September 13th - Christ Was Lifted Up Out of Death For Humanity

“I have come as Light into the world, so that everyone who believes in me will not remain in darkness. If anyone hears my sayings and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world, but to save the world.” (John 12:46-47)

There are multitudes of Christians and others who do not believe Jesus came to save the world. They believe he has commissioned the church to save the world. They spend countless hours and millions of dollars trying to do what Jesus has already promised to do -“save the world”- He does not need help. We will not be judged for not winning people to Jesus, we will be judged for not believing He would save humanity. His word will judge us for our unbelief.

“He who rejects me and does not receive my sayings, has one who judges him; the word I spoke is what will judge him at the last day.” (John 12:48)

The judgment He is talking about is the shame that will accompany those who do not believe Jesus will “save the world”. They do not believe his words ”I did not come to judge the world, but to save the world”. 

Another judgment from God is already on humanity. That judgment is death for sin, and “it is appointed unto the human once to die, and after that the judgment.” Death will come whether we believed the words of Jesus or not. However, death's rule over humanity is to be "cast out" and Jesus will "draw all humanity" to Himself because He Himself was lifted up out of death.  

“Now judgment is upon this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out. And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all humanity to Myself.” (John 12:31-32)

When Jesus returned to life after dying on the cross the deal was done. In being “lifted up” out of death, He was given all power power and authority to “draw all humanity” to Himself when he returns to lift us up out of death to immortal life when resurrected. 

I know, I know, your church taught you that he was referring to being lifted up on the cross. But being lifted up on the cross did not save Jesus or anyone else. If He had not been resurrected the cross would have no value at all. He was lifted down from the cross and put in a tomb, but it could not hold him. He was “lifted up” out of the tomb and waits at the Father’s right hand for the command to go “draw all humanity” to Himself when He returns to “save the world”.

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

There is too much darkness in the churches of the world. Many profess themselves to be wise, yet deny the word of the very Savior they worship and adore. The "ministry of conciliation" is rarely taught in churches. So, following is "the message of conciliation" believers  have been commissioned as ambassadors of Christ to share...

“For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for Him who died for them and was raised again. So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! All this is from God, who conciliated us to Himself through Christ and gave us the MINISTRY OF CONCILIATION: THAT GOD WAS CONCILIATING THE WORLD TO HIMSELF IN CHRIST, NOT COUNTING HUMANITY'S SINS AGAINST THEM. And He has committed to us the MESSAGE OF CONCILIATION. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making His appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be conciliated to God. God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.” (2 Corinthians 5:14-21)

September 12th: Paul Chosen to Complete the Word of God

In a nutshell, here is what our Apostle Paul shared from house to house…

“First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of ALL HUMANITY… 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, the testimony given at the proper time. For this I was appointed a preacher and an apostle, I am telling the truth, I am not lying, a teacher of the nations in faith and truth….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 2:1-; 4:9-11)

 Paul taught about the...

"...administration of God, which is granted to me for you, TO COMPLETE THE WORD OF GOD -- the secret which has been concealed from the eons and from the generations, yet now was made manifest to His saints, to whom God wills to make known what are the glorious riches of this secret among the nations, which is: Christ among you, the expectation of glory -- Whom we are announcing, admonishing every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we should be presenting every human mature in Christ Jesus" (Colossians 1:21-29)

I do not claim to be smart and I am sure not a theologian. But I have lived a few years and have studied the Bible most of my life. Here is a summary of my observations to date:

God chose the Apostle Paul to proclaim the truth about God's plan for humanity. That truth is the gospel, the good news that in the Grace and Love of God all humanity will be saved out of death by His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. This message was received with joy as Paul shared it from house to house.

After Paul died believers started institutional churches. Unfortunately, by the fourth century the truth that Paul had been given to share was no longer being taught in those institutional churches.

September 11th - Cremation

Is cremation OK?

I find no specific instruction in the bible on how to dispose of a dead body. However, a dead body is clearly something that was to be quickly dealt with. Even touching it made the Jew unclean, obviously for sanitary reasons. Jewish rabbis and Christian theologians have argued about cremation for centuries. But if one would just use common sense we may reach the conclusion that cremation is OK with God.

Early in Genesis, the dying process was pronounced upon humanity, God said…

“By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food until you return to the ground, since from it you were taken; for dust you are and to dust you will return." (Genesis 3:19)

What is a quick way to get a dead body back to dust (ashes)? Yep, cremation.

The eternally significant thing is that after the body is returned to dust, Jesus will return and give it a new body like His.

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

The Lord Jesus will...

"...bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of His splendor.” (Isaiah 61:3)

That being said, if cremation bothers you or any of your family members, don't do it. Burial the old fashion way is OK too.

September 10th - The Blessing of Faith is Peace

“For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it. For we who have believed do enter that rest.” (Hebrews 4:1-3)

There is peace in this present evil age only to those who believe the good news. And I am talking about the good news that there is life AFTER death.

“All have sinned and come short of the glory of God."  (Romans 3:23)

"The wages or sin is death, but the free gift or God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23)

Peace comes to me in this present world when I have faith that God will actually save me and those I care about. God raised Christ Jesus and Jesus promised to return and raise us just as God raised Him. 

"Behold,  He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him..." (Revelation 1:7)

"For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a loud command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will be the first to rise. At the same time, we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will always be with the Lord." (1 Thessalonians 4:16-18)

Those who have faith (BELIEVE God) find the blessing of that faith - which is peace!

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

"Let not your heart be troubled. You believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house there are many dwelling places. And if not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I am coming again and will receive you to Myself, that where I am, you may be also." (John 14:1-3)

"...the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, it will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid." (John 14:26-27)

September 9th - The Gospel

What is the Gospel Paul was told to preach?

The word “gospel” means “good news”

The good news was the salvation of humanity by the Son of God, Christ Jesus…

“It is the gospel of God…concerning His Son” (Romans 1:1,2)

The good news was made known to the Apostle Paul through a revelation of Jesus Christ…

“For I am making known to you, brethren, as to the gospel, which is being brought by me, that it is not in accord with man. For neither did I accept it from a man, nor was I taught it, but it came through a revelation of Jesus Christ.” (Galatians 1:11-12)

The good news is powerful…

“…it is the power of God unto salvation…” (Romans 1:16)

The good news reveals the righteousness of God…

“For in it the righteousness of God is being revealed…” (Romans 1:17)

Is there a simple statement of the good news of salvation? – yes there is…

“For I give over to you among the first what also I accepted, that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures, and that He was entombed, and that He has been resurrected the third day according to the scriptures...” (1 Corinthians 15:3-5)

What happens when people believe the good news…we have peace!

“Being, then, justified by faith, we may be having peace toward God, through our Lord, Jesus Christ, through Whom we have the access also, by faith, into this grace in which we stand, and we may be glorying in expectation of the glory of God.” (Romans 5:1-2)

I have peace because I have entrusted my salvation and that of my family to God. I have an expectation of our salvation at the return of Jesus Christ!

September 8th - Enjoy What You Earn

“Trust in the LORD, and do good; dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness. Delight yourself also in the LORD, And He shall give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD, Trust also in Him, And He shall bring it to pass.” (Psalm 37:3-5)

The Psalmist of course was addressing Israel. However, it is most likely one of those Scriptures which apply to all. If so, all of us should…

“Trust in the LORD, and do good. Dwell in the land and feed on HIS faithfulness”

Not just trust in the LORD, but also DO GOOD. Dwell in the land God places you in and enjoy the fruits of your labor.

“There is nothing better for a man than to eat and drink and tell himself that his labor is good. This also I have seen that it is from the hand of God.” (Ecclesiates 2:24)

God's desire for us is pretty simple it seems to me...to work, appreciate it, and enjoy the fruits of it as best we can afford.

“This is what I have observed to be good: that it is appropriate for a person to eat, to drink and to find satisfaction in their toilsome labor under the sun during the few days of life God has given them--for this is their lot.” (Ecclesiastes 5:18)

God encourages us to work and approves of our enjoying its fruits.

"Go, eat your food with gladness, and drink your wine with a joyful heart, for God has already approved what you do." (Ecclesiastes 9:7)

September 7th - You Need Not Fight Your Battles

“Hear, O Israel: Today you are on the verge of battle with your enemies; do not be afraid…for the LORD your God is He who goes with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you.” (Deuteronomy 20:3-4)

Before they entered the promised land Israel was told they would do battle, but they were not to fear for the LORD would “save” them…and He did.

All of us are told in the Bible that we have another kind of enemy with whom we struggle…

“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.” (Ephesians 6:12)

We are still not to fear the spiritual forces of darkness for the LORD has promised to save

us...and He will.

“In the world you have tribulation, fear not for I have overcome the world…" (John 16:33)

"...put on the full armor of God…take up the shield of faith…take up the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God." (Ephesians 6:11-17)

"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.” (1 Timothy 4:9-10)

Humanity can "take up" the shield of faith and the helmet of salvation because they are our free gifts from God.

"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast." (Ephesians 2:8-9)

September 6th - Mercy On Us All

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—His good, pleasing and perfect will.” (Romans 12:1-2)

There is a great difference between “renewing” our minds based on "God's mercy" and having our minds “brainwashed” by the opinions of a religious system. What institutional religions teach, Christianity included, is the opinion of their leaders.

Humanity is not to be "conformed" to religious or political doctrines in the world but be conformed to the mind of God. When we conform our mind to the MERCY of God, we can clearly see and understand what God "WILLS" for humanity, which is to save and reconcile every human to Himself whether they agree to be saved and reconciled or not.

“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,  for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning…" (Lamentations 3:22)

"For God has bound everyone over to disobedience so that He may have mercy on them all." (Romans 11:32)

"...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 men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for ALL.” (1 Timothy 2:3-6)

September 5th - Labor is Good

Labor Day remembers hard working men and women who make the world worth living in.

“Those who work their land will have abundant food, but those who chase fantasies have no sense… make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you.” (Proverbs 12:11; 1 Thessalonians 4:11)

"If anyone is not willing to work, then he is not to eat, either. For we hear that some among you are leading an undisciplined life, doing no work at all, but acting like busybodies…” (2 Thessalonians 3:10-11)

Working people have a sense of self-worth. When our ancestors were without work, they planted gardens or hunted to feed their families. And when they had plenty, they were inclined to share with others who could not find a job but were willing.

September 4th - After Death Comes the Resurrection

“I have come as Light into the world...I did not come to judge the world, but to save the world..." (John 12:47)

From the mouth of Christ Jesus Himself comes the truth that He did not come to judge but to save the world. He also told the world that it is God's commandment to give eternal life. 

“...the Father Himself who sent Me has given Me a commandment as to what to say and what to speak. I know that His commandment is eternal life...” (vs 49-50)

God intends to resurrect humanity from death and give them eternal life. 

When? 

John Chapter 12 is about death and resurrection. Jesus had showed the world His power to raise the dead when He resurrected His friend Lazarus. But the final proof would be the power of God to raise Jesus from His own death! So Jesus declares...

“Now judgment is upon this world (death); now the ruler of this world (death) will be cast out. And I, if I am lifted up from the earth (resurrected), will draw ALL MEN to Myself.” (vs 31-32)

The enemy of humanity has always been death. Yet God will not only abolish death, but Jesus His Son will return to resurrect the dead and give humanity eternal life in a transformed body which cannot die! 

“For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will be the first to rise." (1 Thessalonians 4:16)

"...the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable…DEATH IS SWALLOWED UP in victory.” (1 Corinthians 15:52,55). 

This is good news and it is for ALL humanity, not just for a few. 

"For even as, in Adam, all are dying, thus also, in Christ, shall all be vivified." (1 Corinthians 15:22)

"This is good and pleasing in the sight of God our Savior Who wills all humanity to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth. For 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—the testimony that was given at just the right time. (1 Timothy 2:3-6)

"...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).

 "For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to everyone." (Titus 2:11) 

This glorious salvation of all was kept a secret from humanity until revealed to the Apostle Paul...

"...this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to illuminate for everyone the stewardship of this secret, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things." (Ephesians 3:1-5)

"...the glorious riches of this secret among the nations, which is: Christ among you, the expectation of glory we are announcing, admonishing every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we should be presenting every man mature in Christ Jesus." (Colossians 1:27-28)

Sadly, the gospel of the salvation of ALL is still a secret among institutional religions. Yet, our hope remains, to be resurrected from the dead by Jesus - and the Bible says He will do just that when He returns from heaven to earth!

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

September 3rd - Love is Patient and Kind

"Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends." (1 Corinthians 13:4-7)

My perception of God is that He meets humanity on the basis of love for His family. God deals with humanity by the Grace of a loving parent who sets forth an ideal standard to live by (His law), then allows us to test this standard within our own unique set of circumstances. All of us will one day agree that abiding by the standards set by God would have been best.

"When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I grew up, I gave up childish ways. For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known. So now abides faith, hope, and love, these three; but the greatest of these is love." (1 Corinthians 13:11-13)

September 2nd - Be Commended for your Faith

"These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised, since God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.” (Hebrews 11:39-40)

Who were those “commended for their faith"? The list is the hall of fame of the Bible…Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David and Samuel.

They were commended for their faith even though none of them received what God had promised during their lives. The same should be true of us all. We should learn what God has promised and have faith that He will do what He promises. And He has promised immortality to humanity after death.

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

“…as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive...just as we have borne the image of the earthly man, so shall we bear the image of the heavenly man...buried in weakness and raised in power; buried a natural body but raised a spiritual body…The perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality.” (1 Corinthians 15:22-53)

Having faith in God’s promise will make a sinful person hopeful, and a self righteous person humble.

September 1st - I Will Build My 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)

Christ is the rock and the church is His body. Hades is where the body and soul dwell when people die (the grave). 

“...the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory…gave Him as head over all things to the church, which is His body...” (Ephesians 1:17, 22-23)

You do not join or go to 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)

Members of the church are present anywhere that there are humans who have accepted that Jesus died for our sins,  was entombed, and then God raised from the dead. 

King David wanted to construct a house of God and God sent the Prophet Nathan to tell him...

"...the Lord spoke His word to Nathan, “Go and tell my servant David, ‘This is what the Lord says: Will you build a house for me to live in?...I have never said to the tribes, whom I commanded to take care of my people Israel, “Why haven’t you built me a house of cedar?”...’I will choose a place for my people Israel, and I will plant them so they can live in THEIR OWN HOMES." (2 Samuel 7:4-5, 6, 10)

Solomon built the Temple and it became a place for "solemn assemblies" and teaching the "precepts of men".

“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)

"Jesus answered them, “Isaiah prophesied correctly about you hypocrites, as it is written: ‘These people honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me. They worship Me in vain; they teach as doctrine the precepts of men.’ You have disregarded the commandment of God to keep the tradition of men." (Mark 7:5-8)

Members of the body of Christ do the things God requires...

"He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD REQUIRE of you? To act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?" (Micah 6:8)

When members of the body of Christ help those in need, they do so without telling everyone about it...

"When you give to someone in need, don’t do as the hypocrites do—blowing trumpets in the synagogues and streets to call attention to their acts of charity! I tell you the truth, they have received all the reward they will ever get." (Matthew 6:2)

What members do will be "manifested in front of the Dais of Christ". There each of us will be praised, or not, according to our acts, and the motives for those acts.

"Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men’s hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God." (1 Corinthians 4:5)

"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)

"And I perceived a Great White Throne, and Him Who is sitting upon it, from Whose face earth and heaven fled, and no place was found for them." 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)

The bad stuff will be burnt up - and I for one will be glad to see it go up in smoke.

"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)

The  church is not a magnificent construction project - it resides inside each member of the body of Christ every day of the week.