Thoughts and Considerations

                                                        PSALM 91   1 He that dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. 2 I will say of the Lord, He is my Refuge and my Fortress: my God; in Him will I trust. 3 Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome (deadly) pestilence. 4 He shall cover you with His feathers, and under His wings shall you trust: His truth shall be your shield and buckler. 5 You shall not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flies by day;  6 Nor for the pestilence that walks in darkness; nor for the destruction that wastes at noonday. 7 A thousand shall fall at your side, and ten thousand at your right hand, but it shall not come nigh you. 8 Only with your eyes shall you behold and see the reward of the wicked. 9 Becau...

  CHRISTIANS AND PERSECUTION   "WE ARE COUNTED AS SHEEP FOR THE SLAUGHTER" ( I am writing this because of the severe persecution against Christians that many of our brothers and sisters in Christ have and are enduring, especially lately in various parts of the world.  The following study is for those of us who are currently enjoying the peaceful existence of life without hostile opposition.)  Jesus said, "Remember the word that I said unto you, 'The servant is greater than his Lord.' If they have persecuted Me, they will also persecute you...."  John 15:20 "And He said to them all, 'If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me.'" Luke 9:23. "Yea, for Your sake are we killed all the day long; we are counteJd as sheep for the slaughter." Psalm 44:22, Romans 8:36  "Yes, and all who will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution."         2 Timothy 3:12   "And ...

  HOW DOES THE CROSS FIT INTO GOD'S PLAN OF REDEMPTION? LET ME FIRST CLARIFY SOMETHING. THERE WAS NOTHING MYSTICAL ABOUT THE ITEM THAT GOD USED ( A CROSS ), BUT RATHER THE WISDOM, RIGHTEOUSNESS, POWER, AND HIS UNFATHOMABLE LOVE FOR US THAT HE DEMONSTRATED BY JESUS' SUFFERING, DEATH, AND RESURRECTION THROUGH IT!!!   Jesus made reference to the bronze serpent ( John 3:14 ), which Moses made for those who were bitten by the fiery serpents. If they looked at the bronze serpent on the pole, they would be healed. This was an antitype of the crucifixion of Christ Numbers 21:4-9. However, centuries later, King Hezekiah had to destroy the bronze serpent because people began to worship it  ( 2 Kings 18:4 ) . NOW, LET US HAVE A LOOK AT WHAT JESUS ACCOMPLISHED FOR US THROUGH THE CROSS.  When John the Baptist saw Jesus, he exclaimed, "Behold the Lamb of God which takes away the sin of the world!" John 1:29 God's Passover Lamb    OK, right away, that is declari...

             THE CROSS OF CHRIST - GOD'S PLAN OF REDEMPTION  "For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God." 1 Corinthians 1:18   The Cross of Christ is not just a religious symbol; it is the method by which our Lord Jesus Christ was put to death. Crucifixion was the Roman way of executing criminals and political enemies. Christians use it as a symbol and reminder of what He went through for us and identifying Who we trust: "For God so loved the world that He gave His only Begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16 . But what is the significance of the cross for us today?  LET ME FIRST CLARIFY SOMETHING BEFORE GOING ANY FURTHER. THERE WAS NOTHING MYSTICAL ABOUT THE ITEM THAT GOD USED ( A CROSS ), BUT RATHER THE WISDOM, RIGHTEOUSNESS, POWER, AND HIS UNFATHOMABLE LOVE FOR US THAT HE DEMONSTRATED BY JESUS' SUF...