SCRIPTURE:
"And they asked him, "Why do the teachers of the law say that Elijah must come first?" Jesus replied, "To be sure, Elijah does come first, and restores all things. Why then is it written that the Son of Man must suffer much and be rejected? But I tell you, Elijah has come, and they have done to him everything they wished, just as it is written about him." (Mark 9:11-13, NIV)

Observations:
I asked myself how does Jesus respond to the 3 disciples question?
1. Jesus replied, "To be sure, Elijah does come first,
2. and restores all things.
3. Why then is it written that the Son of Man must suffer much
4. and be rejected?
5. But I tell you, Elijah has come,
6. and they have done to him everything they wished,
7. just as it is written about him."

Interpretation:
I asked myself the significance of Jesus' response to the disciples?
The response of Jesus is very significant because Jesus is pointing to the power of prophecy. Jesus is letting the disciples know that whatever is written will come to pass just as what was written about Elijah came to pass and what is written about Him will come to pass. This means that He will suffer much and be rejected but also that He will rise from the dead.

Implications:
I saw important implications for my own life. I learned the importance of believing what is written especially when it involves the Word of God because whatever is written in the Word of God came to pass and will continue to come to pass according to Jesus. This means for me that all prophecy will come to be fulfilled in Jesus Christ so I need to hold on to the Word of God and what is written in it. In other words, I need to obey the Word knowing whatever God says will happen. That is exciting to know for me because there are a lot of promises I can claim for myself. When Jesus says, 'It is written', it means it will happen by God's grace.

HOW GOSPEL GIVES ME TESTIMONY REGARDING W.R.I.T.T.E.N:
As a Hindu, I got to learn about Jesus and His love for me. That began my Christian journey when I was asked to accept Jesus into my heart and make Him the Lord and Savior of my life. I was able to do that because I believed what is written in the Word of God, the Bible. I had severe asthma and believed Jesus could heal me just as Jesus healed all those in the past because the Bible says, 'Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow' so I talked to my mommy about it. My mom took me to my bedroom and prayed with me which I repeated, giving my life to Jesus.  As expected, I was healed of my asthma but more than that, I became a child of God and received the Gospel of John to read everyday. I read portions of the Gospel of John each day. It was so exciting to read the first chapter and realize Jesus is God and 'to all who received Him (Jesus), He gave them right to become children of God, children born not of natural descent, or human will, but by the will of God' (John 1:12)

It all began because I believed what is written in the Bible to be true and it is true. Prophecies about Jesus and so many other prophecies have been fulfilled and continue to be fulfilled even now. The Old Testament time after time pointed to Jesus and even when Jesus talked to his disciples, Jesus reminded them that prophecies mentioned in the Old Testament have come true and will continue to come true regarding Him.  His birth, His death, His sacrifice, etc have all been prophesized in Isaiah which came true years later. So many other things that have been written came true. It is because the Bible is the Word of God and whatever is written will always come true.

My friend who was a devout atheist became a follower of Jesus Christ when he researched all the prophecies in the Old Testament and saw how they were fulfilled by Jesus in the New Testament. Because of that he came believe Jesus is God and there is a God living who loves His creation that He has created.

I praise the Lord for that because it is so true and I can claim the promises of God's Word daily whatever is written. His Word that is written is written for my benefit and yours.

I ask you now dear friend, how seriously do you take what is written in life?
Dear friend, there are so many things that you do not have to take seriously that are written in life but there is one thing you need to take seriously that is written in life which is the Word of God. When I say 'Word of God', I am talking about the Bible containing the Old and New Testaments which include 66 books together.  They have been written for our exhortation and edification.  They have been written for our souls for Salvation. They have been written for our purpose to claim His promises in our lives. They have been written for our pardon to experience Christ's saving power in our lives.

Friend, it is the Word of God that gives you and me direction to live our lives daily. That means we need to know: 'Breathe In Bible, Live Eternally!'. How true that is my friend for Scripture from Genesis to Revelation reveals the Salvation found in Christ alone. All Scriptures points to Christ and His purpose to give pardon, promise, and power to all that would come to Him rescuing them from the destruction and deadliness of Satan's deception. For only Christ can rescue you and me from the dominion of darkness. That is why Jesus came into this world as God-incarnate, lived among us, died to pay a ransom we could not pay, and on the third day rose from the dead to give all those who would accept Him, Eternal Life.

It is all written in the Bible on how we can have abundant life. In the Bible we see the fall of man, God's love for humanity, and God's actions to save humanity. Because of the fall of man, Christ intervened for humanity shedding His precious blood on the cross of Calvary so to all who would receive Him, He can accept them into His Kingdom not because of anything they have done on their own but because of His loving grace. It is the gift of God's grace that saves me and restores me by His mercies. I praise you Lord. It can save you too.

This means you cannot save yourself from sin and approach God on your own. No matter how good you think you are or others think you are, this will not give you entrance into Heaven when you die because it is written, "No one is good, not one, all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God." (Romans 3:23)

But it is also written, "While we were yet sinners, Jesus died for our sins" (Romans 5)

It is also written, "The wages of sin is death but the gift of God is Eternal Life in Christ Jesus" (Romans 6:23)

It is also written, "There is now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, for the life giving Spirit has freed us from the law of sin and death!" (Romans 8:1)

My favorite verses to attain Salvation is written in Romans 10:9-15:
^"But what does it say? "The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart," that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming:  That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. As the Scripture says, "Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame." For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!" (Romans 10:9-15, NIV)

Friend, this is for you too. You can attain Salvation only in Christ. If I could attain Salvation any other way, I could have remained a Hindu but believe Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life and no one comes to the Father except through Him as stated in John 14:6. It is written in the Word of God :)

To take 'It is written' seriously is to realize there are 3 ways to look at the Word of God but only one way is accurate.

The three ways are:
1. Bible contains the Word of God.
2. Bible becomes the Word of God.
3. Bible is the Word of God.

Those who believe 'Bible contains the Word of God' choose from it whatever they like to believe as God's Word but do not believe every Word is inspired by God. This leads to all kinds of problems such as it is ok to practice homosexuality, etc.

Those who believe 'Bible becomes the Word of God' believe when they read it, if they are inspired or moved, then it is the Word of God otherwise it is not. This can lead to all kinds of heresy and half-truths.

Those who believe 'Bible is the Word of God' believe all that is written in it is inspired by God and is God's Word to give us 'Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth' as a song goes.

This is the correct way to look at God's Word for it is written, "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, ¹⁷so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." (2 Timohty 3:16-17, NIV)

Yes, friend the Bible is written for us to give us direction to live our lives. In the Bible we are promised that Jesus will always be there for us, for He who created us is our God and will empower us, equip us, and enable us to do His will by the power of the Holy Spirit He bestows upon us. That is exciting to know. It is more exciting to know that Jesus is coming back again and will take His own so we will experience the New Jerusalem. All old things will go away and everything will become new! Praise the Lord!

May you know With Redeemer Is Truth Today Emancipating Now!

"With Redeemer Is Truth Today Emancipating Now!" (W.R.I.T.T.E.N)/"How seriously do you take what is written in life?"

Prayer:
Dear Lord Jesus, thank you for sharing the importance of prophecy and what is written with Peter, James, and John. Through Your Word you have reminded me to what is written will always come true. Oh Lord, please forgive us of our sins and we thank you that you are a God who forgives and restores our lives. Thanks for your shed blood on the cross of Calvary so we can have a covering when Satan accuses and condemns us. Thank you Lord when we are in you and you in us, Satan loses all power. Help us to always remain in you so you can remain in us. Thank you for the power of Your Word to change lives and your promises are written for our benefit. We claim your promises and ask you to guide us and lead us by the Holy Spirit. Thank you so much Jesus! Thanks for hearing us and answering us! In Your Name I Pray Jesus! Amen!

Lord Jesus, You are my all in all. You are my Prince of Peace, Rock, Savior, and Friend. You are my Holy Father guiding me through to live a life of righteousness, holy righteousness. Oh God, I need you more than ever. I need to feel your hands around me holding me tight. I need your love to surround me so that you can glow in my life. Help me please Jesus. I desire in your presence. Thank you for guiding me to live a life of righteousness. Oh God you love me more than ever. You hear my voice when I cry out to you. When I seek your face, you fill me up. You are my all in all. Thank you Jesus so much for your help no matter what I face, your grace is available and you take my case. Thank you for hearing us and answering us. In Your Name I Pray Jesus! AMEN! (Most of the prayer is from a vineyard song called “All in All”)

You don't have to be locked away anymore for Christ is here to free you and give you peace to LIVE out your actions.

How do you look at GODISNOWHERE?

One of my pastors, Pastor Hugo SHARED this example one Sunday at the RESURRECTION DAY SERVICE in the combined worship service of Pittsburgh Chinese Church-Oakland & Oakland International Fellowship:

If you look at it as GOD IS NO WHERE, you will still be lost in your sin and be in bondage locked away in your sins and problems finding no peace.

But  as my pastor spoke to the congregation and spoke to me, I am here to tell you that GOD IS NOW HERE.

Yes, friend God is aLIVE and wants to bring a transformation in your life through the GRACE of our Lord Jesus Christ for He paid the penalty on the cross to rescue you and me and came back to life to save us and LIVE with us.

Yes, friend that is exciting to know that we can experience HIS SAVING GRACE & LIVING GRACE.

When we mess up, we can go to Jesus with our shortcomings and He will forgive us and RESTORE us to Him and we will find peace in Him.

^"For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 6:23, NIV)

"But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. 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 1:7-9, NIV)

Friend, we need Jesus because we have been separated from God due to our sin. Because of our sin, Jesus had to pay the price to become our bridge so we can reach God now not of our own good works but because of the finished work of Christ, the Lord on the cross.

"For it is by GRACE you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast." (Ephesians 2:8-9, NIV)

Come to Jesus as you are and pray this prayer to accept Jesus as your Lord and Personal Savior. He will transform your life around! Praise the Lord! You don't have to have all the answers! You can come as you are!

If you want to be a soldier in the Lord's army, you can become it right now. Now is the time of Salvation! You do not have to wait but can pray this prayer and give your life to Christ to serve Him daily! There is no draft but coming to Christ is voluntary. He loves you so much and wants you to come to Him! He will take care of you, guiding you and leading you!

PRAYER:
Dear Jesus, I love you. Thank you for loving me so much and thank you for choosing the cross to die for me. You became the Son of Man and lived here on earth. Then you humbled yourself and became obedient to death-even death on the cross. Thank you for dying on the cross for my sin. You died on the cross so that I can be covered in your blood and cleansed by your blood as I acknowledge that I need you and cannot enter Heaven without you being my pathway. So, Jesus I confess all my sins to you and all the ways I have tried to get into Heaven when you already provided the means and the Way. Thank you for all that you have done for me. "The cross is the place, a wonderful place where accused and condemned find mercy and grace. Thank you Jesus, it is at the cross where the wrongs we have done and the wrongs done to us were nailed at the cross. Thank you Jesus, at the cross you died for our sins and at the cross you gave your life for us." I thank you for that and thank you for coming back to life to save us. Thank you Jesus for being there for me! Thank you for loving me. I love you Jesus! Please take me as I am and make my life into something that you will be proud of. I surrender my life to you and need your help to live for you. I am forever grateful for what you have done for me and I can never repay you. I want to live for you and need your help. Help me Jesus please. I thank you Jesus for saving me! Thank you for hearing my prayer and answering me. Whatever your will give me the willingness and strength to bear it. Thank you Jesus! I acknowledge you as my Lord and Personal Savior! In Your Name I Pray precious Jesus! Amen!