gospel Archives – Sonshine's Journal

January 24, 2025January 24, 2025

Genesis 35-37 Reuben

Reuben was the first born but his life did not reflect that in many ways. He brought shame upon the life of Jacob by committing adultery with Jacob’s concubine. He tried to save Joseph but that too turned badly. Reuben’s name means behold the son but he was not a picture of righteousness.

Easton’s dictionary has this to say about Jacob’s first born: ‘behold a son!, the eldest son of Jacob and Leah (Gen. 29:32). His sinful conduct, referred to in Gen. 35:22, brought down upon him his dying father’s malediction (48:4). He showed kindness to Joseph, and was the means of saving his life when his other brothers would have put him to death (37:21,22). It was he also who pledged his life and the life of his sons when Jacob was unwilling to let Benjamin go down into Egypt. After Jacob and his family went down into Egypt (46:8) no further mention is made of Reuben beyond what is recorded in ch. 49:3,4.”

Many times we come across men in the Bible that cause us to shake our heads and as we read their life stories we wonder why God chose them and used them. But, God’s ways are not our ways.[Is 55:8-9] Reuben was saved because he did like all of us: admitting their wrong and seeking to live righteously. Where are you in this story? Are you a Reuben before or after his changed life?

December 29, 2024December 29, 2024

12.29.24.Look up!

Revelation 22 Look Up!

As we began this marvelous book we have read and meditated upon the words that Jesus gave John to the seven churches. Now as we begin to close this chapter we are again reminded that he says: “I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify to you about these things for the churches.” He is coming soon and the signs of his coming are all around us but it is in His timing for He patiently waits and the door remains open for those to commit to him. He is not willing any to perish and so down through the centuries, He has been watching,been preparing for each to hear the good news of the gospel. We, like John, are to be the witnesses of Him so that they will be without excuse.

Jesus closes with these words: The one who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon!” Amen! Come, Lord Jesus! Are we looking forward to his return? Are we watching? Are we waiting?

December 20, 2024December 20, 2024

12.20.24. He who has ears, better listen!

Revelation 14 Lies vs Truth

How does the Lord see you today? Does He see you as these 144,000 blameless? What does it mean to be blameless? In the Bible it means means someone who cannot be accused of wrongdoing before God or people. It can also mean someone who has integrity and exhibits good character. Note believers stand innocent of any wrong doing, yet we know that the Accuser of the Brethren stands ready to hurl accusations. However, his words fall on fallow ground because these are protected by the Lamb.

Fast forward to see the angels as town criers. First is the angel with the gospel message; the second angel announces the fall of Babylon, the third angel announces a warning to all mankind to not take the mark of the beast. Yet, for all of God’s mercy to these on the earth, their words fall on deaf ears. The hardness of men’s hearts is beyond belief and yet look around you and listen to those who are alive now and their responses. There will be time, I am busy. God sends everyone to heaven, a blasphemous lie from the pit of hell. Open the Book and read! It is ok for you but not for me is a delaying exercise.

Do not be conformed to this world for it is a world of death and decay.

December 3, 2024December 3, 2024

12.3.24. How is your hearing?

Revelation 3 Listening?

To each church, Jesus has said: he who has an ear had better listen. What should they listen for and what are we to be listening for?

To the church at Sardis they should listen to the warning Jesus has for them. The society around them thinks they are alive in their Christian faith, but Jesus says they are dead. What is dead in that church? It is their deeds. They look like they are serving God but in reality they are grumbling, backbiting, lying and other sins. Jesus says wake up! Make your deeds worth something in my eyes. All is not lost however as there are some there who are dressed in white symbolizing purity.

In contrast the church at Philadelphia has no condemnation. Jesus had given them an open door to go and minister and no one can shut it. One of the marks of this church is their steadfastness under duress. But,Jesus reminds them to persevere lest they lose that purity and their crown.

And then there is the church at Laodicea which is dead dead dead. However, they don’t realize that this their case. They think they have done all they need to do and have all the requirements necessary. Jesus says, come and buy gold from me so you can stand strong in times of persecution. Are they listening? Seems not! Jesus reminds them that He is coming soon and they need to be ready when He knocks at their door.

Are we listening? Are we prepared?

December 2, 2024December 2, 2024

Christ Knows…

Who is Jesus? — God has provided all you need to know …it’s in the Bible.

Revelation 2 The Risen Christ Knows…

What does He know but the good we have done but He also knows where we are failing. As He sits on his throne in heaven He looks down and sees the good along with the bad. He knows when we are successful in our witness and where we are failing. What secret am I/are you hiding from earthly peoples but is seen in heaven? As I walked along the street in Ephesus I wondered those thoughts and wondered what John saw and what he was thinking. How about Paul who also walked there? What was Ephesus like in their day? Was it like our cities today where there is hustle and bustle but little to speak of when it comes to the risen Christ? As I walk along on the street in front of my home what does Jesus see and hear? Does He see that my neighbors know that we attend church each Sunday but then all is silent the rest of the week? Do they know that I pray for them house by house and want them to know Jesus as their Savior? Over and over Jesus is reminding us that he who has an ear better listen. Am I listening? Am I conquering the sins of this world? Am I witnessing to my neighbors who are quiet but lost because I have not prayed enough or served enough or loved them enough?

November 28, 2024November 28, 2024

11.28.24.How Thankful are you?

John 21 Thankfulness

Across America today is Thanksgiving and what an appropriate way to celebrate by reading the closing of this glorious gospel message. We know that from all 20 chapters previously we have walked with John as he shares his life with Jesus and the other disciples. It is fitting as well to see the love Jesus has for Peter and John.

Jesus invited the disciples to breakfast and then after eating he took Peter and questioned his love. Three times, Jesus asked: do you love Me and each time, He gave Peter directions for his future. If Jesus were to ask you those same three questions how would you respond?

Do you love Him more than “these?” Jesus then said: Feed My lambs. Then He asked Peter: Do you love ME? Then Jesus said: Shepherd my sheep. Again Jesus asked Peter: Do you love Me? Then Jesus said: Feed my sheep.

How do you respond to those same three questions? Are you willing to feed the lambs, shepherd the sheep and feed His sheep? What are you busy doing today and every day?

November 27, 2024November 27, 2024

11.27.24.What do you need to believe?

John 20 Evidence

Jesus has risen but only Mary has seen Him and touched Him and believed. Even her words are like that of a foolish woman. How like today when we witness to others, our words fall on fallow ground. Just like the parable of the seeds are the hearts of men. Some fall on fallow ground, others fall on rocky soil, and yet some fall on tilled soil and bear fruit. Which soil is your heart?

Jesus offers His promise to those who believe. As the Father has sent Him, so now He sends us into all the world to speak the words of the gospel message. What evidence do we need to believe? Thomas needed the physical evidence of the risen Christ, yet later Peter will remind his readers: even though you do not see Him you love Him. Is this where I am/where you are? What do you need to believe? The gospel of John reminds us of this truth: But these are recorded so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

When John wrote the book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ he said: Blessed is the one who reads the words of this prophecy aloud, and blessed are those who hear and obey the things written in it because the time is near! Are you blessed today?

November 19, 2024November 19, 2024

11.19.24.Greater Works

John 14 How perplexing to read these words of our Savior: Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do; because I go to the Father. Jesus was sent to do the work of our salvation but how can I as a mere human do a greater work than He? This is perplexing!

While on earth,Jesus was held by the nature of his geography and his time limit. However, now with the presence and indwelling Holy Spirit we are not only able but given the privilege to move about over all the earth and present the gospel message that He brought. The day of Pentecost saw 3000 people who claimed salvation but now thousands are hearing and submitting to His Word. We Iive in the internet world with the advantage of seeing and hearing His Word preached and lived out. This is why Jesus said, you will do greater works and is our command to seek and save the lost everywhere. This is our mission statement to go into all the world and preach the gospel.

Are we going? Are we preaching the gospel? Are we doing greater works?

November 4, 2024November 4, 2024

11.4.24.What do you need?

John 4 As we read this account, we wonder why John put these two stories together. John wants us to see two things: the Samaritans didn’t need a miracle to believe but just God’s spoken word. In contrast is the man seeking healing for his child. Jesus was right to note about the man: unless you see a sign or a miracle, you will not believe. The Samaritans didn’t need a miracle but only the testimony of the woman at the well and Jesus speaking to them. Which person are you? Do you need a miracle to believe? Do you need a sign from heaven or will you believe because of the Word spoken or read? What is that you need to believe?

So I ask you again. What do you need to believe? Jesus has the living water to refresh your spirit. Listen to the Word of God. It is there before you. Will you believe? If you choose to do so, the living water will come and refresh your soul.

October 1, 2024October 1, 2024

Happy October! 10.1.24.

1 Cor 2 Heartbreak

Have you ever faced a troublesome day or week or month in which it seems like there is a huge rock along your path? It could be something real, or it could be a circumstance, but whatever it is, it has blocked your ability to study, meditate, and minister. This is where we find Paul. God opened the door for him to minister in Troas, but his heart was so heavy having not found Titus, his co-minister, he was unable to move forward. (He would later find Titus)

Paul has opened his heart to the reader so that we might be able to relate to his circumstance. Sadness of heart often renders our service lacking. We say it like this; my heart wasn’t in it. Even though Paul went through the motion of presenting the gospel—we later learn that a church was founded there because of his teaching—-his heart was not in it. He, like us, went through the motions but lacked the fervency of the message. Yet, even in this, God used the message, even though the messenger was lacking, to bring many to Christ. This is an important point: it is the message not the messenger that God uses to bring many to repentance.

If this is where you are, let us come alongside you to be your encouragement.