Wayside Bible Chapel

A common expression before John was, “There was no voice nor any who answered.” Finally, the Word was spoken again. We need to always check to see that our hearts are ready to receive the King, receive His instructions and directions, His rebuke and His love. If we are not yielding to the King’s commands, can we truly say we are a part of His Kingdom? The mountains and valleys in our hearts are the areas in which we do not readily yield to Him. They are the little gods, and we are to have no other gods (Exodus 20:3). Fill up the valleys and level the mountains and receive the word of the Lord. Then you will see the glory of God!

Jesus obviously did His best to present Himself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth (2 Timothy 2:15). We should as well. We have this false impression that Jesus just knew it all supernaturally, that somehow it was easier for Him to work and yield Himself to God. He was a human just like us and tempted in every way we are, yet He went it through it all without sin (Hebrews 4:15). That is why we need to follow His perfect example. Grow in wisdom! Study God’s Word. Learn to die daily (1 Corinthians 15:31), spend time in prayer, and obey the Holy Spirit. You’ll be storing up treasure in heaven.

Jesus obviously did His best to present Himself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth (2 Timothy 2:15). We should as well. We have this false impression that Jesus just knew it all supernaturally, that somehow it was easier for Him to work and yield Himself to God. He was a human just like us and tempted in every way we are, yet He went it through it all without sin (Hebrews 4:15). That is why we need to follow His perfect example. Grow in wisdom! Study God’s Word. Learn to die daily (1 Corinthians 15:31), spend time in prayer, and obey the Holy Spirit. You’ll be storing up treasure in heaven.

I have a list of all the people I’ve seen pass on that attended Wayside. I know they are now completely whole and the work of God in them is completed. They could not be more glorious than they are now, for they share Jesus’ glory. I’m looking forward to seeing them and rejoicing together with them in His presence. But most of all I’m looking forward in expectation of Jesus finishing the work in me when I see Him face to face (1 John 3:2). I’m longing to look into His eyes, and though they are a flame of fire I know they will be filled with love for me. That’s not because of anything I did, but because of what He did for me. Sometimes I see the rays of sun beaming through a gap in a brilliant white cloud and imagine Jesus bursting through. What a day of rejoicing that will be! Amen? Simeon and Anna waited in faithful expectation and were rewarded.

I have a list of all the people I’ve seen pass on that attended Wayside. I know they are now completely whole and the work of God in them is completed. They could not be more glorious than they are now, for they share Jesus’ glory. I’m looking forward to seeing them and rejoicing together with them in His presence. But most of all I’m looking forward in expectation of Jesus finishing the work in me when I see Him face to face (1 John 3:2). I’m longing to look into His eyes, and though they are a flame of fire I know they will be filled with love for me. That’s not because of anything I did, but because of what He did for me. Sometimes I see the rays of sun beaming through a gap in a brilliant white cloud and imagine Jesus bursting through. What a day of rejoicing that will be! Amen? Simeon and Anna waited in faithful expectation and were rewarded.

If we believe the angels’ words, we too should be glorifying and praising God for what we have just heard, what Luke has passed on to us. Have you received the Good News? Is your heart filled with great joy? If you have the eternal perspective and know the peace that is ours in Jesus, it certainly will be! Let us glorify God by allowing Him to be born in us, living in and through us each day. Let us walk in the Spirit and keep the fire in our hearts brightly burning. Let us share this Good News at every opportunity. 17 " ...the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever." 1 John 2:17

If we believe the angels’ words, we too should be glorifying and praising God for what we have just heard, what Luke has passed on to us. Have you received the Good News? Is your heart filled with great joy? If you have the eternal perspective and know the peace that is ours in Jesus, it certainly will be! Let us glorify God by allowing Him to be born in us, living in and through us each day. Let us walk in the Spirit and keep the fire in our hearts brightly burning. Let us share this Good News at every opportunity. 17 " ...the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever." 1 John 2:17

Is the Gospel only for Unbelievers? This seems like such an elementary question as to not require answering. Surely, it is best summed up by that immortal verse we all have memorized: "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” [John 3:16 ESV] Can this be all that there is to it? If so, then the Gospel (the good news) is for an unsaved, unreached world. However, while studying Romans chapter one with pastor Paul, I came across an interesting verse that seems to fly in the face of this conclusion

“Has ‘the Sunrise from on high’ filled your life? Do you have ‘the knowledge of salvation’? Is Christ your mighty ‘horn of salvation’? Are you assured of ‘the forgiveness of sins’? Have you been delivered from ‘the shadow of death’? Are you able to ‘serve him without fear’? Are your feet treading ‘the path of peace’? If not, you need the Sunrise—you need the Christ who came to die for you—you need the spiritual realities of Luke 2, the birth of Jesus - within you!” Then you too will leap like calves released from their stall.

“Has ‘the Sunrise from on high’ filled your life? Do you have ‘the knowledge of salvation’? Is Christ your mighty ‘horn of salvation’? Are you assured of ‘the forgiveness of sins’? Have you been delivered from ‘the shadow of death’? Are you able to ‘serve him without fear’? Are your feet treading ‘the path of peace’? If not, you need the Sunrise—you need the Christ who came to die for you—you need the spiritual realities of Luke 2, the birth of Jesus - within you!” Then you too will leap like calves released from their stall.