Month: July 2020

Can We Share the Gospel by our Lifestyle?

God means what He says and says what He means! My hermeneutics are “literal”, however, that being said…study the scriptures yourself and make up your own mind! Pray for the guidance of the Holy Spirit…

Scriptures are from Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

Romans 10:11-15 “Now the Scripture says, Everyone who believes on Him will not be put to shame, 12 for there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, since the same Lord of all is rich to all who call on Him. 13 For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. 14 But how can they call on Him they have not believed in? And how can they believe without hearing about Him? And how can they hear without a preacher? 15 And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: How beautiful are the feet of those who announce the gospel of good things!

Jesus said to his disciples in Mark 16:15 “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to the whole creation.

Luke 14:23 “Then the master told the slave, ‘Go out into the highways and lanes and make them come in, so that my house may be filled.

Who is the master and who is the slave in this parable.?

Romans 1:1 Paul, a slave of Christ Jesus, called as an apostle and singled out for God’s good news—Romans 6:22 But now, since you have been liberated from sin and have become enslaved to God, you have your fruit, which results in sanctification—and the end is eternal life! We are told that we are God’s Slaves 1 Peter 2:16 As God’s slaves, live as free people, but don’t use your freedom as a way to conceal evil. Philippians 1:1 Paul and Timothy, slaves of Christ Jesus: To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, including the overseers and deacons.

Throughout the New Testament, it’s quite clear that the followers/disciples of Jesus are slaves and we’re expected to go out and share the Gospel! The Master of course is Jesus. He’s planning on having a full house of those who love Him.

According to my understanding, a disciple is a dedicated follower of a teacher…so like the original 12 disciples, as Christians, if we are dedicated to following Jesus, we also become HIS disciples (SLAVES). Putting that into context with all of the things that Jesus taught the original 12 disciples (APOSTLES) in Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, can we truly preach the Gospel of Jesus and Salvation without mentioning sin, hell and the day of judgement? If we don’t mention these things, how will anyone realize what they’re being saved from? Can we truly expect people to recognize their need for a Savior if someone doesn’t inform them that they need to be saved? Can we really live a lifestyle that would make someone curious about why we’re so nice? My thoughts are that the answer to these questions is a resounding NO! I used to believe, partially because I was told by many Christians including Pastors, that there’s such a thing as “lifestyle Evangelism”. I’m sincerely questioning that concept now… I can’t find anyplace in the Bible that it says our commission is to live like a nice guy and others will figure it out. Some of the nicest people I’ve ever met are atheists, agnostics, Buddhists, nature worshipers, etc. Here’s the crux of the matter: THEY DON’T HAVE JESUS CHRIST ~ YESHUA HA MASHIACH(Hebrew) as their SAVIOR! I believe that I’ve failed in my commission if I don’t tell them about Jesus and what he did for mankind. His sacrifice of dying on the cross for “ALL” sins and our belief and repentence; we will not have to pay the price and the penalty of burning in HELL. Jesus has paid it ALL!

Acts 20:26-28 Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of everyone’s blood, 27 for I did not shrink back from declaring to you the whole plan of God. 28 Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock that the Holy Spirit has appointed you to as overseers, to shepherd the church of God, which He purchased with His own blood.

This was the Apostle Paul speaking to the church at Ephesus as part of his farewell speech because he was certain that he was never going to see them again. He was on his way to Jerusalem and hoped to arrive in time for the Pentecost, knowing full well that the Jewish authorities were planning on arresting him. Paul made it very clear that we must always be prepared to share the “WHOLE” plan of God with everyone. The elders of the church were there, but so was the entire church body, so I don’t think that we can say that his statement wasn’t inclusive of everyone listening.

Ezekiel 3:16-21 Now at the end of seven days the word of the Lord came to me: 17 “Son of man, I have made you a watchman over the house of Israel. When you hear a word from My mouth, give them a warning from Me. 18 If I say to the wicked person, ‘You will surely die,’ but you do not warn him—you don’t speak out to warn him about his wicked way in order to save his life—that wicked person will die for his iniquity. Yet I will hold you responsible for his blood. 19 But if you warn a wicked person and he does not turn from his wickedness or his wicked way, he will die for his iniquity, but you will have saved your life. 20 Now if a righteous person turns from his righteousness and practices iniquity, and I put a stumbling block in front of him, he will die. If you did not warn him, he will die because of his sin and the righteous acts he did will not be remembered. Yet I will hold you responsible for his blood. 21 But if you warn the righteous person that he should not sin, and he does not sin, he will indeed live because he listened to your warning, and you will have saved your life.”

Doesn’t it make sense that what God said to the prophet Ezekiel pertains to disciples today? Ezekiel is the watchman over the house of Israel and Christians are watchman over today’s church with Jesus as the head. In Ezekiel’s time, faith wasn’t a common place term, as a matter of fact, faith is only mentioned 2 times in the OLD TESTAMENT…now that doesn’t mean that faith didn’t exist, after all, Abraham, Moses, David and many others displayed their faith in God by following his directives. The prophets such as Jeremiah, Isaiah, Daniel, Hosea, Malachi and many more all faithfully foretold of the coming Messiah. Even Psalms tell us of the resurrection of the Messiah. So the Israelite had faith that God’s prophets were telling the truth about the coming Messiah.

We who have Jesus Christ, the propitiation of the promise of the Messiah, must recognize that whether it’s in the Old Testament or the New Testament: God doesn’t change…He’s the same yesterday today and forever. So if He told Ezekiel to warn people about sin and tells them that he and they will die if He doesn’t tell them, then why would He expect anything different from believers today?

https://jesusamazinggrace.com/2020/05/03/the-plan-of-salvation/

Solomon writes in Proverbs 24:10-12 If you do nothing in a difficult time,
your strength is limited. 11 Rescue those being taken off to death, and save those stumbling toward slaughter. 12 If you say, “But we didn’t know about this,” won’t He who weighs hearts consider it? Won’t He who protects your life know? Won’t He repay a person according to his work?

Do you say to yourself, “let somebody else do it”? Do you think that as long as you believe that Jesus died for your sins, there’s nothing else for you to do?

Matthew 9:37 Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest is abundant, but the workers are few.

Matthew 5:11-12 “You are blessed when they insult and persecute you and falsely say every kind of evil against you because of Me. 12 Be glad and rejoice, because your reward is great in heaven. For that is how they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

John 14:6 Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

John 20:21 Jesus said to them again, “Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.”

1 Corinthians 10:31 Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for God’s glory.

Witnessing is a double bonus: It not only shows a fellow human the path to salvation, it helps you to learn more about God’s Word.

Philemon 1:6 “I pray that your participation in the faith may become effective through knowing every good thing that is in us for the glory of Christ.”

Colossians 1:10 “so that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to Him, bearing fruit in every good work and growing in the knowledge of God.”

2 Timothy 2:15 “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who doesn’t need to be ashamed, correctly teaching the word of truth.”

2 Timothy 3:16 “All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness,”

Is there really such a thing as a “Harmless Lie”?

Scriptures are from Holman Christian Standard Bible

Is any lie okay?  What about white lies?  Isn’t a well-intentioned lie still a lie?  Can a trusting relationship withstand a lie of any sort?  Can the “omission” of truth be considered a lie?  We’ve all heard the old saying “what they don’t know won’t hurt them”.  Shouldn’t we always tell the truth? Whether it’s a child or an adult, the thing about a lie is that in most cases the truth always comes out and quite often, someone or all are left hurting. The truth doesn’t generally cause the pain, it’s the fact that someone whom you thought cared for you, would actually lie to you!  

We raise our children telling them that they should always tell the truth and that telling the truth will make them trustworthy.  Then along comes “traditional worldly events” and we create some of the most fantastic, implausible and the biggest of lies…JUST FOR FUN!  I’m not throwing stones here…I’m guilty too and oh how I desire that I could go back in time and rewrite my script! But since I can’t, this is the next best thing…sharing it with you. 

The closer I walk with God, the more I recognize that He hates lies of every sort.  The book of Proverbs has many verses about lying:  Proverbs 12:19 Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue, only a moment. Proverbs 12:22 Lying lips are detestable to the Lord, but faithful people are His delight. Proverbs 15:4 The tongue that heals is a tree of life, but a devious tongue breaks the spirit.  As parents, it’s our job to reinforce honesty in all aspects of our children’s lives. 

 I have often asked the question: why we live in such a time? A time when so many young people (for the past 40-50 years) are falling away from belief in Jesus.  Could it possibly be that the lies we tell our children have grown and grown to the proportion of eroding away the truth – the BIBLICAL TRUTH?  Lying is ultimately the work of the devil. Jesus taught us in John 8:44 “You are of your father the Devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning and has not stood in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he tells a lie, he speaks from his own nature,because he is a liar and the father of liars.”  Keep this verse in mind…what if the lies we tell our children today affects their Salvation or Our Salvation? In that context, was it really that much FUN?       

If I had it to do over, I would think very carefully about the fantasies such as Santa Claus & Elves, the Easter Bunny, Tooth Fairy, etc. that I so willingly spun with the sanction of this corrupt world, never giving it a moment of thought because it was the way I was raised and everybody else is doing it too.  Foolishly, although I realized that these fantasies weren’t real, I didn’t recognize them as being lies! Yikes! That’s pretty scary to know that I was that “Blind” to the consequences of these so called harmless stories that are nothing but lies.

This blog is going to focus on the lie of Santa Claus, I’ve heard that some people like to celebrate Christmas in July and although, I don’t believe Jesus was born in December or July I thought this was as good of time as any to talk to you about this lie. To put it to you gently, Christmas has become more about Santa in the last 150 years than it is about anything to do with Christ’s Birth. My plan, hopefully, is to educate you enough that you’ll take the time to study it for yourselves.

We’ve really got it wrong in so many ways – so here goes! Have you ever noticed that Santa has been given most if not all the attributes of Heavenly Father? I’m going to name just a few…it’s up to you to look into this. I just want to raise your awareness. Santa is OMNISCIENT: he sees you when you’re sleeping, he knows when you’re awake, he knows when you’ve been bad or good…so on and so on. Santa gives GOOD GIFTS to children who behave and who mind their parents (4th commandment – honor thy father and thy mother). Children who don’t behave will receive nothing. Heavenly Father gives eternal life to those who love Jesus and obey Him and eternal damnation to those who follow Satan. Santa is OMNIPRESENT: in 24 hours, he can visit every home on the planet that celebrates Christmas. Santa is OMNIPOTENT: he has the power to carry and deliver billions of presents all over the world. The one that really gets me the most is: Santa is Coming Soon! Another lie has been neatly wrapped about this “jolly old elf”. In Webster’s dictionary, 1828: “ELF…a spirit, the night-mar; a ghost, hag, witch”. The Scriptures tell us that JESUS is COMING SOON! Santa even has elves to carry out his many tasks. Jesus has Angels who minister to Him and carry out his instructions. If you stop to think about it, doesn’t it make you sick that Satan has stolen OUR SAVIOR’S IDENTITY and given it away to a fantasy! The most gut wrenching part of this picture is that we as Christians, who should know better, have let Satan get away with this and we’ve helped him in the deception.

The Puritans of England during Cromwell’s reign did their best to stamp out Christmas because of it’s supposed celebration of Christ’s birth that incorporated idol and wealth (mammon)worship and pagan-oriented Saturnalia (the ancient Roman festival of Saturn in December) of immorality and the pursuit of pleasure. Sadly the Puritans didn’t have it completely wiped out before Victorian times came along. The Christmas tree became part of the celebration when Prince Albert who was wed to Queen Victoria brought this tradition from Germany with him to England. Then there’s the Dicken’s Christmas Carol and A Visit from St. Nicholas a poem by Clement Clark Moore (The Night Before Christmas), both stories that perpetuated the lie. Then Church’s famous letter Yes Virginia, there’s a Santa Claus actually sealed the deal. Published in the SUN newspaper in 1897, families across America read this story and loved it. These stories have been turned into books, movies, etc and rated as family entertainment and somehow we take the word of others to help us to decide that this is suitable entertainment for our children.

If you decide to study the pagan origins of Christmas, you’ll be rethinking your relationship with the entire celebration…not just Santa! The truth is that Santa isn’t a “harmless lie” if there ever was any sanctity in Christmas (which I don’t believe there ever was or is today) it’s been usurped by our desire to exalt this lie to proportions beyond all conceptions! Here’s one more wake up call! Santa has the same letters as Satan, just rearranged.

Please read this blog to learn more about the attributes of God: https://jesusamazinggrace.com/2020/04/13/knowing-god-and-obeying-the-gospel-pt-1/

WE NEED to WAKE UP!  This world is a dangerous place, especially for a Christian child and it’s up to us to arm our children.  Ephesians 6:11-20 Put on the full armor of God so that you can stand against the tactics of the Devil. 12 For our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the world powers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavens. 13 This is why you must take up the full armor of God, so that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having prepared everything, to take your stand. 14 Stand, therefore, with TRUTH like a belt around your waist, righteousness like armor on your chest,15 and your feet sandaled with readiness for the gospel of peace. 16 In every situation take the shield of faith, and with it you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is God’s word.18 Pray at all times in the Spirit with every prayer and request, and stay alert in this with all perseverance and intercession for all the saints. 19 Pray also for me, that the message may be given to me when I open my mouth to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel. 20 For this I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I might be bold enough in Him to speak as I should.

Now I ask you again – simply put:  “Is there really such a thing as a “harmless lie”?

Paul calls Christians to stop lying in Colossians 3:9  Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old self with its practices

Truth shows us love, but lies do not. Ephesian 4:25 Since you put away lying, Speak the truth, each one to his neighbor, because we are members of one another.

Truth permeates the Bible from beginning to end…afterall, we’re in sin today because of the lie of Satan to Eve in the Garden of Eden.

1 John 2:21 I have not written to you because you don’t know the truth, but because you do know it, and because no lie comes from the truth.

I pray that I’ve struck a chord with someone reading this and they’re rethinking their association with Santa and Christmas. If you have children or grandchildren, this is an important topic and possibly a threat to the eternal Salvation of You and Them. Most important of all, when you realize that you have been taking part in a lie, is that you ask God’s forgiveness and sin no more!

We Must Stand Firm in the Word of YHWH!

The Bible, YHWH’s word, is the absolute truth.

ALL Scriptures are King James Version Bible.

There is only one truth! There’s no such entity as gray when it comes to YHWH’s word…there’s only black and white…plainly spoken so all who Love YHWH will understand. During the next few months, when the world of politics becomes “over-heated” as it does every 4 years, if we are truly followers of Jesus, we must plan on taking a deep breath and turning the other cheek! Matthew 5:38-39 Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: 39 But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.

As Christians, we need to recognize that YHWH is in charge all of the time! That we can argue about politics if that’s how we want to waste our time, but ultimately God chooses in order to carry out HIS WILL! In the meantime, because of our Christian outlook, we may be under attack and the attacks may be made by someone we feel close to and they may accuse us of not being Christian because we view an issue from a different perspective. They don’t see through the lens of the Bible as we do. They might say “if you really LOVE everyone, you’ll agree with me because I’m right” or “if you really LOVE everyone, you’ll not judge them”. They don’t realize the difference between judging someone and trying to counsel them by exhortation using the word of YHWH. 2 Timothy 4:2-5 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. 5 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.

If the person who’s trying to change our minds becomes belligerent or even attacks us with profanities, etc, we must not allow them to stir up anger in us. We need to forgive them and ask for the guidance of the Holy Spirit and truly think about “What would Jesus do?” 1 Peter 3:8-10 Now finally, all of you should be like-minded and sympathetic, should love believers, and be compassionate and humble, 9 not paying back evil for evil or insult for insult but, on the contrary, giving a blessing, since you were called for this, so that you can inherit a blessing. 10 For the one who wants to love life and to see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit,

We need to keep in mind at all times that we are ALL made in the image of YHWH and that, we are ALL His children, no matter what our politics, no matter where we or they may stand on any of the issues. Luke 6:27 But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you,

I’m not trying to say that everyone who doesn’t see the way you see hates you, but it may feel to you like they do. They may not even realize the pain they’ve caused you. Remember, that as long as we believe Jesus is the Son of YHWH and we obey YHWH; following the directives of His word, we’ll get through it…maybe a little bruised, but prayerfully and hopefully we’ll arrive at the end of it with a deeper and stronger conviction to share the WORD of YHWH through any and all means that He provides.

1 John 4:7–8 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. 8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.

As Christians, we are accused of being callous because we disagree with certain lifestyles, perceived social injustices, many so called philosophies. But what they don’t understand is that a Christian still loves the person, but we hate the decisions they make and the life they’ve chosen. Not because we want to be unkind or put ourselves above them, but because we LOVE them and don’t want them to burn in HELL’s fire. When we’re accused of being unloving, maybe what the accuser doesn’t realize is that YHWH is not only LOVE, but he’s also the WAY, the TRUTH and the LIFE and everything in this fallen world that doesn’t line up with Scripture is wrong, NOT BECAUSE WE SAY it’s WRONG, but because HE says it’s wrong and when the Holy Spirit lives in us, we also recognize that it’s wrong. If it isn’t in sync with YHWH’s word, it’s a lie…and Jesus makes it clear that Satan is the father of lies. At every opportunity, Satan will take the truth and warp it out of shape until humans can’t see they are being deceived. This is why we need to turn to the Scriptures to seek the truth. Even Jesus faced adversity when He was on earth. Jesus spoke these words to the Pharisees and Scribes when they accused Him of being from the devil. John 8:44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.

So what is the actual purpose of a Christian in this fallen world? Jesus tells us to LOVE YHWH with all our heart and to LOVE our NEIGHBOR as ourselves. So when we LOVE YHWH, we also believe, follow and obey His word. This is why HE gave us the Bible – His WORD, so there would be no misunderstandings. So if you haven’t opened your Bible lately…today is the day…

Heavenly Father Says “EXACTLY” What He Means!

Scriptures are from the Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

John 5:46-47 For if you believed Moses, you would believe Me, because he wrote about Me. 47 But if you don’t believe his writings, how will you believe My words?”

When God told Moses to write in Genesis that He created the Heavens and the Earth in 6 days, He told him to write it down because it was “exactly” what He did! Whether we are lay people or preachers, when we believe anything else other than “exactly” what He says, we’re calling God a liar! If we call Him a liar in Genesis, the very first Book and Chapter of the Bible, why would we believe anything else in the Bible? Where do we come off as mere human beings to say that we can interpret God’s Word? If God says 6 days, it’s 6 days…He could have done it in the “twinkling of an eye”, but right from the beginning, he was teaching us. He labored for 6 days creating and then on the 7th day He rested. He was giving us a pattern of how to live. Ultimately, there’s absolutely NO room for personal interpretation! Why do we pick and choose like we’re out to dinner at a buffet when we read His Word? We twist and turn the Scriptures to mean what we want them to mean as long as they justify how we live in this world. But this is WRONG! When we are worldly, we cannot contain the Holy Spirit of God! When God gave us the WORD, He gave it to us so that we would know “exactly” what He expects of us.

He sent the Holy Spirit to be with those who believe in His son, Jesus the Messiah – Yeshua Hamashiach (Hebrew) to help us to understand. When we believe that Jesus is the Son of God and that he was born of the virgin, died on the cross and rose from the dead we are born again and the Holy Spirit enters into us. John 14:26 But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit—the Father will send Him in My name—will teach you all things and remind you of everything I have told you. This was Jesus speaking to His disciples when He was telling them that He would be leaving them soon. We’re also instructed to pray for the guidance of the Holy Spirit and when He enters in, He’ll guide us with wisdom and revelation. Paul in a letter to the Ephesians: Ephesians 1:17 I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, would give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him. We don’t need outside interpretation, we need the Holy Spirit of God to dwell inside of us and ALL will be clear.

It’s the work of Satan that anyone believes that they can’t understand and trust that God would say “exactly” what he means. In the garden of Eden when he disguised himself as a serpent and beguiled Eve he convinced her that God was a liar Genesis 3:4 “No! You will not die,” the serpent said to the woman. We have been dying ever since! Historically, evil men have tried to keep the Scriptures from the people on the pretense that they knew better what was good for us. Even today, there are thousands upon thousands of books written that claim to interpret the Bible, and 1000’s more to teach us how to interpret the Bible. I truly believe, that other than when Jesus spoke in parables which He mostly explained, the Bible is to be read and understood literally! God does not lie to us and our Heavenly Father would not conceal His Word from us and turn it into a guessing game anymore than we would do such a thing to our children. 2 Corinthians 6:18 I will be a Father to you, and you will be sons and daughters to Me, says the Lord Almighty. Luke 11:13 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?”

2 Timothy 3:16-17 All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness, 17 so that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. In order for us to be pleasing to God, we need to know His Will and we cannot know His Will until we have the Holy Spirit residing in us, guiding us and leading us in paths of righteousness. God has made this totally clear to us in His WORD! When we use any other type of interpretation besides literal, we actually lose the “plain and clear” message that He’s giving to us.

2 Peter 1: 20-21 First of all, you should know this: No prophecy of Scripture comes from one’s own interpretation, 21 because no prophecy ever came by the will of man; instead, men spoke from God as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.

I hope and pray that the next time you pick up your Bible to read it, you ask for the Holy Spirit to guide you and then you TRUST that the Spirit will show you the TRUTH! Don’t make the WORD of God so complicated that you miss the message and possibly miss out on SALVATION! https://jesusamazinggrace.com/category/the-plan-of-salvation/

John 1:14 The Word became flesh and took up residence among us. We observed His glory, the glory as the One and Only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Eternity is Only a Heartbeat Away!

HEAVEN? or HELL?

Where do you want to spend ETERNITY?

I’m using Scriptures from my favorite translations the KJV and HCSB.

Every breath we take and every heartbeat brings us closer to the end of this life on earth and to eternity with our Lord Jesus. It’s completely understood by the followers of Jesus the Messiah – Yeshua Hamashiach (Hebrew) that Eternity is time without an end, a state of being that comes after death and never ends. Eternity will be spent with Jesus in the New Heavens and New Earth. Some synonyms of Eternity are everlasting and forever. Paul tells us in Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Eternity is a difficult concept for a human to put into words, especially the concept of an Eternal God. Romans 1:20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: We need to realize that this is difficult because in many ways, it’s beyond our understanding…with all of the wonderful attributes of God, this is also one of His characteristics…if He were anything less, He wouldn’t be God. Although we are made in His image, we have no concept of who He is… https://jesusamazinggrace.com/2020/04/13/knowing-god-and-obeying-the-gospel-pt-1/

Theologically, “eternal” means “not within any time limit, outside of time and existing without a beginning or end, like spirit”. If God wasn’t eternal in nature, we would be condemned to a life of sorrow and hopelessness. The Bible says in Deuteronomy 33:27 (KJV) The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms: and he shall thrust out the enemy from before thee; and shall say, Destroy them.

As far a I know, the Bible – the Word of God is the only source in this entire world that focuses on eternity. Jesus tells us in John 5:24 “I say emphatically that anyone who listens to my message and believes in God who sent me has eternal life, and will never be damned for his sins, but has already passed out of death into life.”

Isaiah 44:6 This is what the Lord, the King of Israel and its Redeemer, the Lord of Hosts, says: I am the first and I am the last. There is no God but Me. Isaiah 57:15 (KJV) For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones. Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Eternal is the state of God our Heavenly Father, He exists eternally and in other words, He’s “Infinite”: In the first and last chapter of Revelation Jesus reminds us: Revelation 1:8 I am the Alpha and the Omega, saith the Lord God, who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty. Revelation 22:13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.

John 17:3 This is eternal life: that they may know You, the only true God, and the One You have sent—Jesus Christ. Without the promise of eternity, the Gospel would not have the appeal that it has for man, who’s made in the image of God. Although it’s a concept totally beyond our understanding, it’s in our nature to desire it. It’s a fact that the majority of human beings don’t want to die and we have the fervent desire not only to live, but to live forever. Until man has Jesus Christ in his heart, soul and mind he’s afraid of death; it hangs over him every waking moment of his life and for some, it gives him terror when he sleeps. The belief of eternity, that is communicated to us in the Bible about God, in my opinion, is the most important concept in theology. Those of us who believe in God have no problem with the fact that He is eternally existent. We totally believe this concept without really understanding exactly what eternity is..those of us who believe, do so out of our love and faith in Jesus! Psalm 23:4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

I believe eternity means that when we leave this sin ridden world behind and go to be with Jesus, we’ll be completely liberated from the state of hopelessness and sin and in the twinkling of an eye, we will be totally and finally free.

1 Corinthians 15:51-52 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

Christians look forward to the return of Jesus and finally experiencing true joy; but in the meantime, until he comes, it also means keeping your eyes on Jesus, even when it feels like the storms of life and the waves that rage beneath your feet will drown you. Peter recognized this when he attempted to walk on water…he was doing good until he took his eyes off of Jesus, then he began to sink into the Sea of Galilee. Please read this blog: https://jesusamazinggrace.com/2020/07/03/what-does-god-really-want/

Heaven (KJV verses)

Jeremiah 3:17 At that time they shall call Jerusalem the throne of the Lord; and all the nations shall be gathered unto it, to the name of the Lord, to Jerusalem: neither shall they walk any more after the imagination of their evil heart.

We join Jesus in Heaven

The word Heaven in Hebrew means the dwelling place of God…Heaven is where the throne of God is, it’s where Jesus and the angels reside. It’s where we will go when our mortal bodies are changed into Spiritual bodies like Jesus’s body after resurrection and we’ll stand before the judgement seat of God with Jesus as our mediator.

John 14:2-3 In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

Hebrews 12:22-23 But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, 23 To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,

1 Corinthians 2:9-10 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. 10 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.

We may not consciously be able to see, hear or imagine Heaven, but since the Holy Spirit now lives in the Christian, there’s no doubt that we do know because the Spirit knows… and it will be “beyond” the most beautiful scene or flower, the most beautiful music, the most beautiful ANYTHING will not even come close.

Our bodies will no longer know pain, sickness, heartbreak or sin of any sort!

1 Corinthians 15:42-49 So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption:43 It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power:44 It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.45 And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam (Jesus) was made a quickening spirit.46 Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual.47 The first man is of the earth, earthy; the second man is the Lord from heaven.48 As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly.49 And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.

Philippians 3:21 Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.

Revelation 7:15-17 Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them. 16 They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. 17 For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.

Revelation 21:10-11 And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God,11 Having the glory of God: and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal;

Revelation 21:19-21 And the foundations of the wall of the city were garnished with all manner of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, a chalcedony; the fourth, an emerald; 20 The fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolyte; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, a topaz; the tenth, a chrysoprasus; the eleventh, a jacinth; the twelfth, an amethyst. 21 And the twelve gates were twelve pearls: every several gate was of one pearl: and the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass.

HELL

Jesus warns about HELL!

Jesus talks more in the New Testament about Hell (Hades, Gehenna, Death) than anyplace in the Old Testament. Matthew 5:22 when he warns “whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell [gehēnna] of fire.” Yes, hell is “the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels” Matthew 25:41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: but also for those who join them in their rebellion against God Matthew 11:20-24 Then began he to upbraid the cities wherein most of his mighty works were done, because they repented not:21 Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works, which were done in you, had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.22 But I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the day of judgment, than for you.23 And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day.24 But I say unto you, That it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for thee.

The horror of hell is such that Jesus says in Mark 9:43 “if your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than with two hands to go to hell, to the unquenchable fire”. For those who do not enter the narrow door of faith and repentance in Jesus Luke 13:24 Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able. It’s a place of weeping and gnashing teeth awaits them Luke 13:27-28 But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity.28 There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrust out.

In Luke 16:23-24 And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.24 And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.

Matthew 23:33 Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell? Jesus talks about HELL as a place of torment…it’s not just the name given to the Valley Hinnom near Jerusalem. The Valley of Hinnom is where the Pagan’s sacrificed the babies/children and later became the garbage dump of Jerusalem where pungent smoke rose day after day with the burning…https://jesusamazinggrace.com/2020/03/23/lets-not-soft-peddle-hell/

Whether you go to Heaven or end up in Hell, it’s a choice…not God’s choice, but your choice! All you have to do is repent from your sins, believe Jesus is the Son of God, that he lived, died and rose from the dead. Trust in the blood of Jesus which covers you in His righteousness and obey God.

https://jesusamazinggrace.com/2020/05/03/the-plan-of-salvation/

What does Our Father in Heaven Really Want?

Keep your eyes on Jesus…everything else is fleeting…

It only took Peter a split second to begin sinking when he took his eyes off of Jesus…

Matthew 14:25-30 (KJV)

And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea.

26 And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear.

27 But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.

28 And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.

29 And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.

30 But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.

Our Father in Heaven doesn’t just want to exist in us…He wants to live in us!  He designed us for His Glory!   This is why in the beginning He created us and why He died for us in the form of Jesus the Messiah – Yeshua Hamashiach (Hebrew).  When He died for us, He sent His Spirit to dwell in those who believe He is the Son of YHWH and who are obedient to Him. 

Please read the following blogs in regards to obedience. https://jesusamazinggrace.com/2020/04/13/knowing-god-and-obeying-the-gospel-pt-1/ and https://jesusamazinggrace.com/2020/04/19/knowing-god-and-obeying-the-gospel-pt-2/

The following Scriptures are taken from the Holman Christian Standard Bible.

1 Corinthians 14:15 So it is written: The first man Adam became a living being; the last Adam (Jesus) became a life-giving Spirit. When we are born again, the Holy Spirit of God comes to live in us and we’re given the free gift of eternal life. John3:3-6 Jesus replied, “I assure you: Unless someone is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” 4 “But how can anyone be born when he is old?” Nicodemus asked Him. “Can he enter his mother’s womb a second time and be born?” 5 Jesus answered, “I assure you: Unless someone is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 Whatever is born of the flesh is flesh, and whatever is born of the Spirit is spirit.”

John 3:16 “For God loved the world in this way: He gave His One and Only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.

John14:15 If you love Me, you will keep My commands.

Jesus asked in Luke 6:46 “Why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and don’t do the things I say?”  Then He follows up with the parable of two foundations: in Luke 6:47-49 I will show you what someone is like who comes to Me, hears My words, and acts on them: 48 He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. When the flood came, the river crashed against that house and couldn’t shake it, because it was well built. 49 But the one who hears and does not act is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The river crashed against it, and immediately it collapsed. And the destruction of that house was great!”

Is your foundation on sinking sand?  Matthew 7:21 Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord!’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of My Father in heaven.  Acts 5:32 And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him.

When we choose Jesus as our Savior, and the more we want and allow Christ to fill us day by day, we become like Him. I chose the word allow, because we can quench the Holy Spirit by our thoughts, words and actions. Heavenly Father is fair and man has been given free will to make our choices in this world. We can either choose to build a solid foundation on the WORD (John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.) or we can build our foundation on the WORLD of sinking sand!

A Warning about the World

1 John 2:15-18 Do not love the world or the things that belong to the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in him. 16 For everything that belongs to the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride in one’s lifestyle—is not from the Father, but is from the world. 17 And the world with its lust is passing away, but the one who does God’s will remains forever.

The more our words, actions, and countenance express Him (Jesus) the more we become pleasing to Father in Heaven. 2 Corinthians 2:15 For to God we are the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing.

When He lives in us and through us ALL of our virtues will be a reflection of Christ; Our love and our compassion, our kindness and forbearance will be His because we can have none of these qualities without Him.  Jesus by nature is loving, forgiving, kind, patient, compassionate, humble & gentle (Matthew 11:29), self-controlled, just and merciful.

This is what God really wants!