10/08/2023 - FIRST BLESSING

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From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Mathew 4.17

The sweet message sent from Heaven was not one of condemnation, but of life and salvation – for those who were sitting in the regions of death, bound in the seat of defeat. The Good News began to be announced by Jesus, who gave us the example of what we can do for our neighbor. He was the Truth in action, leading people to understand how easy it was, to love God and be free from the devil’s clutches (John 14.6; 8.32). The Master proved that it was possible to change the world for the better, and He did!

It’s good to pay attention to the humble beginnings of the ministry of the One who created the Heavens and the Earth, for this glorifies Him and explains why He came into the world. Christ came to preach that without repentance no one will enter the Kingdom of Heaven! Blessed is he who acknowledges his errors; he will certainly be God’s subject. But if he likes the Word and does not surrender to the Lord, he will continue eternally obeying the kingdom of evil!

Jesus spent three and a half years going from town to town, taking His disciples with Him throughout Israel, announcing the Good News to the people. The Master used divine power to give everyone healing, deliverance and salvation. After He died for our sins and rose again, Christ gathered a group of about 500 people and commanded them to go into the world and spread the Gospel (1 Corinthians 15.6; Mark 16.15). We must preach to our generation!

Reading the accounts of His ministry, we see that Jesus went everywhere – large and small cities or villages – in order to make the lost know the Truth, according to what He Himself said: And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free (John 8.32). Even today, only such knowledge leads people to be free from diabolical oppressions, pain and sickness. Without knowing spiritual reality, no one is freed from anything.

See how the Master taught us to do:  Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. (Matthew 9.35). This is the mission that Christ gave to those who love Him. He taught the difference between good and evil, between God and the devil, and between the doctrine of religions and the teachings of the Bible. The saved will always do the same work!

Mark recorded the Savior’s last instructions: And He said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.  And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.’ (Mark 16.15-18). Follow these instructions!

Those who obey God will see that the power given to Jesus has also been given to us. If the message is taught in the same way, it will work. Mark went on to write: And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs. Amen. (Mark 16.20). Go forth to do the work!

In Christ, with love,

R. R. Soares