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Tag: Hope of all nations

Because of (my) obedience

Genesis 26:2-6 gives the account of God appearing to Isaac to reassure him that he would bless Isaac and commanded him to not go to Egypt, but to stay in Gerar, where Isaac had gone to seek comfort from the famine in the land, from the king of Gerar – Abimelech. Here we find God tell Isaac to sojourn in the land of Gerar and that he will bless Isaac and his seed and give unto Isaac’s seed all the countries. God reaffirms what he had promised to Abraham, that through his seed (and now Isaac’s seed) would all nations of the earth be blessed. Although God has no need to give an explanation as to why Isaac and his seed would be blessed and be a blessing, God gives a reason. It is because Abraham obeyed his voice and kept his charge (requirements), commandments, statutes and laws.

Points to ponder:
Jesus is the hope of all nations (Matthew 12:21), a blessing to all of the world, that came through the seed of Abraham and Isaac (Galatians 3:16). When we obey God’s voice fully and keep his charge, commandments, statutes and law, not only will be blessed because of his faithfulness, but we will also be a blessing to many. Now complete the sentence, Because of my obedience to God’s voice, …

Genesis 26:2-6 (KJV)
And the Lord appeared unto him, and said, Go not down into Egypt; dwell in the land which I shall tell thee of:
Sojourn in this land, and I will be with thee, and will bless thee; for unto thee, and unto thy seed, I will give all these countries, and I will perform the oath which I sware unto Abraham thy father;
And I will make thy seed to multiply as the stars of heaven, and will give unto thy seed all these countries; and in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed;
Because that Abraham obeyed my voice, and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws.
And Isaac dwelt in Gerar:

In thy Seed – all the nations of the earth be blessed

In the covenant that the Lord God makes with Abraham for his obedience, God promises to not only bless him but also lets him know that he will be a blessing and through him will come The Seed by whom all nations of the earth shall be blessed.

Though Isaac was the immediate child of Abraham, Apostle Paul identifies that the Seed refers to none other than Jesus Christ himself (Galatians 3:16). The Bible also teaches us that Jesus Christ in the hope of all nations (Matthew 12:21) and Jesus Christ IN us is the hope of glory (Colossians 1:27). We also learn from the Holy Scripture that those who have trusted IN Christ Jesus as their Savior, Master, King, and LORD are a new creation – no longer cursed and under the penalty, but blessed with life eternal (2 Corinthians 5:17).

Points to ponder:
Is Jesus Christ, ‘The Seed’ sowed in your life or in other words is Christ Jesus, the hope of glory, by and through whom, all of the nations of the earth is blessed, in you, germinating to make your life fruitful for God’s purpose. And equally important it is for you to answer – Are you in Christ Jesus? Have you trusted in Him – The Seed of Abraham.

Genesis 22:18 (KJV)
18 And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice.

(The power of) An Olive Leaf

Genesis 8:11 reads “And the dove came in to him in the evening; and, lo, in her mouth was an olive leaf pluckt off: so Noah knew that the waters were abated from off the earth.” Did you notice the singularity of what was brought back, by the dove, to Noah and his family – it was an olive leaf; one olive leaf (unlike what most images of this account depict, which is an olive branch with many olive leaves in it). Now why is this significant?

First it is interesting to note that it was an Olive leaf (not an apple leaf or a pomegranate leaf or any other kind of leaf). Second, it was one Olive leaf.

Chris Kilham, a well known authority on natural medicine, who focuses on natural remedies worldwide, writes in his article entitled “The healing power of olive leaf”, that was published in the “Nutrition and Fitness” section of Fox News on January 23, 2013, that the olive leaf has tremendous medicinal benefits, from controlling blood pressure, stabilizing blood sugar and controlling diabetes. He writes, that oleuropein, the primary compound in the olive leaf is an excellent medicine to fight internal antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal infections. This compound is also researched to be an antioxidant which inhibits the oxidant of lipids, thereby reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases and stroke, besides being anti-inflammatory, which reduces the likelihood of nervous/degenerative diseases. Additionally, oleuropein is also speculated to increase the production of thermogenin, which is attributed to burning fat efficiently, which could lead to a healthier lifestyle. Furthermore, the olive leaf is an excellent source of apigenin and luteolin, two anti-cancer compounds and cinchonine, which is anti-malarial. So while the olive tree is known for its oil and fruit, it’s leaf is highly valuable for its healing powers.”

Now enough of the botany lesson, lets get back to the Scripture.
First, Ezekiel 47:12 speaks of the leaf as a source of medicine. The very last chapter in the Bible informs us that, in the midst of the street, on either side of the river that flowed from the throne of God, was the tree of life, which produces twelve manner of fruit, every month: and the leaves of this tree was for the healing of the nations (Revelation 22:1-2).  Jesus is the tree of life and he is the hope (of healing) of all nations (Matthew 12:21). In fact, he is the ONLY hope and source of healing for all nations. If only we, his people, who are called by his name, would humble ourselves and pray and seek his face and turn from our wicked ways, he will hear from heaven and will come and heal our land (nations), forgiving our sins and spiritually restoring our health (2 Chronicles 7:14).
Second, it was an olive leaf – ONE Olive leaf. There is only one, one name, by which man can be saved, that is given under heaven or earth (Acts 4:12) and that name is Jesus, to which every knee shall bow and every tongue will confess that he is Lord (Philippians 2:10).

Points to ponder:
Jesus Christ is The Olive Leaf, that brings healing to all the nations and He is the Only One by whom, you and I can be saved. Have you received This Olive Leaf? Have you humbled yourself and called on the name of the Lord, praying and seeking his face, turning from our wicked ways, so that he can spiritually heal us forgiving our sins and healing our land.

Genesis 8:11 (KJV)
11 And the dove came in to him in the evening; and, lo, in her mouth was an olive leaf pluckt off: so Noah knew that the waters were abated from off the earth.

Revelation 22:1-2 (KJV)
1. And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.
2 In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations

2 Chronicles 7:14 (KJV)
14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

Acts 4:10-13 (KJV)
10 Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole.
11 This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.
12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.

Fox News Source: http://fxn.ws/1oR9aex

Hopeless End or Endless Hope

Without Christ Jesus, one can only look forward with trepidation to a hopeless end.
With Christ Jesus, one can confidently look forward to a city built by God with endless hope.

Points to ponder:
The Bible teaches us that Christ Jesus in us is the hope of glory (Colossians 1:27). The question then is, “Is Christ Jesus in you?” In other words, what is your state today – hopeless end or endless hope? Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior and your hopeless end will be turned into endless hope.

Colossians 1:27 (KJV)
27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: 

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