Forgiveness is for the Undeserving November 10, 2018 bizadmin Then Peter came to Him and said, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” Matthew 18:21 FORGIVENESS IS FOR THE UNDESERVING Peter asked the Lord how often he should forgive his brother. The Lord’s answer to him was simple: Up to 70 times seven times (see Matthew 18:22). In other words, all the time! “Well, Pastor Prince, he does not deserve my forgiveness.” Neither did you deserve God’s forgiveness. There is not a single person alive or dead who did not break all 10 of God’s commandments. There is no such thing as a “partial sinner” or “great sinner.” All of us were great sinners when Jesus saved us. And when we realize that we are forgiven much, we will love much (see Luke 7:47). “Pastor Prince, how can you say that I have broken all of God’s commandments? I have never committed adultery.” My friend, Jesus said, “If you lust after a woman in your heart, you have already committed adultery with her” (see Matthew 5:28). That is God’s standard. The man looks outward, but God looks inward at the heart. Moreover, if you break one law, you are guilty of all (see James 2:10). So everyone has broken all of God’s commandments. Everyone is a great sinner. Now, you are no longer a sinner if you have received Christ as your Savior. You are a new creation. But you were a great sinner and God forgave you your huge debt through the death of His Son. So if someone has wronged you, tell yourself this: “I did not deserve God’s forgiveness, but He forgave me through Christ. So I forgive this person also.” If you say something like, “He does not deserve it,” it makes no sense. Forgiveness is not for people who deserve it. If they deserve anything, it is punishment. But forgiveness means that you extend grace—undeserved favor—like how God extends the undeserved favor to you. Beloved, if you choose to hold on to bitterness, no one suffers but you. You lose your peace, then possibly your health. It is just not worth it. God says to you, “Let go. Forgive them their debts, just as I have forgiven you yours.” – Joseph Prince
NIV Adventure Bible Polar Exploration Edition Review & Giveaway November 8, 2018 bizadmin “Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”): Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway. Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post. To receive a free copy of your NIV (New International Version) Adventure Bible Polar Exploration, simply comment below with your name and address and contact number! or simply comment “I want this Polar Bible”. This is for USA residents only. The first 5 comments will receive your free Children’s Bible with awesome illustrations for easy reading. Alternatively, you can also buy it here at Buy Link if you need more copies to give to your friends and families for Christmas: https://www.adventurebible.com/polaredition/ Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway. If you have won a prize from our sponsor Propeller /FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days on the same blog, you are not eligible to win. Or if you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification. With over 9 million copies sold, the Adventure Bible brand is beloved by Christian schools, churches, and families alike. Now, the #1 Bible for kids, including all of the trusted essentials loved by parents, is available in an exciting polar exploration theme! Ready for a frosty Adventure? Embark on a fun, exciting trek through God’s Word with the NIV Adventure Bible, now in an all-new polar exploration theme! While on this arctic adventure, readers meet all types of people, see all sorts of places, and learn all kinds of facts about the Bible. And most importantly you’ll grow closer in your relationship with God. Features of the NIV Adventure Bible, Polar Exploration Edition include: • The same trusted Adventure Bible content in a frosty new theme • Full-color images of polar animals, arctic outposts, and icy landscapes throughout make learning about the Bible even more engaging • Life in Bible Times—Articles and illustrations describe what life was like in ancient days • Words to Treasure—Highlights great verses to memorize • Did You Know?—Interesting facts help you understand God’s Word and the life of faith • People in Bible Times—Articles offer close-up looks at amazing people of the Bible • Live It!—Hands-on activities help you apply biblical truths to your life • Twenty polar-themed pages focus on topics such as how to know you are a Christian, famous people of the Bible, highlights of the life of Jesus, and how to pray. • Book introductions feature arctic art and important information about each book of the Bible • Dictionary/concordance for looking up tricky words • Color map section to help locate places in the Bible • A complete text of the New International Version (NIV) of the Bible • A thrilling new glacial cover on metallic paper In the northern hemisphere, winter is just around the corner; and so is Christmas! The season of love and giving is coming. Jesus came that all may have life and have it more abundantly. The resurrection power of Jesus redeemed mankind from the curse of Adam’s fall. For those parents with small kids, teach them in the way they should go (The Biblical way) so that when they are old, they will not depart from it. When the hurricanes and winds blow (like problems and illnesses), they will stand firm on solid ground and not be blown away like a house of straws! For more information, click on this PDF file here My favorite verse as a student is this: Philippians 4:13 – I can do All things through Christ who strengthens me.. Encourage your children to explore the New Testament which is after the birth of Jesus Christ as compared to the Old Testament which is of Moses Law, The 10 Commandments, etc. But it is good to know some history before we can appreciate the New Testament of unmerited favor, love and divine help, especially in times of need.
Jesus Blood is on the Mercy Seat November 6, 2018 bizadmin Leviticus 16:14He shall take some of the blood of the bull and sprinkle it with his finger on the mercy seat on the east side, and before the mercy seat he shall sprinkle some of the blood with his finger seven times. JESUS’ BLOOD IS ON THE MERCY SEAT If you have watched the movie, Raiders Of The Lost Ark, you would remember that when the lid of the ark was lifted, strange-looking creatures floated out and destroyed the people around it. Interesting as it may be, this is biblically inaccurate—the ark of the Bible did not contain strange-looking creatures. What were the things inside it then? There were three items in the ark: the golden pot of manna, Aaron’s rod and two stone tablets on which God had written the Ten Commandments (see Hebrews 9:4). These items are actually symbols of man’s rebellion. The golden pot of manna represents man’s rejection of God’s provision. The rod of Aaron represents man’s rejection of God’s leadership and the two stone tablets of God’s commandments represent man’s rejection of His standard of holiness. But because God delights in mercy, He had these items put away in the ark and covered with the mercy seat, which had two cherubim on it (see Hebrews 9:5). And once a year, the high priest would enter the holy of holies where the ark was and sprinkle the blood of the animal sacrifice on the mercy seat. This means that God’s eyes, represented by the eyes of the cherubim, did not see the symbols of man’s rebellion. As long as the blood was there on the mercy seat, He saw only the blood and accepted the people. Today, Jesus is our High Priest and He Himself has sprinkled His own blood on the true mercy seat in heaven—the throne of grace (see Hebrews 9:23–26). Interestingly, the number of times that the Old Testament high priest had to sprinkle the blood on the mercy seat—seven—speaks of Jesus’ perfect sacrifice. And because His sacrifice is perfect and He is perfect, we who are in Christ have perfect standing forever before God! My friend, as you come to God today, don’t worry about falling short of His standard of holiness. He does not see your sins (see Hebrews 8:12, 10:17). He sees His Son’s blood on the mercy seat. You have a perfect standing before Him forever! – Joseph Prince
When God Ran November 3, 2018 bizadmin “But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring out the best robe and put it on him and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet. Luke 15:22 WHEN GOD RAN If you are a believer, you are probably familiar with the touching story of the prodigal son that Jesus shared. Who do you think the father in the story represents? Jesus’ Father in heaven, of course. Jesus was giving us a picture of His Father, who is also our Father. In the story, the father was seen running toward his son, who was returning home (see Luke 15:20). Do you realize that God is never described as being in a hurry in the Bible? He is always cool and composed. The only time He is portrayed as being in a hurry is in this story. Though improper in Jewish culture, the father held up his robe and ran. Where was he running to? Why was he in such a hurry? The father was in a hurry because he had seen his son, who was still a long way from home. He was running toward his son as he could not wait to embrace and kiss his child again. The father was in a hurry to clothe his son with the best robe. My friend, our Father has put the best robe—the robe of righteousness—on us. In doing so, He has reinstated us as sons of the Most High God, a position which we had lost when Adam fell. The father was in a hurry to put a ring on his son’s hand. Like the authority that is invested in the signet ring of a rich man’s son, our Father is eager to put back into our hands the authority to invoke His name, so that we can walk in dominion every day. The father was in a hurry to put sandals on his son’s feet to assure him that he was still his son—only servants went about barefoot. Our Father never wants us to feel like hired servants or outcasts. We are always His sons. Beloved, if the Father appears to be in a hurry, it is only because He is in a hurry to assure you of your position as His precious child! – Joseph Prince
How Tender is God’s Heart Towards You November 1, 2018 bizadmin that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. Ephesians 2:7 HOW TENDER IS GOD’S HEART TOWARD YOU Have you ever blown things out of proportion and gotten angry with God when you were going through a trying time? This happened to Jesus’ disciples when a storm hit them hard. In their fear of drowning, they cried out to Jesus, who was getting some much-needed sleep in the boat, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?” (Mark 4:38). For accusing Him of not caring, you would think that they received a rebuke from Jesus. But it was the wind which received His rebuke, and a great calm followed (see Mark 4:39). Because of His tenderness toward His own, Jesus did not waste time taking offence. Instead, He wasted no time taking care of the problem that had caused His disciples so much anxiety and fear. This also happened to two sisters, Martha and Mary, who did not hesitate to let Jesus know how they felt when He finally showed up days after their brother Lazarus had died. Both sisters made the same remark to Him: “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died” (John 11:21,32). Both sisters had seen Jesus’ miracles of mercy and love. Now, in their grief, they focused on how He could have prevented their brother’s death, but did not. They did not know His heart—how tender it was toward them and how His help would never fail them, but would even extend to raising their dead brother (see John 11:41–44). Beloved, your heavenly Father sees you trying to stay afloat when you are in the midst of a storm. He sees you trying to provide for yourself and your family, and thinking, “If I don’t take care of these things, no one else will!” And He wants you to know how tender His heart is toward you, how He is not offended by all the bad things you have ever said of or to Him. He wants you to know how much He wants to and will help and bless you. So let go and experience afresh the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward you! – Joseph Prince
The Life of Jesus is in You October 27, 2018 bizadmin …I [Jesus] have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. John 10:10 THE LIFE OF JESUS IS IN YOU Though Jesus is completely God, He was born completely human. He went through temptation after temptation and conquered every one of them (see Hebrews 4:15). And all that overcoming power is found in His life. And He put that life in you—the life of Christ is in you! During Jesus’ ministry on earth, He conquered sickness, the winds and waves, the powers of darkness and death. It is His life that brings victory over the devil and all his works. And He put that life in you—the life of Christ is in you! Finally, Jesus went to the cross. And that life in Him put an end to everything that was natural of the Adamic race—sickness, poverty, failures, pains, curses and death. All that was natural ceased to be in that life of His. But all that was supernatural remained in Him. And He put that life in you—the life of Christ is in you! Then, Jesus rose from the dead. And in that life of His was added the power of resurrection. And He put that life in you—the life of Christ is in you! After His resurrection, Jesus went back to heaven to His Father. Today, He is seated at the right hand of God, resting in His finished work, occupying a place of the highest authority. And He put that life in you—the life of Christ is in you! And because Jesus went back to the Father, the Holy Spirit came to indwell you (see John 16:7), so that you will live life with His anointing in you and walk in His overcoming power. All that Jesus is, God meant for you to be. All that He has, God meant for you to have. All the exciting things that you read in the Bible about Jesus, all the treasures of Him hidden in the Old Testament and the unsearchable riches in Him that you find in the New Testament, all of that life of His, is not out there somewhere. God has deposited all of it in you, so that you can live the abundant life that Jesus came to give you! – Joseph Prince
Forgive and Let God do the Rest October 26, 2018 bizadmin And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you. Ephesians 4:32 FORGIVE AND LET GOD DO THE REST People like to say, “I can forgive, but I cannot forget.” Have you heard that before? Now, in the first place, nowhere in the Bible does God tell you to forgive and then to forget. It is not in the Bible! The devil is adding something here to make the whole thing burdensome. God only tells us to forgive because God in Christ has forgiven us a debt we cannot pay. When we do this, we do ourselves a favor because harboring bitterness and unforgiveness can sometimes destroy our health! So just forgive and let God take care of the rest. When you really forgive, sometimes, He makes you forget. But sometimes, you still remember the incident because it was a major thing in your life. Yet, when you look back at it, the pain is no more there. The sting is gone and you are not bitter. Joseph had forgiven his brothers before they came and bowed before him. He remembered what they did to him, but he did not remember it with bitterness (see Genesis 50:15–21). So you may remember the incident, but the bitterness is gone because you have put the cross in the picture—“God in Christ forgave me. Daddy, I forgive you. Mama, I forgive you. My cousin, I forgive you.” When you forgive, forgive by faith, not by your feelings. We walk by faith, not feelings (see 2 Corinthians 5:7). Some people are waiting for feelings—“I am waiting, Father, for the right emotion to come on me to forgive that person.” That “right emotion” may never come! No, forgive by faith, and do it once and for all. Spend time in prayer. Take out your diary and write it down: “Father, I bring this person before you. You know what he did to me. Father, as You forgave me through Jesus’ cross, even though I did not deserve it, by faith, I now forgive this person and I let my anger against him go in Jesus’ name. Amen!” Once you forgive by faith, you will see the sting of bitterness removed from your heart. You will experience the peace and joy of God filling your mind, and see a greater measure of wholeness in your body! – Joseph Prince
All That I Have is Yours October 19, 2018 bizadmin …‘Son, you are always with me, and all that I have is yours. Luke 15:31 ‘ALL THAT I HAVE IS YOURS’ After running a few errands for his parents, a little boy went to his father and said, “I know why you and mummy had me.” “Why?” asked his father. “So that you guys would have someone to run errands for you!” exclaimed the boy. Like the little boy, do you see God as a Father who demands obedience and service from you? Have you ever felt that unless you obey Him and keep all His commandments, you don’t have a right to be blessed by Him? Jesus shared the story of the prodigal son to show how some of us call God “Father” and yet don’t know His heart. There are two sons in this parable. We know what happened to the prodigal son, but we can also learn something about the older son. This is what he said to his father when he discovered that his father had thrown a party to celebrate the return of his irresponsible, spendthrift brother: “Lo, these many years I have been serving you; I never transgressed your commandment at any time; and yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might make merry with my friends” (Luke 15:29). Now, this son believed that his father had brought him into the world to serve him. He saw his father as someone issuing commandments to him all the time. And he saw himself as someone who had to obey those commandments to enjoy his inheritance. But the truth is that the father had already given him his inheritance (see Luke 15:12). The father even reminded him lovingly: “Son…all that I have is yours.” And I am sure that that inheritance included more than one goat! Have you, like the older son, failed to understand your Father’s heart? Your heavenly Father already gave you a rich inheritance in Christ when you became His son. He wants you to know that you have received the Spirit of sonship (see Romans 8:15). So call out to Him, “Abba, Father!” and know how much He loves you. Because you are His heir, all that He has is yours to enjoy today! – Joseph Prince