August 14th 2016
How Will I Be A Disciple Today?
Malachi 3:16 (NIV)
Then those who feared the LORD talked with each other, and the LORD listened and heard. A scroll of remembrance was written in his presence concerning those who feared the LORD and honored his name.
Our Lord and Savior had not yet arrived on this earth as the God/man when the selected verse was written, but note that God was listening to the prayers of His followers. Some people (churches) do not use the Old Testament books much, because they claim to be a New Testament church. However, when Jesus walked this earth He referred to the OT books often, and said He came to fulfill the prophesies that were written in these OT books. Jesus has existed forever, and will continue to exist and maintain a place for those who hold Him in awe and love. But the love of the LORD remains forever with those who fear him. His salvation extends to the children's children of those who are faithful to his covenant, of those who obey his commandments! (Psalm 103:17-18, NLT)
Do you study your Bible every day? In the Old Testament God told His people to study this Bible, which then was referred to as the Book of the Law. Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. (Joshua 1:8). How about you in this NT time, do you meditate on your Bible, and what it teaches, do you “meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it.” If you study the Bible and memorize some verses that you really like, then you can actually meditate on it day and night. Of course, that is if you can put down your phone, or slow down on how many computer games you play!
Do you spend, a lot more time, looking for Pokémon, than you do seeking the Lord? Are you working on becoming more Christ-like, or are you too busy with fulfilling your worldly pleasures? At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. (Titus 3:3-7)
Our world today is becoming more and more violent, which indicates mankind is not turning to Jesus, but instead turning to the world for advice on how we should live, it seems to be true, “Everyone is doing it?” Our “PRIDE” is misplaced by indicating pleasure is the most important thing in this world, because too many of us believe this is all there is to life, when you die that is the end for you! For those who believe it when this cursed life ends, the best is yet to come! Jesus promised us more, when He died in your place, if you can accept this fact! But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness. (2 Peter 3:13). Is it true for you? Peter wrote, “we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth,” and in Revelation we read that Jesus is coming soon! I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no-one will take your crown. (Revelation 3:11). I like to think of this as a personal comment to each of us who have chosen to follow Jesus Christ, as we will be coming soon to Jesus, “immediately” when you leave this lifetime!
Remember, we do not have to wait for the Second Coming to join Jesus, He will come and escort us to meet our Heavenly Father “immediately” when we leave this cursed life. Now that is a promise I can identify with! How about you, does this sound too good to be true? God showed His love for all of mankind by sending His Son as the perfect sacrifice for you! This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins (1 John 4:10). Jesus died to forgive your sins, now that is the Good News! "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." (Matthew 11:28-30)
Earlier in this commentary it was mentioned that God was listening to the prayers of His people, how much more now is that true since His Son has died for our sins. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil." Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? (1 Peter 3:12-13). When Jesus’ disciples were rejoicing about their ability to heal the sick and send evil spirits away, Jesus reminded them that the greatest gift is to have your name recorded in the Book of Life. However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven. (Luke 10:20)
When we read about heaven, it sometimes seems we must be righteous to ever enter therein, but do not fret about this seeming problem. John wrote about this possible concern and assured us that we are children of God. Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. (1John 3:2). Note here what John wrote about when you meet Jesus, where it says.” we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.” Your name was written in the Lamb’s Book of Life, when you accepted His salvation offer.
Therefore, you need not fear the restrictions indicated for entry into heaven, and being with Jesus forever there. Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life. (Revelation 21:27). Your name has been written in “the Lamb’s Book of Life,” if/when you accepted His gift, which truly has no price attached to it! It a free gift and is only given by God’s grace to those who hold Him in awe and worship His Son! Now that is a happy ending.
The question for this day is, “How will I be a disciple today?”
Your brother in life through Adam, your brother in eternity through Jesus,
Bob Moak
Malachi 3:16 (NIV)
Then those who feared the LORD talked with each other, and the LORD listened and heard. A scroll of remembrance was written in his presence concerning those who feared the LORD and honored his name.
Our Lord and Savior had not yet arrived on this earth as the God/man when the selected verse was written, but note that God was listening to the prayers of His followers. Some people (churches) do not use the Old Testament books much, because they claim to be a New Testament church. However, when Jesus walked this earth He referred to the OT books often, and said He came to fulfill the prophesies that were written in these OT books. Jesus has existed forever, and will continue to exist and maintain a place for those who hold Him in awe and love. But the love of the LORD remains forever with those who fear him. His salvation extends to the children's children of those who are faithful to his covenant, of those who obey his commandments! (Psalm 103:17-18, NLT)
Do you study your Bible every day? In the Old Testament God told His people to study this Bible, which then was referred to as the Book of the Law. Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. (Joshua 1:8). How about you in this NT time, do you meditate on your Bible, and what it teaches, do you “meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it.” If you study the Bible and memorize some verses that you really like, then you can actually meditate on it day and night. Of course, that is if you can put down your phone, or slow down on how many computer games you play!
Do you spend, a lot more time, looking for Pokémon, than you do seeking the Lord? Are you working on becoming more Christ-like, or are you too busy with fulfilling your worldly pleasures? At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. (Titus 3:3-7)
Our world today is becoming more and more violent, which indicates mankind is not turning to Jesus, but instead turning to the world for advice on how we should live, it seems to be true, “Everyone is doing it?” Our “PRIDE” is misplaced by indicating pleasure is the most important thing in this world, because too many of us believe this is all there is to life, when you die that is the end for you! For those who believe it when this cursed life ends, the best is yet to come! Jesus promised us more, when He died in your place, if you can accept this fact! But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness. (2 Peter 3:13). Is it true for you? Peter wrote, “we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth,” and in Revelation we read that Jesus is coming soon! I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no-one will take your crown. (Revelation 3:11). I like to think of this as a personal comment to each of us who have chosen to follow Jesus Christ, as we will be coming soon to Jesus, “immediately” when you leave this lifetime!
Remember, we do not have to wait for the Second Coming to join Jesus, He will come and escort us to meet our Heavenly Father “immediately” when we leave this cursed life. Now that is a promise I can identify with! How about you, does this sound too good to be true? God showed His love for all of mankind by sending His Son as the perfect sacrifice for you! This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins (1 John 4:10). Jesus died to forgive your sins, now that is the Good News! "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." (Matthew 11:28-30)
Earlier in this commentary it was mentioned that God was listening to the prayers of His people, how much more now is that true since His Son has died for our sins. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil." Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? (1 Peter 3:12-13). When Jesus’ disciples were rejoicing about their ability to heal the sick and send evil spirits away, Jesus reminded them that the greatest gift is to have your name recorded in the Book of Life. However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven. (Luke 10:20)
When we read about heaven, it sometimes seems we must be righteous to ever enter therein, but do not fret about this seeming problem. John wrote about this possible concern and assured us that we are children of God. Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. (1John 3:2). Note here what John wrote about when you meet Jesus, where it says.” we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.” Your name was written in the Lamb’s Book of Life, when you accepted His salvation offer.
Therefore, you need not fear the restrictions indicated for entry into heaven, and being with Jesus forever there. Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life. (Revelation 21:27). Your name has been written in “the Lamb’s Book of Life,” if/when you accepted His gift, which truly has no price attached to it! It a free gift and is only given by God’s grace to those who hold Him in awe and worship His Son! Now that is a happy ending.
The question for this day is, “How will I be a disciple today?”
Your brother in life through Adam, your brother in eternity through Jesus,
Bob Moak
|
|
|