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.

What Does it Mean to be In Christ?

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.

In Christ. These two words appear about 75 times in the New Testament. 

Being in Christ means having the Spirit of God within you. Just because someone calls themself a Christian does not mean His Spirit lives within. 

The Spirit comes in at the time you know you have been touched by this very Holy Spirit...when you have given yourself to Christ. At that moment when God knows you have done this you receive the Spirit of God. A change takes place. Your heart changes. Your thoughts change. Same with your desires. It’s an amazing thing! 

Being in Christ is not having attended church all your life, being infant baptized, or being a certain denomination, singing in the choir, even, I might add, being a clergyman! It is something that occurs between you and God alone. In fact, it isn’t even anything you can do on your own. God does the work in you. He calls, He urges...you respond to that. You might have a desire, previous to this, to have a closer relationship with God, but it might just be His urging you to do so and He is still the one who makes it happen. 

John answered and said, “A man can receive nothing unless it has been given to him from heaven.” (John 3:27)

It’s being born again...in the Spirit. Jesus told us we could not get to God apart from this rebirth...

Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” (John 3:3) There it is! In Jesus’ own words. Born again! Read all of John 3. 

This rebirth only comes through Jesus Christ and His work on the cross...because not one of us is perfect. As it is written: “There is none righteous, no, not one...” (Romans 3:10)

Only Jesus was the perfect spotless Lamb of God. He must and will get the glory for changing one’s heart, making them whole, redeeming and saving a lost soul, which we all are until being born again, born in the Spirit...becoming in Christ. 

So many believe that we are children of God because we believe in Him. We become children of God when we come to Christ to be in Christ. Christ in us. If one doesn’t feel qualified to be born again, no one is, but God...gave His only Son that whosoever will call on His name will be saved. 

Not by anything we think we can do! All because of Jesus’ obedience to the will of His Father. No one else! 

Ephesians 2:8-9- For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.

Amazing Grace Alone

Matthew 5:17-18 - Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled.

You hear me say this often: it’s not about a religion but a relationship. This relationship is with Jesus Christ. A church doesn’t save us. Our works don’t save us. Rituals don’t save us. Being what we think is good doesn’t save us. There is only one way we can be saved and that is through Jesus Christ. Not just knowing who He is. But having experienced a change within. An I know that I know that I know I have been touched by God experience. Being saved is one of God’s miracles. Anyone who has known this just plain knows. I still do as if it was yesterday and it’s been 20 years. 

He did all the work on the cross. He is the One who said it was finished. Our role in all this is believing what He did was sufficient and putting our trust in His accomplished work. 

I read or heard this the other day and it has stuck with me, though I’ve known this for some time: when children are small they trust their father (or parents) explicitly. It’s the same for us with God. He tells us we are to come to Him as little children. That means with total trust in our Heavenly Father. No questions asked. It is the same principle, which example I believe is God-inspired! He sure can use everyday life to reveal His nature. Praise Him!

You can look at a lot of the things in this world and see God’s hand on them. The seasons and how things are born, grow, age, die and return. The cycle of nature’s life. It mimics ours to some degree. In our life we die, but do not return to earth. But...in the cycle of life in Christ, we can live on after death. But only when we have put our trust in Jesus Christ alone for the remission of our sins.

This means allowing His grace (unmerited favor) of God toward mankind and mercy into our lives, not what man thinks we need to do to attain God’s love and acceptance. We all know the song: Amazing grace, how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me. I once was lost, but now am found, was blind, but now I see. We have to be able to say we are a wretch! And we have to be able to admit we are lost and blind, but through Christ we are made to see the truth...of His Word, of what He has done, of our wretchedness and dark hearts...those things only He can change. 

It can be a difficult thing to understand and yet it is so simple. It’s the simplicity of Christ alone. No certain prayer or ritual prayers repeated. Those things we might do in hopes they will please God are like the Old Testament sacrifices being made constantly to atone for sin. When Christ came, and while those laws help us to understand rights and wrongs, He did not come to abolish the law but to fulfill it. His work on the cross did it. If we are in Christ, hidden in Christ, God sees only His Son standing before Him. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory. (Colossians 3:3-4)

If anyone trusts that their rituals, church, goodness, or works will be pleasing to God, this is wrong. Give your life to Jesus and you will know the truth...and that is what will set you free. Honest.

Ephesians 2:8-9 - For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.

Casting Those Crowns

Revelation 4:10-11 - ...the twenty-four elders fall down before Him who sits on the throne and worship Him who lives forever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying:

“You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and by Your will they exist and were created.”

There is a notion that God needs what we think we can give Him. We strive to do what is morally right, never lie or steal, pour out love on others. None of these are wrong to do! But if we do them thinking we have a foothold into heaven, we are mistaken. If we believe this then we take the power of the Cross away. There was no point in Jesus’ death. 

I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. (John 15:5) 

Apart from Him...we can do nothing. 

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:13)

These scriptures imply that something first must take place between God and us. That something is called coming to Christ, receiving Christ, being, as Jesus states, born again...by water and Spirit. Then when we have this behind us, we have Christ and His Spirit in us and we have been given eternal life. Nothing we can do on our own. Nothing. Only what Christ has done for us. His death for our life. Not our works for our life. 

Here are a few sentences from a Bible study I am doing called Behold Your God: If God is big, we are small, and sin is heinous, then salvation is not all about us; it is about Him. He must accomplish it. He will do it for His name’s sake. Salvation is a rescue of the completely helpless and undeserving from a life of sin, as well as from its penalty. Because of God’s kind treatment of His enemies [us before salvation], He is given ever lasting praise.

 And then these words from a worship song called In Christ Alone:

In Christ alone, Who took on flesh,

Fullness of God in helpless babe!

This gift of love and righteousness,

Scorned by the ones He came to save.

Till on that cross as Jesus died,

The wrath of God was satisfied;

For ev’ry sin on Him was laid—

Here in the death of Christ I live.

No guilt in life, no fear in death—

This is the pow’r of Christ in me;

•••

No pow’r of hell, no scheme of man,

Can ever pluck me from His hand;

Till He returns or calls me home—

Here in the pow’r of Christ I’ll stand.

It is His power to save which empowers us to do His will, not out of obligation or hope that it will gain us access to heaven. If we hear Him asking us to “Come” and we respond, His Holy Spirit will come into us; thus the words: “I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them.” (Ezekiel 36:27)

Not my achievements but what God has done in me. I will gladly cast any crowns to His feet. He spared His life for mine. All glory is His. Nothing can I do but praise and obey Him. 

Revelation 5:11-12 - Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne, the living creatures, and the elders; and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice: “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom, and strength and honor and glory and blessing!”

What Would You Do If You Knew Jesus Would Return Next Week?

Ezekiel 38:23 - “Thus I will magnify Myself and sanctify Myself, and I will be known in the eyes of many nations. Then they shall know that I am the LORD.”

About 2500 years ago the prophetic word in Ezekiel 38 was written. This and several other prophetic words are becoming clearer as the days we live in are occurring. I apologize for the length of this writing. It would have been incomplete with anything less! Be prepared, though...this could be a tough word.

I watched a prophecy report that a pastor in Hawaii, JD Farag, gave to his congregation. I will post the link at the bottom of this blog, FYI. He goes into much more detail regarding Ezekiel 38 explaining who the countries then in the Middle East are today and how world events are shaping up according to thousands of year old prophecies! It’s exciting to see the Bible play out as proof that it is truth! By the way, he was born and raised in Lebanon and at 13 became a born again believer.

As he began to speak I read Ezekiel 38 and at the end of the chapter the above scripture was noted. It reminded me that many other times throughout the Bible God has repeated those words. There will come a day when ALL Ezekiel 38:23 - “Thus I will magnify Myself and sanctify Myself, and I will be known in the eyes of many nations. Then they shall know that I am the LORD.”

Farag said this (and I am SORT OF paraphrasing): The word of God tells us what the world will look like prior to the Lord’s return and it looks like all the signs point to this time (near future).

Me: We still cannot know the day or hour but we can be ready; we can be watching and looking up and waiting for “that moment, when He comes as a thief in the night.” For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. (1Thessalonians 5:2)

I believe he went on to say, it’s happening at breakneck speed and God doesn’t want us to be ignorant because He wants us to be ready. In John 14:29 Jesus tells us: And now I have told you before it comes, that when it does come to pass, you may believe.
  
Just a thought. When one knows what God is about and hears something like this, it puts into perspective all the grumbling and groaning about the whole political garbage. It’s all ushering in the last days. I will listen to God over all the political complaints. We still cannot date set but we can know the Lord will return.

Farag asked us to think about this: Who would ever have considered years ago that Donald Trump would become president? He is pro-Israel, declared Jerusalem as its capitol and set up an embassy there, and he is pro-Christian. (Me: Now I don’t believe Trump truly understands all the importance of Israel/Christianity but one can always pray he will.) If God isn’t behind all of this I don’t know who is.

If you knew that Jesus would be returning this week, what would you do differently? This was a question Farag posed to us. Who would you call or what affairs would you get an order? His return is that near: It’s closer than we know but we still have enough time to create an awareness. It certainly will take time for the invasion of Israel by Iran/Russia and whoever else will be involved. But if it’s escalating so quickly, it could be sooner than we can expect.

I know, as many others do, that this world is not my home. I am just passing through. I can say this with more confidence than the majority of those who cannot because they know not Christ. I wouldn’t be able to say these things if I had not receive Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior.

We cannot love the things of this world more than we love Christ. It’s not about our best life now. We cannot make this world a better place, not without God as the main focus, the foundation, the solid rock. No man, no good work, no politician, celebrity, idol, pastor or priest, no long gone saint, no religion, only a resurrected Christ, the Son of God.

Without a relationship with Him we are nothing. Without a heart devoted to Him, we are nothing. Without some understanding of the truth of His Word by His Holy Spirit power dwelling in us, we are nothing. It’s a very hard word. Many scoff, as I’ve said before.

We should be excited that His return is near. All the idiocy of this world will be over. All truth will be known. We all will stand before Him and His truth before the final judgment, before the wheat is separated from the tares, believers and non-believers. Before heaven and hell are made known.

So, think about this: As Farag mentioned: Don’t we think that the every day trials of life are getting harder? There are more trials, there’s more suffering, more natural disasters even. If we thought things were really, really so good down here we wouldn’t want to go up there!

If one struggles with the idea of dying and where one will go, or think about the Lord’s return, they don’t know Jesus. Or maybe one isn't thinking about that. We can think because of our seemingly good works or believe that we are basically good people by the world’s standards, that we will automatically go to heaven, but that leads to a false hope. Even God has pointed out that no one is good. As it is written: There is none righteous, no, not one; there is none who understands; there is none who seeks after God. (Romans 3:10-11)  But in Christ Jesus we are made new. In Christ Jesus alone, without works first but Jesus first, then our works being done through Him are valid.

The whole meaning of the Gospel of Jesus Christ is about putting ourselves into His hands, confessing Him before man, and trusting in Him over all this world has to offer. It’s all about Him and His saving grace. Can you praise Him for that right now? Can you say that without hesitation? It is the salvation in Jesus Christ alone. He will return and everyone will know that He is the LORD.

Jesus Christ was born, lived, was tortured, crucified, died for ALL those who would believe and receive Him, but He also was resurrected and lives today. And…He’s coming back for those who have received Him as their Lord and Savior, for those whose hearts are focused on Him and not this world. He is our only hope, the blessed hope.

We can still enjoy our lives here but we must maintain our focus on Him. He is all that will matter in the end.

https://youtu.be/YZPGXXzMs4E
https://calvarychapelkaneohe.com/abc-of-salvation/

Titus 2:11-13 - For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ...

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.”

If You Want

Philippians‬ ‭2:13‬ ‭- ...it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.

Remember Who has created us. 

Remember His miraculous act of earth's creation. 

Then remember His miraculous act of man's creation...then woman.

Look at how He merged man and woman to produce a life. 

Remember when it all started back in the garden. 

Look back on how many years life has continued.

See how many have transpired between the garden and today.

See how you fit, miraculously, into His plan.

Imagine you knowing this God in your life today. 

It's a miracle, this life we have, both on earth and in Christ.

Were the events of original creation too long ago? Too far back to make a difference in today's shifting culture? Times change, so shouldn't we?

But look back at Who created us. He never changes. I the LORD never change. (Malachi 3:6) He never lies. God is not human that He should lie...(Numbers 23:19) He is truth. I am the way, the truth, and the life. (John 14:6) He is not so distant that we cannot see or know Him. He is but a call away. Consider and hear me, O LORD my God; enlighten my eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death... (Psalm ‭13:3) His creation...you, me, all of life, all that exists...miracle after miracle...is proof. 

And greater still, new life today, at any age. It's a new spiritual life...created by God. A miracle. It is He who works in you both to will and to do His good pleasure...if you want to, if you want Him to. If you want. 

It's each of our decisions to do His will...to believe in this Creator God and all He has said, has shown, has revealed in 
His Word. Receive Christ in your heart and His Holy Spirit and His Word become miraculously alive and life-filling. Another miracle. When this life in Christ occurs all makes more sense...this thing about sharing Him, following, devotion to His Word, this hunger for more. If you want...Him, life, understanding. If you want. 

He wants to work in us both to will and do His good pleasure. It's always about Who He is, what He can do. If we want. 

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.

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Grace and Peace

2Thessalonians 1:2 - Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Oh my. I was listening to a song the other day called Grace and Peace by Fernando Ortega. It's based on the above scripture. Here's a link to the song if you care to listen. It's very nice.  

What prompted this post has to do with my study on Revelation. Of course it does! In the first chapter there are seven churches being addressed by the Apostle John, through Jesus Christ. His greeting is: Grace to you and peace from Him who is and who was and is to come...and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth. (Revelation 1:4-6)

Those words alone are powerful. He was, is and is to come. He is the ruler of all. It's all about Him and His grace and peace.

Time and again I will say, everything in this world and in our lives has to do with Christ, whether we want to believe it or not. He is the Beginning and the End. He created us and our lives are in His hands, whether we believe it or not. He loves us all, whether we believe it or not. His desire is for us, whether we believe it or not. His desire is that we know Him, receive His grace, peace...and mercy, whether we believe it or not.

Maybe I should have entitled this Believe it or Not! 

An excerpt from Bible Study Fellowship Lesson Three states: True peace always flows from the matchless grace of the Lord Jesus. Grace is God's love and kindness that reached down to us in Christ. God is gracious to the completely undeserving. No one could ever earn God's grace, even if we tried for all eternity...  He who was, is and is to come offers His grace and peace to anyone who wants and receives it through a relationship with Him that we might be found in Him. It is not extended to those who reject Him. 

If that sounds like a hateful God, it's not. He is offering it to all people. Some just do not choose to understand it or receive it, sometimes outright, rebelliously reject it. Whatever the case, He does not hate those who do not choose, but He must separate those who choose to follow from those who do not. He is, after all, a just God.

Someone reminded me this morning in a Facebook post about the parable of the talents. It's a perfect example of His grace. Three men came to work for someone. One came in the early hours of the day, one came at midday, the third late in the day. At the end of their work, all three were given the same wages. Of course two of the men were not thrilled with this. But the deal was, they would each be given X number of denari. Not X number of denari/hour. 

This is God's grace. And it's offered like this to us today, whether we have known Him all our lives, midway through our life or in the last days. Doesn't mean a person should wait till the last minute because we don't know when that last minute will be and we may not have an opportunity to call on Him. And why wouldn't we want His peace over our lives from now till that last day...to be sure we have that peace, to know we have that peace. What a blessing that is! 

He alone sets us above the world. He offers us His kingdom. This world is not our home. Why settle for just this? Why not settle for more, for bigger and better things, in Christ? And, as a reminder, He IS coming soon.

Grace and peace. It only comes from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Receive them today, won't you? Ask Him to show you what they are and open the eyes of your understanding to more of His glorious truth...and life...through faith in Jesus Christ.

Revelation 1:5 - ...To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood, and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Have You Heard?

Colossians‬ ‭1:5-6 - ...because of the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, of which you heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel, which has come to you, as it has also in all the world, and is bringing forth fruit, as it is also among you since the day you heard and knew the grace of God in truth...

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Have you heard? The world is hearing. It has been hearing for 2,000 years. The same Gospel that Jesus shared about Himself continues to be shared. Somewhere along the way it has been twisted and distorted to mean other things, or disbelieved altogether for the hard truth it brings. Hard truth, but glorious truth. For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. ‭‭(1Corinthians‬ ‭1:18‬ )

The true message of the Gospel has never changed. Perhaps the hard words of Jesus' message, although filled with hope for those who hear, caused some to soften the message, that they would not have to endure seared consciences.

The definition of Gospel is the glad tidings of salvation through Christ; the proclamation of the grace of God manifest and pledged in Christ. Glad tidings, grace of Jesus. See, it still has everything to do with Him. He did not mince His words. He told it like it is. Acknowledge sin, repent of those sins, trust in Christ to forgive those sins and follow Him that you may not fall back into the old life but have new life in and through Him. 

We cannot receive salvation through any other person or any other means. Any other way is a lie. It must be through Him. Without Him we are dead to our sins. He came to bring life. He brings the hope of heaven. He brings the absolute truth. All one needs to do is hear and listen and believe His Word. It's not about man's words but His. Read His Word. All we need to know is revealed within the pages. 

This truth of His Word, His Gospel, will continue till He returns. People will try to squelch it but He will not fail. This is a plan of the devil, to water down and dispute. But He will reach out till the last day in hopes that yet more would hear, believe and receive and not perish but have everlasting life. His grace extends to all people, all nations, all religions. He is the only way, truth and life. Do not believe there is any other way. 

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.

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Redemption

Ephesians 1:7,14 - In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace...who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory. 

In between these two verses about redemption we are given a list of other things we are promised.

• He has made known to us the mystery of His will
• When the last days are here all that He has made will be gathered in Him...if we are in Him, we will be among that gathering
• We have obtained an inheritance by His will
• We have heard the truth which is His gospel of salvation
• We have gained trust in Him
• We are sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise

Do you realize how amazing this is? Guaranteed redemption! These are not just some words. They are words promised to any who call on the Lord Jesus Christ for forgiveness of our sins. This can be done any time, anywhere. I've heard of people being convicted in a car, at church, in the middle of the night. It happens between you and Jesus. You know in your heart of hearts that He has heard your plea and He has supernaturally entered into you...making you in Him.

I have a note in the margin of my Bible that it says in Him and in Christ appear 36 times in Ephesians. I see them underlined. In Him. I wonder how many times in the New Testament these phrases are found? A quick search online came up with about 201. Depends on the Bible version. At any rate, we are nothing if we are not in Christ. before then we walk according to the course of this world, the prince of the power of the air and the sons of disobedience (Ephesians 2:1). We live for self and are wrathful against God (2:2-3). That should give one something to think about. 

Do you know that you know you are in Him? You would definitely know of a time if it happened. You would know you'd been changed. It's unlike any other experience you've had. 

God loves us so much He is willing and definitely able to forgive and give us new life in Him through His mercy and grace, not by anything we can do. We are saved to serve; we do not serve to save, I see written in another margin of my Bible! We are made new IN Christ Jesus FOR good works. 

In chapter 2 there are more promises: 

• We've been made alive with Christ after having been dead in our sins
• We sit in the heavenly places in Him and with Him
• We receive the exceeding riches of His grace
• We are reconciled to God after having been separated by our own desires and wills
• Death is no longer in our spiritual vocabulary

And it's all because of Jesus. Being in Christ, in Jesus, in Him. He invites us in. When you hear Him, respond. It will only be good. It's not so hard to do. Only good comes of it because He is only good. 

My prayer always is: 

Ephesians 1:17-19 - ...that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power...

Fear...of God or World?

Proverbs 1:7 - The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction. 

That scripture says it all. It's wise and a warning both. I don't claim to have all wisdom but I do believe I have a fear of the Lord. If we do not fear God...well, the Word tells us the truth. 

King Solomon was wise. He wrote Proverbs. He wrote Ecclesiastes which I have written occasionally about...how all is vanity and a grasping for the wind...without God. He was not so wise later in life when he seemed to have let the things of God and all that wisdom go along the wayside. But he wizened up!

We are told to fear God. This is reverent fear, not fearful fear! If we can grasp how big our God is, the power, control and love He has, fearing Him is easier. If we do not fear Him the fear of life's circumstances will overcome.

I think we can still be anxious when circumstances first present themselves, although to be honest we are not to be anxious for anything either. But I t's then we go to God and trust in Him. He does have all things under control. He knows what we go through and will face. But if we remember He's in control, that He has our life in His hands, whatever the outcome, if we know Him and reverently fear Him, we have nothing to fear...even death. 

How many fear death? It's because they do not know what lies ahead. Even if they believe heaven is theirs, they will fear death. But not all go to heaven. Not even those supposed to be good...claimed by family, friends, even selves. We need a relationship, wisdom, knowledge and reverent fear of God for that to happen. Nothing we can do on our own...no works, no thinking we're better than the next guy. We must take our focus off ourselves and put it squarely on God. 

Days are coming where some (in the world) may begin to fear. We don't know if/when the financial market might drop, jobs will be lost, illness comes, deaths occur, terrorism strikes or life's situations become too great. But we, as believers, are called not to fear. If we do not fear Him it might said of us: He [Jesus] was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. (‭John‬ ‭1‬:‭10‬)  Here the word know means: to come to know, get a knowledge of; Jewish idiom for sexual intercourse between a man and a woman. It means intimate knowledge of Him (and I'm not speaking something kinky). Not head knowledge but of the heart. It must come from the heart. And just to make it very clear, this is knowing Jesus, receiving Him as Lord and Savior, confessing our sins to Him, trusting in Him and believing He will forgive...not one of those points but all. 

Our pastor was saying the other day that most of those who have come into this relationship, this knowledge, know it happened. The Holy Spirit of God caused a change to take place in hearts, minds, spirits. We can't explain it very well other than to say we know that we know that we know something occurred that changed us. Do you know that? 

If we do not have the fear of the Lord, we have fear of the world. There are plenty of scriptures that show us examples of this. Here are just two. Perfect love casts out fear (1John 4:18)...I used to think I needed that perfect love for God; it's not about me but about a God, Jesus, whose love is the only perfect love. If we know that...wow. We are not to fear he (or what) who can kill the body because if we know Jesus he cannot kill our soul! (Matthew 10:28) It's all about knowing Jesus. If we have no fear of God, we are in sin. Ouch.

Solomon later in life once again understood the value of fearing and knowing God above all else. He wrote the difficult words of Ecclesiastes after having strayed from God and realizing his mistake. All the riches of the world, accomplishments, were nothing apart from God. Job was another man who understood this fear of the Lord and exercised it when he lost all he had and maintained trust in his God. They both had the same conclusion. Know the Lord, fear Him, know that He is to be our all in all. Wise words. 

“From where then does wisdom come? And where is the place of understanding? It is hidden from the eyes of all living, and concealed from the birds of the air. God understands its way, and He knows its place. And to man He said, ‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to depart from evil is understanding.’” (‭Job‬ ‭28‬:‭20-21,23,28‬)

Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is man’s all. (‭Ecclesiastes‬ ‭12‬:‭13‬)

Reunion

Psalm 100:1-5 - Make a joyful shout to the LORD, all you lands! Serve the LORD with gladness; come before His presence with singing. Know that the LORD, He is God; it is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; we are His people and the sheep of His pasture. Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name. For the LORD is good; His mercy is everlasting, and His truth endures to all generations.

It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves. This stuck out this morning. 

My high school is having a 50th class reunion this year. I will not be attending. We were asked to write biographies about our years since high school. I was not fond of high school, was not a good student, insecure, unpopular, with just a few friends. I could dwell on what I think the reason(s) were but I won't. Most of my best friends were outside of school sharing in one common interest...music...in a marching and concert band comprised of kids from schools all around the area. 

So I wrote my biography. I wrote about what to me was an exciting life after high school. I thought I had accomplished more than I expected I would. I pushed myself to achieve, to "show" that I could do some things that would wow people. Maybe that happens more often than we know.

That was then; this is now. Old things pass away and new things occur. More than half way through life I had a greater reunion. I was reunited with the One who created me, the One who gave me my abilities. When the realization that He did this came, I was humbled. It's a humbling experience to know that we are not self-made people. It's not all about what we have accomplished but about praising the God who accomplished it in us...and who we are in Christ. 

For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. (‭Ephesians‬ ‭2‬:‭10‬)

My biography most certainly included that greatest achievement, the reunion with the God of all creation. How could I not? Yet it still was not I who accomplished this, but the God who wooed me, who accomplished His goal for me, and my stubborn heart which finally relented. I wrote that I know that I am secure in His hand and know He has a plan for me, even if I do t know what it is. It is He who has made me, not me myself. I'll say it yet again, it's all about God. This same God has made each one of us, not we ourselves. 

Everyone who is called by My name, whom I have created for My glory; I have formed him, yes, I have made him. (Isaiah‬ ‭43‬:‭7‬)

It's been interesting reading about people I sort of knew, who had the same insecurities as me, who I always believed had it "altogether." Some accomplished more than they could have anticipated--truly extraordinary things, in this world--some lived ordinary lives. A few had turbulent lives, and very sadly, one has yet to realize who she as an individual truly is. I have heard no one else, yet, say they have met their Redeemer. There are still some bios left unwritten. I'm hopeful. Yet it shows that the road is narrow and few are on it. 

We so long to pat ourselves on the back for our accomplishments when we should be thanking God for what He has done for us. But first that realization of who He is must occur. 

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.