The blood of Jesus speaks a better word over those who have repented and put their faith in Him. Through His death and resurrection, we have forgiveness, peace, and access to God.
When the enemy accuses you or your circumstances seem impossible, your confidence can rest in what Jesus has done. His blood, not our religious performance, makes us right with God.
Hope for Today and for Eternity
At our Wednesday gathering, we began with Jesus' words in Matthew 6:34: "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things."
We also remembered Psalm 139:17-18, which compares God's thoughts toward us to the grains of sand. When you hold a handful of sand, consider how great His thoughts are toward you.
Our hope reaches beyond this life. God knows what we face today, and He has promised a future with Him.
The Promise of the New Jerusalem
Pastor Terry shared a song inspired by Revelation 21, where John describes the New Jerusalem. The city has walls of jasper, gates of pearl, and streets of gold.
God will wipe away every tear. Death, sorrow, crying, and pain will be no more. We look forward to being with Jesus, knowing that the suffering of this present life will not have the final word.
Life on earth is not always fair, but God is just. His promise calls us to repentance and gives us hope beyond what we can see.
Prayer for the Sick and Their Caregivers
We prayed for Pam as she received cancer treatments and for her husband Steve as he cared for her. Caregivers carry burdens too, and they need strength and encouragement.
Hebrews 6:10 reminds us that God does not forget the work and love shown in serving His people. We also prayed for Brenda and Timmy, who were experiencing jaw pain, and for a daughter suffering from vertigo.
The church gathered in faith, including those watching online. Praying for the sick is one way we stand together and bring our needs before the Lord.
Jesus Will Return for His People
Acts 1:11 says the same Jesus who ascended into heaven will return in the same manner. He is coming personally and visibly, just as He promised.
In 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18, Paul says the Lord Himself will descend with a shout and the trumpet of God. The dead in Christ will rise first, and believers who remain will be caught up to meet Him.
We don't know the day or hour, but we know who is coming. Paul tells us to comfort one another with this promise.
Fresh Fire and Faith to Pray Again
Evangelist Robbie Grubbs called us to seek a fresh baptism of the Holy Spirit and fire. We don't have to limp toward the finish line in discouragement. We can ask God to renew our love for Jesus and give us faith to keep running.
Robbie shared that his parents divorced when he was young, and for 30 years there was anger and bitterness between his father and stepfather. He had stopped praying for their relationship.
At his wedding, his father and stepfather put their arms around each other and expressed their love. His father told him that years of unforgiveness and anger broke off his life.
Jesus continues to intercede for us. If you've stopped praying about something that seemed impossible, bring it before Him again.
Jesus Made Peace Through His Blood
Robbie's purpose was to point us to Jesus. John 1:1-5 identifies Him as the Word through whom all things were made. His light shines in the darkness, and darkness cannot extinguish it.
Colossians 1:15-20 says Jesus is the image of the invisible God and the head of the church. Through the blood of His cross, He made peace.
God did not ignore sin to give us peace. Jesus gave Himself for us, and through His sacrifice on the cross, we can be reconciled to God.
What Does It Mean to Plead the Blood?
When we plead the blood of Jesus, we declare by faith that His blood is greater than what is coming against us. Robbie applied that truth to sickness, anxiety, and the accusations of the enemy.
He shared how his infant son Isaiah developed hives after trying peanut butter. A doctor advised the family to go to the hospital, and later Isaiah had blood drawn so the doctors could understand what was happening in his body.
That experience led Robbie to say that blood speaks. In Genesis 4:10, God tells Cain that Abel's blood cries out from the ground. Abel's blood cried for justice, but Hebrews 12:24 says the blood of Jesus speaks a better word.
His blood speaks of forgiveness and reconciliation. We can bring our need for healing and freedom to Jesus, trusting His power and His love.
The Blood Answers the Accuser
Revelation 12:10-11 speaks of the accuser being defeated and God's people overcoming by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony.
The devil tries to convince us that we haven't done enough to be accepted by God. But our righteousness cannot make us right with Him. Our confidence rests in Jesus, who shed His blood for us.
When the accuser speaks, the blood of Jesus speaks a better word.
This truth changes how we pray. Through Jesus, our High Priest, we can approach God with confidence.
The Perfect Lamb and Our Response
Robbie used the Old Testament sacrifice of a spotless lamb to point us to Jesus. The sacrifice had to be acceptable, and Jesus is the perfect Lamb who gave Himself for our sins.
Prayer, fasting, and obedience matter, but they don't purchase God's acceptance. We seek Him because Jesus has opened the way.
Robbie called those who had never repented to turn from sin and receive Jesus as Lord and Savior. He also reminded us that, while God uses people to pray and anoint with oil, we have access to Him through the blood of Jesus. You can come to God in faith and bring your needs before Him.
The Blood Has Not Lost Its Power
John saw the Lamb who had been slain and was worthy to open the scroll in Revelation 5. Jesus died, rose again, and will return as King.
Our hope rests in the blood of the Lamb. We can repent, trust Him, and come before God knowing that Jesus has made the way.
