November 20th 2022
We Who Follow Jesus Christ Have That Confident Belief That In This World We Are Like Him!
1 Corinthians 10:16 (NIV)
Is not the cup of thanksgiving for which we give thanks a participation in the blood of Christ? And is not the bread that we break a participation in the body of Christ?
In the coming week most of us will be observing the big kickoff of the Christmas season by getting together with some family members and/or friends to celebrate Thanksgiving Day. Some people may not be in a good mood and thus really feel like having on a thankful mood. If you know such people, it would possibly be a blessing to them, if you could take some time to try to in some way contact them and display your thankful mood. Of course, someone reading this commentary may need some probing of their psychological perspective with life issues before you can get into a festive or thankful aura. It is important to remember that this lifetime is not the end, but just the beginning for believers!
The writer of Hebrews helps us to concentrate more toward the future when the present may not be exactly what we would have planned. But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who believe and are saved. Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. (Hebrews 10:39-11:1). So, for those who are now recovering from a surgical procedure and may be involved in a rehabilitation program, hang in there and do the work required so you will return to better health.
Paul wrote about ways to give thanks even when we may not have a great perspective on our current life situations. He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many. (2 Corinthians 1:10-11). So, your hope should be set on believing that Jesus is with you especially when you may not hold great hope in things getting better as soon as you would like.
Paul again gives us assurance that our prayers will in fact be answered, and that we should continue to pray and “give thanks in all circumstances!” Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). Thinking positive by believing that God’s will is that no one should be lost, but that all people would come to believe in Jesus Christ and be saved.
Think positively about your salvation given you through the grace of God, because of what Jesus did for you, and be thankful. All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God. (2 Corinthians 4:15). If you work on storing up rewards that may be realized when you end up in heaven, then you can look beyond any momentary problems in this life. You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. (2 Corinthians 9:11). Being willing to share your earthly blessings will result in more blessings being granted to you. Do you believe this?
Worldly thinking people put most of their efforts into gaining worldly possessions, and thus, they do not have time they are not willing to devote to helping other people. Such people ask, “what’s in it for me?” Such people may become rich in worldly possessions, but remember, “you cannot take it with you when you go!” Do not be overawed when a man grows rich, when the splendor of his house increases; for he will take nothing with him when he dies, his splendor will not descend with him. A man who has riches without understanding is like the beasts that perish. (Psalm 49:16-17, 20).
Jesus said many things about you (us) living in this world and how we should think about the stuff we work for and amass in this world. The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. (John 12:25). Loving this life only makes sense if you have obtained your salvation and thus you can enjoy life to the full, because you know the end, and while willing to wait because life is good, you look forward to the end of this phase.
You must live in this world Jesus created for us, and our sin brought into it a curse, but it is still a very nice place to live. Have you overcome the obstacles that could stand in your way to enjoy this world. "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." (John 16:33). Only followers of Jesus Christ can experience a real peaceful attitude, as we work on becoming more like Jesus while we are still here.
John wrote about how we who follow Jesus Christ have that confident belief that in this world we are like Him! In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment, because in this world we are like him. (1 John 4:17). Did you get that, do you believe it, in this world we are human beings created in the image and likeness of God. Jesus is willing and able to hear our prayers because He knows what life in this cursed world is like.
So, in this week of thanksgiving think positive about your life in this cursed world because you know the end, causes Jesus to be ever ready to come and take you to be where He is, when it is your turn. In the meantime, be happy in Jesus! Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. (Philippians 4:6).
Wishing you and your loved ones,
A Happy Thanksgiving!
Your brother in life through Adam, your brother in eternity through Jesus,
Bob Moak
1 Corinthians 10:16 (NIV)
Is not the cup of thanksgiving for which we give thanks a participation in the blood of Christ? And is not the bread that we break a participation in the body of Christ?
In the coming week most of us will be observing the big kickoff of the Christmas season by getting together with some family members and/or friends to celebrate Thanksgiving Day. Some people may not be in a good mood and thus really feel like having on a thankful mood. If you know such people, it would possibly be a blessing to them, if you could take some time to try to in some way contact them and display your thankful mood. Of course, someone reading this commentary may need some probing of their psychological perspective with life issues before you can get into a festive or thankful aura. It is important to remember that this lifetime is not the end, but just the beginning for believers!
The writer of Hebrews helps us to concentrate more toward the future when the present may not be exactly what we would have planned. But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who believe and are saved. Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. (Hebrews 10:39-11:1). So, for those who are now recovering from a surgical procedure and may be involved in a rehabilitation program, hang in there and do the work required so you will return to better health.
Paul wrote about ways to give thanks even when we may not have a great perspective on our current life situations. He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many. (2 Corinthians 1:10-11). So, your hope should be set on believing that Jesus is with you especially when you may not hold great hope in things getting better as soon as you would like.
Paul again gives us assurance that our prayers will in fact be answered, and that we should continue to pray and “give thanks in all circumstances!” Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). Thinking positive by believing that God’s will is that no one should be lost, but that all people would come to believe in Jesus Christ and be saved.
Think positively about your salvation given you through the grace of God, because of what Jesus did for you, and be thankful. All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God. (2 Corinthians 4:15). If you work on storing up rewards that may be realized when you end up in heaven, then you can look beyond any momentary problems in this life. You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. (2 Corinthians 9:11). Being willing to share your earthly blessings will result in more blessings being granted to you. Do you believe this?
Worldly thinking people put most of their efforts into gaining worldly possessions, and thus, they do not have time they are not willing to devote to helping other people. Such people ask, “what’s in it for me?” Such people may become rich in worldly possessions, but remember, “you cannot take it with you when you go!” Do not be overawed when a man grows rich, when the splendor of his house increases; for he will take nothing with him when he dies, his splendor will not descend with him. A man who has riches without understanding is like the beasts that perish. (Psalm 49:16-17, 20).
Jesus said many things about you (us) living in this world and how we should think about the stuff we work for and amass in this world. The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. (John 12:25). Loving this life only makes sense if you have obtained your salvation and thus you can enjoy life to the full, because you know the end, and while willing to wait because life is good, you look forward to the end of this phase.
You must live in this world Jesus created for us, and our sin brought into it a curse, but it is still a very nice place to live. Have you overcome the obstacles that could stand in your way to enjoy this world. "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." (John 16:33). Only followers of Jesus Christ can experience a real peaceful attitude, as we work on becoming more like Jesus while we are still here.
John wrote about how we who follow Jesus Christ have that confident belief that in this world we are like Him! In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment, because in this world we are like him. (1 John 4:17). Did you get that, do you believe it, in this world we are human beings created in the image and likeness of God. Jesus is willing and able to hear our prayers because He knows what life in this cursed world is like.
So, in this week of thanksgiving think positive about your life in this cursed world because you know the end, causes Jesus to be ever ready to come and take you to be where He is, when it is your turn. In the meantime, be happy in Jesus! Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. (Philippians 4:6).
Wishing you and your loved ones,
A Happy Thanksgiving!
Your brother in life through Adam, your brother in eternity through Jesus,
Bob Moak