The Ministry of Jesus Christ

 

When Jesus started His public ministry, He did not call the learned Rabbis. He called fishermen, tax collectors, shepherds, farmers, shopkeepers... the common man. The Gospel of the Kingdom is foolishness to the high and mighty intellectuals. ~ 1 Corinthians 1:17-18. Jesus did not call the trained in organized religion, He trains the called. 

Jesus did not build a "church" building, have altar calls, teach the "sinner's prayer," have a "praise and worship team," teach earthly riches, or observe pagan holidays. 

Jesus teaches that the Sabbath Day and the Feasts Days are part of the New Covenant. 

In the Kingdom of God (both current and future),

the Sabbath is an eternal ordinance instituted at creation, while Feast Days, particularly those described in prophetic texts like Ezekiel 45-46 and Zechariah 14, are observed as memorials of salvation and times of worship. The weekly seventh-day Sabbath represents a perpetual rest, while the Feasts, such as Tabernacles, signify the fulfillment of God’s dwelling with humanity. 

 

The difference between a Church member and a Disciple of Christ is: a Church member follows the doctrines of their denomination, a Disciple follows Jesus Christ. ~ 1 John 2:3-6

Have you ever heard your Pastor teach these things? When was the last time you examined what you believe and why you believe it? Are You a Truth Seeker?

 

You are cordially invited to share your Christian experience with Renew Your Strength Bible Study Group 

The purpose of this post is to get people to think about what they believe and why they believe it, not debate who's right or wrong. To learn the revealed truth of God we must know and understand the true meaning of the words God inspired to be written. Use Strong's Concordance to check the original word before it was translated. Do your own research, make up your own mind, rely on the Holy Spirit to guide you.

 

 

Triumphal Entry

 

The

Triumphal Entry of Jesus into Jerusalem serves as a popular modern parable about pride and ego.

When Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey, the donkey thought it was all about him. The people were cheering, they laid down palm branches so he would not get his hoofs dirty - it was so exciting! 

While the Bible doesn't describe the donkey's thoughts, the story is often used to illustrate how easy it is to mistake the "glory" of a moment as our own doing, rather than realizing we are simply the vessel or "beast of burden" carrying something much greater. 

After Jesus got off the donkey, we never hear about the donkey ever again. As the saying goes, "If the donkey thought the cheers were for him, he was sadly mistaken when he returned to the stable alone." 

Carrying the Gospel of the Kingdom to every nation and making disciples is the duty of all Christ-Followers. ~ Luke 9:23. We carry Jesus with us when we accept His gift of salvation. It is never about us, it's always about Jesus and His finished work at the cross. When we become a new creature in Christ, our old sinful nature is never heard from again. 

However, we still live in the flesh, and the flesh is prone to want what it wants. In Romans 7:21–23, Paul admits the battle between flesh and spirit in his own life: “So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me.” Each battle with temptation is won or lost based upon how fully we are surrendered to the control of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:16–17)

The book of 1 John was written to Christians. The apostle says, “If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:8–9). It is clear from this passage that even those who have begun the process of new birth and redeemed by the blood of Jesus will still sin. Through thought, attitude, or action, we will “grieve” (Ephesians 4:30) and “quench” (1 Thessalonians 5:19) the Holy Spirit at times. But this passage also reassures us that God offers continual, ongoing grace whenever we agree with Him about our sin and ask for His cleansing.

Other passages clarify the boundaries of this ocean of grace. First John 3:6 says, “No one who lives in Him keeps on sinning. No one who continues to sin has either seen Him or known Him.” Verse 9 says that those who have been “born of God” will not continue to live sinfully. The implication is that this is not a matter of trying harder. Rather, it is the equivalent of saying, “A fish cannot remain on land for long because its nature is to seek water.” A fish could flop onto the shore and survive for a short time. But it was not made for land and cannot continue there. When we obey God, our nature changes, and we cannot continue in sin. Christ not only erases our past sin; He also transforms our hearts so that we no longer desire to sin. (Colossians 2:13–14)

 

 

You are cordially invited to share your Christian experience with Renew Your Strength Bible Study Group 

The purpose of this post is to get people to think about what they believe and why they believe it, not debate who's right or wrong. To learn the revealed truth of God we must know and understand the true meaning of the words God inspired to be written. Use Strong's Concordance to check the original word before it was translated. Do your own research, make up your own mind, rely on the Holy Spirit to guide you.

 

 

Deity of Jesus Christ

 

 

Above - a Tiny Glimpse of the Awesome Works Created by God through Christ. | Photo by Henry Chen 

 

The Deity of Jesus Christ By Dr. James Bruggeman • 27 Mar 2026

 

Notice the first definition: 1) beginning, origin. Not once have the KJV translators chosen to use the word origin for arche which would have been the correct choice in this case. In fact, the word origin or originator is not found at all in the KJV.

Yes, I am pointing out a shortcoming in the KJV. And I state this with full cognizance that I am still in the beginning stages of demonstrating in a series of essays (blogs) why we recommend the KJV as one’s primary reading and study Bible.

Despite having been accused of being “King James only” by another minister, I have never advocated for using the King James Version exclusively. This deficiency in the KJV is one of numerous examples why I encourage every believer and Bible student to follow this admonition.

KJV 2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Therefore, to preclude those with Arian tendencies from thinking that this verse supports the Christ-as-a-created-being position, this verse could and should have been rendered thusly.

Bruggeman Translation: Revelation 3:14 And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write, These things says the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the Originator [or Source, First Cause] of the creation of God:

Here are a couple of other versions as examples:

Ferrar Fenton Version (FFV): Revelation 3:14 To the messenger to the assembly in Laodicea write: “Thus says the Veritable, the Faithful and True Witness, The Beginner of God’s creation.”

New Revised Standard  Revelation 3:14 "And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the origin of God's creation:

“Origin” being understood there to be the Originator. For Christ was/is the  Originator, the First Cause, the Creator of everything, as confirmed here.

KJV Revelation 4:11 Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.

Colossians 1:15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:

16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:

 17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.

And do not let that phrase “firstborn of every creature” cause any doubt of the deity of Christ either; that is a separate study in itself. I could go on for many pages, but alas, the clock waits for no one.

 ~End

 

You Are Cordially Invited to Renew Your Strength Bible Study Group

 

 

Candles That Inspire

 

Nu Light Candles Inspires Faith  

 

In a world that often feels chaotic and overwhelming, finding moments of peace and connection with God can be difficult. For those facing life’s challenges, observing the Feast of Dedication for prayer and reflection becomes even more important.

Nu Light Candles is a Kingdom Business with a clear mission: to offer faith-based Christian candles that bring peace, healing, and God's light to those in need of rest and connection with the Holy Spirit. They have beautifully crafted candles and provide faith-based products designed to bring God's light into your home or office.

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You are cordially invited to share your Christian experience with Renew Your Strength Bible Study Group 

The purpose of this post is to get people to think about what they believe and why they believe it, not debate who's right or wrong. To learn the revealed truth of God we must know and understand the true meaning of the words God inspired to be written. Use Strong's Concordance to check the original word before it was translated. Do your own research, make up your own mind, rely on the Holy Spirit to guide you.