Category: Jesus Christ

He Must Increase, But I Must Decrease #4

Tuesday, May 17, 2016

“He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:30 KJV).

Beloved, may today’s Scripture be the cry of each and every Christian!

Recall John 3:22,23: “After these things came Jesus and his disciples into the land of Judaea; and there he tarried with them, and baptized. And John also was baptizing in Aenon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized.”

Israel’s religious leaders were trying to make John the Baptist envious of Jesus and His disciples: “And they came unto John, and said unto him, Rabbi, he that was with thee beyond Jordan, to whom thou barest witness, behold, the same baptizeth, and all men come to him” (John 3:26). When John could have defended himself and said just how worthy he was of attention, he refused. He transferred praise to Jesus Christ (today’s Scripture).

Now, skip over to the opening verses of chapter 4: “[1] When therefore the Lord knew how the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John, [2] (Though Jesus himself baptized not, but his disciples,) [3] He left Judaea, and departed again into Galilee.” When Jesus learned that the Pharisees were starting to praise Him for attracting more followers than John, Jesus left Judaea (southern Israel) and went far away north (Galilee). He knew that He had come to glorify His Heavenly Father rather than Himself!

Friends, as you can see, both Jesus and John the Baptist were filled with, or controlled by, the Holy Ghost. They were not seeking their own praise and worship. John wanted Jesus to be glorified while Jesus wanted His Heavenly Father to be glorified. Satan is always looking to disrupt God’s work, even in the slightest way possible. In fact, what seemed to be minor in this scenario was actually a threat to Jesus’ earthly ministry before it had really begun. John, led by the Holy Spirit, and Jesus, led by the Holy Spirit, both saw how Satan was operating and they reacted wisely to prevent his will from being accomplished.

Let us conclude this devotionals arc by seeing how we can use today’s Scripture in our Christian lives.

Bible Q&As #264 & #265: “Could you explain Peter’s first miracle?” and “Could you explain Paul’s first miracle?”

He Must Increase, But I Must Decrease #3

Monday, May 16, 2016

“He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:30 KJV).

In verses 22-24, Jesus and His disciples water baptized more people than John the Baptist. Verse 25 says Jewish religionists, operating under Satan’s influence, attempted to enrage John and make him envious by informing him: “Rabbi, he that was with thee beyond Jordan, to whom thou barest witness, behold, the same baptizeth, and all men come to him” (verse 26). Had John reacted in the flesh, he would have condemned Jesus by blurting out, “Jesus and His disciples have no right to distract people away from me! I should be having all the attention because I started my ministry first!” But—and here is a major “but!”—this is not how John responded. The Holy Spirit moved him to reply most fittingly.

Note the succeeding verses: “[27] John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven. [28] Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before him. [29] He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled.” John joyfully told them that he did not matter because he was not Christ/Messiah. Jesus mattered because HE was Christ! John knew he was not the issue. It did not matter that few were now coming to him to be baptized. His ministry was not to last indefinitely anyway.

Mark 1:2-4 says: “As it is written in the prophets, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee. The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. John did baptize in the wilderness….” John’s purpose was to simply identify Jesus as Messiah so Israel could see and trust Him (see John chapter 1); John was to “make ready a people prepared for the Lord,” not for himself (Luke 1:17). John had done what Father God had sent him to do (John 1:6-8,29-34). Now, he admitted he could fade away.

He Must Increase, But I Must Decrease #2

Sunday, May 15, 2016

“He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:30 KJV).

Beloved, may today’s Scripture be the cry of each and every Christian!

We begin reading in context in verse 22: “[22] After these things came Jesus and his disciples into the land of Judaea; and there he tarried with them, and baptized. [23] And John also was baptizing in Aenon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized. [24] For John was not yet cast into prison.”

Some weeks into Jesus Christ’s earthly ministry, He and His disciples went to the land of Judaea and there they baptized believers. John the Baptist is baptizing believers as well, in Aenon near Salim (exact location unknown, but presumably near the Jordan River Valley). During this time, “[25] Then there arose a question between some of John’s disciples and the Jews about purifying. [26] And they came unto John, and said unto him, Rabbi, he that was with thee beyond Jordan, to whom thou barest witness, behold, the same baptizeth, and all men come to him.”

To Satan’s utmost delight, some of these Jewish religionists are beginning to harass John the Baptist. In effect, they are saying in verse 26, “John, that ‘Jesus’ you preached about and praised earlier, He and His disciples are now baptizing more people than you! Your ministry is losing popularity and followers!”

Beloved, as you can see most clearly, Satan is a very shrewd creature. Having sharp powers of judgment, he knows that he must “divide and conquer” if he is to prevent Jesus’ earthly ministry from gaining momentum. If he can get John the Baptist to grow so upset (envious) that he begins to recant his message that Jesus is Christ, John’s ministry is discredited… and so is Jesus Christ’s! Do you see how the whole purpose and plan of God for Israel hangs in the balance here? It is ever so critical that John the Baptist respond most wisely to these troublemakers.

Thankfully, John the Baptist is “filled with the Holy Ghost” (Luke 1:15). He will answer most appropriately!

Our latest Bible Q&A: “What made the crucified thief repent?”

He Must Increase, But I Must Decrease #1

Saturday, May 14, 2016

“He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:30 KJV).

Beloved, may today’s Scripture be the cry of each and every Christian!

The triune Godhead’s original intention in creation was to glorify the Son, whom we understand as Jesus Christ. We read in the Scriptures: “For by him [God’s dear Son of verse 13] were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him” (Colossians 1:16).

Of course, as the prophets tell us, Lucifer, God’s chief angelic-like creature, wanted the preeminence in heaven and earth. Lucifer, “full of wisdom, and perfect in beauty… was lifted up because of [his] beauty” (Ezekiel 28:12,17). That is, Lucifer became prideful. Isaiah says that he had a five-fold plan to rob Jesus Christ of the praise that He alone deserved: “I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High” (14:13,14). In short, Lucifer became Satan, starting his lie program (sin) with the following words: “He must decrease, but I must increase!”

Sin, at its heart, is the decrease of the Lord Jesus Christ. Sin is disregarding the Creator’s will for our lives. It is we putting ourselves on His throne, us wanting to be our own authority and doing whatever we want. “Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen” (Romans 1:25). Whether in Satan’s life, the lives of other spirit creatures like him, or the lives of us humans, sin is the deification of the creature and the lessening of the Creator.

Today’s Scripture contains invaluable insight to avoiding the error of Romans 1:25. Dear friends, in our several upcoming devotionals, we will look at John 3:30 in context, lest we be ignorant of Satan’s devices.

Escape to Egypt!

Monday, May 9, 2016

“And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him. When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt: And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son” (Matthew 2:13-15 KJV).

How did Mary and Joseph afford this trip to Egypt?

Mary and Joseph, Jesus’ earthly guardians, were ordinary people. Joseph was a simple carpenter (cf. Matthew 13:55). He and Mary had little money—they had brought the poor man’s offering in Luke 2:23-24. Yet, when Jesus was as much as two years old, King Herod wanted to kill his young “competitor” (today’s Scripture). God, having complete knowledge of the situation, sent an angel to instruct Joseph to take Mary and Jesus and flee to Egypt. This was quite a long journey. It would be very expensive. And yet, the Bible says that Joseph and Mary did it, staying in Egypt until Herod had died. How did they do it?

Note verse 11, just before today’s Scripture: “And when they [the wise men] were come into the house [in Nazareth], they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.” This is the key to understanding how Joseph, Mary, and Jesus were able to take that costly trip into Egypt.

We must never forget that God always gives His people what they need to accomplish His work. Just a short time before young Jesus had to flee to Egypt, some believing Gentiles, the Magi (wise men), had brought gifts to Him—gold, frankincense, and myrrh. The wise men had no idea of just how important their gifts would be. God used that gold to fund Jesus’ escape to Egypt!

Our latest Bible Q&A: “Did Matthew mishandle Hosea 11:1?”

Mother: A Virtuous Woman

Sunday, May 8, 2016

“Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies” (Proverbs 31:10 KJV).

Today is Mother’s Day, so we dedicate this devotional to godly women (specifically mothers). I especially dedicate this to the virtuous woman who has been in my life for almost 28 years… my mom!

Today’s Scripture is the first verse of the Bible’s “Virtuous Woman” passage (Proverbs 31:10-31). King Solomon explained that the virtuous woman:

  • has a husband who safely trusts in her (verses 11,12).
  • is not lazy, but is strong because she works to feed and clothe her family and herself (verses 13-19,21,22,24,25,27).
  • pities the poor and needy (verse 20).
  • has a husband who is well-known because of her godly lifestyle (verse 23).
  • opens her mouth with wisdom, and speaks kindly and lovingly (verse 26).
  • has children and a husband who praise her (verse 28).
  • excels in what she does (verse 29).
  • has works that praise her (verse 31).

Verse 30 explains the virtuous woman is “a woman that feareth the LORD.”

The Apostle Paul wrote that godly women should: not slander/gossip, not be controlled by alcohol and emotions (sober minded), be teachers of good things, love their husbands and children, be cautious and modest, maintain the home, be “good,” and should obey (respect) their husbands… “that the word of God be not blasphemed” (Titus 2:3-5). A Christian woman, especially a mother, should be a virtuous woman in beliefs as well as in deed. She needs to set an example for her children (especially her daughters).

A Christian woman and/or Christian mother places her faith in this sound Bible doctrine, the indwelling Holy Spirit will then take that doctrine and transform her for God’s glory (1 Thessalonians 2:13). Her mind will be renewed by sound Bible doctrine, and that will transform her outward activity (Romans 12:1,2).

Are you a Christian woman or Christian mother who desires to be the woman God intends you to be in Christ Jesus? Place your faith in this sound Bible doctrine, and God will take care of the rest!

 HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY TO OUR READERS WHO ARE MOTHERS!

*Adapted from a larger Bible study with the same name. The Bible study can be read here or watched here.

A Prayer According to God’s Will

Thursday, May 5, 2016

“I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;” (1 Timothy 2:1-3 KJV).

On this United States’ National Day of Prayer, we pray you pray according to the Lord Jesus Christ’s will for today!

Today, religious people—the general public, clergy, and government officials—will assemble nationwide, like they do every year, and pray for spiritual and moral revival of the “Christian” (?) United States of America. We commend their noble efforts, but God’s Word says there will be no godly revival of any of the world’s Gentile nations until Jesus Christ returns to earth at His Second Coming (Isaiah 11:9; Isaiah 59:20–60:3; Zechariah 8:20-23; Revelation 11:15; et cetera).

The LORD’s words to King Solomon are often quoted on this day: “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land” (2 Chronicles 7:14).

Friends, this is certainly God’s Word, but has nothing to do with Gentiles in the United States in the Dispensation of Grace. This verse has a context often overlooked—the nation Israel under the Mosaic Law, praying in relation to God’s Temple in Jerusalem (verses 15,16). Actually, that Temple was destroyed over 19 centuries ago! Unlike Israel, the United States was never a divinely-founded nation. The American people as a whole are not God’s people like Israel was.

Rather than praying 2 Chronicles 7:14, remember today’s Scripture (God’s Word to us Gentiles). The verse following today’s Scripture says, “[God] Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:4). Pray for those in authority, that they would trust Jesus Christ alone as their personal Saviour, and then grow in His Word to them so they can make wise decisions on behalf of the people they govern.

Broken Promises and Faithful God

Monday, May 2, 2016

“And Jesus saith unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered…. But Peter said unto him, Although all shall be offended, yet will not I. And Jesus saith unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this day, even in this night, before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice. But he spake the more vehemently, If I should die with thee, I will not deny thee in any wise. Likewise also said they all” (Mark 14:27,29-31 KJV).

Christian friend, boast in God’s unconditional love for you, not your fickle, weak love for Him!

It is only human nature to brag about our “great love for and devotion to Jesus.” Similarly, the Apostle Peter was so confident of himself (today’s Scripture). He promised that even when all of Jesus’ disciples would forsake Him, he never would! Jesus, knowing human weakness, told Peter he would fail. Yet, Peter argued all the more that he would not deny Him “in any wise” (not at all)—even to the point of death! The other disciples, so sure of themselves, insisted likewise. Nevertheless, just moments later, at Jesus’ arrest, all those “faithful friends” fled for fear of death (verse 50). Peter then publicly denied knowing Jesus… three times (verses 66-72)!

Brethren, no matter how much we claim to “love” Jesus, we fail. Thus, always, always, always remember that Jesus Christ loves us more than we will ever know! Our love for Him is ever so small, just a speck, and so fickle and frail; therefore, we must never, ever, ever boast about how much we “love” Jesus. We do not love Him with all of our being, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. However, He loves us with His whole being every single second, without fail or decrease. That unconditional, undying love sent Him to die on Calvary’s cross for our sins! He will never deny knowing us, but we may deny knowing Him at anytime.

In short, be so thankful to Father God that your soul salvation is dependent only upon His faithfulness to and love for you, not your faithfulness to and love for Him!

Two Gates, Two Ways, One Soul, and One Choice

Thursday, April 21, 2016

“Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: [14] Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it” (Matthew 7:13,14 KJV).

Which do you choose?

In a previous study, exactly two weeks ago today, it was mentioned we had a Christian sister trying to reach out to her unsaved friend dying of cancer. The sister was very burdened to share the Gospel of the Grace of God. However, the dying lady refused to hear that her “good” works would not get her into heaven. She cut off all contact with us.

Yesterday, less than three weeks after her diagnosis, we received news that she died. She had at least two weeks to think about God’s grace and trust Jesus Christ as her personal Saviour. What she did with Him in her final moments, only He knows. Wherever her soul is right now, heaven or hell, she certainly remembers the Gospel of Grace. If in heaven, she is so thankful she trusted it. If in hell, she will always remember that she did not have to go there had she just believed God’s Word to her.

A pastor once wisely observed, “People reject the Gospel because they do not realize they are lost.” This lady’s attitude was a case in point. She concentrated on how many “good” things she did for so many people. This is exactly why God hates religion, friends. Religion is nothing but an occasion to brag about what you have done. There is absolutely no boasting before God. Every person who gets to heaven will get there on the same basis—Jesus Christ’s shed blood. There will be no “I did more good works than you” attitude. All glory will go to the Lord Jesus Christ if someone makes it to heaven. All blame will go to the individual if the individual makes it to hell.

My brethren, let us make every effort to reach loved ones with God’s grace now. Death may come quicker for them than you think!

Our latest Bible Q&A: “Could you describe Jesus’ resurrected body?”

Never Man Spake Like This Man!

Wednesday, April 20, 2016

“The officers answered, Never man spake like this man” (John 7:46 KJV).

Listen as the GodMan speaks!

Read what happened to Jesus at age 12: “And it came to pass, that after three days [Mary and Joseph] found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions. And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers” (Luke 2:46,47). Even as a little boy, Jesus’ depth of perception was unusually profound. These “Th.D.s” and “Ph.D.s” of the Mosaic Law—much older and so-called “educated” men—were so surprised, and probably embarrassed, that some little boy would dare (knowledgeably) converse with them about such “adult” topics.

As the years passed, Jesus continually amazed the crowds. “And they were astonished at his doctrine: for he taught them as one that had authority, and not as the scribes” (Mark 1:22; cf. Matthew 7:28,29). “What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him!” (Matthew 8:27). “And when he was come into his own country, he taught them in their synagogue, insomuch that they were astonished, and said, Whence hath this man this wisdom, and these mighty works?” (Matthew 13:54).

We can be most assured that our Lord Jesus was no wimp. His voice thundered with articulate, intelligent, and very weighty words. Those words actually caused events to happen right before people’s eyes—a storm instantly dissipated, dead men arose, sick people instantly recovered, a fig tree immediately withered, et cetera. “The word of God is quick and powerful…” (Hebrews 4:12).

All the way back in Genesis, at the Creation account, God used words—“Let there be…”—to bring our universe into existence from nothing. “…[U]pholding all things by the word of his power…” (Hebrews 1:3). Now, as a Man, He was using His voice to work wonders and amaze crowds. It was not so much to awe them as it was much as it was to teach them. Their God had come and they were to look upon Him and pay attention to what He had to tell them (Isaiah 35:4; Isaiah 40:9). He was the way to salvation and eternal life!

Our latest Bible Q&A: “Is immersion the ‘proper’ mode of water baptism?”