October 29th - The Way We Were

“And truly if they had called to mind that country from which they had come out, they would have had opportunity to return. But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.” (Hebrews 11:15-16)

The above Scripture is referring to Abraham and his family. Had they gone back to Ur from which God had told them to leave, Abraham would not have become the father of FAITH.

“…one thing I do: forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus…" (Philippians 3:13-14)

"...as it is written: What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived - the things God has prepared for those who love him - these are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit.” (1 Corinthians 2:9-10)

 Barbara Streisand sang beautifully about memories in the hit song of the movie The Way We Were…

"Memories may be beautiful and yet, What’s too painful to remember we simply choose to forget.  So it’s the laughter we will remember whenever we remember the way we were."

When times get tough, we have a tendency to want to return to a better place memorialized in the corners of our minds, the beauty and the laughter.  That is OK but keep moving forward because it is our tendency to start longing for what was, rather than looking forward to what we have been promised by God. The future that God has prepared for humanity is far better than the past or present - off the charts better and more than we can ever dream! 

“See, I will create new heavens and a new earth. The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind." (Isaiah 65:17)

"And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” (Revelation 21:3-5)

October 28th - Who are His People?

"...you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins." (Matthew 1:20-21)

Jesus came to "save HIS PEOPLE from their sins”.

Institutional Christianity contends that they are "His people". Further, they contend He only OFFERS to save them if they repent of their sins and accept Jesus as their Savior before they die. That is NOT what the Bible says!

Who are "His people"? The book of Acts answers the question.

"The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples made by human hands. Nor is He served by human hands, as if He needed anything, because He Himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else. From one man He made every nation of humanity, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and He determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their lands...As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are His children.’ " (Acts 17:24-25)

The Athenians were worshipers of all kinds of gods, and had set up shrines for them. They even had set up a shrine for the unknown God. They did so out of fear. They thought that if they offended one of the gods, he might punish them, not only in this life but also in the next - sound familiar?

But Paul tells them that God is calling His children to "REPENT" of such a false idea about God....

"...being then the children of God, we ought not think that the Divine Nature is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the art and thought of man. Therefore having overlooked the times of ignorance, God is now declaring to humanity that all people everywhere should repent…” (Acts 17:26-29)

The word "repent" means to "change your mind". The true God of ScrIpture, the One who "made from one man every nation" sent His Son into the world to save its sinners, not condemn them - which demonstrates His Love and mercy.

God is calling the religions of the world to "repent" - that is to change their minds about Him and turn away from the false gods who have been "formed by the art and thought of man"!

The real God, like a good Father, disciplines His children. He does so as any good Father would do who had the power - and in doing so demonstrates His love for His sinful children…

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him should not perish (stay dead), but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved." (John 3:16-17)

"…have you forgotten the exhortation which is addressed to you as sons: my son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor faint when you are reproved by Him; for those whom the Lord loves He disciplines, and He disciplines every son whom He receives…God deals with you as with sons and what son is there whom his father does not discipline?” (Hebrews 12:5-7)

"God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we have now been justified by His blood, much more shall we be saved by Him from the wrath of God (death). For while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, we will be saved by His life." (Romans 5:8-11)

When will this discipline end? It will end after we all appear at the judgment seat of Christ, also called the Great White Throne. All humanity will then declare that Jesus Christ as Lord...

“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad....at the name of Jesus every knee shall bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (2 Corinthians 5:10; Philippians 2:10-11)

Humans are ALL the people of God - sinners who fall short of the glory of God. And we are to "repent" from thinking that God is like those angry gods presented by the religions of the world whose gods torture people for their sins.

October 27th - Eternal Redemption

“And I, if I should be exalted out of the earth, shall be drawing all to Myself." (John 12:32)

"I am the Way and the Truth and the Life. No one is coming to the Father except through Me." (John 14:6)

"...He is able to save to the uttermost those coming to God through Him.” (Hebrews 7:25)

No one gets to the Father except through Jesus. When Jesus was resurrected - lifted up out of death - He drew ALL humanity to Himself.  He alone saves to the "uttermost" and no one can get to God by his or her own free will.

“But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things to come, He entered through the greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this creation; and not through the blood of goats and calves, but through His own blood, He entered the holy place once FOR ALL, having obtained ETERNAL REDEMPTION.” (Hebrews 9:11-12)

Someday the whole world will hear the good news from Jesus Himself.

"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)

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

"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)

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

I have family and friends who do not believe this, but I am confident that one day they will - and will rejoice with me in the ETERNAL REDEMPTION of all humanity by the blood of the Lamb of God who has taken away the sin of the world.

October 26th - Our Salvation is Secure, now Grow Up!

Speaking of Jesus, the Word of God declares...

"He did not enter by the blood of goats and calves, but He entered the Most Holy Place once FOR ALL by His own blood, thus securing eternal redemption." (Hebrews 9:12)

“Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God that is the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name. But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.” (Hebrews 13:15-16)

We are told what the acceptable sacrifices are now that Jesus has sacrificed Himself for ALL humanity. Note that these ACCEPTABLE sacrifices are NOT animal sacrifice, tithes and offerings, attendance at ritual meetings, baptisms, communion, bible study, or other things some do to please God. Acceptable sacrifices are "praise" and "thanksgiving" - that’s it - which can be done anywhere and any time of the day! 

As we offer these continual sacrifices we should not forget to "do good and to share".  

In appreciation to God we should...

“...put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander. Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into your salvation…you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house…to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ." (1 Peter 2:4-5)

Our Salvation is secure - we just need to start growing up in it as we consume the "pure spiritual milk" of the Word of God.

October 25th - The Mystery Hidden in God

The Mystery Hidden in God:

“…and to bring to light what is the administration of the mystery which for ages has been hidden in God who created all things…” (Ephesians 3:9)

The “mystery” was hidden “in GOD”. This mystery could not have been discovered by studying the Old Testament. It was revealed to the Apostle Paul by Christ Jesus after His ascension. He then gave Paul the job of preaching this hidden mystery.

“I, Paul, a prisoner for Christ Jesus on behalf of the nations— assuming that you have heard of the stewardship of God's grace that was given to me for you, how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I have written briefly. When you read this, you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ, which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations as it has NOW been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit…” (Ephesians 3:1-5)

So, what was the Mystery? It was that in the GRACE of God, all people (Jew and Gentile) will become joint members of the body of Christ (the church), not just Israel.

“This mystery is that the nations are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.” (Ephesians 3:6)

“To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the nations the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to bring to light for EVERYONE what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things, so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. This was according to the eternal purpose that He has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Ephesians 3:7-11)

The revelation of this mystery of the Salvation of every human in every nation by the grace of God would make known to the “rulers and authorities in heavenly places” (angelic beings) the wisdom of God.

"...we have set our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of everyone, and especially of those who believe." (1 Timothy 4:10)

“Behold, I tell you a mystery…the dead will be raised…" (1 Corinthians 15: 51-52)

"...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." (Phillipians 3:20-21)

I will continue to vote as a citizen of this country for imperfect leaders. However, my eternal citizenship is in the Kingdom of God, a New Heaven and New Earth of perfect righteousness promised to the body of Christ after this mortal life ends!

October 24th - Looking Unto Jesus...Why?

"...let us run with patience 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 is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:1-2)

Life is what it is. We do not ask to be born, yet here we are. We cannot request where we are to be born or to whom. It is what God has decided. The best we can do is to "run with patience the race that is set before us”.

So, why should we be “looking unto Jesus” to author and finish "our faith"?

Jesus became a human being just like us. He had to run the race just like us. Jesus suffered in this life and experienced some joy like all humans. He was the first human to be resurrected after death, never to die again. I believe Jesus will return and raise me and my family. That is my faith, and I am therefore depending on Jesus to finish what I am expecting in faith.

"For those God foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters...It is God who justifies. Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—MORE THAN THAT, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?...I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons...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 8:29-39)

So I run my race as best I can, forgetting the blunders I make, and focus on my eternal destiny provided by my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, especially in times such as these when trouble seems to be overwhelming the world and false saviors rise up seeking followers.

"Forget the past and look forward to what lies ahead...hold on to the progress we have already made...we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for Him to return as our Savior. He will take our weak mortal bodies and change them into glorious bodies like His own..." (Philippians 3:13-21)

Look unto Jesus!

October 23rd - Don't Through Away Your Confidence

“Therefore, do not throw away your boldness, which has a great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised. For yet in a very little while,  HE WHO IS COMING WILL COME, and will not delay. But My righteous One shall live by faith; and if He shrinks back, My soul has no pleasure in Him. But we are not of those shrinking back to destruction, but of faith for the procuring of the soul.” (Hebrews 10:35-39)

Confidence and Faith in what? The return of Jesus!

What is the will of God for humanity? God wants us to endure as we wait in faith for the return of Jesus to save humanity out of death.

“Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in just the same way as you have watched Him go into heaven…and unto them that look for Him shall He appear the second time without sin unto salvation.” (Acts 1:11; Hebrews 9:28)

Most of humanity do not know about the return of Jesus. And most who have heard are shrinking back from believing Jesus will return. That displeases God because humanity needs to hear and believe the good news. God is going to...

“…send Jesus, the Christ 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..” (Acts 3:20-21)

Hearing and believing this promise gives me peace in our troubled world.

“...the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the Chief Messenger and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we, the living, who are surviving, shall at the same time be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and then shall we always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words.” (1 Thessalonians 4:16-18)

"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. But each in his own order: Christ the first fruits, after that those who are Christ’s at His coming, then comes the end, when He hands over the kingdom to the God and Father, when He has abolished all rule and all authority and power. For He must reign until He has put all His enemies under His feet. The last enemy that will be abolished is death. For He has put all things in subjection under His feet. But when He says, “All things are put in subjection,” it is evident that He is excepted who put all things in subjection to Him. When all things are subjected to Him, then the Son Himself also will be subjected to the One who subjected all things to Him, so that God may be ALL in All." (1 Corinthians 15:20-28)

October 22nd - What is the Church?

What is the Church? Following is how I understand it:

“Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God…on this Rock I will build my church (ecclesia) and the gates of hell (the grave) shall not prevail against it.” (Matthew 16:16-18)

The word translated church is “ecclesia”. Ecclesia is a Greek word meaning “called out”. Members are those who believe they will be called out of death into immortal life because of what Jesus did for them at the cross. In its final form it will include all humanity.

“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…The last enemy that will be abolished is death…that God may be all in all.” (1 Corinthians 15:21-28)

Christ is the Rock, the Cornerstone, and the Firstfruits of that collective body of the called-out. All humans will die just like Jesus, and all will be called out of death to walk in newness of eternal life as did Christ Jesus.

“For we know that if the earthly tent which is our house is torn down, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens… if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come….God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation.” (2 Corinthians 5)

Human beings have been promised eternal spiritual life to begin upon their resurrection.

“But someone will say, How are the dead raised?...It is sown a perishable body, it is raised an imperishable body; it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body. So also it is written, the first man Adam became a living soul. The last Adam became a Life giving spirit…Just as we have borne the image of the earthy, we will also bear the image of the heavenly…flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. Behold, I tell you a mystery…when this perishable will have put on the imperishable, and this mortal will have put on immortality, then will come about the saying that is written, “Death is swallowed up in victory.” (1 Corinthians 15:24-26; 35-54).

The Bible informs me that humanity, all of us, are destined to become the immortal image of God and His Son. We all will be "called out" of death.

"You should not be ashamed, then, of the testimony of our Lord, nor yet of me, His prisoner, but suffer evil along with the good news in accord with the power of God, Who saves us and calls us with a holy calling, not in accord with our acts, but in accord with His own purpose and the grace which is given to us in Christ Jesus before time began, yet now is being manifested through the advent of our Savior, Christ Jesus, Who, indeed, will abolish death, yet now illuminates life and incorruption through the good news of which I was appointed a preacher and an apostle and a teacher of the nations...I am not ashamed, for I am aware of Whom I have believed, and I am persuaded that He is able to guard what is committed to me, for that day." (2 Timothy 1:8-12)

So, like the Apostle Paul, I am not ashamed to be a part of the Church that Jesus Christ is building!

October 21st - Walk Off Homer!

"...upon this rock I will build my church and the gates of the grave will not overcome it.” (Matthew 16:18)

Jesus was crucified by the world He came to save. On that cross Jesus prayed for His murderers "Father forgive them, they do not understand what they do”, and then uttered His final words “it is finished”.  He then dismissed His spirit, died and was laid in the tomb.

From a baseball analogy it was the bottom of the ninth, and there were two outs. The destiny of humanity was at stake. Day one passed, strike one. Day two passed, strike two. The hope for humanity was riding on that final pitch which came at sundown on Day three; and then it happened….Jesus rose from death, He turned on that final pitch and knocked death, sin and hopelessness out of the park, a walk off homer that sealed the eternal Victory over death for humanity.

“Behold, I tell you a mystery…when this perishable will have put on the imperishable, and this mortal will have put on immortality, then will come about the saying that is written, “death is swallowed up in VICTORY. “Oh death, where is your victory? Oh death, where 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 15:51-57)

Believers are the body of Christ. It is composed of all for whom Jesus died. It will be “called-out” of death and this world, changed from a weak, sinful body of flesh and blood into an immortal spiritual body that will have abundant never ending life - the same life that Christ Jesus now has...

“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…The first man, Adam, became a living soul. The last Adam became a life-giving spirit. However, the spiritual is not first, but the natural; then the spiritual. The first man is from the earth, earthy; the second man is from heaven. As is the earthy, so also are those who are earthy; and as is the heavenly, so also are those who are heavenly. Just as we have borne the image of the earthy, we will also bear the image of the heavenly." (1 Corinthians 15:20-49)

October is the month of baseball's World Series, but the really important game of life was settled on the cross - and we are all winners!

"...for all sinned and are wanting of the glory of God.  Being justified gratuitously in His grace, through the deliverance which is in Christ Jesus..." (Romans 3:23-25)

"For the wages of sin is death, yet the gracious gift of God is eternal life, in Christ Jesus, our Lord" (Romans 6:23)

P.S.  The game is over but the ticker tape parade will be conducted later on the streets of gold in the New Jerusalem - see you there if not before!

October 20th - Pray for All People

What God has instructed people to pray for will come to pass - and He tells us to pray for "all people"…

“I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people,…” (1 Timothy 1:1-2)

The benefit of praying for "all people" leads to peace...

“…so that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way…and this is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior…” (1 Timothy 1:2-3)

When will this peace come to all people?  When "all people" are saved and have come to a realization of the truth...

“…God our Savior, who wills all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” (1 Timothy 1:4)

And the truth is...

“…that there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and humanity, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all people.” (1 Timothy 2:5-7)

God is the hope for humanity - not the religious and political leaders among us. And God has determined to be the Savior of "all people"...

“…we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe.” (4:10)

One prayer that is sure to be answered is the prayer for all people to be saved and come to a knowledge of this truth. It is the "eternal purpose" of God that humanity be unified into the body of Christ, the true church. It is guaranteed by the grace of God and it is a gift.  It is accomplished "in Christ Jesus our Lord".

"...the nations are fellow heirs and fellow members of the body, and fellow partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel...This was in accordance with the eternal purpose which He carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord..." ..."There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all people who is over all and through all and in all.  To each one of us this grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift." (Ephesians 3:1-9; 4:4-6)

October 19th - The Fig Tree Restored

The Salvation of Israel is guaranteed by God.

“Peter remembered and said to Jesus, Rabbi, look! The fig tree you cursed has withered! Have faith in God, Jesus answered. ” (Mark 11:21)

In the above passage the "fig tree" represents Israel. Peter was concerned about why Jesus had cursed Israel causing it to wither. Jesus had instructed Peter and the other Jewish disciples to pray as follows:

“...thy Kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven...” (Matthew 6:9-13)

So Jesus cursing the fig tree was simply telling Peter that the Kingdom on earth will not come until Israel had first withered. After His resurrection Jesus spent 40 days instructing His Jewish followers about the Kingdom of God and the restoring of the Kingdom of Israel.

“He also presented Himself alive after His suffering, by many convincing proofs, appearing to them over a period of forty days and speaking of the things concerning the Kingdom of God...So when they had come together, they were asking Him, saying, Lord, is it at this time you are RESTORING THE KINGDOM TO ISRAEL? He said to them, it is not for you to know times or epochs which the Father has fixed by His own authority...And after He had said these things, He was lifted up while they were looking on, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. And as they were gazing intently into the sky while He was going, behold, two men in white clothing stood beside them. They also said, Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into the sky? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in just the same way as you have watched Him go into heaven.” (Acts 1:6-11)

Many years later they became concerned about why Jesus had not yet returned to set up the kingdom and Paul wrote to encourage them...

”For I do not want you, brethren, to be uninformed of this mystery - that a partial hardening has happened to Israel until the fullness of the nationss has come in; and then ALL Israel will be saved; just as it is written, the Deliverer will come from Zion, He will remove ungodliness from Jacob. This is my covenant with them, when I take away their sins..." (Roman 11:25-32)

Jesus will return and establishes the Kingdom of Israel on earth which Revelation tells us will last one thousand years. Israel, the fig tree that Jesus temporarily cursed, will blossom again!

“Now learn the parable from the FIG TREE: when its branch has already become tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near; so, you too, when you see all these things, recognize that He is near, right at the door. Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place..." (Matthew 24:33-34)

The generation we now live in saw that budding in 1948 with the establishment of the modern state of Israel. I expect Jesus to soon return before this generation passes away.

October 18th - Christ Jesus is Exalted

“Who is the liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, he who denies the Father and the Son. No one who denies the Son has the Father. Whoever confesses the Son has the Father also.” (1 John 2:22-23)

Obviously, in today's world, most deny that Jesus is the Christ - they are antichrists, including most Jews who live in Israel and other parts of the world. However, and thankfully, the Bible says that everyone will one day confess that Jesus is both Christ and Lord.  God has….

“…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)

"He is King of kings and Lord of lords..." (1 Timothy 6:15)

October 17th - We Will Give An Account To God

“Now accept the one who is weak in faith, but not for the purpose of passing judgment on his opinions...For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God...each one of us will give an account of himself to God.”...“Yes, each of us will give a personal account to God.” (Romans 14:1-2, 12)

I have never met a human that did not sin but I know some who act like they do not. Such people make me angry, so I often have to remind myself that God is LOVE, but humans are NOT.

“All of us, like sheep, have strayed away. We have left God’s paths to follow our own.” (Isaiah 53:6)

“For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.” (Romans 3:23)

“God is Love…” (1 John 4:8)

“Love does not keep a record of wrongs…” (1 Corinthians 13:5)

“God showed His great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. And since we have been made right in God’s sight by the blood of Christ, He will certainly save us from His condemnation.” (Romans 5:8-9)

We all should be very careful about what we believe and teach about God.

“...whoever is building on this foundation must be very careful. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one we already have—Jesus Christ. Anyone who builds on that foundation may use a 

variety of materials—gold, silver, jewels, wood, hay, or straw. But on the judgment day, fire will reveal what kind of work each builder has done. The fire will show if a person’s work has any value. If the work survives, that builder will receive a reward. But if the work is burned up, the builder will suffer great loss. The builder will be saved, but like someone barely escaping through a wall of flames.” (1 Corinthians 3:10-15)

Our self-righteous platitudes do not make us righteous before God – Jesus Christ alone has done that. And He sits at the right hand of God interceding for humanity.

“My dear children, I am writing this to you so that you will not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate who pleads our case before the Father. He is Jesus Christ, the one who is truly righteous. He Himself is the sacrifice that atones for our sins—and not only our sins but the sins of all the world.”

 (1 John 2:1-2 NLT)

Self-righteous talk and actions will fuel the fire when we humans give account to God. Fortunately, however, our salvation is secure. All will be saved by grace, not just those who think their lifestyle is better than everyone else.

October 16th - The Measure of Faith

“Behold, as for the proud one, his soul is not right within him; but the just one by faith shall be living…Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith…” (Habakkuk 2:4; Hebrews 12:2)

“God was reconciling the world to Himself in Christ, not counting people's sins against them…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.” (2 Corinthians 5:19; Colossians 1:20)

I have faith that the "blood of His cross" has reconciled the world to God and that Jesus is the “author and finisher” of my faith. God gave me a measuring stick to determine if my faith was in Him, or in the doctrines of religion…

“For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure (measuring stick) of faith.” (Romans 12:3)

The Greek word for “measure” above refers to the measuring rod, like a tape measure. I think that pride is the measuring stick God gives to determine whether our faith is in ourselves, or in the our Savior Jesus.  One who thinks their own faith saves them is thinking “more highly” of themselves that they should.

“The Pharisee stood and was praying this to himself: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people: swindlers, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. ‘I fast twice a week; I pay tithes of all that I get.’ “But the tax collector, standing some distance away, was even unwilling to lift up his eyes to heaven, but was beating his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, the sinner!’ “I tell you, this man went to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted.” (Luke 18:11-14)

Humanity has no hope of salvation apart from the grace and mercy of God - and  "Jesus Chris's faith"…

“Yet now, apart from law, a righteousness of God is manifest (being attested by the law and the prophets), yet a righteousness of God through Jesus Christ’s faith, for all, and on all who are believing, for there is no distinction, for all sinned and are wanting of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:21-23) 

All humanity will be saved out of death one day, the result of the faith of Jesus - His “indescribable gift”.

“As in Adam all die, even so, in Christ, all shall be made alive...Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!” (1 Corinthians 15:22; 2 Corinthians 9:15)

Don’t be discouraged if you have little faith, or are considered to have none by those who think they do. And if you come to have it in this present evil age, make an effort to enrich those around you with the good news - Jesus is the Savior of the world, and He will save it!

October 15th - Prayer Does Not Change God's Will for Us

I have said this before but it is on my mind again this morning. Biblical FAITH is not a commodity that we trade to God for stuff we ask for in prayer. Biblical faith is a lifestyle of confident dependence on the promises of God as directly expressed in His Word. The writer of Hebrews defined it as follows…

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

Our effort should be to determine what God has clearly promised, and have FAITH in those promises. 

Some of the promises of God are negative such as…

"It is necessary to pass through many troubles on our way into the kingdom of God." (Acts 14:22)

But beyond those troubles rests the promise of Jesus himself…

Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me...I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am." (John 14:1-3)

"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." (John 14:22)

My prayers and faith are of utmost importance to me, and I pray about everything, mostly for the health and welfare of my family. I have learned from God's Word to give the cares and worries of life TO GOD in prayer so I can find peace and get some sleep…

“Don't worry about anything Robert; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you think you need, and thank Him for all He has done. If you do this, you will experience God's peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your heart and mind so just keep trying to live the best you can.” (Robert’s Own Paraphrase of Philippians 4:6-7)

As we near the time of God to fulfill His promise to send Jesus back to earth, troubles in the world will increase, so be prepared as best you can and cast those troubles ON HIM - He cares about you!

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

As we watch the events transpiring in Israel we can have FAITH in the LORD's promise to them...

"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." (Jeremiah 29:11)

October 14th - Flawed Religion

The gospel (good news) is for every person and it is really simple. Intellectual religious types stumble over its simplicity and twist it to try to control behavior by bringing guilt and shame. Take the following verses in Hebrews…

“Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy 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)

SIMPLE EXPLANATION: The book of Hebrews presents Jesus as the Savior of the world and the Great High Priest of Israel. He is the AUTHOR of our faith that God will save humanity from its sin. God will FINISH what He promised! We have a great cloud of witnesses that died without having experienced what they had been promised. All those promises will be fulfilled when Jesus returns to resurrect the dead.

RELIGIOUS EXPLANATION: We have a great cloud of witnesses who are looking over the balcony of heaven and watching our every move and cheering us on when we do good and shaking their head in horror when we sin. So we better go to church, quit drinking, smoking, chewing, cursing and having too much fun in the world because Grandma is watching our every move. We are in a race for our eternal destiny and how we live and the choices we make will determine whether we are saved to sit with Jesus at the right hand of God in heaven or burn in hell for all eternity.

One explanation gives peace and hope and is the promise of God - the other is an attempt to scare the hell out of us and is a promise of a flawed religion formed in the mind of men. Paul, however, opted for peace and hope…

“For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will hardly die for a righteous man; though perhaps for the good man someone would dare even to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. And not only this, but we also exult in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation... For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified. What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us” (Romans 5:6-11; Romans 8:30-21)

October 13th - All in all

“Thou shalt not steal…” (Exodus 20:15)

When I was very little I would go to the grocery store with Mom and when I saw the candy I would take some of it. Mom would tell me “no” and would explain why it was not a good thing to do. I would grab some more and she would get “irritated” and sternly try to shame me into being sorry for not obeying her. Of course I did it again, and then, in her “wrath”, she would spank me. The result is that I would no longer steal candy - at least in her presence.

Humans are children of God according to the bible….

“He made from one man every nation of humanity to live on all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their habitation, that they would seek God… and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us; for in Him we live and move and exist…for we also are His children…” (Acts 17:26-29)

We children do all sorts of bad stuff which God says we should not do in the course of a lifetime. Some people much worse than others. The Bible calls it sin and our Father God deals with us as follows:

God tells us in the Bible what is bad and wicked, and advises us not to do those things. Unfortunately, what we want is too often more attractive so we do it anyway. This displeases God because we did not trust that His advice was for our own good. Our sin brings consequence, eventually death.

“What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? Grace! Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! (Romans 7:24 CLNT)

Humanity has a sin problem that only the GRACE of God can fix!

The wrath of God toward His sinful children is finished when death comes. There are no ETERNAL consequences. And, humans do not perish in death. God our Father will fix us after our repetitive disobedience has served its purpose, because of His GRACE. He will resurrect all humans into a new creation…

“The Law came in so that the transgression would increase; but where sin increased, GRACE abounded all the more, so that, as sin reigned in death, even so GRACE would reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 5:20-21)

"So will it be with the resurrection of the dead: What is sown is perishable; it is raised imperishable. It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness; it is raised in power. It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body...And just as we have borne the likeness of the earthly man, so also shall we bear the likeness of the heavenly man." (1 Corinthians 15:42-44, 49)

The plan of God to make humanity into His image will come to pass. God has predestined Himself to be ALL in all His children, not in our present mortal bodies which die, but when we are "made alive".

"Let us make humanity in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule… as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive… The last enemy to be destroyed is death…so that God may be All in all.” (Genesis 1:26; 1 Corinthians 15:22-28)

October 12th - My Thoughts or Anothers

Sometimes I wish that all I knabout the bible could be deleted from my mind. Then I could start over with...

"In a beginning Elohim created..." (Genesis 1:1)

and end my study with...

"The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all the saints! Amen!" (Revelation 22:21)

By the time I decided that I wanted to know what the Bible says I had been taught by others what turned out to be wrong. I now read and study myself and….

"Make every effort to present yourself approved to God, an unashamed workman who accurately handles the word of truth." (2 Timothy  2:15)

"Every Scripture is God-breathed and profitable for instruction, for conviction, for correction, and for training in righteousness." (2 Timothy 3:16)

I may be wrong but I cannot blame others.

October 11th - Religion Formed by the Art and Thought of Man.

"Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins." (Matthew 1:20-21)

"Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner." (John 5:19)

Before His incarnation, Jesus the Son of God was in a position to see and know what our Father God wills and does, and what He saw his Father do Jesus "does in like manner". 

And what was that?

“He will SAVE His people from their sins”.

Christian and Muslim apologists would contend that only those who join their particular group are “His people”, thus creating division among humanity. 

However, God intends to "save His people from their sins"…and humans are "His people" as Paul tells the Athenians….

“He made from one man every nation of humanity to live on all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their habitation, that they would seek God, if perhaps they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us; for in Him we live and move and exist, as even some of your own poets have said  for we also are His children. Being then the children of God, we ought not to think that the Divine Nature is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the art and thought of humanity. Therefore having overlooked the times of ignorance, God is now declaring to humanity that all people everywhere should repent…” (Acts 17:26-29)

So what is God calling every man to "repent" from? 

Humanity needs to repent from thinking that the god "formed by the art and thought of humanity" is the true God. The gods of religion have one thing in common, they warn that those who refuse to worship them will be eternally lost and/or punished for all eternity. 

Paul told the Athenians to "REPENT" of that characterization because the true GOD is not like that, only the made up gods of humanity.  The real God is the FATHER of humanity and does what any good Father does - occasionally disciplines them…

“…have you forgotten the exhortation which is addressed to you as sons, My son, do not regard lightly the DISCIPLINE of the Lord, nor faint when you are reproved by Him; for those whom the Lord loves He disciplines, and He scourges every son whom He receives…God deals with you as with sons and what son is there whom his father does not discipline?” (Hebrews 12:5-7)

The final discipline will be applied to humanity at the judgment seat of Christ before the Great White Throne where we must all appear...

“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.” (2 Corinthians 5:10)

It seems clear to me that the real God will not reward anyone for believing in and worshiping a false god that was "formed by the art and  THOUGHT of man", even if those people call themselves the people of God.

October 10th - Who are they?

“Are THEY Hebrews? So am I. Are THEY Israelites? So am I. Are THEY Abraham’s descendants? So am I. Are THEY servants of Christ? ...I am more. I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again...” (2 Corinthians 11:22-27)

Who are the “THEY” that Paul is talking about? 

It was the Jewish followers of Jesus who kept insisting that Gentiles cannot be saved without joining their group and obeying the Law of Moses. They were still clinging to some of the teaching of the "scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites"...who had rejected Jesus as the Christ/Messiah.

“…woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, because you shut off the kingdom of heaven from people; for you do not enter in yourselves, nor do you allow those who are entering to go in.” (Matthew 23:12-13)

This is still happening. Some teach that humanity must join the church or be eternally excluded from the Kingdom of God. But the good news/gospel message that comes from Jesus through the Apostle Paul says….

"So then, just as one trespass brought condemnation for ALL HUMANITY, so also one act of righteousness brought justification and life for ALL HUMANITY. For just as through the disobedience of the one man (Adam) the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man (Jesus) the many will be made righteous. The law came in so that sins would increase; but where sin increased, grace increased all the more, so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." (Romans 5:18-21)

“…as in Adam ALL die, so also in Christ ALL will be made alive...” (1 Corinthians 15:22)

"This is a trustworthy saying, worthy of full acceptance.To this end we labor and strive, because we have set our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of everyone, and especially of those who believe. Command and teach these things." (1 Thessalonians 4:10-11)

Again, the salvation of sinners is not an offer to be accepted or an organization to be joined - it is good news to be believed and shared! Only a few humans seem to believe the good news in this life, yet ALL will believe after the resurrection and in joyful appreciation of their salvation…

“EVERY knee will bow, 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.” (Philippians 2:8-11)

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. In love He PREDESTINED us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of HIS WILL, to the praise of the glory of HIS GRACE, which He FREELY BESTOWED ON US in the Beloved (Jesus). In Him we have redemption through HIS BLOOD, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace which He lavished on us. In all wisdom and insight He made known to us the secreet of His will, according to His kind intention which He purposed in Him with a view to an administration suitable to the fullness of the times, that is, the summing up of all things in Christ, things in the heavens and things on the earth. In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will, to the end that we who were the first to hope in Christ would be to the praise of His glory. In Him, you also, after listening to the MESSAGE OF TRUTH, THE GOSPEL OF YOUR SALVATION—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of His glory." (Ephesians 1:3-14)

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

Humanity does not join the church (the body of Christ), but each human will be placed into it by God when it is their predestined time to believe the "message of truth, the gospel of your salvation" - the good news that Jesus is the Savior of the world! For most people that time will be after they have been resurrected to life and appear before God at the Great White Throne.