What the Bible says about Jesus

The True Light "In him, (the Lord Jesus) was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it. The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world,…the world didn’t recognize him." John 1:4,9.
The Good Seed and the Weeds The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seeds in his field. But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat and went away. Matthew 13:24,25.

Saturday, December 23, 2023

Master, the Tempest Is Raging Praise and Harmony on Victorious God.

 

1 Master, the tempest is raging!The billows are tossing high! The sky is o'ershadowed with blackness, No shelter or help is nigh; Carest thou not that we perish?" How canst thou lie asleep, When each moment so madly is threat'ning A grave in the angry deep?

Refrain: The winds and the waves shall obey thy will. "Peace, be still!" Whether the wrath of the storm-tossed sea, Or demons or men, or whatever it be, No water can swallow the ship where lies the Master of ocean and earth and skies: They all shall sweetly obey thy will. "Peace, be still! Peace, be still!" They all shall sweetly obey thy will. "Peace, peace, be still!" 

2 Master, with anguish of spirit I bow in my grief today; The depths of my sad heart are troubled, Oh, waken and save, I pray; Torrents of sin and of anguish Sweep o’er my sinking soul! And I perish! I perish, dear Master: Oh, hasten and take control. [Refrain] 

3 Master, the terror is over, The elements sweetly rest; Earth’s sun in the calm lake is mirrored, And heaven’s within my breast. Linger, O blessed Redeemer, Leave me alone no more; And with joy I shall make the blest harbor, And rest on the blissful shore. [Refrain]

Friday, December 22, 2023

THINK ABOUT HIS LOVE - Maranatha singers

 
 

This salvation which starts as a spiritual seed planted by the Holy Spirit Himself in the hearts of men who have received Him on His terms is ever expanding and revealing the loving heart of our Heavenly Father at this time of the year and all year long. "And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us". Romans 5:5 

Paul prays for the Ephesians in Ephesians 3:14-17 that: "He would grant you according to the riches of His glory to be strengthened with power through His spirit in the inner man so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith and that you being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God." This is also my prayer for all of us today and for the coming year. https://thelightseed.blogspot.com/2017/12/the-eternal-spring-of-joy-peace-and.html

Wednesday, September 20, 2023

Don´t be fooled! Seek the Truth with all your heart and you will find Him.

Written and published by Jean-Louis Mondon

Among all religions, which one doesn´t practice proselytism? They all do it even though some of their adepts sometimes deny the obvious undeniable facts.

Why are christians accused of believing and declaring that theirs is the only way to God?

Isn´t it narrow minded, exclusive and offensive to people of other religions or atheists?

The reality backed up by facts proves that all religions practice the recruitment of disciples.

Why would anyone believe someone who said: I really don´t believe in the uniqueness of my religion, but I invite you to join us and to see the truth in master´s teaching as a way to reach God.

And yet, that is what I have heard as an argument to accuse christianity of narrow-mindedness.

Islam is notorious for his forcing conversion throughout history, so was the Catholic church.

Swami Vivekananda attended the Parliament of Religions at Chicago in1893 as representative of Hinduism.

Self-Realization Fellowship guru Paramahansa Yogananda followed in 1933. 

(I once was an adept of Hindu meditation called Kriya yoga and a disciple of Guru Paramahansa Yogananda before being rescued by the Lord Jesus Christ.)

Who doesn´t remember the Beattles and Maharishi Mahesh Yogi who first introduced Transcendental Meditation in the US In 1959,

So what is the essential difference which makes Christianity stand apart from all others religions or ideologies not classified as religions, but in effect are?

It boils down to man´s  acceptance of God´s of divine grace and rejection of man´s works as the way of reconciliation between sinful man and a holy God who is the one who makes the rules because he is Lord and King and creator of the universe. No other way has been provided by God´s providencial  provision for the salvation of mankind. 

 Peter and John Before the Council
11This Jesus is ‘the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone.’ 12 Salvation exists in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.” 13When they saw the boldness of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they marveled and took note that these men had been with Jesus.…

All other religions are based on the principle of work to gain entrance into the presence of God after death. Even some Christian denominations add works to grace as a way to merit salvation.

These statements in no way disrespect other people´s religions or their customs and traditions. God has given each of us human being freedom to choose whom to worship and serve.

What kind of father would punish this children without instructing them beforehand of what is right and wrong and warning them of the consequences of their actions?

The first example of that admonition happened with Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden.

16And the LORD God commanded him, “You may eat freely from every tree of the garden, 17but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil; for in the day that you eat of it, you will surely die.” Genesis 2:16,17.

Have you heard an argument such as this one: Can millions of Hindus be wrong? (Wikipedia) Hinduism has approximately 1.2 billion adherents worldwide (15-16% of the world's population).

Old Testaments Scriptures

Psalm 49:7-9: None of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him: 8 (For the redemption of their soul is precious, and it ceaseth for ever:) 9That he should still live for ever, and not see corruption.

Psalm 50:23: “He who offers a sacrifice of thanksgiving honors Me; And to him who sets his way properly I will show the salvation of God.”

Isaiah 42: God wanted the Jews to bring in gentiles to know and worship Him.

6“I, the LORD, have called you for a righteous purpose, and I will take hold of your hand. I will keep you and appoint you to be a covenant for the people and a light to the nations, 7to open the eyes of the blind, to bring prisoners out of the dungeon and those sitting in darkness out from the prison house. “

New Testament Scriptures

Acts 10. the story of Cornelius

Cornelius Sends for Peter

1At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion in what was called the Italian Regiment. 2He and all his household were devout and God-fearing. He gave generously to the people and prayed to God regularly. 3One day at about the ninth hour,a he had a clear vision of an angel of God who came to him and said, “Cornelius!”

4Cornelius stared at him in fear and asked, “What is it, Lord?”

The angel answered, “Your prayers and gifts to the poor have ascended as a memorial offering before God. 5Now send men to Joppa to call for a man named Simon who is called Peter. 6He is staying with Simon the tanner, whose house is by the sea.b

21So Peter went down to the menf and said, “Here am I, the one you are looking for. Why have you come?”

22“Cornelius the centurion has sent us,” they said. “He is a righteous and God-fearing man with a good reputation among the whole Jewish nation. A holy angel instructed him to request your presence in his home so he could hear a message from you.”

23So Peter invited them in as his guests. And the next day he got ready and went with them, accompanied by some of the brothers from Joppa.

Peter Visits Cornelius

24The following day he arrived in Caesarea, where Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends. 25As Peter was about to enter, Cornelius met him and fell at his feet to worship him. 26But Peter helped him up. “Stand up,” he said, “I am only a man myself.”

27As Peter talked with him, he went inside and found many people gathered together. 28He said to them, “You know how unlawful it is for a Jew to associate with a foreigner or visit him. But God has shown me that I should not call any man impure or unclean. 29So when I was invited, I came without objection. I ask, then, why have you sent for me?”

30Cornelius answered: “Four days ago I was in my house praying at this, the ninth hour.g Suddenly a man in radiant clothing stood before me 31and said, ‘Cornelius, your prayer has been heard, and your gifts to the poor have been remembered before God. 32Therefore send to Joppa for Simon, who is called Peter. He is a guest in the home of Simon the tanner, by the sea.’

33So I sent for you immediately, and you were kind enough to come. Now then, we are all here in the presence of God to listen to everything the Lord has instructed you to tell us.”

Good News for the Gentiles

34Then Peter began to speak: “I now truly understand that God does not show favoritism, 35but welcomes those from every nation who fear Him and do what is right. 36He has sent this message to the people of Israel, proclaiming the gospel of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all.

37You yourselves know what has happened throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee with the baptism that John proclaimed: 38how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, and how Jesus went around doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, because God was with Him.

39We are witnesses of all that He did, both in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem. And although they put Him to death by hanging Him on a tree, 40God raised Him up on the third day and caused Him to be seen— 41not by all the people, but by the witnesses God had chosen beforehand, by us who ate and drank with Him after He rose from the dead. 42And He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that He is the One appointed by God to judge the living and the dead. 43All the prophets testify about Him that everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins through His name.”

The Gentiles Receive the Holy Spirit
(Acts 19:1–7)

44While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all who heard his message. 45All the circumcised believers who had accompanied Peter were astounded that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles. 46For they heard them speaking in tongues and exalting God.

The Prophecy of Simeon Luke 2: 25-32

25Now there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26The Holy Spirit had revealed to him that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. 27Led by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts.e And when the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for Him what was customary under the Law,

28Simeon took Him in his arms and blessed God, saying:

29“Sovereign Lord, as You have promised, You now dismiss Your servant in peace.

30For my eyes have seen Your salvation, 31which You have prepared in the sight of all people,

32a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to Your people Israel.” 

My own testimony in allegorical form of my journey in the spiritual desert. https://thelightseed.blogspot.com/2017/09/mp3-audio-file-update-to-joshua-tree.html


Tuesday, September 12, 2023

The Church as a Lighthouse

 Written and published by Jean-Louis Mondon

O faro, minha estrutura humana favorita cujo propósito é alertar e salvar vidas humanas do perigo do mar. Essa imágem aparece na foto de cabeçalho do meu blog. Cuidado quando a luz se apaga durante noites escuras. Mas a luz divina nunca se apaga e brilha nas trevas!
Não podemos pensar que este sistema de alerta protetor contra os perigos do mar furioso pode ser substituido com um clube que provee entretenimento e engano para pessoas pensando que são salvos quando de fato não é a estrutura que os protege mas a Luz divina que brilla dentro dela. 
 
²¹ E chamou ao menino Icabode, dizendo: De Israel se foi a glória! Porque a arca de Deus foi tomada, e por causa de seu sogro e de seu marido.
²² E disse: De Israel a glória é levada presa; pois é tomada a arca de Deus. 1 Samuel 4:21,22
 
Ezequiel 11:23. João Ferreira de Almeida Atualizada
E a glória do Senhor se alçou desde o meio da cidade, e se pôs sobre o monte que está ao oriente da cidade.
Maranata!
 
The Lighthouse, my favorite human structure whose purpose is to alert and save human lives from iminent danger from the sea. It appears in the photo as the header on my blog.
 
Be careful when the light goes off during dark nights. But the divine Light never goes out and always shines through the darkest nights. Let us not think that we can change this essential warning system protecting us against the perils of the raging seas into a club whose purpose is to entertain and deceive people into thinking that they are safe when in reality it´s not the structure that is important but the Light therein.
 
…20As she was dying, the women attending to her said, “Do not be afraid, for you have given birth to a son!” But she did not respond or pay any heed. 21And she named the boy Ichabod, saying, “The glory has departed from Israel,” because the ark of God had been captured and her father-in-law and her husband had been killed. 22“The glory has departed from Israel,” she said, “for the ark of God has been captured.”…
 
God's Glory Exits the Temple
 
18Then the glory of the LORD moved away from the threshold of the temple and stood above the cherubim. 19As I watched, the cherubim lifted their wings and rose up from the ground, with the wheels beside them as they went. And they stopped at the entrance of the east gate of the house of the LORD, with the glory of the God of Israel above them. Ezekiel 10:18-19.
 
Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary
Ezekiel 11:22-25 Here is the departure of God's presence from the city and temple. It was from the Mount of Olives that the vision went up, typifying the ascension of Christ to heaven from that very mountain. Though the Lord will not forsake his people, yet he may be driven away from any part of his visible church by their sins, and woe will be upon them when He withdraws his presence, glory, and protection.


Friday, June 9, 2023

Saudade e Lembranças Auto Desconhecido. Publicado 2007

Publicado por Jean-Louis. 

Ano de publicação 2007
 
Podem parecer sinônimos. Idéia igual, mas diferente no sentir.
 
Lembrança é da memória, saudade é da alma.
Muitas lembranças, poucas saudades.
 
Lembranças surgem com um cheiro,uma música, uma palavra.
 
Saudade surge sozinha, emerge do fundo do peito onde é guardada com carinho.
 
Lembrança pode ser boa, mas quando não é, pode-se afastá-la convocando outra lembrança ou convocando outro pensamento para o lugar, ligando a TV ou lendo o jornal.
 
Saudade é sempre boa, mesmo quando dói, e não se apaga mesmo que outra pessoa tente ocupar o lugar vazio.Ela pode coexistir com um novo amor, sem machucá-lo. 
 
Lembrança é de algo real, de um lugar, uma época, uma pessoa.
 
Saudade pode ser do que não houve, de uma possibilidade,de lábios jamais tocados.
 
Lembrança pode ser contada, medida, localizada, e com algum esforço,
pode até ser calculada com uma fórmula matemática,ao gosto dos engenheiros
.
Saudade é dos poetas, é pautada em rimas e melodias;vontade de ver outra pessoa, segundo os poetas, teria outro nome, seria uma saudade com tempero, eu acho,
 
Lembrança pode ser sem som, pode não doer.
 
Saudade jamais é sem som.Se ela não vier com música de fundo, a gente coloca, só para ficar mais bonita, mais gostosa de sentir,para preencher mais a alma vazia.
 
Lembrança vence a morte, mas conforma-se com a ausência, respeita convenções.
 
Saudade ignora a morte, vence distâncias, barreiras e preconceitos.
Lembrança aceita nosso comando, vai e volta quando queremos.
 
Saudade é irreverente, independente e auto suficiente. 
 
Gosto mais da saudade! E você? 
 
Autor desconhecido

Thursday, June 8, 2023

Jesus´ Little Donkey

Written and published by Jean-Louis Mondon

 

What could I add?

That would only be redondant

 

Instead, better follow my destiny

The Way, the Truth and the Life

Which is only to surpass

Myself and not others

To not belittle my brothers

Or neighbors, but to spur them

On the path of righteousness,

By sailboat or on a camel.


However, I must confess

That my preferred transportation

My Master´s choice,

By the way of example

Of this little animal,

So cute and kind


For me no white horse,

With a wavy mane,

But this old and modest taxi

The unforgettable little gray donkey.

 

Sunday, May 28, 2023

The Marriage of the Lamb

Written and published by Jean Louis

Revelation 19:6-10. KJV 

And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.
Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.

And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God. And I fell at his feet to worship him.
And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.

This morning as I was re-reading some of the commentaries in my blog, I came upon this one (12 de jul. de 2013) that elicited the following response from the reader: " Thank you brother for adjusting the compass needle to the True North."

Indeed, Jesus made it simple so that a child could understand his words when He told Nicodemus: "You must be born again."
 
If someone were to ask you: Are you married? A simple yes or no would be enough to ascertain your marital status. and yet so many don´t know,when it comes to answer if asked if they are a christian, iif they know Jesus. Maybe, they are not sure or hide this simple relational fact with fudging because of doubts, fear and peer pressure.
 
In the biblical creation account of Adam and Eve, God "created them male and female, and blessed them and called them Mankind in the day they were created." Genesis 5:2.
 
Either you are married or you are not. Nothing complicated about that. This is a fact as much and as important to know and be sure as much as the answer to the question: Are you a man or a woman?


In order to be married, you have to be asked, invited into someone´s life and seal the commitment with a simple "yes or I do.
" in the presence of witnesses. See how simple it is! 
 
Now, translate this into Jesus coming to you and asking you: do you want to be my bride to marry me and spend the rest of eternity with me?

I will take care of you for all eternity, wash you clean, provide the wedding garment and be with you, lovingly performing the duties of a faithful husband all the days of your life, never leaving you, nor forsaking you because I love you and I already paid the price .The choice is up to you.

Thanksgiving and Prayer
12giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the light. 13He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of His beloved Son, 14in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.…
Colossians 1:13

Merriam/Webster thesaurus

Transition noun. Definition of transition :as in transformation

So, rescued from darness into light or changed frmo one state of blindness into an enlightened state of seeing  translated into simple language, this is what the statement” you must be born again” means to me. ” 

Are you born again?” is indeed a most important question to ask. In fact It´s a matter of life and death. 

Maranatha. Jean-Louis.

I use the word "translate" a lot, I know. Of course, I am a translator by choice of trade. One thing I forgot to mention: Soon I hope, we will be witnesses of the most stunning prestidigitation feat of all, the translation of innumerable crowds of anxiously awaiting passengers on the most wonderful, exciting voyage of all times from one plane and time of existence to their eternal abode because their ticket was purchased in advance by none other than the Lord Jesus Christ, God Himself according to his promise as recorded in his Word. 

So, let´s keep it simple. One question: Are you married? or soon to be married? Yes or no?

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