December 31st - Year End Thoughts

Here are my year end thoughts.

"I commend you to God and to the word of His GRACE, which is able to build you up and to GIVE you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified." (Acts 20:32)

"Do not worry about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God, and the peace of God, that is superior to every frame of mind, shall guard your hearts and your apprehensions in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:6-7)

"For God was pleased to have all His fullness dwell in Him (Jesus), and through Him to reconcile to Himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through the blood of His cross. Once you were alienated from God the Father and were hostile in your minds, engaging in evil deeds. But now He has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy, unblemished, and blameless in His presence." (Colossians 1:19-22)

"Cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you." (1 Peter 5:7)

Trust in God and His Son Jesus to  have a Happy New Year! 

December 30th - False Teaching Will Become Fuel for the Fire

“…be filled with the knowledge of His will…” (Colossians 1:10)

Many years ago I began to examine my doctrinal positions. In doing so I had to face squarely a question that I had avoided - Is it really God’s WILL to separate Himself from unbelievers, keeping them alive eternally to punish and torment them in hell? 

When the people of Israel begin to burn their children in the fire as an offering to Baal Jeremiah was told by God...

"They have built the high places of Baal to burn their children in the fire as offerings to Baal - something I did not command or mention, nor did it enter my mind." (Jeremiah 19:5)

When the Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar wanted to punish those who had refused to worship him, he had them thrown into a furnace of fire...

“But whoever does not fall down and worship shall immediately be cast into the midst of a furnace of blazing fire.” (Daniel 3:6) 

When two of the disciples of Jesus wanted to reign down fire from heaven and destroy the Samaritans Jesus told them…

"You do not know what kind of spirit you are of; for the Son of Man did not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them." (Luke 9:56)

I am now certain that the doctrine of eternal conscience torment is not of God - it is a false teaching.

Paul told Timothy...

"...instruct certain men not to teach false doctrines or devote themselves to myths..." (1 Timothy 1:3-4)

This is a quote from one of the Saints of the Catholic church from the middle ages...

"The blessed in the kingdom of heaven will see the punishments of the damned, in order that their bliss be more delightful for them." - Saint Thomas Aquinas

And the following is a quote from two sermons of Jonathan Edwards, a Protestant preacher whose sermons are still delivered by misguided Christians in our modern era.

“The sight of hell's torments will exalt the happiness of the saints forever. . .Can the believing father in Heaven be happy with his unbelieving children in Hell. . . I tell you, yea!"

We are warned by Paul to avoid such insane teachers...

"For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. It is not surprising then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness." (2 Corinthians 11:13-15)

The Apostle Paul told Timothy what to teach…

"...this is a trustworthy statement deserving full acceptance. Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners…" (1 Timothy 1:15)

"God our Savior wills all humans to be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator between God and humanity, the man Christ Jesus, who have Himself a ransom for ALL..." (1 Timothy 2:3-6)

"...we have fixed our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of ALL humanity, especially of believers. Prescribe and  TEACH these things.” (1 Timothy 4:10)

Paul warned Timothy two thousand years ago that... 

"...the Spirit explicitly says that in subsequent eras some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons." (1 Timothy 4:1)

The plan of God is to reconcile all to Himself through the blood of His Son Jesus. It is the demonstration of His love, grace and mercy.

"God proves His love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8)

"For God has consigned everyone to disobedience so that He may have mercy on everyone." (Romans 11:320

“...through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross" (Colossians 1:20)

"...that God may be All in All.”  (1 Corinthians 15:28)

Every teacher will give account to God of what they taught about Him, and their false teaching will fuel the fire.

"For no one can lay a foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. If anyone builds on the foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, their work will be shown for what it is, because the day will bring it to light.  It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work. If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward. If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved - even though only as one escaping through the flames." (1 Corinthians 3:12-15)

December 29th - All Justified by Faith

"Being, then, justified by faith, we may be having peace toward God..." (Romans 5:1)

Faith means we assume and are convicted that we will become justified (righteous) even though we are not currently seeing that in ourselves. But God sees us that way so we can have peace toward Him.

"Now faith is an assumption of what is being expected, a conviction concerning matters which are not being observed." (Hebrews 11:1)

We do nothing to gain that faith, it is a gift to us by God that comes when we hear the message of truth, the good news of our salvation - no bragging allowed. It is not the unbelievers fault they have not received this faith as religion would have us believe. 

"...we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of Him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of His will, in order that we who are the first to put our hope in Christ...when you heard the message of truth, the good news of your salvation...it is by grace you are saved, through faith, and this is not of yourselves, it is the gift of God, not by works..." (Ephesians 1:11-2:10)

Even those of us who have faith in this age still die, but we die at peace with God and with hope of the resurrection into an immortal life. Most humans since Adam was created almost 6,000 years ago never heard the good news, and some hear but do not believe like the disciple we call "doubting Thomas" who said... 

"...unless I see the nail marks in His hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into His side, I WILL NOT believe...Eight days later...Jesus came and stood among them...Jesus said to Thomas...stop doubting and believe. Thomas replied, My Lord and my God." (John 20:25-28)

The majority of people must SEE to believe. It is not their fault, that is just God's plan for them. After their resurrection must they die a second death, but unlike the first time they died, the second time they die at "peace" with God and, like believers in this age, they die the second time with the assurance that they will be made alive when the second death is abolished.

"...in Christ all will be made alive...the last enemy to be abolished is death...so that God may be All in all." (1 Corinthians 15:20-28)

All humanity is destined by to become just and immortal. That hope (expectation) will become a reality if the Bible is the word of God.

December 28th - Crude Matter or Luminous Being?

"Luminous beings are we, not this crude matter" - Yoda

As I get older, I anticipate more frequently the change that is coming to this "crude matter" of flesh and blood surrounding my soul.

"Thus also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is roused in incorruption. It is sown in dishonor; it is roused in glory. It is sown in infirmity; it is roused in power. It is sown a soulish body; it is roused a spiritual body." (1 Corinthians 15:42-48)

We all have corruptible bodies of flesh and blood which eventually wear out. But when the final trump has sounded, all of us will have become "luminous beings" - changed into an immortal image of Christ in a new "spiritual body".

"Lo! a secret to you am I telling!...we all shall be changed, in an instant, in the twinkle of an eye, at the last trump." (1 Corinthians 15:50-51)

"Our citizenship is in heaven, and we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables Him to subject all things to Himself, will transform our lowly bodies to be like His glorious body." (Philippians 3:20-21)

We are not luminous yet, just crude matter - but a glorious transformation is our destiny!

December 27th - Back to the Basics

As each new year comes upon me, I remember the basics in my thoughts and meditations about God and our Lord Jesus Christ. I remind myself of the good news of God that I “accepted” concerning Jesus His Son.

“Now I am making known to you, brethren, the good news which I brought to you, which also you accepted, on which also you stand, through which also you are saved, if you are retaining what I said in bringing the good news to you, and did not just pretend to accept the good news. For I gave to you what I accepted, that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures, and that He was entombed, and that He was resurrected the third day according to the scriptures.” (1 Corinthians 15:1-4)

When I focus on the grace of the “good news”, I have peace with God and hope for the world in which we live. In the past I often went to church at peace with God only to leave with a load of guilt piled upon me by well-meaning pastors, evangelists, teachers and friends who added various requirements to the “good news”.

So, I start each new year remembering the good news that I accepted as a child, the "indescribable" and wonderful free gift of His Son who will deliver me and my family from death by resurrecting us to immortal life. 

I then make a New Year’s resolution to live another year in appreciation for His unmerited favor, and resolve to do the best I can to treat those I encounter during the new year with a measure of the grace given me.

“For the saving grace of God made its advent to all humanity... thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!” (Titus 2:11; 2 Corinthians 9:15)

December 26th - We Do Not Get to Vote on Who God Saves

"Out of Him, and through Him, and to Him, are all things" (Romans 11:36)

"...in accordance with the riches of God’s GRACE He made known to us the mystery of His will... to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ…according to the plan of Him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of His will." (Ephesians 1:7-11).

God knew from the beginning that Jesus will save humanity from their sins and bring unity to all things. 
I suppose that is why we are instructed to pray for ALL humanity, not just the people we like.

"I am entreating, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, pleadings, thanksgiving be made for all humanity, for kings and all those being in a superior station, that we may be leading a mild and quiet life in all devoutness and gravity, for this is ideal and welcome in the sight of our Saviour, God, Who wills that all humanity be saved and come into a realization of the truth. For there is one God, and one Mediator of God and humanity, a Man, Christ Jesus, Who is giving Himself a correspondent ransom for ALL." (1 Timothy 2:1-6)

I do not get to vote on who gets saved - and neither do you!

December 25th - Merry Christmas!

"Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to embrace Mary as your wife, for the One conceived in her is from the holy spirit. She will give birth to a Son, and you are to give Him the name Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins. ”All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: “Behold, the virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call Him Immanuel” (which means, “God with us”)."(Matthew 1:20.23)

As I look upon the baby Jesus in celebration of His birth I cannot help but say with John...

"Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29)

 We are all sinners in Adam by Birth...

"...through one human sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all humanity...through one transgression there resulted condemnation to all..." (Romans 5:12)

Yet by the Grace of God we become Saints through the one act of righteousness of this baby - our Lord!

"...even so through one act of righteousness there resulted justification of life to all humanity....so that, as sin reigned in death, even so grace would reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.." (Romans 5:12-21)

"For the GRACE of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all humanity...and the grace of our Lord was more than abundant, with the faith and love which are found in Christ Jesus. It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners..." (Titus 2:11; 1 Timothy 1:14-15)

Merry Christmas Humanity - Sinners by Birth, Saints by Grace!

And He is coming back again - soon!

December 24th - Merry Christmas Eve World

"Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29) 

William Blake once said… “When I tell the truth, it is not for the sake of convincing those who do not know it, but for the sake of defending those that do.”

Jesus once said... "when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?”

Those statements pretty well sum up why I continue to post my thoughts on the Scripture. I no longer argue with people who are offended by the truth that Jesus, the "Lamb of God" took away the sin of the whole world. I realize that only by the grace of God will they discover the truth in this age - regardless of how often they go to Church, or Synagogue, or Mosque. 

Nevertheless, those who encounter the truth about the "Lamb" know that it is far more glorious than the religious traditions of men would have us believe…and it is for their sake I often list the Scriptures about "the Lamb of God" Who came 2,023 years ago, and saved the world:

"God shows His love for us in that while we were sinners Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)

“When we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of His son.” (Romans 5:10) 

“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 6:23)

"Now, brothers and sisters, I want to remind you of the good news I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand...Of first importance is that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures." (1 Corinthians 15:1, 3-4)

“For even as in Adam ALL are dying, thus also, in Christ shall ALL be made alive.” (1 Corinthians 15:22)

“God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself not counting their sins against them.” (2 Corinthians 5:19) 

“In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” (1 Thessalonians 5:18)

“And having made peace through the blood of His cross, by Him to reconcile ALL unto Himself.” (Colossians 1:20)

“God our Savior…wills that ALL people be saved and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.” (1 Tim. 2:4)

 "...there is one God, and one mediator between God and humanity, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all." (1 Tim. 2:5-6)

“Trust in the living God, who is the Savior of ALL humanity.” (1 Tim. 4:10)

And what are we to do with the good news?

 "Prescribe and teach these things." (1 Tim. 4:11)

Any religious doctrine which limits the victory of the "Lamb of God" to those who join their assemblies is just the sad result of favoring the doctrines of men over the word of God. Believe the Lamb whose birthday we celebrate tomorrow and you too can say with the outcast Samaritans…

"It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves and know that this One is indeed the Savior of the world." (John 4:42)

Merry Christmas Eve!

December 23rd - Merry Christmas Israel!

"For a Boy, He is born to us; a Son, He is given to us, and the Chieftainship shall come to be on His shoulder, and one shall call His name Marvelous; Counsel to the master shall He bring, unto the Chief, well-being. To the increase of the Chieftainship and to the well-being there will be no end; on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to brace it with right judgment and with justice, henceforth and in the future eon, the zeal of Yahweh of hosts, it shall achieve this."  (Isaiah 9:6-7)

Although Israel does not celebrate the birth of Jesus as their Messiah and Savior, nevertheless, He is the Messiah and He will establish the throne of David on this Earth when He returns. 

He was born as a son of David to Miriam and Joseph over 2,000 years ago.

"Joseph, son of David, you may not be afraid to accept Miriam, your wife, for that which is being generated in her is of holy spirit. Now she shall be bringing forth a Son, and you shall be calling His name Jesus, for He shall be saving His people from their sins." (Matthew 1:20-21)

The Hebrew word translated Jesus is "Yahshua" and means "Yahweh, salvation." His birth happened and an Angel announced it to a few Jewish shepherds watching over their flock outside Bethlehem, the city of David.

"And the messenger said to them, "Fear not, for lo! I am bringing you good news of great joy which will be for the entire people, for today was brought forth to you a Savior, Who is Christ, the Lord, in the city of David. And this is the sign to you: you will be finding a Babe, swaddled and lying in a manger. And suddenly with the messenger there came to be a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying,"Glory to God among the Highest! And on earth peace, among men, delight!" (Luke 2:10-14)

When all is said and done, every Israelite shall be safe and saved by that baby born as their Messiah and Savior, regardless of whether they rejoice in His birth now or not. Most of them do not think He is the Messiah, it remains a secret to them. Nevertheless, God will eliminate this sin as well as all others when Jesus returns to rescue them.

"For I am not willing for you to be ignorant of this secret, brethren, lest you may be passing for prudent among yourselves, that callousness, in part, on Israel has come, until the complement of the nations may be entering. And thus all Israel shall be saved, according as it is written, arriving out of Zion shall be the Rescuer. He will be turning away irreverence from Jacob. And this is my covenant with them whenever I should be eliminating their sins." (Romans 11:25-27)

Merry Christmas Israel!

February 29th - Leap Day!

Leap day comes around every four years to mess with the month of February. And about every four years I find myself pondering the question...

"What do people really get for all their hard work?" (Ecclesiastes 3:9)

Tennessee Ernie Ford would tell you...

"You load sixteen tons, what do you get?
Another day older and deeper in debt
Saint Peter, don't you call me 'cause I can't go
I owe my soul to the company store"

"I have seen the burden God has placed on us all. Yet God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God’s work from beginning to end." (Ecclesiastes 3:10-11)

I try to see good in everything that has happened over the last four years - looking for the "beautiful". And I always find myself thanking God for my wife and family!

"So I concluded there is nothing better than to be happy and enjoy ourselves as long as we can. And people should eat and drink and enjoy the fruits of their labor, for these are gifts from God...Live happily with the woman you love through all the meaningless days of life that God has given you under the sun. The wife God gives you is your reward for all your earthly toil." (Ecclesiastes 3:12-13; 9:9)

In my case, my "reward" is far greater than I deserve - thank you Sue Ann - the woman I love. 

"What is happening now has happened before, and what will happen in the future has happened before, because God makes the same things happen over and over again." (Ecclesiastes 3:14-19)

I try to make good choices - hoping they repeat themselves!