There is a basic understanding Jesus tried to communicate to humanity when He came to the earth. When we get this right there is fruitfulness in our lives – when we don’t varying degrees of misinformation prevail. Both John the Baptist (Jesus’ cousin) and Jesus proclaimed the same thing: “Turn away and turn toward, for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (Matthew 3:2; Matthew 4:17; Matthew 10:7)
The world had been languishing for centuries since the Garden episode. Genesis 1-11, the Law and prophets, and the Psalms are the story of the Jews – and all the nations. Not only is our condition exposed over and over through the imperfect Jewish story, God extends invitation for them (and us) to reverse course. Sadly, even the “chosen” Jewish nation does not listen to our Creator. God’s chosen people wasted and rejected His words over and over again. This is made plain through story after story – life after life – decade after decade. So while the earth had rejected her King, the Father (who is slow to anger – filled with lovingkindness) makes away for men and women from every nation and every story to be brought into the acceptance of our Lord Creator – through His selfless sacrifice of His Son. Now there is a way back to God. He is the Door of the sheep.
So Jesus said to them again, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. All who came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them. I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.” John 10:7-9
If you are new to the God Story check out this big picture overview – literally the Bible story in 8 minutes! And if you want the next level of where all 66 books fit in – here you go!
And here are several links to the foundational information of God’s Story!
Quickstart/Big Picture (2 teaching videos)
A Book of Renewal
King David (the clearest “type” of Christ in the God Story) tells us about this prophetically in Psalm 2. We like to call this Psalm “Kiss the Son.”
Let’s take a look:
“Why are the nations in an uproar and the peoples devising worthless things?The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers scheme together – against the One True God and against His Anointed (smeared), saying, “Let us tear their limitations of us apart and cast away their ties away from us!” He who sits in the heavens laughs: the One True God scoffs at them. Soon He will speak to them in His anger and terrify them in His righteous fury, saying, “But as for Me, I have installed My King upon Zion My holy mountain.”
“I will surely tell of what is eternally inscribed from the One Great God. He said to Me, ‘You are My Son and today I have brought You forth. Ask of Me, and I will surely give the nations as Your inheritance, and the very ends of the earth as Your possession. You shall break them with a rod of iron and you shall shatter them like clay pots.’”
Therefore, O kings, show discernment and take warning, O judges of the earth. Worship the One True God with reverence and honor, and rejoice with trembling.
Kiss the Son, that He not become angry, and you perish in the way. For His wrath will soon be kindled. How blessed are all who take refuge in Him!”
√ Refuge IS shelter: this is why we have created StoriesofShelter.com. It is Who our great God IS.
√ No one is exempt from His righteous hand of justice. (a thread: Deuteronomy 32:35; Romans 12:19; Hebrews 10:30)
√ The King of the earth brings us the Kingdom of God – and the Church brings refuge authority for us and our neighbors.
Dear Lord Jesus, we come to you to be restored in You, to receive all the grace and mercy we so desperately need this day. You are our Great I Am/God-of-the angel-armies. We surrender every aspect of our lives and selves completely to You. I offer You my spirit, soul and body, my heart, mind, my conscience, and my will. We stand in grace completely covered with Your precious, redeeming blood. As we pray we ask Your Good Spirit to restore and renew us in You. We stand in absolute agreement with Your Spirit and our intercessors and allies.
You are the One true King over all the earth!
Music: Insight
Peace upon your soul,
Dave and Burnadette