Jesus Returns at Dawn!

 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ Titus 2:13

My wife had always dreamed about us relaxing and enjoying a few days on a carefree cruise. Since I was afraid of being out on the ocean that didn’t sound at all relaxing to me, but I finally agreed and we booked a four-day cruise to Cozumel Mexico. Strangely the tension and nervousness I felt as we boarded the ship gradually subsided. As we began to experience life aboard the beautiful ship, Nancy was delighted with the delicious food, friendly staff and the romantic music in the ballroom.

But above anything I found on the ship, the most amazing thing to me was the sunrise at sea. I suppose for those who have been on ships the sight of the first rays of dawn streaking across dark waves is ordinary. But as I held on to the railing with one hand, while, clutching my camera in the other I was stunned by the beauty of an endless ocean painted with the colors of dawn.  

In the same way, the Christian life is something like a cruise though not without its storms and trials. Often God blesses us way beyond anything we expect or deserve along the way but we must never forget that we have an invitation to the most amazing event of history – the return of Jesus Christ. Just as the sky had already brightened and the sea begun to shimmer with the approach of the dawn, so also we already have some of God’s light beginning to shine in our lives. But we have a blessed hope and a longing in our hearts for something more. That is a hope which will carry us through every dark night and every violent storm. Our hope and His promise is that one day Jesus will return. We can choose to either live our life fearfully huddled below or we can go out onto the deck with the hope of catching the first gleam of dawn!  

Who is Jesus?

Somehow we got a bit off track in our men’s zoom meeting last week and some of the newer believers seemed confused by conversations they had with some Jehovah’s Witnesses as to just exactly who Jesus is. They probably didn’t realize that the Watchtower society teaches that Jesus Christ was really originally the Archangel Michael – but not to get too deeply into the weeds I simply put together a pop quiz of people in both the Old and New Testaments to ask them one question. “Who is Jesus?” Here is a brief sampling of their answers –

Peter said: Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ the Son of the Living God.” Matthew 16:16

 Isaiah said: For unto us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government shall be upon His shoulder, and His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor Mighty God; Everlasting Father; Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

John said: In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the word was God. John 1:1

Moses said: In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form and void and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. And God said, “Let there be light!” and there was light. Genesis 1:1-3  (Father Son & Holy Spirit in creation)

Paul said: Waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ. Titus 2:13

King David said: Your throne O God is forever and ever. The scepter of your kingdom is a scepter of uprightness. Psalm 45:6

Thomas said: Thomas answer him, “My Lord and my God!” John 20:28

Daniel said: And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations and languages should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion which shall not pass away, and His kingdom shall not be destroyed. Daniel 7:14

Jesus said: So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly I say to you, before Abraham was, I Am.” John 9:57

I am the Alpha and Omega, says the Lord God, “Who is and who was and who is to come” Revelation1:8

But Most important of all is who you say that Jesus is!

Matthew 16:15 He said to them “ But who do you say that I am?”

The Chosen Global Livestream: Episode Six

This is an absolutely amazing series. We watched episode six for Easter and I just had to share this. Their wonderful presentation of the early ministry of Jesus is the truest and best film depiction I have ever seen! You can follow the link or search for The Chosen on YouTube. God bless and Happy Easter to all!