Tag: salvation

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12.27.24. Peace? Peace

God can be trusted

Revelation 20 Peace? 

If you knew that tomorrow all the evil of this world would be trounced, would it make a difference in your day today? What if it continued for a thousand years?  When there is peace, what is life like? Would there still be murders, looting, and other bad events?  John tell us: “Then I saw thrones and seated on them were those who had been given authority to judge.” Judgment is needed where there is crime, those who perpetuate it must be judged. What happens to these who are found guilty? Will they have time to repent? Lots of questions left unanswered except for this: the author of evil is alive and well but bound and in prison. 

The compassion the Lord has for any who are perpetrators is this: a thousand years He will provided the perfect peace with no satanic influence and yet this truth from Jeremiah is as true today as it will be then: “the heart is deceitful and desperately wicked, who can know it?” Whether Satan is here or not, men are still wicked because of their hearts. The heart must be changed and that only comes when Christ’s salvation is accepted. 

How is your heart today? In a world dominated by evil, the question remains: Have you accepted the gift of salvation? 

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Are you Grateful?

Romans 11 Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how unfathomable his ways! [Rom 11:33] 

Paul expertly reveals the plan of God for His people and we who are the Gentiles. Thus, Paul reminds us that salvation given to us is a gift for we were the wild olive branch and yet He chose to graft us in. He reminds us that the we who are the Gentiles must remain humble lest we too be cut off. Salvation is for all and God is pleased when we accept His plan. Once grafted in we become part of the true olive tree and for this we are to be grateful. 

Today I am more and more grateful for His plan and His acceptance of me as a wild olive branch which He chose to graft into the true olive tree. 

Secondly, Paul explains that there will be a day when the Jew will also be grafted into the true tree but for now their stubbornness has kept them from believing this: salvation is for Jew and Gentile. Has God forgotten His promise to them? Not in anyway but they are walking in darkness at this time. Keep pressing on, keep praying, keep living the grace filled life so they will see the benefit of salvation. 

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The Law vs. God’s Grace

the Law reveals who we are

1Timothy 1-3 Satan says we are not good enough for God to save us, and he is right. Paul knew that his life was a sham. He was just as he described it to Timothy, his beloved son in the faith. He knew the Law perfectly, and it revealed how far he was from God’s righteous and perfect standard because the Law is for lawless and rebellious people, the ungodly and sinners. He would later say he was the chief of sinners! People today look at the Law and see precisely what Paul saw. He was and would never be righteous enough, but God’s grace was then and is today greater than all our sin.

Paul relates his testimony: I was a blasphemer and a persecutor. Read the book of Acts to see that. Yet, he says, “I was treated with mercy because I acted ignorantly in unbelief.” [1Tim 1:13] Like many today, they see themselves just as Paul. Yet that is why God saved him for the ministry of sharing this testimony with the unrighteous. In Paul’s words: “so that in me as the worst, Christ Jesus could demonstrate his utmost patience, as an example for those who are going to believe in him for eternal life.” [1Tim 1:16]

Do you know of someone today who has believed the words of Satan? Yes, we are never “good enough,” but that is why Christ came. God’s grace is greater than all of our sins.

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Jealousy, but why?

Faith is the avenue

Acts 17 Jealousy Raises its Ugly Head

Jealousy means unpleasant suspicion or apprehension of rivalry. Keep that in mind as you wander into the city and synagogue of Thessalonica. Paul is on a mission to present the gospel message to as many as he can, recalling what the Lord told him: you are my chosen instrument, but you will suffer much for my name’s sake. [Acts 9:15, 16]

Paul’s message was to the Jew first, so we find him each time on the Sabbath in a synagogue. Then, using this as his prop, he explains from the OT that this Christ had to die and rise from the dead. The reaction is fierce! Many were persuaded, but the Jews became jealous. But, But why?  

Let’s stop and consider what the Jews held true. They were the chosen ones by God. They had the Torah and the prophet’s words. They were entrusted with the oracles of God. [Rom 3:2] They alone were given the 10 Commandments. Yet, the Jerusalem Council in Acts 15 changed all that.  God’s plan is that Jew and Gentile are accepted by faith and faith alone. But old habits and beliefs die hard. When the Gentiles were persuaded to believe, the Jews became jealous, and that jealousy led to a riot.

God is calling all men to Himself. As we seek to minister to all, consider and be sensitive to another’s heritage. Remember, we are but the instrument to share and leave the results to God.

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Listen Up!

Are you silent before God?

Zephaniah 1-3 The rich and famous dress, talk and move accordingly to the ways of that circle. Zephaniah was in that circle because of his lineage but not of that circle. He could have used that to gain introductions to the movers and shakers, but instead, he listened to God and spoke His message about their sin. However, his message fell flat, and perhaps he even heard; you can’t really believe that. What universe are you from? Don’t you know “The Lord neither rewards nor punishes?” [Zephaniah 1:12] But, Zephaniah’s total message was “be silent before the Sovereign Lord.” [Zephaniah 1:7] hoping that some would stop this life on the merry-go-round and seek God’s way. They found it hard to understand that he was a believer because he didn’t fit with their idea of success.

God used Zephaniah to describe the Day of the Lord, yet their hearts were hard, and they responded to the truth of God with delay, disregard, and dismay. Like some today, they couldn’t believe that “one of their own” could believe in a God who is sovereign. So, they disregarded his words and his warning to repent. They only saw a God of love and failed to realize that God is holy and cannot live with sin. They fail to realize that God is looking for His remnant of believers.

Who are you speaking to today that needs this message, and will you be strong like Zephaniah?

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“The People of the Cross”

Are you sharing about Jesus?

Acts 20 We are to be in a race of winning people to Christ and until He returns. We are the “people of the cross” with the message of truth: Jesus alone is The Way, The Truth, and The Life! [Jn 14:6]  Paul left the Ephesian elders for the last time: “testifying …about repentance toward God and faith in the Lord Jesus.” [Acts 20:21] Paul’s testimony was: “I do not consider my life worth anything to myself, so that I may finish my task and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the good news of God’s grace.” [Acts 20:24]. Later he would write: “I have competed well; I have finished the race; I have kept the faith!” [2Ti 4:7]

We are to be busy testifying about the gospel message even when the wolves rear up. Remember this promise:  “Indeed, the Lord who commands armies has a plan,” and it will be fulfilled. [Isa 14:27] “Obedience is better than crumbling to the fears of speaking out.” [O. Harris] Be faithful to pray that God releases his angelic army, miraculous signs and wonders so that the enemy’s mission of destruction is hindered. Pray that unbelievers may have dreams that will convict and turn them from unbelief to the true Messiah. 

Pray that we remain steadfast as the “people of the cross.”

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“Saul’s Death”

Salvation Graphic

1Chronicles 10 Was it God’s will for Saul to die is a question that comes to mind as we read this short but vivid chapter. In vs. 14, we learned that “the Lord killed him,” so the answer to that question is yes. God willed that Saul should die because he was unfaithful. He did not obey the Lord’s instructions. He tried to use a witch to determine his safety. These are hard words for us to swallow, and we would like Saul’s end to be like many of our fairy tales; they lived happily ever after. But, Saul chose his path and his destiny just as we do. God’s grace is ever-present because He is longsuffering even to the point of death.

Preparing for our entrance into eternity is as simple that a three old can understand it: Admit you are a sinner in need of redemption; Believe and trust in God. Confess your sin to a loving and holy God who will cleanse you in preparation for his glory. We stand on the threshold of eternity every day. The gospel is God’s power for salvation, and the righteousness of God is revealed in the gospel from faith to faith. It is also true that since creation, God’s invisible attributes, His eternal power, and divine nature – have been seen and understood through creation. Therefore men are without excuse for not knowing. Saul knew it, and men today know it.  

What do you want on your tombstone? This: “well-done thou good and faithful servant” or this: “he/she was unfaithful.” It really is your choice.  

Graphic: https://bible.org/article/gods-plan-salvation

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True or False? How Do We Tell?

rod-long-bible study ijohn 41 John 4 “True or False?”

The Apostle John certainly has seen both those who are true and those who are false. Even he, like the other disciples did not see it coming when Judas was proven to be a false follower of Jesus. Remember this conversation around the dinner table that last night? “I tell you the truth; one of you eating with me will betray me.” As Jesus spoke to Judas saying ‘go and do what you are about to do,’ the disciples watched but misunderstood. “now none of them present at the table understood why Jesus said this to Judas.” [John 13:27] If the disciples could not see or understand how much more are we also misunderstanding the ways of the spirit of antichrist!  And that is the crux of what John is saying to the flock he was teaching. Look, if even I was in the dark, how much more you, for I was with the Master and you have never been! It wasn’t until the Illuminating Holy Spirit came upon me did I put all the pieces of the puzzle together.

That is why John wrote: do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to determine if they are from God. Do they speak truth? Do they believe in the incarnate Christ? They may say they believe that the Bible is inspired but deny the truth therein regarding Him as the only way to salvation. Instead, He is but one of many roads leading to heaven.

So how do you tell? How can you be discerning? Filter everything through the scripture. Be a Berean of whom it was said: for they eagerly received the message, examining the scriptures carefully every day to see if these things were so.[Acts 17:11]

You, Beloved must study the scriptures that you may rightly divide the word of truth which teaches, reproves, corrects and trains in righteousness.  [2 Tim 3:16]

Photo Credit: Rod Long/Unsplash + Author’s Caption

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Grieving

Romans 9 griefaI have spent the better part of the morning crying and not just crying but grieving deeply. It matters not for the “what” but it does matter that I grieve with Paul over the loss of loved ones that refuse the gospel message. So here’s my question: What brings grief to your heart? Is it the loss of a loved one to death without hope? How about the loss of a job? How about the loss of a home due to flooding?  How about the loss of a nation or a people group?  Grief is a very real and present emotion. We are even now watching from the sidelines as Syria is a battle zone. But, Paul is speaking in the first century and his heart grieves for the loss of his people as they continue to deny Christ and salvation. “I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart.” Is this my grief too?

Temporal losses of a job are tough but there is always hope to find another. You can lose a home and its contents but you can build a new one. But you cannot bring back a loved one or restore a nation to wholeness. Grief takes its toll and some never recover. But, the deepest grief is when those you love die and enter a Christless eternity. Paul is grieving and we too should also grieve when this occurs.

It is because of that we must earnestly contend for the faith. We must “go and make disciples.” We must pray for our loved ones who do not know Christ.  Paul was willing, just as Moses, to forgo his eternal salvation so that the lost might be saved.

How deep is our grief for the lost?

 

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The Permanence of the Eternal God

unspashRosesHandss2Life seems so short. This week seeing the children I taught now with their own children growing up so fast was a wake – up call as to the fleeting life I now live in contrast to the permanence of God. I am just like a rose in God’s garden, I need tending but eventually the rose will fade and so will I. That is why I must redeem each day for Him as I was reminded recently when a young family’s life was cut short and all 5 entered eternity from the 2 mos. old infant to the 5 yr old child, the 3 yr old child along with their parents. We never know when God will call us home. Do I want to hear well done thou good and faithful servant? My answer is yes. .

Before God created the world as we know it, God was eternal and He still is so. A 24 hr day to us is like a thousand years in God’s sight. This is the true meaning of God being omniscient, omnipotent.

As God created me he placed eternity in my heart [Eccl 3] that I might know and seek the eternal significance of what I do. And like a beautifully crafted tapestry, each thread I weave creates a picture of my life from birth to death.

And so with these thoughts I turned to Psalm 90 where these thoughts were ever before me: Life is fleeting;  enjoy now but invest wisely in that which will count for eternity. Vs 3 reminds us that God makes mankind return to dust. Only our tombstone will recall the life we have lived. James says we  are frail and  like grass, we grow and we wither with the heat of the sun. The woman who came to King David spoke of life and death in 2Sam 14. She gave King David a visual illustration of life: we shall surely die and be like water spilled out on the ground. But too she saw beyond the grave to see that God does not take away life as our eternal end but rather has made plans so that we may not be cast from Him. It is called salvation and the price has been paid by His Beloved Son so that we might live eternally with Him.

Have you prepared for your eternal destiny?

 

 

 

 

 

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