Dear Friends,
Thanksgiving is once again right around the corner. We have so much to be thankful for. The Lord has truly been good, kind, gracious, and full of mercy. We should be the most thankful people on the face of the earth, showing not only with our words, but also in our deeds. Eternity is not long enough to be able to say the “thank you” that Father so richly deserves.
Father loves us, all people, so much that He knew the only way to free man from the bondages of sin was to pay our penalty Himself. That posed a problem since He had given dominion to man on the earth as is stated in Genesis 1:28. Then when Adam sinned he gave that dominion to Satan. That is why Satan could tempt Jesus the way he did in Luke 4:5-6. Thank God for His plan of wisdom and understanding.
Father sent His Word, with Mary’s approval, and by the power of the Holy Spirit she conceived a Son who was the Word made flesh, called the Son of the Most High. (Luke 1:31-38). This body called Jesus, housed the Word of God, and He went about doing good and healing all those oppressed by the devil (Acts 10:38). He also walked completely as a man, led about by the Holy Spirit, feeling all of the pressures and temptations that we experience, yet He was without sin (Hebrews 5:8; 4:15-16). After 33 years of walking on this earth, defeating every temptation, helping mankind, showing the Father’s love and compassion, He offered up His life as the sinless, perfect sacrifice for our sins. (Read Hebrews 10).
The Word of God tells us about the victory of Jesus Christ for us, in His death, burial, and resurrection.
Hebrews 2:14 Therefore, since the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise also partook of the same, that through death He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil. Jesus has rendered the devil powerless. In the Greek language this word katargéo; from katá, an intensive word meaning “to control, conquer, dominate” and argéo, “to be idle.” To render inactive, idle, useless, ineffective, in a controlling, conquering, dominating way. Glory to God!!!!!! 1 Timothy 2:5-6 For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all, the testimony given at the proper time. The humanity part of Christ is in heavenly places representing all men. Therefore, now He is able to save those that cry out to Him. (Hebrews 5:7).
Because of what Jesus has done in taking the form of a bond servant, suffering His flesh to obey God, offering Himself up for our sin, defeating Satan and rendering him powerless, and being man’s representative in heaven, He has again delivered into our possession the dominion and authority that was given to mankind in the days he was created.
Ephesians 4:22-24 That, in reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit, and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and (you) put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth. We should lay aside that old man. The one defeated by sin, controlled by the flesh, dominated by Satan. It is time to put on the new man. The one suffering the flesh to obey God, walking in victory over sin, having authority over Satan and his works. All of this is possible because of what Jesus has done for us. None of this could have been obtained on our own. The Word of God becoming human, born of woman, made it all possible. Could a “Thank You” ever be enough? We owe our all to the One “who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light” (1 Peter 2:9)
Go ahead and shout it: THANK YOU JESUS!!
Praying you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving!!
Pastor Bob
