4-19-08 John 5:21-23 Honor God's Son Jesus

John 5: 21-23 (NAS)
For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son also gives life to whom He wishes. For not even the Father judges anyone, but He has given all judgment to the Son, in order that all may honor the Son, even as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him.

John 5: 21-23 (Philips)
For just as the Father raises the dead and makes them live, so does the Son give life to may man he chooses. The Father is no man?s judge: he has put judgment entirely into the Son?s hands so that all men may honour the Son equally with the Father. The man who does not honour the Son does not honour the Father who sent him.

John 5: 21-23 (NLT)
He will even raise from the dead anyone he wants to, just as the Father does. And the Father leaves all judgment to his Son, so that everyone will honor the Son, just as they honor the Father. But if you refuse to honor the Son, then you are certainly not honoring the Father who sent him.
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Adonai is the only One who can give life, for He is the one from which all life originates. He not only gives life at conception, when the sperm and the egg unite, but He also has the power to raise from the dead. It is as easy for Him to do this as it was for the town crier of the past to awaken and arouse the inhabitants from sleep. He is the God of the resurrection and He restores vitality to a dead, lifeless corpse.

Because Jesus is not only the Son of man but also the Son of God, He is endowed with the same power and ability as His Father. Therefore, Yeshua, in the exact same way as His Father, gives life to whomever He chooses. Those in whom He delights and favors are revitalized by His handiwork. Without any delay He makes them alive. And you are one person that has abundantly received this life that comes only from the Father, through the Son to you.

As God the Father gave His Son the ability to give life, He also delegated the authority to judge to His Son. The Father Himself no longer tries, condemns, and punishes sinners, for He has bestowed that power on Jesus Christ, His Son. Jesus is now the One who ensures that justice is achieved. He is the One who decides if you should be condemned to punishment or esteemed fit to be set free. If you believe in Him, then He is for you. If you do not believe in Him, then He is against you.

Adonai's purpose in doing this was to bring honor to His Son. He desires that men would revere and value Jesus, who is God's Beloved and is most precious to Him. Therefore, if you wish to show your reverence and respect for your Father God, you must show the same esteem to the only Begotten Son of God. You should hold Him dear and valuable, for He paid His very life for you. The Father dispatched His Son to earth for this very reason--to bring you back from death into everlasting life.

John 6-27-08 Work For Eternal Food That Endures

John 6:27 (NAS)
Do not work for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man shall give to you, for on Him the Father, even God, has set His seal."
John 6:27 (NLT)
But you shouldn’t be so concerned about perishable things like food. Spend your energy seeking the eternal life that I, the Son of Man, can give you. For God the Father has sent me for that very purpose.
John 6:27 (Philips)
You should not work for the food which does not last but for the food which lasts on into eternal life. This is the food the Son of Man will give you, and he is the one who bears the stamp of God the Father.
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From the time of the fall of Adam and Eve, mankind has had to toil and work to provide for their daily needs. When Jesus came, He modified this concept. He tells you that your occupation and work should not be your primary concern. Although you do need food to eat every day, all of your efforts and commitments should not be in obtaining meat, which only perishes. Though it sustains your life temporarily, it cannot give you anything lasting.

However, there is an occupation that Yeshua does endorse. He tells you to labor for food that will endure and remain. This nourishment will help you to enter into everlasting life, the life that God Himself possesses.

How do you obtain this meat? Jesus, God's Son, who became the Son of man, is the only One who can give it to you and what He offers you is what He first received from His Father. Jesus received Adonai's words and He passed those words on to you. It is through the Messiah's words that you receive everlasting life. And you can trust His words, for the Father has put His stamp of approval on the Son. He has been sealed with God's very own signet ring. He is genuinely God and He is genuinely man. He is your mediator before the throne of God and He is God's representative and spokesman to you

4-13-08 Jeremiah 1:18 The Lord Has Made You As A Fortified City

Jeremiah 1:18 (NAS)
Now behold, I have made you today as a fortified city, and as a pillar of iron and as walls of bronze against the whole land, to the kings of Judah, to its princes, to its priests and to the people of the land.

Jeremiah 1:18 (NLT)
For see, today I have made you immune to their attacks. You are strong like a fortified city that cannot be captured, like an iron pillar or a bronze wall. None of the kings, officials, priests, or people of Judah will be able to stand against you.
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A day came when Adonai supernaturally changed you. Instead of being the "so-called ninety pound weakling", the Lord made you into a conqueror and a warrior. He made you strong and in Him, you became like a fortified castle that has the best defenses. You were repaired and rebuilt; the Lord God made your foundation sure again. You became a well guarded city that is under God's constant watchful care.

Before you were always defensive, trying to protect yourself from hurt; however, now Adonai has framed you into an offensive weapon for His Kingdom. As an iron axe head, He uses you to cut off the enemy's works in your own life and in the lives of others. God sets you up as an iron pillar; when the enemy's onslaughts come, you will stand. As you abide and dwell continually with the Lord God Almighty, you are established and endure. Your walls which are constructed from copper, give you protection, for you are joined to the Lord.

Even if kings and those who have dominion and rulership come against you, you do not need to fear. Or if religious leaders accuse you falsely, continue to stand firm, for the Lord has ordained your path. All of the peoples of the land may oppose you; however, you will remain. The Lord has raised you up and you will serve Him in the place that He sets you!