Get it Right...

Sin is not ok!  We live life with the notion that if we don't think too much about the sin that we're not really doing anything wrong.  But WE ARE!  We are sinning against the God we serve.  We are showing Him through our actions that we don't believe His Word-which means we don't honestly believe in Him.  God is His Word.  Know this truth: Just because everyone is doing it, the majority is okay with it and people support it.  It doesn't make it right.  What is right-IS the Word of God.  It's time to come correct ladies and gents.

 

PRAYER: Cleanse me LORD!  I've allowed myself to be fooled by the ways of this world, when I should be transforming my mind with Your Word.  We get so confused and ignorant when we allow what is in front of us daily to become the norm for our lives.  Forgive us for not protecting our hearts LORD.  For living this life as if it doesn't matter.  As if this life is simply for our own pleasures and sinful desires.  Thank You LORD, for being who You are.  You are honest and reliable, You are all-knowing-you never forget or change Your Words and You have and will continue to fulfill every promise that You have made.  We can trust You, we can trust Your Words.  You are a holy, trustworthy and unchangeable God and I ask that You show us how to honor You in our daily lives.  Living our lives for You and not for self-satisfaction.  Thank You LORD for forgiveness and a clean start to be in full relationship with You.  In the name of Jesus and by the power of the Holy Spirit, amen.

MATTHEW 17: 1-13

THE TRANSFIGURATION: part 4

PLEASE READ THE VERSES DIRECTLY FROM THE BIBLE: 

These verses may be broken up to discuss each point.

(Emphasis v. 9-13) As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus instructed them, "Don't tell anyone what you have seen, until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead."

The disciples asked him, "Why then do the teachers of the law say that Elijah must come first?"

Jesus replied, "To be sure, Elijah comes and will restore all things. But I tell you, Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him, but have done to him everything they wished. In the same way the Son of Man is going to suffer at their hands." Then the disciples understood that he was talking to them about John the Baptist.

Jesus told Peter , James and John not to tell anyone what they had seen until after His resurrection because Jesus knew that they didn't fully understand it and could not explain what they didn't understand.  Their question about Elijah revealed their misunderstandings.  Based on Malachi 4:5,6, the teachers of the Old Testament law believed that Elijah must appear before the Messiah would appear.  What they failed to understand at first is that John the Baptist took on Elijah's prophetic role, boldly confronting sin and pointing people to God.  Malachi had prophesied that a prophet like Elijah would come.  And Jesus referred to John the Baptists in this gospel.  The disciples knew that Jesus was the Messiah, but they had much more to learn about the significance of His death and resurrection.  As many of us today need to learn.  Don't claim to know the Word.  Really know the Word and spend time with the Holy Spirit so that mysteries within the Word can be revealed to you.  When you speak of the God you serve, you want to know Whom you're talking about.  So ask questions, get into discussions with other believers, read, memorize and meditate, go to a church that is centered on the Word-not sermons focused on making you feel good or condemning you-but TEACHING you the Word: pray over the Word and pray the Word over you life.  The only place you'll find yourself is closer to God in every area of your life.  I know that's an awesome place to be.  God challenges us so that we grow in right relationship and fellowship with Him and the people in our lives.  Don't let this world blind you to think and live opposite of how He commands us to live.