TODAYS WORD FOR FRIDAY DECEMBER 4.
UNIQUE
THE UNIQUENESS OF JESUS
PART FIVE
Defined by Webster:
Being the only one of its kind; unusual.
GODS WORD
“For the Son of man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works.” Matthew 16:27
“So you must also be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect Him.” Matthew 24:44.
WORDS FROM KEN AND DOTTIE
Today is the last devotional in a series of five where we are sharing some thoughts about THE UNIQUENESS OF JESUS. Today we will discuss from the scripture the fact that JESUS WILL BE UNIQUE IN HIS SECOND COMING.
Every time we hear a sermon, read a book or an article on the second coming of Jesus, we are filled with great anticipation that brings peace to our hearts and minds. How do you react in similar circumstances? If you are not anticipating Jesus coming back to earth to reign here in all His glory then we encourage you to stop for a moment now and evaluate your relationship with Jesus. Make sure today that you have a relationship with Jesus. This is not a religion or a cult that we are referring to, but a relationship with your Lord and Savior --- the one that died on the cross to pay the penalty for your sins and rose again and then returned to heaven to prepare, for each believer, a place for us to spend eternity.
No one knows when Jesus will return again, but we do know Jesus said it would be sudden and without warning. This is why we urge you to make sure of your salvation so that you will be ready. (Matthew 24:44)
When Jesus first came to this earth, angels heralded His birth. When Jesus comes the second time to establish His Kingdom and to sit on the throne of David, His angels will accompany Him again. It will be a most glorious event for believers.
Christ’s second coming will see Him return not as the Lamb but as the LION OF THE TRIBE OF JUDAH. He will come as a thief in the night and will raise the dead to join Him in the air. Christ’s second coming may be soon as recorded in Luke 21:28, “Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.”
The Bible does give us some clues concerning events that will take place prior to the return of Jesus. These events are what Luke is referring to when he says: “when these things begin to happen.” If you are interested in learning more about these events that will take place --- AND YOU SHOULD BE VERY INTERESTED --- then we encourage you to go to our web site and click on the product page. You will see there books, DVD’s, CD’s and cassettes dealing with the last days that we are living in today. Doc Beshore is one of America’s leading authority on Prophecy. You will not regret getting some of his material.
THIS WEEKS MEMORY VERSE
The gospel in a nutshell
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only
begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should
not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16
TODAYS FAMILY PRAYER
Prepare me to be ready for the return of my Savior at any moment. Thank You for the excitement that is in my heart as I think of spending an eternity with You. Keep me faithful in sharing my faith through my words and actions with those I meet each and every day. Give me the strength and boldness to talk to my family and friends, giving them the words that they need so that they are ready to meet Him when He returns again.
December 6, 2009
Unique Part Four: December 3, 2009
TODAYS WORD FOR THURSDAY DECEMBER 3.
UNIQUE
THE UNIQUENESS OF JESUS
Part four
Defined by Webster:
Being the only one of its kind; unusual.
GODS WORD
“Now Pilate wrote a title and put it on the cross. And the writing was:
JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS
Then many of the Jews read this title --- the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate, Do not write the KING OF THE JEWS --- Pilate answered, WHAT I HAVE WRITTEN, I HAVE WRITTEN.” John 19:19-22.
WORDS BY KEN AND DOTTIE
As you are aware we are in the first week of four where we are preparing for the “CELEBRATION OF THE BIRTH OF JESUS” on Christmas day. This week we are sharing our thoughts concerning the UNIQUENESS OF JESUS.
Our devotional thoughts today will deal with the fact that “Jesus was unique in His death and Resurrection.” In a number of ways His death was unique. He suffered a criminal’s death even though He was innocent of any wrong doing. Crucifixion is the most painful of all deaths but it was not the physical pain that Jesus dreaded. It was the fact that He had to take our sins upon Himself and since sin separates us from God, He had to be separated from God on that cross and this was the greatest agony for Jesus.
This is what made Jesus cry out as He hung from that cross: “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me.” Yet it was only by suffering this agony that Jesus could save us from eternal separation from God.
Jesus death was unique because of four miraculous events that accompanied His death:
• Darkness covered the whole world for three hours, from noon until 3:00 P.M.
• The curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.
• There was an earthquake.
• The tombs broke open and the bodies of many people who had died were raised to life.
Even the Roman soldiers that were guarding Jesus on the cross realized that He was unique in His death. After seeing what had happened they exclaimed: “Surely this man was the Son of God.”
He prophesied that He would be put to death and He died voluntarily, obeying His Father’s will, fulfilling all that He had prophesized about His death on the cross. He died voluntarily in obedience to His Father’s will.
And Jesus was unique also in His resurrection. His resurrection was prophesied by Old Testament prophets and by Jesus Himself. The Pharisees and the Jewish leaders who had wanted Jesus killed were so fearful about Jesus prophecy that they asked Pilate to completely seal the tomb and put it under guard. None of these precautions could hold Jesus in the grave. He arose from death unto life fulfilling all that had been prophesied. To remove any doubt that He had risen from the dead He remained on this earth for forty days and appeared over and over again to His disciples and others. The resurrection of Jesus is what makes the Christian faith unique from all others. Yes --- our Savior is alive.
For years we were involved in the annual Easter Sunrise service held in the famous Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles. Close to 20,000 people came very early (5 A.M.) each Easter Sunday morning to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus. We all were moved each year by the beautiful choir music, the singing the old traditional Easter songs such as “He Arose” and “Crown Him with many Crowns.” And each year the unique story of Easter, the resurrection of Jesus from the dead was presented. These sunrise services will never be forgotten because they served as a reminder to all of us in attendance that Jesus was truly unique in His death and resurrection and today He is in heaven preparing a place for us as believers to spend an eternity with Him.
Start today, if you have not already, to prepare your heart for an exciting day on December 25 as we together will “CELEBRATE THE BIRTH OF JESUS.”
REMEMBER OUR MEMORY VERSE FOR THIS WEEK
The Gospel in a nutshell
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only
begotten Son that whoever believes in Him should
not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16
TODAYS FAMILY PRAYER
How grateful I am that God sent His Son to die on the cross to pay my penalty for my sin. And also for the good news of the resurrection of Jesus that gives me the assurance of spending an eternity in heaven. Thank You dear Lord for Your uniqueness and for the salvation that You have given me.
UNIQUE
THE UNIQUENESS OF JESUS
Part four
Defined by Webster:
Being the only one of its kind; unusual.
GODS WORD
“Now Pilate wrote a title and put it on the cross. And the writing was:
JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS
Then many of the Jews read this title --- the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate, Do not write the KING OF THE JEWS --- Pilate answered, WHAT I HAVE WRITTEN, I HAVE WRITTEN.” John 19:19-22.
WORDS BY KEN AND DOTTIE
As you are aware we are in the first week of four where we are preparing for the “CELEBRATION OF THE BIRTH OF JESUS” on Christmas day. This week we are sharing our thoughts concerning the UNIQUENESS OF JESUS.
Our devotional thoughts today will deal with the fact that “Jesus was unique in His death and Resurrection.” In a number of ways His death was unique. He suffered a criminal’s death even though He was innocent of any wrong doing. Crucifixion is the most painful of all deaths but it was not the physical pain that Jesus dreaded. It was the fact that He had to take our sins upon Himself and since sin separates us from God, He had to be separated from God on that cross and this was the greatest agony for Jesus.
This is what made Jesus cry out as He hung from that cross: “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me.” Yet it was only by suffering this agony that Jesus could save us from eternal separation from God.
Jesus death was unique because of four miraculous events that accompanied His death:
• Darkness covered the whole world for three hours, from noon until 3:00 P.M.
• The curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.
• There was an earthquake.
• The tombs broke open and the bodies of many people who had died were raised to life.
Even the Roman soldiers that were guarding Jesus on the cross realized that He was unique in His death. After seeing what had happened they exclaimed: “Surely this man was the Son of God.”
He prophesied that He would be put to death and He died voluntarily, obeying His Father’s will, fulfilling all that He had prophesized about His death on the cross. He died voluntarily in obedience to His Father’s will.
And Jesus was unique also in His resurrection. His resurrection was prophesied by Old Testament prophets and by Jesus Himself. The Pharisees and the Jewish leaders who had wanted Jesus killed were so fearful about Jesus prophecy that they asked Pilate to completely seal the tomb and put it under guard. None of these precautions could hold Jesus in the grave. He arose from death unto life fulfilling all that had been prophesied. To remove any doubt that He had risen from the dead He remained on this earth for forty days and appeared over and over again to His disciples and others. The resurrection of Jesus is what makes the Christian faith unique from all others. Yes --- our Savior is alive.
For years we were involved in the annual Easter Sunrise service held in the famous Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles. Close to 20,000 people came very early (5 A.M.) each Easter Sunday morning to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus. We all were moved each year by the beautiful choir music, the singing the old traditional Easter songs such as “He Arose” and “Crown Him with many Crowns.” And each year the unique story of Easter, the resurrection of Jesus from the dead was presented. These sunrise services will never be forgotten because they served as a reminder to all of us in attendance that Jesus was truly unique in His death and resurrection and today He is in heaven preparing a place for us as believers to spend an eternity with Him.
Start today, if you have not already, to prepare your heart for an exciting day on December 25 as we together will “CELEBRATE THE BIRTH OF JESUS.”
REMEMBER OUR MEMORY VERSE FOR THIS WEEK
The Gospel in a nutshell
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only
begotten Son that whoever believes in Him should
not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16
TODAYS FAMILY PRAYER
How grateful I am that God sent His Son to die on the cross to pay my penalty for my sin. And also for the good news of the resurrection of Jesus that gives me the assurance of spending an eternity in heaven. Thank You dear Lord for Your uniqueness and for the salvation that You have given me.
Unique Part Three: December 2, 2009
TODAYS WORD FOR WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 2.
UNIQUE
THE UNIQUENESS OF JESUS
PART THREE
Defined by Webster:
Being the only one of its kind; unusual.
GODS WORD
“And they were astonished at His teachings, for He taught them as one having authority and not as the scribes.” Mark 1:22.
WORDS FROM KEN AND DOTTIE
For four weeks we are preparing, through these devotionals, for the Celebration of “THE BIRTH OF JESUS” on Christmas day. In this series on the “Uniqueness of Jesus,” we will share today a few thoughts about THE UNIQUENESS OF HIS MINISTRY.
We have been honored to travel to many areas of our world and both of us would agree that our visits to the Holy Land stands out in our minds more then any other place we have traveled to in the world. This is the place where Jesus lived, walked, talked, performed miracles and died to pay the penalty for our sins. It is also from this land that He went back to heaven to prepare for us a home for eternity.
Just the privilege of walking where Jesus walked and visiting places that we read about in the Bible moved us emotionally, as it would you.
The ministry of Jesus on this earth encompassed only about three years. It is amazing to study and understand all that He did in this short period of time. Everywhere that Jesus went large crowds came to see Him. Why? It was because, Jesus and His ministry was so unique. Remember, there were no newspapers, no radio, no television, no telephones or the internet to spread the news concerning Him. Communication was all by word of mouth. Crowds of people of all ages showed up to listen to Him as He went from place to place, because they recognized He was no ordinary man and there was no one like Him.
In Matthew 15:22 it tells us that a crowd had been with Jesus for three days with nothing to eat. This was real evidence that Jesus was unique. Today people get restless when a preacher speaks more than 30 minutes. His ministry was unique because He was the greatest teacher that ever lived.
Just consider some of the powerful lessons He taught: His Sermon on the Mount; the Lord’s Prayer; His Olivet discourse and so many wonderful parables all unmatched by any one before or after.
Jesus was unique in the miracles He performed such as, the feeding of the 5000 on one occasion and 4000 on another occasion; He walked on water; He cast out demons; He raised the dead and He turned water into wine. He was the greatest healer: He made the deaf to hear; He cured an adult who was blind from birth; He cleansed the lepers and enabled the crippled to walk.
Jesus was unique because He was God; He was absolutely sinless and holy; He was a friend of sinners; He was the fulfillment of the prophecies of the Old Testament prophets.
YES --- the MINISTRY OF JESUS WAS UNIQUE!
Remember our verse to memorize this week is the “gospel in a nutshell”:
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only
begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should
not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16
TODAYS FAMILY PRAYER
Thank You dear God for sending Your Son to this earth to give us all of the marvelous teachings that were recorded and left for me and my family. Give me the strength and desire to study the Bible so I can understand fully Your uniqueness.
May I be empowered to serve You and bring glory to Your name.
UNIQUE
THE UNIQUENESS OF JESUS
PART THREE
Defined by Webster:
Being the only one of its kind; unusual.
GODS WORD
“And they were astonished at His teachings, for He taught them as one having authority and not as the scribes.” Mark 1:22.
WORDS FROM KEN AND DOTTIE
For four weeks we are preparing, through these devotionals, for the Celebration of “THE BIRTH OF JESUS” on Christmas day. In this series on the “Uniqueness of Jesus,” we will share today a few thoughts about THE UNIQUENESS OF HIS MINISTRY.
We have been honored to travel to many areas of our world and both of us would agree that our visits to the Holy Land stands out in our minds more then any other place we have traveled to in the world. This is the place where Jesus lived, walked, talked, performed miracles and died to pay the penalty for our sins. It is also from this land that He went back to heaven to prepare for us a home for eternity.
Just the privilege of walking where Jesus walked and visiting places that we read about in the Bible moved us emotionally, as it would you.
The ministry of Jesus on this earth encompassed only about three years. It is amazing to study and understand all that He did in this short period of time. Everywhere that Jesus went large crowds came to see Him. Why? It was because, Jesus and His ministry was so unique. Remember, there were no newspapers, no radio, no television, no telephones or the internet to spread the news concerning Him. Communication was all by word of mouth. Crowds of people of all ages showed up to listen to Him as He went from place to place, because they recognized He was no ordinary man and there was no one like Him.
In Matthew 15:22 it tells us that a crowd had been with Jesus for three days with nothing to eat. This was real evidence that Jesus was unique. Today people get restless when a preacher speaks more than 30 minutes. His ministry was unique because He was the greatest teacher that ever lived.
Just consider some of the powerful lessons He taught: His Sermon on the Mount; the Lord’s Prayer; His Olivet discourse and so many wonderful parables all unmatched by any one before or after.
Jesus was unique in the miracles He performed such as, the feeding of the 5000 on one occasion and 4000 on another occasion; He walked on water; He cast out demons; He raised the dead and He turned water into wine. He was the greatest healer: He made the deaf to hear; He cured an adult who was blind from birth; He cleansed the lepers and enabled the crippled to walk.
Jesus was unique because He was God; He was absolutely sinless and holy; He was a friend of sinners; He was the fulfillment of the prophecies of the Old Testament prophets.
YES --- the MINISTRY OF JESUS WAS UNIQUE!
Remember our verse to memorize this week is the “gospel in a nutshell”:
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only
begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should
not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16
TODAYS FAMILY PRAYER
Thank You dear God for sending Your Son to this earth to give us all of the marvelous teachings that were recorded and left for me and my family. Give me the strength and desire to study the Bible so I can understand fully Your uniqueness.
May I be empowered to serve You and bring glory to Your name.
Unique Part Two: December 1, 2009
TODAYS WORD FOR TUESDAY DECEMBER 1.
UNIQUE
THE UNIQUENESS OF JESUS
PART TWO
Defined by Webster:
Being the only one of its kind; unusual
GODS WORD
“Then the angel said to her, ‘do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.’ And behold you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a son and shall call His name Jesus.” Luke 1:30-31.
WORDS FROM KEN AND DOTTIE
As we mentioned yesterday we are sharing in these devotionals a four week series preparing us for the celebration of “THE BIRTH OF JESUS” on Christmas day. Today we have part two on the UNIQUENESS OF JESUS. Yesterday we shared some thoughts on the uniqueness of Jesus as a person. Today we share our thoughts with you on the UNIQUENESS OF JESUS IN HIS BIRTH.
Every Christmas Eve our family gets together and one of our highlights is our FAMILY PRESENTATION OF THE BIRTH OF JESUS. Since we have a large family with six children and their spouses and 20 grandchildren we have a large cast available to make this presentation. Every year the younger children all want to be Joseph or Mary so we keep track and pass this honor around. Dottie has made costumes and each child chooses their role as a shepherd, a wiseman or an angel. But the real message comes in the narration of the whole Christmas story written by Dottie and read by one of our older grand children. This event is a highlight and emphasizes to each person in our family the importance of knowing and understanding THE UNIQUENESS OF THE BIRTH OF JESUS.
The uniqueness of the birth of Jesus includes several very important vital facts to reassure us of our belief that Jesus is God. He was born of a virgin; His birth was prophesied by the prophet Isaiah some 700 years before His birth; He was born in Bethlehem as prophesied by Micah 700 years earlier; His birth was announced by angels; He was born in a stable, in a manger as a man that was poor, cared for in a feeding trough and yet was worshipped by kings as the King of Kings.
His birth was signaled by a once in history “star” which guided the wise men to the place of His birth. Hosts of angels gave forth praises at His birth and shepherds flocked to catch a glimpse of His face.
YES --- The uniqueness of Jesus is shown in His birth. Together let us start to prepare our hearts for the coming celebration on Christmas day of the birth of Jesus. Christmas is not about Santa Claus, gifts, Christmas ornaments on a tree or the turkey dinner. Christmas is about the Birth of Jesus!
THIS WEEKS FAMILY MEMORY VERSE:
KNOWN AS “THE GOSPEL IN A NUTSHELL.”
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16
TODAYS FAMILY PRAYER
Start preparing my heart today for a day of celebration in our home this Christmas. I praise You for who You are. I praise You for all the blessings that You have bestowed upon me and my family. Make this day special in Your sight because of my commitment to honor You in all that I do.
UNIQUE
THE UNIQUENESS OF JESUS
PART TWO
Defined by Webster:
Being the only one of its kind; unusual
GODS WORD
“Then the angel said to her, ‘do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.’ And behold you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a son and shall call His name Jesus.” Luke 1:30-31.
WORDS FROM KEN AND DOTTIE
As we mentioned yesterday we are sharing in these devotionals a four week series preparing us for the celebration of “THE BIRTH OF JESUS” on Christmas day. Today we have part two on the UNIQUENESS OF JESUS. Yesterday we shared some thoughts on the uniqueness of Jesus as a person. Today we share our thoughts with you on the UNIQUENESS OF JESUS IN HIS BIRTH.
Every Christmas Eve our family gets together and one of our highlights is our FAMILY PRESENTATION OF THE BIRTH OF JESUS. Since we have a large family with six children and their spouses and 20 grandchildren we have a large cast available to make this presentation. Every year the younger children all want to be Joseph or Mary so we keep track and pass this honor around. Dottie has made costumes and each child chooses their role as a shepherd, a wiseman or an angel. But the real message comes in the narration of the whole Christmas story written by Dottie and read by one of our older grand children. This event is a highlight and emphasizes to each person in our family the importance of knowing and understanding THE UNIQUENESS OF THE BIRTH OF JESUS.
The uniqueness of the birth of Jesus includes several very important vital facts to reassure us of our belief that Jesus is God. He was born of a virgin; His birth was prophesied by the prophet Isaiah some 700 years before His birth; He was born in Bethlehem as prophesied by Micah 700 years earlier; His birth was announced by angels; He was born in a stable, in a manger as a man that was poor, cared for in a feeding trough and yet was worshipped by kings as the King of Kings.
His birth was signaled by a once in history “star” which guided the wise men to the place of His birth. Hosts of angels gave forth praises at His birth and shepherds flocked to catch a glimpse of His face.
YES --- The uniqueness of Jesus is shown in His birth. Together let us start to prepare our hearts for the coming celebration on Christmas day of the birth of Jesus. Christmas is not about Santa Claus, gifts, Christmas ornaments on a tree or the turkey dinner. Christmas is about the Birth of Jesus!
THIS WEEKS FAMILY MEMORY VERSE:
KNOWN AS “THE GOSPEL IN A NUTSHELL.”
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16
TODAYS FAMILY PRAYER
Start preparing my heart today for a day of celebration in our home this Christmas. I praise You for who You are. I praise You for all the blessings that You have bestowed upon me and my family. Make this day special in Your sight because of my commitment to honor You in all that I do.
Unique Part One: November 30, 2009
TODAYS WORD FOR MONDAY NOVEMBER 30.
UNIQUE
THE UNIQUENESS OF JESUS
Part one
Defined by Webster:
The only one of its kind; unusual.
GODS WORD
“God who at various times and in various ways spoke in times past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds; who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all these things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become so much better than the angels as He has by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.” Hebrews 1:1-4.
WORDS BY KEN AND DOTTIE
For the next four weeks our devotionals will be geared to help us prepare for the celebration of “THE BIRTH OF JESUS.” on Christmas day. As we have referred to in the past, our good friend, Dr. Porter Barrington has given us some 52 Master outlines and study notes on various scriptural portions. We will refer to some of his notes these next four weeks. We begin this week a series of five devotionals on the UNIQUENESS OF JESUS. Today we will share a few thoughts on the “uniqueness in His person.”
While Jesus was here on earth it was not only those who followed Him who recognized the uniqueness of Jesus, but also His enemies. When at the close of the third year of ministry that Jesus had on this earth, the Roman soldiers were sent by the Pharisees to arrest Jesus. They came back empty handed. When asked by the Pharisees why they had not arrested Jesus, their testimony showed that they had been emotionally, morally and spiritually stunned. They reported, “No man ever spoke like this man!” (John 7:46)
JESUS WAS UNIQUE IN HIS PERSON
Some two thousand years later we witness the same today. The uniqueness of Jesus as a person has not changed. In our lifetime we have witnessed so many events where the uniqueness of Jesus as a person captivated an audience. We remember the Capital Teen Convention held in Washington D.C. which we coordinated, how God touched these 12,000 teenagers and they went back to their respective homes all across America and shared the uniqueness of the person Jesus with their peers. The result was that many found Jesus as their Savior.
We also remember our involvement with the Billy Graham association and the message that Dr. Graham always gave sharing the uniqueness of the person of Jesus with all who attended. We personally saw this on the more than 250 nights we showed a Billy Graham film in churches. We also saw it when we attended more than 60 crusade meetings.
In the verses found in Hebrews 1: 1-13 we see several ways that remind us that Jesus was one of a kind, a unique person. First of all, He is the only Son of God, and the exact image of God. (Verse 3).
Second, all of God’s angels worship Him. (Verse 6). Third, Jesus is eternal and His throne will last forever (Verse 8). Fourth, Jesus was co-creator with God of the universe and is the heir to God’s entire universe.
Fifth, Jesus was sent by God to pay the penalty for our sins and He now is sitting at the right hand of God preparing a place for us to spend eternity (Verse 13).
Sixth, Jesus conquered death. “He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.” Romans 4:25
NO ONE ELSE CAN MAKE THESE CLAIMS.
YES --- JESUS IS UNIQUE AS A PERSON.
OUR WEEKLY VERSE TO MEMORIZE!
Please join us and families all across our world as we memorize one verse from God’s Word each week. This weeks verse is known to many as the “gospel in a nutshell.”
“FOR GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD THAT HE GAVE
HIS ONLY BEGOTTON SON, THAT WHOEVER
BELIEVES IN HIM SHOULD NOT PERISH BUT HAVE
EVERLASTING LIFE.” JOHN 3:16
TODAYS FAMILY PRAYER
We stand in awe at the uniqueness of You our Savior. May my life today be governed by the words that You have left for us from Your Word. Help us to be faithful to You. May our lives radiate the joy of the Lord to all that we meet. May my family grow daily as we together read Your Word, pray together and memorize Your Word.
UNIQUE
THE UNIQUENESS OF JESUS
Part one
Defined by Webster:
The only one of its kind; unusual.
GODS WORD
“God who at various times and in various ways spoke in times past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds; who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all these things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become so much better than the angels as He has by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.” Hebrews 1:1-4.
WORDS BY KEN AND DOTTIE
For the next four weeks our devotionals will be geared to help us prepare for the celebration of “THE BIRTH OF JESUS.” on Christmas day. As we have referred to in the past, our good friend, Dr. Porter Barrington has given us some 52 Master outlines and study notes on various scriptural portions. We will refer to some of his notes these next four weeks. We begin this week a series of five devotionals on the UNIQUENESS OF JESUS. Today we will share a few thoughts on the “uniqueness in His person.”
While Jesus was here on earth it was not only those who followed Him who recognized the uniqueness of Jesus, but also His enemies. When at the close of the third year of ministry that Jesus had on this earth, the Roman soldiers were sent by the Pharisees to arrest Jesus. They came back empty handed. When asked by the Pharisees why they had not arrested Jesus, their testimony showed that they had been emotionally, morally and spiritually stunned. They reported, “No man ever spoke like this man!” (John 7:46)
JESUS WAS UNIQUE IN HIS PERSON
Some two thousand years later we witness the same today. The uniqueness of Jesus as a person has not changed. In our lifetime we have witnessed so many events where the uniqueness of Jesus as a person captivated an audience. We remember the Capital Teen Convention held in Washington D.C. which we coordinated, how God touched these 12,000 teenagers and they went back to their respective homes all across America and shared the uniqueness of the person Jesus with their peers. The result was that many found Jesus as their Savior.
We also remember our involvement with the Billy Graham association and the message that Dr. Graham always gave sharing the uniqueness of the person of Jesus with all who attended. We personally saw this on the more than 250 nights we showed a Billy Graham film in churches. We also saw it when we attended more than 60 crusade meetings.
In the verses found in Hebrews 1: 1-13 we see several ways that remind us that Jesus was one of a kind, a unique person. First of all, He is the only Son of God, and the exact image of God. (Verse 3).
Second, all of God’s angels worship Him. (Verse 6). Third, Jesus is eternal and His throne will last forever (Verse 8). Fourth, Jesus was co-creator with God of the universe and is the heir to God’s entire universe.
Fifth, Jesus was sent by God to pay the penalty for our sins and He now is sitting at the right hand of God preparing a place for us to spend eternity (Verse 13).
Sixth, Jesus conquered death. “He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.” Romans 4:25
NO ONE ELSE CAN MAKE THESE CLAIMS.
YES --- JESUS IS UNIQUE AS A PERSON.
OUR WEEKLY VERSE TO MEMORIZE!
Please join us and families all across our world as we memorize one verse from God’s Word each week. This weeks verse is known to many as the “gospel in a nutshell.”
“FOR GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD THAT HE GAVE
HIS ONLY BEGOTTON SON, THAT WHOEVER
BELIEVES IN HIM SHOULD NOT PERISH BUT HAVE
EVERLASTING LIFE.” JOHN 3:16
TODAYS FAMILY PRAYER
We stand in awe at the uniqueness of You our Savior. May my life today be governed by the words that You have left for us from Your Word. Help us to be faithful to You. May our lives radiate the joy of the Lord to all that we meet. May my family grow daily as we together read Your Word, pray together and memorize Your Word.
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