September 17th 2017
God Does Not Ask Us To Be The Best, But That We Should Do Our Best!
1Corinthians 2:6-8 (NIV)
We do, however, speak a message of wisdom among the mature, but not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. No, we speak of God’s secret wisdom, a wisdom that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began. None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
The Israelites had to crucified Jesus, because they were the only people group on earth, who could, and did, offer sacrifices that God would accept. Jesus was the perfect sacrifice–thus He had to be sacrificed by the Jews! It is amazing when we read the historical accounts from the Old Testament, we see people being used by God to fulfill prophecies without them knowing they are being used. When Jesus was walking this earth as the God/man the Israelites, to whom God sent Jesus did not recognize Him to be their Messiah, and therefore, they identified Him as a blasphemer, and so they planned to have Him assassinated for His sins. The “Rulers of the age” were Pilate and Herod Antipas and the Sanhedrin the ruling body of the Jews. Jesus had to be killed, and He had to suffer greatly, as the way of sacrifice to take on the sins of all mankind.
What an amazing story the Bible paints for us to study about how Jesus’ death brought the possibility of a “new life!” To obtain the new immortal life to be lived with God the Father, all that is required, is that we believe this story, and thus, identify Jesus Christ as the only way by which we can be with Him immediately after we die to this life. Therefore, we do not need to suffer during this lifetime, as Jesus already paid the “complete” price for our (your) salvation on that cross! Paul wrote about this wonder news, the Good News, read it for yourself. For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. (1 Thessalonians 5:9-10). Did you get that, this new life starts immediately, you do NOT have to wait until you die, start living your new life now! Wow, what a wonderful story!
Paul wrote to another church about this new life, and how we will become a “new person,” now! This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! (2 Corinthians 5:17, NLT). Peter finally realized that salvation was not offered only to the Israelites, but that Jesus suffered for all of mankind. Then Peter began to speak: "I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right. (Acts 10:34-35). Fear of God is often confused with a fear of mankind! We do not need to fear God, even when we sin! Are you hiding from God for fear that He may punish you for your sins? Adam could walk with God, but once he sinned he then had a fear of God. He answered, "I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid." (Genesis 3:10). The first time Adam felt fearful of God’s presence is when he had sinned “so he hid!” Sin still separates us from the love of God!
King David knew the correct response to committing sin, is to ask God for His help and love to overcome the fear of having failed God by sinning. I sought the LORD, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. (Psalm 34:4). David sought God’s help with his human failures and God answered his requests, and forgave David’s sins, which were much worse than what anyone reading this has likely committed. After removing Saul, he made David their king. He testified concerning him: ‘I have found David son of Jesse a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do.’ From this man’s descendants God has brought to Israel the Savior Jesus, as he promised. (Acts 13:22-23). Because of this God said, “I have found David son of Jesse a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do.”
Most people in the USA today, do NOT ever read a Bible! Even those who do read their Bible occasionally, it is NOT enough. Reading your Bible is a good thing to do, but it is NOT enough to just read it, you MUST find time to study it. Is there a Bible in your possession that you would refer to as YOUR Bible? Notice in the first sentence of this paragraph, I wrote “a Bible!” This reference is meant to indicate, some people believe that the Bible is just another book written by mankind. Please believe it, this is NOT true! Yes, it is true that members of mankind did write the Bible, BUT it was revealed and continues to be blessed by God/Jesus Christ! If you treat it as just another book, then there is no real need for you to study it! The fulfilled prophecies prove it is God’s Word, and NOT just another book! Unless you believe this, then there is no good reason to pass this on to the next generation, as we are commanded to do.
The writer of Psalm 78 wrote about the need to pass on these wonderful instructions to the next generation. We will not hide them from their children; we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the LORD, his power, and the wonders he has done. (Psalm 78:4). Are you willing to study the Scriptures, and then, to pass on to the next generation(s) this wonderful Word of God? Without the knowledge of the truth as contained in the Scriptures, these generations will turn to drugs, so they can be happy, at least until the drugs wear off! True happiness cannot be obtained without the real hope as defined in the Word of God. This is what I believe! What do you believe?
“What a friend we have in Jesus!” Jesus once said, You are my friends if you do what I command. (John 15:14)
Your brother in life through Adam, your brother in eternity through Jesus,
Bob Moak
1Corinthians 2:6-8 (NIV)
We do, however, speak a message of wisdom among the mature, but not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. No, we speak of God’s secret wisdom, a wisdom that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began. None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
The Israelites had to crucified Jesus, because they were the only people group on earth, who could, and did, offer sacrifices that God would accept. Jesus was the perfect sacrifice–thus He had to be sacrificed by the Jews! It is amazing when we read the historical accounts from the Old Testament, we see people being used by God to fulfill prophecies without them knowing they are being used. When Jesus was walking this earth as the God/man the Israelites, to whom God sent Jesus did not recognize Him to be their Messiah, and therefore, they identified Him as a blasphemer, and so they planned to have Him assassinated for His sins. The “Rulers of the age” were Pilate and Herod Antipas and the Sanhedrin the ruling body of the Jews. Jesus had to be killed, and He had to suffer greatly, as the way of sacrifice to take on the sins of all mankind.
What an amazing story the Bible paints for us to study about how Jesus’ death brought the possibility of a “new life!” To obtain the new immortal life to be lived with God the Father, all that is required, is that we believe this story, and thus, identify Jesus Christ as the only way by which we can be with Him immediately after we die to this life. Therefore, we do not need to suffer during this lifetime, as Jesus already paid the “complete” price for our (your) salvation on that cross! Paul wrote about this wonder news, the Good News, read it for yourself. For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. (1 Thessalonians 5:9-10). Did you get that, this new life starts immediately, you do NOT have to wait until you die, start living your new life now! Wow, what a wonderful story!
Paul wrote to another church about this new life, and how we will become a “new person,” now! This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! (2 Corinthians 5:17, NLT). Peter finally realized that salvation was not offered only to the Israelites, but that Jesus suffered for all of mankind. Then Peter began to speak: "I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right. (Acts 10:34-35). Fear of God is often confused with a fear of mankind! We do not need to fear God, even when we sin! Are you hiding from God for fear that He may punish you for your sins? Adam could walk with God, but once he sinned he then had a fear of God. He answered, "I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid." (Genesis 3:10). The first time Adam felt fearful of God’s presence is when he had sinned “so he hid!” Sin still separates us from the love of God!
King David knew the correct response to committing sin, is to ask God for His help and love to overcome the fear of having failed God by sinning. I sought the LORD, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. (Psalm 34:4). David sought God’s help with his human failures and God answered his requests, and forgave David’s sins, which were much worse than what anyone reading this has likely committed. After removing Saul, he made David their king. He testified concerning him: ‘I have found David son of Jesse a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do.’ From this man’s descendants God has brought to Israel the Savior Jesus, as he promised. (Acts 13:22-23). Because of this God said, “I have found David son of Jesse a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do.”
Most people in the USA today, do NOT ever read a Bible! Even those who do read their Bible occasionally, it is NOT enough. Reading your Bible is a good thing to do, but it is NOT enough to just read it, you MUST find time to study it. Is there a Bible in your possession that you would refer to as YOUR Bible? Notice in the first sentence of this paragraph, I wrote “a Bible!” This reference is meant to indicate, some people believe that the Bible is just another book written by mankind. Please believe it, this is NOT true! Yes, it is true that members of mankind did write the Bible, BUT it was revealed and continues to be blessed by God/Jesus Christ! If you treat it as just another book, then there is no real need for you to study it! The fulfilled prophecies prove it is God’s Word, and NOT just another book! Unless you believe this, then there is no good reason to pass this on to the next generation, as we are commanded to do.
The writer of Psalm 78 wrote about the need to pass on these wonderful instructions to the next generation. We will not hide them from their children; we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the LORD, his power, and the wonders he has done. (Psalm 78:4). Are you willing to study the Scriptures, and then, to pass on to the next generation(s) this wonderful Word of God? Without the knowledge of the truth as contained in the Scriptures, these generations will turn to drugs, so they can be happy, at least until the drugs wear off! True happiness cannot be obtained without the real hope as defined in the Word of God. This is what I believe! What do you believe?
“What a friend we have in Jesus!” Jesus once said, You are my friends if you do what I command. (John 15:14)
Your brother in life through Adam, your brother in eternity through Jesus,
Bob Moak
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