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This page is dedicated to bringing encouragement and insight to God's people and reaching the lost for Christ.
I have a favorite Old Testament verse that many will probably find odd: "Man that is born of woman is of a few days full of trouble. Job 14:1 The reason it is my favorite is because it helps to explain why there is so much suffering in my life and in the world. It can be my favorite bible verse because of my favorite New Testament verse: " In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." John 16:33 Be certain that troubles will continue. But we can be more certain that when we put our trust in the Lord Jesus, we are able to overcome the troubles and trials and tribulations of this life.
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As the wind blows we cannot see where it goes, so is the working of the Spirit of the Living God
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Be sure to check out the Article Topics and Titles It contains all of the Words of Encouragement links by Dates
Mourning the crucifixion of Jesus
Resurrection 2025 Message
Resurrection 2025 Message
A message of hope - First ministered at Pohick Bay Church April 13, 2025 -
Put yourself in the disciples’ place
Can you imagine how they must have felt as they watched them take the body from the cross?
Can you imagine how they must have felt as they watched them take the body to bury it?
Can you imagine how they must have felt as they walked away from the hillside?
Can you imagine as they sat in their homes thinking on what just transpired?
Think about James and John the sons of Zebedee. These two were believed to be 1st cousins of Jesus.
They were convinced that he was the Messiah. The one promised by God to redeem, to deliver Israel. They were among the crowd who were crying out loud hosannas just a few days earlier and now. Jesus was dead. They had thought him to be the Son of God. How could God allow himself to be killed and in such a horrible way?
Think about Andrew who not only called Peter to come and see, but he was also the first to know Jesus as the long-awaited Messiah. And now?
Think about Philip who left John the Baptist, to follow Jesus just before John the Baptist was killed and now Jesus has been killed.
Think about Mary the mother of Jesus who had been told that a “sword” would pierce her own soul.
And what about Mary out whom Jesus cast seven demons?
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Matthew Describes Jesus’ Death Matthew 27:32-44 (KJV)
Matthew records the account of the death of Jesus this way, ”As they went out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name. They compelled this man to carry his cross. And when they came to a place called Golgotha (which means Place of a Skull), they offered him wine to drink, mixed with gall, but when he tasted it, he would not drink it. And when they had crucified him, they divided his garments among them by casting lots. Then they sat down and kept watch over him there. And over his head they put the charge against him, which read, “This is Jesus, the King of the Jews.” Then two robbers were crucified with him, one on the right and one on the left. And those who passed by derided him, wagging their heads and saying, “You who would destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save yourself! If you are the Son of God, come down from the cross.” So also the chief priests, with the scribes and elders, mocked him, saying, “He saved others; he cannot save himself. He is the King of Israel; let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him. He trusts in God; let God deliver him now, if he desires him. For he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’” And the robbers who were crucified with him also reviled him in the same way.”"
What the disciples did not yet understand was Jesus’ death had to take place when, where and the way that it did.
John Mac Arthur notes that the Gospel of John as well as the other gospels had a twofold purpose:
“John has a purpose, and it’s an explicitly stated purpose in chapter 20, verse 31. He tells us why he wrote the gospel, and also why Matthew wrote Matthew; Mark, Mark; and Luke, Luke. “These have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name.” They’re written to give evidence of the deity of Christ. That evidence is then to lead the saving faith by which we can receive eternal life. This is the highest and noblest of all purposes. Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John give us the accounts of Jesus “so that we might believe that He is the Christ, the Son of God; and that in believing we might have eternal life in His name.”
Grace to You: Prophecies Fulfilled At Calvary John MacArthur
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Jesus Our Passover Lamb
It was later that the disciples understood the fulfilment of scripture. They understood why Jesus had to die when he did and where he did and why he did.
It was recorded in the Moses and the prophets.
”When God sent the last plague on the Egyptians, the death of the firstborn, he commanded the Israelites to sacrifice the Passover lamb and smear its blood over their doorways (Exodus 12:12-13, 22).
In this way, the destroyer would pass over the houses of the Israelites, sparing them from death (Exodus 12:23).
Likewise, Jesus is the ultimate fulfillment of the Passover Lamb, who was sacrificed to cover the sins of the world (1 Corinthians 5:7; 1 Peter 1:19).
As prophesied in Psalm 34:20, none of Jesus’ bones were broken when He died on the cross (John 19:33-36).
This correlates with the foreshadowing of Jesus in the Old Testament as the Passover lamb, which could not have any of its bones broken (Exodus 12:46).
Also, Jesus was silent before His accusers, just as Isaiah said He would be in comparing Him to a sheep silent before shearers (Isaiah 53:7; Matthew 27:12; 1 Peter 2:23).
“He was oppressed and treated harshly, yet he never said a word.
He was led like a lamb to the slaughter. And as a sheep is silent before the shearers, he did not open his mouth.” Isaiah 53:7
Since Jesus died on the week of Passover and held the characteristics of the sacrificial lamb, He fulfilled the prophecies relating to the Passover Lamb
Christianity.com What Old Testament Prophesies Predicted Jesus and the Cross?
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Atonement Once and For All
Luke describes the death of Jesus saying, “44And it was about the sixth hour, and there was a darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour. 45And the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was rent in the midst. 46And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost. 47Now when the centurion saw what was done, he glorified God, saying, Certainly this was a righteous man. 48And all the people that came together to that sight, beholding the things which were done, smote their breasts, and returned. 49And all his acquaintance, and the women that followed him from Galilee, stood afar off, beholding these things.” Luke 23:44-49
Pastor Chuck Swindoll describes the significance of the veil of the temple being torn. “Since the days of Moses, a thick curtain hung at the entrance to the holy of holies, separating sinful people from their holy God. One day each year, on the Day of Atonement, the high priest entered this sacred chamber on behalf of the nation and “brought the blood of animals into the Holy Place as a sacrifice for sin” (Hebrews 13:11). This practice of reconciling people with God went on for centuries, until Christ put an end to it with the blood of His own sacrifice. On the cross, Christ, our High Priest, “offered himself to God as a single sacrifice for sins, good for all time” (10:12). It was the ultimate Day of Atonement all the other Days of Atonement anticipated. As a result, Christ’s priestly act made the old system obsolete; it opened access to God for anyone who believed. Anyone! To herald Christ’s epochal achievement, “the curtain in the sanctuary of the Temple was torn in two, from top to bottom” (Matthew 27:51). God literally tore down the barrier between Himself and sinful humanity through the sacrifice of His Son. However, the veil between God and sinners wasn’t the only barrier that Christ’s atonement brought down that day. Long before Moses and the tabernacle, Gentiles (non-Jews) were excluded from God’s covenant with Abraham and his descendants, the nation of Israel. … Christ put an end not only to the alienation of sinners from God but also the alienation of Gentiles from God’s covenant. Christ’s death broke down both barriers!”
https://insightforliving.swncdn.com/pdf/series/BPG/Becoming-a-People-of-Grace-08.pdf
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Jesus’ Death Pours out God’s Grace
John the Beloved Disciple offers a poignant moment in the death of Jesus on the cross. He writes, “The Jews therefore, because it was the preparation, that the bodies should not remain upon the cross on the sabbath day, (for that sabbath day was an high day,) besought Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away. 32Then came the soldiers, and brake the legs of the first, and of the other which was crucified with him. 33But when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already, they brake not his legs: 34But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water. 35And he that saw it bare record, and his record is true: and he knoweth that he saith true, that ye might believe. 36For these things were done, that the scripture should be fulfilled, A bone of him shall not be broken. 37And again another scripture saith, They shall look on him whom they pierced. John 19:31-37
Jesus’ death was a fulfillment of the words spoken by Zechariah: “And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn.” Zechariah 12:10 Jesus’ death brought grace to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem and ultimately to us who believe today.
When Christ Jesus died his disciples and those who had looked to him as Messiah and teacher walked away mournful. In bitterness because of the loss of the promised redeemer. The one in they had placed their hope of salvation and deliverance. What they did not take into account is in death Jesus accomplished more than he could have ever accomplished in life. With the atonement accomplished now God would be able to pour out his grace upon all who will come to him in faith.
Now where sin abounds Grace does much more abound! Romans 5:20
The Resurrection
The Resurrection
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Jesus’ death fulfilled the promise of the Passover lamb. His death satisfied the requirement of blood sacrifice for the atonement of sin. Jesus’ death opened the way for the grace of God to be poured out upon all flesh as scripture has promised.
There remains the conquering of death, hell, and the grave.
Matthew records the resurrection of Jesus this way, “In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre. And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it. His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow: And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men. And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you.” Matthew 28:1-7 (KJV)
Jesus’ resurrection was foretold in scripture. “King David, in the middle of his prayer declaring the trustworthiness of God, prophesied the future resurrection of the Messiah (Ps. 16). It is not uncommon to find in the Hebrew Scriptures prophetic utterances which were not totally compatible with the historical situation of the day in which they were written. Instead, they insist upon a future realization. Just such a prophecy is found in Psalm 16:8-10:
I have set the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. Therefore, my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth; my flesh also shall rest in hope. For thou wilt not leave my soul in sheol, neither wilt thou permit thine Holy One to see corruption.
In verse 10, the language which the psalmist employed can only refer to the Messiah. It is He alone, and not David, who is referred to as the “Holy One”. It is the Messiah alone, and not David, who will not undergo physical corruption because He will not remain in sheol (grave). The magnitude of this prophetic statement was so great that it was at the heart of the message communicated to the Jewish community in Jerusalem by the Jewish apostle, Peter, in the first century just following the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus. It literally became the foundational truth by which thousands of Jewish people on that very day recognized the messiahship of Jesus (Acts 2:22-36)”. Israelmyglory.org
The prophet Isaiah made refers to the death and resurrection of the Messiah in chapters 52 and 53. After describing the anguish of the death of Christ he proceeds to the outcome of this moment in history.
Isaiah portrays the death and suffering of Messiah this way, “He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.
But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.
He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.
He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken.
But then eternal Joy! He Is Risen ! The Resurrection.
But then eternal Joy! He Is Risen ! The Resurrection.
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“And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth. Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand. Isaiah 53:9-10
Jesus fulfills the requirement of blood for the sins of the world. Then he rose from the dead victorious over death, hell and the grave. Having done the will of his father.
He declares to Mary Magdaline, “go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God”. John 20:17
John concludes, “And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name."
Beloved, the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus fulfills not only the prophecies of Old Testament writers, it fulfilled the plan of redemption that was begun in Abraham. The Son of God took upon himself the sins of the world that through his death and resurrection the sins of the world would be atoned. We are now free to be sons and daughters of God, heirs of all of the spiritual blessings that once were denied because of sin.
April 13, 2025
Habbakuk 2:4b
Habbakuk 2:4b
March 29-30, 2025
“the just shall live by his faith”
I don’t know that I have ever really been struck by the exact wording of this verse in Habbakuk. Until last Saturday (March 22, 2025). I have always heard the key word “Faith” and equated that word with the concept that we do not go by what we see, hear, feel or think but we wholly trust the Word of God by Faith. We are to put our faith in what God says rather than trust our own feelings, eyes or ears. For me the verse was saying ‘the just shall live by faith’ and not by human perspectives.
I have heard messages preached on the subject of ‘living by faith’ not by sight. Putting our confidence in the rich promises of God in spite of what we see in our lives. Living by faith in this context was approaching life’s obstacles with the assurance that I am victorious, or I am an overcomer because of Jesus’ victory over death, hell, and the grave. Living by faith meant not being willing to relinquish any of the promised blessing that are ours because we belong to the King of Kings, the Lord of Glory. Living by faith meant not putting any confidence in my natural abilities to affect the outcome of life’s bitter moments, but trusting that God meant what he said when he told us that “all things work together for our good.” (Romans 8:28) The just shall live by faith was a way of viewing every aspect of our lives. When troubles rise, we live by faith. When we are faced with adversities that we cannot understand why, we live by faith.
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And all of this is true.
But something struck me Saturday that was like a revelation: Habbakuk 2:4b says, “the just shall live by HIS faith.” His faith immediately sent my attention backward in previous verses. The first part of verse 4 states, “Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him” Then it became even clearer a new way of looking at the just shall live by “his faith”. God is comparing a just person to the people whom he was describing to Habakkuk that he was about to destroy.
Looking then at the entire verse in context with the description of the destruction that God is about to bring puts a slightly different explanation to 4b.
Habbakuk begins his narrative, expressing his consternation over the sin of his people. Habbakuk was dismayed that God had not turned his people from their sinful works. Habbakuk cries out to God, “O LORD, how long shall I cry, and thou wilt not hear! even cry out unto thee of violence, and thou wilt not save!” (Habbakuk 1:2) It was not personal violence against himself that bewildered Habbakuk. It was the stubbornness of his own nation to continually ignore the protests and admonitions of the prophets to the sinful nation of Judah.
God makes it clear to Habbakuk that he had a plan that would rid the land of all evil. God tells Habbakuk he is going to use the Chaldeans to invade the land and kill and destroy and take captive the people of Judah. “That bitter and hasty nation, which shall march through the breadth of the land, to possess the dwelling places that are not theirs.” (Habbakuk 1:6) Verses 7-11 continues God’s description to Habbkuk of the people who would come and bring destruction upon sinful Judah.
Habbakuk is further horrified that God would use such a ruthless treacherous people to punish, “correct” his own people, a people “more righteous” than the Chaldeans. (Habbakuk 1:13) Verses 12-17 is Habbakuk expressing his bewilderment and seeming to be seeking for understanding of why God is choosing to bring the Chaldeans against His people.
It is in chapter 2 that we get the comparison between those who were not upright (this includes the Chaldeans and those of Judah who were not upright) and those who would live by their faith. By the way this is also the key element: God was making a difference between those who were destined for destruction and those who would live.
God tells Habbakuk to write the vision down, “Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it.” (Habbakuk 2:2) It is after verse 4 that we actually read the comparison of the two types of people that God was sending the vision to. God calls the wicked, boastful people whom he will use “proud” Habbakuk 2:5 Verses 6- 19 God pronounces judgements (woe) upon the Chaldeans.
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So let me then go back to the comparison found in verse 4. God characterizes the souls who deal treacherously, who are proud, and cannot be satisfied till they have consumed all that is around them, as “lifted up” and “not upright “. Habbakuk 2:4
This is how God makes the comparison between those who are headed for destruction with the those who live by their faith. The proud and boastful who will not hear the instructions and admonitions of God will be punished. They will perish but the man or woman who are faithful to the Word of their God, their faith will save them from destruction (they will live by their faith).
I did a very quick look into Strong’s Concordance (one of my favorite interpretive sources) to see what the Hebrew word for Faith was.
Emunah
Original Word: אֱמוּנָה
Part of Speech: Noun Feminine
Transliteration: emuwnah
Pronunciation: eh-moo-nah
Phonetic Spelling: (em-oo-naw')
Definition: Faithfulness, fidelity, steadfastness, trust, faith
Meaning: firmness, security, fidelity
I have mentioned before that I really get a kick out of researching word origins and original meanings; so, this little exercise was a blessing for me.
But I do not think I will ever think on Habbakuk 2:4 the same way.
Habbakuk 2:4 “Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.”
It is more than trusting in God’s word. It is faithfulness to God’s word. It is fidelity in the face of obstacles or challenges to our beliefs. It is firmness in the face of adversity especially when having to choose between what you feel is right to do and what you know to be the will/word of God in the face of adversity. It is steadfastness when all around us is as shifting sand. They all result in security in The God who has chosen us to be his. We are not destroyed because we have put our trust in God and his rich promises not our own abilities and desires. The just shall live by his faith.
Published April 7, 2025
For anyone interested here is the full page on Emunah
Strong's Lexicon
emunah: Faithfulness, fidelity, steadfastness, trust, faith
Original Word: אֱמוּנָה
Part of Speech: Noun Feminine
Transliteration: emuwnah
Pronunciation: eh-moo-nah
Phonetic Spelling: (em-oo-naw')
Definition: Faithfulness, fidelity, steadfastness, trust, faith
Meaning: firmness, security, fidelity
Word Origin: Derived from the root אָמַן (aman), which means to confirm, support, or be faithful.
Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: - G4102 (πίστις, pistis): Often translated as "faith" in the New Testament, reflecting a similar concept of trust and faithfulness.
- G4103 (πιστός, pistos): Meaning "faithful" or "trustworthy," used to describe both God and believers.
Usage: The Hebrew word "emunah" primarily conveys the idea of faithfulness and reliability. It is often used to describe the steadfastness and trustworthiness of God, as well as the faith and trust that humans are to have in God. In the context of human behavior, it can also refer to integrity and honesty.
Cultural and Historical Background: In ancient Israelite culture, "emunah" was a foundational concept that underscored the covenant relationship between God and His people. It was not merely an intellectual assent but involved a deep, relational trust and commitment. This concept was crucial in a society where oral agreements and covenants were binding, and faithfulness was a highly valued trait.
https://biblehub.com/hebrew/530.htm
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Father, I thank you for the timelessness of your Word and your Promises. I pray you will use these words to encourage your children as they grow in their relationship with you. I pray that you will work in the heart of every person who does not know you as Lord to bring them to yourself, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
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