The Fathers House

Friday, July 26, 2024

The Truth about Truth

John 8:46
Which of you convicts me of sin? And if I tell the truth, why do you not believe me?

John uses the word TRUTH more than 20 times in his gospel. When Jesus spoke these words to Pontius Pilate, Pilate ask Jesus, what is truth?
That’s what people are saying today, too. When we hear phrases like your truth, my truth, and his truth, it comes from a belief that there is no absolute truth. Everything is subject to opinions. Everything is relative. Do not be fooled by the worlds version of truth. Stay close to him who is the truth.

Thursday, July 25, 2024

No Other Name

Acts 4:12
Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven, given among men by which we must be saved.

In a world, that seems to be falling apart, the belief that Jesus is the only way of salvation is increasingly called arrogant and even hateful. In the face of this criticism, many shrink back from affirming the global necessity of knowing and believing in Christ Jesus. In the book of Acts, the apostle Peter did not hesitate to proclaim to his critics that there was no salvation in anyone other than Jesus. Do not be intimidated in sharing the good news that Jesus is the only way!

Wednesday, July 24, 2024

Signs of Life

Matthew 16:13
You cannot discern the signs of the Times.

Have you ever been confused reading highway signs such as, Entrance Only Do Not Enter.
Or Right Lane must Turn Left.
If you’ve ever seen a sign that said, welcome to Accident, you’re probably entering the town of Accident, Maryland.
The world is giving us a lot of confusing signs right now, but let your mind go back to when Thomas felt the same way.
He asked, Lord, we do not know where you’re going, and how can we know the way? Jesus said, I am the way, the truth, and the life.

Tuesday July23, 2024

The Ten

Philippians 3:20
For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.

In scripture, there are 10 people who have returned to life after dying:
The widow of Zarephath,s Son (1 Kings 17)
The Shunammite woman’s son (2 Kings 4)
A nameless man (2Kings 13)
The boy in Nain (Luke7)
Jairus daughter (Luke 8)
Lazarus (John 11)
Tabitha (Acts9)
Eutychus (Acts 20)
Those resurrected at the crucifixion (Matthew27)
The 10th is Jesus.
The resurrections in the past, point us forward, not backward. The resurrection is not a doctrine to be pondered, but an invitation to experience the living Christ in your life.

Monday, July 22, 2024

Life Eternal

John 11:25-26
Jesus said to Martha, I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me, though he may die, he shall live. And who ever lives, and believes in me, shall never die.

Before raising Lazarus from the dead, a physical miracle, Jesus told Lazarus’s sister Martha, a spiritual truth. Eventually, Lazarus died again, physically, but not spiritually.

Friday, July 19, 2024

Exhilaration

John 11:11
Our friend Lazarus sleeps, but I go, that I may wake him up.

Alexander Polli, a skydiver and base jumper, was ask why he risked his life. To be quite honest, he said, I am extremely scared of dying. Sadly, Polli perished in 2016 while trying to soar through the French alps in a flying suit. He was 31.
When we know, Christ, as Savior, we can soar in life with no fear of dying. When Jesus healed his friend Lazarus, he demonstrated his power over death.

Thursday, July 18, 2024

The Shepherds Voice

Psalm 95:7
For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. Today, if you will hear his voice.

Music lovers can easily identify the voices of their favorite singers, because each voice is different. The Lord Jesus, our shepherd, has the most distinct and unique voice in the world. It is deep as the ocean, as rich as Water Falls, as wise as the sages, as quiet as the breeze, and as sweet as the fragrance of lilies. Like sheep, we can learn to listen to him, and trust what he says.

Wednesday, July 17, 2024

The Shepherd and his sheep

John 10:14
I am a good Shepherd; and I know my sheep, and I am known by my own.

In biblical times, when the shepherd built a bond of intimacy and trust with his sheep, they responded to his voice. Jesus said his sheep know his voice, and he leads them out to pasture, calling them by name. Listen as he calls for you.

Tuesday, July 16, 2024

The Good Shepherd

John 10:11
I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives his life for the sheep.

As a shepherd, David fulfilled his two most important task; he provide for his flock and protect his flock. He saw God fulfilling, those same two responsibilities for his people, and for him personally. Jesus is still the good Shepherd!

Monday, July 15, 2024

Guardian of the Sheep

John 10:9
I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved, and will go in and go out and find pasture.

In the ancient near east, Kings were often referred to as shepherds. Against this background, Jesus not only declared himself to be the good shepherd, but he also said he was the door of the sheepfold. That meant anyone coming in or out of the sheepfold had to go through him. Those who enter his sheepfold will be saved and can go in and out to find good pastures.

Friday, July 12, 2024

Safe and Secure

John 10:7
I am the door of the sheep.

The middle, eastern sheepfold was very simple, it was a Stonewall, perhaps 10 feet high, surrounded it, and an opening served as the door. The shepherds in the village would drive their sheep into the fold at nightfall, and leave the porter to stay in guard. In the morning, each shepherd would call his own sheep, which would recognize their shepherds voice, and come out of the fold.
Fear, not because Jesus, the door, is your protective Shepherd.

Thursday, July 11, 2024

The Door

The biggest doors in the world are found in Florida. They are higher than Niagara Falls and it takes 45 minutes to completely open or closed them. But those doors are not as impressive as the ancient doors of the Jewish temple. One of those doors between the holy place and the most holy place, was actually a thick curtain, bearing access to the glory of God of Israel.
When Jesus died on the cross that barrier split open. His death allows us to enter unhindered to the throne of grace to find grace and mercy to help in time of need. Take advantage of this open door and simply go through.

Wednesday, July 10, 2024

Seek the Light

Psalm 119:105
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.

Before GPS we had paper maps. When traveling at night road maps were challenging since the interior lights in cars were rarely bright enough to make map reading easy. Light is a critical ingredient when navigating on the road or through life. We encounter dead ends, roadblocks, detours, and other challenges, we need the brightest light possible, and his name is Jesus Christ, who is the light of the world.

Tuesday, July 9, 2024

Shine His Light

Matthew 5:14
You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.

In 1961, President John F Kennedy quoted the phrase from the Puritan John Winthrope’s 1630 sermon in which he referenced (a city upon a hill)
In 1980, President Ronald Reagan use the same phrase in his campaign speeches. While Kennedy and Reagan were quoting, John Winthrop, Winthrop himself was quoting Jesus; a city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.
Jesus made that statement in his sermon on the mount while telling his disciples, you are the light of the world. Jesus, in part of his light to his disciples, now, he wants you to impart your light to others.
This little light of mine I’m gonna let it shine !

Monday, July 8, 2024

Light of the World

John 8:12
Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, I am the light of the world. You who follows me, shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.

When the Hebrew slaves travel through the wilderness, God provided a pillar of cloud by day, and a fire by night to guide them. Jesus also reminding the Jews of his day of the need for spiritual light to travel in a dark world.
Be you sure to follow the light!

Friday, July 5, 2024

I Am Willing

Matthew 8:3
Then Jesus put out his hand and touch him, saying, I am willing; be cleansed.

Dr. Howard Crosby once said in a sermon, no Christian should fear death, for the same grace that teaches us how to live, will teach us how to die.
Inspired by his words, Miss F***y Crosby, who was related to Dr. Crosby wrote a song entitled Within the Palace of the King! She said in the chorus, and I shall see him, face-to-face, and tell the story - saved by grace!
Our whole culture is built on the idea of good works, which are rewarded by promotion and increase. But the gospel tells us that we aren’t saved by works of righteousness, which we have done, but by his mercy and grace.
F***y. Crosby also wrote these words,
Someday my earthly house will fall, I cannot tell how soon twill be; but this I know - my All in All has now a place in heaven for me.
God is willing to change your life.

Thursday, July 4, 2024

I Am Your Reward

Genesis 15:1
I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward.

God has made us for himself, and our hearts are relentless until we find him. We were created to be satisfied by knowing God and his son.
This is our reward!

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY🇺🇸

Wednesday, July 3, 2024

Bread of Life

John 6:35
And Jesus said to them, I am the bread of life. He who comes to me shall never hunger, and he who believes in me, shall never thirst.

Jesus was not promising the avoidance of physical death, but spiritual death. He spoke of spiritual, eternal life, and his own impending death for the sins of the world. We consume Jesus by believing in him; he who believes in me, though he may die, he shall live.

Tuesday, July 2, 2024

What Christ is

John 8:58
Jesus said to them, most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I Am.

Consider, how often we use the phrase, I am, in conversation. God used the phrase I Am in answering a question from Moses, who wanted to know how to identify God to the Hebrew slaves. God’s answer was, I Am who I Am sent me to you.
Jesus identified himself to the Jews as being one with God: before Abraham was, I Am.
Jesus went on to expand on the meaning of I Am by using the phrase seven times to describe aspects of his being:
I am the bread of life, I am the light of the world, I am the door, I am the good shepherd, I am the resurrection and the life, I am the way the truth and the life and the true vine.
Meditating on these aspects of God’s person in Christ reveals untold riches.

Monday, July 1, 2024

Never Ending

Psalm 102:27
But you are the same, and your years will have no end.

God is without end. He always was, always is, and always will be what he is. He remains always the same in being; so far from any change, no shadow of it can touch him. There will never be a time when God ceases to be God. He is Jehovah, Yahweh, and I Am. Because he has no ending, he’s able to impart ernal life to his children. So let us give thanks for his consistent and eternal nature.

Friday, June 28, 2024

Can Only Christians Love Others?

1 John 4:7
Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God, and knows God.

The apostle John makes a shocking statement, only the followers of Christ, among all the people on the Earth, can truly love another person.
He said that we should love one another, for this comes from God to those who are born again, and have a relationship with him.
How are you doing with this assignment?

Thursday, June 27, 2024

Your Whole Self

Deuteronomy 6:5
You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.

In Jewish worship services, the Shema is the most important prayer. Here O Israel: the Lord, our God, the Lord is one.
This entire prayer was given as an instruction by Moses to remind the Israelites of the importance of ordering their lives, according to God‘s law.
Is there any part of your life today that doesn’t reflect love for God? Ask him to make you sensitive to ways to love him more.

Wednesday, June 26, 2024

How to Please God

Hebrews 11:6
But without faith, it is impossible to please God, for he who comes to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of those who diligently seek him.

Faith is required to please God. God rewards the faith of those who seek him; Jesus‘s ministry of healing and compassion is evidence of that.
Seek him today, knowing your faith pleases him.

Tuesday, June 25, 2024

Sure and Certain

Hebrews 11:1 NIV
Now Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.

The disciple Thomas had a hard time believing that Jesus had risen from the dead. But when Thomas saw Jesus, he believed.
Jesus said to him, because you have seen me, you have believed.
Blessed are those who have not seen, and yet have believed.
Faith begins with the promises of God. If you are hoping for something you cannot yet see, strengthen your faith by standing on the word of God.

Monday, June 24, 2024

No Exceptions

Ephesians 4:32
And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ for gave you.

Occasionally, someone can hurt you so badly that you will speak the words, I don’t think I can ever forgive that person! However, there is no biblical justification for it. The Bible clearly teaches that there are to be no limits, no exceptions, to our forgiveness of others. The standard, for our forgiveness of others is the way God forgives us without exceptions.