Tag: It is finished

It Is Finished, Now Expect This…

On By Ed AlgreenIn Answered Prayer, Appreciation, Needs, Praise, Recognize God, Salvation, WorshipLeave a comment

DATE WRITTEN: Wednesday, 2020-12-30
WRITTEN AT: Paul B Johnson State Park, Hattiesburg, MS

BIBLE REFERENCE: Revelation 21:6-8
TRANSLATION: Living Bible (TLB)

BIBLE TEXT: 6 It is finished! I am the A and the Z—the Beginning and the End. I will give to the thirsty the springs of the Water of Life—as a gift! 7 Everyone who conquers will inherit all these blessings, and I will be his God and he will be my son. 8 But cowards who turn back from following me, and those who are unfaithful to me, and the corrupt, and murderers, and the immoral, and those conversing with demons, and idol worshipers and all liars—their doom is in the Lake that burns with fire and sulphur. This is the Second Death.”

OBSERVATION: Twice in the New Testament I remember the words ‘It Is Finished’. Once at Jesus’ death, and again in our Scripture today. If Jesus should postpone His return for a few days, we may hear these words again, for we will be reminded at midnight tomorrow evening that 2020 has come to an end – it (the old year) is finished. Let us meditate on all this means for us individually.

APPLICATION: For some, 2020 may have been an exceptionally good year, but for most this has probably been the most challenging year of our lives. Of course, we have no idea what 2021 will bring to us, because it could be 100% better as the vaccine is introduced to the worldwide population and perhaps we could finally see an end to the COVID virus. Our lives could finally return to ‘normal’! There are some lessons we could learn from the challenges this year, as we were faced with an evil/virus that never before showed its ugly face. We were forced into quarantine; forced to wear masks; forced to social distance; forced to cook at home more, as restaurants were either closed, restricted or impossible to gain access to, due to the social distancing guidelines. We did all these things in order to survive – in order to avoid catching the virus. For centuries the church has been alive and well, with pastors preaching the saving gospel of Jesus Christ, so that we might prepared for eternity and our meeting in the air with our Maker. Jesus made Himself available to you and gave you the freedom to accept Him as Lord, so that you could avoid the pit of Hell and avoid all your worldly leader, Satan, has planned for you. Given the choice, even though the end result would lead to certain death and eternal punishment, yet many have chosen to ignore the warnings and instead, take their chances. Friends, I pray that as you evaluate what your chances were in ignoring the warnings in 2020, you might also think about how, given the warnings in the Bible about your eternal destination, you will make the right decision in favor of spending eternity with Jesus and His Father. This could occur before we finish out 2020, so I would highly recommend that you not postpone your decision any longer. See my Footnote for help, particularly the link ‘To Know Jesus’, for all the Scriptural help you need to accept Jesus. Be ready today my friend. I’m not sure when you might hear that phrase ‘It is finished’ next. Only God knows when He will call an end to this world by pronouncing ‘It (this world) is finished’. Only God knows when He will call an end to your life by pronouncing ‘It (your life) is finished’. Either of these could occur before you ever see 2021. The answer for full readiness in either scenario has been provided. It’s your turn – your decision, as no one can do this for you. Please dear friends, know Jesus and know the peace that passeth all understanding. Know where you will spend eternity after hearing your last ‘It is finished’ from God Himself.

PRAYER: Dear Lord Jesus, thank You for providing the path to eternal life for mankind, even though we may have done nothing to deserve it. Your love for us is far greater than anything we could imagine, but we appreciate Your unconditional and everlasting love for Your children. Praise God, You called me out of my sin and into the light of Your salvation, before pronouncing ‘it is finished’ on my life. I now can look forward to unending peace while still here on earth, knowing that I will enjoy eternal peace in heaven with You and the Father. Lord, I’m afraid that many are taking Your Word too lightly and not heeding to the warnings given in It. Please oh God, soften the hearts of my readers that they might know You before it is eternally too late, and do the same for my family and friends who are playing with their life and the vain benefits offered by this world. I would be forever grateful to You, Lord Jesus. May You be glorified throughout the rest of 2020 as Your children make important decisions in their lives. AMEN!

FOOTNOTE: There are two more pages on my blog at https://NuggetsFromGodsWord.org that will provide you with additional information, one of them being ‘To Know Jesus’. If you have been challenged to make a decision today after reading or listening to this devotional, please go to the above page, or speak with a local Bible Teaching Pastor, or contact me at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com. Please allow someone to pray with you and give you help and/or encouragement as you begin, or continue your walk with Jesus. If this devotional was forwarded to you and you would like to see more, please go to Nuggets From God’s Word and see all of my posts, or you may freely subscribe for a daily email conveniently containing each day’s devotional. I would encourage you to find a church home near by your home, and attend as frequently as you could. Get to know God, and allow His people to encourage and strengthen you in your Christian walk, while making every effort to be a blessing to them. God is at work among His people! Please consider growing in your faith, as you worship with fellow believers!

It’s Done

On By Ed AlgreenIn Easter, Faith, Rewards, Salvation, Saved, TrustLeave a comment

Friday, 2019-04-19

Bible Reference: John 19:28-30
Translation: The Message (MSG)

Bible Text: Jesus, seeing that everything had been completed so that the Scripture record might also be complete, then said, “I’m thirsty.” A jug of sour wine was standing by. Someone put a sponge soaked with the wine on a javelin and lifted it to his mouth. After he took the wine, Jesus said, “It’s done . . . complete.” Bowing his head, he offered up his spirit.

OBSERVATION: Without sounding too morbid, I believe the reality of Jesus’ last words will no doubt be echoed by someone today as they wrap things up here on this earth. What does the term mean? What does it mean for you to say those words? What does it mean when you hear someone near to you say those words? Let us meditate on these words in the light of our eternity, in our time together today!

APPLICATION: These simple words are widely used today in many ways, with a variety of meaning. A chef who has labored over a meal for an important couple, might say to his butler, ‘It’s done!’ Meaning, we are now ready to present the best meal this important couple has ever experienced, and that they have longed for since they entered our restaurant. The chef is proud of how everything turned out, and he can’t wait to peek through the kitchen window and watch the expression on the faces of royalty as they taste this meal! In a similar scenario, a contractor has just completed a 2-year project in building a world class hotel. It’s done! As the doors are opened and the hotel begins to fill up, the contractor stands back with great pride as he sees that his attention to detail and perfection has paid off! For he sees the look on the face of the owners who are filled with pride, enjoying the grand opening! The contractors job is done, and the hotel is being used as it was designed and built. When Jesus was born, the angels declared that this baby was born in purity, to bring the purity of heaven to mankind. His whole purpose in life was to bring salvation to a lost, hopeless and powerless world that didn’t stand a chance of seeing the glories of heaven based on anything they could do or say on their own. In His short life here on earth, Jesus was obedient to His Father, and through many miracles; extensions of love to the unlovable; care and healing for those without any hope; and encouragement for those who felt helpless; He brought the miracle of everlasting life! Something that every generation had strived for, but failed so miserably at. Yet God, in His awesome mercy, sent us His very own Son to bring life – everlasting life in heaven for all eternity. Something that we were incapable of on our own. On a day, just like today, the Jews were tired of the good our Lord did in their midst, so they did what they thought was their only option – they condemned Him to death, on a cross, like other criminals of their day. But friends, we commemorate that horrific day still today – literally today on the calendar we commemorate Good Friday. For our Lord had to die to fulfill the work of His Father. Had there not been death, there would be no resurrection – that we celebrate on Easter Sunday, and every Sunday of the year! So when we hear the words ‘It is finished’, or ‘It is done’, let’s remember that Jesus had completed the tasks for which He came – He was done! And because He died and rose again, we have insight into what will happen to those for whom He came to earth. We too will rise to meet our Lord, our Savior, our Father, our God – in heaven, where we will live eternally. So don’t be sad today as you remember the death of our Lord, for Sunday’s ‘a comin! Praise the everlasting name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ! Please find yourself in church on Sunday to join hearts and voices as we celebrate the resurrection of our Savior and Lord! You ask me how I know He lives? My friend, He lives within my heart!!

PRAYER: Precious Lord Jesus, thank You for putting up with mankind while You were here on earth. Thank You for all You did on Calvary, so that we might have hope in tomorrow – our everlasting future in Heaven with You and the Father. Please forgive us – all of mankind for our selfishness and ungratefulness, as dished out to You on the cross. Oh Lord, please prick our hearts every time that we turn our eyes away from You. Please draw us back to the cross, back to You – our only hope for eternity. Lord we are in awe of You and all that You did for us. May we truly and sincerely worship You all the days of our life. AMEN!