forgiveness – Page 2 – James G. Owen, Author

The Resurrection of Jesus: Is the Resurrection Real, or is it a Fable?

What does the word resurrection mean? It is the raising of the man, woman, or child from the dead by the power of the Holy Spirit, which is a person in the in the godhead (God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) of the Father. God is a trichotomous God, yet he is One.

Is the resurrection real? In 1 Kings 17:17-24, I am reminded as I write this article of Elijah and the widow’s son. The widow’s son fell ill and died. The lady complained to Elijah saying she had to pay for her sin by her son’s death. I can imagine that Elijah was grieved by the complaint and learning of the boy’s death. He took the widow’s son to the bedroom and laid him there, and for three times he petitioned God the Father to raise up the boy. After the third time God permitted him to come to life, and the boy did live. Imagine the look on Elijah’s and the widow’s face. With Elijah it must have been the look of determination and of faith. With faith we can move mountains and in enacting our faith we have authority. Elijah’s authority at this time was with the Father, even though God’s Spirit raised the boy from the dead. Also, seeing is believing and the widow believed by sight, and by the word of God that came from Elijah which was truth.

“And the woman said to Elijah, “Now I know that you are a man of God, and that the word of the Lord in your mouth is truth.”

1 Kings 17:24

In Ezekiel, we can read about the story of the dry bones coming together as an army to fight for the Lord. Many think this is a story of the Holocaust, and it could be, but as I have been thinking on my writings this week it could be the raising of an army to go forth to bring the gospel to every man on earth by those who believe in Jesus, the Church.

Also, the basis in the New Testament that the resurrection is not a fable, but truth lies in Jesus raising the body of Lazarus who was dead for four days. It is at this point in the degradation of the human body that it begins to have a stench. Jesus waited until this forth day to prove that the man was dead, I believe, for the people to believe. Jesus by the word of his mouth, just as in Elijah’s case, commanded Lazarus to come forth. Looking upon the sepulcher where Lazarus was laid the people watched as Lazarus came forth clothed in his grave clothes. Here, we see the Old Testament giving its account and the New Testament giving witness of the other.

On the third day after Jesus was crucified, he arose just like he told the disciples. On that same morning there is another account in the New Testament, and that is the saints in the graves of Jerusalem were resurrected and walked the streets. Imagine the power of the Holy Spirit, and the Father. In the Father there is all power and can do the impossible. Surely there were people who did not believe that Jesus was resurrected, but there were many who did because of his actions in his ministry prior to his death. Jesus, arose, folded the grave clothes as he came out of the grave with the gravestone having been rolled away by two angels. Was the sepulcher guarded? Yes, by Roman guards, but they fell asleep, being put to sleep by the angels.

“And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulcher. And they entered in and found not the body of the Lord Jesus.

And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments:

And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead?

He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee,”

Luke 24: 2-6

Imagine the scene as Mary Magdalene and others came to the grave and saw his grave empty and wondering who took him. They didn’t believe at this time, but there were two men at Jesus’s grave site and reminded those present of Jesus’s words. Even telling the apostles they did not believe but came to believe after being reminded, and in the days forward of Jesus coming to him before his ascension. He was seen by many over the land of Palestine before the feast of Pentecost. It was important for Jesus to die for us, and to be resurrected. It is by his death and resurrection that Satan was defeated, and those who choose life through Jesus, death can no longer sting or take hold.

Resurrection is real. Jesus’s resurrection is real and not a fable. Even today, we see a form of resurrection in the hospitals where people are given a shock to get their hearts beating and through resuscitation. Being Pentecostal, I have heard many stories of people being resurrected by the Holy Spirit in church services. We have been given the power through the Holy Spirit given to us, and the Holy Spirit came after Jesus’s death. Remember, Jesus said he would be with us always, and he is through the Holy Spirit.

Note: All scripture used was taken from the King James Version, Public Domain, BibleGateway.

Troubles and Trials Shall Come, but there is Rest from the Storm

As I have spent my day listening to videos and taking care of needful things, my spirit hears the psalmist who wrote the 23rd Psalm. Who was this psalmist? He is a boy who defeated a giant, and grew to become king.

My thoughts on this psalm is how good God—the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob has been good to me. I have had many troubles, trials, temptations, and the stress that life brings, but I am still here on Earth to testify that God gives peace and rest from all life’s storms.

God is my shepherd. One I can count on to come to me when I am in trouble, and always hears my cries. He is a father to me, and I am his child. He hears my distress in my voice, turns his ear, and says, “what is it my child?” I know I can trust God and tell him all my troubles because I have done so before, and he has always brought me through. God encompasses about me, protects me each day because I live in his covenant as a tithing, born again disciple. He is with me when I need and ask for knowledge, understanding, and wisdom so that I can mature and grow spiritually.

Jehovah is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures;
He leadeth me beside ^[a]still waters.
He restoreth my soul:
He guideth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
Psalm 23: 1-3 ASV

God, my father and I have a special place we can go, a quiet place of my choosing, whether it be in the woods, my bedroom, or under my tallit. A place to listen to him after I have emptied my heart before him, and in this place I can find peace, and rest from the stress, the trouble that the devil has put me through, and also the distress I placed on myself.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of
he shadow of death,
I will fear no evil; for thou art with me;
Thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me.
Psalm 23: 4 ASV

He provides for me in every way, forgives, and restores me. He sets my feet again on the path of righteousness when I make a mistake, or sin, and I ask him to forgive me once again. There are times I find myself in darkness because of the sin when I stumble.

Trials come, and trials go, and I have learned to keep my eyes forward so that soon the trial will cease. These trials are learning periods of hard knocks which gives me the experience to teach others, and to steer them away from the path I sorrowfully took, so that these students will not go the path I once traveled.

He sets before me a table to dine, with fine linen cloth and tableware and treating me as royalty showing me grace, mercy, and love. My enemies observes his goodness and kindness by the actions of my living, and my light shines before men.

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies:
Thou hast anointed my head with oil;
My cup runneth over.
Psalm 23:5 ASV

Surely goodness and lovingkindness shall follow me all the days of my life;
And I shall dwell in the house of Jehovah ^[d]for ever.
Psalm 23:6 ASV

His love is forever, and I have favor as long as I stay in his covenant, revere, and respect him by obedience in keeping his covenant. Jehovah is my Lord, my Savior, and his son is the Messiah. Forever will I trust, love, and praise his name for the peace of knowing I will reach heaven.

Notes:

All scripture given has been taken from the American Standard Version, Public Domain, Biblegateway.

Receiving the Wisdom of God

How do we receive wisdom from God? First, we must make repentance to God-the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob asking him to forgive us of our sins—to remove all the evil deeds we have done in our lives. In Hebrew, this would be teshuvah. We are to establish a relationship with him in righteousness, and to be able to receive anything we desire from him by asking. For sinful men, women, and children will not receive from God when we are living in sin.

After repentance and forgiveness is established in our hearts, we begin by listening to God as we pray, obeying his commandments, and what he tells us to do when he speaks to us. We must hide his word in our hearts, and we do this by serious study, memorization of scripture, and breaking down the passages to understand and find the meaning as it applies to our lives by meditating. If we do not understand what we are reading, then we can ask God to give us the meaning and learn by his Holy Spirit. For he will reveal it to us. So, stop and listen. If it doesn’t come soon, then think about it during the day.

Keep God and his word on your mind. As I read a scripture I may think about it during the day to see what God is going to say to me, or place a thought in my mind that I haven’t thought of before, and be prayerful throughout the day by unceasing prayer. Find moments during the day to pray privately, or voice a whisper as you go along. Apply his word in your heart and you will begin to understand.

My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee;
So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding;
Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding;
Proverbs 2:1-3 KJV

Ask God for wisdom and understanding. Maintain these gifts by daily scripture readings, daily prayer, and keeping the line of communication open. Listen for his voice, or any other means in which he will speak to you. It may come through an audible voice, a voice that seems like someone is there but not, or he may choose dreams that usually occur in the last portion of the morning, being 0300 am to 0600 am before sunrise.

As you gain wisdom and understanding, you will find that you understand the reverence of God. As you become closer to him in a relationship to him, you will discover you understand him more and his knowledge. For he speaks to us as a father would speak to his children in instruction, and we gain from his experiences, knowledge, and wisdom. As we walk with God in righteousness and holiness we will understand his law, righteousness, and his judgments. We will discover we have discernment and know what is sin and what is not. We will know the path to walk because of our conscience leading us telling us right from wrong.

If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures;
Then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God.
For the Lord giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.
He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous: he is a buckler to them that walk uprightly.
Proverbs 2: 4-7 KJV

So, how do we know when wisdom is present? Discretion will commence and subsist. It will subsist as long as we are walking in righteousness. This discretion will deliver us from evil, and that means listening to his Holy Spirit, the visions he gives us, and instructions from his messengers.

He keepeth the paths of judgment, and preserveth the way of his saints.
Then shalt thou understand righteousness, and judgment, and equity; yea, every good path.
When wisdom entereth into thine heart, and knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul;
Discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee:
Proverbs 2:8-11 KJV

As we establish a relationship with God and we repent of our sins, we must not look backward any longer. For he forgave us, delivered us, and over time will bring us to maturity through hardships, troubles and trials, that will cause us to grow so that we may open new doors of spiritual opportunity for us with him. Through all of this is how we receive the wisdom of God.

Notes:

All scripture is taken from the King James Version Public Domain Biblegateway.

The Discovery of God’s Wonderful Plan of Forgiveness and Restoration

Everyday someone is looking for a discovery that one can apply to their life that will make their life meaningful with a destiny and purpose. Many look for years, but their answer may be in their bookshelf, a bookstore, church, or a friend who has discovered their destiny and purpose. Usually, it is the latter for people are social, and when they make a wonderful discovery they must run to tell it to others. Such is the discovery we will find in God’s plan of forgiveness and restoration. A wonderful plan, and a plan of beauty.

Beginning, God made a promise to Adam and Eve in Genesis 3:15, that he will put enmity between the seed of Satan and the seed of Eve, and this seed will bruise the head of Satan, and Satan will only bruise the enmity’s heel. Here, we see a promise of a messiah, that he is more powerful than Satan because it tells of Satan’s defeat, that is, in bruising Satan’s head. The bruising I believe is a physical strike against one another. Who is this enmity? We find out later in the New Testament that he is the Messiah Jesus.

And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.
Genesis 3:15 KJV

God’s plan of Salvation was shown in scripture by Jesus going about healing, delivering, forgiving, and resurrecting within the land of Israel, mostly in the land of Galilee. In reading scripture we will see symbolism that shows that God feeds his children with physical food, but there is the feeding of one’s soul spiritually by the teaching of his commandments of the Torah, or the first five books of the Old Testament. Jesus’s name in Hebrew is yeshua, meaning to save, deliver, and redeem. All three are within God’s plan. How so? In Isaiah 61:1, Jesus quotes this verse to the synagogue in Nazareth and proclaims he is the messiah, that he is anointed to bring good news to the poor, bind up the broken-hearted, and proclaim freedom to those held captive in sin and darkness.

The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me; because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;
Isaiah 61:1 KJV

How did God in his plan bring about salvation that will provide forgiveness and restoration? He tells us that he loved us so much that he gave his son to die for us as a sacrifice, to shed his blood, blood that was not defiled by sin because this man was conceived of the Holy Ghost and Mary. Therefore, he was the perfect sacrifice because man’s seed was defiled by sin. He brought salvation to us through his blood by dying on a cross for all mankind. Only a pure source could be the sacrifice. If we believe upon Jesus who died for us on the cross we then will be saved, just like the thief on a cross next to Jesus who asked to be in paradise when Jesus came into his kingdom.

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
John 3:16 KJV

How does forgiveness lead to restoration? When we are forgiven by God we will notice that a change has occurred within our spirit. Afterward, we know we must walk a different path, and to get into fellowship with other disciples of Jesus by attending church and fellowship to continue to grow. Many of us have had problems of addiction, sinned by adultery and fornication, bad relationships that has left us broken and hurt. All of this mess can lead to long term healing because it is emotional stress, guilt, and shame. We must be loved by others who have walked this path and have overcome all of it. What must we do? Stay on the road to restoration because God has a plan for us to bring us into hope and a purpose in our future. That plan is for us to work for his kingdom to bring others into it and to keep others from spending eternity in spiritual death in a place we all have heard of as hell. He uses our talents and gifts to minister to one another in order to fulfill our destiny. And remember this, going through restoration God will never leave you, nor forsake you. When we make the habit of reading God’s word to grow spiritually we will find that there will be times of difficulty, but don’t despair because these difficulties, or trials are designed to strengthen us and to bring us into a greater anointing and to a different fork on our road to restoration and spiritual perfection.

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

Jeremiah 29:11 KJV

Within this plan I see the beauty of God’s love, a wonderful plan that God brings us from a sinful, irreparable state to one of redemption, perfection, and life! We cannot do all of this along for it takes digesting God’s word —the Bible, prayer, and the counsel of godly friends and pastors. All we have to do is to have faith, walk the road of righteousness, and the mindset that we will make it, we will win the race and prove God’s wonderful plan of forgiveness and restoration.

Notes: All scripture given is taken from the King James Version Public Domain Biblegateway.