Here Are New Year's Resolutions Worth Keeping in 2022

"v20 It will be a sign and a witness that the Lord of Heaven's Armies is worshipped in Egypt. When the people cry to the Lord for help against those who oppress them, he will send them a savior who will rescue them. v 21 The Lord will make himself known to the Egyptians. Yes, they will know the Lord and give sacrifices and offerings to him. They will make a vow to the Lord and will keep it." Isaiah 19:20-21 NLT

Each year, we start the year making resolutions of every kind, some worth keeping and some frivolous and not worth keeping. In recent years, the word "challenge" has been used to describe vows, pledges, and resolutions to keep our promises.  Anytime, however, we vow to know and obey the will of God, then there is a resolution worth keeping.
In this passage, Isaiah speaks of the time when Egypt, of all places, would know the Lord, and worship Him - Not only would they worship the Lord, but they would also make a vow to Him and keep it.  One of the cities in Egypt, Heliopolis, worshipped the sun god.   That the worship of Yahweh would be taken up was the sign of a radical transformation. First, note the reason for them making and keeping this vow (v20). They are being oppressed, but because God is full of grace and mercy, he sends a deliverer, a savior to rescue them. The savior is believed to be a reference to a future millennial reign of Jesus Christ.  Every Christian is a recipient of God's grace and mercy.  At some point we were, like Egypt, separated from God.  But somebody prayed for us and the Lord answered.   We underwent a radical transformation.  Jesus saved, delivered, and set us free. Therefore, when we make vows to God, we ought to keep them.  If nobody else around us lives for God, we ought to live for him.

Here are some vows (resolutions) concerning our relationship with Jesus Christ, the Bible and the church that are worth keeping.  We should better understand our relationship with Jesus Christ, better understand the Bible, and the church.

First, we should strive to better understand three things about our relationship with Jesus Christ.   Jesus is only way to  salvation (Acts 4:12 & John 14:6); Christ was sinless and therefore my example (1 Peter 2:21-22); and I am not my own but belong to Christ (1 Cor 6:19-20).

Secondly, we should strive to better understand these three things about the Bible.  It as the inspired Word of God (2 Tim 3:16);  It is my light and guide (Ps 119:105);  and One day I will be judged by the Gospel (Romans 16 & I Cor 3:13-15).

Finally, we should strive to remember three things about the church. It was purchased with the precious blood of Christ, and ought to be respected (Eph 5:25 & Acts 20:28); The church is a divine institution and ought to be honored (Matt. 16:18). Jesus instituted the church. He protects the church. He is the head of the church. Lastly, it is my duty to be loyal to the church by attending regularly (Heb. 10:25) and keeping my membership in good standing.

Going to the gym, watching what we eat, and getting more sleep are all fine and dandy resolutions, but these spiritual resolutions far outweigh those and will greatly bless our lives. They are worth keeping and worth fighting for.  Make it a goal to pray every day, and read the Bible every day, and attend church regularly. There is an app for that!  Oh, yeah, and there is an online church app, too! Each day in 2022 seek first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness (Matt. 6:33). We hope that you will participate with Jesus Saves Ministries this year and spread the word about our online Facebook group and community projects and initiatives.  Let this mind be in you that is also in Christ Jesus.  Amen.  Jesus saves!

Press Toward the Mark in 2022

By: Min. Angela Lee Price

Paul said in Philippians 3:13-14, "Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."

I don't know about you, but 2021 was a particularly rough one for me. I really had to spend a lot of quality time with the Lord, sometimes just being still, reading the Word and praying for guidance. Even though it was rough, tough really, I thank God for all His wonderful blessings upon my life. He kept me, and my family, from dangers seen and unseen, and I am grateful. He kept a roof over our heads, and food on our plates, and I am glad about it!

Now that 2022 is here, I intend to "declutter," and let go of some things, and set some goals in order to receive all that God has for me in this new year. What New Year's resolutions have you made? Will you pray more in 2022, control your temper, be more social, get a degree?  Will you share your faith and tell more people about the God you serve? Setting goals for the new year is one way of demonstrating your faith in God. After all, faith without works is dead (James 2:17).

Paul says we ought to let go of some things in order to press toward spiritual goals in our lives. What are you letting go of from 2021? Is it bitterness, resentment, anger, jealousy, envy? We should let go of those things. Negativity blocks us from receiving all that God has for us.

 

Scripture tells us God is able to do exceeding, abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us (Ephesians 3:20). Scripture tells us he that has begun a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus (Philippians 1:6).  So, set those goals and make those resolutions to become better, stronger, and wiser person in Christ! And pray not just for "good" ideas, but for "God" ideas. Being on God's agenda in 2022 ought to be our number one priority, and any goals, ideas, or resolutions inspired by the Holy Ghost are guaranteed not return void. We would love to hear from you. Post one or two of your New Year's resolutions as you press toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called you!

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                   Celebrating 16 years of lifting up Jesus Christ!

God Speaks. Are You Listening?

For it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.  Matthew 10:20

We see so many people today with headphones on their head and ear buds in their ears.  Sometimes I wonder, though, if they are listening to the voice of God.  God does speak, and he wants to speak to us if only we would listen. 

How does God speak?  He speaks through His Word, through people like ministers and teachers, and through providence. 

God speaks through His Word, "I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go" (Ps. 32:8).  That is why we should study the Bible on a regular basis, and ask questions in small group settings.  Jesus says, "My sheep know voice"  (John 10:14).  We know the voice of God by studying the Word of God.   God speaks through providential means, that is, through timing.  Sometimes God's timing is so profound that we know instantly, beyond a shadow of a doubt that it is the voice of God because no one could have done it but Him.  He puts people in our lives at just the right time in answer to prayer.

God speaks  through divinely-called ministers.   Ministers and teachers, ask God for direction and for a word for the people.  Then, believe that what God gives you is what He wants preached.  We must pray for ministers to preach the truth of a balanced gospel in love; to speak with holy boldness even when what God has to say through them makes us uncomfortable. Who goes to a mirror and sees something on their face and does not wipe it off? As listeners, we should be ready to actively listen and act upon what we hear.  This is why we should not be distracted or walk out of church at the preaching moment, or leave before the benediction.   God speaks.  Are you listening?

It is important to understand that God speaks through His divinely appointed pastors, ministers, teachers, and evangelists.  But know this - God will never say anything through the man or woman of God that contradicts His word.  The Bible warns us about false prophets, so we should test and examine everything that is said (Micah 3:11-12). 

God speaks to us through the Holy Spirit, "For it is not you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking in you" (Matt. 10:20). The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of God in us.  The Holy Spirits comforts, teaches, convicts, helps, and warns us.   This why we should not lie, grieve, quench, resist, insult, or blasphem the Holy Spirit, nor conduct ourselves in ways contrary to the will of God.

God speaks with His people, "and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ"  (1 John 1:3).  God speaks with us as a friend, for He is "a friend that stickteth closer than a brother" (Proverbs 17:17).  God speaks with us as a companion, for He has promised never to leave nor forsake us (Hebrews 13:5).  God speaks through His people through songs, poems, speeches, prayers and artistic gifts.  We should ask God's guidance and believe He speaks through us when we visit the sick and bereaved and witness for Christ.  Can you hear the voice of God?  Is He speaking to you?

Happy July 4th Holiday from Jesus Saves Ministries

Celebrate Your Freedom In Christ!

By:  Min. Angela Lee Price

On this July 4th holiday, we celebrate  the birth of our nation, freedom and independence.  Let us also celebrate the Believer's freedom in, with, and for Christ.  Freedom in Christ describes the spiritual liberty we have as followers of Jesus Christ through his death, burial, and resurrection.  Through our confession of faith in Jesus as Lord and Savior, we have been set free from the  power and the penalty of sin.  The Bible states, "So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.  And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death"(Romans 8:1-2).

   

Our freedom in Christ allows us, by the power of the Holy Spirit to overcome temptation and those sins that once so easily beset us.   This freedom does not give us the right to do whatever we want, disregarding the plain truth of the Bible, but gives us power to keep God's commandments.  Romans 6:1-2 states, "Well then, should we keep on sinning so that God can show us more and more of his wonderful grace?  Of course not!  Since we have died to sin, how can we continue to live in it?"

Brothers and sisters, not only do we celebrate freedom in Christ, we celebrate freedom with Christ.   We live with Christ right now through the Holy Spirit. Romans 8:10-11 states, "And Christ lives within you, so even though your body will die because of sin, the Spirit gives you life because you have been made right with God.  The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you.  And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you."   And when we get to heaven, Jesus has prepared an eternal home for us free from the very presence of sin in our lives (John 3:16).

God has given us freedom to live not only in Christ and with Christ, but for Christ.  Here in the USA, we enjoy tremendous religious freedom. Please don't take it for granted. As the birds sing, and the "Son" shines, take advantage of the freedom you have to  live for Jesus Christ by letting your light shine, by sharing that powerful testimony God has given you, that Scripture He has placed on your heart, that sermon excerpt that in faith will become a rhema word for a weary soul, that upcoming revival, conference or ministry event, that prayer request or praise report, or note of encouragement for someone who may be hospitalized or grieving.  Use your freedom to become an instrument of God's drawing and saving power in someone's life. Has Jesus broken every chain that had you bound in sin and shame?  Has Jesus set you free?  We would love to hear what great and marvelous things God is doing in your life today.

Celebrate your freedom in, with, and for Jesus Christ, "For you have been called to freedom brethren, only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh but through love, serve one another" Galatians 5:13 

The Hope of the Believer's Resurrection

By:  Min. Angela Lee Price

Sisters and brothers, the hope of the believer is this--though we die, we shall live again.  It is no more remarkable that we should live again than that we should live at all!  We just need to think of the bewildering complexity of the human body and the even more intricate workings of the human personality to see that we are indeed "fearfully and wonderfully made" (Ps. 139:14).  The God who could make us once can certainly make us again.  What is of utmost importance to the Christian faith is that Jesus Christ rose from the dead.  It is a fundamental, factual, and fervent belief.  It gives us hope for the future.  Because  Jesus died and rose again on the third day, we too, by faith shall be raised in our mortal bodies to put on immortality to spend eternity with the Lord.

Our belief in the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead is a fundamental belief.  In 1 Corinthians 15, the Apostle Paul wrote to the church at Corinth to remind them of the gospel he had preached  to them stating, "For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures...." (1 Corinthians 15: 3-4).  This is the eu angelion, the Gospel which means "Good News." Apart from the Gospel, the Word of God is a false, the work of Christ is a failure, and the witness of the Spirit is a farce.

The Resurrection is a factual belief.  The Apostle Paul referenced the Scriptures, used logic and factual evidence to refute the false teaching of those claiming there was no resurrection of the dead.  He provided proof of the resurrection of Christ.  Paul stated, ...he appeared to Cephas, and then to the Twelve, then to 500 brothers and sisters at the same time...He then appeared to James and to all the apostles, and last of all he appeared to me...." (vv5-8).  Paul put icing on the list of witnesses to the resurrection stating, "and.. he appeared to me". In other words, I am not telling you what I heard or what I think I know. I am telling you what I know.   Paul had a personal encounter with Jesus later on the road to Damascus as he was persecuting the saints.  Do you have a "know-so" faith?  Have you had a personal encounter with Jesus on your own "Damascus Road"?  Then you ought to tell somebody about the Lord!

The resurrection of Jesus Christ --as wonderous as it is, as marvelous and as game-changing as it is-- it is not the end of God's display of power!  Just as Jesus was raised from the dead, believers shall be raised from the dead also.   Our resurrected bodies will be the same bodies but perfected. A startled Mary Magdalene abruptly grabbed Jesus at the tomb. Thomas would not believe unless he felt Jesus' wounds.  Jesus proved this to Peter, John and the disciples whom he called from their boat to have breakfast with him along sea shore before he ascended. Paul told the church at Corinth as with Jesus, "So will it be with the resurrection of the dead.  The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable; it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power, it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body (vv 42-44). Our bodies, will be splendid bodies -- the mortal shall put on immortality.  Our bodies will be spirit bodies, incorruptible like Jesus' glorious body.  This is our inheritance, the hope of the  bodily resurrection of the believer.  We praise God for it!

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After the Resurrection: Do You Recognize Jesus?

By:  Min. Angela Lee Price

"Now come and have some breakfast!" Jesus said...(John 21:12)

I am inspired, sisters and brothers, by the stories in the Bible between the resurrection of Jesus and His ascension 40 days later into heaven.  There were several times when the disciples did not recognize Jesus in their midst. Mary Magdalene didn't immediately recognize Him at the tomb. She thought he was the gardener. The disciples on the road to Emmaus didn't recognize Him. The thought He was a stranger.  In John 21:1-14, the disciples did not recognize Jesus standing on the shore of the sea of Galilee after a failed night of fishing without a catch. Jesus shouted out to the disappointed disciples telling them, "Throw your nets on the right-hand side of the boat, and you'll get some (v6). They did as He said without knowing who He was, and caught more fish than they could haul in. John the beloved disciple recognized Jesus first telling Peter, "It is the LORD" (v7)! We had best recognize, my sisters and brothers, the very presence of the LORD in our lives! He lives, moves and has his being in the earth today through the Holy Spirit! When Jesus shows up in your crisis, on the  in your disappoint, on your the job, even at your home, I pray that you will, as John did, recognize Him.  Because Jesus just might show up at any time in this Covid-19 global pandemic to bless you!

How do we recognize Jesus?  We can recognize Jesus by strengthening our relationship with Him regularly through online worship or socially-distant in-person services as conditions permit, Bible study, prayer, and fellowship with other believers. He said, My sheep know my voice" (John 10:3).  We need to know the voice of Jesus so that we can distinguish HIS VOICE from ALL the voices and chatter out there!  Mary did not recognize Jesus until after He spoke to her at the empty tomb (John 20:14-16).   The two men on the Emmaus road, though they didn't immediately recognize Him, heard His voice and later stated, "Were not our hearts burning within us while He was speaking to us on the road, while He was explaining the Scriptures to us?" (Luke 24: 13-36).  Jesus speaks today through the Word of God, the preached Word, and divinely orchestrated encounters and circumstances.  Can you recognize His voice?  His is the voice that should lead and guide you in this time of crisis.

Not only do we recognize Jesus by His voice, we recognize Him by what He has done for us.   We recognize what Jesus has done for us by performing loving acts of kindness and compassion for hurting, marginalized and oppressed people.  Throughout His ministry, the people did not simply recognize Jesus by what He said about Himself (as monumental as that was), but also by what He did to others.  Jesus consistently left people in a better state than what He found them. He healed, delivered, and set people free from their afflictions. He performed miracles in their lives! Only after Jesus filled their nets with fish, did John recognized Him exclaiming, "It is the Lord" (John 21:6-7)! For the disciples, Jesus had 153 large fish (their source of income), and a hot breakfast, forgiveness, and fellowship with Him on the shore, "Now come and have some breakfast!" Jesus said.  None of the disciples dared to ask him, 'Who are you?' They knew it was the Lord  This was now the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples after he was raised from the dead" (vv12-14).   The two men who walked with Jesus on the Emmaus road recognized Christ only after He gave them, in addition to the Scriptures, bread for their physical bodies, something to eat (Luke 24:28-35).   We need to be ready to be the hands and feet of  Jesus in this crisis.

As believers, we ought live our lives in such a way that people will recognize that we have been with Jesus.   Live in such a way that those who know you but don't know God will come to know God because they know you.  The disciples were fearful right before and after the resurrection. Peter denied Jesus three times.  Their encounters with the resurrected Lord between the resurrection and the ascension, however, forever changed them from fearful disciples to fearless evangelists. Jesus forgave Peter at the breakfast on the seashore and told him, "Feed my sheep" (vv15-18).  Days later the Apostle Peter would preach on Pentecost and 3,000 souls were saved. This is what Jesus will do for you, too.  Jesus will give your life purpose and direction if you choose to recognize Him as King of kings and Lord of lords and follow Him by faith.  

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A Prayer for Help In the Time of Trouble

Heavenly Father, 

We pray for help in the time of trouble. Oh Lord, trouble don't last always! Even in this time of trouble, oh Lord, joy comes in the morning! For we stand on your Word and we believe your promises! Increase your loving hand of protection upon people who are experiencing sickness, who are in the path even of violence and death. Rescue those in harms way today, we pray from dangers seen and unseen. Raise the awareness of your ministers to sound the alarm! Shower down your ministering angels to stand in the gap to do the work of intercession. Send frontline healthcare workers, and volunteers to help where ever they are needed. We pray for your very present help in trouble, to still turmoil in the nation, to repair the breach of division that is causing us to turn on each other. In the name of Jesus, for it is by His stripes that we are healed. We pray for a greater resolve to live and not die in the face of Covid-19. Strengthen our determination to fight with the tools at our disposal, masks, social distancing, sanitizing agents and vaccinations. 

Heavenly Father, we thank you for the highly effective Covid-19 vaccines that have been approved. Please expedite the vaccine roll-out so that many more people are vaccinated in this race to out-pace variants. We mourn the lives of more than 550,000 Americans who have died to this deadly virus thus far. We pray for healing in the name of Jesus for those who are currently hospitalized, and in ICU units in Kentucky and across this nation. We pray for those who are currently hospitalized for other sicknesses, and chronic diseases. We pray for healing and for a speedy recovery. No matter how dire the prognosis, we know you have the final say. You are the Great Physician. We are encouraged by miraculous stories and testimonies of patients who recovered after fierce, prolonged battles with the virus; for patients who continue to live long past cancer and other major diseases. The wind and waves beat against the shores, this tempest, this deadly virus, Covid-19 that has infected the whole world! Speak now we pray, saying, "Peace! Be still (Matthew 8:23-27) We ask for healing, deliverance, and soon cleansing from this scourge in the mighty name of Jesus. Amen.

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A Prayer for Widows and Orphans

By:  Jazlyn (Jackie) Lee

Our Father which art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Jesus, I pray that the orphans and widows are at peace. I pray that they find comfort and security in the midst of their hardship. Heavenly Father, provide them with enough to eat, protective clothing, and a warm and safe place to call home. I pray that you open the hearts and minds of those who are capable of being adoptive/foster parents and guide them to your precious children, children whose only dream is to have a family of their own. Heavenly Father, You are the God of peace and mercy. Father, I pray that you would strengthen widows in their time of need, and help us to be more receptive to the needs of others, Heavenly Father. 

Father, Your word says in James 1: 26-27, "Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight reign on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless. Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world." I pray that these words are tattooed on the hearts and minds of your children. Father, I pray that your will be done. In the name of Jesus, Amen. 

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