Mrs. B is now with Christ

Ann Bartsch was born in 1947 in Dallas, Texas.  She died in Rimrock, Arizona, on September 27, 2019.

Young Ann was a compliant daughter, an attentive church member, and an excellent student. She tried hard to be good, but was unable to stop doing and saying wrong things.  She knew her lying and harshness deserved God’s judgment forever in hell, but all efforts to improve herself failed.

When she met Jesus at age 27, her life was dramatically changed. She learned that Jesus’ death completely atoned for all her sins.  His resurrection meant she too could “walk in newness of life.” Released from guilt and reconciled to God, Ann now loved to talk with Him, feed herself with the Bible, and tell other people how they too could be rescued simply by turning from their sin and trusting in Jesus alone as the source of their acceptability before God.

Ann was burdened by physical suffering for over half her life.  But she ministered to people around the world via Internet. Now freed from her frail body, she can undistractedly enjoy and serve the One whom she loves.

 She was preceded in death by both of her parents. She leaves behind her sister Linda and brother John; her husband of 43 years, Ward; her sons Brent (Catherine) and Daniel; four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren, and many “adopted” sons and daughters around the world.

To read a more detailed biography, click here.

 To share memories, click here.

 Memorial services will be held at Cottonwood Bible Church on October 19, at 3:00 PM.

 In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to HeartCry Missionary Society.

Seed : prayer, planting and harvest

I'm concerned that the lack of evidence of powerful prayer in the church is related to the lack of spiritual hunger and thirst for the written word of God.

Paul wrote these instructions to his elder and church planter Timothy; 

2 Timothy 3:14-17 ESV; But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. "

When tempted by Satan ( in the wilderness after a 40 day fast ) to use His divine power to feed Himself, Jesus instead quoted :

Matthew 4:4 (NASB) 4 But He answered and said, "It is written, 'MAN SHALL NOT LIVE ON BREAD ALONE, BUT ON EVERY WORD THAT PROCEEDS OUT OF THE MOUTH OF GOD.'"

Jesus is the Living Word come down from heaven. 

Here are some things Jesus said about the Word:

John 17:3, 6, 8, 14, 17, 20-21 And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. “I have manifested your name to the people whom you gave me out of the world. Yours they were, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. For I have given them the words that you gave me, and they have received them and have come to know in truth that I came from you; and they have believed that you sent me. I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. “I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. ESV 

The response of someone who has been regenerated ( born from above ) is they are "set apart" from the world. The person becomes relational with God. There is no eternal life unless a person knows God in the way Jesus describes. Truth is found in the Word of God. 

Luke 8:11 (ESV) 11 Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God.

Matthew 13:24 (ESV) 24 He put another parable before them, saying, "The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field,

Matthew 28:18-20 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” 

How can anyone obey this command and NOT use the full counsel of the Word of God?

The apostle Paul wrote :

1 Corinthians 3:6 (ESV) 6 I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth.

Paul also wrote :

Colossians 4:2-4 Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison— that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak. "

Notice that Paul did not ask for the anointing of the Holy Spirit or something like that so he could perform signs and wonders. God did bless Paul and signs and wonders got the attention of the people. But Paul asked something else here. 

Many of the readers of my blog are familiar with the "armor of God" passage from Ephesians 6. 

Have you noticed what is the "sword of the Spirit"? Is it some kind of mystical direction gained from "listening prayer"? 

Let the Word speak for itself:

Ephesians 6:10-20 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak. " 

Again Paul speaks of the need for the word of God as the primary means of spreading the gospel.

Notice that the purpose of putting on the armor of God is to make possible the furtherance of the gospel by speaking boldly and accurately the Word of God. 

Nothing is mentioned about diseases or lack of finances - the battle seems to be against the demonic powers that try to put a gag order over the proclamation from the Word of God.

The Bible has been corrupted; too many translations: irrelevant for all or any cultures. You can think of others.

Do you believe illiteracy is caused by poverty ? No my friend. 

Some last thoughts :

Recorded in the synoptic gospels :

Matthew 24:35 (ESV) 35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.

Mark 13:31 (ESV) 31 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.

Luke 21:33 (ESV) 33 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.

So what should we do with the "seed" of the Word of God? And "prayer "? 

Why not start like I did this year and repent for neglecting the word of God and asking God to prepare my heart for the engrafted Word?

Then purpose to plant the word by praying word saturated prayers and sharing the gospel using the word of God.

Two photos: 

One is the shadow of my wheelchair and between the spokes lying on the driveway is a small seed.

The other photo is a shrub called the desert bird of paradise that grew out of a seed like that on the driveway.

I had to plant and water and study carefully where and when to plant the seed to get it to grow.

The seed on the driveway is never going to produce a plant .

Like many who claim to be followers of Jesus Christ , there will be no evidence that they truly loved the word of God.

War Cry

https://youtu.be/kyxZdpL-xeU

Dear Friends 

Above is a message from Pastor Matt Chandler about prayer.

In addition to the scriptures in the you tube consider this one : 

Galatians 4:19 Oh, my dear children! I feel as if I’m going through labor pains for you again, and they will continue until Christ is fully developed in your lives. NTL

For those of you who are mothers who gave birth via the birth canal ( or attempted this) , you understand "labor pains "! 

I live in the state where the legendary Apache Indians are even today living . They had a time of preparing to go to war against other tribes or foreigners who came to their areas -

The preparation included a war song .  

I'm not recommending this- but I do want to prick your conscience a little. We are in a war. The issues are not political or economic or even social.

 Here is  a link to a Paul Washer video.

https://youtu.be/GB1dB38zmGg

When is the last time you spent all night travailing in prayer ? An hour? 15 minutes ? 

When is the last time you cried with deep belly wrenching sobs over the millions who daily go to eternal punishment in a literal hell? I'm not talking about something that is worked up by emotionalism ; rather when the Holy Spirit comes upon you and you truly care about the reputation- the glory of Jesus -

 

Are YOU growing spiritually? Do you even care or know what this means? 

John 12:25 Those who love their life in this world will lose it. Those who care nothing for their life in this world will keep it for eternity. NLT 

Let down your nets ...

The gospel of Luke records in chapter 5 verses 1-11 the remarkable story of how Jesus called His first followers.

The story begins as Jesus is by the lake of Galilee early one morning teaching the crowds about God from the scriptures.

The crowds were really pushing against Jesus who noticed some fishermen on the beach washing out their nets from what had obviously been an unsuccessful night of fishing.

The two boats were in the water near the shore.

Jesus got into one of the boats whose owner was named Simon and asked Simon to row out a little into the sea where Jesus continued to teach the crowd.

After Jesus finished teaching the crowds, Jesus makes an unusual request of Simon.

Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch!

Now you and I are probably a lot like Simon. Listen to what Simon replied:

"Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at Your Word I will let down the nets."

I think perhaps Simon thought the new Rabbi should stick to explaining the Torah and religious things. Simon knew fishing and some times no matter how hard or long you work, the fish aren't going to be where the nets will capture them.

After Simon let down the nets there were so many fish that Simon had to yell for the other boat to come out and help as the net was tearing apart !! 

Seeing this miraculous catch of fish, Simon you would think might have exclaimed to his friends: Wow look at this!! Jesus, You've made my day- would you like to become one of my fishing partners ? 

But this was not the response of Simon.

Instead Simon got on his knees and said: 

Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord.

Jesus told Simon and his two partners who had come to help with the catch:

Do not be afraid, from now on you will be catching men.

When they had reached the shore with this huge catch of fish, the men left everything and followed Jesus.

Today as I was meditating on this story , I reviewed in my mind the many times I have been out fishing for men and come back with none who have done like I did 40 years ago when I too fell at the feet of Jesus and said I am a sinner ; and Jesus didn't believe that was the way I would remain and spoke the words that set my heart aflame : follow Me, Ann. I came to save sinners.

I'm continuing to let down my net. Jesus is in the boat.

Here is how I pray over the names of the people over the last ten years I have met on the social media: the words of Jesus.

John 6:44 ESV

No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him ; and I will raise him up on the last day.

Father God, it's for Your own glory that You have given to sinful man the gift of eternal life- to know You and your eternal son Jesus messiah. 

Call now the souls I see in my prayers from Algeria, Sudan, Tunisia, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, China, Gaza, Syria, Iraq and Egypt.

May the light of the knowledge of the glory of of God as seen in the face of Jesus messiah shine on these my friends! 

May they hear the good news about the God who calls, saves and sets apart those who are His.

Thank you Jesus for living a perfect life of obedience to the will of God, taking on human flesh, dying as a sin offering for my sins , resurrecting to new life and calling me to life from the dead.

My gratitude for these free Bible images to this ministry.

The Night the Power Dropped- are you Prepared?

Last night I had just sat up on the side of the bed and felt like I was going to throw up when the room went dark- no warning! And plunged into black so dark a person can't see one's hand in front of one's face!

My husband had been talking about the news that's circulating in my country that iISIS is plotting a major attack on the antiquated power grid system in my nation.

Several months ago "vandals" - never identified- disabled a major telephone feed and all communication exception being the old dial phone was dead for more than 6 hours. Even the 911 system didn't work and a person had to have the old emergency number to call assuming one had an old dial phone. We have the phone but not the number.

Everyone knows that this was some kind of terrorism that was quickly sanitized as a prank from some person . 

This was a great time to reflect as there couldn't be interruptions by phone or Internet as our internet is DSL based.

So back to last night 😊. There was a lot to think about then also.

I was thankful that Ward was with me and I had my flashlight on the bed next to me and grabbed it - also my tracfone worked and I had signed up for the emergency alert program.

Daniel was about a mile away teaching the story of the earthquake that hit Phillipi while Paul and Silas having been beaten and jailed for upsetting the profitability of a demon possessed girl - set free in the name of the Son of God, Jesus Christ- these two followers of Christ Jesus were singing praises of Jesus the savior and true God (the Word made flesh) and encouraging the other prisoners -

So I used my phone to text Daniel- power is out- how about you? His power was on - I asked for the number to call to report the outage to the power company and Daniel gave me the website for APS. My husband has the router on a battery backup so I had internet for nearly an hour. I wrote down the number and my husband goes to call and to look for more flashlights.

We learned that about 1000 homes were in the dark and a line was down and travel restrictions on one of the roads between where Daniel is and our house.

I'm very thin and my feet had been cold all day.

I'm adjusting my attitude toward "what can I glean from this experience other than I should be more like Paul and Silas?"

I remembered Daniel's Bible study of Psalm 2 last Saturday and I got excited! 

How so?

Psalm 2 is written by David 1000 years before the birth of Jesus and talks about the type of things happening in the world that we have now-

The raging of the nations against the begotten Son of the Lord .

Daniel brought in passages from the book of Acts of the apostles and the Revelation written by the apostle John at the end of his life while a prisoner of Christ Jesus by order of the Roman government banished to Patmos since no one could stop John's testimony that Jesus is the one savior from sin and the mediator between Holy God and sinful man. Not the emperor of Rome who had declared himself to be god.

The Revelation speaks of the fulfillment of Psalm 2.

In Acts 4 Peter and John are arrested for saying that the man who was healed (by faith in the name of Jesus Christ) from lameness and dancing around in the temple and Peter is saying that there's no other way to be saved (Acts 4:12)- Peter quotes from Psalm 2- 

Let's look at what is so exciting to me ! 

Here is the beauty of studying the Bible for what it is - One Message- 

Please take time to read Psalm 2, Acts 4 and Revelation 2 the church of Thyatira, verses 24-27.

Revelation 2:24-27 But to the rest of you in Thyatira, who do not hold this teaching, who have not learned what some call the deep things of Satan, to you I say, I do not lay on you any other burden. Only hold fast what you have until I come. The one who conquers and who keeps my works until the end, to him I will give authority over the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron, as when earthen pots are broken in pieces, even as I myself have received authority from my Father." 

Do you see any of the same words or phrases?  Note who is doing the speaking . Note especially about the nations and what is going to happen with the nations who refuse the rule of the begotten Son. In Acts 4, the Holy Spirit through Peter clearly identified the son of Psalm 2 as Jesus Christ.

Also in the Revelation notice chapter 19. The return of Jesus Christ is as follows :

Revelation 19:6-8, 11-16 Then I heard what seemed to be the voice of a great multitude, like the roar of many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, crying out,“Hallelujah!For the Lord our Godthe Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory,for the marriage of the Lamb has come,and his Bride has made herself ready; it was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure”—for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints. Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war. His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems, and he has a name written that no one knows but himself. He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God. And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses. From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords. "

Ok here is how I am putting this together. God the Father reveals to King David about a coming King - begotten by Gpd and called the Son , anointed One, who will rule all the nations (including the nations who think they're going to have their own way about Who is God's appointed King).

This King will receive all the nations as His inheritance from the Father. 

God warns that if a person wants receive the penalty of rejecting the rule of this new King, they will perish ( go to the lake of fire for eternal torment and punishment).

Go now to 1000 years later and Peter is speaking to the Jewish religious leaders some of whom don't believe in the resurrection of the dead. 

A great miracle had just occurred and a man who had never walked in over 40 years was cavorting around like a new born calf- and after a night in jail, Peter and John were giving testimony that the miraculous healing was from the power of the name of the Jesus that had been crucified at the insistence of the Jewish religious leaders - AND this Jesus is none other than the One unique, one of a kind Son this Jesus of Nazareth, the King of Psalm 2. 

This must have infuriated the religious leaders who noticed that the disciples were uneducated men ( not schooled in the rabbinical schools) and had "been with Jesus ". 

They ordered them to stop doing anything in the name of Jesus.

The believers heard the story after the two disciples were sternly warned to stop teaching about the King.

Instead of cowering in fear they rejoiced and prayed for greater boldness to continue speaking the Word of God.

Read the rest of the story in Acts 4 and think about the part in Revelation 2 and 19.

The believers who are alive between now and the return of King Jesus have a great work to do! Keep proclaiming this Jesus of the Bible !

In our day of "tolerance " and syncretic religious groups, it's not a popular thing to affirm what Peter said : NO OTHER NAME by which men must be saved-Acts 4:12.

Ask yourself: what Jesus do you follow ? How do you proclaim His message ? The return of Jesus will occur just like the lights going off - no warning- Revelation 19 says that the Bride of Christ is getting prepared by the righteous deeds of the saints , clothed in pure linen and ready to rule and reign with Christ.

Are we nearly at the time to see Faithful and True ride in with the armies of heaven and remove those who have arrogantly thought they are taking over the world? Will the ISIS conquer in the name of their God ? 

Or will the Son of psalm 2 - the one who is coming to Zion to rule all the nations- on his way back to judge the world? 

Warn them of the coming judgment! Be faithful until death to testify before anyone who is this Jesus you are following! 

2016 New Year's Resolutions

1 Corinthians 2:2 (NIV) 2 For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.

Greetings and may the God Who upholds all things by the word of His Power, the Lord Jesus Christ, grant you grace for each day He grants you life.

The above scripture are the words of the apostle Paul and are best understood in the context of chapter 1 and keep reading. Please take a few minutes and read to understand why Paul was determined to know nothing among the Corinthian believers but Jesus Christ and Him crucified.

I want to share about "resolve " or "determination " and the relationship between resolve , the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20), and intercessory prayer. We are all commanded to pray. All prayer along with the Word of God are the only offensive weapons mentioned in Ephesians chapter 6:10-20. 

We will look at 3 people: Moses , Jesus the eternal Son of God and Paul. We will also look at some scripture about the first century believers.

This year I encourage you to study afresh the life of these people in the Bible.

Moses , Jesus and Paul  were specially prepared to take a part in  the plan of the Father from the beginning - the plan to display the glory of God among His creation through the redemption of human insurrectionists ( terrorists) against the creator God - humans such as myself and you, my reader.

I  noticed these things in common among these three men. 

They were humbled ( Moses and Paul) or humbled themselves ( Jesus who has always been submitted to the will of the Father ); 

They suffered persecution both from the ones they were sent to help and the enemies of the cross ; 

They were focused on the reputation of God among the nations and not their own will or ways ( they submitted themselves fully to the Father even unto death);  

They were steadfast and persevered in all kinds of adversity. 

They lived separated from the world's enticements. 

They turned down fame and fortune for what Paul says is " reality " - the things not seen.  ( 2 Corinthians 4:18).

What fueled this resolve or determination? What can we learn for ourselves?

First , realize that life is not centered around ourselves. Creation exists for the glory of God . The gospel of Jesus Christ will be the theme song at the marriage feast of the Lamb.

Here are a few key scriptures that give us a glimpse into what forges the character of determination.

Jesus example :

Hebrews 12:2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God."

Notice: JOY set before Him ? Bringing honor to the Father by becoming a willing sacrifice for sinners and thereby bring many sons to glory is what Jesus kept focused on doing. 

What brings you joy ? 

Luke 9:53 But the people did not receive him, because his face was set toward Jerusalem."

Going through Samaria Jesus encounters some hateful people but Jesus was set to go to Jerusalem to first weep for those who rejected Him and then die for sinners. How about us? Are we faithful to continue proclaiming the gospel? 

Paul's example :

Philippians 1:19-26 for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance, as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account. Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith, so that in me you may have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus, because of my coming to you again."

 

How can we effectively continue to work with young converts to assure their progress and joy in the faith? 

Here are some ideas I hope to do this year : 

Purpose to ask others what they are struggling with. 

Encourage others to memorize and meditate on scripture and be available to practice the verses aloud with each other.

Encourage others to make praise in song (such as Colossians 3 describes) part of every day- this is with other believers even if only those who live in your home. If you live alone find out who wants to sing along! 

Volunteer to do something practical for a brother or sister- keep aware of what kindness you can demonstrate.

Please write me YOUR ideas on this matter.

Moses example:

Deuteronomy 9:14 Let me alone, that I may destroy them and blot out their name from under heaven. And I will make of you a nation mightier and greater than they.’ 

Please read all of chapter 9. 

Exodus 32:31-34 So Moses returned to the Lord and said, “Alas, this people has sinned a great sin. They have made for themselves gods of gold. But now, if you will forgive their sin—but if not, please blot me out of your book that you have written.” But the Lord said to Moses, “Whoever has sinned against me, I will blot out of my book. But now go, lead the people to the place about which I have spoken to you; behold, my angel shall go before you. Nevertheless, in the day when I visit, I will visit their sin upon them.” 

Please read all of chapter 32. This is just one of many accounts of Moses making intercession for the apostasy of the Jewish people. 

There seems to be worldwide confusion about Who is God and how does Jesus show us the way to God. Much intercession is needed and bible based teaching among new converts. The old man must be put to death and the new man in Christ Jesus put on.

Is there any old man still in control of your life? I know my old man often tries to boss me around.

Accountability to others is essential to show us the areas we may not know are rooted in the old sinful nature.

Let's turn to the example of first century believers and how they showed resolve and determination.

The beginning of the church happened at the time of the feast of Pentecost, 50 days after the resurrection of Jesus Christ and ten days after His going back to heaven.

We read in the Acts of the Apostles:

Acts 1:12-14 Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day's journey away. And when they had entered, they went up to the upper room, where they were staying, Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot and Judas the son of James. All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers. " 

The expression "with one accord " is very meaningful: from a concordance the Greek word means :

1. with one mind, with one accord, with one passion

   A unique Greek word, used 10 of its 12 New Testament occurrences in the Book of Acts, helps us understand the uniqueness of the Christian community. Homothumadon is a compound of two words meaning to "rush along" and "in unison". The image is almost musical; a number of notes are sounded which, while different, harmonize in pitch and tone. As the instruments of a great concert under the direction of a concert master, so the Holy Spirit blends together the lives of members of Christ's church.

Here are some other ways we see the early church, their prayer life and the effect on the spread of the gospel: 

Acts 2:42-47 tells the story of the early converts from many different places who were in Jerusalem for the celebration of Pentecost. We can learn much from the joy and self sacrifice of these people. They were studying the teachings of the apostles and praying together. Some may have settled to live in Jerusalem but perhaps many returned to their own country.

Another time the Apostle James was arrested and beheaded and since this pleased the people, Peter was also imprisoned and was to be executed the next day. We read about an incredible prayer meeting in Acts 12. 

Please take time to read the Acts of the apostles and write down ideas you have about how to be a bold witness and how to pray for others who are wiling to suffer persecution.

Applications 

What are some things you need to resolve this year ? 

What things are getting in the way of you fulfilling the plan of God to use you to fulfill the great commission? (Matthew 28:18-30)?

What is your plan to grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ?(2Peter3:18).

 To be both discipled and to help disciple others? 

Are you in need of accountability to another person in order to stay on course   ?

Do you have a prayer partner ? 

Have you lost your first love for Jesus? 

I'd love to hear from you. I'm a fellow pilgrim on my way to the celestial city.

New Wine , Old Wineskins

The first death occurs when God provides animal skins to cover the shame and guilt of the humans who were now under the curse of God.

Justice is swift and sure from God. Adam and Eve weren't allowed to plea bargain for a lesser sentence. 

But was this the FIRST death?

The innocent animals in place of Adam and Eve?

Didn't God say to Adam : in the day you eat of the forbidden fruit, you will surely die?

Yes . But they don't die physically for many years.

So the first death was the spiritual death of Adam and Eve. 

Because they trusted in  their own reasoning instead of the words of God, they died spiritually and lost communion with the Lord.

The only way that Adam and Eve escaped physical death on the day they ate the fruit was because of what God did on their behalf.

God is always the initiator in a rescue mission. 

Neither Adam or Eve called out to God during any part of their sin. They didn't say sorry or ask for pardon.

They shifted the blame to God , one another, or the serpent.

They refused to admit that they disobeyed God by misusing the freedom of choice given by God.

They should have been grateful for life and happy in their freedom, but freedom to choose does not bring happiness when bad choices are made.

Satan offers a counterfeit freedom that promises a person the freedom to define and live by their own rules.

God however says freedom is the power to do as God determines; not to do as we wish.

All people are worshipers- 

False worship occurs when a person's self is a god;  the true God is worshipped 

, but in a false way;  or worship of gods other than the God revealed in the Word of God.

The inerrant Holy Bible reveals truth concerning man's sin, God's holiness, and the justice and mercy that comes from grace alone.

The blood of animals only covered the sin, the blood of an innocent animal had no power to open the way back to the tree of life. Death remained.

No amount of self effort, including good deeds , religious rituals such as prayers, alms giving to needy people, or fasting can cancel the certificate of death that has been issued to each person born since Adam.

But God- ----

Remember the promise made to Eve? From her seed would be born One Who could legally cancel the death sentence and give new life - undo the works of satan - but the way seems incredibly radical.

Our own attempt to earn our freedom from the chains of sin only strengthens the chains- pride insists that we can better ourselves.

Angels can't rescue us- without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sin.

Hebrews 9:22 (NASB) 22 And according to the Law, one may almost say, all things are cleansed with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.

This leaves only one way-

God the just must also become the justifier!

The one thing that God could not put on display before Adam sinned was the mercy and grace of God.

All of the attributes of God have existed eternally- mercy didn't come into existence after man disobeyed the Holy God.

God doesn't need to give Himself mercy ; God chose to show mercy to the humans He selected from before creation.

God Himself  would exact justice for man's sin from the seed of the woman.

That child is the one called Jesus of Nazareth; begotten of God, not created or born of the will and sexual Union of a man and woman; the Holy One of God left the perfection of heaven, wrapped Himself in human flesh, born of a daughter of Eve yet with no sexual Union with a man or with God.

Jesus is the God/Man, the only person born of a woman who had not become pregnant by the seed of a man.

A virgin.

Thus Jesus was born free from the sin nature transferred through Adam.

So Who is Jesus? One day every tongue will confess Jesus is the eternal Son of God, the redeemer, the sin bearer for all who repent and place their trust in Jesus alone for their rescue from eternal death and punishment in hell fire.

What makes Jesus able to forgive sins and resurrect the dead? Isn't Jesus just another prophet sent from God?

No.

Jesus lived a perfect life as a man. No prophet ever said that about themselves.

What do I mean "perfect "? 

The Jewish laws reflect the character of God- what God is like. For example Moses wrote the commands of God and one commandment says don't tell lies. Why not? 

Because God cannot lie.

So Jesus never told a lie. That's more than I can say, how about you? 

The perfection God demands includes more than a list of "do this" and "don't do that ".

God demands that we do nothing but what we see the Father doing - no self will , no seeking identity or dignity from others or the things we can accomplish.

Jesus said, " I and the Father are One". 

That's perfection; willing submission to the will of God.

Can't all religions make it possible for people to submit to the will of God?

No, remember death is separation from communion with God. 

A person must first be brought back to life before the person can be restored to relationship with God.

Who can give life but God alone? And even if a person's good deeds could cancel out the bad deeds , would that deliver from the power of sin ? 

Jesus did more than take the penalty for sinners.

Jesus sets us free from the power of sin.

Jesus transfers us to a new kingdom of holiness . 

We are delivered from the kingdom of satan, the kingdom of darkness.

The prophets had written that one day God would enact a new covenant in which the law of God would be written on hearts of flesh and not stone tablets.

Every person with this new heart would know God. 

For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the LORD: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they shall be my people. - Jeremiah 31:33

And no longer shall each one teach his neighbor and each his brother, saying, 'Know the LORD,' for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, declares the LORD. For I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more." - Jeremiah 31:34

So how do you get a new heart ?

You must repent of your sins, trust Jesus alone for forgiveness and a new heart.

Jesus explains in John chapter 3 this is a new birth from above . 

We receive a new identity and are called children of God. The perfection of Christ becomes our identity. Because the Father is well pleased with the Son, all who have become children of God are acceptable in the Beloved.

 

Jesus told about why a person can't just add Jesus to their old life.

Here's the way Jesus told the story. Everyone in the first century understood the meaning.

Matthew 9:17 (ESV) 17 Neither is new wine put into old wineskins. If it is, the skins burst and the wine is spilled and the skins are destroyed. But new wine is put into fresh wineskins, and so both are preserved."

Here is the message Jesus came to bring.

1.God is Holy and perfect in morality.

2. All humans fall short of the perfection that God requires to be in His presence.

3. Jesus is the eternal Son of God, one in essence with the Father and the Holy Spirit. If you get stuck trying to understand how God is One essence yet three persons please don't stop here.

Jesus is the One born from a woman, lived as a man who was tempted to rebel against the will of God, yet always obeyed the Father.

Jesus lived the perfect life we can't.

Jesus died as a perfect and a willing sacrifice in place of sinful man.

God put on Jesus His wrath against sinners. Because Jesus had no sin of His own Jesus was resurrected from the dead.

Several times before His death Jesus told the disciples and others that He was to die and on the third day rise from the dead.

Here is one place.

John 10:14 (ESV) 14 I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me,

John 10:15 (ESV) 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep.

John 10:16 (ESV) 16 And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd.

John 10:17 (ESV) 17 For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again.

John 10:18 (ESV) 18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father."

4. Responding to the above message.  Jesus is either a lunatic and all of the apostles and the other eyewitnesses of His resurrection were even worse lunatics because with the exception of John all the other apostles and Paul  were put to death for spreading the news we call the gospel.

Or Jesus is the person foretold in Genesis 3:15 and then throughout the remainder of the Old Testament.

Read the four gospels. Ask God to open your eyes and trust that God wants to save sinners.

Here is what Jesus said sinners (including you and me) need to do:

Mark 1:14-15 Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.” 

Contact me with your questions about anything you don't understand.

Why did God call my name? 

To restore me to communion with Himself and to begin the process of once again imaging His glory.

Many years later I read the answer to how God brings the lost sinner back to Himself. 

God continues to call lost sinners. 

Maybe He is calling you? 

John 10:27-30 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand. I and the Father are one.”