December 4th 2016
We Are Now In The Advent Season, And Are Again Remembering How Jesus Came To This World To Save Us From Our Sins!
1 Corinthians 15:56-57 (NIV)
The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Sin brought death into this once perfect world, and now we still feel the damage of that first sin. It is difficult for most of us to even recognize sin when we see it, and more importantly when we commit it. Most people believe they are good people, and to prove it to themselves they compare themselves to other people they believe are bad people. Most of us look up to people we believe are purer than we are, and we may try to emulate their goodness. There was a time in this country, when it seemed, most people thought they were going to go to heaven when they died, and they believed they deserved it!
There was a time in this country when it seemed most people respected the laws, and tried to obey them. They also respected the people who took jobs pointed at upholding the law. However, this kind of respect for the law has been eroded to the point where now it seems most people do not care about the laws, and many do not even believe these laws were created to protect them, but instead to set them up for being punished unjustly! Lawlessness is not a new thing, as it has been around since mankind knew the difference between good and evil! This knowledge has been passed on from generation to generation. Modern communication abilities have made evil known sooner, and now even comes with pictures you can view on a device in your pocket.
And the LORD God said, "The man has now become like one of us, knowing good and evil. He must not be allowed to reach out his hand and take also from the tree of life and eat, and live for ever." So the LORD God banished him from the Garden of Eden to work the ground from which he had been taken. After he drove the man out, he placed on the east side of the Garden of Eden cherubim and a flaming sword flashing back and forth to guard the way to the tree of life. (Genesis 3:22–24). This first knowledge of evil came to the first man and woman, then they were the first to defy God’s command. Yes, it is true, they only had one command to defy, and thus break! How many of the popular 10 we know do you defy daily?
Of course, God knew we may be lawless and break His commands, so He set up a situation in which His Son would come into this world and offer the perfect sacrifice required to allow those who would accept it, to have their sins overlooked, as though they never defied His laws and broke them. God looks at us as His children and therefore, He wants us to eventually rejoin Him in heaven, so He granted us His grace. He will forgive and forget our sins through His abundant grace. God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can't take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. (Ephesians 2:8-9, NLT). Yes, we know the difference between good and evil, thanks to Adam, but we can still be saved, if believe Jesus came to save us from our inherited sinful nature!
Peter put it simply for us. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. (1 Peter 5:7). Did you get that simple statement that God “cares for you.” The fact is God cares for everyone, and He wants them to be able to free themselves from all anxiety, but many people do not believe this, and they are confused by worldly enticements and thus they become law breakers as a way of life to cover their lack of a peaceful environment. Too many people have too much time on their hands, and thus they become restless and feel undeserving of what they have obtained in this world. This is especially true if they feel cheated by this life and believe they should have more worldly stuff than they have amassed. Since many people today have not been taught to respect others they lash out against anyone in positions of authority! Such people are influenced by Satan not Jesus.
Paul wrote about how people who believe Jesus is who He said He is, will experience a peaceful attitude and thus, will project such an attitude to those who surround them. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7). If those people who can experience no rest could come to believe in Jesus and take Him as their Lord and Savior, they too could experience this peaceful countenance. If they could just believe in Jesus they would choose not to continue to perpetrate lawless acts. But who can tell them, you may ask?
Paul wrote for us how the attitude of believers should, cause and reflect, a positive feeling to all those who surround us. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. (Philippians 4:8). If you can think such positive thoughts you will cause potential joy to exude from you, which will cause a more positive attitude to those who surround you. This is a good start for each us who believe Jesus is the answer!
Certainly, the splits we see in this country are not likely to correct themselves, so it may rely solely in God’s hands to have us try God’s way of forgive and forget to close these gaps of trust. Ultimately it depends on Jesus to step in and cause a great revival in this once great country. Maybe it can be “great again!” Or at least greater! Jesus told us about the power of prayer, and Mark wrote what Jesus said for us in the day and time of distress. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins." (Mark 11:24-25)
Therefore, please join me in praying for our country, as we are now in the Advent season, and are again remembering how Jesus came to this world to save us from our sins. Read your Bible daily, and pray for God’s guidance for our new leader that he may reflect Jesus love. The power of prayer is amazing, it can change anyone to have a more positive attitude! Has it changed you for the better? If it has go tell someone who needs encouragement!
Your brother in life through Adam, your brother in eternity through Jesus,
Bob Moak
1 Corinthians 15:56-57 (NIV)
The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Sin brought death into this once perfect world, and now we still feel the damage of that first sin. It is difficult for most of us to even recognize sin when we see it, and more importantly when we commit it. Most people believe they are good people, and to prove it to themselves they compare themselves to other people they believe are bad people. Most of us look up to people we believe are purer than we are, and we may try to emulate their goodness. There was a time in this country, when it seemed, most people thought they were going to go to heaven when they died, and they believed they deserved it!
There was a time in this country when it seemed most people respected the laws, and tried to obey them. They also respected the people who took jobs pointed at upholding the law. However, this kind of respect for the law has been eroded to the point where now it seems most people do not care about the laws, and many do not even believe these laws were created to protect them, but instead to set them up for being punished unjustly! Lawlessness is not a new thing, as it has been around since mankind knew the difference between good and evil! This knowledge has been passed on from generation to generation. Modern communication abilities have made evil known sooner, and now even comes with pictures you can view on a device in your pocket.
And the LORD God said, "The man has now become like one of us, knowing good and evil. He must not be allowed to reach out his hand and take also from the tree of life and eat, and live for ever." So the LORD God banished him from the Garden of Eden to work the ground from which he had been taken. After he drove the man out, he placed on the east side of the Garden of Eden cherubim and a flaming sword flashing back and forth to guard the way to the tree of life. (Genesis 3:22–24). This first knowledge of evil came to the first man and woman, then they were the first to defy God’s command. Yes, it is true, they only had one command to defy, and thus break! How many of the popular 10 we know do you defy daily?
Of course, God knew we may be lawless and break His commands, so He set up a situation in which His Son would come into this world and offer the perfect sacrifice required to allow those who would accept it, to have their sins overlooked, as though they never defied His laws and broke them. God looks at us as His children and therefore, He wants us to eventually rejoin Him in heaven, so He granted us His grace. He will forgive and forget our sins through His abundant grace. God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can't take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. (Ephesians 2:8-9, NLT). Yes, we know the difference between good and evil, thanks to Adam, but we can still be saved, if believe Jesus came to save us from our inherited sinful nature!
Peter put it simply for us. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. (1 Peter 5:7). Did you get that simple statement that God “cares for you.” The fact is God cares for everyone, and He wants them to be able to free themselves from all anxiety, but many people do not believe this, and they are confused by worldly enticements and thus they become law breakers as a way of life to cover their lack of a peaceful environment. Too many people have too much time on their hands, and thus they become restless and feel undeserving of what they have obtained in this world. This is especially true if they feel cheated by this life and believe they should have more worldly stuff than they have amassed. Since many people today have not been taught to respect others they lash out against anyone in positions of authority! Such people are influenced by Satan not Jesus.
Paul wrote about how people who believe Jesus is who He said He is, will experience a peaceful attitude and thus, will project such an attitude to those who surround them. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7). If those people who can experience no rest could come to believe in Jesus and take Him as their Lord and Savior, they too could experience this peaceful countenance. If they could just believe in Jesus they would choose not to continue to perpetrate lawless acts. But who can tell them, you may ask?
Paul wrote for us how the attitude of believers should, cause and reflect, a positive feeling to all those who surround us. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. (Philippians 4:8). If you can think such positive thoughts you will cause potential joy to exude from you, which will cause a more positive attitude to those who surround you. This is a good start for each us who believe Jesus is the answer!
Certainly, the splits we see in this country are not likely to correct themselves, so it may rely solely in God’s hands to have us try God’s way of forgive and forget to close these gaps of trust. Ultimately it depends on Jesus to step in and cause a great revival in this once great country. Maybe it can be “great again!” Or at least greater! Jesus told us about the power of prayer, and Mark wrote what Jesus said for us in the day and time of distress. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins." (Mark 11:24-25)
Therefore, please join me in praying for our country, as we are now in the Advent season, and are again remembering how Jesus came to this world to save us from our sins. Read your Bible daily, and pray for God’s guidance for our new leader that he may reflect Jesus love. The power of prayer is amazing, it can change anyone to have a more positive attitude! Has it changed you for the better? If it has go tell someone who needs encouragement!
Your brother in life through Adam, your brother in eternity through Jesus,
Bob Moak