Having Confidence in God

Foundation Scripture Psalm 146:3-5 & Joshua 1:1-9

3 Don't put your confidence in powerful people; there is no help for you there. 4 When they breathe their last, they return to the earth, and all their plans die with them. 5 But joyful are those who have the God of Israel as their helper, whose hope is in the LORD their God. - Psalm 146:3-5 NLT

Father God tells us plainly in His Word to put our confidence in Him. As you see I have gathered only a fraction of scriptures encouraging us to trust Him. Why? We all have great circle of friends we can confide in. Yes, we can confide in them, but they are weak as we are weak, but God is strong. Our friends though with best intentions will fail us, maybe not on purpose in some cases. It isn’t that our heavenly Father is saying we can’t have friends, it’s that we need to encourage each other to trust God more than each other. Putting trust in others, can lead to wounded words and division among the best of us. Good news is if we focus as a core group of friends on Jesus, wow what power and strength will overflow from that unity.

19 I am teaching you today--yes, you--so you will trust in the LORD. - Proverbs 22:19 NLT

3 Trust in the LORD and do good. Then you will live safely in the land and prosper. ... 5 Commit everything you do to the LORD. Trust him, and he will help you. ... 7 Be still in the presence of the LORD, and wait patiently for him to act. Don't worry about evil people who prosper or fret about their wicked schemes. - Psalm 37:3, 5, 7 NLT

8 O my people, trust in him at all times. Pour out your heart to him, for God is our refuge. Interlude - Psalm 62:8 NLT

9 O Israel, trust the LORD! He is your helper and your shield. 10 O priests, descendants of Aaron, trust the LORD! He is your helper and your shield. 11 All you who fear the LORD, trust the LORD! He is your helper and your shield. - Psalm 115:9-11 NLT

1 A song for pilgrims ascending to Jerusalem. Those who trust in the LORD are as secure as Mount Zion; they will not be defeated but will endure forever. - Psalm 125:1 NLT

3 Don't put your confidence in powerful people; there is no help for you there. 4 When they breathe their last, they return to the earth, and all their plans die with them. 5 But joyful are those who have the God of Israel as their helper, whose hope is in the LORD their God. - Psalm 146:3-5 NLT

2 See, God has come to save me. I will trust in him and not be afraid. The LORD GOD is my strength and my song; he has given me victory." - Isaiah 12:2 NLT

3 You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you! 4 Trust in the LORD always, for the LORD GOD is the eternal Rock. - Isaiah 26:3-4 NLT

23 This is what the LORD says: "Don't let the wise boast in their wisdom, or the powerful boast in their power, or the rich boast in their riches. 24 But those who wish to boast should boast in this alone: that they truly know me and understand that I am the LORD who demonstrates unfailing love and who brings justice and righteousness to the earth, and that I delight in these things. I, the LORD, have spoken! - Jeremiah 9:23-24 NLT

28 And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. - Romans 8:28 NLT

6 And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns. - Philippians 1:6 NLT

8 It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in people. 9 It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in princes. 10 Though hostile nations surrounded me, I destroyed them all with the authority of the LORD. 11 Yes, they surrounded and attacked me, but I destroyed them all with the authority of the LORD. 12 They swarmed around me like bees; they blazed against me like a crackling fire. But I destroyed them all with the authority of the LORD. 13 My enemies did their best to kill me, but the LORD rescued me. 14 The LORD is my strength and my song; he has given me victory. 15 Songs of joy and victory are sung in the camp of the godly. The strong right arm of the LORD has done glorious things! 16 The strong right arm of the LORD is raised in triumph. The strong right arm of the LORD has done glorious things! 17 I will not die; instead, I will live to tell what the LORD has done. - Psalm 118:8-17 NLT

22 Don't put your trust in mere humans. They are as frail as breath. What good are they? - Isaiah 2:22 NLT

5 This is what the LORD says: "Cursed are those who put their trust in mere humans, who rely on human strength and turn their hearts away from the LORD. 6 They are like stunted shrubs in the desert, with no hope for the future. They will live in the barren wilderness, in an uninhabited salty land. 7 "But blessed are those who trust in the LORD and have made the LORD their hope and confidence. 8 They are like trees planted along a riverbank, with roots that reach deep into the water. Such trees are not bothered by the heat or worried by long months of drought. Their leaves stay green, and they never stop producing fruit. - Jeremiah 17:5-8 NLT

5 Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in him. 6 He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will not be shaken. 7 My victory and honor come from God alone. He is my refuge, a rock where no enemy can reach me. 8 O my people, trust in him at all times. Pour out your heart to him, for God is our refuge. Interlude 9 Common people are as worthless as a puff of wind, and the powerful are not what they appear to be. If you weigh them on the scales, together they are lighter than a breath of air. - Psalm 62:5-9 NLT

HARVEST TIME

Genesis 8:22 NLT As long as the earth remains, there will be planting and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night."

Matthew 9:35-38 NLT Jesus traveled through all the towns and villages of that area, teaching in the synagogues and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom. And he healed every kind of disease and illness. [36] When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. [37] He said to his disciples, "The harvest is great, but the workers are few. [38] So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields."

Matthew 13:36-43 NLT Then, leaving the crowds outside, Jesus went into the house. His disciples said, "Please explain to us the story of the weeds in the field." [37] Jesus replied, "The Son of Man is the farmer who plants the good seed. [38] The field is the world, and the good seed represents the people of the Kingdom. The weeds are the people who belong to the evil one. [39] The enemy who planted the weeds among the wheat is the devil. The harvest is the end of the world, and the harvesters are the angels. [40] "Just as the weeds are sorted out and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of the world. [41] The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will remove from his Kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil. [42] And the angels will throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. [43] Then the righteous will shine like the sun in their Father's Kingdom. Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand!

Mark 4:26-29 NLT Jesus also said, "The Kingdom of God is like a farmer who scatters seed on the ground. [27] Night and day, while he's asleep or awake, the seed sprouts and grows, but he does not understand how it happens. [28] The earth produces the crops on its own. First a leaf blade pushes through, then the heads of wheat are formed, and finally the grain ripens. [29] And as soon as the grain is ready, the farmer comes and harvests it with a sickle, for the harvest time has come."

Luke 10:1-2 NLT The Lord now chose seventy-two other disciples and sent them ahead in pairs to all the towns and places he planned to visit. [2] These were his instructions to them: "The harvest is great, but the workers are few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields.

Acts 2:1-21 Day of Pentecost

Matthew 27:45-53 NLT At noon, darkness fell across the whole land until three o'clock. [46] At about three o'clock, Jesus called out with a loud voice, "Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?" which means "My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?" [47] Some of the bystanders misunderstood and thought he was calling for the prophet Elijah. [48] One of them ran and filled a sponge with sour wine, holding it up to him on a reed stick so he could drink. [49] But the rest said, "Wait! Let's see whether Elijah comes to save him." [50] Then Jesus shouted out again, and he released his spirit. [51] At that moment the curtain in the sanctuary of the Temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. The earth shook, rocks split apart, [52] and tombs opened. The bodies of many godly men and women who had died were raised from the dead. [53] They left the cemetery after Jesus' resurrection, went into the holy city of Jerusalem, and appeared to many people.

1 Corinthians 15:20-23 NLT But in fact, Christ has been raised from the dead. He is the first of a great harvest of all who have died. [21] So you see, just as death came into the world through a man, now the resurrection from the dead has begun through another man. [22] Just as everyone dies because we all belong to Adam, everyone who belongs to Christ will be given new life. [23] But there is an order to this resurrection: Christ was raised as the first of the harvest; then all who belong to Christ will be raised when he comes back.

Truths

1. The End Time Harvest began when Jesus came to earth.

2. Jesus became the first fruits of those who will die and be resurrected at the rapture.

3. Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to help bring the harvest rain and there will be a former and latter rain of the presence of God to help gather in the remaining harvest.

4. We are equipped to help gather the harvest through the gifts of the Father, Son and Spirit.

5. When Jesus saw great crowds he never rebuked them but had great compassion on them.

6. We are at the end of the harvest season for the age of grace. It is the same as saying that the sun is about to set soon, and it will be to dark to work the harvest. There will be separate seasons of harvest, Harvest of the age of grace, the tribulation period and the Millenium.

Examining Our Foundation

Foundation Scriptures: Hebrews 12:25-29 Revelation 2:1-7

What is a foundation?

3. The basis or ground-work, of any thing; that on which any thing stands, and by which it is supported. A free government has its foundation in the choice and consent of the people to be governed. Christ is the foundation of the church.¹

What is our foundation: Is it a what or a who?

What? Material, wealth, today’s news or manmade religion

Who? Family, friends, co-workers

Our ultimate foundation should be no other than Jesus Christ and Him alone!

According to Hebrews 12, All the what’s and who’s and everything else that can be shaken will be shaken till noting remains except what is unshakeable.

In Revelation, Jesus revealed to John about the Church in Ephesus that they left their first love, He reprimanded them to go back and do their first works over again. Basically, get back to the foundation of their faith.

Let me tell you the story of a good example of the importance of examining our foundation.

More Scripture references:

Psalm 11:3-4 NLT

The foundations of law and order have collapsed. What can the righteous do?" [4] But the LORD is in his holy Temple; the LORD still rules from heaven. He watches everyone closely, examining every person on earth.

2 Timothy 2:19 NLT

But God's truth stands firm like a foundation stone with this inscription: "The LORD knows those who are his," and "All who belong to the LORD must turn away from evil."

Ephesians 4:11-16 NLT

Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. [12] Their responsibility is to equip God's people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ. [13] This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God's Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ. [14] Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won't be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth. [15] Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church. [16] He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.

Proverbs 10:25 NLT

When the storms of life come, the wicked are whirled away, but the godly have a lasting foundation.

Isaiah 28:16 NLT

Therefore, this is what the Sovereign LORD says: "Look! I am placing a foundation stone in Jerusalem, a firm and tested stone. It is a precious cornerstone that is safe to build on. Whoever believes need never be shaken.

Matthew 7:24-27 NLT

"Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. [25] Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won't collapse because it is built on bedrock. [26] But anyone who hears my teaching and doesn't obey it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. [27] When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash."

Luke 6:46-49 NLT

"So why do you keep calling me 'Lord, Lord!' when you don't do what I say? [47] I will show you what it's like when someone comes to me, listens to my teaching, and then follows it. [48] It is like a person building a house who digs deep and lays the foundation on solid rock. When the floodwaters rise and break against that house, it stands firm because it is well built. [49] But anyone who hears and doesn't obey is like a person who builds a house right on the ground, without a foundation. When the floods sweep down against that house, it will collapse into a heap of ruins."

1 Corinthians 3:10-17 NLT

Because of God's grace to me, I have laid the foundation like an expert builder. Now others are building on it. But whoever is building on this foundation must be very careful. [11] For no one can lay any foundation other than the one we already have-Jesus Christ. [12] Anyone who builds on that foundation may use a variety of materials-gold, silver, jewels, wood, hay, or straw. [13] But on the judgment day, fire will reveal what kind of work each builder has done. The fire will show if a person's work has any value. [14] If the work survives, that builder will receive a reward. [15] But if the work is burned up, the builder will suffer great loss. The builder will be saved, but like someone barely escaping through a wall of flames. [16] Don't you realize that all of you together are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God lives in you? [17] God will destroy anyone who destroys this temple. For God's temple is holy, and you are that temple.

Ephesians 2:19-22 NLT

So now you Gentiles are no longer strangers and foreigners. You are citizens along with all of God's holy people. You are members of God's family. [20] Together, we are his house, built on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets. And the cornerstone is Christ Jesus himself. [21] We are carefully joined together in him, becoming a holy temple for the Lord. [22] Through him you Gentiles are also being made part of this dwelling where God lives by his Spirit.

¹  Noah Webster, Noah Webster’s First Edition of An American Dictionary of the English Language. (Anaheim, CA: Foundation for American Christian Education, 2006).

The Power of the Cross

Isaiah 52:13-15 NLT

See, my servant will prosper; he will be highly exalted. [14] But many were amazed when they saw him. His face was so disfigured he seemed hardly human, and from his appearance, one would scarcely know he was a man. [15] And he will startle many nations. Kings will stand speechless in his presence. For they will see what they had not been told; they will understand what they had not heard about.

Foundation Scriptures: Isaiah 53

Recommended reading: Psalm 22 and 69

1 Corinthians 15:1-4 NLT

Let me now remind you, dear brothers and sisters, of the Good News I preached to you before. You welcomed it then, and you still stand firm in it. [2] It is this Good News that saves you if you continue to believe the message I told you-unless, of course, you believed something that was never true in the first place. [3] I passed on to you what was most important and what had also been passed on to me. Christ died for our sins, just as the Scriptures said. [4] He was buried, and he was raised from the dead on the third day, just as the Scriptures said.

Romans 3:25-26 NLT

For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood. This sacrifice shows that God was being fair when he held back and did not punish those who sinned in times past, [26] for he was looking ahead and including them in what he would do in this present time. God did this to demonstrate his righteousness, for he himself is fair and just, and he makes sinners right in his sight when they believe in Jesus.

Romans 4:25 NLT

He was handed over to die because of our sins, and he was raised to life to make us right with God.

2 Corinthians 5:21 NLT

For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.

Galatians 1:4 NLT

Jesus gave his life for our sins, just as God our Father planned, in order to rescue us from this evil world in which we live.

Galatians 3:13-14 NLT

But Christ has rescued us from the curse pronounced by the law. When he was hung on the cross, he took upon himself the curse for our wrongdoing. For it is written in the Scriptures, "Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree." [14] Through Christ Jesus, God has blessed the Gentiles with the same blessing he promised to Abraham, so that we who are believers might receive the promised Holy Spirit through faith.

Ephesians 1:7-8 NLT

He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins. [8] He has showered his kindness on us, along with all wisdom and understanding.

Ephesians 5:1-2 NLT

Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. [2] Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.

Hebrews 10:11-12 NLT

Under the old covenant, the priest stands and ministers before the altar day after day, offering the same sacrifices again and again, which can never take away sins. [12] But our High Priest offered himself to God as a single sacrifice for sins, good for all time. Then he sat down in the place of honor at God's right hand.

1 Peter 2:24 NLT

He personally carried our sins in his body on the cross so that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right. By his wounds you are healed.

1 Peter 3:18 NLT

Christ suffered for our sins once for all time. He never sinned, but he died for sinners to bring you safely home to God. He suffered physical death, but he was raised to life in the Spirit.

1 John 2:1-2 NLT

My dear children, I am writing this to you so that you will not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate who pleads our case before the Father. He is Jesus Christ, the one who is truly righteous. [2] He himself is the sacrifice that atones for our sins-and not only our sins but the sins of all the world.

Ephesians 2:14-18 NLT

For Christ himself has brought peace to us. He united Jews and Gentiles into one people when, in his own body on the cross, he broke down the wall of hostility that separated us. [15] He did this by ending the system of law with its commandments and regulations. He made peace between Jews and Gentiles by creating in himself one new people from the two groups. [16] Together as one body, Christ reconciled both groups to God by means of his death on the cross, and our hostility toward each other was put to death. [17] He brought this Good News of peace to you Gentiles who were far away from him, and peace to the Jews who were near. [18] Now all of us can come to the Father through the same Holy Spirit because of what Christ has done for us.

Colossians 2:14-15 NLT

He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross. [15] In this way, he disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by his victory over them on the cross.

John 12:24 NLT

I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat is planted in the soil and dies, it remains alone. But its death will produce many new kernels-a plentiful harvest of new lives.

Book Recommendation: The Agony of Love by Dr Chuck Missler and Dr Mark Eastman

It is available on Amazon Kindle for 99 cents or on store.khouse.org for $5.95 for the paperback version.

Quote is from Page 71-72

Wedding Plans

In this multipart study we will be learning about the Jewish Wedding Process and how it relates to the catching away of the church to heaven.

Todays lesson we will learn about the first phases of the Jewish wedding, which involves the father choosing the bride, the written marriage covenant, the price paid for the bride and the brides choice to either accept or deny the proposal from the bridegroom.

1. The Father chooses a bride and the approval of the groom of the father’s choice.

 John 15:16-19 NLT

You didn't choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name. [17] This is my command: Love each other. [18] "If the world hates you, remember that it hated me first. [19] The world would love you as one of its own if you belonged to it, but you are no longer part of the world. I chose you to come out of the world, so it hates you.

1 Peter 2:4-9, Ephesians 1:4-11

Recommended reading: Genesis 24-the story of Abraham sending his servant out to choose a bride for Isaac.

2. A Marriage covenant is made in writing for the bride.

Hebrews 1:1-4 NLT

Long ago God spoke many times and in many ways to our ancestors through the prophets. [2] And now in these final days, he has spoken to us through his Son. God promised everything to the Son as an inheritance, and through the Son he created the universe. [3] The Son radiates God's own glory and expresses the very character of God, and he sustains everything by the mighty power of his command. When he had cleansed us from our sins, he sat down in the place of honor at the right hand of the majestic God in heaven. [4] This shows that the Son is far greater than the angels, just as the name God gave him is greater than their names.

2 Timothy 3:15-17 NLT

You have been taught the holy Scriptures from childhood, and they have given you the wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus. [16] All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. [17] God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.

3. The price for the bride is paid

Acts 20:28 NLT

"So guard yourselves and God's people. Feed and shepherd God's flock-his church, purchased with his own blood-over which the Holy Spirit has appointed you as leaders.

Colossians 1:13-14 NLT

For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son, [14] who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins.

Hebrews 9:12 NLT

With his own blood-not the blood of goats and calves-he entered the Most Holy Place once for all time and secured our redemption forever.

1 Peter 1:18-20 NLT

For you know that God paid a ransom to save you from the empty life you inherited from your ancestors. And it was not paid with mere gold or silver, which lose their value. [19] It was the precious blood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God. [20] God chose him as your ransom long before the world began, but now in these last days he has been revealed for your sake.

Revelation 5:9 NLT

And they sang a new song with these words: "You are worthy to take the scroll and break its seals and open it. For you were slaughtered, and your blood has ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation.

4. The Brides choice to either accept or deny the bridegrooms proposal

They both share a cup of wine.

Matthew 26:26-29 NLT

As they were eating, Jesus took some bread and blessed it. Then he broke it in pieces and gave it to the disciples, saying, "Take this and eat it, for this is my body." [27] And he took a cup of wine and gave thanks to God for it. He gave it to them and said, "Each of you drink from it, [28] for this is my blood, which confirms the covenant between God and his people. It is poured out as a sacrifice to forgive the sins of many. [29] Mark my words-I will not drink wine again until the day I drink it new with you in my Father's Kingdom."

1 Corinthians 11:23-34

Next study we will discuss how the bridal chamber is being prepared, betrothal period (age of grace) and Bridegroom comes for his bride.

Our Blessed Hope

“For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,” (Titus 2:11-13, ESV)

“Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.” (1 John 3:2-3, ESV)

What is our blessed hope?

When we accepted the invitation by the conviction of the Holy Spirit to accept the price paid for us on the cross by Jesus, we entered into a new life not just now but for eternity. Eternal life for us began at that moment, we now have a blessed hope. For some, they enter this blessed hope by the grave but there is coming a day soon that those of us that are still alive will enter this hope by the appearing of Jesus himself.

We don’t know the day or the hour but we as Apostle Paul said are not in the dark. Jesus will not come by surprise to us, but we will know in our spirit the season in which His coming is drawing close. I believe we are approaching that blessed moment anytime now.

When I sense the time is closer than we can imagine, I asked myself am I ready, am I doing all I know to be prepared as a bride for her bridegroom. At one moment, the Holy Spirit refreshed my memory when I was in a moment of doubt of being ready. He reminded me that when I got saved, Jesus as the bridegroom gave us an engagement ring and sealed us with the Holy Spirit of promise.

“And it is God who establishes us with you in Christ, and has anointed us, and who has also put his seal on us and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.” (2 Corinthians 1:21-22, ESV)

“In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.” (Ephesians 1:13-14, ESV)

As we have discussed before in previous studies, we are guaranteed a promise to enter eternity with Jesus by this seal. With extreme caution, we must understand that isn’t a license to live a lukewarm walk with Jesus. We are required to walk and have a intimate relationship with Jesus moment by moment. That is what John tells us in the verse above.

Big Question: What happens during this blessed hope event? Lets look at 1 Corinthians 15 to explore inside details.

“Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain. We are even found to be misrepresenting God, because we testified about God that he raised Christ, whom he did not raise if it is true that 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 futile and you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied. But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ. Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power. For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death.” (1 Corinthians 15:12-26, ESV)

We have more to explore in this same chapter, This first passage basically explains our blessed hope. In summary, Death is destroyed and lost his sting over us as Children of God.

“I tell you this, brothers: flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality. When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.” (1 Corinthians 15:50-58, ESV)

In summary, Our blessed hope is drawing nigh closer by the moment. Let us look up, let us declare the good news to others, let us fight the good fight of faith. We are called for a time such as this, we are living in an exciting times. I know the battle is hot but victory is already ours in Jesus. Let us not forget the price paid for the bride which is us, it was by the blood of Jesus. We are precious and holy by the blood of Jesus! Don’t give up the fight, it is Jesus in us who fights for us. Hold on to that glorious blessed hope where our bridegroom comes to receives us, and takes us to the Father’s house. Amen! Even so come Quickly Lord Jesus!

Encouraging words to the Philippians of the coming of Jesus from Paul!

Philippians 1:6 NLT

And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.

Philippians 1:10 NLT

For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ's return.

Philippians 2:16-17 NLT

Hold firmly to the word of life; then, on the day of Christ's return, I will be proud that I did not run the race in vain and that my work was not useless. [17] But I will rejoice even if I lose my life, pouring it out like a liquid offering to God, just like your faithful service is an offering to God. And I want all of you to share that joy.

Philippians 3:20-21 NLT

But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior. [21] He will take our weak mortal bodies and change them into glorious bodies like his own, using the same power with which he will bring everything under his control.

Philippians 4:4-5 NLT

Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again-rejoice! [5] Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon.

New Nature

Foundation Scripture: Ephesians 4:17-24

Pastor says it best, “when we were born the first time, we are born wrong”

When we are born the 2^nd time, we are born right by the Spirit.

Regeneration. Inner cleansing and renewal of the human nature by the Holy Spirit. Mankind’s spiritual condition is transformed from a disposition of sin to one of a new relationship with God (Ti 3:5). Regeneration involves both moral restoration and the reception of new life. The idea of regeneration is expressed as rebirth—being born again (Jn 3:3–7). This new birth suggests the newness of life in Christ. The process of regeneration is not brought about by human righteousness but by the gracious act of God (Eph 2:8, 9).^{1 (}Baker Encyclopedia of the Bible)

Titus 3:5 (NLT)

⁵ he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit.

John 3:3-7 NLT

Jesus replied, "I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God." [4] "What do you mean?" exclaimed Nicodemus. "How can an old man go back into his mother's womb and be born again?" [5] Jesus replied, "I assure you, no one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born of water and the Spirit. [6] Humans can reproduce only human life, but the Holy Spirit gives birth to spiritual life. [7] So don't be surprised when I say, 'You must be born again.'

Ephesians 2:8-10 NLT

God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can't take credit for this; it is a gift from God. [9] Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. [10] For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.

Regeneration is the divine action by which God renews the fallen creation so that it reflects his character.

(Lexham Survey of Theology)

Ephesians 4:23 (NLT)

²³Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes.

In the secular world, they have many new age programs and doctrines that try to teach people to “self” improve themselves through meditation or have good vibes. The Word says we must “Let the Spirit” do the renewing not us in our own strength, that is why self help programs fail. We must allow the Spirit to do the work, we just need to walk in it moment by moment.

Romans 6:4 NLT

For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives.

2 Corinthians 4:16-18 NLT

That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. [17] For our present troubles are small and won't last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! [18] So we don't look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.

2 Corinthians 5:17 NLT

This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!

1 Peter 2:2-3 NLT

Like newborn babies, you must crave pure spiritual milk so that you will grow into a full experience of salvation. Cry out for this nourishment, [3] now that you have had a taste of the Lord's kindness.

Galatians 6:15-16 NLT

It doesn't matter whether we have been circumcised or not. What counts is whether we have been transformed into a new creation. [16] May God's peace and mercy be upon all who live by this principle; they are the new people of God.

Galatians 3:26-27 NLT

For you are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus. [27] And all who have been united with Christ in baptism have put on Christ, like putting on new clothes.

In Roman society, when a youth became an adult, the young person would take off his or her youthful garment and put on an adult toga. When we are joined with Jesus in baptism, we put on his righteousness like new clothes (2 Corinthians 5:21; Ephesians 4:23-24). We take up a new identity and a new nature. Have you updated your wardrobe? (Life Application Study Bible)

The greatest struggle in putting on the new nature is remembering that Jesus lives inside of us. It is like a baby when he or she is conceived, they grow inside the mothers womb. They grow bigger each day, the mother knows if that baby is happy or not well. When we have Jesus in us by His Spirit, we know when He is happy or not happy. We grow in Christ, and Christ grows in us as we mature moment by moment.

“Try now to apprehend and appropriate the following lessons, in your heart,—

              1. It is eternal life, the very life of God, that you have now received through faith.

              2. This new life is in Christ, and the Holy Spirit is in you to bring over to you all that is in Christ. Christ lives in you through the Holy Spirit.

              3. This life is a life of wonderful power. However weak you may feel, you must believe in the Divine power of the life that is in you.

              4. This life has need of time to grow in you and to take possession of you. Give it time: it shall surely increase.

“5. Forget not that all the laws and rules of this new life are in conflict with all human thoughts of the way to please God. Be very much in dread of your own thoughts, and let Christ, who is your life and also your wisdom, teach you all things.”

Excerpt From The New Life

Andrew Murray This material may be protected by copyright.

¹  Walter A. Elwell and Barry J. Beitzel, “Regeneration,” in Baker Encyclopedia of the Bible (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House, 1988), 1830.

SUFFERING WITH JESUS

What is the definition of suffering?

SUF'FERING, ppr. Bearing; undergoing pain, inconvenience or damage; permitting; allowing.

SUF'FERING, n. The bearing of pain, inconvenience or loss; pain endured; distress, loss or injury incurred; as sufferings by pain or sorrow; sufferings by want or by wrongs.

(Webseters Dictionary)

Greek 3804 pathēma

path'-ay-mah

From a presumed derivative of G3806; something undergone, that is, hardship or pain; subjectively an emotion or influence: - affection, affliction, motion, suffering.

Origin of suffering: Genesis 3:13-19

Genesis 3:13-19 NLT

Then the LORD God asked the woman, "What have you done?" "The serpent deceived me," she replied. "That's why I ate it." [14] Then the LORD God said to the serpent, "Because you have done this, you are cursed more than all animals, domestic and wild. You will crawl on your belly, groveling in the dust as long as you live. [15] And I will cause hostility between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring. He will strike your head, and you will strike his heel." [16] Then he said to the woman, "I will sharpen the pain of your pregnancy, and in pain you will give birth. And you will desire to control your husband, but he will rule over you. " [17] And to the man he said, "Since you listened to your wife and ate from the tree whose fruit I commanded you not to eat, the ground is cursed because of you. All your life you will struggle to scratch a living from it. [18] It will grow thorns and thistles for you, though you will eat of its grains. [19] By the sweat of your brow will you have food to eat until you return to the ground from which you were made. For you were made from dust, and to dust you will return."

When Adam and Eve sinned it opened the door for pain and suffering to come into the world. Our enemy Satan capitalized on this by taken them captive in all the areas of their lives. This was passed down to all generations up to the present day. BUT we are not without hope. In the midst of the beginning of sufferings, God gave a promise that sufferings will be brought under subjection to another LORD for all of us.

 Jesus put it in simple plain language what the goal of our enemy is in John 10:10 but He didn’t leave us hanging.

John 10:10 NLT

The thief's purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.

The NKJV says

The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.

We have discussed the origin of suffering but what other reasons does suffering come?

1. Choices- As most of us know at a young and even older we get, we make bad choices that lead to suffering.

2. Broken cursed world - Pastor says it best we live in a broken world that is still under the curse till Jesus comes back to fully redeem the world.

3. To help strengthen our faith - This is a hard one to accept, does this mean that our Heavenly Father sends suffering, I believe he isn’t the author of it but allows us to go through it to help strengthen our faith.

James 1:2-4 NLT

Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. [3] For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. [4] So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.

What is the answer to suffering?

Simply believing in the finished work of Jesus went through on our behalf, does this exempt us from suffering it doesn’t. It does however gives us a stronger victory that we didn’t have before Jesus came into our lives.

Hebrews 4:14-16 NLT

So then, since we have a great High Priest who has entered heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we believe. [15] This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. [16] So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.

Now lets read some verses that will help encourage us and build our faith:

2 Corinthians 1:3-7 NLT

All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. [4] He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. [5] For the more we suffer for Christ, the more God will shower us with his comfort through Christ. [6] Even when we are weighed down with troubles, it is for your comfort and salvation! For when we ourselves are comforted, we will certainly comfort you. Then you can patiently endure the same things we suffer. [7] We are confident that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in the comfort God gives us.

Philippians 3:10-14 NLT

I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead. I want to suffer with him, sharing in his death, [11] so that one way or another I will experience the resurrection from the dead! [12] I don't mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. [13] No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, [14] I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.

Colossians 1:24 NLT

I am glad when I suffer for you in my body, for I am participating in the sufferings of Christ that continue for his body, the church.

2 Timothy 3:10-12 NLT

But you, Timothy, certainly know what I teach, and how I live, and what my purpose in life is. You know my faith, my patience, my love, and my endurance. [11] You know how much persecution and suffering I have endured. You know all about how I was persecuted in Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra-but the Lord rescued me from all of it. [12] Yes, and everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.

Hebrews 2:9-10 NLT

What we do see is Jesus, who for a little while was given a position "a little lower than the angels"; and because he suffered death for us, he is now "crowned with glory and honor." Yes, by God's grace, Jesus tasted death for everyone. [10] God, for whom and through whom everything was made, chose to bring many children into glory. And it was only right that he should make Jesus, through his suffering, a perfect leader, fit to bring them into their salvation.

Hebrews 10:32-36 NLT

Think back on those early days when you first learned about Christ. Remember how you remained faithful even though it meant terrible suffering. [33] Sometimes you were exposed to public ridicule and were beaten, and sometimes you helped others who were suffering the same things. [34] You suffered along with those who were thrown into jail, and when all you owned was taken from you, you accepted it with joy. You knew there were better things waiting for you that will last forever. [35] So do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord. Remember the great reward it brings you! [36] Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God's will. Then you will receive all that he has promised.

1 Peter 4:12-19 NLT

Dear friends, don't be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you. [13] Instead, be very glad-for these trials make you partners with Christ in his suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed to all the world. [14] If you are insulted because you bear the name of Christ, you will be blessed, for the glorious Spirit of God rests upon you. [15] If you suffer, however, it must not be for murder, stealing, making trouble, or prying into other people's affairs. [16] But it is no shame to suffer for being a Christian. Praise God for the privilege of being called by his name! [17] For the time has come for judgment, and it must begin with God's household. And if judgment begins with us, what terrible fate awaits those who have never obeyed God's Good News? [18] And also, "If the righteous are barely saved, what will happen to godless sinners?" [19] So if you are suffering in a manner that pleases God, keep on doing what is right, and trust your lives to the God who created you, for he will never fail you.

Lastly, I encourage you to read Romans 8:15-28 and 2 Corinthians 4:7-18

In closing, suffering in any form isnt pleasant but the fruit it bears in our lives is eternally sweet. It all depends on our response to the suffering, but we are not without hope if are weak because Jesus is our great high priest. He is interceding on our behalf because he understands us as humans because He became human so he can identify with our sufferings. We too can intercede for others who is suffering because we know what it is like to suffer. As Jesus says in the sermon on the mount, those who show mercy will like wise be shown mercy. Let us look to the author and finisher of our faith moment by moment!

Resting in the Simple things

April 29, 2024 Monday

I have seasoned this website with prayer and not rushing into things to prevent crash and burn. Several things have confirmed to  what my first blog must be focused on that goes along with the theme "The Simple Gospel"

According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary website, Simple is defined many ways but the definition I want to focus on is that it is something that is "Readily understood or performed". (https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/simple)

In the beginning God made everything simple yet complex in design. When sin entered the world, simple turned to confusion and chaos because man stopped living in the presence of God. This caused an snowball effect that has brought chaos down from generation to the next.  In this first blog, I want to focus on the Word of God about learning to return to the simple Gospel and learning to rest in God's presence. No frills, No entertainment, and No schedule; just simply doing as Adam and Eve did when they walked with God in the garden in the cool of the day.

I write this not to gain attention but to learn with you. I am in the early stages of learning all this myself. It is vital we learn this as children of God, to simply rest and return to our first love.

I am depending on Holy Spirit to guide me on each blog. I pray each blog lifts you up and blesses you!

Genesis 1:1 NASB95
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

Genesis 2:1-3 NASB95
Thus the heavens and the earth were completed, and all their hosts. [2] By the seventh day God completed His work which He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done. [3] Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because in it He rested from all His work which God had created and made.

Genesis 3:8 NASB95
They heard the sound of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God among the trees of the garden.

I am going to keep each blog short with small reflections and scriptures to study. This one was mainly intro blog and give a sense of direction of where the Spirit is leading me right now. In the next few blogs ahead, we will deep dive into bible verses about the good news of Jesus and how it is connected to us learning to rest in Father God's arms!

Blessings!

Timothy C