Psalm 119:1-2 - Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD! Blessed are those who keep His testimonies, who seek Him with the whole heart!

As our Pastor said, in different words, Sunday morning: The Bible shows us early on God did not intend for mankind to live separately from Him. Everything was perfect in the Garden of Eden before Eve ate of the forbidden fruit. They did not have to work, all food supplies were available, they walked communed with God daily. They were blessed.

Many think God is distant, somewhere “out there.” Pun not intended but that’s far from the truth. He’s as near as one wants Him to be. He can be as close as within each of us. We must be willing to receive Him, take Him into our hearts, where He desires to reside. 

If one does not consider God each and every day, depending upon Him, or spending time getting to know Him or hearing Him speak through Bible reading or prayer, He will keep His distance. He will, however, respond wholeheartedly if He is sought. 

From the beginning of time till the end, God is attempting to open people’s eyes, seeking for repentant hearts to come to Him for forgiveness of sins, communion with Him, life more abundant with Him. And, yes...eternal life through Christ. It is up to each individual to do this. 

God does not change. Man does. Only one who has truly given their hearts over to Him understand, the best we can, who He is. We know what He can do, how He can change a hard heart into one pliable for His use, for receiving of His Word, His truths. Oh, those hard but lovely truths.  

We are capable of living with the presence of God in our lives if we want it. It is beneficial! Besides admonition and warning Psalm 119 gives us truths about His Word, His statutes, commandments. Knowing His commandments and living them out is part of having His presence with us to guide us. It warns against those who don’t heed His Word and encourages those who do. Here are a few of the highlights. Rather than dwell on the admonition, I’ll do a little encouraging! There are a lot!! Be blessed and receive God’s blessings for yourself. 

Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You.

I have rejoiced in the way of Your testimonies, as much as in all riches. I will meditate on Your precepts, and contemplate Your ways. I will delight myself in Your statutes; I will not forget Your word.

I have chosen the way of truth; Your judgments I have laid before me.

I will run the course of Your commandments, for You shall enlarge my heart.

Give me understanding, and I shall keep Your law; indeed, I shall observe it with my whole heart.

And I will walk at liberty, for I seek Your precepts. I will speak of Your testimonies also before kings, and will not be ashamed.

Remember the word to Your servant, upon which You have caused me to hope.

The earth, O LORD, is full of Your mercy; teach me Your statutes.

You are good, and do good; teach me Your statutes.

It is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I may learn Your statutes.

Let those who fear You turn to me, those who know Your testimonies.

Forever, O LORD, Your word is settled in heaven. Your faithfulness endures to all generations; You established the earth, and it abides.

You, through Your commandments, make me wiser than my enemies; for they are ever with me.

I have not departed from Your judgments, for You Yourself have taught me. How sweet are Your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.

You are my hiding place and my shield; I hope in Your word.

The entrance of Your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.

Look upon me and be merciful to me, as Your custom is toward those who love Your name. Direct my steps by Your word, and let no iniquity have dominion over me.

Make Your face shine upon Your servant, and teach me Your statutes.

Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and Your law is truth.

The entirety of Your word is truth, and every one of Your righteous judgments endures forever.

I rejoice at Your word as one who finds great treasure.

My tongue shall speak of Your word, for all Your commandments are righteousness.

(Psalm 119:11, 14-16, 30, 32, 34, 45-46, 49, 64, 68, 71, 79, 89-90, 98, 102-103, 105, 114, 130, 132-133, 135, 142, 160, 162, 172)

From Before the Beginning

Revelation 21:6 - And He said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts."

These words never fail to excite me or cause me to become emotional. It's like I can't breathe. 

The First and the Last, Beginning and the End, Alpha and Omega. All encompassing. God has created all things and provides life; He knows the number of our days also. He knew before the beginning of time when we would be born physically. He knew before the beginning of time He would come to earth as a man to offer us the free gift of eternal life because man would royally mess up the perfect life they had in total communion with Him in the garden. He knew before the beginning of time there would have to be an end. And He is working out His plan. He is the Way, Truth and the Life. He is the only way to heaven.

Just imagine, walking and talking with God...the God of the universe...the First, the Beginning and the Alpha. What a privilege for Adam and Eve. 

He also knew sin and disobedience would enter and what the outcome would be. He knew we would all  fall out of His grace. But He knew, again, that He would offer us a way to return, by grace through faith, not works, in His Son Jesus Christ...who was in the beginning, is now and who will return some day soon. The Beginning...and the End.

He is also the Supreme and ultimate Judge and in the end, for some, there will be an end that does not involve eternal life. 

Jesus made this claim numerous times: “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last..." (Revelation 1:11)

“I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last.” (Revelation 22:13)

“I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End,” says the Lord, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.” (Revelation 1:8)

...who is to come. He was in the beginning. He will be in the end. Every part of His existence from Old Testament to New was that we might be saved, that we might see Him and believe, obey. My mind cannot fathom the Alpha and Omega. 

In the beginning, God...said...and it was...good...for a time. From before the beginning God knew He would have to bring what was supposed to be good, until man botched up perfection, to an end.

Then these words come to mind that so describe an ending: 

In the beginning God created...and it was good. Amen. Done. So be it. 

At His crucifixion Jesus said "It is finished." He gave His life as THE way to overcome sin, temptation and death. He gave us Himself. It is a done deal for those who call on Him, who follow Him. 

Then in a prophetic moment in Revelation, after a time of His judgment upon those who have rejected Him, Jesus will say: ...“It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts."

Even in the Old Testament He made this claim:

"Listen to Me, O Jacob, and Israel, My called: I am He, I am the First, I am also the Last. (Isaiah 48:12)

“Thus says the LORD, the King of Israel, and his Redeemer, the LORD of hosts: ‘I am the First and I am the Last; besides Me there is no God.'" (Isaiah 44:6)

Do you believe this? Can you wrap your head around the truth that Jesus was, is and is to come? That He is the only way, truth and life? That heaven is only for those who admit they are sinful beings in need of a Savior? Do you hunger and thirst for something only to find when you think you've found it you are not satisfied? In the beginning God...knew you, knew your needs, knew your sins, even knew whether you would seek Him or reject Him. If you do not walk closely with God you do not know Him. You can receive Him and live or put Him out of your mind and...hard word...perish. 

Only Jesus can take your sins away. You cannot do it yourself. His blood washes you of all unrighteousness. His blood cleanses. He will wrap you in a white robe of righteousness. Without Him we are nothing. He has done it to innumerable people. Be counted among them. Receive Christ. You needn't be an addict or hardened criminal. You may believe you are right with God because you go to church. If you have not received Chist and can't say you know you have changed, you may still need to give your life to Him. 

Isaiah 55:1-3 - “Ho! Everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat. Yes, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Why do you spend money for what is not bread, and your wages for what does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, and let your soul delight itself in abundance. Incline your ear, and come to Me. Hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you...”

The Return of the Lord

1Thessalonians 4:16-17 - For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.

I have attempted to point people to the saving grace of Jesus Christ. It’s all about Him anyway. As John 1 states:  In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. (Verses 1-2)

The Word is Jesus. The Word is also the Bible. Jesus is the Son of God as well as God. He has created all things, was, is and is to come. The Alpha and Omega...He created this world and He will return to end this world and build an even better place, much like the Garden of Eden was supposed to be. And Jesus is the exact image of the Father. These are all concepts we believe by faith. God’s ways are not like ours, His thoughts not like ours. 

Jesus will return. According to the Word, the world will begin to take on some very disturbing things. The world will either be accepting of the changes or wondering what is taking place. The believer knows what it's all about and is looking up to His glorious return and the demise of wickedness and hatred.

Instead of my rambling on, though, I want to share a very good article. We have come to a time where pointing to Jesus needs to be ramped up. Times are short and critical. The message is strong: you must know Jesus as Savior and Lord. Not just think you do or believe religion will save. Only Jesus can. We cannot be saved because we know someone who is or said a prayer once a long time ago...or think we are good people. It’s a decision made between you and the Lord.  One on One. We must humble ourselves before Him while we can. It is said He will come like a thief in the night. We must be prepared. 

If what this article states is new to you, I would search the scriptures for more answers. This should not be taken lightly. 

See what someone besides me has to say.

https://the-end-time.org/2019/03/14/the-day-of-the-rapture-is-ever-nearer/

1Thessalonians 5:14-15 - Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all. See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all.