Bless Net / Newsletter

Recently in our fellowship, as we have been working on keys to understanding the Bible, we rediscovered the value of figures of speech. Figures of speech are a legitimate part of speech that gives emphasis to something. A literal statement is enhanced when a figure of speech is used. When it comes to the Bible, figures of speech are the Holy Spirit’s markings of what is really important.

This Easter season, many will be partaking in communion where they recognize the value of Jesus Christ’s broken body and His shed blood. It is interesting to note that in God’s Word, the statement that describes the two parts of communion are a dynamic figure of speech. In fact the figure of speech employed is one of the more emphatic ones.

God does not describe or associate the eating of the bread is like or similar to Jesus’ broken body and the drinking from the cup is like or similar to Jesus’ shed blood. This would be the figure of speech called simile. But the Heavenly Father uses a much stronger figure of speech, a metaphor, stating the bread is Jesus’ broken body for our healing and the drinking of the cup of wine is Jesus’ shed blood for the forgiveness of sins.

While some denominations literally interpret the bread being His physical body and the blood being His physical blood, we should recognize the figure of speech used and take to heart what we are doing during the communion service.

Jesus Christ shared this act of eating and drinking to bring to remembrance the magnitude of His broken body and His shed blood. As we partake of the bread we remember that “by His stripes we are healed,” we come away from communion physically delivered. As we partake of the cup representing His shed blood, we remember that we have been forgiven of our sins and broken fellowship. We come away from communion mentally delivered, having no sense of condemnation because of His shed blood.

Take to heart when you partake of the communion service, the incredible deliverance you have in the finished work of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. You are healed! You are free from sin! Praise the Lord! “Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made [you] us free,…” Galatians 5:1.

Agape,

Bob

Life is fickle. As we navigate our life through all the challenges presented to us, we find it difficult to find that safe habor to anchor our life in.

Thankfully God has provided a certainty to the uncertainty of our times. He has given to us the hope of the Lord Jesus Christ’s return.

Thankfully at the young age of 20 I got born again, filled with the gift of holy spirit, speaking in tongues much. Now my anchor is completely hooked onto Jesus Christ. The storms of life cannot break Him away.

Hebrews 6:19 Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil;

Jesus Christ is what gives us assurance and hope for the future.

Colossians 1:23b: If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven;

What is the hope of the gospel? It is the return of our Lord and Savior coming back to earth, picking us up and giving us a new body and a new mind, so that we will be ever with the Lord. Our hope is etched in God’s Word so that we can put our anchor solidly onto Christ.

1Thessalonians 4:16 & 17: For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:

Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

1Corinthians 15:52: In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

Hebrews 6:11: And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end:

What a victorious life-style we have to live. We do not live in fear, but with confidence having the full assurance of Christ coming back to gather us together to be ever with Him.

Agape,

Bob

I Corinthians 15:57: But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Jeanie and I both have our parents interned at Ft Rosecrans National Cemetery. Both of our fathers fought in the South Pacific during World War II. On this upcoming Memorial Day they will be dearly remembered.

On this special day, as Americans recognize the value of the men and women who gave their lives for our freedom, we also recognize the Lord Jesus Christ and the life He gave for the spiritual freedom all born again Christians experience.

Recently, Jeanie was touched by an article in the Word of Truth magazine by Kenneth Hagin called, “The Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers.” Since 1937 a sentinel has guarded the Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. On that tomb is inscribed: “Here rests in honored glory an American soldier known only to God.”

Somewhere in Jerusalem, there is the remnants of the tomb where our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ was laid. But He is long gone from that place, only staying 72 hours, enough to pay for our salvation. Jesus Christ won the spiritual freedom for all mankind through His death and resurrection.

John 8:36 (NLT)

So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free.

Yes, we will remember those brave men and women who have given their lives for our country’s freedom. But with even greater thanksgiving do we praise and worship our Heavenly Father for the eternal freedom He bought for us through His Son. May we walk in the fullness of who we are in Christ and boldly hold forth the Words of Life.

Jeanie recently shared in a note to a particular family of believers words of wisdom we all can participate in: “Each of our lives are precious to our Heavenly Father and He wants us to live in victory and to live our lives in sacrifice for one another.”

I John 3:16 (NLT)

We know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us. So, we also ought to give up our lives [in loving service] for our brothers and sisters.

Agape,

Bob

Little did anyone know how spectacular this feast day would be!

Of the three major feasts in the Bible, Pentecost, or the Day of Firstfruits, was a festive time of abundance and rejoicing.

This special time followed some 50 days after the first major feast called the Feast of Unleavened Bread. God utilized these special times not only to recognize His blessings on the people, but to illustrated future events to come.

The first feast of the year (Unleavened Bread) was the barley harvest representing the firstfruits. It is uniquely noted that during this time the resurrection of Jesus Christ occurred. He represented the firstfruit from the dead.

The third and final feast celebrated the final harvest of all the crops at the end of the year. It illustrates the final harvest, the resurrection of the just and the unjust at the end of the world.

The feast we celebrate this Sunday is the second significant feast called Pentecost, or the feast of the wheat harvest. It illustrates the giving of the gift of holy spirit and was the firstfruits of the spirit.

God amazingly performed major spiritual events with these significant feast days.

As we celebrate Pentecost this Sunday, may we remember the incredible reality of the new birth spirit given on that day. May we walk in power realizing the fullness of the spirit of God in us. What a day!

Agape,

Bob