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1 John 2:15-17, “Do not love the world or the things in the world.  If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.  For all that is in the world – the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life – is not of the Father but of the world.  And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of the Father abides forever.”

 

The Greek word for world is kosmos.  It refers to not only the earth (and probably the universe) but also to the present condition of human affairs (that Satan promotes) that are in alienation from and are in opposition to God (from Vines Expository Dictionary).  It consists of not only all the obvious evil, immoral and sinful lifestyle and values in the world, but also the spirit of rebellion against God.  Take a moment to consider a few things Satan uses - the world’s ideas, philosophies, entertainment, fashion, music, science, medicine, mass media, economic systems, and education at all levels - to oppose God.  You might be wondering how Satan uses these things.  Satan will use the medical profession to promote the killing of unborn babies, the educational system to promote ungodly and humanistic philosophies, fashion to break down modesty and the entertainment industry to undermine Biblical standards and values.  It is also to be understood that the world system includes all man-made religions of the world including “lukewarm Christian” organizations.

 

The world and the true Church are two distinct groups of people.  The world is under the control of Satan and the Church belongs to God.  “True Believers must separate themselves from the world. Loving the world system prevents fellowship with God; even worse, it may be a sign that someone has never really experienced the love of the Father in the first place.” (David Jeremiah) 1 Peter 2:11 tells us, “Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul”.  Jesus said in John 15:19, “If you were of this world, the world would love its own. Yet, because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.”  As Believers we are exhorted to no longer love or conform to the world.  To love the world means there is devotion to its values, interests, and all that it offers; it means enjoying the things that are offensive and in opposition to God.  (The “world” and “earth” are not synonymous.  God does not forbid not forbid a love or appreciation for the created earth – the mountains, nature, forests, etc.) 

 

John gave three aspects of the sinful world that create open hostility to God.  The lust of the flesh refers to physical temptations, especially sexual sin.  The lust of the eyes, is greed, envy, and extravagance.  This would also include those things attractive to the eye but forbidden by God.  The pride of life is the arrogant desire to be recognized that come with wealth or position and the desire to appear important so that others will be jealous.  It always attempting to promote and bring glory to oneself.  Satan used these to tempt Adam and Eve and even Jesus; he continues to use these tactics to turn every Believer away from God.

 

Believers are told to be light and salt to those around us, to love unbelievers, and to share the gospel of Jesus Christ. John knew that the world was “passing away”.  If he believed that, then, we must be near the time that it does.  To John the world was temporary for every person because every person dies.  But he also believed the world was temporary because God was going to make a new heaven and a new earth (Revelation 21-22).

 

I hope my attempt to explain how Satan tries to get each of us to focus on the world has given some clarity to you about temptations we face each day.  Keep focused on God’s love for you.  When you fail, ask Him for forgiveness and then “go and sin no more”.  God loves you more than you can know or understand; He desires you to walk with Him and no longer love the world!  “He who does the will of the Father abides forever.”

 

 

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John 6: 66, From that time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more.

As I have been studying the four Gospels, it has been obvious that Jesus attracted crowds wherever He went.  He healed all those brought to him who were sick, cast out demons when necessary, fed them when there was no food, and taught as One who had authority.  He provided for the needs of all who came to Him. 

On the occasion shared in John 6, Jesus had fed 5,000 with five barley loaves and two small fish, walked across sea toward Capernaum and calmed a storm.  The multitudes found Jesus and the disciples had gone over to the other side of the sea, so they followed them. When Jesus saw the multitudes, He said something I find very interesting.  "Most assuredly, I say to you, you seek Me, not because you saw the signs, but because you ate of the loaves and were filled.  Do not labor for the food that perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life, which the Son of Man will give you, because God the Father has set His seal on him." (John 6: 26-27).  The people were seeking Jesus for physical sustenance, but He was offering them food for everlasting life.  They asked for signs and continued to talk about food, when the One who would meet their deepest needs was standing there with them. 

When Jesus began to tell them that He was the true Bread from Heaven that gives life to the world, they began to murmur amongst themselves.  He told them He was the bread of eternal life in heaven, not just the source of abundant life on earth.  And then he spoke words they did not understand.  He told them they must eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood.  If it were not for the Last Supper, His death on the cross, and the sacrament of communion we would not understand this statement.  Therefore, many of His disciples, when they heard this said, "This is a hard saying, who can understand it?" Some of the people surrounding Jesus wanted actual food to fill their stomachs.  Some were offended because of religious teachings - eating blood of any kind was forbidden.  But many found the words too hard to understand.  So, they left.

Today, multitudes follow Jesus.  There are churches where thousands and thousands of people attend.  Many pastors of those churches give very good messages that make the attendees feel really good about themselves but do not speak of sin.  Many churches have wonderful programs for those who attend their church; so, we have competition over programs (I heard that while attending a conference to build up pastors).  Well, that was before the covid-19 outbreak.  My question while writing this has been about what people will do when difficult times come.

I have had to answer why I am a disciple of Jesus Christ. Why do I follow Him?  Do I follow Him for accolades, for pats on the back, or for what I think He can do for me?  If so, my relationship to Him is weak and will fail when difficulties come.  My thought process will be much like the disciples who left when they did not understand Jesus’ teaching.  No! My faith is built on the Rock, a firm foundation based on what I believe to be God’s Word and what I have experienced in my walk with Him.  He has protected me, comforted me, cleaned up the mess I was, and used me in places and experiences only He could have given.  When difficulty comes that we do not understand, I expect Him to strengthen me, guide me, and provide for me.  Even though there were disciples who left Him, there were those who stayed and continued to follow Him.  He used them mightily to be His Church. 

Stay strong, Christian brother and sister, in Jesus Christ knowing that nothing happens without His permission; He is the One in control of all things!

 

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Not my usual blog. This is well worth watching.  Enough said!

 Now that is the way to coach a team.

Virginia Tech and our National Anthem

For a workday bonus, how about this one,  too bad more coaches don't do something like this...

Virginia Tech Coach teaches Players the meaning of our National Anthem.

 

http://viewpure.com/AWRJvl2TkNk?start=0&end=0

 Sorry that there was no post yesterday.  The computer was not feeling well so I had to find out why.  The prognosis was to get a new hard drive! Be back on Monday! 

 

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Matthew 9:16-17, “No one puts a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment; for the patch pulls away from the garment, and the tear is made worse.  Nor do they put new wine into old wineskins, or else the wineskins break, the wine is spilled, and the wineskins are ruined.  But they put new wine in new wineskins, and both are preserved.”         Jesus

 

This parable of patches on garments and wine in wineskins is also found in Mark 2:18-23 and Luke 5:33-39.  I have not fully understood what Jesus was saying and why He spoke it when asked about fasting until I did some research.  Let me share what I found.

 

The unshrunk clothe represents the promised kingdom and the old garment represents Judaism as practiced by the religious leaders.  “Although many of Jesus’ critics of that day were open to adding some of the teachings to their observance of the law, He knew that to marry grace to the law would be like sewing patches from new, unshrunk cloth onto an old garment.” (David Jeremiah)  The old garment refers to the traditions of the Pharisees and religious leaders; it refers to the moral and legal righteousness they followed.  Specifically, Jesus was talking about their traditions of eating, drinking, and fasting.  He was saying that sewing His teaching of the kingdom of God on the old Jewish teaching would not work because when washed the patches would shrink, begin to rip away, and ruin the garment.  In other words, man’s obedience to their traditions would not work with what God demanded to be righteous; God’s righteousness will not be compromised.   To try to compromise only ruins the entire garment.

 

The “new wine” was fresh unfermented grape juice; it represents the saving message of Jesus Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit as shown at Pentecost.  Jesus wanted to be sure that His message of His gospel (the new wine) was preserved from all change and corruption.  He did not want it to be altered by any teaching of the Pharisees and Judaism. 

 

This concern came from the process of preserving the grape juice.  To preserve it, the people would boil the juice, put it in wineskins and place it in a cool area.  New wineskins were required because they were free from any leftover fermenting agents such as yeast cells.  If the new wine was placed in old wineskins, later fermentation would then cause the new wine to go bad.  The fermentation occurs, gasses are formed and the old wineskins eventually burst.

 

In Jesus’ teaching the wine is the Holy Spirit and the wineskin is Believers.  The salvation that Jesus brings is a new nature – it is not an improvement of the old nature.  He came to bring a new way to live life based on His work on the cross and by placing our faith in Him.  To follow Him as He demands requires a complete break with the old way of life.  Too often Believers try to walk right on the line between the old and the new, one foot in each.  Any attempt to live this way is going to fail, often bringing in a worse situation than what existed before.

 

Luke 5:39 states, “And no one, having drunk old wine, immediately desires the new; for he says, ‘The old is better.’”  Jesus’ comment concerns the Pharisees and people today who reject the “new wine” and believe that the “old wine” is better.  “Better” here means suitable or good enough.  Jesus is saying that the Pharisees and their followers do not recognize the benefits of the new; they believe the old is good enough.  I do not want any of us to believe the old life was good enough.

 

Becoming new creatures in Christ means we have new hearts, new spirits, and new meaning to life, love, and faith.  The old ways of life we have known do not fit into what the Kingdom of God expects and demands.  Some changes occur very quickly and others take place over a period of time.  Allow the Holy Spirit to move in you to create a desire to change from your old ways and live the life He desires from you.   May you see that the “new wine” is so much more preferable than the old life left behind!

 

 I am praying for each of us to have a greater “hunger and thirst for righteousness” each day. 

 

 

 

 

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Matthew 9:12-13, When Jesus heard that, He said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick.  But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy and not sacrifice.’  For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.”

 

I have been doing a comparative study of the four Gospels.  Today I studied what Matthew, Mark, and Luke had to say about the calling of Matthew.  Each account added just a small bit to when Jesus told Matthew to “Follow Me”.  It was interesting to me that Matthew immediately got up from his tax collecting table and answered the call by Jesus to follow Him.  He did not take time to consider the ramifications of doing so; He simply got up and followed Jesus.  For Matthew to do this, it meant leaving everything behind.  John, Peter, Andrew were fisherman who always had the opportunity to go back to fishing if things did not work out following Jesus.  Matthew collected taxes for the hated Romans; he would not be able to go back to doing this. So, he was making a great sacrifice to follow Jesus; in return he received eternal gain!

 

After Matthew answered the call, he had a meal prepared for Jesus, His disciples, other tax collectors and sinners.  Matthew had invited these people to meet Jesus.  I would have liked one of the writers to expand the calling of Matthew to include what his friends decided about Jesus.  The Pharisees, who seemed to be always following Jesus in order to accuse Him (Some might call that a desire to impeach Him) right away saw who He was eating with and the accusations began.  In this passage tax collectors and sinners are spoken of together because both groups were detested by the pious Jewish society.  Understand that Jesus was breaking barriers of prejudice and divisions that had been set up due to status and privilege.

 

In response to the comments about who He ate with, Jesus responded that those who are well did not need a physician – those that were sick did.  He was using physical health to represent spiritual health.  The Pharisees thought themselves as well and told them He came to call those who were sick, those who realized their sinfulness.  Because tax collectors and sinners realized they were sinners, Jesus was able to heal or save them (I hope I am not adding to Scripture by believing at least some of them got saved!). 

 

The Pharisees did not believe they were “sick” because they strictly followed their set of 600+ manmade laws.  They thought that following these laws made them righteous.  Unfortunately, God had already judged their sacrifices as worthless because they did not extend mercy to those in need.  He does not want sacrifice such as they were making; He expects us to show mercy to those who need mercy.

 

I believe that too often Christians shy away from those who are “sick”.  Showing kindness and love, does not mean that we endorse the behavior or thoughts of others.  Jesus was showing them the love and compassion of God.  We need to do the same.  If we turn our noses up and ignore the needs of the “sick” – those who need spiritual help – then we become like doctors or hospitals that ignore those who need to be treated.  There are many who need to hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ; someone needs to be willing to share it with them.  Are you willing to be the one the Lord uses to extend mercy to another who needs the love of Jesus to meet their spiritual condition?

 

 

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Jeremiah 17:5, Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart departs from the Lord.

 

Psalm 119:38, Establish Your word to Your servant, who is devoted to fearing You.

 

J. I. Packard wrote in his book, Knowing God, “There can be no spiritual health without doctrinal knowledge, but it is equally true that there can be no spiritual health with it, if it is sought for the wrong purpose and valued by the wrong standard … Our aim in studying the Godhead must be to know God better.  Our concern must be to enlarge our acquaintance, not simply with the doctrine of God’s attributes, but with the living God whose attributes they are.” He is saying that the more time we spend in God’s Word, the better we know Him which results in a greater desire to be like Him.  Why is that important?

 

The answer to the question is to trust and depend on Him rather than on man.  Faith in humankind is known as humanism.  I remember in the 1960s the belief that God was dead being promoted; a philosophy from the ancient Greek philosopher Protagoras and later by Friedrich Nietzsche in a book titled The Gay.  The theory of humanism promotes the doctrine of atheism; the aim of the humanist is to glorify humankind and not God.  Protagoras stated, “Man is the measure of all things.”  Humanists also believe that humans evolved from lesser forms and are nothing more than animals.  They also believe that there are no absolutes because truth is relative.  Because of this the humanist promotes God is dead.  Fyodor Dostoevsky supports this by saying, “If God is dead all things are permissible.”    

 

Consider the philosophies you are seeing in the world today.  What is behind all of the chaos, confusion, lies, distortions and evil propaganda being taught and promoted?  Obviously, it is the devil who wants to steal you away from the Creator and have you place your trust in man.  The idea behind humanism is to sacrifice the individual for the good of the collective society.  Is this not what is being promoted openly today by those who would destroy individual initiative?  These say take away from those who have become successful and give to those who have not – regardless of the reason.  Humanism seems to have its own set of doctrinal beliefs.  It is being promoted in colleges and universities; it is being promoted in the public schools around the nation.  It is firmly established at every level of government. 

 

Here is the good news.  God is not dead; He is very much alive and involved in the affairs of world history! He is neither asleep nor surprised by anything that is going on in the nation or in the world.  He is on His throne and very much in control of events that are happening.  As Believers, we know Who wins in the end – it is not the humanists and their philosophy.  Do not put your trust in man or his philosophies.  Instead place your faith in God and His Word.  Pray for those who promote the ungodly humanist philosophy that they turn to God’s Word and His forgiveness before it is too late for them to do so.

 

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1 John 5:4-5, For whatever is born of God overcomes the world.  And this is the victory that has overcome the world – our faith.  Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?

 

I have written several times about trials and temptations that Believers face each day.  Those who know Christ as their Savior have an overcoming spirit – victory – when those trials come.  2 Corinthians 5:17 gives encouragement during these times.  “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.”  Those who accept Christ by faith become new and belong to God.  “New creation” means the world’s standard of judgment (according to the flesh) no longer can be applied to that person.  This passage does not mean a person’s lusts, temptations, and evil thoughts just go away at their new birth; those struggles continue.  Instead the Holy Spirit which comes to live in the person helps and strengthens each day so the ability to resist grows stronger.  Unfortunately, the struggles continue until the Believer reaches heaven.  The Good News is that God has defeated the world system by sending His Son to take our place.  In doing so He has ownership of those who give their life to Him.  And I give them eternal life, and shall they never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand.” (John 10:28).  Eternal life is not something that happens when one dies.  No, it begins when one gives their life to Christ.  From that point in time one can never be exiled from God’s love or presence and no power or circumstance can take them from Him.  There is safety and security for even the weakest that are constantly following the One who gives eternal life.

 

Notice that it is faith that overcomes the world.  I believe that Jesus is the Son of God sent to take my place for my sins.  I also believe that this does not give me a license to live in whatever lifestyle I want.  My responsibility is to live the life that Christ desires me to live.  Sadly, I fail quite often.  But, on the other hand, many of those things that were attractive to me in the past no longer are.  Have there been failures? Yes, many.  But with each failure, forgiveness was given to me when I asked and repented.  This faith, being talked about is an overcoming faith that experiences the power of God and loves Christ so much that the pleasures the world offers, the ungodly ways and thinking and the selfishness of materialism start to lose their attractiveness. 

 

I am disgusted at the self-centeredness and ungodliness I read about in this country and world.  Believers, today, are surrounded by great opposition and hatred.  We must stand firm against the ungodliness in the world and refuse to conform to all of it.  To do that we must not be lukewarm in our faith and what we believe.

 

Jesus said in Revelation 2:7, “To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God.”  Read the promises given to those who overcome given in the rest of Revelation 2 and Revelation 3.  They will not be hurt by the second death (v. 11), will receive hidden manna and be given a new name (v.17), will be given authority over the nations (v. 26), will not have their names removed from the book of life (3:5), and will be forever the children of God.

 

Humans have a great need to be reconciled to God.  Through the work of Christ on the cross, every Believer’s record of sin is blotted out and each is reconciled to the Father.  That makes me want to shout – Praise the Lord!

 

 

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Matthew 7:24-27, “Therefore whoever hears these words of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on the house; and it did not fail, for it was founded on the rock.” 

                                                                                       Jesus                                                                     

 

Many people, including us, who live in San Antonio, understand what it means to build houses on a firm foundation, a rock.  From my understanding, our house was built on land filled with broken rock.  As a result our house shifts or moves from time to time.  

 

These words of Jesus are at the end of the Sermon on the Mount.  Jesus wanted to be sure His disciples listened closely to His word so that they heard Him.  I am told that I hear words spoken to me but do not really listen closely enough to truly hear them.   I once read a statistic that people who listen to a really good speaker “hear” only about five minutes of a thirty minute sermon.  I suppose that this refers to our attention span; our mind tends to wander and to think about the many others things we need to be doing.  At this point, I am wondering how many “amens” I might be getting!

 

Jesus wanted His disciples to hear His words in order to understand His words.  Without understanding words are just words put together in a sentence.  Without understanding one does not follow through with action.  Jesus wanted His disciples to understand His words so they would act upon them.  He spoke words of life for those who did them.  He taught that carrying out the will of His heavenly Father was a condition for entering the kingdom of heaven. 

 

We talked about grace in the last page of the blog.  Understanding God’s grace will help us know that being obedient to the will of God demanded by Christ is an ongoing condition for salvation; Christ declared that grace is to be continually prayed for, received, and put into practice.  We are capable of doing the will of God and living righteous lives by virtue of God’s gift of grace; God’s grace always makes possible the obedience He demands of us.

 

Luke’s gospel adds this to what Matthew wrote, “But why do you call Me Lord, Lord and not do the things which I say?” (Jesus).  “To call someone Lord is to acknowledge that person’s authority.  To call someone Lord and then disregard that person’s instructions is to live as a liar and hypocrite.” (David Jeremiah). 

 

So, why is this important for you and me to understand?  Hardships and trials and tragedies come.  They quickly show who have put the words of Jesus into practice.  The apostle James wrote that we are to, “be doers of the Word and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.”  Simply listening to the Word has no lasting value.   Let me ask you to remember the words of the minister or pastor of last week’s message.  What was said?  What did you take away from it?  Did you put into practice anything that was said?  The Bible used to be taken with people to church – electronics have changed that.  The Word of God, regardless of how you look at it is to be opened with the intent of doing what it says. 

Hardships and tragedies are going to come.  Your reaction will be based on the foundation you have built upon.  Jesus said that when they come, those who have built upon a solid foundation will be able to get through it.  Jesus and His Word is the foundation.  He has promised to be with us through all situations we face in this life.  Sadly, those who fail to do so will see their “house” fall.  “Do not be that person who sits in a class to gain information but never intend to do anything with the material.”  (David Jeremiah)  Instead be a careful student of the Bible.  There is so much to learn; that which is more valuable than gold or silver or any precious minerals or jewels.  Then, as you learn, be a doer of what you read and understand.

 

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Ephesians 4:29, Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it might impart grace to the hearers.

 

Ephesians 4:32, And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.

 

These verses are quite different from what you have been reading in the news the last few days.   Are you hearing words that edify anyone?  No one in the news is covering it if there is. Today I want to look at a few words that may need to be clarified.  We express ourselves to others in several ways.  One of the ways is by the words we speak.  Sometimes we tend to mix them up as we use them.

 

For instance, think about the words, justice, mercy, and grace.  Justice means getting what we deserve.  Those that speak with such anger and venom must be careful because God is just and will not me mocked.  How often has a word spoken come back to haunt the person who spoke it?  Without forgiveness justice will occur.  It is not enough to be sorry for something said; to be sorry is often the result of being caught.  Forgiveness is the key because to be forgiven involves the resolve to not do or say the words again.  Justice is best left to God.  For we know Him who said, “Vengeance is Mine.  I will repay,” says the Lord.  And a gain, “The Lord will judge His people.” (Romans 12:9)

 

Mercy means that we do not get what we deserve. Who would agree with me that this is a little harder to do?  What about that person you would really like to see get what he has coming to him?  Go on and admit someone came to your mind right.  I think to counter those thoughts we nee to always remember the mercy each of has received from God when He punished His Son for every sin we have committed or will commit.  When we gave our life to the Lord, His mercy removed what we deserved.  So, we must do to those who offend us is do what He did for us – show mercy.  It is not for us to judge or seek vengeance.  No, we show love, tenderness, and forgiveness – mercy! 

 

 Grace means getting what we do not deserve.  God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense!  It is the free and unmerited favor of God through Jesus Christ.  Galatians 4:25-28 give an explanation as to how Christians should walk.  Verse 29 give advice on how Christians should talk; we need to choose words that encourage, exhort, and impart grace to others.  Why?  Because God has shown His grace to us; we show the love of God by extending grace to others.  “We grow in grace by growing in our understanding of what Jesus did and growing in our appreciation of the grace we have been given. The more we learn about Jesus, the more we will appreciate all He has done, and the more we appreciate His love and sacrifice for us, the more we will perceive the never-ending grace of God.” (Gotquestions.org)

 

I am getting better at giving others what God has given to me.  It makes for a better life, by the way!  Go ahead and try it.

 

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2 Peter 3:3, knowing this first: that scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their lusts,

 

Galatians 6:7, Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.

 

You have seen the news.  Two police officers were shot in California.  They did not die and were taken to the hospital to be treated.  That’s bad!  But there is more – demonstrators stood outside the hospital yelling they hoped the officers died.  Outside the Republican National Convention protestors shout “F*** your Jesus.”  Scoffers making light of our Lord; I wonder if they were making light of the promise of His coming.  If they believed in Jesus Christ they would believe in His return because that is His promise to Believers.  These people do not even fear His return and having to face judgment!

 

It is not difficult to discern that people who say these things do not know Jesus Christ as Savior.  I am not judging; I am examining the fruits they are producing and they are not Christ-like.  Galatians 5:16-21 gives a list of the things that describe fruit produced by those who walk after the flesh - included are lewdness, hatred, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, heresies, and murders.  Does this sound like what we are witnessing in the cities of this country?  The apostle Paul states these scoffers are “walking according to their lusts”.  God sees and hears all of this and He cannot be pleased.  How much longer will He allow this to go on?

 

In Galatians 6:7, Paul is giving a warning to us today.  Those who claim to be born-again while consciously sowing to the sinful nature (walking according to their lusts) are guilty of mocking and despising God.  As the politicians declare, let me be perfectly clear: such persons will reap corruption.  Galatians 6: 8 declares, “For he who sows to the flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.”  In the last page of the blog we referred to moments that are life-changing.  The decision to live for Jesus Christ is living to eternal life.

 

How would you like to be the person or people saying the things above?  Think about each of them standing before the Creator, Savior, and Judge and having to give an account of what they said or did to Him.  I think there will be what the Bible calls weeping and gnashing of teeth (Matthew 8:12) because without repentance they will be cast out into outer darkness.

 

I realize that 2 Peter 3:3 is referring to those mocking the return of Jesus Christ.  But, as I hear or read these words being spoken I wonder when He will come.  I know that “in His mercy, the Lord is waiting for the vilest sinner to repent and these people would fall into that category.  The Holy Spirit will continue to come to convict of sin and reveal the truth about Jesus Christ” (a statement from David Wilkerson).    But, I must be honest.  I do not think He will wait much longer.

 

Matthew 24:44 tells us to always be ready.  “Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.”

 

“Even so, come, Lord Jesus!”  Revelation 22:20.

 

 

 

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Learning DAILY

 

Matthew 19:16, Now behold, one came and said to Him, “Good Teacher, what good thing must I do that I may have eternal life?”

 

I usually try not to ask questions when I know I won’t like the answer given.  The person in Scripture, known as “the rich young ruler”, found Jesus and asked Him a question.  Billy Graham wrote this about the rich young ruler, “The rich young ruler, in his famous interview with Christ, asked the right question, asked the right person, received the right answer, but made the wrong choice.”

 

Every day we have decisions to make.  Probably most decisions we make are not really life-changing decisions.  Personally I think we have too many options when it comes to decision-making.  For example, when we go to the grocery store and finally find the aisle the item I want is in, I have a decision to make.  Let’s say that I need toothpaste.  I first see that there is 20 to 30 feet of counter space devoted to toothpaste.  That length is also almost six feet high.   I now have to decide if I want deep cleaning, a whitener, a type for sensitive teeth, Colgate, Crest, or the store brand, and who knows whatever else I can chose from.  So, I get something hoping I made the right choice.  I know – this is not really making a life-changing decision.

 

On the other hand, there are life-changing decisions in history that have changed the course of nations and the world.  I read somewhere that Alexander the Great was asked how he was able to conquer the entire world.  Alexander replied, “By not wavering.”  For a person like me who struggles with making decisions at times, I wonder is decision-making that easy or simple?  Perhaps when I struggle so and hesitate, trying to think through all the options offered, I accomplish nothing.

 

Jesus answered this question that only people who were able to perfectly keep the law could earn a right standing with God; they would have to be as good as God.  The “the rich young ruler” failed to understand his imperfection disqualified him from eternal life.  Jesus had to point out that his love for his wealth stood in the way – it separated him from a holy God.  The rich young ruler loved his wealth more than he loved God; he made what I consider to be a bad decision.

 

Eventually each of us must decide whether or not we will live for God.  At the end of the book of Joshua, Joshua gathered the Israelites together and admonished them “to fear the Lord, serve Him in sincerity and truth, and to put away false gods which your fathers served on the other side of the River and in Egypt.  Serve the Lord!” (Joshua 24:14).  He then told them to make the decision regarding who they were going to serve.    We are in a day when each of us, each family must make this same decision.   Even with the struggles I have making a decision, this one has come quickly and easily.  I say as Joshua said, “But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” (Joshua 24:15).  If you have not made the decision to serve the Lord with all you have, it’s time to decide what you are going to do.  Don’t put it off.  Deciding to serve Him with all you have is one decision you will never regret!

 

 

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Learning DAILY

 

1 Corinthians 15:51-52, Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but shall all be changed – in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet.  For the trumpet shall sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

 

It was good to be back in the physical church to worship.  I must admit I was getting used to watching church on the computer in my shorts and t-shirt.  We were able to get back in the building this weekend; I believe we are meant to worship together as the body of Christ. 

 

Most who know me know I pick up on quick statements made by others.  I wrote this down from early comments made: “In just a moment – things change”.  The reference was about a virus pandemic that shut down corporate worship in the church building for seven months.  Debate will no doubt continue regarding the legitimacy of the shutdown we all experienced. One week people gathered together and suddenly the doors were shut and on-line church was the only alternative.

 

Think back over the course of your life and consider the moment change happened and life was different.  There are moments for each of us that brought either good or bad change in our life.  The moment Charlotte said yes to spending her life with me was life changing.  I remember the moment I first saw each of my daughters and each of my grandchildren – what perfect moments!  The moment we decided to move to Texas was significant for many reasons we did not know at the time.  The moment I said yes to the Lord Jesus was the most important moment of my life because He changed me; He accepted me just as I was. There are certain more moments that life was suddenly changed.  What are your moments?

 

Paul writes about a moment, in the twinkling of an eye that is coming.  It is a time that each of us will inherit the kingdom of God.  For those who have asked Jesus Christ to be their Savior, the moment they die, they walk through a door into heaven, into the arms of their Savior.  That is certainly motivation to live the life He desires and tells us about in His Word.  Oh, to hear Him speak the words, “Well done good and faithful servant!”   All the time spent in His Word, serving Him, and sharing with others will be worth the effort. 

 

However, there is another moment to be watching and listening for - “For the trumpet shall sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.”  This is the time that the faithful who are alive at Christ’s return (at the rapture) for His followers will experience bodily transformation from their earthly body to their heavenly body.  In a moment’s time, the time it takes to blink an eye, changed, never to experience physical death.  What a moment that will be!  Believers will receive new bodies and put on immortality.  At that moment Believers will become all God intended for them at creation (1 Corinthians 2:9, “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.”)  In that moment Believers will come to know God as He wants us to know him (John 17:3, “And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.”).  In that moment God will express His love for His children as He desires (John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that He sent His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.”). 

 

What moments have changed you or brought change in your life?  Are you watching and looking forward to hearing the trumpet of God sound when you will be changed one last time?  I wish I could tell you when it will sound.  It is important for each of us to keep ourselves ready and anticipating it to sound at any time. 

 

 

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