Jesus is Lord from The Joy of Jesus

Jesus is The Answer, for He is Lord...

Jesus Christ claimed to be the Son of God; a Savior for all people who choose to believe in Him. The fact that Jesus claimed to be the Messiah is not unique in history. Many people have claimed to be sent by God throughout history. Acts 5:36 references a man named Theudas who claimed to be: "somebody" that people followed. Others include, Mohammed. The life and coming of Jesus was predicted hundreds of years before He was born in the book of Isaiah. He fulfilled this prophecy and many others written before His birth to the Virgin Mary. Jesus had many unique qualities that the others who claimed to be the messiah could not match; Jesus Christ overcame death on the cross and was resurrected to be with His Father in heaven. Further examples of why Jesus is Lord include, His ability to overcome temptation living a sinless and perfect life along with His abilities to perform documented miracles in the name of God.

As one of the most popular Bible verses, John 3:16-17 says, "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him."

As Colossians 1:15 says, "He [Christ] is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation." Jesus provides eternal hope, through God's grace, for everyone who believes He is Lord.

God loves the world and all He has created. However, people have chosen to separate from God through our sins. Jesus provides the bridge for us to receive God's grace of forgiveness for our sins and fulfill the hope of eternal life. This was the purpose of Jesus Christ and why Jesus is Lord. God sent Jesus to earth over 2000 years ago to set the example of how God desires everyone to live while on earth. He completed His purpose by willingly being crucified so God could be glorified through His resurrection. He lived His life while here on earth in perfect obedience to God regardless of the pain and suffering it entailed which included beatings, humiliation, doubt, ridicule, and finally ultimate execution with His limbs pierced and pinned to a cross.

Jesus led a life that was completely obedient to God; something we cannot do regardless how hard we try through our will power or by the level of wisdom we possess. Everyone has sinned except Christ; He was perfect in love. This is only something God can be. Jesus performed over 23 documented and witnessed miracles over nature, overcoming death and powers of healing that have never been matched or done in the history of the world. Jesus had powers that only God could possess. He had the ability to predict the future as indicated in the book of Mark, verse 14:72 and the book of Matthew, verse 16:18. Jesus honored God throughout every event in His life. He was humble and gentle mirroring God's Spirit. This is further proof why Jesus is Lord. There is no other faith in the world that can provide the evidence that Jesus is the Lord. Jesus still lives in heaven at the right hand of God. We cannot see Him, but must rely on the documented facts and His message of salvation for all who believe in Him. When choose to place our faith in Jesus Christ and trust God, He has promised to secure a place in heaven for each of us.

The Joy of Jesus is Transformational

Christ was transfigured before them.
The word “transfigured" means to change, transfigure, transform.

Rom 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

2 Cor 3:18 But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.

Christians are changed-renewed from within from glory to glory. Our transformation is a “gradual” experience, and will be completed when Christ appears at the Rapture.

Christians are being inwardly changed day by day. At the Rapture, Christians will be “outwardly changed”—as was Christ on the mount—in the twinkling of an eye.

1 Cor 15:52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

I Jn 3:2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.

Elijah
Some confusion here. The three apostles believe Jesus is the Christ (Messiah) but why then do the scribers (keepers of the law) say that Elijah must come first? John the Baptist himself said, “I am not Elijah”. (the resurrected Old Testament prophet) This was enough for the unspiritual Jews who were merely looking for signs to reject Jesus as the Messiah, but to the spiritually discerned, John had already come. John the Baptist came in the Spirit and power of Elijah.

The angel speaking to Zacharias, the father of John the Baptist.
Luke 1:17 And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.

Glorious is Thy Name The Joy of Jesus

Glorious is Thy Name, O Lord!
Heav’n and earth with one accord
Tell Thy greatness, part revealed,
But the larger part concealed.
How shall we poor singers dare
Seek Thy face in praise and prayer?

Fearful is Thy Name, O Lord!
Dread Thy voice and sharp Thy sword;
Thunders roll around Thy path;
None can stand before Thy wrath!
How shall trembling sinners dare
Lift their voice in praise and prayer?

Yet with all Thy wondrous might
Far beyond our mortal sight,
Perfect wisdom, boundless powers,
Thou, O glorious God! art ours.
So, though filled with awe, we dare
Name Thy Name in praise and prayer.

Since, to save a world undone,
Thou didst give Thine only Son,
All Thy greatness, Lord Most High,
Brings Thee to our hearts more nigh.
Thus in faith and hope we dare
Claim Thy love in praise and prayer.

Bible Study Today

The Joy of Jesus is in constant prayer for you. We ask in The Name of Jesus that you give to help support our mission. You may visit any of our sponsors at no cost to you. Do share our message of love with all of your contacts. God bless you in all that you in the name of Jesus. We pray that your love, joy and peace be increased.
Lesson: Love, Joy and Peace

By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. ~ John 13:35

Fruis of the Holy Spirit man holding apple In Lesson 1 of your Fruits of the Holy Spirit Bible Study, we discussed the purposes for developing spiritual fruit. We learned that these Fruits are outward signs of an inward change in your life. Although they do not appear over night, they are proof that you are God's work in progress.

But, Galatians 5 is not the only place in the Word that we see references to these signs that God's holy hand is at work.

We are going to engage in what I like to call a Bible Scripture Study - Scouring the scriptures for all that God has to say on a subject. It's time to discover what else God's Word tells you about each of the 9 Fruits of the Holy Spirit.




A Closer Look At Each of the Fruits of the Holy Spirit


But the Holy Spirit
produces this kind of fruit in our lives:
Love,
Joy,
Peace,
Patience,
Kindness,
Goodness,
Faithfulness,
Gentleness, and
Self-control.
There is no law against these things!
- Galatians 5:22-23 (NLT)
Christian Love
Christian Love Fruits of the Holy Spirit rocks in heartBy this shall all men know
that ye are my disciples,
if ye have love one to another.
-John 13:35

The Greek word used in Galatians 5, and again here in John 13, is Agape.

This is the kind of love that God loves us with - It is self-sacrificing. It is unconditional.

And, let's face it, it is impossible for any human to achieve on their own. It can only be developed as a Fruit of the Holy Spirit.

But, Jesus says that developing this kind of love in your heart is the only way the world will be able to identify you as His. In Matthew, Jesus explains that Agapao (the verb form of Agape) is the actual basis of Christianity.

Side Note:

I could write an entire study on the importance of the fact that Jesus uses the verb form here - And how that shows us that love is an action word. In fact, agapao is so vital to so many areas of your daily life, I ended up spending a full 2 hours teaching on it in our Fruits of the Holy Spirit online Bible class! Bible study online Christian smiley

Jesus tells us that everything God calls us to boils down to this:

You must love the Lord your God
with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.
This is the first and greatest commandment.
A second is equally important:
Love your neighbor as yourself.
The entire law and all the demands of the prophets
are based on these two commandments.
-Matthew 22: 36-40 (NLT)
There is no wonder why Paul lists love first in his description of the Fruits of the Holy Spirit.


Christian Joy
Christian Joy Fruits of the Spirit happy man on beachThere are two kinds of joy. The fleeting joy that the world gives. And the lasting joy that God's Spirit provides.

The joy that we find in this world is allusive. It is like chasing a mirage.

People spend years thinking that when they finally get that promotion, or when they eventually get out of debt - They will be happy.

And, yet, when they finally reach the place where they thought they would find happiness, they only experience more longing.

Why? They foolishly thought that they were the source of their own joy.

But, your Heavenly Father doesn't want His child sitting around "grieved and depressed." That's why God's Word says that He's given you the very joy of the Lord to be your strength and stronghold (Nehemiah 8:10 -AMP).

So, while the world is searching for happiness, the Holy Spirit is sprouting seeds of joy and gladness inside of you. And this Fruit of the Holy Spirit is God's gift, to be your strength in times of turmoil.



Christian Peace
Christian Peace Fruits of the Holy Spirit Father and child's handsThere are two kinds of peace that we have as Christians. We have peace with God, and we have the peace of God. Let me explain the difference.

You will learn in a future lesson about the Holy Spirit in the Old testament that, before Jesus, we were not allowed to be in the presence of God. But, through Jesus' sacrifice, our peace with God was purchased.


THEREFORE, SINCE we are justified
(acquitted, declared righteous, and given a right standing with God)
through faith,
let us [grasp the fact that we] have
[the peace of reconciliation to hold and to [enjoy] peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One)
-Romans 5:1 (AMP)

In addition to Jesus' death buying you peace with God, it also serves as a cleansing sacrifice to allow you into the presence of the Lord.

With the Holy Spirit now living inside of you, you are able to experience the peace of God. This is the kind of peace that the Fruit of the Holy Spirit manifests.

We are told in Philippians how to receive this peace for ourselves.

Don’t worry about anything;
instead, pray about everything.
Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done.
Then you will experience God’s peace,
which exceeds anything we can understand.
His peace will guard your hearts and minds
as you live in Christ Jesus.
-Philippians 4:6-7 (NLT)

In our Spirit Controlled Life Bible Class, I called this scripture your "Peace Treaty." You are promised a peace that exceeds your understanding. That means, it is a peace that does not make sense to us mentally. In times when we should be pulling out our hair and biting our nails, we feel an overwhelming peace in our spirits.

I think that, more and more, bearing this Fruit of the Holy Spirit is something that Christians struggle with. I find so many Believers who are struggling with fear, doubt, stress and anxiety. But, you don't have to live like that. God's Holy Spirit can set you free from the bondage of your thoughts and give you a peace that passes all understanding.



Fruits of the Holy Spirit Bible Scripture Study
Lesson 2
Reflection Questions:

1. Why do you think that it is significant that Jesus uses the action verb Agapao to describe the kind of love that the Holy Spirit wants to develop inside of you?

2. Why do you think God tells you that His joy is what acts as your strength during trying times? Can you think of a time when His joy kept you strong?

3. Why do you think so many Christians today struggle with receiving and maintaining God's peace? Do you feel that you have a problem maintaining your

Message/ We must Have Faith in Faith

Psalms 27:14 Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.

Message: We pray in the name of Jesus for all people to renew their relationship with The Lord. These are the days days that test the soul. Our economic systems as we know them have failed us world wide.

Jesus is so aware of our condition. We must continue to Praise God and Thank God in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. There are people who are losing everything while others get rich and fat for being greedy.

There are children starving and sick without food nor health care. Businesses are beginning to fell the pain of the people and the environment.

People are losing the faith that they had. Hope seems to be gone or missing from the average vocabulary. Yet, what are the people of faith to do?

We need to increase our hope and faith in the Lord more-so today than yesterday. Jesus died on the cross and was raised from the dead for times like these when all appears to be lost. Jesus is coming back. Therefore, we must wait on His return to set all things right. Praise God for The Joy of Jesus and His return. God Bless you as we battle the storms of a lost world. Give to the Joy of Jesus Today.

Prayer: God, bless all the people who receive this message in the name of Jesus. We pray for all people to increase their faith. Glory to God in the highest. Goodwill and Peace on Earth in Jesus name we pray.

Pray for The Jobless

Convocation: It is our concern that people are still losing their jobs at alarming rates. This is a sign that the economy may take another dip for the worst. Our governments seem to be unprepared for the real challenges of families today. The only answer to these problems is faith in The Joy of Jesus.

Prayer: Dear God in Heaven, Father of The Lord Jesus Christ. We pray for all of the workers of the world. Our hearts cry out for the JOBLESS. We need more jobs in the name of Jesus. We pray for all people and our environment. The world is in need of The Power of Jesus to help us in these times of tremendous need. In Jesus name we pray. A-men.

Do give to The Joy of Jesus by visiting our sponsors.

The Rock of all Time is The Joy of Jesus

ROCK OF AGES

“The Lord is my Rock, and my Fortress, and my Deliverer.” Psalm 18:2




If you have ac­cess to a better pho­to of Thom­as Hast­ings that we could put on­line, please click here.
[Toplady writing Rock of Ages]
Toplady writing Rock of Ages

Sir Will­iam Hen­ry Wills, in a let­ter to Dean Le­froy, pub­lished in the [Lon­don] Times in June, 1898, says ‘Top­la­dy was one day over­tak­en by a thun­der­storm in Bur­ring­ton Coombe, on the edge of my prop­er­ty, Blag­don, a rocky glen run­ning up in­to the heart of the Men­dip range, and there, tak­ing shel­ter be­tween two mass­ive piers of our na­tive lime­stone rock, he penned the hymn,

Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
Let me hide myself in Thee..’



This hymn was sung at the fun­e­ral of Will­iam Glad­stone in West­min­ster Ab­bey, Lon­don, Eng­land. Prince Albert of Britain asked it be sung to him as he lay dy­ing. In Hymns That Have Helped, W. T. Stead stated:

…when the Lon­don went down in the Bay of Bis­cay, Jan­u­ary 11, 1866, the last thing which the last man who left the ship heard as the boat pushed off from the doomed vess­el was the voic­es of the pass­en­gers sing­ing “Rock of Ag­es.”

In ano­ther sto­ry:

A missionary…complained of the slow prog­ress made in In­dia in con­vert­ing the na­tives on ac­count of ex­plain­ing the teach­ings of Christ­i­an­i­ty so that the ig­no­rant peo­ple could un­der­stand them. Some of the most beau­ti­ful pass­ag­es in the Bi­ble, for in­stance are de­stroyed by trans­la­tion. He at­tempt­ed to have [Rock of Ages] trans­lat­ed in­to the na­tive di­a­lect, so that the na­tives might ap­pre­ci­ate its beau­ty. The work was en­trust­ed to a young Hi­ndu Bi­ble stu­dent who had the rep­u­ta­tion of be­ing some­thing of a po­et. The next day he brought his trans­la­tion for ap­prov­al, and his ren­der­ing, as trans­lat­ed back in­to Engl­ish, read like this:

Very old stone, split for my ben­e­fit,
Let me ab­sent my­self under one of your frag­ments.



Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
Let me hide myself in Thee;
Let the water and the blood,
From Thy wounded side which flowed,
Be of sin the double cure;
Save from wrath and make me pure.

Not the labor of my hands
Can fulfill Thy law’s demands;
Could my zeal no respite know,
Could my tears forever flow,
All for sin could not atone;
Thou must save, and Thou alone.

Nothing in my hand I bring,
Simply to the cross I cling;
Naked, come to Thee for dress;
Helpless look to Thee for grace;
Foul, I to the fountain fly;
Wash me, Savior, or I die.

While I draw this fleeting breath,
When mine eyes shall close in death,
[originally When my eye-strings break in death]
When I soar to worlds unknown,
See Thee on Thy judgment throne,
Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
Let me hide myself in Thee.
[Rock of Gibraltar, by Frederick R. Lee (1798-1879)]
Rock of Gibraltar, by Frederick R. Lee (1798-1879)