January 4th - Crushed and Reformed

"And now I am committing you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to edify and give the enjoyment of an inheritance among all who have been hallowed." "(Acts 20:32) 

Humanity is a work in progress.  Formed by God who knew they would be marred by sin, crushed, and then He would remold them into His image. God determined it was necessary to demonstrate His mercy.

"That which is molded will not protest to the molder, Why do you make me thus?...now if God, wanting to display His wrath and to make His powerful doings known, carries, with much patience, the vessels of wrath, adapted for destruction, it is that He should also be making known the riches of His glory on the vessels of mercy...us, whom He calls also, not only out of the Jews, but out of the nations also...For God locks up all together in stubbornness, that He should be merciful to all" (Romans 9:22-24; 11:32)

So relax, we all have been committed "to God and the word of His grace." He has chosen the  human race to reveal His mercy and grace. Nothing you do, or do not do, will change that. 

"...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..being designated beforehand according to the purpose of the One Who is operating all in accord with the counsel of His will." (Ephesians 1:4-11)

God is in total control of our destiny. It is a good work and will be perfected.

“For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 1:6)

January 3rd - Is Jesus Returning Soon? Watch and Wait!

Is Jesus returning soon? Watch and wait.

“…be waiting for His Son out of the heavens, Whom He raised from among the dead, Jesus, our Rescuer out of the coming wrath.” (1 Thessalonians 1:9-10)

Believers have been waiting a long time, more than 2,000 years. It is not surprising that we wonder sometimes if He is really coming again. Before the Apostle Peter died, he warned that in the “last days” there would be some who would doubt that Jesus would return. 

“…knowing this first, that in the last days scoffers will be coming with scoffing, going according to their own desires and saying, Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers were put in the grave, all is continuing as it has been from the beginning of creation…the Lord is not tardy as to the promise, as some are deeming tardiness, but is patient because of you, not intending any to perish, but all to make room for repentance." (2 Peter 3:3-4, 9)

Jesus Himself promised that He would return.

“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 will  come again and I will be taking you along to Myself, that where I am, you also may be.” (John 14:2-3)

“...and as they were looking intently into heaven at His going, lo! two men stand beside them in white attire, who say also, "Men! Galileans! Why do you stand, looking into heaven? This Jesus Who is being taken up from you into heaven shall come again in the manner in which you gaze at Him going into heaven." (Acts 1:10-11)

And the Apostle Paul tells us that Jesus will return.

“…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 4:1-18)

Two thousand years is a long time to wait but if the Bible is true there will be a generation that will see Jesus return - and I personally think it is my generation, for we baby boomers have seen the rebirth of the 

"fig tree", which I believe to be the State of Israel! Jesus said...

"Now from the fig tree learn a parable: Whenever its bough becomes tender, and the leaves sprout out, you know that summer is near. Thus you, also, whenever you may be perceiving all these things, know that He is near-at the doors. Verily, I am saying to you that by no means may THIS GENERATION be passing by until all these things should be occurring."  (Matthew 24:32-35)

But what about the Scripture that says, “concerning that day and hour no one is aware”?

“…and they shall see the Son of Humanity coming on the clouds of heaven with power and much glory…concerning that day and hour no one is aware, neither the messengers of the heavens, nor the Son; except the Father only." (Matthew 24:30, 36-37)

That was true two thousand years ago. At that time even Jesus did not know the day or the hour. But I suspect He knows now. And, the Bible says that there will be some who are not "in darkness, that the day may be overtaking you...".

“Now you, brethren, are not in darkness, that the day may be overtaking you as a thief, for you are all sons of the light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of the darkness.  Consequently, then, we may not be drowsing, even as he rest, but we may be watching and be sober...” (1 Thessalonians 5:4-6)

Those watching know the time for Him to return, for the evidence is all around us...

“And there shall be signs in the sun and the moon and constellations, and on the earth pressure of nations in perplexity, at the resounding of the sea and the shaking, at the chilling of men from fear and apprehensiveness of that which is coming on the inhabited earth, for the powers of the heavens shall be shaken. And then they shall be seeing the Son of Humanity coming in a cloud with power and much glory. NOW AT THE BEGINNING of these occurrences, unbend and lift up your heads, because your deliverance is drawing near." (Luke 21:25-28)

We baby boomers have seen the budding of the fig tree, and the beginning of "fear and apprehensiveness", so I am expecting His return to be "drawing near"!

January 2nd - Grow in Grace and Knowledge

"...grow in grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." (2 Peter 3:18)

Paul prayed the following prayer for those who believed the gospel (good news)...

"Therefore we also, from the day on which we hear, do not cease praying for you and requesting that you may be filled full with the realization of HIS WILL, in all wisdom and spiritual understanding..." (Colossians 1:9)

He would later tell Timothy what His will is and what they should rely on. He says that God...

"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 2:3-6)

"...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)

I am a slow learner so it has taken many years to finally feel confident in my understanding of God's plan.  It is really good news for humanity, and all other created beings. The truth as I understand it is that God intends to save "all humanity" and reconcile all other creatures to Himself through Jesus, His only begotten Son.  

I read the Bible hoping each year to "grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." 

January 1st - New Year's Resolutions

New Year Resolutions:

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart...” (Proverbs 3:5)

"Do not worry about anything..."  (Philippians 4:6)

"Set your mind on things above, not on earthly things..." (Colossians 3:2)

"...do what is right, love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God." (Micah 6:8)

"...lead a quiet life, attend to your own business, and work with your hands." (1 Thessalonians 4:11)

"...learn to be content." (Philippians 4:11)

"...rejoice in the LORD..." (Psalm 97:1)

"...grow in Grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ."  (2 Peter 3:18)

December 31st - Year End Thoughts

Here are my year end thoughts.

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

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

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

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

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

December 30th - Fuel for the Fire

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Paul told Timothy...

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Apostle Paul told Timothy what to teach…

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

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

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

Paul warned Timothy two thousand years ago that... 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

December 29th - All Justified by Faith

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

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

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

We do nothing to acquire faith, it is a gift to us by God that allows us to hear and believe the message of truth, the good news of our salvation. 

"...we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of Him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of His willt...it is by grace you are saved, through faith, and this is not of yourselves, it is the gift of God, not by works..." (Ephesians 1:11-2:10)

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

The majority of people are like Thomas, they must SEE to believe. It is not their fault, that is just God's plan for them. Nevertheless...

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