April 30th - Teach these Things

While teaching in Ephesus, the Apostle Paul said this about his ministry to Asia…

“…all they which dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus.” (Acts 19:10)

Years later, at the end of his life, Paul wrote his final letter to his friend Timothy and says this about those same Asians…

“This thou know, that all they which are in Asia be turned away from me.” (II Timothy 1:15).

What had they turned away from, and to what? 

Paul tells us in his letter to the Galatians…

“I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ for a different gospel; which is really not another; only there are some who are disturbing you and want to distort the gospel of Christ.” (Galatians 1:6-7)

The message they turned away from and were distorting was the "gospel of Christ" - the good news that the salvation of humanity is by the "grace" of God, "not as a result of works".

In that final letter to Timothy Paul warned him about the deception coming from "evil men"…

“But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.” (II Timothy 3:13).

Here is a summary of what Paul taught that the Asians turned away from….

“For the wages of sin is death but the free gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ the Lord." (Romans 6:2)

"For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast, for we are His workmanship..." (Ephesians 2:8-9)

"Faithful is the saying, and worthy of all welcome, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, foremost of whom am I. But therefore was I shown mercy, that in me, the foremost, Jesus Christ should be displaying all His patience, for a pattern of those who are about to be believing on Him...having faith and a good conscience, which some, thrusting away, have made shipwreck as to the faith..." (1 Timothy 1:15-19)

"Faithful is the saying and worthy of all welcome (for for this are we toiling and being reproached), that we rely on the living God, Who is the Savior of all humanity, especially of believers. These things be charging and teaching."  (1 Timothy 4:9-11)

Many today continue to turn away from Paul's gospel to a "different gospel".

April 29th - My Gospel

"..in the day when God will be judging the hidden things of humanity according to MY EVANGEL through Jesus Christ." (Romans 2:16)

What the Apostle Paul said to the Romans above is part of the inspired Word of God - the Bible. In referring to those who taught a different gospel Paul said this...

“For such are false apostles, fraudulent workers, being transfigured into apostles of Christ. And no marvel, for Satan himself is being transfigured into a messenger of light. It is no great thing, then, if his servants also are being transfigured as dispensers of righteousness...” (2 Corinthians 11:13-15)

Paul is saying there are those who appear to be followers of Christ, yet are in fact servants of Satan.  Yikes! So, how are we to distinguish them from the true believers and followers of Christ Jesus if they look the same and may not even realize who they are? 

Only by comparing what they teach about God and Christ Jesus to the Bible...if what is taught differs from what Paul taught they are "accursed" - again, Yikes! 

"...there are some who are disturbing you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed!" (Galatians 1:7-8)

Paul received his "evangel" (gospel/good news) directly from Jesus Christ, not from men.

“But I certify you brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.” (Galatians 1:11-12)

And, Paul stated that he had taught “the whole counsel of God”… 

“Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all humanity. For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God.” (Acts 20:26-27)

In this "whole counsel" that Paul taught we find nothing about the eternal separation from God in a state of eternal conscious torment (the hell of institutional Christianity and Islam). 

Jesus instructed Paul to tell humanity what He had done to save humanity...

“…that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead.” (Acts 17:2-3,10; 18:4).

He taught that humanity will be UNITED before God in Christ at the resurrection as a free gift of God's grace:

“…one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of ALL Who is over all and through all and IN ALL…to each one of us was given GRACE in accord with the measure of the gratuity of Christ.” (Ephesians 4: 5-6)

“…Christ was roused from among the dead…if we have become planted together in the likeness of His death, nevertheless we shall be of the resurrection also.” (Romans 6:5-6)

“For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall ALL be made alive…so that God may be All in all.” (1 Corinthians 15:22-28)

And Paul told us how the free gift of salvation comes about.

“…by works of law, no flesh at all shall be justified in His sight, for through the law is the recognition of sin…for ALL have sinned and are wanting of the glory of God” (Romans 3:20, 23)

“…God is commending this love of His to us, seeing that, while we are still sinners, Christ died for our sakes…being enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son…being reconciled we shall be saved by His life.” (Romans 5:8-10)

“For the ration of sin in death, yet the gracious gift of God is life eonian, in Christ Jesus, our Lord.” (Romans 6:23)

“God was in Christ, conciliating the world to Himself, not reckoning their offenses to them...” (2 Corinthians 5:19)

“For in grace, through faith, are you saved, and this is not out of you; it is God's approach present, not of works, lest anyone should be boasting.” (Ephesians 2:8-9)

“Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, foremost of whom am I. But therefore was I shown mercy, that in me, the foremost, Jesus Christ should be displaying all His patience, for a pattern of those who are about to be believing on Him for life eonian.” (1 Timothy 1:15-16)

Paul also instructs humanity how to live while waiting for their salvation after we die.

“…be leading a mild and quiet life in all devoutness and gravity, for this is ideal and welcome in the sight of our Savior 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 2:2-6)

“…we rely on the living God, Who is the Savior of ALL humanity, especially of believers. These things be charging and teaching.” (1 Timothy 4:10-11)

Paul's message is part of the Scripture we call the Bible so it is the Word of God. Therefore, what Paul taught must be harmonized with all other Scripture. If institutional church doctrine does not harmonize with what Paul taught, then the church is teaching some other gospel and again, they...

“...are false apostles, fraudulent workers, being transfigured into apostles of Christ. And no marvel, for Satan himself is being transfigured into a messenger of light. It is no great thing, then, if his servants also are being transfigured as dispensers of righteousness...” (2 Corinthians 11:13-15)

Again, Yikes!

April 28th - Preaching and Faith is Useless - UNLESS

“And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith… if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost…But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.” (1 Corinthians 15:14-20)

The death of Jesus on the cross did not save us from dying, we still die. The death of Jesus on the cross reconciled us to God and revealed the depth of what God would do to demonstrate His love for us. It is the resurrection of Jesus from death to immortal LIFE that guarantees the salvation of humans from death…

“Christ died for the ungodly… God demonstrates His own love for us in this - while we were still sinners, Christ died for us…For since, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to Him through the death of His Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be SAVED through His LIFE!” (Romans 5:6-10)

The resurrection of Jesus from death to LIFE is the good news that the early followers of Christ shared…

“This Jesus God has raised up, of which we are all witnesses…the Prince of life, whom God raised from the dead, of which we are witnesses…Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead…And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all.” (Acts 2:32; 3:15; 4:10, 33)

Like Jesus, all humans will be raised from the dead. It is no longer a mystery (secret) and the grace and peace from God rests on those who have faith that our loved ones who have fallen asleep will rise with us to meet Him in the air!

“For I show you a Mystery…in the twinkling of an eye…the dead will be raised incorruptible…” (1 Corinthians 15:51-52)

"...the Lord Himself will be descending from heaven with a shout of command, with the voice of the Chief Messenger, and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ shall be rising first. Thereupon we, the living who are surviving, shall AT THE SAME TIME be snatched away together with them in clouds, to meet the Lord in the air. And thus shall we always be together with the Lord. So that, console one another with these words." (1 Thessalonians 4:16-18)

April 27th - You're Not Going the Church

“Jesus said to them, who do you say that I am? Simon Peter answered; you are the Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus said to him…I will build my church and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.” (Matthew 16:15-18)

The Church is not a building to attend or an organization to join. Paul defined the Church as the “body" of Christ…

“…gave Him as head over all things to the church, which is His body...” (Ephesians 1:22-23)

You do not GO to the church. If you are a part of it, it is only because God has placed you into it…

“God has placed the members, each one of them, in the body, just as He desired.” (1 Corinthians 12:18)

Buildings are built for people to assemble in to worship God who said this of the worship services of Israel.

“I hate, I reject your festivals, nor do I delight in your solemn assemblies…what do I care about incense from Sheba or sweet calamus from a distant land? Your burnt offerings are not acceptable; your sacrifices do not please me.” (Amos 5:21; Jeremiah 6:20)

Church buildings serve a purpose for those who need the fellowship of other humans for moral and spiritual support. They are not needed for worship nor has God told humanity to build them.

God has told members of the body of Christ/church what to do.  We are to go into business and work hard at whatever we do until Jesus returns. And we are to make an effort to be a good person to those around us without judging them.

"Now Jesus said to him that "Today salvation came to this home..."For the Son of Mankind came to seek and to save the lost."...'Go into business until I return.'" (Luke 19:9:10,13 CV)

"Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive His approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth." (2 Timothy 2:15)

"For all of us must be manifested in front of the Dais of Christ, that each should be requited for that which he puts into practice through the body, whether good or bad." (2 Corinthians 5:10)

"For other foundation can no one lay beside that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone is building on this foundation gold and silver, precious stones, wood, grass, straw, each one's work will become apparent, for the day will make it evident, for it is being revealed by fire. And the fire, it will be testing each one's work - what kind it is. If anyone's work will be remaining which he builds on it, he will get wages. If anyone's work shall be burned up, he will forfeit it, yet he shall be saved, yet thus, as through fire. Are you not aware that you are a temple of God and the spirit of God is making its home in you? If anyone is corrupting the temple of God, God will be corrupting him, for the temple of God is holy, which you are. Let no one be deluding himself. If anyone among you is presuming to be wise in this eon, let him become stupid, that he may be becoming wise, for the wisdom of this world is stupidity with God." (1 Corinthians 3:11-19)

"And I perceived a Great White Throne, and Him Who is sitting upon it, from Whose face earth and heaven fled...And I perceived the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne. And the scrolls were opened. And another scroll was opened which is the scroll of life. And the dead were judged by that which is written in the scrolls in accord with their acts." (Revelation 20:11-12 CLV)

How often you went to a buildings to worship will most likely not be praised or condemned...

"So don’t make judgments about anyone ahead of time—before the Lord returns. For He will bring our darkest secrets to light and will reveal our private motives. Then God will give to each one whatever praise is due." (1 Corinthians 4:5)

You cannot GO to the Church, but you can BE in it when you trust that Jesus has saved you according to the grace and love of God the Father.

April 26th - Israel Must Repent and be Baptized

Speaking to the people of Israel Peter told them they needed to repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus before he would return...

"Let all the house of Israel know certainly, then, that God makes Him Lord as well as Christ - this Jesus Whom you crucify...Repent and be baptized each of you in the name of Jesus Christ...repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord; and that He may send Jesus, the Messiah appointed for you, whom heaven must receive until the period of restoration of all things about which God spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets from ancient time...It is you who are the sons of the prophets and of the covenant of God made with your fathers" (Acts 2:36-39; 3:20-25)

So far Israel has not repented and blindness is upon them for rejecting Jesus as their Messiah to this day. This blindness will be lifted and they will repent just before Jesus returns, and then "all Israel shall be saved".

"For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fullness of the nations be come in. And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, there shall come out of Zion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob." (Romans 11:25-26)

Repentance and water baptism is a requirement for the nation of Israel to rule and reign with Jesus in the restored kingdom on Earth, but repentance and baptism is not required for the salvation of individuals among Israel. Individual salvation is the result of the grace of God in sending Jesus to die for their sins. His shed blood on the cross cleanses and atones for their sins, and for the sins of the people of all nations.

"...the blood of Jesus, His Son, cleanses us from all sin." (1 John 1:7)

"He Himself is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world." (1 John 2:2)

"God is commending this love of His to us, seeing that, while we are still sinners, Christ died for our sakes. Much rather, then, being now justified in His blood, we shall be saved from wrath, through Him." (Romans 5:8-9)

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

April 25th - God is not finished with us yet!

What humanity becomes is God's achievement. After the creation of Adam and Eve the rest of us have been created in Adam's image to be crushed and remolded in the image of God and His Son Christ Jesus. It is the born again new humanity that will do good works in the ages to come. 

A ten minute stroll through Ephesians will affirm this…

“Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus through the will of God, to all the saints who are also believers in Christ Jesus: Grace to you and peace from God, our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who blesses us with every spiritual blessing among the celestials, in Christ, according as He chooses us in Him before the disruption of the world, we to be holy and flawless in His sight, in love designating us beforehand for the place of a son for Him through Christ Jesus; in accord with the delight of His will, for the laud of the glory of His grace, which graces us in the Beloved: in Whom we are having the deliverance through His blood, the forgiveness of offenses in accord with the riches of His grace, which He lavishes on us; in all wisdom and prudence making known to us the secret of His will (in accord with His delight, which He purposed in Him) to have an administration of the complement of the eras, to head up all in the Christ - both that in the heavens and that on the earth in Him in Whom our lot was cast also, being designated beforehand according to the purpose of the One Who is operating all in accord with the counsel of His will, that we should be for the laud of His glory, who are pre-expectant in the Christ." (Ephesians 1:1-12)

“And you, being dead to your offenses and sins, in which once you walked, in accord with the eon of this world, in accord with the chief of the jurisdiction of the air, the spirit now operating in the sons of stubbornness  (among whom we also all behaved ourselves once in the lusts of our flesh, doing the will of the flesh and of the comprehension, and were, in our nature, children of indignation, even as the rest), yet God, being rich in mercy, because of His vast love with which He loves us (we also being dead to the offenses and the lusts), vivifies us together in Christ (in grace are you saved!) and rouses us together and seats us together among the celestials, in Christ Jesus, that, in the oncoming eons, He should be displaying the transcendent riches of His grace in His kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For in grace, through faith, are you saved, and this is not out of you; it is God's approach present, not of works, lest anyone should be boasting. For His achievement are we, being created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God makes ready beforehand, that we should be walking in them. Wherefore, remember that once you, the nations in flesh - who are termed 'Uncircumcision' by those termed 'Circumcision,' in flesh, made by hands - that you were, in that era, apart from Christ, being alienated from the citizenship of Israel, and guests of the promise covenants, having no expectation, and without God in the world. Yet now, in Christ Jesus, you, who once are far off, are become near by the blood of Christ. For He is our Peace, Who makes both one, and razes the central wall of the barrier (the enmity in His flesh), nullifying the law of precepts in decrees, that He should be creating the two, in Himself, into one new humanity, making peace; and should be reconciling both in one body to God through the cross, killing the enmity in it. And, coming, He brings the evangel of peace to you, those afar, and peace to those near, for through Him we both have had access, in one spirit, to the Father. Consequently, then, no longer are you guests and sojourners, but are fellow-citizens of the saints and belong to God's family, being built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, the capstone of the corner being Christ Jesus Himself, in Whom the entire building, being connected together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord: in Whom you, also, are being built together for God's dwelling place, in spirit." (Ephesians 2:1-22)

“I am entreating you, then, I, the prisoner in the Lord, to walk worthily of the calling with which you were called, with all humility and meekness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the spirit with the tie of peace: one body and one spirit, according as you were called also with one expectation of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, Who is over all and through all and in all. Now to each one of us was given grace in accord with the measure of the gratuity of Christ. Wherefore He is saying, Ascending on high, He captures captivity And gives gifts to humanity. Now the 'He ascended,' what is it except that He first descended also into the lower parts of the earth? He Who descends is the Same Who ascends also, up over all who are of the heavens, that He should be completing all." (Ephesians 4:1-10)

Don’t be discouraged by the sorry state of humanity in this present wicked age – God is not finished with us yet!

April 24th - False Expressions

“Now the spirit is saying explicitly, that in subsequent eras some will be withdrawing from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and the teachings of demons, in the hypocrisy of false expressions, their own conscience having been cauterized.” (1 Timothy 4:1-2)

That was written 2,000 years ago so I assume the hypocrisy is still around. But how are we to identify the hypocrites? The only way I see is to compare what people teach with the Scripture to see if their teaching sets forth "false expressions".

Here are examples of true expressions in the Bible:

1. Jesus is “the Savior of the world.” (John 4:42)

2. Jesus “takes away the sins of the world.” (John 1:29)

3. Jesus "is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world." (1 John 2:2)

4. "..trust in the living God who is the Savior of all humanity." (1 Timothy 4:10)

Words that deny any of the above are "false expressions" of  the hypocrites following "deceiving spirits".

So, what are we to do when we hear false expressions?

"Now a slave of the Lord must not be fighting, but be gentle toward all, apt to teach, bearing with evil, with meekness training those who are antagonizing, seeing whether God may be giving them repentance to come into a realization of the truth, and they will be sobering up out of the trap of the Adversary, having been caught alive by him, for that one’s will." (2 Timothy 2:24-26)

We are to do the best we can to point out the deception of false expressions, hoping to win these people over to the truth by sharing the true expressions found in the Bible. Paul encourages those who know the truth to guard themselves against the deceiving spirits giving out false expressions.

“I am conjuring you in the sight of God and Christ Jesus, Who is about to be judging the living and the dead, in accord with His advent and His kingdom: Herald the word. Stand by it, opportunely, inopportunely, expose, rebuke, entreat, with all patience and teaching. For the era will be when they will not tolerate sound teaching, but, their hearing being tickled, they will heap up for themselves teachers in accord with their own desires, and, indeed, they will be turning their hearing away from the truth, yet will be turned aside to myths.” (2 Timothy 4:1-4)

False expressions were rampant among the Jews when Jesus came to earth and He warned them.

"Woe to you, Pharisees, and you religious leaders! You are like beautiful mausoleums—full of dead men’s bones, and of foulness and corruption. You try to look like saintly men, but underneath those pious robes of yours are hearts besmirched with every sort of hypocrisy and sin." (Matthew 23:27-28)

The thing that bothers me most is that those making false expressions are usually completely unaware that they come from Satan.

"No wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. Therefore it is not surprising if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness..." (2 Corinthians 11:14-15)

April 23rd - The Heavenly Space Force

"...that now may be made known to the sovereignties and the authorities among the celestials, through the ecclesia, the multifarious wisdom of God, in accord with the purpose of the eons, which He makes in Christ Jesus, our Lord..." (Ephesians 3:10-11).

The Bible says that saved humanity will make known the wisdom of God "among the celestials". Jesus left this Earth to go back among the celestials almost two thousand years ago, not in a spacecraft made by human hands, but in an immortal spiritual body designed by God His Father. He is going to return at His Father's appointed time to transform redeemed humanity into a celestial Space Force .

"He was taken up, and a cloud did receive Him up from their sight; and as they were looking stedfastly to the heaven in His going on, then, lo, two men stood by them in white apparel, who also said, `Men, Galileans, why do ye stand gazing into the heaven? this Jesus who was received up from you into the heaven, shall so come in what manner ye saw Him going on to the heaven." (Acts 1:9-11)

Jesus said He has gone to prepare a new place for humanity who He had redeemed with His blood shed on the cross.  

"Let not your heart be disturbed. Believe in God, and believe in Me." In My Father's house are many abodes; yet if not I would have told you, for I am going to make ready a place for you." And if I should be going and making ready a place for you, I am coming again and I will be taking you along to Myself, that where I am, you also may be." (John 14:1-3) 

When Jesus returns those who have died watching for His return and those of us now watching for Him will rise into the clouds to meet Him among the celestials to become a celestial Space Force!

"...keep watch, because you do not know the day on which your Lord will come." (Matthew 24:42)

"...for the Lord Himself will be descending from heaven with a shout of command, with the voice of the Chief Messenger, and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ shall be rising first, then we, the living who are surviving, shall at the same time be snatched away together with them in clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus shall we always be together with the Lord." (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17)

This Space Force was a secret until revealed to our Apostle Paul as the plan of God for those watching...

"Lo! a secret to you am I telling! We all, indeed, shall not be put to repose, yet we all shall be changed, in an instant, in the twinkle of an eye, at the last trump. For He will be trumpeting, and the dead will be roused incorruptible, and we shall be changed." For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal put on immortality." Now, whenever this corruptible should be putting on incorruption and this mortal should be putting on immortality, then shall come to pass the word which is written, Swallowed up was Death by Victory." (1 Corinthians 15:51-54)

Humanity dreams of exploring space, and builds spacecraft to reach out into the celestial regions of the Universe. That is exciting, but I think I will wait until my new body becomes an immortal spacecraft which can roam the celestial regions of the Universe without needing a man made  spacecraft!

"For our realm is inherent in the heavens, out of which we are awaiting a Savior also, the Lord, Jesus Christ, Who will transfigure the body of our humilation, to conform it to the body of His glory, in accord with the operation which enables Him even to subject all to Himself." (Philippians 3:20-21)

Yep, humanity will become the Space Force of God. Traveling among the celestials is our future destiny - so says the God of the Bible!

April 22nd - The Power of the Blood of Christ Shed on the Cross

God has united humanity in the blood of Christ Jesus which was shed for all on the cross.

"But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near BY THE BLOOD OF CHRIST. For He Himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by setting aside in His flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in Himself ONE NEW HUMANITY out of the two, thus making peace, and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which He put to death their hostility." (Ephesians 2:13-15)

God not only will unite humanity into one redeemed body, but will reconcile ALL other created beings to God through the blood of Christ Jesus. 

"For God was pleased to have all His fullness dwell in Him, and through Him to RECONCILE TO HIMSELF all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through HIS BLOOD, shed on the cross. Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now He has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in His sight, without blemish and free from accusation." (Colossians 1:19-22)

The God of the Bible is able to do what He has planned - to become All in all.

"Out of Him and through Him and for Him is ALL" (Romans 11:36).

"God and Father of ALL, Who is over all and through all and in ALL" (Ephesians 4:6).

"...all things shall be subdued unto Him, that God may be All in ALL" (I Corinthians 15:22-29).

April 21st - From Death to Victory

The bad news…

"…the dead know not anything …" (Ecclesiastes 9:5).

"… there is no work, or device, or knowledge, or wisdom in the grave where you are going." (Ecclesiastes 9:10).

"The dead praise not the LORD…" (Psalm 115:17).

"In death there is no remembrance of Thee: In the grave who shall give Thee thanks?" (Psalm 6:4-5).

"The wages of sin is death...

The good news…

“…for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed…then will come about the saying that is written, “DEATH IS SWALLOWED UP in victory.” (1 Corinthians 15:50-54)

"The wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life..." (Romans 6:23)

All die, that is the result of sin, but death is to be swallowed up in the victory of immortal life.

April 20th - No One is Truly Lost

“The Earth is the LORD'S, and all it contains, the world, and those who dwell in it” (Psalm 24:1).

This verse declares that all the people who have ever lived on this planet are the LORDS!

I do not think Christians are the only ones who are HIS. Humans may sometimes look or feel lost - but none of us are ever truly lost. Both the lost and found are sinners who fall short of the glory of God - but the free gift of God will be eternal life for us all.

"All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God...the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our LORD...And this is the will of God, that I should not lose even one of all those He has given me, but that I should raise them up at the last day." (Romans 3:23, 6:23; John 6:39)

April 19th - Law and Grace

Here is what the Bible says to me about law and grace, in a nutshell:

The LAW of God…

“Then Hilkiah answered and said…I have found the Book of the Law in the house of the LORD…Now it happened, when the king heard the words of the Law, that he tore his clothes…and said great is the wrath of the LORD that is poured out on us, because our fathers have not kept the word of the LORD." (2 Chronicles 34:15-21)

Hilkiah the priest gave King Josiah the Law of the Lord he had found in the run down Temple. Josiah read it and said something along these lines "Oh crap we’re toast…we have not obeyed those 613 laws for years. I am going to tear off my clothes and beg God for mercy".

"Everyone who sins breaks the law; in fact, sin is lawlessness." ... "all have sinned....the wages of sin is death...for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life." (1 John 3:4; Romans 3:23; 6:23; 2 Corinthians 3:6)

The GRACE of God has replaced the harsh penalties found in the letter of the Law…

“The grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all humanity…now apart from the Law the righteousness of God has been made known…for ALL have sinned and fall short of the glory of God and ALL are justified freely by His GRACE through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of His blood…so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus...it is by GRACE you are saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the GIFT of God...the wages of sin is death, but the FREE GIFT of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ the Lord.” (Titus 2:11; Romans 3:21-26; Ephesians 2:8-10; Romans 6:23)

The letter of the Law kills humanity because we cannot keep it perfectly. But God loves humanity anyway and sent Jesus to die on the cross to atone for sins. 

"He himself is the sacrifice that atones for our sins—and not only our sins but the sins of all the world." (1 John 2:2)

Sonetime after humans die, Jesus will resurrected them into glorious spiritual bodies like Jesus now has and grant them immortal life - all under His control.

"He will take our weak mortal bodies and change them into glorious bodies like His own, using the same power with which He will bring everything under His control." (Philippians 3:21)

When humans have faith in the good news of the grace of God, they say “thank you Jesus”. Then, in appreciation, they clean up their life as best they can and tell their spouses, children and grandchildren about what God has graciously done for all of them. Humans who have faith in God are at peace with Him and no longer fear the letter of the Law which condemned humanity to death.

The Apostle Paul summarizes as follows:

"So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. And because you belong to Him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death. The law of Moses was unable to save us because of the weakness of our sinful nature. So God did what the law could not do. He sent His own Son in a body like the bodies we sinners have. And in that body God declared an end to sin’s control over us by giving His Son as a sacrifice for our sins. He did this so that the just requirement of the law would be fully satisfied for us who are not walking according to our sinful nature but according to the Spirit. Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the spirit think about things that please the spirit. So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace. For the sinful nature is always hostile to God. It never obeys the law of God, and it never will. That’s why those who are still under the control of their sinful nature can never please God." (Romans 8:1-8)

April 18th - Fellowship in the Synagogue

"I have come as a light to shine in this dark world, so that all who put their trust in me will no longer remain in the dark. I will not judge those who hear me but don’t obey me, for I have come to save the world and not to judge it. But all who reject me and my message will be judged on the day of judgment by the truth I have spoken." (John 12:46-48 NLT)

If a person trust's Jesus to save the world they are not "in the dark". People will be judged for rejecting the "message" of Jesus - that He will "save the world".

"For God did not dispatch His Son into the world that he should be judging the world,  but that the world may be saved through him..." ... "For even as, in Adam, all are dying, thus also, in Christ, shall all be made alive..." ... "God was in Christ, reconciling the world to Himself, not reckoning their offenses to them, and placing in us the word of reconciliation"(John 3:17 CLNT; 1 Corinthians 15:22 CLNT; 2 Corinthians 5:19)

The "word of reconciliation" is that salvation is a free gift to the world by the grace of God as a result of the shed blood of the Lamb of God who took away the sin of the world. It is a done deal, whether people in the Synagogue believe it or not. 

"The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!" (John 1:29)

Failing to obey all the laws and rituals of religious institutions will not be judged, however there will be a judgment that will take place based on the "message" and "truth" about our Savior Jesus, the Lamb of God.  

Jesus is the "Savior of the world". I Savior is not one who offers to save or make an attempt to save, but is SUCCESSFUL in saving it.

"And we have gazed upon him, and are testifying that the Father has dispatched the Son, the Savior of the world..." ... "Faithful is the saying, and worthy of all welcome, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.." ... "we rely on the living God, Who is the Savior of all humanity, especially of believers. These things be charging and teaching." (1 John 4:14 CLNT; 1 Timothy 1:15 CLNT; 4:10-11 CLNT)

Thee day of judgment will reveal those who believed and shared this truth.  

"Jesus is saying to them - I am the Way and the Truth and the Life. No one is coming to the Father except through me." (John 14:6 CLNT)

Those who work at teaching false doctrine, whether sincere or not, will see that work burned up  regardless of how long they labored...

"For other foundation can no man lay beside that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.  Now if anyone is building on this foundation gold and silver, precious stones, wood, grass, straw, each man's work will become apparent, for the day will make it evident, for it is being revealed by fire.  And the fire, it will be testing each one's work - what kind it is.  If anyone's work will be remaining which he builds on it, he will get wages.  If anyone's work shall be burned up, he will forfeit it, yet he shall be saved, yet thus, as through fire." (1 Corinthians 3:11 .-15)

Most Christians believe in Jesus but few will admit that Jesus is going to save everyone, preferring the fellowship and doctrine of the synagogue. Not much has changed over the past two thousand years.

"Many people did believe in him, including some of the Jewish leaders.  But they wouldn't admit it for fear that the Pharisees would expel them from the synagogue.  For they loved human praise more than the praise of God."  (John 12:42-43 NLT)

April 17th - When did Jesus Save the World?

"...we have heard for ourselves and know that this One is indeed the Savior of the world.” (John 4:42)

It has been almost 2,000 years and the wages of sin is still "death" - no one escapes it but everyone will be saved from it.

"For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God...The wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." (Romans 3:23; 6:23) 

No one can PREVENT death by repenting of their sins or confessing with their mouth that Jesus is Lord or believing in their heart that Jesus is Lord. These acts are simply expressions of one's FAITH that Jesus will save the world. FAITH becomes reality when humanity has been resurrected out of death into a new and "glorious" SPIRITUAL and immortal body.

"For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised; and if Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If we have hoped in Christ in this life only, we are of all humanity most to be pitied.... But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who are asleep. For since by a man came death, by a man also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam ALL die, so also in Christ ALL will be made alive....so that God may be ALL in ALL....But someone will say How are the dead raised? and with what kind of body do they come?....It is sown a natural body, it is raised a SPIRITUAL body....Just as we have borne the image of the earthly, we will also bear the image of the heavenly." (1 Corinthians 15:16-49)

"For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; who will transform the body of our lowly condition into conformity with His glorious body, by the exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself." (Philippians 3:20-21)

After every human has been resurrected and transformed from mortals to immortals, every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord - and the Savior of the world. 

“For it is written, as I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall give praise to God….of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." (Romans 14:11; Philippians 2:10-11)

Humanity is destined to know that "this One is indeed the Savior of the world".

April 16th - The Race

“…let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:1-2)

Jesus ran that race and it cost him his mortal life, but in His death, entombment, and resurrection Jesus secured the win for Himself and humanity - resurrection and immortality!

Jesus won the race that matters and is now seated at the “right hand of throne of God”. The prize He won was His salvation from death, and return to immortality at the right hand of God the Father. And the good news is that Jesus will share that prize with all humanity in due time!

“As in Adam all die, even so in Christ, all shall be made alive...Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed—in an instant, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. For the perishable must be clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come to pass: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.” “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!.” (1 Corinthians 15:22; 51-58)

Relax, we all win our race of mortal life on resurrection day!

April 15th - Ship of life

Of what value was a ticket on the Titanic?

Such is how I feel about life under any government run by humans. All eventually run into the iceberg. My hope is in another Captain on a ship not run by humanity - and I know it is first class all the way...

...he free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23)

Eternal life beyond the Titanic is assured to humanity because God loves us – even the present captain and his crew running the US Titanic. Humanity all will be changed at the mysterious "last trump".

“Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. Behold, I show you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So, when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. ” (1 Corinthians 15:50-58)

Jesus, the Son of God, gave Himself as a ransom for all.  His death on the cross and resurrection will result in the salvation of all of us on the Titanic of planet Earth.

“This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who wills all humanity to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and humanity, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for ALL…” (1 Timothy 2:3-6)

"It is a trustworthy statement deserving full acceptance. For it is for this we labor and strive, because 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 4:9-11)

Enjoy the ride on the Titanic of planet Earth as best you can - but place your hope in the first class ticket Jesus bought for you on the USS Kingdom of God!

April 14th - The Last Day

 "And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who SEES the Son and BELIEVES in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the LAST DAY." (John 6:40)

Most human beings have never SEEN Jesus. And among those who did SEE Him when He was on earth, none actually believed in Him for their own victory over death until AFTER His resurrection. However, there is coming a time when everyone SEES and BELIEVES. After that will come The Last Day when Jesus will raise them all up!

"For to this end Christ died and lived again, that he might be Lord both of the dead and of the living." (Romans 14:9)

“For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus EVERY knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that EVERY tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:9-11)

God’s Plan for humanity is completed on The Last Day.

“In all wisdom and insight He made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His kind intention which He purposed in Him…the summing up of all things in Christ, things in the heavens and things on the earth.”

“As in Adam ALL die, even so in Christ shall ALL be made alive…that God may be All in ALL.” (1 Corinthians 15:22-28)

Jesus the Christ, the Son of God will one day be SEEN by ALL, believed in by ALL, and then God the Father will be "All in ALL".

April 13th - Why I play golf

"Men build their temple walls to shut God in, and build their iron creeds to shut Him out." Henry Van Dyke (1852-1933)

"So settled is the supposition that creed is the basis of fellowship that no one seems to think it necessary to consult the Scriptures on the subject. Doctrine is not the basis of fellowship; there is a divine unity which we should preserve, and the best way to break this unity is to try to make it." A.E. Knoch (1874-1965)

The truth in the above quotes is why I play golf. I can fellowship with others regardless of the religious creeds which locks God inside a church. After an enjoyable round of golf with other members of the human race, I can go back home and examine the Scripture for myself - and post my thoughts without caring whether anyone reads them or needs them!

Here is what I find over and over in reading the Bible. There will be a divine unity of humanity as a result of the sacrifice of Christ Jesus, the Son of God.

"Therefore I, the prisoner in the Lord, exhort you to walk worthily of the calling to which you were called, with all humility and gentleness; with patience bearing with one another in love; being diligent to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace; one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called into one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. Now to each one of us grace has been given according to the measure of the gift of Christ." (Ephesians 4:1-7)

There will be no eternal torment in hell and eternal separation from God for anyone. All will eventually be saved, justified, reconciled and glorified by the grace of God through the finished work of Christ Jesus. Here is the Scripture that says so, directly from the apostle Paul - it is the gospel of our salvation!

"God commends 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)

“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)

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

“God our Savior…will have ALL humanity to 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 have 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)

Therefore...

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

April 12th - Blameless and Beyond Reproach

"God is love…Love never fails" (1 John 4:8; I Corinthians 13:8).

If the God of the Bible, the one in whom I have chosen to trust, is omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent…and is Love… what is there to worry about?

“For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8 38-39)

He is either the God the Bible says He is, or He is the god of religious myth, a god created by man. If He is the God of the Bible then NOTHING - even our poor decisions - will separate us from the love of God. He will not, nor can He fail in His plan to reconcile and save humanity through Christ Jesus our Lord.

“For it was the Father's good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him (Christ Jesus), and through Him to reconcile ALL things to Him, having made peace through the blood of His cross; through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven. And although you were formerly alienated and hostile in mind, engaged in evil deeds, yet He has now reconciled you in His fleshly body through death, in order to present you before Him holy and blameless and beyond reproach.” (Colossians 1:19-22)

"...it is for this we labor and strive, because we have fixed our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all humanity, especially of believers." (1 Timothy 4:10)

April 11th - If You Get Mad At God Sometimes...He Loves You Anyway

"There is nothing I can do to make God the Father love me any more. There is nothing I can do to make God the Father love me any less. His love for me is not based on my performance. This is what grace is." Peter M. Lord from Bless and Be Blessed (2004)

Love is based on "GRACE" - unmerited favor! God loves like this. People do not. There are times when we just get hacked off at the world in general - we even get mad at God sometimes.

Fortunately, God is not like us...

"God is love...Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails." (1 John 4:8; 1 Corinthians 13:4-7)

"God is love", and unlike you and I, He "keeps no record of wrongs" and His love "never fails".

I am glad - and I ignore the views of religious folks who teach otherwise.

"For I am convinced that death nor life, neither angels nor principalities, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."(Romans 8:38-39)

Yep, I get mad at God sometimes - but He loves me anyway!

April 10th - The Hope of Resurrection

“Now as they spoke to the people, the priests, the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees came upon them, being greatly disturbed that they taught the people and preached in Jesus the resurrection from the dead.” (Acts 4:1-2)

Modern day Sadducees (most Philosophers and the more liberal Theologians) question the resurrection. They have no such hope and ridicule those of us who do. Nevertheless, if the bible is true, the resurrection is going to happen whether anyone believes it or not. And, those who expect it have peace as they approach death.  

“As in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive." (1 Corinthians 15:22)

"…we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of humanity, who have no expectation (hope)…For the Lord Himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage one another with these words.” (1Thessalonians 4:13-18)

Jesus is alive so we have a glorious expectation that gives us peace!

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living expectation (hope) through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.” (1 Peter 1:3)

April 9th - The Sign

"As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately.  Tell us, they said, when will this happen, and what will be the sign of thy coming?" (Matthew 24:3)

Jesus told them what to look for...

"Jesus answered: Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name claiming I am the Messiah, and will deceive many...and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people" (Matthew 24:4, 11)

The sign of His coming is an era when many call Jesus the Messiah (Christ), but are deceiving themselves and others with false teaching.  The Apostle Paul also speaks of this era.

"This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, truce breakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, high minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away." (2 Timothy 3:1-5)

In such an era it will be hard to distinguish those who call themselves Christians from everyone else, at least outside the church building. And it is in such an era that another sign will appear in heaven.

"Then will appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven. And then all the peoples of the earth will mourn when they see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory" (Matthew 24:30)

This sign is the actual return of Jesus. But no one knows the "day or hour" when this sign will appear in heaven.

But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father." (Matthew 24:36)

You can know the "year" and other signs are by simply studying the bible.  Few do.  Keep watching for His return. The salvation He brings at His return is the "blessed hope" for humanity, and we should live our lives as if it may occur today.

"For the grace of God has appeared that brings salvation to all people. It teaches us to say 'No' to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for Himself a people that are His very own, eager to do what is good. These, then, are the things you should teach." (Titus 2:11-15)

April 8th - Subjected to Vanity

"For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of Him who hath subjected the same in expectation." (Romans 8:20)

Note that the creation was "not willingly" subjected to vanity. There was no free will of man involved. God Himself subjected His creatures to vanity. And God will deliver them from it! To the extent humans make choices they deem as "free will" certainly has nothing to do with their salvation. Human will is always subject to the will of God. And what does God "will" in regard to salvation?

"For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior; Who will have all humanity to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth." (1 Tim. 2:3-4).

All other Scripture must be harmonized with this. Any teaching contrary to this is false doctrine.