The devotional - 1451 - Are you Friendly?

The Devotional – 1451 – Are you Friendly?

Proverbs 21:7 and 10 – The violence of the wicked will destroy them (drag them away) because they refuse to do justice. The soul of the wicked desires evil; his neighbor finds no favor in his eyes.

Comments and challenges

Churches all across this world had something to say about the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ yesterday. There are two basic views; the Biblical view and the world view. The Biblical view is that Christ is Risen; He is Alive, Luke 24:28-35. Some churches are solid in this truth; the folks in these churches departed filled joy, peace and a confident hope in their heart.

Those churches with a world view mixed Easter with the Death and Resurrection of Christ and filled the minds of those who attended with sawdust, cellophane grass and the promise of an egg from a rabbit. In this the truth was mixed with the lies of Satan, yes and people were comforted with the promises of spring arriving but they departed the church with “itchy” ears – 2 Timothy 4:1-5. 

For the time of a few months I have thought intensely of the events leading up to the death and resurrection of the Son of God. Now I have had some help in this because many of us in our church were involved in a presentation of the this event in the history of mankind when God prepared His Son to be the LAMB of God who “takes” away the sin of the world.

Through much tears and thought I became aware of the joy that God considered in His own being of the time He Created the heavens and the earth. In Genesis 1:31, Moses records the joy that God had over His Creation. “Then God saw everything that he had made, and behold it was very good. So the evening and the morning were the sixth day.

Now we need to look at what God saw even before that sixth day. Isaiah 46:9-10 – Remember the former things of old, for I am God and there is none like Me, declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things that are not yet done, Saying “My counsel shall stand and I will do all My pleasure”

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God knew from before the beginning the joy and suffering associated with creation, with Adam, with Noah, with Abraham, with His Son, with His church and with the restoration. Notice Acts 1 which is the continued unfolding of Luke’s gospel as the church of Jesus Christ is formed.

Acts 1:4-11 – And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, "which," He said, "you have heard from Me; for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now." Therefore, when they had come together, they asked Him, saying, "Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?"

And He said to them, "It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority. But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth." Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight.

And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, who also said, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven."

We are mandated to tell the Truth, the church of Jesus Christ has the same call that Israel had, Israel failed and today the church is no different. Notice what God will do for the nation if it repents, but first the religious leaders have to repent from the blight of false teaching. Isaiah 1:2-20.

Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth! For the Lord has spoken: " I have nourished and brought up children, And they have rebelled against Me; The ox knows its owner And the donkey its master's crib; But Israel does not know, My people do not consider." Alas, sinful nation, A people laden with iniquity, A brood of evildoers, Children who are corrupters! They have forsaken the Lord, They have provoked to anger The Holy One of Israel, They have turned away backward. Why should you be stricken again? You will revolt more and more. The whole head is sick, And the whole heart faints. From the sole of the foot even to the head, There is no soundness in it, But wounds and bruises and putrefying sores; They have not been closed or bound up, Or soothed with ointment. Unless the Lord of hosts Had left to us a very small remnant, We would have become like Sodom, We would have been made like Gomorrah. Hear the word of the Lord, You rulers of Sodom; Give ear to the law of our God, You people of Gomorrah: "To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices to Me?" Says the Lord. "I have had enough of burnt offerings of rams And the fat of fed cattle. I do not delight in the blood of bulls, Or of lambs or goats. "When you come to appear before Me, Who has required this from your hand, To trample My courts? Bring no more futile sacrifices; Incense is an abomination to Me. The New Moons, the Sabbaths, and the calling of assemblies-- I cannot endure iniquity and the sacred meeting. Your New Moons and your appointed feasts My soul hates; They are a trouble to Me, I am weary of bearing them. When you spread out your hands, I will hide My eyes from you; Even though you make many prayers, I will not hear. Your hands are full of blood. "Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean; Put away the evil of your doings from before My eyes. Cease to do evil, Learn to do good; Seek justice, Rebuke the oppressor; Defend the fatherless, Plead for the widow. "Come now, and let us reason together," Says the Lord, "Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They shall be as wool. If you are willing and obedient, You shall eat the good of the land; But if you refuse and rebel, You shall be devoured by the sword"; For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.

Hebrews 9:28 - so Christ was offered to bear the sins of many, and unto them that look for Him shall He appear a second time without sin unto salvation.  Jesse <><

The Devotional – 1450 – Are you Friendly?

The Devotional – 1450 – Are you Friendly?

Proverbs 16:24 – a man (or woman) who has friends must himself (or herself) be friendly, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. A superficial reading of this verse does not reveal the message as the word “must” in Hebrew means; “may come to ruin”. Therefore we must be careful with our friendships.

Comments and challenges

On Wednesday we were discussing sin and the way God destroyed the effects of sin in the world. Do you remember? Well in the Words of the Holy Bible sin and death, or death and sin was defeated by the Son of God who became the Lamb of God, He died to all SIN (the entire sin of the world). Also, He was raised from that death, back to life, so that all who die believing this truth will be raised up with Christ, just as He is raised up. Luke 24:36; John 1:29; 1 Corinthians 15:56; Colossians 1:13-18 and 2 Peter 2:24.

Today we will look at what God has not destroyed at the present time and that would be “evil”. There are three great destroyers of mankind, we have learned from God that two of the three are rendered now “without opinion or voice” at the judgment seat of Christ. In other words if you believe in Jesus for salvation, that “faith” renders you and me as “saved” from the penalty of sin, which is “death”, 1 Corinthians 15:22; 2 Corinthians 5:9-11 and 2 Peter 2:24-25.

In contrast; we learn and believe of the fall of Satan from heaven, sometime before the fall of mankind on earth. Isaiah 14:12-19; Ezekiel 28:14-19 and Luke 10:18; Evil has and is PRESENT on the earth. Some people, who read this, do not believe the existence of Lucifer, the fallen angel of God, renamed SATAN (deceiver), otherwise known as the devil. Like most of mankind many believe that Satan is not an angel but a man, or a god, or some other false expression. Hogwash! These people are (guess what?) deceived. Satan does exist and he is the author of EVIL. 

If I may! If God were a professional baseball pitcher, Satan has two strikes against him. It is the bottom of the ninth; two outs and two strikes.

Sin… defeated at the cross; Jesus died for all sin. Out: number One.

Death… defeated at the tomb; Jesus rose from the grave. Out: number Two.

Evil… Strike one, Jesus saves… John 3:16, Strike two, millions of men, women and children have believed this truth by faith… Hebrews 11:1-40. The third strike is future, the NEAR future. Out: number Three. (Revelation 19:11-21).

There is NO EASTER in the Holy Bible… only VICTORY over SIN, DEATH and SATAN. Revelation 21 and 22. After all major wars there is the need of “mob up operations. Revelation 20:7-10.

The Devotional – 1449 – That you may believe!

The Devotional – 1449 – That you may believe!

Proverbs 16:1-3 – The preparations (plans) of the heart belong to man (you and me), but the answer of the tongue is from the LORD. All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, but the LORD weighs the spirits. Commit your works to the LORD an your thoughts will (absolutely) be established.

Comments and challenges

While meditating over Proverbs 16 this morning I thought of just using verse one, but oh how I love the Living Word of God. His Word is more sufficient than any word that could fall from my mind to the protective screen in yours. While I am thinking of this we need to look at verse nine too. A man (you and me) plans his way, but the LORD directs his steps.

Do you take the time to meditate on these attributes of the Living God? The quality and character of God is far beyond His teachers and preachers to fully explain so there is a serious need for you and me to prayerfully meditate on Him. Personal study helps the Holy Spirit to guide you.

Example! The LORD has made all things for Himself (vs4). Do you believe this or just simply read it and move on, well if you do then be careful to pay attention to the rest of the verse, it just may be applicable for you. The rest of the verse: Yes even the wicked for the day of doom. The day of doom is the Hebrew word for EVIL.

Now this is important so pay attention, there was a day some two thousand years ago when God dealt with sin and death. The Living Word of God explains clearly that sin and death were defeated. We will read a few verses of scripture to confirm this.

Luke 2:29-32 – LORD, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace, according to Your Word; for my eyes have seen Your salvation which You have prepared before the face of ALL peoples (the world). A light to bring revelation (KNOWLEDGE) to the Gentiles, and the glory of Your people Israel.

Speaking of this same salvation John the Baptizer says this; John 1:29b –“behold” (LOOK) THE Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. This is Jesus who Simeon seen as a baby, who is now designated by John to be God’s Perfect Lamb. This was God’s choice to be our sacrifice for sin and death. Matthew 3:17.

What do the apostles say about this sacrifice? First; they agree with the gospels. Note: 2 Peter 1:17 but read the full context – 2 Peter 1:6-21. Thus there is no longer a sting in death when sin is removed, only victory… notice! 1 Corinthians 15:56 – The sting of death is sin and the strength of sin is the law.

So in this small verse of scripture we see a few alarming things like, if sin is not dealt with through salvation then there will be a sting in accordance with the strength of law which was broken.

The message of salvation speaks of the Lamb of God this way. 1 Corinthians 15:57 – But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our LORD Jesus Christ. Jesus is the Lamb who died for the sin of the world (the sin of the world, includes you and me, all of our past, present and prospective sin). His sacrifice as the Lamb also includes the sin of Adam and Eve and the sins of all of mankind of today, tomorrow and even to the end of time. This for all of us is difficult to fully understand, but it is believable, by faith.

The events of the ministry of Jesus Christ of Nazareth; were these to end with His death would not be “good news”. If the next event in scripture did not happen, the tomb where Jesus Christ the Son of the Living God would still contain His Body. But on the first day of the week after He died the tomb became EMPTY! Can you imagine that?

John 20:1 – On the first day of the week (Sunday) Mary Magdalene (the woman whom the LORD Jesus cast out demons) came to the tomb early while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. John 20:1-18, go ahead and read this on your own, take the moment and weep with joy as her tears of sorrow turn to joy when she seen HIM.

Jesus is risen, conquering sin and gaining victory over Death. HE LIVES, oh my friend, when you come to grips with this truth, your soul will leap with JOY! I have been saved for over thirty five years and my heart weeps with the same joy as when I first heard and sings “halleluiah” every time I meditate on His Living Word.

We will finish up with EVIL on Monday as this may be new to some.

 

Hebrews 9:28 - so Christ was offered to bear the sins of many, and unto them that look for Him shall He appear a second time without sin unto salvation.  Jesse <><

The Devotional – 1448 – Absolutes

The Devotional – 1448 – Absolutes

Proverbs 14:8 – The wisdom of the prudent (diligent) is to understand his (or her) way, but the folly of the fool is deceit (deception).

Comments and challenges

If you take a quick inventory of life around you, you might just see your heart fail in despair. Have you noticed that the bar of absolutes in this world of ours is continually moving downward? I mean that if “absolutes” were a dance of the limbo we would need to be as limber as the “snake” to slither under it successfully.

Certainly that serpent of old (Revelation 12:9) is behind the ever descending legal standard of what is “right” and what is “wrong” sadly it is nearly wrong to talk about doing right. Certainly the apostle Peter under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit spoke of the days that YOU and I are beginning to experience, as he says this.

2 Peter 3:1-4 – Beloved, I now write to you this second epistle (in both of which I stir up your pure minds by way of reminder); that you may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets and of the commandment of us the apostles of the LORD and Savior. 

Knowing this first: that scoffers will come in the last days walking according to their own lusts, and saying, “where is the promise of His coming”? “For since the fathers have fallen asleep (died), all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation”.

What good is it to look back into time and say with an absolutely relative discernment that this world is millions upon billions of years old and say to the ignorant who believe it? Well now, here in the last one hundred years, it is a crime to kill an animal and it is legal to kill the unborn human and God does not exist. Sadly, the young people (forty years old or less) BELIEVE this. 

I am saying this: do you not think that if the universe was that old; that ALL we have learned in time is how to destroy? Or more simply; if evolution is true and God is dead; THAT THIS “NO HOPE ABSOLUTE of relativity thinkers” could be the SOLE reason for the destructive outcry of our young people today? 

EVEN evangelical (so called Christians) do not believe this absolute. Genesis 1:1 – In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. Shame on you who preach and teach a partial birth of Creation, you are no better than the corner market of abortionists who thrives on the ignorant. 

In a few days, Truth will be revealed and reenacted by thousands of Bible believing saints that God is not dead, “He’s Alive!” and that is the absolute truth, indeed. Just as said by Jesus Himself. Matthew 24:7 “The son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and on the third day rise again!”

Today sinful men and women are deceiving and delivering the world to the coming day of the LORD and as this day approaches, nevertheless we, (saints) according to His promise, look for NEW HEAVENS and a NEW EARTH in which RIGHTEOUSNESS dwells, 2 Peter 3:13. Even so; come LORD Jesus.

Revelation 22:20-21 – says this. He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming quickly,” AMEN. Even so come LORD Jesus! The grace of our LORD Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

The Devotional – 1447 – Two! Or One?

The Devotional – 1447 – Two! Or One?

Proverbs 11:27 – He who diligently seeks good finds (seeks) favor (grace), but trouble will come to him who seeks evil (death).

Comments and challenges

Now I am not looking to establish a system of good works and evil works; God has accomplished this from the beginning (Genesis 2:9), nor am I seeking to reinvent religion. These efforts are the work of Satan and he can have that reward (Genesis 3:14-15).

And yet, I do want to talk about the things that people seek or pursue in a lifetime. There are those who diligently seek to do good, doing justly in their dealings with others; whose weights and measures are perfect. Proverbs 11:1 and those who are humble and use wisdom correctly, Proverbs 11:2.

Integrity guides these men and women in uprightness and delivers them from death; Proverbs 11:3-4. Righteousness is the direction of those whose heart is blameless and righteousness delivers the righteous in the right way; Proverbs 11:5-6. All whose way is righteous are delivered from trouble; Proverbs 11:8-9.

We could continue looking at Proverbs 11 in this way, but there is another truth in this Proverb that we need to uncover as well. If there is “good” or “righteousness” in this world, then there is also “evil” or “unrighteousness”! Both are the two products of the world we live in. EVERYTHING mankind does is either through good or by evil.

So, are there people who only do “righteousness” and others who only do “unrighteousness”? If that were the case, we should just kill off all the unrighteous and live happily ever after. Now would that make the righteous, more righteous are simply turn the righteous into unrighteous people? Hmmm?

Proverbs 11 reveals the results of the moment by moment accountability of “one” person whose heart in a moment of time can be as righteous and just as God would have them be; but in the next moment in time can be as evil and unrighteous as Satan intends them to be.

The apostle Paul has this to say about good and evil: “O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death”? Romans 7:24. Since our flesh (body) is sometimes good and sometimes evil, the law of God (righteousness) is impossible to keep. The mind of the flesh seeks to serve the law of God, but the body of flesh seeks to serve the law of sin (evil and death).

This is the condemnation that hangs over all of mankind and try as they may; they cannot get out from under this burden of living good one moment and living evil the next. Genesis 3:1-24 is the wrath, the curse or the condemnation that God placed on all of mankind following the fall of Adam and Eve in the Garden.

In conclusion; God did something for us that we cannot do for ourselves. He provided a way back to Him through His Son, the LORD Jesus Christ. “Oh!” You say, “I have heard all of that before!” Well that is GOOD for you if you believe it; but it will be EVIL for you if you fail to believe and reject it again!

Change your mind about Jesus, “that at the Name of Jesus Christ (one day soon) every knee shall bow, of those in heaven and of those under the earth. And every tongue shall confess that Jesus Christ is LORD, to the glory of God the Father.

Now if you are (and you are) going to make that confession anyway. Why not do it believing in Jesus. For it is appointed for men to die once (only once) but after this the judgment (for those who will die twice) and this is the “second death” recorded in Revelation 20:11-15.

 

Hebrews 9:28 - so Christ was offered to bear the sins of many, and unto them that look for Him shall He appear a second time without sin unto salvation.  Jesse <><