Showing posts with label Gospel. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Gospel. Show all posts

DELIGHT IN THE LORD FOR HE DELIGHTS IN YOU!

 

1: [Noun] A high degree of pleasure, or satisfaction of mind; joy. His delight is in the law of the Lord. Ps. 1..
2: [Noun] That which gives great pleasure; that which affords delight. Titus was the delight of human kind. I was daily his delight. Prov. 8. Delight is a more permanent pleasure than joy, and not dependent on sudden excitement..
3: [Verb] To affect with great pleasure; to please highly; to give or afford high satisfaction or joy; as, a beautiful landscape delights the eye; harmony delights the ear; the good conduct of children, and especially their piety, delights their parents. I will delight myself in thy statutes. Ps. 119..
4: [Verb] To receive great pleasure in. I delight to do thy will. Ps. 40:8..
5: [Verb] To have or take great pleasure; to be greatly pleased or rejoiced; followed by in. I delight in the law of God after the inward man. Rom. 7..
The LORD your God will delight in you if you obey his voice and keep the commands and decrees written in this Book of Instruction, and if you turn to the LORD your God with all your heart and soul.
He led me to a place of safety; he rescued me because he delights in me.
He led me to a place of safety; he rescued me because he delights in me.
But give great joy to those who came to my defense. Let them continually say, “Great is the LORD, who delights in blessing his servant with peace!”
Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you your heart’s desires.
The LORD directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives.
[ Psalm 112 ] Praise the LORD! How joyful are those who fear the LORD and delight in obeying his commands.
But they delight in the law of the LORD, meditating on it day and night.
I will delight in your decrees and not forget your word.
How I delight in your commands! How I love them!)
Their hearts are dull and stupid, but I delight in your instructions.
Surround me with your tender mercies so I may live, for your instructions are my delight.
Your laws are my treasure; they are my heart’s delight.
O LORD, I have longed for your rescue, and your instructions are my delight.
For the LORD delights in his people; he crowns the humble with victory.

WE DELIGHT -- SONG
The LORD detests the use of dishonest scales, but he delights in accurate weights.
The LORD detests people with crooked hearts, but he delights in those with integrity.
The LORD detests lying lips, but he delights in those who tell the truth.
The LORD detests the sacrifice of the wicked, but he delights in the prayers of the upright.
The LORD detests evil plans, but he delights in pure words.
O my son, give me your heart. May your eyes take delight in following my ways.
He will delight in obeying the LORD. He will not judge by appearance nor make a decision based on hearsay.
“Keep the Sabbath day holy. Don’t pursue your own interests on that day, but enjoy the Sabbath and speak of it with delight as the LORD’s holy day. Honor the Sabbath in everything you do on that day, and don’t follow your own desires or talk idly.
Then the LORD will be your delight. I will give you great honor and satisfy you with the inheritance I promised to your ancestor Jacob. I, the LORD, have spoken!”
Never again will you be called “The Forsaken City” or “The Desolate Land.” Your new name will be “The City of God’s Delight” and “The Bride of God,” for the LORD delights in you and will claim you as his bride.
I will rejoice over Jerusalem and delight in my people. And the sound of weeping and crying will be heard in it no more.
But those who wish to boast should boast in this alone: that they truly know me and understand that I am the LORD who demonstrates unfailing love and who brings justice and righteousness to the earth, and that I delight in these things. I, the LORD, have spoken!
When I discovered your words, I devoured them. They are my joy and my heart’s delight, for I bear your name, O LORD God of Heaven’s Armies.
Where is another God like you, who pardons the guilt of the remnant, overlooking the sins of his special people? You will not stay angry with your people forever, because you delight in showing unfailing love.
For the LORD your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.”
“Then all nations will call you blessed, for your land will be such a delight,” says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies.
Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.
 
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yhSPf3ImbLo

 YOU ARE MY DELIGHT with lyrics

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BiGb14tTaH4

Big Daddy Weave - Overwhelmed [Official Music Video]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vWBIexsn3J4

I Delight in you - A video montage set to the song by John Nuttall 

(Based on Zephaniah 3v17)

Delight The idea of delight occurs approximately 110 times in Scripture in various forms. Less than fifteen occurrences are found in the New Testament. The related concept of "please" occurs about 350 times, about seventy-five of these occurrences in the New Testament.
The Old Testament. Two of the most common Hebrew terms for delight are hepes [,pej], "to bend towards, to be inclined towards [an object or person], " and rasa [h'x'r], "to delight or take pleasure in."
God delights in the obedience of his children more than in sacrifices ( 1 Sam 15:22 ). Obedience to his commands so pleases God that he will prosper his people as they walk in his way ( Num 14:8 ; Deut 30:9 ). God delights in his people ( Psalm 16:3 ).
God is also delighted with honesty in business ( Prov 20:23 ), a blameless life (11:20), truthfulness (12:22), and the prayers of the upright (15:8). God gives wisdom, knowledge, and happiness to those who please him ( Eccl 2:26 ), and he promises to deliver those in whom he delights ( Psalm 18:19 ). God delights in showing mercy ( Mic 7:18 ), and kindness, justice, and righteousness bring him pleasure and cause him delight ( Jer 9:23 ).
God placed Solomon on the throne of Israel because he delighted in him ( 1 Kings 10:9 ; 2 Chron 9:8 ). God had special delight in his Servant-Messiah, upon whom he put his Spirit ( Isa 42:1 ).
A man might delight in another man ( 1 Sam 18:22 ; Est 6:6-11 ), or a man might delight in a woman ( Gen 34:19 ). Well-behaved children bring delight to the heart of their parents ( Prov 29:17 ).
People are encouraged to delight in that which pleases Godhis law ( Psalm 1:2 ; 112:1-9 ). God's statutes are to be our continual delight ( Psalms 119:24 Psalms 119:70 Psalms 119:77 Psalms 119:174 ). We are to delight in God's law because we love it ( Psalm 119:41-48 ). We are to rejoice in the Lord and delight in his salvation ( Psalm 35:9 ), for in so doing we will receive the desires of our hearts ( Psalm 37:4 ).
It is possible for people to delight in or take pleasure in that which is foolish or evil. Some people "delight in doing wrong" ( Prov 2:14 ), in voicing their own opinions (18:2), in lying ( Psalm 62:4 ), and in waging war ( Psalm 68:30 ). It is clear that the object of our delight or pleasure is critical. It is possible to delight in those things that are good and proper; it is also possible to delight in that which is an abomination to the Lord ( Isa 66:3 ).
The New Testament. The Greek word most commonly used for "delight" is eudokeo [eujdokevw], usually used when God's purpose, resolve, and choice are in view.
God points out his delight in his Son at both the baptism and transfiguration of Jesus ( Matt 3:17 ; 17:5 ). This pleasure points to a distinct anointing and blessing that rest upon Jesus. Indeed, "God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him" ( Col 1:19 ). God's peace rests upon those in whom he delights ( Luke 2:14 ), and God works in those destined for salvation according to his good pleasure ( Php 2:13 ). God is not pleased, however, with the disobedient and unbelieving ( 1 Cor 10:5 ).
As our supreme example, Jesus took great pleasure in honoring and obeying his father ( John 5:30 ; 8:29 ). That which delights Jesus should be our delight as well. We should make it our all-consuming desire to please him ( 2 Col 5:9 ; 1 Thess 2:4 ; 4:1 ; 1 John 3:22 ).
We are to delight after God's law in the "inner man" ( Rom 7:22 ). We are to delight in our weakness, for this is when God's power is most clearly revealed in our lives ( 2 Cor 12:10 ). We should not, on the other hand, delight in false humility or religion ( Col 2:18 ). Our desire should be directed toward the salvation of souls ( Rom 10:1 ). Faith is essential if we are to please God ( Heb 11:6 ), and God is especially delighted when we pray to those in authority ( 1 Tim 2:3 ). In the essential relationships of life, God is pleased when wives submit to their husbands, husbands love their wives, children obey their parents, parents encourage their children, slaves obey their masters, and masters treat their slaves kindly ( Col 3:18-4:1 ). It is as living, holy sacrifices that we become pleasing to our Father in heaven ( Rom 12:1 ).
Daniel L. Aiken
Bibliography. M. Unger and W. White, Nelson's Expository Dictionary of the Old Testament; W. E. Vine, Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words; W. Wilson, Old Testament Studies.
Baker's Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology. Edited by Walter A. Elwell
Copyright © 1996 by Walter A. Elwell. Published by Baker Books, a division of
Baker Book House Company, Grand Rapids, Michigan USA.
All rights reserved. Used by permission.For usage information, please read the Baker Book House Copyright Statement.

Bibliography InformationElwell, Walter A. "Entry for 'Delight'". "Evangelical Dictionary of Theology". . 1997.
DELIGHT de-lit' (verb, chaphets, ratsah, sha`a`; sunedomai): "To delight" is most frequently expressed by chaphets, which means originally "to bend" (compare Job 40:17, "He moveth his tail"), hence, "to incline to," "take pleasure in." It is used of God's pleasure in His people (Numbers 14:8; 2 Samuel 22:20; Psalms 18:19, etc.), and in righteousness, etc. (Isaiah 66:4; Jeremiah 9:24; Micah 7:18, etc.), also of man's delight in God and His will (Psalms 40:8; 73:25; the King James Version and the Revised Version (British and American), "There is none upon earth that I desire besides thee"), and in other objects (Genesis 34:19; 1 Samuel 18:22; Esther 2:14; Isaiah 66:3); sha`a`, "to stroke," "caress," "be fond of," occurs in Psalms 94:19, "Thy comforts delight my soul"; Psalms 119:16,47,70, "I will delight myself in thy statutes." Similarly, Paul says (Romans 7:22), "I delight (sunedomai) in (margin, the Revised Version (British and American) "Greek with") the law of God after the inward man." This is the only occurrence of the word in the New Testament. "To delight one's self" (in the Lord) is represented chiefly by `anagh (Job 22:26; 27:10; Psalms 37:4,11; Isaiah 58:14). Delight (noun), chiefly chephets (1 Samuel 15:22; Psalms 1:2; 16:3), ratson (Proverbs 11:1,20; 12,22; 15:8), sha`ashu`im (Psalms 119:24,77,92,143,174; Proverbs 8:30,31). the Revised Version (British and American) has "delight" for "desire" (Nehemiah 1:11; Psalms 22:8; 51:16), for "observe," different reading (Proverbs 23:26), "no delight in" for "smell in" (Amos 5:21), "delightest in me" for "favorest me" (Psalms 41:11), "his delight shall be in" (m "Hebrew `scent' ") for "of quick understanding" (Isaiah 11:3). The element of joy, of delight in God and His law and will, in the Hebrew religion is noteworthy as being something which we are apt to fall beneath even in the clearer light of Christianity. W. L. Walker

Psalm 103
1 Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.

2 Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:
...

3 Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;

4 Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;

5 Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's.

6 The Lord executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed.

7 He made known his ways unto Moses, his acts unto the children of Israel.

8 The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.

9 He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever.

10 He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.

11 For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him.

12 As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.

13 Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him.

14 For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.

15 As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth.

16 For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more.

17 But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children;

18 To such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them.

19 The Lord hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all.

20 Bless the Lord, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word.

21 Bless ye the Lord, all ye his hosts; ye ministers of his, that do his pleasure.

22 Bless the Lord, all his works in all places of his dominion: bless the Lord, O my soul.

BLESS THE LORD (10,000 REASONS)

WHAT IS HIS NAME? -- GOD SAID, "I AM WHO I AM" -- MY NAME FOREVER -- A MEMORIAL NAME TO ALL GENERATIONS

 
 
 
Lord my Deliverer – Psalm 18:2
The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.
I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies.

Jehovah – The Lord – Exodus 6:2-3
•Jehovah-Adon Kal Ha’arets- Lord of Earth – Josh 3:13
•Jehovah-Bara – Lord Creator – Isaiah 40:28
•Jehovah-Chatsahi – Lord my Strength – Psalm 27:1
•Jehovah-Chereb – Lord the Sword – Deut. 33:29
•Jehovah-Eli – Lord my God – Psalm 18:2
•Jehovah-Elyon – Lord Most High – Psalm 38:2
•Jehovah-Gador Milchamah – Mighty in Battle – Ps 24:8
•Jehovah-Ganan – Lord Our Defense – Ps 89:18
•Jehovah-Go’el – Lord My Redeemer – Is. 49:26, 60:16
•Jehovah-Hamelech – Lord King – Psalm 98:6
•Jehovah-Hashopet – Lord My Judge – Judges 11:27
•Jehovah-Helech ‘Olam – Lord King Forever Ps10:16
•Jehovah-Hoshe’ah – Lord Saves – Psalm 20:9
•Jehovah-Jireh – Provider – Gen. 22:14, I John 4:9, Philip 4:19
•Jehovah-Kabodhi – Lord my Glory – Psalm 3:3
•Jehovah-Kanna – Lord Jealous – Ex 34:14
•Jehovah-Keren-Yish’i – Horn of Salvation – Ps 18:2
•Jehovah-M’Kaddesh – Sanctifier – I Corinthians 1:30
•Jehovah-Machsi – Lord my Refuge – Psalm 91:9
•Jehovah-Magen – Lord my Shield – Deut. 33:29
•Jehovah-Ma’oz – Lord my Fortress – Jer. 16:19
•Jehovah-Mephalti – Lord my Deliverer – Psalm 18:2
•Jehovah-Metshodhathi – Lord my Fortress – Psalm 18:2
•Jehovah-Misqabbi – Lord my High Tower – Psalm 18:2
•Jehovah-M’gaddishcem – Lord my Sanctifier – Ex 31:13
•Jehovah-Naheh – Lord who Smites – Ezekiel 7:9
•Jehovah-Nissi – Banner – I Chronicles 29:11-13
•Jehovah-Rohi – Shepherd – Psalm 23
•Jehovah-Rophe – Healer – Isaiah 53:4,5
•Jehovah-Sabaoth – Lord of Hosts – I Sam 1:3
•Jehovah-Sel’i – Lord my Rock – Psalm 18:2
•Jehovah-Shalom – Peace – Isaiah 9:6, Rom 8:31-35
•Jehovah-Shammah – Present – Hebrews 13:5
•Jehovah-Tsidkenu – Righteousness – I Cor 1:30
•Jehovah-Tsori – Lord my Strength – Psalm 19:14
•Jehovah-Yasha – Lord my Savior – Isaiah 49:26
•Jehovah-‘Ez-Lami – Lord my Strength – Ps 28:7
•Jehovah-‘Immeku – Lord Is With You – Judges 6:12
•Jehovah-‘Izoa Hakaboth – Lord Strong -Mighty – Ps 24:8
•Jehovah-‘Ori – Lord my Light – Psalm 27:1
•Jehovah-‘Uzam – Lord Strength in Trouble – Is 49:26





Exodus 3:14


 God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM."
Funny how many times in speaking we say, "I am."
I am -- mother of
I am -- wife to
I am -- hungry
I am -- employed
I am -- athletic
I am -- religious
I am -- I am -- I am
yada yada yada---
Verse 15: God said,  
"this is my name forever, and this is My memorial-name to all generations."





I Am Eddie James

 

Seven names of God
In medieval times, God was sometimes called The Seven.[The seven names for the God of Israel over which the scribes had to exercise particular care were:[
  1. Eloah (God)
  2. Elohim (God)
  3. Adonai (Lord)
  4. Ehyeh-Asher-Ehyeh (I am that I am)
  5. YHWH (I am that I am)
  6. El Shaddai (God Most High)
  7. YHWH Tzevaot (Lord of Hosts: Sabaoth in Latin transliteration)
Less common or esoteric names
  • Adir—"Strong One"
  • Adon Olam—"Master of the World"
  • Aibishter—"The Most High" (Yiddish)
  • Aleim—sometimes seen as an alternative transliteration of Elohim
  • Avinu Malkeinu—"Our Father, our King"
  • Bore—"the Creator"
  • Ehiyeh sh'Ehiyeh—"I Am That I Am": a modern Hebrew version of "Ehyeh asher Ehyeh"
  • Elohei Avraham, Elohei Yitzchak ve Elohei Ya`aqov—"God of Abraham, God of Isaac, and God of Jacob"
  • Elohei Sara, Elohei Rivka, Elohei Leah ve Elohei Rakhel—"God of Sarah, God of Rebecca, God of Leah, and God of Rachel"
  • El ha-Gibbor—"God the hero" or "God the strong one" or "God the warrior"
  • Emet—"Truth"
  • E'in Sof—"endless, infinite", Kabbalistic name of God
  • HaKadosh, Barukh Hu (Hebrew); Kudsha, Brikh Hu (Aramaic)—"The Holy One, Blessed be He"
  • HaRachaman-"The Merciful One"
  • Kadosh Israel—"Holy One of Israel"
  • Melech HaMelachim—"The King of kings" or Melech Malchei HaMelachim "The King, King of kings", to express superiority to the earthly rulers title.
  • Makom or HaMakom—literally "the place", perhaps meaning "The Omnipresent"; see Tzimtzum
  • Magen Avraham—"Shield of Abraham"
  • Ribono shel `Olam—"Master of the World"
  • Ro'eh Yisra'el—"Shepherd of Israel"
  • Tzur Israel—"Rock of Israel"
  • Uri Gol— "The new LORD for a new era" (Judges 5:14)
  • YHWH-Yireh (Adonai-jireh)—"The LORD will provide" (Genesis 22:13–14)
  • YHWH-Rapha—"The LORD that healeth" (Exodus 15:26)
  • YHWH-Niss"i (Adonai-Nissi)—"The LORD our Banner" (Exodus 17:8–15)
  • YHWH-Shalom—"The LORD our Peace" (Judges 6:24)
  • YHWH-Ro'i—"The LORD my Shepherd"
  • YHWH-Tsidkenu—"The LORD our Righteousness"[29] (Jeremiah 23:6)
  • YHWH-Shammah (Adonai-shammah)—"The LORD is present" (Ezekiel 48:35)
  • Rofeh Cholim-"Healer of the sick"
  • Matir Asurim -"Freer of the Captives"
  • Malbish Arumim -"Clother of the Naked"
  • Pokeach Ivrim -"Opener of Blind Eyes"
  • Somech Noflim -"Supporter of the Fallen"
  • Zokef kefufim -"Straightener of the Bent"
  • 'Yotsehr Or' -"Fashioner of Light"
  • Oseh Shalom -"Maker of Peace"
  • Mechayeh Metim -"Lifegiver to the Dead"
  • Mechayeh HaKol -"Lifegiver to All (reform version of Mechayeh Metim)"
Who am I then-- now that I've found out He is "I AM"  -- not me?
The age old question-- Then "WHO AM I" ?
 
 
 
 
I am accepted...
I am God's child ~ John 1:12
As a disciple, I am a friend of Jesus Christ ~ John 15:15

I have been justified ~ Romans 5:1
 
I am united with the Lord, and I am one with Him in spirit ~ 1 Corin. 6:17

I have been bought with a price, and I belong to God ~ 1 Corin. 6:19-20

I am a member of Christ's body ~ 1 Corin. 12:27

I have been chosen by God and adopted as His child ~ Ephesians 1:3-8

I have been redeemed and forgiven of all my sins ~ Colossians 1:13-14
I am complete in Christ ~ Colossians 2:9-10
I have direct access to the throne of grace through Jesus Christ ~ Hebrews 4:14-16
I am secure...I am free from condemnation ~ Romans 8:1-2
I am assured that God works for my good in all circumstances ~ Romans 8:28
I am free from any condemnation brought against me, and I cannot be separated from the love of God ~ Romans 8:31-39
I have been established, anointed, and sealed by God ~ 2 Corin. 1:21-22
I am hidden with Christ in God ~ Colossians 3:1-4
I am confident that God will complete the good work He started in me ~ Philippians 1:6
I am a citizen of Heaven ~ Philippians 3:20
I have not been given the spirit of fear but of power, love, and a sound mind ~ 2 Timothy 1:7
I am born of God, and the evil one cannot touch me ~ 1 John 5:18
I am significant...I am the branch of Jesus Christ, the true vine, and a channel of His life ~ John 15:5
I have been chosen and appointed to bear fruit ~ John 15:16
I am God's temple
I am a minister of reconciliation for God ~ 2 Corin.5:17-21
I am seated with Jesus Christ in the heavenly realm ~ Ephesians 2:6
I am God's workmanship ~ Ephesians 2:10
I may approach God with freedom and confidence
I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me ~ Philippians 4:13
author unknown (? Neil T. Anderson)
 
 
The 7 'I AMs' of Jesus!

Those "Christians" who think of the Lord Jesus Christ as just a great man who never really claimed to be God need to confront His amazing statement to the scribes and Pharisees there in Jerusalem when they were berating Him in the temple. "Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day," He said. Then, when they questioned that assertion, He went on to insist that "Before Abraham was, I am" (John 8:56,58).
This was such a bold claim to deity, that they immediately prepared to stone Him for what they thought was blasphemy. But He somehow "hid Himself," (v.59) and escaped.
Of course, if He was not God, what He said was blasphemous, which was a capital crime under the Mosaic law (Leviticus 24:16). He was actually claiming to be the God to whom Moses spoke at the burning bush, when he asked God what His name was. God had answered that His name was "I AM" (Exodus 3:14)—that is, He is the God who is eternally self-existent, transcendent to time as well as to space and matter. And that was who Jesus was claiming to be!
But what about His claim that He and Abraham had seen each other, and that Abraham rejoiced to see His day? Abraham's time was centuries before that of even Moses.
That claim probably was in reference to the very critical time when "the word of the Lord[that is, the pre-incarate Christ] came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward" (Genesis 15:1).
This was the very first of His great "I am" claims, as He promised to be both Protector and Provider to Abraham in a strange and hostile land.
It is fascinating to note the frequency of such "I am" claims in the Bible after this first one, and how they occur in multiples of seven, a fact which seems possibly designed—not by the human authors, of course, but by the Holy Spirit who inspired them (that is, of course, assuming my own somewhat arbitrary countings are correct).
For example, there are seven "I am"s in the Book of Genesis, the first being Genesis 15:1, as already noted. The second is in Genesis 15:7, where God, speaking to Abraham, said simply:"I am the Lord." The word, "Lord," of course, is the Hebrew Yahweh (or Jehovah), and carries essentially the same meaning as "I Am," or "The One Who Is."
Then, there are 21 (i.e., 3x7) "I am"s in the Book of Exodus, including the divine answer to Moses, already mentioned, "I AM THAT I AM" (Exodus 3:14).
The wonderful Book of Psalms contains seven "I am"s that speak prophetically and sadly of the future sufferings of the incarnate Christ. These are:
  1. "I am a worm, and no man" (Psalm 22:6).
  2. "I am poor and needy" (Psalm 40:17).
  3. "I am . . . a stranger unto my brethren" (Psalm 69:8).
  4. "I am full of heaviness" (Psalm 69:20).
  5. "I am poor and sorrowful" (Psalm 69:29).
  6. "I . . . am as a sparrow alone upon the house top" (Psalm 102:7).
  7. "I am withered like grass" (Psalm 102:11).
These all occur in psalms that are specifically known to be Messianic psalms (thus referring to Christ) because they are quoted as such in the New Testament.
The prophetical books abound in "I am" statements by the Lord. The second division of Isaiah, for example, (Isaiah 40-66) contains 35 such claims (7x5). The first is Isaiah 41:4. "I the Lord, the first, and with the last; I am He." The last is Isaiah 60:16. ". . . I the Lord am thy Savior and thy Redeemer, the mighty One of Jacob." However, the first division of Isaiah, which has a different theme than the second division, has no such "I am" statements.
The Book of Ezekiel contains 70 of these great assertions (more than any other single book). Jeremiah contains 21 of these statements. Then, all the smaller prophetical books of the prophets have a total of 21 "I am"s. All told, the 17 prophetical books contain a total of 154 (22x7) of God's great "I am" claims.
The final such claim in the Old Testament is found in Malachi 3:6, in which God appropriately reminds everyone that "I am the Lord, I change not." He is the great "I AM," the self-existent God. We must remember always that our own personal Savior and Lord Jesus Christ has revealed to us that He Himself is that same great I AM.
It is in the Gospel of John, however, that the most beautiful and personally meaningful "I am"s are found. There are seven of these, as follows:
  1. "I am the bread of life" (John 6:35,48,51).
  2. "I am the light of the world" (John 8:12).
  3. "I am the door of the sheep"(John 10:7,9).
  4. "I am the good shepherd" (John 10:11,14).
  5. "I am the resurrection, and the life" (John 11:25).
  6. "I am the way, the truth, and the life" (John 14:6).
  7. "I am the true vine" (John 15:1,5).
How anyone could hear or see these claims and then still deny that they were claims to deity is a great mystery. For example, how could anyone except God Himself claim to be the way, the truth, and the life?
Well, maybe a madman might make such a claim, or maybe a gross scam artist of some kind. But no honest, sane person could ever do so—unless the claim were true!
That is the choice. Either Jesus Christ was mad or wicked—or else He truly is the way, the truth, and the life. He is the one way to reach God, the incarnate truth about God, and the only real giver of eternal life with God. One will come to the same conclusion as he examines each of these seven great "I Am" claims.
The Lord Jesus Christ is "very God of very God," as the old creeds expressed it. God "created all things by Jesus Christ" (Ephesians 3:9) and it is "in Him we live, and move, and have our being" (Acts 17:28). Furthermore, it is He who has "made peace through the blood of His cross, by Him to reconcile all things unto Himself" (Colossians 1:20).
Look also at the remarkable claim in John 11:25-26: "I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die."
Death has always been man's great enemy. It always seems a great tragedy and sorrow when a loved one dies, and people generally try to stay alive as long as possible. But Jesus claims to be able to restore one's life even after he dies, and then to keep him alive forever! What a preposterous claim for any mortal man to make!
Yet He demonstrated His ability to do just that when He Himself defeated death, rising bodily from the grave on the third day. After all, He is the I AM, the self-existent One! Therefore He is fully able to make good on His promise to those who come to Him for forgiveness and salvation, "Because I live," He says, "ye shall live also" (John 14:19).
There are also seven great "I am" statements in the Book of Revelation, and one of the key verses of this set has to do with His resurrection. "I am He that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death" (Revelation 1:18).
"Believest thou this?" He would ask today, just as He asked Martha long ago as she was grieving over the death of her brother, Lazarus (John 11:26). How could anyone doubt the overwhelming evidence of Christ's victory over death (the evidence of the empty tomb, the many post-resurrection appearances, the transformation of the disciples, the testimony of 2000 years of hosts of lives also transformed through faith in Him)? Many have believed, of course, but there are multitudes who have not, and for them there is the dread prospect awaiting them of an eternity without God. "If ye believe not that I am He [but "He" is not in the original; Jesus just said, `I am'], ye shall die in your sins" (John 8:24).
It is significant that the other six "I am"s in Revelation also stress His eternal existence, from eternity to eternity.
Note the list below: (the first one with the remaining six)
  1.  "I am He that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death" (Revelation 1:18)
  2. "I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending" (Revelation 1:8).
  3. "I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last" (Revelation 1:11).
  4. "Fear not; I am the first and the last" (Revelation 1:17).
  5. "I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end" (Revelation 21:6).
  6. "I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last" (Revelation 22:13).
  7. "I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star"(Revelation 22:16).

Our glorious Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, to whom we have trusted our eternal souls, is more than just a great religious teacher who was martyred for His faith long ago. He is alive on His throne in heaven, having defeated death forever. He was our great Creator, our sin-bearing Savior and will be our eternal Lord and King.
 
 
 
I AM - MARK SCHULTZ

 
 

AT THE CROSS / RESURRECTION / AFTER THE THREE WOODEN CROSSES / FIRSTFRUITS OF THE DEAD / IT IS FINISHED / HE IS RISEN / HE WILL COME AGAIN TO GATHER HIS CHURCH ALL TRUE BELIEVERS

CROSS-EYED

Hebrews 12: 1 Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,
2 FIXING OUR EYES ON JESUS, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him ENDURED THE CROSS, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

3 For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

1 Corinthians 15:20-34

 20 But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead,
the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.
 
21 For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. 22 For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.
 
23 But each in turn: Christ, the firstfruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him. 24 Then the end will come, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father after he has destroyed all dominion, authority and power.
 
25 For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. 26 The last enemy to be destroyed is death. 27 For he “has put everything under his feet.”[a] Now when it says that “everything” has been put under him, it is clear that this does not include God himself, who put everything under Christ. 28 When he has done this, then the Son himself will be made subject to him who put everything under him, so that God may be all in all.
 
29 Now if there is no resurrection, what will those do who are baptized for the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, why are people baptized for them? 30 And as for us, why do we endanger ourselves every hour? 31 I face death every day—yes, just as surely as I boast about you in Christ Jesus our Lord. 32 If I fought wild beasts in Ephesus with no more than human hopes, what have I gained? If the dead are not raised,
   “Let us eat and drink,
   for tomorrow we die.”[b]

    

James 1:18

18 In the exercise of (A)His will He (B)brought us forth by (C)the word of truth, so that we would be [a]a kind of (D)first fruits [b]among His creatures.

Acts 17:1-3

2 And (B)according to Paul’s custom, he went to them, and for three (C)Sabbaths reasoned with them from (D)the Scriptures, 3 [a]explaining and [b]giving evidence that the [c]Christ (E)had to suffer and (F)rise again from the dead, and saying, “(G)This Jesus whom I am proclaiming to you is the [d]Christ.”




John 18:5-8

5 They answered Him, “Jesus the Nazarene.” He *said to them, “I am He.” And Judas also, who was betraying Him, was standing with them. 6 So when He said to them, “I am He,” they drew back and fell to the ground. 7 Therefore He again asked them, “(A)Whom do you seek?” And they said, “Jesus the Nazarene.” 8 Jesus answered, “I told you that I am He; so if you seek Me, let these go their way,”

John 18:33-38

 33 Therefore Pilate (A)entered again into the Praetorium, and summoned Jesus and said to Him, “(B)Are You the King of the Jews?” 34 Jesus answered, “Are you saying this [a]on your own initiative, or did others tell you about Me?” 35 Pilate answered, “I am not a Jew, am I? Your own nation and the chief priests delivered You to me; what have You done?” 36 Jesus answered, “(C)My kingdom [b]is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, then My servants would be fighting so that I would not be handed over to the Jews; but as it is, My kingdom is not [c]of this realm.” 37 Therefore Pilate said to Him, “So You are a king?” Jesus answered, “(D)You say correctly that I am a king. For this I have been born, and for this I have come into the world, (E)to testify to the truth. (F)Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.” 38 Pilate *said to Him, “What is truth?”
   And when he had said this, he (G)went out again to the Jews and *said to them, “(H)I find no guilt in Him.

 


 

John 19:3-15

3 and they began to come up to Him and say, “(A)Hail, King of the Jews!” and to (B)give Him slaps in the face. 4 Pilate (C)came out again and *said to them, “Behold, I am bringing Him out to you so that you may know that (D)I find no guilt in Him.” 5 Jesus then came out, (E)wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. Pilate *said to them, “Behold, the Man!” 6 So when the chief priests and the (F)officers saw Him, they cried out saying, “Crucify, crucify!” Pilate *said to them, “Take Him yourselves and crucify Him, for (G)I find no guilt in Him.” 7 The Jews answered him, “(H)We have a law, and by that law He ought to die because He (I)made Himself out to be the Son of God.”  8 Therefore when Pilate heard this statement, he was even more afraid; 9 and he (J)entered into the [a]Praetorium again and *said to Jesus, “Where are You from?” But (K)Jesus gave him no answer. 10 So Pilate *said to Him, “You do not speak to me? Do You not know that I have authority to release You, and I have authority to crucify You?” 11 Jesus answered, “(L)You would have no authority [b]over Me, unless it had been given you from above; for this reason (M)he who delivered Me to you has the greater sin.” 12 As a result of this Pilate [c]made efforts to release Him, but the Jews cried out saying, “(N)If you release this Man, you are no friend of Caesar; everyone who makes himself out to be a king [d]opposes Caesar.”
 13 Therefore when Pilate heard these words, he brought Jesus out, and (O)sat down on the judgment seat at a place called [e]The Pavement, but (P)in [f]Hebrew, Gabbatha. 14 Now it was (Q)the day of preparation for the Passover; it was about the [g](R)sixth hour. And he *said to the Jews, “Behold, (S)your King!” 15 So they cried out, “(T)Away with Him, away with Him, crucify Him!” Pilate *said to them, “Shall I crucify your King?” The chief priests answered, “We have no king but Caesar.”

 

 

John 19:19

19 Pilate also wrote an inscription and put it on the cross. It was written, “(A)JESUS THE NAZARENE, (B)THE KING OF THE JEWS.”
John 19:30-34
30 Therefore when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “(A)It is finished!” And He bowed His head and (B)gave up His spirit.
Care of the Body of Jesus
 31 Then the Jews, because it was (C)the day of preparation, so that (D)the bodies would not remain on the cross on the Sabbath ([a]for that Sabbath was a (E)high day), asked Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away. 32 So the soldiers came, and broke the legs of the first man and of the other who was (F)crucified with Him; 33 but coming to Jesus, when they saw that He was already dead, they did not break His legs. 34 But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately (G)blood and water came out.

John 20:12-18

12 and she *saw (A)two angels in white sitting, one at the head and one at the feet, where the body of Jesus had been lying. 13 And they *said to her, “(B)Woman, why are you weeping?” She *said to them, “Because (C)they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him.” 14 When she had said this, she turned around and *(D)saw Jesus standing there, and (E)did not know that it was Jesus. 15 Jesus *said to her, “(F)Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” Supposing Him to be the gardener, she *said to Him, “Sir, if you have carried Him away, tell me where you have laid Him, and I will take Him away.” 16 Jesus *said to her, “Mary!” She turned and *said to Him (G)in [a]Hebrew, “(H)Rabboni!” (which means, Teacher). 17 Jesus *said to her, “Stop clinging to Me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to (I)My brethren and say to them, ‘I (J)ascend to My Father and your Father, and My God and your God.’” 18 (K)Mary Magdalene *came, (L)announcing to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord,” and that He had said these things to her.

John 20:25-31

25 So the other disciples were saying to him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he said to them, “Unless I see in (A)His hands the imprint of the nails, and put my finger into the place of the nails, and put my hand into His side, (B)I will not believe.”  26 [a]After eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus *came, the doors having been [b]shut, and stood in their midst and said, “(C)Peace be with you.” 27 Then He *said to Thomas, “(D)Reach here with your finger, and see My hands; and reach here your hand and put it into My side; and do not be unbelieving, but believing.” 28 Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord and my God!” 29 Jesus *said to him, “Because you have seen Me, have you believed? (E)Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believed.”
Why This Gospel Was Written
 30 (F)Therefore many other [c](G)signs Jesus also performed in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; 31 but these have been written (H)so that you may believe that Jesus is [d]the Christ, (I)the Son of God; and that (J)believing you may have life in His name.

Romans 8:23

23 (A)And not only this, but also we ourselves, having (B)the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves (C)groan within ourselves, (D)waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, (E)the redemption of our body.

 

Luke 23:32-43

 32 Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. 33 When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left.

34 Jesus said, “Father, forgive them,

for they do not know what they are doing.”

[a] And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.

 35 The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him. They said, “He saved others; let him save himself if he is God’s Messiah, the Chosen One.”

 36 The soldiers also came up and mocked him. They offered him wine vinegar 37 and said, “If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself.”

 38 There was a written notice above him, which read: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.

 39 One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!”

 40 But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? 41 We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.”

 42 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.[b]”

 43 Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”


 

THE MANUFACTURER'S HANDBOOK

INDICATES ALL MUST

INDIVIDUALLY CHOOSE

TO BELIEVE

OR NOT TO BELIEVE

DO YOU?

Luke 24:44-49

 44 He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.”

 45 Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. 46 He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, 47 and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things. 49 I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”

 

Jesus Has Risen  Matthew 28 5 The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. 6 He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. 7 Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.” 
The Great Commission   Matthew 28  16 Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

 

John 14

Jesus Comforts His Disciples

 1 “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God[a]; believe also in me. 2 My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. 4 You know the way to the place where I am going.”

Jesus the Way to the Father

 5 Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?”

 6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7 If you really know me, you will know[b] my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.”

 8 Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.”

 9 Jesus answered: “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? 10 Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you I do not speak on my own authority. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. 11 Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the works themselves. 12 Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. 13 And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.

Jesus Promises the Holy Spirit

    15 “If you love me, keep my commands. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be[c] in you. 18 I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. 19 Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. 20 On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. 21 Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.”

 22 Then Judas (not Judas Iscariot) said, “But, Lord, why do you intend to show yourself to us and not to the world?”

 23 Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. 24 Anyone who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me.

   25 “All this I have spoken while still with you. 26 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. 27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

   28 “You heard me say, ‘I am going away and I am coming back to you.’ If you loved me, you would be glad that I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I. 29 I have told you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe. 30 I will not say much more to you, for the prince of this world is coming. He has no hold over me, 31 but he comes so that the world may learn that I love the Father and do exactly what my Father has commanded me.

 

 

1 Thessalonians 4

Believers Who Have Died
 13 Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. 14 For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. 15 According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.

18 Therefore encourage one another with these words.