May 2nd - God is love

After fifty years of reading commentaries of the Bible and Sunday school literature provided by the denomination I attended, it finally dawned on me...

“Yet furthermore, my son, beyond these, be warned; of the making of many books is no end; and much study is a weariness to the flesh.” (Ecclesiastes 12:12)

I stopped reading commentaries on the Bible to discover the truth and started focusing solely on reading it for myself. I noticed that the Bible defines its author as "love"...

"God is love, and the one who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him...There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love." (1 John 4:16-19)

Jesus did not "fear" punishment because the love of God was in Him to continually cast out fear. You and I do not yet abide in love - so we fear God and other things from time to time. But the things we fear in this world will pass...

"The world is passing away, and also its desire; but the one who does the will of God lives forever." (1 John 2:17)

The "one" who does the will of God is Jesus, and He is the only human who currently "lives forever". Yet all humanity is destined to become like Him when they are "made alive" after death, for God so loved the world that He sent His Son to save the world from condemnation.

"For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him." (John 3:17)

"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? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for US ALL, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?" (Romans 8:29-32)

"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." (1 Corinthians 15:20-22)

Religion separates humanity into those who go to heaven and those who go to hell - and gives a detailed vision of the hell they fear hoping to scare people into a free will decision to be saved and join the their churches. Yet, the LOVE found in the inspired Word of God "casts out fear", replacing it with assurance that God will indeed save humanity out of death, change them into the image of His Son, and give them eternal life - because God is love.

May 1st - Don't Worry

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:4-7)

Prayer is the prescribed medication that people can apply to those circumstances which seem impossible from time to time...enabling them to have some peace in the midst of the storms of life. And when we pray it seems wise to do so in the manner Jesus instructed…

“…when you pray, go into your inner room, shut your door, and pray to your Father, who is unseen. And your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. And when you pray, do not babble on like pagans, for they think that by their many words they will be heard. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.”  (Matthew 6:5-8)

I bring my worries to Him, and alone with God is the only place I find inner peace when the wars of living this life seem to much for me.

“…toss your entire worry on Him, for He is caring for you.” (1 Peter 5:7)

April 30th - Teach these Things

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

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

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

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

What had they turned away from, and to what? 

Paul tells us in his letter to the Galatians…

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Today, after 2,000 years, many continue to turn away from Paul's gospel to a "different gospel" - the gospel of religious institutions.

April 29th - My Gospel

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Jesus instructed Paul to tell humanity the good news of what has been done to save humanity...

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Paul also instructs humanity how to live in expectation of our salvation after we die.

“…be leading a mild and quiet life in all devoutness and gravity, for this is ideal and welcome in the sight of our Savior God, Who wills that ALL humanity be saved and come into a realization of the truth. For there is one God, and one Mediator of God and humanity, a Man, Christ Jesus, who is giving Himself a correspondent Ransom for ALL.” (1 Timothy 2:2-6)

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

What Paul taught must be harmonized with all other Scripture.

April 28th - Preaching and Faith is Useless - UNLESS

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

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

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

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

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

Like Jesus, we will be raised from the dead. It is no longer a mystery (secret) and the grace and peace from God rests on us when we have faith that we and our loved ones will rise from death to meet Him in the air!

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

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

April 27th - You're Not Going the Church

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

April 26th - Israel Must Repent and be Baptized

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

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

To this day the nation of Israel has not repented and blindness is upon it for rejecting Jesus as the Messiah. This blindness will be lifted and the nation of Israel will repent just before Jesus returns, and then "Israel shall be saved".

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

I do not find in reading the Scripture that repentance and water baptism is required for the salvation of INDIVIDUALS among Israel or any other nation. Individual salvation was secured for humanity by the grace of God in sending Jesus to die for the sins of the whole world. His shed blood on the cross cleanses and atones for all sins.

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

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

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

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

There are still some unfulfilled promises to the nation of Israel which will be fulfilled after Jesus returns. Israel will rule with Jesus its Messiah over this present earth for a thousand years during which time all that was promised Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and David will be fulfilled. 

"Then I saw thrones, and seated on them were those to whom the authority to judge was committed. Also I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for the testimony of Jesus and for the word of God, and those who had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended. This is the first resurrection." (Revelation 20:4-5)