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Giving Thanks

Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; For His lovingkindness is everlasting. Oh let Israel say, “His lovingkindness is everlasting.” Oh let the house of Aaron say, “His lovingkindness is everlasting.”  Oh let those who fear the Lord say, “His lovingkindness is everlasting.”  (Psalm 118:1-4, NASB)

We have much for which to praise and thank God.  On the very first Thanksgiving, the first settlers to Massachusetts gave thanks to God for keeping them safe after they crossed the Atlantic Ocean.  They made it a point to commemorate this every year.  President Abraham Lincoln decreed that Thanksgiving would be a national holiday to be celebrated on the last Thursday in November.  This Thanksgiving I’m indeed thankful for the following: 

Inline image
Psalm 107:1 image.  Found at PsalmsQuotes.com, https://www.psalmsquotes.com/psalm-107-1-thanksgiving.htm#google_vignette. 

I praise God and thank Him for His Plan of Salvation, and for MY salvation. 

I praise God and thank Him for ALL of His countless blessings and mercies which He has given to me, none of which I deserve, but essentially for sending Jesus and for sending His Holy Spirit. 

I praise Him and thank Him for my most precious earthly gift, my wife Sue; for my children (to include our in-law kids and our grandchildren); for family; and for friends. 

I praise God and thank Him for YOU! 

Oh let those who fear the Lord say, “His lovingkindness is everlasting.”

SHA’ALU SHALOM YERUSHAYLAYIM! 

Worship:  “Salvation (Psalm 118),” by Teshuva

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We Should Not Love This World

Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever.  (1 John 2:15-17, NASB)

My friend Mark Okyen visited me this past Saturday.  We had a great visit.  He asked me a question about what I wrote about a couple times ago.  I said that God is concerned about with whom we spend our time.  His question was, if we don’t associate with unbelievers, then how will they be saved?  That is a great question.  I touched on this briefly in my essay, but not enough.  Sue suggested that I write more.

I think this can be summed up in the phrase that we should be IN the world, but not OF the world.  God expects those of us who love Jesus to act in a way that sets us apart from other people.  We should behave in a way that makes others want to have what we have:  Jesus!  Jesus-followers have dual citizenship.  We not only are here on this earth, but we also have a passport to heaven! 

1 John 2:15 image.  Found at DailyVerses.net
, https://dailyverses.net/1-john/2/15.

The Apostle John warns us, “Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.”  God is concerned that if we spend enough time with the wrong people, then we will begin to love the world.  Of course, we all go to office panties or squadron parties.  But God expects us to act in a way that sets us apart.  We have to work with these people, but we shouldn’t spend our time in excess with them.  Instead, we’re to devote our time in fellowship with other believers!

Finally, John tells us, “The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever.”  This gives me great hope, that those of us who love the Lord will get to spend eternity with Him in heaven!  God wants us not to fall away from His great promise, but to bring as many people as possible with us!  We have no choice to be in this world, but at the same time, we shouldn’t be OF this world! 

Worship:  “This World Is Not My Home,” by Jim Reeves

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Baptism

. . . having been buried with Him in baptism, in which you were also raised up with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead. When you were dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions, having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us; and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.  (Colossians 2:12-14, NASB)

Baptism brings us together with Jesus.  It’s a picture of His death and resurrection.  When we go down into the waters we are buried with Him.  When we come back up we are resurrected with Him.  Paul says that we “were also raised up with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead.”  So it’s through our faith in God that renews us! 

Further, Paul tells us that when we were dead in our sins, then God gave us life again through Jesus.  It’s through our faith in Jesus that saves us from our sins, and from God’s wrath.  

https://agodman.com/our-old-man-buried-christ-resurrected-new-man-is-living-one-god/

Finally, Paul says that we had a certificate of debt that was wiped out when Jesus hung on the cross.  God “canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us; and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.”  So by accepting Jesus’ sacrifice, God forgives us from all of our sins! 

What a God we serve!  He wants to have a relationship with us.  He loves us so much that He sent His Son Jesus to the earth to die for us! 

Worship:  “Behold the Lamb,” by Keith & Kristyn Getty 

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Our Hearts Have Eyes!

Thank you all for praying for me and especially for my eyes.  They’re doing much better.  Plus, Sue called the tech support for my computer, and we got some tips for my positioning in my bed that should relieve some eye strain.  Thanks all! 

Meanwhile, the Apostle Paul, in his letter to the church at Ephesus (and to us!) writes: 

I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places.  (Ephesians 1:18-20, NASB)

Did you know that our hearts have eyes?  I once had a discussion with a doctor about this, after I had read this passage.  She said that this was anatomically incorrect.  But she is still a Jesus follower and she knew from where I was coming.  We’ve all heard the song, “Open the Eyes of My Heart.”  More evidence! 

Anyway, Paul prays that our hearts “may be enlightened.”  Why?  So that we “will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe.”  For those of us who belong to Jesus, Paul says that we have great hope in Jesus; as adopted children of God, we have a great inheritance waiting for us; and God has blessed us with great power.

Image found at the Catholic Herald6, https://catholicherald.co.uk/why-the-son-sits-on-the-fathers-right-hand-according-to-st-augustine/. 

Finally, Paul says that these things “are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places.”  Our God is Almighty in His power and strength.  He raised Jesus from the dead, and seated Him at the right hand of God’s own throne.  In the US military the position of honor is on the right.  A superior officer always will be on the right, whether seated, standing, or walking.  I wonder if this is why? 

Our God is Almighty.  He is Love. He sent His Son Jesus to the earth so that if we would believe in Jesus, we will dwell with God forever in heaven!  God is Love! 

SHA’ALU SHALOM YERUSHALAY

Worship:  “I’d Rather Have Jesus,” by Selah

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Miss Willa, RIP

His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.  (Matthew 25:21, NASB)

I was truly saddened by the news of the passing of Willa Shirey, the mother of my friend/Classmate/Sunday School teacher, Joe Shirey.  Miss Willa, aka “Grammy,” was a great lady.  My prayers go out to Joe Shirey and his family for comfort, hope, and strength during these difficult days.  She is in Paradise with Jesus! 

Worship:  “Well Done,” by The Afters

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Rest

I have to take a few days off to rest my eyes.  I’ll be back publishing on the 12th of November. 

SHA’ALU SHALOM YARUSHALAYIM! (PRAY FOR THE PEACE OF JERUSALEM!)

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We Must Be Careful

The Apostle Paul, in his second letter to the church at Corinth (and to us), writes: 

Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness? Or what harmony has Christ with Belial, or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever? Or what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; just as God said, “I will dwell in them and walk among them; And I will be their God, and they shall be My people. Therefore, come out from their midst and be separate,” says the Lord. “And do not touch what is unclean; And I will welcome you. And I will be a father to you, And you shall be sons and daughters to Me,” Says the Lord Almighty.  (2 Corinthians 6:14-18, NASB)

God is concerned about with whom we associate.  He wants us to remain pure and clean.  This is the main point in this passage from Paul’s letter.  Paul uses several comparisons to make his point:  “What partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness? Or what harmony has Christ with Belial, or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever? Or what agreement has the temple of God with idols?”

Paul goes on to say that “we are the temple of the living God.”  Therefore, we must remain clean and undefiled.  We want the Holy Spirit to be comfortable and find real in His home! 

2 Corinthians 6:14 image.  Found at Darlene’s Ponderings
, https://darlenesponderings.com/2019/03/18/what-partnership   

Finally, for those of us who remain pure, God makes these promises:  “I will be their God, and they shall be My people . . . And I will welcome you. And I will be a father to you, And you shall be sons and daughters to Me.”  

God doesn’t want us to hang around with unbelievers.  He’s concerned about the unrighteousness we’ll encounter.  Of course, we need to be around future believers, for we might be the ones who lead them to Jesus!  Jesus frequented with “sinners and tax collectors,” but He is God–He lived a perfect life, free from sin, for this was His mission!  God prefers that His people will fellowship with other believers.  He has promised great hope for His people who remain pure! 

Worship:  “Mercy Came Running,” by Phillips, Craig & Dean

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Paul Grieves for His People

The Apostle Paul , in his letter to the church at Rome (and to us): 

I am telling the truth in Christ, I am not lying, my conscience testifies with me in the Holy Spirit, that I have great sorrow and unceasing grief in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were accursed, separated from Christ for the sake of my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh, who are Israelites, to whom belongs the adoption as sons, and the glory and the covenants and the giving of the Law and the temple service and the promises, whose are the fathers, and from whom is the Christ according to the flesh, who is over all, God blessed forever. Amen.  (Romans 9:1-5, NASB)

Paul is grieved at the idea that his people, the Israelites, have not recognized the Messiah, Who is Christ our Lord.  It’s Jesus Who fulfilled the prophesies of the Old Testament, and Paul is sorrowful that they didn’t see just Who He was.  Indeed, Jerusalem was destroyed, and God’s Temple razed, because of their disbelief.  Paul wishes that he could take their places in hell because of their unbelief. 

Romans 9:1-5 image.  Found at Redeeming God, https://redeeminggod.com/paul-hell-romans-9-3/

Paul says that his people had all the advantages of the knowledge of God:  “The adoption as sons, and the glory and the covenants and the giving of the Law and the temple service and the promises, whose are the fathers, and from whom is the Christ according to the flesh, who is over all, God blessed forever.”  But they failed to recognize their Messiah, Whom God had promised to them, His Chosen People. 

We, as followers of Jesus, should follow Paul’s example, and be grieved at all of the lost people in the world.  God desires for ALL people to be saved although it’s not His mandate.  We should want what God desires.  Whether Jew or Muslim, Hindu or Buddhist, we should do everything in our power to bring the Gospel of Jesus and the Love of Christ to them.  Jesus is Hope! 

SHA’ALU SHALOM YERUSHALAYIM! (PRAY FOR THE PEACE OF JERUSALEM!)

Worship:  “The Watchman,” by Paul Wilbur 

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Risen

In the Apostle Paul’s first letter to the church at Corinth (and to us): 

Now if Christ is preached, that He has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there is no resurrection of the dead, not even Christ has been raised; and if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is vain, your faith also is vain. Moreover we are even found to be false witnesses of God, because we testified against God that He raised Christ, whom He did not raise, if in fact the dead are not raised. For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised; and if Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If we have hoped in Christ in thi

Paul writes that if we preach Jesus, we must preach that He is risen from the dead.  Indeed He is!  God raised His Son from the dead so that we will have eternal life with Him in heaven.  Most historians believe in the fact that Jesus lived.  But whether He is God’s Son or not leads to disagreement.  And whether He rose from the dead is another topic of dispute. s life only, we are of all men most to be pitied.  (1 Corinthians 15:12-19, NASB)

1 Corinthians 15:17 image.  Found at Knowing Jesus, https://dailyverse.knowing-jesus.com/1-corinthians-15-17

But Jesus was raised from the dead.  Many people are witness to this fact.  This is documented in the Bible.  If Jesus was not raised to eternal life, then His disciples would have fallen away at the first hint of persecution.  But they didn’t.  And their testimonies are true. 

We serve a risen Savior Who fulfilled the prophesies of the Old Testament.  In Him is our Hope! 

Worship:  “Rise Again,” by Dallas Holm

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God’s Job

In Apostle Paul’s first letter to the Corinthian church:  

Let a man regard us in this manner, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. In this case, moreover, it is required of stewards that one be found trustworthy. But to me it is a very small thing that I may be examined by you, or by any human court; in fact, I do not even examine myself. For I am conscious of nothing against myself, yet I am not by this acquitted; but the one who examines me is the Lord. Therefore do not go on passing judgment before the time, but wait until the Lord comes who will both bring to light the things hidden in the darkness and disclose the motives of men’s hearts; and then each man’s praise will come to him from God.  (1 Corinthians 4:1-5, NASB)

Paul tells the Corinthian church that, unless we know otherwise, we should regard each other “as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.”  His main point is that we shouldn’t judge one another–that’s God’s job!  Paul goes on to say that the primary focus of a steward is to “be found trustworthy.”  Indeed, God’s stewards SHOULD be trustworthy! 

Further, Paul says that he isn’t worried about what other people think about him.  He doesn’t even “examine” himself, but he’ll leave that up to the Lord.  Now THAT’S confidence in the Lord! 

1 Corinthians 4:5 image.  Found at Verse of the Day, https://twitter.com/VOTDBibleDaily/status/1464652437583712260. 

Finally, Paul tells us that there will come a time for us to be judged, when “he Lord comes who will both bring to light the things hidden in the darkness and disclose the motives of men’s hearts; and then each man’s praise will come to him from God.”  NOW is NOT the time or the place to judge one another. We shouldn’t judge one another.  That is God’s function.  Likewise, we should be confident to not worry about what others think about us.  Instead we should have confidence in the Lord that He will someday change us.  He is the ultimate and final Judge.  He will take care of us!  Now THAT’S hope! 

https://youtu.be/EWXWgbMDedY?feature=shared

Worship:  “Captivate Us,” by Watermark