Our Hope Is Eternal with the Lord Jesus Forever – Don’t Be Discouraged

Our Hope Is Eternal with the Lord Jesus Forever – Don’t Be Discouraged

by | Jan 26, 2023 | Daily Encouragement | 0 comments

‘Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.’

II Corinthians 4:16-18

 

As believers, we all experience loss in different ways. Whether it be the loss of a loved one, a job, a relationship, or even a dream, it can be difficult to find hope in the midst of our pain and grief. But as Christians, we are reminded that our hope is not found in the things of this world, but in the eternal things of God.

2 Corinthians 4:16-18 tells us, “Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, by faith, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”

The Lord reminds us that even though we may be going through difficult times, our troubles are only temporary. The eternal glory that awaits us far outweighs any pain or suffering we may experience in this life.

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.

 

Mercy for All: Unpacking the Mystery of Romans 11:32

Mercy for All: Unpacking the Mystery of Romans 11:32

by | Jan 25, 2023 | Daily Encouragement | 0 comments

‘For God has committed them all to disobedience, that He might have mercy on all.’

Romans 11:32

 

In Romans 11:32, the apostle Paul is emphasizing the sovereignty of God in His dealings with His chosen people, the nation of Israel. Paul is addressing the Gentile believers in Rome and is highlighting the fact that God has chosen to commit all of Israel to disobedience, not all men. This is a significant point in the book of Romans, (in all of Scripture) as Paul is laying out the theological foundations of the mystery or the secret of the gospel of the grace of God and the role of both Jew and Gentile in God’s plan of salvation.

It’s also crucial to understand the time element. Paul wrote the book of Romans around 57-58 AD. Prior to Paul writing Romans God never revealed these truths.

 

This was a Secret Hid in the Mind of God

 

In the context of Romans 11, Paul is discussing the blinding of Israel and the inclusion of Gentiles in God’s plan of salvation. He states in verse 11:25 “I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers, so that you may not be conceited: Israel has experienced a blindness in part until the full number of the Gentiles has come in.” This passage explicitly shows that God has temporarily set aside the nation of Israel in order to bring salvation to the Gentiles. With a new gospel message based on faith alone apart from law and works.

 

Furthermore, in Romans 11:15 Paul states “For if their rejection is the reconciliation of the world, what will their (Israel’s) acceptance be but life from the dead?” This verse highlights the fact that through the rejection of God’s chosen people, the Jews, God is able to bring salvation to all mankind. But God hasn’t forgotten The promises He made to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and David.

 

Has God Cast Away His People?

 

When you think about Israel’s restoration, think of Ezekiel 37. The “Dry Bones” chapter. In verse 7, God told Ezekiel, “Prophecy on those bones,” and they began to tremble, rattle, and roll. All of that was an image of the Nation of Israel, who had been out of the land of promise, away from their temple worship, away from God, and blinded, but God would restore them back to life. For the past 70 years, we’ve been witnessing the fulfillment of Ezekiel 37, culminating in the Lord’s second coming.

Thus, Israel has been shaking and emerging from every nation under heaven. As predicted in Ezekiel 37:6, they have muscle and skin, but no spiritual life. They remain spiritually dead. In Romans 11, Paul uses the same example as Ezekiel in Chapter 37. That this is the entire nation of Israel returning to their country, resurrecting, and awaiting the Second Coming.

 

Takeaways

 

In summary, Romans 11:32 is a key verse in the book of Romans (and all of Scripture) that emphasizes the sovereignty and faithfulness of God in His dealings with Israel. Paul reveals God’s temporary blinding of His chosen people so that He can pour out His mercy (in the form of the gospel of grace) on all mankind, which was a secret hidden in the mind of God.

 

 

Finding Hope in Affliction: The Encouragement of Psalm 119:50

Finding Hope in Affliction: The Encouragement of Psalm 119:50

by | Jan 25, 2023 | Daily Encouragement | 0 comments

‘This is my comfort in my affliction, For Your word has given me life.’

Psalms 119:50

 

Psalm 119:50 reminds us that God’s promise gives us life and it is a comfort in our afflictions. This Psalm encourages us to find comfort in the word of God during difficult times and to trust in His promises to sustain us.

The Apostle Paul also reminds us of the importance of finding hope in the word of God in Romans 15:4 “For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.” This verse reminds us that the word of God is a source of our power, encouragement, and hope for us in difficult times.

As we meditate on God’s word, we can find comfort in His promises and hope in His love. Trust in the power of God’s word to sustain you during difficult times. Allow it to be your comfort and your hope.

 
 
 
Praying for all this day. May God protect you in all that you do today.

 

Resting in God’s Grace: Setting Aside the Burden of Working for Salvation

Resting in God’s Grace: Setting Aside the Burden of Working for Salvation

by | Jan 24, 2023 | Daily Encouragement | 0 comments

First and foremost, I meet and speak with multitudes of people who spend a good part of their daily experience working for their salvation! What a terrible way to live. Never knowing what sin will be the one that takes you out. Beloved, God won’t have it. God’s only requirement for salvation is that you believe by faith alone that Jesus died, was buried, and rose from the dead three days later.

 

It is essential for Christians to fully understand the truth about salvation and the roles of grace and works. The apostle Paul, in multiple Bible verses, makes it clear that we can not work for our salvation, and that any attempt to do so nullifies the grace of God.

One of the most explicit verses on this topic is Ephesians 2:8-9, where Paul states “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” This verse clearly states that salvation is not earned through our own works, but it is a gift from God given through faith.

This message is reinforced in other verses such as Romans 3:28, where Paul states “Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.” and Romans 4:5 “But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.”

It’s important to understand that this is not to say that good works are unnecessary or unimportant, but rather that they are the fruit of salvation and not the means by which we attain it. In James 2:14-26, the apostle James makes it clear that faith without works is dead, but that works flow naturally from salvation by grace.

In conclusion, the apostle Paul makes it clear that we can not work for our salvation, it is a gift from God given through faith, and any attempt to earn it through works nullifies the grace of God. Good works are important, but they are the fruit of salvation, not the means by which we attain it.

 

Get your Bible out and Study the Passages below:

 

Ephesians 2:8-9 “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.”

Romans 3:28 “Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.”

Romans 4:5 “But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.”

James 2:14-26 “What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?… Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.”

 

 

 

 

 

Starting the Day with Praise: The Encouragement of Psalm 5:3

Starting the Day with Praise: The Encouragement of Psalm 5:3

by | Jan 24, 2023 | Daily Encouragement | 0 comments

‘My voice You shall hear in the morning, O Lord ; In the morning I will direct it to You, And I will look up.’

Psalms 5:3

 

Psalm 5:3 reminds us that in the morning, we can lay our requests before the Lord and wait expectantly for His answers. This Bible verse encourages us to start the day with praise and gratitude, setting our minds and hearts on God from the moment we wake up.

The Apostle Paul also reminds us of the importance of giving thanks to God in all things in 1 Thessalonians 5:18 “give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” This verse encourages us to be thankful for all things and to give thanks to God in all circumstances, even in the morning especially when we lay our requests before Him.

Starting the day with praise and gratitude sets the tone for the rest of the day and helps us to focus on God’s love, strength, and faithfulness. As we praise God in the morning, we can trust that He will hear our requests and guide us through the day. Let’s start each day with praise and thanksgiving, and trust in God to direct our path ahead.