To be like Christ

Who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed. For you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls. (1Pe 2:24-25)

For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God. For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: "WHO COMMITTED NO SIN, NOR WAS DECEIT FOUND IN HIS MOUTH"; who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously; (1Pe 2:20-23)

How to follow His steps? How to be like Christ? By being baptized, we were buried with Christ into His death. Christ has been raised from the dead by the Father's glory. And like Christ we also can live a new life. (Rom 6:3-4) Therefore like Christ we all display the Father's glory. We are being changed to become more and more like Him so that we have more and more glory. And the glory comes from the Father, who is the Holy Spirit. (2Co 3:18) Jesus said: "I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing." (John 15:5) Behold unto Jesus Christ for only in Him shall transform us inside out, not we try to imitate Him in our own strength. Always remember for without Him we can do nothing. Hear Him!

Believed by faith not by sight

Then Jesus told him, "Because you have seen Me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." (John 20:29)

Then Jesus declared, I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty. But as I told you, you have seen me and still you do not believe. (John 6:35-36) I tell you the truth, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony. (John 3:11) Ever wonder how it is like to walk with Jesus like one of the disciples at His time? Having good times with Him? Learning from Him by directly conversation than revelation? Seeing Him performed miracles before our very eyes? Sharing His distress, His torment and suffering being nailed on the cross? Rejoice with Him after the resurrection? Woo!! That would be fantastic... but I believe we are better of now than then because God is of faith and without faith it is impossible to please God. (Heb 11:6)

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. (Heb 11:1) Though you have not seen Him, you love Him; and even though you do not see Him now, you believe in Him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls. (1Pe 1:8-9) Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed... that's us! Praise our Daddy for He predestined us to be adopted as His sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance to the good pleasure of His will. (Eph 1:5) Hear Him!

His love endures forever

The end of a thing is better than its beginning; The patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit. (Eccl 7:8) Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; His love endures forever. (1Ch 16:34)

Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain. You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. (Jas 5:7-8) Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. (Eph 4:2-3) We know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him. (1Jn 4:16) And love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. (1Co 13:4) Let us behold unto Jesus and let us be filled with His GREAT LOVE, the love that borne our griefs and carried our sorrows, the love that pierced for our transgressions and crushed for all our iniquity, the love that took all the sin of the world onto Himself, the love that is so patient and kind dwelling in us waiting for His return. By His love we find patient. Hear Him!

The one last sin

Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man whose sin the LORD does not count against him and in whose spirit is no deceit. (Psa 32:1-2)

What is sin? For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God... (Rom 3:23) Where there is much talk there will be no end to sin... (Pro 10:19) Friendship with the world is enmity (sin) with God... (Jas 4:4) Speak evil or judge another is sin... (Jas 4:11) Boasting in arrogance is sin... (Jas 4:16) Knowing to do good and not do it is sin... (Jas 4:17) He who doubt is sin, whatever is not of faith is sin... (Rom 14:23) and the law is not of faith... (Gal 3:12) whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all. (Jas 2:10) How can anyone live up to that? Obviously no! O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? I thank God—through Jesus Christ our Lord!... (Rom 7:24-25)

John said, "Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!" (John 1:29) For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. (John 3:17) For if by the one man's offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ. (Rom 5:17) Sin is no more an issue to God... for Christ took it all unto Himself on the cross and in His divine being gave us His righteousness. Hallelujah! So we can never be fallen short anymore in the glory of God. But, but... there is still one last sin to be dealt with but this one is easy and effortless... and everyone must decide. It is called the "sin of unbelief". Only if you say "Jesus, I believe You" you shall reign in life!! Hear Him!

Your deeds of Wisdom

Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such "wisdom" does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. (Jas 3:13-17)

Through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering. And so He condemned sin in sinful man, in order that the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the sinful nature but according to the Spirit. (Rom 8:2-4) My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. (Col 2:2-3) His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue. (2Pe 1:3) In Him is your wisdom. In Him you have all things. Hear Him!

So faith without deed is dead

What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. (Jas 2:14-17) As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead. (Jas 2:26)

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. (Heb 11:1) By faith we believe the Bible is the word of God (Joh 1:1) and seeking Him in it is the deed. By faith Abraham believed God not to harm his son so offered Isaac on the altar is the deed. (Gen 22:2) By faith we believe Jesus Christ is the Son of God and in Him we have eternal life (Joh 3:16), the joy and peace in our heart is the deed. By faith we believe Jesus has done it all on the cross when He called out "It is finished" (Joh 19:30) and nothing left for us to do, so resting in His finished work is the deed. By faith we believe Jesus has fulfilled the requirement of the law and has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross (Col 2:14), therefore we live by the Spirit and not by the law (Gal 5:18) is the deed.

The deed is the fruit by the Spirit, the by-product of faith. If one said "I am healed" then get up and walk. Faith and deed must act of the same mind. A double-minded man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord. (Jas 1:7) Do you agree to that? If one said he believes Jesus saved and yet still trusting in his own righteousness (his law keeping, his do and don't), He is saying Christ has not finished it, the cross is not good enough, Christ did not fulfilled the law, Christ alone can't save him... That I called a double-minded man, someone who has NO FAITH in Christ. It is true that faith without deed is dead, but without faith is even more dead! Behold unto Jesus and His glory (His finished work of the cross) for by Him and only Him is the faith that saved. Hear Him!

Blessed are the poor

Looking at His disciples, He said: "Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be satisfied. Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh... (Luk 6:20-21)

Are you depressed because of your lack? because you can't keep up with the bills? because you can't live up to the expectation? because you have nothing compared to others? ... because you are poor? But then Jesus said to His disciples, "I tell you the truth, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." (Mat 19:23-24) Jesus made it very clear with "Again I tell you..." it is better a poor man whose walk is blameless than a rich man whose ways are perverse. (Pro 28:6) Listen, my dear brothers: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom He promised those who love Him? (Jas 2:5)

Therefore be depressed no more, instead you should be glad and joyful because it is a blessing to be poor first then to be rich. Now that you have come to Christ, you are indeed very rich now. By His grace He has made you rich by taken all your poverty onto Himself on the cross. (2Co 8:9) In Him we have everything for as He is so are we now in this world! (1Jn 4:17) Believe and behold unto Him for He is the way, the truth and the life! Hear Him!