Do you believe this? Archives – Sonshine's Journal

November 16, 2021November 16, 2021

Whom do you seek?

The tomb of the rich could not hold Him!

Acts 1-3 or: Who is your Savior?

Interestingly, Peter references the empty tomb as proof of the deity of Christ. Other religions have their saviors,” but where are they? Peter proclaimed: “our forefather David, that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. “[Acts 2:29] Mohammed is in his tomb as are Buddha and others, but where is Christ? He is in the heavens sitting at the right hand of God. If ever there was proof of Christ as the Son of God, it is that. “This Jesus God raised up, and we are all witnesses of it.” [Acts 2:32] Peter then explained: God raised up his servant and sent him first to you, to bless you by turning each one of you from your iniquities.” [Acts 3:26] Christ lived, was crucified, buried in a rich man’s tomb which could not hold him, and He was raised on the 3rd day just as He said.

What do you seek? A prophet in a tomb or one who has ascended to heaven just as He prophesied He would do and did in Acts 1?

Again Peter preached that Moses prophesied that God would raise up another prophet like him. Peter did not mince words! Jews, listen to him and do whatever he says. He also warned them that many will not hear and be utterly destroyed. All the prophets from Samuel and those who followed them foretold these things. Again, you, Jews, are from the prophets and the covenant God made with the fathers. To you, FIRST, God raised up this Jesus. BELIEVE HIM!

Romans 1:16: the gospel, for it is God’s power for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and the Greek.

Believe Him, Worship Him, Praise Him!

Father, thank you for the boldness of Peter and his preaching. His words are crystal clear! Jesus is the revered Prophet foretold.

Photo courtesy of Dreamstime. Simon Lehman https://www.dreamstime.com/photogranary_info

November 15, 2021November 15, 2021

The Resurrection Proves…

Luke 24, John 20-21 Imagine being in the very presence of the risen Lord on that first resurrection day. Imagine being the first witnesses to his resurrection! The gospel writers note it was not the disciples but the women and the two on the road to Emmaus, to whom He revealed Himself.

The women came to anoint the body of Jesus and were blessed to find two angelic figures who asked them, why are you sad; He is not here; He has risen just as he said. Then two men on the road to Emmaus, one of whom was Cleopas, were given the very presence of the risen Christ. All were asked this question: Have you forgotten His words? Like the women and the two men, we are slow of heart to believe. When they realized that they were in the presence of the risen Christ, the women rejoiced and the two said did not our hearts burn within us?

Jesus is the very God of the very God. As Paul reminded the Athenians, he is not a deity like gold or silver, an image made by human skill or imagination [Acts 17:24-29]. He said, and He did have the power to lay down his life and raise it again. The women and the two Emmaus walkers excitedly returned to tell the good news—HE HAS RISEN JUST AS HE SAID!

Are you sad or rejoicing? Is your heart burning with the announcement of His resurrection?

November 4, 2020

“Do You Believe This?”

John 11 God’s glory revealed through His divine Son, Jesus Christ, is one of John’s strongest arguments as he presents the gospel message. Fast forward to our present-day; it begins when we come face to face with the very radiance of God as we read His Word. Jesus is revealed as –”the glory of the one and only, full of grace and truth, who came from the Father.” [Jn 1:14] When we realize the truth of that statement, the light begins to dawn in our understanding. Jesus is the Son of God, and He came and did His works that God may be glorified.

How often do we, like Martha and Mary, ask: Where were you, Lord? Why did you not come? Why is this happening? Some he answers, but many questions he leaves unanswered so that we might look and see his glory in the miracles he performs. He alone is the Resurrection and the Life, and “The one who believes in [Him] will live even if he dies, and the one who lives and believes in [Him] will never die.” [Jn 11:25] What assurance this is! What eternal security that is! Thus, we are to be not standing at the tomb wailing but seeking and yearning for his return: Seek the Lord and the strength he gives! Seek his presence continually! [1Ch 16:11]

Jesus asked this question: Do you believe “this?” He asks us that same question. Where are you? Standing at the tomb or busy about His business as you wait for His return?