To whom are you praying?

For there is one God and one mediator* between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, I Timothy 2:5

Do you believe this? Does your faith practice reflect your belief?

*Mediator – a go-between

Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first (Old Covenant), that he may establish the second (New Covenant). By the which will we are sanctified* through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: but this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; from henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool.

For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified*.

Hebrews 10:9-14

Do you believe this? Does your faith practice reflect your belief?

*Sanctified – Set apart.

…let the word of Christ (Messiah) dwell (take up its life) in you richly…

For by grace are you saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast.  Ephesians 2:8&9

If we are not saved by works, why assign works of penance to achieve absolution?

If salvation is of the Lord, why is the “church” dispensing it?

But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; that if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

For the scripture saith, whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.

For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Romans 10:8-13

For by grace are you saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast. Ephesians 2:8&9

What are you being charged?

There is an old (1938) Robin Hood movie that contains a scene that illustrates how all men will respond when Christ returns in glory to judge mankind.

King Richard I of England had been participating in the Crusades. Upon returning from one of his excursions, he is captured and held for ransom. Prince John who has ruled in Richard’s absence, begins raising a ransom through an oppressive tax. It becomes clear that he does not have King Richard’s best interests at heart. Prince John plans to become King in his place and pocket the ransom. Richard will never be freed.

Robin Hood sees through Prince John’s scheme and begins to oppose him. Prince John revokes Robin’s titles and confiscates his lands making Robin an outlaw with a price on his head. Seeing the corruption and oppression of Prince John, many men join Robin Hood’s band and live exiled from society in Sherwood Forrest. They begin to rob those loyal to Prince John and to provide protection for those whom John has stolen from and oppressed.

Meanwhile King Richard I either escapes captivity or is ransomed by some other means. Upon his return to England he realizes that he has been usurped and not knowing who is loyal to him, he begins to move about with a handful of men whom he trusts, disguised as monks.

Eventually they cross paths with Robin and his men. When Robin realizes the ”monks” are loyal to King Richard, he invites them to his camp to share a meal and to perhaps join his band. There King Richard sees the oppressed people that Robin and his men are protecting and providing for.

After hearing their stories of oppression and their hope for King Richard’s return, the King removes his monk’s hood and robe revealing his suit of mail and the royal crest. The camp’s reaction was instantaneous. They all, without hesitation and as one man, went to their knee and bowed in submission to their King.

One day Christ will return to earth. Every eye will see Him, every knee shall bow before Him, and every tongue will confess that He is Lord, to the glory of the Father……..whether ready or not.

What man is he that liveth, and shall not see death? shall he deliver his soul from the hand of the grave? Selah. Psalm 89:48

It is of the LORD’S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.

The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him. The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him.

It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD. Lamentations 3:22-26

I hear the name of Jesus everyday, but not in praise.
Do you not know who Jesus is? Do you not understand what you just did?

Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain. Exodus 20:7

Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: but made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

Wherefore God (the Father) also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:5-11

…let the word of Christ (Messiah) dwell (take up its life) in you richly…

Jesus went unto the mount of Olives. And early in the morning he came again into the temple, and all the people came unto him; and he sat down, and taught them.

And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst, they say unto him, Master, this woman* was taken in adultery, in the very act. Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou?

This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not. So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her. And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground.

And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.

When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee? She said, No man, Lord.

And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more. John 8:1-11

…let the word of Christ (Messiah) dwell (take up its life) in you richly…

*Where was the man?