salvation | Revelations From The Road

The Tomb

April 15, 2017 by Bill Leave a Comment

Given April 10, 2017

Today, (April 16, 2017), we celebrate Easter. For many people, Easter is a springtime, bunny rabbit, egg hunt holiday but to Christians, it is much more. Today, we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ from death and the tomb. He went through so much on Friday with the trials, humiliation, beatings, abandonment, pain, suffering and finally, death. He was placed in the tomb. We can imagine that it was dark, cold, and final. Imagine that you can hear the victory celebration in Hell because Jesus was dead. He was in the tomb. The tomb is a dark, scary place and it signifies the end. Jesus was there of His own choice….but He didn’t stay there. God had a plan. Jesus was to arise from death and walk out of the tomb never to return. He did this to give us the option of life.

“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;” (Romans 3:23). We were all in our own tombs of spiritual death. But because of what Jesus sacrificed and accomplished, we can, and many have, respond to the command of Jesus just as Lazarus did, “Lazarus, come forth!” (John 11:43). Lazarus came out of his tomb. And, many who were dead on the day Jesus arose, “..came out of the tombs after Jesus’ resurrection and went into the holy city and appeared to many people.” (Matthew 27:53)

Some of you may be in your tomb of sin and death today. Because Jesus came out of His tomb, you can come out of yours. Hear Jesus calling to you, “Come out!” Can you imagine someone saying, “No, I like it in here with these demons. I think I’ll stay.” And then, there are also those today who have come out of their tomb at some point but have chosen to go back inside! They hear the call of the demons and respond to them by reentering their tomb! Jesus is calling.

Today, we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus from His tomb. Make it the day you can celebrate His tomb exit AND yours too. Thank you Jesus for what you did for me!

Believe!

March 11, 2017 by Bill Leave a Comment

Given February 2017

This is going to be a sort of survey and might step on our toes a little, if you know what I mean.
Are you a believer? Yes ___ No ___. “All things are possible to him who believes.” (Mark 9:23).

You believed with your heart and confessed with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and asked Him into your heart. The Bible says you’re saved.
Are you saved? Yes ___ No ___. (If you’re not, do what it says three sentences back.)

Jesus took a beating for your healing, “.. and by his wounds we are healed.” (Isaiah 53:5).
Do you believe you are healed? Yes ___ No ___.

When a couple becomes pregnant they say they are “expecting”. They can’t see the baby but they believe it’s there and start making preparations for its arrival. “Then Jesus told him, “You believe because you have seen me. Blessed are those who believe without seeing me.” (John 20:29).
Do you believe and expect good things from God even though you can’t see them? Yes ___ No ___.

God made a promise to Abraham and cut a covenant with him. “If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise. (Galatians 3:29). “Now if we are children, then we are heirs–heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ.” (Romans 8:17).
Do you believe you are in Abraham’s will? Yes ___ No ___.

Do you believe we can be like Jesus? Yes ___ No ___. “.. no servant is greater than his master,” (John 13:16), “Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing,” (John 14:12).
Do you believe you can do what Jesus did? Yes ___ No ___.

Finally, are you more likely to believe the doctor ___ or the Bible ___?
Are you more likely to believe the government ___ or your Bible ___?
Are you believing the lies of the devil ___ or the promises of the Bible ___?

I think we all can say like the father of the boy with the evil spirit when Jesus asked him if he could believe, “I believe, but help my unbelief.” (Mark 9:24). Do you believe? Yes ___ No ___.

Picture This: Death Was Arrested

November 6, 2016 by Bill Leave a Comment

Given November 6, 2016

As happens to me quite often, I see or hear something that begins a video playing in my mind of how a scene might play out. It happened this morning in church as we sang the song, “Death Was Arrested” by North Point InsideOut. These lyrics began the video:

“Our savior displayed on a criminal’s cross.
Darkness rejoiced as though heaven had lost.
But then Jesus arose with our freedom in hand.
That’s when death was arrested and my life began.”

I saw the demons of darkness dancing, rejoicing and partying at the base of the cross where Jesus hung dying and then in front of the tomb where He was laid. I saw us as prisoners of darkness standing nearby in chains because, supposedly, our Savior had been eliminated. But then…the heavy stone sealing the entrance to the tomb began rolling away to the right and Jesus came walking out of the tomb with the key to our chains in His hand. The demons stopped their merriment in fear and screamed, “Oh no!” “Where did he come from?” “We thought he was dead!” The demons could not move except to turn around with their hands behind their backs as Jesus put on the cuffs and arrested them. Then He walked over to us with His blood-stained key and freed us from our chains. Now, we are the ones rejoicing because Jesus has set us free forever!

“Yes we’re free, free forever amen.
When death was arrested and my life began.”

Be True to the View

September 12, 2016 by Bill Leave a Comment

Given August 2016

When people see you, what do they think? When you pass someone on the street or in a store, what impression do they get of you? When people see you at the ballgame, what do they see? Most of us project varying images of ourselves depending on where we are or who we’re with. Someone may say, “Oh, they’re such a godly person.”, but not really know what goes on behind closed doors. We do mess up sometimes. Most people don’t see us in all places. I remember a sermon I heard once about the Pharisees and religious leaders in Jesus’ time and how they projected such a pious image in public with their fine robes and religious speech. But the speaker made the statement, “But their family really knows what’s under their robes.” Hippocrates? Maybe.

Let’s think about how God sees us. He sees an innocent baby and says, “Oh, how cute, I see great things in this child’s future.” “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11). We would see something similar in a baby. But what about a messed up teenager or young adult? God still sees them the same way; He sees the good in them. It’s God’s view versus our view. So, how does God see you?

There is one person who sees EVERYTHING we do and hears EVERYTHING we say and knows ALL our thoughts…God! He knows what’s under the robe, he sees you behind closed doors, He hears it when you hit your finger with a hammer, and He knows what you’re thinking when you see a person you don’t like. NOTHING is hidden from God! Think about it. But you know, He still loves you and still has that wonderful view of you. Be encouraged by that.

So, this week, starting today, remember the view God has of you and try to project that view to everyone. Be true to the view God has of you. And when you mess up, say, “I’m sorry Lord; I want to be true to your view.” Remember this phrase and this hashtag, #truetotheview.

Song Lyrics – My Prayer

May 20, 2016 by Bill Leave a Comment

My Prayer

I come to you this morning, Lord, with thankfulness and praise.
For all the things you’ve done for me, this prayer to you I raise.
You brought me through the cold, dark night. I’m always in your care.
And now, amidst the morning light, I offer you my prayer.

Forgive me when I fail you, Lord, and when I fall to sin.
You promised your forgiveness when, my heart, you entered in.
And, thank you for the blessings that, with me, you freely share.
And now, as I begin my day, I offer you my prayer.

My prayer to you is humble. My worth, indeed, is small.
But, still you offer freely, your love to one and all.

The needs of your creation, Lord, I speak to you today.
Wisdom, healing, guidance, hope, for all these things I pray.
And help me, Lord, Thy will to do, my testimony share.
That some lost soul may come to know salvation is my prayer.

My prayer is one of faith. I know your word is true.
And now I wait expecting your answers to come through.

Go with me now, protect me, by your Spirit, Lord, I pray.
And may your love be seen in me by those I meet today.
And any praise and glory shall be Thine unto the end.
For it is in your name I pray. Thank you, Lord, AMEN