We can overcome the world and all its “difficulties” because Christ already did

We can overcome the world and all its “difficulties” because Christ already did

by | Jan 29, 2023 | Daily Encouragement | 0 comments

‘These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”’

John 16:33

 

Life can be tough, and as Christians, we’re not immune to heartbreak, disappointment, and difficult circumstances. Whether it’s dealing with a job loss, the end of a relationship, or the struggles of mental health, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by fear and anxiety. But in the midst of our struggles, there’s a source of peace and comfort available to us – Jesus Christ. In John 16:33, He promises us, “In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” And through the power of the Holy Spirit, we can tap into that same power to overcome our fears and anxieties.”

 

This is further reinforced in Romans 8:37, which states, “Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.” We are not just conquerors, but more than conquerors. This means that because of the finished work of the cross (the gospel), we are able to overcome any obstacle, any difficulty, and any fear that we may encounter in this life.

 

It’s important to remember that when we are going through tough times, we must cast all of our discouragements, despair, and suffering on the Lord and trust Him for knowing what is best for us (Romans 8:28). And trusting God is a key component of the attitude necessary for living victoriously.

 

Takeaway: No matter what struggles you may be facing, remember that through Jesus, you have the power to overcome them all because the Lord already overcame the world. Trust in Him and His promises, and you will find peace and victory in any situation.

 

Overcoming Temptation: 2 Powerful Bible Verses to Encourage You

Overcoming Temptation: 2 Powerful Bible Verses to Encourage You

by | Jan 28, 2023 | Daily Encouragement | 0 comments

As believers, we all face temptations and struggles in our daily lives. But we can take comfort in the words of 1 Corinthians 10:13, which reminds us that “there hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.”

 

This verse assures us that God is always faithful and that He will not allow us to be tempted beyond what we can handle. He will provide a way of escape for us so that we can endure the temptation and overcome it.

 

One way to prepare ourselves for these temptations is to put on the full armor of God, as described in Ephesians 6:11-13: “Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.”

 

When we put on the full armor of God, we are equipped to stand against the devil’s schemes and to withstand the temptations of this evil and chaotic world. It’s also important to remember that Satan is not omnipotent as our God is, and He is limited in what he can do, he can only tempt us, but he can’t force us, so we are in control of our actions and reactions, by the power of the Holy Spirit.

 

So when faced with temptations, let us remember the words of 1 Corinthians 10:13 and Ephesians 6:11-13 and put on the full armor of God by studying the word daily. With God’s help, we can overcome any temptation and stand victorious.

God Himself Deeded the Land to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob

God Himself Deeded the Land to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob

by | Jan 28, 2023 | Daily Encouragement | 1 comment

The land of Israel has long been at the center of theological and geopolitical discussions. Many ask, “Did God deed the land to Israel?” The biblical answer is clear: God Himself granted the land to Abraham and his descendants through an unconditional and eternal covenant. This promise was not a mutual agreement but a divine decree, making Israel’s ownership of the land irrevocable.

The Unilateral Covenant: God’s Sole Initiative

One of the most striking biblical passages affirming this promise is Genesis 15:9–21. In ancient covenant-making ceremonies, both parties would walk between the severed animals to signify a mutual agreement. However, in this passage, Abraham is put into a deep sleep, and only God Himself (represented as a smoking oven and a burning torch) passes between the pieces. This action symbolizes that the covenant was entirely dependent on God alone, not on Abraham or his descendants’ obedience.

By structuring the covenant this way, God affirmed that the land grant was unconditional—not based on Israel’s faithfulness but on His sovereign promise.

The Boundaries of the Promised Land

God explicitly defined the geographical boundaries of this land in Genesis 15:18-21:

“On the same day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying: ‘To your descendants I have given this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the River Euphrates.’”

This vast territory includes modern-day Israel, as well as parts of Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, and Iraq. Understanding these biblical borders is crucial because it underscores that the land was not merely a temporary inheritance but a divine grant with lasting significance. 

The Covenant’s Eternal Nature

Unlike other agreements in Scripture that may be conditional (such as the Mosaic Law), God’s land promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob remains forever. This is reiterated throughout the Old Testament, including:

  • Genesis 17:8 – “Also I give to you and your descendants after you the land in which you are a stranger, all the land of Canaan, as an everlasting possession; and I will be their God.”
  • Psalm 105:8-11 – “He remembers His covenant forever, the word which He commanded, for a thousand generations… the covenant which He made with Abraham, and His oath to Isaac, and confirmed it to Jacob for a statute, to Israel as an everlasting covenant.”

What About Modern Israel?

The question arises: Does this covenant still apply today? Many theologians and scholars affirm that God’s promise has never been revoked. While political and legal debates continue, from a biblical perspective, Israel’s right to the land is rooted in divine decree, not human agreements.

Even in times of exile and dispersion, God consistently reaffirmed that He would bring Israel back to the land:

  • Ezekiel 37:21 – “Then say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD: ‘Surely I will take the children of Israel from among the nations, wherever they have gone, and will gather them from every side and bring them into their own land.’’’

Implications for Today

Understanding God’s land promise has profound implications:

  1. It affirms God’s faithfulness – He keeps His promises, regardless of circumstances.
  2. It refutes replacement theology – The idea that the Church has replaced Israel in God’s plans contradicts these clear, unconditional promises.
  3. It provides a biblical foundation for Israel’s existence – While international disputes persist, believers must recognize that Israel’s land rights were settled by God Himself.

Further Study & Resources

To delve deeper into this topic, consider exploring related articles:

Additionally, GotQuestions.org provides theological insights on Israel’s biblical land rights.

Conclusion

God’s covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob was not a contract that could be broken but a binding promise from the Creator of the universe. No earthly power can nullify what God has established. The land of Israel belongs to the Jewish people—not by political decree, but by divine right. As believers, recognizing this truth strengthens our understanding of God’s faithfulness and the fulfillment of His prophetic word.

 

 

Adam and Eve Were Not Saved by Believing the Gospel of the Grace of God – But Yet They Were “By Faith”

Adam and Eve Were Not Saved by Believing the Gospel of the Grace of God – But Yet They Were “By Faith”

by | Jan 27, 2023 | Daily Encouragement | 0 comments

Faith has always been the most important aspect of salvation. God’s amazing grace, love, and mercy were on full display when He sought out Adam and Eve to redeem them after their disobedience and, in their place, sacrificed an animal to cover their nakedness. So it was Adam and Eve’s faith in what God did on their behalf that saved them. Just like it is our faith that saves us today.

 

Adam and Eve Were Not Saved by Believing the Gospel of Grace

 

They were saved on the merits of the cross

 

Adam and Eve were not saved because they believed Jesus Christ shed His blood on the cross, died, was buried, and rose three days later! Noah and his family were not saved by the gospel of grace. Not one person in the Old Testament was saved by believing the gospel of the grace of God. Nor were the apostles, or any other person for that matter, saved during the Lord’s earthly ministry by believing that Christ died for their sins, was buried, and rose from the dead three days later.

Again, salvation, whether in the Old or New Testament, is based on the merits of the cross. The shed blood, death on the cross, burial, and resurrection of the Lord Jesus three days later is the culmination of all that God does. But what God instructed mankind to do for salvation and doctrine has changed considerably since Adam and Eve. In other words, it is ludicrous to say that Adam and Eve were saved because they believed that Christ died for their sins and was buried only to rise from the dead three days later.

 

The shed blood, death on the cross, burial, and resurrection of the Lord Jesus three days later are the culmination of all that God does

 

For example, in the garden, what were God’s instructions for Adam and Eve? You have dominion over everything; just don’t eat from that one tree. Is that our gospel today? What happened when they disobeyed God? Did they repent? Did they walk down the aisle and believe wholeheartedly that they were sinners? Did they believe that Jesus Christ shed His blood, was crucified, buried, and rose from the dead three days later? Of course not! But what the Lord did by killing an animal to make clothing for Adam and Eve to cover their nakedness was a foreshadowing of what He Himself would accomplish at the cross, reconciling the whole world back to Himself thousands of years into the future.

So what did Adam and Eve believe? What saved them? By faith, they believe what the Lord did by killing an animal, shedding its blood, and making clothing to cover their nakedness brought them back into fellowship with the Lord.

 

The revelation of the gospel of grace

God did not reveal the gospel of grace that saves mankind today until around 40 AD. To say otherwise is unscriptural and the antithesis of a sound hermeneutic approach to God’s word. It is crucial to grasp the concept that the Bible is a progressive revelation. God’s plan of redemption has never changed, but how God dealt with mankind and what He revealed did.

 

Salvation Today is By the Gospel of the Grace of God

 

‘Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures, ‘

I Corinthians 15:1-4

 

The good news of the gospel of grace is that all mankind can be saved by believing in the finished work of the cross (the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ 1 Corinthians 15:1-4) alone, by faith alone (Ephesians 2:8,9), apart from the Mosaic law or temple worship (Romans 3:21). This good news is the culmination of all that God does and is the basis for salvation for all mankind since Adam. But what God instructed mankind to do for salvation has changed significantly from Adam to Noah to Abraham to Moses and the Old Testament saints to the Lord’s earthly ministry. Today we have the gospel of grace, which has been the means of salvation for all mankind for the past 1900+ years.

 

Takeaway

God’s plan of redemption has never changed, but how God dealt with mankind and what He revealed for salvation did. The Bible is a progressive revelation, and the good news of the gospel of grace is the culmination of all that God does, past, present, and future. The gospel of grace has been the means of salvation for all mankind for the past 1900+ years, and it is by Paul’s gospel, the gospel of grace, that all mankind will be saved and judged. It is crucial that we as believers understand, and are able to share with the lost world, “the good news” that salvation is by faith alone in the gospel of grace alone.

 

Get out your Bible and read, pray, meditate and study these verses. Don’t just glibly read over them. The power is in God’s words.

 

‘But without faith it is impossible to please him : for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. ‘

Hebrews 11:6

‘For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. ‘

Romans 1:16

‘even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference; ‘

Romans 3:22

‘to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.’

Romans 3:26

‘But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness, ‘

Romans 4:5

“In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.”

– Romans 2:16

 

“Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began…”

– Romans 16:25

 

“Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel:”

– 2 Timothy 2:8

 

“If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward…to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:”

– Ephesians 3:2-9

 

“According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon.”

– 1 Corinthians 3:10

 

 

 

Victory in Christ: The Assurance of Our Resurrection – The Rapture

Victory in Christ: The Assurance of Our Resurrection – The Rapture

by | Jan 27, 2023 | Daily Encouragement | 0 comments

There will come a moment in human history when all who have believed the gospel of grace (1 Corinthians 15:1-4) by faith alone will be caught up on “our resurrection day” to be with the Lord in the clouds, and we will be with the Lord Jesus in heaven forever. Believe it because the Bible says so.

 

As believers in Jesus Christ, we have the incredible hope of being united with Him in heaven one day. This event, known as the Rapture of the Church, is described in 1 Corinthians 15:51-53 as “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 incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.”

 

This passage, along with 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, reminds us that the Rapture is a time of great joy and reunion. In 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, we read “But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again (the gospel), even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. For this, we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.”

 

The Rapture is Not the Lord’s Second Coming

 

This passage gives us a detailed picture of the rapture event and the blessed hope that we have as believers. The Lord Himself will come with a shout to the clouds, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then, we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air. And we will always be with the Lord.

 

In 1 Thessalonians 5:9, Paul reminds us that “God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.” As believers, we can have confidence that we will not face God’s wrath, but instead will be united with Him in heaven. God’s wrath is for the Christ-rejecting world, and to pay off the mortgage on the planet held by Satan. The seven-year tribulation is the time when God will pour out His wrath. God did not pour out His love, mercy, and grace by sending His only Son, Jesus Christ, to shed His blood, die on the cross for our sins, then be buried, and raised from the dead three days later for the salvation of those who believe by faith alone in that “good news” or gospel. Only to turn around and pour out His wrath and judgments on the same. Ridiculous!

 

Our Blessed Hope

 

As we contemplate this blessed hope, let us remember the words of 1 Corinthians 15:57, “But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Through faith in Jesus, we have victory over sin and death and the assurance of eternal life with Him.

 

In light of this wonderful truth, let us live a life that is pleasing to God, always looking forward to the day when we will be united with Him. Let us encourage one another with this hope and strive to be ready for His return.

 

Get out your Bible and read, pray, meditate and study these verses. Don’t just glibly read over them. The power is in God’s words.