Colossians 1:15-17, John 1:1-4 & 14, 17, John 10:30 & 31-33 , John 8:42 & 58/59, John 14:9-11, Matthew 14:33, Matthew 16:16/17, John 4:15, Colossians 1:19/20;  He is God.

Jesus Is God

Why can't people of all religious faiths accept that one faith may have as much validity as another? That's an insurmountable difficulty for Christians. Why? Because only Christians claim that the founder of their faith, Jesus of Nazareth, while fully human, is also fully God.

And this belief, that Jesus is God, sets Christianity apart from all religions and philosophies and contradicts their teachings. That Jesus is God is one of the most taught and affirmed truths in the Bible

Receive

• The Bible teaches clearly that Jesus is God. Read the following verses and answer the questions:

• Colossians 1:15-17
• John 1:1-4
• John 1:14,17

1. How does it help you to see Christ as a "visible image of the invisible God"?

2. What kind of things does the Bible say God the Father created through Christ?

3. Who holds all creation together?

4. Who is referred to as "the Word" in John 1:1-4?

5. What does it mean to you that "His life brought light to everyone"?

6. How was the Law given to us?

7. Through whom did we receive God's unfailing love and faithfulness?

• The Bible teaches clearly that Jesus proclaimed Himself God. Look at:

• John 10:30
• John 8:42
• John 14:9-11

Now, answer these questions:

1. What is the relationship between Jesus and the Father?
2. Who sent Jesus into the world?
3. Jesus said you would love Him if what?
4. Jesus doesn't speak on His own initiative but whose?

• The Bible teaches clearly that the followers of Jesus said He is God.

Matthew 14:33 and Matthew 16:16-17 are the verses that tell us that. Read them and answer these questions:

1. How did Jesus' disciples reveal their belief that Jesus was God's Son?
2. What caused the people to believe that Jesus was "the Prophet we have been expecting" (NLT)?
3. How did the disciples' description of who Jesus is differ from the description the people gave?
4. Who revealed to Peter that Jesus is the Son of God?

• The Bible teaches clearly that the enemies of Jesus believed that Jesus said He is God.

You'll find that recorded in John 10:31-33; John 8:42 and John 8:58-59. Read those verses and answer these questions:

1. What question did Jesus ask the Jews who were preparing to stone Him?
2. Why were they going to stone Him?
3. Where did Jesus say He had come from?
4. Why did Jesus hide Himself?

Reflect

What do you think? Do you believe that Jesus is God? Would you say that to be a Christian, you must believe what Jesus said about His identity? If you do believe it, the Bible assures you:

"All who confess that Jesus is the Son of God have God living in them, and they live in God" (1 John 4:15, NLT).

Respond

If you do not confess that Jesus is God, you exclude yourself from God's family. It is God's truth that Jesus, His Son, is God. And it pleases God when we believe that truth--and it is the only way to salvation.

"For God in all his fullness was pleased to live in Christ,
and through him God reconciled everything to himself.
He made peace with everything in heaven and on earth
by means of Christ's blood on the cross" (Colossians 1:19-20, NASB).

If Jesus is God, and He is, then He was telling the truth when He said He had the power to forgive sins and when He said that He is the only way to God and heaven.
Back To The Bible Ministries

My Comment: When I was raised in the church I was raised in I never gave a whole lot of thought to Jesus other than He did die for my sin and it was only when I was older (much, lol) that I knew the importance of accepting the Truth that Jesus and God the Father were are and always will be One! They with the Holy Spirit Jesus sent to be our guide and teacher, are the Holy Trinity God in One. This was taught yet not expounded on or taught in depth so I understood and I never heard any one talk about accepting Jesus as my Savior and being reborn. Reborn was done by their belief during Baptism which was done usually on the 40th day after being born. This was not Scriptural.
It is Scriptural that Jesus is sent by the Father and they are One and to be saved one must accept Jesus and the Gospel. Baptism comes after as a proclamation of ones belief and declaration of the truth.
Friends I pray you will study these verses and others and see the truth for yourselves and accept Jesus as your Savior who came to earth as a babe and was crucified on the Cross for all our sin (the sin of rejecting God and His Son Jesus the Christ or Messiah), and  was raised again on the third day as the Scripture foretold. May your eyes, heart and ears be open to the truth the Holy Spirit is teaching you and may you be guided by the wisdom He imparts. Amen

A message from Cross the Bridge Ministry:

The highest price ever paid for a slave was human life. And it was paid... for me. I was a slave to sin and my Heavenly Father, in His great love, mercy, and grace, sent His only, beloved Son, Jesus, to earth to give His life for me. The blood of the very Son of God paid for my redemption. Because He died, I live.

But that gift came at a price. Jesus traded a life without suffering, tears, and pain for a life that would result in the most painful form of death: crucifixion. He faced down every demon in hell to defy death and rise from the dead and declare you and I free...

Jesus didn't ask much of us when He saved us. He asked us to come just as we were--a sinful mess. All He asked is that we believe.

How can we receive this amazing gift and then keep it to ourselves? It was given to us to give away...

Who do you know that needs the Lord today? Let their names come to you as you pray. Go to the Cross the Bridge website to send the list to me.

On Good Friday, our ministry team will be coming together for a time of fasting and prayer. As we reflect on the price Jesus paid for us, we want to pray for the salvation of your loved ones. Would you let us pray for your loved ones?

Every day we are on the air preaching the Gospel. Will our voice be the one that leads your loved ones to Christ? Perhaps. But more importantly, I am confident that as you sow into a ministry focused on evangelism, that God will see the burning desire of your heart to see your friends and family saved.

The price has already been paid. It is finished.

Will you send me your list of names to 'Prayer for the Lost' today? I hope you do.

Pastor David McGee

My Comment: I have been an online prayer warrior for this ministry for a bit of time. I have placed all my loved ones on this prayer list and encourage all to do so to have more people praying for your loved ones. If you are not saved please place yourself on the list and many loving people will be praying for your salvation. If you have other needs for prayer you can also, contact them and they will all be praying for your needs and God's answer to your prayers.

I have found that prayer is a great mover and it brings us closer to the source of all power- the power of God- the power of the saving grace of Jesus Christ.

My prayer is all be saved. Amen

Acts 22:17/18, John 16:33b, Share the Love of Christ and what God has done for you.


Acts 22:17-18

Now it happened, when I returned to Jerusalem and was praying in the temple, that I was in a trance and saw Him saying to me, 'Make haste and get out of Jerusalem quickly, for they will not receive your testimony concerning Me.'

In Acts chapter 22, Paul is sharing his testimony with an enraged group of Jews who were seeking to kill him.

Notice, however, what Paul does NOT share in his testimony to these men. Paul isn't saying anything about how difficult his life has been since he became a Christian. Certainly, he could have. Paul endured incredible hardships during his ministry. He was beaten many times; he was stoned with rocks, shipwrecked and imprisoned. Paul could easily have said, "Well, life's been pretty hard since Jesus saved me. I've been beaten, shipwrecked and imprisoned and now, once again, people are trying to kill me." Instead, Paul puts the focus on Jesus...and so should we. Brothers and sisters, when sharing your testimony, don't talk about the difficulties in your life. Jesus told us that in this world we would have tribulation, but He didn't stop there.

Jesus said, "Be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." John 16:33b NKJV

To talk about trials will only push people away. Talk about Jesus and salvation through Him.

Life Lesson: When sharing, always keep Jesus the focus. Keep the main thing, the main thing.

Dear Father,
Thank You for the life You have given me. Lord, when You bring me the opportunity to speak to someone about my testimony, help me to always keep Jesus the main thing. Please do not let my words get in the way, but let the Holy Spirit speak through me so that Jesus will be seen. Thank You for giving us Your Word to learn and obey. I pray this in Jesus' name. Amen

Living to tell what He died to say, Pastor David McGee My Comments: A few weeks ago I was asked to give my testimony to the body of believers I worship in fellowship with. It was the first time I had ever given my testimony to a group and it had to be done in 3 minutes. It took me a little over 4. Like Paul my life has had many happenings and though I talked of them my goal was to show how we can have joy in the midst of suffering and that our Savior has everything in control and will bring us through and will always be with us. On the other hand I have people who I only share through Love. The Love Christ has placed in my heart for all people. Some I do not share my testimony with and they would treat it the wrong way. I keep the focus of my life on Jesus and my speach on Him who saved me from my sin. Lord help us to always keep our focus on You and to proclaim You and Your Gospel when we speak and how we live and how we treat others. Amen

Jeremiah 18:4, Ephesians 2:10, We are His, He created us.


Jeremiah 18:4

"And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter; so he made it again into another vessel, as it seemed good to the potter to make."
NKJV

A mound of clay, by itself, is not a very beautiful thing. It may have some intrinsic value but in the end, it's still a pile of dirt. That is, until the potter gets a hold of it. Once the potter gets involved, this pile of dirt begins to take shape. As the potter presses in, the clay becomes thinner. The potter then reaches into the center and is able to scoop out all the excess clay within. While the clay began as a formless pile of dirt, it ends up as a beautiful masterpiece.

Ephesians 2:10 "For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago." NLT

When God found us, we were like the clay--dirty and formless. We may have tried to mold ourselves but only the potter is able to mold the clay. Once the heavenly Potter came into our lives, He began molding and shaping us into the image of His Son, Jesus. With each firm press of His hand, we are changed. With every scrape of His tools, sin falls from our life. This is our Heavenly Father at work and while it is painful, it is worth it. God knows what we need and He is the perfect potter who's loving hands will sculpt our lives into something far greater than we could every understand. All we have to do is let Him.

Life Lesson: God desires to make a masterpiece of your life.

My Heavenly Potter,
I am sorry for my resistance to Your hands in my life. I know that I need to be molded more into Your image, and I ask that You would place my life onto Your potter's wheel. Carve off the sin in my life and shape me into a vessel that can be used for Your Kingdom. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Living to tell what He died to say,
Pastor David McGee

My Comment: There is a story of a man who came to a town and he worked with wood to create beautiful things. He was very talented and humble and gave freely of what He had.

One day a lady, who thought herself in love with him, went to the barn where he lived and made his wood works. She became agitated when he would not succumb or feel the same way she did and she broke a beautiful glass vase.

He left the town and when she came back to the barn to see him the glass vase was waiting there for her to see that just because something is broken it can be put back together and be even more beautiful. When held to the light the vase now reflected the sons light in marvelous colors.

We are like that vase. Broken and of no worth until He puts us back together and we reflect His light to the world.

Lord make us vessels of rarest beauty to show forth Your perfect love and to bring praise and glory to You. Amen

Just a word to explain the picture on my blog page.
I paint Scripture paintings. Mostly I work in oils though now and again I do use acrylic, water color, and other mediums yet my favorite is working in oils.
The painting is the Auroborealis in Alaska which was a fun painting to do.
If you would like to see more of my paintings just let me know and I will try to get them on. May the Lord bless you all and keep you in the palm of His Hand. Amen

1 Corinthians 13:6, 1 Corinthians 7:19, 1 John 5:2/3; When we love we keep His commandment

1 Corinthians 13:6 "[Love] does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth." NKJV Many years ago a popular Christian group wrote a song titled, "Luv is a Verb." While their spelling may have been off, the truth of the song was not. Love is not simply a feeling or intellectual process but an active expression. This view of love seen in scripture is purposeful and benevolent. It actively engages others, thinking of them above ourselves. Biblical love is not hindered by anything but seeks with passion to be shared with anyone and everyone. How is this possible? How can we even begin to love in a way that looks for opportunities rather than excuses? Simply put, we plug into the source of love. Friend, the God of all creation left everything in heaven for you and me. He stepped from the throne of God and wrapped Himself in our weak flesh in order to die on our behalf. That kind of love is life changing. That kind of love will fuel our lives so that we too can love like our Savior. Today, seek out an opportunity to love. Whether it's a kind word, act of service or a merciful response, let's love like Jesus. That kind of love will never be stopped - no matter how you spell it. Life Lesson: Love will find a way. A lack of love will find an excuse. Dear God, I praise You for the amazing love You have shown me. Help me to grasp this love so that I will be equipped to love others in the same way. Strip me of any excuses and use me to reach others with the love of Jesus. In His name, Amen. Living to tell what He died to say, Pastor David McGee

1 Corinthians 7:19

"For it makes no difference whether or not a man has been circumcised. The important thing is to keep God's commandments."
NLT

Friend, you have unique talents and abilities that God wants to use for His glory. Your act of love for God is expressed when you serve and keep His commandments. Don't be dissatisfied with your giftings, but obey God and walk in them.

Serving God with your gifts and obeying his commandments should be a high priority in the life of the believer. This is not to say that you are under the law, but because of His amazing love for you, you can respond in love by serving others with your talents. While you are not trying to earn your righteousness, you should desire to be obedient to Him. Not because you are earning your salvation, but because you love Him.

1John 5:2-3 "By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep His commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome." NKJV

You are to love God with all of your heart, soul and mind (Matthew 22:37). Serving and obeying God should not be burdensome because He loved you first. When I take flowers to my wife, I do not do so because I am married. I do this out of love. In the same way, show your love and affection for God by being committed to witness, read the Bible, pray and love others.

Do you express your love to God by serving Him and others? Remember how God told us to discover a life worth living? Feel safe and secure in the arms of God's redeeming power and undeniable love. Step out in obedience to Him and share the hope and love of God to this cold, dark world that does not have anything worth living for and sure does not offer anything worth dying for.

Life Lesson: Serving and keeping God's commandments is not only a commitment but an act of love as well.

Dear Father,
Thank You for Your love that sets me free when I ask you to forgive me of my sins. Thank You for allowing me to come to You. Lord, I thank You for the talents and abilities You have given to me. Forgive me where I have envied someone's gifts while neglecting to use my own gifts. Help me to be grateful for the call You have for my life so that I can discover purpose and meaning the way You intended. Lord, thank You for Your patience with me. Help me bring hope to a lost and dying world. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Living to tell what He died to say, Pastor David McGee My Comment: I felt I had to connect these because when we Love as He commands then we keep His commandments. We Love as He Loved then we do what He wants us to do in all circumstances. We find joy in doing the work He wants us to do (work for Him is not to work for salvation, as we have that freely when we accept Jesus Christ as our savior). When trials or tribulations come we keep working in His vineyard and helping to bring in a great harvest. Love is what we are commanded to do. Many times people are afraid  to Love yet perfect Love casts out all fear. We know God Loves us perfectly as He sent His only begotten Son who willingly left Heaven to be Sacrificed on a Cross and rise again from the dead, to show His perfect Love. Who we trust in this Love we can Love others with that perfect Love with out fears and with joy no matter what comes our way. I remember a story of a lady who was being robbed. She dropped to her knees immediately and started praying for the robbers. They left everything and left her home. Now maybe all robbers would not leave yet her Love did not think of that only their souls. We should not think of how the outcome will be we should only Love! Doing and being in the will of God brings joy no matter what is going on around us or no matter what is happening to us or our loved ones. We trust His Love for us and we Love with His Love. Lord thank You for Your Love and for placing Your heart within us to Love others ans You first Loved us. Help us Abba to keep Your command to Love You with all our hearts minds souls and bodies and to Love others as ourselves. Amen

I apologize for not posting for a while. Have been in the hospital with my husband and did not have a way of getting to this site. My husband has liver disease and will need a liver transplant in the future. He has had to long trips to two hospitals and had some bleeding that caused Hempathic Encephalopthy and the second time just a few days after getting home from the first he lost all of his counts (red blood, white blood and platlette and ANC). They are very low and none are in normal range so his liver is very far gone and the spleen is destroying his platlettes which the body uses to clot when we get cut. Would apprectiate your prayers and praying all of you are doing well and walking with the Lord.
We were given many opportunities to wittness for the Lord and to fellowship with several believers at the hospital (medical staff and those who draw blood and housekeeping even). God blessed us abundantly.
One night as I was feeling lonely for fellowship with our body of believers at Calvary Chapel, a man named Major came in to draw my hubby's blood and we fellowshiped with him and sang praise and gospel songs and felt like God had brought Church to us. He is an amazing God and loves us so much. Thank you Lord for all Your tender mercies and Your abundant Love, Amen