value with God.

Lord Jesus we, your priests, come to you our Saviour, Lord, King, Omnipotent Potentate, and High Priest to offer unto you the sweet sacrifice of our praises, love, thanks and peace offerings. We cast down our names, but we exalt your name Lord Jesus above our names and every name, and bow to you in our hearts, minds and spirits. Lord Jesus you alone are worthy of the totality of our worship and praise. You are worthy Lord of dominion, glory, honor, power and might. You rule the earth from heaven above, you do all your will and work with unsurpassing excellence.

All praise to you Lord for your love and truth. We your people shall never know what it is not to be loved, for you love us continuously with abundance. We thank you that you have given us the power to love you, one another and all men. It matters little that the world hates us Lord, because your great love and everlasting truth overshadows and blots out all the hatred of this wicked world. In only a little while, your kingdom is coming wherein nothing wicked shall ever enter. We wait on you Lord, trusting only in your love and truth, thankful that we can come to you for all that we need and to offer up to you our worship, prayers and intercessions for the saints and all men everywhere.

Brothers and sisters, If Lord Jesus had a P.R man he might have cautioned Jesus not to associate with Mary, a known sinner as it might damage His reputation. The religious leaders  had   already criticized Jesus for hanging out with sinners: Mat 9:11; Mar 2:16; Luk 15:2.  Nevertheless, Jesus remained faithful to God the Father’s commandments rather than curry the favor of worldly men who cared nothing about saving lost souls. Jesus never participated in any sins of men nor women whatsoever, His agenda was always to bring the gospel message so that sinners could believe in Him and turn to God from sin.

Lord Jesus could not have met Mary in the temple, as she would not have been allowed in there. Jesus, as God commanded first preached the gospel to the Hebrew nation, then He also preached to those outside of Israel, just as God also commanded. Certainly, she would have been among those He preached to. We cannot overlook the fact that she also heard His message as she, having chosen that good part which could not be taken away from her as she sat at His feet, when He visited in the home she shared with her brother and sister; Luk 10:42.

Jesus gives us the perfect example of how important it is to take the gospel message where the people are, not just within the four walled building where the people of God assemble.

Jesus was very close to this family of Mary and her siblings: Jhn 11:5. Some might say, holy brethren, that a family with someone like Mary in it would not be considered the best of families.  As we seek to understand the mind and heart of God, we learn from His Anointed one and Messenger of the Covenant that God is saving people out of love for them and to make them a part of His forever family:  Mar 3:32 And the multitude sat about him, and they said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren without seek for thee. 33 And he answered them, saying, Who is my mother, or my brethren?

34 And he looked round about on them which sat about him, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren!

Mat 12:50

“For whoever does the will of My Father in heaven is My brother and sister and mother.”

Thank God we have forever family all over the place, America, Africa, Australia, England, Jamaica, Japan, China, the Middle East etc.

Dearly beloveds, God is not saying we should not care about our natural families, but our families are not limited to the ones we were born into naturally. However the only forever family of God is the one washed in the blood of the Lamb, His Son Jesus Christ.

 1Ti 5:8

But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.

Thu, Mar 17th - 8:08PM

DINNER WITH JESUS CHRIST

Father God thank you for your eternal love, wisdom and mercy. Lord Jesus thank you for your love and giving us the right to call your Father our Father too. Thank you Holy Spirit for your love, instruction, and power to live as we should in obedience to God Almighty, in this present evil world. Thank you Lord Jesus, our hope, our spiritual wholeness and completeness through whom we can walk in love and truth by your power, Col 2:10. We, your sheep, dear Lord Jesus, praise you for your continual guidance, and that you hold each and every one of us in your hands from which no man, devil, nor creature shall ever be able to pluck us from. We rest safely in your strength and power Lord Jesus,  Eph 6:10, not in our strength, but yours alone Almighty God, knowing you will present us your church without spot nor wrinkle before your very throne in your eternal kingdom,  Eph 5:27; Jde 1:24.

Our Lord, dearly beloveds, wants us to know His mind and heart. Indeed He shows both frankly to all Men. Brothers and sisters, Jesus loved Judas Iscariot as fully and richly as He did all of His followers. It should be noted, holy brethren, not only did Lord Jesus choose Judas Iscariot, but God sent Judas Iscariot to Lord Jesus:  Jhn 17:12; God’s mercy is clearing shown in His drawing all men both good and bad to Himself: Mat 13:47-51.

In this example of Judas Iscariot we deeply understand the mind and heart of our God: Luk 9:56

For the Son of man is not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them. And they went to another village.

 Jhn 3:17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

1Ti 2:4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

Therefore, again the understanding of predestination of the lost is that despite the will of God that all men be saved, there are those who will never believe and remain impenitent unto death and be lost, and they have no excuse, Rom 1:20.

God commands us to give the whole gospel message, Just as our Lord and Saviour always did. Jesus never watered down the word, He did not worry about who might not like it. Jesus Christ, without wavering, gave the whole gospel message non stop to the common people and to the religious leaders of His day alike. What people  consistently do with the gospel message ultimately reveals whether or not they are true Christians. No one can ever be forced to believe the gospel message, but there are consequences for those who reject it.

God absolutely  does not endorse evil, nor does God ever excuse evil. We are not to dismiss the fact that there are truly evil people, they absolutely reject God and are not to remain in the church refusing to abide by the word of God: Tit 3:10. There were children of the devil in Jesus’ time and no less true since then: 1Jo 3:10. The Bible absolutely does not get wishy washy, touchy feely, or warm and fuzzy regarding evil, nor attempt to psychologize it, nor should any Christian.

Judas Iscariot, was not possessed by the devil. The devil entered into  and used Judas Iscariot, one of his own temporarily as a partner in collusion, strengthening him in his determination to seek the death of Lord Jesus for gain. Judas Iscariot would still had gone forth to betray Jesus Christ, even if the devil had not entered him. The devil can tempt but he cannot make or force you to sin. If the devil had the power to force human beings to sin against their own will, then God would have to abolish hell, and that is not ever going to happen. This was the first time in human history of a partnership between an evil man and the devil seeking, although in vain, to overthrow God, but it would not be the last: 2Th 2:2-9.

Jhn 3:19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.

Wed, Mar 16th - 6:16AM

DINNER WITH JESUS  CHRIST

 Brothers and sisters, all thanks and praises to God for our wonderful, kind, and faithful Saviour Jesus Christ, to whom we owe everything. He has given Himself to us and He is ours and we are His. We belong to Him and to one another for all eternity. Praise God for His holy bond of eternal love, truth, and the joy of His fellowship and peace with all believers. Not the peace that the world gives, but that which can only come from the heart of God to His people.

We know, holy brethren, all who will live godly will suffer persecution:  2Ti 3:12. Thank God through His power, we will pass our tests and trials knowing that they only serve to make and keep us strong in which we glorify and honor our great Lord and God; 2Co 4:17-18, for in all these things we are more than conquerors; Rom 8:37; 2Th 1:4-12.

Let us look at Judas Iscariot again. Ironically, Judas Iscariot could freely go into the temple, although he was a secret thief. Jesus had rebuked the Levites for turning the house of God into a den of thieves; Judas Iscariot being a thief himself likely felt right at home among them, Mar 11:17. The Levitical priests being only men, could not see into the heart to know a persons true feelings and beliefs, it would be the coming establishment of the better and superior ministry of the Messiah, Jesus Christ, who would correct this fatal, incurable flaw of the Levitical ministry.

Jesus addresses the fact that people cannot serve two masters, the love of money and the love of God. None are ever conflicted in this area and will chose one and hate the other. God is not against people having money or being rich, but when the lust of easy money to get rich has the person, that is a huge problem.  

Brothers and sister, we must comprehend the mercy of God and the nature of evil. Huh? Yes. Jesus loved and showed mercy to Judas Iscariot choosing him to be a disciple, knowing he was a thief who would betray Him. Jesus took Judas into His innermost circle, eating with Him, teaching him, fellowshipping with him the same as with all of His disciples. Judas Iscariot witnessed and heard Jesus’ preaching/teaching day in and day out, saw the many signs and miracles wrought by Jesus. Jesus even gave Judas Iscariot the charge of the money bag, and on the very night that Jesus was betrayed He called Judas Iscariot friend,  Mat 26:50.

All can come as they are to God, however, none may remain as they came, because Jesus changes everyone who believes in Him.

Lord Jesus did everything He could in teaching, preaching the gospel message and befriending Judas Iscariot so that He might believe and be saved. Nevertheless, Judas Iscariot kept right on being a thief, and betrayer. Judas  Iscariot repented to himself for betraying Jesus, but not to God. Even to the day Judas Iscariot committed suicide, he never believed in Jesus as the Messianic Saviour, but as just a mere man howbeit an innocent one. True evil is when people reject God there is no limit to the evil they will and can do, 2Ti 3:13. Such are tares, found in the world and which also arise amongst true Christians,  Mat 13:38-40.

Holy people, we know it is true that God knows who will and who will not be saved, however, God has no pleasure in turning the wicked into hell. Predestination of the wicked is best understood that God takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked, Eze 18:23, and desires that all people should repent and turn to Him in faith. 2Pe 3:9. For this reason the gospel is poured out like the former and latter rain upon all men. The true nature of evil is to be found in those who despite receiving the continual gospel message unrepentantly reject Jesus Christ in word and deed. All such are ultimately  condemned of themselves and rejected, not because God did not want them to be saved, but because such persons loved darkness and refused to come to the light of truth, Jhn 3:19; Heb 6:7 For the earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing from God: 8 But that which beareth thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned. See Rom 1:20.

Mon, Mar 7th - 12:42PM

DINNER WITH JESUS CHRIST

Brothers and sisters, thank God, for Jesus Christ who has given us the right and a permanent eternal seat at the Lord’s table together with Him, our Father, the Holy Spirit and the righteous of all generations and the holy angels, and it shall not be taken away from us according to the everlasting truth of His eternal word:  KJV Jhn 6:37. AMP John 6: 37All that My Father gives Me will come to Me; and the one who comes to Me I will most certainly not cast out [I will never, never reject anyone who follows Me].

Let us, dearly beloveds, continually praise the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, our Saviour and King. We are perpetually in His heart and His thoughts, and He in us, He perpetually stands as our Advocate in heaven, before the throne of God making intercessions for the saints; Isa 53:12;  Rom 8:34.  Lord Jesus knows each of us by name, none of His people are ever anonymous to Him: Amp John 10:  And [knowing that they listen] he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out [to pasture]. 4When he has brought all his own sheep outside, he walks on ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice and recognize his call. 5They will never follow a stranger, but will run away from him, because they do not know the voice of strangers.” 

Dearly beloveds, Jesus is never before the throne of His Father to condemn us, but to be our perpetual Advocate and Helper: Rom 8:34. Thanks and all praises, be to God, holy people, for even the Holy Spirit is right there with our Lord Jesus before the throne of His Father and ours too, also helping us in our weaknesses and helping us even in our prayers:  Rom 8:26. Therefore, have confidence in the love and truth of God, don’t allow your hearts to be troubled in these troubling times, and don’t allow yourselves to be griped by anxieties and fear:  Jhn 14:27; (lets take a deep breathe of relief and joy here, brethren).

Holy people, let us continue on with Lord Jesus looking back at His earthly ministry, howbeit from the eternal perspective of God and the completion of the whole of scripture from the eternally finished work of the risen side of the cross of Jesus Christ our Lord and eternal Saviour, with the Holy Spirit ministering to each of our needs for comfort instruction, and encouragement.

While Jesus was meek and humble, saints (G40 hagios); that absolutely does not mean He was weak, timid, or fearful. Jesus knows His power and authority. Jesus boldly went and taught in the temple, defying the Levites not being of the tribe of Levi, fully knowing It was a death penalty for any non levite to minister in the temple:  Num 3:10; Num 18:7. When confronted by the Levites,  Mat 21:23,  Jesus did not get scared and turn tail, instead He held His ground fearlessly knowing that His God given authority trumped the Levitcal priesthood and that He was greater than the temple, Mat 12:6, and  a foreshadowing of the rise of Himself to come from death to eternal life as the sinless, entirely new permanent High Priest who would establish a new priesthood, not under the mosaic law, but under the grace to come by His eternal atoning work wherein all believers, whether Jew or gentile, are all ordained priests under His eternal High Priesthood: 1Pe 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:

As we sit together in spirit, dearly beloveds, looking further into this study which appears in all the four gospels, presented from diferent angles we can get a composit understanding of it as a whole. The biblical scene here in: Jhn 12:1-8, Jesus, Martha busy serving, Mary the woman weeping non-stop at Jesus’s feet, Judas, Lazarus.

Earlier, Mary and her sister Martha had urged Jesus to come quick to save their brother Lazarus who was dying. Jesus got there too late in their eyes. Grief stricken Martha even advised Jesus that it was too late to raise Lazarus from the grave because he had been dead four days and his body was putrid and decayed: Jhn 11:39. They, at that time did not understand that Jesus and His powers were not subject to nor limited by mere human understandings and time frames, but they realized it after Jesus raised Lazarus to life again.

Brothers and sisters, Martha, Mary, and Lazarus came to know Jesus not only as the Messiah, but as the best friend a man or woman could ever have. Holy people, we also know that Jesus our Messiah, is the best friend we can ever have. Jesus is our Friend too, in need and in deed. He might not come when we want Him to but He is NEVER late and always on time for ALL of His people.

Jhn 6:54

Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day.