Like The Beasts That Perish – The Saturday Morning Post by Pastor Ted Stahl
Today’s Passages – Ephesians 1 – 3; Proverbs 10
(Second Milers also read – Psalms 46 – 50; Memorize – Isaiah 9:6)
Listen to this morning’s Scripture song – Psalm 92:1 – 4
Good morning! There was a lot of great stuff in today’s Bible reading, but the passage that caught my eye was Psalm 49:16 thru 20: “Be not thou afraid when one is made rich, when the glory of his house is increased; For when he dieth he shall carry nothing away: his glory shall not descend after him. Though while he lived he blessed his soul: and men will praise thee, when thou doest well to thyself. He shall go to the generation of his fathers; they shall never see light. Man that is in honour, and understandeth not, is like the beasts that perish.”
Before we changed over to the 2 station, really cheap cable TV plan, one of our favorite stations was Animal Planet. I was watching a show on lions. They showed a lion take down a wilder-beast (or some other animal like that). If you look into the eyes of the wilder-beast they showed total shock. It knew that it’s life was about to end, and there was nothing he could do about it.
Psalm 49:20 tells us a man that is in honour, and understandeth not, is like the beasts that perish. What a horrible thought: to know your life is going to end right now, and not knowing where you will spend eternity. In the few second between life and death, you may see your life pass before you. You may be able to see all the times you rejected God’s offer of His free gift of salvation. What terror to finally know that Heaven and Hell are real, and your final destination will someday be the lake of fire.
As we read today in Proverbs 10, and verse 2: “Treasures of wickedness profit nothing: but righteousness delivereth from death.”
Righteousness is what delivers from death. It is not our righteousness. Our righteousness, as the prophet Isaiah says, is as filthy rags. If you look up filthy rags in your Strong’s Concordance, it gives the impression that our righteousness, the good we do, are like menstrual rags. That’s how our good works appear to God. He tells us in His Word that there are none righteous, no not one, and that we have all sinned and come short of the glory of God. Ezekiel chapter 18, verses 4 and 20, warn us the soul that sinneth, it shall die. Do you believe God? 1John 1:8-10 tell us: “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.”
If you call a Perfect, Holy, and Righteous God (who cannot lie) a liar, then you’ve just boar false witness: you broke commandment number nine. You lied about God: you’ve fallen short: you’ve sinned. Now what are you going to do? If you read Ephesians 1 thru 3 today, you read verses 8 and 9 of chapter 2: “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.”
Sin requires a blood sacrifice (Hebrews 9:22). Our blood is tainted by sin: it’s no good. God, knowing this, humbled himself, left heaven, put on flesh, lived a sinless life, and then shed His perfect blood to be the perfect sacrifice for sins. God did that for us, because He loved us. 2Corinthians 5:21 says, “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.”
You see, Romans 6:23 declares: “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
You don’t have to be like the beasts that perish. You don’t have to leave this world in a state of shock. You can come to Jesus for His forgiveness and know for sure that when you close your eyes on earth, for the last time, they will open in Heaven. Romans 10:13 tells us that: “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
Peace. (Luke 2:10-14)
Posted in Guest Posts, Thoughts from Psalms by Phil Erickson with no comments yet.
Are You Glorying? – The Saturday Morning Post by Pastor Ted Stahl
Today’s Passages – Romans 4 – 7; Proverbs 26
(Second Milers also read – Psalms 126 – 130; Memorize – Romans 1:21)
Listen to this morning’s Scripture song – Psalm 18:3 & 46
Romans 5:1-5 says, “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.”
Good Morning! Are you glorying this morning? Do you have Jesus as your own personal Saviour? Then you have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. And you also have access by faith to His grace. But what I really want to focus on is verses 3 through 5: we can glory in tribulations. From tribulation we get patience, from patience comes experience. From experience we get hope. And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
Are you glorying yet?
If you want to see a good illustration of how we glory in tribulation, go to www.lancasterbaptist.org and look for a video sermon called ‘Stewarding Trials.’ What it boils down to is that we keep God’s good gifts, and throw away those we perceive as being bad. But according to this passage, what we believe to be bad things are actually good: we can glory in tribulations. We get patience, experience, and hope.
Let me give you the three points I gave on Wednesday night. The first was what Bro. Gerald always says: “God is good all the time and all the time God is good.” God is perfect, so His goodness is perfect. And that brings us to the second point. James 1:17 tells us that: “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” The gifts, or blessings we get from Him are good and perfect. The third point came from Romans 8:28: “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”
So, God is good all the time, and all the time God is good.
God’s gifts are good and perfect.
And we know that ALL things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
And adding Romans 5:3 to this list: we can glory in our tribulations: they are good and perfect gifts from God.
When we get to a point where we fully understand the sovereignty of God, that He is in control of everything, it will motivate us to look for God’s purpose in everything. It will be easier for us to submit to His will. These “good” gifts will remind us of our dependence on God. They will get our focus back on the Lord and off our circumstances. Remember Peter walking on the water: he took his eyes of Jesus, and started to sink. But the Lord was there to keep him from drowning. All our anxiety, and worry can be placed on the Lord. Just know that…
God is good all the time, and all the time God is good.
God’s gifts are good and perfect.
And we know that ALL things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
Are you glorying yet?
Peace (Romans 5:1)
Posted in Guest Posts, Thoughts from Romans by Phil Erickson with no comments yet.
How’s Your Singing? – The Saturday Morning Post by Pastor Ted Stahl
Today’s Passages – Acts 11 – 13; Proverbs 19
(Second Milers also read – Psalms 91 – 95; Memorize – Philippians 4:6)
Listen to this morning’s Scripture Song – Psalm 92:1
Psalm 92:1: “A Psalm or Song for the sabbath day. It is a good thing to give thanks unto the LORD, and to sing praises unto thy name, O most High:”
Psalm 95:1-2: “O come, let us sing unto the LORD: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation. Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms.”
Good Morning! Thanksgiving is almost upon us. And it is a good thing to give thanks unto the LORD. It would appear that if you have thanksgiving in your heart it will reflect on your singing. I wish you could see what you look like when you sing. It is not a pretty sight. No wonder many preachers claim Jeremiah 1:8 (Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the LORD.). It isn’t really like that. But when we sing, according to Psalm 92:1, we should be singing praises to the LORD. And for those of us who cannot sing, there is Psalm 95:1 and 2. If you can’t sing, make a joyful noise. Think about the words you are singing…
Amazing Grace how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me!
Come we that love the Lord, And let your joys be known, Join in a song with sweet accord…
To God be the glory – great things He hath done!
I will sing the wondrous story Of the Christ who died for me…
Sing above the battle strife – Jesus saves! Jesus saves! By His death and endless life – Jesus saves! Jesus saves! Sing it softly thru the gloom, When the heart for mercy craves; Sing in triumph o’er the tomb – Jesus saves! Jesus saves!
Sing the wondrous love of Jesus…
“It is a good thing to give thanks unto the LORD, and to sing praises unto thy name, O most High…”
Peace (like a river).
Posted in Guest Posts, Thoughts from Psalms by Phil Erickson with no comments yet.
That the Scripture Might Be Fulfilled by Pastor Ted Stahl
Listen to this morning’s message – What Makes God Weep?
Today’s Passages – John 17 – 19; Proverbs 13
(Second Milers also read – Psalms 61 – 65; Memorize – Philippians 4:6)
Listen to this morning’s Scripture Song – Isaiah 40:31
“While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled.” – (John 17:12)
Good morning. What a great way to start the morning with my favorite chapter from the Bible: John chapter 17. Jesus is praying to His Father before going to the cross. Jesus prayed for His disciples, and us: those who would believe through their testimony: their word. And there was only one who was lost: the son of perdition: Judas. And the explanation is given as to why: that the Scripture might be fulfilled (vs12). The Scripture, God’s Word, should be one of the most cherished possessions in our lives. Chapter 17 is all God’s Word (yes, even the 13 words printed black in verse 1). Because God’s will is being done no matter what, we can trust the promises from the Scripture will come to pass: that the Scripture might be fulfilled.
1) The Father would be glorified through Jesus, that the Lord’s glory would be restored as it was before creation, and that we would glorify Jesus (vs 1-10).
Revelation 19:11-16 says, “And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.
That the Scripture might be fulfilled.
2) Safety for believers (vs 11-16).
John 10:27-30 tells us this also, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand. I and my Father are one.”
We are protected so that the Scripture might be fulfilled.
3) Jesus also prayed that we would be sanctified (made holy) through the Scriptures (verses 17-19). And in Hebrews 10:10 the Scriptures tell us that, “By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.”
Because of His sacrifice the Scriptures say we are sanctified.
I’m getting excited about this. Isn’t it great to know you’re saved and on your way to Heaven!
4) In verses 20 through 23, Jesus prays for the unity of those who believe, and that the world would believe. Revelation 7:9-12 gives us a glimpse into the future. John said, “After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb. And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God, Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen.
And that’s only the tribulation saints, that the Scripture might be fulfilled.
5) And I especially like verse 24 which tells us that one day we will see Jesus. Stephen saw Jesus just before he was stoned to death, Acts chapter 7:55-56 tell us, “But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God, And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God.
Face to face we shall behold Him that the Scriptures might be fulfilled.
6) And that brings us to verses 25 and 26. Jesus prayed that we would have the same love of the Father that He had. This is the sacrificial love, the agape’ love. Jesus said, “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” This was Jesus going to the cross, paying the price for our sins, that the Scripture might be fulfilled. We are supposed to have the same love in us. We need to die too: die to self. If we can be a little bit humble, maybe bury our pride, we can easily forgive our brothers and sisters when they sin against us, or hurt us. We should be demonstrating the love of God to others so that the Scripture might be fulfilled.
Peace (John 14:27).
Posted in Guest Posts, Thoughts from John by Phil Erickson with no comments yet.
It’s All Good – The Saturday Morning Post by Pastor Ted Sathl
Today’s Passages – Luke 23 – 24; Proverbs 5
(Second Milers also read – Psalms 21 – 25; Memorize – Jude 22)
Listen to this morning’s Scripture song – Psalm 61:1 – 3
Read a great article, “5 Steps off the Plateau”, by Dr. Paul Chappell
Good morning! In Psalm 22, David is going through the wringer. He is crying out to the Lord for help. The Holy Spirit forms the words in his heart, and paints a picture of the crucifiction of our Lord. Have you ever been there? Did you ever reach a point in your life that you felt like the dogs have surrounded you, ready to tear you apart? How do you deal with it? Has the Lord your God forsaken you? That’s wierd: He said I will never leave thee nor forsake thee. Maybe the problem is us. Every good gift comes from God. Since He is the Source of everything we receive, doesn’t that make it all good? Our perseption must be off. We preceive the bad things as bad when in reality they are actually good things. The bad things are designed to bring us closer to God. To help us help others. Sometimes for chastisement, which is also for our good.
I had a rough time at work two weeks ago. I worked 73 hours. Yes, I made a nice paycheck, but at what cost. I missed my wife. I missed our preachers tenth anniversary dinner. I actually cursed (not that I used bad words) my job. But it was for my good. That week was actually a good gift. I understand now that I need to be more organized at work. I appreciated getting away for the men’s retreat here at Camp Calvary. But as I said, it is all how we precieve the bad things that happen to us. We need to look at them as good things: good gifts from God: training on survival in this world.
I think if I come away with anything from this retreat, I would like a better attitude. Looking at my problems as being good is a great start.
Peace. (John 16:33)
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You Can Run, But You Can’t Hide – The Saturday Morning Post by Pastor Ted Stahl
Today’s Reading: Jonah 1-4, Proverbs 24, and Revelation 5-8.
Today’s Passage: Jonah 1.
Good Morning! It’s amazing how much we can see of ourselves in Jonah. The Book of Jonah is one of my favorites. Right-off-the-bat Jonah is given his marching orders from the Lord. Right-off-the-bat Jonah runs off in the other direction. Sin will take you quickly from the presence of the Lord. Remember what Samuel told Saul? Samuel said, “And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king.” (1Samuel 15: 22-23).
Also notice, back in Jonah, verses 4-6, that God sent a tempest in the sea, and a great wind. The sailors thought they were going to die. Notice two observations here. When we sin, it affects those around us. And also notice where Jonah was: he was in the side of the ship, fast asleep. When we sin, it not only affects others, but how we affect others: his soul winning hit an all time low: while those on deck were facing the wrath of God, Jonah was asleep.
So, while Jonah is asleep, what are the people on deck doing? They are running around deck, throwing things overboard, trying to lighten the ship.
When they cast lots, and found that Jonah was to blame, they asked him what they should do. “And he said unto them, Take me up, and cast me forth into the sea; so shall the sea be calm unto you: for I know that for my sake this great tempest is upon you. Nevertheless the men rowed hard to bring it to the land; but they could not: for the sea wrought, and was tempestuous against them.” (Jonah 1:12-13). Jonah knew that the wages of sin was death: he knew that someone had to die to save those on the ship. The crew did not believe Jonah, and worked hard to save the ship. Of course you know: “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.” (Ephesians 2:8-9). And you should also know that without faith it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6); and that faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God (Romans 10:17). Wait, wasn’t that the task given to Jonah: to give people the Word of God?
God wasn’t done with Jonah yet. After the crew threw Jonah overboard, the Lord not only calmed the sea, but sent a great fish to swallow Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish for three days and three nights.
Not only does our sin cause us to run from God. Not only does our sin affect others. Not only does our sin cause our soul-winning to come to a halt. Our sin causes us to be separated from God: we find ourselves in the belly of the fish: dark and lonely. In those places are the times we usually turn back to God. 1John 1:9 says, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
A good example of this happened to David. Psalm 51 says, “Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest. Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me. Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom. Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice. Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit. Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee. Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: and my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness. O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise.” (Psalm 51:1-15).
This is what Jonah did in chapter 2, and the Lord caused the fish to vomit Jonah out onto dry land. And, of course, Jonah went on to witness to all of Nineveh, and they turned from their evil ways. God spared that city of 120,000 souls.
Peace. (Psalm 51:12-13).
Posted in Guest Posts, Thoughts from Jonah by Phil Erickson with no comments yet.
We Have A Saviour! – The Saturday Morning Post by Pastor Ted Stahl
Today’s Reading: Daniel 7-9, Proverbs 17, and Hebrews 11 – James 1.
Today’s Passage: Daniel 9:26: “And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined.”
Good morning! I was tired today (I worked over 50 hours this week) until I hit this verse in Daniel. Four words jumped out at me. This verse told the Jews that their Messiah would be cut off – die. And this is followed by four little words. But these word carried an even bigger statement: BUT NOT FOR HIMSELF! The Messiah, the Christ, allowed Himself to be beaten, whipped, spit upon, and then nailed to a cross, but not for Himself: He did it for us. He did it for us because He loved us. Romans 5:8-11 tells us: “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.”
We have a Saviour! He gave His life because He loved me! He allowed me to work 50 hours this week because I love my wife and she has needs. I love my church, and God uses my tithe to help Jersey Shore Baptist to print tracts, and get the gospel out; to pay the utility bills; to pay the pastor so he can spend more time with God (rather that working 50 hours at a secular job) preparing a message that God wants me to hear.
We have a Saviour! “And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself…” Maybe we should keep that in our minds and hearts always.
Peace. (Philippians 4:19)
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Peace – The Saturday Morning Post by Pastor Ted Stahl
Today’s Reading: Isaiah 63-66, Proverbs 13, and John 19-20
Today’s Passage: John 20:21: “Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.”
Good morning! I want to give you some thoughts from John 20:21. When we preach this verse, it is usually used as the Great Commission verse from John, but it is much more than that. Jesus said, “Peace be unto you:”, and the colon after ‘you’ explains what our Lord meant by that: “as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.” And Jesus further explains in Luke 19:10: “For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.” That was what the Father had sent Jesus to do. God Almighty was humbled as a man putting on flesh. He grew, and went to work as a carpenter. At 30 years of age, allowing Himself to be controlled by the Holy Spirit, He began to seek others to share the good news of the kingdom of God. Some loved Him, some hated Him. Sounds like a normal life doesn’t it.
We need to seek the lost like Jesus did. Mathew 28:18-20 tells us: “And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” And also Mark 16:15: “And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” Also in Luke 24:47-49: “And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And ye are witnesses of these things. And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.” The Power they needed to wait for was the Holy Spirit. Just like Jesus allowed Himself to be controlled by the Holy Spirit, we need to humble ourselves and allow the Holy Spirit to control us. Jesus told us in Acts 1:8: “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” Seek people to give the gospel to.
But Jesus said He came to seek AND to save that which was lost. How do we save someone who is lost? How did Jesus save us? By dying. He shed His precious blood and gave His life for us. Jesus said, “…If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.” (Matthew 16:24). We need to die: die to self. If we die to ourselves, there is nothing to keep us from doing what we should. The Holy Spirit is free to do His work. We will have no problem telling others about Jesus, and receiving His peace.
Peace. (John 20:21)
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Rapture – The Saturday Morning Post by Pastor Ted Stahl
Today’s Reading: Job 22-26, Proverbs 11, and 1Thesselonians 4 – 2Thesselonians 2.
Good morning. “But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.” 1Thesselonians 4:13-18.
I feel sorry for those who do not believe in the catching away of the church, otherwise known as the rapture. I mean verse 15 starts off with: “For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord…”: it comes from the Lord. And verse 18 says, “Wherefore comfort one another with these words.” How can you comfort someone who does not believe.
I never had a chance to track down the info, but someone once told me that the theory of the rapture was created by a woman in the 1800’s. I would just say great! At least someone is reading their Bible! 1Thessalonians was written around 52 AD. In 1Corinthians 15, and verses 51-57, (written around 55 AD) the Bible says, “Behold, I shew 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 trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
And Jesus promised: “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.” (John 14:1-3)
Jesus also said in Luke 17:26-27: “And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man. They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all.”
Before Noah, Enoch was raptured. When the flood came, God protected Noah and his family in the ark. After the rapture of the church, the Great Tribulation period will begin, and God will protect the nation of Israel as He did Noah.
Jesus is coming back to catch His bride away. Everything is in place, and the rapture of the church could take place at any time. Are you ready? All you need do is believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved. Just realize you are a sinner. God’s Word says…
Rom 3:10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: [AND] Rom 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
It’s in our blood to sin: because Adam sinned, we all sin.
Rom 5:12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:
BUT…
Rom 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
Rom 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
And He made it so easy for us. Jesus took on Himself the hard part: dying for our sins on the cross. All we need do is receive Him into our hearts.
Rom 10:8 But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;
Rom 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
Rom 10:10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
Rom 10:11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
Rom 10:12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.
Rom 10:13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
One more thing about the woman from the 1800’s. I said she read her Bible, but she also probably liked good Godly music. This was written in the 1700’s…
Soar we now where Christ hath led, Alleluia!
Following our exalted Head, Alleluia!
Made like Him, like Him we rise, Alleluia!
Ours the cross, the grave, the skies, Alleluia!
(Christ The Lord Has Risen Today by Charles Wesley)
Alleluia! Peace.
Posted in Guest Posts by Phil Erickson with 1 comment.
It’s That Simple – The Saturday Morning Post by Pastor Ted Stahl
Today’s Reading: Esther 6-10, Proverbs 4
2nd Milers Also Read: 2Corinthians 9-12
October is coming. I forgot the date, but it doesn’t matter being that it is
not the right date anyway. The rapture of the church could happen
before you finish reading this. Luke 21 is a good place to learn of
what the world will be like in the end times: such as the days of
Noah. While reading 2Corintians 11, I was reminded of Luke 21 and
verse 26: …Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking
after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of
heaven shall be shaken.
There is no doubt that this world we live in today is under major stress.
People working ten jobs in order to make ends meet. The soaring
prices of gas and food. Others fear loosing their jobs. There are
wars, and rumors of wars. Is it any wonder that man’s hearts are
failing them for fear? But 2Corinthians chapter 11 and verse 13 says,
“But I fear, lest by any means, as the
serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be
corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.”
There is simplicity in Christ. Where? Sometimes circumstances blind us to
just where in Christ that simplicity is. My verse is John 16:33 –
These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace.
In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have
overcome the world. Bad things are going to happen – ye shall have
tribulation. Use these things to thrust you closer to Christ. That’s
why God may have allowed it to happen in the first place. God knows
your whole life from beginning to ending. He knows what you need. How
much more simpler can it be? Sick of working those ten jobs? Then
tithe. God said that He would rebuke the devourer: those little
things that eat away at your paychecks. You may find you will be able
to cut down to five jobs, and eventually one. It’s that simple: the
simplicity in Christ.
Do you fear some terrorist may brake through your door and blow himself
up splattering him and you all over the living room walls? Are you
saved? Jesus said in John chapter 6, “All
that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me
I will in no wise cast out. For I came down from heaven, not to do
mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. And this is the
Father’s will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me
I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.
And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth
the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will
raise him up at the last day.”
If you are saved, your final home will be heaven. Jesus will not cast
you out. What have you to fear but God? He is your heavenly Father
and He chastens those He loves: you should only fear Him. It’s that
simple: the simplicity in Christ.
I have a verse hanging on the wall over my computer. It’s been hanging
there for about 2 years now. It is Ecclesiastes 12:13: “Let us hear
the conclusion of the whole matter: fear God, and keep His
commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.”
It’s that simple: the simplicity in Christ.
Peace. (John 14:1-9)
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