Pathfinders and Trailblazers
The Gospel
Do you know Jesus the Messiah, Son of David, the Anointed One, Yeshua HaMashiach? Did you know that GOD loves the world enough to give His only Son to die for our sin (John 3:16)?!? The gospel is good news because our salvation and eternal life and home in heaven are guaranteed through Christ (John 14:1–4). “He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you” (1 Peter 1:3–4).
When we understand that we do not (and cannot) earn our salvation; the work of redemption and justification is complete, having been finished on the cross (John 19:30). LORD Jesus, Our Messiah is the propitiation for our sins (1 John 2:2). The gospel is the good news that we, who were once enemies of GOD, have been reconciled by the blood of Christ and adopted into the family of GOD (Romans 5:10; John 1:12).
What a great love the Father has lavished on us, He calls us His children and because of Jesus Christ, our co-heir; that is what we are! (1 John 3:1). Think and meditate on this beloved, “there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1).
About law and sin
The Old Testament Law was given to Israel during the time of Moses (Deuteronomy 5:1). The Law can be thought of as a measuring stick, and sin is anything that falls short of “perfect” according to that standard. The righteous requirement of the Law is so stringent that no human being could possibly follow it perfectly, in letter or in spirit.
Despite our “goodness” or “badness” relative to each other, we are all in the same spiritual boat—we have sinned, and the punishment for sin is death, i.e. separation from GOD, the source of life (Romans 3:23). In order for us to go to heaven, GOD’s dwelling place and the realm of life and light, sin must be somehow removed or paid for.
The Law established the fact that cleansing from sin can only happen through atonement; a sacrifice of an innocent life (Hebrews 9:22).
The Good News
In Matthew 24:14 it is written, “And this good news of the KINGDOM will be preached in all the inhabited earth for a witness to all the nations and then the end will come.”
So what is that kingdom just as we all pray for in the Lord’s Prayer?
In Daniel 2:44 and 7:14 it is explained that kingdom is a heavenly government with Jesus Christ as King and His joint heirs from earth to rule over the earth.
In Revelation 5:10 it points out; “And you made them a kingdom and priest to our God and they will reign on the earth.” (KJV). Through that kingdom arrangement we will see the fulfillment of Revelation 21:4 “And He (God) will wipe out every tear from their eyes and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have past away.”
Since there is no pain or death in heaven, those are future conditions here on earth as GOD had intended. In Psalm 37:10–11 and verse 29 we see that man will live forever on the earth in an abundance of peace. So through that kingdom we will have peace, joy and eternal life forever.
LORD and Savior
Christ is a term that means Anointed One. Jesus is the Breaker; sent with an anointing, a calling, a purpose. He was and is to be our LORD and Savior. Jesus is our Savior because He took on our sins and received in Himself the punishment for them, and by faith we receive forgiveness for our sins. Jesus came not just so our sins could be forgiven, but to take away our sins so that we no longer sin. We become the righteousness of GOD.
John the Baptist saw Jesus and proclaimed, “Behold! The Lamb of GOD who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29) Jesus had to become the sacrificial Lamb in order to take away our sin.
For our sake He made Him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of GOD. It’s that righteousness that allows us to live in eternal life. We learn to do what is right and are empowered to do what is right and we do what is right and the end of it is eternal life with GOD.
2 Corinthians 5:21.
But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of GOD, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life. Romans 6:22.
We are saved in every way. When we need help, we can call on the LORD and know He has what we need.
You start with confessing with your mouth that Jesus is LORD, and it has to be in your heart, a mind made up to turn away from unbelief [repentant heart] when you declare “Jesus is LORD” is to say Jesus is your Master, Ruler, LORD over your life.
What does that mean?
Can you imagine a medieval lord? He calls his servant to come, and he comes, saying “Yes, my lord.” He tells his servant to go and do something, and he responds, “Right away, my lord.” He takes away what he has given to his servant, “Whatever you require, my lord.” And so on.
Well, Jesus must be your LORD if you want to be saved. It means to honor, trust and obey Him with faithfulness. The LORD is faithful and He is pleased when we are as well. When we have the life of Christ in our hearts, we are saved by faith. It is a gift, you cannot work for it. So, you may give to the poor or feed the hungry, but it is through Jesus and His gift of salvation. We must be born again; born again in the Spirit, Jesus is resurrected in our lives. His righteousness in us, because we abide. When He abides in us and we are in Him; our lives are no longer our own. Jesus Christ lives and radiates through us by His transformative love and power; it's who He is!
True worship is submission, we become living sacrifices and holy and pleasing to GOD. Jesus Christ will be seen as we go from faith to faith and glory to glory. It impacts how we live each day [in noticeable ways.] They will know we are His; like Jesus stated, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another.”
Acts 2:36 “So let everyone in Israel know for certain that GOD has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, to be both LORD and Messiah [Savior]!”
Discipleship
Do you live with Jesus as your LORD?
What does that look like practically each day?
We need to stay on the narrow path and GOD is always with us, inviting us, walking with us...
Ephesians 1:19-23:
“I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of GOD’s power for us who believe Him. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated Him in the place of honor at GOD’s right hand in the heavenly realms. Now He is far above any ruler or authority or power or leader or anything else—not only in this world but also in the world to come. GOD has put all things under the authority of Christ and has made Him head over all things for the benefit of the church. And the church is His body; it is made full and complete by Christ, who fills all things everywhere with Himself.”
New Life
Healing & Deliverance
For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.
Matthew 9:35
And Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction.
Equipping, Comforting, Strengthening
1 Corinthians 14:2-4:
For one who speaks in a tongue speaks not to men but to GOD; for no one understands Him, but he utters mysteries in the Spirit. On the other hand, the one who prophesies speaks to people for their upbuilding and encouragement and consolation. The one who speaks in a tongue builds up himself, but the one who prophesies builds up the church.
How To Hear God's Voice & Stay On His Path
John 10:27
“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.”
Revelation 3:20
“Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.”
As the Spirit renews your mind to the truth that GOD is speaking to you all the time and wants to guide you in every part of your life, you will begin to expect to hear His still, small voice every day. Lean in. He’s talking to you beloved!
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8
So many powerful things happened in the Book of Acts!
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Timothy Joins Paul and Silas
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Paul’s Vision of the Man of Macedonia
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Lydia’s Conversion in Philippi
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Paul and Silas in Prison
