I Have Come Down to Bring Them Up

 Exodus 3:7-8 - And the LORD said: “I have surely seen the oppression of My people who are in Egypt, and have heard their cry because of their taskmasters, for I know their sorrows. So I have come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up from that land to a good and large land, to a land flowing with milk and honey...”

There are many people in the Bible who are types of Christ. Moses was one of them. Egypt is considered a type of the world. Israel was held captive in Egypt.  If you recall Moses led the people of Israel out of Egyptian captivity. God wanted them in a land He would provide for them, a better place. 

Their captivity at that time was as slaves. But did you know that we are slaves also in our world? God desires for us to be out of this world and secure in a better place He has for us. And this is why He sent Jesus! He came down from heaven. He will deliver us up to heaven one day.

He came down to deliver US out of the snares of this world and bring us into a special place He has for us. What snares? All the things that keep us from looking to Him, things that DISTRACT. Anything that is put in the forefront of our lives that take God out of our lives is a snare. What most consumes us? Some things we are meant to be busy doing but others are not. We’re all guilty. When I was working I was a workaholic. Some people, if they have the means, travel frequently. Others shop! For some it’s their children or hobbies or activities, for some it’s self! There are so many things that consume our time. 

For a true believer in Jesus Christ, the Bible tells us in various ways that this earth is not our home, but that heaven is (Philippians 3:20). We are strangers here on earth (1Chronicles 29:15). We are to have a loose grip on the things of this world (Matthew 6:19-20). Don’t let those things consume. But...we are to focus on sharing the truth of Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, the one who gives us eternal life...no one else can do that. We are told that even our idle words (which are many) will be judged. 

When we die our body is gone, but our spirit lives on. And that spirit has one of two permanent resting places...heaven or hell. And they are real. It’s why He came....that we may have eternal life in Him, in heaven...that resting place that God has chosen for us. Why would Jesus come to save us if we all were going to go to heaven?

Jesus came and died that we could have that more abundant life. We are told to think on the things above not the things here on earth. We are told to store up riches in heaven that will not be consumed as opposed to things of earth which will spoil, rust, wither away.

I heard a talk recently and this was a very good statement: to realize that self-preservation of my own life will cost me in being fearful, in being in compliance with what they (government) want me to do; but if I’m willing to lose my life, I can stand in the face of this no matter what they say. This is what the truth of the Bible tells us and this is why we need to understand.

Moses! He led Israel out of captivity. Jesus! He does too. The Word of God is so FULL of examples like this. I hope to share more. 

John‬ ‭10:10‬ ‭- The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.

Life or Death

1John 5:11-13 - And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God.

The Bible is the Word of God. God cannot lie. It is truth. The Bible is God’s word for us, that we would know Him, and believe in Him, learn what His promises are for those who do believe in Him, to learn how to trust Him, and I think in these days the most important thing is that we know what is said about the return of Christ. There are prophecies that have come true. There are still more to come to pass. This is why it is important to have some understanding of this Book.

While we see an unsettling world suddenly stopped dead in its tracks by a coronavirus and now unrest via protests and riots, we know it’s all political. As a friend (maybe even more than one) has said repeatedly, nothing that happens in life doesn’t first go through God’s hands. God not only owns the cattle on a thousand hills (meaning everything belongs to Him), but He has knit us together in our mothers’ wombs, knows the number of hairs on our heads and even the number of our days. So, He is in complete control whether it be good or bad. Why? He wants us to totally trust in He who can accomplish all He has set out to do.

He created this world and all that is in it. He continues to bring the sun up in the morning, cause it to set at night and the same with the moon. The seasons come and go by His power. The birds come and go also! All nature is ruled by God. 

Animals and people are born, live and die, at His will. He allows disease. He allows storms and destruction. Why does He allow bad? Because of Adam and Eve’s disobedience in the Garden, which I’ve said many times. We can pray against such things but it is ultimately His will that prevails.

All God has ever wanted is for mankind to believe, trust and give their lives to Him. Might sound like a puppet master but He is not. Because He is God, Creator, Sustainer of all things, He knows what we need. He offers us nothing but the best, spiritually, in this life and the one to come for each of His believers. Our souls live on after we die. For some the outcome is eternal life. For many others it is eternal death. Make no mistake, we will experience one or the other depending on how our hearts have changed toward Him. It is not simply acknowledging in one’s head, repeating a prayer, but being changed in one’s heart. You know when this happens!! You are changed.

Eternal death is just that. It comes because one chooses to reject God. Rejecting is not taking Him seriously. One can believe in God and still not receive Him, which is rejection. It’s never having that heart change. The life "hereafter" for these is one that one so wishes would end but never will. The description in God’s Word is not pretty with words like fire and gnashing of teeth. Here’s a good description. While it refers to a rich man it can be anyone; however, sometimes when one does not sense a need for God because life is good, he could be described as rich (in the world):

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%2016%3A19-31&version=ESV

There are prophecies in the Bible that have come true. The greatest are all the words describing Jesus hundreds of years before He was born. Those words in Isaiah 53 describe His whole life, birth to death, and that occurred. Other words came true. There are still more that speak of the end of the world and the return of Christ. They should not be scoffed. We are nearer today to His return than ever before. The Bible describes the days we are living in. Hearts need to change. Hearts need to be warned. These words can be ignored but some day the truth will be known. Eternal life or eternal death? Jesus is the only way.

John 14:6 - Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”

This Day and a Day In the Future

Matthew 16:1-4 - Then the Pharisees and Sadducees came, and testing Him asked that He would show them a sign from heaven. He answered and said to them, “When it is evening you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red’; and in the morning, ‘it will be foul weather today, for the sky is red and threatening.’ Hypocrites! You know how to discern the face of the sky, but you cannot discern the signs of the times. A wicked and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and no sign shall be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah.” And He left them and departed.

There’s a lot going on in this world. In fact, the Bible has prophesied it. I hesitate writing things like this because it might be considered doom and gloom, or I out of my mind. Fortunately, for some, this is an exciting time. For some, we see the signs that the Lord's return is near. Oh, we've heard date setters destroying biblical credibility. The Bible states we cannot know the day or hour. But...as Jesus says above, we can know the signs of His appearing.

Ancient men, long before Jesus, spoke about the things to come. It’s why there is a Bible. It was written that we may know about the wars and rumors of war, the weather, violence, the blatant immoral acts and lifestyles. See what the Bible has to say...  All predicted as man has chosen his own way of life rather than God’s. To even be accepting of these things is wrong in His eyes, as difficult as that sounds. Look at the words Jesus used above...they were rather harsh. The Pharisees and Sadducees were learned religious leaders. But they turned many blind eyes to the truth Jesus spoke. Others do the same.

Jesus spoke to show that no matter what happens in this world, we can be saved from it in the end, through Him. He came to seek and save the lost. He came that we might have an abundant spiritual life which includes eternal life in Him. He knew and knows that this world's only hope for peace and security is a Savior and He is it. Man cannot do it. We cannot save ourselves, no matter how good we think we are (pride). No man is good, not one the Book of Roman 3 states.

I’m writing this on an especially beautiful snowy, white, clean-looking day. 

I know deep in my spirit that only God could bring about such beauty. I think of the scripture that says: “Come now, and let us reason together,” says the LORD, “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” (Isaiah 1:18)

What's the connection? When I see the beauty in this day, I know Who has created it. I do not worship the creation, but I worship the Creator. I know Him personally. I trust in Him. I know what His Word says, though I’m not an expert, but I know it is the truth. How do I know? His Spirit lives in me and teaches me. He shows me things and He has shown me scriptures relating to these days we live in. I am grateful to have this understanding, though I don’t get it all. I just know that Jesus came one day to save the lost so that upon death or His second coming, I would know I was safe in Him. 
As a bonus, I recognize the signs of the times. And it's exciting to me. 

This day with all its temporary beauty is a reminder of He who is never-ending, what He has done for those who love Him, how I have no need to worry because I am secure in Christ. Because one day I realized my need for Him and embraced Him and His truth. I'm thankful that I believe this, despite what others might think. I will continue to praise HIM.

Psalm 51:6-7 - Behold, You desire truth in the inward parts, and in the hidden part You will make me to know wisdom. Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

Eternity

1John 5:11-13 - And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God.

I listened to a sermon last week on eternity. I thought I'd share snippets of my take on the pastor's thoughts. This is long, filled with hard words and truth, maybe not well received. Hopefully you'll get through to the end. Don't quit early. While it may be hard, there is always hope. There's always good news for those who want to hear. There's a God in heaven who loves you no matter what you might think. Even if you reject Him, He loves you. He'd rather you not reject Him. There are consequences for doing that. 

Basically, the truth that was stated in the sermon many times is: eternity stretches on and on and on. It is eternal. It never ends. Never ends. It's why it's called eternity!

There's a bit of debate about eternity. Some believe eternity is being in heaven. Along with that thought some believe all people go to heaven, or only good people go to heaven. Taking that another step is the question concerning just who is good? And...just how much good do we do to please God? How do we, mankind, determine what is good? How does man's goodness compare to God's view? Oh, to be sure, the Bible has a few things to say about these points, like, briefly, we cannot earn our way into heaven. We are told our (good) works are as filthy rags, that apart from God we can do no good thing, nor enter into heaven. Ouch.  Good works do not produce salvation; good works are the product of salvation. 

So this pastor suggests, and it's all biblical, that we all must spend eternity somewhere. We actually choose where we want to go. It's all about choice and that choice is simple. That choice will either put us in either heaven or hell. But...it is our own choice. Another ouch.

Again, we don't go to heaven based on our good works, what church we go to, how wealthy we are, or who we know. Oh wait, there is one Person we can, and must, know--Jesus Christ. The Bible was written to show us this, from Genesis to Revelation.

Life is not about what we make of it, what we accomplish or how much we accumulate in this world. God's whole purpose for creation and for creating us is to know and glorify Him. Then what we do is important. It's not about the works that we do before we know the Lord. It's about the works that we do after. Remember, all our works, before we know Christ, are as filthy rags. (Isaiah 64:6)

You will be somewhere all throughout eternity.  There is no in between. It's either heaven or hell. There is no gray area when it comes to God. We're either for Him or against Him. What you will find all throughout the Bible's pages is that a price has been paid. If we receive Jesus as Lord and Savior, that price has been paid for us and we are saved. 

So, moving on. Do you know the Lord Jesus Christ as this Lord and Savior? This question can offend people. People don't always want to be told they must have a relationship with or give their lives to Christ. But as this pastor was saying in the sermon, if you're offended by Jesus Christ, plain and simple, you're going to hell. Ouch again.

The Bible says you must be born again. There's no other way to get to heaven. You must be born again. If you want more information on what it means to be born again read John 3. You only get to heaven through Jesus Christ. That means admitting you're a no-good, rotten sinner, filled with self and pride, and absolutely powerless without God (which you find out in time)!

The great lie of the devil is like what he asked Eve in the Garden, Did Gid really say...?  Did He really say you're good enough on your own, you don't need Him, your good works are what define you, but not your relationship with Him? Remember, in the Garden Adam and Eve walked and talked with God. They didn't have to work, there was no pain, no sorrow, no shame, no tears. They lived in paradise. Heaven on earth. They tended the animals and were not ashamed of their nakedness. But then the devil slithered in and changed everything...got them banished forever from all that God said was good...and separated from Him. Now to enter into eternity, we must be reconciled again with God. God made a way. He did not offer up His Son as a sacrifice for us for the fun of it. How can we live thinking all go to heaven if not everyone even goes to Him for salvation? To be born again? 

Just as there will be a literal hell, there will be a literal heaven. It will be just the opposite. Like the description of the paradise of Eden, in Revelation we are told:

...God Himself will be with them and be their God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away. Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” And He said to me, “Write, for these words are true and faithful.” 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. He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son. But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”

(Revelation 21:3-8)

Cowardly, unbelieving, abominable...just a few names for those who do not believe and fall into the same category as the rest. We are all in those categories...until we receive Jesus as born again believers. 

Remember Jesus on the cross between two thieves? One totally rejected Him, the other admitted his sin. What did Jesus say to that second thief? Today you will be with me in paradise!

You must go through Jesus Christ. One way and one way only. There is only one door by which we enter. That Door has a name. It is Jesus Christ. He says, I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. (John 10:9)

Hell is a place of violence, misery and hate, quite the opposite of the description above. We see enough of that today. The pastor explained, Where you spend eternity is determined now. Do you live for yourself or do you live for the Lord? If you live for yourself the Lord is not a part of your life. Maybe you don't feel you need to go to church. That's a sign that you're not living for the Lord. Maybe you don't read your Bible. That's another sign you're not living for the Lord. These may be hard words but Jesus is not Someone you can sit on the fence about. You're either with Him or without Him. And our eternity is based on that. 

But there's still that hope I mentioned in the beginning. We can still seek Him today. But we are not always assured of another day, or another hour or minute. A car crash could take you out in an instant. Without Jesus at that moment means eternal death. He is always waiting for the next person to receive Him. You've heard the words "it's never too late". For Jesus it's never early enough. He wishes none to perish.

Have you heard these messages before? Have you shut your ears and heart to them? Maybe you've not heard. I was offended when I first heard. But God softened my heart through a trial. Consider the words. Jesus is the way, truth and life; no one goes to the Father apart from Him. Like I said before, we are all considered wicked and separated from God until we have made the choice to seek Him with all our heart.  Seek the LORD while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near. Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the LORD, and He will have mercy on him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon. (Isaiah 55:6)
Where will you spend eternity? Where do you want to?

Colossians 1:27 - To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

Crucified Life, Resurrected Life

Luke 9:23, John 11:25-26 - Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.”

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?”

I listened to a Resurrection Sunday sermon last night. While this is not a recap of the message, I was taken by a thought that was clearly evident within that sermon.

A crucified life becomes a resurrected life, or death becomes life. It’s a hard word. Look at this picture Jesus gave us: Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain. He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. (John 12:24-25)

When we receive Christ we are called to die to ourselves and live in Christ. If we have received Christ and are born again, it is by His Spirit coming into us. This Spirit of God will then direct our new paths, open blind eyes, bring understanding where there was once foolishness. This is how we know He lives in us. And it’s all God’s doing. We do nothing but respond to something that urges us to commit our lives to Him.

This death to life can only occur now—while we are still alive. If we die before this we may have lost our chance at eternal life. Eternal life does not come upon our death, unless we have committed ourselves to Christ. Dying to self means we now can be ...hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed—” (2Corinthians 4:8-9)

But God...paid the price, so we wouldn’t have to. He defeated death so we wouldn’t have to (spiritually) face it. He died that we might live; He died that despite the difficulties in this world, we can have the assurance that eternally we will now live and that the troubles of life are only temporary and nothing to the one who has the hope that Jesus brings.

We cannot rely on our good works or our church or religion. We have to rely only on Jesus, who paid the price and said on the cross, It is finished. We are called by God to seriously come to Him and receive His gift of eternal life. This is done by admitting we are sinners (and the Bible says we all are apart from God) and realizing His death alone paid the price that we would be reconciled to God. His life, death and resurrection alone.

Jesus holds the keys to life and death. No one else does; we cannot. We don’t have the final say in our life, God does. - Pastor J.D. Farag  That works both ways—without Christ we experience eternal damnation. With Christ we experience eternal life. But it’s not just knowing the Lord in our minds; He must be in our hearts as mentioned above. We must totally trust Him. Our only hope is not in a job, money, things, self, it is only in Christ.

Life in the world is led by satan. Life in the Spirit is led by Christ. You are in one place or the other. No in between. Hard word. You don’t get to be led by Christ by your own will or resolve. You enter by submission to Christ.

This is why the name of Jesus causes trepidation, and might I say, offense. When saying or hearing His name is difficult, that is trepidation. We have the chance to choose today life or death and God s willing to receive anyone willing to do this...today, now. God doesn’t send us to hell; we send ourselves by our own choice, by not believing or having faith or trusting in Jesus. Again, not by our own will to be a “good” person, but by Jesus’ death and victory over sin and death.

All this is the Gospel of Jesus Christ—it’s good news. Christ has a free gift for each of us, this eternal life in Christ. But we must reach out to receive it. If you reject it, it’s your choice. If you receive it, your best life can begin. Some day God will ask you whether you have received it or rejected it...though He will already have known. The answer given determines where we will spend eternity.

Christ died and rose again that we might die to self and be resurrected with Him on the last day. Will you be counted in that number?

1Corinthians 15:57 - ...thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Fall

Ecclesiastes 3:1-2 - To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck what is planted...

I’ve been getting out to walk several times a week this summer. After a rough last winter of just not feeling well and carotid artery surgery in May, I’m well-recovered. 

The seasons are changing and Fall is fast approaching, which is noticeable on my walks. 

This morning I was contemplating the seasons, especially Fall. I figured Fall was named after the death and fall of leaves. Here was a suggestion: The word fall comes from the Old English word feallan which means “to fall or to die.” 

I wondered whether there was a season of Fall in the Garden before Adam and Eve fell. Too many varying answers. While one might think everything always lived, I’m not so sure things did. Life may have been longer but still ended. The fall of Adam and Eve was of a spiritual nature. 

While man will die physically, one does not need to die spiritually. There is a spiritual death for those who do not believe in God, or do not have a relationship with Jesus Christ. The fall of man gave us an example of what happens when we are disobedient to God. They were taken out of the garden and not allowed back in. The communion they want hand with God the father ended thus we have a separation from God right from the very beginning of our lives. The only way we can remove that separation is to receive Christ and follow Him. It’s why God the Father sent His Son, to die for our sins, which sins occurred with the fall of man in the garden.

To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven... (Ecclesiastes 3:1)

I’m so grateful for God’s plan if salvation for all mankind. Thankful He desires restoration and reconnection with Him. It is our decision to make, this eternal spiritual life. Some believe that when we die, we just don’t exist anymore. This is not true. Just as there is eternal like there is eternal death...Jesus spoke these words. Remember, He is also God and God cannot lie:

But the sons of the kingdom will be cast out into outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. (Matthew 8:12) 

So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come forth, separate the wicked from among the just, and cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth. (Matthew 13:49-50)

The wicked are those who have not received Jesus, not just know of Him, but have taken Him seriously into their hearts and desire to know Him through His Word. We all fall into the wicked category if we don’t do this. Thankfully, He never stops receiving and forgiving if one finally submits to Him. Only He ends that separation between us and the Father. He is the Door, the Way. Don’t “fall” for the lies that there is no eternal death. 

I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture....I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. (John 10:9,14:6)

Again, Do Not Fear

Matthew 24:6 - And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.

This life is temporary. Our eternal life is forever. We can have the assurance of this eternal life while we live in this physical world. Not everyone has this assurance. Some fear death. Some are never sure if they are good enough. God has all the answers for all these fears, His Son, Jesus Christ, through a relationship with Him.

The verse above speaks of wars and rumors of them. If God tells us this about wars, it can be for any circumstance in our life. 

Reminds me of this advice:

Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. (Matthew 10:29-31)

I posted something like this on Facebook. I received a comment: A war of Matthew's time is not comparable to a nuclear war of the 21st century.

I answered: Doesn’t matter. We still need not fear if we are in Christ. For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope. (Romans 15:4)

Oh, the promises of God to those who love Him, who trust in His name. This life is temporary. Life after this is eternal.

Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal. (2Corinthians 4:16-18) In the grand scheme of things, the afflictions we will encounter in this present life in this present body, are but for a moment and of light affliction, while they may not seem to be at the moment. ...may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. (1Peter 5:10)  Eternal hell will be real affliction.

If you want to know that you will be able to withstand anything this world can dish out you need the power and strength only our God has. Many put their trust in man. Government can’t save us. Looking to any man or organization can't ultimately save us. But there is One who can. His promises are sound and filled with truth. It’s all I have to say. 

The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? (Psalm 27:1)

Psalm 118:6,8 - The LORD is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me? It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.

New Year, New Day, New Life

2Corinthians‬ ‭5:17‬ ‭- Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

New years tend to bring resolutions. Everyone's idea what a good resolution might be will be different. I guess resolutions are okay. There is one that is the best! Later....

It's a new year and a new start at the beginning of the Bible. We know the accounts of Genesis 1. All of creation, newness of life. As I was reading I noticed something I'd not thought about before. God made man in His own image, male and female He made them. It made me pause to think that later it was said that Adam saw that all the animals had mates but he did not. I looked up a commentary on this. 

Though there is a time when God is explaining to Adam that he would tend all living things, Eve was not there. It never clicked that all living beings were created on the same day. It just never clicked that it wasn't days after that Eve was created. As the commentary also suggested...that only one male and one female were created, to show that hereafter a man was to have at a time no more wives than one... And...The Jews give these reasons why man was made on the evening of the sabbath, to show that he did not assist in the work of creation; and that if he was elated in his mind, it might be told him that a fly was created before him... Duh, yah! 

I say all that because it was glorious as it was originally done, in God's eyes it was good. Didn't take long to corrupt...so that throughout the rest of the Bible we are shown our sinful natures, God's redemptive plan, His love, judgment and mercy...so much so that He made a way that we in our sinful natures, received at birth, might be made new, through a new covenant, through His Son Jesus. 

In Chapter 2 it points out that God, the LORD God, had made, made, formed, breathed, planted, took, commanded, said, caused all things. Remember that. It's all about God. 

In Chapter 3 we already see how sin entered the world so quickly after God's glorious creation. All that new life in a short period of time corrupted. All God's perfection. Man's determination to be like God through the temptation of a snake! Which temptations are still going strong today. In our self-centeredness, pride, stubbornness and sinful natures. 

So back to new life which is attainable...only through God's power. 

• We cannot suggest that we are better than someone else. (Remember, He created a fly before creating you!) 
• We cannot think that if we try on our own to be a better person, He will accept us. 
• We cannot compare ourselves to someone else, whether they be better or worse. 
• We are all on the same level. 

But we can attain a new life comes when we enter in to relationship, as the Bible suggests, with Christ, the Lord. 

We just celebrated Christmas, the birth of our Savior. It shouldn't have just been about gifts and food and fun, just another holiday away from work. We celebrated the birth of our Savior, the one who was born to live to die that we might, if we receive Him into our lives, have eternal life. 

There will be a day when all God's perfection will return. And some will be able to enjoy it. Not all, just some. Imagine for yourself, if you do not know this God, a new life in Christ this new year. Today, even. Make this your resolution, to know Him. This new world that will come, God's perfection can be our eternal resting place. This world is not our home. Seek Him and He will be found. Call on His name. Believe. Trust He will come and change you. If you truly want this new life, He will hear your call. 

John‬ ‭17:1-3‬ ‭- Jesus spoke these words, lifted up His eyes to heaven, and said: “Father, the hour has come. Glorify Your Son, that Your Son also may glorify You, as You have given Him authority over all flesh, that He should give eternal life to as many as You have given Him. And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.”

Prepare for the Worst, Hope for the Best

Mark 8:36 - For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?

The statement to prepare for the worst, hope for the best, has been used a lot these past couple of weeks with all the intense weather that has occurred. 

Other statements recently heard:

•Once the storm comes it's too late to take action, so do what you need to do before it comes. 

•You can replace the material things, but lives cannot be replaced. 

•Err on the side of caution.

•Evacuate or die. (Yikes)

These are all true statements for life situations. It is also true when it relates to the salvation of our souls. Many believe God is not important in ones life...it's okay to believe in God, in their own way, or whatever god they desire, but there is only one true God who can provide the hope in our salvation and His name is Jesus. 

He requires an intimate relationship with Him, like a father to a child or husband to wife. He requires a repentant heart, not sacrifices or head knowledge of Him. Denomination means nothing to Him. He wants your heart. He wants your commitment. He doesn't just want you on Sundays but everyday. He wants you in your home, at work, at play. He wants your complete focus and devotion. 

Salvation is real and important. It's serious business. Those who have experienced it know! They know the changes that have taken place. They know the voice of the Lord. They know His power. They are gaining wisdom and revelation of who this God is. 

There will always be controversy about this subject. Remember, even Jesus encountered scoffers and persecution. Why would He have gone through all this if His Gospel message of salvation wasn't true? We are to seek Him while He may still be found, not wait, because we don't know when our last day will come...we must be certain today. I understand some think this thing about salvation through Jesus might be a myth. Then this: If what I believe is wrong, then I have nothing to lose. But if I’m right, then those who think contrary have everything to lose. Reread the opening scripture.

So, when the storms of life come, whether natural disasters or personal ones, who do you turn to? Doctors, science, government or anything of man can do just so much and I'm not saying we shouldn't seek their help when necessary. But when the chips are down and we consider where we will be when we die, do we have peace and hope in what Jesus did and what He tells us we have to look forward to? Our physical lives, once done on earth, cannot be replaced... People are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment. (Hebrews 9:27)... unless we have received Christ as our Savior. There's nothing wrong with erring on the side of caution. Have we been evacuated from our worldly lives leading to death or have we sought the One who has died that we might live? Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. (1John 2:15)

Straight from Jesus: 

He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. (John 12:25)

For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. (John 3:17)  

Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. (John 14:27) 

Hope comes only from Jesus. Spiritual life only comes through Jesus.  He came that we may have eternal (spiritual) life. He came to give us hope and peace. We will still encounter storms of life, but we can know our hope is secure, even if we die. How about others? How fearful might they be? Consider the list of statements above and consider Jesus, the one who saves.

Jeremiah 17:5-7 - Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart departs from the Lord. For he shall be like a shrub in the desert, and shall not see when good comes, but shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, in a salt land which is not inhabited. Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, and whose hope is the Lord.

Back to Eden

Genesis 2:15-16 - Then the LORD God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to tend and keep it. And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, “Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.” 

The biblical definition of Eden is house of pleasure. It is also referred to as paradise. I have been ruminating about eternity but somehow this got cultivated. 

Paradise. In the beginning God...created the heavens and earth. He created man. He created man to live in a garden called Eden. Paradise. Heaven on earth. God talked and walked with man. Man's job was only to name the animals and tend the animals and the garden God created…and walk with Him. There was no physical labor involved. It was to be an eternity like this. We don't know if more people would have been added to the garden. That's one of God's mysteries. 

Imagine spending days on end walking and talking with God. Everything was provided. Food was abundant. Clothes were not necessary. There was no pain, illness, sorrow or shame. As long as they obeyed one single command, just one, it was paradise. But Romans 5:12 says, Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned… Man was vulnerable. 

Man's free will, a deceitful serpent, curiosity and one disobedient move changed all life. "Did God really say...?"  was the thought that entered man’s head. All man had known till this time was the goodness, presence and provision of God. So man may have questioned, like we do today, if He is so loving why would God _____ (you fill in the blank). So, what could be wrong with eating of this delightful looking tree's fruit?

Test. God wanted obedience...and only required one thing, not to eat of that one tree...for if you do you will die. It didn’t take long for man’s will to take over. 

Separation. Man disobeyed God's command. He became ashamed of his nakedness and was banished from Paradise, no longer saw God or walked with Him. Separated. Sin separated man from God. We are all separated from God until we make a choice. Pain, sorrow, tears became a part of life. This was the new norm. We all know and live this. God was no longer as accessible. Now man had to toil for a living. Life was different. Paradise was lost.

A plan. Fast forward several thousand years. After many years of God trying to get man to obey His commandments and trust in Him for all their needs, He chose an alternative. He had a plan. He chose to come down off His throne and be born and settle among the people for awhile. He would walk with them again. He would look like an average Joe come from humble beginnings. He owned nothing, had no place to live, but had a wisdom people either could not dispute or were so jealous about and intimidated by they wanted Him dead. 

This Man said He was God. He said He could bring eternal life. Did anyone put two and two together and think of Eden, the lost Paradise? Did they remember how He walked with man back then, like He walked among them now? Did they even consider this might be the same Man? Some did. His name was Emmanuel, God with us. How did some not know? How do some still not know? 

Reconciliation: He was persistent. He said if they would come to Him and follow Him, they could experience life that would be like those days in Paradise, even better. The sins of their fathers and forefathers could be forgiven. Life like in Paradise might not be today, but some day and for eternity. They had to believe, trust in His words and be obedient to His commands. Like man in the garden, they could walk with Him, follow Him. They would be reconciled with Him again. They could once again be guaranteed Paradise. Their old, sinful nature could be made new, through Him. 

Fast forward to what the Bible says about our future. Like the description of the Paradise of Eden, in Revelation we are told:

...God Himself will be with them and be their God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away. Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” And He said to me, “Write, for these words are true and faithful. … 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. He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son. But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.” (Revelation 21:3-8)

Wow, same words and more. It describes Who once was, Who will be…and Who is today for anyone who desires Him. Jesus is the beginning (Genesis, Alpha) to the end (Revelation, Omega). Oh, but the hard words…cowardly, unbelieving, abominable...just a few names for those who do not believe…and fall into the same category as the rest. We are all in that category until we receive Jesus as born again believers. We all must humble ourselves before the living God to become true believers. It’s the only way. Remember Jesus on the cross between two thieves? One totally rejected Him, the other humbled himself and admitted his sin. What did Jesus say to that second thief? Today you will be with Me in Paradise. That’s what He promises. Eden, paradise, Heaven.

People say the Bible is just a bunch of stories. The Bible is a bunch of reality! A bunch of truths. A bunch of wisdom and examples for us to learn from. A bunch of personalities we can relate to. A bunch of stubborn, prideful sinners, some of whom were made new, turned from their sin and walked with God. I have been known to be fickle. I can start a project and get tired of it. Same with books. I can take interest in one thing or another and then lose interest in time. For 18 years I have been committed to Jesus Christ. Through His power He opened my eyes to His reality. I can’t shake it. Even if I grow weary, I bounce back. I once was blind but now I see. This is no whim. 

Isaiah 57:15 - For thus says the High and Lofty One who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: “I dwell in the high and holy place, with him who has a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.”