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I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth. And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord; Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit; Born of the Virgin Mary; Suffered under Pontius Pilate; Was crucified, dead and buried; He descended into Hell; The third day He rose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven; And sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; From thence He shall come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit; The Holy Christian Church, the Communion of Saints; The Forgiveness of sins; The Resurrection of the body; And the life everlasting. Amen.   The Apostle’s Creed

 

I have been using the Apostle’s Creed to write about doctrines seen in the Bible.  It is my belief that our lives reflect what we believe. I want you to understand that there is a lot of controversy about Jesus descending into hell.  I have done some research on this phrase and decided I would only mention it.  Some believe that Jesus descended into hell to liberate those Old Testament saints that were waiting in “Abraham’s bosom”.  Others have thought that Jesus needed to do this to complete the forgiveness of sin.  Jesus did not spend any length of time there.

 

Jesus’ resurrection is a major doctrine of the Bible; without the resurrection there is no Christianity and becomes a lie.  There is considerable evidence that Jesus hung on a cross and died.  He was placed in a tomb with guards placed outside the tomb so no one could remove the body.  Yet, He was not there when the third day (Easter) happened.

 

What is the importance of this event?  It proves that Jesus is the Son of God.  It proves the effectiveness of His taking our place on the cross – His redeeming death.  It proves He is the Son of God and that the Scriptures prophetically speaking of His death and resurrection are all true.  His resurrection gives every Believer hope that they will also rise again; that was a promise Jesus Himself made to His followers.  Because Believers have this hope, this promise, they are empowered to live the life God desires them to live – the life lived on the narrow way to His kingdom and eternal life.

 

There are always skeptic just as when Mary saw the risen Christ and the empty tomb.  People, today, do not want to believe in the resurrection because to believe in it would demand a changed life.  It is when one has an encounter with the risen Christ that enables a life to change.  Remember Peter who denied he knew Christ for fear of being recognized as His follower?  Read about the empowered Peter In Acts who tells the authorities he must follow Jesus and not men, preaching the Gospel resulting in 3,000 salvations.  Ask me about the changes in my life after saying yes to the risen Christ.  Think about the changes that have occurred in your life because you said yes to the risen Christ’s offer of salvation. 

 

Yes, the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the grave is an extremely important doctrine of hope for all who believe.  If there is no resurrection Christianity is meaningless.  But thanks be to God, salvation comes to whosoever believes in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

 

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I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth. And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord; Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit; Born of the Virgin Mary; Suffered under Pontius Pilate; Was crucified, dead and buried; He descended into Hell; The third day He rose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven; And sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; From thence He shall come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit; The Holy Christian Church, the Communion of Saints; The Forgiveness of sins; The Resurrection of the body; And the life everlasting. Amen.   The Apostle’s Creed

 

Crucifixion was an extremely cruel form of execution.  After suffering the many things that Jesus experienced, He was forced to carry a crossbeam of a cross to Golgotha where He would be crucified. I believe we all can imagine the struggle He went through to do this.  At Golgotha, He was stripped, His arms were stretched along the crossbeam and heavy iron nails were driven through his hands (or wrists).  The crossbeam was then attached to the upright beam.  When that was done, a nail was driven through His feet.

 

The suffering of Jesus was something I can only imagine.  A crown of thorns had been pushed into His head, the damage made by those scourging Him had left Him bloodied and fatigued, and now He experienced hours of pain and all kinds of things happening to His physical body.  The mocking continued because He did not call down an army of angels to save Him and because He did not save Himself.

 

Even nailed to a cross His ministry continued.  He asked the Father in heaven to forgive those doing this because they did not know what they were doing.  He made sure His mother was going to be taken care of, and He told one of the thieves crucified beside Him he would be in paradise with Him.  He told those gathered there not to weep for Him but for themselves and their children; He cried out to His Father because the Father could not look on the Son taking our sins upon Himself. He was thirsty, and then declared, “It is finished” and gave up His spirit.

 

It is not easy to read about what He went through!  I have a lot of questions about this entire thing.  None of them matter.  There are those who want to discuss what the cross looked like.  It does not matter.  All that matters is the baby we celebrate at Christmas time fulfilled the purpose His Father had sent Him to accomplish.  He was the perfect sacrifice, the perfect Lamb, who gave His life to redeem whosoever would believe in Him (John 3:15).  This was the fulfillment of the plan God had laid out in the book of Genesis. 

 

What each of us does with this is important.  If you believe it and accept it, you need to live your life accordingly.  It is entering the narrow door of salvation through Jesus Christ and then staying on the narrow way that leads to eternal life in God’s kingdom.  This is not just some good reading.  It is a matter of where you spend eternity.

 

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I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth. And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord; Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit; Born of the Virgin Mary; Suffered under Pontius Pilate; Was crucified, dead and buried; He descended into Hell; The third day He rose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven; And sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; From thence He shall come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit; The Holy Christian Church, the Communion of Saints; The Forgiveness of sins; The Resurrection of the body; And the life everlasting. Amen.   The Apostle’s Creed

 

The sufferings of Jesus were done in several “stages”.  The third stage of His suffering occurred when He was taken to the governor’s palace in Jerusalem.  By this time Jesus had been before both Annas and Caiaphas (stages 1 and 2); He had been mocked, struck in the face, and spit upon repeatedly.  Jesus said nothing to the questions asked Him by Pilate and Pilate found nothing Jesus was guilty of.  Nonetheless, Pilate thought he could get himself out of his situation by offering the people a choice between Jesus and a criminal named Barabbas.  Pilate’s greatest sin was compromising what he knew to be true and right for his own personal gain and position.  The people chose Barabbas to be set free.  Pilate washed his hands of the matter and sent Jesus to be scourged and crucified.

 

The next stage in the sufferings of Jesus came as a result of Pilate’s sentencing.  “The Roman flogging consisted of the Jesus being stripped and stretched and tied against a low post.  The instrument of torture was a scourge made of several leather thongs attached to a short wooden handle, with bits of iron or bone tied to the thongs. The blows were laid on the victims back by two men, one lashing the victim from each side.” (from the notes in The Life in the Spirit Study Bible).

 

I know that this is not easy to read.  But, in order to understand this doctrine in the Apostle’s Creed, we must know and realize what Jesus suffered under Pontius Pilate.  This had to happen to fulfill the prophecy Isaiah 53:5, “He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed.”

 

One reason to study doctrine is because it will shape your spiritual life.  Your belief about what Jesus suffered under Pontius Pilate will affect your understanding of what He went through to save you from your sinful life.  Many who went through the scourging He went through died at that point.  The question for each of us to consider is what can we endure to be like our Savior and Lord?

 

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I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth. And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord; Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit; Born of the Virgin Mary; Suffered under Pontius Pilate; Was crucified, dead and buried; He descended into Hell; The third day He rose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven; And sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; From thence He shall come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit; The Holy Christian Church, the Communion of Saints; The Forgiveness of sins; The Resurrection of the body; And the life everlasting. Amen.   The Apostle’s Creed

 

Before I write I need to correct a major point from yesterday.  Jesus followed the Law – the Torah.  He was against all the extra laws and rules that the Jewish leaders imposed on the Jewish people called the Talmud.  I am thankful for faithful brothers who are willing to correct me when I error or am not clear.  I am also thankful for my wife who daily proofreads what I write before I post the pages!

 

Those in leadership today would have a difficult time with this due to their stand on ”following the science”.  A baby conceived by the Holy Spirit has only happened one time - never before and never again.  The doctrine of the virgin birth of Christ teaches that He was divinely conceived bringing two natures together: deity and humanity.  The Old Testament prophecy is found in Isaiah 7:24 and the prophecy is seen fulfilled in Luke 2:1-7.  The Son of God is miraculously born to Mary without the aid of man.  Jesus Christ can literally be said to be the Son of God on earth.  We must always remember that He was already and had been forever the Son of God in heaven.

 

It is easy to forget that there was “never a time when Jesus was not, and never a time when He ceases to be” (David Jeremiah Study Bible).   Jeremiah goes on to say, “Because this is so, a special, divine arrangement was required for Him to enter into humanity, the miracle of the virgin birth of Christ”.   That arrangement became the “Christmas story” we celebrate each December. 

 

To recite these words of the Apostle’s Creed, to really consider what they mean, and to believe them, one has to come to the realization that this miracle must also take place in the heart as well.  Read what Jeremiah’s Study Bible notes say, “There must be a nativity in every human heart – the Perfect coming to dwell within the imperfect – for we cannot give birth to Him, or to His goodness, on our own efforts.  We need Him to enter our live miraculously, still and quiet, as He did that Bethlehem morning.”

 

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I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth. And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord; Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit; Born of the Virgin Mary; Suffered under Pontius Pilate; Was crucified, dead and buried; He descended into Hell; The third day He rose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven; And sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; From thence He shall come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit; The Holy Christian Church, the Communion of Saints; The Forgiveness of sins; The Resurrection of the body; And the life everlasting. Amen.   The Apostle’s Creed

 

The Messiah was prophesied to be coming; he was going to save the Jewish people from the Romans. The people were looking for a king to come who would deliver them from the harsh rule the Romans were imposing on them.  So, when He came into the world, the people did not recognize Him. 

 

Can you tell me of an individual who has caused more conflict over who He was than Jesus Christ?  He was misunderstood, constantly battling the religious leaders of His day.  He called them hypocrites who cleaned the outside of the cup but not the inside.  He did not follow the established laws – He healed and picked grain to eat on the Sabbath.  He taught the spirit of the law not the letter of the law.  He said strange things like He did not come to abolish the law but to fulfill it.  He said He had come to cause division – there would be division in families over who He was. 

 

Not much has changed today.  There is false teaching that abounds.  Change His message enough to make it believable so people feel comfortable in their sin.  Don’t preach sin, repentance, because it could possibly turn someone away from the gospel; a false gospel, false teaching about sin and the One called Jesus is preached.  Change the Bible enough to make sin okay.  But that is not the Jesus of the Bible!

 

The gospel of Jesus Christ, the One spoken of in the Apostle’s Creed brings each of us face to face with our sins; each of us must decide what we do with Jesus Christ.  A long time ago I read a book by Josh McDowell where he wrote that each of must decide if Jesus was a liar, a lunatic, or Lord.  That decision is a matter of what we choose to believe.  Some might choose to believe He was a liar or a lunatic because they desire to live their lives like the world. 

 

Sin and pleasure can be so attractive that they want nothing to do with Jesus as Lord.  When you decide that Jesus Christ is God’s only Son, Lord your life will change!  The world no longer has the attraction it had before.  He came to save the Jews first from their sin.  As a Gentile, I am so glad that He allowed Gentiles to come in to His kingdom.  Perhaps, I am going to be the only one who knows how fully He changed my life.  I bet that many who read this are thinking the same thing right now. 

 

What you believe determines how you live your life.  What do you believe about Jesus Christ?  I challenge each of you to examine how you are living your life!  Who are you living it for?

 

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I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth. And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord; Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit; Born of the Virgin Mary; Suffered under Pontius Pilate; Was crucified, dead and buried; He descended into Hell; The third day He rose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven; And sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; From thence He shall come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit; The Holy Christian Church, the Communion of Saints; The Forgiveness of sins; The Resurrection of the body; And the life everlasting. Amen.   The Apostle’s Creed

 

I asked my new friend and brother in Christ the other day this question.  Why are teams like Kentucky, Kansas, Duke and Michigan State just average this year after dominating college basketball for so long?  He answered me by saying the shoe companies and others have stopped paying the elite players money to go to these colleges.  Assistant coaches are in prison for their role in paying the players.  He went on to say that cheating was not believed to be wrong so it was done.

 

What do you believe in?  It is said that what we believe determines how we live our lives.  If you believe that cheating is okay, you will cheat.  If you believe telling a lie is okay, your life will consist of telling lies.  If you believe there is no God, you will live according to your own standards because you believe you will not be held accountable.

 

The Apostle’s Creed is a statement of faith.  I have not attended a church in a long time who has the congregation say it in unison.  As I think about these things, I have not attended a church who repeats the Lord’s Prayer as a congregation.  Perhaps it is because we say them too quickly, without regard to what we are saying.  Let’s say these words together without considering what we are saying; that’s a wrong attitude! 

 

Here is what we are saying when we begin the Apostle’ Creed.  I believe that you are the God of all creation; You, God made the universe, this world, every plant, tree, animal, and each human being.  I am making a confession of faith that God, the Father, is the One True God.  Heaven and earth did just not happen – no Big Bang Theory!  No one-celled ameba found itself on the shore, saw the trees, decided to have legs and walked, evolving into man.  God made all these things and that makes Him God!  Do you believe it and do you live like it?

 

Isaiah 44:6, “Thus says the Lord, the King of Israel, and His Redeemer, the Lord of hosts; I am the first and the Last; besides me there is no God.”

 

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I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth. And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord; Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit; Born of the Virgin Mary; Suffered under Pontius Pilate; Was crucified, dead and buried; He descended into Hell; The third day He rose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven; And sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; From thence He shall come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit; The Holy Christian Church, the Communion of Saints; The Forgiveness of sins; The Resurrection of the body; And the life everlasting. Amen.

 

I am sure you noticed that I am using a different format for a while.  The reason will hopefully become evident in the days ahead.

 

I have told you that I enjoyed going to Sunday School because we had fun terrorizing the teachers.  Yes, I was wrong – but that’s hindsight, right!  Well, all that stopped in the sixth grade Sunday School class with Curly Ellifson.  I remember not understanding why he was called Curly because he no hair on his head; that probably speaks for itself.  I think Curly made it his goal to make sure I knew he was in control and was not going to put up with my horseplay.  Let me just say he got me to understand that quickly!  I only mention this because it was in his class that I had to put the Apostle’s Creed to memory.  I can still recite the Creed when doing so in a group setting. 

 

The question you might be asking at this point is what purpose do I have in bringing this up.  It is a follow up to many of the previous pages of the blog where I have tried to encourage every reader to follow God’s Word.  To do that I am going to attempt to remind each of you what the doctrines of God’s Word are and challenge you to understand and follow them.

 

Doctrine, by definition, is a set of beliefs, a principle or creed of principles held and taught by a church, political party (yes, that’s right!) or another group (from Biblical Christianity).  My friend and brother in Christ, D.C Adkisson stated in one of his daily writings “… one of the major problems in the church today is that they either do not know the doctrines of God’s Word or they ignore them.  It is the doctrine, the teachings of the Bible, that will get you through the storms, the hard times, the persecutions, yes, and even the viruses of the world.”

 

So tomorrow we begin to breakdown the doctrines found in the Apostle’s Creed.  Yes, it is more than just a memory exercise that I had to do in Curly’s class.  At that time, it was just that; today it is basic to my faith and my walk as a Believer in Jesus Christ.

 

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Ezekiel 3:1-3, Moreover He said to me, “Son of man eat what you find; eat this scroll, and go, speak to the house of Israel.”  So I opened my mouth, and He caused me to eat that scroll.  And He said to me, “Son of man, feed your belly, and fill your stomach with this scroll that I give you.

So I ate, and it was in my mouth like honey in sweetness.

 

I have been reading Joseph Farah’s book, The Gospel in Every Book of the Old Testament.  I have been reading about one Old Testament Book each day; as I read, I have had my Bible so I can look at each Scripture he discusses.  I have been amazed at how often I read my Bible without really seeing all that it is saying.  Too often I read it so I can check off “read my Bible” from my To Do List.  Reading Farah’s book with my Bible has been fun and has challenged me to read and study the Bible differently.

 

God told Ezekiel to eat the scroll.  In other words, he was to receive the Word of God.  The words on this scroll were the judgments of God for His people.  They were hard words of what was going to happen to God’s people because they had turned away from Him in order to follow the ways of the world.  It was important for Ezekiel to “eat the Word of God” (the scroll), to consume it for himself so he could commit to it and proclaim it to the people of Israel.  He needed to be full of the Word in order to speak God’s Word accurately when he spoke.   That is exactly what each of us should expect from those who write or speak about God’s Word today.

 

Ezekiel was obedient to God.  He opened his mouth and God filled him with His Word.  What a blessing each Believer has today.  We have God’s Word to read and study for ourselves today; we have too many resources available to us for study aids.  Before opening His Word, pray that the Holy Spirit opens our eyes and minds to know what we are reading and understand it.  The Holy Spirit is called the Helper by Jesus; and that is His work – to help us understand what the Bible is saying.  Before I got saved, the Bible was just a bunch of words on a page.  But after giving my life to the Lord, the Bible came alive to me.  Today, I am still amazed how verses of Scripture I have read many times before just leap off the page at me.

 

Ezekiel said that the words of the scroll became as “honey in sweetness” in his mouth.  As I read those words again, I thought exactly!  That’s exactly how I feel when I read God’s Word.  At the same time, I thought of what John wrote in the Revelation.  He ate the words of a little book and they were bitter to him.  As with Ezekiel (it is interesting in verse 14 that he went with bitterness) the words of coming judgment caused great sadness.   Both were greatly disturbed at what had been revealed to them but remained faithful to what God had told them to do.  God caused the message of destruction to be as sweet as honey to Ezekiel himself.

 

The message of God is to loved and of great importance to His people today.  Jesus said it another way.  He said, “have ears to hear”.  It is not enough to just hear the Word.  It is not enough to just quickly read the Word to check off a box on the “To Do List”.  It must be received within our hearts and mind and become part of you.  That happens by “meditating on the Word day and night and by doing all that is written in it” (Joshua 1: 8).

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2 Peter 1:10, Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble.

 

I could hear the questions in the last page of the blog when I used the above words of Peter. “What do you mean by you will never stumble?”  “We are human and so we will sin.”  What is the things Peter was talking about?”  To understand a single verse of Scripture read the verses before it and after it to get the context of the verse.

 

Peter is promising that if you diligently pursue spiritual growth you will never lose your way.  Salvation is gained only by you entering the narrow gate which is through the death of Jesus Christ.  When you do that there is a narrow way we must stay on as you make your way to heaven.   Peter gives us the promise that God has given those on the narrow way “all things necessary that pertain to life and godliness through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue” (v. 3).  Through faith God’s divine power supplies never ending resources that give Believers everything they need for an obedient, godly life.  These resources would include Christ’s continual intercession before the Father, the Holy Spirit to teach and guide, God’s inspired Word to instruct, and the fellowship with other Believers.

 

But Peter encourages Believers to grow in their faith by doing several things – the things of verse 10.  In verses 5-8, Peter writes of seven qualities every Believer can develop their faith after salvation.  It is important to know there is nothing any of us can do to add to our salvation; by adding these things, these qualities, to our faith, it will help us continue faithful until we are called home. 

 

Peter tells us to be diligent about adding these things to our faith.  It does take effort on our part to grow in faith.  Peter tells us to add virtue to our faith.  We are bombarded every day, all day long with immorality and it can take courage to stand against it.  Add biblical knowledge to our faith.  This is knowledge grounded in truth.  Would you agree that this nation is in a battle over truth?!  Peter adds self-control or self-discipline as a discipline necessary for every Believer.  Faith grows when Believers realize the need for self-control every day (I personally struggle in this area and God is still working on me!).  He also says to add love and brotherly kindness to our faith.  Faith should result in love for others and the reaching out with the grace and mercy God has given to us.

 

Verse 8 shows the result of adding these things to your faith, “For if these things are yours, and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” 

 

Let me end this by a word of encouragement.  When you are diligent about adding these things to your faith, you are sharing in the nature of God.  It will be your strength by conforming to God and His holiness.  You and I must never take our salvation for granted; being diligent about adding these qualities to our faith will only help us stay on the narrow way to eternal life in God’s Kingdom.

 

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Psalm 15, Lord who may abide in Your tabernacle?  Who may dwell in Your holy hill?  He who walks uprightly, and works righteousness, and speaks truth in his heart; he who does not backbite with his tongue, nor does evil to his neighbor, nor does he take up a reproach against his friend; in whose eyes a vile person is despised, but he honors those who fear the Lord; he swears to his own hurt and does not change; he who does not put out his money at usury, nor does he take a bribe against the innocent.

 

The Psalmist answers the question: What sort of person experiences the intimate presence and fellowship of God?  The terms tabernacle and holy hill represent the dwelling place of God and an intimate relationship with Him.  “The term abide refers to a temporary condition; dwell is a permanent position.  The two words suggest a progression from guest to full-time residence in the presence of God” (David Jeremiah Study Bible notes).  I wonder if there is implication that we can cause God to withdraw from us due to unrighteousness, deceit, slander, selfishness!? It is important to understand that when we abide and dwell with God, the Psalmist is not only talking about heaven but while we are on earth.  

 

Look at the answer given.  What type of person does this refer to?  Obviously, my intent is to get you to consider yourself as you finish this page of the blog – not in condemnation but to examine yourself (perhaps daily), confess sins and turn away from that which disqualifies you from God’s precious presence. 2 Timothy 2:15 tells each of us, “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”  Each of us must do this, especially as the days grow more evil.  I want to present myself approved to God, not through my own works, but because of what the Psalmist has written.  Before I move on, know that I fail every day and it is only through the grace God extends through Jesus Christ that each of us can present ourselves unashamed.  To lose communication with God is to lose everything!

 

The David Jeremiah Study Bible defines the Psalmist’s terms in this way. Upright (sometimes translated integrity) conveys the idea of something that is wholehearted and sound.  The term righteousness is fundamental to the Old Testament morality and shows that one is in right standing with God and fellow humans.  Truth means what is right and trustworthy, not merely correct.  Backbite is the word for slander which means “to wander about on the tongue” and pictures one who walks here and there, pointing verbal venom and poisoning others behind their backs.  The vile person is literally a “worthless reprobate” someone who is totally disinterested in spiritual things.  The Israelites were prohibited from charging fellow Israelites excessive usury (excessive interest on a loan), but it was acceptable with the Gentiles.  A bribe perverts justice or corrupts conduct.

 

That is quite a list.  How did you do?  As Christians we do not make excuses for these things.  When we fail, we ask for forgiveness (see I John 1:9 – a verse I rely on!).  We also do not take advantage of God’s grace by using it as a license to sin.  No, we do our best to live the way God desires us to live.  He knows we are human and make mistakes.  He forgives!  It is His hand reaching down to pull us up when we turn to Him.  Those who live by this Psalm, will be stable and solid God-fearing people who have nothing to fear. 

 

2 Peter 1:10, Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble. Tomorrow’s blog.

 

 

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Jeremiah 4:4, “Circumcise yourselves to the Lord, and take away the foreskins of your hearts, you men of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem, lest my fury come forth like fire, and burn so that no one can quench it, because of the evil of your doings.”

 

Romans 2:29, but he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the Spirit, not in the letter; whose praise is not from men but from God.

 

The prophets of the Old Testament continually warned the Jewish people that God was angry (and that is not a strong enough word) with them because they were worshipping foreign gods and living ungodly lives.  Read the verses in Jeremiah 4 and see that He called the people out in specific things they were doing.  Carefully reread Jeremiah 4:4. Notice God told them He desired them to have a change of heart.  

 

God gives plenty of warning to His people before He brings judgment.  It is His desire that all men and women would come to Him with a repentant heart.  He delays judgment until there is nothing else to do.  “To avoid the terrible calamity coming upon them, the people of Judah had to undergo a complete moral renewal by committing themselves to truth, justice, and righteousness.  They must be open to conviction of the Spirit, repent of their sins and breakup the hardened soil of their heart (v.3)” (Life in the Spirit Study Bible). 

 

Do I need to remind you just how far the people of Judah had moved away from following the Lord?  Even with the detestable things Judah was doing, God’s desire for them was to repent.  This is the same God who is now warning the people of this nation and this world to return to following Him.  His outstretched arms are calling us to repent of the terrible things being done in our country.  Romans 2:29 is clear that a change of heart is needed.  “This is God’s work of grace in the hearts of believers whereby they participate in the divine nature and become capable of living a pure life separated from sin for the glory of God.  Thus, the holy living becomes the outward sign that we are under the new covenant” (Life in the Spirit Study Bible). 

 

I know I keep going back to this them; I just cannot seem to get away from it.  Be encouraged to be strong in your walk with Jesus Christ.  Remember Jesus’ teaching regarding the “narrow way” to eternal life is a daily walk.  Do not let the events we are seeing discourage you in any way; do not allow your hearts to be hardened in any way.  Our Father in heaven sees all and knows what is happening today.  Just like in Jeremiah’s day, our Father is extending His hand calling for repentance.  Is there a day when it is too late?  I don’t know!  I do know that judgment is coming to this land because of the terrible ungodliness of the people.  Place yourself in the care of the Heavenly Father today.  Pray for those in your family who need to do so.  I pray for you to have a “hunger and thirst for righteousness and to seek first the kingdom of God” this day.

 

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LEARNING DAILY

 

John 3:19, “And this is the condemnation, that the light came into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the light, because their deeds were evil.”  Jesus

 

I read a devotional a while back titled, Why is Jesus So Hated?  I am reading a book by Joseph Farah titled The Gospel in Every Book of the Old Testament.  So far, I have found no Old Testament reason given as to why Jesus would be hated.  On the contrary the Old Testament gives promise after promise of why Jesus, the Messiah, should have been welcomed; every Jewish person should have been very excited that He had come – including the religious leaders!  Did He not come to heal those who needed to be healed, open the eyes of the blind, and deliver people from their slavery to sin?  I cannot help believing these are all good things!

 

I grew up going to church and Sunday School. We had a fun youth group that met late on Sunday afternoon.  I went because my friends went and I enjoyed terrorizing the Sunday School teachers.  Even after we were married, we went to church and Sunday School because it was the thing to do; we went to the same church as our friends.  I was walking in darkness during those days because there was no relationship with Jesus Christ – just going through the motions. 

 

John 3:19 above gives the fundamental problem I had and the problem that people in Jesus’ time on earth and people living today who hate Jesus.  We simply loved the darkness more that the light that Jesus brings.  Put simply: they find their happiness and pleasure in sin and immorality.  The religious leaders of Jesus’ time on earth did not want to give up the authority, the power they had.  So, they did all they could to trap Him into saying something wrong so they could have Him punished.  The crowds followed Him because He fed them and when He confronted them, they left.  Can you think of reasons for people attend church who have never given their life to Him?  I guess people are no different today that when Jesus walked on the earth.

 

Today, people say that following Jesus is too restrictive believing that Christianity is a form of bondage.  The world offers all sorts of excuses to not follow Jesus today; it still comes down to loving the darkness, loving sin and loving immorality.  Hating Jesus has turned into hating anything and anyone associated with following Him.  Jesus did warn His followers in John 15:19, “If you were of the 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.”  In other words, because God called you out of your worldly living by forgiving your past, present, and future sins through Jesus Christ, you will never be loved or accepted by those living in the world (those without Jesus in their life). 

 

When a person truly gives their life to Christ, they love righteousness and hate wickedness.  They even mourn (Blessed are those who mourn…) when they see unrighteous activities when they see it.  Look around.  Do you see the unrighteous acts and conduct openly done in our society.  Sadly, the world will remain indifferent to and remain an enemy of the followers of Christ even until the end of the age.  The response of all Christians is to be light in the darkness. 

 

If you receive this blog through email, you can go to the regular blog page by moving your cursor to the top of the page and click on LEARNING DAILY header.  Then you can see the archived articles and comment section. You can also leave a comment by clicking on the date in the Comment Section.