Hidden (Krypto) Treasures

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The CROSS Examination :: Place of Sacrifice

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On February 23, 2011

In Christian

The CROSS on which Jesus Christ was nailed is the place of divine sacrifice. But what does the word ‘sacrifice’ mean? Many sadly use the word ‘sacrifice’ flippantly, without a true understanding of its meaning or what it demands.

To give up, let go, loss, and denial are some of the other words that are used to define the word sacrifice. Jesus had to give up or let go of his divinity for humanity (Philippians 2:6-7). He had to lose His life on the Cross so that He could gain eternal life for all who believe in Him (John 3:16). He had to deny the pleasures of heaven so that he could have communion with you and me, whom he deemed the treasures of the earth He created (Exodus 19:5; 1 Peter 2:9; Colossians 1:17). God had to deny (forsake) His Only begotten Son (Matthew 27:46) so that He would not be forced (due to His Just Holiness) to deny you and me, for sin (Belial) can have no communion with Holiness (Christ) (2 Corinthians 6:14-15).

Let us cross examine ourselves and give up and let go of the things that brings displeasure to God. Let us give up and let go of our humanity so that we can live as royalty; sons and daughters of the King of kings and Lord of lords (1 Peter 2:9). Let us lose our lives so that we can save it (Luke 17:33). Let us deny the pleasures of this earth so that we can have communion with Jesus, who is the hidden treasure in us; jars of clay (2 Corinthians 4:7).  Let us lay our life as a living sacrifice (Romans 12:1-2) at the foot of His Cross, the place of sacrifice.

Luke 17:33 (KJV)
33 Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it.

Romans 12:1-2 (KJV)
1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

The CROSS Examination :: Place of Substitution

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On February 22, 2011

In Christian

The CROSS on which Jesus Christ was nailed is the place of divine substitution where God exchanged our sin for His sinless Son, imputing His Holy righteousness for our filthy rag-like righteousness. While we were still sinners, Jesus died for us (Romans 5:8). A fair exchange is one where the items being exchanged are of equitable value. Christ’s death for us demands our death (to self and sin) for Him. Christ’s life for us demands our life for Him.

Let us cross examine ourselves and live in a manner befitting a fair exchange, not shortchanging God, wherein, the lives we live for ourselves is substituted with one where we live for Him. Let us lay our all at the foot of His Cross, the place of substitution.

Romans 5:8 (KJV)
8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

The CROSS examination :: Place of Sentence

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On February 21, 2011

In Christian

The CROSS on which Jesus Christ was nailed is the place where divine sentence which was given as a punishment against mankind, was carried out. The Bible states that a divine sentence is in the lips of the king; his mouth transgresseth not in judgment (Proverbs 16:10). The wages of man’s sin is death; which is the sentence that a Holy and Just God had to give (Romans 6:23). The Cross was where this divine sentence was carried out, but instead of us (malefactors and enemies of God), it was God’s only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, who paid the penalty of our sin, with His life.

Let us cross examine ourselves and be thankful to Jesus Christ, because of whom, we do not need to be where we should have been; on the Cross, carrying out the sentence of God.

Isaiah 53:3-6 (KJV)
3 He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
4 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.
5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

Experiencing God

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On February 18, 2011

In Christian

The Bible refers to Jesus Christ in 1 John 1:1, as The One who was from the beginning, who was heard, who was seen and looked upon and whom hands handled. While hearing, seeing, looking is about external senses, handling (touching) is about experiencing (feeling).

When the woman who was sick for twelve years reached out and touched the garment of Jesus Christ, she experienced healing and was made whole (Mark 5:25-34). Experiencing God is about reaching out and touching Christ Jesus; the God who reached out and touched man. When asked by the socially outcast leper, if Jesus would be willing to make him clean, Jesus responded being filled with compassion, that He was.  Jesus reached out and touched the socially outcast leper making him clean (Mark 1:40-42). Salvation is about being made whole/clean.  Jesus’ touch makes those who are plagued with the leprosy of sin, whole/clean.

Point(s) to ponder:

  • Have you reached out and touched Jesus?
  • Have you asked Jesus to reach out and touch you?
  • Have you experienced God?

Mark 1:40-42 (KJV)
40 And there came a leper to him, beseeching him, and kneeling down to him, and saying unto him, If thou wilt, thou canst make me clean.
41 And Jesus, moved with compassion, put forth his hand, and touched him, and saith unto him, I will; be thou clean.
42 And as soon as he had spoken, immediately the leprosy departed from him, and he was cleansed.

1 John 1:1-4 (KJV)
1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life;
2 (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;)
3 That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.
4 And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.

L3 God

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On February 17, 2011

In Christian

L3 which stands for Level 3 support is the highest level of support in a technical support model. The ones who provide L3 support are subject matter experts that are engaged to address and solve problems that are unsolvable by others in the support line.

Jesus Christ is an L3 God. When the world could not solve the problem of sin that plagued man, He did. He is the subject matter expert of man, because He made man and knows all men and knows what is in man (John 2:24-25).

The Psalmist avers that the eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous (God is looking; Psalm 34:15), and his ears are open unto their cry (God is listening; Psalm 34:15). The righteous cry and the Lord hears them and delivers them out of all their troubles (God is liberating; Psalm 34:17).

Jesus is Looking, Listening and Liberating (L3). Jesus Christ is a L3 God.

Psalm 34:15, 17 (KJV)
15 The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry.
17 The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles.

Prayer protocol

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On February 16, 2011

In Christian

Interestingly, when Jesus was asked by one of his disciples to teach them how to pray, He starts by teaching them first how NOT to pray; using vain repetitions as did the heathen, expecting to be heard because of much speaking (Luke 11:1-4, Matthew 6:7). When we come to be in the presence of God, we should be laconic in our utterances, lest we make a foolish vow; we should not be rash with our mouth or hasty in our hearts (Ecclesiastes 5:2). It is not the quantity of prayer that matters but the quality of prayer that God is interested in. It is not how much we pray but how we pray that is important. Our words should be chosen carefully with forethought and uttered only upon the inspiration of the Holy Spirit of God, as supplication in the Spirit (Ephesians 6:18).

Lord, teach me to pray!

Matthew 6:7 (KJV)
7 But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.

Ecclesiastes 5:2 (KJV)
2 Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter any thing before God: for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few.

Ephesians 6:18 (KJV)
18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

God’s visitation – first and second

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On February 15, 2011

In Christian

God visited man in the person of Jesus Christ (first coming) and the people did not recognize Him; some people rejoiced proclaiming “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord (John 12:13) ” while others rejected Him saying “We have no King, but Caesar (John 19:15) ,” and God wept (Luke 19:44).

God will visit man again in the glorified person of Jesus Christ (second coming) and this time the people will recognize Him and some will rejoice entering into the Joy of the Lord (Matthew 25:23) while others who have now rejected Him will weep; there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth (Matthew 24:51).

In the first coming, God wept.
In the second coming, man will weep.

Choose ye this day, if you want to rejoice or weep, when Christ Jesus returns.

Luke 19: 41 -44 (KJV)
41And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it,
42 Saying, If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes.|
43 For the days shall come upon thee, that thine enemies shall cast a trench about thee, and compass thee round, and keep thee in on every side,
44 And shall lay thee even with the ground, and thy children within thee; and they shall not leave in thee one stone upon another; because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation.

The valentine of God

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On February 14, 2011

In Christian, Valentine's Day

Commonly, the word ‘valentine’ is used to refer to someone’s sweetheart but interestingly, the Merriam-Webster’s dictionary also defines the word ‘valentine’ as “a gift or greeting sent or given to someone special.” Valentine means a gift and a gift represents both the heart of the giver and the receiver. The one giving gives because he or she loves the one to whom it is given. The one receiving is given because they are deemed special by the giver.

God sent us His Son (Jesus Christ), and through Him, we receive the gift of eternal life. Why did God do this? Because He loved you and I, whom He deems to be very special. We are the apple of His eye.

The ever popular verse from Romans 6:23 can be read as “the valentine (gift) of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord”. You are special in God’s eye. I am special in God’s eye. He loves you and me very much and He has sent us the valentine (gift) of eternal life. All we need to do, is receive His gift by believing that Jesus Christ is God’s valentine to mankind.

Romans 6:23 (KJV)
23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift [valentine] of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Pre-requisite for entry into heaven

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On February 11, 2011

In Christian

A Sunday school teacher was tasked to explain to six-year-olds in his class, what someone had to do in order to go to heaven and in this endeavor, he questioned his class on this subject.
“If I sold the things I love, like my house and my car, and gave all my money to the Church, would that get me into heaven?”
“NO!” the children all answered.
“If I prayed to God everyday and if I attended the church every Sunday, and kept everything neat and tidy, would that get me into heaven?”
Again the answer was “NO!”
“Well then,” he said, “If I loved my wife dearly, and be kind to animals and gave to the poor, would that get me into heaven?”
Again they all shouted “NO!”
“Well then, how can I get into heaven?”
A boy in the back row stood up and shouted, “YOU GOTTA BE DEAD”.

Not all who call Lord, Lord will enter into the kingdom of heaven, but only he/she who  does the will of God, the Father, who is in heaven (Mathew 7:21) will enter into heaven. His will is what may seem at first to be an oxymoron, which is for us to be a living sacrifice (living for Him; dying to all others). God wants us to totally surrender to this will of His, and in order for us to surrender all to Jesus, we must be dead to sin, and be dead to self and be willing to die for Him (our Lord and Savior).

We GOTTA BE DEAD so that it is no longer we who live but Christ Jesus that lives in us (Galatians 2:2o).

Galatians 2:20 (KJV)
20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

Sow Christ Jesus

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On February 10, 2011

In Christian

Once while traveling for work, in one of the airports, I came across an advertisement which caught my attention. It was the advertisement for the organization CARE (www.care.org) which aims at defending dignity and fighting poverty. The advertisement had in it a picture of an African woman with the following words, printed next to her – “She can plant the seeds of change. If she can get the seed.”

This social message has some serious undertones in our Christian life.  Christian have The Seed. Jesus Christ is The Seed. This is how He is referred to in the very first book of the Bible, much before His birth on earth. When man and woman sinned by disobeying God, because of the deception of satan, God declares war on satan, informing him of his impending doom, by expressing that God will put an enmity between satan and the woman and between the seed of satan (self-righteous; counterfeit believers) and the Seed of the woman (referring to Jesus Christ) who will crush the head of satan, while satan merely bruises His heel. (Genesis 3:15). At the Cross, satan bruised the heel of Jesus by nailing his feet, but by His sacrificial dying and by His resurrection from the dead, Jesus crushed the head of satan, totally defeating satan and the power of death that he had.

Just as a seed germinates and brings forth life, in the soil that receives it,  so does Jesus germinate and brings forth eternal life in all who receive Him. Jesus Christ is The Seed that changes death to life; He is The Seed that brings life. But how can one plant when they don’t have The Seed, themselves? This is a stark reminder for all those who have The Seed (Jesus), that they ought to sow Jesus Christ in someone else.

Point(s) to ponder:

Do you have Jesus Christ; The Seed? If not, receive Him with a fertile heart, so He can bring you life! and if you do, Sow Jesus Christ in someone who does not have Him.

Genesis 3:15 (KJV)
15 And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.

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