Today let's learn some blessed devotionals that lift up our Lord Jesus. First, pictured above we see the great commission stated by our Lord Jesus at Matthew 28:18. And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
Now notice we see a prerogative, program, and a promise in Jesus' great commission. Jesus first stated His prerogative or right because He is the captain general of the army of angels by saying All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Then Jesus stated his program to have His saints disciple, baptize, and teach, saying, Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you. And finally, Jesus stated His promise to the saints saying and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
Wow, what a setup; All the world before us; all power behind us; and the All Powerful one with us always. Remember the great commission is a command all saints must obey. Jesus wants us to go and teach all nations about Jesus, witnessing Jesus everywhere and saving lost souls. Get saved, repent, decide to stop sinning, confess that Jesus is God, and believe the gospel that Jesus died on the cross for you, was buried, and rose again. Friend reading this anywhere don't waste your life by being selfish and winning no souls to Jesus. Give purpose to your life and win lost sinners to Jesus rejoicing with the angels over any sinner that repents and gets saved. Jesus said at Luke 15:10 Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth. In other words, Jesus with innumerable saints and angels rejoice when one sinner repents and gets saved.
Notice the two words "to observe" in the great commission. Matthew 28:20 reads Teaching them "to observe" all things whatsoever I have commanded you; not teaching them all things whatsoever I have commanded you. Today many saints teach about Jesus, but fail to tell people to observe and do Jesus' commandments.
There are a lot of hearers but few doers of the Word. James 1:22 says But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if any man be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein (daily meditates and looks at the Word of God), he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.
Friend anywhere reading this remember that Jesus told us to be doers of the Word and said at Matthew 9:38 Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that He will send forth labourers into His harvest. Are you out in the field of this world reaping and winning souls to our Lord Jesus or are you just out on the sidelines grumbling and complaining? Remember James 5:20 says Let him know that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way, shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins. Make something of your life and win souls to our Lord Jesus; Proverbs 11:30 says The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.
OK, for our next devotional, Brother Bob will tell you a story about the Troy General Store pictured above that became dilapadated and about to go out of business. The floor was unswept, the windows unwashed, the goods in disorder, the proprietor careless and untidy; But one day the king of the country visited this little shop. After the king saw the wretched condition of the general store, he told the shopkeeper, if you do as I say, I will let you put over the store's door a sign Approved By The King.
The store's owner gladly consented and changed everything; the floors were swept, the windows were washed, the goods were put in order, and the keeper cleaned himself up. Soon customers began to visit the Troy General Store from everywhere because the sign on the shop's door said Approved By The King and the till or money drawer of the shop became full.
Neighbor reading this anywhere like the shopkeeper of the Troy General Store, let King Jesus be Lord over your life and clean up your house. People all over this earth in many nations will see that you have been Approved By King Jesus. Right now say this prayer: Lord Jesus I long to be perfectly whole; I want thee forever to live in my soul; Remove every idol, cast out every foe; Now wash me and I shall be whiter than snow. Today I repent, decide to stop sinning, confess that Jesus is God, and believe the gospel that Jesus died on the cross for me, was buried, and rose again.
Let King Jesus take over the little shop of your life where you win many souls to become faithful customers who freely receive the blessings of our Lord Jesus. 2 Corinthians 5:17 describes what happens when someone makes Jesus King and Lord of their life saying Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. Jesus said at John 12:32 And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.
Learn this lesson about the power of fellowship and togetherness. When people pray and agree together, their prayers are more effective and powerful. I need you and you need me. We need each other. Deuteronomy 32:30 says How should one chase a thousand, and two put ten thousand to flight, except their rock had sold them, and the Lord had shut them up? For their rock is not as our Rock, even our enemies themselves being judges.
Ecclesiastes 4:9 says Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up. Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone? And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him, and a threefold cord is not quickly broken. One ant can push a crumb, but ten ants can push the crumb faster with more power. Jesus said at Matthew 18:19 Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching anything that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. Crooked sticks seem to straighten themselves out when they are tied in a bundle. And a singing congregation sounds fine but I wouldn't want to hear them one at a time.
When the people during Isaiah's life made their hiding place lies and falsehoods saying at Isaiah 28:15 We have made a covenant with death, and with hell are we at agreement; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, it shall not come unto us: for we have made lies our refuge, and under falsehood have we hid ourselves, God responded at Isaiah 28:17 saying Judgment also will I lay to the line, and righteousness to the plummet: and the hail shall sweep away the refuge of lies, and the waters shall overflow the hiding place.
Note that a plummet plumb line is used by builders, carpenters, and other construction professionals to ensure that walls, structures, and lines are perfectly vertical with no flaws. The plummet plumb line is a tool used to establish a perfect vertical line, consisting of a weighted object called a "plummet" (or plumb bob) attached to a string, that when allowed to hang freely, indicates a straight vertical direction due to gravity; essentially it's a way to check if something is perfectly straight up and down.
Jesus uses the plummet plumb line for righteous judgment to see if our lives are perfect after salvation. The plummet plumb line will reveal when sinners without Jesus lack perfection and Jesus judges and casts unbelievers into the lake of fire during the great white throne judgment. Rejoice saved saints because with Jesus you are perfect, overcome, and shall not be hurt of the second death lake of fire (John 16:33 and Revelation 2:11). 2 Corinthians 5:21 says For He hath made Him (Jesus) to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him.
And during the great tribulation sinners will try to make mountains and rocks their hiding place from the great wrath of God. But sinners can't run and they can't hide from the Lord Jesus. Sinners will learn that the only way to hide from Jesus' presence is in Jesus' presence. The Lord Jesus said at Jeremiah 23:24 Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him? saith the Lord; Do not I fill heaven and earth? saith the Lord. Amos 9:2 says Though they dig into hell, thence shall mine hand take them; though they climb up to heaven, thence will I bring them down: And though they hide themselves in the top of Carmel, I will search and take them out thence; and though they be hid from my sight in the bottom of the sea, thence will I command the serpent, and he shall bite them.
Friends everywhere, our refuge and hiding place is with the Lord Jesus. Colossians 3:3 says For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with Him in glory. Psalm 32:7 also speaks about Jesus saying Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. Selah. Every day let your life be hid with Christ in God. Every day say I am crucified with Jesus Christ and with your heart daily by faith see Jesus crucified while you tell the devil that my worries, fears, and sickness have been destroyed forever at the cross of Calvary with Jesus Christ who is the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever according to Hebrews 13:8.
How comforting to know that with Jesus there is a hiding place and refuge from the pride of man and from the strife of tongues. Psalm 31:20 promises this by saying Thou (Lord Jesus) shalt hide them in the secret of thy presence from the pride of man: thou shalt keep them secretly (hide saints like precious treasure) in a pavilion (a booth, tabernacle, covert, or tent used for shelter from the storms of life) from the strife of tongues. When Jesus returns during the rapture, Jesus will remember and gather his saved saints like hidden jewels from a treasure chest, and deliver them from this troubled world. Malachi 3:16 says Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another: and the Lord hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before Him for them that feared the Lord, and that thought upon His name. And they shall be mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels, and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth Him.
Next notice two things stated by the prophet Isaiah proving that Jesus is the saints hiding place from the troubles of this world. Isaiah 32:1 promises Behold, a king shall reign in righteousness (Jesus), and princes shall rule in judgment. And a man (Jesus who is both man, King, the Son of God, and God) shall be as an hiding place from the wind, and a covert from the tempest (shelter from the storm); as rivers of water in a dry place, as the shadow of a great rock in a weary land.
Finally Isaiah proclaimed that the Lord Jesus is the Rock of Ages so saints can joyfully sing Rock of Ages cleft for me; Let me hide myself in thee. Isaiah 26:3 reads Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. Trust in the Lord for ever: for in the Lord JEHOVAH is everlasting strength (notice that the Hebrew definition for strength is Rock). Hallelujah, Jesus is the Lord Jehovah and is an everlasting Rock of Ages. Jesus is our hiding place and refuge forevermore. Click this youtube link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gM7gt_cSxjw and sing the words of the blessed hymn Rock of Ages written by Augustus Toplady in 1775. I pray in Jesus name while you meditate on the blessed words from the Rock of Ages hymn that you receive great joy, peace, and strength. Jesus bless you all.
I pray in Jesus name that this bible study blesses multitudes everywhere with great joy, peace, and strength. Feel free to email Brother Bob anytime at rz9tlm@gmail.com or write to Brother Bob Malkin, 2233 Pinetree Lane, Apt. N., Reynoldsburg, Ohio 43068. (614) 604-7133. Till we all meet again soon to lift up our Lord Jesus, everyone have a blessed day in Jesus name.
And during the great tribulation sinners will try to make mountains and rocks their hiding place from the great wrath of God. But sinners can't run and they can't hide from the Lord Jesus. Sinners will learn that the only way to hide from Jesus' presence is in Jesus' presence. The Lord Jesus said at Jeremiah 23:24 Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him? saith the Lord; Do not I fill heaven and earth? saith the Lord. Amos 9:2 says Though they dig into hell, thence shall mine hand take them; though they climb up to heaven, thence will I bring them down: And though they hide themselves in the top of Carmel, I will search and take them out thence; and though they be hid from my sight in the bottom of the sea, thence will I command the serpent, and he shall bite them.
Friends everywhere, our refuge and hiding place is with the Lord Jesus. Colossians 3:3 says For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with Him in glory. Psalm 32:7 also speaks about Jesus saying Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. Selah. Every day let your life be hid with Christ in God. Every day say I am crucified with Jesus Christ and with your heart daily by faith see Jesus crucified while you tell the devil that my worries, fears, and sickness have been destroyed forever at the cross of Calvary with Jesus Christ who is the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever according to Hebrews 13:8.
How comforting to know that with Jesus there is a hiding place and refuge from the pride of man and from the strife of tongues. Psalm 31:20 promises this by saying Thou (Lord Jesus) shalt hide them in the secret of thy presence from the pride of man: thou shalt keep them secretly (hide saints like precious treasure) in a pavilion (a booth, tabernacle, covert, or tent used for shelter from the storms of life) from the strife of tongues. When Jesus returns during the rapture, Jesus will remember and gather his saved saints like hidden jewels from a treasure chest, and deliver them from this troubled world. Malachi 3:16 says Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another: and the Lord hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before Him for them that feared the Lord, and that thought upon His name. And they shall be mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels, and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth Him.
Next notice two things stated by the prophet Isaiah proving that Jesus is the saints hiding place from the troubles of this world. Isaiah 32:1 promises Behold, a king shall reign in righteousness (Jesus), and princes shall rule in judgment. And a man (Jesus who is both man, King, the Son of God, and God) shall be as an hiding place from the wind, and a covert from the tempest (shelter from the storm); as rivers of water in a dry place, as the shadow of a great rock in a weary land.
Finally Isaiah proclaimed that the Lord Jesus is the Rock of Ages so saints can joyfully sing Rock of Ages cleft for me; Let me hide myself in thee. Isaiah 26:3 reads Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. Trust in the Lord for ever: for in the Lord JEHOVAH is everlasting strength (notice that the Hebrew definition for strength is Rock). Hallelujah, Jesus is the Lord Jehovah and is an everlasting Rock of Ages. Jesus is our hiding place and refuge forevermore. Click this youtube link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gM7gt_cSxjw and sing the words of the blessed hymn Rock of Ages written by Augustus Toplady in 1775. I pray in Jesus name while you meditate on the blessed words from the Rock of Ages hymn that you receive great joy, peace, and strength. Jesus bless you all.
I pray in Jesus name that this bible study blesses multitudes everywhere with great joy, peace, and strength. Feel free to email Brother Bob anytime at rz9tlm@gmail.com or write to Brother Bob Malkin, 2233 Pinetree Lane, Apt. N., Reynoldsburg, Ohio 43068. (614) 604-7133. Till we all meet again soon to lift up our Lord Jesus, everyone have a blessed day in Jesus name.
