The Resurrection

Luke 24:5-9 5 and as the women were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, "Why do you seek the living One among the dead? 6 "He is not here, but He has risen. Remember how He spoke to you while He was still in Galilee, 7 saying that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again." 8 And they remembered His words, 9 and returned from the tomb and reported all these things to the eleven and to all the rest.10 Now they were Mary Magdalene and Joanna and Mary the mother of James; also the other women with them were telling these things to the apostles.

1. Don’t seek Christ where dead things are at choose to seek Him where life is! Look at the life all around you go see Him. He is all around you.

Just as the angels reminded the women that He said these things about His death and resurrection I am telling you to remember His words remember His death and resurrection this year celebrate it because it gives new life, hope, faith, love, comfort, conviction, support, growth, purpose, you to be you, and to prosper in abundance in the abundant life God has for you. That is worth celebrating and should be celebrated this whole week because that is what Jesus did for you and so much more! Easter is about His death and His resurrection it’s about you and I dying to self and being resurrected into new life. Easter is about sharing your story that Jesus has written. Speak and share through word and deed all the things God has done for you especially the new ones. Easter is a time to evangelize the good news that Christians share because it is life changing go and be the candle where you are at go tell others just like the women did. Luke 24:8-10 “ 8 And they remembered His words, 9 and returned from the tomb and reported all these things to the eleven and to all the rest. 10 Now they were Mary Magdalene and Joanna and Mary the mother of James; also the other women with them were telling these things to the apostles.”

12 But Peter got up and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen wrappings only; and he went away to his home, marveling at what had happened.

2. Stoop and look into the grave of your heart and I dare you to marvel at what Christ has done in your life.

The word marveling here in the Greek means “to wonder, wonder at, marvel
to be wondered at, to be had in admiration” and happened means “to become, i.e. to come into existence, begin to be, receive being to become, i.e. to come to pass, happen of events to arise, appear in history, come upon the stage of men appearing in public to be made, finished of miracles, to be performed, wrought to become, be made.” Be in the wonder the admiration God has done for you receive them let them appear in the history of your life by re-telling them again and again. Tell of the Resurrection that Christ has done for you and in you.

 28 And they approached the village where they were going, and He acted as though He were going farther. 29 But they urged Him, saying, "Stay with us, for it is getting toward evening, and the day is now nearly over." So He went in to stay with them.

 3. As you reach your destination Jesus may act like He is moving on to the next journey, but in reality, He wants you to urge Him to stay.

 Jesus left the choice up to them to let Him continue on or to urge Him to stay with them. If you have an urgency for Jesus to stay and lodge with you because the day’s journey is ended He will, but you need that urgency. Easter reminds us that Jesus still gives us a choice to ask Him to stay with us or let Him continue on His journey. The choice is yours, but He gives you a choice to urge Him to stay.

If you feel that urge today that you want Him to come into your heart and you know He has not yet or you have walked away from Him. Today is the day for you to make a new choice. If you want Jesus to come into your life today say this simple prayer: “Jesus, I ask you to come into my life I repent of my sins. I am yours and you are mine today I urge you to come in and I know you are with me now and forevermore in Jesus name we pray amen! If you said that prayer welcome I am so glad you made this decision! Go to church this Sunday, pick up the Bible read it, get connected with other Christians, and marvel at what God will do. Be blessed and Godspeed! ~ Robbie

The Biblical Meaning of the Number 16

God is the Creator of all things, and everything He creates has significance's, purpose, and meaning. As you read through the Bible, you see that numbers are made known and highlighted by its writers that the Holy Spirit has put an emphasis's on the meaning of numbers such as the number seven meaning “completion and perfection” or the number eight signifying “new beginnings”. I believe that Christians should study biblical numerology because I believe that when you consider them, a Christian will grow more in the knowledge, wisdom, and stature of Christ. Christians will discover more revelation of the Father’s love for them as they participate in the study of biblical numerology. Having an understanding of biblical numerology will help Christians understand certain passages in the Bible. Since taking this journey of exploring the biblical meaning of numbers I have discovered that their meaning has helped me understand what God is saying in the Scriptures at times and what is happening in my life. I have written this post to help you understand the importance’s that God puts on numbers and how they can benefit you as a Christ-follower. I have chosen the number 16 to write about because the year is 2016 and its meaning fascinates me! Its purpose brings an understanding of the breadth, length, height, and depth of Christ’s love for you and I (Ephesians 3:18-19).

From my research and study, I have concluded that the number 16 associates itself throughout the Bible with love, covenant, and marriage. Through this blog I will explain where my support comes from, the Hebrews write out the number 16 with the Hebrew letters Yod-Yav when these letters are written out they signify “the hand (outworking) of the nail, which joins the hearts of two people as one” (Jones, p.10).

If you look at I Corinthians 13:4-8 Apostle Paul lead by the Holy Spirit lists 16 attributes of love. I Corinthians 13:4-8 NLT “4 Love is patient (1) and kind (2). Love is not jealous (3) or boastful (4) or proud (5) 5 or rude (6). It does not demand its own way (7). It is not irritable (8), and it keeps no record of being wronged (9). 6 It does not rejoice about injustice (10) but rejoices whenever the truth wins out (11). 7 Love never gives up (12), never loses faith (13), is always hopeful (14), and endures through every circumstance (15). 8 Prophecy and speaking in unknown languages and special knowledge will become useless. But love will last forever (16)! Amazing!

In Exodus 26:25 NLT “25 So there will be eight frames at the rear of the Tabernacle, set in sixteen silver bases two bases under each frame.” What do eight frames at the rear of the Tabernacle set in sixteen silver bases under each frame have in common with love? Great question let's find out! This instruction was given to Moses by God specifically for how the Tabernacle is to be built. The Tabernacle became the place for where God's presence dwelt amongst His people, but it also became the place where God could have communion with His people to display His love for them, and in return, the Israelites would go to the Tabernacle to display their love for Him! The Tabernacle also represents the Covenant that God has made with Israel.

The sockets held the boards in place and gave the tabernacle stability, but today God indwells in us we are His temple or tabernacle. Paul alludes to this in Eph. 3:17-19 (Jones, p.12). Ephesians 3:17-19 NLT “17 Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong (these are the sixteen silver bases). 18 And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. 19 May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.” Now the Covenant is no longer in the Tabernacle as a building, but now the Covenant resides in each person’s heart who chooses to believe in Christ.

Another scripture that points to 16 as the number of love, covenant, and marriage is in Genesis 7:7-9 NLT “7 He went on board the boat to escape the flood he and his wife and his sons and their wives. 8 With them were all the various kinds of animals those approved for eating and for sacrifice and those that were not along with all the birds and the small animals that scurry along the ground. 9 They entered the boat in pairs, male and female, just as God had commanded Noah.” This passage reveals the 16th time Noah’s name is mentioned in Genesis (Jones, p.12). With the 16th mention of Noah’s name, it comes with the declaration of God’s plan for reproduction through a husband and wife and between male and female creatures. (Genesis 1:28). “Does this not speak of love and marriage? Even all the animals went in by twos, male and female” (Jones, p.12, 2008).    
If you look closely and count the number of times the Greek word “agape” (divine love) is used throughout the Gospel of John, it adds ups to sixteen times (John, p.12, 2008).

Also, again in I John the 16th time that word “love” is used is in I John 4:18 (The Bible Study Site, p.3, n.d.). I John 4:18 NLT “18 Such love (16th time) has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love.” This passage is important because the Apostle John is telling us that “agape” love has no fear agape love expels all fear from a Christian. Christian, you are no longer a slave to fear you are a child of God! You are a Son or Daughter of the King and if you allow His love to equip your spirit, soul, and body and if you put on His love each day by being strong and courageous then His perfect love will expel all fear from you! Why? Because you now know the authority, and power that His love possesses over fear!

These are just some of the examples I have chosen to display my support for the number 16 as the number of love, covenant, and marriage there are much more throughout the Bible, but I hope that this study has been helpful to you. I hope that it makes you come to realize that numbers are influential throughout the Scriptures, and you will benefit from examining their meanings because biblical numerology is part of the key to receiving and understanding a deeper revelation of God’s Word.

I challenge you this year to have faith that God’s love and the love of human companionship either through your family, friends, fellowship with other believers, or marriage will come upon you and lead you to a more profound love of Christ and also a deeper love for yourself. I will leave you with two things: 1. Jesus loves you and is always ready and willing to give you His love. 2. A statement from Jesus “37 Jesus replied, You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments” (Matthew 22:37-40 NLT). Check out the link I have posted at the end of this blog. The link will lead you to a song by Bethel Music called No Longer Slaves enjoy :)!

If you have never accepted Christ into your life as your Lord and Savior, and you would like to do so just say Lord Jesus come into my heart, I believe You died for my sins. I believe that God raised You from the dead on the third day I am Yours, and You are mine forevermore in Jesus name we pray amen! What now? Pick up a Bible starting reading the Gospel of John, find a church that teaches God's Word, grow in Christ, and begin to Serve Him!  

References

Jones, S. E. (2008). The Biblical Meaning of Numbers from One to Forty. Retrieved from http://www.newhorizonscomchurch.net/uploads/2/3/1/9/23197588/meaning_of_numbers.pdf

The Bible Study Site. (n.d.). Meaning of the Number 16 in the Bible. Retrieved from http://www.biblestudy.org/bibleref/meaning-of-numbers-in-bible/16.html

What is a History Maker?

We see people making history every day through making new records in the Guinness World Records Book, sports either professional or collegiate, or by people making a lasting impact on the world by doing something historic. These historical records are written down and passed on to each generation to let them know that a specific person has made a historical difference in society for either better or worse. We as a society marvel at how these people do it, and we wonder if we ever can be a history maker like them.

As Christians, we read the stories from The Bible, and as we read these stories, we see that we identify these ordinary people in the scriptures as heroes and villains that have created history, which leads me to ask the question, “What is A History Maker?” Even though the word phrase “History Maker” does not show up in the scriptures directly, you can see that the stories reveal that these ordinary people are History Makers! Their history has created a lasting influence on this earth. That is what A History Maker does, is it not? He or she creates a history that brings a lasting impact in their sphere of influence.

The word “history” has many definitions, but there are two that stand out to me: “1. A chronological record of events, as of the life or development of a people or institution. 2. Often including an explanation of or commentary on those events acts, ideas, or events that will or can shape the course of the future” (The Free Dictionary). Stop and think about this definition! These two definitions are telling us that history consists of events that happen to people like us and tells us the explanation that through the actions we do in our lives, a course of the world’s future is taking shape. History Makers look at life differently; they choose to wonder how the actions they participate in and think of shape the future of themselves and the world.  The word “maker” also has many definitions, but I would like to expand on these two: “1. One that creates, founds, or originates a person or business that makes or builds something. 2. One that makes or manufactures” (The Free Dictionary). Let’s stop and think about this definition! Makers are people who create, found, or originate something that they have thought of; once it is found the maker builds it and manufactures it into existence. Each of us does this with the thoughts that come into our mind. We receive those thoughts then we decide to build upon those thoughts, putting them into action.

This leads me to let you know that everybody is “A History Maker”, but not everyone recognizes that they are one! The difference between those who recognize themselves as “History Makers” and the ones that do not is a simple truth that I believe that every influential person you are thinking of has, whether Christian or a non-Christian. What is this attribute? The attribute is “significance.” Why do I say significance? I say significance because that person realizes that his or her words, actions, ideas, and influence are meaningful to the world! Significance means “having or likely to have a major effect; important" (The Free Dictionary). You have to believe that you are significant and that you have a purpose. Where does significance and purpose come from? They come from God! We as Christians find our significance and purpose in God, but non-Christians choose to find their significance and purpose in the world by the works they do. As a Christian, for you to have the most impact and imprint on this earth for Jesus Christ, you must come to believe and have faith that you are a son or a daughter to your Father in Heaven. You must build faith in knowing that your Father loves you, and you are loved by Him! It is who you are! Have faith that you are a king or a queen with Christ because you are a co-heir with Him in this life and the life to come.

What does being loved by Him, seeing Him as Dad, and knowing you are a co-heir with Him have in common? Significance! Think about it if you believe and have faith in the significance of being a child of God and a co-heir with Christ, nothing is impossible for you because you recognize that your life does carry influential power. Remember the history you are making does shape future events not only towards you, but also in this world.

  This is what “History Makers” are: they make a difference in this world and know that their actions will produce a historical mark in the timeline of the earth. I encourage you to pause and then think of how your words, ideas, and actions are being used to bring influential transformation to the sphere of influence that you hold. Remember, you are a History Maker, you have significance, you have a purpose, you are loved, and your life is indispensable because there is nobody else on this planet that can make the history that you can make upon this earth. “Time is ticking. What history are you making?”

Godspeed ~ Robbie