THE WAY AND THE TRUTH AND THE LIFE

John 14:6-7

New International Version (NIV)

 Jesus Comforts His Disciples

14 “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God[a]; believe also in me. 2 My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. 4 You know the way to the place where I am going.”

Jesus the Way to the Father

5 Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?”

6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7 If you really know me, you will know[b] my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.”

Thomas and the others wanted to follow Jesus but didn’t know the way he was going. Jesus plainly stated that he is the way and the truth and the life. Rather than sermonizing about a complicated set of directions to reach the heavenly Father, Jesus made the way simple. Really know me.

When you are lost, would you rather look at a map or follow a person who knows the way? The same is true for coming to Jesus. What an unsaved person needs isn’t a complicated explanation but someone to show her the way himself (see Acts 4:12).

14:1-3 - Jesus Comforts His Disciples

M

 essiah’s Peace, Place, and Promise for His People – MESSIAH’S COMING.  These are among the most comforting words in all of Scripture; from Jesus’ own lips, we receive the promise of His return.  He spoke these words during His most intimate time with His disciples, and they echo down to us as a precious promise to the bride of Christ.

In this text, Jesus tells us of a peace, a place, and a promise.  He begins with a comforting encouragement: do not be troubled; be at peace.  Our peace is based on our belief in GOD and in Christ.  We know that He is trustworthy and that give us a foundation of peace upon which to build our lives.  Second, Jesus spoke of a place.  He has promised to prepare for us a place where we will have eternal fellowship with Him.  Finally, we have Christ’s personal promise that He is returning for us.  Think of it!  His personal signature is on our salvation; as we have received Him.  He is coming to receive us.  We look forward to that day in expectation, preparing ourselves for it, for “every man that hath this hope…purifieth himself. (1John 3:3).  (Ps. 16:10/Acts 1:10, 11)

 14:1-4 - In 13:36 Jesus responded to Peter’s question individually; now He answers the same question for all the disciples.

14:2 Mansions literally means “dwelling places.” A better translation is “rooms,” conveying the idea that there is ample space in heaven for all who come to Jesus as Savior.

So, it would behoove every believer to read a bit further and remember the following, “If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. (John 14:23)

And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. (Revelation 21:4)

Janet Irene Thomas

Director, Playwright, Gospel Lyricist, Screenwriter

Founder/CEO

Bible Stories Theatre of Fine & Performing Arts

www.biblestoriestheatre.org

info@biblestoriestheatre.org

LABOR OF LOVE

1 THESSALONIANS 1:1-5

Did you know that_

THE MOMENT THAT WE PLACE OUR TRUST in Jesus Christ as our personal Savior, we become new creations. This is an act of love by the heavenly Father – He gives us new life and adopts us into His family. He also has a custom-designed plan for every believer, with specific work for each one to accomplish.

Once we are saved, the rest of our days are to be spent fulfilling God’s purposes for our life. We are called to be Jesus’ disciples – acting on His behalf and working zealously for God, as the Savior did. The world is hungry for the good news, which we are to deliver.

Redemption is God’s gift, offered to us free of charge (Eph. 2:8-9). Salvation is by grace, not by grace-plus-works. Once we are saved, however, works are God’s will for us-the Holy Spirit carries out Jesus’ agenda on earth through His followers.

God has committed Himself to guide and equip believers to act as His servants. No matter what He calls us to do, He will provide the necessary abilities and resources. His Holy Spirit will teach us whatever we need to know-such as effective ways to relate, to pour ourselves out on behalf of others, and to share our faith. He expects us to make serving Him a priority, and to surrender our time, talent, and treasure for His use. Age does not disqualify us from His ervice, and there is never a time for retirement.

While we are living on earth, our lifestyle is to be one of enthusiastic, committed service in the cause of Christ. Let your work for God be a genuine labor of love.

In Christ,

Janet Irene Thomas

Director/Producer/Playwright/Screenwriter/Lyricist

Founder/CEO

Bible Stories Theatre of Fine & Performing Arts

www.biblestoriestheatre.org

info@biblestoriestheatre.org

PRINCE OF PEACE

MESSIAH’S COMING

Isaiah 9:6-7

King James Version (KJV)

6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

7 Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.

9: 6, 7 The    four told name and attributes of the child (Messiah) who shall be born to reign forever upon the throne of David are given. Wonderful, Counsellor (see 28:29) is likely one name that expresses His ability as a political guide and leader. 

He is the living Word, the infallible source of guidance, the inexhaustible wisdom, the Truth, and the Way. On Him will rest the government (the entitlement to rule). Mighty God: The Child is God incarnate, the omnipotent One. The word translated “mighty” has the additional meaning of “hero”. The Lord is the infinite Hero of His people, the Divine Warrior who has triumphed over sin and death. Everlasting Father expresses Christ’s fatherly care. The name in not in conflict with that of the First Person of the Trinity. Jesus said to Philip, “He that hath see me hath seen the Father” (John 14:9).

“Everlasting” can also mean everywhere present; He has the divine attributes of both eternity and omnipresence as He rules upon the throne of David and within the hearts of the redeemed. Prince of Peace: His reign will be characterized by shalom, health, well-being, prosperity, happiness, and cessation of enmity. The NT states this require His triumph over Satan.

In Christ,

Janet Irene Thomas

Playwright/Director/Screen Writer/Producer/Lyricist

Founder/CEO

Bible Stories Theatre of

Fine & Performing Arts

info@biblestoriestheatre.org

www.biblestoriestheatre.org

TRUMPETS AND SPIRITUAL WARFARE

GUIDANCE OF THE SILVER TRUMPETS

Numbers 10:1-10
King James Version (KJV)

10 And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying,

2 Make thee two trumpets of silver; of a whole piece shalt thou make them: that thou mayest use them for the calling of the assembly, and for the journeying of the camps.

3 And when they shall blow with them, all the assembly shall assemble themselves to thee at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.

4 And if they blow but with one trumpet, then the princes, which are heads of the thousands of Israel, shall gather themselves unto thee.

5 When ye blow an alarm, then the camps that lie on the east parts shall go forward.

6 When ye blow an alarm the second time, then the camps that lie on the south side shall take their journey: they shall blow an alarm for their journeys.

7 But when the congregation is to be gathered together, ye shall blow, but ye shall not sound an alarm.

8 And the sons of Aaron, the priests, shall blow with the trumpets; and they shall be to you for an ordinance for ever throughout your generations.

9 And if ye go to war in your land against the enemy that oppresseth you, then ye shall blow an alarm with the trumpets; and ye shall be remembered before the Lord your God, and ye shall be saved from your enemies.

10 Also in the day of your gladness, and in your solemn days, and in the beginnings of your months, ye shall blow with the trumpets over your burnt offerings, and over the sacrifices of your peace offerings; that they may be to you for a memorial before your God: I am the Lord your God.

10: 1-10 The final element in the preparation for the journey-the signal trumpets – enabled the camp to be directed from the center for assembles (vv. 3,4) and for moving in and out of camp formation (vv.5-8). When the Israelites were  settled in their land, the trumpets would have a military function (v.9) and a worship function (v.10).  

10: 5-8 Only the east and south sides of the camp are mentioned, due to their preceding the tabernacle in the march according to the order of ch.2. 

10: 1-10 Trumpets and Spiritual Warfare. FAITH'S WARFARE. The employing of trumpets has a unique relationship to the exercise of spiritual authority in prayer. Here two silver trumpets were sanctified for use by spiritual leadership in Israel. One was appointed for the calling forth of the assembly and the other for the mobilization of the camps when they were about to journey (v.2.). Thus, the first trumpet's use was primarily to gather the people together while the second trumpet meant it was time to "go forward," usually in the sense of moving forward into battle. Regarding employment of the second trumpet note especially the words of v. 9. " ye shall blow an alarm with the trumpets...and ye shall be saved from your enemies."  

The sounding of trumpets in victorious spiritual warfare is especially significant in God's final plan for the ages (Rev. 8-12). All of the culminating events of Rev. 12 result from the sounding of the seventh trumpet  does not occur until the prayers of God's saints are released with much incense (symbolic of worship) before the throne of God (see Rev. 8:1-6), quite possibly indicating that the prayers of God's people release the final trumpet blasts that herald the coming and establishing of Christ's eternal kingdom on Earth. Hearing the clear sound of the trumpet alerts us to the Holy Spirit's call to battle. (see 1 Cor. 14:8)  

In Christ, 

Janet Irene Thomas 

Playwright/Director/Screen Writer/Producer/Lyricist 

Founder/CEO 

Bible Stories Theatre of 

Fine & Performing Arts 

info@biblestoriestheatre.org 

www.biblestoriestheatre.org

GOD'S CHARIOTS AND HORSES

 Lord, I pray thee, open our eyes, that we
 may see and know your power. 

2 Kings 6:8-17

King James Version (KJV)

8 Then the king of Syria warred against Israel, and took counsel with his servants, saying, In such and such a place shall be my camp.

9 And the man of God sent unto the king of Israel, saying, Beware that thou pass not such a place; for thither the Syrians are come down.

10 And the king of Israel sent to the place which the man of God told him and warned him of, and saved himself there, not once nor twice.

11 Therefore the heart of the king of Syria was sore troubled for this thing; and he called his servants, and said unto them, Will ye not shew me which of us is for the king of Israel?

12 And one of his servants said, None, my lord, O king: but Elisha, the prophet that is in Israel, telleth the king of Israel the words that thou speakest in thy bedchamber.

13 And he said, Go and spy where he is, that I may send and fetch him. And it was told him, saying, Behold, he is in Dothan.

14 Therefore sent he thither horses, and chariots, and a great host: and they came by night, and compassed the city about.

15 And when the servant of the man of God was risen early, and gone forth, behold, an host compassed the city both with horses and chariots. And his servant said unto him, Alas, my master! how shall we do?

16 And he answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them.

17 And Elisha prayed, and said, Lord, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the Lord opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha.

KINGDOM DYNAMICS 

6:8-17 The Invisible Realm and Victorious Warfare. FAITH'S WARFARE.  To believe the impossible one must first see the invisible-the lesson Elisha taught his servant. The text involves war between  Israel and Syria, and the prophet Elisha's informing his people of the enemy's tactics through prophetic insight (v.12).  

Here is the lesson: Prayer is the key to discerning our adversary's strategems. Further, the key to dispelling Elisha's servant's panic was his vision being opened to see the invisible. NOTE these crucial words: "Elisha prayed"! Elisha did not ask God simply to show the servant another miracle; he asked for his servant to see into another dimension. The answer came immediately. The Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw: and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha" (v.17). Seeing  into the invisible is a key to victorious praying-discerning spiritual issues from God's perspective rather than man's, seeing the Adversary's attack plan, and perceiving God's angelic strike-force.  

In Christ, 

Janet Irene Thomas 

Playwright/Director/Screen Writer/Producer/Lyricist 

Founder/CEO 

Bible Stories Theatre of 

Fine & Performing Arts 

info@biblestoriestheatre.org 

www.biblestoriestheatre.org 

EMPTY TOMB

Matt. 28: 5-8 (KJV)

5 And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified.

6 He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.

7 And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you.

8 And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word.

28:2 The stone was rolled away, not that Jesus might escape, but that witnesses might see the evidence of an empty tomb.

·        He arose upon the first day of the week: on the first day of the first week God commanded the light to shine out of darkness; on this day therefore did he who was to be the Light of the world, shine out of the darkness of the grave; and the seventh-day Sabbath being buried with Christ, it arose again in the first-day Sabbath, called the Lord’s day (Rev. 1:10), and no other day of the week is from henceforward mentioned in all the New Testament than this, and this often, as the day which Christians religiously observed in solemn assemblies, to the honor of Christ, John 20:19, 26; Acts 20:7; 1 Cor. 16:2. If the deliverance of Israel out of the land of the north superseded the remembrance of that out of Egypt (Jer. 23:7, 8), much more doth our redemption by Christ eclipse the glory of God’s former works. The Sabbath was instituted in remembrance of the perfecting of the work of creation, Gen. 2:1.

·        Man by his revolt made a breach upon that perfect work, which was never perfectly repaired till Christ arose from the dead, and the heavens and the earth were again finished, and the disordered hosts of them modelled anew, and the day on which this was done was justly blessed and sanctified, and the seventh day from that. He who on that day arose from the dead, is the same by whom, and for whom, all things were at first created, and now anew created.

In Christ,

Janet Irene Thomas

Playwright/Director/Screen Writer/Producer/Lyricist

Founder/CEO

Bible Stories Theatre of

Fine & Performing Arts

info@biblestoriestheatre.org

www.biblestoriestheatre.org

THE LORD’S PRAYER

PRINCIPLES OF PRAYER

Matthew 6:5-15

King James Version (KJV)

Prayer and Intercession.

• Jesus’ words “Thy kingdom come,” are more than a suggestion to pray for a distant millennial day, for everything in this prayer is current. This prayer is not a formula for repetition so much as it is an outline for expansion. Worship is to be longer than a sentence. Petitions are not confined to bead. Forgiveness is to be requested in specifics, not generalities, and prayer for the entry of God’s kingdom into present earthborn situations is not accomplished in a momentary utterance. The verb mood and tense of “Thy kingdom come” essentially says, “Father, let Your Kingdom come here and now!” 

• Such prayer intervention is called intercession. Motivation toward such prayer occurs when we recognize the importance Jesus placed on prayer in helping us serve in our roles as ‘kingdom administrators.” Without the intervention of God’s kingdom rule through prayer, Earth’s circumstances will succumb to inevitable consequences. Earthly scenes of need must be penetrated by God’s” WILL here as in heaven.”

KINGDOM DYNAMICS

 

Although Jesus says we are actually to say this prayer (v. 2), He does not intend that His prayer be used as a mere rigid ritual, but that it be a guide to prayer as well.  Also, Jesus teaches importunity (that is persistence) in prayer, along with a sense of urgency and boldness.  He does not suggest that we must overcome God’s reluctance to respond to our request, but that we must be earnest and wholehearted in prayer.  The persistence is necessary for our benefit, NOT for God’s.

6:9 Father. A new role of personal intimacy with Yahweh originates with Jesus (see Rom. 8:15; Gal. 4: 6) Hallowed be establishes the principle of prayer on the precept of worship.

6:10 Thy Kingdom come: The petitioner asks for the establishment of God’s rule, not only in its consummation in the Age to Come, but in lives and situations now.  This further defined as God’s will being done in earth.

6:11  Jesus encourages prayer for physical needs, which are vitally linked with kingdom concerns.

6:12  Prayer for forgiveness is qualified by a readiness to forgive personal injury (see v. 14, 15).

6:13  The final petition requests God’s strength to withstand moral peril lest the petitioner fail or be overwhelmed by temptation of evil.

In Closing

D

ear Friends, please know and understand that either the weakness of man’s rule (the flesh) or the viciousness of hell’s works (the Devil) will prevail.  God’s power alone can change things and bring heaven’s rule (kingdom) instead, and the honor and the glory for prayer’s answers are His.  

However, the praying is ours to do: unless we ask for the intervention of His Kingdom and obey His prayer lessons, nothing will change.  All kingdom ministry begins with, is sustained by, and will triumph through prayer.  

In Christ,

Janet Irene Thomas

Playwright/Director/Screen Writer/Producer/Lyricist

Founder/CEO

Bible Stories Theatre of

Fine & Performing Arts

info@biblestoriestheatre.org

www.biblestoriestheatre.org

WISDOM BENEFITS

 TRUST IN THE LORD

Proverbs 3:5-6

King James Version (KJV)

5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

• Study God’s Word and listen to the Holy Spirit.  Believe God’s prophets.  Understand that these are the true sources of godly knowledge.

REFLECTION

Many of us are acquainted with the Book of Proverbs; however, we are especially familiar with Chapter 3, verses 5 and 6. I remember as a young girl, I memorized these chapter and these two (2) verses. The operative word here is ‘memorized’. With the thoughts of a child, it was very ‘important’ for me to memorize scripture because this is something that I was taught in Sunday School. 

However, today I realize that as I was memorizing scriptures, I WAS NOT learning or committing God’s Word to my heart, soul, mind, and spirit. Friends, I tell you, little did I know that daily reading of God’s Word …especially Proverbs would endow me with Godly and life wisdom!  

Read HIS WORD!  It is not just enough to memorize the WORD of GOD. There must be clarity, understanding, application and meditation of what we read. There are 31 verses in Proverbs, a verse for every day of every month of the year.  Repetitious reading of proverbs (i.e. today is the 7^th and we will read Proverbs 7) every month will soon reveal/manifest to us that there is guidance and direction for every facet of our lives, thereby we are begetting WISDOM!

Intimacy and Spiritual Breakthrough.

Two words in this passage are especially significant-the words “ways” and “acknowledge.”

           

The word “ways” (Hebrew derek) means “a rod, a course, or a mode of action.”  It suggests specific opportunities a person may encounter on a recurring basis.  The most common “segment of opportunity” we experience regularly is each new day. It is as if this passage suggests that in all our “days” we should acknowledge God and in so doing He will direct our paths.

Of equal significance is the word “acknowledge” (Hebrew yada’). Elsewhere "yada” is translated “know,” meaning to know by observation, investigation, reflection, or firsthand experience. But the highest level of yada’ is in “direct, intimate contact.”  This refers to life-giving intimacy, as in marriage.  Applied to a spiritual context, it suggest an intimacy with God in prayer that conceives and births blessings and victories.  Joined to our Prov. text, we might conclude that if in all our “days” we maintain yada’ (direct, intimate contact with God), God promises to direct our paths toward fruitful, life-begetting, endeavors.

Some of us have heard this expression many times: “Ignorance is not an excuse.” This is a statement that I heard over and over again from my Dad, and now I try to apply Godly wisdom to my life daily. And I’d like to share the below with you that you now may enjoy the fruits of the Godly Wisdom of Proverbs 3:5 and 6:

• 3:5 – Lean:  “Support yourself!” expresses the thought.

• 3:6 – Direct: (Hebrew yah-shar): Strong’s #3474. To be straight, right, upright, pleasing, good. Yashar appears in an intensive form here and means to “make straight and right.”  God will “straighten out” the path of His devoted, trusting servants.  From the verb comes the noun yosher, “uprightness” (Ps. 119:7) Job is described as blameless and upright (Job 1:1).  God’s promises to Cyrus was that the crooked places would be mad straight (Is. 45:2).  Finally, from yashar comes the poetical name “Jeshurun” (“Upright One”), a name always applied to Israel as God’s righteous nation (Deut. 33:5; Is. 44:2)

• 3:6 – Acknowledge: This suggests being fully aware of and in fellowship with Him.

S

o, I pray to our wonderful God Almighty, that today we simply pause and talk to God: ask him to guide us down the right paths, listen to what he is saying and seek his strength for all the pathways we are led down in life. We will also use Proverbs 3:5-6 as a meditative thought before beginning to pray:

H

elp to change me Lord. Please work in me so I will have a good testimony in all areas of my life. Allow me to acknowledge your works as you lead me in the right paths. Alert me to anything I may be hanging onto and trying to lead on my own.  Thanks for allowing me to be your child and being my father – I love you! I’m so grateful to have the opportunity to walk toward the purpose you have for me. In Jesus Name, Amen

In Christ,

Janet Irene Thomas

Playwright/Director/Screen Writer/Producer/Lyricist

Founder/CEO

Bible Stories Theatre of

Fine & Performing Arts

info@biblestoriestheatre.org

www.biblestoriestheatre.org