Text: Isaiah 41:10-13 (KJV) 10Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. 11Behold, all they that were incensed against thee shall be ashamed and confounded: they shall be as nothing; and they that strive with thee shall perish. 12Thou shalt seek them, and shalt not find them, even them that contended with thee: they that war against thee shall be as nothing, and as a thing of nought. 13For I the LORD thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee.
Isaiah 41:10-13 (AMP) 10Fear not [there is nothing to fear], for I am with you; do not look around you in terror and be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen and harden you to difficulties, yes, I will help you; yes, I will hold you up and retain you with My [victorious] right hand of rightness and justice. 11Behold, all they who are enraged and inflamed against you shall be put to shame and confounded; they who strive against you shall be as nothing and shall perish. 12You shall seek those who contend with you but shall not find them; they who war against you shall be as nothing, as nothing at all. 13For I the Lord your God hold your right hand; I am the Lord, Who says to you, Fear not; I will help you!
Introduction: Many things will discourage you in this life. When you see the world growing in power and wickedness, it will discourage you. When it seems that nothing is the same as before, it has the potential to discourage you. You would think that because of the wickedness of the world the church would fight harder than ever before. However, Jesus declared in Matthew 24:12, (KJV) “12And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.” God wants us to be an encouraged people!
Some people tend to think that I am always encouraged. However, since I know me better than anyone else does, I know that I am not always encouraged. However, I do want to be so full of joy that when I am around the people of God, they will be encouraged. There are some truths in the Word of God that I want to give you. These truths will help us in these days of discouragement, dismay, despair, and disorientation so we can stay encouraged. I have determined that there are three things that will get us through the trials and discouragements of life.
I. It is still the Blood that works.
A. Revelation 12:11 reads, (KJV) “11And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.” (AMP) “11And they have overcome (conquered) him by means of the blood of the Lamb and by the utterance of their testimony, for they did not love and cling to life even when faced with death [holding their lives cheap till they had to die for their witnessing].”
B. Hebrews 12:22-24 says, (KJV) “22But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, 23To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, 24And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.” (AMP) “22But rather, you have come to Mount Zion, even to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to countless multitudes of angels in festal gathering, 23And to the church (assembly) of the Firstborn who are registered [as citizens] in heaven, and to the God Who is Judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous (the redeemed in heaven) who have been made perfect, 24And to Jesus, the Mediator (Go-between, Agent) of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood which speaks [of mercy], a better and nobler and more gracious message than the blood of Abel [which cried out for vengeance].”
1. The Blood of our Savior, Jesus Christ, did not disappear at the foot of the cross.
2. It is eternal.
C. Ephesians 1:7 declares, (KJV) “7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace.” (AMP) “7In Him we have redemption (deliverance and salvation) through His blood, the remission (forgiveness) of our offenses (shortcomings and trespasses), in accordance with the riches and the generosity of His gracious favor.”
1. The Blood provides our redemption.
2. The Blood is the full payment for our sin.
a. Hebrews 9:8-15 declares, (KJV) “8The Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing: 9Which was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience; 10Which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation. 11But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building; 12Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. 13For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: 14How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? 15And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.” (AMP) “8By this the Holy Spirit points out that the way into the [true Holy of] Holies is not yet thrown open as long as the former [the outer portion of the] tabernacle remains a recognized institution and is still standing, 9Seeing that that first [outer portion of the] tabernacle was a parable (a visible symbol or type or picture of the present age). In it gifts and sacrifices are offered, and yet are incapable of perfecting the conscience or of cleansing and renewing the inner man of the worshiper. 10For [the ceremonies] deal only with clean and unclean meats and drinks and different washings, [mere] external rules and regulations for the body imposed to tide the worshipers over until the time of setting things straight [of reformation, of the complete new order when Christ, the Messiah, shall establish the reality of what these things foreshadow--a better covenant]. 11But [that appointed time came] when Christ (the Messiah) appeared as a High Priest of the better things that have come and are to come. [Then] through the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with [human] hands, that is, not a part of this material creation, 12He went once for all into the [Holy of] Holies [of heaven], not by virtue of the blood of goats and calves [by which to make reconciliation between God and man], but His own blood, having found and secured a complete redemption (an everlasting release for us). 13For if [the mere] sprinkling of unholy and defiled persons with blood of goats and bulls and with the ashes of a burnt heifer is sufficient for the purification of the body, 14How much more surely shall the blood of Christ, Who by virtue of [His] eternal Spirit [His own preexistent divine personality] has offered Himself as an unblemished sacrifice to God, purify our consciences from dead works and lifeless observances to serve the [ever] living God? 15[Christ, the Messiah] is therefore the Negotiator and Mediator of an [entirely] new agreement (testament, covenant), so that those who are called and offered it may receive the fulfillment of the promised everlasting inheritance--since a death has taken place which rescues and delivers and redeems them from the transgressions committed under the [old] first agreement.”
b. 1st Peter 1:18, 19 reads, (KJV) “18Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; 19But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.” (AMP) “18You must know (recognize) that you were redeemed (ransomed) from the useless (fruitless) way of living inherited by tradition from [your] forefathers, not with corruptible things [such as] silver and gold, 19But [you were purchased] with the precious blood of Christ (the Messiah), like that of a [sacrificial] lamb without blemish or spot.”
D. The Blood of Jesus precedes our righteousness.
1. 2nd Corinthians 5:21 reads, (KJV) “21For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” (AMP) “21For our sake He made Christ [virtually] to be sin who knew no sin, so that in and through Him we might become [endued with, viewed as being in, and examples of] the righteousness of God [what we ought to be, approved and acceptable and in right relationship with Him, by His goodness].”
2. It makes me so fully paid up that as far as God is concerned, I am as if I had never sinned! When we trust in Christ, we make an exchange—our sin for his righteousness. Our sin was poured into Christ at his crucifixion. His righteousness is poured into us at our conversion. This is what Christians mean by Christ’s atonement for sin. In the world, bartering works only when two people exchange goods of relatively equal value. However, God offers to trade his righteousness for our sin—something of immeasurable worth for something completely worthless. How encouraging this can be for all of humanity.
E. The Blood of Jesus provides our relationship.
1. Hebrews 11:4 says, (KJV) “4By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.” (AMP) “4[Prompted, actuated] by faith Abel brought God a better and more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, because of which it was testified of him that he was righteous [that he was upright and in right standing with God], and God bore witness by accepting and acknowledging his gifts. And though he died, yet [through the incident] he is still speaking.”
2. By the blood of the ONLY begotten Son, a sinner gets free adoption into God’s family!
3. Hebrews 9:22 (NASB)
4. Why does forgiveness require the shedding of blood?
5. This is no arbitrary decree on the part of a bloodthirsty God, as some have suggested. 6. There is no greater symbol of life than blood; blood keeps us alive.
6. Jesus shed his blood—gave his life—for our sins so that we would not have to experience spiritual death, eternal separation from God.
7. Jesus is the source of life, not death.
8. He gave his own life to pay our penalty for us so that we might live.
9. After shedding his blood for us, Christ rose from the grave and proclaimed victory over sin and death.
10. There is great encouragement inn that.
F. The Blood praises our Redeemer.
1. Revelation 5:9 declares, (KJV) “9And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation.” (AMP) “9And [now] they sing a new song, saying, You are worthy to take the scroll and to break the seals that are on it, for You were slain (sacrificed), and with Your blood You purchased men unto God from every tribe and language and people and nation.”
2. The blood is not something sad, and morbid, but full of LIFE, and produces PRAISE in God’s people, at just the very thought of it!
G. The Blood of Jesus promises our restoration.
1. 1st John 1:7 reads, (KJV) “7But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.” (AMP) “7But if we [really] are living and walking in the Light, as He [Himself] is in the Light, we have [true, unbroken] fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses (removes) us from all sin and guilt [keeps us cleansed from sin in all its forms and manifestations].”
2. 1st John 2:1, 2 states, (KJV) “1My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: 2And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.” (AMP) “1MY LITTLE children, I write you these things so that you may not violate God’s law and sin. But if anyone should sin, we have an Advocate (One Who will intercede for us) with the Father--[it is] Jesus Christ [the all] righteous [upright, just, Who conforms to the Father’s will in every purpose, thought, and action]. 2And He [that same Jesus Himself] is the propitiation (the atoning sacrifice) for our sins, and not for ours alone but also for [the sins of] the whole world.”
3. 1st John 4:9, 10 says, (KJV) “9In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. 10Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.” (AMP) “9In this the love of God was made manifest (displayed) where we are concerned: in that God sent His Son, the only begotten or unique [Son], into the world so that we might live through Him. 10In this is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation (the atoning sacrifice) for our sins.”
4. Romans 3:23-25 says, (KJV) “23For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; 24Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: 25Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God.” (AMP) “23Since all have sinned and are falling short of the honor and glory which God bestows and receives. 24[All] are justified and made upright and in right standing with God, freely and gratuitously by His grace (His unmerited favor and mercy), through the redemption which is [provided] in Christ Jesus, 25Whom God put forward [before the eyes of all] as a mercy seat and propitiation by His blood [the cleansing and life-giving sacrifice of atonement and reconciliation, to be received] through faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in His divine forbearance He had passed over and ignored former sins without punishment.”
5. Because of the Blood of Jesus, no matter how far I go down, or how far away I get, I have a way back!
II. It is still the Bible.
A. The Word produces our salvation.
1. 1st Peter 1:22, 23 reads, (KJV) “22Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently: 23Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. (AMP) “22Since by your obedience to the Truth through the [Holy] Spirit you have purified your hearts for the sincere affection of the brethren, [see that you] love one another fervently from a pure heart. 23You have been regenerated (born again), not from a mortal origin (seed), but from one that is immortal by the ever living and lasting Word of God.”
a. Nobody is saved by an ooey, gooey feeling.
b. Nor is anybody saved by a church, or a prayer, or a good work.
c. A sinner is saved by simple, yet confident faith in the WORDS of Almighty God as written in the Bible!
d. Without the Bible, NO ONE is saved!
` e. The seed of eternal life is found in THIS BOOK!
B. The Word of God proves our relationship.
1. 1st Corinthians 2:9-14 declares, (KJV) “9But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. 10But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. 11For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. 12Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. 13Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. 14But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” (AMP) “9But, on the contrary, as the Scripture says, What eye has not seen and ear has not heard and has not entered into the heart of man, [all that] God has prepared (made and keeps ready) for those who love Him [who hold Him in affectionate reverence, promptly obeying Him and gratefully recognizing the benefits He has bestowed]. 10Yet to us God has unveiled and revealed them by and through His Spirit, for the [Holy] Spirit searches diligently, exploring and examining everything, even sounding the profound and bottomless things of God [the divine counsels and things hidden and beyond man’s scrutiny]. 11For what person perceives (knows and understands) what passes through a man’s thoughts except the man’s own spirit within him? Just so no one discerns (comes to know and comprehend) the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. 12Now we have not received the spirit [that belongs to] the world, but the [Holy] Spirit Who is from God, [given to us] that we might realize and comprehend and appreciate the gifts [of divine favor and blessing so freely and lavishly] bestowed on us by God. 13And we are setting these truths forth in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the [Holy] Spirit, combining and interpreting spiritual truths with spiritual language [to those who possess the Holy Spirit]. 14But the natural, nonspiritual man does not accept or welcome or admit into his heart the gifts and teachings and revelations of the Spirit of God, for they are folly (meaningless nonsense) to him; and he is incapable of knowing them [of progressively recognizing, understanding, and becoming better acquainted with them] because they are spiritually discerned and estimated and appreciated.”
a. Now, NOBODY just gets the entire Bible right away.
b. However, there is a clear sense of understanding by the born again child of God – it proves that you know the Author!
c. Your devotion to this BOOK (or lack of it) proves your relationship to its Author!
d. Shame on us when we do not pour over the pages of it like we used to, or like we know we should!
C. The Word of God prevents our sinning.
1. Psalm 119:9-11 declares, (KJV) “9Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word. 10With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments. 11Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.” (AMP) “9How shall a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed and keeping watch [on himself] according to Your word [conforming his life to it]. 10With my whole heart have I sought You, inquiring for and of You and yearning for You; Oh, let me not wander or step aside [either in ignorance or willfully] from Your commandments. 11Your word have I laid up in my heart, that I might not sin against You.”
a. Either this Book will keep you from Sin, or Sin will keep you from this Book!
b. This Book scares the devil.
c. This Book shows me how to do right.
d. As long as I am in tune with this Book, I will be able to live for God.
D. The Word of God promotes our sanctification.
1. John 17:17 reads, (KJV) “17Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.” (AMP) “17Sanctify them [purify, consecrate, separate them for Yourself, make them holy] by the Truth; Your Word is Truth.”
2. Romans 12:1, 2 exclaims, (KJV) “1I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” (AMP) “1I APPEAL to you therefore, brethren, and beg of you in view of [all] the mercies of God, to make a decisive dedication of your bodies [presenting all your members and faculties] as a living sacrifice, holy (devoted, consecrated) and well pleasing to God, which is your reasonable (rational, intelligent) service and spiritual worship. 2Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs], but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His sight for you].”
3. Hebrews 4:12, 13 states, (KJV) “12For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. 13Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.” (AMP) “12For the Word that God speaks is alive and full of power [making it active, operative, energizing, and effective]; it is sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating to the dividing line of the breath of life (soul) and [the immortal] spirit, and of joints and marrow [of the deepest parts of our nature], exposing and sifting and analyzing and judging the very thoughts and purposes of the heart.
13And not a creature exists that is concealed from His sight, but all things are open and exposed, naked and defenseless to the eyes of Him with Whom we have to do.”
a. It renews our mind as we read it, and study it.
b. It cleanses us on the inside.
1. John 15:3 says, (KJV) “3Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.” (AMP) “3You are cleansed and pruned already, because of the word which I have given you [the teachings I have discussed with you].”
c. It CUTS us down deep.
1. The Word of God discerns our own thoughts.
2. Analyses our intentions – criticizes us!
3. By so doing, it cleans us up.
E. The Word of God provokes our service.
1. 1st Corinthians 15:58 says, (KJV) “58Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.” (AMP) “58Therefore, my beloved brethren, be firm (steadfast), immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord [always being superior, excelling, doing more than enough in the service of the Lord], knowing and being continually aware that your labor in the Lord is not futile [it is never wasted or to no purpose].”
a. The words on any given page can so motivate us to action.
b. They are so full of meaning, and reason.
F. The Word of God promises our supply.
1. Philippians 4:19 declares, (KJV) “19But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” (AMP) “19And my God will liberally supply (fill to the full) your every need according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”
a. These are the words that you can take to “the bank” so-to-speak.
b. You can cling to them, and hold them close, and know they have always been true, and always will be true – even after time is done, and heaven and earth itself have passed away!
G. For me, and for any Christian still breathing, it is STILL this old black Book – the Book of the Word of God that encourages us.
III. It is still the Blessed Hope. 1st Thessalonians 4:13-18 reads, (KJV) “13But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. 14For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. 15For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. 16For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 18Wherefore comfort one another with these words.” (AMP) “13Now also we would not have you ignorant, brethren, about those who fall asleep [in death], that you may not grieve [for them] as the rest do who have no hope [beyond the grave]. 14For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will also bring with Him through Jesus those who have fallen asleep [in death]. 15For this we declare to you by the Lord’s [own] word, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord shall in no way precede [into His presence] or have any advantage at all over those who have previously fallen asleep [in Him in death]. 16For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a loud cry of summons, with the shout of an archangel, and with the blast of the trumpet of God. And those who have departed this life in Christ will rise first. 17Then we, the living ones who remain [on the earth], shall simultaneously be caught up along with [the resurrected dead] in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air; and so always (through the eternity of the eternities) we shall be with the Lord! 18Therefore comfort and encourage one another with these words.”
A. Soon He is coming.
1. The Word of God points to it-our position is pinpointed as being very close to the time.
a. Escalation of wars and rumors of wars especially in the Middle East.
b. Disasters and diseases are happening on larger scales than ever before.
2. The Wickedness of the world points to the return of Jesus. It cannot get much worse.
a. Days of Noah-came the flood- the judgment.
b. Days of Lot-judgment came upon Sodom and Gomorrah.
B. Suddenly He will come.
1. 1st Corinthians 15:51-55 reads, (KJV) “51Behold, I shew you a mystery; we shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 52In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. 55O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?” (AMP) “51Take notice! I tell you a mystery (a secret truth, an event decreed by the hidden purpose or counsel of God). We shall not all fall asleep [in death], but we shall all be changed (transformed) 52In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the [sound of the] last trumpet call. For a trumpet will sound, and the dead [in Christ] will be raised imperishable (free and immune from decay), and we shall be changed (transformed). 53For this perishable [part of us] must put on the imperishable [nature], and this mortal [part of us, this nature that is capable of dying] must put on immortality (freedom from death). 54And when this perishable puts on the imperishable and this that was capable of dying puts on freedom from death, then shall be fulfilled the Scripture that says, Death is swallowed up (utterly vanquished forever) in and unto victory. 55O grave, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?”
a. There will be no warning.
C. Speaking He is coming.
1. Revelation 4:1 says, (KJV) “1After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter.” (AMP) “1AFTER THIS I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven! And the first voice which I had heard addressing me like [the calling of] a war trumpet said, Come up here, and I will show you what must take place in the future.”
a. Only the Saints will hear his voice.
b. Shouting He will come.
D. That is the Blessed Hope of the Church.
1. It encourages all of us that we have a job to do and very little time to get it done.
2. Build our Church, grow as a church.
3. Lay up treasures in Heaven.
Conclusion: Hebrews 12:2 declares, (KJV) “2Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (AMP) “2Looking away [from all that will distract] to Jesus, Who is the Leader and the Source of our faith [giving the first incentive for our belief] and is also its Finisher [bringing it to maturity and perfection]. He, for the joy [of obtaining the prize] that was set before Him, endured the cross, despising and ignoring the shame, and is now seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” Jesus easily endured the cross – always stayed encouraged – why? Because His Blood was satisfying to God. Because His Word is sufficient. Because His Coming would be soon! The only reason why you and I get discouraged is that we too easily forget these things! However, if you are not born again, my plea to you is, do not miss this opportunity to be born again today.
